10-K 1 d831640d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

 

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014

OR

 

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

For the Transition Period from             to             

001-34809

Commission File Number

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Ireland

 

98-0664891

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

25/28 NORTH WALL QUAY

DUBLIN 1

IRELAND

(Address of principal executive office including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 353 (0) 1 649 2000

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common A Ordinary shares, $0.0001 Par Value   The Nasdaq Global Select Market

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES   ¨    NO  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    YES  ¨    NO  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  x    NO  ¨

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   þ
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the price of the registrant’s A ordinary shares as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (based on the last reported sale price on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of such date), was $212,911,354. There are no B ordinary shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant.

As of March 9, 2015, the registrant had outstanding 13,394,145 A ordinary shares and 12,061,370 B ordinary shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
  PART I   

Item 1.

  BUSINESS      2   

Item 1A.

  RISK FACTORS      31   

Item 1B.

  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS      45   

Item 2.

  PROPERTIES      45   

Item 3.

  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS      45   

Item 4.

  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES      45   
  PART II   

Item 5.

  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES      46   

Item 6.

  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA      49   

Item 7.

  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS      51   

Item 7A.

  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      89   

Item 8.

  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA      92   

Item 9.

  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE      149   

Item 9A.

  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      149   

Item 9B.

  OTHER INFORMATION      150   
  PART III   

Item 10.

  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE      151   

Item 11.

  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION      151   

Item 12.

  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS      151   

Item 13.

  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE      151   

Item 14.

  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES      151   
  PART IV   

Item 15.

  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES      152   

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

Some of the information contained in this Item 1 or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to the Company’s plans and strategy, constitutes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of Item 7 of Part II and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein.

References to the acquisition of American Reliable refer to the January 1, 2015 acquisition of American Reliable Insurance Company (“American Reliable”). The discussion in this report relates to a period prior to the acquisition of American Reliable and, except as otherwise noted, does not give effect to it.

History

Global Indemnity plc (“Global Indemnity” or “the Company”) was incorporated on March 9, 2010 and is domiciled in Ireland as a public limited company. Global Indemnity replaced the Company’s predecessor, United America Indemnity, Ltd., as the ultimate parent company as a result of a re-domestication transaction. United America Indemnity, Ltd., which was incorporated on August 26, 2003 and domiciled in the Cayman Islands, is a subsidiary of the Company and an Irish tax resident. The Company’s A ordinary shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “GBLI.”

On October 16, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Indemnity, entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “American Reliable SPA”) by and among American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) to purchase all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Reliable. On January 1, 2015, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. completed its acquisition of American Reliable pursuant to the American Reliable SPA upon payment of an aggregate purchase price of approximately $113.7 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $322.9 million in customary insurance related liabilities, obligations, and mandates. The ultimate purchase price is subject to accounting procedures that are expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. The most recent estimate of the purchase price, based on available financial information, is approximately $117.9 million. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on GAAP book value of the business as of the date of the closing of the transaction and the future development of loss reserves as specified in the American Reliable SPA.

American Reliable was established in 1952 and is headquartered in Scottsdale Arizona. It has facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Omaha, Nebraska, and writes property and casualty insurance across all fifty states and the District of Columbia. It writes specialty personal lines and agricultural property and casualty insurance, in each case distributed through a network of general and independent agents. As of December 31, 2014, American Reliable had approximately 200 full-time employees.

Please see “Recent Developments” in Item 7 of Part II of this report for additional discussion of American Reliable.

General

Global Indemnity, one of the leading specialty property and casualty insurers in the industry, provides its insurance products across a full distribution network – binding authority, program, brokerage, and reinsurance. The Company manages the distribution of these products in two segments: (a) Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC, Global Indemnity Insurance Agency, LLC, and J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC, and (b) Reinsurance Operations, which includes the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“Global Indemnity Reinsurance”). On June 10, 2014, Wind River Reinsurance Company, Ltd changed its name to Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd.

 

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On December 31, 2013, Diamond State Insurance Company sold all the outstanding shares of capital stock of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, United National Casualty Insurance Company, to an unrelated party. Diamond State Insurance Company received a one-time payment of $26.6 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $5.2 million. The financial results for 2013 and 2012 include the financial results for United National Casualty Insurance Company. Management deemed this transaction to be an asset sale with the assets primarily comprised of investments and insurance licenses. This transaction did not have a significant impact on the Company’s ongoing business operations.

Business Segments

See Note 18 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for gross and net premiums written, income and total assets of each operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. For a discussion of the variances between years, see “Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II of this report.

Insurance Operations

The Company’s United States based Insurance Operations distribute property and casualty insurance products and operate predominantly in the excess and surplus lines marketplace. The excess and surplus lines market differs significantly from the standard property and casualty insurance market.

In the standard property and casualty insurance market, insurance rates and forms are highly regulated; products and coverage are largely uniform and have relatively predictable exposures. In the standard market, policies must be written by insurance companies that are admitted to transact business in the state in which the policy is issued. As a result, in the standard property and casualty insurance market, insurance companies tend to compete for customers primarily on the basis of price, coverage, value-added service, and financial strength.

In contrast, the excess and surplus lines market provides coverage for businesses that often do not fit the underwriting criteria of an insurance company operating in the standard markets due to their relatively greater unpredictable loss patterns and unique niches of exposure requiring rate and policy form flexibility. Without the excess and surplus lines market, certain businesses would have to self-insure their exposures, or seek coverage outside the U.S. market.

Competition in the excess and surplus lines market tends to focus less on price and more on availability, service, and other considerations. While excess and surplus lines market exposures may have higher perceived insurance risk than their standard market counterparts, excess and surplus lines market underwriters historically have been able to generate underwriting profitability superior to standard market underwriters.

A portion of the Company’s Insurance Operations is written on a specialty admitted basis. When writing on a specialty admitted basis, the Company’s focus is on writing insurance for insureds that engage in similar but often highly specialized types of activities. The specialty admitted market is subject to greater state regulation than the surplus lines market, particularly with regard to rate and form filing requirements and the ability to enter and exit lines of business. Insureds purchasing coverage from specialty admitted insurance companies do so because the insurance product is not otherwise available from standard market insurers. Yet, for regulatory or marketing reasons, these insureds require products that are written by an admitted insurance company.

Its insurance products target specific, defined groups of insureds with customized coverage to meet their needs. To manage operations, the Insurance Operations segment differentiates its products by product classification. These product classifications are as follows:

 

   

Penn-America distributes property and general liability products for small commercial businesses through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority;

 

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United National distributes property, general liability, and professional lines products through program administrators with specific binding authority; and

 

   

Diamond State distributes property, casualty, and professional lines products through wholesale brokers that are underwritten by the Company’s personnel and selected brokers with specific binding authority.

See “Underwriting” below for a discussion on how the Company’s insurance products are underwritten.

These product classifications comprise the Insurance Operations business segment and are not considered individual business segments because each product has similar economic characteristics, distribution, and coverage. The Insurance Operations provide property, casualty, and professional liability products utilizing customized guidelines, rates, and forms tailored to the Company’s risk and underwriting philosophy. The Insurance Operations are licensed to write on a surplus lines (non-admitted) basis and/or an admitted basis in all 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which provides them with flexibility in designing products and programs, and in determining rates to meet emerging risks and discontinuities in the marketplace.

The Company distributes its insurance products through a group of approximately 110 professional wholesale general agencies that have specific quoting and binding authority, as well as a number of wholesale insurance brokers who in turn sell the Company’s insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers.

In 2014, gross premiums written for the U.S. Insurance Operations were $230.0 million compared to $232.4 million for 2013. For 2014, surplus lines business accounts for approximately 76.4% of the business written while specialty admitted business accounts for the remaining 23.6%.

Reinsurance Operations

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a Bermuda based treaty reinsurer of specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies, and consists solely of the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

The reinsurance markets face many of the same issues confronted with the primary insurance markets including excess capital capacity, low investment returns and increased pressure on generating acceptable return on investment.

The limited number of catastrophic events in recent years and an increase in the available capacity has continued to put pressure on pricing levels. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is focused on using its capital capacity to write catastrophe-oriented placements and other niche or specialty-focused excess of loss contracts meeting the Company’s risk tolerance and return thresholds.

In 2014, gross premiums written from third parties were $61.3 million compared to $58.4 million for 2013.

Available Information

The Company maintains a website at www.globalindemnity.ie. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated herein by reference. The Company will make available, free of charge on its website, the most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequently filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company files such material with, or furnishes it to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

The public may also read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains

 

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an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Products and Product Development

The Company’s Insurance Operations distribute property and casualty insurance products and operate predominantly in the excess and surplus lines marketplace. To manage its operations, the Company seeks to differentiate its products by product classification. See “Insurance Operations” above for a description of these product classifications. The Company believes it has significant flexibility in designing products, programs, and in determining rates to meet the needs of the marketplace.

The Company’s Reinsurance Operations offer third party treaty reinsurance for specialty property and casualty insurance companies and reinsurance companies. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations also provide reinsurance to its Insurance Operations in the form of quota share and stop-loss arrangements.

Geographic Concentration

The following table sets forth the geographic distribution of gross premiums written for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  
   Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent     Amount      Percent  

Florida

   $ 29,371         10.1   $ 32,170         11.0   $ 28,738         11.8

California

     26,711         9.2        26,358         9.1        22,277         9.1   

Texas

     26,170         9.0        29,565         10.1        21,554         8.8   

New York

     16,326         5.6        16,600         5.7        14,876         6.1   

Massachusetts

     13,470         4.6        11,234         3.9        8,291         3.4   

Illinois

     7,615         2.6        6,715         2.3        6,130         2.5   

Pennsylvania

     7,289         2.5        6,904         2.4        6,496         2.7   

New Jersey

     7,121         2.4        8,208         2.8        8,529         3.5   

Louisiana

     6,474         2.2        8,392         2.9        7,579         3.1   

Michigan

     5,394         1.9        4,719         1.6        4,680         1.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     145,941         50.1        150,865         51.9        129,150         52.9   

All other states

     84,037         28.9        81,508         28.0        72,640         29.8   

Reinsurance Operations

     61,275         21.0        58,350         20.1        42,263         17.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 291,253         100.0   $ 290,723         100.0   $ 244,053         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketing and Distribution

The Company provides its insurance products across a full distribution network—binding authority, program, brokerage, direct, and reinsurance. For its binding authority and program product classifications, the Company distributes its insurance products primarily through a group of approximately 110 wholesale general agents and program administrators that have specific quoting and binding authority. For its brokerage business, the Company distributes its insurance products through wholesale insurance brokers who in turn sell the Company’s insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers. For its reinsurance business, the Company distributes its products through reinsurance brokers and on a direct basis.

Of the Company’s non-affiliated professional wholesale general agents and program administrators, the top five accounted for 32.7% of the Insurance Operations’ gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014. One agency represented 10.0% of the Insurance Operations’ gross premiums written. There is no agency which accounts for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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Global Indemnity Reinsurance assumed premiums on three treaties accounted for 96% of the Reinsurance Operations’ 2014 gross premiums written. There is no treaty that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The Company’s distribution strategy is to seek to maintain strong relationships with a limited number of high-quality wholesale professional general agents and wholesale insurance brokers. The Company carefully selects distribution sources based on their expertise, experience and reputation. The Company believes that its distribution strategy enables it to effectively access numerous markets at a relatively low cost structure through the marketing, underwriting, and administrative support of the Company’s professional general agencies and wholesale insurance brokers. The Company believes these wholesale general agents and wholesale insurance brokers have local market knowledge and expertise that enables them to access business in these markets more effectively.

Underwriting

The Company’s insurance products are primarily underwritten via specific binding authority in which the Company grants underwriting authority to its wholesale general agents and program administrators and via brokerage in which the Company’s internal personnel underwrites business submitted by wholesale insurance brokers. Some of the Company’s specialized property business is submitted by retail agents or directly from insureds and is also underwritten by internal personnel.

Specific Binding Authority—The Company’s wholesale general agents and program administrators have specific quoting and binding authority with respect to a single insurance product and some have limited quoting and binding authority with respect to multiple products.

The Company provides its wholesale general agents and program administrators with a comprehensive, regularly updated underwriting manual that specifically outlines risk eligibility which is developed based on the type of insured, nature of exposure and overall expected profitability. This manual also outlines (a) premium pricing, (b) underwriting guidelines, including but not limited to policy forms, terms and conditions, and (c) policy issuance instructions.

The Company’s wholesale general agents and program administrators are appointed to underwrite submissions received from their retail agents in accordance with the Company’s underwriting manual. Risks that are not within the specific binding authority must be submitted to the Company’s underwriting personnel directly for underwriting review and approval or denial of the application of the insured. The Company’s wholesale general agents provide all policy issuance services in accordance with the Company’s underwriting manuals.

The Company regularly monitors the underwriting quality of its wholesale general agents and program administrators through a disciplined system of controls, which includes the following:

 

   

automated system criteria edits and exception reports;

 

   

individual policy reviews to measure adherence to the Company’s underwriting manual including: risk selection, underwriting compliance, policy issuance and pricing;

 

   

periodic on-site comprehensive audits to evaluate processes, controls, profitability and adherence to all aspects of the Company’s underwriting manual including: risk selection, underwriting compliance, policy issuance and pricing;

 

   

internal quarterly actuarial analysis of loss ratios produced by business underwritten by the Company’s wholesale general agents and program administrators; and

 

   

internal quarterly analysis of financial results, including premium growth and overall profitability of business produced by the Company’s wholesale general agents and program administrators.

 

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The Company provides incentives to certain of its wholesale general agents and program administrators to produce profitable business through contingent profit commission structures that are tied directly to the achievement of profitability targets.

Brokerage—There are only two wholesale insurance brokers with specific binding authority. These brokers are subject to the same guidelines and monitoring as discussed above. The majority of the Company’s wholesale insurance brokers do not have specific binding authority; therefore, these risks are submitted to the Company’s underwriting personnel for review and processing.

The Company provides its underwriters with a comprehensive, regularly updated underwriting manual that outlines risk eligibility which is developed based on the type of insured, nature of exposure and overall expected profitability. This manual also outlines (a) premium pricing, (b) underwriting guidelines, including but not limited to policy forms, terms and conditions.

The Company’s underwriting personnel review submissions, issue all quotes and perform all policy issuance functions. The Company regularly monitors the underwriting quality of its underwriters through a disciplined system of controls, which includes the following:

 

   

individual policy reviews to measure the Company’s underwriters’ adherence to the underwriting manual including: risk selection, underwriting compliance, policy issuance and pricing;

 

   

periodic underwriting review to evaluate adherence to all aspects of the Company’s underwriting manual including: risk selection, underwriting compliance, policy issuance and pricing;

 

   

internal quarterly actuarial analysis of loss ratios produced by business underwritten by the Company’s underwriters; and

 

   

internal quarterly analysis of financial results, including premium growth and overall profitability of business produced by the Company’s underwriters.

ReinsuranceThe Company’s Global Indemnity Reinsurance subsidiary primarily offers retrocessional coverage to Bermuda based reinsurance companies. The business assumed is primarily quota share treaties on property catastrophe and marine business. The Company also writes a small amount of professional lines excess liability business. Prior to entering into any agreement, the Company evaluates a number of factors for each cedent including, but not limited to, reputation and financial condition, underwriting and claims practices and historical claims experience. The Company also models proposed treaties for both the catastrophe exposure and the marginal impact on the Company’s existing catastrophe portfolio.

Contingent Commissions

Certain professional general agencies of the Insurance Operations are paid special incentives, referred to as contingent commissions, when results of business produced by these agencies are more favorable than predetermined thresholds. Similarly, in some circumstances, companies that cede business to the Reinsurance Operations are paid a profit commission based on the profitability of the ceded portfolio. These commissions are charged to other underwriting expenses when incurred. The liability for the unpaid portion of these commissions is stated separately on the face of the consolidated balance sheet as contingent commissions.

Pricing

The Company’s pricing actuaries establish pricing tailored to each specific product it underwrites, taking into account historical loss experience, historical rate level changes, and individual risk and coverage characteristics. The Company generally uses the actuarial loss costs promulgated by the Insurance Services Office as a benchmark in the development of pricing for most of the Company’s products. The Company will seek to only write business if it believes it can achieve an adequate rate of return.

 

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Reinsurance of Underwriting Risk

The Company’s philosophy is to purchase reinsurance from third parties to limit its liability on individual risks and to protect against property catastrophe and casualty clash losses. Reinsurance assists the Company in controlling exposure to severe losses and protecting capital resources. The Company purchases reinsurance on both an excess of loss and proportional basis. The type, cost and limits of reinsurance it purchases can vary from year to year based upon the Company’s desired retention levels and the availability of quality reinsurance at an acceptable price. Although reinsurance does not legally discharge an insurer from its primary liability for the full amount of limits on the policies it has written, it does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the insurer to the extent of the insurance ceded. The Company’s reinsurance contracts renew throughout the year and all of its reinsurance is purchased following guidelines established by management. The Company primarily utilizes treaty reinsurance products made up of proportional and excess of loss reinsurance. Additionally, the Company may purchase facultative reinsurance protection on single risks when deemed necessary.

The Company purchases specific types and structures of reinsurance depending upon the characteristics of the lines of business and specialty products underwritten. The Company will typically seek to place proportional reinsurance for umbrella and excess products, certain specialty products, or in the development stages of a new product. The Company believes that this approach allows it to control net exposure in these product areas most cost effectively.

The Company purchases reinsurance on an excess of loss basis to cover individual risk severity. These structures are utilized to protect the Company’s primary positions on property and casualty products. The excess of loss structures allow the Company to maximize underwriting profits over time by retaining a greater portion of the risk in these products, while helping to protect against the possibility of unforeseen volatility.

The Company analyzes its reinsurance contracts to ensure that they meet the risk transfer requirements of applicable accounting guidance, which requires that the reinsurer must assume significant insurance risk under the reinsured portions of the underlying insurance contracts and that there must be a reasonably possible chance that the reinsurer may realize a significant loss from the transaction.

The Company continually evaluates its retention levels across its entire line of business and specialty product portfolio seeking to ensure that the ultimate reinsurance structures are aligned with the Company’s corporate risk tolerance levels associated with such products. Any decision to decrease the Company’s reliance upon proportional reinsurance or to increase the Company’s excess of loss retentions could increase the Company’s earnings volatility. In cases where the Company decides to increase its excess of loss retentions, such decisions will be a result of a change or progression in the Company’s risk tolerance level. The Company endeavors to purchase reinsurance from financially strong reinsurers with which it has long-standing relationships. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Company holds collateral, including letters of credit, under reinsurance agreements.

The Company’s Insurance Operations’ primary reinsurance treaties are as follows:

Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss—The Company’s current property writings create exposure to catastrophic events. To protect against these exposures, the Company purchases a property catastrophe treaty. Effective June 1, 2014, the Company renewed its property catastrophe excess of loss treaty which provides occurrence coverage for losses of $70 million in excess of $20 million. This treaty excludes business underwritten by American Reliable. At this renewal, the Company participated on 60% of the $20 million in excess of $20 million layer and 40% of the $50 million in excess of $40 million layer. This treaty provides for one full reinstatement of coverage at 100% additional premium as to time and pro rata as to amount of limit reinstated. This replaces the treaty that expired on May 31, 2014, which provided identical coverage with the exception of the Company’s participation, which was 50% of the $20 million in excess of $20 million layer and 20% of the $50 million in excess of $40 million layer.

Property Catastrophe Industry Loss Warranty—Effective June 2, 2014, the Company purchased a property catastrophe industry loss warranty which provides occurrence coverage for losses of $12 million in excess of

 

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$10 thousand for a U.S. wind event. Recovery under the industry loss warranty is contingent on the property/casualty insurance industry sustaining a $30 billion loss from the same event. This treaty, which covers both the Company’s US Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations, has no reinstatements and expired on December 15, 2014.

Property Per Risk Excess of Loss—Effective January 1, 2015, the Company renewed its property per risk excess of loss treaty, which excludes business underwritten by American Reliable. This treaty provides coverage in two sections: 50% of $9 million per risk in excess of $1 million per risk for all business with the exception of the Property Brokerage unit, and 50% of $8 million in excess of $2 million for Property Brokerage business. This treaty also provides coverage of 100% of $20 million per risk in excess of $10 million per risk for Property Brokerage business. The treaty’s liability is limited to twice the named per risk limit by section and layer for all risks involved in one loss occurrence.

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company renewed its property per risk excess of loss treaty which provides coverage of 50% of $13 million per risk in excess of $2 million per risk. This replaces the treaty that expired December 31, 2013, which provided identical coverage. The treaty provides coverage in two layers: $3 million per risk in excess of $2 million per risk, and $10 million per risk in excess of $5 million per risk. The first layer is subject to a $6 million limit of liability for all risks involved in one loss occurrence, and the second layer is subject to a $10 million limit for all risks involved in one loss occurrence.

Casualty and Professional Liability Excess of Loss—Effective May 1, 2014, the Company renewed its casualty and professional liability excess of loss treaty. The casualty section provides coverage for $2 million per occurrence in excess of $1 million per occurrence for general liability and auto liability. The professional liability section provides coverage of $4 million per policy/occurrence in excess of $1 million per policy/occurrence. For both sections, allocated loss adjustment expenses are included within limits. The casualty and professional liability treaty that expired April 30, 2014 provided identical coverage.

Casualty Clash Excess of Loss—Effective May 1, 2014, the Company renewed its casualty clash excess of loss treaty which provides coverage of $10 million per occurrence in excess of $3 million per occurrence, subject to a $20 million limit for all loss occurrences. The casualty clash treaty that expired April 30, 2014 provided identical coverage.

To the extent that there may be an increase or decrease in catastrophe or casualty clash exposure in the future, the Company may increase or decrease its reinsurance protection for these exposures commensurately. There were no other significant changes to any of the Company’s Insurance Operations’ reinsurance treaties during 2014.

 

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The following table sets forth the ten reinsurers for which the Company has the largest reinsurance receivables as of December 31, 2014. Also shown are the amounts of premiums ceded by the Company to these reinsurers during the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(Dollars in millions)    A.M.
Best
Rating
   Gross
Reinsurance
Receivables
    Percent
of
Total
    Ceded
Premiums
Written
     Percent
of
Total
 

Munich Re America Corp.

   A+    $ 67.5        48.5   $ 6.0         33.3

Westport Insurance Corp.

   A+      18.5        13.3        —           —     

Transatlantic Reinsurance

   A      7.4        5.3        3.2         17.8   

Swiss Reinsurance America Corp.

   A+      6.7        4.8        —           —     

General Reinsurance Corp.

   A++      5.9        4.2        0.1         0.4   

Hartford Fire Insurance Company

   A      5.0        3.6        —           —     

Clearwater Insurance Company

   NR      3.3        2.4        —           —     

Scor Reinsurance Company

   A      1.6        1.2        —           —     

St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company

   A++      1.1        0.8        —           —     

Cologne Reinsurance Company

   A++      1.1        0.8        —           —     
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

        118.1        84.9        9.3         51.5   

All other reinsurers

        21.0        15.1        8.8         48.5   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reinsurance receivables before purchase accounting adjustments and allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

        139.1        100.0   $ 18.1         100.0
       

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Purchase accounting adjustments and allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

        (13.4       
     

 

 

        

Total receivables, net of purchase accounting adjustments and allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

        125.7          

Collateral held in trust from reinsurers

        (8.7       
     

 

 

        

Net receivables

      $ 117.0          
     

 

 

        

At December 31, 2014, the Company carried reinsurance receivables, net of collateral held in trust, of $117.0 million. This amount is net of a purchase accounting adjustment and an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables. The purchase accounting adjustment resulted from the Company’s acquisition of Wind River Investment Corporation on September 5, 2003 and is related to discounting the acquired loss reserves to their present value and applying a risk margin to the discounted reserves. This adjustment was $4.0 million at December 31, 2014. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables was $9.4 million at December 31, 2014.

Historically, there have been insolvencies following a period of competitive pricing in the industry. While the Company has recorded allowances for reinsurance receivables based on currently available information, conditions may change or additional information might be obtained that may require the Company to record additional allowances. On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews its financial exposure to the reinsurance market and assesses the adequacy of its collateral and allowance for uncollectible reinsurance. The Company continues to take actions to mitigate its exposure to possible loss.

Claims Management and Administration

The Company’s approach to claims management is designed to investigate reported incidents at the earliest juncture, to select, manage, and supervise all legal and adjustment aspects of claims, including settlement, for the mutual benefit of the Company, its professional general agents, wholesale brokers, reinsurers and insureds. The Company’s professional general agents and wholesale brokers have no authority to settle claims or otherwise

 

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exercise control over the claims process, with the exception of one statutory managing general agent. The Insurance Operations’ claims management staff supervises or processes all claims. The Company’s Insurance Operations has a formal claims review process, and all claims greater than $250,000, gross of reinsurance, are reviewed by senior claims management and certain senior executives. Large loss trends and analysis are reviewed by a Large Loss committee.

To handle claims, the Company’s Insurance Operations utilizes its own in-house claims department as well as third-party claims administrators (“TPAs”) and assuming reinsurers, to whom it delegates limited claims handling authority. The Insurance Operations’ experienced in-house staff of claims management professionals are assigned to one of five dedicated claim units: casualty and automobile claims, latent exposure claims, property claims, TPA oversight, and a wholly owned subsidiary that administers construction defect claims. The dedicated claims units meet regularly to communicate current developments within their assigned areas of specialty.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company has $154 million of direct outstanding loss and loss adjustment expense case reserves at its Insurance Operations. Claims relating to approximately 84% of those reserves are handled by in-house claims management professionals, while claims relating to approximately 5% of those reserves are handled by TPAs, which send the Company detailed financial and claims information on a monthly basis. The Company also individually supervises in-house any significant or complicated TPA handled claims, and conducts on-site audits of material TPAs at least twice a year. Approximately 11% of its reserves are handled by the Company’s assuming reinsurers. The Company reviews and supervises the claims handled by its reinsurers seeking to protect its reputation and minimize exposure.

Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Applicable insurance laws require the Company to maintain reserves to cover its estimated ultimate losses under insurance policies and reinsurance treaties that it writes and for loss adjustment expenses relating to the investigation and settlement of claims.

The Company establishes loss and loss adjustment expense reserves for individual claims by evaluating reported claims on the basis of:

 

   

knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the claim;

 

   

the severity of injury or damage;

 

   

jurisdiction of the occurrence;

 

   

the potential for ultimate exposure;

 

   

litigation related developments;

 

   

the type of loss; and

 

   

the Company’s experience with the insured and the line of business and policy provisions relating to the particular type of claim.

The Company generally estimates such losses and claims costs through an evaluation of individual reported claims. The Company also establishes reserves for incurred but not reported losses (“IBNR”). IBNR reserves are based in part on statistical information and in part on industry experience with respect to the expected number and nature of claims arising from occurrences that have not been reported. The Company also establishes its reserves based on estimates of future trends in claims severity and other subjective factors. Insurance companies are not permitted to reserve for a catastrophe until it has occurred. Reserves are recorded on an undiscounted basis other than fair value adjustments recorded under purchase accounting. The Company’s Insurance Operations’ reserves are reviewed quarterly by the in-house actuarial staff. Loss reserve estimates for the

 

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Company’s Reinsurance Operations are developed by independent, external actuaries; however management is responsible for the final determination of loss reserve selections. The data for this analysis is organized by treaty and treaty year. Reviews for both Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations are performed both gross and net of reinsurance.

In addition to the Company’s internal reserve analysis, independent external actuaries perform a full, detailed review of the Insurance Operations’ reserves annually. The Company does not rely upon the review by the independent actuaries to develop its reserves; however, the data is used to corroborate the analysis performed by the in-house actuarial staff. The Company’s independent external actuaries also perform a full, detailed review of the Reinsurance Operations’ reserves annually. The results of the detailed reserve reviews by internal and external actuaries were summarized and discussed with the Company’s senior management to determine the best estimate of reserves.

With respect to some classes of risks, the period of time between the occurrence of an insured event and the final resolution of a claim may be many years, and during this period it often becomes necessary to adjust the claim estimates either upward or downward. Certain classes of umbrella and excess liability that the Company underwrites have historically had longer intervals between the occurrence of an insured event, reporting of the claim and final resolution. In such cases, the Company must estimate reserves over long periods of time with the possibility of several adjustments to reserves. Other classes of insurance that the Company underwrites, such as most property insurance, historically have shorter intervals between the occurrence of an insured event, reporting of the claim and final resolution. Reserves with respect to these classes are therefore inherently less likely to be adjusted.

The loss and loss expense reserving process is intended to reflect the impact of inflation and other factors affecting loss payments by taking into account changes in historical payment patterns and perceived trends. However, there is no precise method for the subsequent evaluation of the adequacy of the consideration given to inflation, or to any other specific factor, or to the way one factor may affect another.

The loss and loss expense development table that follows shows changes in the Company’s reserves in subsequent years from the prior loss and loss expense estimates based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year and in conformity with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The estimate is increased or decreased as more information becomes known about the frequency and severity of losses for individual years. A redundancy means the original estimate was higher than the current estimate; a deficiency means that the current estimate is higher than the original estimate.

The first line of the loss and loss expense development table shows, for the years indicated, the Company’s net reserve liability including the reserve for IBNR. The first section of the table shows, by year, the cumulative amounts of losses and loss adjustment expenses paid as of the end of each succeeding year. The second section sets forth the re-estimates in later years of incurred losses and loss expenses, including payments, for the years indicated. The “cumulative redundancy/ (deficiency)” represents, as of the date indicated, the difference between the latest re-estimated liability and the reserves as originally estimated.

In 2005, $235.2 million of loss reserves were acquired as a result of the merger with Penn-America Group, Inc. that took place on January 24, 2005. As such, there is no loss reserves in the loss development table related to the Penn-America insurance companies for 2004.

 

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This loss development table shows development in Global Indemnity’s loss and loss expense reserves on a net basis:

 

(Dollars in thousands)   2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  

Balance sheet reserves:

  $ 344,614      $ 639,291      $ 735,342      $ 800,885      $ 835,839      $ 725,297      $ 638,906      $ 684,878      $ 629,558      $ 586,975      $ 552,271   

Cumulative paid as of:

                     

One year later

  $ 85,960      $ 154,069      $ 169,899      $ 190,723      $ 215,903      $ 189,358      $ 160,204      $ 155,888      $ 134,065      $ 116,118     

Two years later

    139,822        268,827        300,041        360,336        366,647        299,720        261,569        260,667        223,358       

Three years later

    180,801        355,987        413,055        470,313        454,284        375,066        330,522        333,131         

Four years later

    209,938        414,068        478,408        532,753        510,177        419,717        377,350           

Five years later

    237,636        440,206        506,915        561,536        541,313        454,509             

Six years later

    251,350        454,982        525,173        581,265        569,079               

Seven years later

    261,773        467,669        534,801        602,649                 

Eight years later

    271,688        471,472        551,849                   

Nine years later

    273,618        485,142                     

Ten years later

    286,163                       

Re-estimated liability as of:

                     

End of year

  $ 344,614      $ 639,291      $ 735,342      $ 800,885      $ 835,839      $ 725,297      $ 638,906      $ 684,878      $ 629,558      $ 586,975      $ 552,271   

One year later

    343,332        632,327        716,361        832,733        827,439        671,399        643,569        690,004        619,887        575,256     

Two years later

    326,031        629,859        732,056        812,732        768,623        640,750        642,478        679,689        602,217       

Three years later

    323,696        635,504        707,525        765,435        730,079        636,051        640,581        661,592         

Four years later

    332,302        622,122        672,712        737,614        719,486        631,101        624,183           

Five years later

    323,547        608,050        658,429        731,468        715,067        621,098             

Six years later

    316,195        598,384        651,850        729,228        713,106               

Seven years later

    312,860        591,562        654,983        734,695                 

Eight years later

    307,822        596,405        665,293                   

Nine years later

    313,731        607,118                     

Ten years later

    326,891                       

Cumulative redundancy/(deficiency)

  $ 17,723      $ 32,173      $ 70,049      $ 66,190      $ 122,733      $ 104,199      $ 14,723      $ 23,286      $ 27,341      $ 11,719      $ —     

Gross Liability—end of year

    1,876,510        1,914,224        1,702,010        1,503,238        1,506,430        1,257,741        1,059,756        971,377        879,113        779,466        675,472   

Less: Reinsurance recoverable

    1,531,896        1,274,933        966,668        702,353        670,591        532,444        420,850        286,499        249,555        192,491        123,201   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net liability-end of year

    344,614        639,291        735,342        800,885        835,839        725,297        638,906        684,878        629,558        586,975        552,271   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross re-estimated liability

    1,152,525        1,251,799        1,035,224        1,158,067        1,086,422        888,007        826,971        838,537        767,365        707,169        675,472   

Less: Re-estimated recoverable at December 31, 2013

    825,635        644,681        369,931        423,372        373,315        266,909        202,788        176,944        165,148        131,912        123,201   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net re-estimated liability at December 31, 2013

  $ 326,890      $ 607,118      $ 665,293      $ 734,695      $ 713,107      $ 621,098      $ 624,183      $ 661,593      $ 602,217      $ 575,257      $ 552,271   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross cumulative redundancy/

(deficiency)

  $ 723,985      $ 662,425      $ 666,786      $ 345,171      $ 420,008      $ 369,734      $ 232,785      $ 132,840      $ 111,748      $ 72,297      $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 9 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for a reconciliation of the Company’s liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance ceded, as well as further discussion surrounding changes to reserves for prior accident years.

The insurance industry continues to receive a substantial number of asbestos-related bodily injury claims, with an increasing focus being directed toward other parties, including installers of products containing asbestos rather than against asbestos manufacturers. This shift has resulted in significant insurance coverage litigation implicating applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including but not limited to, determinations as to whether or not an asbestos related bodily injury claim is subject to aggregate limits of liability found in most comprehensive general liability policies. In response to these continuing developments, management regularly evaluates and adjusts its reserves to its best point estimate for asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) exposures.

Asbestos and Environmental Exposure

The Company’s environmental exposure arises from the sale of general liability and commercial multi-peril insurance. Currently, the Company’s policies continue to exclude classic environmental contamination claims. In some states the Company is required, however, depending on the circumstances, to provide coverage for certain bodily injury claims, such as an individual’s exposure to a release of chemicals. The Company has also issued policies that were intended to provide limited pollution and environmental coverage. These policies were specific to certain types of products underwritten by the Company. The Company has also received a number of asbestos-related claims, the majority of which are declined based on well-established exclusions. In establishing the

 

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liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to A&E exposures, management considers facts currently known and the current state of the law and coverage litigations. Estimates of these liabilities are reviewed and updated continually.

Uncertainty remains as to the Company’s ultimate liability for asbestos-related claims due to such factors as the long latency period between asbestos exposure and disease manifestation and the resulting potential for involvement of multiple policy periods for individual claims, the increase in the volume of claims made by plaintiffs who claim exposure but who have no symptoms of asbestos-related disease, and an increase in claims subject to coverage under general liability policies that do not contain aggregate limits of liability.

The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, inclusive of A&E reserves, reflects the Company’s best estimates for future amounts needed to pay losses and related adjustment expenses as of each of the balance sheet dates reflected in the financial statements herein in accordance with GAAP. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has $15.9 million of net loss reserves for asbestos-related claims and $15.3 million for environmental claims. The Company attempts to estimate the full impact of the A&E exposures by establishing specific case reserves on all known losses. See Note 9 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for tables showing the Company’s gross and net reserves for A&E losses.

In addition to the factors referenced above, establishing reserves for A&E and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos related liabilities, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.

In 2009, one of the Company’s insurance companies entered into a settlement agreement to resolve asbestos related coverage litigation related to approximately 3,900 existing asbestos-related bodily injury claims and future claims. The settlement was approved by the Court and a final order was issued in September 2014.

See Note 9 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for the survival ratios on a gross and net basis for the Company’s open A&E claims.

Investments

The Company’s investment policy is determined by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. The Company engages third-party investment advisors to oversee its investments and to make recommendations to the Investment Committee. The Company’s investment policy allows it to invest in taxable and tax-exempt fixed income investments including corporate bonds as well as publicly traded and private equity investments. With respect to fixed income investments, the maximum exposure per issuer varies as a function of the credit quality of the security. The allocation between taxable and tax-exempt bonds is determined based on market conditions and tax considerations, including the applicability of the alternative minimum tax. The maximum allowable investment in equity securities under the Company’s investment policy is 30% of the Company’s GAAP equity, or $272.5 million at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $1,498.1 million of investments and cash and cash equivalent assets, including $155.7 million of equity and limited partnership investments plus a $0.1 million receivable for securities sold.

Insurance company investments must comply with applicable statutory regulations that prescribe the type, quality and concentration of investments. These regulations permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state, and municipal obligations, corporate bonds and loans, and preferred and common equity securities.

 

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The following table summarizes by type the estimated fair value of Global Indemnity’s investments and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
(Dollars in thousands)    Estimated
Fair Value
     Percent
of Total
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Percent
of Total
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Percent
of Total
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 58,823         3.9   $ 105,492         6.7   $ 104,460         6.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

     80,767         5.4        81,674         5.2        108,744         7.1   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     191,473         12.8        180,936         11.5        201,077         13.1   

Mortgage-backed securities (1)

     208,759         13.9        229,910         14.8        255,942         16.7   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     133,158         8.9        53,975         3.4        8,117         0.5   

Asset-backed securities

     178,263         11.9        168,436         10.7        113,351         7.4   

Corporate bonds and loans

     383,416         25.6        435,392         27.9        486,171         31.7   

Foreign corporate bonds

     107,639         7.2        54,041         3.4        55,920         3.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,283,475         85.7        1,204,364         76.9        1,229,322         80.2   

Equity securities

     122,048         8.2        254,070         16.2        197,075         12.8   

Other investments

     33,663         2.2        3,489         0.2        3,132         0.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments and cash and cash equivalents (2)

   $ 1,498,009         100.0   $ 1,567,415         100.0   $ 1,533,989         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes collateralized mortgage obligations of $49,322, $63,322, and $59,026 for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
(2) Does not include net receivable (payable) for securities sold (purchased) of $60, $723, and ($2,634) for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Although the Company generally intends to hold fixed maturities to recovery and/or maturity, the Company regularly re-evaluates its position based upon market conditions. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s fixed maturities, excluding the mortgage-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligations, had a weighted average maturity of 2.6 years and a weighted average duration, excluding mortgage-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and collateralized mortgage obligations and including cash and short-term investments, of 1.8 years. The Company’s financial statements reflect a net unrealized gain on fixed maturities available for sale as of December 31, 2014 of $10.5 million on a pre-tax basis.

The following table shows the average amount of fixed maturities, income earned on fixed maturities, and the book yield thereon, as well as unrealized gains for the periods indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  

Average fixed maturities at book value

   $ 1,230,317      $ 1,187,390      $ 1,222,814   

Gross income on fixed maturities (1)

     26,788        35,669        41,969   

Book yield

     2.18     3.00     3.43

Fixed maturities at book value

   $ 1,272,948      $ 1,187,685      $ 1,187,094   

Unrealized gain

     10,527        16,679        42,228   

 

(1) Represents income earned by fixed maturities, gross of investment expenses and excluding realized gains and losses.

The Company has sought to structure its portfolio to reduce the risk of default on collateralized commercial real estate obligations and asset-backed securities. Of the $208.8 million of mortgage-backed securities, $159.5 million is invested in U.S. agency paper and $49.3 million is invested in collateralized mortgage obligations, of which

 

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$48.3 million, or 98.1%, are rated AA+ or better. In addition, the Company holds $178.3 million in asset-backed securities, of which 85.0% are rated AA or better and $133.2 million in commercial mortgaged-backed securities, of which 97.6% are rated A- or better. The weighted average credit enhancement for the Company’s asset-backed securities is 20.5. The Company also faces liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is when the fair value of an investment is not able to be realized due to lack of interest by outside parties in the marketplace. The Company attempts to diversify its investment holdings to minimize this risk. The Company’s investment managers run periodic analysis of liquidity costs to the fixed income portfolio. The Company also faces credit risk. 98.3% of the Company’s fixed income securities are investment grade securities. 12.7% of the Company’s fixed maturities are rated AAA. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Item 7A of Part II of this report for a more detailed discussion of the credit market and the Company’s investment strategy.

The following table summarizes, by Standard & Poor’s rating classifications, the estimated fair value of Global Indemnity’s investments in fixed maturities, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
(Dollars in thousands)    Estimated
Fair Value
     Percent of
Total
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Percent of
Total
 

AAA

   $ 162,649         12.7   $ 199,515         16.6

AA

     557,919         43.5        491,166         40.8   

A

     372,925         29.1        268,598         22.3   

BBB

     167,422         13.0        182,271         15.1   

BB

     11,393         0.9        10,665         0.9   

B

     4,033         0.3        33,978         2.8   

CCC

     580         0.0        10,696         0.9   

CC

     316         0.0        354         0.0   

Not rated

     6,238         0.5        7,121         0.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

   $ 1,283,475         100.0   $ 1,204,364         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the expected maturity distribution of Global Indemnity’s fixed maturities portfolio at their estimated market value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
(Dollars in thousands)    Estimated
Market Value
     Percent of
Total
    Estimated
Market Value
     Percent of
Total
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 134,722         10.5   $ 120,974         10.0

Due in one year through five years

     552,135         42.9        529,604         44.0   

Due in five years through ten years

     42,469         3.3        75,424         6.2   

Due in ten years through fifteen years

     11,316         0.9        3,147         0.3   

Due after fifteen years

     22,653         1.8        22,894         1.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities with fixed maturities

     763,295         59.4        752,043         62.4   

Mortgaged-backed securities

     208,759         16.3        229,910         19.1   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     133,158         10.4        53,975         4.5   

Asset-backed securities

     178,263         13.9        168,436         14.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

   $ 1,283,475         100.0   $ 1,204,364         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The expected weighted average duration of the Company’s asset-backed, mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities is 1.9 years.

The value of the Company’s portfolio of bonds is inversely correlated to changes in market interest rates. In addition, some of the Company’s bonds have call or prepayment options. This could subject the Company to reinvestment risk should interest rates fall and issuers call their securities and the Company is forced to invest the

 

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proceeds at lower interest rates. The Company seeks to mitigate its reinvestment risk by investing in securities with varied maturity dates, so that only a portion of the portfolio will mature, be called, or be prepaid at any point in time.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company has aggregate equity securities of $122.0 million that consisted entirely of common stocks.

The Company’s investments in other invested assets is comprised of a limited liability partnership investment where the partnership invests in distressed securities and assets, which was valued at $30.3 million at December 31, 2014, a limited liability partnership investment where the partnership has acquired control of a business as a lead or organizing investor, which was valued at $3.4 million at December 31, 2014, and another limited liability partnership investment that invests in real estate, which was valued at zero at December 31, 2014. There is no readily available independent market price for these limited liability partnership investments. The limited partnerships have invested primarily in publicly traded companies, however not all of the investments are publicly traded, nor does the Company have access to daily valuations, therefore the estimated fair value of these limited partnerships is measured utilizing the net asset value as a practical expedient for each limited partnership. The Company receives annual audited financial statements from each of the partnership investments it owns.

Realized gains, including other than temporary impairments, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $35.9 million, $27.4 million, and $6.8 million, respectively.

Competition

The Company competes with numerous domestic and international insurance and reinsurance companies, mutual companies, specialty insurance companies, underwriting agencies, diversified financial services companies, Lloyd’s syndicates, risk retention groups, insurance buying groups, risk securitization products and alternative self-insurance mechanisms. In particular, the Company competes against insurance subsidiaries of the groups in the specialty insurance market noted below, insurance companies, and others, including:

 

   

American International Group;

 

   

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd.;

 

   

Berkshire Hathaway;

 

   

Everest Re Group, Ltd.;

 

   

Great American Insurance Group;

 

   

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.;

 

   

IFG Companies;

 

   

Markel Corporation;

 

   

Nationwide Insurance;

 

   

Navigators Insurance Group;

 

   

RLI Corporation;

 

   

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.;

 

   

The Travelers Companies, Inc.;

 

   

W.R. Berkley Corporation; and

 

   

Western World Insurance Group.

In addition to the companies mentioned above, the Company is facing competition from standard line companies who are continuing to write risks that traditionally had been written by excess and surplus lines carriers, Bermuda

 

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companies who are establishing relationships with wholesale brokers, and other excess and surplus lines competitors.

Competition may take the form of lower prices, broader coverage, greater product flexibility, higher quality services, reputation and financial strength or higher ratings by independent rating agencies. In all of the Company’s markets, it competes by developing insurance products to satisfy well-defined market needs and by maintaining relationships with brokers and insureds that rely on the Company’s expertise. For its program and specialty wholesale products, offerings and underwriting products that are not readily available is the Company’s principal means of differentiating itself from its competition. Each of the Company’s products has its own distinct competitive environment. The Company seeks to compete through innovative products, appropriate pricing, niche underwriting expertise, and quality service to policyholders, general agencies and brokers.

Employees

At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately 270 employees. None of the Company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements as of December 31, 2014.

Ratings

A.M. Best ratings for the industry range from “A++” (Superior) to “F” (In Liquidation) with some companies not being rated. The Company’s Insurance Operations, which consist of its United States based insurance companies, and Global Indemnity Reinsurance are currently rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, the third highest of sixteen rating categories.

Publications of A.M. Best indicate that “A” (Excellent) ratings are assigned to those companies that, in A.M. Best’s opinion, have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. In evaluating a company’s financial and operating performance, A.M. Best reviews its profitability, leverage and liquidity, as well as its spread of risk, the quality and appropriateness of its reinsurance, the quality and diversification of its assets, the adequacy of its policy and loss reserves, the adequacy of its surplus, its capital structure and the experience and objectives of its management. These ratings are based on factors relevant to policyholders, general agencies, insurance brokers and intermediaries and are not directed to the protection of investors.

Regulation

General

The business of insurance is regulated in most countries, although the degree and type of regulation varies significantly from one jurisdiction to another. As a holding company, Global Indemnity is not subject to any insurance regulation in the Republic of Ireland. However, Global Indemnity is subject to various Irish laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations governing interested directors, mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, shareholder lawsuits, and indemnification of directors.

U.S. Regulation

At December 31, 2014, the Company had six operating insurance subsidiaries domiciled in the United States; United National Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, and Penn-Star Insurance Company, which are domiciled in Pennsylvania; Diamond State Insurance Company which is domiciled in Indiana; United National Specialty Insurance Company, which is domiciled in Wisconsin; and Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, which is domiciled in Virginia.

As the indirect parent of these U.S. insurance companies, Global Indemnity is subject to the insurance holding company laws of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia. These laws generally require each of the

 

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U.S. insurance companies to register with its respective domestic state insurance department and to annually furnish financial and other information about the operations of the companies within the insurance holding company system. Generally, all material transactions among affiliated companies in the holding company system to which any of the U.S. insurance companies is a party must be fair, and, if material or of a specified category, require prior notice and approval or absence of disapproval by the insurance department where the subsidiary is domiciled. Material transactions include sales, loans, reinsurance agreements, certain types of dividends, and service agreements with the non-insurance companies within Global Indemnity’s family of companies, the Insurance Operations, or the Reinsurance Operations.

Changes of Control

Before a person can acquire control of a U.S. insurance company, prior written approval must be obtained from the insurance commissioner of the state where the insurer is domiciled. Prior to granting approval of an application to acquire control of a domestic insurer, the state insurance commissioner will consider factors such as the financial strength of the applicant, the integrity and management of the applicant’s Board of Directors and executive officers, the acquirer’s plans for the management, Board of Directors and executive officers of the company being acquired, the acquirer’s plans for the future operations of the domestic insurer and any anti-competitive results that may arise from the consummation of the acquisition of control. Generally, state statutes provide that control over a domestic insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing 10% or more of the voting securities of the domestic insurer. Because a person acquiring 10% or more of the Company’s ordinary shares would indirectly control the same percentage of the stock of the U.S. insurance companies, the insurance change of control laws of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia would likely apply to such a transaction. While the Company’s articles of association limit the voting power of any U.S. shareholder to less than 9.5%, there can be no assurance that the applicable state insurance regulator would agree that any shareholder did not control the applicable insurance company.

These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control of Global Indemnity, including through transactions, and in particular unsolicited transactions, that some or all of the shareholders of Global Indemnity might consider desirable.

Federal Insurance Regulation

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) includes a number of provisions having a direct impact on the insurance industry, most notably, the creation of a Federal Insurance Office to monitor the insurance industry, streamlining of surplus lines insurance, credit for reinsurance, and systemic risk regulation. The Federal Insurance Office is empowered to gather data and information regarding the insurance industry and insurers, including conducting a study for submission to the U.S. Congress on how to modernize and improve insurance regulation in the United States. With respect to surplus lines insurance, the Dodd-Frank Act gives exclusive authority to regulate surplus lines transactions to the home state of the insured, and the requirement that a surplus lines broker must first attempt to place coverage in the admitted market is substantially softened with respect to large commercial policyholders. Significantly, the Dodd-Frank Act provides that a state may not prevent a surplus lines broker from placing surplus lines insurance with a non-U.S. insurer that appears on the quarterly listing of non-admitted insurers maintained by the International Insurers Department of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). Regarding credit for reinsurance, the Dodd-Frank Act generally provides that the state of domicile of the ceding company (and no other state) may regulate financial statement credit for the ceded risk. The Dodd-Frank Act also provides the U.S. Federal Reserve with supervisory authority over insurance companies that are deemed to be “systemically important.” Regulations to implement the Dodd-Frank Act are currently under development and the Company is continuing to monitor the impact the Dodd-Frank Act may have on operations.

 

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State Insurance Regulation

State insurance authorities have broad regulatory powers with respect to various aspects of the business of U.S. insurance companies, including, but not limited to, licensing companies to transact admitted business or determining eligibility to write surplus lines business, accreditation of reinsurers, admittance of assets to statutory surplus, regulating unfair trade and claims practices, establishing reserve requirements and solvency standards, management of enterprise risk, regulating investments and dividends, approving policy forms and related materials in certain instances and approving premium rates in certain instances. State insurance laws and regulations may require the Company’s U.S. insurance companies to file financial statements with insurance departments everywhere they will be licensed or eligible or accredited to conduct insurance business, and their operations are subject to review by those departments at any time. The Company’s U.S. insurance companies prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) and procedures prescribed or permitted by these departments. State insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the books and records, financial reporting, policy filings and market conduct of insurance companies domiciled in their states, generally once every three to five years, although market conduct examinations may take place at any time. These examinations are generally carried out in cooperation with the insurance departments of other states under guidelines promulgated by the NAIC. In addition, admitted insurers are subject to targeted market conduct examinations involving specific insurers by state insurance regulators in any state in which the insurer is admitted. The insurance departments for the states of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia completed their most recent financial examinations of the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries for the period ended December 31, 2012. Their final reports were issued in 2014, and there were no materially adverse findings.

Insurance Regulatory Information System Ratios

The NAIC Insurance Regulatory Information System (“IRIS”) was developed by a committee of the state insurance regulators and is intended primarily to assist state insurance departments in executing their statutory mandates to oversee the financial condition of insurance companies operating in their respective states. IRIS identifies twelve industry ratios and specifies “usual values” for each ratio. Departure from the usual values of the ratios can lead to inquiries from individual state insurance commissioners as to certain aspects of an insurer’s business. Insurers that report four or more ratios that fall outside the range of usual values are generally targeted for increased regulatory review.

The Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries have acceptable results for the IRIS ratios with the exception of investment yields, changes to policyholders’ surplus and adjusted liabilities to liquid assets which were outside of the standard industry ranges primarily as a result of the extraordinary dividend paid in 2014. For further discussion on the extraordinary dividend paid in 2014, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources and Uses of Funds” in Item 7 of Part II of this report.

Risk-Based Capital Regulations

The state insurance departments of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia require that each domestic insurer report its risk-based capital based on a formula calculated by applying factors to various asset, premium and reserve items. The formula takes into account the risk characteristics of the insurer, including asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk. The respective state insurance regulators use the formula as an early warning regulatory tool to identify possible inadequately capitalized insurers for purposes of initiating regulatory action, and generally not as a means to rank insurers. State insurance laws impose broad confidentiality requirements on those engaged in the insurance business (including insurers, general agencies, brokers and others) and on state insurance departments as to the use and publication of risk-based capital data. The respective state insurance regulators have explicit regulatory authority to require various actions by, or to take various actions against, insurers whose total adjusted capital does not exceed certain company action level risk-based capital levels.

 

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Based on the standards currently adopted, the U.S. insurance companies reported in their 2014 statutory filings that their capital and surplus are above the prescribed company action level risk-based capital requirements. See Note 17 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for additional information on the NAIC’s risk-based capital model for determining the levels of statutory capital and surplus an insurer must maintain.

Statutory Accounting Principles

SAP is a basis of accounting developed to assist insurance regulators in monitoring and regulating the solvency of insurance companies. SAP is primarily concerned with measuring an insurer’s surplus. Accordingly, statutory accounting focuses on valuing assets and liabilities of insurers at financial reporting dates in accordance with appropriate insurance laws, regulatory provisions, and practices prescribed or permitted by each insurer’s domiciliary state.

GAAP is concerned with a company’s solvency, but it is also concerned with other financial measurements, such as income and cash flows. Accordingly, GAAP gives more consideration to appropriate matching of revenue and expenses. As a direct result, different line item groupings of assets and liabilities and different amounts of assets and liabilities are reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP than financial statements prepared in accordance with SAP.

Statutory accounting practices established by the NAIC and adopted in part by the Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia regulators determine, among other things, the amount of statutory surplus and statutory net income of the U.S. insurance companies and thus determine, in part, the amount of funds these subsidiaries have available to pay dividends.

State Dividend Limitations

The U.S. insurance companies are restricted by statute as to the amount of dividends that they may pay without the prior approval of the applicable state regulatory authorities. Dividends may be paid without advanced regulatory approval only out of unassigned surplus. The dividend limitations imposed by the applicable state laws are based on the statutory financial results of each company within the Insurance Operations that are determined using statutory accounting practices that differ in various respects from accounting principles used in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. See “Regulation—Statutory Accounting Principles.” Key differences relate to, among other items, deferred acquisition costs, limitations on deferred income taxes, reserve calculation assumptions and surplus notes.

See the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section in Item 7 of Part II of this report for a more complete description of the state dividend limitations. See Note 17 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for the dividends paid by Global Indemnity’s U.S. insurance companies in 2014 and dividend limitations for 2015.

Guaranty Associations and Similar Arrangements

Most of the jurisdictions in which the U.S. insurance companies are admitted to transact business require property and casualty insurers doing business within that jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations. These organizations are organized to pay contractual benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent, or failed insurer is engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets or in limited circumstances by surcharging policyholders.

 

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Operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance

The insurance laws of the United States regulate or prohibit the sale of insurance and reinsurance within their jurisdictions by non-domestic insurers and reinsurers that are not admitted to do business within such jurisdictions. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is not admitted to do business in the United States. The Company does not intend for Global Indemnity Reinsurance to maintain offices or solicit, advertise, settle claims or conduct other insurance and reinsurance underwriting activities in any jurisdiction in the United States where the conduct of such activities would require that Global Indemnity Reinsurance be admitted or authorized.

As a reinsurer that is not licensed, accredited, or approved in any state in the United States, Global Indemnity Reinsurance is required to post collateral security with respect to the reinsurance liabilities it assumes from the Company’s Insurance Operations as well as other U.S. ceding companies. The posting of collateral security is generally required in order for U.S. ceding companies to obtain credit on their U.S. statutory financial statements with respect to reinsurance liabilities ceded to unlicensed or unaccredited reinsurers. Under applicable United States “credit for reinsurance” statutory provisions, the security arrangements generally may be in the form of letters of credit, reinsurance trusts maintained by third-party trustees or funds-withheld arrangements whereby the ceded premium is held by the ceding company. If “credit for reinsurance” laws or regulations are made more stringent in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia or other applicable states or any of the U.S. insurance companies re-domesticate to one of the few states that do not allow credit for reinsurance ceded to non-licensed reinsurers, the Company may be unable to realize some of the benefits expected from its business plan. Accordingly, Global Indemnity Reinsurance could be adversely affected.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance generally is not subject to regulation by U.S. jurisdictions. Specifically, rate and form regulations otherwise applicable to authorized insurers generally do not apply to Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s surplus lines transactions.

Bermuda Insurance Regulation

The Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 and related regulations, as amended (the “Insurance Act”), regulates the insurance business of Global Indemnity Reinsurance and provides that no person may carry on any such business in or from within Bermuda unless registered as an insurer by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”) under the Insurance Act. Global Indemnity Reinsurance, which is incorporated to carry on general insurance and reinsurance business, is registered as a Class 3B insurer in Bermuda. A corporate body is registrable as a Class 3B insurer if it intends to carry on insurance business in circumstances where 50% or more of the net premiums written or 50% or more of the loss and loss expense provisions represent unrelated business, or its total net premiums written from unrelated business are $50.0 million or more. The continued registration of an applicant as an insurer is subject to it complying with the terms of its registration and such other conditions as the BMA may impose from time to time. An insurer’s registration may be canceled by the BMA on certain grounds specified in the Insurance Act, including failure of the insurer to comply with its obligations under the Insurance Act.

The Insurance Act imposes solvency and liquidity standards, auditing and reporting requirements, and grants the BMA powers to supervise, investigate, require information and the production of documents, and to intervene in the affairs of Bermuda insurance companies. The BMA continues to make amendments to the Insurance Act with a view to enhancing Bermuda’s insurance regulatory regime.

The BMA utilizes a risk-based approach when it comes to licensing and supervising insurance companies. As part of the BMA’s risk-based system, an assessment of the inherent risks within each particular class of insurer is used to determine the limitations and specific requirements which may be imposed. Thereafter the BMA keeps its analysis of relative risk within individual institutions under review on an ongoing basis, including through the scrutiny of regular audited statutory financial statements, and, as appropriate, meeting with senior management during onsite visits.

 

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Certain significant aspects of the Bermuda insurance regulatory framework are set forth as follows:

Principal Representative and Principal Office

A Bermuda insurer is required to maintain a principal office in Bermuda and to appoint and maintain a principal representative in Bermuda. Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s principal office is its executive offices in Hamilton, Bermuda, and its principal representative is its external management firm.

It is the duty of the principal representative upon reaching the view that there is a likelihood of the insurer for which the principal representative acts becoming insolvent or that a reportable “event” has, to the principal representative’s knowledge, occurred or is believed to have occurred, to immediately notify the BMA and to make a report in writing to the BMA within 14 days of the prior notification setting out all the particulars of the case that are available to the principal representative.

Where there has been a significant loss which is reasonably likely to cause the insurer to fail to comply with its enhanced capital requirement (in respect of its general business, as described below under the Enhanced Capital Requirement (“ECR”) and Minimum Solvency Margin (“MSM”) section), the principal representative must also furnish the BMA with a capital and solvency return reflecting an enhanced capital requirement prepared using post-loss data. The principal representative must provide this within 45 days of notifying the BMA regarding the loss.

Furthermore, where a notification has been made to the BMA regarding a material change to an insurer’s business or structure (including a merger or amalgamation), the principal representative has 30 days from the date of such notification to furnish the BMA with unaudited interim statutory financial statements in relation to such period if so requested by the BMA, together with a general business solvency certificate in respect to those statements.

Independent Approved Auditor

Every registered insurer, such as Global Indemnity Reinsurance, must appoint an independent auditor who will audit and report annually on the statutory financial statements and the statutory financial return of the insurer, both of which are required to be filed annually with the BMA.

Loss Reserve Specialist

As a registered Class 3B insurer, Global Indemnity Reinsurance is required to submit an opinion of its approved loss reserve specialist in respect of its losses and loss expense provisions with its statutory financial return.

Statutory Financial Statements

Global Indemnity Reinsurance must prepare annual statutory financial statements in accordance with the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978. These statutory financial statements are not prepared in accordance with GAAP or SAP. The Insurance Act prescribes rules for the preparation and substance of these statutory financial statements (which include, in statutory form, a balance sheet, an income statement, a statement of capital and surplus and notes thereto).

Annual Statutory Financial Return

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is required to file with the BMA a statutory financial return no later than four months after its financial year end (unless specifically extended upon application to the BMA). The statutory financial return for a Class 3B insurer includes, among other matters, a report of the approved independent auditor on the statutory financial statements of the insurer, solvency certificates, schedules of ceded reinsurance, the statutory financial statements, a declaration of statutory ratios and the opinion of the loss reserve specialist. Pursuant to the Bermuda Insurance (Prudential Standards) (Class 4 and 3B Solvency Requirement) rules 2008,

 

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Global Indemnity Reinsurance is required to give detailed information and analyses regarding premiums, claims, reinsurance, and investments and is also required to provide audited annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP or International Financial Reporting Standards.

Enhanced Capital Requirement (“ECR”) and Minimum Solvency Margin (“MSM”)

The BMA has promulgated the Insurance (Prudential Standards) (Class 4 and Class 3B Solvency Requirement) Amendment Rules 2008, as amended (the “Rules”) which, among other things, mandate that a Class 3B insurer’s ECR be calculated by either (a) the model set out in Schedule I to the Rules, or (b) an internal capital model which the BMA has approved for use for this purpose. These measures are an integral part of the BMA’s ongoing Solvency II equivalence program for Class 3B insurance companies. For 2014, Global Indemnity Reinsurance used the BMA’s model to calculate its capital and solvency requirements.

The risk-based regulatory capital adequacy and solvency requirements implemented with effect from December 31, 2008 (termed the Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement or “BSCR”) provide a risk-based capital model as a tool to assist the BMA both in measuring risk and in determining appropriate levels of capitalization. BSCR employs a standard mathematical model that correlates the risk underwritten by Bermuda insurers to the capital that is dedicated to their business. The framework that has been developed applies a standard measurement format to the risk associated with an insurer’s assets, liabilities and premiums, including a formula to take account of catastrophe risk exposure.

Where an insurer believes that its own internal model for measuring risk and determining appropriate levels of capital better reflects the inherent risk of its business, it may apply to the BMA for approval to use its internal capital model in substitution for the BSCR model. The BMA may approve an insurer’s internal model, provided certain conditions have been established, and may revoke approval of an internal model in the event that the conditions are no longer met or where it feels that the revocation is appropriate. The BMA will review the internal model regularly to confirm that the model continues to meet the conditions.

In order to minimize the risk of a shortfall in capital arising from an unexpected adverse deviation, the BMA seeks that insurers operate at or above a threshold capital level (termed the Target Capital Level or “TCL”), which exceeds the BSCR or approved internal model minimum amounts. The Rules provide prudential standards in relation to the ECR and Capital and Solvency Return (“CSR”). The ECR is determined using the BSCR or an approved internal model, provided that at all times the ECR must be an amount equal to, or exceeding the MSM. The CSR is the return setting out the insurer’s risk management practices and other information used by the insurer to calculate its approved internal model ECR. The capital requirements require Class 3B insurers to hold available statutory capital and surplus equal to, or exceeding ECR and set TCL at 120% of ECR. In circumstances where an insurer has failed to comply with an ECR given by the BMA, such insurer is prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends until the failure is rectified.

The risk-based solvency capital framework referred to above represents a modification of the minimum solvency margin test set out in the Insurance Returns and Solvency Amendment Regulations 1980 (as amended). While it must calculate its ECR annually by reference to either the BSCR or an approved internal model, Global Indemnity Reinsurance must also ensure at all times that its ECR is at least equal to the MSM for a Class 3B insurer in respect of its general business, which is the greater of: (i) $100.0 million; (ii) 50% of net premiums written; and (iii) 15% of net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and other general business insurance reserves.

The BMA has also introduced a three-tiered capital system for Class 3B insurers designed to assess the quality of capital resources that an insurer has available to meet its capital requirements. The tiered capital system classifies all capital instruments into one of three tiers based on their “loss absorbency” characteristics, with the highest quality capital classified as Tier 1 Capital and lesser quality capital classified as either Tier 2 or Tier 3 Capital. Only Tier 1 and Tier 2 Capital may be used to support an insurer’s MSM. Certain percentages of each of Tier 1,

 

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2 and 3 Capital may be used to satisfy an insurer’s ECR. Any combination of Tier 1, 2 or 3 Capital may be used to meet the TCL.

The Rules introduced a regime that requires Class 3B insurers to perform an assessment of their own risk and solvency requirements, referred to as a Commercial Insurer’s Solvency Self Assessment (“CISSA”). The CISSA will allow the BMA to obtain an insurer’s view of the capital resources required to achieve its business objectives and to assess the company’s governance, risk management and controls surrounding this process. The Rules also introduced a Catastrophe Risk Return, which must be filed with the BMA, which assesses an insurer’s reliance on vendor models in assessing catastrophe exposure.

Minimum Liquidity Ratio

The Insurance Act provides a minimum liquidity ratio for general business insurers, such as Global Indemnity Reinsurance. An insurer engaged in general business is required to maintain the value of its relevant assets at not less than 75% of the amount of its relevant liabilities; as such terms are defined in the Insurance Act.

Restrictions on Dividends and Distributions

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends during any financial year if it is in breach of its minimum solvency margin or minimum liquidity ratio or if the declaration or payment of such dividends would cause it to fail to meet such margin or ratio. In addition, if it has failed to meet its minimum solvency margin or minimum liquidity ratio on the last day of any financial year, Global Indemnity Reinsurance will be prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from declaring or paying any dividends during the next financial year.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. In addition, if at any time it fails to meet its minimum margin of solvency, Global Indemnity Reinsurance is required within 30 days after becoming aware of such failure or having reason to believe that such failure has occurred, to file with the BMA a written report containing certain information.

Additionally, under the Companies Act, Global Indemnity Reinsurance may not declare or pay a dividend, or make a distribution from contributed surplus, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that it is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or if the realizable value of its assets would be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and its issued share capital and share premium accounts.

Supervision, Investigation and Intervention

The BMA has wide powers of investigation and document production in relation to Bermuda insurers under the Insurance Act. For example, the BMA may appoint an inspector with extensive powers to investigate the affairs of Global Indemnity Reinsurance if the BMA believes that such an investigation is in the best interests of its policyholders or persons who may become policyholders. Further, the BMA has the power to appoint a professional person to prepare a report on any aspect of any matter about which the BMA has or could require information. If it appears to the BMA that there is a risk of Global Indemnity Reinsurance becoming insolvent, or that Global Indemnity Reinsurance is in breach of the Insurance Act or any conditions imposed upon its registration, the BMA may, among other things, direct Global Indemnity Reinsurance not to take on any new business, not to vary any current treaties if the effect would be to increase its liabilities, not to make certain investments, to realize or not realize certain investments, to maintain in, or transfer to, the custody of a specified bank, certain assets, not to declare or pay any dividends or other distributions or to restrict the making of such payments, or to limit its premium income or remove an officer.

The BMA may also make additional rules prescribing prudential standards in relation to ECR, CSR’s, insurance reserves and eligible capital which Global Indemnity Reinsurance must comply with.

 

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Bermuda Code of Conduct

The BMA has implemented the Insurance Code of Conduct (the “Bermuda Code of Conduct”) which came into effect on July 1, 2010. The BMA established July 1, 2011 as the date of compliance for commercial insurers. The Bermuda Code of Conduct is divided into six categories: (i) Proportionality Principal, (ii) Corporate Governance, (iii) Risk Management, (iv) Governance Mechanism, (v) Outsourcing, and (vi) Market Discipline and Disclosure. These categories contain the duties, requirements and compliance standards to which all insurers must adhere. It stipulates that in order to achieve compliance with the Bermuda Code of Conduct, insurers are to develop and apply policies and procedures capable of assessment by the BMA. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is in compliance with the Bermuda Code of Conduct.

Group Supervision

Emerging international norms in the regulation of global insurance groups are trending increasingly towards the imposition of group-wide supervisory regimes by one principal “home” regulator over all the legal entities in the group, no matter where incorporated. Amendments to the Insurance Act in 2010 introduced such a regime into Bermuda insurance regulation.

The Insurance Act contains provisions regarding group supervision, the authority to exclude specified entities from group supervision, the power for the BMA to withdraw as a group supervisor, the functions of the BMA as group supervisor and the power of the BMA to make rules regarding group supervision.

The BMA has issued the Insurance (Group Supervision) Rules 2011 (the “Group Supervision Rules”) and the Insurance (Prudential Standards) (Insurance Group Solvency Requirement) Rules 2011 (the “Group Solvency Rules”) each effective December 31, 2011. The Group Supervision Rules set out the rules in respect of the assessment of the financial situation and solvency of an insurance group, the system of governance and risk management of the insurance group, and supervisory reporting and disclosures of the insurance group. The Group Solvency Rules set out the rules in respect of the capital and solvency return and enhanced capital requirements for an insurance group. The BMA also intends to publish an insurance code of conduct in relation to group supervision.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance was notified by the BMA that, having considered the matters set out in the 2010 amendments to the Insurance Act, it had determined that it would not be Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s group supervisor.

Notifications to the BMA

In the event that the share capital of an insurer (or its parent) is traded on any stock exchange recognized by the BMA, then any shareholder must notify the BMA within 45 days of becoming a 10%, 20%, 33% or 50% shareholder of such insurer. An insurer must also provide written notice to the BMA that a person has become, or ceased to be, a “Controller” of that insurer. A Controller for this purpose means a managing director, chief executive or other person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the Directors of Global Indemnity Reinsurance are accustomed to act, including any person who holds, or is entitled to exercise, 10% or more of the voting shares or voting power or is otherwise able to exercise significant influence over the management of Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is also required to notify the BMA in writing in the event any person has become or ceased to be an officer of it, an officer being a director, chief executive or senior executive performing duties of underwriting, actuarial, risk management, compliance, internal audit, finance or investment matters. Failure to give required notice is an offense under the Insurance Act.

An insurer, or designated insurer in respect of the group of which it is a member, must notify the BMA in writing that it proposes to take measures that are likely to be of material significance for the discharge, in relation to the

 

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insurer or the group, of the BMA’s functions under the Insurance Act. Measures that are likely to be of material significance include:

 

   

acquisition or transfer of insurance business being part of a scheme falling within section 25 of the Insurance Act or section 99 of the Companies Act;

 

   

amalgamation with or acquisition of another firm; and

 

   

a material change in the insurer’s business plan not otherwise reported to the BMA.

In respect of the forgoing, the BMA will typically object to the material change unless it is satisfied that:

 

   

the interest of the policyholders and potential policyholders of the insurer or the group would not in any manner be threatened by the material change; and

 

   

without prejudice to the first point, that, having regard to the material change, the requirements of the Insurance Act would continue to be complied with, or, if any of those requirements are not complied with, that the insurer concerned is likely to undertake adequate remedial action.

Failure to give such notice constitutes an offence under the Insurance Act. It is possible to appeal a notice of objection served by the BMA.

Disclosure of Information

The BMA may assist other regulatory authorities, including foreign insurance regulatory authorities, with their investigations involving insurance and reinsurance companies in Bermuda, but subject to restrictions. For example, the BMA must be satisfied that the assistance being requested is in connection with the discharge of regulatory responsibilities of the foreign regulatory authority. Further, the BMA must consider whether cooperation is in the public interest. The grounds for disclosure are limited and the Insurance Act provides sanctions for breach of the statutory duty of confidentiality.

Under the Companies Act, the Minister of Finance may assist a foreign regulatory authority that has requested assistance in connection with inquiries being carried out by it in the performance of its regulatory functions. The Minster of Finance’s powers include requiring a person to furnish information to the Minister of Finance, to produce documents to the Minister of Finance, to attend and answer questions and to give assistance to the Minister of Finance in relation to inquiries. The Minister of Finance must be satisfied that the assistance requested by the foreign regulatory authority is for the purpose of its regulatory functions and that the request is in relation to information in Bermuda that a person has in his possession or under his control. The Minister of Finance must consider, among other things, whether it is in the public interest to give the information sought.

Certain Other Bermuda Law Considerations

Although Global Indemnity Reinsurance is incorporated in Bermuda, it is classified as a non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes by the BMA. Pursuant to the non-resident status, Global Indemnity Reinsurance may engage in transactions in currencies other than Bermuda dollars, and there are no restrictions on its ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to United States residents that are holders of its ordinary shares.

Under Bermuda law, exempted companies are companies formed for the purpose of conducting business outside Bermuda from a principal place of business in Bermuda. As an “exempted” company, Global Indemnity Reinsurance may not, without the express authorization of the Bermuda legislature or under a license or consent granted by the Minister of Finance, participate in certain business transactions, including transactions involving Bermuda landholding rights and the carrying on of business of any kind for which it is not licensed in Bermuda.

 

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Taxation of Global Indemnity and Subsidiaries

Ireland

Global Indemnity is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. The Company is a resident taxpayer fully subject to Ireland corporate income tax of 12.5% on trading income and 25.0% on non-trading income, including interest and dividends from foreign companies. The capital gains tax rate is 33.0%. Currently, Global Indemnity has only non-trading income, so it is subject to corporate income tax of 25.0%.

United America Indemnity, Ltd., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary, is a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The company is an Irish tax resident fully subject to Ireland corporate income tax laws. Currently, United America Indemnity, Ltd. has only non-trading income, so it is subject to corporate income tax of 25.0%.

Global Indemnity Services Ltd., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary, is a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. The company is a resident taxpayer fully subject to Ireland corporate income tax laws. Currently, Global Indemnity Services Ltd. has only trading income, so it is subject to corporate income tax of 12.5%.

U.A.I. (Ireland) Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, is a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. The company is a resident taxpayer fully subject to Ireland corporate income tax laws. Currently, U.A.I. (Ireland) Limited has only non-trading income, so it is subject to corporate income tax of 25.0%.

Cayman Islands

United America Indemnity, Ltd., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary, and Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, are private limited liability companies incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Under current Cayman Islands law, the Company is not required to pay any taxes in the Cayman Islands on its income or capital gains. United America Indemnity, Ltd. obtained an undertaking on September 2, 2003 from the Governor in Council of the Cayman Islands substantially that, for a period of 20 years from the date of such undertaking, no law that is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profit or income or gains or appreciation shall apply to it and no such tax and no tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable, either directly or by way of withholding, on its shares. Given the limited duration of the undertaking, the Company cannot be certain that it will not be subject to Cayman Islands tax after the expiration of the 20 year period.

Bermuda

Under current Bermuda law, the Company and its Bermuda subsidiaries are not required to pay any taxes in Bermuda on income or capital gains. Currently, there is no Bermuda income, corporation or profits tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty or inheritance tax payable by Global Indemnity Reinsurance or its shareholders, other than shareholders ordinarily resident in Bermuda, if any. Currently, there is no Bermuda withholding or other tax on principal, interest, or dividends paid to holders of the ordinary shares of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, other than holders ordinarily resident in Bermuda, if any. There can be no assurance that Global Indemnity Reinsurance or its shareholders will not be subject to any such tax in the future.

The Company has received a written assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966 of Bermuda, that if any legislation is enacted in Bermuda that would impose tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of that tax would not be applicable to Global Indemnity Reinsurance or to any of its operations, shares, debentures or obligations through March 31, 2035;

 

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provided that such assurance is subject to the condition that it will not be construed to prevent the application of such tax to people ordinarily resident in Bermuda, or to prevent the application of any taxes payable by Global Indemnity Reinsurance in respect of real property or leasehold interests in Bermuda held by them. Given the limited duration of the assurance, the Company cannot be certain that the Company will not be subject to any Bermuda tax after March 31, 2035.

Gibraltar

Global Indemnity (Gibraltar) Ltd., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, is a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Gibraltar. The Company received a tax ruling from the Ministry of Finance Income Tax Office of Gibraltar that dividends and distributions received by Global Indemnity (Gibraltar) Ltd. from Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. would not be subject to tax in Gibraltar, provided that Global Indemnity (Gibraltar) Ltd. continues to indirectly hold a relevant participation in U.A.I. (Luxembourg) I S.à.r.l.

Luxembourg

U.A.I. (Luxembourg) I S.à.r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) II S.à.r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) III S.à.r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) IV S.à.r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l., Wind River (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l., and Global Indemnity (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. (the “Luxembourg Companies”) are indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries and private limited liability companies incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg. These are taxable companies, which may carry out any activities that fall within the scope of their corporate object clause. In accordance with Luxembourg regulations, the companies are resident taxpayers fully subject to Luxembourg corporate income tax at a rate of 29.22% and net worth tax at a rate of 0.5%. The companies are entitled to benefits of the tax treaties concluded between Luxembourg and other countries and European Union Directives.

Profit distributions (not in respect to liquidations) by the companies are generally subject to Luxembourg dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15%, unless a domestic law exemption or a lower tax treaty rate applies. Dividends paid by any of the Luxembourg Companies to their Luxembourg resident parent company are exempt from Luxembourg dividend withholding tax, provided that at the time of the dividend distribution, the resident parent company has held (or commits itself to continue to hold) 10% or more of the nominal paid up capital of the distributing entity or, in the event of a lower percentage participation, a participation having an acquisition price of Euro 1.2 million or more for a period of at least 12 months.

The Luxembourg Companies have obtained a confirmation from the Luxembourg Administration des Contributions Directes (“Luxembourg Tax Administration”) that the current financing activities of the Luxembourg Companies under the application of at arm’s length principals will not lead to any material taxation in Luxembourg. The confirmation from the Luxembourg Tax Administration covers the current financing operations of the Luxembourg Companies through September 15, 2018. Given the limited duration of the confirmation and the possibility of a change in the relevant tax laws or the administrative policy of the Luxembourg Tax Administration, the Company cannot be certain that the Company will not be subject to greater Luxembourg taxes in the future.

Dividends by Global Indemnity (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. to United America Indemnity, Ltd., an Irish tax resident, are exempt from withholding tax in Luxembourg, provided that as of the date on which the income is made available, United America Indemnity, Ltd. has held or undertakes to hold, directly, for an uninterrupted period of at least 12 months, a relevant participation in the share capital of Global Indemnity (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. United America Indemnity, Ltd. has held such participation since April, 2010.

Global Indemnity (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. benefits from the Luxembourg participation exemption regime for its participation in Global Indemnity (Gibraltar) Ltd. with respect to dividends and capital gains derived there from, provided Global Indemnity (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. has held or commits to hold a participation in the share capital

 

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of Global Indemnity (Gibraltar) Ltd. for an uninterrupted period of at least 12 months. Global Indemnity (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. has held such participation since June, 2010.

United States

The following discussion is a summary of all material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the Company’s operations. The Company manages its business in a manner that seeks to mitigate the risk that either Global Indemnity or Global Indemnity Reinsurance will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, whether business is being conducted in the United States is an inherently factual determination. Because the United States Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), regulations and court decisions fail to identify definitively activities that constitute being engaged in a trade or business in the United States, the Company cannot be certain that the IRS will not contend successfully that Global Indemnity or Global Indemnity Reinsurance is or will be engaged in a trade or business in the United States. A non-U.S. corporation deemed to be so engaged would be subject to U.S. income tax at regular corporate rates, as well as the branch profits tax, on its income that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business unless the corporation is entitled to relief under the permanent establishment provision of an applicable tax treaty, as discussed below. Such income tax, if imposed, would be based on effectively connected income computed in a manner generally analogous to that applied to the income of a U.S. corporation, except that a non-U.S. corporation is generally entitled to deductions and credits only if it timely files a U.S. federal income tax return. Global Indemnity and Global Indemnity Reinsurance are filing protective U.S. federal income tax returns on a timely basis in order to preserve the right to claim income tax deductions and credits if it is ever determined that it is subject to U.S. federal income tax. All of the Company’s other non-U.S. entities are considered disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes. The highest marginal federal income tax rates as of 2015 are 39.6% for a corporation’s effectively connected income and 30% for the branch profits tax.

Global Indemnity Group, Inc. is a Delaware corporation wholly owned by U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. Under U.S. federal income tax law, dividends and interest paid by a U.S. corporation to a non-U.S. shareholder are generally subject to a 30% withholding tax, unless reduced by treaty. The income tax treaty between Luxembourg and the United States (the “Luxembourg Treaty”) reduces the rate of withholding tax on interest payments to 0% and on dividends to 15%, or 5% (if the shareholder owns 10% or more of the company’s voting stock).

If Global Indemnity Reinsurance is entitled to the benefits under the income tax treaty between Bermuda and the United States (the “Bermuda Treaty”), Global Indemnity Reinsurance would not be subject to U.S. income tax on any business profits of its insurance enterprise found to be effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, unless that trade or business is conducted through a permanent establishment in the United States. No regulations interpreting the Bermuda Treaty have been issued. Global Indemnity Reinsurance currently conducts its activities to reduce the risk that it will have a permanent establishment in the United States, although the Company cannot be certain that it will achieve this result.

An insurance enterprise resident in Bermuda generally will be entitled to the benefits of the Bermuda Treaty if (1) more than 50% of its shares are owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by individual residents of the United States or Bermuda or U.S. citizens and (2) its income is not used in substantial part, directly or indirectly, to make disproportionate distributions to, or to meet certain liabilities to, persons who are neither residents of either the United States or Bermuda nor U.S. citizens. The Company cannot be certain that Global Indemnity Reinsurance will be eligible for Bermuda Treaty benefits in the future because of factual and legal uncertainties regarding the residency and citizenship of the Company’s shareholders.

Foreign insurance companies carrying on an insurance business within the United States have a certain minimum amount of effectively connected net investment income, determined in accordance with a formula that depends, in part, on the amount of U.S. risk insured or reinsured by such companies. If Global Indemnity Reinsurance is considered to be engaged in the conduct of an insurance business in the United States and it is not entitled to the

 

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benefits of the Bermuda Treaty in general (because it fails to satisfy one of the limitations on treaty benefits discussed above), the Code could subject a significant portion of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s investment income to U.S. income tax. In addition, while the Bermuda Treaty clearly applies to premium income, it is uncertain whether the Bermuda Treaty applies to other income such as investment income. If Global Indemnity Reinsurance is considered engaged in the conduct of an insurance business in the United States and is entitled to the benefits of the Bermuda Treaty in general, but the Bermuda Treaty is interpreted to not apply to investment income, a significant portion of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s investment income could be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Foreign corporations not engaged in a trade or business in the United States are subject to 30% U.S. income tax imposed by withholding on the gross amount of certain “fixed or determinable annual or periodic gains, profits and income” derived from sources within the United States (such as dividends and certain interest on investments), subject to exemption under the Code or reduction by applicable treaties. The Bermuda Treaty does not reduce the rate of tax in such circumstances. The United States also imposes an excise tax on insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to foreign insurers or reinsurers with respect to risks located in the United States. The rates of tax applicable to premiums paid to Global Indemnity Reinsurance on such business are 4% for direct insurance premiums and 1% for reinsurance premiums.

The Company’s U.S. subsidiaries are each subject to taxation in the United States at regular corporate rates.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The risks and uncertainties described below are those the Company believes to be material. If any of the following actually occur, the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Related to the Company’s Business

The Benefits of Acquiring American Reliable May Not Be Realized.

There may be difficulties in integrating the businesses of American Reliable, which could result in a failure to realize the potential benefits of the acquisition. Although it is expected that American Reliable will continue to operate as it did prior to the acquisition, achieving the anticipated benefits of the acquisition will depend in part upon whether the common aspects of the business can be integrated in an efficient and effective manner with Global Indemnity’s existing businesses. In addition, there is the risk that the acquisition proves disruptive to the operations of the Company or American Reliable. Furthermore, the risk that the Company’s or American Reliable’s prospective insurance premiums, investment yield, or net earnings are less than anticipated (including as a result of unexpected events, competition, costs, charges or outlays whether as a consequence of the transaction or otherwise) could negatively impact the Company’s profitability and results of operations.

If actual claims payments exceed the Company’s reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The Company’s success depends upon its ability to accurately assess the risks associated with the insurance and reinsurance policies that it writes. The Company establishes reserves on an undiscounted basis to cover its estimated liability for the payment of all losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred with respect to premiums earned on the insurance policies that it writes. Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability. Rather, reserves are estimates of what the Company expects to be the ultimate cost of resolution and administration of claims under the insurance policies that it writes. These estimates are based upon actuarial and statistical projections, the Company’s assessment of currently available data, as well as estimates and assumptions as to future trends in claims severity and frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors. The Company continually refines its reserve estimates in an ongoing process as experience develops and claims are reported

 

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and settled. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries obtain an annual statement of opinion from an independent actuarial firm on the reasonableness of these reserves.

Establishing an appropriate level of reserves is an inherently uncertain process. The following factors may have a substantial impact on the Company’s future actual losses and loss adjustment experience:

 

   

claim and expense payments;

 

   

severity of claims;

 

   

legislative and judicial developments; and

 

   

changes in economic conditions, including the effect of inflation.

For example, as industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other conditions change, unexpected and unintended exposures related to claims and coverage may emerge. Examples include claims relating to mold, asbestos and construction defects, as well as larger settlements and jury awards against professionals and corporate directors and officers. In addition, there is a growing trend of plaintiffs targeting property and casualty insurers in purported class action litigations relating to claims handling, insurance sales practices and other practices. These exposures may either extend coverage beyond the Company’s underwriting intent or increase the frequency or severity of claims. As a result, such developments could cause the Company’s level of reserves to be inadequate.

Actual losses and loss adjustment expenses the Company incurs under insurance policies that it writes may be different from the amount of reserves it establishes, and to the extent that actual losses and loss adjustment expenses exceed the Company’s expectations and the reserves reflected on its financial statements, the Company will be required to immediately reflect those changes by increasing its reserves. In addition, regulators could require that the Company increases its reserves if they determine that the reserves were understated in the past. When the Company increases reserves, pre-tax income for the period in which it does so will decrease by a corresponding amount. In addition to having an effect on reserves and pre-tax income, increasing or “strengthening” reserves causes a reduction in the Company’s insurance companies’ surplus and could cause the rating of its insurance company subsidiaries to be downgraded or placed on credit watch. Such a downgrade could, in turn, adversely affect the Company’s ability to sell insurance policies.

Catastrophic events can have a significant impact on the Company’s financial and operational condition.

Results of operations of property and casualty insurers are subject to man-made and natural catastrophes. The Company has experienced, and expects to experience in the future, catastrophe losses. It is possible that a catastrophic event or a series of multiple catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and financial condition. The Company’s operating results could be negatively impacted if it experiences losses from catastrophes that are in excess of the catastrophe reinsurance coverage of its Insurance Operations. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations also have exposure to losses from catastrophes as a result of the reinsurance treaties that it writes. Operating results could be negatively impacted if losses and expenses related to property catastrophe events exceed premiums assumed. Catastrophes include windstorms, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, hail, severe winter weather, fires and may include terrorist events such as the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Company cannot predict how severe a particular catastrophe may be until after it occurs. The extent of losses from catastrophes is a function of the total amount and type of losses incurred, the number of insureds affected, the frequency of the events and the severity of the particular catastrophe. Most catastrophes occur in small geographic areas. However, some catastrophes may produce significant damage in large, heavily populated areas.

A failure in the Company’s operational systems or infrastructure or those of third parties could disrupt business, damage the Company’s reputation, and cause losses.

The Company’s operations rely on the secure processing, storage, and transmission of confidential and other information in its computer systems and networks. The Company’s business depends on effective information

 

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systems and the integrity and timeliness of the data it uses to run its business. The Company’s ability to adequately price products and services, to establish reserves, to provide effective and efficient service to its customers, and to timely and accurately report financial results also depends significantly on the integrity of the data in the Company’s information systems. Although the Company takes protective measures and endeavors to modify them as circumstances warrant, its computer systems, software, and networks may be vulnerable, externally and internally, to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code, and other events that could have security consequences. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize the Company’s or its clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, the Company’s computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in the Company’s, its clients’, its counterparties’, or third parties’ operations, which could result in significant losses or reputational damage. The Company may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify its protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and the Company may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered by insurance maintained.

Despite the contingency plans and facilities it has in place, the Company’s ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by a disruption of the infrastructure that supports its business in the communities in which the Company is located, or of outsourced services or functions. This may include a disruption involving electrical, communications, transportation, or other services used by the Company. These disruptions may occur, for example, as a result of events that affect only the buildings occupied by the Company or as a result of events with a broader effect on the cities where those buildings are located. If a disruption occurs in one location and the Company’s employees in that location are unable to occupy their offices and conduct business or communicate with or travel to other locations, the Company’s ability to service and interact with clients may suffer and it may not be able to successfully implement contingency plans that depend on communication or travel.

A decline in rating for any of the Company’s insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries could adversely affect its position in the insurance market; making it more difficult to market its insurance products and cause premiums and earnings to decrease.

If the rating of any of the companies in its Insurance Operations or Reinsurance Operations is reduced from its current level of “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, the Company’s competitive position in the insurance industry could suffer, and it could be more difficult to market its insurance products. A downgrade could result in a significant reduction in the number of insurance contracts the Company writes and in a substantial loss of business; as such business could move to other competitors with higher ratings, thus causing premiums and earnings to decrease.

Ratings have become an increasingly important factor in establishing the competitive position for insurance companies. A.M. Best ratings currently range from “A++” (Superior) to “F” (In Liquidation), with a total of 16 separate ratings categories. A.M. Best currently assigns the companies in the Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations a financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent), the third highest of their 16 rating categories. The objective of A.M. Best’s rating system is to provide potential policyholders an opinion of an insurer’s financial strength and its ability to meet ongoing obligations, including paying claims. In evaluating a company’s financial and operating performance, A.M. Best reviews its profitability, leverage and liquidity, its spread of risk, the quality and appropriateness of its reinsurance, the quality and diversification of its assets, the adequacy of its policy and loss reserves, the adequacy of its surplus, its capital structure, and the experience and objectives of its management. These ratings are based on factors relevant to policyholders, general agencies, insurance brokers, reinsurers, and intermediaries and are not directed to the protection of investors. These ratings are not an evaluation of, nor are they directed to, investors in the Company’s A ordinary shares and are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the Company’s A ordinary shares. Publications of A.M. Best indicate that companies are assigned “A” (Excellent) ratings if, in A.M. Best’s opinion, they have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. These ratings are subject to periodic review by, and may be revised downward or revoked at the sole discretion of, A.M. Best.

 

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The Company cannot guarantee that its reinsurers will pay in a timely fashion, if at all, and as a result, the Company could experience losses.

The Company cedes a portion of gross premiums written to third party reinsurers under reinsurance contracts. Although reinsurance makes the reinsurer liable to the Company to the extent the risk is transferred, it does not relieve the Company of its liability to its policyholders. Upon payment of claims, the Company will bill its reinsurers for their share of such claims. The reinsurers may not pay the reinsurance receivables that they owe to the Company or they may not pay such receivables on a timely basis. If the reinsurers fail to pay it or fail to pay on a timely basis, the Company’s financial results would be adversely affected. Lack of reinsurer liquidity, perceived improper underwriting, or claim handling by the Company, and other factors could cause a reinsurer not to pay. See “Business—Reinsurance of Underwriting Risk” in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

See Note 7 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information surrounding the Company’s reinsurance receivable balances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The Company’s investment performance may suffer as a result of adverse capital market developments or other factors, which would in turn adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations.

The Company derives a significant portion of its income from its invested assets. As a result, the Company’s operating results depend in part on the performance of its investment portfolio. The Company’s operating results are subject to a variety of investment risks, including risks relating to general economic conditions, market volatility, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity risk and credit and default risk. The fair value of fixed income investments can fluctuate depending on changes in interest rates and the credit quality of underlying issuers. Generally, the fair market value of these investments has an inverse relationship with changes in interest rates, while net investment income earned by the Company from future investments in fixed maturities will generally increase or decrease with changes in interest rates. Additionally, with respect to certain of its investments, the Company is subject to pre-payment or reinvestment risk.

Credit tightening could negatively impact the Company’s future investment returns and limit the ability to invest in certain classes of investments. Credit tightening may cause opportunities that are marginally attractive to not be financed, which could cause a decrease in the number of bond issuances. If marginally attractive opportunities are financed, they may be at higher interest rates, which would cause credit risk of such opportunities to increase. If new debt supply is curtailed, it could cause interest rates on securities that are deemed to be credit-worthy to decline. Funds generated by operations, sales, and maturities will need to be invested. If the Company invests during a tight credit market, investment returns could be lower than the returns the Company is currently realizing and/or it may have to invest in higher risk securities.

With respect to its longer-term liabilities, the Company strives to structure its investments in a manner that recognizes liquidity needs for its future liabilities. However, if the Company’s liquidity needs or general and specific liability profile unexpectedly changes, it may not be successful in continuing to structure its investment portfolio in that manner. To the extent that the Company is unsuccessful in correlating its investment portfolio with its expected liabilities, the Company may be forced to liquidate its investments at times and prices that are not optimal, which could have a material adverse effect on the performance of its investment portfolio. The Company refers to this risk as liquidity risk, which is when the fair value of an investment is not able to be realized due to low demand by outside parties in the marketplace.

The Company is also subject to credit risk due to non-payment of principal or interest. Several classes of securities that the Company holds have default risk. As interest rates rise for companies that are deemed to be less creditworthy, there is a greater risk that they will be unable to pay contractual interest or principal on their debt obligations.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Although the Company attempts to take measures to manage the risks of investing in a changing interest rate environment, the

 

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Company may not be able to mitigate interest rate sensitivity effectively. A significant increase in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the market value of the Company’s fixed maturities securities.

The Company also has an equity portfolio. The performance of the Company’s equity portfolio is dependent upon a number of factors, including many of the same factors that affect the performance of its fixed income investments, although those factors sometimes have the opposite effect on the performance of the equity portfolio. Individual equity securities have unsystemic risk. The Company could experience market declines on these investments. The Company also has systemic risk, which is the risk inherent in the general market due to broad macroeconomic factors that affect all companies in the market. If the market indexes were to decline, the Company anticipates that the value of its portfolio would be negatively affected.

The Company has investments in limited partnerships which are not liquid. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interests but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interests without consent from the general partner. The Company’s returns could be negatively affected if the market value of the partnership declines. If the Company needs liquidity, it might be forced to liquidate other investments at a time when prices are not optimal.

See Note 3 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information surrounding the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Deterioration in the debt and equity markets could result in a margin call which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and/or results of operations.

The collateral backing the Company’s margin borrowing facilities consist of fixed income and equity securities. Declines in financial markets could negatively impact the value of the Company’s collateral. Adverse changes in market value could result in a margin call which would require the posting of additional collateral thereby reducing liquidity. Additionally, if such a margin call is not met, the Company could be required to liquidate securities and incur realized losses.

Borrowings under the Company’s margin borrowing facilities are based upon a variable rate of interest, which could result in higher expense in the event of increases in interest rates.

As of December 31, 2014, $175 million of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness bore interest at a rate that varies depending upon the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). If LIBOR rises, the interest rates on outstanding debt will increase resulting in increased interest payment obligations under the Company’s margin borrowing facilities. This could have a negative effect on the Company’s cash flow and financial condition.

The Company is dependent on its senior executives and the loss of any of these executives or the Company’s inability to attract and retain other key personnel could adversely affect its business.

The Company’s success depends upon its ability to attract and retain qualified employees and upon the ability of senior management and other key employees to implement the Company’s business strategy. The Company believes there are a limited number of available, qualified executives in the business lines in which it competes. The success of the Company’s initiatives and future performance depend, in significant part, upon the continued service of the senior management team. The future loss of any of the services of members of the Company’s senior management team or the inability to attract and retain other talented personnel could impede the further implementation of the Company’s business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on its business. In addition, the Company does not currently maintain key man life insurance policies with respect to any of its employees.

 

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Employee error and misconduct may be difficult to detect and prevent and could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

Losses may result from, among other things, fraud, errors, failure to document transactions properly, failure to obtain proper internal authorization, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements. It is not always possible to deter or prevent employee misconduct and the precautions the Company takes to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Resultant losses could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

Since the Company depends on professional general agencies, brokers, other insurance companies and other reinsurance companies for a significant portion of its revenue, a loss of any one of them could adversely affect the Company.

The Company markets and distributes its insurance products through a group of approximately 110 professional general agencies that have specific quoting and binding authority and that in turn sell the Company’s insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers. The Company also markets and distributes its reinsurance products through third-party brokers, insurance companies and reinsurance companies. A loss of all or substantially all of the business produced by any one of these general agencies, brokers, insurance companies or reinsurance companies could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

If market conditions cause reinsurance to be more costly or unavailable, the Company may be required to bear increased risks or reduce the level of its underwriting commitments.

As part of the Company’s overall strategy of risk and capacity management, it purchases reinsurance for a portion of the risk underwritten by its insurance subsidiaries. Market conditions beyond the Company’s control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance it purchases, which may affect the level of its business and profitability. The Company’s third party reinsurance facilities are generally subject to annual renewal. The Company may be unable to maintain its current reinsurance facilities or obtain other reinsurance facilities in adequate amounts and at favorable rates. If the Company is unable to renew expiring facilities or obtain new reinsurance facilities, either the net exposure to risk would increase or, if the Company is unwilling to bear an increase in net risk exposures, it would have to reduce the amount of risk it underwrites.

The Company’s results may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including cyclical changes in the insurance industry.

Historically, the results of companies in the property and casualty insurance industry have been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. The industry’s profitability can be affected significantly by:

 

   

competition;

 

   

capital capacity;

 

   

rising levels of actual costs that are not foreseen by companies at the time they price their products;

 

   

volatile and unpredictable developments, including man-made, weather-related and other natural catastrophes or terrorist attacks;

 

   

changes in loss reserves resulting from the general claims and legal environments as different types of claims arise and judicial interpretations relating to the scope of insurers’ liability develop; and

 

   

fluctuations in interest rates, inflationary pressures and other changes in the investment environment, which affect returns on invested assets and may affect the ultimate payout of losses.

The demand for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance can also vary significantly, rising as the overall level of economic activity increases and falling as that activity decreases. The property and casualty insurance

 

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industry historically is cyclical in nature. These fluctuations in demand and competition could produce underwriting results that would have a negative impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

The Company faces significant competitive pressures in its business that could cause demand for its products to fall and adversely affect the Company’s profitability.

The Company competes with a large number of other companies in its selected lines of business. The Company competes, and will continue to compete, with major U.S. and non-U.S. insurers and other regional companies, as well as mutual companies, specialty insurance companies, reinsurance companies, underwriting agencies and diversified financial services companies. The Company’s competitors include, among others: American International Group, Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd., Berkshire Hathaway, Everest Re Group, Ltd., Great American Insurance Group, HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., IFG Companies, Markel Corporation, Nationwide Insurance, Navigators Insurance Group, RLI Corporation, Selective Insurance Group, Inc., The Travelers Companies, Inc., W.R. Berkley Corporation, and Western World Insurance Group. Some of the Company’s competitors have greater financial and marketing resources than the Company does. The Company’s profitability could be adversely affected if it loses business to competitors offering similar products at or below the Company’s prices.

The Company’s general agencies typically pay the insurance premiums on business they have bound to the Company on a monthly basis. This accumulation of balances due to the Company exposes it to credit risk.

Insurance premiums generally flow from the insured to their retail broker, then into a trust account controlled by the Company’s professional general agencies. The Company’s professional general agencies are typically required to forward funds, net of commissions, to the Company following the end of each month. Consequently, the Company assumes a degree of credit risk on the aggregate amount of these balances that have been paid by the insured but have yet to reach the Company.

Brokers, insurance companies and reinsurance companies typically pay premiums on reinsurance treaties written with the Company on a quarterly basis. This accumulation of balances due to the Company exposes it to credit risk.

Assumed premiums on reinsurance treaties generally flow from the ceding companies to the Company on a quarterly basis. In some instances, the reinsurance treaties allow for funds to be withheld for longer periods as specified in the treaties. Consequently, the Company assumes a degree of credit risk on the aggregate amount of these balances that have been collected by the reinsured but have yet to reach the Company.

Because the Company provides its general agencies with specific quoting and binding authority, if any of them fail to comply with pre-established guidelines, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.

The Company markets and distributes its insurance products through professional general agencies that have limited quoting and binding authority and that in turn sell the Company’s insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers. These professional general agencies can bind certain risks without the Company’s initial approval. If any of these wholesale professional general agencies fail to comply with the Company’s underwriting guidelines and the terms of their appointment, the Company could be bound on a particular risk or number of risks that were not anticipated when it developed the insurance products or estimated loss and loss adjustment expenses. Such actions could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s holding company structure and regulatory constraints limit its ability to receive dividends from subsidiaries in order to meet its cash requirements.

Global Indemnity is a holding company and, as such, has no substantial operations of its own. The Company’s assets primarily consist of cash and ownership of the shares of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Dividends and

 

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other permitted distributions from insurance subsidiaries, which include payment for equity awards granted by Global Indemnity to employees of such subsidiaries, are expected to be Global Indemnity’s sole source of funds to meet ongoing cash requirements, including debt service payments and other expenses.

Due to its corporate structure, most of the dividends that Global Indemnity receives from its subsidiaries must pass through Global Indemnity Reinsurance. The inability of Global Indemnity Reinsurance to pay dividends in an amount sufficient to enable Global Indemnity to meet its cash requirements at the holding company level could have a material adverse effect on its operations.

Bermuda law does not permit payment of dividends or distributions of contributed surplus by a company if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the company, after the payment is made, would be unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or the realizable value of the company’s assets would be less, as a result of the payment, than the aggregate of its liabilities and its issued share capital and share premium accounts. Furthermore, pursuant to the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978, an insurance company is prohibited from declaring or paying a dividend during the financial year if it is in breach of its minimum solvency margin or minimum liquidity ratio or if the declaration or payment of such dividends would cause it to fail to meet such margin or ratio. See “Regulation—Bermuda Insurance Regulation” in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

In addition, the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries, which are indirect subsidiaries of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and pay dividends, which must first pass through Global Indemnity Reinsurance before being paid to Global Indemnity. See “Regulation—U.S. Regulation” in Item 1 of Part I of this report. Also, see Note 17 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for the maximum amount of dividends that could be paid by the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries in 2015.

The Company’s businesses are heavily regulated and changes in regulation may limit the way it operates.

The Company is subject to extensive supervision and regulation in the U.S. states in which the Insurance Operations operate. This is particularly true in those states in which the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are licensed, as opposed to those states where its insurance subsidiaries write business on a surplus lines basis. The supervision and regulation relate to numerous aspects of the Company’s business and financial condition. The primary purpose of the supervision and regulation is the protection of the Company’s insurance policyholders and not its investors. The extent of regulation varies, but generally is governed by state statutes. These statutes delegate regulatory, supervisory, and administrative authority to state insurance departments. This system of regulation covers, among other things:

 

   

standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements;

 

   

restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

 

   

restrictions on the types of terms that the Company can include or exclude in the insurance policies it offers;

 

   

restrictions on the way rates are developed and the premiums the Company may charge;

 

   

standards for the manner in which general agencies may be appointed or terminated;

 

   

credit for reinsurance;

 

   

certain required methods of accounting;

 

   

reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes; and

 

   

potential assessments for the provision of funds necessary for the settlement of covered claims under certain insurance policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies.

 

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The statutes or the state insurance department regulations may affect the cost or demand for the Company’s products and may impede the Company from obtaining rate increases or taking other actions it might wish to take to increase profitability. Further, the Company may be unable to maintain all required licenses and approvals and its business may not fully comply with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the relevant authority’s interpretation of the laws and regulations. Also, regulatory authorities have discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals subject to the applicable state statutes and appeal process. If the Company does not have the requisite licenses and approvals (including in some states the requisite secretary of state registration) or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities could stop or temporarily suspend the Company from carrying on some or all of its activities or monetarily penalize the Company.

In recent years, the U.S. insurance regulatory framework has come under increased federal scrutiny, and some state legislators have considered or enacted laws that may alter or increase state regulation of insurance and reinsurance companies and holding companies. Moreover, the NAIC, which is an association of the insurance commissioners of all 50 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, and state insurance regulators regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations. Changes in these laws and regulations or the interpretation of these laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Although the U.S. federal government has not historically regulated the insurance business, there have been proposals from time to time to impose federal regulation on the insurance industry. In 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act. Among other things, the Dodd-Frank Act establishes a Federal Insurance Office within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Federal Insurance Office initially has limited regulatory authority and is empowered to gather data and information regarding the insurance industry and insurers, including conducting a study for submission to the U.S. Congress on how to modernize and improve insurance regulation in the U.S. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act gives the Federal Reserve supervisory authority over a number of financial services companies, including insurance companies, if they are designated by a two-thirds vote of a Financial Stability Oversight Council as “systemically important.” While the Company does not believe that it is “systemically important,” as defined in the Dodd-Frank Act, it is possible that the Financial Stability Oversight Council may conclude that it is. If the Company were designated as “systemically important,” the Federal Reserve’s supervisory authority could include the ability to impose heightened financial regulation and could impact requirements regarding the Company’s capital, liquidity, leverage, business and investment conduct. As a result of the foregoing, the Dodd-Frank Act, or other additional federal regulation that is adopted in the future, could impose significant burdens on the Company, including impacting the ways in which it conducts business, increasing compliance costs and duplicating state regulation, and could result in a competitive disadvantage, particularly relative to smaller insurers who may not be subject to the same level of regulation.

The Company may require additional capital in the future that may not be available or only available on unfavorable terms.

The Company’s future capital requirements depend on many factors, including the incurring of significant net catastrophe losses, its ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. To the extent that the Company needs to raise additional funds, any equity or debt financing for this purpose, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to the Company. If the Company cannot obtain adequate capital, its business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

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The Company has used and may in the future use a significant amount of its cash resources to repurchase its ordinary shares and such repurchases present potential risks and disadvantages to the Company and its continuing shareholders.

The Company does not currently have authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase A ordinary shares. However, the Company may be authorized to purchase A ordinary shares by the Board of Directors in the future and future repurchases of the Company’s shares exposes it to risks including:

 

   

the use of a substantial portion of the Company’s cash reserves, which may reduce its ability to engage in significant cash acquisitions or to pursue other business opportunities that could create significant value to shareholders;

 

   

the risk that the Company would not be able to replenish its cash reserves by raising debt or equity financing in the future on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all; and

 

   

the risk that these repurchases would reduce the Company’s “public float,” which is the number of shares owned by non-affiliate shareholders and available for trading in the securities markets, and would likely reduce the number of the Company’s shareholders, which may reduce the volume of trading in its shares and may result in lower stock prices and reduced liquidity in the trading of the Company’s shares.

The interests of holders of A ordinary shares may conflict with the interests of the Company’s controlling shareholder.

Fox Paine & Company, LLC (“Fox Paine & Company”) beneficially owns shares having approximately 93% of the Company’s total voting power. The percentage of the Company’s total voting power that Fox Paine & Company may exercise is greater than the percentage of the Company’s total shares that Fox Paine & Company beneficially owns because Fox Paine & Company beneficially owns all of the Company’s B ordinary shares, which have ten votes per share as opposed to A ordinary shares, which have one vote per share. The A ordinary shares and the B ordinary shares generally vote together as a single class on matters presented to the Company’s shareholders. Based on the ownership structure of the affiliates of Fox Paine & Company that own these shares, these affiliates are subject to the voting restriction contained in the Company’s articles of association. As a result, Fox Paine & Company has and will continue to have control over the outcome of certain matters requiring shareholder approval, including the power to, among other things:

 

   

elect all of the Company’s directors;

 

   

amend the Company’s articles of association (as long as their voting power is greater than 75%);

 

   

ratify the appointment of the Company’s auditors;

 

   

increase the Company’s share capital;

 

   

resolve to pay dividends or distributions; and

 

   

approve the annual report and the annual financial statements.

Subject to certain exceptions, Fox Paine & Company may also be able to prevent or cause a change of control. Fox Paine & Company’s control over the Company, and Fox Paine & Company’s ability in certain circumstances to prevent or cause a change of control, may delay or prevent a change of control, or cause a change of control to occur at a time when it is not favored by other shareholders. As a result, the trading price of the Company’s A ordinary shares could be adversely affected.

In addition, the Company has agreed to pay Fox Paine & Company an annual management fee of $1.9 million, adjusted annually to reflect change in the consumer price index published by the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics “CPI-U”, in exchange for management services. The Company has also agreed to pay a termination fee of cash in an amount to be agreed upon, plus reimbursement of expenses upon the termination of

 

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Fox Paine & Company’s management services in connection with the consummation of a change of control transaction that does not involve Fox Paine & Company and its affiliates. The Company has also agreed to pay Fox Paine & Company a transaction advisory fee of cash in an amount to be agreed upon, plus reimbursement of expenses upon the consummation of a change of control transaction that does not involve Fox Paine & Company and its affiliates in exchange for advisory services to be provided by Fox Paine & Company in connection therewith. Fox Paine & Company may in the future make significant investments in other insurance or reinsurance companies. Some of these companies may compete with the Company or its subsidiaries. Fox Paine & Company is not obligated to advise the Company of any investment or business opportunities of which they are aware, and they are not prohibited or restricted from competing with the Company or its subsidiaries.

The Company’s controlling shareholder has the contractual right to nominate a certain number of the members of the Board of Directors and also otherwise controls the election of Directors due to its ownership.

While Fox Paine & Company has the right under the terms of the memorandum and articles of association to nominate a certain number of directors of the Board of Directors, dependent on Fox Paine & Company’s percentage ownership of voting shares in the Company for so long as Fox Paine & Company hold an aggregate 25% or more of the voting power in the Company, it also controls the election of all directors to the Board of Directors due to its controlling share ownership. The Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of seven directors, all of whom were identified and proposed for consideration for the Board of Directors by Fox Paine & Company.

The Company’s Board of Directors, in turn, and subject to its fiduciary duties under Irish law, appoints the members of the Company’s senior management, who also have fiduciary duties to the Company. As a result, Fox Paine & Company effectively has the ability to control the appointment of the members of the Company’s senior management and to prevent any changes in senior management that other shareholders or other members of the Board of Directors may deem advisable.

Because the Company relies on certain services provided by Fox Paine & Company, the loss of such services could adversely affect its business.

Fox Paine & Company provides certain management services to the Company. To the extent that Fox Paine & Company is unable or unwilling to provide similar services in the future, and the Company is unable to perform those services itself or is unable to secure replacement services, the Company’s business could be adversely affected.

Adverse consequences of the U.S. and global economic and financial industry downturns could harm the Company’s business, its liquidity and financial condition, and its stock price.

In recent years, global market and economic conditions were severely disrupted. While conditions have since improved, there is continued uncertainty regarding the timing and strength of any economic recovery. The trend may not continue or may continue at a slow rate for an extended period of time, or conditions may worsen. These conditions may potentially affect (among other aspects of the Company’s business) the demand for and claims made under the Company’s products, the ability of customers, counterparties and others to establish or maintain their relationships with the Company, its ability to access and efficiently use internal and external capital resources, the availability of reinsurance protection, the risks the Company assumes under reinsurance programs, and the Company’s investment performance. Continued volatility in the U.S. and other securities markets may adversely affect the Company’s stock price.

Global Indemnity has identified a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting. If Global Indemnity is unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of its financial reports and the trading price of its common stock may be negatively affected.

In connection with its preparation of the 2014 financial statements, the Company determined that a material weakness existed in its internal control over financial reporting, as described in more detail in Item 9A of this

 

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report. In light of this material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2014.

Management is taking steps to remediate the identified material weakness, as described in more detail in Item 9A of this report, and expects these steps to be completed in the first quarter of 2015. While the Company believes these steps will improve the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, if its remediation efforts are insufficient to address the material weakness, or if additional material weaknesses in its internal controls are discovered in the future, they may adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information timely and accurately and, as a result, the Company’s financial statements may contain material misstatements or omissions.

Any of the foregoing could cause investors to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of the Company’s financial reports, negatively affect the market price of the Company’s common stock, result in regulatory scrutiny (which could require additional financial and management resources), and otherwise materially adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition.

The Company’s operating results and shareholders’ equity may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations.

The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar. The Reinsurance Operations conducts business with some customers in foreign currencies and several of the Company’s U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries maintains investments and cash accounts in foreign currencies. At period-end, the Company re-measures non-U.S. currency financial assets to their current U.S. dollar equivalent. The resulting gain or loss for foreign denominated investments is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity; whereas, the gain or loss on foreign denominated cash accounts is reflected in income during the period. Financial liabilities, if any, are generally adjusted within the reserving process. However, for known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, the Company re-measures the liabilities to their current U.S. dollar equivalent each period end with the resulting gain or loss reflected in income during the period. Foreign exchange risk is reviewed as part of the Company’s risk management process. The Company may experience losses resulting from fluctuations in the values of non-U.S. currencies relative to the strength of the U.S. dollar, which could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The Company is incorporated in Ireland and some of its assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it might not be possible for shareholders to enforce civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States.

The Company is organized under the laws of Ireland, and some of its assets are located outside the United States. A shareholder who obtains a court judgment based on the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws may be unable to enforce the judgment against the Company in Ireland or in countries other than the United States where the Company has assets. In addition, there is some doubt as to whether the courts of Ireland and other countries would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against the Company or its Directors or officers based on the civil liabilities provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States or would hear actions against the Company or those persons based on those laws. The Company has been advised that the United States and Ireland do not currently have a treaty providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. The laws of Ireland do however, as a general rule, provide that the judgments of the courts of the United States have the same validity in Ireland as if rendered by Irish Courts. Certain important requirements must be satisfied before the Irish Courts will recognize the United States judgment. The originating court must have been a court of competent jurisdiction and the judgment may not be recognized if it was obtained by fraud or its recognition would be contrary to Irish public policy.

Any judgment obtained in contravention of the rules of natural justice or that is irreconcilable with an earlier foreign judgment would not be enforced in Ireland. Similarly, judgments might not be enforceable in countries other than the United States where the Company has assets.

 

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Irish law differs from the laws in effect in the United States and might afford less protection to shareholders.

The Company’s shareholders could have more difficulty protecting their interests than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction of the United States. As an Irish company, the Company is governed by the Companies Acts 1963 to 2013 of Ireland (“the Companies Acts”) and other Irish statutes. The Companies Acts and other Irish statutes differ in some significant, and possibly material, respects from laws applicable to U.S. corporations and shareholders under various state corporation laws, including the provisions relating to interested Directors, mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, shareholder lawsuits and indemnification of Directors.

Under Irish law, the duties of Directors and officers of a company are generally owed to the company only. Shareholders of Irish companies do not generally have rights to take action against Directors or officers of the company under Irish law, and may only exercise such right of action on behalf of the Company in limited circumstances. Directors of an Irish company must, in exercising their powers and performing their duties, act with due care and skill, honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company. Directors have a duty not to put themselves in a position in which their duties to the company and their personal interests might conflict and also are under a duty to disclose any personal interest in any contract or arrangement with the company or any of its subsidiaries. If a Director or officer of an Irish company is found to have breached his duties to that company, he could be held personally liable to the company in respect of that breach of duty.

A future transfer of ordinary shares, other than one effected by means of the transfer of book entry interests in Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), may be subject to Irish stamp duty.

A transfer of the Company’s A ordinary shares by a seller who holds A ordinary shares beneficially through DTC to a buyer who holds the acquired A ordinary shares beneficially through DTC will not be subject to Irish stamp duty. A transfer of the Company’s ordinary shares by a seller who holds shares directly to any buyer, or by a seller who holds the shares beneficially through DTC to a buyer who holds the acquired shares directly, may be subject to Irish stamp duty. Stamp duty is a liability of the buyer or transferee and is currently levied at the rate of 1% of the price paid or the market value of the shares acquired, if higher. The potential for stamp duty could adversely affect the price of the Company’s ordinary shares.

Risks Related to Taxation

Legislative and regulatory action by the U.S. Congress could materially and adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s tax position could be adversely impacted by changes in tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof. Legislative action may be taken by the U.S. Congress which, if ultimately enacted, could override tax treaties upon which the Company relies or could broaden the circumstances under which the Company would be considered a U.S. resident, each of which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s effective tax rate and cash tax position.

The Company may become subject to taxes in the Cayman Islands or Bermuda in the future, which may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.

The Company has subsidiaries which have been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as exempted companies and, as such, obtained an undertaking on September 2, 2003 from the Governor in Council of the Cayman Islands substantially that, for a period of 20 years from the date of such undertaking, no law that is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profit or income or gains or appreciation shall apply to the Company and no such tax and no tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax will be payable, either directly or by way of withholding, on the Company’s ordinary shares. This undertaking would not, however, prevent the imposition of taxes on any person ordinarily resident in the Cayman Islands or any company in respect of its ownership of real property or leasehold interests in the Cayman Islands. Given the limited duration of the undertaking, the Company cannot be certain that it will not be subject to Cayman Islands tax after the expiration of the 20-year period.

 

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Global Indemnity Reinsurance was formed in 2006 through the amalgamation of the Company’s non-U.S. operations. The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance, under the Bermuda Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966, as amended, that if any legislation is enacted in Bermuda that would impose tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax will not be applicable to Global Indemnity Reinsurance or any of its operations, shares, debentures or other obligations through March 31, 2035. Given the limited duration of the assurance, the Company cannot be certain that it will not be subject to any Bermuda tax after March 31, 2035.

Following the expiration of the periods described above, the Company may become subject to taxes in the Cayman Islands or Bermuda, which may have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.

Global Indemnity or Global Indemnity Reinsurance may be subject to U.S. tax that may have a material adverse effect on Global Indemnity’s or Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s results of operations.

Global Indemnity is an Irish company and Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a Bermuda company. The Company seeks to manage its business in a manner designed to reduce the risk that Global Indemnity and Global Indemnity Reinsurance will be treated as being engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, because there is considerable uncertainty as to the activities that constitute being engaged in a trade or business within the United States, the Company cannot be certain that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service will not contend successfully that Global Indemnity or Global Indemnity Reinsurance will be engaged in a trade or business in the United States. If Global Indemnity or Global Indemnity Reinsurance were considered to be engaged in a business in the United States, the Company could be subject to U.S. corporate income and branch profits taxes on the portion of its earnings effectively connected to such U.S. business, in which case its results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The impact of the Cayman Islands’ Letter of Commitment or other concessions to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to eliminate harmful tax practices is uncertain and could adversely affect the tax status of the Company’s subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands or Bermuda.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which is commonly referred to as the OECD, has published reports and launched a global dialogue among member and non-member countries on measures to limit harmful tax competition. These measures are largely directed at counteracting the effects of tax havens and preferential tax regimes in countries around the world. The Cayman Islands and Bermuda are not listed as uncooperative tax haven jurisdictions because each had previously committed itself to eliminate harmful tax practices and to embrace international tax standards for transparency, exchange of information and the elimination of any aspects of the regimes for financial and other services that attract business with no substantial domestic activity. The Company is not able to predict what changes will arise from the OECD in the future or whether such changes will subject it to additional taxes.

There is a risk that interest paid by the Company’s U.S. subsidiary to a Luxembourg affiliate may be subject to 30% U.S. withholding tax.

U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment, S.à.r.l., an indirectly owned Luxembourg subsidiary of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, owns two notes and a loan issued by Global Indemnity Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Under U.S. federal income tax law, interest paid by a U.S. corporation to a non-U.S. shareholder is generally subject to a 30% withholding tax, unless reduced by treaty. The income tax treaty between the United States and Luxembourg (the “Luxembourg Treaty”) generally eliminates the withholding tax on interest paid to qualified residents of Luxembourg. Were the IRS to contend successfully that U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment, S.à.r.l. is not eligible for benefits under the Luxembourg Treaty, interest paid to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment, S.à.r.l. by Global Indemnity Group, Inc. would be subject to the 30% withholding tax. Such tax may be applied retroactively to all previous years for which the statute of limitations has not expired, with interest and penalties. Such a result may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation.

 

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There is a risk that interest income imputed to the Company’s Irish affiliates may be subject to 25% Irish income tax.

U.A.I. (Ireland) Limited is a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Ireland. The company is a resident taxpayer fully subject to Ireland corporate income tax of 12.5% on trading income and 25.0% on non-trading income, including interest and dividends from foreign companies. The Company intends to manage its operations in such a way that there will not be any material taxable income generated in Ireland under Irish law. However, there can be no assurance from the Irish authorities that a law may not be enacted that would impute income to U.A.I. (Ireland) Limited in the future or retroactively arising out of the Company’s current operations.

 

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

At December 31, 2014, the Company leased office space in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania which holds the Insurance Operations’ principal executive offices and headquarters. In addition, the Company leased additional office space in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina and Texas, which serves as office space for field offices. Some of the office space in California also serves as office space for the Company’s claims operations. The Company also leased office space in Hamilton, Bermuda, which is used by the Reinsurance Operations. The Company leased office space in Cavan, Ireland, which is used to support the operating needs of the Insurance and Reinsurance Operations. As a result of the American Reliable acquisition on January 1, 2015, the Company assumed leases in Arizona, Nebraska, and Florida. The Company believes the properties listed are suitable and adequate to meet its needs.

 

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company purchased insurance and reinsurance coverage for risks in amounts that it considers adequate. However, there can be no assurance that the insurance and reinsurance coverage that the Company maintains is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

There is a greater potential for disputes with reinsurers who are in runoff. Some of the Company’s reinsurers’ have operations that are in runoff, and therefore, the Company closely monitors those relationships. The Company anticipates that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, it will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market for the Company’s A Ordinary Shares

The Company’s A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, formerly the NASDAQ National Market, under the symbol “UNGL” on December 16, 2003. On March 14, 2005 the Company changed its symbol to “INDM.” On July 6, 2010, the Company changed its symbol to “GBLI” as part of a re-domestication transaction whereby all shares of “INDM” were replaced with shares of “GBLI” on a one-for-two basis. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the Company’s A ordinary shares as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

     High      Low  

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014:

     

First Quarter

   $ 26.98       $ 23.16   

Second Quarter

     27.78         24.44   

Third Quarter

     27.23         24.68   

Fourth Quarter

     29.50         25.15   

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013:

     

First Quarter

   $ 23.89       $ 20.06   

Second Quarter

     24.30         20.06   

Third Quarter

     27.57         23.26   

Fourth Quarter

     27.38         23.57   

There is no established public trading market for the Company’s B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share.

As of March 7, 2015, there were 11 holders of record of the Company’s B ordinary shares, all of whom are affiliates of Fox Paine & Company, LLC. The number of holders of record, including individual owners of the Company’s A ordinary shares, was 1,266 as of March 6, 2015. This is not the actual number of beneficial owners of the Company’s A ordinary shares as shares are held in “street name” by brokers and others on behalf of individual owners.

See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information regarding securities authorized under the Company’s equity compensation plans.

 

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Performance of the Company’s A Ordinary Shares

The following graph represents a five-year comparison of the cumulative total return to shareholders for the Company’s A ordinary shares and stock of companies included in the NASDAQ Insurance Index and NASDAQ Composite Index, which the Company believes are the most comparative indexes.

 

LOGO

 

     12/31/09      12/31/10      12/31/11      12/31/12      12/31/13      12/31/14  

Global Indemnity plc

   $ 100.0       $ 129.1       $ 125.2       $ 139.7       $ 159.7       $ 179.1   

NASDAQ Insurance Index

     100.0         114.6         118.1         134.1         172.7         178.1   

NASDAQ Composite Index

     100.0         116.9         114.8         133.1         184.1         208.7   

 

Note: The Company completed a Rights Offering on May 5, 2009, which increased the Company’s total outstanding A ordinary shares by 17.2 million shares.

 

Note: The Company completed a re-domestication transaction on July 2, 2010, which resulted in shares of “INDM” being exchanged for shares of “GBLI” on a one-for-two basis. Share prices prior to July 6, 2010 have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the one-for-two share exchange.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Company Purchases of A Ordinary Shares

The Company’s Share Incentive Plan allows employees to surrender A ordinary shares as payment for the tax liability incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock that was issued under the Share Incentive Plan. During 2014, the Company purchased an aggregate 5,444 of surrendered A ordinary shares from employees for $0.1 million. All shares purchased from employees are held as treasury stock and recorded at cost.

See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for tabular disclosure of the Company’s share repurchases by month.

Dividend Policy

The Company did not declare or pay cash dividends on any class of its ordinary shares in 2014 or 2013. Payment of dividends is subject to future determinations by the Board of Directors based on the Company’s results, financial conditions, amounts required to grow the Company’s business, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

 

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The Company is a holding company and has no direct operations. The Company’s ability to pay dividends depends, in part, on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends. Global Indemnity Reinsurance and the U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and pay dividends.

In December, 2013, each of the U.S. insurance subsidiaries declared an extraordinary dividend that aggregated to $200 million. In January, 2014, each of the dividends for the U.S. insurance companies was approved by their respective departments of insurance in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia. On January 23, 2014, the U.S. insurance companies paid an aggregate of $200 million to Global Indemnity Group, Inc. See Note 17 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for dividend limitations for 2015.

For 2015, the Company believes that Global Indemnity Reinsurance should have sufficient liquidity and solvency to pay dividends. In the future, the Company anticipates using dividends from Global Indemnity Reinsurance to fund obligations of Global Indemnity. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. Based upon the total statutory capital plus the statutory surplus as set out in its 2014 statutory financial statements that will be filed in 2015, Global Indemnity Reinsurance could pay a dividend of up to $287.1 million without requesting BMA approval. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is dependent on receiving distributions from its subsidiaries in order to pay the full dividend.

Under the Companies Act, Global Indemnity Reinsurance may only declare or pay a dividend if it has no reasonable grounds for believing that it is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or if the realizable value of its assets would not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and its issued share capital and share premium accounts.

In 2014, profit distributions (not in respect to liquidations) by the Luxembourg Companies were generally subject to Luxembourg dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15%, unless a domestic law exemption or a lower tax treaty rate applies. Dividends paid by any of the Luxembourg Companies to their Luxembourg resident parent company are exempt from Luxembourg dividend withholding tax, provided that at the time of the dividend distribution, the resident parent company has held (or commits itself to continue to hold) 10% or more of the nominal paid up capital of the distributing entity or, in the event of a lower percentage participation, a participation having an acquisition price of Euro 1.2 million or more for a period of at least twelve months. In December, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. declared and paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. and U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. declared and paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) IV S.à.r.l.

For a discussion of factors affecting the Company’s ability to pay dividends, see “Business—Regulation” in Item 1 of Part I, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources and Uses of Funds” in Item 7 of Part II, and Note 17 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report.

 

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Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth selected consolidated historical financial data for Global Indemnity and should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report. No cash dividends were declared on common stock in any year presented in the table.

 

(Dollars in thousands, except shares and per
share data)
   For the Years Ended December 31,  
   2014      2013      2012      2011     2010  

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

             

Gross premiums written

   $ 291,253       $ 290,723       $ 244,053       $ 307,903      $ 345,763   

Net premiums written

     273,181         271,984         219,547         280,570        296,504   

Net premiums earned

     268,519         248,722         238,862         297,854        286,774   

Net realized investment gains

     35,860         27,412         6,755         21,473        26,437   

Total revenues

     333,755         319,134         293,016         385,020        370,127   

Net income (loss) (3)

     62,856         61,690         34,757         (38,338     84,871   

Per share data: (1) (2) (3)

             

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

   $ 62,856       $ 61,690       $ 34,757       $ (38,338   $ 84,871   

Basic

     2.50         2.46         1.30         (1.27     2.81   

Diluted

     2.48         2.45         1.30         (1.27     2.80   

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

             

Basic

     25,131,811         25,072,712         26,722,772         30,246,095        30,237,787   

Diluted

     25,331,420         25,174,015         26,748,833         30,246,095        30,274,259   

 

(1) In 2011, “Diluted” shares were the same as “Basic” shares since there was a net loss for that year.
(2) Shares outstanding and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 1-for-2 stock exchange effective July 2, 2010 when the Company completed its re-domestication to Ireland.
(3) Results for the year to date 2012 include the impact of an out-of-period adjustment which reduced net income by $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share.

 

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     2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  

Consolidated Insurance Operating Ratios based on the Company’s GAAP Results: (1)

              

Loss ratio (2) (3)

     51.2         53.5         64.3         93.5         45.4   

Expense ratio

     40.8         42.5         39.9         40.8         41.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio (2) (3)

     92.0         96.0         104.2         134.3         86.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net / gross premiums written

     93.8         93.6         90.0         91.1         85.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial Position as of Last Day of Period:

              

Total investments and cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,498,009       $ 1,567,415       $ 1,533,989       $ 1,647,723       $ 1,717,186   

Reinsurance receivables, net of allowance

     125,718         197,887         241,827         287,986         422,844   

Total assets

     1,930,033         1,911,779         1,903,703         2,072,916         2,290,728   

Margin borrowing facilities

     174,673         100,000         —           —           —     

Senior notes payable

     —           —           54,000         72,000         90,000   

Junior subordinated debentures

     —           —           30,929         30,929         30,929   

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

     675,472         779,466         879,114         971,377         1,052,743   

Total shareholders’ equity

     908,290         873,280         806,618         839,063         924,769   

 

(1) The Company’s insurance operating ratios are GAAP financial measures that are generally viewed in the insurance industry as indicators of underwriting profitability. The loss ratio is the ratio of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The expense ratio is the ratio of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and expense ratios. The ratios presented here represent the consolidated results of both the Company’s Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations.
(2) A summary of prior accident year adjustments is summarized as follows:
   

2014 loss and combined ratios reflect a $16.4 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses

   

2013 loss and combined ratios reflect a $7.9 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses

   

2012 loss and combined ratios reflect a $4.4 million increase of net losses and loss adjustment expenses

   

2011 loss and combined ratios reflect a $3.4 million increase of net losses and loss adjustment expenses

   

2010 loss and combined ratios reflect a $54.1 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses

See “Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II of this report for details of these items and their impact on the loss and combined ratios.

 

(3) The Company’s loss and combined ratios for 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 include $14.0 million, $10.0 million, $14.2 million, $20.6 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, of catastrophic losses from the Insurance Operations. See “Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II of this report for a discussion of the impact of these losses on the loss and combined ratios.

 

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Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Global Indemnity included elsewhere in this report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to the Company’s plans and strategy, constitutes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of this Item 7 and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A above for more information. You should review “Risk Factors” in Item 1A above for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of American Reliable are not included in the following discussion. Any reference to 2014 annual financial information for American Reliable has not been audited.

Recent Developments

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company exited its corporate loan portfolio and made a $50 million commitment to purchase an alternative investment vehicle which is comprised of European non-performing loans. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has funded $29.9 million of this commitment leaving $20.1 million as unfunded.

On June 13, 2014, A.M. Best affirmed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) for Global Indemnity Reinsurance and its U.S. insurance subsidiaries. Global Indemnity Reinsurance and subsidiaries have a financial size category of “XI” with A.M. Best, which represents an adjusted policyholder’s surplus of $750 million to $1 billion.

On June 26, 2014, the Company sold approximately $148.7 million of the Company’s equity portfolio.

Acquisition of American Reliable

On January 1, 2015, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. completed its acquisition of American Reliable pursuant to the American Reliable SPA upon payment of an aggregate purchase price of approximately $113.7 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $322.9 million in customary insurance related liabilities, obligations, and mandates. The ultimate purchase price is subject to accounting procedures that are expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. The most recent estimate of the purchase price, based on available financial information, is approximately $117.9 million. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on GAAP book value of the business as of the date of the closing of the transaction and the future development of loss reserves as specified in the American Reliable SPA.

The cash portion of the acquisition price was financed primarily by a $102.0 million borrowing on December 26, 2014 pursuant to the Company’s margin borrowing facilities. The borrowing rate is tied to LIBOR and is currently approximately 1%. Approximately $130.5 million in collateral supported the borrowing. See Note 13 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for details on the terms of the margin borrowing facilities.

American Reliable was established in 1952 and is headquartered in Scottsdale Arizona. It is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. As of December 31, 2014, it employed approximately 200 full-time employees between its facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Omaha, Nebraska. American Reliable writes property and casualty insurance across all fifty states primarily through a network of retail and general agents and select brokers. The two primary lines of business are Specialty Personal Lines and Agriculture.

 

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The Company expects that the acquisition of American Reliable will have a material impact on the future financial condition and operating performance of Global Indemnity.

Key products of American Reliable’s Specialty Personal Lines include manufactured home, dwelling, homeowners and recreational vehicle insurance including a small commercial portfolio. During 2014 these products generated $188.2 million of gross written premium, $176.9 million of net written premium and $178.0 million of net earned premium.

Key products of American Reliable’s Agriculture lines include farmers and ranchers, farmowners, commercial farm auto and liability. During 2014 these products generated $78.1 million of gross written premium, $72.9 million of net written premium and $71.3 million of net earned premium.

In total, American Reliable had $266.3 million of gross written premium, $249.8 million of net written premium and $249.3 million of net earned premium.

As part of the acquisition the Company acquired the American Reliable portfolio of cash and invested assets, which totaled $251.1 million as of December 31, 2014. The portfolio consists of $225.1 million in fixed income securities, $24.6 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $1.4 million in preferred stock.

Excluding cash and preferred stock, the fixed income portfolio has a weighted average duration of 2.6 years with an average credit rating of A and 94.7% of securities investment grade or higher.

Overview

The Company’s Insurance Operations distribute property and casualty insurance products through a group of approximately 110 professional general agencies that have limited quoting and binding authority, as well as a number of wholesale insurance brokers who in turn sell the Company’s insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers. The Company operates predominantly in the excess and surplus lines marketplace. To manage its operations, the Company differentiates them by product classification. These product classifications are: 1) Penn-America, which includes property and general liability products for small commercial businesses distributed through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority; 2) United National, which includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through program administrators with specific binding authority; and 3) Diamond State, which includes property, casualty, and professional lines products distributed through wholesale brokers and program administrators with specific binding authority.

Currently, the Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment, which consists solely of the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and on a direct basis. In prior years, the Company provided reinsurance solutions through program managers and primary writers, including regional insurance companies. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a Bermuda based treaty reinsurer for specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies. Global Indemnity Reinsurance conducts business in Bermuda and is focused on using its capital capacity to write catastrophe-oriented placements and other niche or specialty-focused treaties meeting the Company’s risk tolerance and return thresholds. Given the current pricing environment, Global Indemnity Reinsurance continues to cautiously deploy and manage its capital while seeking to position itself as a niche reinsurance solution provider.

The Company derives its revenues primarily from premiums paid on insurance policies that it writes and from income generated by its investment portfolio, net of fees paid for investment management services. The amount of insurance premiums that the Company receives is a function of the amount and type of policies it writes, as well as of prevailing market prices.

 

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The Company’s expenses include losses and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses, corporate and other operating expenses, interest, investment expenses, and income taxes. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated by management and reflect the Company’s best estimate of ultimate losses and costs arising during the reporting period and revisions of prior period estimates. The Company records its best estimate of losses and loss adjustment expenses based on both internal and external’s actuarial analyses of the estimated losses the Company expects to incur on the insurance policies it writes. The ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses will depend on the actual costs to resolve claims. Acquisition costs consist principally of commissions and premium taxes that are typically a percentage of the premiums on the insurance policies the Company writes, net of ceding commissions earned from reinsurers. Other underwriting expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses and general operating expenses. Corporate and other operating expenses are comprised primarily of outside legal fees, other professional and accounting fees, directors’ fees, management fees, and salaries and benefits for company personnel whose services relate to the support of corporate activities. Interest expense is primarily comprised of amounts due on outstanding debt.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which require it to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. See Note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of Part II of this report. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

The Company believes that of the Company’s significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and estimation.

Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Although variability is inherent in estimates, the Company believes that the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses reflects its best estimate for future amounts needed to pay losses and related loss adjustment expenses and the impact of its reinsurance coverage with respect to insured events.

In developing loss and loss adjustment expense (“loss” or “losses”) reserve estimates for the Company’s Insurance Operations, its actuaries perform detailed reserve analyses each quarter. To perform the analysis, the data is organized at a “reserve category” level. A reserve category can be a line of business such as commercial automobile liability, or it can be a particular type of claim such as construction defect. The reserves within a reserve category level are characterized as short-tail and long-tail. For long-tail business, it will generally be several years between the time the business is written and the time when all claims are settled. The Company’s long-tail exposures include general liability, professional liability, products liability, commercial automobile liability, and excess and umbrella. Short-tail exposures include property, commercial automobile physical damage, and equine mortality. To manage its insurance operations, the Company differentiates by product classifications, which are Penn-America, United National, and Diamond State. For further discussion about the Company’s product classifications, see “General – Business Segments – Insurance Operations” in Item 1 of Part I of this report. Each of the Company’s product classifications contain both long-tail and short-tail exposures. Every reserve category is analyzed by the Company’s actuaries each quarter. The analyses generally include reviews of losses gross of reinsurance and net of reinsurance.

Loss reserve estimates for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations are developed by independent, external actuaries; however management is responsible for the final determination of loss reserve selections. The data for this analysis is organized by treaty and treaty year. As with the Company’s reserves for its Insurance Operations, reserves for its Reinsurance Operations are characterized as short-tail and long-tail. Long-tail exposures include workers compensation, professional liability, and excess and umbrella liability. Short-tail exposures are primarily catastrophe exposed property and marine accounts.

 

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In addition to the Company’s internal reserve analysis, independent external actuaries perform a full, detailed review of the Insurance Operations’ and Reinsurance Operations’ reserves annually. The Company reviews both the internal and external actuarial analyses in determining its reserve position.

The methods used to project ultimate losses for both long-tail and short-tail exposures include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

Paid Development method;

 

   

Incurred Development method;

 

   

Expected Loss Ratio method;

 

   

Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid loss;

 

   

Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and incurred loss; and

 

   

Average Loss method.

The Paid Development method estimates ultimate losses by reviewing paid loss patterns and applying them to accident years with further expected changes in paid loss. Selection of the paid loss pattern requires analysis of several factors including the impact of inflation on claims costs, the rate at which claims professionals make claim payments and close claims, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes, the impact of large claim payments and other factors. Claim cost inflation itself requires evaluation of changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. Because this method assumes that losses are paid at a consistent rate, changes in any of these factors can impact the results. Since the method does not rely on case reserves, it is not directly influenced by changes in the adequacy of case reserves.

For many reserve categories, paid loss data for recent periods may be too immature or erratic for accurate predictions. This situation often exists for long-tail exposures. In addition, changes in the factors described above may result in inconsistent payment patterns. Finally, estimating the paid loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available in the data analyzed often involves considerable uncertainty for long-tail reserve categories.

The Incurred Development method is similar to the Paid Development method, but it uses case incurred losses instead of paid losses. Since this method uses more data (case reserves in addition to paid losses) than the Paid Development method, the incurred development patterns may be less variable than paid development patterns. However, selection of the incurred loss pattern requires analysis of all of the factors listed in the description of the Paid Development method. In addition, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving practices have taken place and the use of case incurred losses may not eliminate the issues associated with estimating the incurred loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available.

The Expected Loss Ratio method multiplies premiums by an expected loss ratio to produce ultimate loss estimates for each accident year. This method may be useful if loss development patterns are inconsistent, losses emerge very slowly, or there is relatively little loss history from which to estimate future losses. The selection of the expected loss ratio requires analysis of loss ratios from earlier accident years or pricing studies and analysis of inflationary trends, frequency trends, rate changes, underwriting changes, and other applicable factors.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid losses is a combination of the Paid Development method and the Expected Loss Ratio method. This method normally determines expected loss ratios similar to the method used for the Expected Loss Ratio method and requires analysis of the same factors described above. The method assumes that only future losses will develop at the expected loss ratio level. The percent of paid loss to ultimate loss implied from the Paid Development method is used to determine what percentage of ultimate loss is yet to be paid. The use of the pattern from the Paid Development method requires consideration of all factors

 

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listed in the description of the Paid Development method. The estimate of losses yet to be paid is added to current paid losses to estimate the ultimate loss for each year. This method will react very slowly if actual ultimate loss ratios are different from expectations due to changes not accounted for by the expected loss ratio calculation.

The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and incurred losses is similar to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid losses except that it uses case incurred losses. The use of case incurred losses instead of paid losses can result in development patterns that are less variable than paid development patterns. However, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving practices have taken place. The method requires analysis of all the factors that need to be reviewed for the Expected Loss Ratio and Incurred Development methods.

The Average Loss method multiplies a projected number of ultimate claims by an estimated ultimate average loss for each accident year to produce ultimate loss estimates. Since projections of the ultimate number of claims are often less variable than projections of ultimate loss, this method can provide more reliable results for reserve categories where loss development patterns are inconsistent or too variable to be relied on exclusively. In addition, this method can more directly account for changes in coverage that impact the number and size of claims. However, this method can be difficult to apply to situations where very large claims or a substantial number of unusual claims result in volatile average claim sizes. Projecting the ultimate number of claims requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to the Company, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. Estimating the ultimate average loss requires analysis of the impact of large losses and claim cost trends based on changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors.

For many exposures, especially those that can be considered long-tail, a particular accident year may not have a sufficient volume of paid losses to produce a statistically reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In such a case, the Company’s actuaries typically assign more weight to the Incurred Development method than to the Paid Development method. As claims continue to settle and the volume of paid losses increases, the actuaries may assign additional weight to the Paid Development method. For most of the Company’s reserve categories, even the incurred losses for accident years that are early in the claim settlement process will not be of sufficient volume to produce a reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In these cases, the Company will not assign any weight to the Paid and Incurred Development methods and will use the Bornhuetter-Ferguson and Expected Loss Ratio methods. For short-tail exposures, the Paid and Incurred Development methods can often be relied on sooner primarily because the Company’s history includes a sufficient number of years to cover the entire period over which paid and incurred losses are expected to change. However, the Company may also use the Expected Loss Ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and Average Loss methods for short-tail exposures.

Generally, reserves for long-tail lines give more weight to the Expected Loss Ratio method in the more recent immature years. As the accident years mature, weight shifts to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and eventually to the Incurred and/or Paid Development method. Claims related to umbrella business are usually reported later than claims for other long-tail lines. For umbrella business, the shift from the Expected Loss Ratio method to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods to the Loss Development method may be more protracted than for most long-tailed lines. Reserves for short-tail lines tend to make the shift across methods more quickly than the long-tail lines.

For other more complex reserve categories where the above methods may not produce reliable indications, the Company uses additional methods tailored to the characteristics of the specific situation. Such reserve categories include losses from construction defects and A&E.

For construction defect losses, the Company’s actuaries organize losses by the year in which they were reported. To estimate losses from claims that have not been reported, various extrapolation techniques are applied to the pattern of claims that have been reported to estimate the number of claims yet to be reported. This process requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to the Company, the impact of judicial

 

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decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. An average claim size is determined from past experience and applied to the number of unreported claims to estimate reserves for these claims.

Establishing reserves for A&E and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, and an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. The insurance industry continues to receive a substantial number of asbestos-related bodily injury claims, with an increasing focus being directed toward other parties, including installers of products containing asbestos rather than against asbestos manufacturers. This shift has resulted in significant insurance coverage litigation implicating applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including but not limited to, determinations as to whether or not an asbestos-related bodily injury claim is subject to aggregate limits of liability found in most comprehensive general liability policies. The Company continues to closely monitor its asbestos exposure and make adjustments where they are warranted

In 2009, one of the Company’s insurance companies entered into a settlement agreement to resolve asbestos related coverage litigation related to approximately 3,900 existing asbestos-related bodily injury claims and future claims. The settlement was approved by the Court and a final order was issued in September 2014.

In addition, the Company has exposure to other asbestos related matters. In 2013, three claims were reported on an excess policy that was written in 1985. These claims were settled in April, 2014. Management will continue to monitor the developments of the litigation noted above as well as the new claims that have been reported to determine if any additional financial exposure is present.

Reserve analyses performed by the Company’s internal and external actuaries result in actuarial point estimates. The results of the detailed reserve reviews were summarized and discussed with the Company’s senior management to determine the best estimate of reserves. This group considered many factors in making this decision. The factors included, but were not limited to, the historical pattern and volatility of the actuarial indications, the sensitivity of the actuarial indications to changes in paid and incurred loss patterns, the consistency of claims handling processes, the consistency of case reserving practices, changes in the Company’s pricing and underwriting, and overall pricing and underwriting trends in the insurance market.

Management’s best estimate at December 31, 2014 was recorded as the loss reserve. Management’s best estimate is as of a particular point in time and is based upon known facts, the Company’s actuarial analyses, current law, and the Company’s judgment. This resulted in carried gross and net reserves of $675.5 million and $552.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. A breakout of the Company’s gross and net reserves, excluding the effects of the Company’s intercompany pooling arrangements and intercompany stop loss and quota share reinsurance agreements, as of December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

     Gross Reserves  
(Dollars in thousands)    Case      IBNR (1)      Total  

Insurance Operations

   $ 155,958       $ 423,663       $ 579,621   

Reinsurance Operations

     36,678         59,173         95,851   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 192,636       $ 482,836       $ 675,472   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Net Reserves (2)  
(Dollars in thousands)    Case      IBNR (1)      Total  

Insurance Operations

   $ 115,587       $ 341,317       $ 456,904   

Reinsurance Operations

     36,678         58,689         95,367   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 152,265       $ 400,006       $ 552,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Losses incurred but not reported, including the expected future emergence of case reserves.
(2) Does not include reinsurance receivable on paid losses.

 

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The Company continually reviews these estimates and, based on new developments and information, includes adjustments of the estimated ultimate liability in the operating results for the periods in which the adjustments are made. The establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves makes no provision for the possible broadening of coverage by legislative action or judicial interpretation, or the emergence of new types of losses not sufficiently represented in the Company’s historical experience or that cannot yet be quantified or estimated. The Company regularly analyzes its reserves and reviews pricing and reserving methodologies so that future adjustments to prior year reserves can be minimized. However, given the complexity of this process, reserves require continual updates and the ultimate liability may be higher or lower than previously indicated. Changes in estimates for loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are recorded in the period that the change in these estimates is made. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for details concerning the changes in the estimate for incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses related to prior accident years.

The detailed reserve analyses that the Company’s internal and external actuaries complete use a variety of generally accepted actuarial methods and techniques to produce a number of estimates of ultimate loss. The Company determines its best estimate of ultimate loss by reviewing the various estimates and assigning weight to each estimate given the characteristics of the reserve category being reviewed. The reserve estimate is the difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the losses paid to date. The difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the case incurred loss (paid loss plus case reserve) is considered to be IBNR. IBNR calculated as such includes a provision for development on known cases (supplemental development) as well as a provision for claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported (pure IBNR).

In light of the many uncertainties associated with establishing the estimates and making the assumptions necessary to establish reserve levels, the Company reviews its reserve estimates on a regular basis and makes adjustments in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. The anticipated future loss emergence continues to be reflective of historical patterns, and the selected development patterns have not changed significantly from those underlying the Company’s most recent analyses.

The key assumptions fundamental to the reserving process are often different for various reserve categories and accident years. Some of these assumptions are explicit assumptions that are required of a particular method, but most of the assumptions are implicit and cannot be precisely quantified. An example of an explicit assumption is the pattern employed in the Paid Development method. However, the assumed pattern is itself based on several implicit assumptions such as the impact of inflation on medical costs and the rate at which claim professionals close claims. Loss frequency is a measure of the number of claims per unit of insured exposure, and loss severity is a measure of the average size of claims. Each reserve segment has an implicit frequency and severity for each accident year as a result of the various assumptions made.

Previous reserve analyses have resulted in the Company’s identification of information and trends that have caused it to increase or decrease frequency and severity assumptions in prior periods and could lead to the identification of a need for additional material changes in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, which could materially affect results of operations, equity, business and insurer financial strength and debt ratings. Factors affecting loss frequency include, among other things, the effectiveness of loss controls and safety programs and changes in economic activity or weather patterns. Factors affecting loss severity include, among other things, changes in policy limits and deductibles, rate of inflation and judicial interpretations. Another factor affecting estimates of loss frequency and severity is the loss reporting lag, which is the period of time between the occurrence of a loss and the date the loss is reported to the Company. The length of the loss reporting lag affects the Company’s ability to accurately predict loss frequency (loss frequencies are more predictable for short-tail lines) as well as the amount of reserves needed for IBNR.

If the actual levels of loss frequency and severity are higher or lower than expected, the ultimate losses will be different than management’s best estimate. For most of its reserving classes, the Company believes that frequency can be predicted with greater accuracy than severity. Therefore, the Company believes management’s best estimate is more sensitive to changes in severity than frequency. The following table, which the Company believes reflects a reasonable range of variability around its best estimate based on historical loss experience and

 

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management’s judgment, reflects the impact of changes (which could be favorable or unfavorable) in frequency and severity on the Company’s current accident year net loss estimate of $154.0 million for claims occurring during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

(Dollars in thousands)     Severity Change  
  -10%      -5%      0%      5%      10%  

Frequency Change

     -5   $ (22,330    $ (15,015    $ (7,700    $ (385    $ 6,930   
     -3     (19,558      (12,089      (4,620      2,849         10,318   
     -2     (18,172      (10,626      (3,080      4,466         12,012   
     -1     (16,786      (9,163      (1,540      6,083         13,706   
     0     (15,400      (7,700      —           7,700         15,400   
     1     (14,014      (6,237      1,540         9,317         17,094   
     2     (12,628      (4,774      3,080         10,934         18,788   
     3     (11,242      (3,311      4,620         12,551         20,482   
     5     (8,470      (385      7,700         15,785         23,870   

The Company’s net reserves for losses and loss expenses of $552.3 million as of December 31, 2014 relate to multiple accident years. Therefore, the impact of changes in frequency and severity for more than one accident year could be higher or lower than the amounts reflected above.

Recoverability of Reinsurance Receivables

The Company regularly reviews the collectability of its reinsurance receivables, and includes adjustments resulting from this review in earnings in the period in which the adjustment arises. A.M. Best ratings, financial history, available collateral, and payment history with the reinsurers are several of the factors that the Company considers when judging collectability. Changes in loss reserves can also affect the valuation of reinsurance receivables if the change is related to loss reserves that are ceded to reinsurers. Certain amounts may be uncollectible if the Company’s reinsurers dispute a loss or if the reinsurer is unable to pay. If its reinsurers do not pay, the Company is still legally obligated to pay the loss.

See Note 7 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information surrounding the Company’s reinsurance receivable balances and collectability as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. For a listing of the ten reinsurers for which the Company has the largest reinsurance asset amounts as of December 31, 2014, see “Reinsurance of Underwriting Risk” in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Investments

The carrying amount of the Company’s investments approximates their fair value. The Company regularly performs various analytical valuation procedures with respect to investments, including reviewing each fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position to determine the amount of unrealized loss related to credit loss and the amount related to all other factors, such as changes in interest rates. The credit loss represents the portion of the amortized book value in excess of the net present value of the projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. The credit loss component of the other than temporary impairment is recorded through earnings, whereas the amount relating to factors other than credit losses are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes. During its review, the Company considers credit rating, market price, and issuer specific financial information, among other factors, to assess the likelihood of collection of all principal and interest as contractually due. Securities for which the Company determines that a credit loss is likely are subjected to further analysis to estimate the credit loss to be recognized in earnings, if any. See Note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for the specific methodologies and significant assumptions used by asset class. Upon identification of such securities and periodically thereafter, a detailed review is performed to determine whether the decline is considered other than temporary. This review includes an analysis of several factors, including but not limited to, the credit ratings and cash flows of the securities, and the magnitude and length of time that the fair value of such securities is below cost.

 

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For an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for other than temporary impairment losses that the Company recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, please see Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its assets that are accounted for at fair value in the consolidated statements into a fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy is directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs utilized to determine the fair value of these assets. The reported value of financial instruments not carried at fair value, principally cash and cash equivalents, margin borrowing facility, and notes payable, approximate fair value. See Note 5 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for further information about the fair value hierarchy and the Company’s assets that are accounted for at fair value.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company tests for impairment of goodwill at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of goodwill for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of goodwill is recognized only if the carrying amount of the business unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2014, there was no impairment of goodwill as of December 31, 2014.

Impairment of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives is tested at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of intangible assets for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible assets exceeds the fair value of said assets. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the assets over the fair value of said assets. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2014, there were no impairments of indefinite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2014.

Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amounts of definite lived intangible assets are regularly reviewed for indicators of impairment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Impairment is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible asset is in excess of its undiscounted projected cash flows. The impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset. As of December 31, 2014, there were no triggering events that occurred during the year that would result in an impairment of definite lived intangible assets.

See Note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for more details concerning the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts include commissions, premium taxes and certain other costs that vary with and are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts. The excess of the Company’s costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts over the related ceding commissions earned from reinsurers is capitalized as deferred acquisition costs and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned.

In accordance with accounting guidance for insurance enterprises, the method followed in computing such amounts limits them to their estimated realizable value that gives effect to the premium to be earned, related

 

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investment income, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected loss and loss adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceeds related unearned premium. This evaluation is done at a product line level in Insurance Operations and at a treaty level in Reinsurance Operations. Any future expected loss on the related unearned premium is recorded first by impairing the unamortized acquisition costs on the related unearned premium followed by an increase to loss and loss adjustment expense reserves on additional expected loss in excess of unamortized acquisition costs. The Company calculates deferred acquisition costs for Insurance Operations separately by product lines and for its Reinsurance Operations separately for each treaty.

Taxation

The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities primarily result from temporary differences between the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities.

At each balance sheet date, management assesses the need to establish a valuation allowance that reduces deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance would be based on all available information including the Company’s assessment of uncertain tax positions and projections of future taxable income from each tax-paying component in each jurisdiction, principally derived from business plans and available tax planning strategies. There are no valuation allowances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The deferred tax asset balance is analyzed regularly by management. This assessment requires significant judgment and considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies and/or actions. Based on these analyses, the Company has determined that its deferred tax asset is recoverable. Projections of future taxable income incorporate several assumptions of future business and operations that are apt to differ from actual experience. If, in the future, the Company’s assumptions and estimates that resulted in the forecast of future taxable income for each tax-paying component prove to be incorrect, a valuation allowance may be required. This could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.

The Company applies a more likely than not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties, only allowing the recognition of those tax benefits that have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. Please see Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for a discussion of the Company’s tax uncertainties.

Business Segments

As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its business through two business segments: Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC, Global Indemnity Insurance Agency, LLC, and J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC, and Reinsurance Operations, which includes the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd.

The Company evaluates the performance of its Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations segments based on gross and net premiums written, revenues in the form of net premiums earned, and expenses in the form of (1) net losses and loss adjustment expenses, (2) acquisition costs, and (3) other underwriting expenses.

See “Business Segments” in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a description of the Company’s segments.

 

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The following table sets forth an analysis of financial data for the Company’s segments during the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Years Ended December 31,  
   2014      2013 (6)     2012 (6)  

Insurance Operations premiums written:

       

Gross premiums written

   $ 229,978       $ 232,373      $ 201,790   

Ceded premiums written

     17,013         18,668        23,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 212,965       $ 213,705      $ 177,832   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reinsurance Operations premiums written:

       

Gross premiums written

   $ 61,275       $ 58,350      $ 42,263   

Ceded premiums written

     1,059         71        548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 60,216       $ 58,279      $ 41,715   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenues: (1)

       

Insurance Operations

   $ 211,785       $ 202,097      $ 179,721   

Reinsurance Operations

     57,289         52,416        58,983   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 269,074       $ 254,513      $ 238,704   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses: (2)

       

Insurance Operations (3)

   $ 206,569       $ 204,197      $ 198,425   

Reinsurance Operations (5)

     40,611         34,445        50,606   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

   $ 247,180       $ 238,642      $ 249,031   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segments:

       

Insurance Operations

   $ 5,216       $ (2,100   $ (18,704

Reinsurance Operations (5)

     16,678         17,971        8,377   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from segments

   $ 21,894       $ 15,871      $ (10,327
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Insurance combined ratio analysis: (4)

       

Insurance Operations

       

Loss ratio

     55.7         59.5        66.1   

Expense ratio

     42.1         44.5        44.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     97.8         104.0        110.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reinsurance Operations

       

Loss ratio

     34.8         30.8        58.8   

Expense ratio

     36.0         34.9        25.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     70.8         65.7        84.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

       

Loss ratio

     51.2         53.5        64.3   

Expense ratio

     40.8         42.5        39.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined ratio

     92.0         96.0        104.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Excludes net investment income and net realized investment gains, which are not allocated to the Company’s segments.
(2) Excludes corporate and other operating expenses and interest expense, which are not allocated to the Company’s segments.
(3) Includes excise tax of $1,114, $1,026, and $936 related to cessions from the Company’s Insurance Operations to its Reinsurance Operations for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
(4) The Company’s insurance combined ratios are GAAP financial measures that are generally viewed in the insurance industry as indicators of underwriting profitability. The loss ratio is the ratio of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The expense ratio is the ratio of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and expense ratios.
(5) Results for the year to date 2012 include the impact of an out-of-period adjustment which reduced Reinsurance Operations segment income by $1.6 million.
(6) On December 31, 2013, Diamond State Insurance Company sold all the outstanding shares of capital stock of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, United National Casualty Insurance Company. Financial results for 2013 and 2012 include United National Casualty Insurance Company. This was an asset sale which did not have a significant impact on the Company’s ongoing business operations.

 

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Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2013

Insurance Operations

The components of income from the Company’s Insurance Operations segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
      Increase / (Decrease)    
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     $     %  

Gross premiums written

   $ 229,978      $ 232,373      $ (2,395     (1.0 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 212,965      $ 213,705      $ (740     (0.3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 211,165      $ 196,302      $ 14,863        7.6

Other income

     620        5,795        (5,175     (89.3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 211,785      $ 202,097      $ 9,688        4.8

Losses and expenses:

        

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     117,586        116,837        749        0.6

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (1)

     88,983        87,360        1,623        1.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segment

   $ 5,216      $ (2,100   $ 7,316        (348.4 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

        

Loss ratio:

        

Current accident year (“CAY”)

     61.6        63.4        (1.8  

Prior accident year (“PAY”)

     (5.9     (3.9     (2.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Calendar year

     55.7        59.5        (3.8  

Expense ratio

     42.1        44.5        (2.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Combined ratio

     97.8        104.0        (6.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

        

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (2) (9)

     103.7        107.9       

Effect of prior accident year

     (5.9     (3.9    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio

     97.8        104.0       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year and premium deficiency (3) (10)

     104.4        107.3       

Effect of prior accident year

     (5.9     (3.9    

Effect of premium deficiency

     (0.7     0.6       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio

     97.8        104.0       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (12)

     61.6        63.4       

Effect of prior accident year

     (5.9     (3.9    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Loss ratio

     55.7        59.5       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Property loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (4)

     51.8        50.4       

Effect of prior accident year

     1.6        (8.0    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Property loss ratio

     53.4        42.4       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Casualty loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (5)

     76.2        81.5       

Effect of prior accident year casualty loss

     (17.2     1.9       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Casualty loss ratio

     59.0        83.4       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

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     Years Ended
December 31,
      Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     $    %

Expense ratio excluding the effect of premium deficiency (6) (11)

     42.8        43.9        

Effect of premium deficiency

     (0.7     0.6        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Expense ratio

     42.1        44.5        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effects of prior accident year (7) (9)

     130,077        124,470        

Effect of prior accident year

     (12,491     (7,633     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     117,586        116,837        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses excluding the effects of premium deficiency (8) (11)

     90,314        86,164        

Effect of premium deficiency

     (1,331     1,196        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses

     88,983        87,360        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

(1) Includes excise tax of $1,114 and $1,026 related to cessions from the Company’s Insurance Operations to its Reinsurance Operations for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
(2) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(3) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(4) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the property loss ratio.
(5) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the casualty loss ratio.
(6) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the expense ratio.
(7) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net losses and loss adjustment expenses.
(8) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses.
(9) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(10) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(11) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(12) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.

 

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Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation references various non-GAAP measures related to combined ratio, loss ratio, expense ratio, net losses and loss adjustment expenses, and acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses throughout the discussion and should be read in conjunction with GAAP measures and the reconciliations of non-GAAP measures listed above.

Premiums

The Company’s Insurance Operations’ gross written, net written, and net earned premiums by product line are as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2014      Year Ended December 31, 2013  
(Dollars in thousands)    Gross
Written
     Net
Written
     Net
Earned
     Gross
Written
     Net
Written
     Net
Earned
 

Small Business Binding Authority

   $ 122,387       $ 116,510       $ 109,222       $ 110,412       $ 103,726       $ 95,070   

Property Brokerage

     40,822         35,100         33,297         40,313         34,469         30,294   

Programs

     61,225         56,379         56,114         60,347         55,524         53,094   

Other

     5,544         4,976         12,532         21,301         19,986         17,844   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 229,978       $ 212,965       $ 211,165       $ 232,373       $ 213,705       $ 196,302   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross premiums written, which represents the amount received or to be received for insurance policies written without reduction for reinsurance costs or other deductions, was $230.0 million for 2014, compared with $232.4 million for 2013, an decrease of $2.4 million or 1.0%. The decrease was due to a reduction in other which was primarily due to the culling of unprofitable business within the Company’s commercial automobile lines. Excluding commercial automobile, which is included in the other category in the table above, gross written premiums increased by $13.1 million or 6.1% due to growth in small business driven by both higher retention rates and rate increases.

Net premiums written, which equals gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, was $213.0 million for 2014, compared with $213.7 million for 2013, an decrease of $0.7 million or 0.3%. As noted above, the decrease was primarily due to a reduction in gross premium written for commercial automobile partially offset by an increase in gross written premiums due to growth in small business.

The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 92.6% for 2014 and 92.0% for 2013.

Net premiums earned were $211.2 million for 2014, compared with $196.3 million for 2013, an increase of $14.9 million or 7.6%. The growth in net premiums earned was primarily due to increases in net premiums written within the previous year. Property net premiums earned for 2014 and 2013 were $126.6 million and $114.1 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for 2014 and 2013 were $84.5 million and $82.2 million, respectively.

Other Income

Other income was $0.6 million and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, other income is primary comprised of fee income. In 2013, other income is primarily comprised of the net gain on the asset sale of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, United National Casualty Insurance Company of $5.2 million and fee income.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Insurance Operations was 55.7% for 2014 compared with 59.5% for 2013. The loss ratio is a GAAP financial measure that is generally viewed in the insurance industry as an indicator of underwriting profitability and is calculated by dividing net losses and loss adjustment expenses by net premiums earned.

 

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The current accident year loss ratio decreased 1.8 points to 61.6% in 2014 from 63.4% in 2013.

 

   

The current accident year property loss ratio increased 1.4 points from 50.4% in 2013 to 51.8% in 2014.

 

   

The non-catastrophe loss ratio decreased 0.8 points from 41.6% in 2013 to 40.8% in 2014. Non-catastrophe losses were $51.7 million and $47.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

   

The catastrophe loss ratio increased 2.3 points from 8.7% in 2013 to 11.0% in 2014. Catastrophe losses were $14.0 million and $10.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

   

The current accident year casualty loss ratio decreased 5.3 points from 81.5% in 2013 to 76.2% in 2014. During the last several years, rates were increased and unprofitable business was not renewed contributing to this decrease.

In 2014, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $12.5 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Property: A $2.1 million increase due to higher than expected emergence on non-catastrophe claims primarily in accident years 2007, 2012, and 2013.

 

   

General Liability: A $3.1 million reduction due to less than anticipated frequency in accident year 2001 and less than anticipated frequency and severity on claims from accident years 2007 through 2010 partially offset by greater than anticipated loss emergence in accident year 2013.

 

   

Asbestos and Environmental: A $7.1 million increase related to policies written prior to 1990 as a result of recent severity being higher than expected due to faster erosion of underlying policy limits.

 

   

Professional: A $19.4 million reduction primarily due to expected loss emergence being much less than anticipated for accident years 2007 through 2011.

 

   

Umbrella: A $2.7 million decrease primarily driven by less than anticipated frequency in accident years 2002 through 2007.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $3.6 million increase primarily related to accident years 2011 through 2013. Larger vehicles were written prior to 2014 and industry loss development factors were used to project losses.

In 2013, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $7.6 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Property: A $9.2 million reduction primarily driven by better than expected development from accident years 2010, 2011, and 2012 related primarily to lower than expected non-catastrophe severity.

 

   

General Liability: A $6.7 million reduction primarily due to better than expected emergence in nearly all accident years between 2003 through 2011 partially offset by an increase to accident years 1998 through 2002 and 2012 due to higher than anticipated loss emergence.

 

   

Asbestos and Environmental: A $6.8 million increase primarily related to policies written prior to 1990.

 

   

Professional: A $0.7 million increase primarily driven by $2.2 million increase in aggregate from unexpected loss emergence in accident years 2006 to 2008 and 2010 offset by $1.5 million of favorable emergence from accident years 1998 and 2011.

 

   

Umbrella: A $1.1 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2002 to 2010 offset by increases in 2011 and 2012.

 

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Commercial Auto: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident year 2011.

 

   

Marine: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident years 2011 and 2012.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $117.6 million for 2014, compared with $116.8 million for 2013, an increase of $0.7 million or 0.6%. Excluding the impact of prior year adjustments, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $130.1 million and $124.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. This increase is primarily attributable to growth in earned premium volume, as noted above, as well as an increase in catastrophe losses in 2014.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $89.0 million for 2014, compared with $87.4 million for 2013, an increase of $1.6 million or 1.9%. The increase is primarily due to increased commissions as a result of growth in net premiums earned offset by the impact of the premium deficiency charge recognized in 2013.

Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Insurance Operations was 42.1% for 2014, compared with 44.5% for 2013. The expense ratio is a GAAP financial measure that is calculated by dividing the sum of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned. The decrease in the expense ratio is primarily due to the growth in earned premium volume as well as the impact of the premium deficiency charge recognized in 2013 as noted above.

The combined ratio for the Company’s Insurance Operations was 97.8% for 2014, compared with 104.0% for 2013. The combined ratio is a GAAP financial measure and is the sum of the Company’s loss and expense ratios. Excluding the impact of prior accident year adjustments, the current accident year combined ratio decreased from 107.9% in 2013 to 103.7% in 2014. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph above for an explanation of this decrease.

Income (Loss) from Segment

The factors described above resulted in income from the Company’s Insurance Operations of $5.2 million for 2014, compared with a loss of $2.1 million for 2013, an improvement of $7.3 million.

 

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Reinsurance Operations

The components of income from the Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
     Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013          $              %      

Gross premiums written

   $ 61,275       $ 58,350       $ 2,925         5.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 60,216       $ 58,279       $ 1,937         3.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 57,354       $ 52,420       $ 4,934         9.4

Other income (loss)

     (65      (4      (61      NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 57,289       $ 52,416       $ 4,873         9.3

Losses and expenses:

           

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     19,975         16,154         3,821         23.7

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     20,636         18,291         2,345         12.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from segment

   $ 16,678       $ 17,971       $ (1,293      (7.2 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

           

Loss ratio:

           

Current accident year

     41.7         31.3         10.4      

Prior accident year

     (6.9      (0.5      (6.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Calendar year

     34.8         30.8         4.0      

Expense ratio

     36.0         34.9         1.1      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Combined ratio

     70.8         65.7         5.1      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

           

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (1) (5)

     77.7         66.2         

Effect of prior accident year

     (6.9      (0.5      
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Combined ratio

     70.8         65.7         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (2) (5)

     41.7         31.3         

Effect of prior accident year

     (6.9      (0.5      
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Loss ratio

     34.8         30.8         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effects of prior accident year (3) (5)

     23,917         16,403         

Effect of prior accident year

     (3,942      (249      
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     19,975         16,154         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses excluding the effects of premium deficiency (4) (6)

     20,653         18,322         

Effect of premium deficiency

     (17      (31      
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses

     20,636         18,291         
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

NM—not meaningful

 

(1) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.

 

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(2) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(3) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net losses and loss adjustment expenses.
(4) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses.
(5) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s reinsurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(6) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s reinsurance operations may be obscured by premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation references various non-GAAP measures related to combined ratio, loss ratio, expense ratio, net losses and loss adjustment expenses, and acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses throughout the discussion and should be read in conjunction with the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures listed above.

Premiums

Gross premiums written was $61.3 million for 2014, compared $58.4 million for 2013, an increase of $2.9 million or 5.0%. This increase is mainly due to a change in the Company’s quota share participation on several property treaties as well as several new professional liability placements.

Net premiums written was $60.2 million for 2014, compared with $58.3 million for 2013, an increase of $1.9 million or 3.3%. The increase is mainly due to a change in the Company’s quota share participation on several property treaties as well as several new professional liability placements.

Net premiums earned were $57.4 million for 2014, compared with $52.4 million for 2013, an increase of $4.9 million or 9.4%. The increase is primarily due to premiums resulting from new treaties written during 2013. Property net premiums earned for 2014 and 2013 were $55.3 million and $48.8 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for 2014 and 2013 were $2.1 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

Other Income (Loss)

The Company recognized a loss of less than $0.1 million for both 2014 and 2013. Other income or loss is comprised of foreign exchange gains and losses.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 34.8% for 2014 compared with 30.8% for 2013.

The current accident year loss ratio increased 10.4 points from 31.3% for 2013 to 41.7% for 2014 primarily due to an increase in losses for property lines. The property lines current accident year loss ratio increased to 39.7% for 2014 from 28.7% for 2013.

There was a decrease in net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $3.9 million in 2014 which decreased the loss ratio by 6.9 points compared to a decrease in net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $0.3 million in 2013 which decreased the loss ratio by 0.5 points.

 

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In 2014, the Company decreased its prior accident year loss reserves for its Reinsurance Operations by $3.9 million primarily due to better than anticipated loss emergence on property lines partially offset by adverse development related to commercial auto and higher than anticipated severity on the Company’s marine product.

In 2013, the Company decreased its prior accident year loss reserves by $0.3 million primarily due to better than anticipated loss emergence on property lines partially offset by adverse development on director and officer, general liability, automobile, and marine.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $20.0 million for 2014, compared with $16.2 million for 2013, an increase of $3.8 million or 23.7%. Excluding the impact of prior year adjustments, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses increased from $16.4 million for 2013 to $23.9 million for 2014. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in net premiums earned and an increase in property line losses as noted above.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $20.6 million for 2014, compared with $18.3 million for 2013, an increase of $2.3 million or 12.8%. The increase is primarily due to higher commission expense as a result of growth in premiums earned in 2014 as well as increased profit commission charges due to a reduction of prior accident year loss reserves for property. These increases were offset by a reduction in current accident year contingent commissions as a result of higher losses on one of the property catastrophe contracts.

Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 36.0% for 2014, compared with 34.9% for 2013. The increase is mainly related to an increase in profit commission charges as a result of reduction of prior accident year loss reserves for property offset by a reduction in current accident year contingent commissions due to higher losses on one of the property catastrophe contracts.

The combined ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 70.8% for 2014, compared 65.7% for 2013. Excluding the impact of prior accident year adjustments, the combined current accident year ratio increased from to 66.2% in 2013 to 77.7% in 2014. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph above for an explanation of this increase.

Income from Segment

The factors described above resulted in income from the Company’s Reinsurance Operations of $16.7 million in 2014, compared to $18.0 million in 2013, a decrease of $1.3 million.

Unallocated Corporate Items

The following items are not allocated to the Company’s Insurance Operations or Reinsurance Operations segments:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)          2014                  2013                  $                  %        

Net investment income

   $ 28,821       $ 37,209       $ (8,388      (22.5 %) 

Net realized investment gains

     35,860         27,412         8,448         30.8

Corporate and other operating expenses

     (14,559      (11,614      2,945         25.4

Interest expense

     (822      (6,169      (5,347      (86.7 %) 

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (8,338      (1,019      7,319         718.3

 

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Net Investment Income

Net investment income, which is gross investment income less investment expenses, was $28.8 million for 2014, compared with $37.2 million for 2013, a decrease of $8.4 million or 22.5%.

 

   

Gross investment income, which excludes realized gains and losses, was $32.4 million for 2014, compared with $41.4 million for 2013, a decrease of $9.0 million or 21.7%. The decrease was primarily due to the redemption of the Company’s corporate loans portfolio during the first quarter of 2014 and lower reinvestment yields.

 

   

Investment expenses were $3.6 million for 2014, compared with $4.2 million for 2013, a decrease of $0.6 million or 13.9%. The decrease is primarily due to the sale of the corporate loan portfolio and a reduction in trust fees which is partially offset by an increase in internal management fees.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company held agency mortgage-backed securities with a book value of $156.3 million. Excluding the agency mortgage-backed securities, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio was 2.0 years as of December 31, 2014, compared with 1.9 years as of December 31, 2013. Including cash and short-term investments, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio, excluding agency mortgage-backed securities was 1.9 years as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Changes in interest rates can cause principal payments on certain investments to extend or shorten which can impact duration. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s embedded book yield on its fixed maturities, not including cash, was 2.1% compared with 2.6% at December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s investment portfolio held $69.5 million in tax-free municipal bonds with an embedded book yield of 3.3% compared with an embedded book yield of 3.0% on $98.7 million in tax-free municipal bonds as of December 31, 2013.

Net Realized Investment Gains

Net realized investment gains were $35.9 million for 2014, compared with $27.4 million for 2013. The net realized investment gains for 2014 consist primarily of net gains of $2.2 million related to the Company’s fixed maturities and $55.0 million related to its equity securities, offset by losses of $20.8 million related to its interest rate swaps and other than temporary impairment losses of $0.5 million. The net realized investment gains for 2013 consist primarily of net gains of $1.4 million related to the Company’s fixed maturities, $25.8 million related to its equity securities, and $1.4 million related to its interest rate swaps, offset by other than temporary impairment losses of $1.2 million.

See Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for an analysis of total investment return on a pre-tax basis for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Corporate and Other Operating Expenses

Corporate and other operating expenses consist of outside legal fees, other professional fees, directors’ fees, management fees, salaries and benefits for holding company personnel, development costs for new products, and taxes incurred which are not directly related to operations. Corporate and other operating expenses were $14.6 million for 2014, compared with $11.6 million for 2013, an increase of $2.9 million or 25.4%. The increase is primarily due to incurring cost of approximately $3.4 million in connection with the acquisition of American Reliable offset by a reduction in salary expense of $0.7 million

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0.8 million and $6.2 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively. This reduction was primarily due to the repayment of the Company’s senior notes payable and junior subordinated debentures in 2013. See Note 10 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for details on the Company’s debt.

 

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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense was $8.3 million and $1.0 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for an analysis of income tax expense between periods.

Net Income (Loss)

The factors described above resulted in net income of $62.9 million in 2014, compared with net income of $61.7 million in 2013, an increase of $1.2 million.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2012

Insurance Operations

The components of income from the Company’s Insurance Operations segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,     Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)          2013                 2012                 $                 %        

Gross premiums written

   $ 232,373      $ 201,790      $ 30,583        15.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 213,705      $ 177,832      $ 35,873        20.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 196,302      $ 179,153      $ 17,149        9.6

Other income

     5,795        568        5,227        920.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

   $ 202,097      $ 179,721      $ 22,376        12.5

Losses and expenses:

        

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     116,837        118,515        (1,678     (1.4 %) 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (1)

     87,360        79,910        7,450        9.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from segment

   $ (2,100   $ (18,704   $ 16,604        88.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

        

Loss ratio:

        

Current accident year (“CAY”)

     63.4        68.5        (5.1  

Prior accident year (“PAY”)

     (3.9     (2.4     (1.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Calendar year

     59.5        66.1        (6.6  

Expense ratio

     44.5        44.6        (0.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Combined ratio

     104.0        110.7        (6.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

        

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (2) (9)

     107.9        113.1       

Effect of prior accident year

     (3.9     (2.4    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio

     104.0        110.7       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year and premium deficiency (3) (10)

     107.3        115.3       

Effect of prior accident year

     (3.9     (2.4    

Effect of premium deficiency

     0.6        (2.2    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio

     104.0        110.7       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (12)

     63.4        68.5       

Effect of prior accident year

     (3.9     (2.4    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Loss ratio

     59.5        66.1       
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

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     Years Ended December 31,     Increase / (Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands)          2013                 2012                 $                %      

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year and premium deficiency (4) (10)

     63.4        70.4        

Effect of prior accident year

     (3.9     (2.4     

Effect of premium deficiency

     —          (1.9     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Loss ratio

     59.5        66.1        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Property loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (13)

     50.4        65.0        

Effect of prior accident year

     (8.0     1.0        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Property loss ratio

     42.4        66.0        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Casualty loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (14)

     81.5        72.5        

Effect of prior accident year casualty loss

     1.9        (6.2     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Casualty loss ratio

     83.4        66.3        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Casualty loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year and premium deficiency (10) (15)

     81.5        76.5        

Effect of prior accident year casualty loss

     1.9        (6.2     

Effect of premium deficiency

     —          (4.0     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Casualty loss ratio

     83.4        66.3        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Expense ratio excluding the effect of premium deficiency (6) (11)

     43.9        44.9        

Effect of premium deficiency

     0.6        (0.3     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Expense ratio

     44.5        44.6        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effects of prior accident year and premium deficiency (7) (10)

     124,470        126,126        

Effect of prior accident year

     (7,633     (4,212     

Effect of premium deficiency

     —          (3,399     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     116,837        118,515        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses excluding the effects of premium deficiency (8) (11)

     86,164        80,416        

Effect of premium deficiency

     1,196        (506     
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses

     87,360        79,910        
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

(1) Includes excise tax of $1,026 and $936 related to cessions from the Company’s Insurance Operations to its Reinsurance Operations for 2013 and 2012, respectively.
(2) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(3) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(4) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(5) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the casualty loss ratio.
(6) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the expense ratio.
(7) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net losses and loss adjustment expenses.

 

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(8) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses.
(9) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments. This non-GAAP ratio should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(10) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(11) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(12) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(13) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the property loss ratio.
(14) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the casualty loss ratio.
(15) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the casualty loss ratio.

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation references various non-GAAP measures related to combined ratio, loss ratio, expense ratio, net losses and loss adjustment expenses, and acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses throughout the discussion and should be read in conjunction with the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures listed above.

Premiums

The Company’s Insurance Operations’ gross written, net written, and net earned premiums by product line are as follows:

 

      Year Ended December 31, 2013      Year Ended December 31, 2012  
(Dollars in thousands)    Gross
Written
     Net
Written
     Net
Earned
     Gross
Written
     Net
Written
     Net
Earned
 

Small Business Binding Authority

   $ 110,412       $ 103,726       $ 95,070       $ 90,741       $ 84,892       $ 80,014   

Property Brokerage

     40,313         34,469         30,294         35,124         24,379         23,172   

Programs

     60,347         55,524         53,094         56,872         52,055         49,028   

Other

     21,301         19,986         17,844         19,053         16,506         26,939   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 232,373       $ 213,705       $ 196,302       $ 201,790       $ 177,832       $ 179,153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross premiums written was $232.4 million for 2013, compared with $201.8 million for 2012, an increase of $30.6 million or 15.2%. The increase was primarily driven by growth in the Company’s small business binding authority of $19.7 million, as well as growth in the property brokerage, programs and other lines. Growth was driven by new business, pricing increases, and increased agent relationships as well as a new product offering in property brokerage.

 

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Net premiums written was $213.7 million for 2013, compared with $177.8 million for 2012, an increase of $35.9 million or 20.2%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in gross premiums written and a reduction of ceded premiums written as a result of an increase in retention in property excess of loss and property catastrophe. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 92.0% for 2013 and 88.1% for 2012.

Net premiums earned were $196.3 million for 2013, compared with $179.2 million for 2012, an increase of $17.1 million or 9.6%. Property net premiums earned for 2013 and 2012 were $114.1 million and $94.8 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for 2013 and 2012 were $82.2 million and $84.3 million, respectively.

Other Income

Other income was $5.8 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In 2013, other income is primarily comprised of the net gain on the asset sale of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, United National Casualty Insurance Company, of $5.2 million and fee income. In 2012, other income is primary comprised of fee income.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Insurance Operations was 59.5% for 2013 compared with 66.1% for 2012. The decrease in the loss ratio was driven by better performance in property lines for the current accident year offset by a higher current accident year loss ratio in casualty lines mainly due to poor performance of the commercial automobile line of business.

The current accident year loss ratio decreased 5.1 points to 63.4% in 2013 from 68.5% in 2012. Net losses for 2012 were lower than they otherwise would have been as a result of premium deficiency charges recorded in 2011. Excluding the impact of the 2011 premium deficiency charges, the current accident year loss ratio was 70.4% for 2012.

 

   

The current accident year property loss ratio decreased 14.6 points from 65.0% in 2012 to 50.4% in 2013.

 

   

The non-catastrophe loss ratio decreased 8.4 points from 50.0% in 2012 to 41.6% in 2013. Non-catastrophe losses were $47.5 million and $47.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

   

The catastrophe loss ratio decreased 6.3 points from 15.0% in 2012 to 8.7% in 2013. Catastrophe losses were $10.0 million and $14.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

   

The current accident year casualty loss ratio increased 9.0 points from 72.5% in 2012 to 81.5% in 2013. Net losses for 2012 were lower than they otherwise would have been as a result of premium deficiency charges recorded in 2011. Excluding the impact of 2011 premium deficiency charges, the casualty loss ratio for 2012 was 76.5%.

The prior accident year loss ratio decreased by 1.5 points resulting from a decrease of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $7.6 million in 2013 compared to a decrease of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $4.2 million in 2012. When analyzing loss reserves and prior year development, the Company considers many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, loss credit trends, case reserve settlements that may have resulted in significant development, and any other additional or pertinent factors that may impact reserve estimates.

 

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In 2013, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $7.6 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Property: A $9.2 million reduction primarily driven by better than expected development from accident years 2010, 2011, and 2012 related primarily to lower than expected non-catastrophe severity.

 

   

General Liability: A $6.7 million reduction primarily due to better than expected emergence in nearly all accident years between 2003 through 2011 partially offset by an increase to accident years 1998 through 2002 and 2012 due to higher than anticipated loss emergence.

 

   

Asbestos and Environmental: A $6.8 million increase primarily related to policies written prior to 1990.

 

   

Professional: A $0.7 million increase primarily driven by $2.2 million increase in aggregate from unexpected loss emergence in accident years 2006 to 2008 and 2010 offset by $1.5 million of favorable emergence from accident years 1998 and 2011.

 

   

Umbrella: A $1.1 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2002 to 2010 offset by increases in 2011 and 2012.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident year 2011.

 

   

Marine: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident years 2011 and 2012.

In 2012, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $4.2 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

General liability: A $6.3 million reduction primarily due to favorable emergence of $4.7 million on small business binding and $3.3 million on casualty brokerage exposures primarily in accident years 2002 through 2005. Partially offsetting these reductions were increases of $2.0 million on construction defect reserves in accident year 2007. The Company also decreased its reinsurance allowance by $0.7 million in this line due to changes in its reinsurance exposure on specifically identified claims and general decreases in ceded reserves.

 

   

Umbrella: A $0.7 million reduction primarily due to continued favorable emergence. Umbrella coverage typically attaches to other coverage lines, so these net decreases follow the decreases in general liability above.

 

   

Property: A $1.2 million increase primarily related to accident year 2011 due to greater than expected loss emergence on a large sinkhole claim.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $1.2 million increase primarily driven by continued loss emergence on casualty brokerage exposures.

Excluding prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges which caused 2012 losses to be lower than what they otherwise would have been, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $124.5 million and $126.1 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $87.4 million for 2013, compared with $79.9 million for 2012, an increase of $7.5 million or 9.3%. Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses for 2013 were $1.2 million higher than they otherwise would have been as a result of the premium deficiency charges recorded in 2013 related to the commercial automobile product. Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses for 2012 were lower than they otherwise would have been as a result of the premium deficiency charges recorded in 2011. Excluding the impact of the 2011 and 2013 premium deficiency charges, the acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses would have been $86.2 million and $80.4 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. Excluding the premium deficiency charges, the increase is primarily due to the increase in earned premium volume.

 

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Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Insurance Operations was 44.5% for 2013, compared with 44.6% for 2012. Excluding the impact of the 2011 and 2013 premium deficiency charges, the expense ratio would have been 43.9% and 44.9% for 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The combined ratio for the Company’s Insurance Operations was 104.0% for 2013, compared with 110.7% for 2012. Excluding the impact of prior accident year adjustments, the current accident year combined ratio decreased from 113.1% in 2012 to 107.9% in 2013. Excluding the impact of the 2011 and 2013 premium deficiency charges, the current accident year combined ratio would have been 107.3% and 115.3% for 2013 and 2012, respectively. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph above for an explanation of this decrease.

Loss from Segment

The factors described above resulted in a loss from the Company’s Insurance Operations of $2.1 million for 2013, compared with a loss of $18.7 million for 2012, an improvement of $16.6 million.

Reinsurance Operations

The components of income from the Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

    Years Ended
December  31,
    Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)   2013     2012           $                 %        

Gross premiums written (2)

  $ 58,350      $ 42,263      $ 16,087        38.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written (2)

  $ 58,279      $ 41,715      $ 16,564        39.7
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned (2)

  $ 52,420      $ 59,709      $ (7,289     (12.2 %) 

Other income (loss)

    (4     (726     722        99.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  $ 52,416      $ 58,983      $ (6,567     (11.1 %) 

Losses and expenses:

       

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

    16,154        35,113        (18,959     (54.0 %) 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (1)

    18,291        15,493        2,798        18.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from segment (1)

  $ 17,971      $ 8,377      $ 9,594        114.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

       

Loss ratio:

       

Current accident year

    31.3        49.3        (18.0  

Prior accident year (2)

    (0.5     9.5        (10.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Calendar year

    30.8        58.8        (28.0  

Expense ratio

    34.9        25.9        9.0     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Combined ratio

    65.7        84.7        (19.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

       

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (3) (9)

    66.2        75.2       

Effect of prior accident year

    (0.5     9.5       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio

    65.7        84.7       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year and premium deficiency (4) (10)

    66.2        76.5       

Effect of prior accident year

    (0.5     9.5       

Effect of premium deficiency

    —          (1.3    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Combined ratio

    65.7        84.7       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

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    Years Ended
December  31,
    Increase / (Decrease)
(Dollars in thousands)   2013     2012           $               %      

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (5) (9)

    31.3        49.3       

Effect of prior accident year

    (0.5     9.5       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Loss ratio

    30.8        58.8       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Expense ratio excluding the effect of premium deficiency (6) (11)

    34.9        31.0       

Effect of premium deficiency

    —          (5.1    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Expense ratio

    34.9        25.9       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effects of prior accident year (7) (9)

    16,403        26,456       

Effect of prior accident year

    (249     8,657       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

    16,154        35,113       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses excluding the effects of premium deficiency (8) (11)

    18,322        18,498       

Effect of premium deficiency

    (31     (3,005    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

Acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses

    18,291        15,493       
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

(1) Results for the year to date 2012 include the impact of an out-of-period adjustment which reduced Reinsurance Operations segment income by $1.6 million.
(2) Net premiums written and earned for the year to date 2012 includes $6.0 million related to reinsurance treaties written in 2009 and 2010 which were contractually due as a result of losses incurred on these treaties. The impact of these premiums is included in the “Prior accident year” ratios.
(3) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(4) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(5) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(6) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the expense ratio.
(7) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net losses and loss adjustment expenses.
(8) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses.
(9) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s reinsurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(10) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s reinsurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(11) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s reinsurance operations may be obscured by premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.

 

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Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operation references various non-GAAP measures related to combined ratio, loss ratio, expense ratio, net losses and loss adjustment expenses, and acquisition cost and other underwriting expenses throughout the discussion and should be read in conjunction with the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures listed above.

Premiums

Gross premiums written, which represents the amount received or to be received for reinsurance agreements written without reduction for reinsurance costs or other deductions, was $58.4 million for 2013, compared with $42.3 million for 2012, an increase of $16.1 million or 38.1%. The increase was primarily due to several new treaties written during 2013. Global Indemnity Reinsurance treaties written during 2012 and 2013 are predominantly related to property exposure comprised of property catastrophe business.

Net premiums written, which equals gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, was $58.3 million for 2013, compared with $41.7 million for 2012, an increase of $16.6 million or 39.7%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in gross premiums written.

Net premiums earned were $52.4 million for 2013, compared with $59.7 million for 2012, a decrease of $7.3 million or 12.2%. The decrease was primarily due to net earned premiums for 2012 including a premium increase of $6.0 million related to reinsurance treaties written in 2009 and 2010 which were contractually due as a result of losses incurred on these treaties. Property net premiums earned for 2013 and 2012 were $48.8 million and $34.2 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for 2013 and 2012 were $3.6 million and $25.5 million, respectively.

Other Income (Loss)

The Company recognized a loss of less than $0.1 million for 2013 compared with a loss of $0.7 million for 2012. Other income or loss is comprised of foreign exchange gains and losses.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 30.8% for 2013 compared with 58.8% for 2012. The decrease is primarily due to having more casualty business in 2012 as compared to 2013. The Company’s casualty business has a higher loss ratio than its property business.

The current accident year loss ratio decreased 18.0 points from 49.3% for 2012 to 31.3% for 2013. This decrease is primarily due to no major property catastrophes affecting losses in 2013 as well as having more casualty business in 2012 as compared to 2013.

There was a decrease in net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $0.3 million in 2013 which decreased the loss ratio by 0.5 points, compared to an increase in net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $8.7 million in 2012 which increased the loss ratio by 9.5 points.

In 2013, the Company decreased its prior accident year loss reserves by $0.3 million primarily due to better than anticipated loss emergence on property lines partially offset by adverse development on director and officer, general liability, automobile, and marine.

In 2012, the Company increased its prior accident year loss reserves by $8.7 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Workers’ Compensation: An $8.3 million increase in workers’ compensation lines primarily related to accident years 2009 and 2010 driven by increased frequency and severity. This increase in losses triggered $6.0 million in additional premium during 2012.

 

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Marine: A $2.7 million increase in marine lines primarily related to accident year 2011 primarily due to higher than expected reported losses.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $1.3 million increase in auto liability lines primarily related to accident year 2009 resulting from further unexpected development on non-standard auto treaties which were not renewed.

 

   

Property: A $3.4 million decrease in property lines primarily related to accident years 2009 and 2011 as a result of further development on worldwide catastrophe treaties.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $16.2 million for 2013, compared with $35.1 million for 2012, a decrease of $19.0 million or 54.0%. Excluding the impact of prior year adjustments, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased from $26.5 million for 2012 to $16.4 million for 2013. This decrease is primarily attributable to the exiting of unprofitable treaties in previous years offset by increased property writings in 2013.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $18.3 million for 2013, compared with $15.5 million for 2012, an increase of $2.8 million or 18.1%. In 2012, acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were lower than they otherwise would have been as a result of premium deficiency charges recorded in 2011. Excluding the impact of the 2011 premium deficiency charges, acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $18.3 million and $18.5 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. Profit commissions of $5.1 million, which were the result of good performance of the property catastrophe treaties, were included in acquisition costs during 2013.

Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 34.9% for 2013, compared with 25.9% for 2012. Excluding the impact of 2011 premium deficiency charges, the expense ratio would have been 34.9% and 31.0% for 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase is related to an increase in commissions and contingent commissions due to business mix and good performance of the property catastrophe treaties in 2013.

The combined ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 65.7% for 2013, compared with 84.7% for 2012. Excluding the impact of prior accident year adjustments, the combined ratio decreased from 75.2% in 2012 to 66.2% in 2013. Net losses and acquisition costs for 2012 were lower than they otherwise would have been as a result of premium deficiency charges recorded in 2011. Excluding the impact of 2011 premium deficiency charges, the current accident year combined ratio was 76.5% for 2012. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph above for an explanation of this decrease.

Income from Segment

The factors described above resulted in income from the Company’s Reinsurance Operations of $18.0 million in 2013, compared to $8.4 million in 2012, an increase of $9.6 million.

 

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Unallocated Corporate Items

The following items are not allocated to the Company’s Insurance Operations or Reinsurance Operations segments:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)    2013      2012            $                  %        

Net investment income

   $ 37,209       $ 47,557       $ (10,348      (21.8 %) 

Net realized investment gains

     27,412         6,755         20,657         305.8

Corporate and other operating expenses

     (11,614      (9,691      1,923         19.8

Interest expense

     (6,169      (5,393      776         14.4

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (1,019      5,856         6,875         117.4

Net Investment Income

Net investment income, which is gross investment income less investment expenses, was $37.2 million for 2013, compared with $47.6 million for 2012, a decrease of $10.3 million or 21.8%.

 

   

Gross investment income, which excludes realized gains and losses, was $41.4 million for 2013, compared with $52.0 million for 2012, a decrease of $10.6 million or 20.4%. The decrease was partly due to gross investment income of $4.8 million generated from distributions from limited partnership investments during 2012. Gross investment income of $0.1 million was generated from distributions from limited partnership investments during 2013. Excluding distributions from limited partnership investments, gross investment income for 2013 decreased $6.0 million or 12.6% compared to 2012. This decrease was primarily due to lower reinvestment yields, a reduction in the Company’s fixed income portfolio related to funding the share repurchase program in 2012, and repayment of debt.

 

   

Investment expenses were $4.2 million for 2013, compared with $4.5 million for 2012, a decrease of $0.3 million or 6.2%. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction of investments in corporate loans and a reduction in trust fees which is partially offset by an increase in investment management fees related to the Company’s common stock portfolio.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company held agency mortgage-backed securities with a book value of $164.8 million. Excluding the agency mortgage-backed securities, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio was 1.9 years as of December 31, 2013, compared with 2.2 years as of December 31, 2012. Including cash and short-term investments, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio, excluding agency mortgage-backed securities, as of December 31, 2013 was 1.7 years compared with 2.0 years as of December 31, 2012. Changes in interest rates can cause principal payments on certain investments to extend or shorten which can impact duration. At December 31, 2013, the Company’s embedded book yield on its fixed maturities, not including cash, was 2.6% compared with 3.1% at December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s investment portfolio held $98.7 million in tax-free municipal bonds with an embedded book yield of 3.0% compared with an embedded book yield of 3.2% on $129.4 million in tax-free municipal bonds as of December 31, 2012.

Net Realized Investment Gains

Net realized investment gains were $27.4 million for 2013, compared with $6.8 million for 2012. The net realized investment gains for 2013 consist primarily of net gains of $1.4 million related to the Company’s fixed maturities, $25.8 million related to its equity securities, and $1.4 million related to its interest rate swaps, offset by other than temporary impairment losses of $1.2 million. The net realized investment gains for 2012 consist primarily of net gains of $3.0 million related to the Company’s fixed maturities and $9.2 million related to its equity securities, offset by other than temporary impairment losses of $5.4 million.

See Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for an analysis of total investment return on a pre-tax basis for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

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Corporate and Other Operating Expenses

Corporate and other operating expenses consist of outside legal fees, other professional fees, directors’ fees, management fees, salaries and benefits for holding company personnel, development costs for new products, and taxes incurred which are not directly related to operations. Corporate and other operating expenses were $11.6 million for 2013, compared with $9.7 million for 2012, an increase of $1.9 million or 19.8%. The increase is primarily due to an increase in travel cost, legal expenses, and consulting fees offset by a reduction in audit fees.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $6.2 million and $5.4 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. This increase was primarily due to a make-whole payment of $2.9 million related to the early prepayment of the guaranteed senior notes during the 2013 partially offset by lower interest expense on new margin borrowing facility and repayment of debt in 2013. See Note 10 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for details on the Company’s debt.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense was $1.0 million for 2013, compared with a benefit of $5.9 million for 2012. See Note 8 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for an analysis of income tax expense between periods.

Net Income (Loss)

The factors described above resulted in net income of $61.7 million in 2013, compared with net income of $34.8 million in 2012, an increase of $26.9 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Funds

Global Indemnity is a holding company. Its principal asset is its ownership of the shares of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including those of its U.S. insurance companies: United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, and Penn-Patriot Insurance Company; and its Reinsurance Operations: Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

The principal source of cash that Global Indemnity needs to meet its short term and long term liquidity needs, including the payment of corporate expenses and share repurchases, includes dividends, other permitted disbursements from its direct and indirect subsidiaries, reimbursement for equity awards granted to employees and intercompany borrowings. The principal sources of funds at these direct and indirect subsidiaries include underwriting operations, investment income, and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. Funds are used principally by these operating subsidiaries to pay claims and operating expenses, to make debt payments, fund margin requirements on interest rate swap agreements, to purchase investments, and to make dividend payments. The future liquidity of Global Indemnity is dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends. Global Indemnity has no planned capital expenditures that could have a material impact on its short-term or long-term liquidity needs.

Global Indemnity’s U.S. insurance companies are restricted by statute as to the amount of dividends that they may pay without the prior approval of regulatory authorities. The dividend limitations imposed by state laws are based on the statutory financial results of each insurance company within the Insurance Operations that are determined by using statutory accounting practices that differ in various respects from accounting principles used

 

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in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. See “Regulation—Statutory Accounting Principles.” Key differences relate to, among other items, deferred acquisition costs, limitations on deferred income taxes, reserve calculation assumptions and surplus notes.

Under Indiana law, Diamond State Insurance Company may not pay any dividend or make any distribution of cash or other property, the fair market value of which, together with that of any other dividends or distributions made within the 12 consecutive months ending on the date on which the proposed dividend or distribution is scheduled to be made, exceeds the greater of (1) 10% of its surplus as of the 31st day of December of the last preceding year, or (2) its net income for the 12 month period ending on the 31st day of December of the last preceding year, unless the commissioner approves the proposed payment or fails to disapprove such payment within 30 days after receiving notice of such payment. An additional limitation is that Indiana does not permit a domestic insurer to declare or pay a dividend except out of unassigned surplus unless otherwise approved by the commissioner before the dividend is paid.

Under Pennsylvania law, United National Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, and Penn-Star Insurance Company may not pay any dividend or make any distribution that, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 consecutive months, exceeds the greater of (1) 10% of its surplus as shown on its last annual statement on file with the commissioner or (2) its net income for the period covered by such statement, not including pro rata distributions of any class of its own securities, unless the commissioner has received notice from the insurer of the declaration of the dividend and the commissioner approves the proposed payment or fails to disapprove such payment within 30 days after receiving notice of such payment. An additional limitation is that Pennsylvania does not permit a domestic insurer to declare or pay a dividend except out of unassigned funds (surplus) unless otherwise approved by the commissioner before the dividend is paid. Furthermore, no dividend or other distribution may be declared or paid by a Pennsylvania insurance company that would reduce its total capital and surplus to an amount that is less than the amount required by the Insurance Department for the kind or kinds of business that it is authorized to transact. Pennsylvania law allows loans to affiliates up to 10% of statutory surplus without prior regulatory approval.

Under Virginia law, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company may not pay any dividend or make any distribution of cash or other property, the fair market value of which, together with that of any other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 consecutive months exceeds the lesser of either (1) 10% of its surplus as of the 31st day of December of the last preceding year, or (2) its net income, not including net realized capital gains, for the 12 month period ending on the 31st day of December of the last preceding year, not including pro rata distributions of any class of its securities, unless the commissioner approves the proposed payment or fails to disapprove such payment within 30 days after receiving notice of such payment. In determining whether the dividend must be approved, undistributed net income from the second and third preceding years, not including net realized capital gains, may be carried forward.

Under Wisconsin law, United National Specialty Insurance Company may not pay any dividend or make any distribution of cash or other property, other than a proportional distribution of its stock, the fair market value of which, together with that of other dividends paid or credited and distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the lesser of (1) 10% of its surplus as of the preceding 31st day of December, or (2) the greater of (a) its net income for the calendar year preceding the date of the dividend or distribution, minus realized capital gains for that calendar year or (b) the aggregate of its net income for the three calendar years preceding the date of the dividend or distribution, minus realized capital gains for those calendar years and minus dividends paid or credited and distributions made within the first two of the preceding three calendar years, unless it reports the extraordinary dividend to the commissioner at least 30 days before payment and the commissioner does not disapprove the extraordinary dividend within that period. Additionally, under Wisconsin law, all authorizations of distributions to shareholders, other than stock dividends, shall be reported to the commissioner in writing and no payment may be made until at least 30 days after such report.

In December, 2013, each of the U.S. insurance companies declared an extraordinary dividend that aggregated to $200 million. In January, 2014, each of the dividends for the U.S. insurance companies was approved by the

 

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respective departments of insurance in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia. On January 23, 2014, the U.S. insurance companies paid an aggregate dividend of $200 million to Global Indemnity Group, Inc. See Note 17 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for the dividend limitations for 2015.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. Based upon the total statutory capital plus the statutory surplus as set out in its 2014 statutory financial statements that will be filed in 2015, the Company believes Global Indemnity Reinsurance could pay a dividend of up to $287.1 million without requesting BMA approval Global Indemnity Reinsurance did not declare or pay any dividends during 2014. For 2015, the Company believes that Global Indemnity Reinsurance, including distributions it could receive from its subsidiaries, should have sufficient liquidity and solvency to pay dividends.

Surplus Levels

Global Indemnity’s U.S. insurance companies are required by law to maintain a certain minimum level of policyholders’ surplus on a statutory basis. Policyholders’ surplus is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets. The NAIC has risk-based capital standards that are designed to identify property and casualty insurers that may be inadequately capitalized based on the inherent risks of each insurer’s assets and liabilities and mix of net premiums written. Insurers falling below a calculated threshold may be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action. Based on the standards currently adopted, the policyholders’ surplus of each of the U.S. insurance companies is in excess of the prescribed minimum company action level risk-based capital requirements.

Cash Flows

Sources of operating funds consist primarily of net premiums written and investment income. Funds are used primarily to pay claims and operating expenses and to purchase investments.

The Company’s reconciliation of net income to cash provided from operations is generally influenced by the following:

 

   

the fact that the Company collect premiums, net of commission, in advance of losses paid;

 

   

the timing of the Company’s settlements with its reinsurers; and

 

   

the timing of the Company’s loss payments.

Net cash used for operating activities in 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $12.0 million, $4.9 million and $35.0 million, respectively.

In 2014, the decrease in operating cash flows of approximately $7.1 million from the prior year was primarily a net result of the following items:

 

     2014      2013      Change  

Net premiums collected

   $ 255,053       $ 250,987       $ 4,066   

Net losses paid

     (169,386      (188,690      19,304   

Underwriting and corporate expenses

     (121,302      (111,358      (9,944

Net investment income

     38,298         44,367         (6,069

Net federal income taxes recovered (paid)

     (13,861      7,451         (21,312

Interest paid

     (804      (7,678      6,874   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

   $ (12,002    $ (4,921    $ (7,081
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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In 2013, the increase in operating cash flows of approximately $30.1 million from the prior year was primarily a net result of the following items:

 

     2013      2012      Change  

Net premiums collected

   $ 250,987       $ 214,158       $ 36,829   

Net losses paid

     (188,690      (199,732      11,042   

Underwriting and corporate expenses

     (111,358      (99,767      (11,591

Net investment income

     44,367         55,768         (11,401

Net federal income taxes recovered (paid)

     7,451         (228      7,679   

Interest paid

     (7,678      (5,895      (1,783

Other

     —           683         (683
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

   $ (4,921    $ (35,013    $ 30,092   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See the consolidated statement of cash flows in the financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for details concerning the Company’s investing and financing activities.

Liquidity

Currently, the Company believes each company in its Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations maintains sufficient liquidity to pay claims through cash generated by operations and liquid investments. The holding companies also maintain sufficient liquidity to meet their obligations. The Company monitors its investment portfolios to assure liability and investment durations are closely matched.

Prospectively, as fixed income investments mature and new cash is obtained, the cash available to invest will be invested in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. The Company’s investment policy allows the Company to invest in taxable and tax-exempt fixed income investments as well as publicly traded and private equity investments. With respect to bonds, the Company’s credit exposure limit for each issuer varies with the issuer’s credit quality. The allocation between taxable and tax-exempt bonds is determined based on market conditions and tax considerations. The fixed income portfolio currently has a duration of 1.95 years which allows the Company to defensively position itself during the current low interest rate environment.

The Company has access to various capital sources including dividends from insurance subsidiaries, invested assets in its non-U.S. subsidiaries, and access to the debt and equity capital markets. The Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet its capital needs. See Note 20 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for a discussion of the Company’s dividend capacity.

On December 26, 2014, the Company borrowed $102.0 million pursuant to its margin borrowing facilities. These funds were used to finance the acquisition of American Reliable on January 1, 2015. The borrowing rate is tied to LIBOR and is currently approximately 1%. Approximately $130.5 million in collateral was deposited to support the borrowing. The borrowing is subject to a maintenance margin, which is a minimum account balance that must be maintained. A decline in market conditions could require an additional deposit of collateral. See Note 10 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for details on the terms of the margin borrowing facilities.

Stop Loss Agreement, Quota Share Arrangements and Intercompany Pooling Arrangement

Global Indemnity’s U.S. insurance companies and Global Indemnity Reinsurance currently participates in a stop loss agreement that provides protection to the U.S. insurance companies in a loss corridor from 70% to 90% subject to certain restrictions.

The Company’s U.S. insurance companies participate in quota share reinsurance agreements with Global Indemnity Reinsurance whereby 50% of the net retained business of the U.S. insurance companies is ceded to

 

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Global Indemnity Reinsurance. These agreements exclude named storms. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is an unauthorized reinsurer. As a result, any losses and unearned premiums that are ceded to Global Indemnity Reinsurance by the U.S. insurance companies must be collateralized. To satisfy this requirement, Global Indemnity Reinsurance has set up custodial trust accounts on behalf of the U.S. insurance companies.

In 2015, American Reliable will also participate in a quota share reinsurance agreement with Global Indemnity Reinsurance whereby 50% of the net retained business of American Reliable is ceded to Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance also has established trust accounts to collateralize exposure it has to third party ceding companies. The Company invests the funds in securities that have durations that closely match the expected duration of the liabilities assumed. The Company believes that Global Indemnity Reinsurance will have sufficient liquidity to pay claims prospectively.

Global Indemnity’s U.S. insurance companies participate in an intercompany pooling arrangement whereby premiums, losses, and expenses are shared pro rata amongst the U.S. insurance companies. United National Insurance Company is not an authorized reinsurer in all states. As a result, any losses and unearned premiums that are ceded to United National Insurance Company are collateralized. The state insurance departments that regulate the parties to the intercompany pooling agreements require United National Insurance Company to place assets on deposit subject to trust agreements for the protection of the other members of the U.S. insurance companies.

All trusts that the Company is required to maintain as a result of the above mentioned pooling agreements and quota share arrangements are adequately funded.

Capital Resources

On January 18, 2006, U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. loaned $6.0 million to United America Indemnity, Ltd. The loan was used to pay operating expenses that arise in the normal course of business. The loan is a demand loan and bears interest at 4.38%. In May, 2012, United America Indemnity, Ltd. repaid $5.0 million of principal under this loan. At December 31, 2014, there was $1.0 million outstanding on this loan with accrued interest of $1.8 million. United America Indemnity, Ltd. is dependent on its subsidiaries to pay its dividends and operating expenses.

On November 12, 2007, Global Indemnity Reinsurance issued a $50.0 million demand line of credit to United America Indemnity, Ltd. which bore interest at 5.25%. The proceeds of the line were used to fund purchases of the Company’s A ordinary shares as part of two $50.0 million share buyback programs that were initiated in November 2007 and February 2008, respectively. On February 13, 2008, the demand line of credit was amended. The interest rate was decreased to 3.75% per annum, and the loan amount was increased to $100.0 million. In June 2008, Global Indemnity Reinsurance declared and paid a dividend of $50.0 million to United America Indemnity, Ltd. United America Indemnity, Ltd. used proceeds from the dividend to repay a portion of the line of credit. In February, 2010 the line of credit was converted to a non-interest bearing note payable for the full amount of principal and accrued interest to date. In May, 2014, United America Indemnity, Ltd. repaid $20 million of the outstanding balance due under this note. As of December 31, 2014, there was $33.0 million outstanding on the note payable.

U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. holds two promissory notes in the amounts of $175.0 million and $110.0 million and a loan in the amount of $125.0 million from Global Indemnity Group, Inc. The $175.0 million and $110.0 million notes bear interest at a rate of 6.64% and 6.20%, respectively, and mature in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The $125.0 million loan bears interest at 5.78% and matures in 2024. Interest on these agreements is paid annually. Other than its investment portfolio, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. has no income producing operations. The ability of Global Indemnity Group, Inc. to generate cash to repay the notes and loan is dependent on dividends that it receives from its subsidiaries or using other assets it holds.

 

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In November, 2011, U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. issued a $100.0 million demand line of credit to Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. which bears interest at 1.2%. The proceeds of the line were loaned from Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. to Global Indemnity plc, bearing interest at 1.2%, to fund purchases of the Company’s A ordinary shares as part of the $100.0 million share repurchase program announced in September, 2011. In August, 2012, the demand line of credit was increased to $125.0 million to fund additional purchases under the Company’s $25.0 million share repurchase authorization. As of December 31, 2014, Global Indemnity plc owed Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. $108.0 million under this arrangement, with accrued interest of $3.5 million, and Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. had $102.5 million outstanding on the line of credit, with accrued interest of $3.4 million.

In November, 2012, American Insurance Service, Inc. (“AIS”) issued a $35.0 million loan to Global Indemnity Reinsurance, bearing interest at the six month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.5%. The proceeds of the loan were used to fund trust accounts in the normal course of business. Effective October 31, 2013, American Insurance Service, Inc. (“AIS”) assigned all of its rights, obligations, duties, and liabilities under the note to Global Indemnity Group, Inc. As of December 31, 2014, there was $5.0 million outstanding on the note payable, with accrued interest of $0.2 million payable to AIS and $0.6 million payable to Global Indemnity Group, Inc.

The Company has available two margin borrowing facilities. The borrowing rate is tied to LIBOR and is currently approximately 1%. These facilities are due on demand. The borrowings are subject to maintenance margin, which is a minimum account balance that must be maintained. A decline in market conditions could require an additional deposit of collateral. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $222.8 million in collateral was deposited to support the borrowings. The amount borrowed against the margin accounts may fluctuate as routine investment transactions, such as dividends received, investment income received, maturities and pay-downs, impact cash balances. The margin facilities contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, insolvency, failure to make required payments, failure to comply with any representations or warranties, failure to adequately assure future performance, and failure of a guarantor to perform under its guarantee.

On May 12, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. entered into an agreement to loan $200 million to Global Indemnity (Cayman) Limited which bears interest at 0.28% and matures in 2017. In December, 2014, Global Indemnity (Cayman) Limited repaid $125.0 million of the outstanding principal. As of December 31, 2014, Global Indemnity (Cayman) Limited owed $75.0 million under this loan agreement with accrued interest of $0.4 million.

In December, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. declared and paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. and U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. declared and paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) IV S.à.r.l. In accordance with the Luxembourg Treaty, the $125 million dividend from Global Indemnity Group, Inc. to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. was subject to a 5% U.S. withholding tax amounting to $6.3 million.

The Company entered into two $100 million derivative instruments. Due to declines in interest rates, the Company has paid $20.6 million and $5.4 million in connection with these derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The Company has commitments in the form of operating leases, commitments to fund limited partnerships, and unpaid losses and loss expense obligations. As of December 31, 2014, contractual obligations related to Global Indemnity’s commitments, including any principal and interest payments, were as follows:

 

            Payment Due by Period (1)  
(Dollars in thousands)    Total      2015      2016 and
2017
     2018 and
2019
     Thereafter  

Operating leases (2)

   $ 11,360       $ 2,374       $ 4,513       $ 4,359       $ 114   

Commitments to fund limited partnerships

     22,500         22,500         —           —           —     

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses obligations (3)

     675,472         231,534         227,003         106,426         110,509   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 709,332       $ 256,408       $ 231,516       $ 110,785       $ 110,623   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The above table does not reflect contractual obligations assumed in connection with the American Reliable Acquisition.
(2) The Company leases office space and equipment as part of its normal operations. The amounts shown above represent future commitments under such operating leases.
(3) These amounts represent the gross future amounts needed to pay losses and related loss adjustment expenses and do not reflect amounts that are expected to be recovered from the Company’s reinsurers. See discussion in “Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” for more details.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off balance sheet arrangements.

Inflation

Property and casualty insurance premiums are established before the Company knows the amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses or the extent to which inflation may affect such amounts. The Company attempts to anticipate the potential impact of inflation in establishing its reserves.

Future increases in inflation could result in future increases in interest rates, which in turn are likely to result in a decline in the market value of the investment portfolio and resulting in unrealized losses and reductions in shareholders’ equity.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements under “Business,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report may include forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include discussions of strategy, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of identified transactions or natural disasters, and statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of the companies.

 

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The Company’s business and operations are and will be subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Consequently, actual results and experience may materially differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the ineffectiveness of the Company’s business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions; (2) the effects of competitors’ pricing policies, and of changes in laws and regulations on competition, including industry consolidation and development of competing financial products; (3) greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than the Company’s underwriting, reserving or investment practices have anticipated; (4) decreased level of demand for the Company’s insurance products or increased competition due to an increase in capacity of property and casualty insurers; (5) risks inherent in establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves; (6) uncertainties relating to the financial ratings of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries; (7) uncertainties arising from the cyclical nature of the Company’s business; (8) changes in the Company’s relationships with, and the capacity of, its general agents, brokers, insurance companies and reinsurance companies from which the Company derives its business; (9) the risk that the Company’s reinsurers may not be able to fulfill obligations; (10) investment performance and credit risk; (11) new tax legislation or interpretations that could lead to an increase in the Company’s tax burden; (12) uncertainties relating to governmental and regulatory policies, both domestically and internationally; (13) foreign currency fluctuations; (14) the impact of catastrophic events; (15) the Company’s subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; (16) deterioration of debt and equity markets; (17) interest rate changes; (18) uncertainties relating to ongoing or future litigation matters; and (19) uncertainties and risks related to the acquisition of American Reliable.

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are set forth in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they were made. The Company undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

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Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in interest rates, equity prices, credit risk, illiquidity, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes the estimated fair values of assets that are subject to market risk. The Company’s primary market risks are interest rate risk and credit risks associated with investments in fixed maturities, equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities, and foreign exchange risk associated with premium received that is denominated in foreign currencies. Each of these risks is discussed in more detail below. The Company has no commodity risk.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. The Company’s fixed income investments are exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities. As interest rates rise, the market value of the Company’s fixed income investments fall, and the converse is also true. The Company seeks to manage interest rate risk through an active portfolio management strategy that involves the selection, by the Company’s managers, of investments with appropriate characteristics, such as duration, yield, currency, and liquidity that are tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of the Company’s liabilities. The Company’s strategy for managing interest rate risk also includes maintaining a high quality bond portfolio with a relatively short duration to reduce the effect of interest rate changes on book value. A significant portion of the Company’s investment portfolio matures each year, allowing for reinvestment at current market rates.

As of December 31, 2014, assuming identical shifts in interest rates for securities of all maturities, the table below illustrates the sensitivity of market value in Global Indemnity’s bonds to selected hypothetical changes in basis point increases and decreases:

 

          
(Dollars in thousands)      Change in Market Value  

Basis Point Change

   Market Value      $      %  

(200)

   $ 1,309,363       $ 25,888         2.0

(100)

     1,304,128         20,653         1.6

No change

     1,283,475         —           0.0

100

     1,258,328         (25,147      (2.0 %) 

200

     1,233,677         (49,798      (3.9 %) 

The Company’s interest rate swaps are also exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these financial instruments. As interest rates decline, the market value of the Company’s interest rate swaps fall, and the converse is also true. Since the Company has designated the interest rate swaps as non-hedge instruments, the changes in the fair value is recognized as net realized investment gains in the consolidated statement of operations. Therefore, changes in interest rates will have a direct impact to the Company’s results of operation. In addition, on a daily basis, a margin requirement is calculated. If interest rates decline, the Company is required to pay a margin call equal to the change in the fair market value of the interest rate swap. When interest rates rise, the counterparty is required to pay to the Company a margin call equal to the change in fair market value of the interest rate swap.

 

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As of December 31, 2014, the table below illustrates the sensitivity of market value of the Company’s interest rate swaps as well as the impact on the consolidated statement of operation to selected hypothetical changes in basis point increases and decreases:

 

(Dollars in thousands)      Change in Market
Value and Impact  to
Consolidated
Statement of Income
 

Basis Point Change

   Market Value     

(200)

   $ (51,231)       $ (37,556)   

(100)

     (31,572)         (17,897)   

No change

     (13,675)         —     

100

     2,622         16,297   

200

     17,467         31,142   

Credit Risk

The Company’s investment policy requires that its investments in debt instruments are of high credit quality issuers and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer based upon the rating of the security.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $38.7 million worth of investment exposure to subprime and Alt-A investments. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $38.1 million of those investments have been rated BBB+ to AAA by Standard & Poor’s and $0.6 million were rated below investment grade. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $30.2 million worth of investment exposure to subprime and Alt-A investments. As of December 31, 2013, approximately $29.5 million of those investments have been rated BBB+ to AAA by Standard & Poor’s and $0.7 million were rated below investment grade. There were no impairments recognized on these investments during the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

In addition, the Company has credit risk exposure to its general agencies and reinsurers. The Company seeks to mitigate and control its risks to producers by typically requiring its general agencies to render payments within no more than 45 days after the month in which a policy is effective and including provisions within the Company’s general agency contracts that allow it to terminate a general agency’s authority in the event of non-payment.

With respect to its credit exposure to reinsurers, the Company seeks to mitigate and control its risk by ceding business to only those reinsurers having adequate financial strength and sufficient capital to fund their obligation. In addition, the Company seeks to mitigate credit risk to reinsurers through the use of trusts and letters of credit for collateral.

Equity Price Risk

In 2014, the strategy for the Company’s equity portfolio followed a large cap value approach. This investment style placed primary emphasis on selecting the best relative values from those issues having a projected normalized price-earnings ratio at a discount to the market multiple.

The Company compares the results of the Company’s equity portfolio to a customized benchmark which is the S&P 500 Value excluding financials. To protect against equity price risk, the sector exposures within the Company’s equity portfolio closely correlate to the sector exposures within the custom benchmark index. In 2014, the Company’s common stock portfolio had a return of 7.8%, not including investment advisor fees, compared to the benchmark return of 11.2%.

The carrying values of investments subject to equity price risk are based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet dates. Market prices are subject to fluctuation and thus the amount realized in the subsequent sale

 

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of an investment may differ from the reported market value. Fluctuation in the market price of an equity security results from perceived changes in the underlying economic makeup of a stock, the price of alternative investments and overall market conditions.

The Company attempts to mitigate its unsystemic risk, which is the risk that is associated with holding a particular security, by holding a large number of securities in that market. At year end, no security represented more than 4.6% of the market value of the equity portfolio. The Company continues to have systemic risk, which is the risk inherent in the general market due to broad macroeconomic factors that affect all companies in the market.

As of December 31, 2014, the table below summarizes the Company’s equity price risk and reflects the effect of a hypothetical 10% and 20% increase or decrease in market prices. The selected hypothetical changes do not indicate what could be the potential best or worst scenarios.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  

Hypothetical Price
Change

   Estimated Fair Value
after Hypothetical
Change in Prices
     Hypothetical Percentage
Increase (Decrease) in
Shareholders’ Equity (1)
 

(20%)

   $  97,638         (1.7 %) 

(10%)

     109,843         (0.9 %) 

No change

     122,048         —     

10%

     134,253         0.9

20%

     146,458         1.7

 

(1) Net of 35% tax

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has foreign currency exchange risk associated with a portion of the business written at Global Indemnity Reinsurance, as well as a small portion of expenses related to corporate overhead in its Ireland and Luxembourg offices. The Company also maintains investments in foreign denominated securities and cash accounts in foreign currencies in order to pay expenses in foreign countries. At period-end, the Company re-measures those non-U.S. currency financial assets to their current U.S. dollar equivalent. Financial liabilities, if any, are generally adjusted within the reserving process. However, for known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, the Company re-measures the liabilities to their current U.S. dollar equivalent each period end.

 

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Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Index to Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     93   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     94   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     95   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

     96   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

     97   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     98   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     99   

Index to Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedule I

  Summary of Investments—Other Than Investments in Related Parties      S-1   

Schedule II

  Condensed Financial Information of Registrant      S-2   

Schedule III

  Supplementary Insurance Information      S-5   

Schedule IV

  Reinsurance Earned Premiums      S-6   

Schedule V

  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves      S-7   

Schedule VI

  Supplementary Information for Property Casualty Underwriters      S-8   

 

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LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and

Shareholders of Global Indemnity plc

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Global Indemnity plc and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) because a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to inadequate design of controls over management’s estimation process for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses existed as of that date. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness referred to above is described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. We considered this material weakness in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2014 consolidated financial statements, and our opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedules, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in management’s report referred to above. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedules, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 16, 2015

 

LOGO

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

      December  31,
2014
    December  31,
2013
 
ASSETS     

Fixed maturities:

    

Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,272,948 and $1,187,685)

   $ 1,283,475      $ 1,204,364   

Equity securities:

    

Available for sale, at fair value (cost: $99,297 and $191,425)

     122,048        254,070   

Other invested assets:

    

Available for sale, at fair value (cost: $33,174 and $3,065)

     33,663        3,489   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

     1,439,186        1,461,923   

Cash and cash equivalents

     58,823        105,492   

Restricted cash (Note 2)

     113,696        —     

Premiums receivable, net

     56,586        49,888   

Reinsurance receivables, net

     125,718        197,887   

Funds held by ceding insurers

     25,176        18,662   

Federal income taxes receivable

     3,139        —     

Deferred federal income taxes

     20,250        4,206   

Deferred acquisition costs

     25,238        22,177   

Intangible assets

     17,636        17,990   

Goodwill

     4,820        4,820   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     4,725        5,199   

Receivable for securities sold

     60        723   

Other assets

     34,980        22,812   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,930,033      $ 1,911,779   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Liabilities:

    

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 675,472      $ 779,466   

Unearned premiums

     120,815        116,629   

Federal income taxes payable

     —          1,595   

Ceded balances payable

     2,800        5,177   

Contingent commissions

     12,985        12,677   

Margin borrowing facilities

     174,673        100,000   

Other liabilities

     34,998        22,955   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,021,743        1,038,499   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

     —          —     

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 900,000,000 ordinary shares authorized; A ordinary shares issued: 16,331,577 and 16,200,406, respectively; A ordinary shares outstanding: 13,266,762 and 13,141,035, respectively; B ordinary shares issued and outstanding: 12,061,370 and 12,061,370, respectively

     3        3   

Additional paid-in capital

     519,590        516,653   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

     23,384        54,028   

Retained earnings

     466,717        403,861   

A ordinary shares in treasury, at cost: 3,064,815 and 3,059,371 shares, respectively

     (101,404     (101,265
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     908,290        873,280   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,930,033      $ 1,911,779   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Revenues:

      

Gross premiums written

   $ 291,253      $ 290,723      $ 244,053   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 273,181      $ 271,984      $ 219,547   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 268,519      $ 248,722      $ 238,862   

Net investment income

     28,821        37,209        47,557   

Net realized investment gains:

      

Other than temporary impairment losses on investments

     (501     (1,239     (5,914

Other than temporary impairment losses on investments recognized in other comprehensive income

     —          —          541   

Other net realized investment gains

     36,361        28,651        12,128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net realized investment gains

     35,860        27,412        6,755   

Other income (loss)

     555        5,791        (158
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     333,755        319,134        293,016   

Losses and Expenses:

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     137,561        132,991        153,628   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     109,619        105,651        95,403   

Corporate and other operating expenses

     14,559        11,614        9,691   

Interest expense

     822        6,169        5,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     71,194        62,709        28,901   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     8,338        1,019        (5,856
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 62,856      $ 61,690      $ 34,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data:

      

Net income

      

Basic

   $ 2.50      $ 2.46      $ 1.30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 2.48      $ 2.45      $ 1.30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

      

Basic

     25,131,811        25,072,712        26,722,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     25,331,420        25,174,015        26,748,833   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Net income

   $ 62,856      $ 61,690      $ 34,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

      

Unrealized holding gains

     6,878        17,466        8,295   

Portion of other than temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

     (4     —          (538

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

     (37,177     (16,951     5,448   

Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

     (341     163        (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     (30,644     678        13,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax

   $ 32,212      $ 62,368      $ 47,933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Number of A ordinary shares issued:

      

Number at beginning of period

     16,200,406        16,087,939        21,429,683   

Ordinary shares issued under share incentive plans

     94,563        74,400        29,675   

Ordinary shares issued to directors

     36,608        38,067        —     

Ordinary shares retired

     —          —          (5,371,419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number at end of period

     16,331,577        16,200,406        16,087,939   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of B ordinary shares issued:

      

Number at beginning and end of period

     12,061,370        12,061,370        12,061,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value of A ordinary shares:

      

Balance at beginning and end of period

   $ 2      $ 2      $ 2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value of B ordinary shares:

      

Balance at beginning and end of period

   $ 1      $ 1      $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital:

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 516,653      $ 512,304      $ 621,917   

Share compensation plans

     2,900        4,349        2,582   

Tax benefit on share-based compensation expense

     37        —          —     

A ordinary shares retired

     —          —          (112,195
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 519,590      $ 516,653      $ 512,304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax:

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 54,028      $ 53,350      $ 40,174   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

      

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses)

     (30,299     514        13,219   

Change in other than temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

     (4     1        (14

Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

     (341     163        (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (30,644     678        13,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 23,384      $ 54,028      $ 53,350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retained earnings:

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 403,861      $ 342,171      $ 307,414   

Net income

     62,856        61,690        34,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 466,717      $ 403,861      $ 342,171   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of treasury shares:

      

Number at beginning of period

     3,059,371        3,057,001        4,619,005   

A ordinary shares purchased

     5,444        2,370        3,809,415   

A ordinary shares retired

     —          —          (5,371,419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number at end of period

     3,064,815        3,059,371        3,057,001   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury shares, at cost:

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (101,265   $ (101,210   $ (130,444

A ordinary shares purchased, at cost

     (139     (55     (82,961

A ordinary shares retired

     —          —          112,195   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ (101,404   $ (101,265   $ (101,210
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 908,290      $ 873,280      $ 806,618   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 62,856      $ 61,690      $ 34,757   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:

      

Amortization of trust preferred securities issuance costs

     —          77        59   

Amortization and depreciation

     3,466        3,807        2,282   

Restricted stock and stock option expense

     2,900        4,349        2,625   

Deferred federal income taxes

     (828     (3     (1,463

Amortization of bond premium and discount, net

     9,103        6,696        6,981   

Net realized investment gains

     (35,860     (27,412     (6,755

Gain on the disposition of subsidiary

     —          (5,166     —     

Changes in:

      

Premiums receivable, net

     (6,698     (12,136     8,594   

Reinsurance receivables, net

     72,169        43,940        46,159   

Funds held by ceding insurers

     (6,514     (11,252     (5,912

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

     (103,994     (99,639     (92,263

Unearned premiums

     4,186        22,515        (19,927

Ceded balances payable

     (2,377     976        (4,686

Other assets and liabilities, net

     (3,398     (1,436     (7,190

Contingent commissions

     308        2,766        2,438   

Federal income tax receivable/payable

     (4,734     8,473        (4,621

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     (3,061     (3,912     3,299   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     474        746        610   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

     (12,002     (4,921     (35,013
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities

     415,739        292,200        454,655   

Proceeds from sale of equity securities

     191,765        101,379        50,176   

Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities

     108,556        143,034        73,370   

Proceeds from sale of other invested assets

     12        —          1,114   

Proceeds from disposition of subsidiary, net of cash and cash equivalents disposed of $679

     —          25,885        —     

Cash deposited in escrow for purchase of American Reliable

     (113,696     —          —     

Amount paid in connection with derivatives

     (20,550     (5,421     —     

Purchases of fixed maturities

     (615,867     (465,318     (457,150

Purchases of equity securities

     (45,077     (100,806     (57,509

Purchases of other invested assets

     (30,120     (16     (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (109,238     (9,063     64,643   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings under margin borrowing facilities

     74,673        100,000        —     

Purchases of A ordinary shares

     (139     (55     (82,959

Tax benefit on share-based compensation expense

     37        —          —     

Retirement of junior subordinated debentures

     —          (30,929     —     

Principal payments of term debt

     —          (54,000     (18,071
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     74,571        15,016        (101,030
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (46,669     1,032        (71,400

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     105,492        104,460        175,860   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 58,823      $ 105,492      $ 104,460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Global Indemnity plc (“Global Indemnity” or “the Company”) was incorporated on March 9, 2010 and is domiciled in Ireland. Global Indemnity replaced the Company’s predecessor, United America Indemnity, Ltd., as the ultimate parent company as a result of a re-domestication transaction. United America Indemnity, Ltd. was incorporated on August 26, 2003, and is domiciled in the Cayman Islands. United America Indemnity, Ltd. is now a subsidiary of the Company. The Company’s A ordinary shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “GBLI.”

As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its business through two business segments: Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC, Global Indemnity Insurance Agency, LLC, and J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC, and Reinsurance Operations, which includes the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

The Company offers property and casualty insurance products in the excess and surplus lines marketplace through its Insurance Operations and provides third party treaty reinsurance for specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies through its Reinsurance Operations. As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its Insurance Operations by differentiating them into three product classifications: Penn-America, which markets to small commercial businesses through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority; United National, which markets insurance products for targeted insured segments, including specialty products, such as property, general liability, and professional lines through program administrators with specific binding authority; and Diamond State, which markets property, casualty, and professional lines products, which are developed by the Company’s underwriting department by individuals with expertise in those lines of business, through wholesale brokers and also markets through program administrators having specific binding authority. These product classifications comprise the Company’s Insurance Operations business segment and are not considered individual business segments because each product has similar economic characteristics, distribution, and coverage. Collectively, the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations consist solely of the operations of its Bermuda-based wholly-owned subsidiary, Global Indemnity Reinsurance. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a treaty reinsurer of specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which differs in certain respects from those principles followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Global Indemnity and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 that were included in the Form 10-K for the annual periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 classified $3.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as “Other assets and liabilities, net” within the “Cash flows from operating activities”

 

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section. These amounts were properly reclassified to the line item “Amortization and depreciation” in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 as included in this Form 10-K for the annual period ended December 31, 2014 (“the December 31, 2014 10K”). These reclassifications do not impact “Net cash flows used for operating activities” nor does it impact any other financial metric or disclosure within the December 31, 2014 10K. The Company does not believe that these adjustments are material to the current or to any prior years’ consolidated financial statements.

Certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Restricted Cash

At December 31, 2014, the Company had $113.7 million of cash in escrow to fund the acquisition of American Reliable on January 1, 2015.

Investments

The Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at their fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair values of the Company’s available for sale portfolio, excluding limited partnership interests, are determined on the basis of quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company uses third party pricing services to assist in determining fair value. In many instances, these services examine the pricing of similar instruments to estimate fair value. The Company purchases bonds with the expectation of holding them to their maturity; however, changes to the portfolio are sometimes required to assure it is appropriately matched to liabilities. In addition, changes in financial market conditions and tax considerations may cause the Company to sell an investment before it matures. The difference between amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s available for sale investments, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity and, accordingly, has no effect on net income other than for the credit loss component of impairments deemed to be other than temporary.

The Company’s investments in other invested assets are comprised of limited liability partnership interests and are carried at their fair value. The change in the difference between cost and the fair value of the partnership interests, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity and, accordingly, has no effect on net income other than for impairments deemed to be other than temporary.

The Company’s investments in other invested assets were valued at $33.7 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Both of these amounts relate to investments in limited partnerships. The Company does not have access to daily valuations, therefore; the estimated fair value of the limited partnerships are measured utilizing net asset value as a practical expedient for the limited partnerships.

Net realized gains and losses on investments are determined based on the specific identification method.

The Company regularly performs various analytical valuation procedures with respect to its investments, including reviewing each fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position to assess whether the security is a candidate for credit loss. Specifically, the Company considers credit rating, market price, and issuer specific financial information, among other factors, to assess the likelihood of collection of all principal and interest as

 

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contractually due. Securities for which the Company determines that a credit loss is likely are subjected to further analysis through discounted cash flow testing to estimate the credit loss to be recognized in earnings, if any. The specific methodologies and significant assumptions used by asset class are discussed below. Upon identification of such securities and periodically thereafter, a detailed review is performed to determine whether the decline is considered other than temporary. This review includes an analysis of several factors, including but not limited to, the credit ratings and cash flows of the securities and the magnitude and length of time that the fair value of such securities is below cost.

For fixed maturities, the factors considered in reaching the conclusion that a decline below cost is other than temporary include, among others, whether:

 

  (1) the issuer is in financial distress;

 

  (2) the investment is secured;

 

  (3) a significant credit rating action occurred;

 

  (4) scheduled interest payments were delayed or missed;

 

  (5) changes in laws or regulations have affected an issuer or industry;

 

  (6) the investment has an unrealized loss and was identified by the Company’s investment manager as an investment to be sold before recovery or maturity; and

 

  (7) the investment failed cash flow projection testing to determine if anticipated principal and interest payments will be realized.

According to accounting guidance for debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company is required to assess whether it has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before the anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met the Company must recognize an other than temporary impairment with the entire unrealized loss being recorded through earnings. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position not meeting these conditions, the Company assesses whether the impairment of a security is other than temporary. If the impairment is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company must separate the other than temporary impairment into two components: the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors, such as changes in interest rates. The credit loss represents the portion of the amortized book value in excess of the net present value of the projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. The credit loss component of the other than temporary impairment is recorded through earnings, whereas the amount relating to factors other than credit losses is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes.

For equity securities, management carefully reviews all securities with unrealized losses to determine if a security should be impaired and further focuses on securities that have either:

 

  (1) persisted with unrealized losses for more than twelve consecutive months or

 

  (2) the value of the investment has been 20% or more below cost for six continuous months or more.

The amount of any write-down, including those that are deemed to be other than temporary, is included in earnings as a realized loss in the period in which the impairment arose.

For an analysis of other than temporary losses that were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, please see Note 3 below.

 

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has a cash management program that provides for the investment of excess cash balances primarily in short-term money market instruments. Generally, bank balances exceed federally insured limits. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $39.1 million of cash and cash equivalents that was invested in a diversified portfolio of high quality short-term debt securities.

Valuation of Premium Receivable

The Company evaluates the collectability of premium receivable based on a combination of factors. In instances in which the Company is aware of a specific circumstance where a party may be unable to meet its financial obligations to the Company, a specific allowance for bad debts against amounts due is recorded to reduce the net receivable to the amount reasonably believed by management to be collectible. For all remaining balances, allowances are recognized for bad debts based on the length of time the receivables are past due. The allowance for bad debts was $1.5 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company tests for impairment of goodwill at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of goodwill for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of goodwill is recognized only if the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2014, there was no impairment of goodwill as of December 31, 2014.

Impairment of intangible assets with an indefinite useful life is tested at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible assets exceeds the fair value of said assets. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the assets over the fair value of said assets. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2014, there were no impairments of indefinite lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2014.

Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amounts of definite lived intangible assets are regularly reviewed for indicators of impairment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Impairment is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible asset is in excess of its undiscounted projected cash flows. The impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset. As of December 31, 2014, there were no triggering events that occurred during the year that would result in an impairment of definite lived intangible assets.

Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the loss that may arise from events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk from various areas of exposure with

 

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reinsurers. Amounts receivable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the reinsured policy and the reinsurance contract.

The Company regularly reviews the collectability of reinsurance receivables. An allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivable is recognized based on the financial strength of the reinsurers and the length of time any balances are past due. Any changes in the allowance resulting from this review are included in income during the period in which the determination is made. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance was $9.4 million and $9.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The applicable accounting guidance requires that the reinsurer must assume significant insurance risk under the reinsured portions of the underlying insurance contracts and that there must be a reasonably possible chance that the reinsurer may realize a significant loss from the transaction. The Company has evaluated its reinsurance contracts and concluded that each contract qualifies for reinsurance accounting treatment pursuant to this guidance.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The deferred tax asset balance is analyzed regularly by management. This assessment requires significant judgment and considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies and/or actions. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the remaining deferred income tax assets, and accordingly, the Company has not established any valuation allowances.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts include commissions, premium taxes and certain other costs that vary with and are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts. The excess of the Company’s costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts over the related ceding commissions earned from reinsurers is capitalized as deferred acquisition costs and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned.

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $57.1 million, $53.8 million, and $48.9 million, respectively.

Premium Deficiency

In accordance with accounting guidance for insurance enterprises, the method followed in computing deferred acquisition costs limits them to their estimated realizable value that gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected loss and loss adjustment

 

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expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceeds related unearned premium after consideration of investment income. This evaluation is done at a product line level in Insurance Operations and at a treaty level in Reinsurance Operations. Any future expected loss on the related unearned premium is recorded first by impairing the unamortized acquisition costs on the related unearned premium followed by an increase to loss and loss adjustment expense reserves on additional expected loss in excess of unamortized acquisition costs.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the total premium deficiency charges were $0.4 million, $1.7 million, and $0.5 million, respectively, comprised solely of reductions to unamortized deferred acquisition costs within the commercial automobile lines in Insurance Operations. The 2013 premium deficiency charge of $1.7 million was recorded as of September 30, 2013. Based on the Company’s analysis, the Company expensed acquisition cost as incurred for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 for the commercial automobile lines in Insurance Operations. The 2012 premium deficiency charge was recorded as of December 31, 2012. As the charges were a reduction of unamortized deferred acquisition costs in each respective period, no premium deficiency reserve exists as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to cash flow variability from interest rate risk. The derivative instruments are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and included in other assets or other liabilities. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments and the periodic net interest settlements under the derivatives instruments are recognized as net realized investment gains on the consolidated statement of operations.

Margin Borrowing Facilities

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet represent the outstanding borrowings. The outstanding borrowings are due on demand; therefore, the cash receipts and cash payments related to the margin borrowing facilities are shown net in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Notes and Debentures Payable

In 2013, the Company repaid the entire outstanding principal due on the junior subordinated debentures. The Company’s business trust subsidiaries were cancelled in the 4th quarter of 2013.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represents the Company’s best estimate of future amounts needed to pay losses and related settlement expenses with respect to events insured by the Company. This liability is based upon the accumulation of individual case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period with respect to direct business, estimates received from ceding companies with respect to assumed reinsurance, and estimates of unreported losses.

The process of establishing the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of a property and casualty insurance company is complex, requiring the use of informed actuarially based estimates and management’s judgment. In some cases, significant periods of time, up to several years or more, may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss and the reporting of that loss to the Company. To establish this liability, the Company regularly reviews and updates the methods of making such estimates and establishing the resulting liabilities. Any resulting adjustments are recorded in income during the period in which the determination is made.

 

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Premiums

Premiums are recognized as revenue ratably over the term of the respective policies and treaties. Unearned premiums are computed on a pro rata basis to the day of expiration.

Contingent Commissions

Certain professional general agencies of the Insurance Operations are paid special incentives, referred to as contingent commissions, when results of business produced by these agencies are more favorable than predetermined thresholds. Similarly, in some circumstances, companies that cede business to the Reinsurance Operations are paid profit commissions based on the profitability of the ceded portfolio. These commissions are charged to other underwriting expenses when incurred. The liability for the unpaid portion of these commissions, which is stated separately on the face of the consolidated balance sheet as contingent commissions, was $13.0 million and $12.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock options and other equity based compensation using the modified prospective application of the fair value-based method permitted by the appropriate accounting guidance. See Note 14 for details.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share have been calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share has been calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding and the weighted-average common share equivalents outstanding, which include options and other equity awards. See Note 16 for details.

Foreign Currency

The Company maintains investments and cash accounts in foreign currencies related to the operations of its business. At period-end, the Company re-measures non-U.S. currency financial assets to their current U.S. dollar equivalent. The resulting gain or loss for foreign denominated investments is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity; whereas, the gain or loss on foreign denominated cash accounts is reflected in income during the period. Financial liabilities, if any, are generally adjusted within the reserving process. However, for known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, the Company re-measures the liabilities to their current U.S. dollar equivalent each period end with the resulting gain or loss reflected in income during the period. Net transaction gains, primarily comprised of re-measurement of known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, were $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net transaction losses, primarily comprised of re-measurement of known losses on claims to be paid in foreign currencies, were $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Out-of-Period Adjustment

During the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company identified an error in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 related to the recognition of incurred losses on two of the assumed reinsurance treaties at the Company’s Reinsurance Operations. These contracts relate to accident years 2009 and

 

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2010 and have not been renewed. During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the Company’s internal calculations over-recorded the profitability of these two treaties, resulting in net income and equity being overstated by approximately $1.6 million over the three year period. There was no impact to the Company’s cash flows during these periods.

The Company corrected this error in its consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 by increasing the “Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses” line item on the consolidated balance sheet and the “Net losses and loss adjustment expenses” line item on the consolidated statement of operations by $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, the cumulative effect of the error. The Company does not believe that these adjustments are material to any prior years’ consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company has not restated or adjusted any prior period amounts for this error.

Other income (loss)

On December 31, 2013, Diamond State Insurance Company sold all the outstanding shares of capital stock of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, United National Casualty Insurance Company to an unrelated party. Diamond State Insurance Company received a one-time payment of $26.6 million and recognized a pretax gain of $5.2 million which is reflected in other income (loss). Management deemed this transaction to be an asset sale with the assets primarily comprised of investments and insurance licenses. This transaction did not have a significant impact on the ongoing business operations of the Company.

 

3. Investments

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments were as follows as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Other than
temporary
impairments
recognized
in AOCI (1)
 

As of December 31, 2014

             

Fixed maturities:

             

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 78,569       $ 2,281       $ (83   $ 80,767       $  —     

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     188,452         3,718         (697     191,473         —     

Mortgage-backed securities

     205,814         3,709         (764     208,759         (4

Asset-backed securities

     177,853         713         (303     178,263         (13

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     133,984         21         (847     133,158         —     

Corporate bonds

     380,704         3,421         (709     383,416         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     107,572         625         (558     107,639         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,272,948         14,488         (3,961     1,283,475         (17

Common stock

     99,297         25,689         (2,938     122,048         —     

Other invested assets

     33,174         489         —          33,663         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,405,419       $ 40,666       $ (6,899   $ 1,439,186       $ (17
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the total amount of other than temporary impairment losses relating to factors other than credit losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

 

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(Dollars in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Other than
temporary
impairments
recognized
in AOCI (2)
 

As of December 31, 2013

             

Fixed maturities:

             

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 78,510       $ 3,330       $ (166   $ 81,674       $  —     

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     178,705         4,472         (2,241     180,936         —     

Mortgage-backed securities

     228,550         4,219         (2,859     229,910         (5

Asset-backed securities

     167,454         1,210         (228     168,436         (19

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     54,822         9         (856     53,975         —     

Corporate bonds and loans

     426,872         9,112         (592     435,392         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     52,772         1,269         —          54,041         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,187,685         23,621         (6,942     1,204,364         (24

Common stock

     191,425         63,281         (636     254,070         —     

Other invested assets

     3,065         424         —          3,489         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,382,175       $ 87,326       $ (7,578   $ 1,461,923       $ (24
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2) Represents the total amount of other than temporary impairment losses relating to factors other than credit losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

Excluding U.S. treasuries and agency bonds, the Company did not hold any debt or equity investments in a single issuer that was in excess of 4% of shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2014 or 2013, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio classified as available for sale at December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 133,140       $ 134,722   

Due in one year through five years

     546,653         552,135   

Due in five years through ten years

     41,831         42,469   

Due in ten years through fifteen years

     11,228         11,316   

Due after fifteen years

     22,445         22,653   

Mortgage-backed securities

     205,814         208,759   

Asset-backed securities

     177,853         178,263   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     133,984         133,158   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,272,948       $ 1,283,475   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table contains an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses, categorized by the period that the securities were in a continuous loss position as of December 31, 2014:

 

     Less than 12 months     12 months or longer (1)     Total  
(Dollars in thousands)    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fixed maturities:

               

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 11,728       $ (9   $ 3,343       $ (74   $ 15,071       $ (83

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     28,684         (314     28,061         (383     56,745         (697

Mortgage-backed securities

     2,818         (7     51,203         (757     54,021         (764

Asset-backed securities

     92,123         (283     1,683         (20     93,806         (303

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     92,664         (525     26,280         (322     118,944         (847

Corporate bonds

     144,505         (656     3,216         (53     147,721         (709

Foreign corporate bonds

     60,518         (558     —           —          60,518         (558
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     433,040         (2,352     113,786         (1,609     546,826         (3,961

Common stock

     20,002         (2,808     1,577         (130     21,579         (2,938
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 453,042       $ (5,160   $ 115,363       $ (1,739   $ 568,405       $ (6,899
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Fixed maturities in a gross unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer are primarily comprised of non-credit losses on investment grade securities where management does not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be forced to sell the security before recovery. The Company has analyzed these securities and has determined that they are not other than temporarily impaired.

The following table contains an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses, categorized by the period that the securities were in a continuous loss position as of December 31, 2013:

 

     Less than 12 months     12 months or longer (1)     Total  
(Dollars in thousands)    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fixed maturities:

               

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 9,335       $ (166   $ —         $ —        $ 9,335       $ (166

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     61,401         (2,000     9,922         (241     71,323         (2,241

Mortgage-backed securities

     110,304         (2,859     2         —          110,306         (2,859

Asset-backed securities

     42,247         (228     3         —          42,250         (228

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     45,642         (856     —           —          45,642         (856

Corporate bonds and loans

     60,306         (582     376         (10     60,682         (592
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     329,235         (6,691     10,303         (251     339,538         (6,942

Common stock

     18,622         (627     140         (9     18,762         (636
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 347,857       $ (7,318   $ 10,443       $ (260   $ 358,300       $ (7,578
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(2) Fixed maturities in a gross unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer are primarily comprised of non-credit losses on investment grade securities where management does not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be forced to sell the security before recovery. The Company has analyzed these securities and has determined that they are not other than temporarily impaired.

Subject to the risks and uncertainties in evaluating the potential impairment of a security’s value, the impairment evaluation conducted by the Company as of December 31, 2014 concluded the unrealized losses discussed above are not other than temporary impairments. The impairment evaluation process is discussed in the “Investment” section of Note 2 (“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”).

The following is a description, by asset type, of the methodology and significant inputs that the Company used to measure the amount of credit loss recognized in earnings, if any:

U.S. treasury and agency obligations—As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to U.S. treasury and agency obligations were $0.083 million. Of this amount, $0.074 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA+ or better. Macroeconomic and market analysis is conducted in evaluating these securities. The analysis is driven by moderate interest rate anticipation, yield curve management, and security selection.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions—As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to obligations of states and political subdivisions were $0.697 million. Of this amount, $0.383 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated A- or better. All factors that influence performance of the municipal bond market are considered in evaluating these securities. The aforementioned factors include investor expectations, supply and demand patterns, and current versus historical yield and spread relationships. The analysis relies on the output of fixed income credit analysts, as well as dedicated municipal bond analysts who perform extensive in-house fundamental analysis on each issuer, regardless of their rating by the major agencies.

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”)As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to mortgage-backed securities were $0.764 million. Of this amount, $0.757 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA+. Mortgage-backed securities are modeled to project principal losses under downside, base, and upside scenarios for the economy and home prices. The primary assumption that drives the security and loan level modeling is the Home Price Index (“HPI”) projection. The model first projects HPI at the national level, then at the zip-code level based on the historical relationship between the individual zip code HPI and the national HPI. The model utilizes loan level data and borrower characteristics including FICO score, geographic location, original and current loan size, loan age, mortgage rate and type (fixed rate / interest-only / adjustable rate mortgage), issuer / originator, residential type (owner occupied / investor property), dwelling type (single family / multi-family), loan purpose, level of documentation, and delinquency status as inputs. The model also includes the explicit treatment of silent second liens, utilization of loan modification history, and the application of roll rate adjustments.

Asset backed securities (“ABS”)As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to asset backed securities were $0.303 million. Of this amount, $0.020 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated A or better. The weighted average credit enhancement for the Company’s asset backed portfolio is 20.5. This represents the percentage of pool losses that can occur before an asset backed security will incur its first dollar of principal losses. Every ABS transaction is analyzed on a stand-alone basis. This analysis involves a thorough review of the collateral, prepayment, and structural risk in each transaction. Additionally, the analysis includes an in-depth credit analysis of the originator and servicer of the collateral. The

 

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analysis projects an expected loss for a deal given a set of assumptions specific to the asset type. These assumptions are used to calculate at what level of losses the deal will incur its first dollar of principal loss. The major assumptions used to calculate this ratio are loss severities, recovery lags, and no advances on principal and interest.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”)As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to the CMBS portfolio were $0.847 million. Of this amount, $0.322 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA or better. The weighted average credit enhancement for the Company’s CMBS portfolio is 33.5. This represents the percentage of pool losses that can occur before a mortgage-backed security will incur its first dollar of principal loss. For the Company’s CMBS portfolio, a loan level analysis is utilized where every underlying CMBS loan is re-underwritten based on a set of assumptions reflecting expectations for the future path of the economy. In the analysis, the focus is centered on stressing the significant variables that influence commercial loan defaults and collateral losses in CMBS deals. These variables include: (1) a projected drop in occupancies; (2) capitalization rates that vary by property type and are forecasted to return to more normalized levels as the capital markets repair and capital begins to flow again; and (3) property value stress testing using projected property performance and projected capitalization rates. Term risk is triggered if the projected debt service coverage rate falls below 1x. Balloon risk is triggered if a property’s projected performance does not satisfy new, tighter mortgage standards.

Corporate bondsAs of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to corporate bonds were $0.709 million. Of this amount, $0.053 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated A+ or better. The analysis for this sector includes maintaining detailed financial models that include a projection of each issuer’s future financial performance, including prospective debt servicing capabilities, capital structure composition, and the value of the collateral. The analysis incorporates the macroeconomic environment, industry conditions in which the issuer operates, the issuer’s current competitive position, its vulnerability to changes in the competitive and regulatory environment, issuer liquidity, issuer commitment to bondholders, issuer creditworthiness, and asset protection. Part of the process also includes running downside scenarios to evaluate the expected likelihood of default as well as potential losses in the event of default.

Foreign bonds—As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to foreign bonds were $0.558 million. All unrealized losses have been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. 96.2% of the securities in an unrealized loss position are rated investment grade. For this sector, detailed financial models are maintained that include a projection of each issuer’s future financial performance, including prospective debt servicing capabilities, capital structure composition, and the value of the collateral. The analysis incorporates the macroeconomic environment, industry conditions in which the issuer operates, the issuer’s current competitive position, its vulnerability to changes in the competitive and regulatory environment, issuer liquidity, issuer commitment to bondholders, issuer creditworthiness, and asset protection. Part of the process also includes running downside scenarios to evaluate the expected likelihood of default as well as potential losses in the event of default.

Common stock—As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to common stock were $2.938 million. Of this amount, $0.130 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater. To determine if an other than temporary impairment of an equity security has occurred, the Company considers, among other things, the severity and duration of the decline in fair value of the equity security. The Company also examines other factors to determine if the equity security could recover its value in a reasonable period of time.

 

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The Company recorded the following other than temporary impairments (“OTTI”) on its investment portfolio for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  

Fixed maturities:

      

OTTI losses, gross

   $ (31   $ (280   $ (1,258

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax)

     —          —          541   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net impairment losses on fixed maturities recognized in earnings

     (31     (280     (717

Equity securities

     (470     (959     (4,656
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (501   $ (1,239   $ (5,373 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table is an analysis of the credit losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturities held by the Company as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)        2014             2013             2012      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 54      $ 86      $ 86   

Additions where no OTTI was previously recorded

     —          —          55   

Additions where an OTTI was previously recorded

     —          —          —     

Reductions for securities for which the company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery

     —          —          —     

Reductions reflecting increases in expected cash flows to be collected

     —          —          —     

Reductions for securities sold during the period

     (4     (32     (55
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 50      $ 54      $ 86   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    December 31,  
   2014      2013  

Net unrealized gains from:

     

Fixed maturities

   $ 10,527       $ 16,679   

Common stock

     22,751         62,645   

Other

     369         184   

Deferred taxes

     (10,263      (25,480
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

   $ 23,384       $ 54,028   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014

(Dollars in thousands)

   Unrealized Gains
and Losses on
Available for Sale

Securities, Net of
Tax
    Foreign Currency
Items, Net of Tax
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income, Net of Tax
 

Beginning balance

   $ 53,950      $ 78      $ 54,028   

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

     6,820        (287     6,533   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (37,123     (54     (37,177
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (30,303     (341     (30,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 23,647      $ (263   $ 23,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013

(Dollars in thousands)

   Unrealized Gains
and Losses on
Available for Sale

Securities, Net of
Tax
    Foreign Currency
Items, Net of Tax
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income, Net of Tax
 

Beginning balance

   $ 53,435      $ (85   $ 53,350   

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

     17,630        (1     17,629   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (17,115     164        (16,951
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     515        163        678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 53,950      $ 78      $ 54,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

          Amounts Reclassified
from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive

Income
 

(Dollars in thousands)

Details about Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income Components

        Years Ended
December 31,
 
  

Affected Line Item in the

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   2014     2013  

Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities

   Other net realized investment gains    $ (57,114   $ (27,476
   Other than temporary impairment losses on investments      501        1,239   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Total before tax      (56,613     (26,237
   Income tax expense      19,490        9,122   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Net of tax    $ (37,123   $ (17,115
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Items

   Other net realized investment (gains) losses    $ (83     252   
   Income tax expense (benefit)      29        (88
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
   Net of tax    $ (54   $ 164   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reclassifications

   Net of tax    $ (37,177   $ (16,951
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Net Realized Investment Gains

The components of net realized investment gains for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Fixed maturities:

        

Gross realized gains

   $ 2,843       $ 1,857       $ 4,100   

Gross realized losses

     (703      (691      (1,800
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gains

     2,140         1,166         2,300   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common stock:

        

Gross realized gains

     55,907         27,302         10,630   

Gross realized losses

     (1,351      (2,483      (6,175
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gains

     54,556         24,819         4,455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives:

        

Gross realized gains

     —           1,668         —     

Gross realized losses

     (20,836      (241      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses)

     (20,836      1,427         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net realized investment gains

   $ 35,860       $ 27,412       $ 6,755   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The proceeds from sales of available for sale securities resulting in net realized investment gains for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Fixed maturities

   $ 415,739       $ 292,200       $ 454,655   

Equity securities

     191,765         101,379         50,176   

Other invested assets

     —           —           1,114   

Net Investment Income

The sources of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Fixed maturities

   $ 26,788       $ 35,669       $ 41,969   

Equity securities

     5,484         5,452         5,132   

Cash and cash equivalents

     61         126         111   

Other invested assets

     87         141         4,802   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     32,420         41,388         52,014   

Investment expense

     (3,599      (4,179      (4,457
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

   $ 28,821       $ 37,209       $ 47,557   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The Company’s total investment return on a pre-tax basis for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  

Net investment income

   $ 28,821      $ 37,209      $ 47,557   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

     35,860        27,412        6,755   

Change in unrealized investment gains (losses)

     (45,861     7,301        18,417   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized investment returns

     (10,001     34,713        25,172   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return

   $ 18,820      $ 71,922      $ 72,729   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return %

     1.2     4.6     4.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average investment portfolio (1)

   $ 1,533,104      $ 1,549,747      $ 1,590,281   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Average of total cash and invested assets, net of receivable/payable for securities purchased and sold, as of the beginning and end of the period.

Insurance Enhanced Asset-Backed and Credit Securities

As of December 31, 2014, the Company held insurance enhanced asset-backed and credit securities with a market value of approximately $35.8 million. Approximately $16.4 million of these securities were tax-free municipal bonds, which represented approximately 1.1% of the Company’s total cash and invested assets, net of payable/ receivable for securities purchased and sold. These securities had an average rating of “AA-.” Approximately $6.1 million of these bonds are pre-refunded with U.S. treasury securities, of which $0.1 million are backed by financial guarantors, meaning that funds have been set aside in escrow to satisfy the future interest and principal obligations of the bond. Of the remaining $10.3 million of insurance enhanced municipal bonds, $1.3 million would have carried a lower credit rating had they not been insured. The following table provides a breakdown of the ratings for these municipal bonds with and without insurance.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Rating

   Ratings
with
Insurance
     Ratings
without
Insurance
 

AAA

   $ 1,251       $ —     

AA

     —           1,251   

A

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,251       $ 1,251   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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A summary of the Company’s insurance enhanced municipal bonds that are backed by financial guarantors, including the pre-refunded bonds that are escrowed in U.S. government obligations, as of December 31, 2014, is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Financial Guarantor

   Total      Pre-refunded
Securities
     Government
Guaranteed
Securities
     Exposure Net
of Pre-refunded
& Government
Guaranteed

Securities
 

Ambac Financial Group

   $ 1,259       $ 141       $ 0       $ 1,118   

Assured Guaranty Corporation

     3,757         0         0         3,757   

Municipal Bond Insurance Association

     3,614         0         0         3,614   

Gov’t National Housing Association

     599         0         599         0   

Permanent School Fund Guaranty

     1,251         0         1,251         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total backed by financial guarantors

     10,480         141         1,850         8,489   

Other credit enhanced municipal bonds

     5,926         5,926         0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 16,406       $ 6,067       $ 1,850       $ 8,489   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the tax-free municipal bonds, the Company held $19.4 million of asset-backed and taxable municipal bonds, which represented approximately 1.3% of the Company’s total invested assets, net of receivable/payable for securities purchased and sold. The financial guarantors of the Company’s $19.4 million of insurance enhanced asset-backed and taxable municipal securities include Municipal Bond Insurance Association ($11.2 million), Ambac ($1.0 million) and Assured Guaranty Corporation ($7.2 million).

The Company had no direct investments in the entities that have provided financial guarantees or other credit support to any security held by the Company at December 31, 2014.

Bonds Held on Deposit

Certain cash balances, cash equivalents, equity securities, and bonds available for sale were deposited with various governmental authorities in accordance with statutory requirements, were held as collateral pursuant to borrowing arrangements, or were held in trust pursuant to intercompany reinsurance agreements. The fair values were as follows as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Estimated Fair Value  
(Dollars in thousands)    December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

On deposit with governmental authorities

   $ 32,790       $ 36,176   

Intercompany trusts held for the benefit of U.S. policyholders

     495,301         584,683   

Held in trust pursuant to third party requirements

     95,828         129,339   

Letter of credit held for third party requirements

     9,340         7,068   

Securities held as collateral for borrowing arrangements (1)

     222,809         120,937   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 856,068       $ 878,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Amount required to collateralize margin borrowing facilities.

 

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4. Derivative Instruments

Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce risks from changes in interest rates. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts as calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount.

The Company accounts for the interest rate swaps as non-hedge instruments and recognizes the fair value of the interest rate swaps in other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets with the changes in fair value recognized as net realized investment gains in the consolidated statement of operations. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps, which is primarily derived from the forward interest rate curve, is based on the valuation received from a third party financial institution.

The following table summarizes information on the location and the gross amount of the derivatives’ fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging

Instruments under ASC 815

  

Balance Sheet
Location

   December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
      Notional
Amount
     Fair
Value
    Notional
Amount
     Fair Value  

Interest rate swap agreements

   Other liabilities    $ 200,000       $ (13,675   $ —         $ —     

Interest rate swap agreements

   Other assets    $ —         $ —        $ 200,000       $ 1,668   

The following table summarizes the net gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of operations for changes in the fair value of the derivatives and the periodic net interest settlements under the derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  

Statement of Operations Line

   Years Ended December 31,  
      2014     2013      2012  

Interest rate swap agreements

   Net realized investment gains    $ (20,836   $ 1,427       $ —     

As of December 31, 2014, the Company is due receivables of $5.4 million for collateral posted and $15.3 million for margin calls made in connection with the interest rate swaps. These amounts are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

5. Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standards related to fair value measurements define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value, outline a fair value hierarchy based on inputs used to measure fair value, and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. These standards do not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. The Company has determined that its fair value measurements are in accordance with the requirements of these accounting standards.

The Company’s invested assets and derivative instruments are carried at their fair value and are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1—inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

   

Level 2—inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for similar assets, either directly or indirectly.

 

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Level 3—inputs are unobservable for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.

Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for invested assets within the Level 3 category presented in the tables below may include changes in fair value that are attributed to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities) inputs.

The following table presents information about the Company’s invested assets and derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.

 

As of December 31, 2014    Fair Value Measurements  
(Dollars in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Fixed maturities:

           

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 74,765       $ 6,002       $ 0       $ 80,767   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     0         191,473         0         191,473   

Mortgage-backed securities

     0         208,759         0         208,759   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     0         133,158         0         133,158   

Asset-backed securities

     0         178,263         0         178,263   

Corporate bonds and loans

     0         383,416         0         383,416   

Foreign corporate bonds

     0         107,639         0         107,639   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     74,765         1,208,710         0         1,283,475   

Common stock

     122,048         0         0         122,048   

Other invested assets

     0         0         33,663         33,663   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 196,813       $ 1,208,710       $ 33,663       $ 1,439,186   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivative instruments

   $ —         $ 13,675       $ —         $ 13,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

   $ —         $ 13,675       $ —         $ 13,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2013    Fair Value Measurements  
(Dollars in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Fixed maturities:

           

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 71,294       $ 10,380       $  —         $ 81,674   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —           180,936         —           180,936   

Mortgage-backed securities

     —           229,910         —           229,910   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     —           53,975         —           53,975   

Asset-backed securities

     —           168,436         —           168,436   

Corporate bonds and loans

     —           435,392         —           435,392   

Foreign corporate bonds

     —           54,041         —           54,041   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     71,294         1,133,070         —           1,204,364   

Common stock

     254,070         —           —           254,070   

Other invested assets

     —           —           3,489         3,489   

Derivative instruments

     —           1,668         —           1,668   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

   $ 325,364       $ 1,134,738       $ 3,489       $ 1,463,591   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The securities classified as Level 1 in the above table consist of U.S. Treasuries and equity securities actively traded on an exchange.

The securities classified as Level 2 in the above table consist primarily of fixed maturity securities and derivative instruments. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, security prices are derived through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information. If there are no recent reported trades, matrix or model processes are used to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Included in the pricing of asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and mortgage-backed securities are estimates of the rate of future prepayments of principal over the remaining life of the securities. Such estimates are derived based on the characteristics of the underlying structure and prepayment speeds previously experienced at the interest rate levels projected for the underlying collateral. For corporate loans, price quotes from multiple dealers along with recent reported trades for identical or similar securities are used to develop prices. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps is obtained from a third party financial institution who utilizes observable inputs such as the forward interest rate curve.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following tables present the changes in Level 3 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis for 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     Other Invested Assets  
(Dollars in thousands)    Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013      2012  

Beginning balance

   $ 3,489      $ 3,132       $ 6,617   

Total gains (losses) (realized / unrealized):

       

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     65        341         (2,384

Purchases

     30,121        16         13   

Distributions

     (12     —           (1,114
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 33,663      $ 3,489       $ 3,132   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The investments classified as Level 3 in the above table relate to investments in limited partnerships. The Company does not have access to daily valuations; therefore, the estimated fair values of the limited partnerships are measured utilizing net asset value as a practical expedient for the limited partnerships.

Fair Value of Alternative Investments

Included in “Other invested assets” in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are limited liability partnerships measured at fair value. The following table provides the fair value and future funding commitments related to these investments at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

     December 31, 2014      December 31, 2013  
(Dollars in thousands)    Fair
Value
     Future
Funding
Commitment
     Fair
Value
     Future
Funding
Commitment
 

Equity Fund, LP (1)

   $ 3,401       $ 2,436       $ 3,489       $ 2,490   

Real Estate Fund, LP (2)

     —           —           —           —     

European Non-Performing Loan Fund, LP (3)

     30,262         20,064         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 33,663       $ 22,500       $ 3,489       $ 2,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) This limited partnership invests in companies, from various business sectors, whereby the partnership has acquired control of the operating business as a lead or organizing investor. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interest but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interest without consent from the general partner.
(2) This limited partnership invests in real estate assets through a combination of direct or indirect investments in partnerships, limited liability companies, mortgage loans, and lines of credit. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interest but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interest without consent from the general partner. The Company continues to hold an investment in this limited partnership and has written the fair value down to zero.
(3) This limited partnership invests in distressed securities and assets through senior and subordinated, secured and unsecured debt and equity, in both public and private large-cap and middle-market companies. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interest but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interest without consent from the general partner.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Pricing

The Company’s pricing vendors provide prices for all investment categories except for investments in limited partnerships which are measured utilizing net assets values as a practical expedient. One vendor provides prices for equity securities and all fixed maturity categories.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used by the Company’s pricing vendors for investment securities carried at fair value:

 

   

Equity prices are received from all primary and secondary exchanges.

 

   

Corporate and agency bonds are evaluated by utilizing a multi-dimensional relational model. For bonds with early redemption options, an option adjusted spread model is utilized. Both asset classes use standard inputs and incorporate security set up, defined sector breakdown, benchmark yields, apply base spreads, yield to maturity, and adjust for corporate actions.

 

   

A volatility-driven multi-dimensional spread table or an option-adjusted spread model and prepayment model is used for agency commercial mortgage obligations (“CMO”). For non-agency CMOs, a prepayment/spread/yield/price adjustment model is utilized. CMOs are categorized with mortgage-backed securities in the tables listed above. For ABSs, a multi-dimensional, collateral specific spread / prepayment speed tables is utilized. For both asset classes, evaluations utilize standard inputs plus new issue data, monthly payment information, and collateral performance. The evaluated pricing models incorporate security set-up, prepayment speeds, cash flows, and treasury swap curves and spread adjustments.

 

   

For municipals, a multi-dimensional relational model is used to evaluate securities within this asset class. The evaluated pricing models for this asset class incorporate security set-up, benchmark yields, apply base spreads, yield to worst or market convention, ratings updates, prepayment schedules and adjustments for material events notices.

 

   

U.S. treasuries are evaluated by obtaining feeds from a number of live data sources including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.

 

   

For MBSs, a matrix model correlation to TBA (a forward MBS trade) or benchmarking is utilized to value a security.

The Company performs certain procedures to validate whether the pricing information received from the pricing vendors is reasonable, to ensure that the fair value determination is consistent with accounting guidance, and to ensure that its assets are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s procedures include, but are not limited to:

 

   

Reviewing periodic reports provided by the Investment Manager that provides information regarding rating changes and securities placed on watch. This procedure allows the Company to understand why a particular security’s market value may have changed.

 

   

Understanding and periodically evaluating the various pricing methods and procedures used by the Company’s pricing vendors to ensure that investments are properly classified within the fair value hierarchy.

 

   

On a quarterly basis, the Company corroborates investment security prices received from its pricing vendors by obtaining pricing from a second pricing vendor for a sample of securities.

During 2014 or 2013, the Company has not adjusted quotes or prices obtained from the pricing vendors.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets relate to Insurance Operations.

Goodwill

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has goodwill of $4.8 million as a result of a 2010 acquisition, which represents the excess purchase price over the Company’s best estimate of the fair value of the assets acquired. Impairment testing performed in 2014 and 2013 did not result in impairment of the goodwill acquired.

Intangible assets

The following table presents details of the Company’s intangible assets as of December 31, 2014:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Description

   Useful Life      Cost      Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Value
 

Trademarks

     Indefinite       $ 4,800       $ —         $ 4,800   

Trade names

     Indefinite         4,200         —           4,200   

State insurance licenses

     Indefinite         5,000         —           5,000   

Customer relationships

     15 years         5,300         1,664         3,636   

Non-compete agreements

     2 years         50         50         —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      $ 19,350       $ 1,714       $ 17,636   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents details of the Company’s intangible assets as of December 31, 2013:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Description

   Useful Life      Cost      Accumulated
Amortization
     Net
Value
 

Trademarks

     Indefinite       $ 4,800       $ —         $ 4,800   

Trade names

     Indefinite         4,200         —           4,200   

State insurance licenses

     Indefinite         5,000         —           5,000   

Customer relationships

     15 years         5,300         1,310         3,990   

Non-compete agreements

     2 years         50         50         —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
      $ 19,350       $ 1,360       $ 17,990   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization related to the Company’s definite lived intangible assets was $0.4 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

The Company expects that amortization expense for the next five years related to the 2010 acquisition will be as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)       

2015

     (353

2016

     (353

2017

     (353

2018

     (353

2019

     (353

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Intangible assets with indefinite lives

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, indefinite lived intangible assets, which are comprised of trade names, trademarks, and state insurance licenses, were $14.0 million. The Company reviewed internal business unit results, the growth of competitors and the overall property and casualty insurance market for indicators of impairment of its indefinite lived intangible assets. Impairment testing performed in 2014 and 2013 indicated that there was no impairment of these assets.

Intangible assets with definite lives

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, definite lived intangible assets were $3.6 million and $4.0 million, net of accumulated amortization, and were comprised of customer relationships and non-compete agreements. The Company reviewed internal business unit results, the growth of competitors and the overall property and casualty insurance market for indicators of impairment of its definite lived intangible assets. There was no impairment of these assets in 2014 or 2013.

 

7. Reinsurance

The Company cedes risk to unrelated reinsurers on a pro rata (“quota share”) and excess of loss basis in the ordinary course of business to limit its net loss exposure on insurance contracts. Reinsurance ceded arrangements do not discharge the Company of primary liability. Moreover, reinsurers may fail to pay the Company due to a lack of reinsurer liquidity, perceived improper underwriting, and losses for risks that are excluded from reinsurance coverage and other similar factors, all of which could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.

The Company had the following reinsurance balances as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Reinsurance receivables, net

   $ 125,718      $ 197,887   

Collateral securing reinsurance receivables

     (8,701     (9,436
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reinsurance receivables, net of collateral

   $ 117,017      $ 188,451   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables

   $ 9,350      $ 9,010   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     4,725        5,199   

The reinsurance receivables above are net of a purchase accounting adjustment related to discounting acquired loss reserves to their present value and applying a risk margin to the discounted reserves. This adjustment was $4.0 million and $6.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had one aggregate unsecured reinsurance receivable that exceeded 3% of shareholders’ equity from the following reinsurer. Unsecured reinsurance receivables include amounts receivable for paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, less amounts secured by collateral.

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Reinsurance
Receivables
     A.M. Best
Ratings
(As of
December 31,
2014)

Munich Re America Corporation

   $ 67,429       A+

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Written      Earned  

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

     

Direct business

   $ 229,978       $ 228,652   

Reinsurance assumed

     61,275         58,414   

Reinsurance ceded

     (18,072      (18,547
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums

   $ 273,181       $ 268,519   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013:

     

Direct business

   $ 232,373       $ 215,713   

Reinsurance assumed

     58,350         52,494   

Reinsurance ceded

     (18,739      (19,485
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums

   $ 271,984       $ 248,722   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2012:

     

Direct business

   $ 201,787       $ 203,587   

Reinsurance assumed

     42,266         60,393   

Reinsurance ceded

     (24,506      (25,118
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums

   $ 219,547       $ 238,862   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8. Income Taxes

The statutory income tax rates of the countries where the Company does business are 35.0% in the United States, 0.0% in Bermuda, 0.0% in the Cayman Islands, 0.0% in Gibraltar, 29.22% in the Duchy of Luxembourg, and 25.0% on non-trading income, 33.0% on capital gains and 12.5% on trading income in the Republic of Ireland. The statutory income tax rate of each country is applied against the annual taxable income of each country to calculate the annual income tax expense.

The Company’s income before income taxes from its non-U.S. subsidiaries and U.S. subsidiaries, including the results of the quota share and stop-loss agreements between Global Indemnity Reinsurance and the Insurance Operations, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Non-U.S.
Subsidiaries
    U.S.
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Total  

Revenues:

         

Gross premiums written

   $ 173,563      $ 229,979       $ (112,289   $ 291,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 172,504      $ 100,677       $ —        $ 273,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 168,743      $ 99,776       $ —        $ 268,519   

Net investment income

     31,420        16,715         (19,314     28,821   

Net realized investment gains

     926        34,934         —          35,860   

Other income (loss)

     (65     620         —          555   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     201,024        152,045         (19,314     333,755   

Losses and Expenses:

         

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     62,669        74,892         —          137,561   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     70,479        39,140         —          109,619   

Corporate and other operating expenses

     5,243        9,316         —          14,559   

Interest expense

     852        19,284         (19,314     822   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 61,781      $ 9,413       $ —        $ 71,194   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Non-U.S.
Subsidiaries
    U.S.
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Total  

Revenues:

         

Gross premiums written

   $ 169,618      $ 232,374       $ (111,269   $ 290,723   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 169,547      $ 102,437       $ —        $ 271,984   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 154,987      $ 93,735       $ —        $ 248,722   

Net investment income

     35,750        21,064         (19,605     37,209   

Net realized investment gains

     175        27,237         —          27,412   

Other income (loss)

     (4     5,795         —          5,791   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     190,908        147,831         (19,605     319,134   

Losses and Expenses:

         

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     65,337        67,654         —          132,991   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     64,822        40,829         —          105,651   

Corporate and other operating expenses

     4,745        6,869         —          11,614   

Interest expense

     1,165        24,609         (19,605     6,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 54,839      $ 7,870       $ —        $ 62,709   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2012:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Non-U.S.
Subsidiaries
    U.S.
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Total  

Revenues:

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 135,176      $ 201,791      $ (92,914   $ 244,053   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 134,628      $ 84,919      $ —        $ 219,547   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 153,283      $ 85,579      $ —        $ 238,862   

Net investment income

     42,012        23,985        (18,440     47,557   

Net realized investment gains

     995        5,760        —          6,755   

Other income (loss)

     (726     568        —          (158
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     195,564        115,892        (18,440     293,016   

Losses and Expenses:

        

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     93,044        60,584        —          153,628   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     59,046        36,357        —          95,403   

Corporate and other operating expenses

     4,753        4,938        —          9,691   

Interest expense

     —          23,833        (18,440     5,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 38,721      $ (9,820   $ —        $ 28,901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the components of income tax expense (benefit):

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Years Ended December 31,  
   2014      2013      2012  

Current income tax expense (benefit):

Non-resident withholding

   $ 6,250       $ —         $ —     

Foreign

     129         163         (628

U.S. Federal

     2,787         859         (3,765
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current income tax expense benefit

     9,166         1,022         (4,393

Deferred income tax benefit:

        

U.S. Federal

     (828      (3      (1,463
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax benefit

     (828      (3      (1,463
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 8,338       $ 1,019       $ (5,856
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average expected tax provision has been calculated using income (loss) before income taxes in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s applicable statutory tax rate.

The following table summarizes the differences between the tax provision for financial statement purposes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  
   Amount     % of Pre-
Tax  Income
    Amount     % of Pre-
Tax  Income
    Amount     % of Pre-
Tax  Income
 

Expected tax provision at weighted average

   $ 3,465        4.9   $ 2,954        4.7   $ (3,283     (11.4 %) 

Adjustments:

            

Non-resident withholding

     6,250        8.8        —          —          —          —     

Tax exempt interest

     (472     (0.7     (1,009     (1.6     (1,445     (5.0

Dividend exclusion

     (1,340     (1.9     (1,135     (1.8     (1,060     (3.7

Other

     435        0.6        209        0.3        (68     (0.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Actual taxes on continuing operations

   $ 8,338        11.7   $ 1,019        1.6   $ (5,856     (20.3 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The effective income tax rate for 2014 was 11.7%, compared with an effective income tax rate of 1.6% for 2013 and an effective income tax benefit rate of 20.3% for 2012. The increase in the effective income tax rate in 2014 compared with 2013 is primarily due to an increase in capital gains in 2014 and a $6.3 million withholding tax paid in connection with the $125 million dividend from Global Indemnity Group Inc. to U.A.I. Luxembourg S.à.r.l. The increase in the effective income tax rate in 2013 compared with 2012 is primarily due to the gain on the disposition of a subsidiary and an increase in capital gains in taxable jurisdictions in 2013 compared with 2012.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Discounted unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 7,492       $ 9,459   

Unearned premiums

     3,409         3,346   

Alternative minimum tax credit carryover

     10,473         9,947   

Partnership K1 basis differences

     145         178   

Capital gain on derivative instruments

     4,786         —     

Investment impairments

     379         852   

Stock options

     2,048         1,526   

Deferred acquisition costs

     187         789   

Stat-to-GAAP reinsurance reserve

     1,424         1,359   

Intercompany transfers

     1,919         4,605   

Other

     3,050         2,563   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     35,312         34,624   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Intangible assets

     3,220         3,220   

Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale and investments in limited partnerships included in accumulated other comprehensive income

     10,263         25,480   

Investment basis differences

     692         400   

Depreciation and amortization

     16         355   

Other

     871         963   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     15,062         30,418   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax assets

   $ 20,250       $ 4,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be completely utilized in future years. As a result, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The Company has an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforward of $10.5 million and $9.9 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which can be carried forward indefinitely. The Company no longer has a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward as of December 31, 2014. The NOL carryforward was $1.2 million at December 31, 2013.

The Company and some of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2009.

Should the Company’s subsidiaries that are subject to income taxes imposed by the U.S. authorities pay a dividend to their foreign affiliates, withholding taxes would apply. The Company has not recorded deferred taxes for potential withholding tax on undistributed earnings. The Company believes it qualifies for treaty benefits under the Tax Convention with Luxembourg and would be subject to a 5% withholding tax if it were to pay a dividend. Determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these undistributed earnings is not practicable because of the complexities with its hypothetical calculation. In December, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) S.à.r.l. and accrued for a 5% withholding tax amounting to $6.3 million.

 

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The Company applies a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties whereby it only recognizes those tax benefits that have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits during 2014 or 2013.

The Company classifies all interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. The Company did not incur any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. As of December 31, 2014, the Company did not record any liabilities for tax-related interest and penalties on its consolidated balance sheets.

 

9. Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Activity in the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014     2013     2012  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 779,466      $ 879,114      $ 971,377   

Less: Ceded reinsurance receivables

     192,491        240,566        283,652   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance at beginning of period

     586,975        638,548        687,725   

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses related to:

      

Current year

     153,994        140,873        149,183   

Prior years

     (16,433     (7,882     4,445   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

     137,561        132,991        153,628   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to:

      

Current year

     55,485        50,732        52,164   

Prior years

     116,780        133,832        150,641   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total paid losses and loss adjustment expenses

     172,265        184,564        202,805   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance at end of period

     552,271        586,975        638,548   

Plus: Ceded reinsurance receivables

     123,201        192,491        240,566   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 675,472      $ 779,466      $ 879,114   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

When analyzing loss reserves and prior year development, the Company considers many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, loss trends, case reserve settlements that may have resulted in significant development, and any other additional or pertinent factors that may impact reserve estimates.

During 2014, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $16.4 million, which consisted of a $12.5 million decrease related to Insurance Operations and a $3.9 million decrease related to Reinsurance Operations.

The $12.5 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves related to Insurance Operations primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Property: A $2.1 million increase due to higher than expected emergence on non-catastrophe claims primarily in accident years 2007, 2012, and 2013.

 

   

General Liability: A $3.1 million reduction due to less than anticipated frequency in accident year 2001 and less than anticipated frequency and severity on claims from accident years 2007 through 2010 partially offset by greater than anticipated loss emergence in accident year 2013.

 

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Asbestos and Environmental: A $7.1 million increase related to policies written prior to 1990 as a result of recent severity being higher than expected due to faster erosion of underlying policy limits.

 

   

Professional: A $19.4 million reduction primarily due to expected loss emergence being much less than anticipated for accident years 2007 through 2011.

 

   

Umbrella: A $2.7 million decrease primarily driven by less than anticipated frequency in accident years 2002 through 2007.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $3.6 million increase primarily related to accident years 2011 through 2013. Larger vehicles were written prior to 2014 and industry loss development factors were used to project losses.

The $3.9 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves related to Reinsurance Operations was primarily due to better than anticipated loss emergence on property lines partially offset by adverse development related to commercial auto and higher than anticipated severity on the Company’s marine product.

During 2013, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $7.9 million, which consisted of a $7.6 million decrease related to Insurance Operations and a $0.3 million decrease related to Reinsurance Operations.

The $7.6 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves related to Insurance Operations primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Property: A $9.2 million reduction primarily driven by better than expected development from accident years 2010, 2011, and 2012 related primarily to lower than expected non-catastrophe severity.

 

   

General Liability: A $6.7 million reduction primarily due to better than expected emergence in nearly all accident years between 2003 through 2011 partially offset by an increase to accident years 1998 through 2002 and 2012 due to higher than anticipated loss emergence.

 

   

Asbestos and Environmental: A $6.8 million increase primarily related to policies written prior to 1990.

 

   

Professional: A $0.7 million increase primarily driven by $2.2 million increase in aggregate from unexpected loss emergence in accident years 2006 to 2008 and 2010 offset by $1.5 million of favorable emergence from accident years 1998 and 2011.

 

   

Umbrella: A $1.1 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected loss emergence in accident years 2002 to 2010 offset by increases in 2011 and 2012.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident year 2011.

 

   

Marine: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident years 2011 and 2012.

The $0.3 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves related to Reinsurance Operations was primarily due to better than anticipated loss emergence on property lines partially offset by adverse development on director and officer, general liability, automobile, and marine.

During 2012, the Company increased its prior accident year loss reserves by $4.4 million, which consisted of a $4.2 million decrease related to Insurance Operations and an $8.7 million increase related to Reinsurance Operations.

 

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The $4.2 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves related to Insurance Operations primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

General liability: A $6.3 million reduction primarily due to favorable emergence of $4.7 million on small business binding and $3.3 million on casualty brokerage exposures primarily in accident years 2002 through 2005. Partially offsetting these reductions were increases of $2.0 million on construction defect reserves in accident year 2007. The Company also decreased its reinsurance allowance by $0.7 million in this line due to changes in its reinsurance exposure on specifically identified claims and general decreases in ceded reserves.

 

   

Umbrella: A $0.7 million reduction primarily due to continued favorable emergence. Umbrella coverage typically attaches to other coverage lines, so these net decreases follow the decreases in general liability above.

 

   

Property: A $1.2 million increase primarily related to accident year 2011 due to greater than expected loss emergence on a large sinkhole claim.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $1.2 million increase primarily driven by continued loss emergence on casualty brokerage exposures.

The $8.7 million increase in prior accident year loss reserves related to Reinsurance Operations primarily consisted of the following:

 

   

Workers’ Compensation: An $8.3 million increase in workers’ compensation lines primarily related to accident years 2009 and 2010 driven by increased frequency and severity. As a result of these increased losses, the Company recorded $6.0 million in additional premium related to these treaties.

 

   

Marine: A $2.7 million increase in marine lines primarily related to accident year 2011 primarily due to higher than expected reported losses.

 

   

Commercial Auto: A $1.3 million increase in auto liability lines primarily related to accident year 2009 resulting from further unexpected development on non-standard auto treaties which were not renewed.

 

   

Property: A $3.4 million decrease in property lines primarily related to accident years 2009 and 2011 as a result of further development on worldwide catastrophe treaties.

Prior to 2001, the Company underwrote multi-peril business insuring general contractors, developers, and sub-contractors primarily involved in residential construction that has resulted in significant exposure to construction defect (“CD”) claims. The Company’s reserves for CD claims ($69.8 million and $70.5 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, net of reinsurance, respectively) are established based upon management’s best estimate in consideration of known facts, existing case law and generally accepted actuarial methodologies. However, due to the inherent uncertainty concerning this type of business, the ultimate exposure for these claims may vary significantly from the amounts currently recorded.

The Company has exposure to asbestos & environmental (“A&E”) claims. The asbestos exposure primarily arises from the sale of product liability insurance, and the environmental exposure arises from the sale of general liability and commercial multi-peril insurance. In establishing the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to A&E exposures, management considers facts currently known and the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Liabilities are recognized for known claims (including the cost of related litigation) when sufficient information has been developed to indicate the involvement of a specific insurance policy, and management can reasonably estimate its liability. In addition, liabilities have been established to cover additional exposures on both known and unasserted claims. Estimates of the liabilities are reviewed and updated regularly.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Case law continues to evolve for such claims, and uncertainty exists about the outcome of coverage litigation and whether past claim experience will be representative of future claim experience. Included in net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were IBNR reserves of $26.4 million, $18.2 million, and $14.6 million, respectively, and case reserves of approximately $4.8 million, $4.8 million, and $5.5 million, respectively, for known A&E-related claims.

The following table shows the Company’s gross reserves for A&E losses:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Gross reserve for A&E losses and loss adjustment expenses—beginning of period

   $ 50,155       $ 44,767       $ 50,601   

Plus: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses—case reserves

     4,333         2,154         7,687   

Plus: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses—IBNR

     7,340         5,961         (5,860

Less: Payments

     5,293         2,727         7,661   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross reserves for A&E losses and loss adjustment expenses—end of period

   $ 56,535       $ 50,155       $ 44,767   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table shows the Company’s net reserves for A&E losses:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Net reserve for A&E losses and loss adjustment expenses—beginning of period

   $ 23,038       $ 20,134       $ 25,285   

Plus: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses—case reserves

     2,754         1,351         6,934   

Plus: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses—IBNR

     8,241         3,506         (5,683

Less: Payments

     2,848         1,953         6,402   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net reserves for A&E losses and loss adjustment expenses—end of period

   $ 31,185       $ 23,038       $ 20,134   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Establishing reserves for A&E and other mass tort claims involves more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. The insurance industry continues to receive a substantial number of asbestos-related bodily injury claims, with an increasing focus being directed toward other parties, including installers of products containing asbestos rather than against asbestos manufacturers. This shift has resulted in significant insurance coverage litigation implicating applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including but not limited to, determinations as to whether or not an asbestos-related bodily injury claim is subject to aggregate limits of liability found in most comprehensive general liability policies.

In 2009, one of the Company’s insurance companies entered into a settlement agreement to resolve asbestos related coverage litigation related to approximately 3,900 existing asbestos-related bodily injury claims and future claims. The settlement was approved by the Court and a final order was issued in September 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the survival ratio on a gross basis for the Company’s open A&E claims was 10.8 years, 11.3 years, and 11.3 years, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the survival ratio on a net basis for the Company’s open A&E claims was 8.4 years, 6.7 years, and 7.0 years, respectively. The survival ratio, which is the ratio of gross or net reserves to the 3-year average of annual paid claims, is a financial measure that indicates how long the current amount of gross or net reserves are expected to last based on the current rate of paid claims.

 

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10. Debt

Margin Borrowing Facilities

The Company has available two margin borrowing facilities. The borrowing rate for each facility is tied to LIBOR and is currently approximately 1%. These facilities are due on demand. The borrowings are subject to maintenance margin, which is a minimum account balance that must be maintained. A decline in market conditions could require an additional deposit of collateral. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $222.8 million in collateral was deposited to support borrowings. The amount borrowed against the margin accounts may fluctuate as routine investment transactions, such as dividends received, investment income received, maturities and pay-downs, impact cash balances. The margin facilities contain customary events of default, including, without limitation, insolvency, failure to make required payments, failure to comply with any representations or warranties, failure to adequately assure future performance, and failure of a guarantor to perform under its guarantee. The amount outstanding on the Company’s margin borrowing facilities was $174.7 million and $100.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Guaranteed Senior Notes

On July 19, 2013, the Company paid the entire outstanding principal amount on its guaranteed senior notes. The payment of $58.6 million consisted of principal of $54.0 million and interest of $4.6 million, which included a make-whole provision of $2.9 million. This payment was funded by borrowing $60.0 million pursuant to the Company’s margin borrowing facilities.

Junior Subordinated Debentures

On September 30, 2013, the Company redeemed the entire outstanding principal amount on its UNG Trust I junior subordinated notes. The payment of $10.4 million consisted of principal of $10.3 million and interest of $0.1 million. This payment was funded by borrowing $10.0 million pursuant to the Company’s margin borrowing facilities.

On October 29, 2013, the Company redeemed the entire outstanding principal amount on its UNG Trust II junior subordinated notes. The payment of $20.8 million consisted of principal of $20.6 million and interest of $0.2 million. This payment was funded by borrowing $20.2 million pursuant to the Company’s margin borrowing facilities.

 

11. Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends

The ability of Global Indemnity plc to pay dividends is subject to Irish regulations. Under Irish law, dividends and distributions may only be made from distributable reserves. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s distributable reserves were $931.5 million.

Since the Company is a holding company and has no direct operations, its ability to pay dividends depends, in part, on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends. Global Indemnity Reinsurance and the U.S. insurance subsidiaries are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and pay dividends. See Note 17 for additional information regarding dividend limitations imposed on Global Indemnity Reinsurance and the U.S. insurance subsidiaries.

Repurchases of the Company’s A Ordinary Shares

The Company allows employees to surrender A ordinary shares as payment for the tax liability incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock that was issued under the Share Incentive Plan. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, the

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Company purchased an aggregate of 5,444, 2,370 and 4,997, respectively, of surrendered A ordinary shares from its employees for $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. All shares purchased from employees by the Company are held as treasury stock and recorded at cost.

In 2011 and 2012, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $125.0 million of its A ordinary shares through share repurchase programs. The Company repurchased and retired an aggregate 5,371,419 of its A ordinary shares in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions at an aggregate price of $112.2 million or an average of $20.89 per share. The Company does not have authorization from the Board of Directors to repurchase any additional A ordinary shares as of December 31, 2014. The excess cost of the repurchased shares over their par value was classified to additional paid-in capital.

Included in the share repurchases above, on May 9, 2012, the Company announced a self-tender offer pursuant to which it could repurchase up to $61.0 million of its A ordinary shares. On June 14, 2012, the Company accepted for purchase 2,913,464 of its A ordinary shares at a price of $21.75 per share for a total cost of $63.4 million, excluding fees and expenses related to the tender offer. The Company funded the purchase of the shares using cash on hand. Included within the A ordinary shares accepted for purchase were 122,578 A ordinary shares that Global Indemnity elected to purchase pursuant to its option to increase the size of the tender offer by up to 2.0% of the outstanding A ordinary shares.

The following table provides information with respect to the A ordinary shares that were surrendered or repurchased in 2014:

 

Period (1)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
    Average
Price Paid
Per Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plan or Program
 

January 1 – 31, 2014

     3,644 (2)    $ 25.30         —     

February 1 – 28, 2014

     362 (2)    $ 24.00         —     

March 1 – 31, 2014

     1,438 (2)    $ 26.23         —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     5,444      $ 25.46         —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on settlement date.
(2) Surrendered by employees as payment of taxes withheld on the vesting of restricted stock.

The following table provides information with respect to the A ordinary shares that were surrendered or repurchased in 2013:

 

Period (1)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
    Average
Price Paid
Per Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plan or Program
 

February 1 – 28, 2013

     362 (2)    $ 20.25         —     

March 1 – 31, 2013

     891 (2)    $ 22.78         —     

June 1 – 30, 2013

     507 (2)    $ 23.03         —     

December 1 – 31, 2013

     610 (2)    $ 26.07         —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     2,370      $ 23.29         —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on settlement date.
(2) Surrendered by employees as payment of taxes withheld on the vesting of restricted stock.

 

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12. Related Party Transactions

Fox Paine & Company

As of December 31, 2014, Fox Paine & Company LLC (“Fox Paine”) beneficially owned shares having approximately 92.9% of the Company’s total outstanding voting power. Fox Paine has the right to appoint a number of the Company’s Directors equal in aggregate to the pro rata percentage of the voting shares of the Company beneficially held by Fox Paine for so long as Fox Paine holds an aggregate of 25% or more of the voting power in the Company. Fox Paine controls the election of all of the Company’s Directors due to its controlling share ownership. The Company’s Chairman is a member of Fox Paine. The Company relies on Fox Paine to provide management services and other services related to the operations of the Company.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Global Indemnity Reinsurance was a limited partner in Fox Paine Capital Fund, II, which is managed by Fox Paine. This investment was originally made by United National Insurance Company in June 2000 and pre-dates the September 5, 2003 acquisition by Fox Paine of Wind River Investment Corporation, which was the predecessor holding company for United National Insurance Company. The Company’s investment in this limited partnership was valued at $3.4 million and $3.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the Company had an unfunded capital commitment of $2.4 million to the partnership. There were no distributions received from the limited partnership during 2014 and 2013. The Company received a distribution from the limited partnership of $5.4 million, of which $4.3 million was recorded as investment income, during 2012.

The Company relies on Fox Paine to provide management services and other services related to the operations of the Company. Starting in 2014, this fee will be adjusted annually to reflect the percentage change in the CPI-U. In addition, the payment of the annual management fee will be deferred until a change of control or September, 2018, whichever occurs first, and is subject to an annual adjustment equal to the rate of return the Company earns on its investment portfolio. Management fee expense of $1.9 million, $1.9 million and $1.5 million was incurred during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, unpaid management fees, which were included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, were $0.6 million. As of December 31, 2013, prepaid management fees, which were included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, were $1.3 million.

Cozen O’Connor

The Company incurred $0.2 million, $0.02 million, and $0.2 million for legal services rendered by Cozen O’Connor during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Stephen A. Cozen, the chairman of Cozen O’Connor, is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Crystal & Company

During each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred $0.2 million in brokerage fees to Crystal & Company, an insurance broker. Prior to October 15, 2012, Crystal & Company was known as Frank Crystal & Company. James W. Crystal, the chairman and chief executive officer of Crystal & Company, is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Hiscox Insurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a participant in a reinsurance agreement with Hiscox Insurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd. (“Hiscox Bermuda”) effective January 1, 2013. Steve Green, the President of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, was a member of Hiscox Bermuda’s Board of Directors until May, 2014. The Company estimated

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

that the following earned premium and incurred losses related to the agreement have been assumed by Global Indemnity Reinsurance from Hiscox Bermuda:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013  

Assumed earned premium

   $ 6,383       $ 3,053   

Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses

     763         987   

Net balances due to Global Indemnity Reinsurance under this agreement are as follows:

 

     As of December 31.  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013  

Net receivable balance

   $ 2,897       $ 3,337   

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Company entered into a $50 million commitment to purchase an alternative investment vehicle which is comprised of European non-performing loans. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has funded $29.9 million of this commitment leaving $20.1 million as unfunded.

Lease Commitments

Total rental expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $2.6 million, $2.4 million, and $2.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, future minimum cash payments under non-cancelable operating leases were as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)       

2015

   $ 2,374   

2016

     2,279   

2017

     2,234   

2018

     2,237   

2019 and thereafter

     2,236   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,360   
  

 

 

 

Legal Proceedings

The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains insurance and reinsurance coverage for such risks in amounts that it considers adequate. However, there can be no assurance that the insurance and reinsurance coverage that the Company maintains is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

There is a greater potential for disputes with reinsurers who are in runoff. Some of the Company’s reinsurers’ have operations that are in runoff, and therefore, the Company closely monitors those relationships. The Company anticipates that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, it will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Other Commitments

As mentioned in Note 12 above, the Company has a remaining commitment of $2.4 million to the Fox Paine Capital Fund, II.

The Company is party to a Management Agreement, as amended, with Fox Paine, whereby in connection with certain management services provided to it by Fox Paine, the Company agreed to pay an annual management fee to Fox Paine & Company. See Note 12 above for additional information pertaining to this management agreement.

 

14. Share-Based Compensation Plans

The fair value method of accounting recognizes share-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors in the statements of operations using the grant-date fair value of the stock options and other equity-based compensation expensed over the requisite service and vesting period.

For the purpose of determining the fair value of stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. An estimation of forfeitures is required when recognizing compensation expense which is then adjusted over the requisite service period should actual forfeitures differ from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative adjustment to compensation in the period of change.

The prescribed accounting guidance also requires tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions to be prospectively presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows. The tax benefit resulting from stock-based compensation deductions in excess of amounts reported for financial reporting purposes was $0.04 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. There was no tax benefit resulting from stock-based compensation deductions in excess of amounts reported for financial reporting purposes during 2013 and 2012.

Share Incentive Plan

On June 11, 2014, the Company’s Shareholders approved the Global Indemnity plc Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The previous share incentive plan, which became effective in 2003, expired per its terms on September 5, 2013. The purpose of the Plan is to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining officers, employees, consultants and non-employee directors by offering stock options, restricted shares and other stock-based awards. Under the Plan, the Company may grant up to 2.0 million A ordinary shares pursuant to grants under the Plan.

 

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Options

Award activity for stock options granted under the Plan and the weighted average exercise price per share are summarized as follows:

 

     Time-Based
Options
    Performance-
Based  Options
     Total
Options
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
 

Options outstanding at January 1, 2012

     565,981        —           565,981      $ 20.59   

Options issued

     —          —           —          —     

Options forfeited

     (96,238     —           (96,238   $ 24.09   

Options exercised

     (5,000     —           (5,000   $ 20.00   

Options expired

     —          —           —          —     

Options purchased by the Company

     —          —           —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2012

     464,743        —           464,743      $ 19.87   

Options issued

     —          —           —          —     

Options forfeited

     (5,000     —           (5,000   $ 29.24   

Options exercised

     (14,292     —           (14,292   $ 20.00   

Options expired

     (32,951     —           (32,951   $ 34.00   

Options purchased by the Company

     —          —           —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2013

     412,500        —           412,500      $ 18.62   

Options issued

     325,000        —           325,000        31.74   

Options forfeited

     (125,000     —           (125,000     19.60   

Options exercised

     —          —           —          —     

Options expired

     —          —           —          —     

Options purchased by the Company

     —          —           —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2014

     612,500        —           612,500        25.38   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options exercisable at December 31, 2014

     312,500        —           312,500        18.66   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted 325,000 Time-Based Options under the Plan. Of these options, 25,000 were forfeited during 2014. The remaining 300,000 stock options were issued to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. See below for vesting schedule related to this stock award.

The Company recorded $0.3 million, $1.2 million, and $1.2 million of compensation expense for stock options outstanding under the Plan in each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

The Company did not receive any proceeds from the exercise of options during 2014 under the Plan. In 2013, the Company received $0.3 million from the issuance of 14,292 A ordinary shares at a weighted average grant date value of $20.00 per share exercised by a former employee of the Company under the previous share incentive plan. In 2012, the Company received $0.1 million from the issuance of 5,000 A ordinary shares at a weighted average grant date value of $20.00 per share exercised by a former employee of the Company under the previous share incentive plan.

Amortization expense related to options outstanding is anticipated to be $0.3 million in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

 

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Option intrinsic values, which are the differences between the fair value of $28.37 at December 31, 2014 and the strike price of the option, are as follows:

 

     Number
of Shares
     Weighted
Average
Strike Price
     Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding

     612,500       $ 25.38       $ 3.2 million   

Exercisable

     312,500       $ 18.66       $ 3.2 million   

Exercised

     —           N/A         N/A   

NOTE: The intrinsic value of the exercised options is the difference between the fair market value at time of exercise and the strike price of the option.

The options exercisable at December 31, 2014 include the following:

 

Option Price

   Number of options
exercisable
 

$17.87

     300,000   

$37.70

     12,500   
  

 

 

 

Options exercisable at December 31, 2014

     312,500   
  

 

 

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted under the Plan was $7.92 in 2014 using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following weighted average assumptions. There were no options granted under the Plan in 2013 or 2012.

 

     2014  

Dividend yield

     0.0

Expected volatility

     37.70

Risk-free interest rate

     1.7

Expected option life

     6.9 years   

The following tables summarize the range of exercise prices of options outstanding at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

Ranges of

Exercise Prices

   Outstanding at
December  31, 2014
    Weighted Average Per
Share Exercise Price
     Weighted Average
Remaining Life
 

$17.87 – $19.99

     300,000      $ 17.87         6.7 years   

$20.00 – $29.99

     —          —           N/A   

$30.00 – $37.70

     312,500 (1)    $ 32.59         8.8 years   
  

 

 

      

Total

     612,500        
  

 

 

      

(1)—the weighted average per share exercise price on 300,000 of these shares outstanding is variable. See note below under Chief Executive Officer for additional information.

 

Ranges of

Exercise Prices

   Outstanding at
December  31, 2013
     Weighted Average Per
Share Exercise Price
     Weighted Average
Remaining Life
 

$17.87 – $19.99

     400,000       $ 18.03         7.8 years   

$30.00 – $37.70

     12,500       $ 37.70         1.8 years   
  

 

 

       

Total

     412,500         
  

 

 

       

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Ranges of

Exercise Prices

   Outstanding at
December  31, 2012
     Weighted Average Per
Share Exercise Price
     Weighted Average
Remaining Life
 

$17.87 – $19.99

     400,000       $ 18.03         8.8 years   

$20.00 – $29.99

     19,293       $ 22.39         0.9 years   

$30.00 – $37.70

     45,450       $ 35.02         1.5 years   
  

 

 

       

Total

     464,743         
  

 

 

       

Restricted Shares

In addition to stock option grants, the Plan also provides for the granting of restricted shares to employees and non-employee Directors. The Company recognized compensation expense for restricted stock of $2.6 million, $2.1 million and $1.8 million for 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The total unrecognized compensation expense for the non-vested restricted stock is $3.7 million at December 31, 2014, which will be recognized over a weighted average life of 1.7 years.

The following table summarizes the restricted stock grants since the 2003 inception of the previous share incentive plan.

 

     Restricted Stock Awards  

Year

   Employees      Directors      Total  

Inception through 2011

     599,806         303,974         903,780   

2012

     29,675         50,885         80,560   

2013

     81,587         50,421         132,008   

2014

     95,694         36,608         132,302   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     806,762         441,888         1,248,650   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the non-vested restricted shares activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     Number of
Shares
     Weighted
Average
Price
Per Share
 

Non-vested Restricted Shares at January 1, 2012

     26,016       $ 18.29   

Shares issued

     80,560       $ 19.67   

Shares vested

     (68,649    $ 19.99   

Shares forfeited

     (3,423    $ 20.87   
  

 

 

    

Non-vested Restricted Shares at December 31, 2012

     34,504       $ 17.87   

Shares issued

     132,008       $ 22.78   

Shares vested

     (67,937    $ 22.17   

Shares forfeited

     (454    $ 22.13   
  

 

 

    

Non-vested Restricted Shares at December 31, 2013

     98,121       $ 21.48   

Shares issued

     132,302       $ 25.67   

Shares vested

     (57,017    $ 24.29   

Shares forfeited

     (1,131    $ 22.13   
  

 

 

    

Non-vested Restricted Shares at December 31, 2014

     172,275       $ 23.76   
  

 

 

    

 

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Based on the terms of the Restricted Share grants, all forfeited shares revert back to the Company.

During 2012, the Company granted an aggregate of 29,675 A ordinary shares to key employees at a weighted average grant date fair value of $18.60 per share which vest 33 1/3% on each subsequent anniversary date of the grant for a period of three years. During 2012, the Company granted an aggregate of 50,885 A ordinary shares, at a weighted average grant date fair value of $20.29 per share to non-employee Directors under the previous share incentive plan. The fully vested director restricted shares were granted from shares previously forfeited.

During 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 81,587 A ordinary shares to key employees at a weighted average grant date fair value of $22.13 per share. Of the A ordinary shares granted in 2013, 11,296 were granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and vest 33 1/3% on each subsequent anniversary date of the grant for a period of three years subject to an accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results as of the third anniversary of the grant. The remaining 70,291 shares were granted to key employees and will vests as follows:

 

   

16.5%, 16.5%, and 17.0% of the granted stock vest on the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant, respectively.

 

   

50.0% of granted stock vests 100% on the anniversary of the third year subject to accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results and are subject to Board approval.

During 2013, the Company granted an aggregate of 50,421 A ordinary shares, at a weighted average grant date fair value of $23.83 per share, to non-employee directors under the previous share incentive plan.

Included in the 50,421A ordinary shares are 18,838 A ordinary shares earned by the non-employee directors of the Company during 2013 which have a weighted average grant date fair value of $25.38 per share. As of December 31, 2013, these shares were not granted but were considered issued and outstanding for purposes of the financial statement and were subject to shareholder approval of the Plan at the Company’s June 11, 2014 annual shareholder meeting. The shareholders approved the plan at the June 11, 2014 annual shareholder meeting.

During 2014, the Company granted an aggregate of 95,694 A ordinary shares to key employees at a weighted average grant date fair value of $25.37 per share under the Plan. Of the shares granted in 2014, 5,671 were granted to a key employee and vest 33 1/3% on each subsequent anniversary date of the award for a period of three years and 11,857 were granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and vest 33 1/3% on each subsequent anniversary date of the grant for a period of three years subject to an accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results as of the third anniversary of the grant. The remaining 78,166 shares were granted to key employees and will vest as follows:

 

   

16.5%, 16.5%, and 17.0% of the granted stock vest on the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant, respectively.

 

   

50% of granted stock vests 100% on the anniversary of the third year subject to accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results and are subject to Board approval.

During 2014, the Company granted 36,608 A ordinary shares, at a weighted average grant date fair value of $26.46 per share, to non-employee directors of the Company under the Plan. An additional 18,838 A ordinary shares were issued to non-employee directors on June 12, 2014. These shares were earned by non-employee directors prior to January 1, 2014 and were conditioned on shareholders’ approval of the Plan at the Company’s June 11, 2014 annual shareholder meeting. The shareholders approved the plan at the June 11, 2014 annual shareholder meeting.

 

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All of the shares granted to non-employee directors in 2014, 2013, and 2012 were fully vested but subject to certain restrictions.

Chief Executive Officer

Effective September 19, 2011, Cynthia Y. Valko was hired as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Ms. Valko’s terms of employment included two equity components including the granting of 300,000 stock options with a strike price equal to the closing price of the Company’s shares on the trading day preceding the start date, or $17.87 per share, and an annual bonus opportunity of which 50% shall be paid in restricted shares based on the market value of the Company’s shares as of December 31 of the subject bonus year. The stock options vested 33 1/3% on December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014 pending Board approval at the time of vesting. The restricted shares vest 33 1/3% on each anniversary of the subject bonus year. All equity components based on performance are subject to accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results and are subject to Board approval.

In 2014, Ms. Valko was awarded an additional 300,000 stock options. The stock options vest as follows: 20% on December 31, 2015, 30% on December 31, 2016, and the remaining 50% on December 31, 2017 and are based on achieving underwriting income, premium volume, and underwriting profitability targets, subject to an accident year true up on the 3rd anniversary of each such year. Vesting of the stock options is subject to continued employment. The exercise price applicable to the Stock Options is $25.00 subject to adjustment based on the Company’s average year-end tangible book value per share, the average interest rate of certain Treasury bonds and the time period elapsed between January 1, 2014 and the date the stock options are exercised. The stock options were granted under and are subject to the terms of the Plan, as amended, subject to shareholder approval of such plan to the extent required to affect such grant under the plan.

 

15. 401(k) Plan

The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan that covers all eligible U.S. employees. Under this plan, the Company matches 100% of the first 6% contributed by an employee. Vesting on contributions made by the Company is immediate. Total expenses for the plan were $1.2 million, $1.2 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

16. Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share have been computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding during the period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)    2014      2013      2012  

Net income

   $ 62,856       $ 61,690       $ 34,757   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

        

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

     25,131,811         25,072,712         26,722,772   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share

   $ 2.50       $ 2.46       $ 1.30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

     25,331,420         25,174,015         26,748,833   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share

   $ 2.48       $ 2.45       $ 1.30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

A reconciliation of weighted average shares for basic earnings per share to weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  

Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share

     25,131,811         25,072,712         26,722,772   

Non-vested restricted stock

     100,546         53,876         17,474   

Options

     99,063         47,427         8,587   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share

     25,331,420         25,174,015         26,748,833   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average shares outstanding used to determine dilutive earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 do not include 312,500, 12,500 and 452,450 shares, respectively, which were deemed to be anti-dilutive.

 

17. Statutory Financial Information

GAAP differs in certain respects from Statutory Accounting Principles (“SAP”) as prescribed or permitted by the various U.S. state insurance departments. The principal differences between SAP and GAAP are as follows:

 

   

Under SAP, investments in debt securities are primarily carried at amortized cost, while under GAAP the Company records its debt securities at estimated fair value.

 

   

Under SAP, policy acquisition costs, such as commissions, premium taxes, fees and other costs of underwriting policies are charged to current operations as incurred, while under GAAP such costs are deferred and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period covered by the policy.

 

   

Under SAP, certain assets designated as “Non-admitted assets” (such as prepaid expenses) are charged against surplus.

 

   

Under SAP, net deferred income tax assets are admitted following the application of specified criteria, with the resulting admitted deferred tax amount being credited directly to surplus.

 

   

Under SAP, certain premium receivables are non-admitted and are charged against surplus based upon aging criteria.

 

   

Under SAP, the costs and related receivables for guaranty funds and other assessments are recorded based on management’s estimate of the ultimate liability and related receivable settlement, while under GAAP such costs are accrued when the liability is probable and reasonably estimable and the related receivable amount is based on future premium collections or policy surcharges from in-force policies.

 

   

Under SAP, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported net of the effects of reinsurance transactions, whereas under GAAP, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported gross of reinsurance.

 

   

Under SAP, a provision for reinsurance is charged to surplus based on the authorized status of reinsurers, available collateral, and certain aging criteria, whereas under GAAP, an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance is established based on management’s best estimate of the collectability of reinsurance receivables.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) issues model laws and regulations, many of which have been adopted by state insurance regulators, relating to: (a) risk-based capital (“RBC”) standards;

 

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(b) codification of insurance accounting principles; (c) investment restrictions; and (d) restrictions on the ability of insurance companies to pay dividends.

The Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are required by law to maintain certain minimum surplus on a statutory basis, and are subject to regulations under which payment of a dividend from statutory surplus is restricted and may require prior approval of regulatory authorities. In December, 2013, each of the U.S. insurance subsidiaries declared an extraordinary dividend that aggregated to $200 million. In January, 2014, each of the dividends for the U.S. insurance companies was approved by their respective departments of insurance in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Virginia. On January 23, 2014, the U.S. insurance companies paid an aggregate of $200 million to Global Indemnity Group, Inc. Applying the current regulatory restrictions as of December 31, 2014, the maximum amount of distributions that could be paid after January 23, 2015 by the United National insurance companies and the Penn-America insurance companies as dividends under applicable laws and regulations without regulatory approval is approximately $35.1 million and $8.4 million, respectively. The Penn-America insurance companies limitation includes $2.8 million that would be distributed to United National Insurance Company or its subsidiary Penn Independent Corporation based on the December 31, 2014 ownership percentages.

The NAIC’s RBC model provides a tool for insurance regulators to determine the levels of statutory capital and surplus an insurer must maintain in relation to its insurance and investment risks, as well as its reinsurance exposures, to assess the potential need for regulatory attention. The model provides four levels of regulatory attention, varying with the ratio of an insurance company’s total adjusted capital to its authorized control level RBC (“ACLRBC”). If a company’s total adjusted capital is:

 

  (a) less than or equal to 200%, but greater than 150% of its ACLRBC (the “Company Action Level”), the company must submit a comprehensive plan to the regulatory authority proposing corrective actions aimed at improving its capital position;

 

  (b) less than or equal to 150%, but greater than 100% of its ACLRBC (the “Regulatory Action Level”), the regulatory authority will perform a special examination of the company and issue an order specifying the corrective actions that must be followed;

 

  (c) less than or equal to 100%, but greater than 70% of its ACLRBC (the “Authorized Control Level”), the regulatory authority may take any action it deems necessary, including placing the company under regulatory control; and

 

  (d) less than or equal to 70% of its ACLRBC (the “Mandatory Control Level”), the regulatory authority must place the company under its control.

Based on the standards currently adopted, the Company reported in its 2014 statutory filings that the capital and surplus of the U.S. insurance companies are above the prescribed Company Action Level RBC requirements.

The following is selected information for the Company’s U.S. insurance companies, net of intercompany eliminations, where applicable, as determined in accordance with SAP:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013     2012  

Statutory capital and surplus, as of end of period

   $ 253,362       $ 251,464 (a)    $ 413,303   

Statutory net income (loss)

     36,003         31,781        10,813   

 

(a) Includes extraordinary dividend declared in 2013 for an aggregate of $200 million.

 

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Global Indemnity Reinsurance must also prepare annual statutory financial statements. The Bermuda Insurance Act 1978 (the “Insurance Act”) prescribes rules for the preparation and substance of these statutory financial statements which include, in statutory form, a balance sheet, an income statement, a statement of capital and surplus and notes thereto. The statutory financial statements are not prepared in accordance with GAAP or SAP and are distinct from the financial statements prepared for presentation to Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s shareholders and under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 (the “Companies Act”), which financial statements will be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The principal differences between statutory financial statements prepared under the Insurance Act and GAAP are as follows:

 

   

Under the Insurance Act, policy acquisition costs, such as commissions, premium taxes, fees and other costs of underwriting policies are charged to current operations as incurred, while under GAAP such costs are deferred and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period covered by the policy.

 

   

Under the Insurance Act, prepaid expenses and intangible assets are charged to current operations as incurred, while under GAAP such costs are deferred and amortized on a pro rata basis.

 

   

Under the Insurance Act, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported net of the effects of reinsurance transactions, whereas under GAAP, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported gross of reinsurance.

Under the Companies Act, Global Indemnity Reinsurance may only declare or pay a dividend if it has no reasonable grounds for believing that it is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or if the realizable value of its assets would not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and its issued share capital and share premium accounts. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is also prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. Based upon the total statutory capital plus the statutory surplus as set out in its 2014 statutory financial statements that will be filed in 2015, Global Indemnity Reinsurance could pay a dividend of up to $287.1 million without requesting BMA approval. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is dependent on receiving distributions from its subsidiaries in order to pay the full dividend.

The following is selected information for Global Indemnity Reinsurance, net of intercompany eliminations, where applicable, as determined in accordance with the Bermuda Insurance Act 1978:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Statutory capital and surplus, as of end of period

   $ 928,720       $ 913,401       $ 844,696   

Statutory net income (loss)

     44,594         31,697         21,955   

 

18. Segment Information

As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its business through two business segments: Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC, Global Indemnity Insurance Agency, LLC, and J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC, and Reinsurance Operations, which includes the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

On December 31, 2013, Diamond State Insurance Company sold all the outstanding shares of capital stock of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, United National Casualty Insurance Company, to an unrelated party. The financial results of the Insurance Operations for 2013 and 2012 include the financial results for United National Casualty Insurance Company. Management deemed this transaction to be an asset sale with the assets primarily comprised of investments and insurance licenses. This transaction did not have a significant impact on the ongoing business operations.

The Insurance Operations segment and the Reinsurance Operations segment follow the same accounting policies used for the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For further disclosure regarding the Company’s accounting policies, please see Note 2.

The following are tabulations of business segment information for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. Corporate information is included to reconcile segment data to the consolidated financial statements.

 

2014:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Insurance
Operations (1)
    Reinsurance
Operations  (2)
    Total  

Revenues:

      

Gross premiums written

   $ 229,978      $ 61,275      $ 291,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 212,965      $ 60,216      $ 273,181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 211,165      $ 57,354      $ 268,519   

Other income (loss)

     620        (65     555   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     211,785        57,289        269,074   

Losses and Expenses:

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     117,586        19,975        137,561   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     88,983 (3)      20,636        109,619   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from segments

     5,216        16,678        21,894   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unallocated items:

      

Net investment income

         28,821   

Net realized investment gains

         35,860   

Corporate and other operating expenses

         14,559   

Interest expense

         822   
      

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

         71,194   

Income tax expense

         8,338   
      

 

 

 

Net income

       $ 62,856   
      

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,288,763      $ 641,270 (4)    $ 1,930,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(2) External business only, excluding business assumed from affiliates.
(3) Includes excise tax of $1,114 related to cessions from Insurance Operations to Reinsurance Operations.
(4) Comprised of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries.

 

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2013:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Insurance
Operations (1)
    Reinsurance
Operations  (2)
    Total  

Revenues:

      

Gross premiums written

   $ 232,373      $ 58,350      $ 290,723   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 213,705      $ 58,279      $ 271,984   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 196,302      $ 52,420      $ 248,722   

Other income (loss)

     5,795        (4     5,791   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     202,097        52,416        254,513   

Losses and Expenses:

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     116,837        16,154        132,991   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     87,360 (3)      18,291        105,651   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segments

     (2,100   $ 17,971        15,871   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unallocated items:

      

Net investment income

         37,209   

Net realized investment gains

         27,412   

Corporate and other operating expenses

         (11,614

Interest expense

         (6,169
      

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

         62,709   

Income tax expense

         1,019   
      

 

 

 

Net income

       $ 61,690   
      

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,264,306      $ 647,473 (4)    $ 1,911,779   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(2) External business only, excluding business assumed from affiliates.
(3) Includes excise tax of $1,026 related to cessions from Insurance Operations to Reinsurance Operations.
(4) Comprised of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

2012:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Insurance
Operations (1)
    Reinsurance
Operations  (2)
    Total  

Revenues:

      

Gross premiums written

   $ 201,790      $ 42,263      $ 244,053   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 177,832      $ 41,715      $ 219,547   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 179,153      $ 59,709      $ 238,862   

Other income (loss)

     568        (726     (158
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     179,721        58,983        238,704   

Losses and Expenses:

      

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     118,515        35,113        153,628   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     79,910 (3)      15,493        95,403   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segments

     (18,704   $ 8,377        (10,327
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unallocated items:

      

Net investment income

         47,557   

Net realized investment gains

         6,755   

Corporate and other operating expenses

         (9,691

Interest expense

         (5,393
      

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

         28,901   

Income tax benefit

         (5,856
      

 

 

 

Net income

       $ 34,757   
      

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,259,083      $ 644,620 (4)    $ 1,903,703   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(2) External business only, excluding business assumed from affiliates.
(3) Includes excise tax of $936 related to cessions from Insurance Operations to Reinsurance Operations.
(4) Comprised of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries.

 

19. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Taxes and Interest Paid

The Company paid the following net federal income taxes and cash interest for 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2014      2013      2012  

Federal income taxes paid

   $ 13,997       $ 162       $ 265   

Federal income taxes recovered

     136         7,613         38   

Interest paid

     804         7,678         5,895   

 

20. New Accounting Pronouncements

In February, 2013, the FASB issued new accounting guidance surrounding other comprehensive income. The new guidance requires additional disclosure surrounding amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive by component. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

21. Summary of Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

An unaudited summary of the Company’s 2014 and 2013 quarterly performance is as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2014  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)    First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Net premiums earned

   $ 67,544       $ 66,017       $ 68,028       $ 66,930   

Net investment income

     8,284         7,677         6,527         6,333   

Net realized investment gains (losses)

     (813      39,881         1,158         (4,366

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     38,572         38,270         36,654         24,065   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     26,485         27,171         27,458         28,505   

Income before income taxes

     6,974         44,798         8,128         11,294   

Net income

     8,823         33,208         9,761         11,064   

Per share data—Diluted:

           

Net income

   $ 0.35       $ 1.31       $ 0.39       $ 0.44   

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2013  
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)    First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Net premiums earned

   $ 55,996       $ 58,671       $ 64,469       $ 69,586   

Net investment income

     10,034         9,765         8,486         8,924   

Net realized investment gains

     5,757         2,806         1,641         17,208   

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     31,788         34,924         35,483         30,796   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

     24,477         24,472         28,028         28,674   

Income before income taxes

     12,058         8,440         5,056         37,155   

Net income

     12,365         8,664         6,948         33,713   

Per share data—Diluted:

           

Net income

   $ 0.49       $ 0.34       $ 0.28       $ 1.34   

 

22. Subsequent Events

On January 1, 2015, Global Indemnity Group, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, acquired 100% of the voting equity interest of American Reliable from American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. by paying $113.7 million in cash and assuming approximately $322.9 million in customary insurance related liabilities, obligations, and mandates. The ultimate purchase price is subject to accounting procedures that are expected to be completed by June 30, 2015. The most recent estimate of the purchase price, based on available financial information, is approximately $117.9 million. This purchase price is subject to adjustment based on GAAP book value of the business as of the date of the closing of the transaction and the future development of loss reserves as specified in the American Reliable SPA. American Reliable’s results of operations will be included in the Company’s results of operations subsequent to the date of acquisition.

The purchase of American Reliable expands Global Indemnity’s product offerings. American Reliable is a specialty company that distributes personal lines products written on an admitted basis that are unusual and harder to place. It complements Global Indemnity’s existing US Insurance Operations that primarily distribute commercial lines products on an excess and surplus lines basis.

In accordance with GAAP, the total purchase price has been provisionally allocated to the tangible and intangible net assets acquired based on management’s preliminary estimates of their fair value and may change as additional information becomes available over the next several months. Accordingly, approximately

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

$87.7 million was allocated to tangible net assets, approximately $27.5 million was allocated to intangible assets, primarily the value of business acquired (“VOBA”), and $2.7 million was allocated to goodwill. Under the

purchase method of accounting, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually. Pursuant to the Company’s 338(h)(10) election, goodwill is expected to be tax deductible and will be amortized over a period of 15 years.

Goodwill of $2.7 million consists largely of the synergies and economies of scales expected from combining the operations of Global Indemnity and American Reliable. The Company has not yet determined the amount of goodwill to be assigned to each reportable segment.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company has agreed to pay to Fox Paine an investment banking fee of 3% of the amount paid plus the capital required to operate American Reliable on a standalone basis and a $1.5 million investment advisory fee. 267,702 A ordinary shares of Global Indemnity will be issued to pay these fees. These shares will be registered but cannot be sold until the earlier of five years or a change of control.

 

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Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

 

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described below.

In light of the material weakness described below, the Company performed additional procedures that did not result in any material changes to the consolidated financial statements, and have allowed the Company to conclude that, notwithstanding the material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the Company’s management and Directors; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

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Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

Based upon its assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective at December 31, 2014 because of the material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting described below.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The Company determined that a material weakness existed in its internal control over financial reporting related to an element of the design of its estimation process for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses as of December 31, 2014. Specifically, the design of the Company’s control relating to Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses that exceeded the central estimates of both the internal and external actuaries in the process of establishing management’s final determination of loss reserve selections was not adequate. This deficiency did not result in a material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements; however, this deficiency could have resulted in a material misstatement of the aforementioned accounts and disclosures of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not have been prevented or detected.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”, appearing on page 93.

Remediation Steps to Address the Material Weakness

Management is implementing controls to improve documentation of its assessments and conclusions of its reserve meetings, as well as supporting analyses for the difference between carried reserves and the internal and external actuaries’ best estimates as a result of the communications among its actuarial, underwriting, financial, and claims personnel involved on the loss reserve committee. The Company believes these measures will remediate the control deficiency identified above and will strengthen the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company expects to complete the implementation of the control enhancements in the first quarter of 2015. The Company will test the ongoing operating effectiveness of the new controls subsequent to implementation, and consider the material weakness remediated after the applicable remedial controls operate effectively for a sufficient period of time.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to, and will be contained in, the Company’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to, and will be contained in, the Company’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to, and will be contained in, the Company’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to, and will be contained in, the Company’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2015Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to, and will be contained in, the Company’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by the Company in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 

  (1) The Financial Statements listed in the accompanying index on page 92 are filed as part of this report.

 

  (2) The Financial Statement Schedules listed in the accompanying index on page 92 are filed as part of this report.

 

Exhibit No.    Description
  2.1    Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of October 16, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 2014 (File No. 001-34809)).
  3.1    Memorandum and Articles of Association of Global Indemnity plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34809)).
  3.2    Certificate of Incorporation of Global Indemnity plc, an Irish public limited company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.1*    Management Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2003, by and among United National Group, Ltd., Fox Paine & Company, LLC and The AMC Group, L.P. with related Indemnity Letter (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-108857) filed on October 28, 2003)(File No. 000-50511)).
10.2*    Amendment No. 1 to the Management Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2006, by and among United America Indemnity, Ltd., Fox Paine & Company, LLC and Wind River Holdings, L.P., formerly The AMC Group, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2006) (File No. 000-50511)).
10.3*    Letter Agreement, dated March 16, 2011, assigning the 2003 Management Agreement (as amended) and related indemnity agreement, by and among United America Indemnity, Ltd., Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. and Fox Paine & Company, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-34809)).
10.4*    Guaranties, dated March 15, 2011, provided by each of United America Indemnity, Ltd., Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd., and Global Indemnity Group, Inc., in each case in favor of Fox Paine & Company, LLC, relating to the obligations of Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. under the Letter Agreement, dated March 15, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (File No. 000-34809)).
10.5*    Amendment No. 3 to the Management Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2011, by and among Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. and Fox Paine & Company, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (File No. 001-34809)).

 

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Exhibit No.    Description
10.6*    Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2013, by and among Global Indemnity (Cayman) Ltd. and Fox Paine & Company, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.7*    Reaffirmation Agreements, dated as of October 31, 2013, provided by each of United America Indemnity, Ltd., Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd., and Global Indemnity Group, Inc. reaffirming the March 15, 2011 Guaranty Agreements (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.8*    Global Indemnity plc Share Incentive Plan dated as of February 9, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 12, 2014 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.9*    Global Indemnity plc Annual Incentive Award Program, amended and restated effective July 2, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.10*    Deed Poll of Assumption for United America Indemnity, Ltd. Annual Incentive Award Program by Global Indemnity plc, dated July 2, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.11*    Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated July 2, 2010, by and among Global Indemnity plc (as successor to United America Indemnity, Ltd.) and the signatories thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.12*    Assignment and Assumption Agreement relating to the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated July 2, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809))
10.13*    Amendment to the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2013, by and among Global Indemnity plc and the signatories thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.14*    Indemnification Agreement between United America Indemnity, Ltd. and Fox Paine Capital Fund II International L.P., dated July 2, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K12b dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.15*    Form of Indemnification Agreement between United America Indemnity, Ltd. and certain directors and officers of Global Indemnity plc, dated July 2, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Current Report on form 8-K12B dated July 2, 2010 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.16*    Employment Agreement, as amended, for William J. Devlin, Jr., dated October 24, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to exhibit 10.14 of the Company’s amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 dated September 5, 2012 (File No. 001-34809)).
10.17*    Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2009, between Penn-America Insurance Company and Matthew B. Scott (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 000-50511)).

 

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Exhibit No.   Description
  10.18*   Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2009, between United America Indemnity, Ltd. and Thomas M. McGeehan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 000-50511)).
  10.19*   Description of Employment Arrangement with Cynthia Y. Valko, dated December 10, 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 12, 2014 (File No. 001-34809)).
  10.20*+   Executive Employment Term Sheet with Stephen Green, dated February 18, 2015.
  10.21   Amended and Restated Institutional Account Agreement dated as of June 7, 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 (File No. 001-34809)).
  10.22+   Amended and Restated Institutional Account Agreement dated as of May 28, 2014.
  21.1+   List of Subsidiaries.
  23.1+   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  31.1+   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.2+   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1+   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.2+   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.1+   The following financial information from Global Indemnity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements; and (vii) Financial Statement Schedules.

 

+ Filed or furnished herewith.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Global Indemnity has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
By:   /s/     Cynthia Y. Valko        
Name:   Cynthia Y. Valko
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Date:   March 16, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated below on March 16, 2015.

 

SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

/s/    Saul A. Fox        

Saul A. Fox

  

Chairman and Director

/s/    Cynthia Y. Valko        

Cynthia Y. Valko

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/    Thomas M. McGeehan        

Thomas M. McGeehan

  

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/    James W. Crystal        

James W. Crystal

  

Director

/s/    Seth J. Gersch        

Seth J. Gersch

  

Director

/s/    Stephen A. Cozen        

Stephen A. Cozen

  

Director

/s/    Chad A. Leat        

Chad A. Leat

  

Director

/s/    John H. Howes        

John H. Howes

  

Director

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE I—SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS—OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS

IN RELATED PARTIES

(In thousands)

 

     As of December 31, 2014  
     Cost *      Value      Amount
Included in
the Balance
Sheet
 

Type of Investment:

        

Fixed maturities:

        

United States government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 78,569       $ 80,767       $ 80,767   

States, municipalities, and political subdivisions

     188,452         191,473         191,473   

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities

     517,651         520,180         520,180   

Public utilities

     19,060         19,447         19,447   

All other corporate bonds

     469,216         471,608         471,608   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,272,948         1,283,475         1,283,475   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities:

        

Common stocks:

        

Public utilities

     3,520         4,906         4,906   

Industrial and miscellaneous

     95,777         117,142         117,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity securities

     99,297         122,048         122,048   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other long-term investments

     30,009         30,262         30,262   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 1,402,254       $ 1,435,785       $ 1,435,785   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Original cost of equity securities; original cost of fixed maturities adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. All amounts are shown net of impairment losses.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

(Parent Only)

Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013  
ASSETS     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 46      $ 1,746   

Equity in unconsolidated subsidiaries (1)

     1,017,710        982,396   

Other assets

     705        683   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,018,461      $ 984,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Liabilities:

    

Intercompany notes payable (1)

   $ 108,000      $ 108,000   

Due to affiliates (1)

     938        2,382   

Other liabilities

     1,178        1,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     110,116        111,490   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 900,000,000 ordinary shares authorized; A ordinary shares issued: 16,331,577 and 16,200,406, respectively; A ordinary shares outstanding: 13,266,762 and 13,141,035 respectively; B ordinary shares issued and outstanding: 12,061,370 and 12,061,370, respectively

     3        3   

Deferred shares, €1 par value, 40,000 ordinary shares authorized, issued and outstanding (1)

     55        55   

Preferred shares, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

     —          —     

Additional paid-in capital

     519,590        516,653   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     23,384        54,028   

Retained earnings

     466,717        403,861   

A ordinary shares in treasury, at cost: 3,064,815 and 3,059,371 shares, respectively

     (101,404     (101,265
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     908,345        873,335   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,018,461      $ 984,825   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) This item has been eliminated in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant—(continued)

(Parent Only)

Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Revenues:

      

Total revenues

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Expenses:

      

Intercompany interest expense (1)

     1,296        1,296        918   

Other expenses

     4,484        3,848        4,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries

     (5,780     (5,144     (5,087

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (1)

     68,636        66,834        39,844   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     62,856        61,690        34,757   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

      

Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries (1)

     (30,644     678        13,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     (30,644     678        13,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax

   $ 32,212      $ 62,368      $ 47,933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) This item has been eliminated in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE II—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant—(continued)

(Parent Only)

Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

   $ (1,598   $ 57      $ 6,011   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Purchases of A ordinary shares

     (139     (55     (82,959

Tax benefit on share-based compensation expense

     37        —          —     

Issuance of intercompany note payable (1)

     —          —          68,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

     (102     (55     (14,059
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and equivalents

     (1,700     2        (8,048

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,746        1,744        9,792   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 46      $ 1,746      $ 1,744   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) This item has been eliminated in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Supplemental Non-Cash Disclosure:

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company received a non-cash dividend of $2.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, from one of its subsidiaries which was used to repay intercompany balances due.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE III—SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Segment

   Deferred Policy
Acquisition Costs
     Future
Policy Benefits,
Losses, Claims And
Loss Expenses
     Unearned
Premiums
     Other Policy and
Benefits Payable
 

At December 31, 2014:

           

Insurance Operations

   $ 21,249       $ 579,621       $ 102,118       $ —     

Reinsurance Operations

     3,989         95,851         18,697         —     

At December 31, 2013:

           

Insurance Operations

   $ 19,036       $ 678,381       $ 100,791       $ —     

Reinsurance Operations

     3,141         101,085         15,838         —     

At December 31, 2012:

           

Insurance Operations

   $ 16,235       $ 764,737       $ 84,130       $ —     

Reinsurance Operations

     2,030         114,377         9,984         —     

 

Segment

   Premium
Revenue
     Benefits, Claims,
Losses And
Settlement
Expenses
     Amortization of
Deferred Policy
Acquisition Costs
     Net
Written
Premium
 

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

           

Insurance Operations

   $ 211,165       $ 117,586       $ 45,015       $ 212,965   

Reinsurance Operations

     57,354         19,975         12,036         60,216   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 268,519       $ 137,561       $ 57,051       $ 273,181   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013:

           

Insurance Operations

   $ 196,302       $ 116,837       $ 44,115       $ 213,705   

Reinsurance Operations

     52,420         16,154         9,672         58,279   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 248,722       $ 132,991       $ 53,787       $ 271,984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2012:

           

Insurance Operations

   $ 179,153       $ 118,515       $ 38,177       $ 177,832   

Reinsurance Operations

     59,709         35,113         10,675         41,715   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 238,862       $ 153,628       $ 48,852       $ 219,547   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Unallocated Corporate Items

   Net
Investment
Income
     Corporate
and Other
Operating

Expenses
 

For the year ended December 31, 2014

   $ 28,821       $ 14,559   

For the year ended December 31, 2013

   $ 37,209       $ 11,614   

For the year ended December 31, 2012

   $ 47,557       $ 9,691   

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE IV—REINSURANCE

EARNED PREMIUMS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    Direct
Amount
    Ceded to Other
Companies
    Assumed from
Other Companies
    Net Amount     Percentage
of Amount
Assumed to Net
 

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

         

Property & Liability Insurance

  $ 228,652      $ 18,547      $ 58,414      $ 268,519        21.8

For the year ended December 31, 2013:

         

Property & Liability Insurance

  $ 215,713      $ 19,485      $ 52,494      $ 248,722        21.1

For the year ended December 31, 2012:

         

Property & Liability Insurance

  $ 203,587      $ 25,118      $ 60,393      $ 238,862        25.3

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE V—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Description

  Balance at
Beginning of

Period
    Charged
(Credited) to  Costs
and Expenses
    Charged (Credited)
to Other Accounts
    Other
Deductions
    Balance at End
of Period
 

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

         

Investment asset valuation reserves:

         

Mortgage loans

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Real estate

    —          —          —          —          —     

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

         

Premiums, accounts and notes receivable

  $ 1,782      $ (264   $ —        $ —        $ 1,518   

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

    —          —          —          —          —     

Reinsurance receivables

    9,010        340        —          —          9,350   

For the year ended December 31, 2013:

         

Investment asset valuation reserves:

         

Mortgage loans

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Real estate

    —          —          —          —          —     

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

         

Premiums, accounts and notes receivable

  $ 1,338      $ 444      $ —        $ —        $ 1,782   

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

    —          —          —          —          —     

Reinsurance receivables

    9,010        —          —          —          9,010   

For the year ended December 31, 2012:

         

Investment asset valuation reserves:

         

Mortgage loans

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Real estate

    —          —          —          —          —     

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

         

Premiums, accounts and notes receivable

  $ 1,476      $ (138   $ —        $ —        $ 1,338   

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

    —          —          —          —          —     

Reinsurance receivables

    10,022        (1,012     —          —          9,010   

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

SCHEDULE VI—SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION FOR PROPERTY CASUALTY UNDERWRITERS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
     Reserves for
Unpaid Claims
and Claim
Adjustment
Expenses
     Discount If
Any Deducted
     Unearned
Premiums
 

Consolidated Property & Casualty Entities:

           

As of December 31, 2014

   $ 25,238       $ 675,472       $ 4,000       $ 120,815   

As of December 31, 2013

     22,177         779,466         6,000         116,629   

As of December 31, 2012

     18,265         879,114         8,000         94,114   

 

    Earned
Premiums
    Net
Investment
Income
    Claims and Claim Adjustment
Expense Incurred Related To
    Amortization Of
Deferred Policy
Acquisition Costs
    Paid Claims
and Claim
Adjustment
Expenses
    Premiums
Written
 
      Current Year     Prior Year        

Consolidated Property & Casualty Entities:

             

For the year ended December 31, 2014

  $ 268,519      $ 28,821      $ 153,994      $ (16,433   $ 57,051      $ 172,265      $ 273,181   

For the year ended December 31, 2013

    248,722        37,209        140,873        (7,882     53,787        184,564        271,984   

For the year ended December 31, 2012

    238,862        47,557        149,183        4,445        48,852        202,786        219,547   

Note: All of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are 100% owned and consolidated.

 

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