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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Recent Developments

COVID-19 (the “Pandemic”) caused significant disruption to public health, the global economy, financial markets, and commercial, social and community activity in general. As there has been a significant reduction in reported cases and correspondingly a reduction in government restrictions, we see reduced risk to our business. We continue to monitor potential risks the Pandemic may present including a potential resurgence. Our exposure to the Pandemic is manifold. The majority of our employees continue to work remotely however strict “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders have been lifted. A significant portion of our revenues are generated from the hospitality sector within the U.S. which remains under stress due to the threats of resurgence and resource shortages that resulted from the Pandemic.

We have continued to provide customer service, process new and renewal business, handle claims and otherwise manage all operations even though the vast majority of the staff is working remotely. To date, we have not seen a major disruption in our business as a result of the Pandemic and currently do not expect to see a material negative impact to our financial position or results of operations as a result of the Pandemic.

Basis of Presentation and Management Representation

The consolidated financial statements include accounts, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions, of Conifer Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Conifer”), its wholly owned subsidiaries, Conifer Insurance Company ("CIC"), White Pine Insurance Company ("WPIC"), Red Cedar Insurance Company ("RCIC"), and Sycamore Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Sycamore").  CIC, WPIC, and RCIC are collectively referred to as the "Insurance Company Subsidiaries." On a stand-alone basis, Conifer Holdings, Inc. is referred to as the "Parent Company."  Sycamore owns a 50% non-controlling interest in Venture Agency Holdings, Inc. (“Venture” or “Affiliate”).  

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which differ from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted for insurance companies by regulatory authorities.  The Company has applied the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting and therefore the consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of items of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated interim financial statements, have been included.

These consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the SEC.  

The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Business

 

The Company is engaged in the sale of property and casualty insurance products and has organized its principal operations into three types of insurance businesses: commercial lines, personal lines, and agency business. The Company underwrites a variety of specialty insurance products, including property, general liability, liquor liability, automobile, and homeowners and dwelling policies. The Company markets and sells its insurance products through a network of independent agents, including managing general agents, whereby policies are written in all 50 states in the United States of America (“U.S.”). The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Troy, Michigan with additional office facilities in Florida and Michigan.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  While management believes the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements reflect management's best estimates and assumptions, actual results may differ from these estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments

Cash consists of cash deposits in banks, generally in operating accounts.  Cash equivalents consist of money-market funds that are specifically used as overnight investments tied to cash deposit accounts.  Short-term investments, consisting of money market funds, are classified as investments in the consolidated balance sheets as they relate to the Company’s investment activities.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends the current methodology and timing for recognizing credit losses.  This amendment will replace the current GAAP "incurred loss" methodology for credit losses with a methodology based on expected credit losses.  The new guidance will also require expanded consideration of a broader range of reasonable and increased supportable information for the credit loss estimates.  This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022.  Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848).  This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions that are intended to ease the burden of updating contracts to contain a new reference rate due to the discontinuation of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR).  This guidance is available immediately and may be implemented in any period prior to the guidance expiration on December 31, 2022. Management does not expect the new guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.