Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the disclosures required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 was derived from the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates 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 disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Recent Account Standards Adopted and Updates to Significant Accounting Policies	Recent Accounting Standards Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires organizations to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including receivables and fixed maturity securities, by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The expected loss approach required entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective approach, by which a cumulative-effect adjustment was made to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company elected the fair value option in accounting for mortgage loans effective January 1, 2023 as targeted transition relief. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 resulted in a $2.3 million increase in accumulated deficit, net of tax. Updates to Significant Accounting Policies The following accounting policies have been updated to reflect the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments as described above.
Investments	Investments Available-for-sale Investments in fixed maturities that are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. For available-for-sale fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first determines whether there is an intent to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery of its cost basis. If either of these criteria were met, the amortized cost of the security is written down to fair value with the losses recognized in net investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. If neither of the these criteria were met, the Company determines whether unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors. If the unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors, an allowance for credit losses is determined using a present value of cash flows compared to the amortized cost of the security. The allowance for credit losses is limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. Credit losses that are limited by the fair value of the security are recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized losses that are not credit-related continue to be recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Held-to-maturity Investments in fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate from Moody’s table of estimated multi-year cumulative loss rates for asset backed securities. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. Mortgage loans The Company elected the fair value option in accounting for mortgage loans effective January 1, 2023 as targeted transition relief. Under the fair value option, mortgage loans are measured at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses on mortgage loans are reported in net investment gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest income and amortization continue to be recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.
Reinsurance	Reinsurance Reinsurance Recoverables Reinsurance recoverables are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using the A.M. Best impairment rate and rating transition study which provides historical loss data of similarly rated reinsurance companies based on the expected duration of the receivables. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts and consideration of current economic conditions. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
Premiums	Premiums Premium receivables are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using historical write-offs and aging of receivables. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and our ability to cancel coverage on a policy after premium is considered past due. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
Fair Value	The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value disclosures for financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and in these notes: U.S. government securities, mutual funds and common stock The Company uses unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in an active exchange to measure fair value which represent Level 1 inputs. Preferred stocks, municipal securities, corporate securities and miscellaneous The Company uses a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs such as trades in an illiquid market for a particular security or trades in active markets for securities with similar characteristics. The model considers other inputs such as benchmark yields, issuer spreads, security terms and conditions, and other market data. These represent Level 2 fair value inputs. Commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities The Company uses a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, and yield curves. It may evaluate individual tranches in a security by determining cash flows using the security’s terms and conditions, collateral performance, credit information benchmark yields and estimated prepayments. These represent Level 2 fair value inputs. Mortgage loans Mortgage loans have variable interest rates and are collateralized by real property. The Company determines fair value of mortgage loans using the income approach utilizing inputs that are observable and unobservable (Level 3). The unobservable input consists of the spread applied to a prime rate used to discount cash flows. The spread represents the incremental cost of capital based on the borrower’s ability to make future payments and the value of the collateral relative to the loan balance and is subject to judgement and uncertainty. The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value disclosures of other financial instruments: Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity: Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity consists of senior and junior notes with target rates of return. As of March 31, 2023, the Company determined the fair value of these instruments using the income approach utilizing inputs that are unobservable (Level 3). Notes payable: The carrying value approximates the estimated fair value for notes payable as the notes payable accrue interest at current market rates plus a spread. The Company determines fair value using the income approach utilizing inputs that are available (Level 2). Subordinated debt: Subordinated debt consists of two debt instruments, the Junior Subordinated Interest Debentures, due September 15, 2036, and Unsecured Subordinated Notes, due May 24, 2039. The carrying value of the Junior Subordinated Interest Debentures approximates the estimated fair value as the instrument accrues interest at current market rates plus a spread. Unsecured Subordinated Notes have a fixed interest rate. The Company determines the fair value of these instruments using the income approach utilizing inputs that are observable (Level 2).

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the disclosures required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 was derived from the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates 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 disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Recent Account Standards Adopted and Updates to Significant Accounting Policies

Recent Accounting Standards Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 requires organizations to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including receivables and fixed maturity securities, by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The expected loss approach required entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023 using the modified retrospective approach, by which a cumulative-effect adjustment was made to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company elected the fair value option in accounting for mortgage loans effective January 1, 2023 as targeted transition relief. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 resulted in a $2.3 million increase in accumulated deficit, net of tax.

Updates to Significant Accounting Policies

The following accounting policies have been updated to reflect the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments as described above.

Investments

Available-for-sale

Investments in fixed maturities that are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. For available-for-sale fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first determines whether there is an intent to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery of its cost basis. If either of these criteria were met, the amortized cost of the security is written down to fair value with the losses recognized in net investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. If neither of the these criteria were met, the Company determines whether unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors. If the unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors, an allowance for credit losses is determined using a present value of cash flows compared to the amortized cost of the security. The allowance for credit losses is limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations. Credit losses that are limited by the fair value of the security are recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized losses that are not credit-related continue to be recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Held-to-maturity

Investments in fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate from Moody’s table of estimated multi-year cumulative loss rates for asset backed securities. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statements of operations.

Mortgage loans

The Company elected the fair value option in accounting for mortgage loans effective January 1, 2023 as targeted transition relief. Under the fair value option, mortgage loans are measured at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses on mortgage loans are reported in net investment gains (losses) on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest income and amortization continue to be recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance Recoverables

Reinsurance recoverables are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using the A.M. Best impairment rate and rating transition study which provides historical loss data of similarly rated reinsurance companies based on the expected duration of the receivables. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts and consideration of current economic conditions. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Premiums

Premium receivables are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using historical write-offs and aging of receivables. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and our ability to cancel coverage on a policy after premium is considered past due. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value disclosures for financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and in these notes:

U.S. government securities, mutual funds and common stock

The Company uses unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in an active exchange to measure fair value which represent Level 1 inputs.

Preferred stocks, municipal securities, corporate securities and miscellaneous

The Company uses a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs such as trades in an illiquid market for a particular security or trades in active markets for securities with similar characteristics. The model considers other inputs such as benchmark yields, issuer spreads, security terms and conditions, and other market data. These represent Level 2 fair value inputs.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities

The Company uses a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, and yield curves. It may evaluate individual tranches in a security by determining cash flows using the security’s terms and conditions, collateral performance, credit information benchmark yields and estimated prepayments. These represent Level 2 fair value inputs.

Mortgage loans

Mortgage loans have variable interest rates and are collateralized by real property. The Company determines fair value of mortgage loans using the income approach utilizing inputs that are observable and unobservable (Level 3). The unobservable input consists of the spread applied to a prime rate used to discount cash flows. The spread represents the incremental cost of capital based on the borrower’s ability to make future payments and the value of the collateral relative to the loan balance and is subject to judgement and uncertainty.

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value disclosures of other financial instruments:

Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity: Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity consists of senior and junior notes with target rates of return. As of March 31, 2023, the Company determined the fair value of these instruments using the income approach utilizing inputs that are unobservable (Level 3).

Notes payable: The carrying value approximates the estimated fair value for notes payable as the notes payable accrue interest at current market rates plus a spread. The Company determines fair value using the income approach utilizing inputs that are available (Level 2).

Subordinated debt: Subordinated debt consists of two debt instruments, the Junior Subordinated Interest Debentures, due September 15, 2036, and Unsecured Subordinated Notes, due May 24, 2039. The carrying value of the Junior Subordinated Interest Debentures approximates the estimated fair value as the instrument accrues interest at current market rates plus a spread. Unsecured Subordinated Notes have a fixed interest rate. The Company determines the fair value of these instruments using the income approach utilizing inputs that are observable (Level 2).