Business Combinations

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Business Combinations

3. Business Combinations

We account for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting pursuant to ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”  The cost of an acquired entity is allocated to the assets acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values.  The excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is an asset referred to as “Goodwill”. Indirect and general expenses related to business combinations are expensed as incurred.  Prior to 2009 indirect and general expenses were capitalized.

Effective August 29, 2008, we acquired 80% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the subsidiaries now comprising our Excess & Umbrella business unit for consideration of $15.0 million.  In connection with the acquisition, we executed an operating agreement for each subsidiary.  The operating agreements grant us the right to purchase the remaining 20% membership interests in the subsidiaries and grant to an affiliate of the seller the right to require us to purchase such remaining membership interests (the “Put/Call Option”).  The Put/Call Option becomes exercisable by either us or the affiliate of the seller upon the earlier of August 29, 2012, the termination of the employment of the seller by the Excess & Umbrella business unit or a change of control of Hallmark. If the Put/Call Option is exercised, we will have the right or obligation to purchase the remaining 20% membership interests in the Excess & Umbrella business unit  for an amount equal to nine times the average Pre-Tax Income (as defined in the operating agreements) for the previous 12 fiscal quarters.  We estimate the ultimate redemption value of the Put/Call Option to be $1.4 million at June 30, 2011.

Effective June 5, 2009, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of CYR Insurance Management Company (“CYR”).  CYR has as its primary asset a management agreement with Hallmark County Mutual Insurance Company (“HCM”), which provides for CYR to have management and control of HCM.  We acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of CYR for consideration of a base purchase price of $4.0 million paid at closing plus an override commission in an amount equal to 1% of the net premiums and net policy fees of HCM for the years 2010 and 2011 subject to a maximum of $1.25 million.  The override commission is paid monthly as the subject premiums and policy fees are written.  The fair value of the management agreement acquired is $3.2 million and is being amortized over four years.  HCM is used to front certain lines of business in our Specialty Commercial and Personal Segments in Texas where we previously produced policies for third party county mutual insurance companies and reinsured 100% for a fronting fee.

Effective December 31, 2010, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of HNIC for initial consideration of $14.0 million paid in cash on January 3, 2011 to State Auto Financial Corporation, Inc.  (“SAFCI”).  In addition, an earnout of up to $2.0 million is payable to SAFCI quarterly in an amount equal to 2% of gross collected premiums on new or renewal personal lines insurance policies written by HNIC agents during the three years following closing.  HNIC is an Ohio domiciled insurance company that writes non-standard personal automobile policies through independent agents in 21 states.