Reinsurance

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Reinsurance

11. Reinsurance

We reinsure a portion of the risk we underwrite in order to control the exposure to losses and to protect capital resources. We cede to reinsurers a portion of these risks and pay premiums based upon the risk and exposure of the policies subject to such reinsurance. Ceded reinsurance involves credit risk and is generally subject to aggregate loss limits. Although the reinsurer is liable to us to the extent of the reinsurance ceded, we are ultimately liable as the direct insurer on all risks reinsured. Reinsurance recoverables are reported after allowances for uncollectible amounts. We monitor the financial condition of reinsurers on an ongoing basis and review our reinsurance arrangements periodically. Reinsurers are selected based on their financial condition, business practices and the price of their product offerings. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, most of our reinsurance recoverable balance as of September 30, 2023 was with reinsurers that had an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better. We also mitigate our credit risk for the remaining reinsurance recoverable by obtaining letters of credit.

The following table shows earned premiums ceded and reinsurance loss recoveries for continuing operations by period (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Ceded earned premiums	$	15,695	$	16,866	$	45,146	$	51,265
Reinsurance loss recoveries	$	24,560	$	21,092	$	48,803	$	75,395

Loss Portfolio Transfer

On July 16, 2020, AHIC, HIC, HSIC, HCM and HNIC (collectively, the “Hallmark Insurers”), entered into a Loss Portfolio Transfer Reinsurance Contract to be effective as of January 1, 2020 (the “LPT Contract”) with DARAG Bermuda Ltd. (“DARAG Bermuda”) and DARAG Insurance (Guernsey) Limited (“DARAG Guernsey” and, collectively, the “Reinsurers”).  The LPT Contract was consummated on July 31, 2020. The Company recorded a $21.7 million pre-tax loss during the third quarter of 2020 attributable to the closing of the LPT Contract.

The Reinsurers and the Hallmark Insurers submitted to binding arbitration a dispute that arose regarding the rights and obligations of the parties under the LPT Contract. An interim binding arbitration award was declared by the arbitration panel on May 4, 2023 and consequently the Company recognized in the year-to-date reporting period ended March 31, 2023 a write-off to bad debt expense of $32.9 million of the receivable established by the Company. The final definitive binding award was declared June 2, 2023 and consequently an additional write-off to bad debt expense was recognized bringing the total write-off to $36.8 million for the year-to-date reporting period ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, our consolidated balance sheet do not include any amount related to receivables from DARAG.