10-Q 1 amic10q.htm AMIC 10-Q -




 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549




FORM 10-Q


[ X]

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the quarterly period ended  September 30, 2009

OR

[    ]

Transition Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from:________to________


Commission File Number:  001-05270


AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

11-1817252

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

485 Madison Avenue, New York, NY

10022

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (212) 355-4141


Not Applicable

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report


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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [   ] No [   ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of "accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):


Large accelerated filer [   ]               Accelerated filer [   ]

       Non-accelerated filer [   ]             Smaller reporting company [X]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [   ] No [X]


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Class

Outstanding at November 9, 2009

Common stock, $0.01 par value

8,506,489 shares



1




 

American Independence Corp. and Subsidiaries

Index

 

 

Page

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

 Financial Statements

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 (unaudited) and December 31,  2008

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (unaudited)

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008  (unaudited)

 

 

               Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

Item 2.

 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

24

 

 

Item 3.

 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

33

 

 

Item 4T.  Controls and Procedures

33

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

 Legal Proceedings

34

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

34

 

 

Item 2.

 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

34

 

 

Item 3.

 Defaults Upon Senior Securities

34

 

 

Item 4.

 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

34

 

 

Item 5.

 Other Information

34

 

 

Item 6.

 Exhibits

34

 

 

Signatures

35

 

 



Copies of the Company’s SEC filings can be found on its website at www.americanindependencecorp.com.



2



Forward-Looking Statements


This report on Form 10−Q contains certain “forward−looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws. We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. Our forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as the growth of our business and operations, our business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, plans, future capital expenditures and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “probably” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.


Numerous risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed by our forward−looking statements, any of which could negatively and materially affect our future financial results and performance.  We describe some of these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of AMIC’s annual report on Form 10-K as filed with Securities and Exchange Commission.


Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward−looking statements are reasonable, any of these assumptions, and, therefore, also the forward−looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward−looking statements that are included in this report, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. Our forward−looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we will not update these forward−looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, any forward−looking event discussed in this report may not occur.



3



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements


American Independence Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

December 31,

ASSETS:

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

2008

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

$

 

$

3,917 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value

 

52,812 

 

 

45,884 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value

 

3,239 

 

 

3,046 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

56,051 

 

 

52,847 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

4,430 

 

 

4,401 

 

Restricted cash ($3,532 and $5,194, respectively, restricted by related parties)

 

5,317 

 

 

6,980 

 

Accrued investment income

 

683 

 

 

509 

 

Premiums receivable ($4,707 and $5,684, respectively, due from related parties)

 

10,202 

 

 

9,571 

 

Net deferred tax asset

 

11,536 

 

 

12,584 

 

Due from reinsurers ($7,355 and $7,115, respectively, due from related parties)

 

11,453 

 

 

9,386 

 

Goodwill

 

23,561 

 

 

23,561 

 

Intangible assets

 

2,669 

 

 

3,256 

 

Accrued fee income ($447 and $480, respectively, due from related parties)

 

661 

 

 

955 

 

Due from securities brokers

 

485 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

7,405 

 

 

6,575 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

134,453 

 

$

130,625 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance reserves ($18,557 and $21,564, respectively, due to related parties)

$

30,040 

 

$

32,760 

 

Premium and claim funds payable ($3,532 and $5,194, respectively,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

due to related parties)

 

5,317 

 

 

6,980 

 

Derivative liability

 

 

 

205 

 

Commission payable ($2,734 and $2,894, respectively, due to related parties)

 

4,320 

 

 

3,592 

 

Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities ($370 and $281, respectively,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

due to related parties)

 

3,403 

 

 

2,763 

 

State income taxes payable

 

663 

 

 

573 

 

Due to securities brokers

 

17 

 

 

 

Due to reinsurers ($227 and $25 respectively, due to related parties)

 

1,674 

 

 

25 

 

Net liabilities associated with discontinued operations

 

175 

 

 

366 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

45,609 

 

 

47,264 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Independence Corp. shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 1,000 shares designated; no shares issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    and outstanding

 

 - 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized; 9,181,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    shares issued, respectively; 8,506,489 and 8,503,989 shares outstanding, respectively

 

92 

 

 

92 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

479,845 

 

 

479,783 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(790)

 

 

(4,057)

 

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 675,304 shares and 677,804 shares, respectively

 

(8,082)

 

 

(8,112)

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(382,596)

 

 

(384,774)

 

 

Total American Independence Corp. shareholders’ equity

 

88,469 

 

 

82,932 

 

Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

 

375 

 

 

429 

 

 

Total equity

 

88,844 

 

 

83,361 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

134,453 

 

$

130,625 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



4



American Independence Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


 

 

Three Months

 

Nine Months

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned ($10,994 , $13,209, $34,728 and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$44,005, respectively, from related parties)

$

20,987 

$

23,881 

$

65,063 

$

73,846 

 

MGU and agency income ($907, $1,290, $4,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and $5,052, respectively, from related parties)

 

3,968 

 

4,092 

 

11,406 

 

10,575 

 

Net investment income

 

783 

 

843 

 

2,261 

 

2,576 

 

Net realized investment gains (loss)

 

(27)

 

27 

 

234 

 

114 

 

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses (no current period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

impairment losses were recognized in other comprehensive income)

 

 

(297)

 

 

(669)

 

Other income

 

24 

 

1,302 

 

207 

 

972 

 

 

25,735 

 

29,848 

 

79,171 

 

87,414 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance benefits, claims and reserves ($8,461, $9,445,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$23,115 and $30,561, respectively, from related parties)

 

15,414 

 

18,786 

 

44,801 

 

53,256 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses ($3,547, $4,116,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$11,360 and $13,866, respectively, from related parties)

 

9,569 

 

9,742 

 

30,039 

 

29,835 

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

210 

 

224 

 

629 

 

585 

 

 

25,193 

 

28,752 

 

75,469 

 

83,676 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income tax

 

542 

 

1,096 

 

3,702 

 

3,738 

Provision for income taxes

 

141 

 

331 

 

1,168 

 

1,231 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

401 

 

765 

 

2,534 

 

2,507 

 

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

(176)

 

(169)

 

(443)

 

(321)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp.

$

225 

$

596 

$

2,091 

$

2,186 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp. common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shareholders

$

.03 

$

.07 

$

.25 

$

.26 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

8,506 

 

8,504 

 

8,505 

 

8,504 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp. common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shareholders

$

.03 

$

.07 

$

.25 

$

.26 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding

 

8,506 

 

8,504 

 

8,505 

 

8,504 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



5



American Independence Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes In Equity

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL

 

OTHER

 

TREASURY

 

 

 

TOTAL AMIC

 

CONTROLLING

 

 

 

 

COMMON

 

PAID-IN

 

COMPREHENSIVE

 

STOCK,

 

ACCUMULATED

 

SHAREHOLDERS’

 

INTERESTS IN

 

TOTAL

 

 

STOCK

 

CAPITAL

 

INCOME (LOSS)

 

AT COST

 

DEFICIT

 

EQUITY

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2008

$

92 

$

479,783 

$

(4,057)

$

(8,112)

$

(384,774)

$

82,932 

$

429 

$

83,361 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,091 

 

2,091 

 

443 

 

2,534 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

 

3,366 

 

 

 

 

 

3,366 

 

 

3,366 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,457 

 

443 

5,900 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to April 1, 2009  balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for adoption of  FASB ASC 320,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(99)

 

 

 

99 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(497)

 

(497)

Other stock issuances

 

 

 

(18)

 

 

 

30 

 

(12)

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

80 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80 

 

 

80 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

$

92 

$

479,845 

$

(790)

$

(8,082)

$

(382,596)

$

88,469 

$

375 

$

88,844 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



6




American Independence Corp. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

2,534 

2,507 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in

 

 

 

 

 

 

cash from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

(234)

 

 (114)

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

 669 

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

629 

 

 585 

 

Equity loss

 

23 

 

32 

 

Deferred tax expense

 

1,136 

     

1,180 

 

Non-cash stock compensation expense

 

80 


104 

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales of trading securities

 


143 

 

Change in insurance reserves

 

(2,720)


789 

 

Change in net amounts due from and to reinsurers

 

(418)

 

(1,502)

 

Change in accrued fee income

 

294 

 

25 

 

Change in premiums receivable

 

(631)

 

292 

 

Change in income taxes

 

 

(39)

 

Change in other assets and other liabilities

 

(236)

 

(3,972)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

 

461 

 

699 

Net cash used by operating activities of discontinued operations

 

(191)

 

(109)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

270 

 

590 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales of short-term investments

 

 

2,368 

 

Change in net amount due from and to securities brokers

 

(468)

 

 

Net sales of securities under resale and repurchase agreements

 

3,917 

 

3,494 

 

Sales of and principal repayments on fixed maturities

 

19,030 

 

11,718 

 

Maturities and other repayments of fixed maturities

 

11,269 

 

4,503 

 

Purchases of fixed maturities

 

(34,339)

 

(19,975)

 

Sales of equity securities

 

350 

 

622 

 

Purchases of equity securities

 

 

(962)

 

Acquisition of Marlton 20% interest

 

 

(3,700)

 

Acquisition of IPA, LLC, net of cash acquired

 

 

(1,557)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(241)

 

(3,489)

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

29 

 

(2,899)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

4,401 

 

6,284 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

4,430 

3,385 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

28 

82 


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



7


American Independence Corp. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


1.

Significant Accounting Policies and Practices


(A)

Business and Organization


American Independence Corp. is a Delaware corporation (NASDAQ: AMIC).  We are a holding company principally engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business through: a) our wholly owned insurance company, Independence American Insurance Company ("Independence American"); b) our managing general underwriter subsidiaries: IndependenceCare Holdings L.L.C. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "IndependenceCare"), Risk Assessment Strategies, Inc. ("RAS"), and Marlton Risk Group LLC ("Marlton"); c) our 23% investment in Majestic Underwriters LLC ("Majestic"); d) our 51% ownership in HealthInsurance.org, LLC (“HIO”), an insurance and marketing agency; e) our 51% ownership in Independent Producers of America, LLC (“IPA”), a national career agent marketing organization; and f) our wholly owned claims administration company, Excess Claims Administrators, Inc. (“ECA”).  IndependenceCare, RAS and Marlton are collectively referred to as "our MGUs".  HIO, ECA and IPA are collectively referred to as “our Agencies”.


As used in this report, unless otherwise required by the context, AMIC and its subsidiaries are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Company" or "AMIC", or are implicit in the terms "we", "us" and "our".


Since November 2002, AMIC has been affiliated with Independence Holding Company ("IHC"), an insurance holding company, which held 49.7% of AMIC’s outstanding common stock at September 30, 2009.  The senior management of IHC provides direction to the Company through a service agreement between the Company and IHC.  IHC has also entered into reinsurance treaties through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York (“Standard Security Life”) and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. (“Madison National Life”), whereby the Company assumes reinsurance premiums from the following lines of business: medical stop-loss, New York State statutory disability benefit law (“DBL”), short-term medical (“STM”) and group major medical.  


(B)

Principles of Consolidation and Preparation of Financial Statements


The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMIC and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect:  (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. AMIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.  


As discussed in AMIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company disclosed that it would change the annual testing date for goodwill impairment from September 30 to December 31.  Management believes that testing goodwill impairment at December 31 is preferable as it coincides with the Company’s annual budgeting process and aligns impairment testing procedures with its year-end financial reporting process.


In the opinion of management, all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods have been included. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be anticipated for the entire year.


(C)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements


Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - a Replacement of FASB Statement No. 162", ("SFAS 168"). SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("FASB ASC"), which was officially released on July 1, 2009, to become the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities.  Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission



8


("SEC") under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants.  The subsequent issuances of new standards will be in the form of Accounting Standards Updates that will be included in the FASB ASC.  The FASB ASC is not expected to change U.S. GAAP as it does not include any guidance or interpretations of U.S. GAAP beyond what is already reflected in the existing FASB literature.  All other accounting literature excluded from the FASB ASC will be considered nonauthoritative. The adoption of SFAS 168, effective July 1, 2009, did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.  Technical references to U.S. GAAP included in these Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are provided under the new FASB ASC structure.


In August 2009, Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-05, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value", was issued. This update provides amendments to FASB ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" and applies to all entities that measure liabilities at fair value within the scope of FASB ASC 820. This guidance clarifies: a) the techniques to be used to measure fair value when a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available; b) a separate input or adjustment to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of a liability is not required when estimating fair value; and c) both a quoted market price in an active market for the identical liability at the measurement date, and the quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market when no adjustments to the quoted price of the asset are required, are level 1 fair value measurements. The adoption of the guidance in this update, effective October 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 855, "Subsequent Events", formerly SFAS 165, was issued in May 2009. FASB ASC 855 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. FASB ASC 855 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements; the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements; and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date.  FASB ASC 855 requires entities to disclose the date through which they have evaluated subsequent events and whether the date corresponds with the release of their financial statements.  The adoption of the FASB ASC 855, effective April 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures", incorporates former FSP FAS 157-4, "Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly", issued in April 2009. These provisions of FASB ASC 820 provide additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, and guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. FASB ASC 820 emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same.  Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions.  These provisions of FASB ASC 820 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. For comparative purposes, these provisions do not require disclosures for earlier periods presented at initial adoption. For periods after initial adoption, comparative disclosures are required only for those periods ending after initial adoption. The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 820 did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 320, "Investments - Debt and Equity Securities", incorporates former FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, "Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments", issued in April 2009. These provisions of FASB ASC 320 apply to debt securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity that are subject to other-than-temporary impairment guidance. These provisions modified the existing requirement whereby an investor must assert that it has both the intent and ability to hold a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in its fair value to its amortized cost basis in order to avoid recognizing an other-than-temporary impairment. Instead, an entity must assess whether (a) it has the intent to sell the debt security, or (b) it more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, the entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment. In assessing whether the entire amortized cost basis of the security will be recovered, an entity shall compare the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security and, if the expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists, and an other-than-temporary impairment shall be considered to have occurred. The guidance provides numerous factors to be considered when estimating whether a credit loss exists and the period over which the debt security is expected to recover. If an entity intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entire difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date shall be recognized in earnings. If an entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary impairment shall be separated into (a) the amount representing the credit loss, and (b) the amount related to all other factors. The amount related to the credit loss shall be recognized in earnings and the amount related to all other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. The new amortized cost basis of the investment shall be the previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary



9



impairment recognized in earnings. These provisions of FASB ASC 320 also expand and increase the frequency of existing disclosures about other-than-temporary impairments for both debt and equity securities and requires new disclosures pertaining to the significant inputs used in determining a credit loss, as well as a rollforward of that amount each period. These provisions within FASB ASC 320 were effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and were to be applied to existing and new investments held by an entity as of the beginning of the interim period in which it is adopted. For debt securities held at the beginning of the interim period for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized, if an entity did not intend to sell and it was not more likely than not that the entity would be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the entity recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying this FSP as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amortized cost basis of the security was to be adjusted by the cumulative-effect adjustment before taxes. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had previously recognized $436,000 and $199,000 of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale fixed maturities and certain preferred stocks evaluated as debt securities, respectively, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company has determined that (a) the portion of the previously recorded losses on debt securities and preferred stocks evaluated as debt securities representing a credit loss is $535,000, and (b) the amount of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings and corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income representing the amount of previously recorded losses on debt securities and preferred stocks evaluated as debt securities related to all other factors is $99,000.


FASB ASC 825, "Financial Instruments", incorporates former FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, "Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments", issued in April 2009. These provisions of FASB ASC 825 require public companies to include disclosures about the fair value of its financial instruments whenever it issues summarized financial information for interim reporting periods. Such disclosures should include the fair value of all financial instruments for which it is practicable, together with the related carrying values, and disclosure of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value and changes in the methods and significant assumptions, if any, during the period. These provisions of this standard are effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. Disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented at initial adoption. In periods after initial adoption, comparative disclosures are required only for periods ending after initial adoption. The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 825 did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 805, "Business Combinations", incorporates former FSP FAS 141(R)-1, "Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies" issued in April 2009. This guidance amends and clarifies the provisions of FASB ASC 805 to address application issues on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosures of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The provisions of this standard are effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 805, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 323, "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures", incorporates former EITF Issue No. 08-6, "Equity Method Investment Accounting”, issued in November 2008. These provisions of FASB ASC 323 require that the cost basis of an equity method investment be determined by using a cost-accumulation model, which would continue the practice of including transaction costs in the cost of the investment and would exclude the value of contingent consideration.  Equity method investments are subject to other-than-temporary impairment analysis. However, an equity investor shall not separately test an investee’s underlying assets for impairment.  These provisions of this standard also require an equity investor to account for a share issuance by an investee as if the investor had sold a proportionate share if its investment.  Any gain or loss to the investor resulting from an investee’s share issuance shall be recognized in earnings.  The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 323, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 260, "Earnings Per Share", incorporates former FSP EITF No. 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities”, issued in June 2008. These provisions of  FASB ASC 260 address whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation in calculating earnings per share under the two-class method. These provisions of this standard require companies to treat unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividend or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share.  The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 260, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


 FASB ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other", and FASB ASC 275, "Risks and Uncertainties", incorporate former FSP FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” issued in April 2008.  These provisions of FASB ASC 350 and FASB ASC 275 amend the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. These provisions shall be applied prospectively to intangible assets that are acquired, individually or with a group of other assets, after the effective date in either a business combination or asset acquisition.  The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 350 and FASB ASC 275, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.



10




FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging", incorporate former SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”, issued in September 2008.  These provisions of FASB ASC 815 expanded the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB ASC 815 (former SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations), and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. In addition, these provisions of FASB ASC 815 require disclosure of fair values of derivative instruments, and their gains and losses, in a tabular format as well as cross-referencing within the footnotes to allow users of financial statements to locate important information about derivative instruments.  The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 815, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 860, "Transfers and Servicing", incorporates former FSP SFAS No. 140-3, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions”, issued in February 2008. The objective of these provisions of FASB ASC 860 is to provide guidance on accounting for a transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase financing.  FASB ASC 860 presumes that an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase financing are considered part of the same arrangement (linked transaction). However, if certain criteria are met, the initial transfer and repurchase financing shall not be evaluated as a linked transaction and shall be evaluated separately. The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 860, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 805, "Business Combinations", incorporates former SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”) and SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”, an amendment of former ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”), issued in November 2009. These standards aim to improve, simplify, and converge internationally the accounting for business combinations and the reporting of non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements. The provisions of former SFAS 141(R) changed how business acquisitions are accounted for and will impact financial statements both on the acquisition date and in subsequent periods. These provisions will be applied prospectively. The provisions of former SFAS 160 changed the accounting and reporting for minority interests, which have been re-characterized as non-controlling interests and classified as a component of equity.  Management has applied the presentation and disclosure requirements retroactively for existing minority interests in accordance with these provisions. All other requirements will be applied prospectively. The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 805, effective January 1, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted


In October 2009, Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-12, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share (or its Equivalent)", was issued. This update applies to all reporting entities that hold an investment that is required or permitted to be measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis and, as of the reporting entity's measurement date, if the investment meets both of the following criteria: i) the investment does not have a readily determinable fair value and, ii) if it has all the attributes specified within the scope of FASB ASC 946, "Financial Services - Investment Companies" ("Topic 946"). The provisions of this update permit, as a practical expedient, a reporting entity to measure the fair value of an investment within the scope of this update on the basis of net asset value per share of the investment (or its equivalent) if it is calculated in a manner consistent with the principles of Topic 946, and contain disclosure requirements related to the attributes of such investments by major category of investment. The guidance in this update is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 31, 2009 with earlier application permitted. If an entity elects to early adopt the measurement amendments in this update, the entity is permitted to defer the adoption of the disclosure provisions until periods ending after December 15, 2009. The adoption of guidance in this update is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


FASB ASC 810, "Consolidations", incorporates former SFAS No. 167, "Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)", issued in June 2009 which, among other things, amends former FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities -- An Interpretation of ARB No. 51" ("FIN 46(R)") to (i) require an entity to perform an analysis to determine whether an entity's variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; (ii) require ongoing reassessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and eliminate the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; (iii) amend certain guidance in FIN 46(R) for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity; and (iv) require enhanced disclosure that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an entity's involvement in a variable interest entity. These provisions of FASB ASC 810 shall be effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter with earlier application prohibited. The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 810 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.




11



FASB ASC 860, "Transfers and Servicing", incorporates former SFAS No. 166, "Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets - an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140", issued in June 2009. These provisions of FASB ASC 860 remove the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity from FASB ASC 860 and remove the exception from applying FASB ASC 810, "Consolidations", to qualifying special-purpose entities.  These provisions change the requirements for derecognizing financial assets modifying the financial-components approach and limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire original financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset.  The guidance removes the special provisions for guaranteed mortgage securitizations, and as a result, requires those securitizations to be treated the same as any other transfer of financial assets within the scope of FASB ASC 860.  Additional disclosures are required to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about transfers of financial assets and a transferor's continuing involvement with transferred financial assets.  These provisions of FASB ASC 860 are effective for the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period, and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter with earlier application prohibited.  The recognition and measurement provisions shall be applied to transfers that occur on or after the effective date.  The adoption of these provisions of FASB ASC 860 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


(D)

Reclassifications


Certain amounts in prior years' Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 presentation, primarily relating to the adoption of SFAS 160 and relating to the EDH Derivative (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).


(E)

Subsequent Events


Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  The Company has evaluated all such events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date herein of September 30, 2009 and through the issuance date of November 9, 2009.  The effects of all subsequent events that provided additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including estimates, if any, have been recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of and for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009.  The Company did not recognize subsequent events that provided evidence about conditions that arose after the balance sheet date.


2.

Income Per Common Share


Income per common share calculations are based on the weighted-average of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the year.  Restricted stock and common stock options are considered to be common share equivalents and are used to calculate income per common share except when they are anti-dilutive.  For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, shares from the assumed dilution due to the exercise of common stock options and vesting of restricted stock using the treasury stock method were deemed anti-dilutive.


3.

MGU and Agency Income


The Company records MGU fee income as corresponding policy premiums are earned.  Our MGUs are compensated in two ways.  They earn fee income based on the volume of business produced for marketing, underwriting and administrative services that they provide for their carriers (“fee income–administration”), and earn profit-sharing commissions if such business exceeds certain profitability benchmarks (“fee income–profit commissions”). Profit-sharing commissions are accounted for beginning in the period in which the Company believes they are reasonably estimable, which is typically at the point that claims have developed to a level where claim development patterns can be applied to generate reasonably reliable estimates of ultimate claim levels. Profit-sharing commissions are a function of an MGU attaining certain profitability thresholds and could vary greatly from quarter to quarter.  Agency income consists of commissions, fees and lead revenue earned by our Agencies.  IPA was acquired in April 2008 and revenues are included in agency income.




12



MGU and Agency income consisted of the following:


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 (In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency income

 $

 2,344

 $

2,097

 $

 6,567

 $

3,770

MGU fee income–administration

 

 1,376

 

1,918

 

 4,247

 

 5,999

MGU fee income– profit commissions

 

 248

 

77

 

 592

 

 806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 $

 3,968

 $

4,092

 $

 11,406

 $

 10,575


4.

Investments


The cost (amortized cost with respect to certain fixed maturities), gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of long-term investment securities are as follows:


 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

 

 

 

GROSS

 

GROSS

 

 

 

 

AMORTIZED 

 

UNREALIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

FAIR

 

 

    COST 

 

GAINS

 

LOSSES

 

VALUE

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

FIXED MATURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

 

$

20,755 

 

$

320 

 

(382)

 

$

20,693 

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO) – residential

 

5,408 

 

 206 

 

(468)

 

5,146 

 

CMO - commercial

 

578 

 

 

(338)

 

240 

 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

10,445 

 

 77 

 

(244)

 

10,278 

 

U.S. Government

 

4,874 

 

 99 

 

 

4,973 

 

Government sponsored enterprise (GSE)

 

5,834 

 

 46 

 

(40)

 

5,840 

 

Agency mortgage backed pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

through securities (MBS) - residential

 

 

 5,611 

 

 

 36 

 

 

(5)

 

 

5,642 

 

 Total fixed maturities

 

$

 53,505 

 

$

 784 

 

(1,477)

 

$

 52,812 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock with maturities

 

$

820 

 

$

 

$

(22)

 

$

800 

 

Preferred stock without maturities

 

 

2,516 

 

 

 

 

(78)

 

 

2,439 

 

Total equity securities

 

$

3,336 

 

$

 

$

(100)

 

$

 3,239 



 

 

DECEMBER 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

GROSS

 

GROSS

 

 

 

 

AMORTIZED 

 

UNREALIZED

 

UNREALIZED

 

FAIR

 

 

    COST 

 

GAINS

 

LOSSES

 

VALUE

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

FIXED MATURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

 

$

24,621 

 

$

128 

 

(2,964)

 

$

21,785 

 

CMO - residential

 

7,892 

 

 46 

 

(831)

 

7,107 

 

CMO - commercial

 

578 

 

 

(158)

 

420 

 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

2,513 

 

 21 

 

(147)

 

2,387 

 

U.S. Government

 

4,873 

 

 239 

 

 

5,112 

 

Government sponsored enterprise (GSE)

 

2,801 

 

 49 

 

 

2,850 

 

Agency mortgage backed pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

through securities (MBS) - residential

 

 

 6,143 

 

 

 80 

 

 

 

 

6,223 

 

 Total fixed maturities

 

$

 49,421 

 

$

 563 

 

(4,100)

 

$

 45,884 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock with maturities

 

$

721 

 

$

 

$

(44)

 

$

677 

 

Preferred stock without maturities

 

 

2,845 

 

 

 

 

(476)

 

 

2,369 

 

Total equity securities

 

$

3,566 

 

$

 

$

(520)

 

$

 3,046 



13






Preferred stock with maturities at September 30, 2009 include $99,000 of other-than-temporary impairment losses recorded in connection with the adoption FASB ASC 320 on April 1, 2009.

Government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities consist of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and Federal National Mortgage Association securities.


The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities at September 30, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  The average life of mortgage-backed securities is affected by prepayments on the underlying loans and, therefore, is materially shorter than the original stated maturity.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% OF

 

 

 

AMORTIZED

 

 

FAIR

 

TOTAL FAIR

 

 

 

COST

 

 

VALUE

 

VALUE

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

4,874

 

$

4,974

 

9.4%

Due after one year through five years

 

 

7,247

 

 

7,286

 

13.8%

Due after five years through ten years

 

 

11,545

 

 

11,743

 

22.2%

Due after ten years

 

 

12,409

 

 

11,942

 

22.6%

 

 

 

36,075

 

 

35,945

 

68.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMO and MBS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 year

 

 

6,331

 

 

5,725

 

10.8%

 

20 year

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

-%

 

30 year

 

 

11,099

 

 

11,142

 

21.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

53,505

 

$

52,812

 

100.0%


The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time, those securities that have continuously been in an unrealized loss position (in thousands):


 

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

 

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Losses

FIXED MATURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

1,090 

$

58 

$

5,988 

$

324 

$

7,078 

$

382 

CMO - residential

 

341 

 

 

1,916 

 

467 

 

2,257 

 

468 

CMO – commercial

 

 

 

240 

 

338 

 

240 

 

338 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

3,624 

 

179 

 

1,233 

 

65 

 

4,857 

 

244 

Mortgage-backed securities - residential

 

340 

 

 

 

 

340 

 

GSE

 

4,296 

 

40 

 

 

 

4,296 

 

40 

 

Total fixed maturities

$

9,691 

$

283 

$

9,377 

$

1,194 

$

19,068 

$

1,477 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY SECURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock with maturities

$

260 

$

13 

$

241 

$

$

501 

$

22 

Preferred stock without maturities

 

 

 

1,867 

 

78 

 

1,867 

 

78 

 

Total preferred stock

$

260 

$

13 

$

2,108 

$

87 

$

2,368 

$

100 




14




 

 

DECEMBER 31, 2008

 

 

Less than 12 Months

 

12 Months or Longer

 

Total

 

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

Fair

 

Unrealized

 

 

Value

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Losses

FIXED MATURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate securities

$

8,998 

$

882 

$

10,254 

$

2,082

$

19,252 

$

2,964 

CMO – residential

 

629 

 

133 

 

2,666 

 

698

 

3,295 

 

831 

CMO – commercial

 

420 

 

158 

 

 

 

420 

 

158 

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

1,358 

 

99 

 

481 

 

48

 

1,839 

 

147 

 

Total fixed maturities

$

11,405 

$

1,272 

$

13,401 

$

2,828

$

24,806 

$

4,100 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY SECURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock with maturities

$

160 

$

14 

$

517 

$

29

$

677 

$

43 

Preferred stock without maturities

 

1,013 

 

330 

 

1,356 

 

147

 

2,369 

 

477 

 

Total preferred stock

$

1,173 

$

344 

$

1,873 

$

176

$

3,046 

$

520 


A total of 15 securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 32 securities for 12 months or longer as of September 30, 2009.  A total of 31 securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and 43 securities for 12 months or longer as of December 31, 2008.  For fixed maturities, there are no securities past due or securities for which the Company currently believes it is not probable that it will collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the investment.


Substantially all of the unrealized losses at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 relate to investment grade securities and are attributable to changes in market interest rates and general disruptions in the credit market subsequent to purchase. The unrealized losses on corporate securities and state and political subdivisions are due to wider spreads.  Spreads have widened in recent years as investors shifted funds to US Treasuries in response to the current market turmoil.  Because the Company does not intend to sell, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will have to sell, such investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider those investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2009.


At September 30, 2009, the Company had $1.6 million invested in whole loan CMOs backed by Alt-A mortgages.  Of this amount, 56.3% were in CMOs that originated in 2005 or earlier and 43.7% were in CMOs that originated in 2006 or later.  The Company’s mortgage security portfolio has no direct exposure to sub-prime mortgages.  The decline in market value for the equity securities was primarily due to wider spreads for preferred stocks issued by financial institutions following the disruption in credit markets.  Some of these financial institutions have exposure to sub-prime mortgages.  


Changes in interest rates, credit spreads, and investment quality ratings may cause the market value of the Company’s investments to fluctuate.  The Company does not have the intent to sell nor is it more likely than not that the Company will have to sell debt securities in unrealized loss positions that are not other-than-temporarily impaired before recovery.  In the event that the Company’s liquidity needs require the sale of fixed maturity securities in unfavorable interest rate, liquidity or credit spread environments, the Company may realize investment losses.


Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Evaluations


The Company reviews its investment securities regularly and determines whether other-than- temporary impairments have occurred.  For fixed maturities, if a decline in fair value is judged by management to be other-than-temporary, and the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the security’s amortized cost, the impairment is bifurcated into (a) the amount of the total impairment related to the credit loss, and (b) the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, establishing a new cost basis for the security. The amount of the other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The factors considered by management in its regular review include, but are not limited to:  the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; adverse changes in ratings announced by one or more rating agencies; subordinated credit support; whether the issuer of a debt security has remained current on principal and interest payments; current expected cash flows; whether the decline in fair value appears to be issuer specific or, alternatively, a reflection of general market or industry conditions (including, in the case of fixed maturities, the effect of changes in market interest rates); and the Company's intent to sell, or be required to sell, the debt security before the anticipated recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis.


In assessing corporate debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company evaluates the ability of the issuer to meet its debt obligations and the value of the company or specific collateral securing the debt position.  When evaluating whether a



15



mortgage-backed security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company examines characteristics of the underlying collateral, such as delinquency and default rates, the quality of the underlying borrower, the type of collateral in the pool, the vintage year of the collateral, subordination levels within the structure of the collateral pool, the Company’s intent to sell the security and whether it more likely than not will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis.  For all debt securities evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment (for which the Company does not have the intent to sell and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis), the Company considers the timing and amount of the cash flows.


The Company evaluates its mortgage-backed securities for other-than-temporary impairment using multiple inputs.  Loan level defaults are estimated using an option pricing approach in which the probability of borrower default increases as home equity declines.  Other factors which influence the probability of default are debt-servicing, missed refinancing opportunities and geography.  Loan level characteristics such as issuer, FICO, payment terms, level of documentation, residency type, dwelling type and loan purpose are also utilized in the model along with historical performance, to estimate or measure the loan’s propensity to default.  Additionally, the model takes into account loan age, seasonality, payment changes and exposure to refinancing as additional drivers of default.  For transactions where loan level data is not available, the model uses a proxy based on the collateral characteristics.  Loss severity in the model is a function of multiple factors including but not limited to the unpaid balance, interest rate, mortgage insurance ratios, assessed property value at origination, change in property valuation and loan-to-value ratio at origination.  Prepayment speeds, both actual and estimated, are also considered. The cash flows generated by the collateral securing these securities are then determined with these default, loss severity and prepayment assumptions.  These collateral cash flows are then utilized, along with consideration for the issue’s position in the overall structure, to determine the cash flows associated with the mortgage-backed security held by the Company.


To the extent that the present value of the cash flows generated by a debt security is less than the amortized cost, a credit loss exists, and an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized through earnings. It is reasonably possible that further declines in estimated fair values of such investments, or changes in assumptions or estimates of anticipated recoveries and/or cash flows, may cause further other-than-temporary impairments in the near term, which could be significant.


In addition, the Company evaluates other asset-backed securities for other-than-temporary impairment by examining similar characteristics referenced above for mortgage-backed securities.  The Company evaluates U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations, U.S. Government agencies, and obligations of states and political subdivisions for other-than-temporary impairment by examining similar characteristics referenced above for corporate debt securities.


Equity securities may experience other-than-temporary impairment in the future based on the prospects for full recovery in value in a reasonable period of time and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security to recovery.  If a decline in fair value is judged by management to be other-than-temporary, a loss is recognized by a charge to total other-than-temporary impairment losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For the purpose of other-than-temporary impairment evaluations, preferred stocks are treated in a manner similar to debt securities. Declines in the creditworthiness of the issuer of debt securities with both debt and equity-like features requires the use of the equity model in analyzing the security for other-than-temporary impairment.


Based on management’s review of the portfolio, which considered these factors, the Company recorded the following losses for other-than-temporary impairments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

(98)

 

 

(98)

 

Preferred stocks

 

 

(199)

 

 

(571)

 

 

$

$

(297)

$

$

(669)


As of March 31, 2009, the Company had previously recognized a total of $436,000 and $199,000 of other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale fixed maturities and certain preferred stocks evaluated as debt securities, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  As a result of the adoption of FASB ASC 320 on April 1, 2009, the Company has determined that (a) the portion of the previously recorded losses on debt securities and preferred stocks evaluated as debt securities representing a credit loss is $535,000, and (b) the amount of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings and corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income representing the amount of previously recorded losses on debt securities and preferred stocks evaluated as debt securities related to all other factors is $99,000.  Since the adoption of FASB ASC 320, no additional other-than-temporary impairment losses were recorded and therefore the amount of the cumulative



16



credit loss remains $535,000 at September 30, 2009.  No losses for other-than-temporary impairment were recognized in other comprehensive income in the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2009.


Further deterioration in credit quality of the companies backing the securities, further deterioration in the condition of the financial services industry, a continuation of the current imbalance in liquidity that exist in the marketplace, a continuation or worsening of the current economic recession, or additional declines in real estate values may further affect the fair value of these securities and increase the potential that certain unrealized losses be designated as other-than-temporary in future periods and the Company may incur additional write-downs.


The Company had derivative instruments representing the value of the contingent payment due to Employers Direct Health (“EDH”) as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).


5.

Net Realized Investment Gains


Net realized investment gains for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

$

(27)

$

$

214 

$

(42)

 

Common stock

 

 

(93)

 

 

(10)

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

20 

 

12 

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27)

 

(91)

 

234 

 

(38)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading and other gains (losses)

 

 

118 

 

 

152 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

$

(27)

$

27 

$

234 

$

114 


For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded realized gross gains of $89,000 and $509,000, respectively, and gross losses of $116,000 and $275,000, respectively, on sales of available-for-sale securities.  For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded realized gross gains of $83,000 and $213,000, respectively, and gross losses of $56,000 and $99,000, respectively, on sales of available-for-sale securities.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company no longer had any trading accounts.


6.

Fair Value Measurements


For all financial and non-financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company utilizes valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market expectations. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:


Level 1 –

Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

 

Level 2 –

Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

 

 

Level 3 –

Instruments where significant value drivers are unobservable.

  

When available, we use quoted market prices to determine fair value and classify such items in Level 1.  In some cases, we use quoted market prices for similar instruments in active markets and/or model-derived valuations where inputs are observable in active markets and classify such items in Level 2.  When there are limited or inactive trading markets, we use industry–standard pricing methodologies, including discounted cash flow models, whose inputs are based on management assumptions and available current market information.  These items are classified in Level 3.  Further, we retain independent pricing vendors to assist in valuing certain instruments.

  



17



The following section describes the valuation methodologies we use to measure different financial instruments at fair value.

  

Investments in fixed maturities and equity securities


Investments included in Level 1 are primarily equities with quoted market prices.  Level 2 is primarily comprised of our portfolio of corporate fixed income securities, government agency mortgage-backed securities, government sponsored enterprises, certain CMO securities, municipals and certain preferred stocks that were priced with observable market inputs.  Level 3 securities consist of certain CMO securities, primarily Alt-A mortgages.


Derivative liability


Financial liabilities consist of a derivative liability relating to the EDH Agreement (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements), and is included in Level 2.  The liability is valued using market-observable inputs including market price, interest rate, and volatility within a Black-Scholes model.


The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively (in thousands):

  

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Corporate securities

$

-

 

$

20,693

 

$

-

 

$

20,693

    CMO - residential

 

-

 

 

3,458

 

 

1,688

 

 

5,146

    CMO – commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

240

 

 

240

    States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

-

 

 

10,278

 

 

-

 

 

10,278

    U.S. Government

 

-

 

 

4,973

 

 

-

 

 

4,973

    Government sponsored enterprise (GSE)

 

-

 

 

5,840

 

 

-

 

 

5,840

    Agency mortgage-backed pass through

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

securities (MBS) - residential

 

-

 

 

5,642

 

 

-

 

 

5,642

 

Total fixed maturities

 

-

 

 

50,884

 

 

1,928

 

 

52,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Preferred stock with maturities

 

501

 

 

299

 

 

-

 

 

800

    Preferred stock without maturities

 

2,439

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,439

 

Total equity securities

 

2,940

 

 

299

 

 

-

 

 

3,239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial assets

$

2,940

 

$

51,183

 

$

1,928

 

$

56,051

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Derivative liability

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

$

-




18




 

 

December 31, 2008

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Corporate securities

$

-

 

$

21,785

 

$

-

 

$

21,785

    CMO – residential

 

-

 

 

6,481

 

 

626

 

 

7,107

    CMO – commercial

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

420

 

 

420

    States, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

-

 

 

2,387

 

 

-

 

 

2,387

    U.S. Government

 

-

 

 

5,112

 

 

-

 

 

5,112

    Government sponsored enterprise (GSE)

 

-

 

 

2,850

 

 

-

 

 

2,850

    Agency mortgage-backed pass through

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

securities (MBS) – residential

 

-

 

 

6,223

 

 

-

 

 

6,223

 

Total fixed maturities

 

-

 

 

44,838

 

 

1,046

 

 

45,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities available-for-sale:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Preferred stock with maturities

 

383

 

 

294

 

 

-

 

 

677

    Preferred stock without maturities

 

2,369

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,369

 

Total equity securities

 

2,752

 

 

294

 

 

-

 

 

3,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total financial assets

$

2,752

 

$

45,132

 

$

1,046

 

$

48,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Derivative liability

$

-

 

$

205

 

$

-

 

$

205


Inputs for certain fixed maturity securities that were observable during 2008 were not observable at September 30, 2009 as a result of limited or inactive markets.  These securities were transferred out of Level 2 and into the Level 3 category during 2009.  No securities were sold or transferred out of the Level 3 category in 2009.  Changes in the carrying value of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are summarized as follows (in thousands):



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30, 2009

 

September 30, 2009

 

 

CMOs

 

CMOs

 

 

Residential

 

Commercial

 

Total

 

Residential

 

Commercial

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

$

1,685 

$

249 

$

1,934 

$

626 

$

420 

$

1,046 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

 

831 

 

 

831 

Repayments of fixed maturities

 

(77)

 

 

(77)

 

(142)

 

 

(142)

Net unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

included in accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other comprehensive loss

 

80 

 

(9)

 

71 

 

373 

 

(180)

 

193 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

$

1,688 

$

240 

$

1,928 

$

1,688 

$

240 

$

1,928 


7.

Other Intangible Assets


The change in the carrying amount of other intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Other Intangible

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

 

$

3,256 

Amortization expense

 

 

(587)

Balance at September 30, 2009

 

$

2,669 


8.

Related-Party Transactions


AMIC and its subsidiaries incurred expense of $327,000 and $203,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $833,000 and $616,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, from service agreements with IHC and its subsidiaries which is recorded in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses in the Condensed



19



Consolidated Statements of Operations.  These payments reimburse IHC and its subsidiaries, at agreed upon rates including an overhead factor, for certain services provided to AMIC and its subsidiaries, including general management, corporate strategy, accounting, legal, compliance, underwriting, and claims.


Independence American assumes premiums from IHC subsidiaries, and records related insurance income, expenses, assets and liabilities.  Independence American pays administrative fees and commissions to subsidiaries of IHC in connection with fully insured health and medical stop-loss business written and assumed by Independence American.  Additionally, our MGUs market, underwrite and provide administrative services, and ECA provides medical management and claims adjudication, for a substantial portion of the medical stop-loss business written by the insurance subsidiaries of IHC.  Our MGUs and ECA record related income, assets and liabilities in connection with that business.  Such related-party information is disclosed on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Company also contracts for several types of insurance coverage (e.g. directors and officers and professional liability coverage) jointly with IHC.  The cost of this coverage is split proportionally between the Company and IHC according to the type of risk and the Company’s portion is recorded in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.


9.

Discontinued Operations


Prior to becoming an insurance holding company as a result of the acquisition of Independence American Holdings Corp. (“IAHC”) on November 14, 2002, the Company was a holding company principally engaged in providing internet services through its discontinued operations.  The operating results of discontinued operations, when applicable, have been segregated from continuing operations and are reported as discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Although it is difficult to predict the final results, the loss on disposition from discontinued operations includes management’s estimates of costs to wind down the business and costs to settle its outstanding liabilities.  The actual results could differ materially from these estimates.  The estimated loss on disposition reserve for all discontinued operations is reflected in net liabilities associated with discontinued operations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Net liabilities of $175,000 and $366,000 associated with discontinued operations at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, represent estimated closure costs of Intellicom.  The Company believes the net liabilities for discontinued operations at September 30, 2009 adequately estimate the remaining costs associated with Intellicom discontinued operations.


10.

Share-Based Compensation


Total share-based compensation expense was $19,000 and $38,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $80,000 and $104,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Related tax benefits of $7,000 and $13,000 were recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $28,000 and $37,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


Under the terms of the Company’s stock-based compensation plan, option exercise prices are equal to the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant; option terms are ten years; and vesting periods range from three to four years.  The Company may also grant shares of restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and share-based performance awards.  Restricted shares are valued at the quoted market price of the shares at the date of grant, and have a three year vesting period.


Stock Options

The following table summarizes information regarding outstanding and exercisable options as of September 30, 2009:


 

 

Outstanding

 

Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

Number of options

 

384,400

 

362,816

Weighted average exercise price per share

$

10.05

$

10.12

Aggregate intrinsic value of options

$

17,000

$

17,000

Weighted average contractual term remaining

 

4.25 years

 

4.02 years




20



The Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is as follows:

 

No. of

 

Weighted

 

Shares

 

Average

 

Under

 

Exercise

 

Option

 

Price

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2008

419,817 

 

$

14.37 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

(4,000)

 

 

14.01 

Expired

(31,417)

 

 

67.26 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2009

384,400 

 

$

10.05 


Compensation expense of $14,000 and $31,000 was recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $61,000 and $96,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the portion of the fair value of stock options vesting during that period.


As of September 30, 2009, there was approximately $72,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods.


Restricted Stock


The Company issued 12,000 restricted stock awards in the second quarter of 2008, with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $6.92 per share.  No restricted stock awards were issued in 2009.  Restricted stock expense was $5,000 and $7,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $19,000 and $8,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


The following table summarized restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:


 

 

 

Weighted

 

No. of

 

Average

 

Non-vested

 

Exercise

 

Shares

 

Price

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2008

12,000 

 

$

6.92 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

(3,834)

 

 

6.92 

Forfeited

(1,833)

 

 

6.92 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2009

6,333 

 

$

6.92 


As of September 30, 2009, there was approximately $38,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock which will be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods.


The 2009 Stock Incentive Plan was approved at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 19, 2009.


11.

Other Comprehensive Income


The components of comprehensive income include (i) net income or loss reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) certain amounts reported directly in stockholders’ equity, principally the after-tax net unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, and (iii) the portion of other-than-temporary impairments of fixed maturities related to all other factors than those deemed to be a credit loss.


No losses for other-than-temporary impairments were recognized in other comprehensive income during the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The comprehensive income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is summarized as follows (in thousands):



21




 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

 401 

$

 765 

$

 2,534 

$

 2,507 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the period, net of tax

 

 1,922 

 

 (1,515)

 

 3,366 

 

 (2,084)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

 2,323 

 

 (750)

 

 5,900 

 

 423 

Comprehensive income attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling interests

 

 (176)

 

 (169)

 

 (443)

 

 (321)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Independence Corp.

$

 2,147 

$

 (919)

$

 5,457 

$

 102 


12.

Income Taxes


The provision for income taxes shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations was computed based on the Company's actual results which approximate the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the balance of the current fiscal year.  At September 30, 2009, the Company had consolidated net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $274,500,000 for federal income tax purposes which expire between 2019 and 2028.  


The net deferred tax assets shown in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods ending September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are $11,536,000 and $12,584,000, respectively.  In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which those temporary differences become deductible.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  Management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the $11,536,000 in net deferred tax assets recorded at September 30, 2009.


13.

Marketing Agreement


In February 2006, Independence American entered into an agreement with EDH (“EDH Agreement”).  Under this agreement, EDH moved the majority of its existing block of employer-sponsored group major medical and medical stop-loss to, and has continued to write these products with, Independence American.  The employer-sponsored group major medical product is part of the Company’s fully insured line of business.  Independence American paid EDH $2,500,000, which EDH simultaneously paid to IHC in consideration of IHC issuing 125,000 shares of IHC common stock (“IHC Stock”) to EDH.  The payment of $2,500,000 is being amortized over the five year contract period.  As part of the agreement, an affiliate of EDH and Independence American agreed to a profit/loss sharing arrangement whereby Independence American will pay to, or receive from, such affiliate 35% of the underwriting profit or loss of the business written by Independence American.  Accordingly, the Company has recorded a profit sharing commission expense on the business underwritten in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.  The IHC Stock is held by Independence American as collateral to satisfy EDH’s obligation under the profit/loss sharing agreement.


Derivative liability


The EDH Agreement terminates on December 31, 2011; provided, it will automatically be extended to December 31, 2016, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions as to premium volume and profitability.  Assuming these conditions are satisfied, EDH would be entitled to up to an additional $2,500,000 depending on the value of the IHC Stock as of December 31, 2011.  The Company recorded a derivative liability (“EDH Derivative”) and an intangible asset on its balance sheet in the amount of $743,000 to account for the fair value of such contingent payment at closing.  The intangible asset is being amortized over the five year contract period.  In accordance with the FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the EDH Derivative is evaluated each quarter and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as a liability at fair value.  The corresponding changes in unrealized gains or losses are reported in other income (loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


The fair value of the Company’s liability derivative as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is summarized as follows (in thousands):



22




 

 

Liability Derivative

 

 

September 30, 2009

December 31, 2008

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging

 

Sheet

 

Fair

 

Sheet

 

Fair

Instruments under FASB ASC 815

 

Location

 

Value

 

Location

 

Value

 

EDH Derivative

 

Derivative liability

$

 

Derivative liability

$

205 

Total

 

 

$

 

 

$

205 


As a result of an actuarial evaluation of certain performance thresholds of EDH’s block of business, the Company determined that such thresholds are not likely to be achieved.  Therefore, the fair value of the derivative liability representing the contingent payment to EDH was $0 as of September 30, 2009.


The gain recognized on the derivative for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

Recognized in Income

 

 

 

 

on Derivative

 

 

Location of Gain or (Loss)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging

 

Recognized in Income on

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

Instruments under FASB ASC 815

 

Derivative

 

2009

 

2008

 

2009

 

2008

 

EDH Derivative

 

Other income

$

77 

$

1,297 

$

205 

$

957 

Total

 

 

$

77 

$

1,297 

$

205 

$

957 


If the EDH Agreement is extended to December 31, 2016, subject to satisfaction of certain further conditions as to premium volume and profitability, EDH would be entitled to up to an additional $5,000,000 depending on the value of the IHC Stock as of December 31, 2016.  In addition, EDH could be entitled to a $1,000,000 bonus on December 31, 2013, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions as to premium volume and profitability.



23



Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of American Independence Corp. ("AMIC") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related Notes thereto appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and our condensed consolidated financial statements and related Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report.


Overview


We are an insurance holding company engaged in the insurance and reinsurance business through our wholly owned insurance company, Independence American Insurance Company ("Independence American"), our marketing organizations, including our three medical stop-loss managing general underwriter subsidiaries (“our MGUs"), our two insurance and marketing agencies Independent Producers of America, LLC (“IPA”) and HealthInsurance.org, LLC (“HIO”), and our claims administration company, Excess Claims Administrators, Inc. (“ECA”).  Since November 2002, AMIC has been affiliated with Independence Holding Company ("IHC"), which currently owns 49.7% of AMIC's stock, and IHC's senior management has provided direction to us through service agreements between us and IHC.  As of September 30, 2009, the majority of Independence American’s revenue was reinsurance premiums.  The majority of these premiums are ceded to Independence American from IHC under long-term reinsurance treaties to cede its gross medical stop-loss premiums written to Independence American.  In addition, Independence American assumes fully insured health premiums and New York State short-term statutory disability benefit law (“DBL”) premiums from IHC, and assumes medical stop-loss premiums from unaffiliated carriers.  Independence American also writes group major medical, medical stop-loss, major medical plans for individuals and families, and short-term medical.  


While management considers a wide range of factors in its strategic planning, the overriding consideration is underwriting profitability.  Management's assessment of trends in healthcare and in the medical stop-loss market play a significant role in determining whether to expand Independence American's health insurance premiums.  Since Independence American reinsures a portion of all of the business produced by our MGUs, and since these companies are also eligible to earn profit sharing commissions based on the profitability of the business they place, our MGUs also emphasize underwriting profitability.  In addition, management focuses on controlling operating costs.  By sharing employees with IHC and sharing resources among our subsidiaries, we strive to maximize our earnings.


Independence American Insurance Company


Independence American, which is domiciled in Delaware, is licensed to write property and/or casualty insurance in 49 states and the District of Columbia, and has an A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.  An A.M. Best rating is assigned after an extensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company’s financial condition and operating performance, and is also based upon factors relevant to policyholders, agents, and intermediaries, and is not directed toward protection of investors.  A.M. Best’s ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities of the Company.  Independence American's unaudited statutory capital and surplus as of September 30, 2009 was $43,567,000.


Managing General Underwriters


Risk Assessment Strategies, Inc. ("RAS"), which is headquartered near Hartford, Connecticut, markets and underwrites employer medical stop-loss and group life for Standard Security Life Insurance Company of New York ("Standard Security Life"), Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. ("Madison National Life"), Independence American and another carrier.  RAS has 9 employees who are responsible for marketing, underwriting, billing and collecting premiums, and administrative services.  Marlton Risk Group LLC ("Marlton"), which is headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, markets and underwrites employer medical stop-loss and group life for Standard Security Life, Independence American and two other carriers.  Marlton has 17 employees who are responsible for marketing, underwriting, billing and collecting premiums, and administrative services.  IndependenceCare Holdings L.L.C. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "IndependenceCare"), which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, marketed and underwrote employer medical stop-loss, provider excess loss, HMO Reinsurance and ancillary products for Standard Security Life, Madison National Life, Independence American and another carrier.  During the third quarter of 2009, IndependenceCare ceased writing new business.  The Company has a 23% interest in Majestic Underwriters LLC ("Majestic"), an employer medical stop-loss MGU for Standard Security Life and another carrier.  The Company accounts for this investment using the equity method of accounting.  Majestic, which is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, has 17 employees who are responsible for marketing, underwriting, billing and collecting premiums, and administrative services.


Agencies


In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company formed ECA to administer, adjudicate, and process claims and perform medical management services for our MGUs, Majestic and third parties.  These functions, which were previously performed by each MGU



24



separately, were consolidated in order to generate cost savings through economies of scale and provide more uniform results among the MGUs.  ECA, which is headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has 12 employees.  The Company has a 51% interest in both HIO and IPA.  HIO, which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an insurance and marketing agency through its well-established internet domain address: www.healthinsurance.org.  This domain generates hundreds of daily leads from individuals and small employers seeking affordable health insurance solutions.  IPA, which is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is a national, career agent marketing organization.  IPA operates under a controlled career agent distribution model in which independent producers sell products approved by IPA and AMIC.


The following is a summary of key performance information and events:


·

Net income per share was $.25, diluted, or $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income per share of $.26, diluted, or $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Net income per share decreased to $.03, diluted, or $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income per share of $.07, diluted, or $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.


·

The book value of the Company’s shareholders’ equity increased to $10.40 per share at September 30, 2009 compared to $9.75 per share at December 31, 2008.


·

Of the aggregate carrying value of the Company’s investment assets, approximately 92.0% was invested in investment grade fixed maturities, securities purchased under resale agreements, and cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2009.  Also at such date, 97.5% of the Company's fixed maturities were investment grade.


·

Consolidated investment yields (on an annualized basis) were 4.7% and 5.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   The lower yield is due to an increase in more liquid assets which bear lower interest rates.


·

Premiums earned decreased 12% from $73.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 to $65.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to lower assumed medical stop-loss premiums and lower group major medical premiums written.


·

The Company recorded improved loss ratios in both fully insured health and medical stop-loss for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2009 despite the negative impact on the medical stop-loss ratios of an unexpected development relating to a prior treaty year.


·

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, Independence American wrote $7.7 million and $2.6 million of individual health business produced by our marketing organization IPA, respectively.


·

Underwriting experience, as indicated by its GAAP Combined Ratios on our three lines of business for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, are as follows (in thousands):


§

Medical Stop-Loss

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

11,229

$

12,996

 

$

35,344

$

41,949

Insurance Benefits Claims and Reserves

 

7,749

 

9,167

 

 

22,630

 

28,535

Expenses

 

3,270

 

3,881

 

 

11,206

 

13,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio(A)

 

69.0%

 

70.5%

 

 

64.0%

 

68.0%

Expense Ratio (B)

 

29.1%

 

29.9%

 

 

31.7%

 

31.2%

Combined Ratio (C)

 

98.1%

 

100.4%

 

 

95.7%

 

99.2%




25




§

Fully Insured Health

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

8,954

$

10,052

 

$

27,259

$

29,341

Insurance Benefits Claims and Reserves

 

7,231

 

9,194

 

 

20,748

 

23,302

Expenses

 

2,197

 

2,004

 

 

6,310

 

7,009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio(A)

 

80.8%

 

91.5%

 

 

76.1%

 

79.4%

Expense Ratio (B)

 

24.5%

 

19.9%

 

 

23.1%

 

23.9%

Combined Ratio (C)

 

105.3%

 

111.4%

 

 

99.2%

 

103.3%


§

DBL

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

$

804

$

833

 

$

2,460

$

2,556

Insurance Benefits Claims and Reserves

 

434

 

425

 

 

1,423

 

1,419

Expenses

 

203

 

215

 

 

722

 

739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Ratio(A)

 

54.0%

 

51.0%

 

 

57.8%

 

55.5%

Expense Ratio (B)

 

25.2%

 

25.8%

 

 

29.3%

 

28.9%

Combined Ratio (C)

 

79.2%

 

76.8%

 

 

87.1%

 

84.4%


(A)

Loss ratio represents insurance benefits claims and reserves divided by premiums earned.

(B)

Expense ratio represents net commissions (including profit commissions), administrative fees, premium taxes and other underwriting expenses divided by premiums earned.

(C)

The combined ratio is equal to the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.


·

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our MGUs and Agencies generated revenues of $11.7 million compared to $10.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 8%, primarily due to higher revenue at HIO and additional revenue at IPA and ECA, partially offset by lower revenue at our MGUs.


Critical Accounting Policies


The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies and practices is provided in Note 1 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Management has identified the accounting policies related to Insurance Reserves, Premium and MGU Fee income Revenue Recognition, Reinsurance, Income Taxes, Investments, Goodwill and Other Intangibles as those that, due to the judgments, estimates and assumptions inherent in those policies, are critical to an understanding of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and this Management's Discussion and Analysis. A full discussion of these policies is included under Critical Accounting Policies in Item 7 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, there were no additions to or changes in the critical accounting policies disclosed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 except for the recently adopted accounting standards discussed in Note 1(C) of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




26



Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009, Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008


 

 

 

 

Benefits,

Selling,

 

 

 

 

Fees and

Net

Claims

General

Amortization

 

September 30,

Premiums

Other

Investment

and

and

and

 

2009

Earned

Income

Income

Reserves

Admin

Depreciation

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Medical stop-loss

$

11,229 

17 

527 

7,749 

3,233 

37 

$

754 

   Fully Insured Health

8,954 

60 

157 

7,231 

2,072 

125 

(258)

   DBL

804 

19 

434 

203 

186 

Total Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American

20,987 

77 

703 

15,414 

5,509 

162 

682 

MGU Subs and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Agencies

3,915 

80 

3,698 

48 

249 

Corporate

363 

(363)

Subtotal

$

20,987 

 

3,992 

 

783 

 

15,414 

 

9,569 

 

210

 

569 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment loss

 

(27)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

Income before income taxes

542 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

(141)

Net income

 

 

 

 

401 

 

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

(176)

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp.

 

 

 

$

225 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits,

Selling,

 

 

 

 

Fees and

Net

Claims

General

Amortization

 

September 30,

Premiums

Other

Investment

and

and

and

 

2008

Earned

Income

Income

Reserves

Admin

Depreciation

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Medical stop-loss

$

12,996 

240 

538 

9,167 

3,844 

37 

$

726 

   Fully Insured Health

10,052 

1,057 

224 

9,194 

1,879 

125 

135 

   DBL

833 

- 

17 

425 

215 

210 

Total Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American

23,881 

1,297 

779 

18,786 

5,938 

162 

1,071 

MGU Subs and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Agencies

4,095 

52 

3,467 

62 

618 

Corporate

12 

337 

(323)

Subtotal

$

23,881 

 

5,394 

 

843 

 

18,786 

 

9,742 

 

224 

 

1,366 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

27 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

(297)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

1,096 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

(331)

Net income

 

 

 

 

765 

 

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

(169)

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp.

 

 

 

$

596 


Premiums Earned.  Premiums earned decreased 12%, or $2,894,000, to $20,987,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $23,881,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The Company currently has three lines of business.  Premiums relating to medical stop-loss business were $11,229,000 and $12,996,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  This is due to a decrease in medical stop-loss premiums assumed by Independence American ($2,051,000), partially offset by an increase in medical stop-loss written by Independence American ($284,000).  Premiums relating to fully insured health consisting of group major medical, limited medical, STM, dental, vision, and individual health were $8,954,000 and $10,052,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in group major medical premiums written by Independence American ($1,693,000) and a decrease in group major medical premiums assumed from IHC ($365,000), offset by an increase in individual health premiums written by Independence American ($825,000).  Premiums relating to DBL were $804,000 and $833,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, Independence American assumed 10% of IHC’s STM business, approximately 9% of certain of IHC’s group major medical business, 20% of IHC’s DBL business and approximately 23% of IHC’s medical stop-loss business.  There were no significant changes to these percentages from the prior year.




27



MGU and Agency Income.  MGU and agency income decreased $124,000 to $3,968,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $4,092,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  MGU fee income-administration decreased $542,000 to $1,376,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $1,918,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as our MGUs have decreased their volume of business as a result of stricter underwriting guidelines.  MGU fee income-profit commission increased $171,000 to $248,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $77,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Profit commissions for a given year are based primarily on the performance of business written during portions of the three preceding years.  Therefore, profit commissions for 2009 are based on business written during portions of 2006, 2007 and 2008.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, income from our Agencies consisted of commission income and other fees of $1,853,000 from IPA, revenue of $359,000 from HIO, and $132,000 of claims administration fees from ECA.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008, income from our Agencies consisted of commission income and other fees of $1,725,000 from IPA and revenue of $372,000 from HIO.  ECA commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2008.


Net Investment Income.  Net investment income decreased $60,000 to $783,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $843,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The overall annualized investment yields were 4.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 5.4% for the comparable period in 2008.  The lower yield is due to an increase in more liquid assets which bear lower interest rates.


Net Realized Investment Gains and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses.  The Company recorded a net realized investment loss of $27,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a gain of $27,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded a realized loss of $0 and $297,000, respectively, for other-than-temporary impairments.  The loss of $297,000 as of September 30, 2008 represents a loss on bonds and preferred stock that the Company determined to be other-than-temporary due to the severity of the decrease in market values and the length of time that these securities were in a loss position.  The Company's decision as to whether to sell securities is based on management’s ongoing evaluation of investment opportunities and economic market conditions, thus creating fluctuations in realized gains or losses from period to period.  


Other Income.  Other income was $24,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $1,302,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Included in the three months ended September 30, 2009 is income of $77,000 representing a decrease in the fair value of the derivative liability relating to the agreement with Employers Direct Health, Inc. (“EDH”) (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).  Included in the three months ended September 30, 2008 is income of $1,297,000 representing a decrease in the fair value of the derivative liability relating to the agreement with EDH.  The unrealized gain for 2009 and 2008 reflects the lower probability of EDH business meeting target benchmarks.


Insurance Benefits, Claims and Reserves.  Insurance benefits claims and reserves decreased 18%, or $3,372,000, to $15,414,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $18,786,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease of $3,372,000 is primarily comprised of a decrease in direct fully insured of $2,029,000 due to lower premiums written and improved loss ratios in group major medical, slightly offset by higher premiums and higher loss ratios in individual health, and a decrease in assumed medical stop-loss of $1,277,000 due to lower earned premiums.


Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $173,000 to $9,569,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $9,742,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  This decrease is primarily due to (i) a decrease in commission expense of $601,000 incurred by Independence American, which results, in large part, from a decrease in medical stop-loss premiums assumed and a decrease in group major medical premiums written, and (ii) lower expenses at IndependenceCare and Marlton of $240,000 and $196,000, respectively, primarily due to lower payroll expenses.  This was, offset by (i) an increase in underwriting expenses at Independence American of $396,000, due to costs associated with higher individual health premiums written, (ii) additional expenses at IPA of $204,000, and (iii) $290,000 expenses at ECA, which was formed in the fourth quarter of 2008.


Amortization and Depreciation.  Amortization and depreciation expense decreased $14,000 to $210,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $224,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in amortization is primarily due to the acquisition of 51% of IPA in 2008.


Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes decreased $190,000 to $141,000, an effective rate of 38.5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $331,000, an effective rate of 35.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 includes a non-cash provision for federal income taxes of $115,000 and $317,000, respectively.  The state tax effective rate increased to 9.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 2.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  As compared to our MGUs, Independence American pays a nominal amount of state income tax; therefore, the Company’s state tax effective rate will increase relative to an decrease in Independence American’s pre-tax income.  For as long as AMIC utilizes its NOL carryforwards, it will not pay any income taxes, except for federal alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes.



28




Net Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest.  The Company recorded net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $176,000 and $169,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The net income for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 relates to the 49% noncontrolling interest in IPA and the 49% noncontrolling interest in HIO.  


Net Income attributable to American Independence Corp.  The net income attributable to the Company decreased 62% to $225,000, or $.03 per share, diluted, for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $596,000, or $.07 per share, diluted, for the three months ended September 30, 2008.


Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009, Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008


 

 

 

 

Benefits,

Selling,

 

 

 

 

Fees and

Net

Claims

General

Amortization

 

September 30,

Premiums

Other

Investment

and

and

and

 

2009

Earned

Income

Income

Reserves

Admin

Depreciation

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Medical stop-loss

$

35,344 

46 

1,503 

22,630 

11,096 

110 

$

3,057 

   Fully Insured Health

27,259 

161 

428 

20,748 

5,934 

376 

790 

   DBL

2,460 

54 

1,423 

722 

369 

Total Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American

65,063 

207 

1,985 

44,801 

17,751 

486 

4,216 

MGU Subs and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Agencies

11,406 

275 

11,200 

143 

338 

Corporate

1,088 

(1,087)

Subtotal

$

65,063 

 

11,613 

 

2,261 

 

44,801 

 

30,039 

 

629

 

3,468 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

234 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

Income before income taxes

3,702 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

(1,168)

Net income

 

 

 

 

2,534 

 

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

(443)

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp.

 

 

 

$

2,091 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits,

Selling,

 

 

 

 

Fees and

Net

Claims

General

Amortization

 

September 30,

Premiums

Other

Investment

and

and

and

 

2008

Earned

Income

Income

Reserves

Admin

Depreciation

Total

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Medical stop-loss

$

41,949 

177 

1,635 

28,535 

12,973 

110 

$

2,143 

   Fully Insured Health

29,341 

780 

635 

23,302 

6,633 

376 

445 

   DBL

2,556 

55 

1,419 

739 

453 

Total Independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      American

73,846 

957 

2,325 

53,256 

20,345 

486 

3,041 

MGU Subs and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Agencies

10,586 

170 

8,411 

99 

2,246 

Corporate

81 

1,079 

(994)

Subtotal

$

73,846 

 

11,547 

 

2,576 

 

53,256 

 

29,835 

 

585

 

4,293 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

114 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

 

 

 

(669)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

3,738 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

(1,231)

Net income

 

 

 

 

2,507 

 

Less: Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

(321)

Net income attributable to American Independence Corp.

 

 

 

$

2,186 


Premiums Earned.  Premiums earned decreased 12%, or $8,783,000 to $65,063,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $73,846,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The Company currently has three lines of business.  Premiums relating to medical stop-loss business were $35,344,000 and $41,949,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  This is due to a decrease in medical stop-loss premiums assumed by Independence American



29



($7,669,000), partially offset by an increase in medical stop-loss written by Independence American ($1,064,000).  Premiums relating to fully insured health consisting of group major medical, limited medical, STM, dental, vision, and individual health were $27,259,000 and $29,341,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in group major medical premiums written by Independence American ($4,238,000) and a decrease in group major medical premiums assumed from IHC ($578,000), offset by an increase in individual health premiums written by Independence American ($2,565,000).  Premiums relating to DBL were $2,460,000 and $2,556,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Independence American assumed 10% of IHC’s STM business, approximately 9% of certain of IHC’s group major medical business, 20% of IHC’s DBL business and approximately 23% of IHC’s medical stop-loss business.  There were no significant changes to these percentages from the prior year.


MGU and Agency Income.  MGU and agency income increased $831,000 to $11,406,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $10,575,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  MGU fee income-administration decreased $1,752,000 to $4,247,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $5,999,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as our MGUs have decreased their volume of business as a result of stricter underwriting guidelines.  MGU fee income-profit commission decreased $214,000 to $592,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $806,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as a result of less favorable loss ratios experienced at certain of our MGUs.  Profit commissions for a given year are based primarily on the performance of business written during portions of the three preceding years.  Therefore, profit commissions for 2009 are based on business written during portions of 2006, 2007 and 2008.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, income from our Agencies consisted of commission income and other fees of $5,159,000 from IPA, revenue of $1,040,000 from HIO, and $368,000 of claims administration fees from ECA.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, income from our Agencies consisted of commission income and other fees of $3,112,000 from IPA and revenue of $658,000 from HIO.  ECA commenced operations in the fourth quarter of 2008.


Net Investment Income.  Net investment income decreased $315,000 to $2,261,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $2,576,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The overall annualized investment yields were 4.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 5.3% for the comparable period in 2008.  The lower yield is due to an increase in more liquid assets which bear lower interest rates.


Net Realized Investment Gains and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses.  The Company recorded a net realized investment gain of $234,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a gain of $114,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded a realized loss of $0 and $669,000, respectively, for other-than-temporary impairments.  The loss of $669,000 as of September 30, 2008 represents a loss on bonds and preferred stock that the Company determined to be other-than-temporary due to the severity of the decrease in market values and the length of time that these securities were in a loss position.  The Company's decision as to whether to sell securities is based on management’s ongoing evaluation of investment opportunities and economic market conditions, thus creating fluctuations in realized gains or losses from period to period.  


Other Income.  Other income was $207,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $972,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Included in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is income of $205,000 representing a decrease in the fair value of the derivative liability relating to the agreement with Employers Direct Health, Inc. (“EDH”) (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).  Included in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is income of $957,000 representing a decrease in the fair value of the derivative liability relating to the agreement with EDH.  The unrealized gain for 2009 reflects the lower probability of EDH business meeting target benchmarks.


Insurance Benefits, Claims and Reserves.  Insurance benefits claims and reserves decreased 16%, or $8,455,000 to $44,801,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $53,256,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease of $8,455,000 is primarily comprised of a decrease in assumed medical stop-loss of $5,957,000 and a decrease in direct fully insured of $2,661,000 due to lower premiums written and improved loss ratios in group major medical, slightly offset by higher premiums and higher loss ratios in individual health.


Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $204,000 to $30,039,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $29,835,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  This increase is primarily due to (i) the additional expense at IPA of $2,852,000 which includes commissions and other general expenses of the agency, (ii) $838,000 at ECA, which was formed in the fourth quarter of 2008, and (iii) an increase in underwriting expenses at Independence American of $524,000 due to costs associated with higher individual health premiums written  This was offset by (i) lower commission expense of $2,734,000 incurred by Independence American primarily resulting from a decrease in premiums assumed in medical stop-loss business and group major medical premiums written, and (ii) lower expenses at IndependenceCare and Marlton of $668,000 and $568,000, respectively, primarily due to lower payroll expenses.


Amortization and Depreciation.  Amortization and depreciation expense increased $44,000 to $629,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $585,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in amortization is



30



primarily due to the acquisition of the remaining 20% interest in Marlton and the acquisition of 51% of IPA in 2008.


Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes decreased $63,000 to $1,168,000, an effective rate of 35.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $1,231,000, an effective rate of 36.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 includes a non-cash provision for federal income taxes of $1,048,000 and $1,092,000, respectively.  The state tax effective rate decreased to 2.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 3.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  As compared to our MGUs, Independence American pays a nominal amount of state income tax; therefore, the Company’s state tax effective rate will decrease relative to an increase in Independence American’s pre-tax income.  For as long as AMIC utilizes its NOL carryforwards, it will not pay any income taxes, except for federal alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes.


Net Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest.  The Company recorded net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $443,000 and $321,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 relates to the 49% noncontrolling interest in IPA and the 49% noncontrolling interest in HIO.  The net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 relates to the 20% noncontrolling interest in Marlton (through March 31, 2008), the 49% noncontrolling interest in IPA, and the 49% noncontrolling interest in HIO.


Net Income attributable to American Independence Corp.  The net income attributable to the Company decreased 4% to $2,091,000 or $.25 per share, diluted, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $2,186,000, or $.26 per share, diluted, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


Independence American


Independence American principally derives cash flow from: (i) operations; (ii) the receipt of scheduled principal payments on its portfolio of fixed income securities; and (iii) earnings on investments and other investing activities.  Such cash flow is partially used to finance liabilities for insurance policy benefits and reinsurance obligations.


Corporate


Corporate derives cash flow funds principally from: dividends and tax payments from its subsidiaries and investment income from corporate liquidity.  The ability of Independence American to pay dividends to its parent company is governed by Delaware insurance laws and regulations; otherwise, there are no regulatory constraints on the ability of any of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to its parent company.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our MGUs and Agencies paid $900,000 in dividends to Corporate.


Cash Flows


As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $60,949,000 of cash, cash equivalents, and investments net of amounts due to/from securities brokers compared with $57,248,000 as of December 31, 2008.


Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $461,000.  Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $241,000.  


As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $5,317,000 of restricted cash at our MGUs.  The amount at our MGUs is directly offset by corresponding liabilities for Premium and Claim Funds Payable of $5,317,000.  This asset, in part, represents the premium that is remitted by the insureds and is collected by our MGUs on behalf of the insurance carriers they represent.  Each month the premium is remitted to the insurance carriers by our MGUs.  Until such remittance is made the collected premium is carried as an asset on the balance sheet of each MGU with a corresponding payable to each insurance carrier.  In addition to the premium being held at our MGUs, our MGUs are in possession of cash to pay claims.  The cash is deposited by each insurance carrier into a bank account that our MGUs can access.  The cash is used by our MGUs to pay claims on behalf of the insurance carriers they represent.  The availability of cash enables our MGUs to reimburse claims in a timely manner.


As of September 30, 2009, the Company had $30,040,000 of insurance reserves that it expects to pay out of current assets and cash flows from future business.  If necessary, the Company could utilize the cash received from maturities and repayments of its fixed maturity investments if the timing of claim payments associated with the Company's insurance resources does not coincide with future cash flows.




31



The Company believes it has sufficient cash to meet its currently anticipated business requirements over the next twelve months including the funding of discontinued operations, working capital requirements, and capital investments.  The Company expects continued cash usage similar to the amount used in 2008 for its discontinued operations, which are primarily net lease obligations, for the year ending December 31, 2009.


Asset Quality and Investment Impairments


The nature and quality of insurance company investments must comply with all applicable insurance statutes and regulations which have been promulgated primarily for the protection of policyholders.  Of the aggregate carrying value of the Company's investment assets, approximately 92.0% was invested in investment grade fixed income securities, securities purchased under resale agreements, and cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2009.  The Company's gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities totaled $1,577,000 at September 30, 2009.  Substantially all of these securities were investment grade.  The Company holds all fixed maturities and preferred stock as available-for-sale and accordingly marks all of its securities to market through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The Company does not have any non-performing fixed maturities at September 30, 2009.  


The Company reviews its investments regularly and monitors its investments continually for impairments.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded a realized loss of $0 and $669,000, respectively, for other-than-temporary impairments.  The following table summarizes the carrying value of securities with fair values less than 80% of their amortized cost at September 30, 2009 by the length of time the fair values of those securities were below 80% of their amortized cost (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

Greater than

 

Greater than

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 months,

 

6 months,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than

 

less than

 

less than

 

Greater than

 

 

 

 

3 months

 

6 months

 

12 months

 

12 months

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

$

59

$

-

$

521

$

144

$

724

Equity securities

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

59

$

-

$

521

$

144

$

724


The unrealized losses on all remaining available-for-sale securities have been evaluated in accordance with the Company's impairment policy and were determined to be temporary in nature at September 30, 2009.  In 2009, the Company experienced a decrease in net unrealized losses of $3,267,000 net of the net cumulative effect adjustment of $99,000 for the adoption of recent investment accounting pronouncements, which increased stockholders' equity by $3,267,000 (reflecting net unrealized losses of $790,000 at September 30, 2009 compared to net unrealized losses of $4,057,000 at December 31, 2008).  From time to time, as warranted, the Company may employ investment strategies to mitigate interest rate and other market exposures.  Further deterioration in credit quality of the companies backing the securities, further deterioration in the condition of the financial services industry, a continuation of the current imbalances in liquidity that exist in the marketplace, a continuation or worsening of the current economic recession, or additional declines in real estate values may further affect the fair value of these securities and increase the potential that certain unrealized losses be designated as other-than-temporary in future periods and the Company may incur additional write-downs.


Outlook


Reinsurance Premiums


Independence American is primarily a reinsurer, although, as discussed below, it is experiencing growth as an issuing carrier.  The majority of its reinsurance premium is currently derived from pro rata quota share reinsurance treaties (the “IHC Treaties”) with Standard Security Life and Madison National Life.  The Company does not expect the percentage ceded to it from IHC will change significantly in 2009.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, 66% and 70%, respectively, of Independence American’s premiums earned were derived from assumed reinsurance premiums.  Of the assumed reinsurance premiums, 70% were related to medical stop-loss business, 24% were related to fully insured health business, and 6% were related to DBL.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Standard Security Life and Madison National Life ceded approximately 23% of their medical stop-loss business to Independence American.  The balance of the medical stop-loss assumed reinsurance premium was related to business written by unaffiliated carriers.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Independence American received between 10% and 25% of the premium on these unaffiliated programs.  Production of medical stop-loss business has decreased at our MGUs through the first nine months of 2009 and our MGUs do not anticipate increasing their production for the reminder of 2009.  IHC has reported that its gross medical stop-loss premiums have dropped in the first nine months of 2009 and expects that trend to continue for the remaining three months of 2009.



32




Insured Premiums


For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, 34% and 30%, respectively, of Independence American’s premiums earned were derived from premiums written as an issuing carrier.  Of the premiums for the period ended September 30, 2009, 23% were related to medical stop-loss business and 77% were related to group major medical, STM business, and major medical for individuals and families.  In 2007, Independence American began writing group major medical, medical stop-loss, and major medical plans for individuals and families.  The Company's strategic plan is to continue to expand the fully insured health and medical stop-loss business written by Independence American.  We believe that this growth will accelerate as a result of Independence American, which is domiciled in Delaware and licensed to write property and/or casualty insurance in 49 states and the District of Columbia, achieving an A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best.


In February 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with EDH to move its block of fully insured health business, and medical stop-loss to, and begin writing these products for, Independence American.    Independence American will be the exclusive issuing carrier for business underwritten by this organization through December 31, 2011.  Subject to certain conditions, the agreement will automatically extend until December 31, 2016, and EDH could be entitled to additional cash consideration (see Note 13 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).


 In 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with IPA, a national career agent marketing organization, to begin marketing health plans to individuals and families utilizing Independence American as the carrier.  The program is administered by a wholly owned subsidiary of IHC.  AMIC purchased a 51% interest in IPA in April 2008.  IPA operates under a controlled career agent distribution model in which independent producers sell products approved by IPA and AMIC.  A majority of the business is written by Independence American, and the balance (including ancillary benefits) is written by other carriers, including those owned by IHC.  The Company believes that this acquisition significantly expands its ability to sell individual and limited medical plans to the self-employed as well as individuals and their families, which are rapidly expanding markets.


In October 2007, the Company acquired certain assets, including the domain name www.healthinsurance.org.  These assets were acquired by Healthinsurance.org, LLC, an indirect, 51%-owned subsidiary of the Company (“HIO”).  This acquisition gives the Company access to a well-established internet domain that generates hundreds of daily leads from individuals and small employers seeking affordable health insurance solutions.  As a result of the acquisition, the Company has increased the number of daily leads through search engine optimization and cross-marketing with its related companies.  For example, HIO has produced more than 6,000 exclusive, live-team leads for IPA.  The Company and its affiliates plan to provide on-line enrollment tools through service agreements with leading health insurance distributors to market health insurance products of Independence American and other companies.  In the first nine months of 2009, approximately 170,000 quotes for health insurance were generated from www.healthinsurance.org, resulting in over 7,000 completed applications.


Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk


Not Applicable


Item 4T.  Controls and Procedures


AMIC's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer supervised and participated in AMIC's evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, AMIC's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that AMIC's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  It should be noted that the design of our disclosure controls and procedures is based in part upon certain reasonable assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no reasonable assurance that any design of disclosure controls and procedures will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote, but AMIC's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are, in fact, effective at a reasonable assurance level.


There have been no changes in AMIC’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 15d-15 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect AMIC’s internal control over financial reporting.




33



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.

Legal Proceedings


The Company is involved in legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its businesses.  The Company has established reserves that it believes are sufficient given information presently available related to its outstanding legal proceedings and claims.  The Company believes the results of pending legal proceedings and claims are not expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or cash flows, although there could be a material effect on its results of operations for a particular period.


Item 1A.  Risk Factors


There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 in response to Item 1A. to Part 1 of Form 10-K.


Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds


Not Applicable


Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities


Not Applicable


Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


Not Applicable


Item 5.

Other Information


Not Applicable


Item 6.

Exhibits


18

 

Letter Regarding Change in Accounting Principles

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



34



SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE CORP.

(Registrant)




/s/ Roy T.K. Thung

Roy T.K. Thung

Chief Executive Officer and President



Date:



November 9, 2009








/s/ Teresa A. Herbert

Teresa A. Herbert

Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President



Date:



November 9, 2009





35