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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Business Segment Information | Business Segment Information We currently operate in one reportable segment which represents our core business of offering Dealers financing programs and related products and services that enable them to sell vehicles to consumers, regardless of their credit history. The consolidated financial statements reflect the financial results of our one reportable operating segment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of readily marketable securities with original maturities at the date of acquisition of three months or less. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $3.8 million and $3.6 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents that were not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents | Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Restricted cash and cash equivalents consist of cash pledged as collateral for secured financings and cash held in trusts for future vehicle service contract claims. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had $203.4 million and $109.5 million, respectively, in restricted cash and cash equivalents that was not insured by the FDIC.
Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses | Loans Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses Consumer Loan Assignment. For accounting and financial reporting purposes, a Consumer Loan is considered to have been assigned to us after all of the following has occurred:
• | the consumer and Dealer have signed a Consumer Loan contract;
• | we have received the original Consumer Loan contract and supporting documentation;
• | we have approved all of the related stipulations for funding; and
• | we have provided funding to the Dealer in the form of either an advance under the Portfolio Program or one-time purchase payment under the Purchase Program.
Portfolio Segments and Classes. We are considered to be a lender to our Dealers for Consumer Loans assigned under our Portfolio Program and a purchaser of Consumer Loans assigned under our Purchase Program. As a result, our Loan portfolio consists of two portfolio segments: Dealer Loans and Purchased Loans. Each portfolio segment is comprised of one class of Consumer Loan assignments, which is Consumer Loans with deteriorated credit quality that were originated by Dealers to finance consumer purchases of vehicles and related ancillary products. Dealer Loans. Amounts advanced to Dealers for Consumer Loans assigned under the Portfolio Program are recorded as Dealer Loans and are aggregated by Dealer for purposes of recognizing revenue and evaluating impairment. We account for Dealer Loans in a manner consistent with loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality. The outstanding balance of each Dealer Loan included in Loans receivable is comprised of the following:
• | the aggregate amount of all cash advances paid;
• | finance charges;
• | Dealer Holdback payments;
• | accelerated Dealer Holdback payments; and
• | recoveries.
Less:
• | collections (net of certain collection costs); and
• | write-offs.
An allowance for credit losses is maintained at an amount that reduces the net asset value (Dealer Loan balance less the allowance) to the value of forecasted future cash flows discounted at the yield established at the time of assignment. This allowance calculation is completed for each individual Dealer. The discounted value of future cash flows is comprised of estimated future collections on the Consumer Loans, less any estimated Dealer Holdback payments. We write off Dealer Loans once there are no forecasted future cash flows on any of the associated Consumer Loans, which generally occurs 120 months after the last Consumer Loan assignment. Future collections on Dealer Loans are forecasted based on the historical performance of Consumer Loans with similar characteristics, adjusted for recent trends in payment patterns. Dealer Holdback is forecasted based on the expected future collections and current advance balance of each Dealer Loan. Cash flows from any individual Dealer Loan are often different than estimated cash flows at the time of assignment. If such difference is favorable, the difference is recognized prospectively into income over the remaining life of the Dealer Loan through a yield adjustment. If such difference is unfavorable, a provision for credit losses is recorded immediately as a current period expense and a corresponding allowance for credit losses is established. Because differences between estimated cash flows at the time of assignment and actual cash flows occur often, an allowance is required for a significant portion of our Dealer Loan portfolio. An allowance for credit losses does not necessarily indicate that a Dealer Loan is unprofitable, and seldom are cash flows from a Dealer Loan insufficient to repay the initial amounts advanced to the Dealer. Purchased Loans. Amounts paid to Dealers for Consumer Loans assigned under the Purchase Program are recorded as Purchased Loans and are aggregated into pools based on the month of purchase for purposes of recognizing revenue and evaluating impairment. We account for Purchased Loans as loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality. The outstanding balance of each Purchased Loan pool included in Loans receivable is comprised of the following:
• | the aggregate amount of all amounts paid during the month of purchase to purchase Consumer Loans from Dealers;
• | finance charges; and
• | recoveries.
Less:
• | collections (net of certain collection costs); and
• | write-offs.
An allowance for credit losses is maintained at an amount that reduces the net asset value (Purchased Loan pool balance less the allowance) to the value of forecasted future cash flows discounted at the yield established at the time of assignment. This allowance calculation is completed for each individual monthly pool of Purchased Loans. The discounted value of future cash flows is comprised of estimated future collections on the pool of Purchased Loans. We write off pools of Purchased Loans once there are no forecasted future cash flows on any of the Purchased Loans included in the pool, which generally occurs 120 months after the month of purchase. Future collections on Purchased Loans are forecasted based on the historical performance of Consumer Loans with similar characteristics, adjusted for recent trends in payment patterns. Cash flows from any individual pool of Purchased Loans are often different than estimated cash flows at the time of assignment. If such difference is favorable, the difference is recognized prospectively into income over the remaining life of the pool of Purchased Loans through a yield adjustment. If such difference is unfavorable, a provision for credit losses is recorded immediately as a current period expense and a corresponding allowance for credit losses is established. Credit Quality. Substantially all of the Consumer Loans assigned to us are made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories or higher debt-to-income ratios than are permitted by traditional lenders. Consumer Loans made to these individuals generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default and repossession and higher losses than loans made to consumers with better credit. Since most of our revenue and cash flows are generated from these Consumer Loans, our ability to accurately forecast Consumer Loan performance is critical to our business and financial results. At the time the Consumer Loan is submitted to us for assignment, we forecast future expected cash flows from the Consumer Loan. Based on these forecasts, an advance or one-time purchase payment is made to the related Dealer at a price designed to achieve an acceptable return on capital. We monitor and evaluate the credit quality of Consumer Loans on a monthly basis by comparing our current forecasted collection rates to our initial expectations. We use a statistical model that considers a number of credit quality indicators to estimate the expected collection rate for each Consumer Loan at the time of assignment. The credit quality indicators considered in our model include attributes contained in the consumer’s credit bureau report, data contained in the consumer’s credit application, the structure of the proposed transaction, vehicle information and other factors. We continue to evaluate the expected collection rate of each Consumer Loan subsequent to assignment primarily through the monitoring of consumer payment behavior. Our evaluation becomes more accurate as the Consumer Loans age, as we use actual performance data in our forecast. Since all known, significant credit quality indicators have already been factored into our forecasts and pricing, we are not able to use any specific credit quality indicators to predict or explain variances in actual performance from our initial expectations. Any variances in performance from our initial expectations are the result of Consumer Loans performing differently than historical Consumer Loans with similar characteristics. We periodically adjust our statistical pricing model for new trends that we identify though our evaluation of these forecasted collection rate variances. When overall forecasted collection rates underperform our initial expectations, the decline in forecasted collections has a more adverse impact on the profitability of the Purchased Loans than on the profitability of the Dealer Loans. For Purchased Loans, the decline in forecasted collections is absorbed entirely by us. For Dealer Loans, the decline in the forecasted collections is substantially offset by a decline in forecasted payments of Dealer Holdback. Methodology Changes. During the second quarter of 2013, we enhanced our methodology for forecasting future collections on Loans, which is described more fully in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we did not make any other methodology changes for Loans that had a material impact on our financial results.
Reinsurance | Reinsurance VSC Re Company (“VSC Re”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, is engaged in the business of reinsuring coverage under vehicle service contracts sold to consumers by Dealers on vehicles financed by us. VSC Re currently reinsures vehicle service contracts that are underwritten by one of our third party insurers. Vehicle service contract premiums, which represent the selling price of the vehicle service contract to the consumer, less fees and certain administrative costs, are contributed to trust accounts controlled by VSC Re. These premiums are used to fund claims covered under the vehicle service contracts. VSC Re is a bankruptcy remote entity. As such, our exposure to fund claims is limited to the trust assets controlled by VSC Re and our net investment in VSC Re. Premiums from the reinsurance of vehicle service contracts are recognized over the life of the policy in proportion to expected costs of servicing those contracts. Expected costs are determined based on our historical claims experience. Claims are expensed through a provision for claims in the period the claim was incurred. Capitalized acquisition costs are comprised of premium taxes and are amortized as general and administrative expense over the life of the contracts in proportion to premiums earned. A summary of reinsurance activity is as follows:
(In millions) | For the Three Months Ended September 30, |  | For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
| 2014 |  | 2013 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Net assumed written premiums | $ | 10.7 |  |  | $ | 13.7 |  |  | $ | 36.3 |  |  | $ | 44.1 |
Net premiums earned | 12.7 |  |  | 13.1 |  |  | 39.5 |  |  | 38.0 |
Provision for claims | 9.4 |  |  | 11.0 |  |  | 31.4 |  |  | 30.5 |
Amortization of capitalized acquisition costs | 0.2 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | 0.9 |
We are considered the primary beneficiary of the trusts and as a result, the trusts have been consolidated on our balance sheet. The trust assets and related reinsurance liabilities are as follows:
(In millions) |  |  | As of
| Balance Sheet location |  | September 30, 2014 |  | December 31, 2013
Trust assets | Restricted cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 1.5 |  |  | $ | 1.2 |
Trust assets | Restricted securities available for sale |  | 51.4 |  |  | 53.6 |
Unearned premium | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  | 39.2 |  |  | 42.4 |
Claims reserve (1) | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  | 1.6 |  |  | 1.7 |
(1) | The claims reserve is estimated based on historical claims experience.
Our determination to consolidate the VSC Re trusts was based on the following:
• | First, we determined that the trusts qualified as variable interest entities. The trusts have insufficient equity at risk as no parties to the trusts were required to contribute assets that provide them with any ownership interest.
• | Next, we determined that we have variable interests in the trusts. We have a residual interest in the assets of the trusts, which is variable in nature, given that it increases or decreases based upon the actual loss experience of the related service contracts. In addition, VSC Re is required to absorb any losses in excess of the trusts’ assets.
• | Next, we evaluated the purpose and design of the trusts. The primary purpose of the trusts is to provide third party providers (“TPPs”) with funds to pay claims on vehicle service contracts and to accumulate and provide us with proceeds from investment income and residual funds.
• | Finally, we determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the trusts. We control the amount of premium written and placed in the trusts through Consumer Loan assignments under our Programs, which is the activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance of the trusts. We have the right to receive benefits from the trusts that could potentially be significant. In addition, VSC Re has the obligation to absorb losses of the trusts that could potentially be significant.
New Accounting Updates | New Accounting Updates Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements Topic 605 (Revenue Recognition), and most industry-specific guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption not permitted. We have not yet determined the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11 which requires an entity to net its liability for unrecognized tax benefits against a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-11 on January 1, 2014 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 which requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. The new guidance requires an entity to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income either on the face of the income statement or as a separate disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments in ASU No. 2013-02 do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. ASU No. 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for cash and cash equivalents, including the policy for determining which items are treated as cash equivalents. Other information that may be disclosed includes (1) the nature of any restrictions on the entity's use of its cash and cash equivalents, (2) whether the entity's cash and cash equivalents are insured or expose the entity to credit risk, (3) the classification of any negative balance accounts (overdrafts), and (4) the carrying basis of cash equivalents (for example, at cost) and whether the carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 305 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122427 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4273-108586 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 203 -Paragraph 02-03 + Details
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- Definition Entity's cash and cash equivalents accounting policy with respect to restricted balances. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 305 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122427 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.1(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4273-108586 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph a -Article 9 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 203 -Paragraph 02-03 + Details
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for policy loans receivable, including the basis for determining the amount reported for loans made to policyholders against and secured by future policy benefits. May also disclose the range of interest rates charged to policyholders on such loans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2303980 + Details
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