Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements of Aspen Holdings are prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are presented on a consolidated basis including the transactions of all operating subsidiaries (voting interest entity’s or “VOE”) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entity’s (“VIE”) in which the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. Transactions between Aspen Holdings and its subsidiaries are eliminated within the consolidated financial statements.


(a)	Use of Estimates

Assumptions and estimates made by management have a significant effect on the amounts reported within the consolidated financial statements. The most significant of these relate to losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance recoverables, gross written premiums and commissions which have not been reported to the Company such as those relating to proportional treaty reinsurance contracts, unrecognized tax benefits, the fair value of derivatives and the fair value of other investments. All material assumptions and estimates are regularly reviewed and adjustments made as necessary but actual results could be significantly different from those expected when the assumptions or estimates were made.


(b)	Accounting for Insurance and Reinsurance Operations

Premiums Earned. Premiums are recorded as written on the inception date of a policy. Premiums are primarily recognized as revenues proportionately over the coverage period. Premiums earned are recorded in the statements of operations, net of the cost of purchased reinsurance. Premiums written which are not yet recognized as earned premium are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as unearned premiums, gross of any ceded unearned premiums. Written and earned premiums and the related costs include estimates for premiums which have not been finally determined. These relate mainly to contractual provisions for the payment of adjustment or additional premiums, premiums payable under proportional treaties and delegated underwriting authorities, and reinstatement premiums.

Adjustment and additional premiums are premiums charged which relate to experience during the policy term. The proportion of adjustable premiums included in the premium estimates varies between business lines with the largest adjustment premiums being in property and casualty reinsurance, marine, aviation and energy insurance and the smallest in property and casualty insurance.

Premiums payable under proportional treaty contracts and delegated underwriting authorities are generally not reported to the Company until after the reinsurance coverage is in force. As a result, an estimate of these “pipeline” premiums is recorded. The Company estimates pipeline premiums based on projections of ultimate premium taking into account reported premiums and expected development patterns.

Reinstatement premiums on assumed excess of loss reinsurance contracts are provided based on experience under such contracts. Reinstatement premiums are the premiums charged for the restoration of the reinsurance limit of an excess of loss contract to its full amount after payment by the reinsurer of losses as a result of an occurrence. Reinstatement premiums are recognized as revenue in full at the date of loss, triggering the payment of the reinstatement premiums. The payment of reinstatement premiums provides future insurance cover for the remainder of the initial policy term. An allowance for uncollectible premiums is established for possible non-payment of premium receivables, as deemed necessary.

Outward reinsurance premiums, which are paid when the Company purchases reinsurance or retrocessional coverage, are accounted for using the same accounting methodology as the Company uses for inwards premiums. Premiums payable under reinsurance contracts that operate on a “losses occurring during” basis are accounted for in full over the period of coverage while those arising from “risks attaching during” policies are expensed over the earnings period of the premiums receivable from the reinsured business. Premiums payable for retroactive reinsurance coverage and meeting the conditions of reinsurance accounting, are reported as reinsurance recoverables to the extent that those amounts do not exceed recorded liabilities relating to underlying reinsurance contracts. To the extent that recorded liabilities on an underlying reinsurance contract exceed premiums payable for retroactive coverage, a deferred gain is recognized.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Losses represent the amount paid or expected to be paid to claimants in respect of events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date. The costs of investigating, resolving and processing these claims are known as loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). The statement of operations records these losses net of reinsurance, meaning that gross losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred are reduced by the amounts recovered or expected to be recovered under reinsurance contracts.

Reinsurance. Written premiums, earned premiums, incurred claims, LAE and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs all reflect the net effect of assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Assumed reinsurance refers to the Company’s acceptance of certain insurance risks that other insurance companies have underwritten. Ceded reinsurance arises from contracts under which other insurance companies agree to share certain risks with the Company.

Reinsurance accounting is followed when there is significant timing risk, significant underwriting risk and a reasonable possibility of significant loss. Reinsurance and retrocession does not isolate the ceding company from its obligations to policyholders. In the event that a reinsurer or retrocessionaire fails to meet its obligations, the ceding company’s obligations remain. The Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and retrocessionaires and monitors the concentration of credit risk to minimize its exposure to financial loss from reinsurers’ and retrocessionaires’ insolvency. Where it is considered required, appropriate provision is made for balances deemed irrecoverable from reinsurers.

Reserves. Insurance reserves are established for the total unpaid cost of claims and LAE in respect of events that have occurred by the balance sheet date, including the Company’s estimates of the total cost of claims incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”). Claim reserves are reduced for estimated amounts of salvage and subrogation recoveries. Estimated amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid losses and LAE are reflected as assets.

For reported claims, reserves are established on a case-by-case basis within the parameters of coverage provided in the insurance policy or reinsurance agreement. For IBNR claims, reserves are estimated using a number of established actuarial methods to establish a range of estimates from which a management best estimate is selected. Both case and IBNR reserve estimates consider variables such as past loss experience, changes in legislative conditions, changes in judicial interpretation of legal liability, policy coverages and inflation.

As many of the coverages underwritten involve claims that may not be ultimately settled for many years after they are incurred, subjective judgments as to the ultimate exposure to losses are an integral and necessary component of the loss reserving process. The Company regularly reviews its reserves, using a variety of statistical and actuarial techniques to analyze current claims costs, frequency and severity data, and prevailing economic, social and legal factors. Reserves established in prior periods are adjusted as claim experience develops and new information becomes available. Adjustments to previously estimated reserves are reflected in the financial results of the period in which the adjustments are made.

The process of estimating required reserves does, by its very nature, involve considerable uncertainty. The level of uncertainty can be influenced by factors such as the existence of coverage with long duration payment patterns and changes in claims handling practices, as well as the factors noted above. Ultimate actual payments for claims and LAE could turn out to be significantly different from the Company’s estimates.

Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. The costs directly related to writing an insurance policy are referred to as policy acquisition expenses and include commissions, premium taxes and profit commissions. With the exception of profit commissions, these expenses are incurred when a policy is issued, and only the costs directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts are deferred and amortized over the same period as the corresponding premiums are recorded as revenues. Profit commissions are estimated based on the related performance criteria evaluated at the balance sheet date, with subsequent changes to those estimates recognized when they occur.

On a regular basis a recoverability analysis is performed of the deferred policy acquisition costs in relation to the expected recognition of revenues, including anticipated investment income, and adjustments, if any, are reflected as period costs. Should the analysis indicate that the acquisition costs are unrecoverable, further analyses are performed to determine if a reserve is required to provide for losses which may exceed the related unearned premium.

General, Administrative and Corporate Expenses. These costs represent the expenses incurred in running the business and include, but are not limited to compensation costs for employees, rental costs, IT development and operating costs and professional and consultancy fees. General, policy and administrative costs directly attributable to the successful acquisition of business are deferred and amortized over the same period as the corresponding premiums are recorded as revenues. When reporting the results for its business segments, the Company includes expenses which are directly attributable to the segment plus an allocation of central administrative costs. Corporate expenses are not allocated to the Company’s business segments as they typically do not fluctuate with the levels of premium written and are related to the Company’s operations which include group executive costs, group finance costs, group legal and actuarial costs and certain strategic and non-recurring costs.


(c)	Accounting for Investments, Cash and Cash Equivalents

Fixed Income Securities. The fixed income securities portfolio comprises securities issued by governments and government agencies, corporate bonds, mortgage and other asset-backed securities and bank loans. Investments in fixed income securities are classified as available for sale or trading and are reported at estimated fair value in the consolidated balance sheet. Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date with balances pending settlement reflected in the consolidated balance sheet under receivables for securities sold and accrued expenses and other payables for securities purchased, respectively. Fair values are based on quoted market prices and other data provided by third-party pricing services and index providers.

Equity Securities. The Company’s equity securities comprise U.S. and foreign equity securities. They are classified as trading and are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair value. The fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets from independent pricing sources.

Short-term Investments. Short-term investments primarily comprise highly liquid debt securities with a maturity greater than three months but less than one year from the date of purchase and are held as part of the investment portfolio of the Company. Short-term investments are classified as either trading or available for sale and carried at estimated fair value.

Gains and Losses. Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are determined on the basis of the first in first out cost method and, for fixed income available for sale securities, include adjustments to the cost basis of investments for declines in value that are considered to be other-than-temporary. Unrealized gains and losses represent the difference between the cost, or the cost as adjusted by amortization of any difference between its cost and its redemption value (“amortized cost”), of the security and its fair value at the reporting date and are included within other comprehensive income for securities classified as available for sale and in realized and unrealized investment gains or losses in the consolidated statement of operations for securities classified as trading.

Other Investments, Equity Method. Other investments represent the Company’s investments that are recorded using the equity method of accounting. Adjustments to the fair value of these investments are made based on the net asset value of the investment.

Other investments. Other investments represent the Company’s investment in a real estate fund. Adjustments to the fair value are made based on the net asset value of the investment.

Catastrophe Bonds. Investments in catastrophe bonds are classified as trading and are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair value. The fair values are based on independent broker-dealer quotes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at fair value. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments due to mature within three months from the date of purchase and which are subject to insignificant risk of change in fair value.

Other-than-temporary Impairment of Investments. A security is impaired when its fair value is below its cost or amortized cost. The Company reviews its investment portfolio each quarter on an individual security basis for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) based on criteria including issuer-specific circumstances, credit ratings actions and general macro-economic conditions.

OTTI is deemed to occur when there is no objective evidence to support recovery in value of a security and (i) the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost or adjusted amortized cost basis or (ii) it is deemed probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the individual security. In the first case, the entire unrealized loss position is taken as an OTTI charge to realized losses in earnings. In the second case, the unrealized loss is separated into the amount related to credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The OTTI charge related to credit loss is recognized in realized losses in earnings and the amount related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. The cost basis of the investment is reduced accordingly and no adjustments to the cost basis are made for subsequent recoveries in value.

Although the Company reviews each security on a case by case basis, it has also established parameters focusing on the extent and duration of impairment to help identify securities in an unrealized loss position which are other-than-temporarily impaired. For fixed income securities in the available for sale portfolio, the Company considers securities which have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more which currently have a market value of more than 20% below cost should be other-than-temporarily impaired.

Investment Income. Investment income includes amounts received and accrued in respect of periodic interest (“coupons”) payable to the Company by the issuer of fixed income securities, equity dividends and interest credited on cash and cash equivalents. It also includes amortization of premium and accretion of discount in respect of fixed income securities. Investment management and custody fees are charged against net investment income reported in the consolidated statement of operations.


(d)	Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company enters into derivative instruments such as interest rate swaps and forward exchange contracts in order to manage certain market and credit risks. The Company records derivative instruments at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet as either assets or liabilities, depending on their rights and obligations.

The accounting for the gain or loss due to the changes in the fair value of these instruments is dependent on whether the derivative qualifies as a hedge. If the derivative does not qualify as a hedge, the gains or losses are reported in earnings when they occur. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge, the accounting treatment varies based on the type of risk being hedged.


(e)	Accounting for Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are held in the consolidated balance sheet at cost less amortization and impairment. Amortization applies on a straight-line basis in respect of assets having a finite estimated useful economic life. The Company performs a qualitative assessment annually to determine whether it is more likely than not that an intangible asset considered to have an indefinite life is impaired. Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred.


(f)	Accounting for Office Properties and Equipment

Office properties and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Computer equipment and software is depreciated between three and five years with depreciation for software commencing on the date the software is brought into use. Furniture and fittings are depreciated over four years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of 15 years or the lease term.


(g)	Accounting for Foreign Currencies Translation

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar. The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign operations and branches are the currencies in which the majority of their business is transacted.

Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are measured in the functional currency of that operation at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies are remeasured at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date and any resulting foreign exchange gains or losses are reflected in the statement of operations.

Monetary and non-monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s functional currency operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses of these operations are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Unrealized gains or losses arising from the translation of functional currencies are recorded net of tax as a component of other comprehensive income.


(h)	Accounting for Earnings per Ordinary Share

Basic earnings per ordinary share is determined by dividing net income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Net income available to ordinary shareholders is calculated by deducting preference share dividends and net income/(loss) attributable to non-controlling interest from net income after tax for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the effect on earnings of the average number of ordinary shares outstanding associated with dilutive securities. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is calculated using the treasury stock method.


(i)	Accounting for Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. When the Company does not believe that, on the basis of available information, it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be fully recovered, it recognizes a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount more likely than not to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Furthermore, a tax benefit from a tax position may be recognized in the financial statements only if it is more-likely-than-not that the position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant tax authority’s widely understood administrative practices and precedents. The tax benefit recognized, when the likelihood of realization is more likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50 percent), is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement.


(j)	Accounting for Preference Shares

The Company had at the balance sheet date in issue two classes of preference shares. The Company has no obligation to pay interest on these securities but they carry entitlements to dividends payable at the discretion of the Board of Directors. In the event of non-payment of dividends for six consecutive periods, holders of preference shares have director appointment rights. The preference shares are therefore accounted for as equity instruments and included within total shareholders’ equity.


(k)	Accounting for Long-term Incentive Plans

The Company operates an employee share incentive plan, a non-executive director stock incentive plan and employee share purchase plans, the terms and conditions of which are described in Note 17. The Company applies a fair-value based measurement method including estimates for future forfeitures in the calculation of the compensation costs of stock options, performance shares, phantom shares and restricted share units.


(l)	Accounting for Long-term Debt Issued by Variable Interest Entities

Silverton, a consolidated variable interest entity, has issued debt instruments which are due to mature on September 16, 2019 as further described in Note 7, “Variable Interest Entities” of these consolidated financial statements. This debt is separately identified on the Company’s balance sheet and the Company has elected to record the debt at fair value due to the potential variability over the ultimate settlement value of the debt instruments.


(m)	Accounting for Business Combinations

The Company accounts for a transaction as a business combination where the assets acquired and liabilities assumed following a transaction constitute a business. An acquired entity must have inputs and processes that make it capable of generating a return or economic benefit to be considered a business. If the assets acquired are not a business, the Company accounts the transaction as an asset acquisition. The Company recognizes and measures at fair value 100 percent of the assets and liabilities of any acquired business. Goodwill is recognized and measured as the difference between the consideration paid or payable less the fair value of assets acquired.

The Company accounts for the disposal of subsidiary undertakings when it ceases to control the subsidiary’s assets and liabilities or the group of assets. A gain or loss is recognized and measured as the difference between the fair value of consideration received or receivable and the value of assets, liabilities and equity components de-recognized, related to that subsidiary or group of assets when deconsolidated.

Costs that are directly related to a business combination transaction are expensed in the periods in with the costs are incurred and the services are received.


(n)	Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2018

On August 12, 2015, the Financial Standards Accounting Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” which delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements because insurance contracts accounted for within the scope of Topic 944, Financial Services are exempt from this ASU and the Company has immaterial other revenue.

On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-1, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10)” which enhances the reporting model for financial instruments. Included within the requirements of this ASU are the following: a) equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; b) a simplification of the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values; c) public business entities to use the exit price concept when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and d) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The amendments required as a result of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the Company’s equity portfolio, prior to being sold, was classified as held for trading with changes in fair value recognized through net income and no valuation allowance was required in relation to deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities.

On August 26, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)” which standardizes the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230 Statement of Cash Flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. The 2018 year end consolidated statement of cash flows has been prepared in conformity with the presentation guidance in this ASU.

On October 24, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” which will require companies to account for the income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets other than inventory (e.g., intangible assets) when the transfer occurs. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

On March 10, 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-7, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost” which changes how employers report defined benefit pension and/or other post-retirement benefit costs in their financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. As the Company does not operate a defined benefit pension scheme, the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

On February 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10)” which amends multiple areas in Subtopic 825-10 via improvements to clarify the Codification or to correct unintended application of guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-2, “Leases (Topic 842)” which supersedes the leases requirements in Topic 840 and establishes the principles that lessees and lessors shall apply to report useful information to users of financial statements about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from a lease. The amendments of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. This ASU is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, specifically increasing the Company’s assets and liabilities by $76.4 million and $82.0 million, respectively as all leases greater than twelve months will be recognized on the balance sheet as a right of use asset and lease liability, together with a cumulative effect adjustment of $5.6 million through opening retained earnings.

On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” which introduces a new impairment model, known as the current expected credit loss model, which is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new credit loss model, the Company would recognize an allowance for its estimate of expected credit losses and this would apply to most debt instruments (other than those measured at fair value), trade receivables, lease receivables, reinsurance receivables, financial guarantee contracts and loan commitments. Available-for-sale debt securities are outside the model’s scope and this ASU made limited amendments to the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. There are other amendments required as a result of this ASU that are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on future financial statements and disclosures.

On August 28, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)” enabling entities to better align their hedge accounting and risk management activities, while also simplifying the application of hedge accounting in certain situations. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 December, 2018 using a modified retrospective approach for cash flow and net investment hedge relationships that exist on the date of adoption. The Company has evaluated the provisions of ASU 2017-12 to determine how it will be affected, and no material impact is expected on the consolidated financial statements.

On February 14, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)” which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has evaluated the provisions of ASU 2018-02 to determine how it will be affected, and no material impact is expected on the consolidated financial statements.

On June 20, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” which amends the scope of Topic 718 via improvements to non-employee share-based payment accounting. Amendments include allowing companies to account for share-based payment transactions with non-employees in the same way as share-based payment transactions with employees and includes elections that offer relief to non-public companies when measuring non-employee equity share options. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has evaluated the provisions of ASU 2018-07 to determine how it will be affected, and no material impact is expected on the consolidated financial statements.

On October 31, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, “Consolidation (Topic 810)” which makes targeted improvements to related party guidance for variable interest entities, requiring the reporting entity to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportionate basis when evaluating whether a decision-makers fee is a variable interest in the primary beneficiary test. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2018-17 to determine how it will be affected, but no material impact is expected on the consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting pronouncements were issued during the year ended December 31, 2018 which were either not relevant to the Company or did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.