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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
1. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization AMERISAFE, Inc. is an insurance holding company incorporated in the state of Texas. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMERISAFE and its subsidiaries: American Interstate Insurance Company (“AIIC”) and its insurance subsidiaries, Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. (“SOCI”) and American Interstate Insurance Company of Texas (“AIICTX”), Amerisafe Risk Services, Inc. (“RISK”) and Amerisafe General Agency, Inc. (“AGAI”). AIIC and SOCI are property and casualty insurance companies organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska. AIICTX is a property and casualty insurance company organized under the laws of the state of Texas. RISK, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a claims and safety service company currently servicing only affiliated insurance companies. AGAI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a general agent for the Company. AGAI sells insurance, which is underwritten by AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX, as well as by nonaffiliated insurance carriers. The assets and operations of AGAI are not significant to that of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The terms “AMERISAFE,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to AMERISAFE, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires. The Company provides workers’ compensation insurance for small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas. Assets and revenues of AIIC and its subsidiaries represent at least 95% of comparable consolidated amounts of the Company for each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Adopted Accounting Guidance In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance requires fair value measurement for equity investments (not including those that result in consolidation of the investee or use the equity method of accounting) and the recognition of changes in fair value to be presented as a component of net income. The guidance also revises the disclosure requirements related to fair value changes of liabilities presented in comprehensive income, eliminates disclosure related to the methods and assumptions underlying fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, and simplifies impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The adoption of this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 resulted in an immaterial decrease in net income of $390 thousand or a $0.02 decrease to our diluted earnings per common share. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a right of use asset for all leases extending beyond twelve months. This standard was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019. We elected the new transition method under the transition guidance within the new standard. Therefore, prior comparative periods were not adjusted. We also elected the package of practical expedients, which among other things, allows us to carryforward the historical lease classification. We made an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term operating leases. Adoption of the new guidance resulted in the Company recognizing right-of-use assets of $0.4 million and lease liabilities of $0.3 million. The cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was minimal. Adoption of this new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company does not have any significant leases. O n January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses (“CECL”). The prior guidance delays the recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has occurred. The new guidance requires credit losses for securities measured at amortized cost to be determined using current expected credit loss estimates. These estimates are derived from historical, current and reasonable supporting forecasts, including prepayments and estimates, and are recorded through a valuation account. The same method is used for available-for-sale securities, but the valuation account is limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost. The Company implemented the new standard using the modified retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under the new guidance while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded a net decrease to Retained Earnings of $594 thousand as of January 1, 2020, for the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-13. The transition adjustment includes a $243 thousand impact to establish a credit loss allowance for held-to-maturity securities. The remaining $351 thousand of the transition adjustment was due to the creation of the reinsurance recoverable credit allowance. The Company believes that under the standard there is no current expected credit allowance necessary for U.S. Government Securities in its judgment as: 1) Treasury securities typically are the most highly rated securities among rating agencies; 2) Treasury securities have a long history of no credit losses; 3) Treasury securities are guaranteed by a sovereign entity (the U.S. Government) that can print its own money and whose currency (the U.S. dollar) is the reserve currency. The Company believes that under the standard there is no current expected credit allowance necessary for GNMA Securities in its judgment as: 1) GNMA securities typically are the most highly rated securities among rating agencies; 2) GNMA securities have a long history of no credit losses and payments are explicitly guaranteed by the United States; 3) Underlying mortgage loans for GNMA securities are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; 4) the U.S. Government can print its own money to retire GNMA obligations. The Company believes that under the standard there is no current expected credit allowance necessary for FNMA or Freddie Mac (FHLMC) Securities in its judgment as: 1) These securities typically are among the most highly rated securities among rating agencies; 2) There is a long history of no credit losses; 3) Principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the issuing agency; 4) There is an explicit guarantee by the U.S. Government that can print its own money and whose currency (the U.S. dollar) is the reserve currency. The Company researched various options and methodologies and has chosen to use Moody’s default rates and recovery rates for our held-to-maturity fixed income securities based on the current credit rating of the security and the time period to the stated maturity date. This is a probability of default (PD) and loss given default (LGD) methodology. The credit rating used for held-to-maturity fixed income securities is the rating for each security as published by Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch to determine the probability of default. If there are two ratings, the lower rating is used. If there are three ratings, the median rating is used. If there is one rating, that rating is used. This methodology provides additional conservatism in determining the credit loss allowance needed. For corporate fixed income securities, the probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of Corporate Bond defaults published each February. This study also contains the average recovery rates based on the historical defaults in the Moody’s study. We have chosen to use the 1983-2019 data as more reflective of the current historical pattern of defaults (the study goes back to 1920). The maximum maturity using the default rate is 20 years (any maturity greater than 20 years will use the 20-year rate). For municipal fixed income securities the probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of Municipal Bond defaults published each July/August. This study also contains the average recovery rates based on the historical defaults in the Moody’s study. This study covers 1970-2019 data, which we believe is reflective of the current historical pattern of defaults. The maximum maturity using the default rate is 20 years (any maturity greater than 20 years will use the 20-year rate). The Company did not record a credit allowance for available-for-sale securities. The available-for-sale portfolio is composed of highly rated securities, which carry a low risk of default. The Company’s concentrations in municipal bonds have helped lower default risk, as the historical default rates and recovery rates for municipal bonds has been much better than corporate bonds rated at the same level. The Company creates a watch list of available-for-sale securities that are below book value at the end of each quarter. This watch list excludes US Treasury securities, GNMA Securities, and government agency securities (FNMA, etc.) as none of those securities will have an expected credit loss. The watch list will also exclude those securities that are trading at least at $95 or above (par value $100) as the Company believes any slight difference between $95 and par likely reflect interest rate changes and liquidity only and are not a sign of credit impairment or market expectations for any current expected credit loss. The list is reviewed by the Management Investment Committee to evaluate any security where the discounted cash flows expected no longer exceed the book value of the security. If the Company intends to sell the security (or more likely than not be required to sell the security before recovery of the loss) the Company will write down the security to fair value through earnings. If the Company intends to hold the security, the Company will establish a credit loss allowance for the security through earnings, and adjust the allowance each quarter through earnings, as the security changes in value. In determining the amount of the credit loss allowance, the Company will consider all of the following factors: 1. The extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis 2. Adverse conditions in the security, industry, or geography, including: a.) Changes in technology b.) Discontinuation of a segment of business that may affect future earnings c.) Changes in the quality of the credit enhancement, if any 3. Changes in the payment structure of the debt security 4. Failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments 5. Any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency The calculation of the credit loss allowance will not take into account the amount of time the security has been below book value or when the security might be expected to recover in value. The Company has researched various options and methodologies and has chosen to use Moody’s default rates and recovery rates for our unsecured reinsurance recoverables based on the current credit rating of the reinsurer and a time period of ten years. This is a probability of default (PD) and loss given default (LGD) methodology. The ten-year period is consistent with our current working layer reinsurance treaty where we have a three-year treaty, which must be commuted by the end of the tenth year. We believe this is an appropriate approach to our reinsurance recoverables. The credit rating used for reinsurance recoverables uses the average rating for each reinsurer as published by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and A.M. Best to determine the probability of default. The median rating is used if there are three ratings. The probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of Corporate Bond defaults published each February. This study also contains the average recovery rates based on the historical defaults in the Moody’s study. We have chosen to use the 1983-2019 data as more reflective of the current historical pattern of defaults (the study goes back to 1920). The Company does not hold any debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized. Additionally, the Company does not hold any financial assets purchased with credit deterioration. The Company’s internal working group evaluated the existing allowance for doubtful accounts reserving methodology for premiums receivable and determined the calculation was consistent with the new credit loss guidance. There was no impact to the premiums receivable balance as a result of the adoption of the new standard. The Company has elected not to establish a credit allowance for investment interest receivable. The Company plans to continue use of the current policy for writing off investment related interest receivable balances over ninety days old. Prospective Accounting Guidance All other issued but not yet effective accounting and reporting standards as of December 31, 2020 are either not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company. Investments The Company has the ability and positive intent to hold certain investments until maturity. Therefore, fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost net of the allowance for credit losses. Fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value. Temporary changes in the fair value of these securities are reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Changes in the fair value of equity securities are recorded in net income. Investment income is recognized as it is earned. The discount or premium on fixed maturity securities is amortized using the “constant yield” method. Anticipated prepayments, where applicable, are considered when determining the amortization of premiums or discounts. Realized investment gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents include short-term money market funds with an original maturity of 90 days or less. Short-Term Investments Short-term investments include municipal securities and corporate bonds with an original maturity greater than 90 days but less than one year. Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The Company considers premiums receivable as past due based on the payment terms of the underlying policy. The balance is shown net of the allowance for credit losses. Receivables due from insureds are charged off when a determination has been made by management that a specific balance will not be collected. An estimate of amounts that are likely to be charged off is established as an allowance for credit losses as of the balance sheet date. The estimate is primarily comprised of specific balances that are considered probable to be charged off after all collection efforts have ceased, as well as historical trends and an analysis of the aging of the receivables. Property and Equipment The Company’s property and equipment, including certain costs incurred to develop or obtain software for internal use, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally 39 years for buildings and three to seven years for all other fixed assets. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs The direct costs of successfully acquiring and renewing business are capitalized to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned. These capitalized costs consist mainly of sales commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting costs. The Company evaluates deferred policy acquisition costs for recoverability by comparing the unearned premiums to the estimated total expected claim costs and related expenses, offset by anticipated investment income. The Company would reduce the deferred costs if the unearned premiums were less than expected claims and expenses after considering investment income, and report any adjustments in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. There were no adjustments necessary in 2020, 2019 or 2018. Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through December 31. The Company does not discount loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. In establishing our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses, we review the results of analyses using individual case-base valuations and statistical and actuarial methods that utilize historical loss data from our more than 35 years of underwriting workers’ compensation insurance. The actuarial analysis of our historical data provides the factors we use in estimating our loss reserves. These factors are primarily measures over time of the number of claims paid and reported, average paid and incurred claim amounts, claim closure rates and claim payment patterns. In evaluating the results of our analyses, management also uses substantial judgment in considering other factors that are not considered in these actuarial analyses, including changes in business mix, claims management, regulatory issues, medical trends, employment and wage patterns, insurance policy coverage interpretations, judicial determinations and other subjective factors. Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with these estimates, and the cost of incurred but unreported claims, our actual liabilities may vary significantly from our original estimates. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in income from current operations. Subrogation recoverables, as well as deductible recoverables from policyholders, are estimated using individual case-basis valuations and aggregate estimates. Deductibles that are recoverable from policyholders and other recoverables from state funds decrease the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses. The Company funds its obligations under certain settled claims where the payment pattern and ultimate cost are fixed and determinable on an individual claim basis through the purchase of annuities. These annuities are purchased from unaffiliated carriers and name the claimant as payee. The cost of purchasing the annuity is recorded as paid loss and loss adjustment expenses. To the extent the annuity funds estimated future claims, reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense are reduced. Premium Revenue Premiums on workers’ compensation insurance are based on actual payroll costs or production during the policy term and are normally billed monthly in arrears or annually. However, the Company generally requires a deposit at the inception of a policy. Premium revenue is earned on a pro rata basis over periods covered by the policies. The reserve for unearned premiums on these policies is computed on a daily pro rata basis. The Company estimates the annual premiums to be paid by its policyholders when the Company issues the policies and records those amounts on the balance sheet as premiums receivable. The Company conducts premium audits on all of its voluntary business policyholders annually, upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore have paid the Company the premium required under the terms of the policies. The difference between the estimated premium and the ultimate premium is referred to as “earned but unbilled” premium, or EBUB premium. EBUB premium can be higher or lower than the estimated premium. EBUB premium is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease earned premium based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. Due to the timing of audits and other adjustments, ultimate premium earned is generally not determined for several months after the expiration of the policy. The Company estimates EBUB premiums on a quarterly basis using historical data and applying various assumptions based on the current market and economic conditions, and records an adjustment to premium, related losses, and expenses as warranted. Reinsurance Reinsurance premiums, losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers include balances currently owed to the Company for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses that have been paid to policyholders, amounts that are currently reserved for and will be recoverable once the related expense has been paid and experience-rated commissions recoverable upon commutation. Upon management’s determination that an amount due from a reinsurer is uncollectible due to the reinsurer’s insolvency or other matters, the amount is written off. Ceding commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies and are intended to reimburse the Company for policy acquisition costs related to those premiums ceded to the reinsurers. Ceding commission income is recognized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned and is reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs. Experience-rated commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies based on the financial results of the applicable risks ceded to the reinsurers. These commission revenues on reinsurance contracts are recognized during the related reinsurance treaty period and are based on the same assumptions used for recording loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses. These commissions are reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs and are adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in income from current operations. Experience-rated commissions had no impact on underwriting and certain other operating costs in 2020 and 2019 and increased underwriting and certain other operating costs by $0.2 million in 2018. In December 2019, the Company commuted reinsurance agreements with Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (“Hannover”) covering portions of accident years 2009 through 2011. The Company received an $8.5 million payment effectuated solely through offset against the balance of the funds withheld and recoverable from reinsurers accounts under the reinsurance agreements in exchange for releasing Hannover from their reinsurance obligations under the commuted agreements. Hannover remains obligated to the subsidiaries of the Company under other reinsurance agreements. There was no effect on the Company’s net income in the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the commutation. Fee and Other Income The Company recognizes income related to commissions earned by AGAI as the related services are performed. Advertising All advertising expenditures incurred by the Company are charged to expense in the period to which they relate and are included in underwriting and certain other operating costs in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising expenses incurred were $0.2 million in 2020, $0.4 million in 2019, and $0.5 million in 2018. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. The provision for income taxes has two components, amounts currently payable or receivable and deferred amounts. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company considers deferred tax assets to be recoverable if it is probable that the related tax losses can be offset by future taxable income. The Company includes reversal of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies available and future operating income in this assessment. To the extent the deferred tax assets exceed the amount expected to be recovered in future years, the Company records a valuation allowance for the amount determined unrecoverable. Insurance-Related Assessments Insurance-related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments related to insurance commerce, including those by state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second-injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight agencies to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. Assessments based on premiums are generally paid one year after the calendar year in which the premium is written, while assessments based on losses are generally paid within one year of the calendar year in which the loss is paid. Policyholder Dividends The Company writes certain policies for which the policyholder may participate in favorable claims experience through a dividend. An estimated provision for workers’ compensation policyholders’ dividends is accrued as the related premiums are earned. Dividends do not become a fixed liability unless and until declared by the respective Boards of Directors of AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries. The dividend to which a policyholder may be entitled is set forth in the policy and is related to the amount of losses sustained under the policy. Dividends are calculated after the policy expiration. The Company is able to estimate the policyholder dividend liability because the Company has information regarding the underlying loss experience of the policies written with dividend provisions and can estimate future dividend payments from the policy terms. Earnings Per Share The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. The Company applies the treasury stock method in computing basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The diluted EPS calculation includes potential common shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options or warrants were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested. Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes the impact of its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. The target value of long-term incentive awards are recognized as compensation over the performance period.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the general note to the financial statements for the reporting entity which may include, descriptions of the basis of presentation, business description, significant accounting policies, consolidations, reclassifications, new pronouncements not yet adopted and changes in accounting principles. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197479 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2134479 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 250 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122394 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 + Details
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