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Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Nature of Operations, Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (“UVE”, and together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “the Company”) is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1990. The Company is a vertically integrated insurance holding company performing all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims. Through its wholly-owned insurance company subsidiaries, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) and American Platinum Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“APPCIC”, and together with UPCIC, the “Insurance Entities”) the Company is principally engaged in the property and casualty insurance business offered primarily through its network of independent agents. Risk from catastrophic losses is managed through the use of reinsurance agreements. The Company’s primary product is residential homeowners’ insurance currently offered in 18 states as of December 31, 2019, including Florida, which comprises the majority of the Company’s policies in force. See “—Note 5 (Insurance Operations),” for more information regarding the Company’s insurance operations.
 
The Company generates revenues primarily from the collection of premiums and invests funds in excess of those retained for claims-paying obligations and insurance operations. Other significant sources of revenue include brokerage commissions collected from reinsurers on certain reinsurance programs placed by the Insurance Entities, policy fees collected from policyholders by our wholly-owned managing general agent (“MGA”) subsidiary and payment plan fees charged to policyholders who choose to pay their premiums in installments. Our wholly-owned adjusting company receives claims-handling fees from the Insurance Entities. The Insurance Entities are reimbursed for these fees on claims that are subject to recovery under the Insurance Entities’ respective reinsurance programs. These fees, after expenses, are recorded in the consolidated financial statements as an adjustment to losses and loss adjustment expense.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of UVE and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
To conform to the current period presentation, certain amounts in the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified. Such reclassifications were of an immaterial amount and had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company’s primary use of estimates are in the recognition of liabilities for unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses and subrogation recoveries, and reinsurance recoveries. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company includes in cash equivalents all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and have an original maturity of three months or less. These amounts are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company excludes any net negative cash balances from cash and cash equivalents that the Company has with any single financial institution. These amounts represent outstanding checks or drafts not yet presented to the financial institution and are reclassified to liabilities and presented as book overdraft in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company classifies amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are restricted in terms of their use and withdrawal separately in the face of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Investment, Securities Available for Sale and Equity Securities
Investment, Securities Available for Sale. The Company’s investments in debt securities and short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale with maturities of greater than three months. Available-for-sale debt securities and short-term investments are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities and short-term investments are excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of related deferred taxes until reclassified to earnings upon the consummation of sales transaction with an unrelated third party or when the decline in fair value is deemed other than temporary. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of debt securities available-for-sale are determined on the FIFO basis and credited or charged to income. Premium and discount on investment securities are amortized and accreted using the interest method and charged or credited to investment income.
Investment, Equity Securities. The Company’s investment in equity securities are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet with changes in the fair value of equity securities reported in current period earnings in the consolidated statements of income within net change in unrealized gains (losses) of equity securities as they occur.
Other Than Temporary Impairment
Other Than Temporary Impairment. The assessment of whether the impairment of an available-for-sale security’s fair value is other than temporary is performed using a portfolio review as well as a case-by-case review considering a wide range of factors. There are a number of assumptions and estimates inherent in evaluating impairments and determining if they are other than temporary, including: (1) the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value; (2) the expected recoverability of principal and interest; (3) the extent and length of time to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost for available-for-sale securities referred to as severity and duration; (4) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends, and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices referred to as credit quality and (5) the specific reasons that a security is in a significant unrealized loss position, including market conditions which could affect liquidity. Additionally, once assumptions and estimates are made, any number of changes in facts and circumstances could cause the Company to subsequently determine that an impairment is other than temporary, including: (1) general economic conditions that are worse than previously forecasted or that have a greater adverse effect on a particular issuer or industry sector than originally estimated; (2) changes in the facts and circumstances related to a particular issue or issuer’s ability to meet all of its contractual obligations and (3) changes in facts and circumstances obtained that causes a change in our ability or intent to hold a security to maturity or until it recovers in value. Management’s intent and ability to hold securities is a determination that is made at each respective balance sheet date giving consideration to factors known to management for each individual issuer of securities such as credit quality and other publicly available information.
Investment Real Estate
Investment Real Estate. Investment real estate is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. Real estate taxes, interest and other costs incurred during development and construction of properties are capitalized. Income and expenses from income producing real estate are reported under net investment income. Investment real estate is evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Premiums Receivable Premiums Receivable. Generally, premiums are collected prior to or during the policy period as permitted under the Insurance Entities payment plans. Credit risk is minimized through the effective administration of policy payment plans whereby rules governing policy cancellation minimize exposure to credit risk. The Company performs a policy level evaluation to determine the extent the premiums receivable balance exceeds the unearned premiums balance. The Company then ages this exposure to establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on prior credit experience.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and is depreciated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets. Estimated useful life of all property and equipment ranges from three for equipment to twenty-seven-and-one-half years for buildings and improvements. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. Routine repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Software is capitalized and amortized over three years. The Company reviews its property and equipment for impairment annually and/or whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Recognition of Premium Revenues
Recognition of Premium Revenues. Direct and ceded premiums are recognized as revenue on a pro rata basis over the policy term or over the term of the reinsurance agreement. The portion of direct premiums that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as unearned premiums. The portion of ceded premiums that will be earned in the future is deferred and reported as prepaid reinsurance premiums (ceded unearned premiums).
Recognition of Commission Revenue
Recognition of Commission Revenue. Commission revenue generated from reinsurance brokerage commission earned on ceded premium by the Insurance Entities is recognized over the term of the reinsurance agreements.
Policy Fees
Policy Fees. Policy fees, which represents fees paid by policyholders to the MGA’s on all new and renewal insurance policies, are recognized as income upon policy inception.
Other Revenue
Other Revenue. The Company offers its policyholders the option of paying their policy premiums in full at inception or in installments. The Company charges fees to its policyholders that elect to pay their premium in installments and records such fees as revenue as the Company bills the fees to the policyholder.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. The Company defers direct commissions and premium taxes relating to the successful acquisition or renewal of insurance policies and defers the costs until recognized as expense over the terms of the policies to which they are related. Deferred policy acquisition costs are recorded at their estimated realizable value.
Goodwill
Goodwill. Goodwill arising from the acquisition of a business is initially measured at cost and not subject to amortization. We assess goodwill for potential impairments at the end of each fiscal year, or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicates that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. Goodwill is included under Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Insurance Liabilities
Insurance Liabilities. Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) are provided for as claims are incurred. The provision for unpaid losses and LAE includes: (1) the accumulation of individual case estimates for claims and claim adjustment expenses reported prior to the close of the accounting period; (2) estimates for unreported claims based on industry data and actuarial analysis and (3) estimates of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims based on the experience of the Company and the industry. The Company estimates and accrues its right to subrogate reported or estimated claims against other parties. Subrogated claims are recorded at amounts estimated to be received from the subrogated parties, net of related costs and netted against unpaid losses and LAE.
Inherent in the estimates of ultimate claims and subrogation are expected trends in claim severity, frequency and other factors that may vary as claims are settled. The amount of uncertainty in the estimates is significantly affected by such factors as the amount of claims experience relative to the development period, knowledge of the actual facts and circumstances and the amount of insurance risk retained. In addition, the Company’s policyholders are subject to adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms and tropical storms. The actuarial methods for making estimates for unpaid losses, LAE and subrogation recoveries and for establishing the resulting net liability are periodically reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in current earnings.
Provision for Premium Deficiency Provision for Premium Deficiency. It is the Company’s policy to evaluate and recognize losses on insurance contracts when estimated future claims, deferred policy acquisition costs and maintenance costs under a group of existing contracts will exceed anticipated future premiums.
Reinsurance
Reinsurance. Ceded written premium is recorded upon the effective date of the reinsurance contracts and earned over the contract period. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the provisions of the reinsurance agreements and consistent with the establishment of the gross insurance liability to the Company. Allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible, if any.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, that recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the tax rates expected to be in effect during the periods in which the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences arise when income or expenses are recognized in different periods in the consolidated financial statements than on the tax returns. 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. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the benefits related to deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income taxes include both estimated federal and state income taxes.
Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock
Income (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) available to common stockholders, by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the Company’s net income (loss) available to common stockholders, by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period plus the impact of all potentially dilutive common shares, primarily preferred stock, unvested shares and options. The dilutive impact of stock options and unvested shares is determined by applying the treasury stock method and the dilutive impact of the preferred stock is determined by applying the “if converted” method.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements. The Company’s policy is to record transfers of assets and liabilities, if any, between Level 1 and Level 2 at their fair values as of the end of each reporting period, consistent with the date of the determination of fair value. There were no transfers during the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2018.
Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation. The Company accounts for share-based compensation based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs in general and administrative expenses and generally amortizes them on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is the vesting term. Individual tranches of performance-based awards are amortized separately since the vesting of each tranche is either subject to annual measures or time vesting. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the grant-date assumptions discussed in “—Note 9 (Share-Based Compensation).” The fair value of the restricted share grants, performance share units and restricted stock units are determined based on the market price on the date of grant.
Statutory Accounting
Statutory Accounting. UPCIC and APPCIC are highly regulated and prepare and file financial statements in conformity with the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (the “FLOIR”) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which differ from U.S. GAAP. The FLOIR requires insurance companies domiciled in Florida to prepare their statutory financial statements in accordance with the NAIC Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (the “Manual”), as modified by the FLOIR. Accordingly, the admitted assets, liabilities and capital and surplus of UPCIC and APPCIC as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the results of operations and cash flows, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, for their regulatory filings have been prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles as promulgated by the FLOIR and the NAIC. The statutory accounting principles are more restrictive than U.S. GAAP and are designed primarily to demonstrate the ability to meet obligations to policyholders and claimants.