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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic ASC 326), which introduces a new process for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. The new ASU applies to premiums receivable, reinsurance recoverable and available-for-sale debt securities. The ASU replaces the current practice of recording a permanent write down (other than temporary impairment) for probable credit losses with a new requirement that would estimate credit losses and record those estimated losses through a temporary allowance account that can be re-measured as estimates of credit losses change. The ASU further limited estimated credit losses relating to available-for-sale securities to the amount which fair value is below amortized cost. The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable U.S. GAAP. The Company recorded a decrease to retained earnings of $0.6 million as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative after-tax effect of adopting ASC 326.
Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are summarized as follows:
Consolidation Policy: The Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and VIEs in which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. This analysis includes a review of the VIE’s capital structure, related contractual relationships and terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose, nature of the VIE’s interests issued and the Company’s involvement with the entity. When assessing the need to consolidate a VIE, the Company evaluates
the design of the VIE as well as the related risks to which the entity was designed to expose the variable interest holders. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. While also considering these factors, the consolidation conclusion depends on the Company’s decision-making ability and its ability to influence activities that significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE.
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. 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. See “—Note 5 (Insurance Operations)” and “—Note 18 (Variable Interest Entities)” for discussions on the nature of the restrictions.
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, net of any allowance for credit losses, if any. Unrealized gains and losses, excluding the credit loss portion, 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 a sales transaction with an unrelated third party. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of available-for-sale debt securities are determined on the first in, first out (“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.
Allowance for Credit Losses-Available-For-Sale Securities. For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For available-for-sale debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by rating agencies, market sentiment and trends and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other quantitative and qualitative factors utilized at establishing an estimate for credit losses. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present values of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in OCI.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense and are reported as general and administrative expenses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes an available-for-sale debt security is confirmed as uncollected or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met.
Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale securities totaled $3.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and is evaluated in the estimate for credit losses. Accrued interest receivable is included under Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Investment, Equity Securities. The Company’s investments 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.
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. 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 the rules governing policy cancellation minimize circumstances in which the Company extends insurance coverage without having received the corresponding premiums. The Company performs a policy-level evaluation to determine the extent the premiums receivable balance exceeds the unearned premiums balance. Under ASC 326 and given the short-term nature of these receivables, the Company employed the aging method to estimate credit losses by pooling receivables based on the levels of delinquency and evaluating current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded estimated credit losses of $0.6 million and an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.7 million, respectively.
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 years 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. 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. 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, which represents fees paid by policyholders to the MGA’s on all new and renewal insurance policies, are generally recognized as income upon policy inception, which coincides with related service obligations.
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. 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 arising from the acquisition of a business is initially measured at cost and not subject to amortization. The Company assesses goodwill for potential impairments at the end of each fiscal year, or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicates that the Company 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. 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. 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. No accruals for premium deficiency were considered necessary as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
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. Under ASC 326 and given the short-term nature of these receivables, the Company considered the effects of credit enhancements (i.e. funds withheld liability, letters of credit and trust arrangements) and other qualitative factors that allowed it to conclude there was no material risk exposure. There is no estimated credit loss allowance as of December 31, 2020 established under ASC 326 and the Company did not have an allowance for uncollectible amounts due from reinsurers as of December 31, 2019.
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. 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. 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, 2020 or 2019.
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. 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, 2020 and 2019 and the results of operations and cash flows, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 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.