Investments | NOTE 9 – INVESTMENTS A summary of investment income, net of investment expenses and realized gains, is as follows: Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 2018 2017 2018 2017 Fixed maturities $ 469,500 $ 245,331 $ 931,667 $ 423,764 Short-term investments and cash equivalents 11,642 43,977 19,588 77,779 Gross investment income 481,142 289,308 951,255 501,543 Less: investment expenses (28,536 ) (25,250 ) (53,851 ) (25,250 ) Net investment income 452,606 264,058 897,404 476,293 Net realized gains 137 155 137 155 Net investment income, realized gains $ 452,743 $ 264,213 $ 897,541 $ 476,448 The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in fixed maturities by category are as follows: Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value June 30, 2018 Available-for-sale fixed maturities: U.S. treasury securities $ 10,718,524 $ 67 $ (205,989 ) $ 10,512,602 Corporate securities 33,242,576 6,285 (922,530 ) 32,326,331 Agency mortgage-backed securities 22,553,326 — (623,777 ) 21,929,549 Held-to-maturity fixed securities: Certificates of deposits 20,602,000 — — 20,602,000 Total fixed maturities $ 87,116,426 $ 6,352 $ (1,752,296 ) $ 85,370,482 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value December 31, 2017 Available-for-sale fixed maturities: U.S. treasury securities $ 7,517,901 $ 21 $ (63,697 ) $ 7,454,225 Corporate securities 28,745,223 43,204 (130,787 ) 28,657,640 Agency mortgage-backed securities 21,889,996 — (152,407 ) 21,737,589 Held-to-maturity fixed securities: Certificates of deposits 28,098,000 — — 28,098,000 Total fixed maturities $ 86,251,120 $ 43,225 $ (346,891 ) $ 85,947,454 A summary of the unrealized gains (losses) on investments in fixed maturities carried at fair value and the applicable deferred federal income taxes are shown below: June 30 December 31 2018 2017 Gross unrealized gains on fixed maturities $ 6,352 $ 43,225 Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities (1,752,296 ) (346,891 ) Net unrealized losses on fixed maturities (1,745,944 ) (303,666 ) Deferred federal tax benefit 366,649 63,770 Net unrealized losses, net of deferred income taxes $ (1,379,295 ) $ (239,896 ) A summary of estimated fair value, gross unrealized losses, and number of securities in a gross unrealized loss position by the length of time in which the securities have continually been in that position is shown below: Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Number of Securities June 30, 2018 U.S. treasury securities $ 10,165,938 $ (205,989 ) 8 $ — $ — — Corporate securities 30,145,410 (922,530 ) 41 — — — Agency mortgage-backed securities 21,929,549 (623,777 ) 18 — — — Total $ 62,240,897 $ (1,752,296 ) 67 $ — $ — — Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Number of Securities Estimated Fair Value Gross Unrealized Losses Number of Securities December 31, 2017 U.S. treasury securities $ 7,454,204 $ (63,697 ) 6 $ — $ — — Corporate securities 20,335,512 (130,787 ) 26 — — — Agency mortgage-backed securities 21,737,589 (152,407 ) 17 — — — Total $ 49,527,305 $ (346,891 ) 49 $ — $ — — The Company closely monitors its investments. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time to maturity and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments. The unrealized losses as of June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, were determined to be temporary. Although the Company does not intend to sell its fixed maturity investments prior to maturity, the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to cash flow requirements, economic and/or market conditions. The Company had realized gains of $137 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to realized gains of $155 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss,” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect. The Company’s investment in certificates of deposit included $20,202,000 and $27,698,000 of brokered certificates of deposit as of June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively. Brokered certificates of deposit provide the safety and security of a certificate of deposit combined with the convenience gained by one-stop shopping for rates at various institutions. This allows the Company to spread its investments across multiple institutions so that all of its certificate of deposit investments are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Brokered certificates of deposit are purchased through UnionBanc Investment Services, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, investment advisor, member of FINRA/SIPC, and a subsidiary of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Brokered certificates of deposit are a direct obligation of the issuing depository institution, are bank products of the issuing depository institution, are held in the name of Union Bank as Custodian for the benefit of the Company, and are FDIC insured within permissible limits. All the Company’s brokered certificates of deposit are within the FDIC insured permissible limits. The following certificates of deposit from four different banks represent statutory deposits that are assigned to and held by the California State Treasurer and the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Nevada. These deposits are required for writing certain lines of business in California and for admission to transact insurance business in the state of Nevada. June 30 December 31 2018 2017 Long-term certificates of deposit $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Short-term certificates of deposit 200,000 200,000 Total state held deposits $ 600,000 $ 600,000 All the Company’s brokered and non-brokered certificates of deposit are within the FDIC insured permissible limits. Due to nature of the Company’s business, certain bank accounts may exceed FDIC insured permissible limits. Short-term investments have an initial maturity between three and twelve months and consist of the following: June 30 December 31 2018 2017 Certificates of deposit $ 200,000 $ 200,000 U.S. treasury bills — 1,148,395 Commercial paper — 499,383 Total short-term investments $ 200,000 $ 1,847,778 |