Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2008
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Transition Period From to
000-50511
Commission File Number
Commission File Number
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Cayman Islands (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 98-0417107 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
WALKER HOUSE, 87 MARY STREET
KYI - 9002
GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(Address of principal executive office including zip code)
KYI - 9002
GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN
CAYMAN ISLANDS
(Address of principal executive office including zip code)
(345) 949-0100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesþ Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filero; | Accelerated filerþ; | Non-accelerated filero; | Smaller reporting companyo |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Noþ
As of November 3, 2008, the registrant had outstanding 19,018,793 Class A Common Shares and 12,687,500 Class B Common Shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
1 | ||||||||
2 | ||||||||
3 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
5 | ||||||||
6 | ||||||||
24 | ||||||||
45 | ||||||||
45 | ||||||||
46 | ||||||||
46 | ||||||||
46 | ||||||||
47 | ||||||||
48 | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.1 | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.2 | ||||||||
Exhibit 32.1 | ||||||||
Exhibit 32.2 |
Table of Contents
As used in this quarterly report, unless the context requires otherwise:
1) | “United America Indemnity,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to United America Indemnity, Ltd., an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its U.S. and Non-U.S. Subsidiaries; |
2) | our “U.S. Subsidiaries” refers to United America Indemnity Group, Inc., U.N. Holdings Inc., which was dissolved on May 31, 2006, Wind River Investment Corporation, which was dissolved on May 31, 2006, AIS, Emerald Insurance Company, which was dissolved on March 24, 2008, Penn-America Group, Inc., our U.S. Insurance Operations and our Agency Operations; |
3) | our “U.S. Insurance Operations” refers to the insurance and related operations conducted by AIS’ subsidiaries, including American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., International Underwriters, LLC, J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC, the United National Insurance Companies and the Penn-America Insurance Companies; |
4) | our “Predecessor Insurance Operations” refers to Wind River Investment Corporation, which was dissolved on May 31, 2006, AIS, American Insurance Adjustment Agency, Inc., Emerald Insurance Company, which was dissolved on March 24, 2008, the United National Insurance Companies, International Underwriters, LLC, and J.H. Ferguson & Associates, LLC; |
5) | the “United National Insurance Companies” refers to the insurance and related operations conducted by United National Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, including Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Casualty Insurance Company, and United National Specialty Insurance Company; |
6) | the “Penn-America Insurance Companies” refers to the insurance and related operations of Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, and Penn-Patriot Insurance Company; |
7) | our “Insurance Operations” refers to the U.S. Insurance Operations; |
8) | our “Non-U.S. Insurance Operations” refers to the insurance related operations of Wind River Insurance Company (Barbados), Ltd. and Wind River Insurance Company, Ltd. prior to the amalgamation, which occurred on September 30, 2006; |
9) | “Wind River Reinsurance” refers to Wind River Reinsurance Company, Ltd. In September 2006, Wind River Insurance Company (Barbados), Ltd. was redomesticated to Bermuda and renamed Wind River Reinsurance Company, Ltd., at which time it was amalgamated with Wind River Insurance Company, Ltd.; |
10) | our “Agency Operations” refers to the operations of Penn Independent Corporation and its subsidiaries, which were classified as discontinued operations as of September 30, 2006; |
11) | our “Non-U.S. Subsidiaries” refers to Wind River Reinsurance, U.A.I. (Gibraltar) Limited, which was liquidated on May 30, 2006, U.A.I. (Gibraltar) II Limited, which was liquidated on May 30, 2006, the Luxembourg Companies, U.A.I. (Ireland) Limited, and Wind River Services, Ltd., which was dissolved on August 17, 2007; |
12) | our “Reinsurance Operations” refers to the reinsurance and related operations of Wind River Reinsurance; |
13) | the “Luxembourg Companies” refers to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) I S.à r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) II S.à r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) III S.à r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) IV S.à r.l., U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à r.l., and Wind River (Luxembourg) S.à r.l.; |
14) | “AIS” refers to American Insurance Service, Inc.; |
15) | “United National Group” refers to the United National Insurance Companies and Emerald Insurance Company, which was dissolved on March 24, 2008; |
16) | “Penn-America Group” refers to Penn-America Group, Inc. and the Penn-America Insurance Companies; |
17) | “Penn-America” refers to our product classification that includes property and general liability products for small commercial businesses distributed through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority; |
18) | “United National” refers to our product classification that includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through program administrators with specific binding authority; |
19) | “Diamond State” refers to our product classification that includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through wholesale brokers and program administrators with specific binding authority; |
20) | the “Statutory Trusts” refers to United National Group Capital Trust I, United National Group Capital Statutory Trust II, and Penn-America Statutory Trust II; |
21) | “Fox Paine & Company” refers to Fox Paine & Company, LLC and affiliated investment funds; |
22) | “GAAP” refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; and |
23) | “$” or “dollars” refers to U.S. dollars. |
Table of Contents
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
September 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Bonds: | ||||||||
Available for sale securities, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,234,212 and $1,356,439) | $ | 1,218,831 | $ | 1,370,566 | ||||
Preferred shares: | ||||||||
Available for sale securities, at fair value (cost: $5,468 and $11,802) | 5,468 | 11,883 | ||||||
Common shares: | ||||||||
Available for sale securities, at fair value (cost: $57,795 and $61,032) | 62,617 | 73,794 | ||||||
Other invested assets | ||||||||
Available for sale securities, at fair value (cost: $19,689 and $19,412) | 44,065 | 51,102 | ||||||
Securities classified as trading, at fair value (cost: $5,151 and $5,151) | 11,041 | 13,437 | ||||||
Total investments | 1,342,022 | 1,520,782 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 295,344 | 244,321 | ||||||
Agents’ balances, net | 60,816 | 64,719 | ||||||
Reinsurance receivables | 679,901 | 719,706 | ||||||
Accrued investment income | 12,351 | 12,820 | ||||||
Federal income taxes receivable | 10,784 | — | ||||||
Deferred federal income taxes | 25,471 | 8,219 | ||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 38,622 | 52,505 | ||||||
Goodwill | 84,246 | 84,246 | ||||||
Intangible assets | 21,764 | 22,520 | ||||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 27,795 | 29,218 | ||||||
Other assets | 11,879 | 16,116 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,610,995 | $ | 2,775,172 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 1,525,864 | $ | 1,503,237 | ||||
Unearned premiums | 170,577 | 228,363 | ||||||
Federal income taxes payable | — | 3,455 | ||||||
Ceded balances payable | 24,965 | 15,758 | ||||||
Contingent commissions | 5,542 | 9,600 | ||||||
Notes and debentures payable | 121,925 | 137,602 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 27,507 | 40,881 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 1,876,380 | 1,938,896 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | — | — | ||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Common shares, $0.0001 par value, 900,000,000 common shares authorized; Class A common shares issued: 25,032,618 and 24,770,507, respectively; Class A common shares outstanding: 19,018,793 and 22,316,420, respectively; Class B common shares issued and outstanding: 12,687,500 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 523,678 | 519,980 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 7,902 | 40,172 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 303,413 | 324,542 | ||||||
Class A common shares in treasury, at cost: 6,013,825 and 2,454,087 shares, respectively | (100,382 | ) | (48,422 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 734,615 | 836,276 | ||||||
Total | $ | 2,610,995 | $ | 2,775,172 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
1
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 99,030 | $ | 140,915 | $ | 302,410 | $ | 442,134 | ||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 79,706 | $ | 122,568 | $ | 246,879 | $ | 387,137 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 89,511 | $ | 133,449 | $ | 303,241 | $ | 408,471 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 16,627 | 19,870 | 51,485 | 58,055 | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | (20,510 | ) | (614 | ) | (24,060 | ) | 1,153 | |||||||||
Total revenues | 85,628 | 152,705 | 330,666 | 467,679 | ||||||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 76,134 | 74,511 | 236,428 | 231,596 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 33,164 | 43,376 | 109,471 | 130,920 | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | 3,039 | 3,080 | 9,494 | 9,537 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1,963 | 2,770 | 6,690 | 8,574 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (28,672 | ) | 28,968 | (31,417 | ) | 87,052 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (10,260 | ) | 4,664 | (11,786 | ) | 14,688 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) before equity in net income (loss) of partnership | (18,412 | ) | 24,304 | (19,631 | ) | 72,364 | ||||||||||
Equity in net income (loss) of partnership, net of tax | (1,088 | ) | (206 | ) | (1,557 | ) | 155 | |||||||||
Income (loss) before discontinued operations | (19,500 | ) | 24,098 | (21,188 | ) | 72,519 | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | (98 | ) | (118 | ) | 59 | 2 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (19,598 | ) | $ | 23,980 | $ | (21,129 | ) | $ | 72,521 | ||||||
Per share data(1): | ||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.95 | ||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.93 | ||||||
Discontinued operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||||||
Net income (loss): | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.95 | ||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.93 | ||||||
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 31,449,094 | 37,229,274 | 33,302,048 | 37,184,783 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 31,449,094 | 37,521,473 | 33,302,048 | 37,513,041 | ||||||||||||
(1) | In 2008, “Diluted” data is the same as “Basic” data since there was a net loss for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008. |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
2
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (19,598 | ) | $ | 23,980 | $ | (21,129 | ) | $ | 72,521 | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gains on securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period | (29,266 | ) | 14,531 | (48,290 | ) | 6,670 | ||||||||||
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income (loss) | (13,764 | ) | (400 | ) | (16,020 | ) | 740 | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (15,502 | ) | 14,931 | (32,270 | ) | 5,930 | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | $ | (35,100 | ) | $ | 38,911 | $ | (53,399 | ) | $ | 78,451 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||
September 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Number of Class A common shares: | ||||||||
Number at beginning of period | 24,770,507 | 24,507,919 | ||||||
Common shares issued under share incentive plans | 252,248 | 243,253 | ||||||
Common shares issued to directors | 9,863 | 19,335 | ||||||
Number at end of period | 25,032,618 | 24,770,507 | ||||||
Number of Class B common shares: | ||||||||
Number at beginning of period | 12,687,500 | 12,687,500 | ||||||
Number at end of period | 12,687,500 | 12,687,500 | ||||||
Par value of Class A common shares: | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | ||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | ||||
Par value of Class B common shares: | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | ||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital: | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 519,980 | $ | 515,357 | ||||
Contributed capital from Class A common shares | — | 1,002 | ||||||
Share compensation plans | 3,698 | 3,621 | ||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 523,678 | $ | 519,980 | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax: | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 40,172 | $ | 22,580 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (32,270 | ) | 17,888 | |||||
Adoption of SFAS 155 | — | (296 | ) | |||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 7,902 | $ | 40,172 | ||||
Retained earnings: | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 324,542 | $ | 225,329 | ||||
Adoption of SFAS 155 | — | 296 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | (21,129 | ) | 98,917 | |||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 303,413 | $ | 324,542 | ||||
Number of Treasury Shares: | ||||||||
Number at beginning of period | 2,454,087 | — | ||||||
Class A common shares purchased | 3,559,738 | 2,454,087 | ||||||
Number at end of period | 6,013,825 | 2,454,087 | ||||||
Treasury Shares, at cost: | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | (48,422 | ) | $ | — | |||
Class A common shares purchased, at cost | (51,960 | ) | (48,422 | ) | ||||
Balance at end of period | $ | (100,382 | ) | $ | (48,422 | ) | ||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 734,615 | $ | 836,276 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (21,129 | ) | $ | 72,521 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
Amortization of trust preferred securities issuance costs | 152 | 212 | ||||||
Amortization and depreciation | 756 | 758 | ||||||
Restricted stock expense | 2,730 | 2,088 | ||||||
Gain on extinguishment of note payable | — | (277 | ) | |||||
Deferred federal income taxes | (3,845 | ) | 2,280 | |||||
Amortization of bond premium and discount, net | 2,221 | 905 | ||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses | 24,060 | (1,153 | ) | |||||
Equity in net (income) loss of partnerships | 1,557 | (155 | ) | |||||
Changes in: | ||||||||
Agents’ balances | 3,903 | 13,013 | ||||||
Reinsurance receivables | 39,805 | 218,047 | ||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 22,627 | (147,326 | ) | |||||
Unearned premiums | (57,786 | ) | (27,832 | ) | ||||
Ceded balances payable | 9,207 | 1,804 | ||||||
Other assets and liabilities, net | (8,305 | ) | (7,410 | ) | ||||
Contingent commissions | (4,058 | ) | (1,988 | ) | ||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 1,423 | 6,501 | ||||||
Federal income taxes receivable | (14,239 | ) | (233 | ) | ||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 13,883 | 2,155 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 12,962 | 133,910 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of bonds | 201,491 | 158,429 | ||||||
Proceeds from sale of stocks | 24,348 | 25,342 | ||||||
Proceeds from maturity of bonds | 76,210 | 55,829 | ||||||
Purchases of bonds | (167,892 | ) | (298,303 | ) | ||||
Purchases of stocks | (29,150 | ) | (30,896 | ) | ||||
Purchases of other invested assets | (277 | ) | — | |||||
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities | 104,730 | (89,599 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares | — | 296 | ||||||
Borrowing under credit facilities | — | 9,406 | ||||||
Repayments of credit facilities | — | (10,941 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from exercises of stock options | 1,041 | 1,762 | ||||||
Tax benefits (expense) associated with SFAS 123R | (73 | ) | 344 | |||||
Purchases of Class A common shares | (51,960 | ) | — | |||||
Retirement of junior subordinated debentures | (15,464 | ) | — | |||||
Principal payments of term debt | (213 | ) | (407 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities | (66,669 | ) | 460 | |||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 51,023 | 44,771 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 244,321 | 273,745 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 295,344 | $ | 318,516 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
1. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
United America Indemnity, Ltd. (“United America Indemnity” or the “Company”), was incorporated on August 26, 2003, and is domiciled in the Cayman Islands. The Company’s Class A common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “INDM.”
The consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 are unaudited, but have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which differ in certain respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The preparation of financial statements in conformity 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.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods. Results of operations for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results of a full year. The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of United America Indemnity and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company’s wholly owned business trust subsidiaries, United National Group Capital Trust I (“UNG Trust I”) and United National Group Capital Statutory Trust II (“UNG Trust II”) are not consolidated pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46(R), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46R”). The Company’s business trust subsidiaries have issued $30.0 million in floating rate capital securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) and $0.9 million of floating rate common securities in the aggregate. The sole assets of the Company’s business trust subsidiaries are $30.9 million of junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company, which have the same terms with respect to maturity, payments, and distributions as the Trust Preferred Securities and the floating rate common securities. The registration of the Company’s wholly owned business trust subsidiary, Penn-America Statutory Trust I (“Penn Trust I”), was cancelled effective January 15, 2008 as a result of the redemption of its $15.0 million issued and outstanding notes on December 4, 2007. The $15.0 million issued and outstanding notes of the Company’s wholly owned business trust subsidiary, Penn-America Statutory Trust II (“Penn Trust II”), were redeemed on May 15, 2008.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following items had changes during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008:
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”), the Company is required to perform a test for impairment of goodwill and other definite and indefinite lived assets at least annually. The impairment review is performed annually at December 31; however, the Company performed additional impairment reviews of goodwill and other definite and indefinite lived assets during the second and third quarters of 2008 and has concluded that goodwill and other definite and indefinite lived assets were not impaired. Impairment of goodwill is recognized if the fair value of the reporting unit giving rise to the goodwill is less than its carrying amount. If the premium of Penn-America Group declines beyond its current level or if our market value declines, impairment of goodwill associated within the Company’s 2005 merger with Penn-America Group might be necessary. The Company continues to closely monitor the premium of Penn-America Group and will perform additional impairment reviews if the situation warrants it.
There were no other significant changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008.
6
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
3. Investments
The Company’s investments in bonds, preferred stock, and common stock are classified as available for sale and are carried at their fair value. The Company purchases bonds with the expectation of holding them to their maturity; however, changes to the portfolio are sometimes required to assure it is appropriately matched to liabilities. In addition, changes in financial market conditions and tax considerations may cause the Company to sell an investment before it matures. In 2008 and 2007, the difference between amortized cost and fair value of these investments, excluding the Company’s convertible bond and preferred stock portfolios, net of the effect of deferred income taxes, is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity and, accordingly, has no effect on net income other than for impairments deemed to be other than temporary. The difference between amortized cost and fair value of the convertible bonds and preferred stocks is included in income. Bonds available for sale with an estimated fair market value of approximately $681.4 million and $809.2 million were deposited in trust or with various governmental authorities in accordance with statutory requirements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. These amounts include bonds with an estimated fair market value of $5.3 million and $6.2 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, that are held in a trust fund to meet the regulatory requirements applicable to Wind River Reinsurance, one of the Company’s subsidiaries.
The following table contains an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses, categorized by the period that the securities were in a continuous loss position as of September 30, 2008:
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost or | Six | Between | Greater | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Estimated | Amortized | Months or | Seven Months | than One | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Securities | Fair Value | Cost | Total | Less | and One Year | Year (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Bonds | 345 | $ | 631,429 | $ | 659,421 | $ | 27,992 | $ | 10,158 | $ | 10,806 | $ | 7,028 | |||||||||||||||
Common stock | 41 | 15,274 | 17,627 | 2,353 | 1,900 | 453 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 30,345 | $ | 12,058 | $ | 11,259 | $ | 7,028 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | At September 30, 2008, the Company had 84 bonds that were in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year. The estimated fair value and amortized cost of these securities were $92.7 million and $99.7 million, respectively. The Company has analyzed these securities and has determined that they are not other than temporarily impaired. The Company has the ability to hold these investments until maturity or until recovery. 100% of these securities are investment grade. |
The following table contains an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses, categorized by the period that the securities were in a continuous loss position as of December 31, 2007:
Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost or | Six | Between | Greater | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of | Estimated | Amortized | Months or | Seven Months | than One | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Securities | Fair Value | Cost | Total | Less | and One Year | Year (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Bonds | 266 | $ | 374,064 | $ | 379,222 | $ | 5,158 | $ | 877 | $ | 337 | $ | 3,944 | |||||||||||||||
Preferred stock | 1 | 2,363 | 2,500 | 137 | 137 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | 31 | 15,714 | 17,715 | 2,001 | 1,502 | 499 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 7,296 | $ | 2,516 | $ | 836 | $ | 3,944 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | At December 31, 2007, the Company had 215 bonds that were in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year. The estimated fair value and amortized cost of these securities were $293.8 million and $297.7 million, respectively. The Company has analyzed these securities and has determined that they are not other than temporarily impaired. The Company has the ability to hold these investments until maturity or until recovery. 100% of these securities are investment grade. |
7
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
Subject to the risks and uncertainties in evaluating the potential impairment of a security’s value, the impairment evaluation conducted by the Company as of September 30, 2008 concluded the gross unrealized losses discussed above are not other than temporary impairments. Accordingly, these gross unrealized losses are recognized as a component of shareholders’ equity, net of taxes.
The carrying amount of investments approximates their estimated fair value. The Company regularly performs various analytical valuation procedures with respect to its investments, including identifying any security where the fair value is below its cost. Upon identification of such securities and periodically thereafter, a detailed review is performed to determine whether the decline is considered other than temporary. This review includes an analysis of several factors, including but not limited to, the credit ratings and cash flows of the securities, and the magnitude and length of time that the fair value of such securities is below cost.
For bonds, the factors considered in reaching the conclusion that a decline below cost is other than temporary include, among others, whether (1) the issuer is in financial distress, (2) the investment is secured, (3) a significant credit rating action occurred, (4) scheduled interest payments were delayed or missed, and (5) changes in laws or regulations have affected an issuer or industry.
The amount of any write-down, including those that are deemed to be other than temporary, is included in earnings as a realized loss in the period in which the impairment arose.
For equity securities, management reviews securities with unrealized losses that have either (1) persisted for more than twelve consecutive months or (2) the value of the investment has been 20% or more below cost for six continuous months or more to determine if the security should be impaired. For securities with significant declines in value for periods shorter than nine months, the security is evaluated to determine if impairment is required.
The Company recorded the following other than temporary losses on its investment portfolio for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Bonds | $ | 1,067 | $ | 432 | $ | 1,067 | $ | 453 | ||||||||
Common stock | 3,227 | — | 5,046 | — | ||||||||||||
Preferred stock | 1,807 | — | 1,807 | — | ||||||||||||
Other invested assets | — | 150 | — | 150 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 6,101 | $ | 582 | $ | 7,920 | $ | 603 | ||||||||
The Company had approximately $3.5 million and $5.8 million worth of investment exposure through subprime and Alt-A investments as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. An Alt-A investment is one which is backed by a loan that contains insufficient documentation or background. As of September 30, 2008, approximately $1.2 million of those investments were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s, $1.8 million were rated BBB- to AA+, and $0.5 million were rated BB+. As of December 31, 2007, approximately $3.7 million of those investments were rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s, and the remaining $2.1 million were rated BBB- to AA+. There were no impairments on these investments during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
The components of net realized investments gains (losses) on the sale of investments for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Bonds | $ | (6,887 | ) | $ | (108 | ) | $ | (6,697 | ) | $ | 804 | |||||
Convertibles | (1,591 | ) | (412 | ) | (3,507 | ) | (1,473 | ) | ||||||||
Common stock | (3,405 | ) | 56 | (5,229 | ) | 1,541 | ||||||||||
Preferred stock | (8,627 | ) | — | (8,627 | ) | 431 | ||||||||||
Other invested assets | — | (150 | ) | — | (150 | ) | ||||||||||
Total | $ | (20,510 | ) | $ | (614 | ) | $ | (24,060 | ) | $ | 1,153 | |||||
8
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company sold its Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac common and preferred stock securities with a combined book value of $6.3 million and realized a loss of $5.9 million. As of September 30, 2008, the Company does not own any Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac common or preferred stock.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company sold Lehman Brothers securities with a book value of $8.0 million and realized a loss of $6.8 million. As of September 30, 2008, the Company owned $1.0 million of Lehman Brothers corporate bonds with a book value of $1.2 million.
As of September 30, 2008, the Company held the following Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities:
Fannie Mae | Freddie Mac | |||||||||||||||||||||||
S&P | S&P | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Book Value | Fair Value | Rating | Book Value | Fair Value | Rating | ||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | $ | 161,036 | $ | 162,320 | AAA | $ | 93,315 | $ | 93,609 | AAA | ||||||||||||||
Senior debt securities | 37,854 | 39,241 | AAA | 39,282 | 40,337 | AAA |
The Company’s total investment return (loss) on an after-tax basis for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 13,652 | $ | 16,062 | $ | 42,189 | $ | 46,565 | ||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | (13,765 | ) | (400 | ) | (16,021 | ) | 740 | |||||||||
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) | (15,502 | ) | 14,931 | (32,270 | ) | 5,634 | ||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses) | (29,267 | ) | 14,531 | (48,291 | ) | 6,374 | ||||||||||
Total investment return (loss) | $ | (15,615 | ) | $ | 30,593 | $ | (6,102 | ) | $ | 52,939 | ||||||
Total investment return (loss) % | (1.0 | )% | 1.7 | % | (0.4 | )% | 3.0 | % | ||||||||
Average investment portfolio(1) | $ | 1,656,009 | $ | 1,782,284 | $ | 1,701,235 | $ | 1,738,944 | ||||||||
(1) | Average of total cash and invested assets as of the beginning and ending of the period. |
4. Fair Value Measurements
As stated in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, on January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”), which gives entities the option to measure eligible assets, financial liabilities, and firm commitments at fair value (i.e., the fair value option), on an instrument-by-instrument basis, with the change in fair value recorded in earnings. The Company elected to apply the fair value option within its limited partnership investment portfolio to those investments where the Company owns more than a 3% interest. The fair value of these investments was $11.0 million as of September 30, 2008. Since these securities are already reported at fair value and the change in the value of the investment is included in income, the adoption of SFAS 159 has not had any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The fair value option was not elected for the Company’s investments in limited partnerships with less than a 3% ownership interest.
9
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
The Company also adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), effective January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, outlines a fair value hierarchy based on inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument is carried at fair value. The Company has determined that its fair value measurements are in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 157. Therefore, the implementation of SFAS 157 has not had any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The implementation of SFAS 157 resulted in expanded disclosures about securities measured at fair value, as discussed below.
The Company’s invested assets are carried at their fair value. In accordance with SFAS 157, assets recorded at fair value are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy:
• | Level 1 — inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. |
• | Level 2 — inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the similar assets, either directly or indirectly. |
• | Level 3 — inputs are unobservable for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. |
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.
Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for invested assets within the Level 3 category presented in the tables below may include changes in fair value that are attributed to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities inputs).
The following table presents information about the Company’s invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.
Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Bonds: | ||||||||||||||||
Obligations of state and political subdivision | $ | — | $ | 240,969 | $ | — | $ | 240,969 | ||||||||
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities | — | 560,592 | — | 560,592 | ||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury and agency obligations | 70,125 | 73,884 | — | 144,009 | ||||||||||||
Corporate notes | — | 273,261 | — | 273,261 | ||||||||||||
Total bonds | 70,125 | 1,148,706 | — | 1,218,831 | ||||||||||||
Preferred shares | 2,063 | 3,405 | — | 5,468 | ||||||||||||
Common shares | 62,617 | — | — | 62,617 | ||||||||||||
Other invested assets | — | — | 55,106 | 55,106 | ||||||||||||
Total invested assets | $ | 134,805 | $ | 1,152,111 | $ | 55,106 | $ | 1,342,022 | ||||||||
All prices for our fixed maturity and equity securities, which are valued as level 1 or level 2 in the SFAS 157 fair value hierarchy, are received from independent pricing services utilized by one of our outside investment managers. The investment manager utilizes a pricing committee which approves the use of the independent pricing service vendors. The pricing source of each security is determined in accordance with the pricing source procedures approved by the pricing committee. The investment manager uses supporting documentation received from the independent pricing service vendor which details the inputs, models and processes used in the evaluation process to determine the appropriate SFAS 157 pricing hierarchy. Any pricing where the input is based solely on a broker price is deemed to be a level 3 price. SFAS 157 hierarchy levels are approved by the pricing committee and reviewed annually to ensure they are consistent with the guidelines established by SFAS 157.
The securities classified as Level 1 in the above table consist of US Treasuries and equity securities actively traded on an exchange.
The securities classified as Level 2 in the above table consist primarily of fixed maturity securities. Based on the typical trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices for fixed maturities, security prices are derived through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable information. If there are no recent reported trades, matrix or model processes are used to develop a security price where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Included in the pricing of asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, and mortgage-backed securities are estimates of the rate of future prepayments of principal over the remaining life of the securities. Such estimates are derived based on the characteristics of the underlying structure and prepayment speeds previously experienced at the interest rate levels projected for the underlying collateral.
10
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
The securities classified as Level 3 in the above table consist of $55.1 million related to our limited partnership investments. Of this amount, $15.5 million was comprised of securities for which there is no readily available independent market price. Material assumptions and factors utilized in pricing these securities include future cash flows, constant default rates, recovery rates, and any market clearing activity that may have occurred since the prior month-end pricing period. The remaining $39.6 million was related to limited partnerships that invest mainly in securities that are publicly traded. However, since we do not have the ability to see the invested asset composition of these limited partnerships on a daily basis, we have classified these investments within the Level 3 category.
The following tables present changes in Level 3 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008:
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3 Inputs | ||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||
Quarter Ended September 30, 2008 | Invested | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Bonds | Assets | Total | |||||||||
Beginning balance at July 1, 2008 | $ | — | $ | 61,474 | $ | 61,474 | ||||||
Total gains (losses) (realized / unrealized): | ||||||||||||
Included in equity in net income (loss) of partnership | — | (1,674 | ) | (1,674 | ) | |||||||
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income | — | (4,716 | ) | (4,716 | ) | |||||||
Purchases | — | 22 | 22 | |||||||||
Ending balance at September 30, 2008 | $ | — | $ | 55,106 | $ | 55,106 | ||||||
Losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2008 | $ | — | $ | (1,674 | ) | $ | (1,674 | ) | ||||
Fair Value Measurements Using Level 3 Inputs | ||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 | Invested | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Bonds | Assets | Total | |||||||||
Beginning balance at January 1, 2008 | $ | 2,376 | $ | 64,539 | $ | 66,915 | ||||||
Total gains (losses) (realized / unrealized): | ||||||||||||
Included in equity in net income (loss) of partnership | — | (2,396 | ) | (2,396 | ) | |||||||
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income | (55 | ) | (7,314 | ) | (7,369 | ) | ||||||
Purchases | — | 277 | 277 | |||||||||
Sales | (554 | ) | — | (554 | ) | |||||||
Transfers out of Level 3 | (1,767 | ) | — | (1,767 | ) | |||||||
Ending balance at September 30, 2008 | $ | — | $ | 55,106 | $ | 55,106 | ||||||
Losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2008 | $ | — | $ | (2,396 | ) | $ | (2,396 | ) | ||||
5. Reinsurance
The Company cedes insurance to unrelated reinsurers on a pro rata (“quota share”) and excess of loss basis in the ordinary course of business to limit its net loss exposure on insurance contracts. Reinsurance ceded arrangements do not discharge the Company of primary liability as the originating insurer. Moreover, reinsurers may fail to pay the Company due to a lack of reinsurer liquidity, perceived improper underwriting, losses for risks that are excluded from reinsurance coverage, and other similar factors, all of which could adversely affect the Company’s financial results.
At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company carried reinsurance receivables of $679.9 million and $719.7 million, respectively. These amounts are net of a purchase accounting adjustment and an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables. The purchase accounting adjustment is related to discounting the loss reserves to their present value and applying a risk margin to the discounted reserves. This adjustment was $17.5 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. The allowance for uncollectible reinsurance receivables was $15.8 million and $10.5 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The change is primarily due to an increase in the Company’s assessment of its risk of collecting from several individual reinsurers.
11
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company held collateral securing its reinsurance receivables of $474.6 million and $520.8 million, respectively. Prepaid reinsurance premiums were $27.8 million and $29.2 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Reinsurance receivables, net of collateral held, were $205.3 million and $198.9 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
During the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded the following ceded amounts:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Earned premium | $ | 18,936 | $ | 19,405 | $ | 56,955 | $ | 61,497 | ||||||||
Commissions | 4,270 | 2,543 | 11,205 | 13,774 | ||||||||||||
Incurred losses | 23,773 | (1) | (24,657 | )(2) | 52,706 | (3) | (106,011 | )(4) |
(1) | The Company reduced gross and ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses related to prior accident years by $2.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, during the third quarter of 2008. | |
(2) | The Company reduced gross and ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses related to prior accident years by $41.4 million and $34.6 million, respectively, during the third quarter of 2007. | |
(3) | The Company increased gross and ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses related to prior accident years by $28.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. | |
(4) | The Company reduced gross and ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses related to prior accident years by $157.0 million and $136.3 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. |
The Company regularly evaluates retention levels to ensure that the ultimate reinsurance cessions are aligned with corporate risk tolerance and capital levels, as follows:
Property Catastrophe- The Company’s current property writings create exposure to catastrophic events. To protect against these exposures, the Company purchases property catastrophe coverage. In June 2008, the Company entered into a new property catastrophe reinsurance agreement that provides single event coverage for losses of $70.0 million in excess of $10.0 million. This coverage provides for one full reinstatement of coverage at 100% additional premium as to time and pro rata as to amount of limit reinstated. This replaces the contracts that expired on May 31, 2008, which provided single event coverage for losses of $100.0 million in excess of $10.0 million. The decline in coverage is due to reduced aggregate loss exposure to catastrophic events.
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses of $15.3 million due to Hurricane Ike, which occurred in September 2008. The Company recognized an additional $1.5 million of ceded written and earned premiums under its catastrophe reinsurance treaty as a result of the reinstatement of limits.
Property Excess of Loss- On January 1, 2008, the Company renewed its property excess of loss treaty. The Company’s retention remained unchanged at $1.0 million per risk. The Company has increased its protection for individual property losses by purchasing additional limits of $10.0 million in excess of $5.0 million per risk. As a result, the Company’s property treaty now covers losses of $14.0 million in excess of $1.0 million per risk.
Professional Liability Excess of Loss- On January 1, 2008, the Company renewed its professional liability excess of loss treaty. The Company’s retention remained unchanged at $0.5 million per occurrence. The Company’s professional liability excess of loss treaty has limits of $9.5 million in excess of $0.5 million.
General Liability Excess of Loss- On May 1, 2008, the Company renewed its general liability excess of loss treaty. The Company’s retention on this treaty, not including loss adjustment expenses which are allocated in proportion to losses retained and ceded, remained unchanged at $0.75 million per occurrence. The Company’s general liability excess of loss treaty has limits of $2.25 million in excess of $0.75 million per occurrence.
There were no other significant changes to any of the Company’s other reinsurance treaties during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008.
12
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
6. Income Taxes
The statutory income tax rates of the countries where the Company does business are 35.0% in the United States, 0.0% in Bermuda, 0.0% in the Cayman Islands, 29.63% in the Duchy of Luxembourg, and 25.0% in the Republic of Ireland. The statutory income tax rate of each country is applied against the expected annual taxable income of the Company in each country to estimate the annual income tax expense. Total estimated annual income tax expense is divided by total estimated annual pre-tax income to determine the expected annual income tax rate used to compute the income tax provision. On an interim basis, the expected annual income tax rate is applied against interim pre-tax income, excluding net realized gains and losses, and then adding that amount to income taxes on net realized gains and losses. The Company’s income from continuing operations before income taxes from the Non-U.S. Subsidiaries and U.S. Subsidiaries, including the results of the quota share agreement between Wind River Reinsurance and the U.S. Insurance Operations, for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:
Quarter Ended September 30, 2008: | Non-U.S. | U.S. | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Subsidiaries | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 46,143 | $ | 92,456 | $ | (39,569 | ) | $ | 99,030 | |||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 40,135 | $ | 39,571 | $ | — | $ | 79,706 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 45,608 | $ | 43,903 | $ | — | $ | 89,511 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 10,289 | 10,986 | (4,648 | ) | 16,627 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment losses | (1,238 | ) | (16,415 | ) | (2,857 | ) | (20,510 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues | 54,659 | 38,474 | (7,505 | ) | 85,628 | |||||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 39,537 | 36,597 | — | 76,134 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 17,987 | 15,177 | — | 33,164 | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | 1,973 | 1,066 | — | 3,039 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 6,611 | (4,648 | ) | 1,963 | |||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | $ | (4,838 | ) | $ | (20,977 | ) | $ | (2,857 | ) | $ | (28,672 | ) | ||||
Quarter Ended September 30, 2007: | Non-U.S. | U.S. | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Subsidiaries | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 65,995 | $ | 134,043 | $ | (59,123 | ) | $ | 140,915 | |||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 63,445 | $ | 59,123 | $ | — | $ | 122,568 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 67,699 | $ | 65,750 | $ | — | $ | 133,449 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 11,555 | 12,963 | (4,648 | ) | 19,870 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | (2 | ) | (622 | ) | 10 | (614 | ) | |||||||||
Total revenues | 79,252 | 78,091 | (4,638 | ) | 152,705 | |||||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 34,893 | 39,618 | — | 74,511 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 24,750 | 18,687 | (61 | ) | 43,376 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | 1,518 | 1,562 | — | 3,080 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 7,418 | (4,648 | ) | 2,770 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 18,091 | $ | 10,806 | $ | 71 | $ | 28,968 | ||||||||
13
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008: | Non-U.S. | U.S. | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Subsidiaries | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 143,796 | $ | 280,603 | $ | (121,989 | ) | $ | 302,410 | |||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 124,889 | $ | 121,990 | $ | — | $ | 246,879 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 155,279 | $ | 147,962 | $ | — | $ | 303,241 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 31,138 | 34,139 | (13,792 | ) | 51,485 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment losses | (1,090 | ) | (19,574 | ) | (3,396 | ) | (24,060 | ) | ||||||||
Total revenues | 185,327 | 162,527 | (17,188 | ) | 330,666 | |||||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 115,368 | 121,060 | — | 236,428 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 64,594 | 44,877 | — | 109,471 | ||||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | 5,786 | 3,708 | — | 9,494 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 20,482 | (13,792 | ) | 6,690 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (421 | ) | $ | (27,600 | ) | $ | (3,396 | ) | $ | (31,417 | ) | ||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007: | Non-U.S. | U.S. | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Subsidiaries | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 213,766 | $ | 423,097 | $ | (194,729 | ) | $ | 442,134 | |||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 203,820 | $ | 183,317 | $ | — | $ | 387,137 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 205,766 | $ | 202,705 | $ | — | $ | 408,471 | ||||||||
Net investment income | 32,870 | 38,977 | (13,792 | ) | 58,055 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | (27 | ) | 1,147 | 33 | 1,153 | |||||||||||
Total revenues | 238,609 | 242,829 | (13,759 | ) | 467,679 | |||||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 115,259 | 116,337 | — | 231,596 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 76,279 | 55,184 | (543 | ) | 130,920 | |||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | 6,860 | 2,501 | 176 | 9,537 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | — | 22,366 | (13,792 | ) | 8,574 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 40,211 | $ | 46,441 | $ | 400 | $ | 87,052 | ||||||||
The following tables summarize the differences between the tax provisions under Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting” (“APB 28”), for interim financial statement periods and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate:
Quarter Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||
% of Pre- | % of Pre- | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Amount | Tax Loss | Amount | Tax Income | ||||||||||||
Expected tax provision (benefit) at weighted average rate | $ | (8,324 | ) | (29.0 | )% | $ | 3,828 | 13.2 | % | |||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||
Tax exempt interest | (715 | ) | (2.5 | ) | (608 | ) | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||
Dividend exclusion | (155 | ) | (0.5 | ) | (120 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
Effective tax rate adjustment | (450 | ) | (1.6 | ) | 1,501 | 5.2 | ||||||||||
Other | (616 | ) | (2.2 | ) | 63 | 0.2 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | (10,260 | ) | (35.8 | )% | $ | 4,664 | 16.1 | % | |||||||
14
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||||
% of Pre- | % of Pre- | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Amount | Tax Loss | Amount | Tax Income | ||||||||||||
Expected tax provision (benefit) at weighted average rate | $ | (10,792 | ) | (34.3 | )% | $ | 16,454 | 18.9 | % | |||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||
Tax exempt interest | (2,172 | ) | (6.9 | ) | (1,805 | ) | (2.1 | ) | ||||||||
Dividend exclusion | (481 | ) | (1.5 | ) | (346 | ) | (0.4 | ) | ||||||||
Effective tax rate adjustment | 2,447 | 7.8 | 990 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Other | (788 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (605 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | (11,786 | ) | (37.5 | )% | $ | 14,688 | 16.9 | % | |||||||
The Company recognized income tax benefit on discontinued operations of $0.05 million and $0.06 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and income tax expense of $0.03 million and $0.001 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The effective income tax benefit rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 37.5%, compared with an effective income tax expense rate of 16.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The change in the effective income tax rate from an expense to a benefit is primarily due to a change in the Company’s underwriting results from income in 2007 to a loss in 2008 and an increase in net realized investment losses. The Company intends to carry back the net operating loss and net realized investment losses incurred in 2008. The effective rates differed from the weighted average expected income tax expense (benefit) rates of (34.3)% and 18.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, primarily due to investments in tax-exempt securities.
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2005. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) initiated examination of the U.S. income tax return of Penn-America Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the period January 1, 2005 through January 24, 2005 in the third quarter of 2007. The IRS completed its examination during the first quarter of 2008. No audit adjustments were made.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. As a result, the Company now applies a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties. FIN 48 only allows the recognition of those tax benefits that have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were $3.1 million and $3.6 million as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
If recognized, the gross unrecognized tax benefits could lower the effective income tax rate in any future period. The provision for gross unrecognized tax benefits decreased $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due to the expiration of the IRS statute of limitations on the Company’s 2003 and 2004 federal income tax returns. As a result, the effective income tax rate was reduced by 1.8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
The Company classifies all interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. As of September 30, 2008, the Company has recorded $0.2 million in liabilities for tax-related interest and penalties on its consolidated balance sheet.
15
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
7. Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses reflects the Company’s best estimate for future amounts needed to pay claims and related settlement expenses and the impact of the Company’s reinsurance coverages with respect to insured events. Estimating the ultimate claims liability of the Company is a complex and judgmental process, because the amounts are based on management’s informed estimates and judgments using data currently available. In some cases, significant periods of time, up to several years or more, may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss and the reporting of such to the Company. The method for determining the Company’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses includes, but is not limited to, reviewing past loss experience and considering other factors such as industry data and legal, social, and economic developments. As additional experience and data become available, the Company’s estimate for the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is revised accordingly. If the Company’s ultimate losses, net of reinsurance, prove to differ substantially from the amounts recorded with respect to unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at September 30, 2008, the related adjustments could have a material impact on the Company’s future results of operations.
Activity in the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:
Quarter Ended September 30, | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of period | $ | 1,501,229 | $ | 1,598,805 | ||||
Less: Gross reinsurance receivables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 666,913 | 810,949 | ||||||
Net balance at beginning of period | 834,316 | 787,856 | ||||||
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses related to: | ||||||||
Current year | 71,917 | 81,405 | ||||||
Prior years | 4,217 | (1) | (6,894 | )(2) | ||||
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | 76,134 | 74,511 | ||||||
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to: | ||||||||
Current year | 21,328 | 23,544 | ||||||
Prior years | 41,144 | 37,946 | ||||||
Total paid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 62,472 | 61,490 | ||||||
Net balance at end of period | 847,978 | 800,877 | ||||||
Plus: Gross reinsurance receivables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 677,886 | 753,807 | ||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period | $ | 1,525,864 | $ | 1,554,684 | ||||
(1) | In the third quarter of 2008, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $1.5 million and increased its allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $5.7 million. The loss reserves decrease of $1.5 million consisted of reductions of $3.5 million in general liability lines and $0.2 million in property lines, offset by an increase of $2.2 million in professional lines. The reduction to the general liability lines consisted of reductions of $8.6 million primarily related to accident years 2005 and prior, offset by increases of $5.1 million related to accident years 2006 and 2007. The reduction to the property lines and increase to the professional liability lines are primarily related to accident years 2006 and 2007. | |
(2) | In the third quarter of 2007, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $5.3 million and reduced its allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $1.6 million. The loss reserves reduction of $5.3 million consisted of reductions of $4.6 million in general liability lines, $1.7 million in umbrella lines, and $0.1 million in property lines, offset by an increase of $1.1 million in professional liability lines. The reduction in the general liability lines consisted of reductions of $20.0 million primarily related to accident years 2002 through 2006, offset by increases of $15.4 million primarily related to accident years 2001 and prior. The reduction in the umbrella lines are primarily related to accident years 2001 through 2004. The increase to the professional liability lines consisted of increases of $1.7 million primarily related to accident years 1998, 2003, and 2006, offset by reductions of $0.6 million primarily related to accident years 2002 and 2005. |
16
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of period | $ | 1,503,237 | $ | 1,702,010 | ||||
Less: Gross reinsurance receivables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 702,353 | 966,668 | ||||||
Net balance at beginning of period | 800,884 | 735,342 | ||||||
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses related to: | ||||||||
Current year | 215,670 | 252,350 | ||||||
Prior years | 20,758 | (1) | (20,754 | )(2) | ||||
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | 236,428 | 231,596 | ||||||
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to: | ||||||||
Current year | 42,895 | 46,582 | ||||||
Prior years | 146,439 | 119,479 | ||||||
Total paid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 189,334 | 166,061 | ||||||
Net balance at end of period | 847,978 | 800,877 | ||||||
Plus: Gross reinsurance receivables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 677,886 | 753,807 | ||||||
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period | $ | 1,525,864 | $ | 1,554,684 | ||||
(1) | In 2008, the Company increased its prior accident year loss reserves by $15.5 million and increased its allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $5.3 million. The loss reserves increase of $15.5 million consisted of increases of $13.4 million in our general liability lines and $7.5 million in our professional liability lines, offset by reductions of $4.6 million in our property lines and $0.8 million in our umbrella lines. The increase to the general liability lines was primarily related to accident years 2006, 2007, and 1995 and prior. The increase to the professional liability lines consisted of increases of $9.8 million primarily related to accident years 2006 and 2007, offset by reductions of $2.3 million primarily related to accident years 2003 and 2005. The reduction in property lines was primarily related to accident years 2006 and 2007. The reduction in umbrella lines was primarily related to accident years 2004 and prior. | |
(2) | In 2007, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $16.2 million and reduced its allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $4.5 million. The loss reserves reduction of $16.2 million consisted of reductions of $6.3 million in our property lines, $9.0 million in our general liability lines, and $8.2 million in our umbrella lines, offset by an increase of $7.3 million in our professional liability lines. The reduction to the property lines was primarily related to accident years 2003 through 2007. The reduction in general liability lines consisted of reductions of $20.6 million related to accident years 2002 through 2006, offset by increases of $11.6 million related to accident years 2001 and prior. The reduction in umbrella lines was primarily related to accident years 2002 and 2003. The increase in professional liability lines was primarily related to accident years 1998, 2003, and 2006. |
During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized net loss and loss adjustment expenses related to catastrophes of $16.5 million and gross loss and loss adjustment expenses of $35.8 million primarily due to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company ceded losses of $15.3 million under its catastrophe reinsurance treaty due to Hurricane Ike which occurred in September 2008. The Company recognized an additional $1.5 million of ceded written and earned premiums under its catastrophe reinsurance treaty as a result of the reinstatement of limits. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, catastrophe loss and loss adjustment expenses, gross and net, were not material.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized net loss and loss adjustment expenses related to catastrophes of $21.2 million and gross loss and loss adjustment expenses of $40.5 million primarily due to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in the third quarter of 2008 and storms in the Midwest during the first half of 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company ceded losses of $15.3 million under its catastrophe reinsurance treaty due to Hurricane Ike, which occurred in September 2008. The Company recognized an additional $1.5 million of ceded written and earned premiums under its catastrophe reinsurance treaty as a result of the reinstatement of limits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, catastrophe loss and loss adjustment expenses, gross and net, were $2.0 million.
17
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
8. Debt
The Company’s debt is comprised of guaranteed senior notes, junior subordinated debentures, a discretionary demand line of credit, notes payable, and loans payable. The following items had changes during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008:
Junior Subordinated Debentures
On May 15, 2008, the Company redeemed all of the $15.0 million issued and outstanding notes of Penn Trust II. In conjunction with this redemption, the $15.5 million of junior subordinated debentures of Penn-America Group, Inc., which were the sole assets of Penn Trust II, were also redeemed.
Loans Payable
Loans payable of $1.0 million and $1.2 million as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were comprised of a loan payable to a former minority shareholder. Interest expense related to loans payable was $0.01 million and $0.01 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $0.03 million and $0.04 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
There were no other significant changes to the Company’s debt during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008.
9. Related Party Transactions
As of September 30, 2008, Fox Paine & Company beneficially owned shares having approximately 88.1% of the Company’s total outstanding voting power. Fox Paine & Company can nominate five of the directors of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s Chairman is a member of Fox Paine & Company. In addition, another director is an employee of Fox Paine & Company. The Company relies on Fox Paine & Company to provide management services and other services related to the operations of the Company. The Company directly reimbursed Fox Paine & Company $0.08 million and $0.0 million during the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively for expenses incurred in providing management services.
At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, Wind River Reinsurance was a limited partner in investment funds managed by Fox Paine & Company. This investment was originally made by United National Insurance Company in June 2000 and pre-dates the September 5, 2003 acquisition by Fox Paine & Company of Wind River Investment Corporation, the holding company for the Company’s Predecessor Insurance Operations. The Company’s investment in this limited partnership was valued at $6.7 million and $5.6 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. At September 30, 2008, the Company had an unfunded capital commitment of $3.8 million to the partnership. On April 1, 2008, the Company made a capital call contribution of $0.3 million to the partnership. An additional capital call contribution of $0.02 million was made on July 7, 2008.
During the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid $0.1 million and $0.7 million respectively, for legal services rendered by Cozen O’Connor. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid $0.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for legal services rendered by Cozen O’Connor. Stephen A. Cozen, the chairman of Cozen O’Connor, is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.
18
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
The Company paid $0.0 million and $0.2 million during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million in the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, in premium to Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. (“Validus”). Validus was a participant on the Company’s $100.0 million in excess of $10.0 million, $30.0 million in excess of $30.0 million, and $25.0 million in excess of $5.0 million catastrophe reinsurance treaties, all of which expired on May 31, 2007. No losses were ceded by the Company under these treaties.
Validus is also a participant in a quota share retrocession agreement with Wind River Reinsurance. The Company estimated that the following written premium and losses related to the quota share retrocession agreement have been assumed by Validus from Wind River Reinsurance:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Ceded written premium | $ | 1,149 | $ | 1,921 | $ | 9,721 | $ | 7,630 | ||||||||
Ceded losses | 5,225 | 498 | 5,890 | 1,049 |
Edward J. Noonan, the chairman and chief executive officer of Validus, was a member of the Company’s Board of Directors until June 1, 2007, when he resigned from the Company’s Board. Although Validus is no longer a related party as a result of Mr. Noonan’s resignation, the current quota share retrocession agreement with Wind River Reinsurance was put in place during the period when Validus was a related party.
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company purchases insurance and reinsurance policies covering such risks in amounts that it considers adequate. However, there can be no assurance that the insurance and reinsurance coverage that the Company maintains is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, or financial condition.
There is a greater potential for disputes with reinsurers who are in a runoff of their reinsurance operations. Some of the Company’s reinsurers’ reinsurance operations are in runoff, and therefore, the Company closely monitors those relationships. The Company anticipates that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, it will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business.
11. Share-Based Compensation Plans
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company granted 205,175 Class A common shares, subject to certain restrictions, at a weighted average grant date value of $16.11 per share, to key employees of the Company under the United America Indemnity, Ltd. Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). In addition, during the same period, the Company granted an aggregate of 27,056 fully vested Class A common shares, subject to certain restrictions, at a weighted average grant date value of $18.45 per share, to non-employee directors of the Company under the Plan. Also, during the same period, the Company cancelled 197,473 and granted 249,419 Time-Based Options, and cancelled 197,473 and granted 249,419 Performance-Based Options under the Plan as a result of the amendment and restatement of Larry A. Frakes’ employment agreement. The Time-Based Options vest in 25% increments over a four-year period and expire ten years after the grant date. The Performance-Based Options vest in 25% increments over a four-year period and are conditional upon the Company achieving various operating targets and expire ten years after the grant date.
19
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
12. Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share have been computed using the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the period.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. In 2008, “Diluted” data is the same as “Basic” data since there was a net loss for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (19,500 | ) | $ | 24,098 | $ | (21,188 | ) | $ | 72,519 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | (98 | ) | (118 | ) | 59 | 2 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (19,598 | ) | $ | 23,980 | $ | (21,129 | ) | $ | 72,521 | ||||||
Basic earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share | 31,449,094 | 37,229,274 | 33,302,048 | 37,184,783 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.95 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.95 | ||||||
Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share | 31,449,094 | 37,521,473 | 33,302,048 | 37,513,041 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.93 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | $ | 0.00 | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | 0.64 | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | 1.93 | ||||||
13. Segment Information
The Company manages its business through two business segments: Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of the United National Insurance Companies and the Penn-America Insurance Companies, and Reinsurance Operations, which includes the operations of Wind River Reinsurance.
As a result of the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company’s Agency Operations in September 2006, the Company no longer has an Agency Operations segment, and the results of its Agency Operations are now classified as discontinued operations.
The Insurance Operations segment, the Reinsurance Operations segment, and the discontinued Agency Operations segment follow the same accounting policies used for the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For further disclosure regarding the Company’s accounting policies, please see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
20
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
Following is a tabulation of business segment information. Corporate information is included to reconcile segment data to the consolidated financial statements.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2008: | Insurance | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Operations (1) | Reinsurance (2) | Total | |||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 92,458 | $ | 6,572 | $ | 99,030 | ||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 79,139 | $ | 567 | $ | 79,706 | ||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 87,800 | $ | 1,711 | $ | 89,511 | ||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 74,383 | 1,751 | 76,134 | |||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 32,401 | (3) | 763 | (4) | 33,164 | |||||||
Loss from segments | $ | (18,984 | ) | $ | (803 | ) | (19,787 | ) | ||||
Unallocated Items: | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 16,627 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment losses | (20,510 | ) | ||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | (3,039 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (1,963 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (28,672 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax benefit | (10,260 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before equity in net loss of partnership | (18,412 | ) | ||||||||||
Equity in net loss of partnership, net of tax | (1,088 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before discontinued operations | (19,500 | ) | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | (98 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (19,598 | ) | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,006,132 | $ | 604,863 | (5) | $ | 2,610,995 | |||||
(1) | Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations. | |
(2) | External business only, excluding business assumed from the Company’s Insurance Operations. | |
(3) | Includes federal excise tax of $443 relating to the quota share agreement. | |
(4) | Includes all Wind River Reinsurance expenses other than federal excise tax. | |
(5) | Comprised of Wind River Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries. |
Quarter Ended September 30, 2007: | Insurance | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Operations (1) | Reinsurance (2) | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 134,043 | $ | 6,872 | $ | — | $ | 140,915 | ||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 118,245 | $ | 4,323 | $ | — | $ | 122,568 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 131,499 | $ | 1,950 | $ | — | $ | 133,449 | ||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 73,247 | 1,264 | — | 74,511 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 42,225 | (3) | 1,212 | (4) | (61 | )(5) | 43,376 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from segments | $ | 16,027 | $ | (526 | ) | $ | 61 | 15,562 | ||||||||
Unallocated Items: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 19,870 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized investment losses | (614 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | (3,080 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (2,770 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 28,968 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 4,664 | |||||||||||||||
Income before equity in net income of partnership | 24,304 | |||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of partnership, net of tax | (206 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income before discontinued operations | 24,098 | |||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | (118 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 23,980 | ||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 2,252,206 | $ | 643,536 | (6) | $ | — | $ | 2,895,742 | |||||||
(1) | Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations. | |
(2) | External business only, excluding business assumed from the Company’s Insurance Operations. | |
(3) | Includes federal excise tax of $657 relating to the quota share agreement. | |
(4) | Includes all Wind River Reinsurance expenses other than federal excise tax. | |
(5) | Elimination of intercompany activity between our Insurance Operations and our discontinued Agency Operations. | |
(6) | Comprised of Wind River Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries. |
21
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008: | Insurance | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Operations (1) | Reinsurance (2) | Total | |||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 280,605 | $ | 21,805 | $ | 302,410 | ||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 243,978 | $ | 2,901 | $ | 246,879 | ||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 295,923 | $ | 7,318 | $ | 303,241 | ||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 226,175 | 10,253 | 236,428 | |||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 104,859 | (3) | 4,612 | (4) | 109,471 | |||||||
Loss from segments | $ | (35,111 | ) | $ | (7,547 | ) | (42,658 | ) | ||||
Unallocated Items: | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 51,485 | |||||||||||
Net realized investment losses | (24,060 | ) | ||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | (9,494 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (6,690 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (31,417 | ) | ||||||||||
Income tax benefit | (11,786 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before equity in net loss of partnership | (19,631 | ) | ||||||||||
Equity in net loss of partnership, net of tax | (1,557 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss before discontinued operations | (21,188 | ) | ||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | 59 | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (21,129 | ) | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,006,132 | $ | 604,863 | (5) | $ | 2,610,995 | |||||
(1) | Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations. | |
(2) | External business only, excluding business assumed from the Company’s Insurance Operations. | |
(3) | Includes federal excise tax of $1,484 relating to the quota share agreement. | |
(4) | Includes all Wind River Reinsurance expenses other than federal excise tax. | |
(5) | Comprised of Wind River Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries. |
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007: | Insurance | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Operations (1) | Reinsurance (2) | Eliminations | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 423,097 | $ | 19,037 | $ | — | $ | 442,134 | ||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 378,045 | $ | 9,092 | $ | — | $ | 387,137 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 405,409 | $ | 3,062 | $ | — | $ | 408,471 | ||||||||
Losses and Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 229,757 | 1,839 | — | 231,596 | ||||||||||||
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses | 128,861 | (3) | 2,602 | (4) | (543 | )(5) | 130,920 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from segments | $ | 46,791 | $ | (1,379 | ) | $ | 543 | 45,955 | ||||||||
Unallocated Items: | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 58,055 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains | 1,153 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and other operating expenses | (9,537 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (8,574 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 87,052 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 14,688 | |||||||||||||||
Income before equity in net income of partnership | 72,364 | |||||||||||||||
Equity in net income of partnership, net of tax | 155 | |||||||||||||||
Income before discontinued operations | 72,519 | |||||||||||||||
Discontinued operations, net of tax | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 72,521 | ||||||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 2,252,206 | $ | 643,536 | (6) | $ | — | $ | 2,895,742 | |||||||
(1) | Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations. | |
(2) | External business only, excluding business assumed from the Company’s Insurance Operations. | |
(3) | Includes federal excise tax of $1,764 relating to the quota share agreement. | |
(4) | Includes all Wind River Reinsurance expenses other than federal excise tax. | |
(5) | Elimination of intercompany activity between our Insurance Operations and our discontinued Agency Operations. | |
(6) | Comprised of Wind River Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries. |
22
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —(Continued)
(Unaudited)
14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The Company paid the following amounts in cash for interest and net U.S. federal income taxes paid during the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Net U.S. federal income taxes paid | $ | — | $ | 4,300 | $ | 6,401 | $ | 12,300 | ||||||||
Interest paid | 3,327 | 4,125 | 8,465 | 9,779 |
23
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of United America Indemnity included elsewhere in this report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy, constitutes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of this Item 2 for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. For more information regarding our business and operations, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Overview
Our Insurance Operations distribute property and casualty insurance products through a group of approximately 110 professional general agencies that have limited quoting and binding authority, as well as a number of wholesale insurance brokers who in turn sell our insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers. We operate predominantly in the excess and surplus lines marketplace. To manage our operations, we differentiate them by product classification. These product classifications are: 1) Penn-America, which includes property and general liability products for small commercial businesses distributed through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority; 2) United National, which includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through program administrators with specific binding authority; and 3) Diamond State, which includes property, general liability, and professional lines products distributed through wholesale brokers and program administrators with specific binding authority.
Our Reinsurance Operations are comprised of the operations of Wind River Reinsurance, a Bermuda-based treaty and facultative reinsurer of excess and surplus lines and specialty property and casualty insurance.
We derive our revenues primarily from premiums paid on insurance policies that we write and from income generated by our investment portfolio, net of fees paid for investment management services. The amount of insurance premiums that we receive is a function of the amount and type of policies we write, as well as of prevailing market prices.
Our expenses include losses and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses, corporate and other operating expenses, interest, other investment expenses, and income taxes. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated by management and reflect our best estimate of ultimate losses and costs arising during the reporting period and revisions of prior period estimates. We record losses and loss adjustment expenses based on an actuarial analysis of the estimated losses we expect to incur on the insurance policies we write. The ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses will depend on the actual costs to resolve claims. Acquisition costs consist principally of commissions that are typically a percentage of the premiums on the insurance policies we write, net of ceding commissions earned from reinsurers and allocated internal costs. Other underwriting expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses and general operating expenses. Corporate and other operating expenses are comprised primarily of outside legal fees, other professional fees, including accounting fees, directors’ fees, management fees, salaries and benefits for company personnel whose services relate to the support of corporate activities, and taxes incurred. Interest expense consists primarily of interest on senior notes payable, junior subordinated debentures, and funds held on behalf of others.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and estimation.
24
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Liability For Unpaid Losses And Loss Adjustment Expenses
Although variability is inherent in estimates, we believe that the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses reflects our best estimate for future amounts needed to pay losses and related loss adjustment expenses and the impact of our reinsurance coverages with respect to insured events.
In developing loss and loss adjustment expense (“loss” or “losses”) reserve estimates, our actuaries perform detailed reserve analyses each quarter. To perform the analysis, the data is organized at a “reserve category” level. A reserve category can be a line of business such as commercial automobile liability, or it can be a particular type of claim such as construction defect. The reserves within a reserve category level are characterized as either short-tail or long-tail. Most of our business can be characterized as long-tail. For long-tail business, it will generally be several years between the time the business is written and the time when all claims are settled. Our long-tail exposures include general liability, professional liability, products liability, commercial automobile liability, and excess and umbrella. Short-tail exposures include property, commercial automobile physical damage, and equine mortality. To manage our insurance operations, we differentiate them by product classifications, which are Penn-America, United National, and Diamond State. For further discussion about our product classifications, see “General — Our Insurance Operations” in Item 1 of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Each of our product classifications contain both long-tail and short-tail exposures. Every reserve category is analyzed by our actuaries each quarter. The analyses generally include reviews of losses gross of reinsurance and net of reinsurance.
The reserve analyses performed by our actuaries during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 were reviewed by an independent actuary. Management did not rely on this review, but the information was used to corroborate the work performed by our internal actuarial staff.
The methods that we use to project ultimate losses for both long-tail and short-tail exposures include, but are not limited to, the following:
• | Paid Development method; |
• | Incurred Development method; |
• | Expected Loss Ratio method; |
• | Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid loss; |
• | Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and incurred loss; and |
• | Average Loss method. |
The Paid Development method estimates ultimate losses by reviewing paid loss patterns and applying them to accident years with further expected changes in paid loss. Selection of the paid loss pattern requires analysis of several factors including the impact of inflation on claims costs, the rate at which claims professionals make claim payments and close claims, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes, the impact of large claim payments and other factors. Claim cost inflation itself requires evaluation of changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. Because this method assumes that losses are paid at a consistent rate, changes in any of these factors can impact the results. Since the method does not rely on case reserves, it is not directly influenced by changes in the adequacy of case reserves.
For many reserve categories, paid loss data for recent periods may be too immature or erratic for accurate predictions. This situation often exists for long-tail exposures. In addition, changes in the factors described above may result in inconsistent payment patterns. Finally, estimating the paid loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available in the data analyzed often involves considerable uncertainty for long-tail reserve categories.
The Incurred Development method is similar to the Paid Development method, but it uses case incurred losses instead of paid losses. Since this method uses more data (case reserves in addition to paid losses) than the Paid Development method, the incurred development patterns may be less variable than paid development patterns. However, selection of the incurred loss pattern requires analysis of all of the factors listed in the description of the Paid Development method. In addition, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving practices have taken place and the use of case incurred losses may not eliminate the issues associated with estimating the incurred loss pattern subsequent to the most mature point available.
25
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
The Expected Loss Ratio method multiplies premiums by an expected loss ratio to produce ultimate loss estimates for each accident year. This method may be useful if loss development patterns are inconsistent, losses emerge very slowly, or there is relatively little loss history from which to estimate future losses. The selection of the expected loss ratio requires analysis of loss ratios from earlier accident years or pricing studies and analysis of inflationary trends, frequency trends, rate changes, underwriting changes, and other applicable factors.
The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid losses is a combination of the Paid Development method and the Expected Loss Ratio method. This method normally determines expected loss ratios similar to the method used for the Expected Loss Ratio method and requires analysis of the same factors described above. The method assumes that only future losses will develop at the expected loss ratio level. The percent of paid loss to ultimate loss implied from the Paid Development method is used to determine what percentage of ultimate loss is yet to be paid. The use of the pattern from the Paid Development method requires consideration of all factors listed in the description of the Paid Development method. The estimate of losses yet to be paid is added to current paid losses to estimate the ultimate loss for each year. This method will react very slowly if actual ultimate loss ratios are different from expectations due to changes not accounted for by the expected loss ratio calculation.
The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and incurred losses is similar to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid losses except that it uses case incurred losses. The use of case incurred losses instead of paid losses can result in development patterns that are less variable than paid development patterns. However, the inclusion of case reserves can lead to distortions if changes in case reserving practices have taken place, and the method requires analysis of all the factors that need to be reviewed for the Expected Loss Ratio and Incurred Development methods.
The Average Loss method multiplies a projected number of ultimate claims by an estimated ultimate average loss for each accident year to produce ultimate loss estimates. Since projections of the ultimate number of claims are often less variable than projections of ultimate loss, this method can provide more reliable results for reserve categories where loss development patterns are inconsistent or too variable to be relied on exclusively. In addition, this method can more directly account for changes in coverage that impact the number and size of claims. However, this method can be difficult to apply to situations where very large claims or a substantial number of unusual claims result in volatile average claim sizes. Projecting the ultimate number of claims requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to us, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. Estimating the ultimate average loss requires analysis of the impact of large losses and claim cost trends based on changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors.
For many exposures, especially those that can be considered long-tail, a particular accident year may not have a sufficient volume of paid losses to produce a statistically reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In such a case, our actuaries typically assign more weight to the Incurred Development method than to the Paid Development method. As claims continue to settle and the volume of paid losses increases, the actuaries may assign additional weight to the Paid Development method. For most of our reserve categories, even the incurred losses for accident years that are early in the claim settlement process will not be of sufficient volume to produce a reliable estimate of ultimate losses. In these cases, we will not assign any weight to the Paid and Incurred Development methods and will use the Bornhuetter-Ferguson and Expected Loss Ratio methods. For short-tail exposures, the Paid and Incurred Development methods can often be relied on sooner primarily because our history includes a sufficient number of years to cover the entire period over which paid and incurred losses are expected to change. However, we may also use the Expected Loss Ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and Average Loss methods for short-tail exposures.
Generally, reserves for long-tail lines use the Expected Loss Ratio method for the most recent accident year, shift to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods for the next two years, and then shift to the Incurred and/or Paid Development method. Claims related to umbrella business are usually reported later than claims for other long-tail lines. For umbrella business, the Expected Loss Ratio method is used for as many as five years, shifts to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method for one year, and then shifts to the Incurred Development method. Reserves for short-tail lines use the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods for the most recent accident year and shift to the Incurred and/or Paid Development method in subsequent years.
26
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
For other more complex reserve categories where the above methods may not produce reliable indications, we use additional methods tailored to the characteristics of the specific situation. Such reserve categories include losses from construction defects and asbestos and environmental (“A&E”).
For construction defect losses, our actuaries organize losses by the year in which they were reported. To estimate losses from claims that have not been reported, various extrapolation techniques are applied to the pattern of claims that have been reported to estimate the number of claims yet to be reported. This process requires analysis of several factors including the rate at which policyholders report claims to us, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes and other factors. An average claim size is determined from past experience and applied to the number of unreported claims to estimate reserves for these claims.
Establishing reserves for A&E and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. The insurance industry continues to receive a substantial number of asbestos-related bodily injury claims, with an increasing focus being directed toward installers of products containing asbestos rather than against asbestos manufacturers. This shift has resulted in significant insurance coverage litigation implicating applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including but not limited to, determinations as to whether or not an asbestos related bodily injury claim is subject to aggregate limits of liability found in most comprehensive general liability policies. In response to these continuing developments, management increased gross and net A&E reserves during the second quarter of 2008 to reflect its best estimate of A&E exposures. One of our insurance companies has been named in a lawsuit seeking coverage from it and other unrelated insurance companies that involves such issues with regard to approximately 4,500 asbestos-related bodily injury claims and others that continue to be filed. Management is continuing to gather information to enable it to both evaluate the numerous factual and legal issues that are presented by this lawsuit and to estimate the timing of any payments that may be required. Until that information is obtained and analyzed, it is difficult to predict the ultimate financial exposure that this matter presents.
Reserve analyses performed by our actuaries result in actuarial point estimates. The results of the detailed reserve reviews were summarized and discussed with our senior management to determine the best estimate of reserves. This group considered many factors in making this decision. The factors included, but were not limited to, the historical pattern and volatility of the actuarial indications, the sensitivity of the actuarial indications to changes in paid and incurred loss patterns, the consistency of claims handling processes, the consistency of case reserving practices, changes in our pricing and underwriting, and overall pricing and underwriting trends in the insurance market. Our actuaries and management meet to review the analysis and discuss the factors noted above, among other factors, to arrive at the best estimate.
27
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Management’s best estimate at September 30, 2008 was recorded as the loss reserve. Management’s best estimate is as of a particular point in time and is based upon known facts, our actuarial analyses, current law, and our judgment. This resulted in carried gross and net reserves of $1,525.9 million and $848.0 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2008. A breakout of our gross and net reserves, excluding the effects of our intercompany pooling arrangements and intercompany quota share reinsurance agreement, as of September 30, 2008 is as follows:
Gross Reserve | ||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Case | IBNR (1) | Total | |||||||||
�� | ||||||||||||
Insurance Operations: | ||||||||||||
Penn-America | $ | 180,786 | $ | 383,718 | $ | 564,504 | ||||||
United National | 251,267 | 529,744 | 781,011 | |||||||||
Diamond State | 66,222 | 90,192 | 156,414 | |||||||||
Total Insurance Operations | 498,275 | 1,003,654 | 1,501,929 | |||||||||
Reinsurance Operations: | ||||||||||||
Wind River Reinsurance | 2,239 | 21,696 | 23,935 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 500,514 | $ | 1,025,350 | $ | 1,525,864 | ||||||
Net Reserves (2) | ||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | Case | IBNR (1) | Total | |||||||||
Insurance Operations: | ||||||||||||
Penn-America | $ | 163,413 | $ | 321,562 | $ | 484,975 | ||||||
United National | 68,814 | 166,581 | 235,395 | |||||||||
Diamond State | 48,380 | 64,501 | 112,881 | |||||||||
Total Insurance Operations | 280,607 | 552,644 | 833,251 | |||||||||
Reinsurance Operations: | ||||||||||||
Wind River Reinsurance | 2,135 | 12,592 | 14,727 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 282,742 | $ | 565,236 | $ | 847,978 | ||||||
(1) | Losses incurred but not reported, including the expected future emergence of case reserves. | |
(2) | Does not include reinsurance receivable on paid losses or reserve for uncollectible reinsurance. |
We continually review these estimates and, based on new developments and information, we include adjustments of the estimated ultimate liability in the operating results for the periods in which the adjustments are made. The establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves makes no provision for the possible broadening of coverage by legislative action or judicial interpretation, or the emergence of new types of losses not sufficiently represented in our historical experience or that cannot yet be quantified or estimated. We regularly analyze our reserves and review pricing and reserving methodologies so that future adjustments to prior year reserves can be minimized. However, given the complexity of this process, reserves require continual updates and the ultimate liability may be higher or lower than previously indicated. Changes in estimates for loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, as required by SFAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises,” are recorded in the period that the change in these estimates is made. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for the changes in estimates for loss and loss adjustment expense reserves that occurred during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008.
The detailed reserve analyses that our actuaries complete use a variety of generally accepted actuarial methods and techniques to produce a number of estimates of ultimate loss. We determine our best estimate of ultimate loss by reviewing the various estimates and assigning weight to each estimate given the characteristics of the reserve category being reviewed. The reserve estimate is the difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the losses paid to date. The difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the case incurred loss (paid loss plus case reserve) is considered to be incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). IBNR calculated as such includes a provision for development on known cases (supplemental development) as well as a provision for claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported (pure IBNR).
In light of the many uncertainties associated with establishing the estimates and making the assumptions necessary to establish reserve levels, we review our reserve estimates on a regular basis and make adjustments in the period that the need for such adjustments is determined. The anticipated future loss emergence continues to be reflective of historical patterns, and the selected development patterns have not changed significantly from those underlying our most recent analyses.
28
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
The key assumptions fundamental to the reserving process are often different for various reserve categories and accident years. Some of these assumptions are explicit assumptions that are required of a particular method, but most of the assumptions are implicit and cannot be precisely quantified. An example of an explicit assumption is the pattern employed in the Paid Development method. However, the assumed pattern is itself based on several implicit assumptions such as the impact of inflation on medical costs and the rate at which claim professionals close claims. Loss frequency is a measure of the number of claims per unit of insured exposure, and loss severity is a measure of the average size of claims. Each reserve segment has an implicit frequency and severity for each accident year as a result of the various assumptions made. As a result, the effect on reserve estimates of a particular change in assumptions usually cannot be specifically quantified, and changes in these assumptions cannot be tracked over time.
Previous reserve analyses have resulted in our identification of information and trends that have caused us to increase or decrease our reserves in prior periods and could lead to the identification of a need for additional material changes in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, which could materially affect our results of operations, equity, business and insurer financial strength and debt ratings. Factors affecting loss frequency include, among other things, the effectiveness of loss controls and safety programs and changes in economic activity or weather patterns. Factors affecting loss severity include, among other things, changes in policy limits and deductibles, rate of inflation and judicial interpretations. Another factor affecting estimates of loss frequency and severity is the loss reporting lag, which is the period of time between the occurrence of a loss and the date the loss is reported to us. The length of the loss reporting lag affects our ability to accurately predict loss frequency (loss frequencies are more predictable for short-tail lines) as well as the amount of reserves needed for IBNR.
If the actual levels of loss frequency and severity are higher or lower than expected, the ultimate losses will be different than management’s best estimate. We believe that frequency can be predicted with greater accuracy than severity. Therefore, we believe management’s best estimate is more sensitive to changes in severity than frequency. The following table, which we believe reflects a reasonable range of variability around our best estimate based on our historical loss experience and management’s judgment, reflects the impact of changes (which could be favorable or unfavorable) in frequency and severity on our current accident year net loss estimate of $215.7 million for claims occurring during the nine months ended September 30, 2008:
Severity Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | -10% | -5% | 0% | 5% | 10% | |||||||||||||||||||
Frequency Change | -5 | % | $ | (31,272 | ) | $ | (21,028 | ) | $ | (10,784 | ) | $ | (539 | ) | $ | 9,705 | ||||||||
-3 | % | (27,390 | ) | (16,930 | ) | (6,470 | ) | 3,990 | 14,450 | |||||||||||||||
-2 | % | (25,449 | ) | (14,881 | ) | (4,313 | ) | 6,254 | 16,822 | |||||||||||||||
-1 | % | (23,508 | ) | (12,832 | ) | (2,157 | ) | 8,519 | 19,195 | |||||||||||||||
0 | % | (21,567 | ) | (10,784 | ) | — | 10,784 | 21,567 | ||||||||||||||||
1 | % | (19,626 | ) | (8,735 | ) | 2,157 | 13,048 | 23,939 | ||||||||||||||||
2 | % | (17,685 | ) | (6,686 | ) | 4,313 | 15,313 | 26,312 | ||||||||||||||||
3 | % | (15,744 | ) | (4,637 | ) | 6,470 | 17,577 | 28,684 | ||||||||||||||||
5 | % | (11,862 | ) | (539 | ) | 10,784 | 22,106 | 33,429 |
Our net reserves for losses and loss expenses of $848.0 million as of September 30, 2008 relate to multiple accident years. Therefore, the impact of changes in frequency and severity for more than one accident year could be higher or lower than the amounts reflected above.
Recoverability of Reinsurance Receivables
We regularly review the collectibility of our reinsurance receivables, and we include adjustments resulting from this review in earnings in the period in which the adjustment arises. A.M. Best ratings, financial history, available collateral, and payment history with the reinsurers are several of the factors that we consider when judging collectibility. Changes in loss reserves can also affect the valuation of reinsurance receivables if the change is related to loss reserves that are ceded to reinsurers. Certain amounts may be uncollectible if our reinsurers dispute a loss or if the reinsurer is unable to pay. If our reinsurers do not pay, we are still legally obligated to pay the loss. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for more details concerning the collectibility of our reinsurance receivables.
29
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Investments
The carrying amount of our investments approximates their estimated fair value. We regularly perform various analytical procedures with respect to our investments, including identifying any security where the fair value is below its cost. Upon identification of such securities and periodically thereafter, we perform a detailed review to determine whether the decline is considered other than temporary. This review includes an analysis of several factors, including but not limited to, the credit ratings and cash flows of the securities, and the magnitude and length of time that the fair value is below cost.
For bonds, the factors considered in reaching the conclusion that a decline below cost is other than temporary include, among others, whether (1) the issuer is in financial distress, (2) the investment is secured, (3) a significant credit rating action occurred, (4) scheduled interest payments were delayed or missed, and (5) changes in laws or regulations have affected an issuer or industry. If the fair value of an investment falls below its cost and the decline is determined to be other than temporary, the amount of the decline is included in earnings as a realized loss in the period in which the impairment arose.
For equity securities, management carefully reviews securities with unrealized losses that have either (1) persisted for more than twelve consecutive months or (2) the value of the investment has been 20% or more below cost for six continuous months or more to determine if the security should be impaired. For securities with significant declines in value for periods shorter than six months, the security is evaluated to determine if impairment is required.
For an analysis of our securities with gross unrealized losses as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and for other than temporary losses that we recorded for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, please see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.
Fair Value Measurements
As stated in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report, we adopted SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008. In connection with this adoption, we categorize our assets that are accounted for at fair value in the consolidated statements into a fair value hierarchy as defined by SFAS 157. The fair value hierarchy is directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs utilized to determine the fair value of these assets. See Note 4 for further information about the fair value hierarchy and our assets that are accounted for at fair value.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We use several techniques to value the recoverability of our intangible assets. Discounted cash flow was used to value agency relationships, customer contracts, and insurer relationships. State licenses were valued by comparing our licenses to comparable companies. Software was evaluated based on the cost to build and the cost to replace existing software. Other intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their useful lives. Reviews of recoverability and useful lives are performed at least annually.
See Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of our testing of impairment of goodwill and other definite and indefinite lived assets.
For our expected amortization expense for the next five fiscal years, see “Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies” in Item 7 of Part II in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 11, 2008.
30
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Taxation
We provide for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized consistent with the asset and liability method required by SFAS 109. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities primarily result from temporary differences between the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities.
At each balance sheet date, management assesses the need to establish a valuation allowance that reduces deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance would be based on all available information including our assessment of uncertain tax positions and projections of future taxable income from each tax-paying component in each jurisdiction, principally derived from business plans and available tax planning strategies. There are no valuation allowances as of September 30, 2008. The deferred tax asset balance is analyzed regularly by management. Based on these analyses, we have determined that our deferred tax asset is recoverable. Projections of future taxable income incorporate several assumptions of future business and operations that are apt to differ from actual experience. If, in the future, our assumptions and estimates that resulted in our forecast of future taxable income for each tax-paying component prove to be incorrect, a valuation allowance may be required. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.
On an interim basis, we book our tax provision using the expected full year effective tax rate in accordance with the provisions of APB 28. Forecasts which compute taxable income and taxes expected to be incurred in the jurisdictions where we do business are prepared several times per year. The effective tax rate is computed by dividing forecasted income tax expense not including net realized investment gains (losses) by forecasted pre-tax income not including net realized investment gains (losses). Changes in pre-tax and taxable income in the jurisdictions where we do business can change the APB 28 effective tax rate. To compute our income tax expense on an interim basis, we apply our expected full year effective tax rate against our pre-tax income excluding net realized investment gains (losses) and then add actual tax on net realized investment gains (losses) to that result.
We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result, we apply a more likely than not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties. FIN 48 only allows the recognition of those tax benefits that have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. Please see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of FIN 48.
Our Business Segments
We manage our business through two business segments: Insurance Operations, which includes the operations of the United National Insurance Companies and the Penn-America Insurance Companies, and Reinsurance Operations, which are the operations of Wind River Reinsurance.
As a result of the sale of substantially all of the assets of our Agency Operations in September 2006, we no longer have an Agency Operations segment, and the results of our Agency Operations are now classified as discontinued operations.
We evaluate the performance of our Insurance Operations and Reinsurance Operations segments based on gross and net premiums written, revenues in the form of net premiums earned, and expenses in the form of (1) net losses and loss adjustment expenses, (2) acquisition costs, and (3) other underwriting expenses.
31
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
The following table sets forth an analysis of financial data from continuing operations for our segments during the periods indicated:
Quarter Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Insurance Operations premiums written: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 92,458 | $ | 134,043 | $ | 280,605 | $ | 423,097 | ||||||||
Ceded premiums written | 13,319 | 15,798 | 36,627 | 45,052 | ||||||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 79,139 | $ | 118,245 | $ | 243,978 | $ | 378,045 | ||||||||
Reinsurance Operations premiums written: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 6,572 | $ | 6,872 | $ | 21,805 | $ | 19,037 | ||||||||
Ceded premiums written | 6,005 | 2,549 | 18,904 | 9,945 | ||||||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 567 | $ | 4,323 | $ | 2,901 | $ | 9,092 | ||||||||
Revenues:(1) | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance Operations | $ | 87,800 | $ | 131,499 | $ | 295,923 | $ | 405,409 | ||||||||
Reinsurance Operations | 1,711 | 1,950 | 7,318 | 3,062 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 89,511 | $ | 133,449 | $ | 303,241 | $ | 408,471 | ||||||||
Expenses:(2) | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance Operations | $ | 106,784 | $ | 115,472 | $ | 331,034 | $ | 358,618 | ||||||||
Reinsurance Operations | 2,514 | 2,476 | 14,865 | 4,441 | ||||||||||||
Subtotal | 109,298 | 117,948 | 345,899 | 363,059 | ||||||||||||
Intercompany eliminations | — | (61 | ) | — | (543 | ) | ||||||||||
Net expenses | $ | 109,298 | $ | 117,887 | $ | 345,899 | $ | 362,516 | ||||||||
Income (loss) from segments: | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance Operations | $ | (18,984 | ) | $ | 16,027 | $ | (35,111 | ) | $ | 46,791 | ||||||
Reinsurance Operations | (803 | ) | (526 | ) | (7,547 | ) | (1,379 | ) | ||||||||
Subtotal | (19,787 | ) | 15,501 | (42,658 | ) | 45,512 | ||||||||||
Intercompany eliminations | — | 61 | — | 543 | ||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from segments | $ | (19,787 | ) | $ | 15,562 | $ | (42,658 | ) | $ | 45,955 | ||||||
Insurance combined ratio analysis:(3) | ||||||||||||||||
Loss ratio | 85.1 | 55.8 | 78.0 | 56.7 | ||||||||||||
Expense ratio | 37.1 | 32.5 | 36.1 | 32.1 | ||||||||||||
Combined ratio | 122.2 | 88.3 | 114.1 | 88.8 | ||||||||||||
(1) | Excludes net investment income and net realized investment gains (losses), which are not allocated to our segments. | |
(2) | Excludes corporate and other operating expenses and interest expense, which are not allocated to our segments. | |
(3) | Our insurance combined ratios are non-GAAP financial measures that are generally viewed in the insurance industry as indicators of underwriting profitability. The loss ratio is the ratio of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net premiums earned. The expense ratio is the ratio of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and expense ratios. |
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with the Quarter Ended September 30, 2007
Premiums
Gross premiums written, which represent the amount received or to be received for insurance policies written without reduction for reinsurance costs or other deductions, were $99.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $140.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $41.9 million or 29.7%.
32
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
A breakdown of gross premiums written by product classification is as follows:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Increase / (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | $ | % | |||||||||||||
Insurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Penn-America | $ | 44,321 | $ | 67,494 | $ | (23,173 | ) | (34.3 | )% | |||||||
United National | 19,878 | 32,412 | (12,534 | ) | (38.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Diamond State | 28,259 | 34,137 | (5,878 | ) | (17.2 | )% | ||||||||||
Total Insurance Operations | 92,458 | 134,043 | (41,585 | ) | (31.0 | )% | ||||||||||
Reinsurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Wind River Reinsurance | 6,572 | 6,872 | (300 | ) | (4.4 | )% | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 99,030 | $ | 140,915 | $ | (41,885 | ) | (29.7 | )% | |||||||
• | Insurance Operations: |
• | Penn-America gross premiums written decreased $23.2 million or 34.3% primarily due to a reduction of $5.3 million due to terminations of business that did not meet our profitability requirements, a reduction of $11.1 million from agents that write business in coastal catastrophe prone areas, and a reduction of $6.8 million from price decreases in the aggregate of approximately 4.5% and other market factors. |
• | United National gross premiums written decreased $12.5 million or 38.7% primarily due to a reduction of $7.2 million due to terminations of business that did not meet our profitability requirements and a reduction of $5.3 million from price decreases in the aggregate of approximately 4.0% and other market factors. |
• | Diamond State gross premiums written decreased $5.9 million or 17.2% primarily due to a reduction of $1.6 million due to terminations of business that did not meet our profitability requirements and a reduction of $4.3 million from price decreases in the aggregate of approximately 5.0% and other market factors. |
• | Reinsurance Operations: |
• | Wind River Reinsurance gross premiums written decreased $0.3 million or 4.4% primarily due to the non-renewal of a treaty that did not meet our profitability requirements. |
Net premiums written, which equal gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, were $79.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $122.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $42.9 million or 35.0%. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 80.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and 87.0% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decline of 6.5 points, which was primarily due to changes in our mix of business, and an additional $1.5 million of ceded written premiums under our catastrophe reinsurance treaty resulting from the reinstatement of limits related to losses from Hurricane Ike.
A breakdown of net premiums written by business classification is as follows:
Quarter Ended September 30, | Increase / (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | $ | % | |||||||||||||
Insurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Penn-America | $ | 40,988 | $ | 62,931 | $ | (21,943 | ) | (34.9 | )% | |||||||
United National | 16,192 | 26,481 | (10,289 | ) | (38.9 | )% | ||||||||||
Diamond State | 21,959 | 28,832 | (6,873 | ) | (23.8 | )% | ||||||||||
Total Insurance Operations | 79,139 | 118,244 | (39,105 | ) | (33.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Reinsurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Wind River Reinsurance | 567 | 4,324 | (3,757 | ) | (86.9 | )% | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 79,706 | $ | 122,568 | $ | (42,862 | ) | (35.0 | )% | |||||||
33
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
• | Insurance Operations: |
• | Penn-America net premiums written decreased $21.9 million or 34.9% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
• | United National net premiums written decreased $10.3 million or 38.9% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
• | Diamond State net premiums written decreased $6.9 million or 23.8% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
• | Reinsurance Operations: |
• | Wind River Reinsurance net premiums written decreased $3.8 million or 86.9% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
Net premiums earned were $89.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $133.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $43.9 million or 32.9%. The decrease in net premiums earned is comprised of a $43.7 million decrease in net premiums earned from our Insurance Operations segment and a $0.2 million decrease in net premiums earned from our Reinsurance Operations segment.
• | The decrease in net premiums earned from our Insurance Operations segment was attributable to the decreases in net premiums written noted above, as well as to a decrease in net written premium from $560.5 million in 2006 to $478.3 million in 2007. The net unearned premium reserve at December 31, 2007 was $192.7 million compared to $244.9 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $45.8 million or 18.7%. |
• | The decrease in net premiums earned from our Reinsurance Operations segment is primarily due to the decreases in net premiums written noted above. |
Net Investment Income
Net investment income, which is gross investment income less investment expenses, was $16.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $19.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $3.3 million or 16.3%.
• | Gross investment income, excluding realized gains and losses, was $17.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $21.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $3.5 million or 16.6%. The decrease was primarily due to reductions in short-term interest rates and a reduction of our cash and invested assets, which have decreased primarily as a result of purchasing $100.0 million of our Class A common shares and redeeming $30.9 million of our junior subordinated debentures since September 2007. We had no gross investment income from our limited partnership investments during the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. |
• | Investment expenses were $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $0.3 million or 20.1%. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the average fair value of our invested assets. |
The average duration of our bonds increased to 3.9 years as of September 30, 2008 from 3.8 years as of September 30, 2007. Including cash and short term investments, the average duration of our investments as of September 30, 2008 was 3.1 years, compared to 3.2 years as of September 30, 2007. At September 30, 2008, our embedded book yield on our bonds, not including cash and short term investments, was 4.98% compared with 5.02% at September 30, 2007. The embedded book yield at September 30, 2008 includes $235.5 million of tax-free municipal investments with a yield of 3.94% compared to $182.9 million of tax-free municipal investments with a yield of 4.23% at September 30, 2007.
34
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Net realized investment losses were $20.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to net realized investment losses of $0.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Net realized investment losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 consist primarily of net losses of $1.6 million relative to market value declines in our convertible portfolios, other than temporary impairment losses of $6.1 million relative to our equity and bond portfolios, net losses of $5.9 million from the sale of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock, and net losses of $6.8 million from the sale of Lehman Brothers corporate bonds. The net realized investment losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 consist primarily of net losses of $0.4 million relative to our convertible portfolios and other than temporary impairment losses of $0.6 million, offset by net gains of $0.3 million relative to our bond portfolios and net gains of $0.1 million relative to our equity portfolios.
See Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for an analysis of total investment return on an after-tax basis for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The loss ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 was 85.1% compared with 55.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure that is generally viewed in the insurance industry as an indicator of underwriting profitability and is calculated by dividing net losses and loss adjustment expenses by net premiums earned. The impact of changes to prior accident years was 10.0 points resulting from an increase of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $4.2 million in 2008 compared to a reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $6.9 million in 2007.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2008, we reduced our prior accident year loss reserves by $1.5 million and increased our allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $5.7 million. The loss reserves reduction of $1.5 million consisted of reductions of $3.6 million in our general liability lines and $0.1 million in our property lines, offset by an increase of $2.2 million in our professional lines. The reduction to the general liability lines consisted of reductions of $8.6 million primarily related to accident years 2005 and prior, offset by increases of $5.0 million related to accident years 2006 and 2007. The reduction to the property lines and increase to the professional liability lines are primarily related to accident years 2006 and 2007.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2007, we reduced our prior accident year loss reserves by $5.3 million and reduced our allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $1.6 million. The loss reserves reduction of $5.3 million consisted of reductions of $4.6 million in our general liability lines, $1.7 million in our umbrella lines, and $0.1 million in our property lines, offset by an increase of $1.1 million in our professional liability lines. The reduction in the general liability lines consisted of reductions of $20.0 million primarily related to accident years 2002 through 2006, offset by increases of $15.4 million primarily related to accident years 2001 and prior. The reduction in the umbrella lines are primarily related to accident years 2001 through 2004. The increase to the professional liability lines consisted of increases of $1.7 million primarily related to accident years 1998, 2003, and 2006, offset by reductions of $0.6 million primarily related to accident years 2002 and 2005.
The current accident year loss ratio increased 19.3 points from 61.0% in 2007 to 80.3% in 2008 due to both property and casualty lines. The property loss ratio increased 46.4 points from 51.5% in 2007 to 97.9% in 2008, which consists of a 50.5 point increase in the catastrophe loss ratio from 0.3% in 2007 to 50.8% in 2008 offset partially by a decline of 4.1 points in the non-catastrophe loss ratio from 51.2% in 2007 to 47.1% in 2008. The increase in the catastrophe loss ratio is due to $16.5 million of net loss and loss adjustment expenses primarily related to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which occurred in September 2008. The casualty loss ratio increased 4.2 points from 66.2% in 2007 to 70.4% in 2008 primarily due to increased loss trends.
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $76.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $74.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $1.6 million or 2.2%. Excluding the $4.2 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years in 2008 and the $6.9 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years in 2007, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $71.9 million and $81.4 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in net premiums earned, partially offset by an increase in property losses due to the factors noted above and casualty loss cost inflation. Property net premiums earned for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $32.5 million and $47.0 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $57.0 million and $86.4 million, respectively.
35
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $33.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $43.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $10.2 million or 23.5%. This decrease is comprised of a $9.8 million decrease in acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses, net of intercompany eliminations, of our Insurance Operations segment and a $0.4 million decrease in acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses of our Reinsurance Operations segment.
• | The decrease in our Insurance Operations segment is due to a $10.6 million decrease in acquisition costs, which is primarily due to a decrease in commission expenses as a result of the decrease in net premiums earned, offset by a $0.8 million increase in other underwriting expenses, which is primarily due to increases in total compensation expenses and property and office costs. |
• | The decrease in our Reinsurance Operations segment is primarily due to a $0.3 million decrease in acquisition costs, which is primarily due to a decrease in commission expenses related to the decrease in net premium earned during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2007. There was not a significant change in other underwriting expenses. |
Corporate and Other Operating Expenses
Corporate and other operating expenses consist of outside legal fees, other professional fees, directors’ fees, management fees, salaries and benefits for holding company personnel, and taxes incurred which are not directly related to operations. Corporate and other operating expenses were $3.04 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $3.08 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $0.04 million.
Expense and Combined Ratios
Our expense ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated by dividing the sum of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, was 37.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with 32.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The increase in the expense ratio is primarily due to the decrease in net premiums earned noted above, and to a lesser extent, the $0.8 million increase in other underwriting expenses of our Insurance Operations noted above.
Our combined ratio was 122.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with 88.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the sum of our loss and expense ratios. Excluding the impact of a $1.5 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves and $5.7 million increase in our reinsurance reserve allowance in 2008 and a $5.2 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves and $1.7 million reduction in our reinsurance reserve allowance in 2007, the combined ratio increased from 93.5% for 2007 to 117.4% for 2008. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in the preceding paragraph for an explanation of this increase.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $2.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with $2.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $0.8 million or 29.1%. This decrease is primarily due to the retirement of $30.9 million of our junior subordinated debentures, decreases in interest rates on our remaining junior subordinated debentures, which are tied to the three month LIBOR rate as of the beginning of each fiscal quarter. The three month LIBOR rate decreased from 5.36% at June 30, 2007 to 2.77% at June 30, 2008.
36
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax benefit relating to continuing operations was $10.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with income tax expense of $4.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. See Note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a comparison of income tax expense between periods. To compute our income tax expense, we apply our expected full year effective tax rate against our pre-tax income excluding net realized investment gains (losses) and then add actual tax on net realized investment gains (losses) to that result. Our actual tax on net realized investment losses was an income tax benefit of $6.7 million and $0.2 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, 2008 includes an income tax benefit of $0.5 million due to the release of an uncertain tax position due to the expiration of the statute of limitations related to the December 31, 2003 and 2004 tax years. Our pre-tax loss was $28.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to pre-tax income of $29.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Partnership
Equity in net loss of partnerships was $1.1 million and $0.2 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the net loss was due to the performance of a limited partnership investment which invests mainly in high yield bonds.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations consists of the net results of operations of our Agency Operations segment. Loss from discontinued operations was $0.1 million for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
Net Income (Loss)
The factors described above resulted in net loss of $19.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared with net income of $24.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $43.6 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
Premiums
Gross premiums written, which represent the amount received or to be received for insurance policies written without reduction for reinsurance costs or other deductions, were $302.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $442.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $139.7 million or 31.6%.
A breakdown of gross premiums written by product classification is as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase / (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | $ | % | |||||||||||||
Insurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Penn-America | $ | 137,669 | $ | 227,342 | $ | (89,673 | ) | (39.4 | )% | |||||||
United National | 68,169 | 103,788 | (35,619 | ) | (34.3 | )% | ||||||||||
Diamond State | 74,767 | 91,967 | (17,200 | ) | (18.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Total Insurance Operations | 280,605 | 423,097 | (142,492 | ) | (33.7 | )% | ||||||||||
Reinsurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Wind River Reinsurance | 21,805 | 19,037 | 2,768 | 14.5 | % | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 302,410 | $ | 442,134 | $ | (139,724 | ) | (31.6 | )% | |||||||
37
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
• | Insurance Operations: |
• | Penn-America gross premiums written decreased $89.7 million or 39.4% primarily due to a reduction of $37.9 million due to terminations of business that did not meet our profitability requirements, a reduction of $30.8 million from agents that write business in coastal catastrophe prone areas, and a reduction of $21.0 million from price decreases in the aggregate of approximately 4.5% and other market factors. |
• | United National gross premiums written decreased $35.6 million or 34.3% primarily due to a reduction of $1.5 million from a terminated 100% reinsured property program, $18.1 million due to terminations of business that did not meet our profitability requirements, and a reduction of $16.0 million from price decreases in the aggregate of approximately 4.0% and other market factors. |
• | Diamond State gross premiums written decreased $17.2 million or 18.7% primarily due to a reduction of $4.2 million due to terminations of business that did not meet our profitability requirements and a reduction of $13.0 million from price decreases in the aggregate of approximately 4.0% and other market factors. |
• | Reinsurance Operations: |
• | Wind River Reinsurance gross premiums written increased $2.8 million or 14.5% primarily due to increased participation on one of our reinsurance treaties offset partially by the termination of a treaty that did not meet our profitability requirements. |
Net premiums written, which equal gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, were $246.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $387.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $140.3 million or 36.2%. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 81.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 87.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decline of 6.0 points, which was primarily due to our Reinsurance Operations, which are more heavily reinsured, changes in our mix of business, and an additional $1.5 million of ceded written premiums under our catastrophe reinsurance treaty resulting from the reinstatement of limits related to losses from Hurricane Ike.
A breakdown of net premiums written by business classification is as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | Increase / (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | $ | % | |||||||||||||
Insurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Penn-America | $ | 125,902 | $ | 213,507 | $ | (87,605 | ) | (41.0 | )% | |||||||
United National | 57,621 | 85,798 | (28,177 | ) | (32.8 | )% | ||||||||||
Diamond State | 60,455 | 78,740 | (18,285 | ) | (23.2 | )% | ||||||||||
Total Insurance Operations | 243,978 | 378,045 | (134,067 | ) | (35.5 | )% | ||||||||||
Reinsurance Operations: | ||||||||||||||||
Wind River Reinsurance | 2,901 | 9,092 | (6,191 | ) | (68.1 | )% | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 246,879 | $ | 387,137 | $ | (140,258 | ) | (36.2 | )% | |||||||
• | Insurance Operations: |
• | Penn-America net premiums written decreased $87.6 million or 41.0% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
• | United National net premiums written decreased $28.2 million or 32.8% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
• | Diamond State net premiums written decreased $18.3 million or 23.2% primarily due to the reduction of gross premiums written noted above. |
• | Reinsurance Operations: |
• | Wind River Reinsurance net premiums written decreased $6.2 million or 68.1% primarily due to the termination of a treaty that did not meet our profitability requirements. |
38
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Net premiums earned were $303.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $408.5 million for the nine months September 30, 2007, a decrease of $105.3 million or 25.8%. The decrease in net premiums earned is attributable to a $109.5 million decrease in net premiums earned from our Insurance Operations segment and a $4.3 million increase in net premiums earned from our Reinsurance Operations segment.
• | The decrease in net premiums earned from our Insurance Operations segment was attributable to the decreases in net premiums written noted above, as well as to a decrease in net written premium from $560.5 million in 2006 to $478.3 million in 2007. The net unearned premium reserve at December 31, 2007 was $192.7 million compared to $244.9 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $45.8 million or 18.7%. |
• | The increase in net premiums earned from our Reinsurance Operations segment is primarily due to business written in the latter part of 2007. |
Net Investment Income
Net investment income, which is gross investment income less investment expenses, was $51.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $58.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $6.6 million or 11.3%.
• | Gross investment income, excluding realized gains and losses, was $55.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $62.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $7.0 million or 11.1%. The decrease was primarily due to reductions in short-term interest rates and a reduction of our cash and invested assets, which have decreased primarily as a result of purchasing $100.0 million of our Class A common shares and redeeming $30.9 million of our junior subordinated debentures since September 2007. We had no gross investment income from our limited partnership investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding limited partnership distributions, gross investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased 10.5% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007. |
• | Investment expenses were $4.1 million and $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, a decrease of $0.3 million or 7.9%. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the average fair value of our invested assets. |
Please see the discussion of Net Investment Income in the quarter to quarter comparison above for a discussion of our average duration and embedded book yield.
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Net realized investment losses were $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with net realized investment gains of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Net realized investment losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 consist primarily of net losses of $3.5 million relative to market value declines in our convertible portfolios, other than temporary impairment losses of $7.9 million, net losses of $5.9 million from the sale of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock, and net losses of $6.8 million from the sale of Lehman Brothers corporate bonds. The net realized investment gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 consist primarily of net gains of $1.3 million relative to our bond portfolios and net gains of $2.0 million relative to our equity portfolios, offset by net losses of $1.5 million relative to market value declines in our convertible portfolios and other than temporary impairment losses of $0.6 million.
See Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for an analysis of total investment return on an after-tax basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
39
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 78.0%, compared with 56.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure that is generally viewed in the insurance industry as an indicator of underwriting profitability and is calculated by dividing net losses and loss adjustment expenses by net premiums earned. The impact of changes to prior accident years is 12.0 points resulting from an increase of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $20.8 million in 2008 compared to a $20.7 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years in 2007.
In 2008, we increased our prior accident year loss reserves by $15.5 million and increased our allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $5.3 million. The loss reserves increase of $15.5 million consisted of increases of $13.4 million in our general liability lines and $7.5 million in our professional liability lines, offset by reductions of $4.6 million in our property lines and $0.8 million in our umbrella lines. The increase to the general liability lines was primarily related to accident years 2006, 2007, and 1995 and prior. The increase to the professional liability lines consisted of increases of $9.8 million primarily related to accident years 2006 and 2007, offset by reductions of $2.3 million primarily related to accident years 2003 and 2005. The reduction in property lines was primarily related to accident years 2006 and 2007. The reduction in umbrella lines was primarily related to accident years 2004 and prior.
In 2007, we reduced our prior accident year loss reserves by $16.2 million and reduced our allowance for uncollectible reinsurance by $4.5 million. The loss reserves reduction of $16.2 million consisted of reductions of $6.3 million in our property lines, $9.0 million in our general liability lines, and $8.2 million in our umbrella lines, offset by an increase of $7.3 million in our professional liability lines. The reduction to the property lines was primarily related to accident years 2003 through 2007. The reduction in general liability lines consisted of reductions of $20.6 million related to accident years 2002 through 2006, offset by increases of $11.6 million related to accident years 2001 and prior. The reduction in umbrella lines was primarily related to accident years 2002 and 2003. The increase in professional liability lines was primarily related to accident years 1998, 2003, and 2006.
The current accident year loss ratio increased 9.3 points in 2008 primarily due to an increase in the property loss and casualty loss ratios. The property loss ratio increased 21.2 points from 52.5% in 2007 to 73.7% in 2008, which consists of a 18.2 point increase in the catastrophe loss ratio from 1.4% in 2007 to 19.6% in 2008 and a 3.0 point increase in the non-catastrophe loss ratio from 51.1% in 2007 to 54.1% in 2008. The increase in the catastrophe loss ratio is due to $21.3 million of net loss and loss adjustment expenses primarily related to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, which occurred in September 2008, and storms in the Midwest that occurred in the first half of 2008. The casualty loss ratio increased 2.9 points from 66.8% in 2007 to 69.7% in 2008 primarily due to increased loss trends.
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $236.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $231.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $4.8 million or 2.1%. Excluding the $20.8 million increase of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years in 2008 and the $20.7 million reduction of net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years in 2007, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $215.7 million and $252.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. This decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in net premiums earned, partially offset by an increase in property losses due to the factors noted above and casualty loss cost inflation. Property net premiums earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $108.2 million and $143.0 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were $195.0 million and $265.4 million, respectively.
Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $109.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $130.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $21.4 million or 16.4%. This decrease is comprised of a $23.4 million decrease in acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses, net of intercompany eliminations, of our Insurance Operations segment and a $2.0 million increase in acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses of our Reinsurance Operations segment.
• | The decrease in our Insurance Operations segment is due to a $24.3 million decrease in acquisition costs, which is primarily due to a decrease in commission expenses as a result of the decrease in net premiums earned, and a $0.8 million increase in other underwriting expenses, which is primarily due to an increase in total compensation expenses and property and office costs, offset by a decrease in professional services costs. |
• | The increase in our Reinsurance Operations segment is primarily due to a $2.3 million increase in acquisition costs, which is primarily due to an increase in commission expenses related to the increase in net premium earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007, and a $0.3 million decrease in other underwriting expenses, which is primarily due to an decrease in total compensation expenses and professional services costs. |
40
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Corporate and Other Operating Expenses
Corporate and other operating expenses consist of outside legal fees, other professional fees, directors’ fees, management fees, salaries and benefits for holding company personnel, and taxes incurred which are not directly related to operations. Corporate and other operating expenses were $9.5 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
Expense and Combined Ratios
Our expense ratio, a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated by dividing the sum of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned, was 36.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with 32.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in the expense ratio is primarily due to the decrease in net premiums earned noted above.
Our combined ratio was 114.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with 88.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the sum of our loss and expense ratios. Excluding the impact of a $20.8 million increase of prior accident year loss reserves in 2008 and a $20.7 million reduction of prior accident year loss reserves in 2007, the combined ratio increased from 93.9% for 2007 to 107.2% for 2008. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in the preceding paragraph for an explanation of this increase.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $1.9 million or 22.0%. This decrease is primarily due to the retirement of $30.9 million of our junior subordinated debentures, decreases in interest rates on our remaining junior subordinated debentures, which are tied to the three month LIBOR rate as of the beginning of each fiscal quarter, and the pay down of the line of credit in 2007 related to discontinued operations. The three month LIBOR rate was 5.36% at December 31, 2006, 2.77% at June 30, 2008, and 3.12% at September 30, 2008.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax benefit relating to continuing operations was $11.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with income tax expense of $14.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. See Note 6 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a comparison of income tax expense between periods. To compute our income tax expense, we apply our anticipated effective year-end tax rate against our pre-tax income excluding net realized investment gains (losses) and add actual tax on net realized investment gains (losses) to that result. Our actual tax on net realized investment gains (losses) was an income tax benefit of $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to income tax expense of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. In addition, 2008 includes an income tax benefit of $0.5 million due to the release of an uncertain tax position due to the expiration of the statute of limitations related to the December 31, 2003 and 2004 tax years. Our pre-tax loss was $31.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to pre-tax income of $87.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Equity in Net Income (Loss) of Partnership
Equity in net loss of partnerships was $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to equity in net income of partnerships of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $1.8 million. The decrease was due to the performance of a limited partnership investment which invests mainly in high yield bonds.
41
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations consists of the net results of operations of our Agency Operations segment. Income from discontinued operations was $0.059 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $0.002 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of $0.057 million. The increase is primarily due to the re-estimation of remaining liabilities.
Net Income (Loss)
The factors described above resulted in net loss of $21.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with net income of $72.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $93.7 million or 129.1%.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Funds
United America Indemnity is a holding company. Its principal asset is its ownership of the shares of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, United National Casualty Insurance Company, Wind River Reinsurance, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, and Penn-Patriot Insurance Company.
United America Indemnity’s principal source of cash to meet short-term and long-term liquidity needs, including the payment of corporate expenses, includes dividends and other permitted disbursements from Wind River Reinsurance, the Luxembourg Companies, the United National Insurance Companies, and the Penn-America Insurance Companies. The principal sources of funds at these direct and indirect subsidiaries include underwriting operations, investment income, and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. Funds are used principally by these operating subsidiaries to pay claims and operating expenses, to make debt payments, to purchase investments and to make dividend payments. United America Indemnity’s future liquidity is dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends. United America Indemnity has no planned capital expenditures that could have a material impact on its long-term liquidity needs.
In July 2008, United America Indemnity completed its purchase of $100.0 million of its Class A common shares as part of two $50.0 million share buyback programs that were initiated in November 2007 and February 2008, respectively. Wind River Reinsurance loaned United America Indemnity funds to enable it to execute the buybacks. The loan currently bears interest at 3.75% per year. In June 2008, Wind River Reinsurance declared and paid a dividend of $50.0 million to United America Indemnity. United America Indemnity used proceeds from the dividend to repay a portion of the loan. We anticipate that Wind River Reinsurance will pay additional dividends in the future and that United America Indemnity will use the proceeds to repay the remainder of the loan.
The United National Insurance Companies and the Penn-America Insurance Companies are restricted by statute as to the amount of dividends that they may pay without the prior approval of regulatory authorities. The United National Insurance Companies and the Penn-America Insurance Companies may pay dividends without advance regulatory approval only out of unassigned surplus. For 2008, the maximum amount of distributions that could be paid by the United National Insurance Companies as dividends under applicable laws and regulations without regulatory approval is approximately $46.9 million. For 2008, the maximum amount of distributions that could be paid by the Penn-America Insurance Companies as dividends under applicable laws and regulations without regulatory approval is approximately $23.5 million, including $7.7 million that would be distributed to United National Insurance Company or its subsidiary, Penn Independent Corporation, based on the December 31, 2007 ownership percentages. The United National Insurance Companies and the Penn-America Insurance Companies declared and paid dividends of $7.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
42
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
For 2008, we believe that Wind River Reinsurance should have sufficient liquidity and solvency to pay dividends. Wind River Reinsurance is prohibited, without the approval of the Bermuda Monetary Authority (“BMA”), from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. Based upon the total statutory capital plus the statutory surplus as set out in its 2007 statutory financial statements that will be filed in 2008, Wind River Reinsurance could pay a dividend in 2008 of up to $220.4 million without requesting BMA approval.
Cash Flows
Sources of funds consist primarily of net premiums written, investment income, and maturing investments. Funds are used primarily to pay claims and operating expenses and to purchase investments.
Our reconciliation of net income to cash provided from operations is generally influenced by the following:
• | the fact that we collect premiums in advance of losses paid; |
• | the timing of our settlements with our reinsurers; and |
• | the timing of our loss payments. |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $13.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $133.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in operating cash flows of approximately $120.9 million from the prior year was primarily a net result of the following items:
• | a decrease in net premiums collected of $141.9 million, an increase in net losses paid of $13.1 million, offset by a decrease in acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses of $30.9 million; |
• | a decrease in net investment income collected of $5.4 million; |
• | a decrease in net federal income taxes paid of $6.3 million. |
See the consolidated statement of cash flows in the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for details concerning our investing and financing activities.
Liquidity
Other than the items noted below, there have been no significant changes to our liquidity during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008. Please see Item 7 of Part II in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our liquidity.
On May 15, 2008, we redeemed all of the $15.0 million issued and outstanding notes of Penn Trust II. In conjunction with this redemption, the $15.5 million of junior subordinated debentures of PAGI, which are the sole assets of Penn Trust II, were also redeemed.
In July 2008, we completed our purchase of $100.0 million of our Class A common shares as part of two $50.0 million share buyback programs that were initiated in November 2007 and February 2008, respectively. See Item 2 in Part II of this report for details about our repurchases made during the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Capital Resources
Other than the items noted below, there have been no significant changes to our capital resources during the quarter or nine months ended September 30, 2008. Please see Item 7 of Part II in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our capital resources.
43
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
On December 4, 2007, we redeemed all of the $15.0 million issued and outstanding notes of Penn Trust I, and the fixed rate interest rate swap on these notes that locked the interest at an annual rate of 7.4% expired. In conjunction with this redemption, the $15.5 million of junior subordinated debentures of PAGI, which were the sole assets of Penn Trust I, were also redeemed. The registration of Penn Trust I was cancelled effective January 15, 2008.
On May 15, 2008, we redeemed all of the $15.0 million issued and outstanding notes of Penn Trust II. In conjunction with this redemption, the $15.5 million of junior subordinated debentures of PAGI, which are the sole assets of Penn Trust II, were also redeemed.
United National Insurance Company has a $25.0 million discretionary demand line of credit. There were no borrowings or repayments during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, and there were no outstanding borrowings against this line of credit as of September 30, 2008.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements other than the Trust Preferred Securities and floating rate common securities discussed in the “Capital Resources” and “Liquidity” sections in Item 2 of Part I of this report and in Item 7 of Part II of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this report may include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements can often be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include discussions of strategy, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of identified transactions, and statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of the companies.
Our business and operations are and will be subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Consequently, actual results and experience may materially differ from those contained in or assumed by any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the ineffectiveness of our business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions; (2) the effects of competitors’ pricing policies, and of changes in laws and regulations on competition, including industry consolidation and development of competing financial products; (3) greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices have anticipated; (4) decreased level of demand for our insurance products or increased competition due to an increase in capacity of property and casualty insurers; (5) risks inherent in establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves; (6) uncertainties relating to the financial ratings of our insurance subsidiaries; (7) uncertainties arising from the cyclical nature of our business; (8) changes in our relationships with, and the capacity of, our general agents; (9) the risk that our reinsurers may not be able to fulfill obligations; (10) investment performance and credit risk; and (11) uncertainties relating to governmental and regulatory policies.
The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, as well as in the other materials filed and to be filed by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
44
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
On July 15, 2008, the preferred stocks of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were downgraded by Moody’s. Our holdings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock were sold in September 2008 at a loss of $5.9 million. As of September 30, 2008, we owned $331.5 million of debt obligations issued by these government sponsored enterprises with a book value of $335.5 million. See Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for more details.
There have been no other significant changes to our market risk since December 31, 2007. Please see Item 7A of Part II in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding our market risk.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of September 30, 2008, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in that they are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and information that we are required to disclose in our Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls
We have added, deleted, or modified certain of our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2008; however, there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
45
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation regarding claims. There is a greater potential for disputes with reinsurers who are in a runoff of their reinsurance operations. Some of our reinsurers are in a runoff of their reinsurance operations, and therefore, we closely monitor those relationships. We do not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. We anticipate that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, we will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A of Part I in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2008. The risk factors identified therein have not materially changed.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
In July 2008, we completed our purchase of $100.0 million of our Class A common shares as part of two $50.0 million share buyback programs that were initiated in November 2007 and February 2008, respectively.
The following table provides information with respect to the Class A common shares that were surrendered or repurchased during the quarter ended September 30, 2008:
Approximate | ||||||||||||||||
Total Number of | Dollar Value | |||||||||||||||
Shares Purchased | of Shares That | |||||||||||||||
Total Number | Average | as Part of Publicly | May Yet Be | |||||||||||||
of Shares | Price Paid | Announced Plan | Purchased Under the | |||||||||||||
Period (1) | Purchased | Per Share | or Program | Plan or Program (2) | ||||||||||||
July 1-31, 2008 | 636,545 | (3) | $ | 13.97 | 633,376 | (4) | $ | — | ||||||||
August 1-31, 2008 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
September 1-30, 2008 | 2,173 | (5) | $ | 14.69 | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Total | 638,718 | $ | 13.97 | 633,376 | N/A | |||||||||||
(1) | Based on settlement date. | |
(2) | Approximate dollar value of shares is as of the last date of the applicable month. | |
(3) | Includes 3,169 shares surrendered by employees as payment of taxes withheld on the vesting of restricted stock. | |
(4) | Purchased as part of the repurchase authorization announced in February 2008. | |
(5) | Surrendered by employees as payment of taxes withheld on the vesting of restricted stock. |
46
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
Item 6. Exhibits
31.1+ | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (a) / 15d-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2+ | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (a) / 15d-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1+ | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2+ | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
+ | Filed herewith. | |
* | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
47
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD. Registrant | ||||
Date: November 10, 2008 | By: | /s/ Thomas M. McGeehan | ||
Thomas M. McGeehan | ||||
Interim Chief Financial Officer (Authorized Signatory and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
48
Table of Contents
UNITED AMERICA INDEMNITY, LTD.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description | |
31.1+ | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (a) / 15d-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2+ | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (a) / 15d-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1+ | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2+ | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
+ | Filed herewith. | |
* | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
49