Reinsurance | NOTE 12. REINSURANCE Overview The Company’s reinsurance program is designed, utilizing the Company’s risk management methodology, to address its exposure to catastrophes or large non-catastrophic losses. The Company’s program provides reinsurance protection for catastrophes including hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes and winter storms. The Company’s reinsurance agreements are part of its catastrophe management strategy, which is intended to provide its stockholders an acceptable return on the risks assumed in its property business, and to reduce variability of earnings, while providing protection to the Company’s policyholders. In order to limit our potential exposure to catastrophic events, we purchase significant reinsurance from third party reinsurers and sponsor catastrophe bonds issued by Citrus Re Ltd. The catastrophe reinsurance may be on an excess of loss or quota share basis. We also purchase reinsurance for non-catastrophe losses on a quota share, per risk or facultative basis. Purchasing a sufficient amount of reinsurance to consider catastrophic losses from single or multiple events or significant non-catastrophe losses is an important part of our risk strategy, and premiums paid (or ceded) to reinsurers is one of our largest cost components. Reinsurance involves transferring, or “ceding”, a portion of the risk exposure on policies we write to another insurer, known as a reinsurer. To the extent that our reinsurers are unable to meet the obligations they assume under our reinsurance agreements, we remain liable for the entire insured loss. Our reinsurance agreements are prospective contracts. We record an asset, prepaid reinsurance premiums, and a liability, reinsurance payable, for the entire contract amount upon commencement of our new reinsurance agreements. We generally amortize our catastrophe reinsurance premiums over the 12-month contract period on a straight-line basis, which is June 1 through May 31. Our quota share reinsurance is amortized over the 12-month contract period and may be purchased on a calendar or fiscal year basis. In the event that we incur losses and loss adjustment expenses recoverable under our reinsurance program, we record amounts recoverable from our reinsurers on paid losses plus an estimate of amounts recoverable on unpaid losses. The estimate of amounts recoverable on unpaid losses is a function of our liability for unpaid losses associated with the reinsured policies; therefore, the amount changes in conjunction with any changes to our estimate of unpaid losses. As a result, a reasonable possibility exists that an estimated recovery may change significantly in the near term from the amounts included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Our insurance regulators require all insurance companies, like us, to have a certain amount of capital and reinsurance coverage in order to cover losses and loss adjustment expenses upon the occurrence of a catastrophic event. Our reinsurance program provides reinsurance in excess of our state regulator requirements, which are based on the probable maximum loss that we would incur from an individual catastrophic event estimated to occur once in every 100 years based on our portfolio of insured risks. The nature, severity and location of the event giving rise to such a probable maximum loss differs for each insurer depending on the insurer’s portfolio of insured risks, including, among other things, the geographic concentration of insured value within such portfolio. As a result, a particular catastrophic event could be a one-in-100-year loss event for one insurance company while having a greater or lesser probability of occurrence for another insurance company. We also purchase reinsurance coverage to protect against the potential for multiple catastrophic events occurring in the same year. We share portions of our reinsurance program coverage among our insurance company affiliates. Significant Reinsurance Contracts 2019-2020 Excess of Loss Reinsurance Programs Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Effective June 1, 2019, we entered into catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance agreements covering Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“Heritage P&C”), Zephyr Insurance Company (“Zephyr”) and Narragansett Bay Insurance Company (“NBIC”). The catastrophe reinsurance programs are allocated amongst traditional reinsurers, catastrophe bonds issued by Citrus Re Ltd., a Bermuda special purpose insurer formed in 2014 (“Citrus Re”), the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) and Osprey Re Ltd, our captive reinsurer. The FHCF covers Florida risks only and we participate at 90%. Our third-party reinsurers are either rated “A-” or higher by A.M. Best or S&P or are fully collateralized, to reduce credit risk. The reinsurance program, which is segmented into layers of coverage, protects the Company for excess property catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses. The 2019-2020 reinsurance program provides first event coverage up to $1.5 billion for Heritage P&C, first event coverage up to $708.0 million for Zephyr, and first event coverage up to $936.0 million for NBIC. Our first event retention for each insurance company subsidiary follows: Heritage P&C - $20.0 million; Zephyr - $20.0 million; NBIC – $13.8 million. Our program was placed on a cascading basis which provides greater horizontal protection in a multiple small events scenario and features additional coverage enhancements. This coverage exceeds the requirements established by the ratings agency of our insurance company affiliates, Demotech, Inc., the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the Hawaii Insurance Division, and the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. We are responsible for all losses and loss adjustment expenses in excess of our reinsurance program. For second or subsequent catastrophic events, our total available coverage depends on the magnitude of the first event, as we may have coverage remaining from layers that were not previously fully exhausted. An aggregate of $2.6 billion of limit purchased in 2019 includes reinstatement through the purchase of reinstatement premium protection. In total, we have purchased $2.6 billion of potential reinsurance coverage, including our retention, for multiple catastrophic events. Our ability to access this coverage, however, will be subject to the severity and frequency of such events. The Company's estimated net cost for the 2019-2020 catastrophe reinsurance programs is approximately $249.2 million. Gross Quota Share Reinsurance NBIC did not enter into a gross quota share reinsurance program for its fiscal year beginning June 1, 2019. For its previous fiscal year, NBIC purchased an 8% gross quota share reinsurance treaty effective June 1, 2018 which provided ground up loss recoveries of up to $1.0 billion. Net Quota Share Reinsurance NBIC’s Net Quota Share coverage is proportional reinsurance for which certain of our other reinsurance inures to the quota share (property catastrophe excess of loss and reinstatement premium protection and the second layer of the general excess of loss). An occurrence limit of $20.0 million for catastrophe losses is in effect on the quota share, subject to certain aggregate loss limits that vary by reinsurer. The amount and rate of reinsurance commissions slide, within a prescribed minimum and maximum, depending on loss performance. The Net Quota Share program was renewed on December 31, 2018 ceding 52% of the net premiums and losses and 10% of the prior year quota share will run off. Aggregate Coverage A $931.0 million of limit is structured on an aggregate basis (Top and Aggregate, Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 4, Layer 5, Stub layers, Multi-Zonal and 2017-1 Notes). To the extent that this coverage is not fully exhausted in the first catastrophic event, it provides coverage commencing at its reduced retention for second and subsequent events where underlying coverage has been previously exhausted. The Company purchased reinstatement premium protection for $627.0 million of this coverage, which can be reinstated one time. Layers (with exception to FHCF) are “net” of a $40.0 million attachment point. Layers inure to the subsequent layers if the aggregate limit of the preceding layer(s) is exhausted, and the subsequent layer cascades down in its place. NBIC placed 40% of an aggregate contract, which covers all catastrophe losses excluding named storms, on December 31, 2018, expiring May 31, 2019. The limit on the contract is $20.0 million, with a retention of $20.0 million and franchise deductible of $1.0 million. NBIC placed 100% of an occurrence contract, which covers all catastrophe losses excluding named storms, on December 31, 2018, expiring December 31, 2019. The limit on the contract is $20.0 million with a retention of $20.0 million and has one reinstatement available. Per Risk Coverage For southeast losses and northeast commercial residential losses, excluding losses from named storms, the Company purchased property per risk coverage for losses and loss adjustment expenses in excess of $1.0 million per claim. The limit recovered for an individual loss is $9.0 million and total limit for all losses is $27.0 million. There are two reinstatements available with additional premium due based on the amount of the layer exhausted. For Northeast commercial residential losses only, the Company purchased property per risk coverage for losses and loss adjustments expenses in excess of $750,000 per claim. The limit recovered for an individual loss is $250,000 and total limit for all losses is $750,000. There are two reinstatements available with additional premium due based on the amount of the layer exhausted. In addition, the Company purchased facultative reinsurance for losses in excess of $10.0 million for any properties it insured where the total insured value exceeded $10.0 million. This coverage applies to Southeast losses and Northeast commercial residential losses, excluding losses from named storms. General Excess of Loss NBIC’s general excess of loss reinsurance protects NBIC from single risk losses, both property and casualty. The casualty coverage provided by this reinsurance contract also responds on a “Clash” basis, meaning that multiple policies involved in a single loss occurrence can be aggregated into one loss and applied to the reinsurance contract. The coverage is in two layers in excess of NBIC’s retention of the first $400,000 of loss. The first layer is $350,000 excess $400,000 and the second layer is $2.75 million excess $750,000 (Casualty second layer is $1.25 million excess $750,000). Both layers are 100% placed. Semi-Automatic Facultative Excess of Loss NBIC’s automatic property facultative reinsurance protects NBIC from single risk losses, for property risks with a total insured value excess of $3.5 million subject to a limit. 2018 – 2019 Reinsurance Program Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Effective June 1, 2018, we entered into catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance agreements covering Heritage P&C, Zephyr and NBIC. The catastrophe reinsurance programs are allocated amongst traditional reinsurers, catastrophe bonds issued by Citrus Re and FHCF. The FHCF covers Florida risks only and we participate at 45%. Citrus Re, which provides fully collateralized multi-year coverage, covers catastrophe losses incurred by Heritage P&C only through the 2016 Class D and 2017-1 Notes, and covers catastrophe losses incurred by Heritage P&C, Zephyr and NBIC through the 2016 Class E Note. Our third-party reinsurers are either rated “A-” or higher by A.M. Best or S&P or are fully collateralized, to reduce credit risk. The reinsurance program, which is segmented into layers of coverage, protects the Company for excess property catastrophe losses and loss adjustment expenses. The 2018-2019 reinsurance program provides first event coverage up to $1.6 billion for Heritage P&C, first event coverage up to $801.0 million for Zephyr, and first event coverage up to $1.0 billion for NBIC. Our first event retention for each insurance company subsidiary follows: Heritage P&C - $20.0 million; Zephyr - $20.0 million; NBIC – $12.8 million. Our second and third event retentions for each insurance company subsidiary follows: Heritage P&C - $16.0 million; Zephyr - $16.0 million; NBIC – $8.8 million. Our program was placed on a cascading basis which provides greater horizontal protection in a multiple small events scenario and features additional coverage enhancements. This coverage exceeds the requirements established by the Companies’ rating agency, Demotech, Inc., the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the Hawaii Insurance Division, and the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. For the twelve months ending May 31, 2019, no single uncollateralized private reinsurer represented more than 10% of the overall limit purchased from our total reinsurance coverage. We are responsible for all losses and loss adjustment expenses in excess of our reinsurance program. For second or subsequent catastrophic events, our total available coverage depends on the magnitude of the first event, as we may have coverage remaining from layers that were not previously fully exhausted. An aggregate of $3.4 billion of limit purchased in 2018 includes reinstatement through the purchase of reinstatement premium protection. In total, we have purchased $3.5 billion of potential reinsurance coverage, including our retention, for multiple catastrophic events. Our ability to access this coverage, however, will be subject to the severity and frequency of such events. The Company's estimated net cost for the 2018-2019 catastrophe reinsurance programs is approximately $252.0 million. Gross Quota Share Reinsurance NBIC purchased an 8% gross quota share reinsurance treaty effective June 1, 2018 which provides ground up loss recoveries of up to $1.0 billion. Prior to this treaty, NBIC’s gross quota share treaty was 18.75%. Net Quota Share Reinsurance NBIC’s Net Quota Share coverage is proportional reinsurance for which certain of our other reinsurance inures to the quota share (property catastrophe excess of loss and reinstatement premium protection and the second layer of the general excess of loss). An occurrence limit of $20.0 million for catastrophe losses is in effect on the quota share, subject to certain aggregate loss limits that vary by reinsurer. The amount and rate of reinsurance commissions slide, within a prescribed minimum and maximum, depending on loss performance. NBIC ceded 49.5% of net premiums and losses during 2018 to the Net Quota Share and 8% of the 2017 Net Quota Share was in runoff. The Net Quota Share program was renewed on December 31, 2018 ceding 52% of the net premiums and losses and 10% of the prior year quota share will run off. Aggregate Coverage A $1.1 billion of limit is structured on an aggregate basis (Top and Aggregate, Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 4, Stub layers, Multi-Zonal, 2017-1 Notes and 2016 Class E Notes). To the extent that this coverage is not fully exhausted in the first catastrophic event, it provides coverage commencing at its reduced retention for second and subsequent events where underlying coverage has been previously exhausted. The Company purchased reinstatement premium protection for $669.0 million of this coverage, which can be reinstated one time. Layers (with exception to FHCF and 2016 Class D Notes) are “net” of a $40.0 million attachment point. Layers inure to the subsequent layers if the aggregate limit of the preceding layer(s) is exhausted, and the subsequent layer cascades down in its place. NBIC placed 42.5% of an aggregate contract, which covers all catastrophe losses excluding named storms, on May 31, 2018, expiring December 31, 2018. The limit on the contract is $20.0 million, with a retention of $3.0 million and franchise deductible of $1.5 million. NBIC placed 92% of an occurrence contract, which covers all catastrophe losses excluding named storms, on May 31, 2018, expiring December 31, 2018. The limit on the contract is $20.0 million with a retention of $20.0 million. NBIC placed 40% of an aggregate contract, which covers all catastrophe losses excluding named storms, on December 31, 2018, expiring May 31, 2019. The limit on the contract is $20.0 million, with a retention of $20.0 million and franchise deductible of $1.0 million. NBIC placed 100% of an occurrence contract, which covers all catastrophe losses excluding named storms, on December 31, 2018, expiring December 31, 2019. The limit on the contract is $20.0 million with a retention of $20.0 million and has one reinstatement available. Per Risk Coverage For southeast losses and northeast commercial residential losses, excluding losses from named storms, the Company purchased property per risk coverage for losses and loss adjustment expenses in excess of $1.0 million per claim. The limit recovered for an individual loss is $9.0 million and total limit for all losses is $27.0 million. There are two reinstatements available with additional premium due based on the amount of the layer exhausted. In addition, the Company purchased facultative reinsurance in excess of $10.0 million for any properties it insured where the total insured value exceeded $10.0 million. This coverage applied to Southeast losses and Northeast commercial residential losses, excluding losses from name storms. General Excess of Loss NBIC’s general excess of loss reinsurance protects NBIC from single risk losses, both property and casualty. The casualty coverage provided by this contract also responds on a “Clash” basis, meaning that multiple policies involved in a single loss occurrence can be aggregated into one loss and applied to the reinsurance contract. The coverage is in two layers in excess of NBIC’s retention of the first $300,000 of loss. The first layer is $450,000 excess $300,000 and the second layer is $2.75 million excess $750,000 (Casualty second layer is $1.25 million excess $750,000). Both layers are 92% placed with the gross quota share providing the additional 8% coverage. Semi-Automatic Facultative Excess of Loss NBIC’s automatic property facultative reinsurance protects NBIC from single risk losses, for property risks with a total insured value excess of $3.5 million subject to a limit. The Company’s reinsurance arrangements had the following effect on certain items in the condensed consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 (In thousands) (In thousands) Premium written: Direct $ 237,303 $ 233,613 $ 702,491 $ 701,643 Ceded (46,858 ) (102,651 ) (406,300 ) (411,634 ) Net $ 190,445 $ 130,962 $ 296,191 $ 290,009 Premiums earned: Direct $ 231,617 $ 234,164 $ 690,165 $ 692,298 Ceded (107,755 ) (115,926 ) (342,529 ) (356,748 ) Net $ 123,862 $ 118,238 $ 347,636 $ 335,550 Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Direct $ 108,788 $ 145,753 $ 383,354 $ 697,743 Ceded (38,736 ) (87,058 ) (176,864 ) (519,968 ) Net $ 70,052 $ 58,695 $ 206,490 $ 177,775 |