Form 10-Q

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from                      to                     

001-34809

Commission File Number

 

 

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Ireland    98-0664891

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

25/28 NORTH WALL QUAY

DUBLIN 1

IRELAND

(Address of principal executive office, including zip code)

353 (0) 1 649 2000

(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.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to submit and post such files.).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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.:

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨;    Accelerated filer   x;
Non-accelerated filer   ¨;    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of May 5, 2015, the registrant had outstanding 13,667,782 A Ordinary Shares and 12,061,370 B Ordinary Shares.

 

 

 


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
  

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements:

  
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

  
  

As of March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014

     2   
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

  
  

Quarters Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

     3   
  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

  
  

Quarters Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

     4   
  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

  
  

Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and Year Ended December 31, 2014

     5   
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

  
  

Quarters Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and March 31, 2014 (Unaudited)

     6   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     7   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     35   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     57   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     57   
   PART II – OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      58   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      58   

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      59   

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities      59   

Item 4.

   Mine Safety Disclosures      59   

Item 5.

   Other Information      59   

Item 6.

   Exhibits      59   

Signature

     60   

 

1


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     (Unaudited)
March 31, 2015
    December 31, 2014  
ASSETS     

Fixed maturities:

    

Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,560,440 and $1,272,948)

   $ 1,577,337      $ 1,283,475   

Equity securities:

    

Available for sale, at fair value (cost: $100,818 and $99,297)

     121,456        122,048   

Other invested assets:

    

Available for sale, at fair value (cost: $28,887 and $33,174)

     29,992        33,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

  1,728,785      1,439,186   

Cash and cash equivalents

  67,142      58,823   

Restricted Cash

  —        113,696   

Premiums receivable, net

  96,814      56,586   

Reinsurance receivables, net

  145,581      125,718   

Funds held by ceding insurers

  23,794      25,176   

Federal income taxes receivable

  2,023      3,139   

Deferred federal income taxes

  25,910      20,250   

Deferred acquisition costs

  39,228      25,238   

Intangible assets

  38,694      17,636   

Goodwill

  7,011      4,820   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

  39,800      4,725   

Receivable for securities sold

  —        60   

Other assets

  59,118      34,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 2,273,900    $ 1,930,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Liabilities:

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

$ 770,119    $ 675,472   

Unearned premiums

  283,385      120,815   

Ceded balances payable

  12,509      2,800   

Payable for securities purchased

  13,595      —     

Contingent commissions

  11,953      12,985   

Margin borrowing facilities

  207,245      174,673   

Other liabilities

  48,310      34,998   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  1,347,116      1,021,743   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

  —        —     

Shareholders’ equity:

Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 900,000,000 ordinary shares authorized; A ordinary shares issued: 16,743,896 and 16,331,577, respectively; A ordinary shares outstanding: 13,667,782 and 13,266,762 , respectively; B ordinary shares issued and outstanding: 12,061,370 and 12,061,370, respectively

  3      3   

Additional paid-in capital

  527,286      519,590   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

  27,705      23,384   

Retained earnings

  473,511      466,717   

A ordinary shares in treasury, at cost: 3,076,114 and 3,064,815 shares, respectively

  (101,721   (101,404
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  926,784      908,290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$ 2,273,900    $ 1,930,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

     (Unaudited)
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
     2015     2014  

Revenues:

    

Gross premiums written

   $ 142,869      $ 77,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 126,104    $ 72,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 127,337    $ 67,544   

Net investment income

  8,241      8,284   

Net realized investment losses:

Other than temporary impairment losses on investments

  (341   (25

Other net realized investment losses

  (2,629   (788
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net realized investment losses

  (2,970   (813

Other income

  552      168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  133,160      75,183   

Losses and Expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  69,619      38,572   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

  48,258      26,485   

Corporate and other operating expenses

  11,540      2,961   

Interest expense

  505      191   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

  3,238      6,974   

Income tax expense (benefit)

  (3,556   (1,849
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

$ 6,794    $ 8,823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data:

Net income

Basic

$ 0.27    $ 0.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

$ 0.26    $ 0.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

Basic

  25,449,282      25,122,812   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

  25,641,741      25,278,907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

 

     (Unaudited)
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
     2015     2014  

Net income

   $ 6,794      $ 8,823   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:

Unrealized holding gains (losses)

  6,357      2,041   

Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

  1      (1

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

  (1,799   (4,032

Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

  (238   16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

  4,321      (1,976
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of taxes

$ 11,115    $ 6,847   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     (Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2015
    Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 

Number of A ordinary shares issued:

    

Number at beginning of period

     16,331,577        16,200,406   

Ordinary shares issued under share incentive plans

     135,370        94,563   

Ordinary shares issued to directors

     9,247        36,608   

Ordinary shares issued in connection with American Reliable Acquisition

     267,702        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number at end of period

  16,743,896      16,331,577   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of B ordinary shares issued:

Number at beginning and end of period

  12,061,370      12,061,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value of A ordinary shares:

Balance at beginning and end of period

$ 2    $ 2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value of B ordinary shares:

Balance at beginning and end of period

$ 1    $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital:

Balance at beginning of period

$ 519,590    $ 516,653   

Share compensation plans

  7,639      2,900   

Tax benefit on share-based compensation expense

  57      37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$ 527,286    $ 519,590   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax:

Balance at beginning of period

$ 23,384    $ 54,028   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses)

  4,558      (30,299

Change in other than temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income

  1      (4

Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

  (238   (341
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  4,321      (30,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$ 27,705    $ 23,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retained earnings:

Balance at beginning of period

$ 466,717    $ 403,861   

Net income

  6,794      62,856   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$ 473,511    $ 466,717   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of Treasury Shares:

Number at beginning of period

  3,064,815      3,059,371   

A ordinary shares purchased

  11,299      5,444   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number at end of period

  3,076,114      3,064,815   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury Shares, at cost:

Balance at beginning of period

$ (101,404 $ (101,265

A ordinary shares purchased, at cost

  (317   (139
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$ (101,721 $ (101,404
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

$ 926,784    $ 908,290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     (Unaudited)
Quarters Ended March 31,
 
     2015     2014  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 6,794      $ 8,823   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:

    

Amortization of value of business acquired

     11,309        —     

Amortization and depreciation

     1,109        895   

Restricted stock and stock option expense

     7,639        813   

Deferred federal income taxes

     (4,757     (1,643

Amortization of bond premium and discount, net

     3,712        1,848   

Net realized investment loss

     2,970        813   

Equity in the earnings of a partnership

     (253     —     

Changes in:

    

Premiums receivable, net

     17,595        (7,965

Reinsurance receivables, net

     (7,140     (1,080

Funds held by ceding insurers

     1,390        (5,102

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

     5,693        (419

Unearned premiums

     (9,664     4,959   

Ceded balances payable

     (3,510     (2,458

Other assets and liabilities, net

     (17,355     (5,606

Contingent commissions

     (5,353     (858

Federal income tax receivable/payable

     1,116        (2,017

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     (13,990     (2,060

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     8,431        359   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

  5,736      (10,698
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

Cash release from escrow for business acquisition

  113,696      —     

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

  (92,336   —     

Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities

  108,120      95,289   

Proceeds from sale of equity securities

  6,509      10,702   

Proceeds from sale of preferred stock

  1,540      —     

Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturities

  77,390      32,095   

Proceeds from limited partnership distribution

  4,287      —     

Amounts paid in connection with derivatives

  (5,674   (5,636

Purchases of fixed maturities

  (237,444   (113,406

Purchases of equity securities

  (5,817   (12,375

Purchases of other invested assets

  —        (2,101
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

  (29,729   4,568   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net borrowings under margin borrowing facilities

  32,572      —     

Tax benefit on share-based compensation expense

  57      —     

Purchase of A ordinary shares

  (317   (139
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

  32,312      (139
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

  8,319      (6,269

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  58,823      105,492   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 67,142    $ 99,223   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

1. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Global Indemnity plc (“Global Indemnity” or “the Company”) was incorporated on March 9, 2010 and is domiciled in Ireland. Global Indemnity replaced the Company’s predecessor, United America Indemnity, Ltd., as the ultimate parent company as a result of a re-domestication transaction in July, 2010. The Company’s A ordinary shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “GBLI.”

Starting in the 1st quarter of 2015, the Company manages its business through three business segments: Commercial Lines, managed in Bala Cynwyd, offers specialty property and casualty products designed for product lines such as Small Business Binding Authority, Property Brokerage, and Programs, Personal Lines, managed in Scottsdale, AZ, offers specialty personal lines and agricultural coverage, and Reinsurance Operations, managed in Bermuda, provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies. The Commercial Lines and Personal Lines segments comprise the Company’s U.S. Insurance Operations. See Note 14 for additional information regarding segments.

The interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited, but have been prepared in conformity with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which differs in certain respects from those principles followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The preparation of consolidated 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 consolidated 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 ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Global Indemnity and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

2. Acquisition

On January 1, 2015, Global Indemnity Group, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, acquired 100% of the voting equity interest of American Reliable Insurance Company (“American Reliable”) from American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. by paying $113.7 million in cash and assuming $284.3 million of customary insurance related liabilities, obligations, and mandates. Per the American Reliable Stock Purchase Agreement, the ultimate purchase price is subject to (i) accounting procedures that were performed in 2015 to determine GAAP book value and (ii) indemnification on future development on recorded loss and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014. In accordance with the Agreement, on the third calendar year following the calendar year of the Closing, if loss and loss adjustment expenses for accident years 2014 and prior are lower than recorded unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. will pay the variance to American Bankers Insurance Company. Conversely, if loss and loss adjustment expenses for accident years 2014 and prior exceed recorded unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014, American Bankers Insurance Company will pay the variance to Global Indemnity Group, Inc. The Company’s current estimate of the purchase price, based on available financial information, is approximately $105.5 million.

The results of American Reliable’s operations have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition on January 1, 2015.

The purchase of American Reliable expands Global Indemnity’s product offerings. American Reliable is a specialty company that distributes personal lines products written on an admitted basis that are unusual and harder to place. It complements Global Indemnity’s existing US Insurance Operations that primarily distribute commercial lines products on an excess and surplus lines basis.

American Reliable is domiciled in Arizona and as such is subject to its state insurance department regulations.

 

7


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

American Reliable had total revenues of $65.3 million and pre-tax income of $6.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. These amounts are included in the Company’s results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

The following table presents the Company’s unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014 instead of January 1, 2015.

 

     Pro Forma  
     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)    2015      2014  

Total Revenue

   $ 133,160       $  139,490   

Net Income

   $ 12,189       $ 7,880   

Net Income per share

   $ 0.48       $ 0.31   

The pro forma results were calculated by applying the Company’s accounting policies and adjusting the result of American Reliable to reflect (i) impact of intercompany reinsurance with GI Re, (ii) the impact on interest expense resulting from changes to the Company’s capital structure in connection with the acquisition, (iii) impact on investment income from the acquisition date adjustments to fair value of investments, (iv) impact on underwriting expenses from the acquisition date adjustments to fair value of deferred acquisition costs and intangible assets (v) impact of transaction costs related to the acquisition and (vi) the tax effects of the above adjustments.

The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies or other effects of the integration of American Reliable. Such pro forma amounts are not indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the acquisition been completed on January 1, 2014, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the combined company.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition:

 

(Dollars in thousands)       

ASSETS:

  

Investments

   $ 226,458   

Cash and cash equivalents

     21,360   

Premiums receivables, net

     25,941   

Accounts receivable

     17,323   

Reinsurance receivables

     12,723   

Prepaid Reinsurance Premiums

     43,506   

Intangible assets

     32,500   

Deferred federal income taxes

     1,179   

Other assets

     6,550   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

  387,540   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

Unearned premiums

  172,234   

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

  88,954   

Reinsurance balances payable

  13,219   

Contingent commission

  3,876   

Other liabilities

  5,985   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  284,268   
  

 

 

 

Estimated fair value of net assets acquired

  103,272   

Purchase price

  105,463   
  

 

 

 

Goodwill

$ 2,191   
  

 

 

 

The Company is still in the process of valuing the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as a result, the allocation of the acquisition consideration is subject to change.

The transaction is being accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The assets and liabilities acquired by the Company were adjusted to estimated fair value. The $2.2 million excess of cash and acquisition cost over the estimated fair value of assets acquired was recognized as goodwill. Under the purchase method of accounting, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually.

 

8


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Goodwill of $2.2 million, arising from the acquisition, consists largely of the synergies and economies of scales expected from combining the operations of Global Indemnity and American Reliable. The Company has determined that the goodwill of $2.2 million will be assigned to the Personal Lines segment. There is no tax goodwill.

An identification and valuation of intangible assets was performed that resulted in the recognition of intangible assets of $32.5 million with values assigned as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Description

  

Useful Life

   Amount  

State insurance licenses

   Indefinite    $ 5,000   

Value of business acquired

   < 1 year      26,000   

Agent relationships

   10 years      900   

Trade name

   7 - 8 years      600   
     

 

 

 
$ 32,500   
     

 

 

 

Intangible assets arising from the acquisition will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years.

The fair value, gross contractual amounts due, and contractual cash flows not expected to be collected of acquired receivables are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Fair
Value
     Gross
Contractual
Amounts Due
     Contractual
cash flows not
expected to be
collected
 

Premium receivables

   $ 25,941       $ 26,896       $ 955   

Accounts receivable

     17,323         17,323         —     

Reinsurance receivables

     12,723         12,723         —     

In connection with the acquisition, the Company agreed to pay to Fox Paine & Company, LLC (“Fox Paine”) an investment banking fee of 3% of the amount paid plus the additional capital required to operate American Reliable on a standalone basis and a $1.5 million investment advisory fee, which in the aggregate, totaled $6.5 million. This amount is included in corporate and other operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. As payment for these fees, 267,702 A ordinary shares of Global Indemnity will be issued. These shares will be registered but cannot be sold until the earlier of five years or a change of control. See Note 10 for additional information on Fox Paine’s voting power.

Additional costs, mainly professional fees, of $5.1 million were incurred in connection with the acquisition of American Reliable. Of this amount, $3.3 million was recorded as corporate and other operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations during the year ended December 31, 2014 and $1.8 million was recorded as corporate and other operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operation during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid approximately $1.6 million in employee compensation related cost, which were related to periods prior to the Acquisition. These costs were accrued by American Reliable and were included in the fair value of net assets acquired by Global Indemnity Group, Inc. on January 1, 2015.

Geographic Concentration

The following table sets forth the geographic distribution of American Reliable’s gross premiums written, excluding business that is ceded under a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement to American Bankers Insurance Company, for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

9


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

     Year Ended December 31,
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)    Amount      Percent  

Texas

   $ 32,760         12.3

California

     25,556         9.6   

North Carolina

     23,040         8.7   

Arizona

     17,722         6.7   

Louisiana

     17,522         6.6   

New York

     13,408         5.0   

Florida

     12,361         4.6   

Oklahoma

     9,977         3.7   

Georgia

     8,768         3.3   

New Jersey

     6,925         2.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  168,039      63.1   

All other states

  98,264      36.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 266,303      100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketing and Distribution

American Reliable distributes its insurance products primarily through a group of approximately 290 general and specialty agents and 332 direct agents in Arizona and New Mexico. Of the Company’s non-affiliated general and specialty agents, the top five accounted for 23.9% of American Reliable’s gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014. One agency represented 6.8% of American Reliable’s gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014. There is no agency which accounted for more than 10.0% of American Reliable’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Dividend Limitations

The maximum amount of dividends, which can be paid by Arizona domiciled insurance companies without prior approval of the Director of Insurance, is subject to certain regulatory restrictions relating to statutory surplus. Specifically, an insurance company may pay dividends equal to the lesser of net income or 10% of its statutory surplus without specific approval from the Director. A dividend is considered extraordinary when the amount of the dividend, combined with all other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months exceeds the lesser of either 10% of such insurer’s surplus as regards to policyholders as of the thirty-first day of December next preceding, or the net income for the twelve month period ending the thirty-first day of December next preceding. Until the closing balance sheet is finalized, the maximum amount of the dividend that could be paid by American Reliable cannot be determined.

Reinsurance

As a result of the acquisition, the following reinsurance treaties were entered into:

Earthquake Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss – Effective January 1, 2015, the Company purchased an earthquake property catastrophe excess of loss treaty which provides occurrence coverage for earthquake catastrophe losses of $30 million in excess of $5 million for American Reliable property business. This treaty provides for one full reinstatement of coverage at 100% additional premium as to time and pro rata as to amount of limit reinstated.

American Reliable Property Per Risk Excess of Loss – Effective January 1, 2015, American Reliable renewed its property per risk excess of loss treaty covering business underwritten by American Reliable. This treaty provides coverage in two layers: $1 million per risk in excess of $1 million per risk, and $3 million per risk in excess of $2 million per risk. The first layer is subject to a $2 million limit of liability for all risks involved in one loss occurrence, and the second layer is subject to a $6 million limit for all risks involved in one loss occurrence.

100% Ceded Quota Share to American Bankers – Effective December 1, 2014, American Reliable entered into four treaties to cede 100% of its liabilities to American Bankers Insurance Company related to certain business not included in the acquisition of American Reliable. American Reliable recorded ceded written premiums of $10.1 million and ceded earned premiums of $18.8 million to American Bankers Insurance Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

100% Assumed Quota Share from American Bankers – Effective December 1, 2014, American Reliable entered into two treaties to assume 100% of its liabilities from various reinsurers owned by Assurant, Inc. for business included in the acquisition but not written directly by American Reliable. American Reliable recorded assumed written premiums of $23.3 million and ceded earned premiums of $23.6 million from insurance companies owned by Assurant, Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned by American Reliable is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Written      Earned  

For the quarter ended March 31, 2015:

     

Direct business

   $ 49,836       $ 60,994   

Reinsurance assumed

     23,375         23,699   

Reinsurance ceded

     (12,555      (21,270
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums

$ 60,656    $ 63,423   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments

As a result of the acquisition, the Company assumed operating leases related to the operations of American Reliable. Rental expense under these operating leases was $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2015, future minimum cash payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to the operations of American Reliable were as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)       

2015

   $ 930   

2016

     817   

2017

     780   

2018

     572   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 3,099   
  

 

 

 

At the time of the acquisition, one of the Company’s policy administration systems was under development. In April, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with an unrelated third party to build out a rate, quote, bind and issue application for the Company’s agriculture products. This project has an estimated cost of approximately $2.6 million plus reimbursable travel and related expenses.

3. Investments

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments were as follows as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Other than
temporary
impairments
recognized
in AOCI (1)
 

As of March 31, 2015

             

Fixed maturities:

             

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 92,814       $ 2,284       $ (24   $ 95,074       $  —     

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     224,850         4,172         (67     228,955         —     

Mortgage-backed securities

     212,264         4,338         (279     216,323         (3

Asset-backed securities

     256,425         1,401         (186     257,640         (13

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     169,826         300         (578     169,548         —     

Corporate bonds

     473,526         5,021         (84     478,463         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     130,735         1,086         (487     131,334         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

  1,560,440      18,602      (1,705   1,577,337      (16

Common stock

  100,818      24,480      (3,842   121,456      —     

Other invested assets

  28,887      1,105      —        29,992      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,690,145    $ 44,187    $ (5,547 $ 1,728,785    $ (16
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the total amount of other than temporary impairment losses relating to factors other than credit losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Other than
temporary
impairments
recognized
in AOCI (2)
 

As of December 31, 2014

             

Fixed maturities:

             

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 78,569       $ 2,281       $ (83   $ 80,767       $  —     

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     188,452         3,718         (697     191,473         —     

Mortgage-backed securities

     205,814         3,709         (764     208,759         (4

Asset-backed securities

     177,853         713         (303     178,263         (13

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     133,984         21         (847     133,158         —     

Corporate bonds

     380,704         3,421         (709     383,416         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     107,572         625         (558     107,639         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

  1,272,948      14,488      (3,961   1,283,475      (17

Common stock

  99,297      25,689      (2,938   122,048      —     

Other invested assets

  33,174      489      —        33,663      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,405,419    $ 40,666    $ (6,899 $ 1,439,186    $ (17
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2) Represents the total amount of other than temporary impairment losses relating to factors other than credit losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).

Excluding U.S. treasuries and agency bonds, the Company did not hold any debt or equity investments in a single issuer that was in excess of 4% of shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio classified as available for sale at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

Dollars in thousands)    Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 147,920       $ 149,345   

Due in one year through five years

     670,004         677,567   

Due in five years through ten years

     74,459         76,607   

Due in ten years through fifteen years

     9,355         9,872   

Due after fifteen years

     20,187         20,435   

Mortgage-backed securities

     212,264         216,323   

Asset-backed securities

     256,425         257,640   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     169,826         169,548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,560,440    $ 1,577,337   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

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 March 31, 2015:

 

     Less than 12 months     12 months or longer (1)     Total  
(Dollars in thousands)    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fixed maturities:

               

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 10,000       $  —        $ 3,394       $ (24   $ 13,394       $ (24

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     3,557         (3     11,680         (64     15,237         (67

Mortgage-backed securities

     25,240         (139     19,691         (140     44,931         (279

Asset-backed securities

     77,970         (186     —           —          77,970         (186

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     87,170         (467     11,722         (111     98,892         (578

Corporate bonds

     47,209         (67     2,978         (17     50,187         (84

Foreign corporate bonds

     29,225         (487     —           —          29,225         (487
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

  280,371      (1,349   49,465      (356   329,836      (1,705

Common stock

  22,967      (3,815   144      (27   23,111      (3,842
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 303,338    $ (5,164 $ 49,609    $ (383 $ 352,947    $ (5,547
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Fixed maturities in a gross unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer are primarily comprised of non-credit losses on investment grade securities where management does not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be forced to sell the security before recovery. The Company has analyzed these securities and has determined that they are not other than temporarily impaired.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

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, 2014:

 

     Less than 12 months     12 months or longer (2)     Total  
(Dollars in thousands)    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

Fixed maturities:

               

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 11,728       $ (9   $ 3,343       $ (74   $ 15,071       $ (83

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     28,684         (314     28,061         (383     56,745         (697

Mortgage-backed securities

     2,818         (7     51,203         (757     54,021         (764

Asset-backed securities

     92,123         (283     1,683         (20     93,806         (303

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     92,664         (525     26,280         (322     118,944         (847

Corporate bonds

     144,505         (656     3,216         (53     147,721         (709

Foreign corporate bonds

     60,518         (558     —           —          60,518         (558
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

  433,040      (2,352   113,786      (1,609   546,826      (3,961

Common stock

  20,002      (2,808   1,577      (130   21,579      (2,938
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 453,042    $ (5,160 $ 115,363    $ (1,739 $ 568,405    $ (6,899
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2) Fixed maturities in a gross unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer are primarily comprised of non-credit losses on investment grade securities where management does not intend to sell, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be forced to sell the security before recovery. The Company has analyzed these securities and has determined that they are not other than temporarily impaired.

The Company regularly performs various analytical valuation procedures with respect to its investments, including reviewing each fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position to assess whether the security is a candidate for credit loss. Specifically, the Company considers credit rating, market price, and issuer specific financial information, among other factors, to assess the likelihood of collection of all principal and interest as contractually due. Securities for which the Company determines that a credit loss is likely are subjected to further analysis through discounted cash flow testing to estimate the credit loss to be recognized in earnings, if any. The specific methodologies and significant assumptions used by asset class are discussed below. 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 fixed maturities, 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;

 

  (5) changes in laws or regulations have affected an issuer or industry;

 

  (6) the investment has an unrealized loss and was identified by the Company’s investment manager as an investment to be sold before recovery or maturity; and

 

  (7) the investment failed cash flow projection testing to determine if anticipated principal and interest payments will be realized.

According to accounting guidance for debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company is required to assess whether it has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before the anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met the Company must recognize an other than temporary impairment with the entire unrealized loss being recorded through earnings. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position not meeting these conditions, the Company assesses whether the impairment of a security is other than temporary. If the impairment is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company must separate the other than temporary impairment into two components:

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors, such as changes in interest rates. The credit loss represents the portion of the amortized book value in excess of the net present value of the projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. The credit loss component of the other than temporary impairment is recorded through earnings, whereas the amount relating to factors other than credit losses is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes.

For equity securities, management carefully reviews all securities with unrealized losses to determine if a security should be impaired and further focuses on securities that have either:

 

  (1) persisted with unrealized losses 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.

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.

The following is a description, by asset type, of the methodology and significant inputs that the Company used to measure the amount of credit loss recognized in earnings, if any:

U.S. treasury and agency obligations – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to U.S. treasury and agency obligations were $0.024 million. With the exception of less than $0.001 million, all unrealized losses have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA+. Macroeconomic and market analysis is conducted in evaluating these securities. The analysis is driven by moderate interest rate anticipation, yield curve management, and security selection.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to obligations of states and political subdivisions were $0.067 million. Of this amount, $0.064 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated A or better. All factors that influence performance of the municipal bond market are considered in evaluating these securities. The aforementioned factors include investor expectations, supply and demand patterns, and current versus historical yield and spread relationships. The analysis relies on the output of fixed income credit analysts, as well as dedicated municipal bond analysts who perform extensive in-house fundamental analysis on each issuer, regardless of their rating by the major agencies.

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to mortgage-backed securities were $0.279 million. Of this amount, $0.140 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA+. Mortgage-backed securities are modeled to project principal losses under downside, base, and upside scenarios for the economy and home prices. The primary assumption that drives the security and loan level modeling is the Home Price Index (“HPI”) projection. The model first projects HPI at the national level, then at the zip-code level based on the historical relationship between the individual zip code HPI and the national HPI. The model utilizes loan level data and borrower characteristics including FICO score, geographic location, original and current loan size, loan age, mortgage rate and type (fixed rate / interest-only / adjustable rate mortgage), issuer / originator, residential type (owner occupied / investor property), dwelling type (single family / multi-family), loan purpose, level of documentation, and delinquency status as inputs. The model also includes the explicit treatment of silent second liens, utilization of loan modification history, and the application of roll rate adjustments.

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to asset backed securities were $0.186 million. All unrealized losses have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and are rated A or better. The weighted average credit enhancement for the Company’s asset backed portfolio is 21.0. This represents the percentage of pool losses that can occur before an asset backed security will incur its first dollar of principal losses. Every ABS transaction is analyzed on a stand-alone basis. This analysis involves a thorough review of the collateral, prepayment, and structural risk in each transaction. Additionally, the analysis includes an in-depth credit analysis of the originator and servicer of the collateral. The analysis projects an expected loss for a deal given a set of assumptions specific to the asset type. These assumptions are used to calculate at what level of losses the deal will incur its first dollar of principal loss. The major assumptions used to calculate this ratio are loss severities, recovery lags, and no advances on principal and interest.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to the CMBS portfolio were $0.578 million. Of this amount, $0.111 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA or better. The weighted average credit enhancement for the Company’s CMBS portfolio is 35.2. This represents the percentage of pool losses that can occur before a mortgage-backed security will incur its first dollar of principal loss. For the Company’s CMBS portfolio, a loan level analysis is utilized where every underlying CMBS loan is re-underwritten based on a set of assumptions reflecting expectations for the future path of the economy. In the analysis, the focus is centered on stressing the significant variables that influence commercial loan defaults and collateral losses in CMBS deals. These variables include: (1) a projected drop in occupancies; (2) capitalization rates that vary by property type and are forecasted to return to more normalized levels as the capital markets repair and capital begins to flow again; and (3) property value stress testing using projected property performance and projected capitalization rates. Term risk is triggered if the projected debt service coverage rate falls below 1x. Balloon risk is triggered if a property’s projected performance does not satisfy new tighter mortgage standards.

Corporate bonds – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to corporate bonds were $0.084 million. Of this amount, $0.017 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated BBB or better. The analysis for this sector includes maintaining detailed financial models that include a projection of each issuer’s future financial performance, including prospective debt servicing capabilities, capital structure composition, and the value of the collateral. The analysis incorporates the macroeconomic environment, industry conditions in which the issuer operates, the issuer’s current competitive position, its vulnerability to changes in the competitive and regulatory environment, issuer liquidity, issuer commitment to bondholders, issuer creditworthiness, and asset protection. Part of the process also includes running downside scenarios to evaluate the expected likelihood of default as well as potential losses in the event of default.

Foreign bonds – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to foreign bonds were $0.487 million. All unrealized losses have been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. 92.5% of the securities in an unrealized loss position are rated investment grade. For this sector, detailed financial models are maintained that include a projection of each issuer’s future financial performance, including prospective debt servicing capabilities, capital structure composition, and the value of the collateral. The analysis incorporates the macroeconomic environment, industry conditions in which the issuer operates, the issuer’s current competitive position, its vulnerability to changes in the competitive and regulatory environment, issuer liquidity, issuer commitment to bondholders, issuer creditworthiness, and asset protection. Part of the process also includes running downside scenarios to evaluate the expected likelihood of default as well as potential losses in the event of default.

Common stock – As of March 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses related to common stock were $3.842 million. Of this amount, $0.027 million has been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater. To determine if an other than temporary impairment of an equity security has occurred, the Company considers, among other things, the severity and duration of the decline in fair value of the equity security. The Company also examines other factors to determine if the equity security could recover its value in a reasonable period of time.

The Company recorded the following other than temporary impairments (“OTTI”) on its investment portfolio for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Fixed maturities:

     

OTTI losses, gross

   $ (10    $ (25

Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (pre-tax)

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net impairment losses on fixed maturities recognized in earnings

  (10   (25

Equity securities

  (331   —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ (341 $ (25
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table is an analysis of the credit losses recognized in earnings on fixed maturities held by the Company for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

16


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 50       $ 54   

Additions where no OTTI was previously recorded

     —           —     

Additions where an OTTI was previously recorded

     —           —     

Reductions for securities for which the company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell before recovery

     —           —     

Reductions reflecting increases in expected cash flows to be collected

     —           —     

Reductions for securities sold during the period

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$ 50    $ 54   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

Net unrealized gains from:

     

Fixed maturities

   $ 16,897       $ 10,527   

Common stock

     20,638         22,751   

Other

     709         369   

Deferred taxes

     (10,539      (10,263
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

$ 27,705    $ 23,384   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2015

(Dollars in thousands)

   Unrealized Gains
and Losses on
Available for
Sale Securities,
Net of Tax
     Foreign Currency
Items, Net of Tax
     Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income, Net of Tax
 

Beginning balance

   $  23,647       $  (263)       $  23,384   

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification

     6,441         (321      6,120   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,882      83         (1,799
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  4,559      (238   4,321   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 28,206    $ (501 $ 27,705   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2014

(Dollars in thousands)

   Unrealized Gains
and Losses on
Available for
Sale Securities,
Net of Tax
     Foreign Currency
Items, Net of Tax
     Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income, Net of Tax
 

Beginning balance

   $ 53,950       $ 78       $ 54,028   

Other comprehensive income before reclassification

     2,027         29         2,056   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (4,019      (13      (4,032
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  (1,992   16      (1,976
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 51,958    $ 94    $ 52,052   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

         

Amounts Reclassified from
Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income

 
          Quarters Ended March 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income Components

  

Affected Line Item in the

Consolidated Statements of

Operations

   2015      2014  

Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities

   Other net realized investment gains    $ (3,381    $ (5,534
   Other than temporary impairment losses on investments      341         25   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total before tax   (3,040   (5,509
Income tax benefit   1,158      1,490   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net of tax $ (1,882 $ (4,019
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Items

Other net realized investment gains (losses) $ 128    $ (20
Income tax expense (benefit)   (45   7   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net of tax $ 83    $ (13
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reclassifications

Net of tax $ (1,799 $ (4,032
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Realized Investment Gains

The components of net realized investment gains for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Fixed maturities:

     

Gross realized gains

   $ 733       $ 1,671   

Gross realized losses

     (131      (131
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gains

  602      1,540   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common stock:

Gross realized gains

  2,552      4,007   

Gross realized losses

  (338   (18
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gains

  2,214      3,989   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred stock:

Gross realized gains

  96      —     

Gross realized losses

  —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses)

  96      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives:

Gross realized gains

  —        —     

Gross realized losses

  (5,882   (6,342
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized losses

  (5,882   (6,342
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net realized investment gains

$ (2,970 $ (813
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities resulting in net realized investment gains for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Fixed maturities

   $ 108,120       $ 95,289   

Equity securities

     6,509         10,702   

Preferred stock

     1,540         —     

Net Investment Income

The sources of net investment income for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Fixed maturities

   $ 8,014       $ 7,255   

Equity securities

     792         2,140   

Cash and cash equivalents

     18         18   

Other invested assets

     253         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

  9,077      9,413   

Investment expense

  (836   (1,129
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

$ 8,241    $ 8,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s total investment return on a pre-tax basis for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015     2014  

Net investment income

   $ 8,241      $ 8,284   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized investment (losses)

  (2,970   (813

Change in unrealized investment gains (losses)

  4,597      (2,571
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized investment returns

  1,627      (3,384
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return

$ 9,868    $ 4,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return % (1)

  0.6   0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average investment portfolio

$ 1,764,110    $ 1,560,464   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Not annualized.

Insurance Enhanced Asset Backed and Credit Securities

As of March 31, 2015, the Company held insurance enhanced asset backed and credit securities with a market value of approximately $47.6 million. Approximately $27.0 million of these securities were tax free municipal bonds, which represented approximately 1.5% of the Company’s total cash and invested assets, net of payable/receivable for securities purchased and sold. These securities had an average rating of “AA-.” Approximately $14.4 million of these bonds are pre-refunded with U.S. treasury securities, of which $3.6 million are backed by financial guarantors, meaning that funds have been set aside in escrow to satisfy the future interest and principal obligations of the bond. Of the remaining $12.6 million of insurance enhanced municipal bonds, $1.8 million would have carried a lower credit rating had they not been insured. The following table provides a breakdown of the ratings for these municipal bonds with and without insurance.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

(Dollars in thousands)   

Ratings

with

    

Ratings

without

 
Rating    Insurance      Insurance  

AAA

   $ 1,244       $ —     

AA

     519         1,244   

BB

     —           519   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 1,763    $ 1,763   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

A summary of the Company’s insurance enhanced municipal bonds that are backed by financial guarantors, including the pre-refunded bonds that are escrowed in U.S. government obligations, as of March 31, 2015, is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Financial Guarantor

   Total      Pre-refunded
Securities
     Government
Guaranteed
Securities
     Exposure Net
of Pre-refunded
& Government
Guaranteed

Securities
 

Ambac Financial Group

   $ 2,032       $ 199       $ —         $ 1,833   

Assured Guaranty Corporation

     4,270         538         —           3,732   

Municipal Bond Insurance Association

     8,067         2,817         —           5,250   

Gov’t National Housing Association

     555         —           555         —     

Permanent School Fund Guaranty

     1,244         —           1,244         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total backed by financial guarantors

  16,168      3,554      1,799      10,815   

Other credit enhanced municipal bonds

  10,816      10,816      —        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 26,984    $ 14,370    $ 1,799    $ 10,815   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the tax-free municipal bonds, the Company held $20.6 million of asset-backed and taxable municipal bonds, which represented approximately 1.2% of the Company’s total invested assets, net of receivable/payable for securities purchased and sold. The financial guarantors of the Company’s $20.6 million of insurance enhanced asset-backed and taxable municipal securities include Municipal Bond Insurance Association ($11.5 million), Ambac ($1.6 million), and Assured Guaranty Corporation ($7.2 million), Financial Guaranty Insurance Group ($0.3 million).

The Company had no direct investments in the entities that have provided financial guarantees or other credit support to any security held by the Company at March 31, 2015.

Bonds Held on Deposit

Certain cash balances, cash equivalents, equity securities and bonds available for sale were deposited with various governmental authorities in accordance with statutory requirements, were held as collateral pursuant to borrowing arrangements, or were held in trust pursuant to intercompany reinsurance agreements. The fair values were as follows as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

     Estimated Fair Value  
(Dollars in thousands)    March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

On deposit with governmental authorities

   $ 39,845       $ 32,790   

Intercompany trusts held for the benefit of U.S. policyholders

     540,193         495,301   

Held in trust pursuant to third party requirements

     95,215         95,828   

Letter of credit held for third party requirements

     6,237         9,340   

Securities held as collateral for borrowing arrangements (1)

     265,337         222,809   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 946,827    $ 856,068   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Amount required to collateralize margin borrowing facilities.

4. Derivative Instruments

Interest rate swaps are used by the Company primarily to reduce risks from changes in interest rates. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, the Company agrees with another party to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed rate and floating rate interest amounts as calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount.

 

20


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The Company accounts for the interest rate swaps as non-hedge instruments and recognizes the fair value of the interest rate swaps in other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets with the changes in fair value recognized as net realized investment gains in the consolidated statement of operations. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps, which is primarily derived from the forward interest rate curve, is based on the valuation received from a third party financial institution.

The following table summarizes information on the location and the gross amount of the derivatives’ fair value on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(Dollars in thousands)           March 31, 2015     December 31, 2014  

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging

Instruments under ASC 815

   Balance Sheet
Location
     Notional
Amount
     Fair
Value
    Notional
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Interest rate swap agreements

     Other liabilities       $ 200,000       $ (18,154   $ 200,000       $ (13,675

The following table summarizes the net losses included in the consolidated statement of operations for changes in the fair value of the derivatives and the periodic net interest settlements under the derivatives for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

            Quarter Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    Statement of Operations Line      2015      2014  

Interest rate swap agreements

     Other net realized investment losses      $ (5,882    $ (6,342

As of March 31, 2015, the Company is due receivables of $6.1 million for collateral posted and $18.9 million for margin calls made in connection with the interest rate swaps. These amounts are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

5. Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standards related to fair value measurements define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value, outline a fair value hierarchy based on inputs used to measure fair value, and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. These standards do 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 these accounting standards.

The Company’s invested assets and derivative instruments are carried at their fair value and 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 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.

 

21


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The following table presents information about the Company’s invested assets and derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.

 

As of March 31, 2015    Fair Value Measurements  
(Dollars in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Fixed maturities:

           

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 85,008       $ 10,066       $  —         $ 95,074   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —           228,955         —           228,955   

Mortgage-backed securities

     —           216,323         —           216,323   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     —           169,548         —           169,548   

Asset-backed securities

     —           257,640         —           257,640   

Corporate bonds

     —           478,463         —           478,463   

Foreign corporate bonds

     —           131,334         —           131,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

  85,008      1,492,329      —        1,577,337   

Common stock

  121,456      —        —        121,456   

Other invested assets

  —        —        29,992      29,992   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

$ 206,464    $ 1,492,329    $ 29,992    $ 1,728,785   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

Derivative instruments

$ —      $ 18,154    $ —      $ 18,154   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

$ —      $ 18,154    $ —      $ 18,154   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014    Fair Value Measurements  
(Dollars in thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Fixed maturities:

           

U.S. treasury and agency obligations

   $ 74,765       $ 6,002       $  —         $ 80,767   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     —           191,473         —           191,473   

Mortgage-backed securities

     —           208,759         —           208,759   

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

     —           133,158         —           133,158   

Asset-backed securities

     —           178,263         —           178,263   

Corporate bonds

     —           383,416         —           383,416   

Foreign corporate bonds

     —           107,639         —           107,639   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

  74,765      1,208,710      —        1,283,475   

Common stock

  122,048      —        —        122,048   

Other invested assets

  —        —        33,663      33,663   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value

$ 196,813    $ 1,208,710    $ 33,663    $ 1,439,186   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

Derivative instruments

$ —      $ 13,675    $ —      $ 13,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities measured at fair value

$ —      $ 13,675    $ —      $ 13,675   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The securities classified as Level 1 in the above table consist of U.S. 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 and derivative instruments. 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. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps is obtained from a third party financial institution who utilizes observable inputs such as the forward interest rate curve.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the quarters ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

The following table presents changes in Level 3 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Beginning balance

   $ 33,663       $ 3,489   

Total gains (losses) (realized / unrealized):

     

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     363         (226

Investment Income:

     

Equity in Limited Partnership

     253         —     

Purchases

     —           2,101   

Distributions

     (4,287      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 29,992    $ 5,364   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The investments classified as Level 3 in the above table relate to investments in limited partnerships. The Company does not have access to daily valuations; therefore, the estimated fair values of the limited partnerships are measured utilizing net asset value, typically on a quarter lag, as a practical expedient for the limited partnerships.

The Company uses the equity method to account for an investment in a limited partnership where its ownership interest exceeded 3%. The equity method of accounting for an investment in a limited partnership requires changes in fair market value to be reflected in the income statement. The Company will record the changes in fair market value for investments in limited partnerships accounted for under the equity method to investment income. The change in fair market value included in investment income for this limited partnership during the first quarter of 2015 was $0.3 million.

Fair Value of Alternative Investments

Included in “Other invested assets” in the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are limited liability partnerships measured at fair value. The following table provides the fair value and future funding commitments related to these investments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

     March 31, 2015      December 31, 2014  
(Dollars in thousands)    Fair Value      Future
Funding
Commitment
     Fair Value      Future
Funding
Commitment
 

Equity Fund, LP (1)

   $ 3,230       $ 2,391       $ 3,401       $ 2,436   

Real Estate Fund, LP (2)

     —           —           —           —     

European Non-Performing Loan Fund, LP (3)

     26,762         23,564         30,262         20,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 29,992    $ 25,955    $ 33,663    $ 22,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) This limited partnership invests in companies from various business sectors whereby the partnership has acquired control of the operating business as a lead or organizing investor. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interest but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interest without consent from the general partner.
(2) This limited partnership invests in real estate assets through a combination of direct or indirect investments in partnerships, limited liability companies, mortgage loans, and lines of credit. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interest but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interest without consent from the general partner. The Company continues to hold an investment in this limited partnership and has written the fair value down to zero.
(3) This limited partnership invests in distressed securities and assets through senior and subordinated, secured and unsecured debt and equity, in both public and private large-cap and middle-market companies. The Company does not have the contractual option to redeem its limited partnership interest but receives distributions based on the liquidation of the underlying assets. The Company does not have the ability to sell or transfer its limited partnership interest without consent from the general partner.

 

23


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Pricing

The Company’s pricing vendors provide prices for all investment categories except for investments in limited partnerships which are measured utilizing net asset values as a practical expedient. One vendor provides prices for equity securities and all fixed maturity categories.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used by the Company’s pricing vendors for investment securities carried at fair value:

 

    Equity prices are received from all primary and secondary exchanges.

 

    Corporate and agency bonds are evaluated by utilizing a multi-dimensional relational model. For bonds with early redemption options, an option adjusted spread model is utilized. Both asset classes use standard inputs and incorporate security set up, defined sector breakdown, benchmark yields, apply base spreads, yield to maturity, and adjust for corporate actions.

 

    A volatility-driven multi-dimensional spread table or an option-adjusted spread model and prepayment model is used for agency commercial mortgage obligations (“CMO”). For non-agency CMOs, a prepayment/spread/yield/price adjustment model is utilized. CMOs are categorized with mortgage-backed securities in the tables listed above. For ABSs, a multi-dimensional, collateral specific spread / prepayment speed tables is utilized. For both asset classes, evaluations utilize standard inputs plus new issue data, monthly payment information, and collateral performance. The evaluated pricing models incorporate security set-up, prepayment speeds, cash flows, and treasury swap curves and spread adjustments.

 

    For municipals, a multi-dimensional relational model is used to evaluate securities within this asset class. The evaluated pricing models for this asset class incorporate security set-up, benchmark yields, apply base spreads, yield to worst or market convention, ratings updates, prepayment schedules and adjustments for material events notices.

 

    U.S. treasuries are evaluated by obtaining feeds from a number of live data sources including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.

 

    For MBSs, a matrix model correlation to TBA (a forward MBS trade) or benchmarking is utilized to value a security.

The Company performs certain procedures to validate whether the pricing information received from the pricing vendors is reasonable, to ensure that the fair value determination is consistent with accounting guidance, and to ensure that its assets are properly classified in the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s procedures include, but are not limited to:

 

    Reviewing periodic reports provided by the Investment Manager that provide information regarding rating changes and securities placed on watch. This procedure allows the Company to understand why a particular security’s market value may have changed.

 

    Understanding and periodically evaluating the various pricing methods and procedures used by the Company’s pricing vendors to ensure that investments are properly classified within the fair value hierarchy.

 

    On a quarterly basis, the Company corroborates investment security prices received from its pricing vendors by obtaining pricing from a second pricing vendor for a sample of securities.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has not adjusted quotes or prices obtained from the pricing vendors.

 

24


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

6. Income Taxes

The statutory income tax rates of the countries where the Company does business are 35% in the United States, 0% in Bermuda, 0% in the Cayman Islands, 0% in Gibraltar, 29.22% in the Duchy of Luxembourg, and 25% on non-trading income, 33% on capital gains and 12.5% on trading income 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. Generally, during interim periods, the Company will divide total estimated annual income tax expense by total estimated annual pre-tax income to determine the expected annual income tax rate used to compute the income tax provision. The expected annual income tax rate is then applied against interim pre-tax income, excluding net realized gains and losses and limited partnership distributions, and that amount is then added to the actual income taxes on net realized gains and losses, discrete items and limited partnership distributions. However, when there is significant volatility in the expected effective tax rate, the Company records its actual income tax provision in lieu of the estimated effective income tax rate.

The Company’s income before income taxes from its non-U.S. subsidiaries and U.S. subsidiaries, including the results of the quota share and stop-loss agreements between Global Indemnity Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“Global Indemnity Reinsurance”) and the Insurance Operations, for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Non-U.S.
Subsidiaries
     U.S.
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations      Total  

Revenues:

           

Gross premiums written

   $ 138,796       $ 123,004       $ (118,931    $ 142,869   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 138,757    $ (12,653 $ —      $ 126,104   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 71,664    $ 55,673    $ —      $ 127,337   

Net investment income

  10,182      4,486      (6,427   8,241   

Net realized investment losses

  (269   (2,701   —        (2,970

Other income (loss)

  (79   631      —        552   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  81,498      58,089      (6,427   133,160   

Losses and Expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  36,184      33,435      —        69,619   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

  30,294      17,964      —        48,258   

Corporate and other operating expenses

  2,081      9,459      —        11,540   

Interest expense

  394      6,538      (6,427   505   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

$ 12,545    $ (9,307 $ —      $ 3,238   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Non-U.S.
Subsidiaries
     U.S.
Subsidiaries
     Eliminations      Total  

Revenues:

           

Gross premiums written

   $ 49,999       $ 52,992       $ (25,794    $ 77,197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 49,999    $ 22,862    $ —      $ 72,861   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 42,354    $ 25,190    $ —      $ 67,544   

Net investment income

  7,651      5,420      (4,787   8,284   

Net realized investment gains (losses)

  1,252      (2,065   —        (813

Other income

  2      166      —        168   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  51,259      28,711      (4,787   75,183   

Losses and Expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  19,958      18,614      —        38,572   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

  17,794      8,691      —        26,485   

Corporate and other operating expenses

  1,367      1,594      —        2,961   

Interest expense

  240      4,738      (4,787   191   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

$ 11,900    $ (4,926 $ —      $ 6,974   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

25


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The following table summarizes the components of income tax expense (benefit):

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Current income tax expense (benefit):

     

Foreign

   $ 91       $ 64   

U.S. Federal

     1,110         (270
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current income tax expense (benefit)

  1,201      (206
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

U.S. Federal

  (4,757   (1,643
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)

  (4,757   (1,643
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

$ (3,556 $ (1,849
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average expected tax provision has been calculated using income before income taxes in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s applicable statutory tax rate.

The following table summarizes the differences between the tax provision for financial statement purposes and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
     2015     2014  
(Dollars in thousands)    Amount      % of Pre-
Tax Income
    Amount      % of Pre-
Tax Income
 

Expected tax provision at weighted average rate

   $ (3,167      (97.8 %)    $ (1,662      (23.8 %) 

Adjustments:

          

Tax exempt interest

     (136      (4.2     (215      (3.1

Dividend exclusion

     (155      (4.8     (478      (6.9

Effective tax rate adjustment

     —           —          501         7.2   

Other

     (98      (3.0     5         0.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Actual tax on continuing operations

$ (3,556   (109.8 %)  $ (1,849   (26.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The effective income tax benefit rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was 109.8%, compared to an effective income tax benefit rate of 26.5%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The increase in the effective income tax benefit rate is primarily due to acquisition expenses for American Reliable during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Taxes were computed using a discrete period computation because a reliable estimate of an effective tax rate could not be made.

 

26


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

Deferred tax assets:

     

Discounted unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 8,537       $ 7,492   

Unearned premiums

     7,642         3,409   

Alternative minimum tax credit carryover

     9,860         10,473   

Partnership K1 basis differences

     145         145   

Capital gain on derivative instruments

     6,354         4,786   

Investment impairments

     476         379   

Stock options

     2,076         2,048   

Deferred acquisition costs

     4,628         187   

Stat-to-GAAP reinsurance reserve

     1,424         1,424   

Intercompany transfers

     1,849         1,919   

Other

     4,298         3,050   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

  47,289      35,312   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

Intangible assets

  8,989      3,220   

Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale and investments in limited partnerships included in accumulated other comprehensive income

  10,539      10,263   

Investment basis differences

  853      692   

Depreciation and amortization

  72      16   

Other

  926      871   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  21,379      15,062   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax assets

$ 25,910    $ 20,250   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be fully utilized in future years. As a result, the Company has not recorded a valuation allowance at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

The Company has an alternative minimum tax credit carry forward of $9.9 million and $10.5 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which can be carried forward indefinitely. The company has no net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

 

27


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

7. Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Activity in the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 675,472       $ 779,466   

Less: Ceded reinsurance receivables

     (123,201      (192,491
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance at beginning of period

  552,271      586,975   

Purchased reserves gross

  90,645      —     

Less: Purchased reserves ceded

  (11,681   —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Purchased reserves,net

  78,964      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses related to:

Current year

  73,114      40,666   

Prior years

  (3,495   (2,094
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

  69,619      38,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to:

Current year

  14,682      8,212   

Prior years

  56,561      33,821   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total paid losses and loss adjustment expenses

  71,243      42,033   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance at end of period

  629,611      583,514   

Plus: Ceded reinsurance receivables

  140,508      195,533   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

$ 770,119    $ 779,047   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

When analyzing loss reserves and prior year development, the Company considers many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, loss trends, case reserve settlements that may have resulted in significant development, and any other additional or pertinent factors that may impact reserve estimates.

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company decreased its prior accident year loss reserves by $3.5 million, which consisted of a $2.0 million decrease related to Commercial Lines and a $1.5 million decrease related to Reinsurance Operations.

The $2.0 million decrease related to Commercial Lines primarily consisted of the following:

 

    Property: A $1.0 million reduction primarily due to severity and frequency emerging less than expected for in accident years 2011 through 2014.

 

    Umbrella: $0.3 million decrease primarily due to emergence continuing to be better than anticipated in accident years 2003 through 2005.

 

    General Liability: A $0.8 million decrease primarily due to the reduction of a reinsurance reserve resulting from the collection of two disputed balances.

The $1.5 million decrease related to Reinsurance Operations was primarily due to less severity on property than expected in accident years 2011 through 2014.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $2.1 million, which consisted of a $2.0 million decrease related to Commercial Lines and a $0.1 million decrease related to Reinsurance Operations.

The $2.0 million decrease related to Commercial Lines primarily consisted of the following:

 

    General Liability: A $0.9 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected experience in the active general liability lines in accident years 2005 to 2011 offset by strengthening of environmental losses.

 

    Professional Liability: A $1.8 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected experience in the runoff of the professional liability lines in accident years 2005 to 2011.

 

    Other lines: increased $0.7 million mainly in the 2011 accident year due to higher than expected emergence for discontinued lines. As a result, management increased loss reserves.

The $0.1 million decrease related to Reinsurance Operations is primarily related to a reduction in accident years 2010 to 2013 for property treaties.

 

28


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

8. Debt

The amount outstanding on the Company’s margin borrowing facilities was $207.2 million and $174.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The borrowing rate for each facility is tied to LIBOR and is currently approximately 1%. These facilities are due on demand. The borrowings are subject to maintenance margin, which is a minimum account balance that must be maintained. A decline in market conditions could require an additional deposit of collateral. As of March 31, 2015, approximately $265.3 million in securities were deposited as collateral to support the borrowing.

9. Shareholders’ Equity

Repurchases of the Company’s A ordinary shares

The following table provides information with respect to the A ordinary shares that were surrendered or repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2015:

 

Period (1)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
    Average
Price Paid
Per Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plan or Program
 

January 1-31, 2015

     9,009 (2)    $ 28.37         —     

March 1-31, 2015

     2,290 (2)    $ 26.98         —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

  11,299    $ 28.09      —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on settlement date.
(2) Surrendered by employees as payment of taxes withheld on the vesting of restricted stock.

The following table provides information with respect to the A ordinary shares that were surrendered or repurchased during the quarter ended March 31, 2014:

 

Period (1)

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
    Average
Price Paid
Per Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced

Plan or Program
 

January 1-31, 2014

     3,644 (2)    $ 25.30         —     

February 1-28, 2014

     362 (2)    $ 24.00         —     

March 1-31, 2014

     1,438 (2)    $ 26.23         —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

  5,444    $ 25.46      —     
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on settlement date.
(2) Surrendered by employees as payment of taxes withheld on the vesting of restricted stock.

Please see Note 11 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 Part II of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on the Company’s repurchase program.

10. Related Party Transactions

Fox Paine & Company

As of March 31, 2015, Fox Paine beneficially owned shares having approximately 93% of the Company’s total outstanding voting power. Fox Paine has the right to appoint a number of the Company’s Directors equal in aggregate to the pro rata percentage of the voting shares of the Company beneficially held by Fox Paine for so long as Fox Paine holds an aggregate of 25% or more of the voting power in the Company. Fox Paine controls the election of all of the Company’s Directors due to its controlling share ownership. The Company’s Chairman is a member of Fox Paine. The Company relies on Fox Paine to provide management services and other services related to the operations of the Company.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Global Indemnity Reinsurance was a limited partner in Fox Paine Capital Fund, II, which is managed by Fox Paine. This investment was originally made by United National Insurance Company in June 2000 and pre-dates the September 5, 2003 acquisition by Fox Paine of Wind River Investment Corporation, which was the

 

29


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

predecessor holding company for United National Insurance Company. The Company’s investment in this limited partnership was valued at $3.2 million and $3.4 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. At March 31, 2015, the Company had an unfunded capital commitment of $2.4 million to the partnership. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company received a distribution of $0.8 million. There were no distributions received from the limited partnership during 2014.

The Company relies on Fox Paine to provide management services and other services related to the operations of the Company. The Company incurred management fees of $0.5 million in each of the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 as part of the annual management fee paid to Fox Paine. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unpaid management fees, which were included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, were $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

In connection with the acquisition, the Company agreed to pay to Fox Paine & Company, LLC (“Fox Paine”) an investment banking fee of 3% of the amount paid plus the additional capital required to operate American Reliable on a standalone basis and a $1.5 million investment advisory fee, which in the aggregate, totaled $6.5 million. This amount is included in corporate and other operating expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. As payment for these fees, 267,702 A ordinary shares of Global Indemnity will be issued. These shares will be registered but cannot be sold until the earlier of five years or a change of control.

Cozen O’Connor

The Company incurred $0.1 million and $0.03 million for legal services rendered by Cozen O’Connor during the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Stephen A. Cozen, the chairman of Cozen O’Connor, is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Crystal & Company

During each of the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company incurred $0.1 million in brokerage fees to Crystal & Company, an insurance broker. James W. Crystal, the chairman and chief executive officer of Crystal & Company, is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Hiscox Insurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd.

Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a participant in a reinsurance agreement with Hiscox Insurance Company (Bermuda) Ltd. (“Hiscox Bermuda”) effective January 1, 2013. Steve Green, the President of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, was a member of Hiscox Bermuda’s Board of Directors until May, 2014. The Company estimated that the following earned premium and incurred losses related to the agreement have been assumed by Global Indemnity Reinsurance from Hiscox Bermuda:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014  

Assumed earned premium

   $ 1,803       $ 1,014   

Assumed losses and loss adjustment expenses

     535         304   

Net balances due to Global Indemnity Reinsurance under this agreement are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    March 31,
2015
     December 31,
2014
 

Net receivable balance

   $ 2,890       $ 2,897   

 

30


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

11. 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 maintains insurance and reinsurance coverage for 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 its business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

There is a greater potential for disputes with reinsurers who are in runoff. Some of the Company’s reinsurers’ have operations that 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.

Commitments

The Company entered into a $50 million commitment to purchase an alternative investment vehicle which is comprised of European non-performing loans. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has funded $26.5 million of this commitment leaving $23.6 million as unfunded.

At March 31, 2015, the Company had an unfunded capital commitment of $2.4 million related to its investment in Fox Paine Capital Fund, II. See Note 10 for additional information on the Company’s investment in Fox Paine Capital Fund, II.

12. Share-Based Compensation Plans

On June 11, 2014, the Company’s Shareholders approved the Global Indemnity plc Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The previous share incentive plan, which became effective in 2003, expired per its terms on September 5, 2013. The purpose of the Plan is to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining officers, employees, consultants and non-employee directors by offering stock options, restricted shares and other stock-based awards. Under the Plan, the Company may issue up to 2.0 million A ordinary shares pursuant to awards granted under the Plan.

Options

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the company awarded 200,000 time based options under the plan. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company awarded 25,000 Time-Based Options under the Plan. No unvested stock options were forfeited during the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Restricted Shares

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 138,507 A ordinary shares, with a weighted average grant date value of $28.37 per share, to key employees under the Plan.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, key employees of the Company earned 90,023 A ordinary shares, with a weighted average grant date value of $25.30 per share. These shares were approved and granted in the 2nd quarter, 2014.

Of the shares granted during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, 10,574 were granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and vest 33 1/3 on each subsequent anniversary date of the grant for a period of three years subject to an accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results as of the third anniversary of the grant and an additional 44,058 were granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other key employees which vest 100% on January 1, 2018. The remaining 83,875 shares were granted to key employees and will vest as follows:

 

    16.5%, 16.5%, and 17.0% of the granted stock vest on the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant, respectively.

 

    50% of granted stock vests 100% on the anniversary of the third year subject to accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results and are subject to Board approval.

 

31


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Of the shares earned during the quarter ended March 31, 2014, 11,857 were earned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and vest 33 1/3% on each subsequent anniversary date of the grant for a period of three years subject to an accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results as of the third anniversary of the grant. The remaining 78,166 shares were earned by key employees and will vest as follows:

 

    16.5%, 16.5%, and 17.0% of the granted stock vest on the first, second, and third anniversary of the grant, respectively.

 

    50% of granted stock vests 100% on the anniversary of the third year subject to accident year true-up of bonus year underwriting results and are subject to Board approval.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued 9,247 and 8,928 A ordinary shares, respectively, at a weighted average grant date value of $27.75 and $26.34 per share, respectively, to non-employee directors of the Company under the Plan. All of the shares issued to non-employee directors of the Company in 2015 and 2014 were fully vested but subject to certain restrictions. The 8,928 shares issued to non-employee directors of the Company in 2014 were earned but not granted during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 but were considered issued and outstanding for purposes of this financial statement. These shares were approved in the 2nd quarter of 2014.

13. Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share have been computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding during the period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

(Dollars in thousands,    Quarters Ended March 31,  
except share and per share data)    2015      2014  

Net income

   $ 6,794       $ 8,823   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

  25,449,282      25,122,812   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share

$ 0.27    $ 0.35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

  25,641,741      25,278,907   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share

$ 0.26    $ 0.35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

A reconciliation of weighted average shares for basic earnings per share to weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share is as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,  
     2015      2014  

Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share

     25,449,282         25,122,812   

Non-vested restricted stock

     90,475         64,847   

Options

     101,984         91,248   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share

  25,641,741      25,278,907   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average shares outstanding used to determine dilutive earnings per share for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 do not include 512,500 and 37,500 shares, respectively, which were deemed to be anti-dilutive.

 

32


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

14. Segment Information

The acquisition of American Reliable has impacted the way the Company manages and analyzes its operating results. The business acquired from American Reliable is considered to be a separate segment, Personal Lines. The Company now manages its business through three business segments: Commercial Lines, managed in Bala Cynwyd, PA, offers specialty property and casualty products designed for product lines such as Small Business Binding Authority, Property Brokerage, and Programs, Personal Lines, managed in Scottsdale, AZ, offers specialty personal lines and agricultural coverage, and Reinsurance Operations, managed in Bermuda, provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies.

The following are tabulations of business segment information for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2015:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Commercial
Lines (1)
    Personal
Lines (1)
    Reinsurance
Operations (2)
    Total  

Revenues:

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 49,793      $ 73,211      $ 19,865      $ 142,869   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 45,622    $ 60,656    $ 19,826    $ 126,104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 50,714    $ 63,422    $ 13,201    $ 127,337   

Other income

  165      466      (79   552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  50,879      63,888      13,122      127,889   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Losses and Expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  29,603      35,918      4,098      69,619   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

  20,623 (3)    22,746 (4)    4,889      48,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segments

$ 653    $ 5,224    $ 4,135    $ 10,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unallocated Items:

Net investment income

  8,241   

Net realized investment losses

  (2,970

Corporate and other operating expenses

  (11,540

Interest expense

  (505
        

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

  3,238   

Income tax benefit

  3,556   
        

 

 

 

Net income

  6,794   
        

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 775,898    $ 509,841    $ 988,161 (5)  $ 2,273,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(2) External business only, excluding business assumed from affiliates.
(3) Includes federal excise tax of $268 relating to cessions from Commercial Lines to Reinsurance Operations.
(4) Includes federal excise tax of $317 relating to cessions from Personal Lines to Reinsurance Operations.
(5) Comprised of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries.

 

33


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands)

   Commercial
Lines (1)
    Reinsurance
Operations (2)
    Total  

Revenues:

      

Gross premiums written

   $ 52,992      $ 24,205      $ 77,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 48,656    $ 24,205    $ 72,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 53,313    $ 14,231    $ 67,544   

Other income

  166      2      168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  53,479      14,233      67,712   

Losses and Expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  33,597      4,975      38,572   

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

  21,718 (3)    4,767      26,485   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segments

$ (1,836 $ 4,491      2,655   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unallocated Items:

Net investment income

  8,284   

Net realized investment losses

  (813

Corporate and other operating expenses

  (2,961

Interest expense

  (191
      

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

  6,974   

Income tax benefit

  1,849   
      

 

 

 

Net income

$ 8,823   
      

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 1,256,009    $ 668,080 (4)  $ 1,924,089   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes business ceded to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(2) External business only, excluding business assumed from affiliates.
(3) Includes federal excise tax of $280 relating to cessions from Commercial Lines to Reinsurance Operations.
(4) Comprised of Global Indemnity Reinsurance’s total assets less its investment in subsidiaries.

 

34


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Global 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 the Company’s 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 the Company’s business and operations, please see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recent Developments

Acquisition of American Reliable Insurance Company

On January 1, 2015, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. completed its acquisition of American Reliable. The results of American Reliable’s operations are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition on January 1, 2015. The business acquired from American Reliable is considered to be a separate segment, Personal Lines. For additional information related to the acquisition of American Reliable, see Note 2 and Note 14 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I as well as the “Overview” and “Results of Operations” sections below.

Overview

In connection with the acquisition of American Reliable, the Company reevaluated segment classifications and determined that the Company will operate and manage its business through three business segments: Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, and Reinsurance Operations.

The Company’s Commercial Lines segment 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 the Company’s insurance products to insureds through retail insurance brokers. Commercial Lines operates predominantly in the excess and surplus lines marketplace. The Company manages it Commercial Lines segment via product classifications. 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, casualty, and professional lines products distributed through wholesale brokers and program administrators with specific binding authority.

The Company’s Personal Lines segment, via the American Reliable product classification, offers specialty personal lines and agricultural coverage through general and specialty agents.

 

35


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The Company’s Reinsurance Operations consisting solely of the operations of Global Indemnity Reinsurance, provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and on a direct basis. In prior years, the Company provided reinsurance solutions through program managers and primary writers, including regional insurance companies. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a Bermuda based treaty reinsurer for specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies. Global Indemnity Reinsurance conducts business in Bermuda and is focused on using its capital capacity to write catastrophe-oriented placements and other niche or specialty-focused treaties meeting the Company’s risk tolerance and return thresholds.

The Company derives its revenues primarily from premiums paid on insurance policies that it writes and from income generated by its investment portfolio, net of fees paid for investment management services. The amount of insurance premiums that the Company receives is a function of the amount and type of policies it writes, as well as prevailing market prices.

The Company’s expenses include losses and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses, corporate and other operating expenses, interest, investment expenses, and income taxes. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated by management and reflect the Company’s best estimate of ultimate losses and costs arising during the reporting period and revisions of prior period estimates. The Company records its best estimate of losses and loss adjustment expenses based on both internal and external actuarial analyses of the estimated losses the Company expects to incur on the insurance policies it writes. The ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses will depend on the actual costs to resolve claims. Acquisition costs consist principally of commissions and premium taxes that are typically a percentage of the premiums on the insurance policies the Company writes, net of ceding commissions earned from reinsurers. 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 and accounting fees, directors’ fees, management fees and salaries and benefits for company personnel whose services relate to the support of corporate activities. Interest expense is primarily comprised of amounts due on outstanding debt.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which require it 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.

The Company believes that of the Company’s significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and estimation.

Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Although variability is inherent in estimates, the Company believes that the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses reflects its best estimate for future amounts needed to pay losses and related loss adjustment expenses and the impact of its reinsurance coverage with respect to insured events.

In developing loss and loss adjustment expense (“loss” or “losses”) reserve estimates for the Company’s Insurance Operations, its actuaries perform detailed reserve analyses each quarter. To perform the analysis, the data is organized at a “reserve category” level. Management is responsible for the final determination of loss reserve selections. 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 short-tail and 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. The Company’s 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 its insurance operations, the Company differentiates by product classifications, which are Penn-America, United National, Diamond State and American Reliable. For further discussion about the Company’s product classifications, see “General – Business Segments—Insurance Operations” in Item 1 of Part I of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Each of the Company’s product classifications contain both long-tail and short-tail exposures. Every reserve category is analyzed by the Company’s actuaries each quarter. The analyses generally include reviews of losses gross of reinsurance and net of reinsurance.

 

36


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Loss reserve estimates for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations are developed by independent, external actuaries at least annually and are regularly monitored by management. Management is responsible for the final determination of loss reserve selections. The data for this analysis is organized by treaty and treaty year. As with the Company’s reserves for its Insurance Operations, reserves for its Reinsurance Operations are characterized as short-tail and long-tail. Long-tail exposures include workers compensation, professional liability, and excess and umbrella liability. Short-tail exposures are primarily catastrophe exposed property and marine accounts. Management reviews each treaty each quarter both gross and net of reinsurance.

In addition to the Company’s internal reserve analysis, independent external actuaries perform a full, detailed review of the Insurance and Reinsurance Operations’ reserves annually. The Company reviews both the internal and external actuarial analyses in determining its reserve position.

 

    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.

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.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

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. 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 the Company, 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, the Company’s 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 the Company’s 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, the Company 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 the Company’s history includes a sufficient number of years to cover the entire period over which paid and incurred losses are expected to change. However, the Company may also use the Expected Loss Ratio, Bornhuetter-Ferguson and Average Loss methods for short-tail exposures.

Generally, reserves for long-tail lines give more weight to the Expected Loss Ratio method in the more recent immature years. As the accident years mature, weight shifts to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and eventually 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 shift from the Expected Loss Ratio method to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods to the Loss Development method may be more protracted than for most long tailed lines. Reserves for short-tail lines tend to make the shift across methods more quickly than the long tail lines.

For other more complex reserve categories where the above methods may not produce reliable indications, the Company uses 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, the Company’s 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 the Company, 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, 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 other parties, including 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. The Company continues to closely monitor its asbestos exposure and make adjustments where they are warranted.

 

38


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

In 2009, one of the Company’s insurance companies entered into a settlement agreement to resolve asbestos related coverage litigation related to approximately 3,900 existing asbestos-related bodily injury claims and future claims. The settlement was approved by the Court and a final order was issued in September 2014.

In addition, the Company has exposure to other asbestos related matters. In 2013, three claims were reported on an excess policy that was written in 1985. These claims were settled in April, 2014. Management will continue to monitor the developments of the litigation noted above as well as the new claims that have been reported to determine if any additional financial exposure is present.

Reserve analyses performed by the Company’s internal and external actuaries result in actuarial point estimates. The results of the detailed reserve reviews were summarized and discussed with the Company’s 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 the Company’s pricing and underwriting, and overall pricing and underwriting trends in the insurance market.

Management’s best estimate at March 31, 2015 was recorded as the loss reserve. Management’s best estimate is as of a particular point in time and is based upon known facts, the Company’s actuarial analyses, current law, and the Company’s judgment. This resulted in carried gross and net reserves of $770.1 million and $629.6 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2015. A breakout of the Company’s gross and net reserves, excluding the effects of the Company’s intercompany pooling arrangements and intercompany stop loss and quota share reinsurance agreements, as of March 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

     Gross Reserves  
(Dollars in thousands)    Case      IBNR (1)      Total  

Commercial Lines

     147,938         422,561         570,499   

Personal Lines

     32,706         73,161         105,867   

Reinsurance Operations

     35,935         57,818         93,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  216,579      553,540      770,119   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Net Reserves (2)  
(Dollars in thousands)    Case      IBNR (1)      Total  

Commercial Lines

     110,395         340,925         451,320   

Personal Lines

     31,834         53,072         84,906   

Reinsurance Operations

     35,935         57,450         93,385   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  178,164      451,447      629,611   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Losses incurred but not reported, including the expected future emergence of case reserves.
(2) Does not include reinsurance receivable on paid losses.

The Company continually reviews these estimates and, based on new developments and information, includes 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 the Company’s historical experience or that cannot yet be quantified or estimated. The Company regularly analyzes its reserves and reviews 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 are recorded in the period that the change in these estimates is made. See Note 7 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for details concerning the changes in the estimate for incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses related to prior accident years.

The detailed reserve analyses that the Company’s internal and external actuaries complete use a variety of generally accepted actuarial methods and techniques to produce a number of estimates of ultimate loss. The Company determines its best estimate of ultimate loss by reviewing the various estimates and assigning weight to each estimate given the characteristics of

 

39


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

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 losses 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, the Company reviews its reserve estimates on a regular basis and makes 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 the Company’s most recent analyses.

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.

Previous reserve analyses have resulted in the Company’s identification of information and trends that have caused it to increase or decrease frequency and severity assumptions 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 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 the Company. The length of the loss reporting lag affects the Company’s 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. For most of its reserving classes, the Company believes that frequency can be predicted with greater accuracy than severity. Therefore, the Company believes management’s best estimate is more sensitive to changes in severity than frequency. The following table, which the Company believes reflects a reasonable range of variability around its best estimate based on historical loss experience and management’s judgment, reflects the impact of changes (which could be favorable or unfavorable) in frequency and severity on the Company’s current accident year net loss estimate of $73.1 million for claims occurring during the three months ended March 31, 2015:

 

(Dollars in thousands)     Severity Change  
           -10%     -5%     0%     5%     10%  

Frequency Change

     -5   $ (10,600   $ (7,127   $ (3,655   $ (183   $ 3,289   
     -3     (9,284     (5,738     (2,193     1,352        4,898   
     -2     (8,626     (5,044     (1,462     2,120        5,702   
     -1     (7,968     (4,349     (731     2,887        6,506   
     0     (7,310     (3,655     —          3,655        7,310   
     1     (6,652     (2,961     731        4,423        8,114   
     2     (5,994     (2,266     1,462        5,190        8,918   
     3     (5,336     (1,572     2,193        5,958        9,722   
     5     (4,020     (183     3,655        7,493        11,331   

The Company’s net reserves for losses and loss expenses of $629.6 million as of March 31, 2015 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.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Recoverability of Reinsurance Receivables

The Company regularly reviews the collectability of its reinsurance receivables and includes 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 the Company considers when judging collectability. 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 the Company’s reinsurers dispute a loss or if the reinsurer is unable to pay. If its reinsurers do not pay, the Company remains legally obligated to pay the loss.

Investments

The carrying amount of the Company’s investments approximates their fair value. The Company regularly performs various analytical valuation procedures with respect to investments, including reviewing each fixed maturity security in an unrealized loss position to determine the amount of unrealized loss related to credit loss and the amount related to all other factors, such as changes in interest rates. The credit loss represents the portion of the amortized book value in excess of the net present value of the projected future cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit in the debt security prior to impairment. The credit loss component of the other than temporary impairment is recorded through earnings, whereas the amount relating to factors other than credit losses are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes. During its review, the Company considers credit rating, market price, and issuer specific financial information, among other factors, to assess the likelihood of collection of all principal and interest as contractually due. Securities for which the Company determines that a credit loss is likely are subjected to further analysis to estimate the credit loss to be recognized in earnings, if any. See Note 3 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for the specific methodologies and significant assumptions used by asset class. 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 an analysis of the Company’s securities with gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and for other than temporary impairment losses that the Company recorded for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, please see Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its invested assets and derivative instruments that are accounted for at fair value in the consolidated statements into a fair value hierarchy. 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.

The reported value of financial instruments not carried at fair value, principally cash and cash equivalents and margin borrowing facility, approximates fair value.

See Note 5 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further information about the fair value hierarchy and the Company’s assets that are accounted for at fair value.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company tests for impairment of goodwill at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of goodwill for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of goodwill is recognized only if the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.

Impairment of intangible assets with indefinite useful lives is tested at least annually and more frequently as circumstances warrant in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Accounting guidance allows for the testing of intangible assets for impairment using both qualitative and quantitative factors. Impairment of indefinite lived intangible assets is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible assets exceeds the fair value of said assets. The amount of the impairment loss would be equal to the excess carrying value of the assets over the fair value of said assets.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Intangible assets that are not deemed to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The carrying amounts of definite lived intangible assets are regularly reviewed for indicators of impairment in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Impairment is recognized only if the carrying amount of the intangible asset is in excess of its undiscounted projected cash flows. The impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

The costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts include commissions, premium taxes and certain other costs that vary with and are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts. The excess of the Company’s costs of acquiring new and renewal insurance and reinsurance contracts over the related ceding commissions earned from reinsurers is capitalized as deferred acquisition costs and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned.

In accordance with accounting guidance for insurance enterprises, the method followed in computing such amounts limits them to their estimated realizable value that gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. A premium deficiency charge is recognized if the sum of expected loss and loss adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceeds related unearned premium. This evaluation is done at a product line level in Insurance Operations and at a treaty level in Reinsurance Operations. Any future expected loss on the related unearned premium is recorded first by impairing the unamortized acquisition costs on the related unearned premium followed by an increase to loss and loss adjustment expense reserves on additional expected loss in excess of unamortized acquisition costs. The Company calculates deferred acquisition costs for Insurance Operations separately by product lines and for its Reinsurance Operations separately for each treaty.

Taxation

The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities primarily result from temporary differences between the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements and the tax basis of the Company’s 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 the Company’s 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 March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. The deferred tax asset balance is analyzed regularly by management. This assessment requires significant judgment and considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies and/or actions. Based on these analyses, the Company has determined that its 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, the Company’s assumptions and estimates that resulted in the 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 the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.

On an interim basis, the Company generally records its tax provision using the expected full year effective tax rate. Forecasts which compute taxable income and taxes expected to be incurred in the jurisdictions where the Company does business are prepared several times per year. The effective tax rate is computed by dividing forecasted income tax expense not including tax on net realized investment gains (losses) and discrete items by forecasted pre-tax income not including net realized investment gains (losses) and discrete items. Changes in pre-tax and taxable income in the jurisdictions where the Company does business can change the effective tax rate. To compute the Company’s income tax expense on an interim basis, the Company generally applies its expected full year effective tax rate against its pre-tax income excluding net realized investment gains (losses) and discrete items and then adds actual tax on net realized investment gains (losses) and discrete items to that result. However, when there is significant volatility in the expected tax rate, the Company records its actual income tax provision in lieu of the estimated effective income tax rate.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The Company applies a more likely than not recognition threshold for all tax uncertainties, only allowing the recognition of those tax benefits that have a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities.

Business Segments

The Company manages its business through three business segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Reinsurance Operations.

The Company evaluates the performance of these three segments based on gross and net premiums written, revenues in the form of net premiums earned and expenses in the form of net losses and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition costs, and other underwriting expenses.

For a description of the Company’s segments, see Note 14 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The following table sets forth an analysis of financial data for the Company’s segments during the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Quarters Ended March 31,  
     2015      2014  

Personal Lines premium written:

     

Gross premiums written

   $ 73,211       $ —     

Ceded premiums written

     12,555         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 60,656    $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commercial Lines premiums written:

Gross premiums written

$ 49,793    $ 52,992   

Ceded premiums written

  4,171      4,336   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 45,622    $ 48,656   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reinsurance Operations premiums written:

Gross premiums written

$ 19,865    $ 24,205   

Ceded premiums written

  39      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 19,826    $ 24,205   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues: (1)

Personal Lines

$ 63,888    $ —     

Commercial Lines

  50,879      53,479   

Reinsurance Operations

  13,122      14,233   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

$ 127,889    $ 67,712   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses: (2)

Personal Lines (3)

$ 58,664    $ —     

Commercial Lines (4)

  50,226      55,315   

Reinsurance Operations

  8,987      9,742   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

$ 117,877    $ 65,057   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from segments:

Personal Lines

$ 5,224    $ —     

Commercial Lines

  653      (1,836

Reinsurance Operations

  4,135      4,491   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from segments

$ 10,012    $ 2,655   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Insurance combined ratio analysis: (5)

Personal Lines

Loss ratio

  56.6      —     

Expense ratio

  35.9      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio

  92.5      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commercial Line

Loss ratio

  58.4      63.1   

Expense ratio

  40.7      40.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio

  99.1      103.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reinsurance Operations

Loss ratio

  31.1      35.0   

Expense ratio

  37.0      33.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio

  68.1      68.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

Loss ratio

  54.7      57.1   

Expense ratio

  37.9      39.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio

  92.6      96.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Excludes net investment income and net realized investment gains, which are not allocated to the Company’s segments.
(2) Excludes corporate and other operating expenses and interest expense, which are not allocated to the Company’s segments.
(3) Includes excise tax of $317 for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 related to cessions from the Company’s Personal Lines to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(4) Includes excise tax of $268 and $280 for the quarters ended March 31,2015 and 2014, respectively related to cessions from the Company’s Commercial Lines to the Company’s Reinsurance Operations.
(5) The Company’s insurance combined ratios are 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.

 

44


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Results of Operations

All percentage and dollar changes included in the text below have been calculated using the corresponding amounts from the applicable tables.

Quarter Ended March 31, 2015 Compared with the Quarter Ended March 31, 2014

Personal Lines

The components of income from the Company’s Personal Lines segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Quarters Ended March 31,      Increase / (Decrease)  
     2015      2014 (1)      $      %  

Gross premiums written

   $ 73,211       $ 79,194       $ (5,983      (7.6 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 60,656    $ 59,488    $ 1,168      2.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 63,422    $ 61,757    $ 1,665      2.7

Other income

  466      532      (66   (12.4 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  63,888    $ 62,289      1,599      2.6

Losses and expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  35,918      34,408      1,510      4.4

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (1)

  22,746      25,556      (2,810   (11.0 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from segment

$ 5,224    $ 2,325    $ 2,899      124.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

Loss ratio:

Current accident year

  56.6      55.7      0.9   

Prior accident year

  0.0      0.0      0.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Calendar year loss ratio

  56.6      55.7      0.9   

Expense ratio

  35.9      41.4      (5.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Combined ratio

  92.5      97.1      (4.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) Represent unaudited pro forma results of operation for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014 as opposed to January 1, 2015.

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 $73.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $79.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $6.0 million or 7.6%. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in premiums on business written by American Reliable that is ceded to insurance entities owned by Assurant under a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement.

 

45


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Net premiums written, which equal gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, were $60.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $59.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $1.2 million or 2.0%. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 82.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and 75.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, an increase of 7.8 points.

Net premiums earned were $63.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $61.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $1.7 million or 2.7%. The growth in net premiums earned was primarily due to increases in net premiums written within the previous year. Property net premiums earned for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $54.2 million and $52.5 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums were $9.3 million in each of for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Other Income

Other income was $0.5 million for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Other income is primarily comprised of fee income on policies issued and commission income.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Personal Lines was 56.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared with 55.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The loss ratio is a 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 current accident year loss ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was 56.6%, an increase of 0.9 points from 55.7%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014:

 

    The non-catastrophe loss ratio decreased 0.3 points from 52.7% in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 52.4% in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Non-catastrophe losses were $33.2 million and $32.6 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

    The catastrophe loss ratio increased 1.2 points from 3.0% in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 4.2% in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Catastrophe losses were $2.7 million and $1.8 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company had no changes to prior accident year losses. When analyzing loss reserves and prior year development, the Company considers many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, loss trends, case reserve settlements that may have resulted in significant development, and any other additional or pertinent factors that may impact reserve estimates.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $22.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $25.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $2.8 million or 11.0%. The decrease is primarily due to impact on underwriting expenses from the acquisition date adjustments to fair value of deferred acquisition costs and intangible assets.

Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Personal Lines was 35.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with 41.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The expense ratio is a GAAP financial measure that is calculated by dividing the sum of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned. The decrease in the expense ratio is primarily due to impact on underwriting expenses from the acquisition date adjustments to fair value of deferred acquisition costs and intangible assets.

 

46


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The combined ratio for the Company’s Property Lines was 92.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with 97.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The combined ratio is a GAAP financial measure and is the sum of the Company’s loss and expense ratios. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph for an explanation of the decrease.

Income (loss) from Segment

The factors described above resulted in income from the Company’s Personal Lines of $5.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to income of $2.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

Commercial Lines

The components of income (loss) from the Company’s Commercial Lines segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Quarters Ended March 31,      Increase / (Decrease)  
     2015      2014      $      %  

Gross premiums written

   $ 49,793       $ 52,992       $ (3,199      (6.0 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 45,622    $ 48,656    $ (3,034   (6.2 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 50,714    $ 53,313    $ (2,599   (4.9 %) 

Other income

  165      166      (1   (0.6 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  50,879    $ 53,479      (2,600   (4.9 %) 

Losses and expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  29,603      33,597      (3,994   (11.9 %) 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (1)

  20,623      21,718      (1,095   (5.0 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss from segment

$ 653    $ (1,836 $ 2,489      (135.6 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

Loss ratio:

Current accident year

  62.4      66.9      (4.5

Prior accident year

  (4.0   (3.8   (0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Calendar year loss ratio

  58.4      63.1      (4.7

Expense ratio

  40.7      40.7      0.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Combined ratio

  99.1      103.8      (4.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

47


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (2) (7)

  103.1      107.6   

Effect of prior accident year

  (4.0   (3.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio

  99.1      103.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (3) (7)

  62.4      66.9   

Effect of prior accident year

  (4.0   (3.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss ratio

  58.4      63.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (4) (7)

  61.7      62.9   

Effect of prior accident year

  (3.2   0.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property loss ratio

  58.5      63.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Casualty loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (5) (7)

  63.5      72.7   

Effect of prior accident year

  (5.3   (10.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Casualty loss ratio

  58.2      62.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non catastrophe property loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (8) (7)

  44.6      52.3   

Effect of prior accident year

  (3.0   0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non catastrophe property loss ratio

  41.6      52.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Catastrophe property loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (9) (7)

  17.1      10.6   

Effect of prior accident year

  (0.2   0.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Catastrophe property loss ratio

  16.9      10.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non catastrophe property losses excluding the effect of prior accident year (10) (7)

$ 13,896      16,528   

Effect of prior accident year

  (926   120   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non catastrophe property losses

$ 12,970      16,648   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Catastrophe property losses excluding the effect of prior accident year (11) (7)

$ 5,311      3,340   

Effect of prior accident year

  (74   70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Catastrophe property losses

$ 5,237      3,410   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effects of prior accident year (6) (7)

$ 31,631      35,642   

Effect of prior accident year

  (2,028   (2,045
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

$ 29,603      33,597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes excise tax of $268 and $280 related to cessions from the Company’s Commercial Lines to its Reinsurance Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(3) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(4) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the property loss ratio.
(5) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the casualty loss ratio.
(6) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net losses and loss adjustment expenses.
(7) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s Commercial Lines may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments. This non-GAAP ratio should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(8) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the non-catastrophe property loss ratio.
(9) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the catastrophe property loss ratio.
(10) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the non-catastrophe property losses.
(11) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the catastrophe property losses.

 

48


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Premiums

The Company’s Commercial Lines’ gross written, net written, and net earned premiums by product line are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Quarter Ended March 31, 2015      Quarter Ended March 31, 2014  
     Gross Written      Net Written      Net Earned      Gross Written      Net Written      Net Earned  

Small Business Binding Authority

   $ 25,826       $ 24,480       $ 27,243       $ 26,889       $ 25,435       $ 26,201   

Property Brokerage

     8,341         6,786         8,632         8,863         7,521         8,357   

Programs

     14,624         13,460         13,676         15,486         14,108         13,956   

Other

     1,002         896         1,163         1,754         1,592         4,799   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 49,793    $ 45,622    $ 50,714    $ 52,992    $ 48,656    $ 53,313   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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 $49.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $53.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $3.2 million or 6.0%. The decrease is the result of several factors. The decline in small business and programs is due to the tightening of underwriting standards to limit concentration exposure. The decline in property brokerage is result of a more competitive market for large and midsize accounts. Commercial automobile, which is included in the other category, declined in an effort to trim unprofitable business.

Net premiums written, which equal gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, were $45.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $48.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $3.0 million or 6.2%. The decrease was primarily due to the reduction in gross premiums written as noted above. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 91.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and 91.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of 0.2%.

Net premiums earned were $50.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $53.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $2.6 million or 4.9%. The decline in net premiums earned was primarily due to a reduction of net premiums written in previous years for commercial automobile in an effort trim unprofitable business. Property net premiums earned for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 201 were $31.1 million and $31.6 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $19.6 million and $21.7 million, respectively.

Other Income

Other income was $0.2 million for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Other income is primarily comprised of fee income.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Commercial Lines was 58.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared with 63.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The loss ratio is a 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 current accident year loss ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was 62.4%, an improvement of 4.5 points from 66.9%, for the quarter ended March 31, 2014:

 

    The current accident year property loss ratio decreased 1.2 points from 62.9% in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 61.7% in the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

 

    The non-catastrophe loss ratio improved by 7.7 points from 52.3% in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 44.6% in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Non-catastrophe losses were $13.9 million and $16.5 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

    The catastrophe loss ratio increased 6.5 points from 10.6% in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 17.1% in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Catastrophe losses were $5.3 million and $3.3 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

    The current accident year casualty loss ratio improved by 9.2 points from 72.7% in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 63.5% in the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

 

49


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

When analyzing loss reserves and prior year development, the Company considers many factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, loss trends, case reserve settlements that may have resulted in significant development, and any other additional or pertinent factors that may impact reserve estimates.

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company decreased its prior accident year loss reserves by $2.0 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

    Property: A $1.0 million reduction primarily due to severity and frequency emerging less than expected for in accident years 2011 through 2014.

 

    Umbrella: $0.3 million decrease primarily due to emergence continuing to be better than anticipated in accident years 2003 through 2005.

 

    General Liability: A $0.8 million decrease primarily due to the reduction of a reinsurance reserve resulting from the collection of two disputed balances.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company reduced its prior accident year loss reserves by $2.0 million, which primarily consisted of the following:

 

    General Liability: A $0.9 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected experience in the active general liability lines in accident years 2005 to 2011 offset by strengthening of environmental losses.

 

    Professional Liability: A $1.8 million decrease primarily driven by better than expected experience in the runoff of the professional liability lines in accident years 2005 to 2011.

 

    Other lines: increased $0.7 million mainly in the 2011 accident year due to higher than expected emergence for discontinued lines. As a result, management increased loss reserves.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $29.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $33.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $4.0 million or 11.9%. Excluding the impact of prior year adjustments, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $31.6 million and $35.6 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, a decrease of $4.0 million or 11.3%. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in earned premium volume for commercial automobile.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $20.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $21.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $1.1 million or 5.0%. This decrease is primarily due to a reduction in net premiums earned as noted above.

Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Commercial Lines was 40.7% for both the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The expense ratio is a GAAP financial measure that is calculated by dividing the sum of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses by net premiums earned.

The combined ratio for the Company’s Commercial Lines was 99.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with 103.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The combined ratio is a GAAP financial measure and is the sum of the Company’s loss and expense ratios. Excluding the impact of prior year adjustments, the current accident year combined ratio decreased from 107.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 103.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph for an explanation of the decrease.

Income (loss) from Segment

The factors described above resulted in income from the Company’s Commercial Lines of $0.7 million and a loss of $1.8 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

50


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Reinsurance Operations

The components of income from the Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment and corresponding underwriting ratios are as follows:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,      Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014      $      %  

Gross premiums written

   $ 19,865       $ 24,205       $ (4,340      (17.9 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums written

$ 19,826    $ 24,205    $ (4,379   (18.1 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

$ 13,201    $ 14,231    $ (1,030   (7.2 %) 

Other loss

  (79   2      (81   NM   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

  13,122    $ 14,233      (1,111   (7.8 %) 

Losses and expenses:

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

  4,098      4,975      (877   (17.6 %) 

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses

  4,889      4,767      122      2.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from segment

$ 4,135    $ 4,491    $ (356   (7.9 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Underwriting Ratios:

Loss ratio:

Current accident year

  42.2      35.3      6.9   

Prior accident year

  (11.1   (0.3   (10.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Calendar year loss ratio

  31.1      35.0      (3.9

Expense ratio

  37.0      33.5      3.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Combined ratio

  68.1      68.5      (0.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

Combined ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (1) (4)

  79.2      68.8   

Effect of prior accident year

  (11.1   (0.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Combined ratio

  68.1      68.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (2) (4)

  42.2      35.3   

Effect of prior accident year

  (11.1   (0.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss ratio

  31.1      35.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property loss ratio excluding the effect of prior accident year (5) (4)

  39.0      34.8   

Effect of prior accident year

  (11.5   (0.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property loss ratio

  27.5      34.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding the effects of prior accident year (3) (4)

$ 5,565      5,024   

Effect of prior accident year

  (1,467   (49
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

$ 4,098      4,975   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NM – not meaningful

 

(1) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the combined ratio.
(2) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(3) This is a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the net losses and loss adjustment expenses.
(4) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s reinsurance operations may be obscured by prior accident year adjustments. This non-GAAP ratio should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(5) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the property loss ratio.

 

51


GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Premiums

Gross premiums written, which represent the amount received or to be received for reinsurance agreements written without reduction for reinsurance costs or other deductions, were $19.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $24.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $4.3 million or 17.9%. This decrease is mainly due to competition in the property catastrophe reinsurance marketplace. The market is more competitive than in 2014. Property rates are declining due to a large amount of capital in the market.

Net premiums written, which equal gross premiums written less ceded premiums written, were $19.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $24.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $4.4 million or 18.1%. This decrease is due to a decline in gross premiums written as noted above.

Net premiums earned were $13.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $14.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $1.0 million or 7.2%. Property net premiums earned for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $12.8 million and $13.3 million, respectively. Casualty net premiums earned for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Other Income (Loss)

Other income was comprised of loss of $0.08 million and income of less than $0.01 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Other income (loss) represents foreign exchange gains and losses.

Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The loss ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 31.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared with 35.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

The current accident year loss ratio increased 6.9 points from 35.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 42.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to a decline in net premiums earned as noted above. The property lines current accident year loss ratio increased to 39.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 from 34.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

There was an decrease in net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $1.5 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2015, which reduced the loss ratio by 11.1 points, compared to a decrease in net losses and loss adjustment expenses for prior accident years of $0.05 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2014 which decreased the loss ratio by 0.3 points.

In the first quarter of 2015, the $1.5 million decrease in prior accident loss reserves was primarily due to less severity on property than expected in accident years 2011 through 2014.

In the first quarter of 2014, the $0.05 million decrease in prior accident loss reserves was primarily related to a reduction in accident years 2010 to 2013 for property treaties.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses were $4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $5.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.9 million or 17.6%. Excluding the impact of prior year adjustments, the current accident year net losses and loss adjustment expenses increased from 5.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. This is primarily attributable to an increase in property losses.

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses

Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses were $4.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $0.1 million or 2.6%.

Expense and Combined Ratios

The expense ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 37.0% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared 33.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The increase in the expense ratio is primarily due to an increase in contingent commissions due to improvements in prior year losses.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

The combined ratio for the Company’s Reinsurance Operations was 68.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with 68.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Excluding the impact of prior accident year adjustments, the current accident year combined ratio increased from 68.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 to 79.2% for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. See discussion of loss ratio included in “Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” above and discussion of expense ratio in preceding paragraph for an explanation of the increase.

Income from Segment

The factors described above resulted in income from the Company’s Reinsurance Operations of $4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to income of $4.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.4 million.

Unallocated Corporate Items

The following items are not allocated to the Company’s Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, or Reinsurance Operations segments:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,      Increase / (Decrease)  
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014      $      %  

Net investment income

   $ 8,241       $ 8,284       $ (43      (0.5 %) 

Net realized investment losses

     (2,970      (813      2,157         265.3

Corporate and other operating expenses

     (11,540      (2,961      8,579         289.7

Interest expense

     (505      (191      314         164.4

Income tax benefit

     3,556         1,849         1,707         92.3

Net Investment Income

Net investment income, which is gross investment income less investment expenses, was $8.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $8.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.04 million or 0.5%.

 

    Gross investment income, which excludes realized gains and losses, was $9.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $9.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.3 million or 3.6%. The decrease was primarily due to the redemption of the Company’s equity and corporate loans portfolios during 2014, partially offset by the acquisition of American Reliable’s fixed income portfolio.

 

    Investment expenses were $0.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.3 million or 26.0%.

At March 31, 2015, the Company held agency mortgage-backed securities with a book value of $147.2 million. Excluding the agency mortgage-backed securities, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio was 2.1 years as of March 31, 2015, compared with 2.0 years as of March 31, 2014. Including cash and short-term investments, the average duration of the Company’s fixed maturities portfolio, excluding agency mortgage-backed securities, was 2.0 years as of March 31, 2015 compared with 1.8 years as of March 31, 2014. Changes in interest rates can cause principal payments on certain investments to extend or shorten which can impact duration. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s embedded book yield on its fixed maturities, not including cash, was 2.1% compared with 2.2% at March 31, 2014. The embedded book yield on the $229.0 million of municipal bonds in the Company’s portfolio was 2.4% at March 31, 2015, compared to an embedded book yield of 2.9% on the Company’s municipal bond portfolio of $180.3 million at March 31, 2014.

Net Realized Investment Losses

Net realized investment losses were $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $0.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. The net realized investment gains for 2015 consist primarily of net gains of $2.6 million relative to the Company’s equity securities and $0.6 million relative to its fixed maturities, offset by losses of $5.9 million relative to its interest rate swaps and other than temporary impairment losses of $0.3 million. The net realized investment losses for 2014 consist primarily of net gains of $1.5 million relative to the Company’s fixed maturities, $4.0 million relative to its equity securities, offset by losses of $6.3 million related to its interest rate swaps.

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 a pre-tax basis for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

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, development costs for new products, and taxes incurred which are not directly related to operations. Corporate and other operating expenses were $11.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared with $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, an increase of $8.6 million or 289.7%. The increase is primarily due to incurring cost of approximately $8.3 million in connection with the acquisition of American Reliable Insurance Company.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0.5 million and $0.2 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, an increase of $0.3 million or 164.4%. This is primarily due to increasing the margin borrowing facility by $102 million. See Note 10 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for details on the Company’s debt.

Income Tax Benefit

The income tax benefit was $3.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to an income tax benefit of $1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. 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 benefit between periods.

Net Income

The factors described above resulted in net income of $6.8 million and $8.8 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, a decrease of $2.0 million or 23.0%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Funds

Global Indemnity is a holding company. Its principal asset is its ownership of the shares of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including those of its U.S. insurance companies: United National Insurance Company, Diamond State Insurance Company, United National Specialty Insurance Company, Penn-America Insurance Company, Penn-Star Insurance Company, Penn-Patriot Insurance Company, and American Reliable Insurance Company; and its Reinsurance Operations: Global Indemnity Reinsurance.

The principal source of cash that Global Indemnity requires to meet its short term and long term liquidity needs, including the payment of corporate expenses and share repurchases includes dividends, other permitted disbursements from its direct and indirect subsidiaries, reimbursement for equity awards granted to employees and intercompany borrowings. 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, fund margin requirements on interest rate swap agreements, to purchase investments, and to make dividend payments. The future liquidity of Global Indemnity is dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends. Global Indemnity has no commitments that could have a material impact on its short-term or long-term liquidity needs.

Global Indemnity’s U.S. insurance companies are restricted by statute as to the amount of dividends that they may pay without the prior approval of regulatory authorities. The dividend limitations imposed by state laws are based on the statutory financial results of each insurance company within the Insurance Operations that are determined by using statutory accounting practices that differ in various respects from accounting principles used in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP. See “Regulation—Statutory Accounting Principles” in Item 1 of Part I of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Key differences relate to, among other items, deferred acquisition costs, limitations on deferred income taxes, reserve calculation assumptions and surplus notes. On January 23, 2014, the U.S. insurance companies paid an extraordinary dividend to Global Indemnity Group, Inc. that aggregated to $200 million. The U.S. insurance companies, excluding American Reliable, were restricted from paying a dividend until after January 23, 2015 without regulatory approval. No dividends were declared or paid during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. See Note 17 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on dividend limitations related to the U.S. Insurance Companies, excluding American Reliable. See Note 2 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for dividend limitations related to American Reliable.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

For 2015, the Company believes that Global Indemnity Reinsurance, including distributions it could receive from its subsidiaries, should have sufficient liquidity and solvency to pay dividends. Global Indemnity 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 statutory financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. See “Regulation—Bermuda Insurance Regulation” in Item 1 of Part I of the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Global Indemnity Reinsurance did not declare or pay any dividends during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Cash Flows

Sources of operating funds consist primarily of net premiums written and investment income. Funds are used primarily to pay claims and operating expenses and to purchase investments.

The Company’s reconciliation of net income to cash used for operations is generally influenced by the following:

 

    the fact that the Company collects premiums, net of commissions, in advance of losses paid;

 

    the timing of the Company’s settlements with its reinsurers; and

 

    the timing of the Company’s loss payments.

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities was $5.7 million and ($10.7) million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in operating cash flows of approximately $16.4 million from the prior year was primarily a net result of the following items:

 

     Quarters Ended March 31,         
(Dollars in thousands)    2015      2014      Change  

Net premiums collected

   $ 150,343       $ 57,964       $ 92,379   

Net losses paid

     (71,066      (40,071      (30,995

Underwriting and corporate expenses

     (84,774      (36,589      (48,185

Net investment income

     11,663         9,983         1,680   

Net federal income taxes paid

     (29      (1,811      1,782   

Interest paid

     (401      (174      (227
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

$ 5,736    $ (10,698 $ 16,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See the consolidated statement of cash flows in the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for details concerning the Company’s investing and financing activities.

Liquidity

There have been no material changes to the Company’s liquidity during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Please see Item 7 of Part II in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the Company’s liquidity.

Capital Resources

There have been no material changes to the Company’s capital resources during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. Please see Item 7 of Part II in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the Company’s capital resources.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Contractual Obligations

The Company has commitments in the form of operating leases, commitments to fund limited partnerships, and unpaid losses and loss expense obligations. As of March 31, 2015, contractual obligations related to Global Indemnity’s commitments, including any principal and interest payments, were as follows:

 

     Payment Due by Period  
(Dollars in thousands)                                   
     Total      Less than 1 year      1 - 3 years      3 - 5 years      More than 5 years  

Operating leases (1)

   $ 13,857       $ 3,292       $ 6,079       $ 4,437       $ 49   

Commitments to fund limited partnerships

     25,955         25,955         —           —           —     

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses obligations (2)

     770,119         259,046         268,782         123,670         118,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 809,931    $ 288,293    $ 274,861    $ 128,107    $ 118,670   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The Company leases office space and equipment as part of its normal operations. The amounts shown above represent future commitments under such operating leases.
(2) These amounts represent the gross future amounts needed to pay losses and related loss adjustment expenses and do not reflect amounts that are expected to be recovered from the Company’s reinsurers. See discussion in “Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” for more details.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off balance sheet arrangements.

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 the Company’s 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 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 or natural disasters, and statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of the companies.

The Company’s 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 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 the Company’s 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 the Company’s underwriting, reserving or investment practices have anticipated; (4) decreased level of demand for the Company’s 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 the Company’s insurance subsidiaries; (7) uncertainties arising from the cyclical nature of the Company’s business; (8) changes in the Company’s relationships with, and the capacity of, its general agents, brokers, insurance companies and reinsurance companies from which the Company derives its business; (9) the risk that the Company’s reinsurers may not be able to fulfill obligations; (10) investment performance and credit risk; (11) new tax legislation or interpretations that could lead to an increase in the Company’s tax burden; (12) uncertainties relating to governmental and regulatory policies, both domestically and internationally; (13) foreign currency fluctuations; (14) the impact of catastrophic events; (15) the Company’s subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; (16) deterioration of debt and equity markets; (17) interest rate changes; (18) uncertainties relating to ongoing or future litigation matters; and (19) uncertainties and risks related to the acquisition of American Reliable.

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 set forth in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and elsewhere in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s investment grade fixed income portfolio continues to maintain high quality with an AA- average rating and a low duration of 2.2 years. Portfolio purchases during the quarter were focused within US Corporate bonds, ABS (asset-backed securities), and CMBS (commercial mortgage-backed securities). These purchases were funded primarily through maturities and paydowns. During the first quarter, the portfolio’s allocation to ABS increased.

There have been no other material changes to the Company’s market risk since December 31, 2014. Please see Item 7A of Part II in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the Company’s market risk.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports 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 that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2015. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level. In accordance with SEC guidance, an assessment of internal controls over financial reporting of a recently acquired business may be omitted from management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures for a period of no longer than one year from the date of the acquisition. The internal controls and procedures of American Reliable, which was acquired on January 1, 2015, were excluded from the Company’s evaluation of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2015. However, certain functions and operations of American Reliable, which are corporate in nature and managed at the Company’s U.S. headquarters, such as those related to investments, corporate expenses and taxes, have operated under the Company’s existing control structure since the acquisition. Accordingly, the significance of the controls of the acquired business excluded from management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 are represented by American Reliable’s assets excluding investments, which represented approximately 13% percent of consolidated assets, net premiums written, which represented 52% percent of consolidated net premiums written, and, underwriting income, which represented 48% percent of consolidated underwriting income.

Changes in Internal Controls

As disclosed in Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, management concluded that a material weakness existed in its internal control over financial reporting related to an element of the design of its estimation process for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses as of December 31, 2014. Specifically, the design of the Company’s control relating to Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses that exceeded the central estimates of both the internal and external actuaries in the process of establishing management’s final determination of loss reserve selections was not adequate. This deficiency did not result in a material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements; however, this deficiency could have resulted in a material misstatement of the aforementioned accounts and disclosures of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not have been prevented or detected.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015 there were changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Specifically, management implemented controls to improve documentation of its assessments and conclusions of its reserve meetings, as well as supporting analyses for the difference between carried reserves and the internal and external actuaries’ best estimates as a result of the communications among its actuarial, underwriting, financial, and claims personnel involved on the loss reserve committee. These measures remediated the material weakness identified above and strengthened the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company completed the implementation of the control enhancements in the first quarter of 2015 and tested the ongoing operating effectiveness of the new controls subsequent to implementation, and considers the material weakness remediated as of March 31, 2015.

As mentioned above, the Company acquired American Reliable on January 1, 2015. The Company is in the process of reviewing the internal control structure of American Reliable and, if necessary, will make appropriate changes as it integrates American Reliable into the Company’s overall internal control over financial reporting process.

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains insurance and reinsurance coverage for 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 its business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

There is a greater potential for disputes with reinsurers who are in runoff. Some of the Company’s reinsurers’ have operations that 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.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The Company’s results of operations and financial condition are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A of Part I in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015. The risk factors identified therein have not materially changed except as follows:

Risk Factor: The Company previously identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting which has been remediated, and the Company’s business may be adversely affected if it fails to maintain effective controls over financial reporting.

Global Indemnity identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2014 related to an element of the design of its estimation process for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Specifically, the design of the Company’s control relating to Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses that exceeded the central estimates of both the internal and external actuaries in the process of establishing management’s final determination of loss reserve selections was not adequate. This deficiency did not result in a material misstatement in the consolidated financial statements; however, this deficiency could have resulted in a material misstatement of the aforementioned accounts and disclosures of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not have been prevented or detected.

The Company has completed its testing of both the design and operating effectiveness of the controls over the estimation process and concluded that the material weakness identified at December 31, 2014 was remediated as of March 31, 2015. Global Indemnity faces the risk that, notwithstanding efforts to date to identify and remedy the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, the Company may discover other material weaknesses in the future and the cost of remediating the material weakness could be high and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Company’s Share Incentive Plan allows employees to surrender the Company’s A ordinary shares as payment for the tax liability incurred upon the vesting of restricted stock that was issued under either the 2003 or 2014 Plan. There were 12,299 shares purchased from the Company’s employees during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. All A ordinary shares purchased from employees by the Company are held as treasury stock and recorded at cost.

See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report for tabular disclosure of the Company’s share repurchases by month.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

  31.1+ Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 (a) / 15d-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act 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 Act 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.
101.1+ The following financial information from Global Indemnity plc’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters March 31, 2015 and 2014; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

+ Filed or furnished herewith, as applicable.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

 

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.

 

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
Registrant
May 11, 2015 By: /s/ Thomas M. McGeehan
Date: May 11, 2015

Thomas M. McGeehan

Chief Financial Officer

(Authorized Signatory and Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

 

60