form10q.htm
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
[X] Quarterly
Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2008
or
[ ] Transition
report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Commission File No. 0-3978
UNICO AMERICAN
CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada
|
95-2583928
|
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of
|
(I.R.S.
Employee
|
Incorporation or
Organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
|
23251 Mulholland
Drive, Woodland Hills, California 91364
|
(Address of Principal Executive
Offices) (Zip
Code)
|
(818) 591-9800
(Registrant's Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)
No Change
(Former Name, Former Address and
Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
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 is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of
“accelerator filer and large accelerator in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
Large
accelerated filer __
Accelerated filer __
Non-accelerated filer __
Smaller reporting company X
(Do not
check if a 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
5,583,331
Number of shares of common stock
outstanding as of November 12, 2008
PART
1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
September
30
|
|
|
December
31
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available
for sale:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized
cost: September 30, 2008 $140,849,488; December 31,
2007 $139,992,208)
|
|
$ |
144,765,728 |
|
|
$ |
142,895,472 |
|
Short-term
investments, at cost
|
|
|
5,097,351 |
|
|
|
7,356,159 |
|
Total
Investments
|
|
|
149,863,079 |
|
|
|
150,251,631 |
|
Cash
|
|
|
24,962 |
|
|
|
108,864 |
|
Accrued
investment income
|
|
|
1,181,251 |
|
|
|
1,554,741 |
|
Premiums
and notes receivable, net
|
|
|
5,151,075 |
|
|
|
5,066,646 |
|
Reinsurance
recoverable:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
1,281,276 |
|
|
|
318,186 |
|
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
20,638,231 |
|
|
|
28,425,424 |
|
Deferred
policy acquisition costs
|
|
|
5,322,049 |
|
|
|
5,722,847 |
|
Property
and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)
|
|
|
403,533 |
|
|
|
557,234 |
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
316,408 |
|
|
|
686,910 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
530,643 |
|
|
|
1,083,378 |
|
Total Assets
|
|
$ |
184,712,507 |
|
|
$ |
193,775,861 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
$ |
82,524,478 |
|
|
$ |
94,730,711 |
|
Unearned
premiums
|
|
|
20,495,916 |
|
|
|
22,742,612 |
|
Advance
premium and premium deposits
|
|
|
1,599,458 |
|
|
|
2,159,290 |
|
Income
taxes payable
|
|
|
241,906 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
6,991,287 |
|
|
|
5,040,145 |
|
Total
Liabilities
|
|
$ |
111,853,045 |
|
|
$ |
124,672,758 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued
and outstanding shares 5,613,808 at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2008, and 5,625,308 at December 31,
2007
|
|
$ |
3,588,507
|
|
|
$ |
3,594,207 |
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
2,584,718 |
|
|
|
1,916,154 |
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
66,686,237 |
|
|
|
63,592,742 |
|
Total Stockholders’
Equity
|
|
$ |
72,859,462 |
|
|
$ |
69,103,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity
|
|
$ |
184,712,507 |
|
|
$ |
193,775,861 |
|
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
Company Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium
earned
|
|
$ |
10,566,831 |
|
|
$ |
12,053,155 |
|
|
$ |
32,519,317 |
|
|
$ |
37,185,654 |
|
Premium
ceded
|
|
|
2,199,769 |
|
|
|
2,853,754 |
|
|
|
6,646,493 |
|
|
|
8,793,510 |
|
Net
premium earned
|
|
|
8,367,062 |
|
|
|
9,199,401 |
|
|
|
25,872,824 |
|
|
|
28,392,144 |
|
Net
investment income
|
|
|
1,415,072 |
|
|
|
1,716,618 |
|
|
|
4,493,258 |
|
|
|
4,999,898 |
|
Net
realized investment gains
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,306 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other
income
|
|
|
209,242 |
|
|
|
27,740 |
|
|
|
531,425 |
|
|
|
57,240 |
|
Total
Insurance Company Revenues
|
|
|
9,991,376 |
|
|
|
10,943,759 |
|
|
|
30,903,813 |
|
|
|
33,449,282 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
Revenues from Insurance Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
commissions and fees
|
|
|
1,412,911 |
|
|
|
1,381,203 |
|
|
|
4,299,668 |
|
|
|
4,096,100 |
|
Investment
income
|
|
|
10,319 |
|
|
|
36,993 |
|
|
|
51,396 |
|
|
|
115,142 |
|
Finance
charges and fees
|
|
|
110,255 |
|
|
|
133,463 |
|
|
|
353,787 |
|
|
|
424,487 |
|
Other
income
|
|
|
4,271 |
|
|
|
3,298 |
|
|
|
10,982 |
|
|
|
9,794 |
|
Total
Revenues
|
|
|
11,529,132 |
|
|
|
12,498,716 |
|
|
|
35,619,646 |
|
|
|
38,094,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
4,750,265 |
|
|
|
5,685,253 |
|
|
|
17,026,560 |
|
|
|
17,103,329 |
|
Policy
acquisition costs
|
|
|
2,055,828 |
|
|
|
2,096,113 |
|
|
|
6,213,989 |
|
|
|
6,396,708 |
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
1,493,937 |
|
|
|
1,431,967 |
|
|
|
4,329,374 |
|
|
|
4,316,618 |
|
Commissions to agents/brokers
|
|
|
320,334 |
|
|
|
266,661 |
|
|
|
959,986 |
|
|
|
707,158 |
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
|
716,478 |
|
|
|
827,958 |
|
|
|
2,284,960 |
|
|
|
2,291,805 |
|
Total
Expenses
|
|
|
9,336,842 |
|
|
|
10,307,952 |
|
|
|
30,814,869 |
|
|
|
30,815,618 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
Before Taxes
|
|
|
2,192,290 |
|
|
|
2,190,764 |
|
|
|
4,804,777 |
|
|
|
7,279,187 |
|
Income
tax provision
|
|
|
746,950 |
|
|
|
644,325 |
|
|
|
1,618,487 |
|
|
|
2,344,478 |
|
Net
Income
|
|
$ |
1,445,340 |
|
|
$ |
1,546,439 |
|
|
$ |
3,186,290 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PER
SHARE DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
Per Share
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
Weighted
Average Shares
|
|
|
5,624,188 |
|
|
|
5,624,724 |
|
|
|
5,624,935 |
|
|
|
5,610,274 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
Per Share
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
Weighted
Average Shares
|
|
|
5,664,525 |
|
|
|
5,686,097 |
|
|
|
5,667,509 |
|
|
|
5,682,751 |
|
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income
|
|
$ |
1,445,340 |
|
|
$ |
1,546,439 |
|
|
$ |
3,186,290 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
Other
changes in comprehensive income, net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during
the period
|
|
|
749,683 |
|
|
|
1,021,881 |
|
|
|
668,564 |
|
|
|
963,551 |
|
Comprehensive
Income
|
|
$ |
2,195,023 |
|
|
$ |
2,568,320 |
|
|
$ |
3,854,854 |
|
|
$ |
5,898,260 |
|
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
For
the Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Income
|
|
$ |
3,186,290 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
158,955 |
|
|
|
182,317 |
|
Bond
amortization, net
|
|
|
194,293 |
|
|
|
(44,746 |
) |
Net
realized investment gains
|
|
|
(6,306 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Changes
in assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium,
notes, and investment income receivable
|
|
|
289,061 |
|
|
|
365,821 |
|
Reinsurance
recoverable
|
|
|
6,824,103 |
|
|
|
(2,390,503 |
) |
Deferred
policy acquisitions costs
|
|
|
400,798 |
|
|
|
578,421 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
153,953 |
|
|
|
(42,320 |
) |
Reserve
for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
(12,206,233 |
) |
|
|
(492,115 |
) |
Unearned
premium reserve
|
|
|
(2,246,696 |
) |
|
|
(3,309,743 |
) |
Funds
held as security and advanced premiums
|
|
|
(559,832 |
) |
|
|
694,160 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
1,951,142 |
|
|
|
764,152 |
|
Tax
benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(129,402 |
) |
Income
taxes current/deferred
|
|
|
666,778 |
|
|
|
(1,865,761 |
) |
Net Cash (Used in)
Operations
|
|
|
(1,193,694 |
) |
|
|
(755,010 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of fixed maturity
investments
|
|
|
(61,561,017 |
) |
|
|
(44,609,678 |
) |
Proceeds from maturity of fixed
maturity investments
|
|
|
60,010,000 |
|
|
|
45,700,000 |
|
Proceeds from sale of fixed
maturity investments
|
|
|
505,750 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net decrease (increase) in
short-term investments
|
|
|
2,258,808 |
|
|
|
(524,800 |
) |
Additions to property and
equipment
|
|
|
(5,254 |
) |
|
|
(82,014 |
) |
Net Cash Provided by Investing
Activities
|
|
|
1,208,287 |
|
|
|
483,508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock
options
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
301,025 |
|
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
129,402 |
|
Repurchase of common
stock
|
|
|
(98,495 |
) |
|
|
(115,261 |
) |
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by
Financing Activities
|
|
|
(98,495 |
) |
|
|
315,166 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
(decrease) increase in cash
|
|
|
(83,902 |
) |
|
|
43,664 |
|
Cash at beginning of
period
|
|
|
108,864 |
|
|
|
34,535 |
|
Cash at End of
Period
|
|
$ |
24,962 |
|
|
$ |
78,199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
Cash Flow Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for
income taxes
|
|
$ |
950,240 |
|
|
$ |
4,200,701 |
|
See notes
to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
UNICO
AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND
SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER
30, 2008
NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of
Business
Unico
American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property
and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides
property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and
provides insurance premium financing and membership association services through
its other subsidiaries. Unico American Corporation is referred to
herein as the "Company" or "Unico" and such references include both the
corporation and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned, unless
otherwise indicated. Unico was incorporated under the laws of Nevada
in 1969.
Principles of
Consolidation
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Unico American Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant
inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Basis of
Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim
financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the year ending December 31, 2008. Quarterly financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and related notes in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Estimates in the
Preparation of the Financial Statements
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company
to make estimates and assumptions that affect its reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and its disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of its financial statements, as well as its reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. While every effort is made
to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results may
differ.
NOTE 2 - IMMATERIAL
CORRECTION TO PREVIOUSLY REPORTED AMOUNTS
During
the first quarter of 2008, the Company identified an error associated with the
Company’s policy fee income. The error arose from the recognition of
non-refundable policy fee income at policy inception rather than over the policy
term in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, Revenue Recognition, and EITF
00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.”
The
Company made an assessment of the materiality of this item on the Company’s
historical financial statements in accordance with SAB No. 99, “Materiality,”
and concluded that the error was immaterial to all periods. The
Company also concluded that had the error been adjusted when it was identified
within the first quarter of 2008, the impact of such an adjustment would have
been material to its first quarter 2008 financial statements and was expected to
be material to its full year 2008 financial statements.
Accordingly,
in accordance with SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year
Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial
Statements,” the December 31, 2007, balance sheet, and the consolidated
statements of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2007, herein have been revised to correct the
immaterial error and to reflect the corrected balances as of that
date.
The line
items in the financial statements that are impacted by this error are detailed
in the table below.
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheet
For the year ended December 31,
2007
|
|
|
|
As
previously reported
|
|
|
Correction
|
|
|
As corrected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
$ |
295,026 |
|
|
$ |
391,884 |
|
|
$ |
686,910 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
$ |
3,887,546 |
|
|
$ |
1,152,599 |
|
|
$ |
5,040,145 |
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
$ |
64,353,457 |
|
|
$ |
(760,715 |
) |
|
$ |
63,592,742 |
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Operation
For
the three months ended
September 30, 2007
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Operation
For
the nine months ended
September 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
As
previously reported
|
|
|
Correction
|
|
|
As corrected
|
|
|
As
previously reported
|
|
|
Correction
|
|
|
As corrected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
commission and fees
|
|
$ |
1,362,736 |
|
|
$ |
18,467 |
|
|
$ |
1,381,203 |
|
|
$ |
3,966,485 |
|
|
$ |
129,615 |
|
|
$ |
4,096,100 |
|
Total
revenues
|
|
$ |
12,480,249 |
|
|
$ |
18,467 |
|
|
$ |
12,498,716 |
|
|
$ |
37,965,190 |
|
|
$ |
129,615 |
|
|
$ |
38,094,805 |
|
Income
before taxes
|
|
$ |
2,172,297 |
|
|
$ |
18,467 |
|
|
$ |
2,190,764 |
|
|
$ |
7,149,572 |
|
|
$ |
129,615 |
|
|
$ |
7,279,187 |
|
Income
tax provision
|
|
$ |
638,046 |
|
|
$ |
6,279 |
|
|
$ |
644,325 |
|
|
$ |
2,300,409 |
|
|
$ |
44,069 |
|
|
$ |
2,344,478 |
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
1,534,251 |
|
|
$ |
12,188 |
|
|
$ |
1,546,439 |
|
|
$ |
4,849,163 |
|
|
$ |
85,546 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
|
|
Statement
of Comprehensive Income
For
the three months ended
September 30, 2007
|
|
|
Statement
of Comprehensive Income
For
the nine months ended
September 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
As
previously reported
|
|
|
Correction
|
|
|
As corrected
|
|
|
As
previously reported
|
|
|
Correction
|
|
|
As corrected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
1,534,251 |
|
|
$ |
12,188 |
|
|
$ |
1,546,439 |
|
|
$ |
4,849,163 |
|
|
$ |
85,546 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
Comprehensive
income
|
|
$ |
2,556,132 |
|
|
$ |
12,188 |
|
|
$ |
2,568,320 |
|
|
$ |
5,812,714 |
|
|
$ |
85,546 |
|
|
$ |
5,898,260 |
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flow
For the nine months ended September 30,
2007
|
|
|
|
As
previously reported
|
|
|
Correction
|
|
|
As corrected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
4,849,163 |
|
|
$ |
85,546 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
$ |
893,767 |
|
|
$ |
(129,615 |
) |
|
$ |
764,152 |
|
Income
taxes current/deferred
|
|
$ |
(1,909,830 |
) |
|
$ |
44,069 |
|
|
$ |
(1,865,761 |
) |
NOTE 3 - STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
Effective
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS
No. 123R), using the modified prospective transition
method. Under this transition method, share-based compensation
expense for 2006 includes compensation expense for all share-based compensation
awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on
the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions
of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Share-based
compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted or modified on
or after January 1, 2006, is based on the grant-date fair value estimated
in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.
There
were no options granted on or after January 1, 2006, and there were no unvested
options as of January 1, 2006, on adoption of SFAS 123R. As a result,
there was no share-based compensation expenses recorded for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
NOTE 4 - PURCHASE OF COMMON
STOCK - EFFECT ON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The
Company previously announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the
purchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 945,000
shares of the common stock of the Company. The program has no
expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any
time. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the
Company purchased 11,599 shares of the Company’s common stock at a cost of
$98,495 of which $5,700 was allocated to capital and $92,795 was allocated to
retained earnings. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had
purchased under the Board of Directors’ authorization an aggregate of 890,040
shares of its common stock at a cost of $5,731,222. During the month
of October, 2008, the Company purchased an additional 30,477 shares of its
common stock at a total cost of $250,138. The Company has or will
retire all stock purchased.
NOTE 5 - EARNINGS PER
SHARE
The
following table represents the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators
of the Company's basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share
computations reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Basic Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income numerator
|
|
$ |
1,445,340 |
|
|
$ |
1,546,439 |
|
|
$ |
3,186,290 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding denominator
|
|
|
5,624,188 |
|
|
|
5,624,724 |
|
|
|
5,624,935 |
|
|
|
5,610,274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
Earnings Per Share
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
|
$ |
0.57 |
|
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income numerator
|
|
$ |
1,445,340 |
|
|
$ |
1,546,439 |
|
|
$ |
3,186,290 |
|
|
$ |
4,934,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding
|
|
|
5,624,188 |
|
|
|
5,624,724 |
|
|
|
5,624,935 |
|
|
|
5,610,274 |
|
Effect
of diluted securities
|
|
|
40,337 |
|
|
|
61,373 |
|
|
|
42,574 |
|
|
|
72,477 |
|
Diluted
shares outstanding denominator
|
|
|
5,664,525 |
|
|
|
5,686,097 |
|
|
|
5,667,509 |
|
|
|
5,682,751 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
Earnings Per Share
|
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.27 |
|
|
$ |
0.56 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
NOTE 6 - RECENTLY ISSUED
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the
sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles
to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental
entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP (GAAP
hierarchy). The current GAAP hierarchy, as set forth in the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement on Auditing
Standards No. 69, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles,” has been criticized because (1) it is directed
to the auditor rather than the entity, (2) it is complex, and (3) it ranks FASB
Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts, which are subject to the same level
of due process as FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, below
industry practices that are widely recognized as generally accepted but that are
not subject to due process. SFAS No. 162 shall be effective 60 days following
the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board amendments to U.S. Auditing Standards Section 411,
“The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.” SFAS No. 162 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measures.” SFAS 157
provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and
applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be
measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new
circumstances. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The
adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB
Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to
measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair
value. The main objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve
financial reporting by allowing entities to mitigate volatility in reported
earnings caused by the measurement of related assets and liabilities using
different attributes, without having to apply complex hedge accounting
provisions. Entities that elect the fair value option will report
unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting
date. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure
requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the
entity’s election on its earnings, but does not eliminate disclosure
requirements of other accounting standards. SFAS No. 159 is
expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with
the FASB’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial
instruments. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of
the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The
Company adopted SFAS No. 159 as of the beginning of 2008 by not electing the
fair value option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.
In
December 2007, FASB Statements No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business
Combinations” (SFAS 141R), and No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160), were issued. SFAS 141R
replaces FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations.” SFAS
141R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all
(and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction;
establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all
assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose
additional information regarding the nature and financial effect of the business
combination. SFAS 160 requires all entities to report non-controlling
(minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way as equity in the
consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 also requires disclosure,
on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of
consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling
interest. The Company will adopt SFAS 141R and SFAS 160 for any
business combinations initiated after December 31, 2008.
There
were no other accounting standards issued during 2008 that are expected to have
a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
NOTE 7 - ACCOUNTING FOR
UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES
The
Company and its subsidiaries file federal and state income tax
returns. Management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of any
future examinations of open tax years will have a material impact on the
Company’s results of operations. Tax years that remain subject to
examination by major taxing jurisdictions are 2004 through 2007 for federal
income taxes and 2003 through 2007 for California state income
taxes. On April 30, 2008, the Company was notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that the Company’s consolidated federal income tax return on
Form 1120 for the tax year ended December 31, 2006, was selected for
examination. On October 28, 2008, the Company was verbally notified
by the Internal Revenue Service that its Form 1120 for the tax year ended
December 31, 2006, was accepted with no change. Written notification
is expected to take approximately one month. As of the date of this
report, it has not yet been received.
In June
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation
No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes” (FIN 48). This
interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB
Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement
recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a
tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim
periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation became
effective January 1, 2007. The Company had no unrecognized tax
benefits and recognized no additional liability or reduction in deferred tax
assets as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1,
2007. In addition, the Company had not accrued interest and penalties
related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would
need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be
recognized as a component of federal income tax expense. As of
September 30, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no
additional liabilities or reduction in deferred tax asset as a result of the
adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007.
NOTE 8 - SEGMENT
REPORTING
Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 (SFAS No. 131), “Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” became effective for fiscal
years effective after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes
standards for the way information about operating segments is reported in
financial statements. The Company has adopted SFAS No. 131 and has
identified its insurance company operation, Crusader Insurance Company
(Crusader), as its primary reporting segment. Revenues from this
segment comprised 87% of consolidated revenues for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 88% of revenues for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Company’s remaining
operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with
unique characteristics and individually insignificant to consolidated
revenues.
Revenues,
income before income taxes, and assets by segment are as follows:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
company operation
|
|
$ |
9,991,376 |
|
|
$ |
10,943,759 |
|
|
$ |
30,903,813 |
|
|
$ |
33,449,282 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
insurance operations
|
|
|
4,419,131 |
|
|
|
4,706,130 |
|
|
|
13,169,590 |
|
|
|
14,060,513 |
|
Intersegment
eliminations (1)
|
|
|
(2,881,375 |
) |
|
|
(3,151,173 |
) |
|
|
(8,453,757 |
) |
|
|
(9,414,990 |
) |
Total
other insurance operations
|
|
|
1,537,756 |
|
|
|
1,554,957 |
|
|
|
4,715,833 |
|
|
|
4,645,523 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Revenues
|
|
$ |
11,529,132 |
|
|
$ |
12,498,716 |
|
|
$ |
35,619,646 |
|
|
$ |
38,094,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (Loss) Before Income
Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
company operation
|
|
$ |
2,701,615 |
|
|
$ |
2,618,111 |
|
|
$ |
6,611,699 |
|
|
$ |
8,842,737 |
|
Other
insurance operations
|
|
|
(509,325 |
) |
|
|
(427,347 |
) |
|
|
(1,806,922 |
) |
|
|
(1,563,550 |
) |
Total
income before income taxes
|
|
$ |
2,192,290 |
|
|
$ |
2,190,764 |
|
|
$ |
4,804,777 |
|
|
$ |
7,279,187 |
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
company operation
|
|
$ |
170,520,181 |
|
|
$ |
177,278,243 |
|
Intersegment
eliminations (2)
|
|
|
(1,665,061 |
) |
|
|
(1,537,590 |
) |
Total
insurance company operation
|
|
|
168,855,120 |
|
|
|
175,740,653 |
|
Other
insurance operations
|
|
|
15,857,387 |
|
|
|
18,035,208 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
184,712,507 |
|
|
$ |
193,775,861 |
|
(1)
|
Intersegment
revenue eliminations reflect commission paid by Crusader to Unifax
Insurance Systems, Inc., (Unifax) a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company.
|
(2)
|
Intersegment
asset eliminations reflect the elimination of Crusader receivables and
Unifax payables.
|
NOTE 9 - FAIR VALUE ON FIXED
MATURITY INVESTMENTS
SFAS No.
157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation
techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value of a financial
instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date (the exit price). The hierarchy gives the
highest priority to level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to level 3
inputs. In general, fair values determined by level 1 inputs utilize
quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
that the Company has the ability to access. Fair values determined by
level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that
are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, such
as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted
intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or
liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity
for the asset or liability. 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 in its entirety 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 or
liability.
The Company’s fixed maturities
investments are all classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy
because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations,
or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price
transparency. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for
transaction costs. The Company’s fixed maturities investments are at
fair value and are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets on a trade-date
basis. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other than
temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Overview
General
Unico
American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property
and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides
property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and
through its other subsidiaries provides insurance premium financing and
membership association services.
The
Company had a net income of $1,445,340 for the three months ended September 30,
2008, compared to net income of $1,546,439 for the three months ended September
30, 2007, a decrease in net income of $101,099 (7%). For
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company had a net income of
$3,186,290 compared to a net income of $4,934,709 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, a decrease in net income of $1,748,419 (35%).
This
overview discusses some of the relevant factors that management considers in
evaluating the Company's performance, prospects, and risks. It is not
all-inclusive and is meant to be read in conjunction with the entirety of the
management discussion and analysis, the Company's consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto, and all other items contained within the report on
this Form 10-Q.
Revenue and Income
Generation
The
Company receives its revenue primarily from earned premium derived from the
insurance company operation, commission and fee income generated from the
insurance agency operations, finance charges and fee income from the premium
finance operation, and investment income from cash generated primarily from the
insurance operation. The insurance company operation generated
approximately 87% of consolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to 88% of revenues for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2007. The Company’s remaining operations
constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique
characteristics and individually not material to consolidated
revenues.
Insurance Company
Operation
The
property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive and includes many
insurers, ranging from large companies offering a wide variety of products
worldwide to smaller, specialized companies in a single state or region offering
only a single product. Many of the Company's existing or potential
competitors have considerably greater financial and other resources, have a
higher rating assigned by independent rating organizations such as A.M. Best
Company, have greater experience in the insurance industry, and offer a broader
line of insurance products than the Company. Crusader is primarily
writing Commercial Multiple Peril business in the state of
California. Crusader’s A.M. Best Company rating is B++
(Good). On January 15, 2008, A.M. Best Company upgraded
Crusader’s rating outlook from stable to positive.
The
property and casualty insurance industry is characterized by periods of soft
market conditions, in which premium rates are stable or falling and insurance is
readily available, and by periods of hard market conditions, in which premium
rates rise, coverage may be more difficult to find, and insurers’ profits
increase. The Company believes that the California property and
casualty insurance market has transitioned to a “soft market” in the last few
years. The Company cannot determine how long the existing market
conditions will continue nor in which direction they might change.
Premium
written before reinsurance decreased $1,232,195 (11%) to $10,388,469 for the
three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $11,620,664 for the
three months ended September 30, 2007. Premium written before
reinsurance decreased $3,603,290 (11%) to $30,272,621 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to $33,875,911 for the nine months ended September
30, 2007. A primary challenge of the property and casualty insurance
company operation is contending with the fact that the Company sells its
products before the ultimate costs are actually known. That is, when
pricing its products, the Company must forecast the ultimate claim and loss
adjustment costs. In addition, factors such as changes in regulations
and legal environment, among other things, can all impact the accuracy of such
cost. The decrease in written premium before reinsurance which began
in 2005 and has continued through the three and nine month periods ended
September 30, 2008, was primarily due to a loss of customers attributable to the
fact that the insurance marketplace continues to be intensely
competitive. There are more insurers competing for the same
customers. Many of those competitors price their insurance products
at rates that Crusader believes are inadequate to support an underwriting
profit. The Company believes that rate adequacy is more important
than premium growth and that underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses
and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs) is its primary
goal. Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and
profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1)
product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment
of captive and independent retail agents.
Crusader’s
underwriting profit (before income taxes) is as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
premium earned
|
|
$ |
8,367,062 |
|
|
$ |
9,199,401 |
|
|
$ |
(832,339 |
) |
|
$ |
25,872,824 |
|
|
$ |
28,392,144 |
|
|
$ |
(2,519,320 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
4,750,265 |
|
|
|
5,685,253 |
|
|
|
(934,988 |
) |
|
|
17,026,560 |
|
|
|
17,103,329 |
|
|
|
(76,769 |
) |
Policy
acquisition costs
|
|
|
2,055,828 |
|
|
|
2,096,113 |
|
|
|
(40,285 |
) |
|
|
6,213,989 |
|
|
|
6,396,708 |
|
|
|
(182,719 |
) |
Total
|
|
|
6,806,093 |
|
|
|
7,781,366 |
|
|
|
(975,273 |
) |
|
|
23,240,549 |
|
|
|
23,500,037 |
|
|
|
(259,488 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting
Profit (Before
Income Taxes)
|
|
$ |
1,560,969 |
|
|
$ |
1,418,035 |
|
|
$ |
142,934 |
|
|
$ |
2,632,275 |
|
|
$ |
4,892,107 |
|
|
$ |
(2,259,832 |
) |
Underwriting
profit (before income tax) for the three months ended September 30, 2008,
increased slightly compared to the prior year period, primarily as a result of a
decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses offset by a decrease in net
premium earned. The reduction in the underwriting profit (before
income tax) of $2,259,832 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared
to the prior year period, was primarily a result of a decrease in net premium
earned.
The
following table provides an analysis of the losses and loss adjustment
expenses:
|
|
Three Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
Losses
and loss adjustment
expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
accident year
|
|
$ |
5,798,936 |
|
|
$ |
6,796,662 |
|
|
$ |
(997,726 |
) |
|
$ |
18,731,978 |
|
|
$ |
20,188,504 |
|
|
$ |
(1,456,526 |
) |
Favorable
development of
all prior accident years
|
|
|
1,048,671 |
|
|
|
1,111,409 |
|
|
|
62,738 |
|
|
|
1,705,418 |
|
|
|
3,085,175 |
|
|
|
1,379,757 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
4,750,265 |
|
|
$ |
5,685,253 |
|
|
$ |
(934,988 |
) |
|
$ |
17,026,560 |
|
|
$ |
17,103,329 |
|
|
$ |
(76,769 |
) |
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses were 57% of net premium earned for the three months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to 62% of net premium earned for the three
months ended September 30, 2007. Losses and loss adjustment expenses
were 66% of net premium earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to 60% of net premium earned for the nine months ended September 30,
2007.
Other
Operations
The
Company’s other revenues from insurance operations consist of commissions, fees,
finance charges, and investment and other income. Excluding
investment and other income, these operations accounted for approximately 13% of
total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and 12%
of total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2007.
Investments and
Liquidity
The
Company generates revenue from its investment portfolio, which consisted of
approximately $145.9 million (at amortized cost) at September 30, 2008, compared
to $147.3 million (at amortized cost) at December 31,
2007. Investment income decreased $328,220 (19%) and $570,386 (11%)
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to prior
year periods, respectively. The decrease in investment income was
primarily a result of the decrease in the Company’s annualized weighted average
investment yield to 3.9% and 4.1% in the three and nine months ended September
30, 2008, respectively, from 4.8% and 4.6% in the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2007, respectively. Due to the current interest rate
environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity
investments with maturities of five years or less and with minimal credit
risk.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Due to
the nature of the Company's business (insurance and insurance services) and
whereas Company growth does not normally require material reinvestments of
profits into property or equipment, the cash flow generated from operations
usually results in improved liquidity for the Company.
Crusader
generates a significant amount of cash as a result of its holdings of unearned
premium reserves, reserves for loss payments, and its capital and
surplus. Crusader's loss and loss adjustment expense payments are the
most significant cash flow requirement of the Company. These payments
are continually monitored and projected to ensure that the Company has the
liquidity to cover these payments without the need to liquidate its
investments. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had cash and
investments of $145,971,801 (at amortized cost) of which $142,619,772 (98%) were
investments of Crusader.
As of
September 30, 2008, the Company had invested $140,849,488 (at
amortized cost) or 97% of its invested assets in fixed maturity
obligations. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities,” the Company is required to classify its investments in debt and
equity securities into one of three categories: held-to-maturity,
available-for-sale, or trading securities. Although all of the
Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale, the Company's
investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality
investments until maturity.
The Company's investments in
fixed maturity obligations of $140,849,488 (at amortized cost) includes
$130,848,756 (92.9%) of U.S. treasury securities,
$9,600,732 (6.8%) of industrial and miscellaneous securities, and $400,000
(0.3%) of long-term certificates of deposit.
The
balance of the Company's investments is in short-term investments that include
U.S. treasury bills, bank money market accounts, certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, and a short-term treasury money market fund.
The
Company’s investment guidelines on equity securities limit investments in equity
securities to an aggregate maximum of $2,000,000. The Company’s
investment guidelines on fixed maturities limit those investments to high-grade
obligations with a maximum term of eight years. The maximum
investment authorized in any one issuer is $2,000,000 and the maximum in any one
U.S. government agency or U.S. government sponsored enterprise is
$3,000,000. This dollar limitation excludes bond premiums paid in
excess of par value and U.S. government or U.S. government guaranteed
issues. Investments in municipal securities are primarily
pre-refunded and secured by U.S. treasury securities. The short-term
investments are either U.S. government obligations, FDIC insured, or are in an
institution with a Moody's rating of P2 and/or a Standard & Poor's rating of
A1. All of the Company's fixed maturity investment securities are
rated and readily marketable and could be liquidated without any materially
adverse financial impact.
The
Company previously announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the
purchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 945,000
shares of the common stock of the Company. The program has no
expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any
time. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the
Company purchased 11,599 shares of the Company’s common stock at a cost of
$98,495 of which $5,700 was allocated to capital and $92,795 was allocated to
retained earnings. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had
purchased under the Board of Directors’ authorization an aggregate of 890,040
shares of its common stock at a cost of $5,731,222. During the month
of October, 2008, the Company purchased an additional 30,477 shares of its
common stock at a total cost of $250,138. The Company has or will
retire all stock purchased.
Although
material capital expenditures may also be funded through borrowings, the Company
believes that its cash and short-term investments as of the date of this report,
net of trust restriction of $200,808, statutory deposits of $700,000, and the
dividend restriction between Crusader and Unico plus the cash to be generated
from operations, should be sufficient to meet its operating requirements during
the next twelve months without the necessity of borrowing funds.
Results
of Operations
All
comparisons made in this discussion are comparing the three months and nine
months ended September 30, 2008, to the three months and nine months ended
September 30, 2007, unless otherwise indicated.
The
Company had a net income of $1,445,340 for the three months ended September 30,
2008, compared to net income of $1,546,439 for the three months ended September
30, 2007, a decrease in net income of $101,099 (7%). For
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company had a net income of
$3,186,290 compared to a net income of $4,934,709 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, a decrease in net income of $1,748,419
(35%). Total revenues decreased $969,584 (8%) to $11,529,132 for the
three months and $2,475,159 (6%) to $35,619,646 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to total revenues of $12,498,716 for the three
months and $38,094,805 for the nine months ended September 30,
2007.
Premium written (before
reinsurance) is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined, under statutory
accounting, as the contractually determined amount charged by the Company to
the policyholder
for the effective period of the contract based on the expectation of
risk, policy benefits, and expenses associated with the coverage provided by the
terms of the policies. Premium
earned, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, represents the portion of
premiums written that is recognized as income in the financial statements for
the period presented and earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the
policies. Direct written premium reported on the Company’s statutory
statement decreased $1,232,195 (11%) and $3,603,290 (11%), to $10,388,469 and
$30,272,621 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008,
respectively, compared to $11,620,664 and $33,875,911 for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
The
decrease in written premium in the three and nine months ended September 30,
2008, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, was
primarily the result of a loss of customers attributable to the intense
competition in the property and casualty market. The insurance
marketplace has become more competitive as more insurers are competing for the
same customers. Many of those competitors price their insurance at
rates that Crusader believes are inadequate to support any
profit. Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and
profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1)
product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment
of captive and independent retail agents. During 2008, Crusader began to
introduce many product changes such as to its rates, eligibility guidelines,
rules and coverage forms. Improved service to retail brokers is
primarily focused upon transacting business through the internet, as well as
providing more options to make the brokers’ time more efficiently spent with us
(i.e., as opposed to spending time with our competitors). In an
effort to increase sales, as of September 30, 2008, the Company employed two
full-time marketing representatives. In October 2008, the Company
hired a marketing manager, bringing the total number of employees dedicated
exclusively to marketing to three. Those representatives are charged
with the responsibility of identifying product development opportunities,
promoting the Company and its products to the insurance brokerage community, and
with the duty to appoint retail agents so as to introduce the Crusader brand at
the consumer’s level of distribution (i.e., retail). Crusader plans
to have approximately twelve retail agents appointed by the end of year 2008 and
approximately twenty-four by the end of year 2009. As of September
30, 2008, the Company appointed 7 retail agents, and has appointed an additional
agent as of the date of this report. Presently it is expected that
each such retail agent should be able to reach an annual sales volume of
approximately one to two million dollars of Crusader’s products within three to
five years of his or her appointment by the Company.
Premium earned before
reinsurance decreased $1,486,324 (12%) to $10,566,831 for the three months and
$4,666,337 (13%) to $32,519,317 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to $12,053,155 for the three months and $37,185,654 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007. The Company writes annual policies
and, therefore, earns written premium over the one-year policy
term. The decrease in earned premium was a direct result of the
related decrease in written premium as previously discussed.
Premium
ceded decreased $653,985 (23%) to $2,199,769 for the three months and $2,147,017
(24%) to $6,646,493 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to
ceded premium of $2,853,754 in the three months and $8,793,510 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in premium ceded was
primarily a result of a decrease in direct premium earned, and a decrease in the
rate charged by Crusader’s reinsurers. The Company evaluates each of
its ceded reinsurance contracts at their inception to determine if there is a
sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as
reinsurance under current accounting literature. As of September 30,
2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer
reinsurance. The earned premium ceded consists of both premium ceded
under the Company’s current reinsurance contracts and premium ceded to the
Company’s provisionally rated reinsurance contracts. Prior to January
1, 1998, the Company’s reinsurer charged a provisional rate on exposures up to
$500,000 that was subject to adjustment and was based on the amount of losses
ceded, limited by a maximum percentage that could be charged. That
provisionally rated treaty was cancelled on a runoff basis in
1997. Direct earned premium, earned ceded premium, and ceding
commission are as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct
earned premium
|
|
$ |
10,566,831 |
|
|
$ |
12,053,155 |
|
|
$ |
(1,486,324 |
) |
|
$ |
32,519,317 |
|
|
$ |
37,185,654 |
|
|
$ |
(4,666,337 |
) |
Earned
ceded premium:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excluding
provisionally rated ceded premium
|
|
|
2,199,742 |
|
|
|
2,852,967 |
|
|
|
(653,225 |
) |
|
|
6,726,302 |
|
|
|
8,822,079 |
|
|
|
(2,095,777 |
) |
Provisionally
rated ceded premium
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
787 |
|
|
|
(760 |
) |
|
|
(79,809 |
) |
|
|
(28,569 |
) |
|
|
(51,240 |
) |
Total
Earned Ceded Premium
|
|
|
2,199,769 |
|
|
|
2,853,754 |
|
|
|
(653,985 |
) |
|
|
6,646,493 |
|
|
|
8,793,510 |
|
|
|
(2,147,017 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ceding
commission
|
|
|
(653,296 |
) |
|
|
(875,065 |
) |
|
|
221,769 |
|
|
|
(2,010,939 |
) |
|
|
(2,706,611 |
) |
|
|
695,672 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Earned Ceded Premium Net of Ceding
Commission
|
|
$ |
1,546,473 |
|
|
$ |
1,978,689 |
|
|
$ |
(432,216 |
) |
|
$ |
4,635,554 |
|
|
$ |
6,086,899 |
|
|
$ |
(1,451,345 |
) |
Total
earned ceded premium excluding provisionally rated ceded premium was
approximately 21% of direct earned premium in the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008, and 24% of direct earned premium in the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2007. There was no significant change in
the ceding commission rate.
In 2008
Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of
20% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer
($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash
treaty. In 2007 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of
loss reinsurance treaties of 15% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of
$300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 15% in
its property clash treaty.
The 2008
and 2007 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent
commission. Crusader’s 2006 1st layer
primary excess of loss treaty provides for a contingent commission equal to 20%
of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer. The first
accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January
1, 2006, through December 31, 2006. The 2005 excess of loss treaties
do not provide for a contingent commission. Crusader’s 2004 and 2003 1st layer
primary excess of loss treaties provide for a contingent commission to the
Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the
reinsurer. The first accounting period for the contingent commission
covers the period from January 1, 2003, through December 31,
2004. For each accounting period as described above, the Company will
calculate and report to the reinsurers its net profit (excluding incurred but
not reported losses), if any, within 90 days after 36 months following the end
of the first accounting period, and within 90 days after the end of each 12
month period thereafter until all losses subject to the agreement have been
finally settled. Any contingent commission payment received is
subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss
adjustment expenses. In March 2007, the Company received an advance
of $1 million from its reinsurer, and in February 2008, the Company received an
additional $2,419,940 to be applied against future contingent commission earned,
if any. Based on the Company’s ceded losses and loss adjustment
expenses (including ceded incurred but not reported losses) as of September 30,
2008, the Company recorded $2,695,022 of these payments as an advance from its
reinsurer and it is included in “Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities” in the
consolidated balance sheets. Thus, the Company has recognized
$724,918 of contingent commission, of which $184,585 was recognized in the three
months ended September 30, 2008 and $471,363 was recognized in the nine months
ended September 30, 2008.
Investment income, excluding
realized investment gains, decreased $328,220 (19%) to $1,425,391 for the three
months ended September 30, 2008, compared to investment income of $1,753,611 for
the three months ended September 30, 2007. Investment income,
excluding realized investment gains, decreased $570,386 (11%) to $4,544,654 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to investment income of
$5,115,040 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease
in investment income in the current periods as compared to the prior year
periods was a result of a decrease in the Company’s annualized yield on average
invested assets to 3.9% for the three months and 4.1% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, from 4.8% for the three months and 4.6% for the nine months
ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in the annualized yield on
average invested assets was a result of lower yields in the marketplace on both
new and reinvested assets.
The
average annualized yields on the Company’s average invested assets are as
follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
Invested Assets*
|
|
$ |
145,521,741 |
|
|
$ |
146,845,497 |
|
|
$ |
146,647,603 |
|
|
$ |
147,051,948 |
|
Total
Investment Income
|
|
$ |
1,425,391 |
|
|
$ |
1,753,611 |
|
|
$ |
4,544,654 |
|
|
$ |
5,115,040 |
|
Annualized
Yield on Average
Invested Assets
|
|
|
3.9 |
% |
|
|
4.8 |
% |
|
|
4.1 |
% |
|
|
4.6 |
% |
|
*
The average is based on the beginning and ending balance of the amortized
cost of the invested assets.
|
The par
value, amortized cost, estimated market value and weighted average yield of
fixed maturity investments at September 30, 2008, by contractual maturity are as
follows. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities
because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or
without penalties.
Maturities
by
Calendar Year
|
|
Par
Value
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31, 2008
|
|
$ |
7,250,000 |
|
|
$ |
7,257,244 |
|
|
$ |
7,299,766 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
% |
December
31, 2009
|
|
|
42,700,000 |
|
|
|
42,949,460 |
|
|
|
43,514,793 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
% |
December
31, 2010
|
|
|
34,200,000 |
|
|
|
34,239,372 |
|
|
|
34,547,029 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
% |
December
31, 2011
|
|
|
9,250,000 |
|
|
|
9,349,034 |
|
|
|
9,846,953 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
% |
December
31, 2012
|
|
|
38,000,000 |
|
|
|
37,963,096 |
|
|
|
40,341,250 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
December
31, 2013
|
|
|
9,100,000 |
|
|
|
9,091,282 |
|
|
|
9,215,937 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
Total
|
|
$ |
140,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
140,849,488 |
|
|
$ |
144,765,728 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
The
weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments was 2.2
years as of September 30, 2008, compared to 1.7 years as of September 30,
2007. Due to the current interest rate environment, management
believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of
5 years or less and with minimal credit risk.
As of
September 30, 2008, the Company held fixed maturity investments with unrealized
appreciation of $3,932,844 and fixed maturity investments with unrealized
depreciation of $16,604. The Company monitors its investments
closely. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other than
temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Consolidated
Statements of Operations. The Company’s methodology of assessing
other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of
the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of
time to maturity, the extent to which the fair value has been less than the
cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and
whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and
principal payments. The Company has the ability and intent to hold
its fixed maturity investments for a period of time sufficient to allow the
Company to recover its costs. The Company has concluded that the
gross unrealized losses of $16,604 as of September 30, 2008, were temporary in
nature. However, facts and circumstances may change which could
result in a decline in market value considered to be other than temporary. The
following table summarizes all fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position
at September 30, 2008, and the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by
length of time those fixed maturities have been continuously in an unrealized
loss position:
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Unrealized Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0-6
months
|
|
$ |
7,586,433 |
|
|
$ |
16,604 |
|
7-12
months
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Over
12 months
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
7,586,433 |
|
|
$ |
16,604 |
|
As of
September 30, 2008, the fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss
for a continuous period of 0 to 6 months consisted of two U.S. treasury
securities, with a total market value of $5,101,563, and two investment grade
fixed maturity industrial securities with a total market value of
$2,484,870. There were no fixed maturity investments with a gross
unrealized loss position for a continuous period of over 6 months.
Gross commissions and fees
increased $31,708 (2%) to $1,412,911 for the three months and $203,568
(5%) to $4,299,668 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to
commissions and fees of $1,381,203 for the three months and $4,096,100 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The slight increase in
gross commissions and fee income for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2008, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008,
is as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
Policy
fee income
|
|
$ |
554,774 |
|
|
$ |
608,242 |
|
|
$ |
(53,468 |
) |
|
$ |
1,697,793 |
|
|
$ |
1,890,974 |
|
|
$ |
(193,181 |
) |
Health
insurance program
|
|
|
690,870 |
|
|
|
607,921 |
|
|
|
82,949 |
|
|
|
2,049,747 |
|
|
|
1,656,781 |
|
|
|
392,966 |
|
Membership
and fee income
|
|
|
74,499 |
|
|
|
78,386 |
|
|
|
(3,887 |
) |
|
|
227,548 |
|
|
|
232,462 |
|
|
|
(4,914 |
) |
Other
commission and fee income
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
(1,338 |
) |
|
|
1,388 |
|
|
|
7,212 |
|
|
|
11,608 |
|
|
|
(4,396 |
) |
Daily
automobile rental insurance program:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission
income (excluding contingent
commission)
|
|
|
92,718 |
|
|
|
87,992 |
|
|
|
4,726 |
|
|
|
258,775 |
|
|
|
257,736 |
|
|
|
1,039 |
|
Contingent
commission
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
58,593 |
|
|
|
46,539 |
|
|
|
12,054 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
1,412,911 |
|
|
$ |
1,381,203 |
|
|
$ |
31,708 |
|
|
$ |
4,299,668 |
|
|
$ |
4,096,100 |
|
|
$ |
203,568 |
|
Unifax
primarily sells and services insurance policies for Crusader. The
commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany
transactions and are not reflected as income in the financial
statements. Unifax also receives policy fee income that is directly
related to the Crusader policies it sells. Policy fees are earned
ratably over the life of the related insurance policy. The unearned
portion of the policy fee is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet under
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities. Policy fee income decreased
$53,468 (9%) and $193,181 (10%) for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2008, respectively, compared to the was three and nine months ended
September 30, 2007. The decrease in policy fee income was a result of
a decrease in the number of policies issued during the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the prior year periods.
American
Insurance Brokers, Inc. (AIB), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, markets
health insurance in California through non-affiliated insurance companies for
individuals and groups. For these services, AIB receives commission
based on the premiums that it writes. Commission income in this
program increased $82,949 (14%) and $392,966 (24%) for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to the three and nine months ended September
30, 2007. The increase was primarily due to the increase in sales of
small group medical insurance offered through CIGNA HealthCare. In
May 2006, CIGNA HealthCare began offering new small group medical insurance
policies in the state of California. Beginning April 1, 2008, these
plans are being actively marketed by AIB and other agencies throughout
California. All CIGNA small group insurance policyholders in
California are members of AAQHC.
The
Company's subsidiary Insurance Club, Inc., dba AAQHC An Administrator (AAQHC),
is an administrator for CIGNA HealthCare and is a membership association that
provides various consumer benefits to its members, including participation in
group health care insurance policies that AAQHC negotiates for the
association. For these services, AAQHC receives membership and fee
income from its members.
The daily
automobile rental insurance program is produced by Bedford Insurance Services,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Bedford receives a
commission from a non-affiliated insurance company based on premium
written. Commission in the daily automobile rental insurance program
(excluding contingent commission) increased $4,726 (5%) and $1,039 (0%) for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2007.
Losses and loss adjustment
expenses were 57% of net premium earned for the three months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to 62% of net premium earned for the three months
ended September 30, 2007. Losses and loss adjustment expenses were
66% of net premium earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared
to 60% of net premium earned for the nine months ended September 30,
2007. The following table provides an analysis of the losses and loss
adjustment expenses as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
(Decrease)
|
|
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
accident year
|
|
$ |
5,798,936 |
|
|
$ |
6,796,662 |
|
|
$ |
(997,726 |
) |
|
$ |
18,731,978 |
|
|
$ |
20,188,504 |
|
|
$ |
(1,456,526 |
) |
Favorable
development of
all prior accident years
|
|
|
1,048,671 |
|
|
|
1,111,409 |
|
|
|
62,738 |
|
|
|
1,705,418 |
|
|
|
3,085,175 |
|
|
|
1,379,757 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
4,750,265 |
|
|
$ |
5,685,253 |
|
|
$ |
(934,988 |
) |
|
$ |
17,026,560 |
|
|
$ |
17,103,329 |
|
|
$ |
(76,769 |
) |
The
Company‘s consolidated financial statements include estimated reserves for
unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of the insurance company
operation. Management makes its best estimate of the liability for
unpaid claims costs as of the end of each fiscal quarter. Due to the
inherent uncertainties in estimating the Company’s unpaid claims costs, actual
loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps
significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all
claims. Variability is inherent in establishing loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves, especially for a small insurer like the
Company. For any given line of insurance, accident year, or other
group of claims, there is a continuum of possible reserve estimates, each having
its own unique degree of propriety or reasonableness. Due to the
complexity and nature of the insurance claims process, there are potentially an
infinite number of reasonably likely scenarios. The Company does not
specifically identify reasonably likely scenarios other than utilizing
management’s best estimate. In addition to applying the various
standard methods to the data, an extensive series of diagnostic tests of the
resultant reserve estimates are applied to determine management’s best estimate
of the unpaid claims liability. Among the statistics reviewed for
each accident year are loss and loss adjustment expense development patterns,
frequencies (expected claim counts), severities (average cost per claim), loss
and loss adjustment expense ratios to premium, and loss adjustment expense
ratios to loss. When there is clear evidence that the actual claims
costs emerged are different than expected for any prior accident year, the
claims cost estimates for that year are revised accordingly. The
accurate establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is a
difficult process, as there are many factors that can ultimately affect the
final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the reserve that is
needed. Estimates are based on a variety of industry data and on the
Company’s current and historical accident year claims data, including but not
limited to reported claim counts, open claim counts, closed claim counts, closed
claim counts with payments, paid losses, paid loss adjustment expenses, case
loss reserves, case loss adjustment expense reserves, earned premiums and policy
exposures, salvage and subrogation, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses
paid. Many other factors, including changes in reinsurance, changes
in pricing, changes in policy forms and coverage, changes in underwriting and
risk selection, legislative changes, results of litigation and inflation are
also taken into account. At the end of each fiscal quarter, the
Company’s reserves are re-evaluated for each accident year (i.e., for all claims
incurred within each year) by a committee consisting of the Company’s executive
vice president, the Company’s chief financial officer, and an independent
consulting actuary. The Company uses the loss ratio method to estimate ultimate
claims costs on the current accident year. The current accident year
IBNR reserves are initially determined by multiplying earned premiums for the
year by the expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, then subtracting
the current accident year’s cumulative incurred (paid plus case reserves) to
date. This method is subject to adjustment based upon actual results
incurred during the reporting period. This initial IBNR reserve is
adjusted as subsequent development of that accident year takes
place. The differences between actual and expected claims costs are
typically not due to one specific factor, but a combination of many factors such
as the period of time between the initial occurrence and the final settlement of
the claim, current and perceived social and economic inflation, and many other
economic, legal, political, and social factors. Because of these and
other factors, actual loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be
expected to vary, perhaps significantly, from any estimate made prior to the
settling of all claims. Any adjustments to reserves are reflected in
the operating results of the periods in which they are
made. Management believes that the aggregate reserves for losses and
loss adjustment expenses are reasonable and adequate to cover the cost of
claims, both reported and unreported.
Policy acquisition costs
consist of commissions, premium taxes, inspection fees, and certain other
underwriting costs, which are related to the production of Crusader insurance
policies. These costs include both Crusader expenses and allocated
expenses of other Unico subsidiaries. Crusader's reinsurers pay
Crusader a ceding commission, which is primarily a reimbursement of the
acquisition cost related to the ceded premium. Policy acquisition
costs, net of ceding commission, are deferred and amortized as the related
premiums are earned. These costs were approximately 25% and 24% of
net premium earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008,
respectively. Policy acquisition costs were approximately 23% of net
premium earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007,
respectively.
Salaries and employee benefits
increased $61,970 (4%) to $1,493,937 for the three months and increased
$12,756 (0%) to $4,329,374 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to salary and employee benefits of $1,431,967 for the three months and
$4,316,618 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Commissions to
agents/brokers increased
$53,673 (20%) to $320,334 for the three months and $252,828 (36%) to $959,986
for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to commission expense of
$266,661 for the three months and $707,158 for the nine months ended September
30, 2007. The increase was primarily the result of the increase in
written premium in the health insurance program and was related to the increase
in commission income from that program.
Other operating expenses
decreased $111,480 (13%) to $716,478 for the three months and $6,845 (0%)
to $2,284,960 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $827,958
for the three months and $2,291,805 for the nine months ended September 30,
2007.
Income tax provision was an
expense of $746,950 (34% of pre-tax income) for the three months and $1,618,487
(34% of pre-tax income) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared
to an income tax expense of $644,325 (29% of pre-tax income) in the three months
and an income tax expense of $2,344,478 (32% of pre-tax income) for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007. This change was primarily due to a
pre-tax income of $2,192,290 in the three months and $4,804,777 in the nine
months ended September 30, 2008, compared to pre-tax income of $2,190,764 in the
three months and a pre-tax income of $7,279,187 in the nine months ended
September 30, 2007.
Other
Information
The
effect of inflation on net income of the Company during the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2008, and the three and nine months ended September
30, 2007, was not significant.
As of the
date of this report, no claims from the October 2007 Southern California
wildfires have been reported to the Company. The Company does not
expect to incur a significant number of claims or net losses from that
event.
Forward
Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein, including the section
entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations,” that are not historical facts are
forward-looking. These statements, which may be identified by
forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” ”expect,”
“intend,” “may,” “should,” and “would,” involve risks and uncertainties, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company. Such risks and
uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these
forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results
to differ materially include underwriting actions not being effective, rate
increases for coverages not being sufficient, premium rate adequacy relating to
competition or regulation, actual versus estimated claim experience, regulatory
changes or developments, unforeseen calamities, general market conditions, and
the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.
ITEM 3 - QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The
Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes a substantial amount of invested
assets whose fair values are subject to various market risk exposures including
interest rate risk and equity price risk.
The
Company’s invested assets consist of the following:
|
|
September
30
2008
|
|
|
December
31
2007
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed
maturity bonds (at amortized value)
|
|
$ |
140,449,488 |
|
|
$ |
139,592,208 |
|
|
$ |
857,280 |
|
Short-term
cash investments (at cost)
|
|
|
5,097,351 |
|
|
|
7,356,159 |
|
|
|
(2,258,808 |
) |
Certificates
of deposit (over 1 year, at cost)
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
invested assets
|
|
$ |
145,946,839 |
|
|
$ |
147,348,367 |
|
|
$ |
(1,401,528 |
) |
There
have been no material changes in the composition of the Company’s invested
assets or market risk exposures since the end of the preceding fiscal year
end.
ITEM 4T – CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
An
evaluation was carried out by the Company's management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of
September 30, 2008 (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design
and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were
effective.
During
the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Company's
internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the
evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that have materially affected or is reasonably
likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial
reporting.
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK
FACTORS
There
were no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the
Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, in response to Item 1A
to Part I of Form 10-K.
ITEM 2 - UNREGISTERED SALES OF
EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to purchases of
common stock of the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2008, by the
Company.
Period
|
|
Total
Number
of
Shares
Purchased
|
|
|
Average
Price
Paid
Per Share
|
|
|
Total
Number
of
Shares
Purchased
as Part
Of
Publicly
Announced
Plans
or Programs(1)
|
|
|
Maximum
Number
of
Shares
that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or Programs(1)
|
|
July
1, 2008 through July 30, 2008
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
66,559 |
|
August
1, 2008 through August
31, 2008
|
|
|
837 |
|
|
$ |
8.38 |
|
|
|
837 |
|
|
|
65,722 |
|
September
1, 2008 through September
30, 2008
|
|
|
10,762 |
|
|
$ |
8.50 |
|
|
|
10,762 |
|
|
|
54,960 |
|
Total
|
|
|
11,599 |
|
|
$ |
8.49 |
|
|
|
11,599 |
|
|
|
54,960 |
|
|
(1) In
April 2000, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had
authorized the purchase in the open market from time to time of up to an
aggregate of 315,000 shares of the common stock of the
Company. On August 8, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized
the purchase of an additional 315,000 shares and on September 6, 2000, the
Board of Directors authorized the purchase of another 315,000 shares of
the common stock of the Company in the open market from time to
time. Thus, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase in
the open market of up to an aggregate of 945,000 shares of the common
stock of the Company. The program has no expiration date and
may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. As of
September 30, 2008, an aggregate of 890,040 shares of common stock had
been purchased by the Company pursuant to this authorization. The Company
has or will retire all stock
purchased.
|
ITEM 6 -
EXHIBITS
31.1
|
Certificate
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
31.2
|
Certificate
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a),
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.
|
SIGNATURES
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.
|
UNICO AMERICAN
CORPORATION
Date: November 12, 2008 By: /s/ ERWIN
CHELDIN
Erwin Cheldin
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer, (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 12, 2008
By: /s/ LESTER A.
AARON
Lester A. Aaron
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, (Principal
Accounting and Principal Financial Officer)
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No. Description
31.1
|
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule
15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 (filed herewith)
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31.2
|
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule
15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 (filed herewith)
|
32.1
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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
(filed herewith)
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32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(filed herewith)
|