Attached files

file filename
EX-21.1 - LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES - ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPdex211.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPdex312.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPdex321.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPdex311.htm
EX-10.21 - EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPdex1021.htm
Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

 

  þ ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

 

  ¨ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 0-6334

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION

 

NEVADA    87-0281240

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

5500 Interstate North Pkwy.,    30328
Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia    (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(770) 952-0200

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

None

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act:    Yes  ¨        No  þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act     Yes  ¨        No  þ

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  þ         No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

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 the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨        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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

  Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  þ
  (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  þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by persons other than affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 was $7,245,579 based on a sale price of $.25 per share.

There were 65,492,357 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 15, 2010.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Parts of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 21, 2010 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 

 

 


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
Number

Forward Looking Statements

   1
PART I
1.    Business    2
2.    Properties    11
3.    Legal Proceedings    12
4.    Removed and Reserved    12
PART II
5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    12
6.    Selected Financial Data    13
7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    13
8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    23
9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    23
9A(T).    Controls and Procedures    23
9B.    Other Information    24
PART III
10.    Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance    24
11.    Executive Compensation    27
12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    27
13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence    27
14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services    27
PART IV
15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    28

Signature

   31


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed in this report. In addition, words such an “may,” “will,” “believe,” “plan,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “goal” “objective,” “project,” “forecast,” “target” and similar words, identify forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainties related to estimates and assumptions generally; inflation and other changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes and the timing thereof; legislative and regulatory developments; risks related to the nature of the Company’s business, such as the adequacy of its reserve for loss and loss adjustment expense; claims experience; losses; reliance on key personnel; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail); changes in driving patterns and loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation and health care and auto repair costs; and other matters described from time to time by the Company in this report. In addition, you should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for a major contingency. Reported results may therefore appear to be volatile in certain accounting periods.

 

1


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART I

 

Item 1. BUSINESS

History

AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), is an insurance holding company that was originally incorporated in 1969 under the laws of the state of Utah. AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Georgia corporation (“AssuranceAmerica Georgia”), began the Company’s current insurance business in 1998 through its subsidiary, TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC (“TrustWay”), a Delaware limited liability company (formerly AssetAmerica Insurance Agencies, LLC). In 1999, the Company formed another subsidiary, AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC (“MGA”), a Delaware limited liability company, that until 2003 provided all of the underwriting, claims and policyholder service functions for the Georgia nonstandard personal automobile program for Gateway Insurance Company of St. Louis, Missouri. In late 2002, the Company formed its subsidiary AssuranceAmerica Insurance Company (“AAIC”), a property and casualty insurance company and South Carolina corporation that focuses on writing nonstandard automobile business and other specialty products.

Who We Are

We are a holding company which, through our wholly-owned insurance company, managing general agency, and retail agency network, underwrites and distributes primarily non-standard personal auto mobile insurance products to individuals. The Company offers non-standard personal automobile insurance that is typically provided to insureds who are unable to obtain standard insurance coverage because of their payment history, driving record, age, vehicle type, or other factors. These policies generally require higher premiums than standard policies for comparable coverage. As of December 31, 2009, we offered products in nine states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Indiana and Mississippi. In February 2010, we began offering products in the state of Virginia.

We began our current insurance business in 1998 through the acquisition of a series of retail insurance agencies located in Florida now known as TrustWay. In 1999, we organized MGA, which initially provided all of the underwriting, claims and policyholder service functions for the Georgia non-standard personal automobile program for an unaffiliated insurance company. In late 2002, we organized AAIC, which began underwriting non-standard personal automobile policies in April 2003.

Our Business

We currently have three revenue producing operating subsidiaries, the combination of which we believe is important to generating consistent profitability throughout the insurance cycle: AAIC, MGA and TrustWay. AAIC and MGA constitute what we refer to as our wholesale operations, while TrustWay constitutes what we refer to as our retail operations. We believe that this structure allows us to manage our growth strategies and respond to changing market conditions more effectively than if we were only a risk-bearing enterprise or only a distribution platform.

 

2


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The following chart depicts our organizational structure and principal affiliates.

LOGO

AAIC is a property and casualty insurance company domiciled in South Carolina that focuses on writing non-standard automobile business in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Indiana and Mississippi. As of December 31, 2009, the Company is licensed to underwrite business in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Virginia. During 2009, AAIC is not writing in these states, but we began writing business in Virginia in February 2010. We expect to enter the other states at a later time, provided that the underwriting environment remains positive and the capital and surplus of AAIC supports such growth. AAIC cedes approximately 70% of its gross written premiums to seven reinsurers, six of which are rated A- or better by A.M. Best and one of which is not formally followed by A.M. Best.

MGA markets AAIC’s policies through more than 2,300 independent insurance agencies. MGA provides all of the underwriting, accounting, product management, legal, policyholder administration and claims functions for AAIC and two unaffiliated carriers located in Florida and Texas of the non-standard automobile insurance policies. The Company also provides claims services for one unaffiliated MGA in Florida and receives a fronting fee on this business. Our own MGA receives commissions and other administrative fees from AAIC and the unaffiliated carriers based on the amount of gross premiums produced for each respective company. Additionally, our MGA receives various fees related to insurance transactions that vary according to state insurance laws and regulations.

TrustWay is comprised of 40 retail insurance agencies with 31 locations in Florida, five locations in Alabama, and four locations in Georgia. TrustWay has been appointed as an agency by a number of unaffiliated insurance carriers and AAIC, and primarily sells non-standard personal automobile insurance and related products and services. TrustWay receives commissions and various fees associated with the sale of the products and services from its appointing insurance carriers.

Our Industry

Personal auto insurance is the largest line of property and casualty insurance in the United States. In 2009, this market was estimated to be $161 billion as reported by the most recent A.M. Best industry data. Personal auto insurance provides coverage to drivers for liability to others for both bodily injury and property damage and for physical damage to an insured’s vehicle from collision and other perils. Personal auto insurance is comprised of preferred, standard and non-standard risks. Non-standard insurance is intended for drivers who, due to their driving record, age, vehicle type, payment history or other factors represent a higher than normal risk. As a result, customers that purchase non-standard auto insurance generally pay higher premiums for similar coverage than drivers who qualify for standard or preferred policies.

 

3


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Competition

Non-standard personal automobile insurance consumers typically purchase the statutory minimum limits of liability insurance required to register their vehicles. Accordingly, we believe that we primarily compete on the basis of price, the amount of down payment required to bind coverage, and payment terms. However, we also generally compete on the basis of consumer recognition, agency relationships, types of coverage offered, claims handling, financial stability, customer service and geographic availability. Because of the purchasing habits of our customers, the rate of policy retention is poor when compared to the retention rate of standard and preferred policies. Our success, therefore, depends in part on our ability to replace insureds that do not renew their policies.

We currently compete with many national, regional and local insurance underwriters. The insurance underwriting and agency businesses are highly competitive. Many competitors are national in scope, larger, and better capitalized than we are. Some competitors have broad distribution networks of employed agents. Smaller regional insurance companies and local agents also compete vigorously at the local level. We believe our focus on the non-standard automobile market gives us a competitive advantage together with competitive prices, payment terms and emphasis on customer service.

While there is no established industry-recognized demarcation between non-standard policies and all other personal auto policies, we believe that non-standard auto risks or specialty auto risks generally constitute approximately 15-20% of the overall personal automobile insurance market, with the exact percentage fluctuating according to competitive conditions in the market.

The personal auto insurance industry is cyclical, characterized by periods of price competition and excess capacity followed by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity. When underwriting standards for preferred and standard companies become more restrictive, more insureds seek non-standard coverage and the size of the non-standard market increases.

Our Products

Our non-standard insurance products provide customers with coverage for the minimum required statutory limits for bodily injury and property damage liability arising out of the operation of a motor vehicle. We also offer insurance coverage that affords protection for collision and physical damage to the insureds’ motor vehicles, bodily injury and property damage caused by uninsured motorists, medical payments, towing and labor, and accidental death and dismemberment.

Target Market

The typical purchaser of non-standard personal automobile insurance is highly sensitive to price and payment terms, but generally insensitive to insurer ratings. AAIC is not rated by A.M. Best. Our insureds typically purchase insurance from AAIC or one of its competitors because of a lack of other coverage options and will switch to a standard provider when able. Generally, the resulting customer non-renewals have historically been more than offset by new customers entering our markets.

A significant portion of our policyholder base is comprised of foreign nationals residing in the United States. This market demographic is prominent in the southeast and, as of December 31, 2009, represents approximately 20% of our policies in force.

Wholesale Operations

Our wholesale operations are divided into four primary functional areas: Claims, Underwriting and Customer Service, Product Development and Management and Information Technology.

 

4


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Claims

AAIC seeks to pay the claims it owes in a fast, fair manner and strives to have the lowest cycle time for non-contested claims (the period of time from the initial claim report to settlement) in the industry. The non-standard personal automobile insurance market experiences a higher level of fraudulent or inflated claims than the standard or preferred market. Our Claims Division takes a hard stance on the claims AAIC does not owe and works to develop a reputation as a carrier that will aggressively fight such inflated or fraudulent claims. In order to accomplish these objectives, the Claims Division seeks the highest caliber associate, paying above prevailing market rates in order to attract and retain experienced professionals in every area of the Claims Division.

All claims are assigned to experienced claims personnel, and the files are directed immediately to handling adjusters to reduce cycle time. The Claims Division is organized into various units to provide efficient file handling capability.

We make an effort to keep the file pending levels for our adjusters below industry standards to reduce errors. All adjuster authority levels are determined based on the experience of the particular adjuster. We have formalized reserving and audit processes and we conduct periodic file audits, conduct a monthly reserve reconciliation process and perform a complete periodic review of every pending file.

The Claims Division has a state of the art web-based claims system which is instrumental in increasing productivity by streamlining the claims processes, and it provides a competitive advantage by utilizing immediate, real-time data for evaluation purposes and allowing the exchange of information with fraud fighting agencies.

Underwriting and Customer Service

The Underwriting and Customer Service functions service the needs of our agents and insureds. Approximately half of our Customer Service representatives are bilingual and we offer a Spanish language option to provide service to our Spanish-speaking agents and insureds.

We emphasize the use of automation wherever possible to minimize costs. We have a phone messaging system that telephones policyholders to remind them of payments due and of pending cancellations. We send agents copies of policyholder notices electronically instead of mailing them and agents can apply payments and process their own policy changes online, reducing the time spent by Customer Service performing these activities.

Product Development

The Product Development and Management function is responsible for designing and pricing products, assisting with new product introduction, monitoring product performance and recommending rate changes. This department uses information from our data warehouse to analyze and monitor each product from the point of sale through termination and claims settlement, if any. We perform a market analysis for each new state prior to expanding operations into a new state. As part of the analysis, we produce and review actuarial studies, analyze required coverages, analyze rates and legal and competitive environment studies. After reviewing this data, we prioritize potential expansion states.

Information Technology

The Information Technology department is responsible for the management of the information technology functions of MGA and AAIC and also advises TrustWay on its information technology functions. This function is organized in three groups: Application Development, Business Intelligence and Infrastructure Support.

 

5


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

With respect to the Application Development group our primary application is our policy management system (PTS), which was designed for the non-standard automobile insurance industry. This software application is an end-to-end, enterprise wide, real-time, web-based policy administration system. PTS manages and increases efficiencies among the most critical functions and throughout our entire organization.

By utilizing internet technologies, PTS provides a method to sell, quote, issue, and manage policies from any location. PTS centralizes information and is designed to reduce workload, errors and costs associated with tracking and managing an insurance policy. It allows for control of user access to the database and opens communication channels through all levels of the organization. This system allows for the quoting, binding, initial premium collection, and printing of declarations pages, policies, endorsements and insurance ID cards at the point of sale at the agent’s office.

PTS is designed to be scalable and is expected to be capable of handling millions of policies. This allows PTS to grow as our business grows. The agreement with the vendor of this software package grants us a perpetual license to the source code and the ability to develop derivatives and advance the product to meet business demands and react to changing market conditions.

The Business Intelligence group supports our central data warehouse. Our data warehouse integrates and cleanses data from multiple sources and is the main repository of our Company’s historical data. It allows for complex reporting queries to be run without slowing down operational systems. This area also provides the Company with real time business intelligence through a set of processes, architectures, and technologies that transform raw data into actionable reports, gauge driven scorecards, and dashboards.

The Infrastructure Support group supports our voice and data networks, hosts our websites, policy administration system, the accounting system, the claims administration system and the data warehouse. They are also responsible for the VOIP phone system and desktop support.

In 2009, we contracted with QualityTech as our data center and managed services partner. We are conveying to our customers our commitment to providing seamless, consistent access to our services. This quality data center is designed and constructed to provide mission critical electrical, mechanical and high capacity network systems. QualityTech’s trained staff includes facility and electrical maintenance engineers, data center operations experts, network architects and security officers committed to providing on-site support and operations for our facilities. This crucial design philosophy is built into our product to minimize service disruption and ensure the highest level of customer service available.

Retail Operations

Our entry into the insurance industry in January 1998 was through the acquisition of 33 retail agencies in Florida. After Accounting for subsequent acquisitions through consolidations of agencies, we currently operate under the TrustWay brand through a total of 40 independent non-standard automobile insurance agencies located in Florida (31), Alabama (5), and Georgia (4).

TrustWay mainly writes new business with four to ten carriers depending upon the state or office.

We expect that growth in revenues from this segment come from increasing the average premium volume per location through the opening of additional offices, selected acquisitions, improved marketing, retention efforts and placing this business with higher commission rate carriers.

Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, AAIC seeks to reduce its overall risk levels by obtaining reinsurance from reinsurers. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve AAIC from its obligations to policyholders in the event that a reinsurer is unable to make its payments to AAIC. The Company periodically reviews the financial condition of

 

6


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvencies. AAIC cedes approximately 70% of its gross written premium to seven reinsurers, six of which are rated A- or better by A.M. Best and one of which is not formally followed by A.M. Best.

Liability for Property-Casualty Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The Company’s consolidated financial statements include its estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). Our objective is to determine that the total reserves (i.e., case reserves and incurred but not recorded reserves, or (“IBNR”) are adequate to cover all loss costs, while sustaining minimal variation from the time reserves are initially established until losses are fully developed. The liabilities for losses and LAE are determined using actuarial and statistical procedures and represent undiscounted estimates of the ultimate net cost of all unpaid losses and LAE incurred through December 31 of each year. These estimates are subject to the effect of future trends on claims settlement, among other factors. These estimates are reviewed monthly as new information becomes known and we are able to observe actual loss development. Adjustments, if any, relating to accidents that occurred in prior years are reflected in the current results of operations and are referred to as “development” of the prior year estimates. A detailed discussion of our loss reserving practices can be found in the “Critical Accounting Policies” of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying tables present information concerning our property-casualty losses and LAE.

Reserves

AAIC establishes reserves for its estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on an individual case basis for all reported incidents. The reserve includes amounts for anticipated future claim development and losses incurred but not reported (based upon actuarial analysis of historical data). Our claims system is designed to set up a statistical reserve when a feature is opened. These reserve amounts are set by age of claim for each coverage and each state. The claims department conducts file audits, monthly reserve reconciliation and a quarterly review of every pending file. Additionally, the reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are reviewed internally each month and semi-annually by a consulting actuarial firm.

The following table provides a reconciliation of beginning and ending estimated liability balances for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:

RECONCILIATION OF NET RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

 

(thousands)

   2009     2008     2007  

Balance at January 1

   $ 42,581      $ 33,661      $ 24,904   

Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses

     29,747        23,250        17,433   
                        

Net balance at January 1

     12,834        10,411        7,471   
                        

Incurred related to:

      

Current year

     26,002        22,980        19,088   

Prior years

     (754     753        (223
                        

Total incurred

     25,248        23,733        18,865   
                        

Paid related to:

      

Current year

     (16,195     (13,060     (11,349

Prior years

     (9,624     (8,250     (4,576
                        

Total paid

     (25,819     (21,310     (15,925
                        

Net balance at December 31

     12,263        12,834        10,411   

Plus reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses

     29,710        29,747        23,250   
                        

Balance at December 31

   $ 41,973      $ 42,581      $ 33,661   
                        

 

7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Total development consists of net changes made by our internal staff performing actuarial functions on prior accident year reserves, based on monthly scheduled reviews, the settlement of claims for more or less than reserved, the emergence of unrecorded claims at rates different than reserved, and changes in reserve estimates by claim representatives. Our net reserves developed favorably in 2009 compared to unfavorable development in 2008. In 2009, a decrease in the number of late reported personal auto claims and a decrease in the estimated severity on these claims, were primary contributors to the favorable development. The unfavorable development in 2008 reflected the recognition of higher severity for prior accident years than had been previously estimated. We have not entered into any loss reserve portfolio transfers or similar transactions having a material effect on earnings or reserves.

The following loss triangle table represents the development of balance sheet liabilities for losses and LAE from the beginning of the Company’s insurance operations in 2003 through 2009. The third line of the table shows the Company’s estimated liability for unpaid losses and LAE recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years, after adjustment for the effect of reinsurance. This liability represents the Company’s estimated amount of losses and LAE for claims that were unpaid at the balance sheet date, including IBNR.

ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES DEVELOPMENT

(thousands)

 

     2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009

GROSS LIABILITY FOR UNPAID LOSSES AND LAE(1)

   $ 4,499      $ 10,656      $ 15,110      $ 24,904      $ 33,661      $ 42,581      $ 41,973

REINSURANCE RECOVERABLE ON UNPAID LOSSES

     3,149        7,459        10,577        17,433        23,250        29,747        29,710

LIABILITY FOR UNPAID LOSSES AND LAE — NET

   $ 1,350      $ 3,197      $ 4,533      $ 7,471      $ 10,411      $ 12,834      $ 12,263

NET PAID (CUMULATIVE) AS OF:

              

One year later

     796        2,040        2,940        4,576        8,248        9,624       

Two years later

     967        2,393        3,744        6,605        10,650              

Three years later

     992        2,580        4,373        7,217                     

Four years later

     1,015        2,686        4,533                            

Five years later

     1,031        2,715                                   

Six years later

     1,031                                          

Seven years later

                                              

Eight years later

                                              

Nine years later

                                              

Ten years later

                                              

NET LIABILITY RE-ESTIMATED AS OF:

  

           

One year later

     1,171        2,783        4,691        7,394        11,164        12,080       

Two years later

     1,062        2,823        4,615        7,694        11,437              

Three years later

     1,045        2,794        4,374        7,373                     

Four years later

     1,051        2,785        4,573                            

Five years later

     1,172        2,730                                   

Six years later

     1,031                                          

Seven years later

                                              

Eight years later

                                              

Nine years later

                                              

Ten years later

                                              

NET CUMULATIVE

   $ 319        467      $ (40   $ 98      $ (1,026   $ 754       

FAVORABLE/(UNFAVORABLE) PERCENTAGE(2)

     23.6     14.6     (1.0 )%      1.3     (10.0 )%      5.9    

 

(1) Represents loss and LAE reserves, without regard to reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses at the balance sheet date.
(2) Net Cumulative Development as a percentage of Liability for Unpaid Losses and LAE — Net.

 

8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The section of the table (labeled “Paid (Cumulative) as of”) shows the cumulative amount paid with respect to the previously recorded liability as of the end of each succeeding year. The lower portion of the table (labeled “Liability Re-estimated as of”) shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded liability based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The re-estimated amount is the sum of the paid amounts above and the outstanding reserve for occurrences prior to the reserve date. The estimate is increased or decreased as more information about the claims becomes known for individual years. For example, at December 31, 2008, we estimated our net unpaid losses to be $12.8 million. During 2009, these reserves developed favorably by $0.8 million, bringing the re-estimated net unpaid losses to $12.0 million, as shown at the bottom of the table.

The Analysis of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Development table is constructed from Schedule P, Part-1, from the Company’s Statutory Annual Statements as filed with the various state insurance departments.

The Company did not have any recent material changes in the terms under which reinsurance is ceded to others, changes in mix of business, unusually large losses or gains, hedging or effects of currency fluctuations in its estimated loss reserves.

The Company did not have any differences between GAAP and statutory basis property-casualty reserves for claims and loss adjustment expenses. In addition, the claim reserves have not been discounted on a GAAP basis.

State Insurance Licenses

AAIC, MGA and TrustWay operate under licenses issued by various insurance authorities. Certain employees must be licensed as insurance agents or adjusters in any state where they perform a function requiring licensure. These licenses may be of perpetual duration or renewable periodically, provided the holder continues to meet applicable regulatory requirements. The licenses govern the kinds of insurance that may be written in the issuing state and the other services that may be provided. Such licenses are normally issued only after the filing of an appropriate application and the satisfaction of prescribed criteria. All licenses that are material to our businesses are in good standing.

Supervision and Regulation

Insurance companies are generally subject to regulation and supervision by insurance departments of the jurisdiction in which they are domiciled or licensed to transact business. The nature and extent of such regulation and supervision varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Generally, an insurance company is subject to a higher degree of regulation and supervision in its state of domicile. State insurance departments have broad administrative power relating to licensing insurers and agents, regulating premium charges and policy forms, establishing reserve requirements, prescribing statutory accounting methods, the form and content of statutory financial reports, and regulating the type and amount of investments permitted. Rate regulation varies from “file and use” to prior approval to mandated rates.

State insurance departments are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that insurance companies maintain adequate capital and surplus and comply with a variety of operational standards. Insurance companies are generally required to file detailed annual and other reports with the insurance department of each jurisdiction in which they conduct business. State insurance departments are authorized to make periodic and other examinations of regulated insurers’ financial condition and operations to monitor financial stability of the insurers and to ensure adherence to statutory accounting principles and compliance with state insurance laws and regulations.

 

9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Insurance holding company laws enacted in many jurisdictions grant to insurance authorities the power to regulate acquisitions of insurers and certain other transactions and to require periodic disclosure of certain information. These laws impose prior approval requirements for transactions between regulated insurers and their affiliates and generally regulate dividend and other distributions, including management fees, loans, and cash advances, between regulated insurers and their affiliates.

Under state insolvency and guaranty laws, regulated insurers can be assessed or required to contribute to state guaranty funds to cover policyholder losses resulting from the insolvency of other insurers. Insurers are also required by many states, as a condition of doing business in the state, to provide coverage to certain risks which are not insurable in the voluntary market. These “assigned risk” plans generally specify the types of insurance and the level of coverage which must be offered to such involuntary risks, as well as the allowable premium. Many states also have involuntary market plans which hire a limited number of servicing carriers to provide insurance to involuntary risks. These plans, through assessments, pass underwriting and administrative expenses on to insurers that write voluntary coverages in those states.

Insurance companies are generally required by insurance regulators to maintain sufficient surplus to support their writings. Although the ratio of writings to surplus that the regulators will allow is a function of a number of factors, including the type of business being written, the adequacy of the insurer’s reserves, the quality of the insurer’s assets and the identity of the regulator, the annual net premiums that an insurer may write are generally limited in relation to the insurer’s total policyholders’ surplus. Thus, the amount of an insurer’s surplus may, in certain cases, limit its ability to grow its business. The NAIC also has developed a risk-based capital (RBC) program to enable regulators to carry out appropriate and timely regulatory actions relating to insurers that show signs of weak or deteriorating financial condition. The RBC program consists of a series of dynamic surplus related formulas which contain a variety of factors that are applied to financial balances based on a degree of certain risks, such as asset, credit and underwriting risks.

Many states have laws and regulations that limit an insurer’s ability to exit a market. For example, certain states limit an automobile insurer’s ability to cancel or non-renew policies. Furthermore, certain states prohibit an insurer from withdrawing one or more lines of business from the state, except pursuant to a plan that is approved by the state insurance department. The state insurance department may disapprove a plan that may lead to market disruption. Laws and regulations that limit cancellation or non-renewal of policies and that subject program withdrawals to prior approval requirements may restrict an insurer’s ability to exit unprofitable markets.

Regulation of insurance constantly changes as real or perceived issues and developments arise. Some changes may be due to economic developments, such as changes in investment laws made to recognize new investment vehicles. Other changes result from such general pressures as consumer resistance to price increases and concerns relating to insurer rating, underwriting practices and solvency. In recent years, legislation and voter initiatives have been introduced, and in some areas adopted, which deal with use of non-public consumer information, use of financial responsibility and credit information in underwriting, insurance rate development, rate determination and the ability of insurers to cancel or non-renew insurance policies, reflecting concerns about consumer privacy, coverage, availability, prices and alleged discriminatory pricing. In addition, from time to time, the U.S. Congress and certain federal agencies investigate the current condition of the insurance industry to determine whether federal regulation is necessary.

In some states, the automobile insurance industry has been under pressure in past years from regulators, legislators or special interest groups to reduce, freeze, or set rates to a level that is not necessarily related to underlying costs, including initiatives to roll back automobile and other personal lines rates. This kind of activity has affected adversely, and in the future may affect adversely, the profitability and growth of the automobile insurance business in those jurisdictions and may limit the ability to increase rates to compensate for increases in costs. Adverse legislative and regulatory activity limiting the ability to price automobile insurance adequately or affecting the insurance operations adversely in other ways may occur in the future. The impact of these regulatory changes on us cannot be predicted.

 

10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Statutory Accounting Principles

The Company’s results are reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), which differ in certain respects from amounts reported under statutory accounting principles (SAP) prescribed by insurance regulatory authorities. Primarily, under GAAP:

1. Commissions, premium taxes and other variable costs incurred in connection with writing new and renewal business are capitalized and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period in which the related premiums are earned, rather than expensed as incurred, as required by SAP.

2. Certain assets are included in the consolidated balance sheet, but are non-admitted and charged directly against statutory surplus under SAP. These assets consist primarily of premium receivables that are outstanding over 90 days, federal deferred tax assets in excess of statutory limitations, furniture, equipment, application computer software, leasehold improvements and prepaid expenses.

3. Amounts related to ceded reinsurance, such as prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance recoverables, are shown gross, rather than netted against unearned premium reserves and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, respectively, as required by SAP.

4. Fixed-maturity securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, are reported at current market values, rather than at amortized cost, or the lower of amortized cost or market, depending on the credit quality of the specific security, as required by SAP. Redeemable preferred stock, which is classified as held to maturity, is carried at amortized cost. Equity securities are reported at quoted market values, which may differ from the NAIC market values as required by SAP.

5. Both current and deferred taxes are recognized in the income statement for GAAP, while deferred taxes are posted directly to surplus for SAP.

Investments

The Company employs a conservative approach to investment and capital management intended to ensure that there is sufficient capital to support all of the insurance premium that can be profitably written. The Company’s portfolio is invested primarily in investment-grade fixed-income and equity securities.

Employees

As of December 31, 2009, we had 258 full time and 5 part-time employees, whom we refer to as “associates”.

 

Item 2. PROPERTIES

The Company leases office space for its corporate headquarters located at RiverEdge One, Suite 600, 5500 Interstate North Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30328. Effective October 1, 2009 the Company signed an amendment to extend its lease until 2019 under more favorable lease terms. The Company leases retail office space at various locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama under short to medium term commercial leases. The Company’s agencies are all located in leased locations throughout Alabama, Florida, and Georgia under short to medium term commercial leases. The Company also leases office equipment for use in its various locations. Rent expense for long-term leases with predetermined minimum rental escalations is recognized on a straight-line basis, and the difference between the recognized rental expense and amounts payable under the leases, or deferred rent, is included in other liabilities.

 

11


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation that is incidental to its business.

 

Item 4. REMOVED AND RESERVED

N/A

PART II

 

Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company Common Stock is quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“OTC-BB”) under the symbol “ASAM.OB”. There is currently a very limited trading market for the Company Common Stock. The following sets forth, for the respective periods indicated, the high and low bid prices of the Company Common Stock in the over-the-counter market, as reported and summarized by the OTC-BB. Such prices are based on inter-dealer bid and asked prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down, commissions or adjustments, and may not represent actual transactions.

 

     Bid Prices

Quarter Ended

   High    Low

2009 Fiscal Year:

     

March 31, 2009

   $ 0.42    $ 0.10

June 30, 2009

   $ 0.30    $ 0.15

September 30, 2009

   $ 0.35    $ 0.30

December 31, 2009

   $ 0.34    $ 0.17

2008 Fiscal Year:

     

March 31, 2008

   $ 0.63    $ 0.38

June 30, 2008

   $ 0.60    $ 0.35

September 30, 2008

   $ 0.54    $ 0.20

December 31, 2008

   $ 0.40    $ 0.21

The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Company’s Common Stock and currently intends to retain any future earnings for the operation and expansion of its business. Any determination to pay cash dividends on the Company’s Common Stock will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and will be dependent on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and such other factors as the Company’s Board of Directors deems relevant. Additionally, the payment of dividends or distributions from AAIC to the Company is restricted by the insurance laws and regulations of South Carolina.

In an event of default under the Junior Subordinated Indenture issued by the Company to AssuranceAmerica Capital Trust I, the Company may not pay any dividends on its common stock until the default has been cured or waived.

At March 08, 2010, there were approximately 768 holders of record of the Company Common Stock.

 

12


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

N/A

 

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

The Company reported net income of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to a net loss of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company reported basic earnings per common share of $0.007 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to a basic loss of $0.050 for the year ended December 31, 2008. Fully diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $0.007 compared to a diluted loss of $0.050 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The pre-tax income was $0.9 million for the period ended December 31, 2009 as compared to a pre-tax loss of $3.2, which includes a goodwill impairment of $3.4 million.

The improvement in the Company’s 2009 earnings was driven by improved performance in the Company’s wholesale operation (AAIC and MGA) and benefits from cost reduction in the Company’s retail operations. The wholesale operations benefited from a decrease in loss and loss adjustment expenses as a percentage of earned premiums (“Loss Ratio”). In 2009, the Loss Ratio was 73.3%, compared to 82.5% in 2008. Additionally, the wholesale operation benefited from higher fee income associated with an increase in premium production mainly in AAIC in the states of Florida, Arizona and Texas. The improvement in the retail (TrustWay) results was driven by reduced costs, offset by lower commissions and fee income in TrustWay, which was impacted by difficult economic conditions.

Revenues

Premiums

Gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $107.2 million compared to $93.3 million in gross premiums written in 2008. In 2009 gross premiums written includes insurance premiums written directly by AAIC, “direct premiums written,” of $107.2 million, plus $0.2 million of premiums associated with the insurance risk transferred to AAIC by two unaffiliated insurance companies pursuant to a reinsurance contract, referred to as “assumed premiums written.” In addition, the Company classified certain policy fees as premium $3.5 million in 2009. AAIC recorded assumed premiums written of $1.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in assumed premiums written in 2009 as compared to 2008 is due to a shift of business away from the unaffiliated carriers to AAIC in order to increase profit margins. The majority of our premium growth in 2009 occurred in Arizona, Florida, Indiana and South Carolina and Texas. AAIC increased premiums by $4.7 million in Florida primarily due to a rate change. Additionally, $1.5 million of premium produced by a non-affiliated carrier in Florida contributed to the increase. The Company implemented a new one month policy product in Texas during 2009, and it generated $1.4 million in additional premium in relation to 2008. Further, the Company generated $2.0 million of premium increases in Indiana and South Carolina as a result of market penetration. The remaining increases relates to market penetration in the states of Indiana and South Carolina of $2.0 million. This was offset by a decline in premium in Georgia of $1.1 million due to a continued soft market and pricing pressures. Policies in force increased 10% during 2009. The Company ceded approximately 70% of its direct premiums written to its reinsurers during 2009, and the total amount ceded was $72.0 million for the year end December 31, 2009.

Premiums written refers to the total amount of premiums billed to the policyholder less the amount of premiums returned, generally as a result of cancellations, during a given period. Premiums written become premiums earned as the policy ages. Barring premium rate changes, if an insurance company writes the same mix of business each year, premiums written and premiums earned will be equal and the unearned premium reserve

 

13


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

will remain constant. During periods of growth, the unearned premium reserve will increase, causing premiums earned to be less than premiums written. Conversely, during periods of decline, the unearned premium reserve will decrease, causing premiums earned to be greater than premiums written. The Company’s net premiums earned, after deducting reinsurance, was $34.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Commission and Fee Income

In our MGA operations, we receive managing general agent fees for agency, underwriting, policy administration, and claims adjusting services performed on behalf of insurers. We also receive commission and service fee income in TrustWay on other insurance products produced for unaffiliated insurance companies on which we do not bear underwriting risk, including travel protection, vehicle protection and hospital indemnity insurance policies. Commission rates vary between carriers and are applied to premiums written to determine commission income.

Commission income for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $21.6 million, an increase of $0.2 million, compared to the same period ended December 31, 2008. The increase in commissions primarily related to increased premium volume generated by the MGA of $1.5 million, offset by a decline in TrustWay commissions due to lower premium volume of $1.3 million. Also AAIC pays MGA commission on 30% of premium, which AAIC retains and this amount is subsequently eliminated upon consolidation.

Managing general agent fees for the period ended December 31, 2009 were $10.3 million, a decrease of $2.2 million when compared to the same period of 2008. The decrease is due to the classification of $3.5 million in policy fees as premiums, beginning in 2009, offset by an increase in fees of $1.4 million due to higher premium production.

Other fee income for the period ended December 31, 2009 was $0.4 million, an increase of $0.1 million when compared to the same period last year. The increase is primarily due to higher revenue generated from towing and rental add-on products offered to insureds in the retail (Trustway) segment.

Net Investment Income

Our investment portfolio is generally highly liquid and consists substantially of readily marketable, investment-grade debt and equity securities. Net investment income is primarily comprised of interest and dividends earned on these securities and related investment expenses, net of realized investments losses. Net investment income, net of realized investment losses was $0.3 million for the periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

Expenses

Insurance Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses include payments made to settle claims, estimates for future claim payments and changes in those estimates for current and prior periods, as well as loss adjustment expenses incurred in connection with settling claims. Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses are influenced by many factors, such as claims frequency and severity trends, the impact of changes in estimates for prior accident years, and increases in the cost of medical treatment and automobile repairs. The anticipated impact of inflation is considered when we establish our premium rates and set loss reserves. We perform a rolling quarterly actuarial analysis each month and establish or adjust (for prior accident quarters) reserves, based upon our estimate of the ultimate incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to reflect loss development information and trends that

 

14


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

have been updated for the most recent quarter’s activity. Each month our estimate of ultimate loss and loss adjustment expenses is evaluated by accident quarter, by state and by major coverage group (e.g., bodily injury, physical damage) and changes in estimates are reflected in the period the additional information becomes known.

We have historically used reinsurance to manage our exposure to loss by ceding a portion of our gross losses and loss adjustment expenses to reinsurers. We remain obligated for amounts covered by reinsurance in the event that the reinsurers do not meet their obligations under the agreements due to, for example, disputes with the reinsurer or the reinsurer’s insolvency. The Company cedes approximately 70% of its direct loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred to its reinsurers and the amount ceded for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $62.8 million compared to $54.5 million as of December 31, 2008.

After making deductions for the effect of reinsurance, losses and loss adjustment expenses were $25.2 million for the period ended December 31, 2009, compared $23.7 million for the same period in 2008. As a percentage of earned premiums, this amount decreased for the period ended December 31, 2009, from 82.5% to 73.3%, when compared with the same period in 2008. The amount represents actual payments made and changes in estimated future payments to be made to or on behalf of AAIC’s policyholders, including the expenses associated with settling claims. The decrease in the year-over-year loss ratio is mainly attributable to the Company’s increase in premiums, and policy fees, in addition to favorable loss development in certain states.

Expenses

The selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008. These increases are associated, in part, with the growth of AAIC and related operations. AAIC and MGA experiences proportionate increases in selling costs as the premiums written increase. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2009 decreased from 61.2% to 58.0% when compared to the 2008 period. This decrease is primarily attributable to the increase in revenue production in proportion to the increase in expenses related to the MGA. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008. This decrease is associated with the decrease in fixed and intangible assets additions during the year. Finally, the interest expense was lower in 2009 as compared to 2008 by $0.3 million due to a decrease in the interest rate on the Trust Preferred Junior Subordinated Debenture. The Stock option expenses increased by $0.3 million mainly as a result of new issuance of options in 2009.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $0.4 million, and consists of federal and state income taxes at an effective rate of 50%. The Company had a tax benefit of $1.4 million for the period ended December 31, 2008, representing an effective tax rate of 30%. The effective tax rate increased in 2009 due to the impact of the permanent differences for stock options in 2009.

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had investments and cash of $19.0 million, compared to $19.1 million as of December 31, 2008. The Company’s investment strategy is to be highly liquid in cash, short-term investments, and equity securities as well as investing in long-term bonds with short durations in order to meets its insurance obligations. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company had $8.4 million in cash and short-term investments, which included $1.8 million of cash restricted to provide security for certain reinsurance reserve obligations. The equity security portfolio amounted to $1.9 million and is diversified amongst various industries. The Company’s long term investments of $8.5 million are spread among direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury as well as those securities unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the United States government or any agency thereof and in corporate bonds.

 

15


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The Company’s investment activities are made in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. The objectives of the investment policy are to obtain favorable after-tax returns on investments through a diversified portfolio of fixed income, equity and real estate holdings. The Company’s investment criteria and practices reflect the short-term duration of its contractual obligations with policyholders and regulators. Tax considerations include federal and state income tax as well as premium tax abatement and credit opportunities offered to insurance companies in the states where AAIC writes policies.

Premiums receivable as of December 31, 2009, increased $4.1 million to $35.2 million compared to $31.1 million as of December 31, 2008. The balance represents amounts due from AAIC’s insureds and the increase is directly attributable to the increase in AAIC’s premium writings during 2009. The Company’s policy is to write off receivable balances immediately upon cancellation or expiration, and the Company does not consider an allowance for doubtful accounts to be necessary.

Reinsurance recoverables as of December 31, 2009, increased $4.8 million, to $43.8 million compared to $39.0 million as of December 31, 2008. The increase is directly related to AAIC’s continued growth. AAIC maintains a quota-share reinsurance treaty with its reinsurers in which it cedes approximately 70% of both premiums and losses. The $43.8 million represents the reinsurers’ portion of losses and loss adjustment expense, both paid and unpaid.

Prepaid reinsurance premiums as of December 31, 2009, increased $2.1 million to $25.1 million compared to $22.9 million as of December 31, 2008. The increase results from AAIC’s continued growth and represents premiums ceded to its reinsurers which have not been fully earned.

Property and equipment, net of depreciation, decreased $0.5 million to $2.0 million as of December 31, 2009, compared to $2.5 million as of December 31, 2008. The decrease is attributable to lower depreciation on existing computer software and hardware at the Company’s corporate headquarters and furniture and leasehold improvements in both its agencies and corporate headquarters.

Prepaid expenses as of December 31, 2009, decreased $0.1 million to $0.5 as of December 31, 2009, compared to $0.6 million as of December 31, 2009. The decrease in prepaid was mainly due to the amortization of prepaid insurance and advertising costs.

Other receivables as of December 31, 2009 increased $0.1 million to $1.8 million compared to $1.7 million as of December 31, 2008. The balances represent TrustWay receivables from insurance carriers for direct bill commissions and balances due to MGA from insurance carriers for amounts owed in accordance with the terms of its managing general agency agreements. The increase in the receivable is directly attributable to expense reimbursements due from two non-affiliated MGA’s in the states of Florida and Texas.

Intangible assets as of December 31, 2009, decreased $0.3 million to $7.5 million from the balance of $7.8 million as of December 31, 2008. This decrease is related to the reduced amortization of intangible assets in 2009.

Prepaid income taxes remained flat as of December 31, 2009 compared to $0.2 million as of December 31, 2008. The tax benefit mainly resulted from the utilization of net operating loss carry-forwards, which were deferred in the prior period.

Deferred tax assets decreased $0.8 million to $2.9 million as of December 31, 2009, compared to the balance as of $3.7 million as of December 31, 2008. This decrease primarily related to the amortization of net operating loss carry forwards during 2009.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2009, increased approximately $1.0 million from December 31, 2008 to $8.6 million from $7.5 million. The increase is primarily due to $0.7 million in accrued expenses for payroll and management incentive expense and $0.3 million of balances due to carriers related to an increase in direct bill agency business.

 

16


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Unearned premium as of December 31, 2009 increased $3.0 million to $36.0 million as of December 31, 2009 from $32.9 million as of December 31, 2008, and represents premiums written but not earned. This is directly attributable to the increase in AAIC’s premium writings during 2009.

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses decreased $0.6 million to $42.0 million as of December 31, 2009 from $42.6 million at December 31, 2008. This amount represents management’s estimates of future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses.

Reinsurance payable as of December 31, 2009 increased $2.1 million to $28.5 million, compared to $26.4 million as of December 31, 2008. The amount represents premiums owed to the Company’s reinsurers. AAIC maintains seven quota-share reinsurance treaties with its reinsurers in which it cedes 70% of the both premiums and losses for the majority of its states. The increase is attributable to the higher AAIC’s premium writings in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. The increase also reflects a reimbursement of $1.7 million of premiums received from its reinsurers as a result of an overpayment in prior years.

Provisional commission reserves represent the difference between our minimum ceding commission and the provisional amount paid by the reinsurers. These balances as of December 31, 2009 increased $0.2 million to $3.6 million, compared to the balance at December 31, 2008. The increase is related to increases in AAIC writings.

Notes payable as of December 31, 2009, decreased $0.9 million to $0.8 million compared to $1.7 million as of December 31, 2008. The change resulted primarily from $1.0 million in payments applied to the principal balances payable on promissory notes to the Company’s Chairman.

Funds held from reinsurers increased by $1.8 million as a result of restricted cash received from one of the Company’s reinsurers in order to cover certain future reinsurance contractual obligations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash used by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $0.8 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $0.9 million for the same period of 2008. The decrease in operating activities was mainly due to an increase in premiums collected offset by higher claims paid.

Investing activities used for the year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $1.7 million as compared to $4.6 million provided as of December 31, 2008. The increase in the amount used was mainly attributable to lower net sales of investments in the amount of $5.5 million, the transfer of $1.8 million to restricted cash, offset by $1.0 million decrease in purchases of computer software and hardware and leasehold improvements in our headquarters and in Trust Way.

Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2009 included debt repayments for the year ended December 31, 2009 in the amount of $1.1 and $3.0 million as of December 31, 2008, offset the incurrence of approximately $1.5 million in indebtedness under the terms of a new revolving line of credit.

On July 17, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Wachovia Bank for a $1.5 million revolving line of credit which expires July 16, 2010, unless terminated earlier according to the terms. The credit facility is secured by a pledge of the Company’s ownership interests in two of the Company’s subsidiaries, TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC and AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency LLC, and is guaranteed by the same entities. In addition, TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC pledged its ownership interest in TrustWay T.E.A.M., Inc., which is also a guarantor. The Loan Agreement includes customary covenants, including financial covenants regarding minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum net worth. As of December 31, 2009, management believes the Company was in compliance with all these covenants. The interest rate is 3.00% plus 90-day LIBOR due and payable monthly commencing on September 1, 2009. Currently there is $1.5 million in borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement.

 

17


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

The Company’s liquidity and capital needs have been met in the past through premium, commission and fee income, loans from its Chairman, its former Chief Executive Officer, and former Division President of the Company and the issuance of its Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Debt Securities. The Company’s related party debt consists of unsecured promissory notes payable to its Chairman. The promissory notes carry an interest rate of 8% per annum and provide for the repayment of principal on an annual basis.

On December 22, 2005, the Company consummated the private placement of 5,000 of the Trust’s floating rate capital securities, with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security (the “Capital Securities”). In connection with the Trust’s issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Company purchased from the Trust 155 of the Trust’s floating rate common securities, with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per common security (the “Common Securities”). The Trust used the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to purchase $5,155,000 in aggregate principal amount of the floating rate junior subordinated debentures of the Company (the “Debentures”). The Capital Securities mature on December 31, 2035, but may be redeemed at par beginning December 31, 2010. The Capital Securities require quarterly distributions by the Trust to the holders of the Capital Securities, at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 5.75% per annum, reset quarterly. Distributions are cumulative and will accrue from the date of original issuance but may be deferred for a period of up to 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods, if the Company exercises its right under the Indenture to defer the payment of interest on the Debentures.

On March 10, 2009, AAIC purchased all of Capital Securities issued by the Trust at a discounted price of $1,000,000 from the non-affiliated holder of those securities. The discount is being accreted to the interest income over the remaining life of the Capital Securities using the interest method. The purchase resulted in an increase in our investment portfolio for redeemable preferred stock in the amount of $1,015,374.

To support Company growth, the Company maintains a highly liquid investment portfolio and closely manages capital requirements. AAIC is required by the state of South Carolina to maintain minimum Statutory Capital and Surplus of $3.0 million. As of December 31, 2009, AAIC’s statutory Capital and Surplus was $12.3 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off balance sheet arrangements.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Loss and LAE Reserves

AssuranceAmerica is required to make certain estimates and assumptions when preparing its financial statements and accompanying notes in accordance with GAAP. One area which requires estimations and assumptions is the establishment of loss and LAE reserves. Loss and LAE reserves are established to reflect the estimated costs of paying claims and claims expenses under insurance policies we have issued. These reserves are an approximation of amounts necessary to settle all outstanding claims, including claims of which we are aware and claims that have been incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) as of the financial statement date.

Loss and LAE reserves are determined using actuarial and statistical procedures and represent undiscounted estimates of the ultimate net cost of all unpaid losses and LAE incurred through December 31 of each year. When establishing loss and LAE reserves, the Company considers its historical loss experience and current trends or assumptions, particularly those relating to the following factors:

 

   

Claims settlement and payment practices;

 

   

Industry averages and average paid losses by state and other geographical regions;

 

   

Coverage limits and deductibles;

 

18


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
   

Inflation and changes in automobile repair costs, medical costs and industry averages; and

 

   

Legal and regulatory trends affecting claims settlements and average legal defense costs by state and other geographical regions as they relate to personal injury protection (PIP) and bodily injury.

The Company considers its historical loss experience and the factors set forth above at a state, product, and line of business level to estimate its loss and LAE reserves. The Company reviews its loss and LAE reserves by line of business on a monthly basis as new information becomes known and it is able to observe actual loss development. Our statistical average reserves are reviewed, at a minimum, on a semiannual basis. If emerging issues relating to a product or state necessitate a change in our scheduled reviews of a particular coverage of the business, we would identify and measure variances and make adjustments if necessary. For example, we track medical and auto repair costs and may adjust statistical averages if trends were emerging.

At December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had $ 12.3 million and $12.8 million of net loss and LAE reserves, which included $6.4 million and $4.6 million of case reserves and $5.9 million and $8.2 million of IBNR reserves. During 2009, the company had an increase in case reserves, offset by a reduction in IBNR reserves. This shift is due to a new claims strategy that was implemented in 2009 to strengthen the case reserves by setting up claim reserves more quickly, thereby reducing the need for IBNR reserves. This would ultimately have a positive impact on earnings as the claims will be settled sooner as well.

GROSS RESERVES BY LINE OF BUSINESS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008

The following table presents the gross reserves by line of business as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2009    2008

Personal Auto Liability

   $ 37,545,120    $ 35,570,375

Personal Auto Physical Damage

     4,427,863      7,010,324
             

Total Gross Reserves-Unpaid Losses and LAE

   $ 41,972,983    $ 42,580,699
             

The decrease in gross reserves was $0.6 million due to increased production in the liability line of business of $1.9 million, offset by a decline in auto physical damage of $2.6 million, resulting from improved claim handling, lower average frequency and severity in this line of business.

Determination of Loss and LAE Reserves

We begin our determination of loss and LAE reserves by line of business by producing multiple estimates of required reserves, using both paid and incurred data, to determine if a change in the loss and LAE reserves is required. If our initial projections vary significantly, our internal staff performing actuarial functions will further analyze the data using additional techniques. Each review develops a point estimate, which allows us to establish meaningful reserve levels.

In analyzing the ultimate accident year loss experience, our staff reviews incurred and paid loss development patterns at a detailed, line of business level. Changes in patterns are taken into account when selecting loss development factors. These lines of business consist of minimal liability limits, and the loss development is usually short term because a large majority of the parties involved in an accident report their claims within a short time period after the occurrence.

Assumptions regarding needed reserve levels made by the staff take into consideration influences on available historical data that reduce the predictability of our projected future loss costs. Internal considerations that are process-related, which generally result from changes in our claims organization’s activities, include claim closure rates and the number of claims that are closed without payment. External items considered include the litigation atmosphere, state-by-state changes in medical costs, and the availability of services to resolve claims. These also are better understood at the state level than at a more generalized national level.

 

19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

IBNR reserves are established on a monthly basis and are based on a reserve analysis by the Company’s internal staff performing actuarial functions. Various standard actuarial tests are applied to lines of business. Included in the analyses are the following:

 

   

Paid and incurred extrapolation methods utilizing paid and incurred loss development to predict ultimate losses;

 

   

Paid and incurred Bornhuetter-Ferguson method adding expected development to actual paid or incurred experience to project ultimate losses;

 

   

Frequency and severity method to predict ultimate losses;

 

   

Pure premium method experience to project ultimate losses; and

 

   

Ultimate Loss and ALAE by coverage method to predict ultimate losses and ALAE.

For each line of business evaluated, each test generates a low, high and medium point estimate based on development factors applied to known paid and incurred losses. Selections of factors are based on historical loss development patterns with adjustments based on actuarial judgment where anticipated development patterns vary from those seen historically. This estimation of IBNR requires selection of various factors. A single point estimate for the line of business being evaluated is then selected from the results of various tests, based on a combination of simple averages of the point estimates of the various tests and selections based on actuarial judgment.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Company began using average paid losses to establish estimated case reserves. The Company believes that the average paid losses are more indicative of the reserve estimates than average case reserve estimates, which were used previously. The average paid losses better reflect the aforementioned underlying factors used to estimate reserves, thereby improving the accuracy of the reserving.

While the ultimate liability may be greater or lower than recorded loss reserves, the development period for personal auto coverage is shorter than that associated with many other property and casualty coverages and can therefore be established with more certainty than coverages developing over longer periods such as environmental coverage.

Our best estimates of the appropriate amounts for our reserves as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are included in our financial statements for those years. Our goal is to establish the total reserves and determine the adequacy of reserves to cover all loss costs, while sustaining minimal variation from the time reserves are initially established until losses are fully developed. At the point in time when we establish the reserves, we have no way of knowing whether our reserve estimates will prove to be high or low and, thus, whether future reserve development will be favorable or unfavorable.

Adjustment to Unpaid Losses and LAE

The Company’s internal staff performing actuarial functions determines the appropriate level of reserves based on its monthly reserve analysis. On a semiannual basis, the Company’s third-party actuary performs an in-depth independent review of our actuarial data and determines whether or not the established reserves for both IBNR, and LAE are within an acceptable range. At the end of each year, our third-party actuary opines on and certifies our reserves. For all years presented, our independent actuary has determined that our reserves are within acceptable ranges, and therefore management has not adjusted the liability for unpaid losses and LAE from the amount determined by its internal staff.

Key Assumptions

AssuranceAmerica estimates liabilities for the costs of losses and LAE for both reported and unreported IBNR claims based on the historical trends and assumptions set forth above. When possible, where deviations

 

20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

from historical trends in these key areas exist, quantitative and qualitative modifications to, or selections of, such factors are made to reflect such deviations. Management analyzes the adequacy of reserves using actuarial data and analytical reserve development techniques, including projections of ultimate paid losses, to determine the ultimate amount of reserves. The key assumptions and factors discussed under “Critical Accounting Policy Section” previously are taken into account in developing these estimates. AssuranceAmerica reviews loss reserve adequacy monthly by accident year at a line of business level. Reserves are adjusted as additional information becomes known. Such adjustments are reflected in current year operations. Loss and LAE reserves are also certified to state regulators annually.

During each monthly review by the internal staff, factor selections are updated using the additional information obtained with the passage of time. The ultimate loss estimates and held IBNR reserves for the line of business and accident periods effected are adjusted through this updating process. Additionally, the internal staff evaluates the overall reasonableness of the loss and LAE ratios by accident year and by line of business.

Factors that can affect actual frequency include, among others, changes in weather, driving patterns or trends and class of driver. Estimates of average frequency can be affected by changes in claims settlement and reserving practices. Loss severity can be affected by auto repair and medical cost inflation, jury awards and changes in policy limit profiles. Estimation of LAE reserves is subject to variation from factors such as the use of outside adjusters, frequency of lawsuits, claims staffing and experience levels. Key assumptions as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were premised on historical loss reserve development patterns.

Variability of Reserves for Loss and LAE

Management believes that there are no reasonably likely changes in the key factors and assumptions that materially affect the Company’s estimate of the reserve for loss and LAE that would materially impact the Company’s financial position, liquidity and results of operations. The Company’s low average policy limit and concentration on the nonstandard auto driver classification help stabilize fluctuations in frequency and severity, thereby limiting the potential variability the reserve level may have on reported results. For example, approximately 98% of policies included within the nonstandard book of business include only the state-mandated minimum policy limits for bodily injury and property damage, which mitigates the complexity of estimating average severity. These low limits tend to reduce the exposure of the loss reserves on this coverage to medical cost inflation on severe injuries since the minimum policy limits will limit the total payout.

The following table provides the estimated changes in the liability and related payments made for the calendar years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2009     2008  

Change in net loss and LAE reserves

   $ (570,678   $ 2,422,570   

Paid losses and LAE

     25,819,127        21,310,157   
                

Total incurred losses and LAE

   $ 25,248,449      $ 23,732,727   
                

Loss and LAE ratio(1)

     73.3     82.5
                

 

(1) The ratio was calculated by taking losses and LAE divided by the Net Premiums Earned.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (LAE)

The Company’s claims costs represents payments made and estimated future payments to be made to or on behalf of our policyholders, including expenses needed to adjust or settle claims. These costs relate to current costs under our non-standard state-mandated automobile insurance programs. Claims costs are impacted by loss severity and frequency and are influenced by inflation and driving patterns, among other factors. Accordingly, anticipated changes in these factors are taken into account when we establish premium rates and loss reserves.

 

21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

During the year ended December 31, 2009, our loss and LAE ratio decreased approximately 9%, which reflects 8.3% related to higher premiums due to increased policy fees in 2009 and a slight decrease of 0.9% in industry-wide loss costs and lower personal auto paid severity in both bodily injury and auto physical damage coverages. During the year ended December 31, 2008 our loss and LAE ratio increased approximately 8%, reflecting industry-wide increases in loss costs and higher personal auto paid severity in both bodily injury and personal injury protection coverage. The increase in bodily injury is primarily due to higher medical costs. We continuously monitor internal and industry-wide severity trends and adjust rates as appropriate to compensate for the higher loss costs.

Ceded Reinsurance

AssuranceAmerica cedes a significant portion of its personal automobile premium to other reinsurers. The Company’s reinsurance strategy is to use quota share reinsurance to mitigate the financial impact of losses on its operations, while enabling premium growth within its capital base. Historically, the Company’s reinsurance contracts have been one or two years in duration, subject to renewal.

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The Company periodically reviews the financial condition of its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvencies. Six of the Company’s current reinsurers are A- rated or better based on the most recent A.M. Best ratings available, while the seventh reinsurer does not have a rating but is currently in run-off. Further, the reinsurers cover up to $2,000,000 in aggregate claims for extra contractual obligations each policy year.

The impact of reinsurance on the income statement as of December 31 is as follows:

 

     2009    2008

Premiums ceded written:

   $ 71,998,755    $ 64,368,129

Ceded commissions incurred:

   $ 16,746,054    $ 14,858,389

Ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred:

   $ 62,788,154    $ 54,476,887

The impact of reinsurance on the balance sheets as of December 31 is as follows:

 

     2009    2008

Reinsurance recoverable:

   $ 43,809,125    $ 38,987,131

Ceded unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense:

   $ 29,709,859    $ 29,746,931

Ceded unearned premiums:

   $ 25,098,051    $ 22,916,150

Reinsurance payable:

   $ 28,523,284    $ 26,416,490

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. The Company reports as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid to reinsurers applicable to the policies-in-force.

During 2009 and 2008, the Company ceded approximately 70% of its premium and losses to the contracted reinsurers. Premium ceded under this reinsurance agreement for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $72.0 million and $64.4 million, respectively. The related ceding commission was approximately $16.7 million in 2009 and $14.9 million in 2008. The growth in ceded premium is mainly due to increased premium volume in the states of Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, Indiana and Texas.

Ceded reinsurance for all programs reduced AssuranceAmerica’s incurred losses and LAE by $62.8 million and $54.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Reinsurance assets include balances due from other contracted reinsurers under the terms of reinsurance agreements. Amounts applicable to ceded unearned premiums, ceded loss payments and ceded claims liabilities

 

22


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

are reported as assets in the accompanying balance sheets. Under the reinsurance agreements, the Company has four reinsurers that are required to collateralize the reinsurance recoverables. As of December 31, 2009, all reinsurers have provided a letter of credit or a secured trust account to provide security sufficient to satisfy AssuranceAmerica’s obligations under the reinsurance agreement. The Company believes the fair value of its reinsurance recoverables approximates their carrying amounts.

The Company’s reinsurance recoverable balances amounted to $43.8 million and $39.0 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The recoverable includes ceded unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of $29.7 million and $29.8 million of the same periods, respectively. The ceded reserves from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies ceded. Reinsurance recoverable assets include paid loss balances due from other insurance companies under the terms of reinsurance agreements in the amount of $14.1 million and $9.2 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The paid loss recoverables are in good standing as of December 31, 2009.

AssuranceAmerica’s ceded unearned premium relates to policies in force and is earned ratably over the policy period. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the ceded unearned reserves amounted to $25.1 million and $22.9 million, respectively. The unearned premium will become earned over the term of the policy. Reinsurance payable of $28.5 million and $26.4 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 represents the amounts due to reinsurers for ceded premiums net of commissions. The Company pays its reinsurers on a collected premium basis, and no balances are in dispute through December 31, 2009.

AssuranceAmerica’s quota share reinsurance facility has a significant impact on its cash flows. Since the Company cedes approximately 70% of its premium and losses, the Company relies heavily on its reinsurers to settle outstanding reinsurance balances due for loss payments net of premiums collected. AssuranceAmerica paid ceded premiums net of commissions of $53.1 million and $48.3 million and received reinsurance recoverables on paid loss and loss adjustment expenses of $58.1 million and $44.8 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Company’s reinsurance strategies have not changed from previous years and the Company’s limited loss exposure is approximately 30%, which is based on the existing quota share agreement, whereby the Company cedes approximately 70% of its losses. While the Company monitors conditions within the reinsurance market, adverse conditions could have an impact on the Company’s ability to secure reinsurance capacity, thereby limiting its ability to cede future losses.

 

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

All information required to be disclosed in Item 8 is incorporated by reference from the consolidated financial statements and schedules thereto in Item 15 of this Annual Report.

 

Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None

 

Item 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to ensure that

 

23


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective December 31, 2009.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, management used the criteria described in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate. Based on this evaluation under the Internal Control — Integrated Framework, management determined that, as of December 31, 2009, we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual report.

 

Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

There is no other information required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2009 that was not so disclosed.

PART III

 

Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

All information regarding executive officers, all information required to be disclosed in Item 10 with respect to our directors is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Nominees for Board of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 21, 2010 (“Proxy Statement”).

 

24


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

All information required to be disclosed in Item 10 with respect to our directors is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

All information required to be disclosed in Item 10 with respect to corporate governance is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Meetings and Committees of the Board” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

Code of Conduct

We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. This code is publicly available in the investor relations area of our website at wwwaainsco.com and provided as an exhibit to this Annual Report. Copies of our code of conduct may also be requested in print by writing to Investor Relations at AssuranceAmerican Corporation, 5500 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers.

 

Name

   Age   

Positions Held

David Anthony

   50    Vice President — Information Technology, AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC

Charlie Brock

   55    Vice President — Sales, AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC

Mark H. Hain

   60    Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Guy W. Millner

   74    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

John Mongelli

   46    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Scott Nelson

   42    Regional Vice President — Product Development, AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC

Tony Pepsoski

   42    Regional Vice President — Product Development, AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC

Joseph J. Skruck

   45    President and Chief Operating Officer

Gregory D. Woods

   48    Controller

Al Yeager

   48    Senior Vice President Claims and Underwriting, AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC

Biographies of Executive Officers

David H. Anthony has served as Vice President of Information Technology in March 2004 of AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC., a subsidiary of the Company, since March 2004. Mr. Anthony has over 20 years of experience in the Information Technology industry with the last 12 focused in the area of consulting. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Vice President of CGI Information Systems and Management Consultants for four years.

Charlie Brock has served as Vice President Sales of AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC since he joined the Company in December 2008. He was Chief Marketing Officer and Vice president of Sales for Access Insurance Company from April 2008 to December 2008. He was the President and COO of Executrack, Inc., an executive coaching and training company in Atlanta, GA, from 2003 to April 2008. Prior to 2003, Mr. Brock served in several capacities with The Coca-Cola Company, Frito-Lay and Proctor and Gamble.

 

25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Mark H. Hain has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since August 2005 and Executive Vice President since February 2009. He served as Senior Vice President since August 2005 prior to becoming Executive Vice President. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hain was in the private practice of law for two years and was General Counsel for Computer Jobs.com, Inc. for two years. He served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Norrell Corporation from 1988 to 1999 and as General Counsel for American First Corporation, C.L. Frates & Co, Inc. and the Oklahoma Insurance Department prior to 1988.

Guy W. Millner has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since June 2003. Mr. Millner served as Chairman of AA Holdings, LLC, the predecessor of AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Georgia corporation, from 1999 to 2003. From 1961 to 1999, Mr. Millner served as Chairman of Norrell Corporation, a leading provider of staffing and outsourcing solutions.

John M. Mongelli has served as Chief Financial Officer of AssuranceAmerica Corporation since August 2009. He has more than 20 years of financial experience including leadership roles at ChoicePoint, The Coca-Cola Company and Arthur Andersen LLP. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Mongelli was Vice President and Treasurer of ChoicePoint, a leading provider of data and analytic services to the insurance industry, from 2005 through 2008, he was Vice President of Investor Relations for ChoicePoint, Inc. from 2000 to 2005. Mr. Mongelli currently serves as a board member for the Atlanta chapter of Junior Achievement and Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. He earned a B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University in 1985 and an M.B.A in Finance from Northwestern University in 1991.

Scott M. Nelson is Vice President of Product Development of AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC., a subsidiary of the Company. Prior to joining the Company in 2004, Mr. Nelson served as Assistant Vice President, Product Management, for five years for Answer Financial in Encino, CA. Prior to Answer Financial, he managed several states for Windsor Insurance Company, a leading writer of non-standard auto insurance.

Tony Pepsoski is Regional Vice President of Product Development AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC. Prior to joining the Company in April 2006, Tony was a Senior Product Manager at The Hartford, managing personal auto and homeowner products. Prior to The Hartford, he managed products for several states for Windsor Insurance Company.

Joseph J. Skruck, CPCU, has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2009. Prior to that Mr. Skruck served as President and Chief Operating Officer of AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC, an insurance subsidiary of the Company since January 2002. He served as Senior Vice-President of Sun States Insurance Group from 1998 through 2001.

Gregory D. Woods, joined the Company in 2005 and serves as Controller. Prior to joining the Company, he spent three years with Assurant Group, an insurance products provider in various financial management roles within the company. Mr. Woods also served as the Controller with Aon Specialty Corporation for three years from 1999 to 2002. Prior to 1999, Mr. Woods served in several financial capacities with Orion Capital Companies and Aon Re. He has an insurance accounting career that spans over 20 years.

Al Yeager is Vice President of Claims of Assurance America Managing General Agency, LLC. a subsidiary of the Company. Mr. Yeager has 21 years of claims, product, sales and general management experience with leading companies in the insurance industry. Prior to joining the Company in October 2008, Al served as Regional Vice President of Product Management and as a Vice President of Claims for AIG personal lines from 2004 to 2008. Prior to AIG, he spent 17 years with Progressive Insurance in a variety of capacities across the country. Mr. Yeager holds a B.S. degree in Biochemistry.

 

26


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

All information required to be disclosed in Item 11 with respect to executive compensation and directors compensation is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

 

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Except for information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans set forth below, all information required to be disclosed in Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2009, with respect to the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance:

 

Plan Category

   (a)
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options
   (b)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
   (c)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders(1)

   8,397,371    $ 0.53    102,629

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

        N/A   

Total

   8,397,371    $ 0.53    102,629

 

(1) Consists of options granted under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan.

 

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

All information required to be disclosed in Item 13 with respect to related person transactions is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

All information required to be disclosed in Item 13 with respect to Director independence is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

 

Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

All information required to be disclosed in Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Principal Accountant — Audit and Non-Audit Fees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement.

 

27


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

PART IV

 

Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

(1) Financial Statements

The following financial statements of the Company, together with the Report of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 26, 2010, are filed herewith:

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2009 and 2008

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-8

(2) Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules are omitted, as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the respective financial statements or related notes.

(3) Exhibits

 

  2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated April 1, 2003, by and among the Company, AA Holdings Acquisition Sub, Inc., AA Holdings, LLC and AssuranceAmerica Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2003).
  2.2    Asset Purchase Agreement by and between TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC, AssuranceAmerica Corporation, Thomas-Cook Holding Company and James C. Cook (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2004).
  3.1    Amended And Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2003).
  3.2    Amendment to Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on September 9, 2003).
  3.3    By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10 filed on May 30, 1972).
  3.4    Amendment to the Company’s By-Laws adopted February 14, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3ii to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended December 31, 2000).
  3.5    Amendment to the Company’s By-Laws adopted June 26, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A for the year ended March 31, 2003).
  3.6    Amendment to the Company’s By-Laws adopted June 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A for the year ended December 31, 2004).

 

28


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
  4.1    Certificate of Designations Establishing the Powers, Preferences, limitations, Restrictions and Relative Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of AssuranceAmerica Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2004).
  4.2    Amendment to Certificate of Designations Establishing the Powers, Preferences, Limitations, Restrictions and Relative Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of AssuranceAmerica Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2005).
  4.3    Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated December 22, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2005).
  4.4    Junior Subordinated Indenture dated December 22, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2005).
10.1*    Brainworks Ventures, Inc. Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on October 20, 2000).
10.2*    Amendment to the Brainworks Ventures, Inc. Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix 3 to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 11, 2006).
10.3*    Promissory Note assumed by the Company to Guy W. Millner dated February 10, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB/A for the year ending December 31, 2004).
10.4    Promissory Note assumed by the Company to Lawrence Stumbaugh dated January 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB/A for the year ending December 31, 2004).
10.5*    Promissory Note assumed by the Company to Guy W. Millner dated August 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB/A for the year ending December 31, 2004).
10.6*    Employment Agreement between Agencies and James C. Cook dated July 31, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 3, 2003).
10.7*    Executive Employment Agreement between AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC and Joseph J. Skruck (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated March 8, 2006).
10.8    Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2005).
10.9    Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2005).
10.10*    Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2005).
10.11*    Description of Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).
10.12    Guarantee Agreement dated December 22, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2005).
10.13*    Executive Employment Agreement between Sercap Holdings, LLC and Lawrence Stumbaugh effective July 10, 2002 and assumed by the Company effective April 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10KSB for the year ending December 31, 2005).
10.14    Loan Agreement, dated July 17, 2009, by and between AssuranceAmerica Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).

 

29


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements
10.15    Revolving Loan Note, dated July 17, 2009, by and between AssuranceAmerica Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.16    Pledge Agreement, dated July 17, 2009, by and between AssuranceAmerica Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.17    Guaranty of Payment Agreement, dated July 17, 2009, by and between by AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.18    Guaranty of Payment Agreement, dated July 17, 2009, by and between Trustway T.E.A.M., Inc. and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.19    Guaranty of Payment Agreement, dated July 17, 2009, by and between Trustway Insurance Agencies, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.20    Pledge Agreement, dated July 17, 2009, by and between Trustway Insurance Agencies, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 2009).
10.21*    Executive Employment Agreement between AssuranceAmerica Corporation and Mark H. Hain effective November 20, 2007, as amended by that certain Addendum to Employment Agreement, dated November 20, 2007, by and between AssuranceAmerica Corporation and Mark H. Hain.
14.1    Code of Conduct (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Transition Report on Form 10-KSB for the transition period from April 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003).
21.1    List of Subsidiaries
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

*  Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

 

30


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION

By:   /s/    GUY W. MILLNER        
  Guy W. Millner,
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: March 26, 2010

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Guy W. Millner        

Guy W. Millner

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors,

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  Date: March 26, 2010

/s/    John Mongelli        

John Mongelli

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  Date: March 26, 2010

/s/    Donald Ratajczak        

Donald Ratajczak

   Director   Date: March 26, 2010

/s/    Quill O. Healey        

Quill O. Healey

   Director   Date: March 26, 2010

/s/    John E. Cay, III        

John E. Cay, III

   Director   Date: March 26, 2010

/s/    Kaaren J. Street        

Kaaren J. Street

   Director   Date: March 26, 2010

/s/    Sam Zamarripa        

Sam Zamarripa

   Director   Date: March 26, 2010

 

31


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

Index to Financial Statements

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2009 and 2008

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

   F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders

AssuranceAmerica Corporation

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of AssuranceAmerica Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AssuranceAmerica Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We were not engaged to examine management’s assertion about the effectiveness of AssuranceAmerica Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 included in the accompanying Form 10-K and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion thereon.

Porter Keadle Moore, LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

March 26, 2010

 

F-2


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,253,643      $ 8,287,149   

Cash restricted

     1,800,000          

Short-term investments

     365,717        652,480   

Long-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $7,745,142 and $8,666,809)

     7,518,144        8,194,572   

Long-term investments, held to maturity at amortized cost (fair value $4,981,850)

     1,015,374          

Marketable equity securities, at fair value (cost $1,888,334 and $2,407,093)

     1,918,841        1,776,671   

Other securities

     155,000        155,000   

Investment income due and accrued

     180,719        96,186   

Receivable from insureds

     35,173,717        31,162,658   

Reinsurance recoverable (including $14,099,266 and $9,240,200 on paid losses)

     43,809,125        38,987,131   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     25,098,051        22,916,150   

Deferred acquisition costs

     2,457,647        2,321,517   

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $4,344,673 and $3,595,679)

     2,012,963        2,530,352   

Other receivables

     1,766,762        1,655,375   

Prepaid expenses

     510,558        608,861   

Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $3,051,877 and $2,665,727)

     7,509,934        7,780,959   

Security deposits

     105,315        105,060   

Prepaid income tax

     249,452        238,443   

Deferred tax assets

     2,909,229        3,699,994   

Other assets

     335,526        348,472   
                

Total assets

   $ 141,145,717      $ 131,517,030   
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 8,551,370      $ 7,496,998   

Unearned premium

     35,916,156        32,907,714   

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

     41,972,983        42,580,699   

Reinsurance payable

     28,523,284        26,416,490   

Provisional commission reserve

     3,599,289        3,361,045   

Funds withheld from reinsurers

     1,875,000        75,000   

Revolving line of credit

     1,500,000          

Notes payable and related party debt

     774,001        1,720,108   

Junior subordinated debentures payable

     4,981,850        4,975,185   
                

Total liabilities

     127,693,933        119,533,239   
                

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common stock, $.01 par value (authorized 120,000,000 and 80,000,000, outstanding 65,144,357 and 64,953,881)

     651,443        649,538   

Surplus-paid in

     17,363,620        16,911,635   

Accumulated deficit

     (4,440,473     (4,888,220

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

    

Net unrealized losses on investment securities, net of taxes

     (122,806     (689,162
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     13,451,784        11,983,791   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 141,145,717      $ 131,517,030   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008  

Revenue:

    

Gross premiums written

   $ 107,249,107      $ 93,281,015   

Ceded premiums written

     (71,998,755     (64,368,129
                

Net premiums written

     35,250,352        28,912,886   

Change in unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance premiums

     (826,540     (145,160
                

Net premiums earned

     34,423,812        28,767,726   

Commission income

     21,641,251        21,375,128   

Managing general agent fees

     10,277,414        12,505,161   

Net investment income

     670,244        670,148   

Net investment losses on securities

     (362,030     (388,226

Other fee income

     341,549        307,828   
                

Total revenue

     66,992,240        63,237,765   
                

Expenses:

    

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     25,248,449        23,732,727   

Selling, general, and administrative

     38,871,540        38,688,254   

Stock option expense

     333,890        49,047   

Depreciation and amortization expense

     1,183,299        1,287,614   

Goodwill impairment

            3,374,057   

Interest expense

     458,500        717,829   
                

Total operating expenses

     66,095,678        67,849,528   
                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     896,562        (4,611,763

Income tax provision (benefit)

     448,815        (1,396,875
                

Net income (loss)

   $ 447,747      $ (3,214,888
                

Earnings (loss) per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.007      $ (0.050

Diluted

   $ 0.007      $ (0.050

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

     65,120,526        64,922,269   

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

     65,284,661        64,922,269   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

    Common
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Paid in
Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
Net of Taxes
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2007

  64,803,881      $ 648,039      $ 16,782,588   $ (1,673,332   $ 70,505      $ 15,827,800   

Stock issued

  170,000        1,699        79,800                   81,499   

Stock retired

  (20,000     (200     200                     

Stock option expense

                49,047                   49,047   

Change in value of available-for-sale securities,
net of taxes

                           (759,667     (759,667

Net loss

                    (3,214,888            (3,214,888
                                           

Balance, December 31, 2008

  64,953,881        649,538        16,911,635     (4,888,220     (689,162     11,983,791   

Stock issued

  190,476        1,905        118,095                   120,000   

Stock option expense

                333,890                   333,890   

Change in value of available-for-sale securities,
net of taxes

                           566,356        566,356   

Net income

                    447,747               447,747   
                                           

Balance, December 31, 2009

  65,144,357      $ 651,443      $ 17,363,620   $ (4,440,473   $ (122,806   $ 13,451,784   
                                           

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA COPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Net income (loss)

   $ 447,747      $ (3,214,888
                

Other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Change in unrealized (losses) gains of investments:

    

Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the year

     544,139        (1,603,693

Reclassification adjustment for realized losses recognized during the year

     362,030        388,226   
                

Net change in unrealized realized (losses) and gains

     906,169        (1,215,467

Deferred income tax benefit (expense) effect on above changes

     (339,813     455,800   
                

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     566,356        (759,667
                

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 1,014,103      $ (3,974,555
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 447,747      $ (3,214,888

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

    

Net investment losses

     362,030        388,226   

Goodwill impairment

            3,374,057   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,209,171        1,287,614   

Stock-based compensation

     333,890        49,047   

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     23,680        3,454   

Deferred tax provision (benefit)

     450,951        (1,419,741

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Investment income due and accrued

     (84,533     62,795   

Receivables

     (4,122,446     (1,049,621

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     110,994        247,053   

Unearned premiums

     3,008,442        1,916,149   

Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses

     (607,716     8,919,885   

Reinsurance payable

     2,106,794        1,242,352   

Reinsurance recoverable

     (4,821,994     (9,660,119

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     (2,181,901     (1,770,989

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     1,054,372        335,435   

Funds withheld from reinsurers

     1,800,000        52,429   

Prepaid income taxes

     (11,009     (89,766

Deferred acquisition costs

     (136,130     (191,194

Provisional commission reserve

     238,244        397,737   
                

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

     (819,414     879,915   
                

Cash flows from investing activities, net of effect of agency acquisitions:

    

Purchases of property and equipment, net

     (303,440     (1,206,894

Changes in short-term investments

     286,763        (9,556

Proceeds from sales, maturities and calls of investments

     8,078,810        10,861,877   

Purchases of investments

     (8,030,718     (5,013,579

Transfer of funds to restricted cash

     (1,800,000       

Sale of book of business

     30,000          

Cash paid for acquisition of agencies, net of cash acquired

     (34,200     (55,200
                

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities, net of effect of agency acquisitions

     (1,772,785     4,576,648   
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayments of notes payable

     (1,061,307     (3,039,005

Borrowings on line of credit

     1,500,000          

Proceeds from notes payable

            276,250   

Stock issued, net of expenses

     120,000        81,499   
                

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

     558,693        (2,681,256
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,033,506     2,775,307   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     8,287,149        5,511,842   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 6,253,643      $ 8,287,149   
                

See note 15 for supplemental cash flow information.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2009 and 2008

 

(1) Description of Business

AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), is an insurance holding company whose business is comprised of AssuranceAmerica Insurance Company (“AAIC”), AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC (“MGA”) and TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC (“TrustWay”), each wholly-owned. The Company solicits and underwrites nonstandard personal passenger automobile insurance. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported financial statement balances as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates used.

The Company’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (an estimate of the ultimate cost to settle claims both reported and unreported), while supported by actuarial projections and other data, is ultimately based on management’s reasoned expectations of future events. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that this liability is adequate. Estimates are reviewed regularly and adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in current operations.

Goodwill represents the amount by which the cost of acquired net assets exceeds related fair value. Other intangible assets include the costs of specifically identifiable intangible assets, primarily customer renewal lists. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets is reviewed annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount might not be recoverable. The Company uses an independent valuation firm to assist in its assessment of possible impairment of intangible assets. If the fair value of the operations to which goodwill relates is less than the carrying amount of those operations, including unamortized goodwill, the carrying amount of goodwill is reduced accordingly with a charge to expense. The Company recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $3.4 million in 2008 related to its TrustWay retail operations.

New Accounting Standards Adopted

Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC 320-10-65-1, which provides recognition guidance for debt securities classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity and subject to other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) guidance. If the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis at the reporting date, an entity shall assess whether the impairment is an OTTI. This standard defines the situations under which an OTTI should be considered to have occurred. When an entity intends to sell the security or more

 

F-8


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, an OTTI is recognized in earnings. When the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security even if it does not intend to sell the security, the entity must consider a number of factors and use its best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security in order to determine whether a credit loss exists, and the period over which the debt security is expected to recover. The amount of total OTTI related to the credit loss shall be recognized in earnings while the amount of the total OTTI related to other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive income. Both the statement of operations and the statement of accumulated other comprehensive income are required to display the OTTI related to credit losses and the OTTI related to other factors on the face of each statement.

This standard expands the disclosure requirements for both debt and equity securities and requires a more detailed, risk-oriented breakdown of security types and related information, and requires the annual disclosures to be made for interim periods. In addition, new disclosures are required to help users of financial statements understand the significant inputs used in determining a credit loss as well as a rollforward of that amount each period. This standard was effective for interim periods ending after September 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted in conjunction with the early adoption of the related new standard. The disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes. This standard shall be applied to existing and new investments held by an entity as of the beginning of the interim period in which it is adopted. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.

Also effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC 820-10-65-4, which provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased. Guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly is also provided. If it is concluded that there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of market activity for an asset or liability in relation to normal market activity for an asset or liability, transactions or quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value, and further analysis of the transactions or quoted prices may be needed. A significant adjustment to the transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value which may be determined based on the point within a range of fair value estimates that is most representative of fair value under the current market conditions. Determination of whether the transaction is orderly is based on the weight of the evidence. The disclosure requirements are increased since disclosures of the inputs and valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the reporting period are required and this standard does not require disclosures for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes at initial adoption. This standard was effective for interim periods ending after September 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted but only in conjunction with the early adoption of this related new standard. Revisions resulting from a change in valuation technique or its application shall be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate and disclosed, along with a quantification of the total effect of the change in valuation technique and related inputs, if practicable, by major category. The adoption of the provisions of this standard did not have an impact on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.

Effective April 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC 825-10-65-1, which requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements; and requires those disclosures in summarized financial information for periods ending after June 15, 2009. The disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes and earlier adoption is permitted in conjunction with the implementation. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC 855-10 new guidance regarding subsequent events. This new standard applies to interim and annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. This statement establishes principles

 

F-9


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

setting forth the period after the balance sheet during which management shall evaluate events and transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. For purposes of this accounting standard, the Company evaluated events and transactions and no subsequent events existed at the time of filing. A recent clarification was issued that states SEC filers do not have to disclose the subsequent events update date.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-01 (“ASU 2009-01”), Topic 105 — Generally Accepted Accounting Principles amendments based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168 — The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. ASU 2009-01 amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for the issuance of FASB Statement No. 168 (“SFAS 168”), The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. ASU 2009-1 includes SFAS 168 in its entirety, including the accounting standards update instructions contained in Appendix B of the Statement. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) became the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. On the effective date of this Statement, the Codification superseded all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification became non-authoritative. This Statement was effective for the Company’s financial statements beginning in the interim period ended September 30, 2009.

Following this Statement, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates. The FASB does not consider Accounting Standards Updates as authoritative in their own right. Accounting Standards Updates serve only to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance, and provide the bases for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. FASB Statement No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“Statement 162”), which became effective on November 13, 2008, identified the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in preparing the financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP. Statement 162 arranged these sources of GAAP in a hierarchy for users to apply accordingly. Upon becoming effective, all of the content of the Codification carries the same level of authority, effectively superseding Statement 162. In other words, the GAAP hierarchy has been modified to include only two levels of GAAP: authoritative and non-authoritative. As a result, this Statement replaces Statement 162 to indicate this change to the GAAP hierarchy. The adoption of the Codification and ASU 2009-01 did not have any effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. All references to accounting literature included in the notes to the financial statements have been changed to reference the appropriate sections of the Codification.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-02 (“ASU 2009-02”), Omnibus Update — Amendments to Various Topics for Technical Corrections. The adoption of ASU 2009-02 did not have any effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-03 (“ASU 2009-03”), SEC Update — Amendments to Various Topics Containing SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins. ASU 2009-03 represents technical corrections to various topics containing SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins to update cross-references to Codification text. This ASU did not have any effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

 

F-10


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash demand deposits, money market accounts and bank certificates of deposit with a maturity of less than three months.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The carrying amounts of equity securities and long-term bonds purchased are adjusted to reflect the current market value, except for the redeemable preferred stock, which is carried at amortized cost. The carrying value of the junior subordinated debentures approximates the fair value because the interest rate adjusts quarterly. Changes in market values on unrealized gains and losses are reflected in the shareholder equity section on the balance sheet.

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) include premium taxes and commissions incurred in connection with the production of new and renewal business, less commissions ceded to reinsurers. These costs are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. The Company does not consider anticipated investment income in determining the recoverability of these costs. Based on current indications, management believes that these costs will be fully recoverable and, accordingly, no reduction in DAC has been recognized.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis. The estimated useful lives used for depreciation purposes are as follows: Furniture and fixtures — 5 to 7 years; equipment — 3 to 5 years; software currently in service — 3 to 5 years; autos — 3 to 5 years; leasehold improvements — over the remaining life of the lease, including options. Improvements, additions and major renewals which extend the life of an asset are capitalized. Repairs are expensed in the year incurred. Depreciation expense was $797,149 and $862,436 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

 

     December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Furniture and equipment

   $ 1,482,878      $ 1,474,203   

Automobile

     95,840        35,263   

Computer equipment

     1,842,661        1,759,029   

Computer software

     1,766,481        1,671,628   

Leasehold improvements

     1,169,776        1,185,908   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (4,344,673     (3,595,679
                
   $ 2,012,963      $ 2,530,352   
                

 

F-11


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of non-competition agreements, renewal lists, restrictive covenants and goodwill. Intangible assets are stated at cost. Goodwill and certain intangibles with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. The non-compete agreements and restrictive covenants are amortized on a straight-line basis varying from 2 years to 5 years and the renewal lists are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 10 years. Amortization expense was $386,150 and $425,494 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Intangible assets include the following:

 

     December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Goodwill

   $ 6,086,726      $ 6,027,061   

Non-compete clause

     809,500        781,500   

Renewal list

     3,445,585        3,418,125   

Restrictive covenants

     220,000        220,000   
                
     10,561,811        10,446,686   

Less accumulated amortization

     (3,051,877     (2,665,727
                
   $ 7,509,934      $ 7,780,959   
                

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the succeeding five fiscal years is:

 

2010

   $ 357,663

2011

   $ 356,163

2012

   $ 354,946

2013

   $ 313,071

2014

   $ 279,257

The Company conducted its review of the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets and concluded that the fair value of its retail operations was greater than the carrying amount of those operations for 2009. The Company does not anticipate any goodwill write downs in the future based on recent cost reductions and operational changes in the retail operations. The Company uses an independent valuation firm to assist in its assessment of possible impairment of intangible assets.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is named as a defendant in lawsuits related to claims and other insurance policy issues. Some of the actions seek extra-contractual and/or punitive damages. These actions are vigorously defended unless a reasonable settlement appears appropriate. In the opinion of management, the ultimate outcome of known litigation is not expected to be material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

Insurance premiums are recognized pro rata over the terms of the policies. The unearned portion of premiums is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a liability for unearned premium. Commission income is recognized in the period the insurance policy is written and is reduced by an estimate of future cancellations. Installment and other fees are recognized in the periods the services are rendered.

 

F-12


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 was $658,452 and $1,490,592 respectively.

Stock Options

The Company accounts for stock options in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, which requires companies to expense in their financial statements the estimated fair value of awarded stock options after the effective date. The Company adopted this accounting method using the modified prospective application. For options granted and vested prior to the effective date, the Company continues to follow the intrinsic value method set forth in Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”) and discloses the pro forma effects on net income as if the fair value of these options had been expensed. The disclosure provisions required by ASC 718 are provided in Note 9.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The principal assets and liabilities that generate these temporary differences are unearned premiums, loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, deferred policy acquisition costs, operating loss and tax-credit carry forwards, realized capital losses and non-deductible provisions for unearned revenue and goodwill. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in net income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company has entered into a tax sharing agreement with AAIC. The operating results for AAIC are included in the consolidated income tax return filed by the Company. The income tax provision is computed separately for AAIC and the Company. TrustWay and MGA are not paying tax entities for federal income tax purposes and their results are consolidated with the Company’s tax return. AAIC pays only federal income tax. The total AAIC tax expense was $0.9 million in 2009 and a $0.2 million tax benefit in 2008.

Reclassifications

Certain 2008 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2009 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the operations, financial conditions or cash flow of the Company.

 

(3) Investments

All of the Company’s marketable equity and long-term investment securities have been classified as available-for-sale, except for the redeemable trust preferred, which is carried at amortized cost. The Company’s long-term securities are available to be sold in response to the Company’s liquidity needs, changes in market interest rates, asset-liability management strategies, and other economic factors. Investments available-for-sale are stated at fair value on the balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and are reported as a component of other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity, net of related deferred income taxes.

 

F-13


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

A decline in the fair value of an available-for-sale security below cost that is deemed other than temporary results in a charge to income, resulting in the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Net unrealized losses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $196,489 and $1,102,659, respectively.

Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted, respectively, over the life of the related fixed maturity security as an adjustment to yield using a method that approximates the effective interest method. Dividends and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific-identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.

At December 31, 2009, long-term investments carried at market value of $4,587,600 and short-term investments of approximately $151,089 were pledged by one of the Company’s subsidiaries under requirements of regulatory authorities.

A summary of investments follows as of:

 

     December 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Short-term investments and bank certificates of deposit

   $ 365,717    $ 652,480

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

     4,967,070      2,987,148

Public utilities

          455,894

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

          2,451,827

Corporate debt securities

     3,566,448      2,299,703

Marketable equity securities

     1,918,841      1,776,671
             

Total

   $ 10,818,076    $ 10,623,723
             

The amortized cost, fair value and gross unrealized gains or losses of debt securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2009, by contractual maturity, are shown below:

 

Years to Maturity

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value

One to five years

   $ 4,501,055    $ 45,063    $ 34,560    $ 4,511,558

Five to ten years

     2,325,276      3,674      220,404      2,108,546

Over ten years

     918,811           20,771      898,040
                           

Total

   $ 7,745,142    $ 48,737    $ 275,735    $ 7,518,144
                           

The amortized cost, fair value and gross unrealized gains or losses of securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2009 and 2008, by security type, are shown below:

 

Security Type — December 31, 2009

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

   $ 5,016,183    $ 3,674    $ 52,787    $ 4,967,070

Corporate debt securities

     2,728,959      45,063      222,948      2,551,074

Marketable equity securities

     1,888,334      176,186      145,679      1,918,841
                           

Total

   $ 9,633,476    $ 224,923    $ 421,414    $ 9,436,985
                           

 

F-14


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Security Type — December 31, 2008

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

   $ 2,923,748    $ 63,432    $ 32    $ 2,987,148

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

     2,741,027           289,200      2,451,827

Public utilities

     468,846           12,952      455,894

Corporate debt securities

     2,533,188      1,890      235,375      2,299,703

Marketable equity securities

     2,407,093      26,870      657,292      1,776,671
                           

Total

   $ 11,073,902    $ 92,192    $ 1,194,851    $ 9,971,243
                           

The amortized cost of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2009 and 2008, by security type, is shown below:

 

Security Type — December 31, 2009

   Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
losses
   Fair
Value

Corporate debt securities

   $ 1,015,374    $ 3,966,476    $             —    $ 4,981,850
                           

As of December 31, 2009, the Company has determined that all of the unrealized losses in the table above were temporary.

There were no fundamental valuation issues with any of these securities and the Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities until there is a recovery in fair value. The carrying amounts of individual assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date to assess whether the fair values have declined below the carrying amounts. The Company considers internal and external information, such as credit ratings in concluding that the impairments are not other than temporary.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities, aggregated by category and length of time that securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Less Than Twelve Months    Over Twelve Months
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Market
Fair Value
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated
Market
Fair Value

December 31, 2009:

           

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 52,787    $ 4,467,069    $    $

Corporate debt securities

     9,604      1,162,896      213,344      327,822

Equity securities

     6,308      84,836      139,371      657,196
                           
   $ 68,699    $ 5,714,801    $ 352,715    $ 985,018
                           

December 31, 2008:

           

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 32    $ 499,375    $    $

Obligations of state and political entities

               289,200      2,451,827

Public utilities

     12,952      455,894          

Corporate debt securities

     117,966      1,417,330      117,409      422,818

Equity Securities

     426,646      1,104,712      230,646      298,142
                           
   $ 557,596    $ 3,477,311    $ 637,255    $ 3,172,787
                           

 

F-15


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The total proceeds from sales, maturities and calls, received on investments amounted to $8,078,810 and $10,861,877 for the year 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company had realized gains and losses of $243,446 and $605,476 during 2009 and $71,544 and $459,770 for the same period last year.

 

(4) Fair Value Disclosures

The fair value of our investments in fixed income and equity securities is based on observable market quotations, other market observable data, or is derived from such quotations and market observable data. We utilize third party pricing services, brokers and internal valuation models to determine fair value. We gain assurance of the overall reasonableness and consistent application of the assumptions and methodologies and compliance with accounting standards for fair value determination through our ongoing monitoring of the fair values received or derived internally.

Level 1 inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments at the measurement date (e.g., U.S. Treasury securities and active exchange-traded equity securities). Level 2 securities are comprised of securities whose fair value was determined by a nationally recognized pricing service using observable market inputs. Level 3 securities are comprised of (i) securities for which the pricing service is unable to provide a fair value, (ii) securities whose fair value is determined by the pricing service based on unobservable inputs and (iii) securities, other than securities backed by the U.S. Government, that are not rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

The following table illustrates the fair value measurements as of December 31, 2009:

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Other
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Description:

        

Available for sale securities

   $ 4,967,070    $ 2,551,074    $             —

Marketable equity securities

     1,918,841          
                    

Total

   $ 6,885,911    $ 2,551,074    $
                    

 

(5) Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The estimated liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) include the accumulation of estimates for losses for claims reported prior to the balance sheet dates (“case reserves”), estimates (based upon actuarial analysis of historical data) of losses for claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) and for the development of case reserves to ultimate values, and estimates of expenses for investigating, adjusting and settling all incurred claims. Amounts reported are estimates of the ultimate costs of settlement, net of estimated salvage and subrogation. These estimated liabilities are subject to the outcome of future events, such as changes in medical and repair costs as well as economic and social conditions that impact the settlement of claims. Management believes that, given the inherent variability in any such estimates, the aggregate reserves are within a reasonable and acceptable range of adequacy. The methods of making such estimates and for establishing the resulting reserves are reviewed and updated monthly and any resulting adjustments are reflected in current operations.

 

F-16


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

A summary of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance ceded, is as follows:

 

     December 31,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Case basis

   $ 6,412,373    $ 4,561,487

IBNR

     5,850,751      8,272,281
             

Total

   $ 12,263,124    $ 12,833,768
             

Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Balance at January 1

   $ 42,580,699      $ 33,660,814   

Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses

     (29,746,931     (23,249,616
                

Net balance at January 1

     12,833,768        10,411,198   
                

Add losses and LAE incurred, net, related to:

    

Current year

     26,002,449        22,979,727   

Prior years

     (754,000     753,000   
                

Net losses and LAE incurred in the current year

     25,248,449        23,732,727   
                

Deduct losses and LAE paid, net, related to:

    

Current year

     (16,195,132     (13,060,000

Prior years

     (9,623,961     (8,250,147
                

Net claim payments in the current year

     (25,819,093     (21,310,147
                

Net balance at December 31

     12,263,124        12,833,768   

Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses

     29,709,859        29,746,931   
                

Balance at December 31

   $ 41,972,983      $ 42,580,699   
                

The majority of the Company’s net claim payments relates to accidents occurring in the current year. As a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, the net claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred for prior years decreased by $754,000 in 2009 reflecting lower than anticipated losses and increased by $753,000 for 2008 due to unfavorable loss development related to prior accident years. In 2009, a decrease in the number of late reported personal auto claims and a decrease in the estimated severity on these claims, were primary contributors to the favorable development. The unfavorable development in 2008 reflected the recognition of higher severity for prior accident years than had been previously estimated.

 

(6) Reinsurance

In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce its overall risk levels by obtaining reinsurance from other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. Reinsurance premiums and reserves on reinsured business are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The Company periodically reviews the financial condition of its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvencies.

 

F-17


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Reinsurance assets include balances due from other insurance companies under the terms of reinsurance agreements. Amounts applicable to ceded unearned premiums, ceded loss payments and ceded claims liabilities are reported as assets in the accompanying balance sheets. Under the reinsurance agreements the Company has four reinsurers that are required to collateralize the reinsurance recoverable. As of December 31, 2009 three reinsurers have provided a letter of credit or secured trust account to provide security sufficient to satisfy AAIC’s obligations under the reinsurance agreement and one reinsurer has provided cash that is restricted for the purpose of providing security to satisfy AAIC’s obligations. The Company believes the fair value of its reinsurance recoverable approximates their carrying amounts.

The impact of reinsurance on the statements of operations for the period ended December 31 is as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Premiums written:

    

Direct

   $ 107,028,108      $ 92,214,798   

Assumed

     220,999        1,066,217   

Ceded

     (71,998,755     (64,368,129
                

Net

   $ 35,250,352      $ 28,912,886   
                

Premiums earned:

    

Direct

   $ 103,802,226      $ 90,020,278   

Assumed

     438,438        1,344,589   

Ceded

     (69,816,852     (62,597,140
                

Net

   $ 34,423,812      $ 28,767,726   
                

Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred:

    

Direct

   $ 87,576,342      $ 77,033,851   

Assumed

     460,261        1,175,763   

Ceded

     (62,788,154     (54,476,887
                

Net

   $ 25,248,449      $ 23,732,727   
                

The impact of reinsurance on the balance sheets as of December 31 is as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense:

    

Direct

   $ 41,814,027      $ 42,353,968   

Assumed

     158,956        226,731   

Ceded

     (29,709,859     (29,746,931
                

Net

   $ 12,263,124      $ 12,833,768   
                

Unearned premiums:

    

Direct

   $ 35,915,592      $ 32,689,711   

Assumed

     564        218,003   

Ceded

     (25,098,051     (22,916,150
                

Net

   $ 10,818,105      $ 9,991,564   
                

The Company received $16,746,054 in commissions on premiums ceded during 2009. Had all of the Company’s reinsurance agreements been cancelled at December 31, 2009, the Company would have returned $5,825,000 in reinsurance commissions to its reinsurers and its reinsurers would have returned $25,098,051 in

 

F-18


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

unearned premiums to the Company. The Company paid commissions of $93,118 on premiums assumed during 2009. Had all of the assumed agreements been cancelled at December 31, 2009, the Company would have received $113 in reinsurance commissions from its reinsurers and the Company would have returned $564 in unearned premiums to reinsurers.

Contingent Reinsurance Commission and Provisional Commission Reserve

The Company’s primary reinsurance contract provides ceding commissions for premiums written which are subject to adjustment. The amount of ceding commissions, net of adjustments, is determined by the loss experience for the reinsurance agreement term. The reinsurers provide commissions on a sliding scale with maximum and minimum achievable levels. The reinsurers pay the Company the stated provisional commissions before adjustment. The Company adjusts the commissions based on the current loss experience for the policy year premiums. This results in establishing a liability for the excess of provisional commissions retained compared to amounts recognized, which is subject to variation until the ultimate loss experience is determinable.

The total liability for excess provisional commissions received as of December 31, 2009 by policy year is:

 

Policy Year

   Amount

2008

   $ 1,619,655

2009

     1,979,634
      

Total

   $ 3,599,289
      

 

(7) Borrowings

Rovolving Line of Credit

On July 17, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Wachovia Bank for a $1.5 million revolving line of credit which expires July 16, 2010, unless terminated earlier according to the terms. The credit facility is secured by a pledge of the Company’s ownership interests in two of the Company’s subsidiaries, TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC and AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency LLC, and is guaranteed by the same entities. In addition, TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC pledged its ownership interest in TrustWay T.E.A.M., Inc., which is also a guarantor. The Loan Agreement includes customary covenants, including financial covenants regarding minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum net worth. As of December 31, 2009, management believes the Company was in compliance with all these covenants. The interest rate is 3.00% plus 90-day LIBOR due and payable monthly commencing on September 1, 2009. Currently there is $1.5 million in borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement.

Notes Payable, Related Party

The Company has one note payable with a related party totaling to $483,606, including accrued interest, at December 31, 2009. This debt consists of one unsecured promissory note that is payable to its CEO and chairman of the board. The promissory note provides for the repayment of principal beginning in December 2004 in an amount equal to the greater of $1.1 million or an amount equal to 25% of the Company’s net income after tax, plus non-cash items, less working capital. However, the promissory note also permits the Company to postpone any and all payments under the promissory note without obtaining the consent of the holder, and without giving notice or paying additional consideration.

 

F-19


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Other Notes Payable

The Company had two other notes payable outstanding as of December 31, 2009. First, on January 14, 2008 the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $276,250 with Information Distribution & Marketing, Inc. for the purchase of a software package that grants us a perpetual license to the source code and the ability to develop derivatives and advance the product to meet business demands and react to changing market conditions. The note requires monthly principal and interest payments beginning in January 2008 and matures in November 2012 with an interest rate of 2.8871% per annum. The outstanding balance on the note at December 31, 2009 is $175,195.

Second, as a result of the acquisition of First Choice Insurance Agency effective February 26, 2009 the Company issued an unsecured promissory note payable to the former owner in the amount of $115,200 which carries an interest rate of 5%, with four equal quarterly installments of principal and interest payments beginning February 26, 2010.

Junior Subordinated Debentures

On December 22, 2005, the Company, through a newly-formed Delaware statutory trust, AssuranceAmerica Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), consummated the private placement of 5,000 of the Trust’s floating rate Capital Securities, with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security (the “Capital Securities”). In connection with the Trust’s issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Company purchased from the Trust 155 of the Trust’s floating rate Common Securities, with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per common security. The Trust used the proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to purchase $5,155,000 in aggregate principal amount of the floating rate junior subordinated debentures of the Company (the “Debentures”). The Debentures bear interest at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 5.75% per annum, reset quarterly. The Debentures and Capital Securities mature on December 31, 2035, but may be redeemed at par beginning December 31, 2010 if and to the extent the Company exercises its right to redeem the Debentures. The Capital Securities require quarterly distributions by the Trust to the holders of the Capital Securities, at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 5.75% per annum, reset quarterly. Distributions are cumulative and will accrue from the date of original issuance but may be deferred for a period of up to 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods if the Company exercises its right under the Indenture to defer the payment of interest on the Debentures. The Company has guaranteed the obligations of the Trust.

On March 10, 2009, AAIC purchased all of Capital Securities issued by the Trust at a discounted price of $1,000,000 from the non-affiliated holder of those securities. The discount is being accreted to the interest income over the remaining life of the Capital Securities using the interest method. The purchase resulted in an increase in our investment portfolio for redeemable preferred stock in the amount of $1,015,374.

Scheduled Maturities of Long-term Debt

The aggregate annual maturities of payments due on long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:

 

     Amount

2010

   $ 658,533

2011

     56,873

2012

     58,595

2013

    

2014 and thereafter

     4,981,850
      

Total

   $ 5,755,851
      

 

F-20


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

(8) Income Taxes

The provision for federal and state income taxes for the years ended are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2009     2008  

Current taxes

   $ (2,137   $ 22,866   

Net operating loss carryforward utilized (generated)

     580,749        (579,000

Deferred

     (129,797     (840,741
                

Total provision for income taxes

   $ 448,815      $ (1,396,875
                

The provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations differed from the statutory rate of 34% as follows:

 

     2009     2008  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 896,562      $ (4,611,763

Income tax expense at statutory rate

     304,831        (1,567,999

Tax effect of:

    

Tax exempt interest income

     (32,753     (51,446

Incentive stock option expense

     113,523        16,676   

Goodwill

            319,568   

State taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     48,660        (126,393

Other, net

     14,554        12,719   
                

Total income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 448,815      $ (1,396,875
                

The balance sheets reflect net deferred income tax asset amounts that resulted from temporary differences as of December 31 as follows:

 

     2009    2008

Deferred income tax assets:

     

Discounting of loss reserves

   $ 247,000    $ 277,000

Federal operating loss carry-forward

     815,000      1,392,000

Goodwill

     1,615,000      1,615,000

Unearned premium reserves

     811,000      749,000

Capital losses carryforward

     281,000      145,000

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale

     75,000      413,000

Other

     6,000     
             

Gross deferred tax assets

     3,850,000      4,591,000
             

Deferred income tax liabilities:

     

Deferred acquisition costs

     922,000      871,000

Depreciation

     19,000      21,000
             

Gross deferred tax liabilities

     941,000      892,000
             

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 2,909,000    $ 3,699,000
             

 

F-21


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. In making this determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred tax assets, including the Company’s past and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and the implementation of tax planning strategies. Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of the deferred tax assets when significant negative evidence exists.

The Company has net operating loss carry-forwards that may be offset against future taxable income and tax credits that may be used against future income taxes. If not used, the carry-forwards will expire in varying amounts between 2019 and 2028. The loss carry-forwards at December 31, 2009 were $2,174,433. Utilization of part of the net operating losses carried forward will be limited under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code as the Company experienced an ownership change greater than 50% effective April 1, 2003 and on January 1, 2006 for carry-forwards related to the acquisition of The Insurance Center, Inc. Accordingly, certain net operating losses may not be realizable in future years due to this limitation.

The Company has unused net operating loss carry forwards available to offset future taxable income as follows:

 

Expires 2019

   $ 448,854

Expires 2020

     920,162

Expires 2021

     124,456

Expires 2022

     2,220

Expires 2024

     241,662

Expires 2025

     17,487

Expires 2028

     419,592
      
   $ 2,174,433
      

ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes” 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. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with FIN 48 is a two-step process. The Company must determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company should presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Based on the judgment of management and its tax advisors, all items included in the inventory of tax positions have been determined to meet the more-likely-than-not standard and have been included at full value in the financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

(9) Capital Stock

Common Stock

During 2009 and 2008, the Company issued 190,476 and 120,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value to its board of directors.

 

F-22


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of stock options to officers, key employees, directors, consultants, independent contractors and other agents at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company believes that such awards better align the interests of its associates with those of its shareholders. Options become exercisable at various dates, generally vesting over a five-year continuous period of service and have similar contractual terms. Certain employment agreements may provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Plan). Generally, options are issued with exercise prices no less than the fair market value of the common stock at the time of the grant (or in the case of a ten-percent-or-greater stockholder, 110 percent of fair market value). The aggregate number of common shares authorized under the plan is currently 8,500,000.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model using the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate expected term and option forfeitures within the valuation model. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company does not provide for any expected dividends or discount for post-vesting restrictions in the model.

 

     2009    2008

Expected volatility

   106% - 109%    107% - 111%

Weighted average volatility

   107%    108%

Risk-free interest rate

   2.71 - 3.85%    2.64% - 4.07%

Expected term (in years)

   5.0    5.0

Expected forfeitures

   6.6%    8.0%

A summary of all stock option activity during 2009 and 2008 follows:

 

     2009    2008

Options Outstanding

   Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Beginning of year

   6,230,008      $ 0.66    4,946,665      $ 0.80

Add (deduct):

         

Granted

   2,229,890      $ 0.27    2,161,943      $ 0.38

Exercised

        $    (50,000   $ 0.25

Forfeited

   (670,177   $ 0.57    (778,600   $ 0.78

Expired

        $    (50,000   $ 0.25
                 

End of year

   7,789,721      $ 0.56    6,230,008      $ 0.66
                 

Exercisable, end of year

   2,918,634      $ 0.68    2,070,400      $ 0.71
                 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the twelve-months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $0.2064 and $0.3753, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $0 and $8,500, respectively.

Total compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements recognized for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $333,890 and $49,047, respectively.

 

F-23


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2009, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized in the financial statements is $1,946,798. The Company expects to recognize the compensation cost over the weighted-average contractual term of 7.88 years.

For options granted prior to January 1, 2006, the Company continues to follow the intrinsic value method, but discloses the pro forma effects on net income (loss) had the fair value of these options been expensed, as follows:

 

     For the Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2008  

Net income (loss) as reported

   $ 447,747      $ (3,214,888

Compensation effect, net of tax effect

     (75,491     (113,663
                

Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 372,256      $ (3,328,551
                

Basic and diluted net income (loss):

    

As reported — Basic

   $ 0.007      $ (0.050

Pro forma — Basic

   $ 0.006      $ (0.051

As reported — Diluted

   $ 0.007      $ (0.050

Pro forma — Diluted

   $ 0.006      $ (0.051

The following fully vested stock options and stock options expected to vest were outstanding or exercisable as of December 31, 2009:

 

     Options
Outstanding
   Options
Exercisable

Number of shares

   7,789,721    2,918,634

Weighted average exercise price

   $0.56    $0.68

Aggregate intrinsic value

   $318,626    $64,216

Weighted average remaining contractual term

   7.96 years    1.50 years

The following stock options were outstanding or exercisable as of December 31, 2009:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$.21 < $1.00

   6,764,721    8.37 years    $ 0.45    2,573,634    $ 0.58

$1.00 < $1.81

   1,025,000    5.24 years    $ 1.30    345,000    $ 1.46
                  
   7,789,721    7.96 years    $ 0.56    2,918,634    $ 0.68
                  

 

F-24


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

(10) Risk

The following is a description of the most significant risks facing the Company and how it mitigates those risks:

(I) LEGAL/REGULATORY RISKS — the risk that changes in the regulatory environment in which an insurer operates will create additional expenses not anticipated by the insurer in pricing its products. That is, regulatory initiatives designed to reduce insurer profits, restrict underwriting practices and risk classifications, mandate rate reductions and refunds, and new legal theories or insurance company insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments may create costs for the insurer beyond those recorded in the financial statements. The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by monitoring proposed regulatory legislation and by assessing the impact of new laws. As the Company writes business only in nine states, it is more exposed to this risk than some of its more geographically balanced competitors.

(II) CREDIT RISK — the risk that issuers of securities owned by the Company will default or that other parties, including reinsurers to whom business is ceded, which owe the Company money, will not pay. The Company attempts to minimize this risk by adhering to a conservative investment strategy, maintaining reinsurance agreements with financially sound reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “B++” or better, and by requiring a letter of credit or trust fund to secure reinsurance recoverables as well as provide for any amounts deemed uncollectible. As of December 31, 2009, there were no amounts deemed uncollectible.

(III) INTEREST RATE RISK — the risk that interest rates will change and cause a decrease in the value of an insurer’s investments. To the extent that liabilities come due more quickly than assets mature, an insurer might have to sell assets prior to maturity and potentially recognize a gain or a loss. The Company, in accordance with its investment policy, manages its investment portfolio duration according to expected liability duration needs. Since the Company’s liabilities are predominantly short-term in nature, the investment portfolio is also short-term duration.

Concentration of Risk

As of December 31, 2009 the Company’s strategy is to spread its risks geographically in order to mitigate its risk in a specific state where it is dependent on the economies in those states. Hence, the Company operates in Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas and plans to enter additional states in the future.

The Company’s profitability depends on its ability to determine rates accurately. However, it is difficult to price accurately due to inflation on medical care, auto parts and repair services costs. If the Company under priced its risks, this could have a negative impact on its profit margins, or over pricing could reduce sales volume and lose our competitiveness and affect profitability as well.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The primary credit risk for the Company is with its investment portfolio and balances due from reinsurers. The Company’s investment committee monitors credit risk to ensure risk is minimized.

Additionally, the Company maintains a relationship with seven reinsurers. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of each of these companies.

 

F-25


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Regulatory Requirements and Restrictions

To retain its certificate of authority, the South Carolina Insurance Code requires that AAIC maintain capital and surplus at a minimum of $3.0 million. At December 31, 2009, AAIC’s statutory capital and surplus was approximately $12.3 million. AAIC is required to adhere to a prescribed net premium-to-surplus ratio and risked based capital levels. At December 31, 2009, AAIC was in compliance with this requirement.

Under the South Carolina Insurance Code, AAIC must receive prior regulatory approval to pay a dividend in an amount exceeding ten percent 10% of policyholder surplus or net income, minus realized capital gains, whichever is greater.

The Company is required to comply with the NAIC risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements. RBC is a method of measuring the amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations and to ensure that it has an acceptably low expectation of becoming financially impaired in light of its size and risk profile. NAIC’s RBC standards are used by regulators to determine appropriate regulatory actions relating to insurers that show signs of weak or deteriorating condition and are evaluated on at least an annual basis at the end of each year. The model law provides for increasing levels of regulatory intervention as the ratio of an insurer’s total adjusted capital and surplus decreases relative to its risk-based capital, culminating with mandatory control of the operations of the insurer by the domiciliary insurance department at the so-called mandatory control level. As of December 31, 2009, based upon calculations using the appropriate NAIC formula, AAIC’s total adjusted capital is in excess of ratios which would require any form of corrective actions on our part or action on the part of the regulators.

The NAIC Insurance Regulatory Information System (“IRIS”) is part of a collection of analytical tools designed to provide state insurance regulators with an integrated approach to screening and analyzing the financial condition of insurance companies operating in their respective states. IRIS is intended to assist state insurance regulators in targeting resources to those insurers in greatest need of regulatory attention. IRIS consists of two phases: statistical and analytical. In the statistical phase, the NAIC database generates key financial ratio results based on financial information obtained from insurers’ annual statutory statements. The analytical phase is a review of the annual statements, financial ratios and other automated solvency tools. The primary goal of the analytical phase is to identify companies that appear to require immediate regulatory attention. A ratio result falling outside the usual range of IRIS ratios is not considered a failing result; rather, unusual values are viewed as part of the regulatory early monitoring system. Furthermore, in some years, it may not be unusual for financially sound companies to have several ratios with results outside the usual ranges. An insurance company may fall out of the usual range for one or more ratios because of specific transactions that are in themselves immaterial. As of December 31, 2009, AAIC had two IRIS ratios outside the usual range. The ratios outside the range are attributable to the Company’s heavy dependence on reinsurance and its impact on the liquidity ratio. We do not expect any regulatory action as a result of these results outside of the usual range.

 

F-26


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

(11) Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

The Company has entered into leases primarily for office space and certain equipment, classified as operating leases. The future minimum rental payments required under long-term non-cancelable leases are summarized as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Amount

2010

   $ 1,325,723

2011

     1,248,899

2012

     1,178,209

2013

     680,947

2014

     650,360

Thereafter

     2,974,152
      
   $ 8,058,290
      

Rent expense totaled $1,539,598 and $1,483,603 for 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company’s associates may participate in the AssuranceAmerica 401(k) defined contribution retirement plan. Under the plan, the Company can elect to make discretionary contributions. The Company contributed $100,241 and $93,818 to this plan during 2009 and 2008, respectively. The plan currently matches 33.3% on the first 6% of employee earnings. The eligibility requirements are 21 years of age, 6 months of service and full time employment.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The Company may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to the Company’s current and past business operations. The Company vigorously defends these actions unless a reasonable settlement appears appropriate.

 

(12) Business Combinations

On January 16, 2008 the Company acquired the assets of Alabama One Stop, LLC located in Odenville, Alabama for $5,200 in cash. The Company assigned $5,200 to goodwill, which is valued in accordance with ASC 350.

On August 5, 2008, the Company purchased the remaining 20% minority interest in TW Partners Agencies for $50,000 in cash and assumed $155,428 in existing liabilities. In conjunction with the purchase, the Company assigned a total of $205,428 to goodwill, which is valued in accordance with ASC 350.

On February 26, 2009, the Company acquired the assets of First Choice Insurance, LLC located in Montgomery, Alabama for $28,800 in cash and promissory note in the amount of $115,200 carrying an interest rate of 8% for a total purchase of $144,000. The Company assigned $54,000 to the purchased book of business to be amortized over a ten-year period, $28,000 to a non-competitive covenant to be amortized over a five-year period and $64,000 to goodwill, which is valued in accordance with ASC 350.

 

F-27


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

(13) Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares not included in the calculations of net income (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive, are as follows:

 

     2009    2008

Stock options

   7,625,586    6,230,008
         

The reconciliation of the amounts used in the computation of both basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

     Net Income (Loss)     Average
Shares
Outstanding
   Per Share
Amount
 

For the year ended December 31, 2009:

       

Net income — basic

   $ 447,747      65,120,526    $ 0.007   
             

Effect of dilutive stock options

          164,135   
               

Net income — diluted

   $ 447,747      65,284,661    $ 0.007   
                     

For the year ended December 31, 2008:

       

Net loss — basic

   $ (3,214,888   64,922,269    $ (0.050
             

Effect of dilutive stock options

            
               

Net loss — diluted

   $ (3,214,888   64,922,269    $ (0.050
                     

 

(14) Related Party Transactions

In 2005, the Company’s Chairman and the former Chief Executive Officer loaned us approximately $6.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Additional payments of $81,130 and $161,130 for accrued and unpaid interest were made to the Company’s Chairman in 2009 and 2008, respectively. We also made principal payments to the Chairman in the amount of $1,000,000 in 2009 and $1,000,000 in 2008. The Company made payments of accrued and unpaid interest on the Promissory Note to its former Chief Executive Officer of $222 in 2008. The Company made principal payments to its former Chief Executive Officer in the amount of $19,444 in 2008. Outstanding amounts under these promissory notes held by the Company accrue interest at an annual rate of 8%. The Note to the former Chief Executive Officer required annual principal payments of $100,000 beginning December, 2004 and was paid in full in 2008. The Notes to the Chairman require annual principal payments of the greater of $500,000 or 25% of free cash flow (net income after tax plus non cash items minus working capital) on each of two notes beginning in December, 2004 and ending in June, 2010. The promissory notes are unsecured.

AAIC and MGA are party to a Management Agreement. Under the agreement, AAIC will appoint MGA as its managing general agent in the states where it is licensed to do business. Under the terms of the agreement, MGA provides all of the marketing, underwriting, accounting, product management, legal, policyholder administration and claims functions for AAIC. As compensation for its services, MGA receives the amount of ceding commission AAIC receives from its reinsurers. MGA also pays AAIC a fronting fee. Additionally, MGA receives various fees related to insurance transactions associated with these policies that vary according to state insurance laws and regulations.

 

F-28


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

TrustWay is comprised of 41 retail insurance agencies with 31 locations in Florida, five in Alabama and five in Georgia. TrustWay has been appointed by AAIC to sell non-standard personal automobile insurance. TrustWay receives commissions from MGA and various fees from insureds associated with the sale of these policies.

The Company provides executive management services, including finance, audit and legal, to MGA and TrustWay. The Company charges a management fee to these subsidiaries in exchange for these services.

The Company has entered into a tax sharing agreement between AAIC and the parent company. The operating results for AAIC are included in the consolidated income tax return filed by the Company. The income tax provision is computed separately for AAIC. TrustWay and MGA are not tax paying entities for federal income tax purposes and their results are consolidated with the Company’s tax return. AAIC only pays federal income tax.

 

(15) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

     2009     2008  

Cash paid (received) during the year:

    

Interest

   $ 458,500      $ 717,829   

Income tax refund

   $ (2,325   $ (5,205

The Company recorded net unrealized gains on investment securities in the amount of $566,356 and unrealized losses of $759,667, net of taxes, for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

On January 3, 2008, the Company purchased the assets of Frontline Insurance Group, LLC. As part of the purchase agreement, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $114,400.

On January 16, 2008 the Company purchased the assets of Alabama One Stop, LLC for $5,200 in cash.

On August 5, 2008, the Company purchased the remaining minority interest in TW Partners Agencies for $50,000 cash and assumed the remaining liabilities.

On March 1, 2009 the Company purchased the assets of First Choice Insurance, LLC for cash of $28,800 and as part of the purchase agreement the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $115,200.

On February 27, 2009 the Company sold an agency book of business to AA Insurance Center for cash of $30,000.

On July 28, 2009 the Company purchased the agency book of business of Hayes Insurance for cash of $5,400.

 

F-29


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The following table illustrates the composition of acquisitions for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

     2009     2008  

Fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangibles

   $ 85,400      $ 210,628   

Goodwill

     64,000          

Cash paid to Sellers

     (34,200     (55,200
                

Liabilities assumed

   $ 115,200      $ 155,428   
                

 

(16) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company periodically reviews recent accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Emerging Issues Task Force and Staff Accounting Bulletins issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to determine the potential impact on the Company’s financial statements. Based on its most recent review, the Company has determined that the recently issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162). Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC 105”) 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. SFAS No. 162 is effective as of November 15, 2008. The adoption of this standard did not have an effect on our financial position or results of operations.

The following accounting standard that has been issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other standard setting entities that does not require adoption until a future date is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements upon adoption. In addition, ASU’s that are not relevant to the Company have been omitted.

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 (“ASU 2009-13”), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements — a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. ASU 2009-13 addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition — Multiple-Element Arrangements, establishes the accounting and reporting guidance for arrangements under which the vendor will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. Specifically, this subtopic addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration to one or more units of accounting. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. This ASU is not expected to have any effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

 

(17) Segment Reporting

The Company’s subsidiaries are each unique operating entities performing a separate business function. AAIC, a property and casualty insurance company, focuses on writing nonstandard automobile business in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. MGA markets AAIC’s policies through more than 2300 independent agencies in these states. MGA provides all of the underwriting, accounting, product management, legal, policyholder administration and claims functions for

 

F-30


Table of Contents
Index to Financial Statements

ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

AAIC and two unaffiliated carriers related to the non-standard automobile insurance policies produced in Florida and Texas. The Company also provides claims services for one unaffiliated MGA in Florida and receives a fronting fee on this business. MGA receives various fees related to insurance transactions that vary according to state insurance laws and regulations. TrustWay is comprised of 41 retail insurance agencies that focus on selling nonstandard automobile policies and related coverages in Georgia, Florida and Alabama. TrustWay receives commissions and various fees associated with the sale of the products and services from its appointing insurance carriers.

The Company evaluates profitability based on pretax income. Pretax income for each segment is defined as the revenues less the segment’s operating expenses including depreciation, amortization, and interest. Following are the operating results for the Company’s various segments and an overview of segment assets:

 

     MGA    TrustWay     AAIC     Company     Eliminations     Consolidated  
     (In thousands)  

2009

             

Revenues

             

External customer

   $ 26,233    $ 5,865      $ 34,894      $      $      $ 66,992   

Intersegment

     7,302      2,526        3,487        2,844        (16,159       

Income

             

Segment pretax income (loss)

     1,883      (2,329     2,010        (667            897   

Assets

             

Segment assets

   $ 15,661    $ 10,881      $ 125,389      $ 24,535      $ (35,320   $ 141,146   

2008

             

Revenues

             

External customer

   $ 27,329    $ 6,711      $ 29,198      $      $      $ 63,238   

Intersegment

     6,796      2,903        3,115        2,797        (15,611       

Income

             

Segment pretax income (loss)

     4,522      (8,411     (779     56               (4,612

Assets

             

Segment assets

   $ 14,498    $ 12,166      $ 114,608      $ 22,476      $ (32,231   $ 131,517   

 

F-31