Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCFinancial_Report.xls
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCd799619dex312.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCd799619dex322.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCd799619dex321.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCd799619dex311.htm
EX-10.1 - EX-10.1 - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCd799619dex101.htm
EX-10.2 - EX-10.2 - AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INCd799619dex102.htm
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 000-50795

 

 

 

LOGO

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   75-2770432

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4450 Sojourn Drive, Suite 500

Addison, Texas

  75001
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(972) 728-6300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, as of November 12, 2014: 16,155,357

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     3   

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     3   

Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

     4   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Three and Nine Months Ended September  30, 2014 and 2013

     5   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

     5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

     6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     7   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     23   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     33   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     36   

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

     37   

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     37   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     37   

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

     37   

Item 6. Exhibits

     37   

SIGNATURES

     38   

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 
     (Unaudited)        

Assets

    

Available-for-sale securities, at fair value

   $ 47,691      $ 62,321   

Other invested assets

     4,415        4,085   

Cash and cash equivalents

     23,723        44,569   

Fiduciary and restricted cash

     6,224        1,369   

Accrued investment income

     459        231   

Premiums and fees receivable, net

     61,690        53,442   

Commissions receivable

     152        —     

Receivable from reinsurers

     191,312        165,819   

Investment in real property, net

     9,738        10,277   

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $57,613 for 2014 and $53,222 for 2013)

     9,821        13,978   

Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $7,765 for 2014 and 2013)

     1,500        1,500   

Prepaid expenses

     5,619        7,126   

Other assets (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,739 for 2014 and 2013)

     1,962        22,124   

Income taxes receivable

     736        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 365,042      $ 386,841   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

    

Liabilities:

    

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 134,770      $ 133,589   

Unearned premium

     91,265        81,598   

Amounts due to reinsurers

     85,228        64,910   

Due to third-party carriers

     6,138        7,221   

Deferred revenue

     6,801        6,763   

Capital lease obligation

     4,705        9,428   

Debt

     124,238        127,563   

Income taxes payable

     —          3,641   

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     4,600        7,544   

Other liabilities

     33,848        47,476   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     491,593        489,733   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 18,949,220 shares issued and 16,155,357 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014; 18,202,221 shares issued and 15,408,358 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013

     190        182   

Additional paid-in capital

     167,508        167,049   

Treasury stock, at cost (2,793,863 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)

     (32,910     (32,910

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (1,447     (1,654

Retained deficit

     (259,892     (235,559
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (126,551     (102,892
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 365,042      $ 386,841   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


Table of Contents

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Revenues

        

Net premiums earned

   $ 14,274      $ 30,802      $ 82,826      $ 121,792   

Commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue

     10,372        21,958        32,673        65,991   

Net investment income

     710        542        2,334        1,965   

Net realized gains

     39        8        53        37   

Other income

     —          —          3        123   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     25,395        53,310        117,889        189,908   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

        

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses

     30,853        33,725        92,965        103,531   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     19,740        24,525        46,982        80,728   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,458        1,776        4,438        5,562   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     52,051        60,026        144,385        189,821   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (26,656     (6,716     (26,496     87   

Gain on sale of retail business

     10,000        65,325        10,000        65,325   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —          (4,193     —          (4,193

Interest expense

     (2,834     (5,917     (9,647     (17,149
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (19,490     48,499        (26,143     44,070   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1,735     881        (1,810     1,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (17,755   $ 47,618      $ (24,333   $ 42,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (1.14   $ 3.09      $ (1.57   $ 2.78   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ (1.14   $ 3.02      $ (1.57   $ 2.76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     15,572        15,408        15,471        15,408   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     15,572        15,772        15,471        15,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


Table of Contents

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Net income (loss)

   $ (17,755   $ 47,618      $ (24,333   $ 42,852   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities arising during period

     (219     148        248        (519

Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income (loss)

     (27     (9     (41     (32
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net

     (246     139        207        (551
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (18,001   $ 47,757      $ (24,126   $ 42,301   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014     2013  
     Shares      Amounts     Shares      Amounts  

Common stock

          

Balance at beginning of year

     18,202,221       $ 182        18,202,221       $ 182   

Issuance of restricted stock awards

     472,000         5        —           —     

Exercise of stock options

     274,999         3        —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     18,949,220         190        18,202,221         182   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

          

Balance at beginning of year

        167,049           166,749   

Issuance of restricted stock awards

        (5        —     

Exercise of stock options

        207           —     

Stock-based compensation

        257           247   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

        167,508           166,996   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Treasury stock

          

Balance at beginning of year and end of period

     2,793,863         (32,910     2,793,863         (32,910
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

          

Balance at beginning of year

        (1,654        (998

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investment securities

        207           (551
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

        (1,447        (1,549
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Retained Deficit

          

Balance at beginning of year

        (235,559        (266,277

Net income (loss)

        (24,333        42,852   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

        (259,892        (223,425
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

      $ (126,551      $ (90,706
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5


Table of Contents

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (24,333   $ 42,852   

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,977        6,101   

Stock-based compensation expense

     257        247   

Amortization of debt finance costs

     1,540        748   

Amortization of debt discount

     1,001        4,421   

Net realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities

     (41     (32

Fair value gain on investment in hedge fund

     (330     (601

Gain on disposal of assets

     (12     (6

Gain on sale of retail business

     (10,000     (65,325

Amortization of premiums on investments, net

     463        402   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     (12     170   

Paid-in-kind interest

     2,127        1,433   

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —          4,193   

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Fiduciary and restricted cash

     (1,855     (274

Premiums, fees and commissions receivable, net

     (8,389     (12,757

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

     1,181        (12,098

Amounts due from reinsurers

     (5,175     (1,610

Due to third-party carriers

     (1,083     9,772   

Premium finance receivable, net (related to our insurance premiums)

     —          (3,932

Deferred revenue

     38        2,753   

Unearned premium

     9,667        13,730   

Deferred acquisition costs, net

     (2,944     5,444   

Deferred taxes

     —          (3,178

Income taxes

     (4,377     4,124   

Other

     (3,729     4,051   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (41,029     628   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Fiduciary and restricted cash

     (3,000     —     

Proceeds from sale of retail business, net

     25,000        79,270   

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities

     3,277        297   

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities

     17,520        35,877   

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

     (16,382     (50,427

Premium finance receivable, net (related to third-party insurance premiums)

     —          (281

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     12        —     

Purchases of property and equipment

     (285     (746
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     26,142        63,990   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Borrowings under senior secured credit facility effective January 2007

     —          12,500   

Borrowings under senior secured credit facility effective September 2013

     —          48,000   

Proceeds from financing under capital lease obligations

     4,858        —     

Principal payments under capital lease obligations

     (4,723     (2,187

Principal payments on senior secured credit facility effective September 2013

     (5,149     —     

Principal payments on senior secured credit facility effective January 2007

     —          (120,192

Issuance of mortgage security agreement

     —          4,809   

Principal payments on mortgage security agreement

     (1,295     (826

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     207        —     

Debt issuance costs paid

     (363     (787

Bank overdrafts

     506        (3,541
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (5,959     (62,224
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (20,846     2,394   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     44,569        38,176   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 23,723      $ 40,570   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 3,185      $ 8,824   

Cash paid for income taxes

     2,740        390   

Disclosure of non-cash information:

    

Debt issuance costs

   $ —        $ 3,000   

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6


Table of Contents

AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

1. General

Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the Company), formerly known as Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc., was incorporated in Delaware in June 1998. The Company is a provider of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies for individual consumers in targeted geographic areas. The Company currently distributes insurance policies through approximately 5,000 independent agents or brokers in 7 states (Louisiana, Texas, California, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri).

2. Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

The Company incurred losses from operations over the last five years, including an operating loss of $26.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of prior pricing issues in some states in which the Company has taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that the Company has exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.

The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for the Company’s non-regulated businesses. The Company breached its risk-based capital ratio covenant under both the senior secured facility and the subordinated secured facility as of September 30, 2014. The lenders under both facilities agreed to waive all defaults and events of default arising out of such breach. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which the Company obtained a waiver for default, the Company was in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2014. However, it is probable the Company will not meet certain of these covenants in future periods. If the Company is unable to maintain compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. If the Company’s lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the Company’s creditors and stockholders.

The Company has taken actions to address its liquidity concerns including:

 

    Sale of retail business – On September 30, 2013, the Company sold its retail agency distribution business for $101.9 million plus the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds (See Note 4).

 

    Debt refinancing – The Company used proceeds from the sale of the retail agency distribution business and two new debt arrangements to replace the existing senior secured credit facility. The Company’s new debt arrangement consists of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017 (See Note 8).

 

    Management has taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting results; however, there can be no assurance that this will occur.

 

    Management has obtained sufficient quota-share reinsurance to allow the Company to maintain written premium capacity through 2014.

The Company’s recent history of recurring losses from operations and its probable failure to comply with certain financial covenants in its senior secured and subordinated credit facilities in the foreseeable future raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects of this uncertainty on the recoverability or classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities.

 

7


Table of Contents

3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements of the Company. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance. Insurance contracts have been excluded from the scope of the guidance, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Specifically, this ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes. The amendments are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

4. Sale of the Retail Business

On September 30, 2013, the Company sold its retail agency distribution business to Confie Seguros (Confie). The Company’s retail agency distribution business consisted of 195 retail locations in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina and Wisconsin and two premium finance companies (the retail business). Proceeds from the sale were $101.9 million in cash with the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds. The initial cash proceeds included a working capital adjustment of $1.9 million that was received in 2013 and $20.0 million placed in an escrow account. The funds held in escrow were available, dependent upon the quarterly risk-based capital status of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC), to be utilized to either infuse capital into AIC or pay down debt. As of the first risk-based measurement date of September 30, 2013, AIC met the risk-based capital target and in November 2013, $5.0 million was released from the escrow account and was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, AIC met the risk-based capital target and in April 2014, an additional $5.0 million was released from the escrow account and was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility. In March 2014, the purchase agreement was amended to eliminate the measurement of risk-based capital as of March 31, 2014. In June 2014, the remaining $10.0 million in the escrow account was utilized to infuse capital into AIC.

The additional $20.0 million of proceeds may be used to pay down debt or infuse capital into Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC). The additional proceeds are contingent on AIC meeting certain risk-based capital thresholds and maintaining the obligations of the distribution agreement. The risk-based capital measurement began as of June 30, 2014 for up to $10.0 million of additional proceeds and the remaining balance up to $20.0 million can be achieved on any following quarterly measurement date through December 31, 2015. These contingent proceeds will be recognized as risk-based capital measurement thresholds are achieved. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, $10.0 million of contingent proceeds were received of which, $9.9 million was used to infuse capital into AIC and $0.1 million was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility.

The Company realized a pretax gain on the sale of the retail agency distribution business of $10.0 million and $65.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

8


Table of Contents

5. Available-for-Sale Investment Securities

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ deficit. No income tax effect of unrealized gains and losses is reflected in other comprehensive income (loss) due to the Company carrying a full deferred tax valuation allowance. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investment securities are determined on the specific-identification basis and credited or charged to income at the time of disposal.

Amortized Cost and Fair Value

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), and estimated fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated Fair
Value
 

September 30, 2014

          

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 8,659       $ 40       $ (41   $ 8,658   

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,765         23         (76     3,712   

States and political subdivisions

     2,088         45         —          2,133   

Corporate debt securities

     29,727         168         (78     29,817   

Certificates of deposit

     3,360         13         (2     3,371   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 47,599       $ 289       $ (197   $ 47,691   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

          

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 17,830       $ 55       $ (51   $ 17,834   

Mortgage-backed securities

     4,023         4         (47     3,980   

States and political subdivisions

     3,265         68         —          3,333   

Corporate debt securities

     32,458         135         (310     32,283   

Certificates of deposit

     4,860         32         (1     4,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 62,436       $ 294       $ (409   $ 62,321   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

For additional disclosures regarding methods and assumptions used in estimating fair values of these securities see Note 15.

Maturities

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The Company’s amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed-income securities at September 30, 2014 by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Estimated Fair
Value
 

Fixed maturities:

     

Due in one year or less

   $ 11,643       $ 11,711   

Due after one year through five years

     29,842         29,922   

Due after five years through ten years

     2,174         2,174   

Due after ten years

     175         172   

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,765         3,712   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 47,599       $ 47,691   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross Realized Gains and Losses

Gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments for the nine months ended September 30 were as follows (in thousands):

 

       2014         2013    

Gross gains

   $ 47      $ 40   

Gross losses

     (6     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 41      $ 32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9


Table of Contents

Unrealized Losses

The following table summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the estimated fair value and amount of gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2014  
     Less Than Twelve
Months
    Twelve Months or
Greater
    Total  
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 2,530       $ (8   $ 1,975       $ (33   $ 4,505       $ (41

Mortgage-backed securities

     1,404         (20     1,323         (56     2,727         (76

Corporate debt securities

     5,443         (29     5,206         (49     10,649         (78

Certificates of deposit

     1,598         (2     —           —          1,598         (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 10,975       $ (59   $ 8,504       $ (138   $ 19,479       $ (197
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2013  
     Less Than Twelve
Months
    Twelve Months or
Greater
    Total  
     Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 13,220       $ (51   $ —         $ —        $ 13,220       $ (51

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,403         (47     —           —          3,403         (47

Corporate debt securities

     23,410         (310     —           —          23,410         (310

Certificates of deposit

     849         (1     —           —          849         (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 40,882       $ (409   $ —         $ —        $ 40,882       $ (409
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s portfolio contained approximately 61 and 53 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

The unrealized losses at September 30, 2014 were primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates since the securities were purchased. Management systematically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary. On a quarterly basis, the Company considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of its investments. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost. If the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment may be triggered in circumstances where (1) an entity has an intent to sell the security, (2) it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (3) the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security (that is, a credit loss exists). Other-than-temporary impairments are separated into amounts representing credit losses which are recognized in earnings and amounts related to all other factors which are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company also considers potential adverse conditions related to the financial health of the issuer based on rating agency actions. As a result of management’s quarterly analyses for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, no individual securities were considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

Restricted Investments

As of September 30, 2014, certificates of deposit in the amount of $3.4 million were pledged as collateral associated with the capital lease related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. See Note 9 for discussion of the associated capital lease obligation.

 

10


Table of Contents

6. Reinsurance

In the ordinary course of business, the Company places reinsurance with other insurance companies in order to provide greater diversification of its business and limit the potential for losses arising from large risks. The Company’s reinsurance agreements provide for recovery of a portion of losses and loss expenses from reinsurers and reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets. The Company is liable if the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements. The Company seeks to cede business to reinsurers generally with a financial strength rating of “A-” or better.

Quota-share agreements

In 2011, the Company entered into a quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company under which the Company ceded 10% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois from September 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, this contract converted to a 40% quota-share reinsurance contract on the in-force business for the applicable states throughout 2012. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $82.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, and this agreement was extended under the same terms through March 31, 2013 and terminated on a cutoff basis as of April 1, 2013. Upon termination, the Company recorded $27.2 million of returned premium, net of $7.7 million of deferred ceding commissions. Written premiums under this agreement during 2013 represented a return of previously ceded premiums totaling $5.5 million. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $99.3 million.

In 2013, the Company entered into a new quota-share agreement with the same third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which the Company ceded 40% for the same four states as the expiring agreement. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which the Company ceded an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million.

Effective December 31, 2013, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, the Company ceded 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business. On June 30, 2014, the reinsurance agreement was terminated, resulting in the return of $51.7 million of unearned premiums, net of $14.5 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $95.9 million.

Effective June 30, 2014, a new reinsurance agreement with five third-party reinsurance companies was put in place to cede 85% of all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through June 30, 2015. The new agreement allows for a reduction in the quota-share rate on January 1, 2015 to as low as 50% at the option of the Company. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $141.0 million through September 30, 2014.

Assumed Reinsurance

Prior to 2013, the Company assumed reinsurance from a Texas county mutual insurance company (the county mutual) whereby the Company assumed 100% of the policies issued by the county mutual for business produced by the Company’s owned general agents. The county mutual does not retain any of this business and there are no loss limits other than the underlying policy limits. AIC has established a trust to secure the Company’s obligation under this reinsurance contract with a balance of $4.3 million and $15.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, of which $0.1 million and $3.6 million was held in cash equivalents as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. On January 1, 2013, the Company terminated this agreement on a cut-off basis and unearned premium of $11.8 million was returned to the ceding company.

 

11


Table of Contents

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2014     2013  
     Written
Premium
    Earned
Premium
    Loss and
Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
    Written
Premium
    Earned
Premium
    Loss and
Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
 

Direct

   $ 82,292      $ 82,100      $ 83,779      $ 78,061      $ 74,560      $ 65,518   

Reinsurance assumed/(returned)

     —          —          —          —          —          (319

Reinsurance ceded

     (67,924     (67,826     (52,926     (44,950     (43,758     (31,474
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 14,368      $ 14,274      $ 30,853      $ 33,111      $ 30,802      $ 33,725   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014     2013  
     Written
Premium
    Earned
Premium
    Loss and
Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
    Written
Premium
    Earned
Premium
    Loss and
Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
 

Direct

   $ 257,200      $ 247,138      $ 206,871      $ 231,921      $ 206,835      $ 160,834   

Reinsurance assumed/(returned)

     —          —          5        (11,812     —          4   

Reinsurance ceded

     (168,326     (164,312     (113,911     (110,437     (85,043     (57,307
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 88,874      $ 82,826      $ 92,965      $ 109,672      $ 121,792      $ 103,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Under certain of the Company’s reinsurance transactions, the Company has received ceding commissions. The ceding commission rate varies based on loss experience. The estimates of loss experience are continually reviewed and adjusted, and the resulting adjustments to ceding commissions are reflected in current operations. Ceding commissions recognized, reflected as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses, were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 8,245       $ 13,734       $ 37,080       $ 27,485   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amount of loss reserves and unearned premium the Company would remain liable for in the event its reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations were as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,      December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves

   $ 84,961       $ 72,366   

Unearned premium reserve

     73,395         69,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 158,356       $ 141,747   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

12


Table of Contents

Receivable from reinsurers

The table below presents the total amount of receivables due from reinsurers as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective June 30, 2014

   $ 115,703       $ —     

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association

     29,572         34,878   

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective December 31, 2013

     25,457         22,218   

Vesta Insurance Group

     13,842         13,435   

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013

     2,546         91,879   

Excess of loss reinsurers

     1,224         3,413   

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective January 1, 2011 and other

     2,968         (4
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reinsurance receivable

   $ 191,312       $ 165,819   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The quota-share reinsurers and the excess of loss reinsurers all have at least A- ratings from A.M. Best. Accordingly, the Company believes there is minimal credit risk related to these reinsurance receivables. Under the reinsurance agreement with Vesta Insurance Group (VIG), including primarily Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation (VFIC), AIC had the right, under certain circumstances, to require VFIC to provide a letter of credit or establish a trust account to collateralize gross amounts due from VFIC under the reinsurance agreement. At September 30, 2014, the VFIC Trust held $16.6 million (after cumulative withdrawals of $9.0 million through September 30, 2014), consisting of a U.S. Treasury money market account held in cash and cash equivalents, to collateralize the $13.8 million net recoverable from VFIC.

At September 30, 2014, $0.2 million was included in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses that represented the amounts owed by AIC under a reinsurance agreement with a VIG-affiliated company. Affirmative established a trust account to secure the Company’s obligations under this reinsurance contract, which currently holds $15.7 million in a money market cash equivalent account (the AIC Trust). The Special Deputy Receiver in Texas had cumulative withdrawals from the AIC Trust of $0.4 million through September 2014, and the Special Deputy Receiver in Hawaii had cumulative withdrawals from the AIC Trust of $1.7 million through September 2014.

In June 2006, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) placed VFIC, along with several of its affiliates, into rehabilitation and subsequently into liquidation (except for VIG which remains in rehabilitation). In accordance with the TDI liquidation orders, all VIG subsidiary reinsurance agreements were terminated. Prior to the termination, the Company assumed various quota-share percentages according to which managing general agents (MGAs) produced the business. With respect to business produced by certain MGAs, the Company assumed 100% of the contracts. For business produced by other MGAs, the Company’s assumption was net after VIG cession to other reinsurers. For this latter assumed business, the other reinsurers and their participation varied by MGA. Prior to the termination of the VIG subsidiary reinsurance agreements, the agreements contained no maximum loss limit other than the underlying policy limits. The ceding company’s retention was zero and these agreements could be terminated at the end of any calendar quarter by either party with prior written notice of not less than 90 days.

VIG indemnified the Company for any losses due to uncollectible reinsurance related to reinsurance agreements entered into with unaffiliated reinsurers prior to December 31, 2003. As of September 30, 2014, all such unaffiliated reinsurers had A.M. best ratings of A- or better. The Company had reinsurance recoverable from VIG of $2.0 million and $2.2 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

7. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Policy acquisition costs, consisting of primarily commissions and premium taxes, net of ceding commission income, are deferred and charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. The components of deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization expense were as follows for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Gross     Ceded     Net
Asset (Liability)
 

Balance at July 1, 2014

   $ 15,614      $ (20,520   $ (4,906

Additions

     14,338        (18,951     (4,613

Amortization

     (14,003     18,922        4,919   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2014

   $ 15,949      $ (20,549   $ (4,600
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

13


Table of Contents
     Gross     Ceded     Net
Asset (Liability)
 

Balance at July 1, 2013

   $ 8,908      $ (14,398   $ (5,490

Additions

     8,802        (13,218     (4,416

Amortization

     (8,304     12,864        4,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2013

   $ 9,406      $ (14,752   $ (5,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The components of deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization expense were as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Gross     Ceded     Net
Asset (Liability)
 

Balance at January 1, 2014

   $ 12,587      $ (20,131   $ (7,544

Additions

     45,779        (46,157     (378

Amortization

     (42,417     45,739        3,322   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2014

   $ 15,949      $ (20,549   $ (4,600
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2013

   $ 7,111      $ (7,013   $ 98   

Additions

     25,040        (32,467     (7,427

Amortization

     (22,745     24,728        1,983   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance at September 30, 2013

   $ 9,406      $ (14,752   $ (5,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

8. Debt

The Company’s long-term debt instruments and balances outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Notes payable due 2035

   $ 30,928       $ 30,928   

Notes payable due 2035

     25,774         25,774   

Notes payable due 2035

     20,117         20,126   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total notes payable

     76,819         76,828   

Senior secured credit facility effective September 2013, net of discount

     29,375         33,523   

Subordinated secured credit facility

     15,777         13,650   

Mortgage payable

     2,267         3,562   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   $ 124,238       $ 127,563   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Notes payable

The $30.9 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.60%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 3.83%.

The $25.8 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.55%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 3.78%.

On February 28, 2012, the Company exercised its right to defer interest payments on the two notes payable mentioned above beginning with the scheduled interest payment due in March 2012 and continuing for a period of up to five years. The affected notes are associated with obligations to the Company’s unconsolidated trusts. The outstanding balance of the affected notes was $56.7 million as of September 30, 2014. The Company will continue to accrue interest on the principal during the interest deferral period and the unpaid deferred interest will also accrue interest. Deferred interest will be due and payable at the expiration of the interest deferral period and totaled $6.3 million as of September 30, 2014.

The $20.1 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.95%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 4.18%.

 

14


Table of Contents

Senior and subordinated secured facilities

On September 30, 2013, the Company replaced its existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. The Company’s new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

The Company made principal payments on the senior secured facility of $5.0 million in November 2013, $5.0 million in April 2014, and $0.1 million in September 2014. As of September 30, 2014, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $29.9 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that is amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. The next payment due is $1.4 million on December 31, 2014.

The Company breached its risk-based capital ratio covenant under both the senior secured facility and the subordinated secured facility as of September 30, 2014. However, the lenders under both facilities agreed to waive all defaults and events of default arising out of such breach. In addition, the Company agreed to amend its senior secured facility to increase the pricing from the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 7.25% to the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 9.25% effective September 30, 2014. The interest rate on the senior secured facility as of September 30, 2014 is 10.50%. Finally, the Company paid a 0.50% fee to the senior facility lenders that approved the amendment and will pay an additional 0.50% fee to the senior facility lenders on March 31, 2015.

The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $2.8 million was added to the principal balance from inception through September 30, 2014.

The Company recorded a $4.2 million pretax loss on extinguishment of debt as a result of the refinancing for the period ended September 30, 2013. The $4.2 million debt extinguishment loss resulted from the write-off of $2.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs and unamortized discount relating to the senior secured credit facility effective January 2007, $1.4 million of legal fees and a $0.6 million prepayment premium.

Mortgage payable

In March 2013, the Company, through one of its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a $4.8 million loan secured by commercial real estate to provide liquidity to AIC. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note secured by a mortgage security agreement and assignment of leases and rents on real estate located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is held as investment in real property on the consolidated balance sheet. The mortgage bears interest at a per annum fixed rate of 4.95%. The mortgage requires monthly payments of principal and interest with the final payment due on the maturity date of December 15, 2015. As security for payments, the Company assigned rents due under the lease to a trustee. Pursuant to an escrow and servicing agreement, the trustee will receive rent due under the lease, make required payments due under the mortgage and maintain certain escrow accounts to pay for the necessary expenses of the property until the mortgage is paid in full.

 

15


Table of Contents

9. Capital Lease Obligation

In December 2013, the Company entered into a capital lease obligation related to certain computer software, software licenses and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. The Company received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $4.9 million in January 2014. A receivable for settlement of this transaction was included in other assets as of December 31, 2013. The transaction proceeds are pledged as collateral against all the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to the Company.

In May 2010, the Company entered into two capital lease obligations related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. The Company received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $28.2 million. As required by the lease agreements, the Company purchased $28.2 million of certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts and pledged such securities as collateral against all of the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to the Company.

In October 2012, one of the Lessors terminated their capital lease agreement with the Company. In December 2012, the Lessor conveyed all rights and interest in the leased property to the Company.

The remaining lease term for both capital leases is 8 months with monthly rental payments totaling approximately $0.6 million. Cash and securities pledged as collateral and held as available-for-sale securities were $6.4 million and $5.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Property under capital lease consisted of the following as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Computer software, software licenses and hardware

   $ 34,212      $ 34,212   

Accumulated depreciation

     (27,191     (23,971
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Computer software, software licenses and hardware, net

   $ 7,021      $ 10,241   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Estimated future lease payments for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):

 

2014

   $ 1,703   

2015

     3,124   
  

 

 

 

Total estimated future lease payments

     4,827   

Less: Amount representing interest

     (122
  

 

 

 

Present value of future lease payments

   $ 4,705   
  

 

 

 

10. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Current tax expense (benefit)

   $ (1,735   $ 4,195      $ (1,810   $ 4,396   

Deferred tax expense

     —          (3,314     —          (3,178
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (1,735   $ 881      $ (1,810   $ 1,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

16


Table of Contents

The Company’s effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate of 35% for the three and nine months ended September 30 as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (19,490   $ 48,499      $ (26,143   $ 44,070   

Tax provision computed at the federal statutory income tax rate

     (6,824     16,975        (9,153     15,425   

Increases (reductions) in tax resulting from:

        

Tax-exempt interest

     (2     (4     (10     (13

State income taxes

     (1,571     3,453        (1,758     3,593   

Valuation allowance

     6,657        (19,552     9,081        (17,811

Other

     5        9        30        24   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (1,735   $ 881      $ (1,810   $ 1,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     (8.9 %)      1.8     (6.9 %)      2.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company’s gross deferred tax assets prior to recognition of valuation allowance were $96.2 million and $90.0 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In assessing the realizability of its deferred tax assets, the Company considered whether it was more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized based upon all available evidence, including scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, historical operating results, projected future operating results, tax carry-back availability, and limitations pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, among others. Based on this assessment, the Company began recording a valuation allowance against deferred taxes in December 2009. The valuation allowance was $94.8 million and $84.8 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

11. Legal and Regulatory Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are named from time to time as parties in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and arising out of or related to claims made in connection with the Company’s insurance policies and claims handling. Except as set forth below and in the Company’s Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014, there are no material changes with respect to legal and regulatory proceedings previously disclosed in Item 3 and Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

On October 21, 2014, Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) filed a complaint for breach of contract and declaratory judgment in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, styled Affirmative Insurance Company v. Travis K. Williams, et al. The lawsuit arises out of AIC’s defense of its insured who was involved in a fatal automobile accident in November 2007. Plaintiffs in the underlying lawsuits have threatened bad faith litigation against AIC based on their belief that they will obtain an excess judgment against AIC’s insured in the future. AIC believes the allegation of bad faith lacks merit and intends to defend itself vigorously should an excess verdict be obtained and a bad faith action pursued. Further, AIC asserts that its insured breached the insurance policy by, among other things, failing to cooperate in the defense of the underlying lawsuit and entering into competing settlement negotiations with plaintiffs in the underlying lawsuit. AIC seeks a finding that defendants breached the insurance policy, a declaration that AIC has no duty to defend or indemnify the insured in the underlying lawsuits, and a declaration that AIC has not acted in bad faith under South Carolina law. The probability of the outcome is currently not determinable and the range of potential loss cannot be made at this time.

On March 20, 2013, the Company was served with a Class Action Petition for Damages and Penalties for Arbitrary and Capricious Behavior filed in the 13th Judicial District Court, Parish of Evangeline, Louisiana against USAgencies Casualty Insurance Company (USAgencies), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIC. The named plaintiffs allege that the denial of their first-party property damage claim based on USAgencies’ policy exclusion for driving under the influence of alcohol was arbitrary and capricious, and that USAgencies’ enforcement of the subject policy exclusion violates Louisiana public policy. On August 2, 2013, the Court ruled that USAgencies’ policy exclusion violated Louisiana public policy and was unenforceable. USAgencies pursued an appeal of this ruling in the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. On June 4, 2014, the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal entered its opinion reversing the lower court ruling and finding in favor of USAgencies on all claims. Plaintiff filed a writ to appeal to the Louisiana Supreme Court, which was denied on October 3, 2014, rendering the Third Circuit’s decision in the Company’s favor final. This matter is now closed.

 

17


Table of Contents

12. Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Net income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares are calculated by adjusting basic weighted average shares outstanding by all potentially dilutive stock options. Stock options outstanding of 1,537,999 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and stock options outstanding of 1,195,883 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of the common stock or there was a net loss from operations in the period thus the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of numerators and denominators for the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013      2014     2013  

Numerator:

         

Net income (loss)

   $ (17,755   $ 47,618       $ (24,333   $ 42,852   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

         

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     15,572        15,408         15,471        15,408   

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities

     —          364         —          123   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     15,572        15,772         15,471        15,531   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share:

   $ (1.14   $ 3.09       $ (1.57   $ 2.78   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share:

   $ (1.14   $ 3.02       $ (1.57   $ 2.76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

On February 12, 2014, 472,000 shares of Affirmative’s common stock were issued on a restricted basis to executives of the Company. On April 8, 2014, 24,999 of vested stock options were exercised by a former employee. On August 11, 2014, 250,000 of vested stock options were exercised by a former employee.

13. Related Party Transactions

On September 30, 2013, the Company entered into a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with JCF AFFM Debt Holdings, L.P., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. JCF AFFM Debt Holdings, L.P. is an affiliate of J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC and New Affirmative LLC, the Company’s majority shareholder.

14. Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including reclassification adjustments for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

     2014     2013  

Beginning balance

   $ (1,654   $ (998

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     248        (519

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (41     (32
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

     207        (551
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ (1,447   $ (1,549
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities was $27,000 and $41,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Net gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities was $9,000 and $32,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The gain was not net of any taxes due to the valuation allowance for deferred income taxes.

 

18


Table of Contents

15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes a hierarchy of valuation techniques for the disclosure of fair value estimates based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions. The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including investment securities classified as available-for-sale, cash equivalents and other invested assets. Following is a brief description of the type of valuation information that qualifies as a financial asset or liability for each level:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets which are accessible by the Company.

Level 2 — Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities. Prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, e.g., interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates, and credit spreads. Market inputs that are not directly observable, but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgment as to assumptions a market participant would use, including inputs derived from extrapolation and interpolation that are not corroborated by observable market data.

The Company evaluates the various types of financial assets and liabilities to determine the appropriate fair value hierarchy based upon trading activity and the observation of market inputs. The Company employs control processes to validate the reasonableness of the fair value estimates of its assets and liabilities, including those estimates based on prices and quotes obtained from independent third-party sources. The Company’s procedures generally include, but are not limited to, initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by independent third-parties and additional pricing services are used as a comparison to determine the reasonableness of fair values used in pricing the investment portfolio.

The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Where possible, the Company utilizes quoted market prices to measure fair value. For assets and liabilities that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy. When quoted market prices in active markets are unavailable, the Company determines fair values based on independent external valuation information obtained from independent pricing services, which utilize various models and valuation techniques based on a range of inputs including pricing models, quoted market prices of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates and discounted cash flows. In most cases, these estimates are determined based on independent third-party valuation information, and the amounts are disclosed as Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the level of observable market inputs.

Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following table provides information as of September 30, 2014 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

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

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 8,658       $ 8,658       $ —         $ —     

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,712         —           3,712         —     

States and political subdivisions

     2,133         —           2,133         —     

Corporate debt securities

     29,817         —           29,817         —     

Certificates of deposit

     3,371         —           3,371         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment securities

     47,691         8,658         39,033         —     

Other invested assets

     4,415         —           —           4,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 52,106       $ 8,658       $ 39,033       $ 4,415   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

19


Table of Contents

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2013 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

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

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

   $ 17,834       $ 17,834       $ —         $ —     

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,980         —           3,980         —     

States and political subdivisions

     3,333         —           3,333         —     

Corporate debt securities

     32,283         —           32,283         —     

Certificates of deposit

     4,891         —           4,891         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment securities

     62,321         17,834         44,487         —     

Other invested assets

     4,085         —           —           4,085   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 66,406       $ 17,834       $ 44,487       $ 4,085   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 1 Financial assets

Financial assets classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy include U.S. Treasury and government agencies securities. These securities are actively traded and the Company estimates the fair value of these securities using unadjusted quoted market prices.

Level 2 Financial assets

Financial assets classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy include mortgage-backed securities, tax-exempt securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit. The fair value of these securities is determined based on observable market inputs provided by independent third-party pricing services. To date, the Company has not experienced a circumstance where it has determined that an adjustment is required to a quote or price received from independent third-party pricing sources. To the extent the Company determines that a price or quote is inconsistent with actual trading activity observed in that investment or similar investments, the Company would determine a fair value using this observable market information and disclose the occurrence of this circumstance. All of the fair values of securities disclosed in Level 2 are estimated based on independent third-party pricing services.

Level 3 Financial assets

The Company’s Level 3 financial assets include an investment in a hedge fund, which is presented as other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the fair value option for its investment in the hedge fund and measures the fair value of the hedge fund on the basis of the net asset value of the fund as reported by the fund manager. The hedge fund is primarily invested in residential mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities which are recorded at fair value as determined by the fund manager. Such fair value determination is based on quoted marked prices, bid prices, or the fund manager’s proprietary valuation models where quoted prices are unavailable or deemed to be inadequately representative of fair value. Significant decreases in the fair value of the underlying securities in the hedge fund would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement of other invested assets as reported in the consolidated balance sheets.

Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)
Other Invested Assets
 

Balance at July 1, 2014

   $ 4,328   

Transfers into Level 3

     —     

Total gains included in earnings as net investment income

     87   

Settlements

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

   $ 4,415   
  

 

 

 

 

20


Table of Contents

Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Other Invested Assets
 

Balance at July 1, 2013

   $ 3,926   

Transfers into Level 3

     —     

Total gains included in earnings as net investment income

     65   

Settlements

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

   $ 3,991   
  

 

 

 

Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Other Invested Assets
 

Balance at January 1, 2014

   $ 4,085   

Transfers into Level 3

     —     

Total gains included in earnings as net investment income

     330   

Settlements

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

   $ 4,415   
  

 

 

 

Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Other Invested Assets
 

Balance at January 1, 2013

   $ 3,390   

Transfers into Level 3

     —     

Total gains included in earnings as net investment income

     601   

Settlements

     —     
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

   $ 3,991   
  

 

 

 

The Company did not have any transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three or nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.

 

21


Table of Contents

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value

Fair values represent the Company’s best estimates and may not be substantiated by comparisons to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments.

The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at September 30, 2014 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

 

     Carrying
Value
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,723       $ 23,723       $ 23,723       $ —         $ —     

Fiduciary and restricted cash

     6,224         6,224         6,224         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 29,947       $ 29,947       $ 29,947       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

              

Notes payable

   $ 76,819       $ 14,423       $ —         $ —         $ 14,423   

Senior secured credit facility

     29,375         29,035         —           —           29,035   

Subordinated secured credit facility

     15,777         13,269         —           —           13,269   

Mortgage payable

     2,267         2,267         —           —           2,267   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 124,238       $ 58,994       $ —         $ —         $ 58,994   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at December 31, 2013 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

 

     Carrying
Value
     Estimated
Fair Value
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 44,569       $ 44,569       $ 44,569       $ —         $ —     

Fiduciary and restricted cash

     1,369         1,369         1,369         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 45,938       $ 45,938       $ 45,938       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

              

Notes payable

   $ 76,828       $ 13,181       $ —         $ —         $ 13,181   

Senior secured credit facility

     33,523         34,476         —           —           34,476   

Subordinated secured credit facility

     13,650         11,723         —           —           11,723   

Mortgage payable

     3,562         3,562         —           —           3,562   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 127,563       $ 62,942       $ —         $ —         $ 62,942   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair values of the notes payable, the senior secured credit facility and the subordinated secured credit facility were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses prepared by a third-party valuation source based on inputs and assumptions, such as credit and default risk associated with the debt. The mortgage payable is reported at par value which approximates its fair value due to its short-term nature.

 

22


Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

We are a provider of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies for individual consumers in targeted geographic markets. Non-standard personal automobile insurance policies provide coverage to drivers who find it difficult to obtain insurance from standard automobile insurance companies due to their lack of prior insurance, age, driving record, limited financial resources or other factors. Non-standard personal automobile insurance policies generally require higher premiums than standard automobile insurance policies for comparable coverage.

As of September 30, 2014, our subsidiaries included insurance companies licensed to write insurance policies in 39 states, two underwriting agencies and a service company. We are also party to an agreement with an unaffiliated underwriting agency that distributes our policies in the state of California. We distribute and service non-standard insurance policies underwritten by a Texas county mutual insurance company. Prior to the sale of our retail agency distribution business on September 30, 2013, we also provided premium financing services and distributed third-party insurance products and services. We are currently distributing insurance policies through approximately 5,000 independent agents or brokers including the retail agency stores sold. We currently operate in seven states (Louisiana, Texas, California, Alabama, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri).

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

We incurred losses from operations over the last five years, including an operating loss of $26.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of prior pricing issues in some states in which we have taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that we have exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.

The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for our non-regulated businesses. We breached the risk-based capital ratio covenant under both the senior secured facility and the subordinated secured facility as of September 30, 2014. The lenders under both facilities agreed to waive all defaults and events of default arising out of such breach. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which we obtained a waiver for default, we were in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2014. However, it is probable that we will not meet certain of these covenants in future periods. If we are unable to maintain compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. If our lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, it would have a material adverse effect on our operations and our creditors and stockholders.

We have taken actions to address our liquidity concerns including:

 

    Sale of retail business – On September 30, 2013, we sold our retail agency distribution business for $101.9 million plus the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds.

 

    Debt refinancing – We used proceeds from the sale of the retail agency distribution business and two new debt arrangements to replace the existing senior secured credit facility. Our new debt arrangement consists of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

 

    Management has taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting results; however, there can be no assurance that this will occur.

 

    Management has obtained sufficient quota-share reinsurance to allow us to maintain written premium capacity through 2014.

Our recent history of recurring losses from operations and our probable failure to comply with certain financial covenants in our senior secured and subordinated credit facilities in the foreseeable future raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects of this uncertainty on the recoverability or classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities.

 

23


Table of Contents

SALE OF RETAIL BUSINESS

On September 30, 2013, we sold our retail agency distribution business to Confie Seguros (Confie). Our retail agency distribution business consisted of 195 retail locations in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina and Wisconsin and two premium finance companies (the retail business). Proceeds from the sale were $101.9 million in cash with the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds. The initial cash proceeds included a working capital adjustment of $1.9 million that was received in 2013 and $20.0 million placed in an escrow account. The funds held in escrow were available, dependent upon the quarterly risk-based capital status of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC), to be utilized to either infuse capital into AIC or pay down debt. As of the first risk-based measurement date of September 30, 2013, AIC met the risk-based capital target and in November 2013, $5.0 million was released from the escrow account and was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, AIC met the risk-based capital target and in April 2014, an additional $5.0 million was released from the escrow account and was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility. In March 2014, the purchase agreement was amended to eliminate the measurement of risk-based capital as of March 31, 2014. In June 2014, the remaining $10.0 million in the escrow account was utilized to infuse capital into AIC.

The additional $20.0 million of proceeds may be used to pay down debt or infuse capital into Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC). The additional proceeds are contingent on AIC meeting certain risk-based capital thresholds and maintaining the obligations of the distribution agreement. The risk-based capital measurement began as of June 30, 2014 for up to $10.0 million of additional proceeds and the remaining balance up to $20.0 million can be achieved on any following quarterly measurement date through December 31, 2015. These contingent proceeds will be recognized as risk-based capital measurement thresholds are achieved. During the three months ended September 30, 2014, $10.0 million of contingent proceeds were received of which, $9.9 million was used to infuse capital into AIC and $0.1 million was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility.

We realized a pretax gain on the sale of the retail agency distribution business of $10.0 million and $65.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our consolidated results of operations include the retail business’s results of operations through the date of the sale, September 30, 2013.

MEASUREMENT OF PERFORMANCE

We are a provider of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies for individual consumers in targeted geographic markets. Prior to the sale of our retail agency distribution business on September 30, 2013, we also provided premium financing services and third-party insurance products and services. Non-standard personal automobile insurance policies provide coverage to drivers who find it difficult to obtain insurance from standard automobile insurance companies due to their lack of prior insurance, age, driving record, limited financial resources or other factors. Non-standard personal automobile insurance policies generally require higher premiums than standard automobile insurance policies for comparable coverage. On September 30, 2013, we sold our retail agency distribution business to a third-party, which is now our largest independent agency relationship. In addition to selling our insurance policies to customers, the former retail agency distribution business also sold third-party insurance policies as well as complimentary and ancillary insurance products. Retail revenue generated from third-parties prior to the September 30, 2013 transaction is included in commission and fees revenue in our consolidated financial statements.

Our ability to develop strong and mutually beneficial relationships with independent agencies is important to the success of our distribution strategy. We believe that strong product positioning and high service standards are key to independent agency loyalty. We foster our independent agency relationships by providing them our agency software applications designed to strengthen and expand their sales and service capabilities for our products. These software applications provide independent agencies with the ability to service their customers’ accounts and access their own commission information. We maintain strict and high standards for call answering and abandonment rate service levels in our customer service call centers. We believe the level and array of services that we offer to independent agencies creates value in their businesses.

 

24


Table of Contents

Premiums. One measurement of our performance is the level of gross written premiums managed. The following table displays our gross written premiums managed and assumed by state (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Louisiana

   $ 30,931       $ 30,368       $ 98,445       $ 92,051   

Texas

     25,620         14,731         77,694         30,623   

California

     19,839         20,247         62,557         54,775   

Alabama

     6,493         6,495         20,282         21,065   

Illinois

     3,569         4,121         12,294         13,999   

Indiana

     1,520         1,446         4,501         5,404   

Missouri

     836         644         2,527         2,163   

Other

     9         9         32         29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total written premium managed

     88,817         78,061         278,332         220,109   

Less: Texas written premium not underwritten

     6,525         —           21,132         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross underwritten premiums

   $ 82,292       $ 78,061       $ 257,200       $ 220,109   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross written premiums managed for the three months ended September 30, 2014 increased $10.8 million, or 13.8%, compared with the prior year quarter. Total gross written premiums managed for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased $58.2 million, or 26.5%, compared with the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to an increase in renewal policies as well as pricing increases taken over the last year. The growth in renewal policies was primarily caused by the significant increase in new policies that began in the second half of 2012 and continued through the majority of 2013. The growth in renewal policies is important to our business as those policies historically have a significantly lower loss ratio than new business policies. For the first nine months of 2014, new business policy counts declined in all states, except Missouri, compared with the same period in 2013.

The following table reflects the premiums ceded and assumed under reinsurance agreements in our consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Direct premiums written

   $ 82,292      $ 78,061      $ 257,200      $ 231,921   

Returned premiums

     —          —          —          (11,812
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross written premiums

     82,292        78,061        257,200        220,109   

Ceded premiums written

     (67,924     (44,950     (168,326     (110,437
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net premiums written

   $ 14,368      $ 33,111      $ 88,874      $ 109,672   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net premiums written for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $18.7 million, or 56.6%, compared with the prior year quarter. Total net premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $20.8 million, or 19.0%, compared with the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to changes in the amount of quota-share reinsurance, which was partially offset by the growth in direct premiums written. Net premiums written was impacted by the termination of the March 2013 quota-share reinsurance contract on January 1, 2014 with the return of $47.2 million in unearned premiums and the termination of the December 2013 quota-share reinsurance contract on June 30, 2014 with the return of $51.7 million in unearned premiums. Offsetting this increase was the new reinsurance agreement entered into on June 30, 2014 to cede 85% of business written in our five largest states. The prior year period was impacted by the termination of a reinsurance agreement with a county mutual on January 1, 2013, which reduced gross written premiums by $11.8 million.

Reinsurance. In 2011, we entered into a quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company under which we ceded 10% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois from September 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, this contract converted to a 40% quota-share reinsurance contract on the in-force business for the applicable states throughout 2012. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $82.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, and this agreement was extended under the same terms through March 31, 2013 and terminated on a cutoff basis as of April 1, 2013. Upon termination, we recorded $27.2 million of returned premium, net of $7.7 million of deferred ceding commissions. Written premiums under this agreement during 2013 represented a return of previously ceded premiums totaling $5.5 million. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $99.3 million.

 

25


Table of Contents

In 2013, we entered into a new quota-share agreement with the same third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which we ceded 40% for the same four states as the expiring agreement. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which we ceded an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million.

Effective December 31, 2013, we entered into a reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, we ceded 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business. On June 30, 2014, the reinsurance agreement was terminated resulting in the return of $51.7 million of unearned premiums, net of $14.5 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $95.9 million.

Effective June 30, 2014, a new reinsurance agreement with five third-party reinsurance companies was put in place to cede 85% of all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through June 30, 2015. The new agreement allows for a reduction in the quota-share rate on January 1, 2015 to as low as 50% at our option. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $141.0 million since inception through September 30, 2014.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We had a net loss of $17.8 million and net income of $47.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2014, we adjusted our prior period reserves resulting in expenses of $21.7 million. These expenses were comprised of an $11.9 million increase in loss and loss adjustment expenses and a $9.8 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses due to a reduction in ceding commissions from our quota share reinsurance agreements. In addition, and as a result of the prior period reserve increase, we increased current accident year reserves. These increases were partially offset by a $10.0 million gain on sale from the sale of our retail operations as we received a portion of the contingent sales proceeds during the quarter.

We had a net loss of $24.3 million and net income of $42.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we adjusted our prior period reserves resulting in additional expenses of $29.6 million. These expenses were comprised of an $17.7 million increase in loss and loss adjustment expenses and a $11.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses due to a reduction in ceding commissions from our quota share reinsurance agreements.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $27.9 million, or 52.4%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease was due to the increase in the ceding percentage under our quota-share reinsurance agreements in 2014 and the sale of our retail operations as of September 30, 2013.

The largest component of revenue is net premiums earned on insurance policies. Net premiums earned for the current quarter decreased $16.5 million, or 53.7%, to $14.3 million compared with the prior year quarter of $30.8 million. Since insurance premiums are earned over the service period of the policies, the revenue in the current quarter includes premiums earned on insurance products written through our distribution channels in both current and previous periods. The decrease reflects the increases in quota-share reinsurance effective January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2014.

Commission Income, Fees and Managing General Agent Revenue. Another measurement of our performance is the relative level of production of fee revenue. Policy origination fees and installment fees compensate us for the costs of policy administration and providing installment payment plans. Policy and installment fees are earned for business managed by our general agencies and must be approved by the applicable state’s department of insurance. Managing general agent revenues are earned for business produced for a Texas county mutual insurance company beginning January 1, 2013. We receive compensation for underwriting services and providing claims handling on the business. Premium finance, commission income, and agency fees represent revenues from the retail agency business prior to being sold on September 30, 2013. Premium finance fees consisted of origination and servicing fees as well as interest on premiums that customers choose to finance. Commission income consist of the income earned on sales of unaffiliated, third-party companies’ insurance policies or other products sold by our former retail agencies. Agency fees compensated the Company for the costs of policy cancellation, policy rewrite and reinstatement.

 

26


Table of Contents

The following sets forth the components of consolidated commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue earned for the current quarter and the prior year quarter (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013  

Insurance fees:

     

Policyholder fees

   $ 9,146       $ 9,277   

Managing general agent revenue

     1,039         2,249   

Commissions and fees

     187         —     

Former retail business fees:

     

Premium finance revenue

     —           5,036   

Commissions and fees

     —           4,363   

Agency fees

     —           1,033   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue

   $ 10,372       $ 21,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue for the current quarter decreased $11.6 million, or 52.8%, compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease was due to the sale of our former retail business in September 2013. Managing general agent revenue decreased $1.2 million, or 53.8%, compared with the prior year quarter. Managing general agent revenue is related to the Texas county mutual book of business that we manage, but no longer assume the underwriting risk beginning January 1, 2013.

Net Investment Income and Other Income. Net investment income includes income on our portfolio of debt securities and net rental income from our investment in real property. Net investment income for the current quarter increased $0.2 million, or 31.0%, compared with the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the annualized average investment yield of 18.1% to 1.63% in the current quarter, compared with 1.38% in the prior year quarter. This was partially offset by the 10.4% decrease in total average invested assets to $46.1 million during the current quarter from $51.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Since the largest expenses of an insurance company are the losses and loss adjustment expenses, another measurement of our insurance carriers’ performance is the level of such expenses, specifically as a ratio to earned premiums. Our losses and loss adjustment expenses are a blend of the specific estimated and actual costs of providing the coverage contracted by the purchasers of our insurance policies. We maintain reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for losses and related loss adjustment expenses for both reported and unreported claims on the insurance policies issued by our insurance companies. The establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process, involving actuarial and statistical projections of what we expect to be the cost of the ultimate settlement and administration of claims based on historical claims information, estimates of future trends in claims severity and other variable factors such as inflation. To the extent that our reserves prove to be inadequate in the future, we would be required to increase our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses and incur a charge to earnings in the period during which such reserves are increased. The historic development of our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses is not necessarily indicative of future trends in the development of these amounts.

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current quarter decreased $2.9 million, or 8.5%, compared with the prior year quarter. The percentage of net losses and loss adjustment expense to net premiums earned (the net loss ratio) was 216.1% in the current quarter, compared with 109.5% in the prior year quarter. The current year quarter included $11.9 million of unfavorable prior period development primarily related to Louisiana and Texas losses from 2013 and 2012, which was primarily due to increases in estimated severity of liability claims. In the prior year quarter, there was $7.0 million of prior period development. Excluding prior period development, the current quarter loss ratio was 132.9%, compared with 86.9% for the prior year quarter. The increase in the current quarter loss ratio was due to our increasing of 2014 losses based on the prior period development and the increase in reinsurance.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013  

Loss ratio – current quarter

     132.9     86.9

Adverse loss ratio development – prior period business

     83.2       22.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reported loss ratio

     216.1     109.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The use of quota-share reinsurance overstates the net loss ratio. Loss adjustment expenses include all of the business subject to the quota-share treaties with ceding commission income booked as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses. As such, the quota-share treaties’ impact on the loss ratio was to increase it by 41.7 points for the current quarter and 10.1 points for the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of prior period development and the quota-share, the net loss ratio for the current quarter was 91.2% and 76.8% for the prior year quarter.

 

27


Table of Contents

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Another measurement of our performance that addresses our overall efficiency is the level of selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A). We recognize that our customers are primarily motivated by low prices. As a result, we strive to keep our costs as low as possible to be able to keep our prices affordable and thus to maximize our sales while still maintaining profitability. Our selling, general and administrative expenses include not only the cost of acquiring the insurance policies through our insurance carriers (the amortization of the deferred acquisition costs) and managing our insurance carriers and former retail stores, but also the costs of the holding company. The largest component of selling, general and administrative expenses is personnel costs, including compensation and benefits. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the current quarter decreased by $4.8 million, or 19.5%, compared to the prior year quarter. A decrease of $8.2 million resulted from the sale of the retail business which, in the prior year quarter, accounted for $5.1 million in personnel costs and $3.1 million in overhead costs such as rent, advertising, postage and other expenses. Excluding the impact of the direct costs of the retail operations, SG&A expenses increased $3.4 million, or 20.8%, compared with the prior year quarter due to the increase of $8.0 million in policy acquisition costs, which was primarily due to the commissions paid of $5.7 million to our former retail agencies that previously was eliminated and $2.2 million impact of reduced ceding commissions. This was partially offset by the decrease of $1.6 million in professional fees, $1.6 million in personnel costs and $1.4 million in other overhead costs due to management actions to reduce expenses.

Deferred policy acquisition costs represent the deferral of expenses that we incur related to successful contract acquisition of new business or renewal of existing business. Policy acquisition costs, consisting of primarily commission expenses and premium taxes, are initially deferred and then charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies through amortization of the deferred policy acquisition costs. Thus, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs is correlated with earned premium and the ratio of amortization of deferred acquisition costs to earned premium in an accounting period is another measurement of performance.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs is a major component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth the impact that amortization of deferred acquisition costs had on selling, general and administrative expenses and the change in deferred acquisition costs (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net

   $ (4,919   $ (4,560

Other selling, general and administrative expenses

     24,659        29,085   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 19,740      $ 24,525   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total as a percentage of net premiums earned

     138.3     79.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Beginning deferred acquisition costs, net

   $ (4,906   $ (5,490

Additions, net of ceding commission

     (4,613     (4,416

Amortization, net of ceding commissions

     4,919        4,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending deferred acquisition costs, net

   $ (4,600   $ (5,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net, as a percentage of net premiums earned

     (34.5 %)      (14.8 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. On September 30, 2013, we replaced our existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail agency business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. Our new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

We recorded a $4.2 million pretax loss on extinguishment of debt as a result of this transaction for the period ended September 30, 2013. The $4.2 million debt extinguishment loss resulted from the write-off of $2.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs and unamortized debt discount relating to the senior secured credit facility effective January 2007, $1.4 million of legal fees and a $0.6 million prepayment premium.

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the current quarter decreased $3.1 million, or 52.1%, compared with the prior year quarter. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in financing costs associated with the new debt arrangement effective September 2013.

Income Taxes. Income tax benefit was $1.7 million for the current year quarter as compared to income tax expense of $0.9 million for the prior year quarter. Income tax benefit for the current year quarter was due to primarily due to the state tax benefit.

 

28


Table of Contents

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $72.0 million, or 37.9%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease was due to the increase in the ceding percentage under our quota-share reinsurance agreements in 2014 and the sale of our retail operations as of September 30, 2013.

The largest component of revenue is net premiums earned on insurance policies. Net premiums earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $39.0 million, or 32.0%, to $82.8 million compared with the prior year period of $121.8 million. Since insurance premiums are earned over the service period of the policies, the revenue in the current period includes premiums earned on insurance products written through our distribution channels in both current and previous periods. The decrease reflects the increases in quota-share reinsurance effective January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2014.

Commission Income, Fees and Managing General Agent Revenue. The following sets forth the components of consolidated commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue earned for the current period and the prior year period (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013  

Insurance fees:

     

Policyholder fees

   $ 28,298       $ 25,884   

Managing general agent revenue

     3,916         7,461   

Commissions and fees

     459         —     

Former retail business fees:

     

Premium finance revenue

     —           16,272   

Commissions and fees

     —           13,048   

Agency fees

     —           3,326   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue

   $ 32,673       $ 65,991   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue for the current period decreased $33.3 million, or 50.5%, compared with the prior year period. The decrease was due to the sale of our former retail business in September 2013. Policyholder fees increased $2.4 million, or 9.3%, due to the higher overall volume of premiums written and an increase in California fees. Managing general agent revenue decreased $3.5 million, or 47.5%, compared with the prior year period. Managing general agent revenue is related to the Texas county mutual book of business that we manage, but no longer assume the underwriting risk beginning January 1, 2013. This business has declined as we are writing more of the Texas business within our insurance company.

Net Investment Income and Other Income. Net investment income includes income on our portfolio of debt securities and net rental income from our investment in real property. Net investment income for the current period increased $0.4 million, or 18.8%, compared with the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to a 9.3% increase in total average invested assets to $49.6 million during the current period from $45.4 million during the prior year period. The annualized average investment yield was 1.6% in the current period, compared with 1.4% in the prior year period.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. Net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current period decreased $10.6 million, or 10.2%, compared with the prior year period. The percentage of net losses and loss adjustment expense to net premiums earned (the net loss ratio) was 112.2% in the current period, compared with 85.0% in the prior year period. The current year period included $17.7 million of unfavorable prior period development primarily related to Louisiana, Texas, and California losses from 2013 and 2012, which was primarily due to increases in estimated severity of liability claims. In the prior year, there was $7.0 million of prior period development. Excluding prior period development, the current period loss ratio was 90.8%, compared with 79.3% for the prior year period. The increase in the current period loss ratio was due to our increasing of 2014 losses based on the prior period development and the increase in reinsurance.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013  

Loss ratio – current accident year

     90.8     79.3

Adverse loss ratio development – prior period business

     21.4       5.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reported loss ratio

     112.2     85.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The use of quota-share reinsurance overstates the net loss ratio. Loss adjustment expenses include all of the business subject to the quota-share treaties with ceding commission income booked as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses. As such,

 

29


Table of Contents

the quota-share treaties’ impact on the loss ratio was to increase it by 17.4 points for the current period and 10.1 points for the prior year. Excluding the impact of prior period development and the quota-share, the net loss ratio for the current period was 73.4% and 69.2% for the prior year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. The largest component of selling, general and administrative expenses is personnel costs, including compensation and benefits. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the current period decreased by $33.7 million, or 41.8%, compared to the prior year period. A decrease of $25.9 million resulted from the sale of the retail business which, in the prior year period, accounted for $15.6 million in personnel costs and $10.3 million in overhead costs such as rent, advertising, postage and other expenses. Excluding the impact of the direct costs of the retail operations, SG&A expenses decreased $7.8 million, or 14.3%, compared with the prior year period due to the decrease of $6.9 million in professional fees, $1.8 million in personnel costs and $6.2 million in other overhead costs due to management actions to reduce expenses. This was partially offset by the increase of $7.1 million in policy acquisition costs. Policy acquisition costs increased due to the commissions paid of $18.0 million to our former retail agencies that previously was eliminated, an increase in commission of $3.5 million to other independent agents offset by $14.1 million increase in ceding commission as a result of the increase in quota-share reinsurance.

Deferred policy acquisition costs represent the deferral of expenses that we incur related to successful contract acquisition of new business or renewal of existing business. Policy acquisition costs, consisting of primarily commission expenses and premium taxes, are initially deferred and then charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies through amortization of the deferred policy acquisition costs. Thus, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs is correlated with earned premium and the ratio of amortization of deferred acquisition costs to earned premium in an accounting period is another measurement of performance.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs is a major component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The following table sets forth the impact that amortization of deferred acquisition costs had on selling, general and administrative expenses and the change in deferred acquisition costs (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014     2013  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net

   $ (3,322   $ (1,983

Other selling, general and administrative expenses

     50,304        82,711   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 46,982      $ 80,728   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total as a percentage of net premiums earned

     56.7     66.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Beginning deferred acquisition costs, net

   $ (7,544   $ 98   

Additions, net of ceding commission

     (378     (7,427

Amortization, net of ceding commissions

     3,322        1,983   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending deferred acquisition costs, net

   $ (4,600   $ (5,346
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net, as a percentage of net premiums earned

     4.0     (1.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the current period decreased $7.5 million, or 43.7%, compared with the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in financing costs associated with the new debt arrangement effective September 2013.

Income Taxes. Income tax benefit for the current period was $1.8 million as compared with income tax expense of $1.2 million for the prior year period. Income tax benefit for the current period was primarily due to the state tax benefit. Our gross deferred tax assets prior to recognition of valuation allowance were $96.2 million and $90.0 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we considered whether it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized based upon all available evidence, including scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, historical operating results, projected future operating results, tax carry-back availability, and limitations pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, among others. Based on this assessment, we began recording a valuation allowance against deferred taxes in December 2009. The valuation allowance was $94.8 million and $84.8 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

30


Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and uses of funds. We are a holding company with no business operations of our own. Consequently, our ability to pay dividends to stockholders, meet our debt payment obligations and pay our taxes and administrative expenses is largely dependent on dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries.

There are no restrictions on the payment of dividends by our non-insurance company subsidiaries other than state corporate laws regarding solvency. As a result, our non-insurance company subsidiaries generate revenues, profits and net cash flows that are generally unrestricted as to their availability for the payment of dividends and we have and expect to continue to use those revenues to service our corporate financial obligations, such as debt service and stockholder dividends, as well as payments under our tax-sharing agreement to our insurance company subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2014, we had $4.2 million of cash and cash equivalents at our holding company and non-insurance company subsidiaries.

State insurance laws restrict the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to declare stockholder dividends. These subsidiaries may not issue an “extraordinary dividend” until 30 days after the applicable commissioner of insurance has received notice of the intended dividend and has not objected in such time or until the commissioner has approved the payment of the extraordinary dividend within the 30-day period. In most states, an extraordinary dividend is defined as any dividend or distribution of cash or other property whose fair market value, together with that of other dividends and distributions made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of 10.0% of the insurance company’s surplus as of the preceding year-end or the insurance company’s net income for the preceding year, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. In addition, dividends may only be paid from unassigned earnings and an insurance company’s remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. As of September 30, 2014, our insurance companies could not pay ordinary dividends to us without prior regulatory approval due to a negative unassigned surplus position of Affirmative Insurance Company. However, as mentioned previously, our non-insurance company subsidiaries provide adequate cash flow to fund their own operations.

Our insurance company subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed under applicable state laws, including the laws of their state of domicile. The risk-based capital standards, based upon the Risk-Based Capital Model Act, adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), require our insurance company subsidiaries to report their results of risk-based capital calculations to state departments of insurance and the NAIC. Failure to meet applicable risk-based capital requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements could subject us to further examination or corrective action imposed by state regulators, including limitations on our writing of additional business, state supervision or liquidation. Effective January 1, 2012, the State of Illinois adopted the revised NAIC Risk-Based Capital Model Act that includes a risk-based capital trend test as another manner under which the company action level could be triggered. The test is applicable when an insurance company has a risk-based capital ratio between 200% and 300% and a combined ratio of more than 120%. If Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) were to fail to meet the applicable risk-based capital requirements or trend test at December 31, 2014, the Company would submit an action plan to the Illinois Department of Insurance. If the Illinois Department of Insurance did not approve the plan, or the Company was not in compliance with the plan, the Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance could take one or more of the remedial actions authorized by law for such a condition. Such action by the Illinois Department of Insurance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the interests of its creditors and stockholders.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.

We incurred losses from operations over the last five years, including an operating loss of $26.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of prior pricing issues in some states in which we have taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that we have exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.

The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for our non-regulated businesses. We breached the risk-based capital ratio covenant under both the senior secured facility and the subordinated secured facility as of September 30, 2014. The lenders under both facilities agreed to waive all defaults and events of default arising out of such breach. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which we obtained a waiver for default, we were in compliance with the covenants as of September 30, 2014. However, it is probable that we will not meet certain of these covenants in future periods. If we are unable to maintain compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. If our lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, it would have a material adverse effect on our operations and our creditors and stockholders.

 

31


Table of Contents

We have taken actions to address our liquidity concerns including:

 

    Sale of retail business – On September 30, 2013, we sold our retail agency distribution business for $101.9 million plus the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds.

 

    Debt refinancing – We used proceeds from the sale of the retail agency distribution business and two new debt arrangements to replace the existing senior secured credit facility. Our new debt arrangement consists of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

 

    Management has taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting results; however, there can be no assurance that this will occur.

 

    Management has obtained sufficient quota-share reinsurance to allow us to maintain written premium capacity through 2014.

Our recent history of recurring losses from operations and our probable failure to comply with certain financial covenants in our senior secured and subordinated credit facilities in the foreseeable future raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects of this uncertainty on the recoverability or classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities.

In December 2013, we entered into a capital lease obligation related to certain computer software, software licenses and hardware used in our insurance operations. We received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $4.9 million in January 2014. A receivable for settlement of this transaction was included in other assets as of December 31, 2013. The transaction proceeds were pledged as collateral against all the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, we will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to us.

In May 2010, we entered into a capital lease obligation related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware currently used by and on the books of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC). The lease term was 60 months and the lease obligation was fully secured with certificates of deposit. In October 2012, one of the Lessors terminated their capital lease agreement and in December 2012, the Lessor conveyed all right and interest in the leased property back to the Company.

In March 2013, we entered into a $4.9 million loan secured by commercial real estate to provide liquidity to AIC. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note secured by a mortgage security agreement and assignment of leases and rents on real estate located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is held as investment in real property in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The mortgage bears interest at a per annum fixed rate of 4.95%. The mortgage requires monthly payments of principal and interest with the final payment due on the maturity date of December 15, 2015. As security for payments, we assigned rents due under the lease to a trustee. Pursuant to an escrow and servicing agreement, the trustee will receive rent due under the lease, make required payments due under the mortgage and maintain certain escrow accounts to pay for the necessary expenses of the property until the mortgage is paid in full. The principal balance of the mortgage payable was $2.3 million at September 30, 2014.

On February 28, 2012, we exercised our right to defer interest payments on selected Notes Payable beginning with the scheduled interest payment due in March 2012 and continuing for a period of up to five years. The affected notes are associated with obligations to our unconsolidated trusts. The outstanding balance of the affected notes was $56.7 million as of September 30, 2014. We will continue to accrue interest on the principal during the extension period and the unpaid deferred interest will also accrue interest. Deferred interest will be due and payable at the expiration of the extension period.

Our operating subsidiaries’ primary sources of funds are premiums received, commission, fee income and managing general agency revenue, investment income and the proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments. Funds are used to pay claims and operating expenses, to purchase investments and to pay dividends to our holding company.

We believe that existing cash and investment balances, as well as cash flows generated from operations, and other actions taken by the Company will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs, planned capital expenditures and the debt service requirements of the senior secured credit facility and notes payable, during the 12-month period following the date of this report at both the holding company and insurance company levels. For the nine months of 2014, cash and cash equivalents decreased $20.8 million in the

 

32


Table of Contents

current period as compared with an increase of $2.4 million in the prior year period. Our net cash used in operations was $41.0 million in the current period as compared to net cash provided by operations of $0.6 million in the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to the increases in gross written premiums ceded to reinsurers. Net cash provided by investing activities was $26.1 million in the current period as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $64.0 million in the prior year period. The cash flows generated from investing activities were primarily due to the proceeds from the sale of the retail business. Net cash used in financing activities was $6.0 million in the current period as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $62.2 million in the prior year period. This primarily resulted from the refinancing of the Company’s senior secured credit facility effective January 2007 partially offset by the net cash proceeds received from the capital lease entered into during the first quarter.

As of September 30, 2014, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $29.9 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that is amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments made under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. After the $10.1 million aggregate payments were made in November 2013 and in April and September 2014, the next payment due is $1.4 million on December 31, 2014.

We breached our risk-based capital ratio covenant under both the senior secured facility and the subordinated secured facility as of September 30, 2014. However, the lenders under both facilities agreed to waive all defaults and events of default arising out of such breach. In addition, we agreed to amend our senior secured facility to increase the pricing from the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 7.25% to the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 9.25% effective September 30, 2014. The interest rate on the senior secured facility as of September 30, 2014 is 10.50%. Finally, we paid a 0.50% fee to the senior facility lenders that approved the amendment and will pay an additional 0.50% fee to the senior facility lenders on March 31, 2015.

The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $2.8 million was added to the principal balance from inception through September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, the principal balance of the subordinated secured credit facility was $15.8 million.

We recorded a $4.2 million pretax loss on extinguishment of debt as a result of the refinancing for the period ended September 30, 2013. The $4.2 million debt extinguishment loss resulted from the write-off of $2.2 million of deferred debt issuance costs and unamortized debt discount relating to the senior secured credit facility effective January 2007, $1.4 million of legal fees and a $0.6 million prepayment premium.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are principally exposed to two types of market risk: interest rate risk and credit risk.

Interest rate risk. Our investment portfolio consists of investment-grade, fixed-income securities classified as available-for-sale investment securities. Accordingly, the primary market risk exposure to our debt securities is interest rate risk. In general, the fair market value of a portfolio of fixed-income securities increases or decreases inversely with changes in market interest rates, while net investment income realized from future investments in fixed-income securities increases or decreases along with interest rates. In addition, some of our fixed-income securities have call or prepayment options. This could subject us to reinvestment risk should

 

33


Table of Contents

interest rates fall and issuers call their securities and we reinvest at lower interest rates. We attempt to mitigate this interest rate risk by investing in securities with varied maturity dates and by managing the duration of our investment portfolio to the duration of our reserves. The fair value of our fixed-income securities as of September 30, 2014 was $47.7 million. The effective average duration of the portfolio as of September 30, 2014 was 2.5 years. If market interest rates increase 1.0%, our fixed-income investment portfolio would be expected to decline in market value by 2.5%, or $1.2 million, representing the effective average duration multiplied by the change in market interest rates. Conversely, a 1.0% decline in interest rates would result in a 2.5%, or $1.2 million, increase in the market value of our fixed-income investment portfolio.

On September 30, 2013, we replaced our existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. Our new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.

As of September 30, 2014, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $29.9 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that is amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments made under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. After the $10.1 million aggregate payments were made in November 2013 and in April and September 2014, the next payment due is $1.4 million on December 31, 2014.

We breached our risk-based capital ratio covenant under both the senior secured facility and the subordinated secured facility as of September 30, 2014. However, the lenders under both facilities agreed to waive all defaults and events of default arising out of such breach. In addition, we agreed to amend our senior secured facility to increase the pricing from the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 7.25% to the adjusted LIBOR rate floor plus 9.25% effective September 30, 2014. The interest rate on the senior secured facility as of September 30, 2014 is 10.50%. Finally, we paid a 0.50% fee to the senior facility lenders that approved the amendment and will pay an additional 0.50% fee to the senior facility lenders on March 31, 2015.

The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $2.8 million was added to the principal balance from inception through September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, the principal balance of the subordinated secured credit facility was $15.8 million.

Our notes payable are also subject to interest rate risk. The $30.9 million notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.60%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 3.83%. The $25.8 million notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.55%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 3.78%. The $20.1 million notes payable bear an interest rate of the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.95%. The interest rate as of September 30, 2014 was 4.18%.

 

34


Table of Contents

Credit risk. An additional exposure to our investment portfolio is credit risk. We attempt to manage our credit risk by investing only in investment-grade securities and limiting our exposure to a single issuer. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, our investments were in the following:

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Corporate debt securities

     62.5     51.8

U.S. Treasury and government agencies

     18.2        28.6   

Mortgage-backed securities

     7.8        6.4   

Certificates of deposit

     7.0        7.9   

States and political subdivisions

     4.5        5.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

We invest our insurance portfolio funds in highly-rated, fixed-income securities. Information about our investment portfolio is as follows ($ in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Total invested assets

   $ 47,691      $ 62,321   

Tax-equivalent book yield

     1.63.     1.46

Average duration in years

     2.52        2.35   

Average S&P rating

     A-        A+   

We are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. Although a reinsurer is liable for losses to the extent of the coverage which it assumes, our reinsurance contracts do not discharge our insurance companies from primary liability to each policyholder for the full amount of the applicable policy, and consequently our insurance companies remain obligated to pay claims in accordance with the terms of the policies regardless of whether a reinsurer fulfills or defaults on its obligations under the related reinsurance agreement. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, we attempt to select financially strong reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and continue to evaluate their financial condition. When appropriate, we obtain irrevocable letters of credit or require the reinsurer to establish trust funds to secure their obligations to us.

Our hedge fund investment of $4.4 million at September 30, 2014 is also subject to credit and counterparty risk, in the event that issuers of any of the underlying commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities should default. However, this investment is not material to our overall investment portfolio or consolidated assets and we have established investment policy guidelines to limit the amount of investments other than high quality fixed-income securities.

The table below presents the total amount of receivables due from reinsurers as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective June 30, 2014

   $ 115,703       $ —     

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association

     29,572         34,878   

Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective December 31, 2013

     25,457         22,218   

Vesta Insurance Group

     13,842         13,435   

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013

     2,546         91,879   

Excess of loss reinsurers

     1,224         3,413   

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective January 1, 2011 and other

     2,968         (4
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reinsurance receivable

   $ 191,312       $ 165,819   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The quota-share reinsurers and excess of loss reinsurers all have at least A- ratings from A.M. Best. Accordingly, we believe there is minimal risk related to these reinsurance receivables.

In 2011, we entered into a quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company under which we ceded 10% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois from September 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, this contract converted to a 40% quota-share reinsurance contract on the in-force business for the applicable states throughout 2012. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $82.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, and this agreement was extended under the same terms through March 31, 2013 and terminated on a cutoff basis as of April 1, 2013. Upon termination, we recorded $27.2 million of returned premium, net of $7.7 million of deferred ceding commissions. Written premiums under this agreement during 2013 represented a return of previously ceded premiums totaling $5.5 million. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $99.3 million.

 

35


Table of Contents

In 2013, we entered into a new quota-share agreement with the same third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which we ceded 40% for the same four states as the expiring agreement. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which we ceded an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million.

Effective December 31, 2013, we entered into a reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, we ceded 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business. On June 30, 2014, the reinsurance agreement was terminated, resulting in the return of $51.7 million of unearned premiums, net of $14.5 million of ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $95.9 million.

Effective June 30, 2014, a new reinsurance agreement with five third-party reinsurance companies was put in place to cede 85% of all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through June 30, 2015. The new agreement allows for a reduction in the quota-share rate on January 1, 2015 to as low as 50% at our option. Unearned premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $141.0 million through September 30, 2014.

Prior to 2013, we assumed reinsurance from a Texas county mutual insurance company (the county mutual) whereby we assumed 100% of the policies issued by the county mutual for business produced by our owned general agents. We have established a trust to secure our obligation under this reinsurance contract with a balance of $4.3 million as of June 30, 2014. On January 1, 2013, we terminated this agreement on a cut-off basis.

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) is the mandatory reinsurance facility that covers no-fault medical losses above a specific retention amount in Michigan. We discontinued writing business in Michigan in 2011. For policies effective in 2011 and 2010 the retention amount was $0.5 million. When we wrote personal automobile policies in the state of Michigan, we ceded premiums and claims to the MCCA. Funding for MCCA comes from assessments against active automobile insurers based upon their proportionate market share of the state’s automobile liability insurance market. Insurers are allowed to pass along this cost to Michigan automobile policyholders.

Under the reinsurance agreement with Vesta Insurance Group (VIG), including primarily Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation (VFIC), our wholly-owned subsidiaries Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) had the right, under certain circumstances, to require VFIC to provide a letter of credit or establish a trust account to collateralize the gross amount due AIC from VFIC under the reinsurance agreement. Accordingly, AIC and VFIC entered into a Security Fund Agreement in September 2004. In August 2005, AIC received a letter from VFIC’s President that irrevocably confirmed VFIC’s duty and obligation under the Security Fund Agreement to provide security sufficient to satisfy VFIC’s gross obligations under the reinsurance agreement (the VFIC Trust). At September 30, 2014, the VFIC Trust held $16.6 million (after cumulative withdrawals of $9.0 million through September 30, 2014), consisting of a U.S. Treasury money market account, to collateralize the $13.8 million net recoverable from VFIC.

At September 30, 2014, $0.2 million was included in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses that represented the amounts owed by AIC under a reinsurance agreement with VIG affiliated companies. Affirmative established a trust account to secure the Company’s obligations under this reinsurance contract, which currently holds $15.7 million in a money market cash equivalent account (the AIC Trust). Cumulative withdrawals by the Special Deputy Receiver of $2.1 million were made through September 30, 2014.

As part of the terms of the acquisition of AIC, VIG indemnified us for any losses due to uncollectible reinsurance related to reinsurance agreements entered into with unaffiliated reinsurers prior to December 31, 2003. As of September 30, 2014, all such unaffiliated reinsurers had A.M. Best ratings of “A-” or better.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, and completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2014. Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

36


Table of Contents

Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

During the Company’s last fiscal quarter there were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are named from time to time as parties in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and arising out of or related to claims made in connection with the Company’s insurance policies and claims handling. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Legal and Regulatory Proceedings.”

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are no material changes with respect to those risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

10.1* Third Amendment and Waiver to Credit Agreement dated as of November 14, 2014 and effective as of September 30, 2014, among Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

10.2* Third Amendment and Waiver to Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of November 14, 2014 and effective as of September 30, 2014, among Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, JCF AFFM Debt Holdings L.P., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

31.1* Certification of Michael J. McClure, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2* Certification of Earl R. Fonville, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1* Certification of Michael J. McClure, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2* Certification of Earl R. Fonville, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101* The following materials from Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (1) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (2) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (3) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (4) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit, (5) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (6) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, including detailed tagging of footnotes and schedules.

 

* Filed herewith

 

37


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Date: November 14, 2014     By:  

/s/ Earl R. Fonville

      Earl R. Fonville
     

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(and in his capacity as Principal Financial Officer)

 

38