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 March 31, 2010
 
 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 000-20848
 
 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 Delaware
65-0231984(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 1110 W. Commercial Blvd., Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
 (954) 958-1200
 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such 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  ____   No  ___
 
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer” and “accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
 Large accelerated filer r
Accelerated filer  xNon-accelerated filer r (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company r
 
 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:  39,166,033 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding on May 4, 2010.
  2
  UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 Page No.
 
 PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
4Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
5Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
6Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
7Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month Periods Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
8Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
9Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
27Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
44Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
46PART II:
OTHER INFORMATIONItem 1.
Legal Proceedings
46Item 1A.
Risk Factors
46Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
47Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
47Item 4.
(Removed and Reserved)
47Item 5.
Other Information
47Item 6.
Exhibits
47Signatures

49
  3
  
 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
 To The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
 Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 Fort Lauderdale, Florida
 
 
 We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2010 and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
  We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
  Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
  
 
 
 /s/ Blackman Kallick LLP
 
 
 
 Chicago, Illinois
 
 May 10, 2010
 
  4
  PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 (Unaudited)March 31,


December 31,ASSETS

2010


2009Cash and cash equivalents

$
228,541,314


$
192,924,291InvestmentsFixed maturities available for sale, at fair value


66,368,800



41,389,008Equity securities available for sale, at fair value


66,087,564



73,408,002Real estate, net


3,293,582



3,289,893Prepaid reinsurance premiums


221,022,592



200,294,241Reinsurance recoverables


65,035,714



91,816,433Premiums receivable, net


38,709,483



37,363,110Receivable from securities


12,148,475



6,259,973Other receivables


4,201,023



5,068,367Income taxes recoverable


3,971,565



3,211,874Property and equipment, net


1,256,876



1,245,858Deferred policy acquisition costs, net


12,436,392



9,464,624Deferred income taxes


12,046,948



11,894,289Other assets


492,641



617,337Total assets

$
735,612,969


$
678,247,300LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYLIABILITIES:Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

$
131,736,670


$
127,197,753Unearned premiums


298,317,010



278,370,544Advance premium


23,357,329



17,078,558Accounts payable


3,974,070



3,172,626Bank overdraft


25,460,302



20,297,061Reinsurance payable, net


89,208,479



73,104,595Income taxes payable


479,563



368,968Dividends payable


4,699,927



-Other accrued expenses


19,468,916



20,750,385Long-term debt


24,264,706



24,632,353Total liabilities


620,966,972



564,972,843STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:Cumulative convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value


1,077



1,087Authorized shares - 1,000,000Issued shares - 107,690 and 108,640Outstanding shares - 107,690 and 108,640Minimum liquidation preference - $287,240 and $288,190Common stock, $.01 par value


408,772



402,146Authorized shares - 55,000,000Issued shares - 40,877,087 and 40,214,884Outstanding shares - 39,166,033 and 37,774,765Treasury shares, at cost - 1,711,054 and 1,809,119 shares


(7,389,416
)


(7,948,606
)Common stock held in trust, at cost 0 and 631,000 shares


-



(511,110
)Additional paid-in capital


36,595,977



36,666,914Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes


(2,672,839
)


563,654Retained earnings


87,702,426



84,100,372Total stockholders' equity


114,645,997



113,274,457Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$
735,612,969


$
678,247,300
 
 The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
  5
  UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (Unaudited)
 For the ThreeMonths Ended March 31,2010

2009PREMIUMS EARNED AND OTHER REVENUESDirect premiums written

$
160,099,645


$
145,212,145Ceded premiums written


(127,567,966
)


(95,727,857Net premiums written


32,531,679



49,484,288Decrease (increase) in net unearned premium


781,884



(11,726,636Premiums earned, net


33,313,563



37,757,652Net investment income


192,953



324,589Realized gains on investments


3,694,717



1,111,333Foreign currency gains on investments


684,247



-Commission revenue


8,737,871



7,444,849Other revenue


1,004,253



1,479,377Total premiums earned and other revenues


47,627,604



48,117,800OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSESLosses and loss adjustment expenses


23,651,712



20,420,664General and administrative expenses


10,377,818



7,515,228Total operating costs and expenses


34,029,530



27,935,892INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES


13,598,074



20,181,908Income taxes, current


3,411,241



8,582,617Income taxes, deferred


1,879,864



(838,539Income taxes, net


5,291,105



7,744,078NET INCOME

$
8,306,969


$
12,437,830Basic net income per common share

$
0.21


$
0.33Weighted average of common sharesoutstanding - Basic


38,889,176



37,561,341Fully diluted net income per share

$
0.21


$
0.31Weighted average of common sharesoutstanding - Diluted


40,434,042



39,921,929Cash dividend declared per common share

$
0.12


$
0.22For the ThreeMonths Ended March 31,2010



2009Comprehensive Income:Net income

$
8,306,969



$12,437,830Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investments,
          net of tax


(3,236,494
)


2,556,141Comprehensive Income


$5,070,475



$14,993,971
 
 The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
  6
  
 UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
 (Unaudited)
 
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010Common Shares


Preferred Stock Shares


Common Stock Amount


Preferred Stock Amount


Additional Paid-In Capital


Retained Earnings


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


Stock Held in Trust


Treasury Stock


Total Stockholders' EquityBalance,December 31, 2009


40,214,884



108,640


$
402,146


$
1,087


$
36,666,914


$
84,100,372


$
563,654


$
(511,110
)

$
(7,948,606
)

$
113,274,457Issuance of common

shares


1,900,206







19,001







1,858,078















(4,715,261
)


(2,838,182
)Preferred stock

conversion


1,187



(950
)


12



(10
)


(2
)


















-Release of shares

from SGT


















939,900











511,110



(2,328,858
)


(877,848
)Retirement of treasury

shares


(1,239,190
)






(12,388
)






(7,591,863
)














7,603,310



(941
)Stock compensation

plans


















477,779



















477,779Net income






















8,306,969















8,306,969Tax benefit on exercise

of stock options


















4,020,789



















4,020,789Amortization of deferred

compensation


















224,382



















224,382Declaration of dividends






















(4,704,915
)














(4,704,915
)Change in net unrealized

loss on investment, net of

tax effect of $2,032,523























(3,236,494
)










(3,236,494
)Balance,

March 31, 2010


40,877,087



107,690


$
408,771


$
1,077


$
36,595,977


$
87,702,426


$
(2,672,839
)

$
-


$
(7,389,415
)

$
114,645,997For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009Balance,

December 31, 2008


40,158,019



138,640


$
401,578


$
1,387


$
33,587,414


$
75,654,070


$
24,834


$
(733,860
)

$
(7,381,768
)

$
101,553,655Preferred stock

conversion


75,000



(30,000
)


750



(300
)


(450
)


















-Stock compensation

plans


















820,156



















820,156Net income






















12,437,830















12,437,830Amortization of deferred

compensation


















162,519



















162,519Declaration of dividends






















(8,269,932
)














(8,269,932
)Change in net unrealized

gains on investment, net of

tax effect of $1,595,467


























2,556,141











2,556,141Balance,

March 31, 2009


40,233,019



108,640


$
402,328


$
1,087


$
34,569,639


$
79,821,968


$
2,580,975


$
(733,860
)

$
(7,381,768
)

$
109,260,369
 The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
  7
  UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended


Three Months EndedMarch 31, 2010


March 31, 2009Cash flows from operating activities:Net Income

$
8,306,969


$
12,437,830Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Bad debt expense


201,523



380,427Depreciation


146,812



101,424Amortization of cost of stock options


477,781



820,156Amortization of restricted stock grants


224,382



162,519Realized gains on investments


(3,694,717
)


(1,111,333
)Foreign currency gains (losses) on investments


(683,733
)


17,387Amortization of premium / accretion of discount, net


107,000



21,520Deferred income taxes


1,879,864



(838,539
)Tax benefit on exercise of stock options


(3,174,153
)


-Other


(15,035
)


130,119Net change in assets and liabilities relating to operating activities:Prepaid reinsurance premiums


(20,728,351
)


(5,193,314
)Reinsurance recoverables


26,780,719



(1,339,673
)Premiums receivable, net


(1,547,897
)


(6,589,909
)Other receivables


864,550



409,604Income taxes recoverable


3,261,097



2,482,923Deferred policy acquisition costs, net


(2,971,768
)


60,022Other assets


119,315



(105,603
)Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses


4,538,917



1,728,768Unearned premiums


19,946,466



16,919,952Advance premium


6,278,770



4,376,045Accounts payable


801,445



626,664Reinsurance payable


16,103,884



28,036,181Income taxes payable


110,595



5,989,694Other accrued expenses


(1,281,469
)


2,947,858Net cash provided by operating activities


56,052,966



62,470,722Cash flows from investing activities:Purchases of fixed maturities


(50,426,894
)


(103,439,593
)Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities


25,322,048



-Purchases of equity securities, available for sale


(35,879,591
)


(65,536,507
)Proceeds from sales of equity securities, available for sale


36,447,190



9,609,255Capital expenditures and building improvements


(146,484
)


(91,723
)Net cash used in investing activities


(24,683,731
)


(159,458,568
)Cash flows from financing activities:Bank overdraft


5,163,241



1,981,436Preferred stock dividend


(4,987
)


-Common stock dividend


-



(3,754,217
)Issuance of common stock


7,000



-Treasury shares on option exercise


(3,723,972
)


-Tax benefit on exercise of stock options


3,174,153



-Repayments of loans payable


(367,647
)


-Net cash provided by (used in) in financing activities


4,247,788



(1,772,781
)Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


35,617,023



(98,760,627
)Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period


192,924,291



256,964,637Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$
228,541,314


$
158,204,010Non cash items:Dividends accrued

$
4,699,926


$
4,515,715
 
 The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
  8
  UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 MARCH 31, 2010
 (Unaudited)
 
 
 1.         Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
 
 Nature of Operations
  Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was originally incorporated as Universal Heights, Inc. in Delaware in November 1990. The Company changed its name to Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. on January 12, 2001. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Universal Insurance Holding Company of Florida, formed Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“UPCIC”) in 1997.
  Basis of Presentation
  Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  We have made all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our annual audited consolidated financial statements and related notes.  The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  Certain financial information that is included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP is not required for interim reporting and has been condensed or omitted.
  Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
  To conform to the 2010 presentation, certain amounts in the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements and notes have been reclassified. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity.
  2.         Significant Accounting Policies
 
 The Company reported Significant Accounting Policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The following are new or revised disclosures or disclosures required on a quarterly basis.
  Impairment of Securities.  For investments classified as available for sale, the difference between fair value and amortized cost for fixed income securities and cost for equity securities, net of deferred income taxes (as disclosed in Note 5), is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income on the condensed consolidated Balance Sheet and is not reflected in the operating results of any period until reclassified to net income upon the consummation of a transaction with an unrelated third party or when the decline in fair value is deemed other than temporary.  The assessment of whether the impairment of a
   9
  security’s fair value is other than temporary is performed using a portfolio review as well as a case-by-case review considering a wide range of factors.
  There are a number of assumptions and estimates inherent in evaluating impairments and determining if they are other than temporary, including: 1) the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in value; 2) the expected recoverability of principal and interest; 3) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost for fixed income securities or cost for equity securities; 4) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends, and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; and 5) the specific reasons that a security is in a significant unrealized loss position, including market conditions which could affect liquidity.  Additionally, once assumptions and estimates are made, any number of changes in facts and circumstances could cause us to subsequently determine that an impairment is other than temporary, including: 1) general economic conditions that are worse than previously forecasted or that have a greater adverse effect on a particular issuer or industry sector than originally estimated; 2) changes in the facts and circumstances related to a particular issue or issuer’s ability to meet all of its contractual obligations; and 3) changes in facts and circumstances obtained that causes a change in our ability or intent to hold a security to maturity or until it recovers in value.
  The company performed evaluations of its investments classified as available for sale and has determined it held no securities for which impairment is other-than-temporary as of March 31, 2010.
  FairMarketValueof FinancialInstruments. The Company’s long-term debt was held at a carrying value of $24,264,706 and $24,632,353 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  The fair value of long-term debt as of March 31, 2010 was estimated based on discounted cash flows utilizing interest rates currently offered for similar products and was determined to be $17,370,433 and $18,299,889 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
  Concentrations of Credit Risk.Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables.
  In order to reduce credit risk for amounts due from reinsurers, the Company seeks to do business with financially sound reinsurance companies and regularly evaluates the financial strength of all reinsurers used. UPCIC’s largest reinsurer, Everest Reinsurance Company, has the following ratings from each of the rating agencies:  A+ from A.M. Best Company, A+ from Standard and Poor’s Rating Services and Aa3 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.  As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, UPCIC’s reinsurance portfolio contained the following authorized reinsurers that had unsecured recoverables for paid and unpaid losses, including incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums whose aggregate balance exceeded 3% of UPCIC’s statutory surplus:
 
 
 As of March 31,


As of December 31,Reinsurer

2010


2009Everest Reinsurance Company

$
204,422,914


$
208,129,753Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund


6,996,189



24,888,534Total

$
211,419,103


$
233,018,287
 
 As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, UPCIC did not have any unsecured recoverables from unauthorized reinsurers exceeding 3% of UPCIC’s statutory surplus.
  10
  
 Stock Compensation.  The Company periodically issues restricted common stock and grants options to purchase common stock to its directors, officers and employees.  These restricted stock awards and stock option grants are recorded as compensation expense ratably over their respective vesting periods.
  
  Recent Accounting Pronouncements
  In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB ") issued new accounting guidance which expands disclosure requirements relating to fair value measurements.  The guidance adds requirements for disclosing amounts of and reasons for significant transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and requires gross rather than net disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements.  The guidance also provides clarification that fair value measurement disclosures are required for each class of assets and liabilities.  Disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3 are also required.  The Company adopted the provisions of the new guidance as of March 31, 2010 except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are required for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010.  Disclosures are not required for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes.  The new guidance affects disclosures only; and therefore, the adoption had no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
  In February 2010, the FASB amended the subsequent events guidance issued in May 2009 to remove the requirement for SEC filers to disclose a date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in both issued and revised financial statements. The amendment was effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
  3.         Insurance Operations
  Unearned premiums represent amounts that UPCIC would be required to refund policyholders if their policies were canceled.  UPCIC determines unearned premiums by calculating the pro-rata amount that would be due to the policyholders at a given point in time based upon the premiums due for the full policy term.  At March 31, 2010, UPCIC serviced approximately 544,000 homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies with direct unearned premiums totaling $298,317,010 and in-force premiums of approximately $581,600,000.  At December 31, 2009, UPCIC serviced 541,000 homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies with direct unearned premiums totaling $278,370,544 and in-force premiums of approximately $567,100,000.
  The wind mitigation discounts mandated by the Florida legislature to be effective June 1, 2007 for new business and August 1, 2007 for renewal business have had a significant effect on UPCIC’s premium.  The following table reflects the effect of wind mitigation credits received by UPCIC policyholders:
  11
  
 Wind Mitigation CreditsReduction of in-force premium (only policies including wind coverage)Date

Percentage of UPCIC

policyholders receiving

credits

Total credits

In-force premium


Percentage reduction of in-force premium6/1/2007


1.9
%

$
6,284,697


$
487,866,319



1.3
%12/31/2007


11.8
%

$
31,951,623


$
500,136,287



6.0
%3/31/2008


16.9
%

$
52,398,215


$
501,523,343



9.5
%6/30/2008


21.3
%

$
74,185,924


$
508,411,721



12.7
%9/30/2008


27.3
%

$
97,802,322


$
515,560,249



16.0
%12/31/2008


31.1
%

$
123,524,911


$
514,011,138



19.4
%3/31/2009


36.3
%

$
158,229,542


$
530,029,572



23.0
%6/30/2009


40.4
%

$
188,053,342


$
544,646,437



25.7
%9/30/2009


43.0
%

$
210,291,783


$
554,378,761



27.5
%12/31/2009


45.2
%

$
219,974,130


$
556,577,449



28.3
%3/31/2010


47.3
%

$
235,717,892


$
569,870,173



29.3
%
 4.       Reinsurance
  On March 22, 2010, UPCIC and Segregated Account T25 – Universal Insurance Holdings of White Rock Insurance (SAC) Ltd. (“the T25”) mutually agreed to a Commutation and Settlement Agreement related to the Underlying Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract originally effective June 12, 2009.  A replacement contract was entered into between the parties on March 23, 2010 to maintain consistent and seamless coverage. In conjunction with the commutation, the T25 returned $12,735,734 to the Company that the Company then returned and contributed to UPCIC on March 23, 2010.  The stock of T25 is 100% owned by the Company and the reinsurance transactions between it and UPCIC are eliminated in consolidation.
  There have been no other material changes, during the period covered by this Report, to the Reinsurance note included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009.
  UPCIC’s in-force policyholder coverage for windstorm exposures as of March 31, 2010 was approximately $115 billion. In the normal course of business, UPCIC also seeks to reduce the risk of loss that may arise from catastrophes or other events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers.
  Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the reinsurance contracts.  Reinsurance premiums, losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Reinsurance ceding commissions received are deferred and netted against policy acquisition costs and amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies.
  UPCIC limits the maximum net loss that can arise from large risks or risks in concentrated areas of exposure by reinsuring (ceding) certain levels of risks with other insurers or reinsurers on an automatic basis under reinsurance contracts.  The reinsurance arrangements are intended to provide UPCIC with the ability to limit its exposure to losses within its capital resources.  Such reinsurance includes quota share, excess of loss andcatastrophe forms of reinsurance.The Company submits the UPCIC reinsurance program for regulatory review to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”).
  The Company’s reinsurance arrangements had the following effect on certain items in the condensed consolidated Statements of Operations:
   12
  
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
 Premiums


Premiums


Loss and LossWritten


Earned


AdjustmentExpensesDirect

$
160,099,645


$
140,153,178


$
46,679,867Ceded


(127,567,966
)


(106,839,615
)


(23,028,155
)Net

$
32,531,679


$
33,313,563


$
23,651,712
 
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
 
 Premiums



Premiums


Loss and LossWritten



Earned


AdjustmentExpensesDirect

$
145,212,145


$
128,292,195


$
41,324,392Ceded


(95,727,857
)


(90,534,543
)


(20,903,728
)Net

$
49,484,288


$
37,757,652


$
20,420,664




Other Amounts:






Prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance recoverables as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:




As of March 31,


As of December 31,2010


2009Prepaid reinsurance premiums

$
221,022,592


$
200,294,241Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE

$
64,820,752


$
62,900,913Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses


214,962



28,915,520Reinsurance recoverables

$
65,035,714


$
91,816,433







The Company has determined that a right of offset exists between UPCIC and its reinsurers, under its quota share reinsurance treaties.  Reinsurance payable to reinsurers has been offset by ceding commissions and inuring premiums receivable from reinsurers as follows:




As of March 31,



As of December 31,2010



2009Reinsurance payable, net of ceding commissions

due from reinsurers

$
138,195,918


$
105,536,847Inuring premiums receivable


(48,987,439
)


(32,432,252
)Reinsurance payable, net

$
89,208,479


$
73,104,595







5.           Investments




13


Major sources of net investment income, are summarized as follows:









For the Three Months Ended March 31,2010


2009Cash and cash equivalents

$
18,454


$
215,983Fixed maturities


299,629



127,716Equity securities


9,990



96,730Total investment income


328,073



440,429Less investment expenses


(135,120
)


(115,840
)Net investment income

$
192,953


$
324,589







As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company’s investments consisted of cash and cash equivalents, and investments with carrying values of $360,997,678 and $307,721,301, respectively.




Concentrations of credit risk with respect to cash on deposit are limited by the Company’s policy of investing excess cash in money market accounts and repurchase agreements backed by the US Government and US Government Agency Securities with major national banks. These accounts are held by the Institutional Trust & Custody division of U.S. Bank, the Trust Department of SunTrust Bank and Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC.





Cash and cash equivalents consisted of checking, repurchase and money market accounts with carrying values of $228,541,314 and $192,924,291 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, held at the following financial institutions:


14





As of March 31, 2010Financial Institution

Cash


Money Market Funds


Total


%U. S. Bank IT&C (1)

$
0


$
71,273,420


$
71,273,420



31.2
%Evergreen Investment ManagementCompany, L.L.C.


0



2,909



2,909



0.0
%SunTrust Bank


985,291



0



985,291



0.4
%SunTrust Bank InstitutionalAsset Services


0



146,812,557



146,812,557



64.3
%Wachovia Bank, N.A.


1,004,452







1,004,452



0.4
%Bank of New York Trust Fund


0



8,027,000



8,027,000



3.5
%All Other Banking Institutions


435,685



0



435,685



0.2
%$
2,425,428


$
226,115,886


$
228,541,314



100.0
%(1) Funds invested with Evergreen Investment Management Company, L.L.C.





As of December 31, 2009Financial Institution

Cash


Money Market Funds



Total

%U.S. Bank IT&C (1)

$
0


$
71,977,371


$
71,977,371



37.3
%Evergreen Investment

Management


0



26,909



26,909



0.0
%Company, L.L.C.SunTrust Bank


1,063,785



0



1,063,785



0.5
%SunTrust Bank InstitutionalAsset Services


0



102,257,833



102,257,833



53.0
%Wachovia Bank, N.A.


489,051



0



489,051



0.3
%Bank of New York Trust Fund


0



16,515,181



16,515,181



8.6
%All Other Banking Institutions


594,161



0



594,161



0.3
%$
2,146,997


$
190,777,294


$
192,924,291



100.0
%


The Company’s investments are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of stockholders’ equity, namely Other Comprehensive Income.





The following table shows the realized gains and losses for fixed maturities and equity securities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  There were $3,694,717 and $1,111,333 of realized gains for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.






15






For the Three Months EndedMarch 31, 2010


March 31, 2009Realized Gains (Losses)


Fair Value at Sale


Realized Gains (Losses)



Fair Value at SaleFixed maturities, available for sale

$
60,742


$
5,961,804


$
-



$
-Equity securities


4,109,683



36,486,448



1,111,333




9,683,316Total Realized Gains

$
4,170,425


$
42,448,252


$
1,111,333



$
9,683,316Fixed maturities, available for sale

$
(199,580
)

$
19,360,244


$
-



$
-Equity securities


(224,128
)


5,849,244



-




-Other Investments


(52,000
)Total Realized Losses

$
(475,708
)

$
25,209,488


$
-



$
-Net realized gains (losses) on investments

$
3,694,717


$
67,657,740


$
1,111,333



$
9,683,316







A summary of the amortized cost (fixed maturities), cost (equity securities), estimated fair value, gross unrealized gains, and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturities and equity securities at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 follows. The company’s foreign obligations consist of government bonds of Norway and Switzerland.




March 31, 2010Amortized Cost / Cost



Gross Unrealized Gains




Gross Unrealized Losses

Estimated Fair ValueFixed maturities - available for sale:US government and

agency obligations

$
58,239,287



$
24,853




$
(1,374,277
)
$
56,889,863Foreign obligations


9,563,143




20,897





(105,103
)

9,478,937Total fixed maturities - available for sale

$
67,802,430



$
45,750




$
(1,479,380
)
$
66,368,800Equity securities:Common Stock

$
69,002,524



$
3,413,201




$
(6,328,161
)
$
66,087,564Total equity securities

$
69,002,524



$
3,413,201




$
(6,328,161
)
$
66,087,564December 31, 2009Amortized Cost / Cost



Gross Unrealized Gains




Gross Unrealized Losses

Estimated Fair ValueFixed maturities - available for sale:US government and

agency obligations

$
42,296,727



$
37,623




$
(945,342
)
$
41,389,008Total fixed maturities - available for sale

$
42,296,727



$
37,623




$
(945,342
)
$
41,389,008Equity securities:Common Stock

$
71,536,033



$
4,278,432




$
(2,406,463
)
$
73,408,002Total equity securities

$
71,536,033



$
4,278,432




$
(2,406,463
)
$
73,408,002







16


The table below reflects the Company’s unrealized investment losses by investment class, aged for length of time in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2010.




Unrealized Investment LossesLess than 12 months


12 months or longerNumber of issues


Fair value


Unrealized losses


Number of issues


Fair value


Unrealized lossesFixed maturities, available for sale:US government and

agencyobligations


5


$
53,781,866


$
1,374,277



-


$
-


$
-Foreign obligations


5



4,318,781



37,966



-



-



-Total fixed maturities, available for sale


10


$
58,100,647


$
1,412,243



-


$
-


$
-Equity securities:Common stocks


44


$
32,035,825


$
(6,328,161
)


-


$
-


$
-Total equity securities


44


$
32,035,825


$
(6,328,161
)


-


$
-


$
-







Unrealized losses on fixed maturities, available for sale, are principally related to rising interest rates and changes in credit spreads.  Unrealized losses on equity securities are primarily related to equity market fluctuations.  The Company has performed an evaluation of its investment portfolio and concluded that it holds no securities for which other-than-temporary impairment adjustment to carrying value is warranted.




Below is a summary of fixed maturities at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by contractual or expected periods.




Available-for-Sale

March 31, 2010


December 31, 2009Contractual or Expected Period:

Amortized Cost


Estimated Fair Value


Amortized Cost


Estimated Fair ValueDue in one year or less

$
897,310


$
896,192


$
-


$
-Due after one year through five years


8,841,591



8,763,721



176,350



180,901Due after five years through ten years


12,879,359



12,779,338



2,909,446



2,942,497Due after ten years


45,184,170



43,929,549



39,210,931



38,265,610Total

$
67,802,430


$
66,368,800


$
42,296,727


$
41,389,008





The Company has made an assessment of its invested assets for fair value measurement as further described in Note 16 – Fair Value Disclosure.




6.           Loans Payable and Long-Term Debt




Surplus Note




In 2006, UPCIC entered into a $25 million surplus note with the Florida State Board of Administration (“SBA”) under Florida’s Insurance Capital Build-Up Incentive Program (“ICBUI Program”) which was implemented by the Florida legislature to encourage insurance companies to write additional residential insurance coverage in Florida, the SBA matched UPCIC’s funds of $25 million that were earmarked for participation in the program. The $25 million is invested in a U.S. treasury money market account.




The surplus note has a twenty-year term and accrues interest at a rate equivalent to the 10-year U.S. Treasury Bond rate, adjusted quarterly based on the 10-year Constant Maturity Treasury rate.  For the first three years of the term of the surplus note, UPCIC is required to pay interest only, although principal




17


payments can be made during this period.  Any payment of principal or interest by UPCIC on the surplus note must be approved by the Commissioner of the OIR.  Principal repayments are due in equal quarterly installments of $367,647.




As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the balances due under the surplus note are shown in the Company’s condensed consolidated Balance Sheets as Long-Term Debt with carrying values of $24,264,706 and $24,632,353, respectively.




Repayments of principal are estimated to be as follows as of March 31, 2010:




2010


735,2942011


1,470,5882012


1,470,5882013


1,470,5882014


1,470,588Thereafter


17,647,060Total

$
24,264,706







In May 2008, the Florida Legislature passed a law providing participants in the Program an opportunity to amend the terms of their surplus notes based on law changes. The new law contains methods for calculating compliance with the writing ratio requirements that are more favorable to UPCIC than prior law and the prior terms of the existing surplus note. On November 6, 2008, UPCIC and the SBA executed an addendum to the surplus note (“the addendum”) that reflects these law changes.  The terms of the addendum were effective July 1, 2008.  In addition to other less significant changes, the addendum modifies the definitions of Minimum Required Surplus, Minimum Writing Ratio, Surplus, and Gross Written Premium, respectively, as defined in the original surplus note.




Prior to the effective date of the addendum, UPCIC was in compliance with each of the loan’s covenants as implemented by rules promulgated by the SBA.  UPCIC currently remains in compliance with each of the loan’s covenants as implemented by rules promulgated by the SBA.  An event of default will occur under the surplus note, as amended, if UPCIC: (i) defaults in the payment of the surplus note; (ii) drops below a net written premium to surplus of 1:1 for three consecutive quarters beginning January 1, 2010 and drops below a gross written premium to surplus ratio of 3:1 for three consecutive quarters beginning January 1, 2010; (iii) fails to submit quarterly filings to the OIR; (iv) fails to maintain at least $50 million of surplus during the term of the surplus note, except for certain situations; (v) misuses proceeds of the surplus note; (vi) makes any misrepresentations in the application for the program; (vii) pays any dividend when principal or interest payments are past due under the surplus note; or (viii) fails to maintain a level of surplus sufficient to cover in excess of UPCIC’s 1-in-100 year probable maximum loss as determined by a hurricane loss model accepted by the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology as certified by the OIR annually.




The original surplus note provided for increases in interest rates for failure to meet the Minimum Writing Ratio.  Under the terms of the surplus note, as amended, the net written premium to surplus requirement and gross written premium to surplus requirement have been modified.  As of March 31, 2010, UPCIC’s net written premium to surplus ratio and gross written premium to surplus ratio were in excess of the required minimums and, therefore, UPCIC was not subject to increases in interest rates.




Finance Facility




18


In November 2007, the Company commenced offering premium finance services through Atlas Premium Finance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary. To fund its operations, Atlas agreed to a Sale and Assignment Agreement with Flatiron Capital Corp., (“Flatiron”) a premier funding partner to the commercial property and casualty insurance industry owned by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.  The agreement provides for Atlas' sale of eligible premium finance receivables to Flatiron.







In September 2009, Atlas received notification that effective September 27, 2010 Flatiron will not be renewing the funding and servicing agreement with Atlas. Flatiron stated in the notice to Atlas that its business environment and goals had changed and it had made a strategic decision to exit this particular business activity.  The Company is currently evaluating other types of finance services available to Atlas and does not believe this will have any material impact on the Company’s operations in 2010.





Interest Expense




Interest expense, comprised primarily of interest on the surplus note, was $247,474 and $139,778 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.




7.      Regulatory Requirements and Restrictions




UPCIC is subject to comprehensive regulation by the OIR. The Florida Insurance Code (the “Code”) requires that UPCIC maintain minimum statutory surplus of the greater of 10% of its total liabilities or $4,000,000.  UPCIC is also required to adhere to prescribed premium-to-surplus ratios under the Code and to maintain approved securities on deposit with the state of Florida.  UPCIC’s statutory surplus as of March 31, 2010 is $111,343,158, which satisfies the minimum statutory surplus required under the Code.




The maximum amount of dividends which can be paid by Florida insurance companies without prior approval of the Florida Commissioner is subject to restrictions relating to statutory surplus. The maximum dividend that may be paid by UPCIC to the Company without prior approval is limited to the lesser of statutory net income from operations of the preceding calendar year or 10.0% of statutory unassigned capital surplus as of the preceding year end. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, UPCIC did not pay dividends to the Company.




UPCIC is required annually to comply with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Risk-Based Capital (“RBC”) requirements. RBC requirements prescribe a method of measuring the amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in light of its size and risk profile. NAIC’s RBC requirements are used by regulators to determine appropriate regulatory actions relating to insurers who show signs of weak or deteriorating condition. As of December 31, 2009, based on calculations using the appropriate NAIC RBC formula, UPCIC’s reported total adjusted capital was in excess of the requirements.




8.           Related Party Transactions




Downes and Associates, a multi-line insurance adjustment corporation based in Deerfield Beach, Florida performs certain claims adjusting work for UPCIC. Downes and Associates is owned by Dennis Downes, who is the father of Sean P. Downes, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of UPCIC. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company expensed claims adjusting fees of $120,000 and $90,000, respectively, to Downes and Associates.




19


During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company overpaid non-equity incentive plan compensation to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the amounts of $217,169 and $162,876, respectively. These amounts were repaid to the Company during February 2010.




9.
Income Tax Provision




Deferred income taxes as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 represent the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  The tax effects of temporary differences are as follows:







As of March 31,


As of December 31,2010


2009Deferred income tax assets:Unearned premiums

$
5,963,264


$
6,023,587Advanced premiums


1,679,214



1,266,152Unpaid losses


1,914,727



1,836,061Regulatory assessments


1,426,564



1,605,884Executive compensation


-



181,992Shareholder compensation


409,234



327,553Stock option expense


2,948,017



3,037,961Accrued wages


282,464



423,190Allowance for uncollectible receivables


326,208



1,042,228Additional tax basis of securities


119,610



140,878Restricted stock grant


96,437



9,882Unrealized losses on investments


1,678,547



-Other


-



3,876Total deferred income tax assets


16,844,286



15,899,244Deferred income tax liabilities:Deferred policy acquisition costs, net


(4,797,338
)


(3,650,979
)Unrealized gains on investments


-



(353,976
)Total deferred income tax liabilities


(4,797,338
)


(4,004,955
)Net deferred income tax asset

$
12,046,948


$
11,894,289


A valuation allowance is deemed unnecessary as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively because management believes it is probable that the Company will generate substantial taxable income sufficient to realize the tax benefits associated with the net deferred income tax asset shown above in the near future.




Included in income tax is State of Florida income tax at a statutory tax rate of 5.5%.




The 2006 consolidated federal income tax return for Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc & Subsidiaries was examined by the Internal Revenue Service in 2009. The audit was completed and settled in October 2009 with no major issues. The combination of positive and negative adjustments resulted in an agreed upon assessment of $3,144 which was paid by the Company in January 2010.


20





The Company’s earliest open tax year for purposes of examination of its income tax liability due to taxing authorities is the year ended December 31, 2007.




10.           Stockholders’ Equity




Cumulative Preferred Stock




During the three month period ended March 31, 2010, preferred stockholders converted 950 shares of Series M Preferred Stock into 1,187 shares of Common Stock. During the three month period ended March 31, 2009, preferred stockholders converted 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 75,000 shares of Common Stock. As of March 31, 2010 the Company had 19,950 and 87,740 shares of issued and outstanding Series A and Series M Preferred Stock, respectively.





Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible by the Company into 2.5 shares of Common Stock, into an aggregate of 49,875 common shares.  Each share of Series M PreferredStock is convertible by the Company into 1.25 shares of Common Stock, into an aggregate of 110,863 common shares.  The Series A Preferred Stock pays a cumulative dividend of $.25 per share per quarter.




Equity Compensation Plan




On October 13, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors approved, and recommended that the Company’s stockholders approve, the 2009 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”). On November 16, 2009, the Company’s stockholders approved the Incentive Plan by written consent.




An aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”) is reserved for issuance and available for awards under the Incentive Plan. Awards under the Incentive Plan may include incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares of Common Stock, restricted stock units, performance share or unit awards, other stock-based awards and cash-based incentive awards. Awards under the Incentive Plan may be granted to employees, directors, consultants or other persons providing services to the Company or its affiliates. The Incentive Plan also provides for awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” in order to preserve the deductibility of such compensation by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Incentive Plan shall have a term of ten years expiring on November 16, 2019.




21




Stock Options




Summaries of the option activity for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are presented below:









Number


Option Price per Share


Intrinsicof Shares


Low


High


Weighted Avg.


ValueOutstanding January 1, 2010


6,345,000


$
0.50


$
6.50


$
3.21


$
17,888,900Granted


350,000


$
5.84


$
5.84


$
5.84Exercised


(2,230,000
)

$
0.70


$
3.90


$
1.49


$
10,423,300Expired


-


$
-


$
-


$
-Outstanding March 31, 2010


4,465,000


$
0.50


$
6.50


$
2.19


$
6,060,900Outstanding January 1, 2009


6,650,000


$
0.50


$
6.50


$
3.15


$
3,795,250Granted


-


$
-


$
-


$
-Exercised


-


$
-


$
-


$
-Expired


-


$
-


$
-


$
-Outstanding March 31, 2009


6,650,000


$
0.50


$
6.50


$
3.15


$
8,574,600







On February 2, 2010, the Company granted non-qualified stock options for an aggregate 350,000 shares of Common Stock to Sean P. Downes, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President in consideration for services rendered pursuant to terms of an employment agreement and to provide to Mr. Downes with a continued incentive to share in the success of the Company.  The exercise price of the options is $5.84; however, the options are only exercisable on such date or dates as the fair market value (as defined in their respective option agreements) of the Company’s Common Stock is and has been at least one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the exercise price for the previous twenty (20) consecutive trading days.




No options to purchase shares of Common Stock were granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2009.




The Company estimated the fair value of all stock options awards as of the grant date by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model.  The use of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense and include the expected life of the option, stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, exercise price, and forfeiture rate.




Of the 2,230,000 aggregate number of options exercised during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, options to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock were settled in cash and 2,220,000 were cashless exercises in which the Company retained treasury shares as settlement of the optionees’ cost of exercise and required payroll taxes.




As of March 31, 2010, there were 4,465,000 options outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of $6,060,900 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.79 years.  Of the total number of options outstanding, 3,935,000 options are fully vested and exercisable.




22


As of March 31, 2009, there were 6,650,000 options outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of $8,574,600 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 2.84 years.  Of the total number of options outstanding, 2,600,000 options were fully vested and exercisable.




Common Stock




As of March 31, 2010, the Company had 40,877,087 shares of issued Common Stock consisting of 1,711,054 treasury shares, and 39,166,033 shares outstanding.





The following table summarizes the activity relating to shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010:





Issued Shares
Treasury Shares
Shares Held in Trust
Outstanding SharesBalance, January 1, 2010
40,214,883
(1,809,118)
(631,000)
37,774,765Issued Shares
2,394
-
-
2,394Options exercised
1,599,000
-
631,000
2,230,000Shares applied to exercise price and payroll taxes:Shares held in trust
-
(1,141,126)
-
(1,141,126)Shares cancelled
(1,239,190)
1,239,190
-
-Restricted stock grant
300,000
-
-
300,000Balance, March 31, 2010
40,877,087
(1,711,054)
-
39,166,033





Restricted Stock Grants




Effective February 2, 2010, the Company issued 300,000 shares of restricted common stock at a price of $5.84 per share to Sean Downes, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director, in consideration for services rendered pursuant to terms of an employment agreement and to provide to Mr. Downes with a continued incentive to share in the success of the Company.  The stock vests over a three-year period as follows: 100,000 shares each on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.  The Company recorded deferred compensation of $1,752,000 at the time the stock was issued and is amortizing that amount ratably over the vesting period.




The Company did not grant any shares of restricted stock during the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.




Unless otherwise specified, such as in the case of the exercise of stock options or warrants, the per share prices were determined using the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock as quoted on the NYSE Amex, and the shares were issued in private transactions pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.




Income Tax Benefit




The Company realized actual income tax benefits from the tax deductible expense relating to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock totaling $4,020,788, and $0 during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.




Dividends Declared




During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company declared dividends on its outstanding shares of Common Stock to its shareholders of record as follows:




23







For the three month period ended March 31, 2010


For the three month period ended March 31, 2009Per Share


Aggregate


Per Share


AggregateAmount


Amount


Amount


Amount$
0.12


$
4,699,926


$
0.22


$
8,268,278







Stock Grantor Trust




On April 3, 2000, the Company established the Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. Stock Grantor Trust (“SGT”) to fund its obligations arising from its various stock option agreements.  The Company funded the SGT with 2,900,000 shares of Common Stock.  In exchange, the SGT delivered $29,000 and a promissory note to the Company for approximately $2,320,000 which together represented the purchase price of the shares.  Amounts owed by the SGT to the Company are repaid by cash received by the SGT, which results in the SGT releasing shares to satisfy Company obligations for stock options. The assets of the SGT are subject to the claims of the Company’s general creditors under federal and state law.   The  Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the SGT. Dividends paid by the Company and received by the SGT on shares of Common Stock held in trust are eliminated in consolidation and shown net in the Consolidated Financial Statements.




The agreement governing the operation of the SGT provides that the SGT shall terminate upon the upon the later of the date that (i) all shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the SGT have been distributed or (ii) the promissory note is paid in full.  The promissory note was paid in full on March 15, 2010, and promptly thereafter all shares of Common Stock remaining in the SGT were distributed to holders of Company options in satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under certain of its stock option agreements.  The SGT was terminated upon this final distribution of shares of Common Stock from the SGT, and as of March 31, 2010, the SGT did not hold any shares of Common Stock.




Stock Issuances - other than compensatory




On March 29, 2010, preferred stockholders converted 950 shares of Series M Preferred Stock into 1,187 shares of Common Stock




On March 9, 2009, preferred stockholders converted 30,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock into 75,000 shares of Common Stock.




11.Commitments and Contingencies






Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination Of Employment




The Company has employment agreements with its three executive officers that provide for certain payments to the executives upon termination of employment or a change in control. The Company reported the terms of these provisions in its proxy statement.




Operating Leases




The Company has leases for certain computer equipment, software and office space. The Company reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 a schedule of future minimum rental payments required under the non-cancelable operating leases. There have been no material changes in the amount of future payments as of March 31, 2010.




24







12.   Litigation




Certain lawsuits have been filed against the Company. In the opinion of management, none of these lawsuits is material and they are all adequately reserved for or covered by insurance or, if not so covered, are without merit or involve such amounts that if disposed of unfavorably would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.




13.           Earnings Per Share




Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period, excluding any dilutive common share equivalents. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities to issue common stock were exercised.




The following table reconciles the numerator (i.e., income) and denominator (i.e., shares) of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for net income for the three-months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.




Three Months Ended


Three Months EndedMarch 31, 2010


March 31, 2009Income Available to Common Stockholders


Shares


Per-Share Amount


Income Available to Common Stockholders


Shares


Per-Share AmountNet income

$
8,306,969








$
12,437,830Less: preferred stocks dividends


(4,988
)








(10,654
)Income available to common stockholders

$
8,301,981



38,889,176


$
0.21


$
12,427,176



37,561,341


$
0.33Effect of dilutive securities:Stock options and warrants


0



1,384,168



-



0



2,144,017



(0.02
)Preferred stock


4,988



160,698



-



10,654



216,571



-Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversion

$
8,306,969



40,434,042


$
0.21


$
12,437,830



39,921,929


$
0.31







14.           Other Comprehensive Income




The components of other comprehensive income on a pre-tax and after-tax basis for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:




25





For the Three Months


For the Three MonthsEnded March 31, 2010


Ended March 31, 2009Pretax


Tax


After-tax


Pretax


Tax


After-taxUnrealized (losses) gains, on investments,net, arising during the periods

$
(890,053
)

$
343,338


$
(546,715
)

$
5,235,227


$
(2,003,894
)

$
3,231,333Less: reclassification adjustments ofrealized gains on investments


3,694,717



(1,425,237
)


2,269,480



1,111,333



(428,697
)


682,636Less: reclassification adjustments offoreign currency gains on investments


684,247



(263,948
)


420,299



(12,119
)


4,675



(7,444
)Change in net unrealized gainson investments


(5,269,017
)


2,032,523



(3,236,494
)


4,136,013



(1,579,872
)


2,556,141Other comprehensive (loss) income

$
(5,269,017
)

$
2,032,523


$
(3,236,494
)

$
4,136,013


$
(1,579,872
)

$
2,556,141








15.           Subsequent Events





The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and determined there were no recognized or unrecognized subsequent events that would require an adjustment or additional disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2010 except for the following.





On April 30, 2010, The Company purchased a 9,000 square foot building shell for $999,800 located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida contiguous to its existing home office that it intends to use as additional home office space. The Company plans on occupying the building by the first quarter of 2011.  The Company believes that the new building will be suitable for its intended use and adequate to meet the Company’s current and future needs. The building will be 100% utilized by the Company. The building is currently unoccupied. There is no mortgage or lease arrangement. The building is adequately covered by insurance.




16.           Fair Value Disclosure




Financial assets and financial liabilities recorded on the condensed consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as of March 31, 2010 are categorized in the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:




Level 1:

Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company can access.Level 2:

Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on inputs that utilize other than quoted prices included in Level I that are observable for similar assets, or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.Level 3:

Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect the Company's estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the financial assets and financial liabilities.





In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement


26


in its entirety.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset.





The following table presents information about the Company’s invested assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.





Fair Value MeasurementsLevel 1


Level 2


Level 3


TotalAs of March 31, 2010US government obligations and agencies

$
56,889,863


$
-


$
-


$
56,889,863Foreign obligations


9,478,937



-



-



9,478,937Equity securities


66,087,564



-



-



66,087,564Total invested assets

$
132,456,364


$
-


$
-


$
132,456,364As of December 31, 2009US government obligations and agencies

$
41,389,008


$
-


$
-


$
41,389,008Equity securities


73,408,002



-



-



73,408,002Total invested assets

$
114,797,010


$
-


$
-


$
114,797,010





The fair value of the securities determined to be Level I inputs are derived from readily available market prices.





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




The following discussion and analysis by management of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.




Forward-Looking Statements




Certain statements made by the Company’s management may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Litigation Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on various factors and assumptions that include known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” and “project,” and similar expressions, identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. Such statements may include, but not be limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, expenses, plans, as well as assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future results could differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements as a result of the risks set forth in the following discussion and in the section below entitled “Factors Affecting Operation Results and Market Price of Stock,” among others.




Overview




The Company was originally organized as Universal Heights, Inc. in 1990.  The Company changed its name to Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. on January 12, 2001.  In April 1997, the Company organized




27


its subsidiary UPCIC as part of its strategy to take advantage of what management believed to be profitable business and growth opportunities in the marketplace. UPCIC was formed to participate in the transfer of homeowners’ insurance policies from the JUA. UPCIC’s application to become a Florida licensed property and casualty insurance company was filed with the OIR on May 14, 1997 and approved on October 29, 1997.  UPCIC’s proposal to begin operations through the acquisition of homeowners’ insurance policies issued by the JUA was approved by the JUA on May 21, 1997, subject to certain minimum capitalization and other requirements.




The Company has since evolved into a vertically integrated insurance holding company, which through its various subsidiaries, covers substantially all aspects of insurance underwriting, distribution and claims processing.  The Company’s primary product is homeowners’ insurance.  The Company’s criteria for selecting insurance policies includes, but is not limited to, the use of specific policy forms, coverage amounts on buildings and contents and required compliance with local building codes.  Also, to improve underwriting and manage risk, the Company utilizes standard industry modeling techniques for hurricane and windstorm exposure.  UPCIC’s portfolio as of March 31, 2010 includes approximately 534,000 policies with coverage for wind risks and 10,000 policies without wind risks.  The average premium for a policy with wind coverage is approximately $1080 and the average premium for a policy without wind coverage is approximately $485.  UPCIC had in-force premiums of approximately $581.6 million as of March 31, 2010.




The OIR requires applicants to have a minimum capitalization of $5.0 million to be eligible to operate as an insurance company in the State of Florida.  Upon being issued an insurance license, companies must maintain capitalization of the greater of ten percent of the insurer’s total liabilities or $4.0 million.  If an insurance company’s capitalization falls below the minimum requirements, then the company will be deemed out of compliance with OIR requirements, which could result in revocation of the participant’s license to operate as an insurance company in the State of Florida.  UPCIC’s statutory capital and surplus was $111,343,158 at March 31, 2010 and exceeded the minimum capital and surplus requirements.  UPCIC is also required to adhere to prescribed premium-to-capital surplus ratios.




The Company has continued to implement its plan to become a financial services company and, through its wholly-owned insurance subsidiaries, has sought to position itself to take advantage of what management believes to be profitable business and growth opportunities in the marketplace.




In an effort to further grow its insurance operations, in 1998 the Company began to solicit business actively in the open market.  Through renewal of JUA business combined with business solicited in the market through independent agents, UPCIC was servicing approximately 544,000 homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies as of March 31, 2010. To improve underwriting and manage risk, the Company utilizes standard industry modeling techniques for hurricane and windstorm exposure.  To diversify UPCIC’s product lines, UPCIC underwrites inland marine policies. In February 2008, UPCIC filed a request with the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”) to become authorized to write and service flood insurance policies under the WYO Program. The Company did not immediately pursue opportunities to transact flood insurance as the NFIP considered changes to its policy administration and reporting systems.  However, the Company recently has resumed its evaluation of these requirements.     Management may consider underwriting other types of policies in the future.  Any such program will require OIR approval.  See Item 2 below, Competition under “Factors Affecting Operating Results and Market Price of Stock” for a discussion of the material conditions and uncertainties that may affect UPCIC’s ability to obtain additional policies.




UPCIC applied for expansion to write homeowners’ insurance policies in four additional states. Those states are Hawaii, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. On July 16, 2008, August 18, 2008, September 30, 2008, and January 29, 2009, UPCIC was licensed to transact insurance business within the




28


States of South Carolina, Hawaii, North Carolina, and Georgia, respectively.  The State of North Carolina Department of Insurance has restricted UPCIC to writing no more than $12.0 million of direct premiums in each of the first two full calendar years after which such restriction may be lifted.  UPCIC  commenced writing homeowners policies in South Carolina in 2008 and North Carolina and Hawaii in 2009. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, direct written premiums in these states aggregated approximately $2.0 million and $335,000, respectively.  In addition, UPCIC has filed to offer flood insurance through the NFIP and continues to evaluate policy administration requirements for the program in light of expected updates.




On March 5, 2010, the Company's Board of Directors approved the Company's plans for UPCIC to apply for expansion in five additional states including Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining these licenses and no prediction of when, if licensed, the Company will commence operations in any of these states.




The Company expects that premiums from policy renewals and new business will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital requirements beyond the next twelve months.




The Company joined the Russell 3000® Index on June 26, 2009.  According to publicly available information provided on Russell’s Web site, annual reconstitution of Russell’s U.S. indices captures the 3,000 largest U.S. stocks as of the end of May, ranking them by total market capitalization.  Membership in the Russell 3000, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in the large-cap Russell 1000® Index or small-cap Russell 2000® Index as well as the appropriate growth and value style indices.  Russell determines membership for its equity indices primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes.  Russell indices are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for both passive and active investment strategies.  The Company believes that its inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index will lead to additional visibility in the investment community.




Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates




Management has reassessed the critical accounting policies as disclosed in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and determined that no changes, additions or deletions are needed to the policies as disclosed. Also there were no significant changes in the Company’s estimates associated with those policies.




The Company’s financial statements are combined with those of its subsidiaries and are presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. UPCIC makes estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts and disclosures reported in the Company’s financial statements. The most significant estimate relates to the liabilities for property and casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. While the Company believes the estimates are appropriate, the ultimate amounts may differ from the estimates provided. The Company reviews these estimates on, at least, a quarterly basis and reflects any adjustment considered necessary in its current results of operations.







Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements





The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements during the three month period ended March 31, 2010.





29





Related Parties





Downes and Associates, a multi-line insurance adjustment corporation based in Deerfield Beach, Florida performs certain claims adjusting work for UPCIC. Downes and Associates is owned by Dennis Downes, who is the father of Sean P. Downes, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of UPCIC. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company expensed claims adjusting fees of $120,000 and $90,000, respectively, to Downes and Associates.





During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company overpaid non-equity incentive plan compensation to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the amounts of $217,169 and $162,876, respectively. These amounts were repaid to the Company during February 2010.







Analysis of Financial Condition - As of March 31, 2010 Compared to December 31, 2009




The source of liquidity for possible claim payments consists of the collection of net premiums after deductions for expenses, reinsurance recoverables and short-term loans. The Company held cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of $228,541,314 and $192,924,291, respectively.




The Company believes that premiums will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. The Company’s policy is to invest amounts considered to be in excess of current working capital requirements.




The Company used cash and cash equivalents to increase its aggregate fixed maturities and equity securities to $132,456,364 as of March 31, 2010 from $114,797,010 as of December 31, 2009 in order to more conservatively limit its exposure to the volatility in the current banking environment.




The following table summarizes, by type, the carrying values of the Company’s investments:




As of March 31,


As of December 31,Type of Investment

2010


2009Cash and cash equivalents

$
228,541,314


$
192,924,291Fixed maturities, available for sale


66,368,800



41,389,008Equity securities, available for sale


66,087,564



73,408,002Real estate, net


3,293,582



3,289,893Total Investments

$
364,291,260


$
311,011,194







The Company’s liability for Reinsurance Payable increased $16,103,884 to $89,208,479 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $73,104,595 as of year-end 2009, primarily due to the timing of settlements with reinsurers.




As of March 31, 2010, the Company had federal and state income taxes recoverable of $3,971,565 and $3,211,874 respectively.




Results of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009




30


The Company’s operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 continued to be adversely affected by broader conditions in the Florida residential insurance market.  The Florida Legislature expanded the reimbursement coverage available from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) in 2007, and required residential insurers in Florida to reduce rates based upon presumptive cost savings as calculated by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and later based upon a true-up filing using company specific data.  In 2007, the Florida Financial Services Commission increased then-existing premium discounts available for homes possessing certain windstorm loss reduction devices.  We believe these cumulative discounts result in premium reductions that are greater than the estimated reductions in losses.
  The Company’s operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 were also influenced by legislative enactments relating to claims payments.  Following the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the Florida legislature required all insurers issuing replacement cost policies to pay the full replacement cost of damaged properties without deducting depreciation whether or not the insureds repaired or replaced the damaged property.  Under prior law, insurers would pay the depreciated amount of the property until insureds commenced repairs or replacement.  The new law has led to an increase in disagreements regarding the scope of damage and has resulted in insureds’ receiving claim payments irrespective of actually repairing the damage.  Although UPCIC seeks to diligently review claims and promptly pay meritorious amounts, the Company’s operating results may be affected by a claims environment in Florida that produces opportunities for fraudulent or overstated claims.
 
 The three-month period ended March 31, 2010 saw continued growth in policy count for UPCIC, the Company’s wholly-owned regulated insurance subsidiary. The increase in the number of policies in-force continued to be the result of heightened relationships with existing agents, an increase in new agents, a new web-based policy administration system, and the disruption in the marketplace following the windstorm catastrophes in 2004 and 2005.
 
 Despite growth in the number of policies in-force during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, the Company experienced a decrease in net income in the current period primarily as a result of the effects of state mandated rate reductions and discounts, and increased losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred.
 
 In January 2007, the Florida Legislature passed a law designed to reduce residential catastrophe reinsurance costs and requiring insurance companies to offer corresponding rate reductions to policyholders. The new law expanded the amount of reinsurance available from the FHCF, which is a state-run entity providing hurricane reinsurance to residential insurers at premiums less than the private reinsurance market. The Legislature intended for the new law to reduce residential insurers’ reinsurance costs by allowing them to directly replace some of their private market reinsurance with less costly FHCF reinsurance.
  Florida’s Legislature also has implemented strategies to improve the ability of residential structures to withstand hurricanes. New construction must meet stronger building codes, and existing homes are eligible for an inspection program that allows homeowners to determine how their homes may be upgraded to mitigate storm damage. An increasing number of insureds have qualified for insurance premium discounts as new homes were built and existing homes retrofitted. These premium discounts result from homes’ supposed reduced vulnerability to hurricane losses due to the mitigation efforts, which UPCIC takes into account in its underwriting and profitability models.
  During the recently concluded legislative session, several issues significantly affecting the Florida property market were addressed. These issues included mitigation credits, public adjusters, sinkhole claims and replacement cost methodology. The main property bill that was passed contains a provision that will allow an insurer to submit as a base rate adjustment the amount by which the aggregate mitigation discounts produce a loss in revenue exceeding the aggregate expected loss reductions. Other provisions of the bill deal with public adjusters, claim payments on dwellings and rate filing procedures. The bill currently awaits the Governor’s action to see if it becomes law.


31


Net income decreased 33.2% to $8,306,969 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $12,437,830 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The Company’s earnings per diluted share were $0.21 for the 2010 period versus $0.31 in the same period last year.  Even though there was an increase in the number of homeowners' and dwelling fire insurance policies serviced by the Company and increases in gross premiums written and earned during the three-month period ending March 31, 2010, the Company experienced a decrease in net income during this period primarily due to increases in ceded premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred as described below, net of increased realized gains on sales of investments.




Gross premiums written increased 10.3% to $160,099,645 during the three-month period ending March 31, 2010 from $145,212,145 in the same period of 2009. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, UPCIC was servicing approximately 544,000 and 541,000, respectively, homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies with in-force premiums of approximately $581,600,000 and $567,100,000, respectively.




Net premiums earned decreased 11.8% to $33,313,563 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $37,757,652 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The decrease is due to an increase in direct premiums earned, offset by the higher volume of premium discounts in response to a state-required wind mitigation discount program available to policyholders, and an increase in ceded earned premium due to increased reinsurance costs and coverages.




Net investment income decreased 40.6% to $192,953 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $324,589 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. Net investment income is comprised primarily of interest and dividends.  The decrease is primarily due to a change in the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio during the three-month period ended March 31, 2010.




Realized gains on investments increased 232.5% to $3,694,717 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $1,111,333 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.  The increase is due to the expansion of the Company’s investment portfolio into equity securities and the related sales of certain of these securities.




Commission revenue increased 17.4% to $8,737,871 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $7,444,849 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. Commission revenue is comprised principally of the managing general agent’s policy fee income and service fee income on all new and renewal insurance policies, reinsurance commission sharing agreements, and commissions generated from agency operations. The increase is primarily attributable to a increase in reinsurance commission sharing of approximately $1,261,000, and an increase in managing general agent’s policy fee income of approximately $31,000.




Other revenue decreased 32.1% to $1,004,253 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $1,479,377 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in the volume of payment plans used by UPCIC’s policyholders.




Net losses and LAE increased 15.8% to $23,651,712 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $20,420,664 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The net loss and LAE ratios, or net




32


losses and LAE as a percentage of net earned premiums, were 71.0% and 54.1% during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and were comprised of the following components:




Three months ended March 31, 2010Direct


Ceded


NetLoss and loss adjustment expenses

$
46,679,867


$
23,028,155


$
23,651,712Premiums earned

$
140,153,178


$
106,839,615


$
33,313,563Loss & LAE ratios


33.3
%


21.6
%


71.0
%Three months ended March 31, 2009Direct


Ceded


NetLoss and loss adjustment expenses

$
41,324,392


$
20,903,728


$
20,420,664Premiums earned

$
128,292,195


$
90,534,543


$
37,757,652Loss & LAE ratios


32.2
%


23.1
%


54.1
%







The direct loss and LAE ratio for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 was 33.3% compared to 32.2% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.  The increase in the direct loss and LAE ratio is attributable to the increase in direct loss and LAE incurred outpacing the increase in direct earned premium in the 2010 period.





Total direct premiums earned increased 9.2% in the three-month 2010 period compared to the same period in 2009.  As of March 31, 2010, UPCIC was servicing approximately 544,000 homeowners’ and dwelling fire insurance policies with in-force premiums of approximately $581,600,000, an average of $893 per dwelling fire policy, $1,933 per homeowners policy and $536 per condominium/renters policy.  The comparable average in-force premiums as of March 31, 2009 were $860, $1,818 and $539, respectively.





The ceded loss and LAE ratio for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 was 21.6% compared to 23.1% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.  The ceded loss and LAE ratio was influenced by greater direct incurred loss and LAE ceded under the Company’s quota share reinsurance treaty and higher total reinsurance costs in the 2010 period compared to the 2009 period.





Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property-liability insurance business which may contribute to material year-to-year fluctuations in UPCIC’s and the Company’s results of operations and financial position. During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, neither UPCIC nor the Company experienced any catastrophic events. The level of catastrophe loss experienced in any year cannot be predicted and could be material to the results of operations and financial position of UPCIC and the Company. While management believes UPCIC’s and the Company’s catastrophe management strategies will reduce the severity of future losses, UPCIC and the Company continue to be exposed to catastrophic losses, including catastrophic losses that may exceed the limits of the Company’s reinsurance program.




General and administrative expenses increased 38.1% to $10,377,818 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $7,515,228 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to lower ceding commissions, a reduction in the amount recouped from policyholders relative to assessments by FIGA, and an increase in commissions paid or accrued to agents on direct premiums.  The increase was partially offset by the increased deferral of policy acquisition costs.





33





Federal and state income taxes decreased 31.7% to $5,291,105 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 from $7,744,078 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. Federal and state income taxes were 38.9% of pretax income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, and 38.4% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. The decrease is primarily due to lower income before income taxes.




Liquidity and Capital Resources




Overview




The Company’s primary sources of cash flow are the receipt of premiums, commissions, policy fees, investment income, reinsurance recoverables and short-term loans.




The Company expects that its current capital resources will be sufficient to meet anticipated working capital requirements for the next twelve months.  There can be no assurances, however, that such will be the case.




Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities




For the three month period ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 cash flows provided by operating activities were $56,052,966 and $62,470,722 respectively.  The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities relate primarily to the following reasons.




●

The decrease in cash provided by operating activities from net changes in prepaid reinsurance premiums were $20,728,351 and $5,193,314 for three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase of $15,535,037 relates primarily to additional catastrophe reinsurance coverage purchased by the Company during the 2010 period.●

The increase in cash provided by operating activities from net changes in unearned premiums were $19,946,466 and $16,919,952 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase of $3,026,514 relates primarily to an increase in direct written premiums.●

The increase in cash provided by operating activities from net changes in reinsurance payable were $16,103,884 and $28,036,181 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The decrease of $11,932,297 relates primarily to the timing of the settlement of balances with UPCIC’s reinsurers.●

The increase in cash provided by operating activities from reinsurance recoverables was $26,780,719 for the three month ended March 31, 2010 compared to a decrease of $1,339,673 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009.  The increase of $28,120,392 is influenced by greater direct incurred losses and LAE ceded under the Company’s quota share reinsurance treaty.





Cash flows provided by operating activities are expected to be positive in both the short-term and reasonably foreseeable future. In addition, the Company’s investment portfolio is highly liquid as it consists of cash, cash equivalents, and readily-marketable securities.




34







Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities




For the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, cash flows used in investing activities were $24,683,731 and $159,458,568, respectively.  The following table summarizes the activity in investments during the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:




Three Months EndedMarch 31, 2010


March 31, 2009Balance - January 1

$
114,797,010


$
5,648,775Purchases of fixed maturities


50,426,894



106,745,347Purchases of equity securities


35,879,591



64,262,566Net amort of prem / accretion of discount


(107,000
)


(21,520
)Sales of fixed maturities


(25,322,048
)


-Sales of equity securities


(42,335,692
)


(9,962,373
)Realized gains on investments


3,746,717



1,111,333Foreign currency gains on investments


683,733



(17,388
)Unrealized (losses) gains


(5,312,841
)


4,136,014Balance - March 31

$
132,456,364


$
171,902,754







The amounts presented in the Statement of Cash Flows differ from the amounts shown in the table above summarizing investment activities due to the timing of cash settlements, as follows. Purchases of equity securities December 2008 in the amount of $1,273,941 were settled in January 2009. Sales of equity security securities in December 2009 and March 2010 in the amounts of $6,259,973 and $12,148,475 were settled in January and April 2010, respectively.









Cash Flows Used in / Provided by Financing Activities




For the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, cash flows provided by financing activities were $4,247,788 and for the three month period ended March 31, 2009, cash flows used in financing activities were $1,772,781.  The increase in cash flows provided by financing activities relates primarily to an increase of $3,181,805 provided by bank overdrafts and a decrease of $3,749,230 used for dividend payments.  The Company’s bank overdrafts are the result of the amount of outstanding checks not yet presented for payment on the Company’s bank accounts in excess of cash balances on deposit in those accounts.




In 2006, UPCIC entered into a $25.0 million surplus note with the Florida State Board of Administration (“SBA”) under Florida’s ICBUI Program, which was implemented by the Florida Legislature to encourage insurance companies to write additional residential insurance coverage in Florida.  The surplus note has a twenty-year term and accrues interest at a rate equivalent to the 10-year U.S. Treasury Bond Rate, adjusted quarterly based on the 10-year Constant Maturity Treasury rate.




In 2008, the Florida Legislature passed a law providing participants in the ICBUI Program an opportunity to amend the terms of their surplus notes based on law changes.  The original surplus note provided for increases in interest rates for failure to meet the Minimum Writing Ratio.  Under the terms of the surplus note, as amended, the net written premium to surplus requirement and gross written premium to surplus requirement have been modified.  As of March 31, 2010, UPCIC’s net written premium to surplus ratio




35


and gross written premium to surplus ratio were in excess of the required minimums and, therefore, UPCIC was not subject to increases in interest rates.




The balance of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2010 was $228,541,314. Most of this amount is available to pay claims in the event of a catastrophic event pending reimbursement for any aggregate amount in excess of specific limits set forth in UPCIC’s reinsurance agreements. For the 2009 hurricane season, UPCIC’s reinsurance agreements transfer the risk of loss in excess of $50,000,000 ($75,000,000 net of $25,000,000 retained by the Company under the excess catastrophe contract) up to approximately the 114 year PML for the first event, $16,000,000 for the second event and $16,000,000 for the third event up to an amount that will vary depending on the coverage exhausted in the prior event(s).   Catastrophic reinsurance is recoverable upon presentation to the reinsurer of evidence of claim payment.




UPCIC also obtained coverage from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”), which is administered by the Florida State Board of Administration (“SBA”).  Under the reimbursement agreement, FHCF would reimburse UPCIC, for each loss occurrence during the contract year for 90% of the ultimate loss paid by UPCIC in excess of its retention plus 5% of the reimbursed losses to cover loss adjustment expenses.  A covered event means any one storm declared to be a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center for losses incurred in Florida, both while it is a hurricane and through subsequent downgrades. For the contract year June 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010, UPCIC purchased the traditional FHCF coverage and did not purchase the Temporary Increase in Coverage Limit Option offered to insurers by the FHCF.  As of December 31, 2009 the estimated coverage is 90% of $1,038,999,659 in excess of $392,807,984.  The estimated premium for this coverage is $58,819,440.




Also at June 1, 2009, the FHCF made available, and UPCIC obtained, $10,000,000 of additional catastrophe excess of loss coverage with one free reinstatement of coverage to carriers qualified as Limited Apportionment Companies or companies that participated in the ICBUI Program offered by the FHCF, such as UPCIC.  This particular layer of coverage at June 1, 2009 is $10,000,000 in excess of $28,200,000.  The premium for this coverage is $5,000,000.




On October 30, 2009, the SBA published its most recent estimate of the FHCF’s loss reimbursement capacity in the Florida Administrative Weekly. The SBA estimated that the FHCF’s total loss reimbursement capacity under current market conditions for the 2009 - 2010 contract year is projected to be $18.998 billion over the 12-month period following the estimate.  The SBA also referred to its report entitled, “October 2009 Estimated Claims Paying Capacity Report” (“Report”) as providing greater detail regarding the FHCF’s loss reimbursement capacity.  The Report estimated that the FHCF’s minimum 12-month loss reimbursement capacity is $14.998 billion and its maximum 12-month loss reimbursement capacity is $21.998 billion. UPCIC elected to purchase the FHCF Mandatory Layer of Coverage for the 2009 - 2010 contract year, which corresponds to FHCF loss reimbursement capacity of $17.175 billion.





Effective June 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009, the Company obtained $60,000,000 of coverage via a catastrophe risk-linked transaction contract in the event UPCIC’s catastrophe coverage is exhausted. The total cost of the Company’s risk-linked transaction contract is $11,100,000.









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UPCIC uses a catastrophe model to estimate its losses associated with potential hurricane events of various magnitudes. UPCIC is in the process of placing its catastrophe reinsurance program for the period June 1, 2010, though May 31, 2011. In prior contract years, UPCIC has purchased catastrophe reinsurance protection equal to or exceeding the projected 100-year probable maximum loss level (one percent probability of exceedance), modeled without demand surge or secondary uncertainty using then-existing versions of UPCIC’s selected catastrophe model. UPCIC anticipates purchasing a similar reinsurance program for the June 1, 2010 – May 31, 2011 contract year. At the request of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, UPCIC has determined that the anticipated single-event limit of the proposed reinsurance program corresponds to a 1-in-77-year hurricane event when modeled using the model’s demand surge component. In addition, UPCIC has provided to its rating agency, Demotech, Inc., at its request, certain modeling results using assumptions consistent with those historically selected by UPCIC as well as other projections using assumptions identified by the rating agency that produce higher projected loss estimates. There is no assurance that the assumptions or scenarios incorporated into UPCIC’s selected model by its developers, or the assumptions or scenarios used by UPCIC or its representatives in applying the model and developing UPCIC’s reinsurance program, will be satisfactory to regulatory authorities or rating agencies or will reflect the characteristics of future hurricane events that may affect Florida, including the resulting economic conditions or claims settlement environment. Further, although UPCIC uses a widely recognized, commercially available model to estimate its hurricane losses, other models exist that might produce higher or lower loss estimates. UPCIC is responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by UPCIC’s reinsurance program and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program, which could have a material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Fortunately, no hurricanes made landfall in Florida during the 2009-2010 contract year and no reimbursement payments for the 2009-2010 contract year were required from the FHCF to participating companies. Accordingly, the effect of the change in the FHCF’s estimate had no effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity.


GAAP differs in some respects from reporting practices prescribed or permitted by the OIR.  To retain its certificate of authority, the Florida insurance laws and regulations require that UPCIC maintain capital and surplus equal to the statutory minimum capital and surplus requirement defined in the Florida Insurance Code as the greater of 10% of the insurer’s total liabilities or $4,000,000. UPCIC’s statutory capital and surplus was $111,343,158 as of March 31, 2010 and exceeded the minimum capital and surplus requirements. UPCIC is also required to adhere to prescribed premium-to-capital surplus ratios.




The maximum amount of dividends, which can be paid by Florida insurance companies without prior approval of the Commissioner of the OIR, is subject to restrictions relating to statutory surplus. The maximum dividend that may be paid by UPCIC to the Company without prior approval is limited to the lesser of statutory net income from operations of the preceding calendar year or statutory unassigned surplus as of the preceding year end.




UPCIC is required annually to comply with the NAIC RBC requirements. RBC requirements prescribe a method of measuring the amount of capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations in light of its size and risk profile. NAIC’s RBC requirements are used by regulators to determine appropriate regulatory actions relating to insurers who show signs of weak or deteriorating condition. As of December 31, 2009, based on calculations using the appropriate NAIC RBC formula, UPCIC’s reported total adjusted capital was in excess of the requirements.




Available Cash




The Company held cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2010 of $228,541,314. Of that amount, $211,579,281 was held by UPCIC, most of which is available to pay claims or relates to policyholder surplus. Accordingly, cash and cash equivalents in UPCIC are not available to buy back Company stock or pay Company dividends. A portion of those claims paid by the Company would be recoverable through the Company’s catastrophic reinsurance upon presentation to the reinsurer of evidence of claim payment. As of December 31, 2009, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $192,924,291.




Cash Dividends




On January 19, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.12 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend was paid on April 6, 2010 to stockholders of record as of March 19, 2010 in the aggregate amount of $4,699,926.




37


Contractual Obligations




There have been no material changes during the period covered by this Report, outside of the ordinary course of the Company’s business, to the contractual obligations specified in the table of contractual obligations included in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2009.




Factors Affecting Operation Results and Market Price of Stock




The Company and its subsidiaries operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. This report contains, in addition to historical information, forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The words “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those set forth in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those uncertainties discussed below as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report.




Nature of the Company’s Business




Factors affecting the sectors of the insurance industry in which the Company operates may subject the Company to significant fluctuations in operating results. These factors include competition, catastrophe losses and general economic conditions including interest rate changes, as well as legislative initiatives, the regulatory environment, the frequency of litigation, the size of judgments, severe weather conditions, climate changes or cycles, the role of federal or state government in the insurance market, judicial or other authoritative interpretations of laws and policies, and the availability and cost of reinsurance. Specifically, the homeowners’ insurance market, which comprises the bulk of the Company’s current operations, is influenced by many factors, including state and federal laws, market conditions for homeowners’ insurance and residential plans. Additionally, an economic downturn could result in fewer home sales and less demand for new homeowners seeking insurance.




Historically, the financial performance of the property and casualty insurance industry has tended to fluctuate in cyclical patterns of soft markets followed by hard markets. Although an individual insurance company’s financial performance is dependent on its own specific business characteristics, the profitability of most property and casualty insurance companies tends to follow this cyclical market pattern.




The Company believes that a substantial portion of its future growth will depend on its ability, among other things, to successfully implement its business strategy, including expanding the Company’s product offering by underwriting and marketing additional insurance products and programs through its distribution network, further penetrating the Florida market by establishing relationships with additional independent agents in order to expand its distribution network and to further disperse its geographic risk and expanding into other geographical areas outside the State of Florida. Any future growth is contingent on various factors, including the availability of adequate capital, the Company’s ability to hire and train additional personnel, regulatory requirements, the competitive environment, and rating agency considerations.  There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in expanding its business, that the existing infrastructure will be able to support additional expansion or that any new business will be profitable. Moreover, as the Company expands its insurance products and programs and the Company’s mix of business changes, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain or improve its profit margins or other operating results. There can also be no assurance that the Company will be able




38


to obtain the required regulatory approvals to offer additional insurance products. UPCIC also is required to maintain minimum surplus to support its underwriting program. The surplus requirement affects UPCIC’s potential growth.




Management of Exposure to Catastrophic Losses




UPCIC is exposed to potentially numerous insured losses arising out of single or multiple occurrences, such as natural catastrophes. As with all property and casualty insurers, UPCIC expects to and will incur some losses related to catastrophes and will price its policies accordingly. UPCIC’s exposure to catastrophic losses arises principally out of hurricanes and windstorms. Through the use of standard industry modeling techniques that are susceptible to change, UPCIC manages its exposure to such losses on an ongoing basis from an underwriting perspective.  UPCIC also protects itself against the risk of catastrophic loss by obtaining reinsurance coverage as of the beginning of hurricane season on June 1 of each year. UPCIC’s reinsurance program consists of excess of loss, quota share and catastrophe reinsurance for multiple hurricanes.  UPCIC’s catastrophe reinsurance program currently covers three events, subject to the terms and limitations of the reinsurance contracts. However, UPCIC may not buy enough reinsurance to cover multiple storms going forward or be able to timely obtain reinsurance. In addition, UPCIC is responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by UPCIC’s reinsurance program and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program, and such losses could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of UPCIC and the Company.




Although UPCIC uses a widely recognized, commercially available model to estimate its hurricane losses, other models exist that might produce higher or lower loss estimates. The loss estimates developed by the catastrophe model are dependent upon assumptions or scenarios incorporated into the model by its developer, which is a third party independent of UPCIC, and on assumptions or scenarios made by UPCIC or its representatives when using the model. There is no assurance these assumptions or scenarios will be acceptable to regulatory authorities or rating agencies or will reflect the characteristics of future hurricane events that may affect Florida, including the resulting economic conditions or claims settlement environment. This may result in exposure to UPCIC for losses that are not covered by the reinsurance program, which could have a material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In addition, if the model or assumptions used by UPCIC, or the resulting loss projections and reinsurance program purchased by UPCIC to protect against the modeled losses, are not acceptable to regulatory authorities or rating agencies, UPCIC could experience restrictions on its ability to write new or renewal insurance policies, loss of a rating necessary for its policies to meet secondary mortgage market requirements, or other adverse consequences that could have material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.


Reliance on Third Parties and Reinsurers




UPCIC is dependent upon third parties to perform certain functions including, but not limited to the purchase of reinsurance and risk management analysis. UPCIC also relies on reinsurers to limit the amount of risk retained under its policies and to increase its ability to write additional risks. UPCIC’s intention is to limit its exposure and therefore protect its capital, even in the event of catastrophic occurrences, through reinsurance agreements. UPCIC is responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by UPCIC’s reinsurance program and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations should catastrophe losses exceed these amounts.




Reinsurance




The property and casualty reinsurance industry is subject to the same market conditions as the direct property and casualty insurance market, and there can be no assurance that reinsurance will be available to UPCIC to the same extent and at the same cost as currently in place for


39


UPCIC. Future increases in catastrophe reinsurance costs are possible and could adversely affect UPCIC’s results. Reinsurance does not legally discharge an insurer from its primary liability for the full amount of the risks it insures, although it does make the reinsurer liable to the primary insurer. Therefore, UPCIC is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers. In addition, UPCIC obtains a significant portion of its reinsurance coverage from the FHCF. There is no guaranty the FHCF will be able to honor its obligations.  On October 30, 2009, the Florida State Board of Administration (“SBA”) published its most recent estimate of the FHCF’s loss reimbursement capacity.  The SBA estimated that the FHCF’s total loss reimbursement capacity under current market conditions for the 2009 - 2010 contract year is projected to be $18.998 billion over the 12-month period following the estimate.  The SBA also referred to its report entitled, “October 2009 Estimated Claims Paying Capacity Report” (“Report”) as providing greater detail regarding the FHCF’s loss reimbursement capacity.  The Report estimated that the FHCF’s minimum 12-month loss reimbursement capacity is $14.998 billion and its maximum 12-month loss reimbursement capacity is $21.998 billion. UPCIC elected to purchase the FHCF Mandatory Layer of Coverage for the 2009 - 2010 contract year, which corresponds to FHCF loss reimbursement capacity of $17.175 billion.  By law, the FHCF’s obligation to reimburse insurers is limited to its actual claims-paying capacity.  In addition, the cost of UPCIC’s reinsurance program may increase should UPCIC deem it necessary to purchase additional private market reinsurance due to reduced estimates of the FHCF’s loss reimbursement capacity.




Management evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities, or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. A reinsurer’s insolvency or inability to make payments under a reinsurance treaty could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and profitability of UPCIC and the Company. While ceding premiums to reinsurers reduces UPCIC’s risk of exposure in the event of catastrophic losses, it also reduces UPCIC’s potential for greater profits should such catastrophic events fail to occur. The Company believes that the extent of UPCIC’s reinsurance is typical of a company of its size in the homeowners’ insurance industry.




UPCIC uses a catastrophe model to estimate its losses associated with potential hurricane events of various magnitudes. UPCIC is in the process of placing its catastrophe reinsurance program for the period June 1, 2010, though May 31, 2011. In prior contract years, UPCIC has purchased catastrophe reinsurance protection equal to or exceeding the projected 100-year probable maximum loss level (one percent probability of exceedance), modeled without demand surge or secondary uncertainty using then-existing versions of UPCIC’s selected catastrophe model. UPCIC anticipates purchasing a similar reinsurance program for the June 1, 2010 –May 31, 2011 contract year. At the request of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, UPCIC has determined that the anticipated single-event limit of the proposed reinsurance program corresponds to a 1-in-77-year hurricane event when modeled using the model’s demand surge component. In addition, UPCIC has provided to its rating agency, Demotech, Inc., at its request, certain modeling results using assumptions consistent with those historically selected by UPCIC as well as other projections using assumptions identified by the rating agency that produce higher projected loss estimates. There is no assurance that the assumptions or scenarios incorporated into UPCIC’s selected model by its developers, or the assumptions or scenarios used by UPCIC or its representatives in applying the model and developing UPCIC’s reinsurance program, will be satisfactory to regulatory authorities or rating agencies or will reflect the characteristics of future hurricane events that may affect Florida, including the resulting economic conditions or claims settlement environment. Further, although UPCIC uses a widely recognized, commercially available model to estimate its hurricane losses, other models exist that might produce higher or lower loss estimates. UPCIC is responsible for losses related to catastrophic events with incurred losses in excess of coverage provided by UPCIC’s reinsurance program and for losses that otherwise are not covered by the reinsurance program, which could have a material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Fortunately, no hurricanes made landfall in Florida during the 2009-2010 contract year and no reimbursement payments for the 2009-2010 contract year were required from the FHCF to participating companies. Accordingly, the effect of the change in the FHCF’s estimate had no effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity.


Adequacy of Liabilities for Losses




The liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses periodically established by UPCIC are estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported claims and related loss adjustment expenses. The estimates necessarily will be based on certain assumptions related to the ultimate cost to settle such claims. There is an inherent degree of uncertainty involved in the establishment of liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses and there may be substantial differences between actual losses and UPCIC’s liabilities estimates. UPCIC relies on industry data, as well as the expertise and experience of independent actuaries in an effort to establish accurate estimates and adequate liabilities.  Furthermore, factors such as storms and weather conditions, climate change and patterns, inflation, claim settlement patterns, legislative activity and litigation trends may have an impact on UPCIC’s future loss experience. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that UPCIC’s liabilities will be adequate to cover ultimate loss developments. The profitability and financial condition of UPCIC and the Company could be adversely affected to the extent that its liabilities are inadequate.




UPCIC is directly liable for loss and LAE payments under the terms of the insurance policies that it writes. In many cases, several years may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss and UPCIC’s payment of that loss. As required by insurance regulations and accounting rules, UPCIC reflects its liability for the ultimate payment of all incurred losses and LAE by establishing a liability for those unpaid losses and LAE for both reported and unreported claims, which represent estimates of future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses.




40


When a claim involving a probable loss is reported, UPCIC establishes a liability for the estimated amount of UPCIC’s ultimate loss and LAE payments.  The estimate of the amount of the ultimate loss is based upon such factors as the type of loss, jurisdiction of the occurrence, knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the claim, severity of injury or damage, potential for ultimate exposure, estimate of liability on the part of the insured, past experience with similar claims and the applicable policy provisions.




All newly reported claims received are set up with an initial average liability.  That claim is then evaluated and the liability is adjusted upward or downward according to the facts and damages of that particular claim.




In addition, management provides for a liability on an aggregate basis to provide for losses incurred but not reported. UPCIC utilizes independent actuaries to help establish its liability for unpaid losses and LAE. UPCIC does not discount the liability for unpaid losses and LAE for financial statement purposes.




The estimates of the liability for unpaid losses and LAE are subject to the effect of trends in claims severity and frequency and are continually reviewed.  As part of this process, UPCIC reviews historical data and considers various factors, including known and anticipated legal developments, changes in social attitudes, inflation and economic conditions. As experience develops and other data becomes available, these estimates are revised, as required, resulting in increases or decreases to the existing liability for unpaid losses and LAE.  Adjustments are reflected in results of operations in the period in which they are made and the liabilities may deviate substantially from prior estimates.




Among the classes of insurance underwritten by UPCIC, the homeowners’ liability claims historically tend to have longer time lapses between the occurrence of the event, the reporting of the claim to UPCIC and the final settlement than do homeowners’ property claims. Liability claims often involve third parties filing suit and the ensuing litigation. By comparison, property damage claims tend to be reported in a relatively shorter period of time with the vast majority of these claims resulting in an adjustment without litigation.




There can be no assurance that UPCIC’s liability for unpaid losses and LAE will be adequate to cover actual losses. If UPCIC’s liability for unpaid losses and LAE proves to be inadequate, UPCIC will be required to increase the liability with a corresponding reduction in UPCIC’s net income in the period in which the deficiency is identified. Future loss experience substantially in excess of established liability for unpaid losses and LAE could have a material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.




Government Regulation




Florida insurance companies, such as UPCIC, are subject to regulation and supervision by the OIR. The OIR has broad regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers. Such powers relate, among other things, to the granting and revocation of licenses to transact business; the licensing of agents (through the Florida Department of Financial Services); the standards of solvency to be met and maintained; the nature of, and limitations on, investments; approval of policy forms and rates; review of reinsurance contracts; periodic examination of the affairs of insurance companies; and the form and content of required financial statements.  Such regulation and supervision are primarily for the benefit and protection of policyholders and not for the benefit of investors.




In addition, the Florida Legislature and the NAIC from time to time consider proposals that may affect, among other things, regulatory assessments and reserve requirements. The Company cannot predict the




41


effect that any proposed or future legislation or regulatory or administrative initiatives may have on the financial condition or operations of UPCIC or the Company.




UPCIC will become subject to other states’ laws and regulations as it seeks authority to transact business in states other than Florida. In addition, UPCIC may be affected by proposals for increased regulatory involvement by the federal government.




Legislative Initiatives




The State of Florida operates Citizens to provide insurance to Florida homeowners in high-risk areas and others without private insurance options. As of March 31, 2010, there were 1,051,373 Citizens policies in force. In May 2007, the State of Florida passed legislation that freezes property insurance rates for Citizens customers at December 2006 levels through December 31, 2008 and permits insurance customers to opt into Citizens when the price of a private policy is 15% more than the Citizens rate, compared to the previous opt-in threshold of 25%. In May 2008, the Florida Legislature extended a freeze on Citizens rates through January 2010. In 2009, the legislature authorized Citizens to make implement annual change changes, beginning January 1, 2010, to achieve actuarially sound rate levels, provided that the rate increase in any year cannot exceed ten percent for any policyholder, excluding coverage changes and surcharges.  This limitation on policyholders’ rate changes has resulted in Citizens’ implementing rates levels for 2010 that in the aggregate are lower than its indicated rate need.  These initiatives, together with any future initiatives that seek to further relax eligibility requirements or reduce premium rates for Citizens customers, could adversely affect the ability of UPCIC and the Company to do business profitably. In addition, the Florida Legislature in 2007 expanded the capacity of the FHCF, with the intent of reducing the cost of reinsurance otherwise purchased by residential property insurers. In 2009, the Florida Legislature adopted a plan to phase-out the expanded FHCF coverage over a period extending through the 2013 hurricane season, and to increase the premiums associated with the expanded coverage.  As the expanded FHCF coverage expires and as the FHCF increases charges for the remaining expanded coverage, If the expanded FHCF coverage expires or if the law providing for the expanded coverage is otherwise modified, or UPCIC otherwise purchases additional private market reinsurance due to reduced estimates of the FHCF’s claims-paying capacity, the cost of UPCIC’s reinsurance program may increase, which could affect UPCIC’s profitability until such time as UPCIC can obtain approval of appropriate rate changes. State and federal legislation relating to insurance is affected by a number of political and economic factors that are beyond the control of UPCIC and the Company, and the Florida Legislature and the NAIC from time to time consider proposals that may affect, among other things, regulatory assessments and reserve requirements. The Company cannot predict the effect that any proposed or future legislation or regulatory or administrative initiatives may have on the financial condition or operations of UPCIC or the Company.




Product Pricing




The rates charged by UPCIC generally are subject to regulatory review and approval before they may be implemented.  UPCIC periodically submits its rate revisions to regulators as required by law or deemed by the Company and UPCIC to be necessary or appropriate for UPCIC’s business.  UPCIC prepares these filings based on objective data relating to its business and on judgment exercised by its management or employees and by retained professionals.  There is no assurance that the objective data incorporated in UPCIC’s filings based on its past experience will be reflective of UPCIC’s future business.  In addition, there is no assurance that UPCIC’s business will develop consistently with the judgments reflected in its filings.  The Company and UPCIC likewise cannot be assured that regulatory authorities will evaluate UPCIC’s data and judgments in the same manner as UPCIC.  UPCIC’s filings also might be affected by political or regulatory factors outside of UPCIC’s control, which might result in disapproval of UPCIC’s




42


filings or in negotiated compromises resulting in approved rates that differ from rates initially filed by UPCIC or that the Company and UPCIC otherwise would consider more appropriate for its business.




The premiums charged by UPCIC to policyholders are affected by legislative enactments and administrative rules, including a state-mandated program requiring residential property insurance companies like UPCIC to provide premium discounts when policyholders verify that insured properties have certain construction techniques or other windstorm loss reduction fixtures.  The level of required premium discounts may exceed the expected reduction in losses associated with the construction techniques or fixtures for which the discounts are provided.  Although UPCIC may submit rate filings to address any premium deficiencies, those rate filings are subject to the considerations identified in the preceding paragraph.  Any inability of UPCIC to implement sufficient and timely rate adjustments to provide aggregate premiums commensurate with UPCIC’s expected losses will have a material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.









Dependence on Key Individuals




UPCIC’s operations depend in large part on the efforts of Bradley I. Meier, who serves as President of UPCIC. Mr. Meier has also served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company since its inception in November 1990. In addition, UPCIC’s operations have become materially dependent on the efforts of Sean P. Downes, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of UPCIC. Mr. Downes has also served as Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President and Director of the Company since January 2005 and as a Director of UPCIC since May 2003. The loss of the services provided by Mr. Meier or Mr. Downes could have a material adverse effect on UPCIC’s and the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.




Competition




The insurance industry is highly competitive and many companies currently write homeowners’ property and casualty insurance. Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries must compete with companies that have greater capital resources and longer operating histories as well as start-up companies. Increased competition from other private insurance companies as well as Citizens could adversely affect the Company’s ability to do business profitably. Although the Company’s pricing is inevitably influenced to some degree by that of its competitors, management of the Company believes that it is generally not in the Company’s best interest to compete solely on price, choosing instead to compete on the basis of underwriting criteria, its distribution network and high quality service to its agents and insureds.




Financial Stability Rating




Financial stability ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies and may impact an insurance company’s sales.  Demotech, Inc. maintains a letter scale financial stability rating system ranging from A′′ (A double prime) to L (licensed by state regulatory authorities).  On April 8, 2010, Demotech, Inc. reaffirmed UPCIC’s financial stability rating of A, which is the fourth highest of six rating levels. According to Demotech, Inc., A ratings are assigned to insurers that have “... exceptional ability to maintain liquidity of invested assets, quality reinsurance, acceptable financial leverage and realistic pricing while simultaneously establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at reasonable levels.”  With a financial stability rating of A, the Company expects that UPCIC’s property insurance policies will be acceptable to the secondary mortgage marketplace and mortgage lenders.  The








43








ra ting of UPCIC is subject to at least annual review by, and may be revised downward or revoked at the sole discretion of, Demotech, Inc.





In November 2008, Demotech sent UPCIC a letter entitled Recent Events Affecting Financial Stability Ratings for Florida Property and Casualty Insurance Companies Require Supplemental Information. The letter provided Demotech’s perspective and expectations relative to the reported short term liquidity issues facing the FHCF. Specifically, the letter stated that an extension of Financial Stability Ratings beyond May 15, 2009 would require definitive financial information regarding participation in the FHCF, documentation of bridge loans or alternative financing mechanisms that provide liquidity during a period in which the FHCF would be raising capital, and any other precaution or protection regarding reinsurance collectability or catastrophe reinsurance. UPCIC subsequently implemented plans addressing Demotech’s concern with the FHCF liquidity issue and was successful in maintaining its A rating.




In March 2010, to help address questions and concerns relative to Demotech’s rating and review process, Demotech published Guidance on Financial Stability Ratings and Catastrophe Reinsurance Program Reporting for Florida Property Insurers. The document contains the criteria Demotech considers when reviewing a company. The standards are some of the objective evaluation criteria applied to each insurer writing property business in Florida. On March 22, 2010, UPCIC received notice from Demotech that it would require a capital infusion of $30 million by April 16, 2010 in order for UPCIC to maintain its A rating. In order to comply with this requirement the Company contributed an aggregate amount of $30 million to UPCIC in March 2010. Demotech subsequently reaffirmed UPCIC’s A rating.




UPCIC’s failure to maintain a commercially acceptable financial stability rating could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to retain and attract policyholders and agents.   A withdrawal of the rating could cause UPCIC’s insurance policies to no longer be acceptable to the secondary marketplace and mortgage lenders, which could cause a material adverse effect of the Company’s results of operations and financial position.




Demotech, Inc. bases its ratings on factors that concern policyholders and not upon factors concerning investor protection.  Such ratings are subject to change and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities.









ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK




The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total rate of return after federal income taxes while maintaining liquidity and minimizing risk.  The Company’s current investment policy limits investment in non-investment grade fixed maturity securities (including high-yield bonds), and limits total investments in preferred stock and common stock.  The Company complies with applicable laws and regulations, which further restrict the type, quality and concentration of investments.  In general, these laws and regulations permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common equity securities and real estate mortgages.




The Company’s investment policy is established by the Board of Directors Investment Committee and is reviewed on a regular basis.  Pursuant to this investment policy, as of March 31, 2010, approximately




44


50.1% of the investments were in fixed income available for sale securities and 49.9% in equity securities considered available for sale, based upon our estimates of required liquidity.  The Company may in the future consider additional fixed maturities to be held to maturity and carried at amortized cost.  The Company does not use any swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge or enhance the investment portfolio at this time.




The investment portfolio is managed by the Investment Committee consisting of all current directors in accordance with guidelines established by the Florida OIR.




The table below sets forth investment results for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:




For the Three Months Ended March 31,2010


2009Cash and cash equivalents

$
18,454


$
215,983Fixed maturities


299,629



127,716Equity securities


9,990



96,730Total investment income


328,073



440,429Less investment expenses


(135,120
)


(115,840
)Net investment income

$
192,953


$
324,589







The following table summarizes, by type, the Company’s investments as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009:




March 31, 2010


December 31, 2009Carrying


Percent


Carrying


PercentAmount


of Total


Amount


of TotalFixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value:US government and agency obligations


56,889,863



42.9
%


41,389,008



36.1
%Foreign obligations


9,478,937



7.2
%


-



0.0
%Equity securities, at market


66,087,564



49.9
%


73,408,002



63.9
%Total investments

$
132,456,364



100.00
%

$
114,797,010



100.00
%







Fixed maturities, available for sale, are carried on the balance sheet at fair value.  At March 31, 2010, the fixed maturities had quality ratings from AAA to Aaa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and AAA, except for Switzerland Government Bonds which are not rated, by Standard and Poors’ Company.




Below is a summary of fixed maturities at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 by contractual or expected periods.




45







March 31, 2010


December 31, 2009Available-for-Sale

Amortized Cost


Estimated Fair Value


Amortized Cost


Estimated Fair ValueDue in one year or less

$
897,310


$
896,192


$
-


$
-Due after one year through five years


8,841,591



8,763,721



176,350



180,901Due after five years through ten years


12,879,359



12,779,338



2,909,446



2,942,497Due after ten years


45,184,170



43,929,549



39,210,931



38,265,610Total

$
67,802,430


$
66,368,800


$
42,296,727


$
41,389,008







At March 31, 2010, the weighted average maturity of the fixed maturities portfolio was approximately 13.56 years.




The Company’s market risk generally represents the risk of gain or loss that may result from the potential change in the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio as a result of fluctuations in prices, interest rates and, to a lesser extent, the Company’s debt obligations.  As previously described in Note 6 “Loan Payable and Long-Term Debt”, of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company’s surplus note accrues interest at an adjustable rate based on the 10-year Constant Maturity Treasury rate.




ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES




The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2010 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. There was no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has 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 is involved in certain lawsuits.  In the opinion of management, none of these lawsuits (1) involve claims for damages exceeding 10% of the Company’s cash and invested assets, (2) involve matters that are not routine litigation incidental to the claims aspect of its business, (3) involve bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings, (4) involve material Federal, state, or local environmental laws, (5) potentially involve more than $100,000 in sanctions and a governmental authority is a party, or (6) are material proceedings to which any director, officer, affiliate of the Company, beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Company, or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company.




ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS




There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.


46





ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS




None.




ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES




None.




ITEM 4.  (REMOVED AND RESERVED)









ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION




None.




ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS







Exhibit No.
Exhibit3.1
Registrant’s Restated Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (1)3.2
Certificate of Designation for Series A Convertible Preferred Stock dated October 11, 1994 (2)3.3
Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of Series M Convertible Preferred Stock dated August 13, 1997 (3)3.4
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated October 19, 1998 (2)3.5
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated December 18, 2000 (2)3.6
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designations of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock dated October 29, 2001 (2)3.7
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated December 7, 2005 (4)3.8
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated May 18, 2007 (4)3.9
Amended and Restated Bylaws (5)31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


47





31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200232
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 200299.1
Schedule of Investments





(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-51546) declared effective on December 14, 1992(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A for the year ended April 30, 1997(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for period ended June 30, 2007(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 8, 2007









48




SIGNATURES




In accordance with 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.









UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.Date:           May 10, 2010

/s/ Bradley I. MeierBradley I. Meier, President and Chief Executive Officer/s/ James M. LynchJames M. Lynch, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)