Net earned premiums decreased $0.8 million, or 1.5%, during 2006 from 2005 due primarily to the decline in written premiums discussed previously.
Certain of the statements contained herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to, among other things, economic, competitive and legislative developments. The forward-looking statements are subject to changes and uncertainties which are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control and have been made based upon management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect upon the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments will be in accordance with management’s expectations or that the effect of future developments on the Company will be those anticipated by management. Actual results could differ materially from those expected by the Company, depending on the outcome of various factors. These factors include, among others, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and: unanticipated increases in the rate, number and amounts of claims outstanding; the possible occurrence of terrorist attacks; the level of performance of reinsurance companies under reinsurance contracts and the availability, pricing and adequacy of reinsurance to protect the Company against losses; changes in the stock markets, interest rates or other financial markets, including the potential effect on the Company’s statutory capital levels; the uncertain effect on the Company of regulatory and market-driven changes in practices relating to the payment of incentive compensation to brokers, agents and other producers; the incidence and severity of catastrophes, both natural and man-made; stronger than anticipated competitive activity; unfavorable judicial or legislative developments, including the possibility that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 is not ultimately extended; the potential effect of regulatory developments, including those which could increase the Company’s business costs and required capital levels; the possibility of general economic and business conditions that are less favorable than anticipated; the Company’s ability to distribute its products through distribution channels, both current and future; the uncertain effect of emerging claim and coverage issues; and the effect of assessments and other surcharges for guaranty funds and second-injury trust funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements. Many of such factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. As a result, the
Life insurance premiums are recognized as revenues when due; accident and health premiums are recognized over the premium paying period and property and casualty insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Benefits and expenses are associated with premiums as they are earned so as to result in recognition of profits over the lives of the contracts. For traditional life insurance and long-duration health insurance, this association is accomplished by the provision of a future policy benefits reserve and the deferral and subsequent amortization of the costs of acquiring business, “deferred policy acquisition costs” (principally commissions, premium taxes, and other expenses of issuing policies). Deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the estimated premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing the policy benefits reserve. The Company provides for insurance benefits and losses on accident, health, and property-casualty claims based upon estimates of projected ultimate losses. The deferred policy acquisition costs for property and casualty insurance and short-duration health insurance are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Deferred policy acquisition costs are expensed when such costs are deemed not to be recoverable from future premiums (for traditional life and long-duration health insurance) and from the related unearned premiums and investment income (for property and casualty and short-duration health insurance).
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired and is not amortized. The Company periodically reviews its goodwill to determine if any adverse conditions exist that could indicate impairment. Conditions that could trigger impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant change in business climate that could affect the value of the related asset, an adverse action, or an assessment by a regulator. No impairment of the Company’s recorded goodwill was identified during any of the periods presented.
income (loss) per common share were determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123. The fair value of these options was determined at the date of grant using an options pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the volatility of the stock price. If the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation in 2005 and 2004, the Company’s net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share would have been as follows:
Prior years’ development, as reported in 2006 and 2005, was primarily the result of better than expected development on prior years IBNR reserves for Medicare supplement as well as certain business within American Southern and Association Casualty.
On February 21, 2006, the Company entered into a zero cost rate collar with Wachovia to hedge future interest payments on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The notional amount of the collar was $18,042 with an effective date of March 6, 2006. The collar has a LIBOR floor rate of 4.77% and a LIBOR cap rate of 5.85% and adjusts quarterly on the 4th of each March, June, September and December through termination on March 4, 2013.