Losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) reflect losses paid, expenses paid to resolve claims, such as fees paid to adjusters, attorneys and investigators, and changes in our reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses during the period, in each case net of losses ceded to reinsurers. Our reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of resolving all reported claims plus all losses we incurred related to insured events that we assume have occurred as of the reporting date, but that policyholders have not yet reported to us (which are commonly referred to as incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). We estimate our reserves for unpaid losses using individual case-based estimates for reported claims and actuarial estimates for IBNR losses. We continually review and adjust our estimated losses as necessary based on our evolving claims experience, new information obtained and industry development trends. If our unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are considered deficient or redundant, we increase or decrease the liability in the period in which we identify the difference and reflect the change in our current period results of operations.
General and administrative expenses (“G&A”) include compensation and related benefits, professional fees, office lease and related expenses, information system expenses, corporate insurance, and other general and administrative costs. As noted above, a certain portion of our ceding commissions are allocated to general and administrative expenses.
Gross premiums earned were $996.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, up 7.9% compared to $924.2 million in the prior year. The increase in gross premiums earned stems from gross premiums written growth in 2019 and 2020.
Our principal sources of liquidity include cash flows generated from operations, our cash, cash equivalents, our marketable securities balances and borrowings available under our credit facilities. As of December 31, 2020, we held $446.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $589.0 million in investments, compared to $283.0 million and $595.2 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase in cash and cash equivalents in 2020 was due primarily to increases in gross written premiums and collection of reinsurance recoveries, as well as proceeds from strategic sales of fixed incomed securities, partially offset by loss payments.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is subject to evaluation for impairment using a fair value-based test. This evaluation is performed annually, during the fourth quarter or more frequently if facts and circumstances warrant. We use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. We apply this qualitative approach as of October 1 annually to any and all reporting units. If required following the qualitative assessment, the first step in the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the fair value of each of a reporting unit to the carrying value of a reporting unit. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, we are required to proceed to the second step. In the second step, the fair value of the reporting unit would be allocated to the assets (including unrecognized intangibles) and liabilities of the reporting unit, with any residual representing the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized if, and to the extent that, the carrying value of goodwill exceeded the implied value. We review amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If we have concluded that impairment exists, the carrying amount is reduced to fair value. No impairment was recognized in any period presented.
We determine our ultimate loss reserves by selecting an estimate within a relevant range of indications that we calculate using generally accepted actuarial techniques. Our selection of the point estimate is influenced by the analysis of our paid losses and incurred losses since inception.
Estimated cash, cash equivalents and investments is intended to reflect the impact of loss reserves, net of taxes.
Provision for Premium Deficiency. At each reporting date, we determine whether we have a premium deficiency. A premium deficiency would result if the sum of our expected losses, deferred policy acquisition costs and policy maintenance costs (such as costs to store records and costs incurred to collect premiums and pay commissions) exceeded our related unearned premiums plus investment income. Should we determine that a premium deficiency exists, we would write off the unrecoverable portion of deferred policy acquisition costs. No accruals for premium deficiency were considered necessary as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
We evaluated management’s prior year estimate for unpaid losses and LAE and the factors leading to changes in the estimate recognized in the current year. With the assistance of our engaged actuarial specialist, we assessed the reasonableness of management’s revisions to the estimate for unpaid losses and LAE.
The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the assets might have become impaired. The Company determines whether the assets can be recovered from undiscounted future cash flows and, if not recoverable, the Company recognizes impairment to reduce the carrying value to fair value. Recoverability of long-lived assets is dependent upon, among other things, the Company’s ability to maintain profitability, so as to be able to meet its obligations when they become due. No impairment was recognized in any period presented.
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method, that recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the tax rates expected to be in effect during the periods in which the temporary differences reverse. Temporary differences arise when income or expenses are recognized in different periods in the consolidated financial statements than on the tax returns. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all, or some portion, of the benefits related to deferred tax assets will not be realized. Income taxes includes both, estimated federal and state income taxes.
Includes securities at December 31, 2020 with a carrying amount of $21.6 million that were pledged as collateral for the advance agreement entered into with a financial institution in 2018. The Company is permitted to withdraw or exchange any portion of the pledged collateral over the minimum requirement at any time.
The following tables present, for all debt securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position (including securities pledged), the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
No agreements exist requiring the Company to provide additional funding to any of the non-consolidated VIEs in excess of the Company’s initial investment.
A $976.0 million of limit is structured on an aggregate basis (Top and Aggregate, Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 4, Multi-Zonal and northeast only). To the extent that this coverage is not fully exhausted in the first catastrophic event, it provides coverage commencing at its reduced retention for second and subsequent events where underlying coverage has been previously exhausted. The Company purchased reinstatement premium protection for $621.0 million of this coverage, which can be reinstated one time. Layers (with exception to FHCF) are “net” of a $40.0 million attachment point. Layers inure to the subsequent layers if the aggregate limit of the preceding layer(s) is exhausted, and a portion of the subsequent layer cascades down in its place.
The Company believes that the reserve for unpaid losses reasonably represents the amount necessary to pay all claims and related expenses which may arise from incidents that have occurred as of the balance sheet date.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had $22.1 million of the Convertible Notes outstanding, net of issuance and debt discount costs in aggregate of approximately, $1.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company made interest payments, net of affiliated Convertible Notes of approximately $1.4 million, on the outstanding Convertible Notes.
The Company reacquired convertible senior notes over a series of transactions in 2019, 2018 and 2017. In accordance with ASC 470 “ Debt ”, the Company evaluated the accounting treatment to determine if the repurchase of the Convertible Notes constituted a debt extinguishment. ASC 405-20-40-1 provides implementation guidance in order to determine if the Company is legally released from being the primary obligor under the liability, either judicially or by the creditor. Based on the reacquisition of the Convertible Notes, the Company should derecognize the related debt and conversion option liability. Upon extinguishment, the Company performed a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis for each transaction based on its date and principal amount, leveraging market debt yield data as of each trade date to estimate the costs of the debt.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate.
The Company reported its insurance subsidiaries’ assets, liabilities and results of operations in accordance with GAAP, which varies from statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by state laws and regulations, as well as by general industry practices.