For 2016, the companies to whom we have ceded reinsurance for the Life segment are shown below (in thousands, except percentages):
For the medical expense business, we use reinsurance on an excess of loss basis. We purchase coverage for $1.5 million in excess of $500,000. We cede or retrocede the majority of the premium and risk associated with our stop loss and other MGU programs. We maintain reinsurance on a quota share basis for our long-term care and disability income business.
Other Commercial: Net premiums written and earned increased during 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to increased sales of mortgage security insurance. This increase was partially offset by an increase in reinsurance premium ceded for the workers compensation and umbrella lines of business. Net premiums written and earned increased during 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to increased premium per policy for the workers’ compensation and business owners’ products. Improvement in the loss and combined ratios during 2015 compared to 2014 is primarily due to favorable case reserve development on workers’ compensation claims.
We reinsure a portion of the risks that we underwrite to manage our loss exposure. In return for ceded premiums, reinsurers assume a portion of the claims incurred. In addition to our reinsurance coverage, we are partially protected by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 and its predecessors. We participate in the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Management believes the recorded allowance is adequate and is the best estimate of probable loan losses, including losses incurred at the reporting date but not identified by a specific loan. The allowance is based on historical loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations affecting the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. Loans are charged off as uncollectible only when the loan is forgiven by a legal agreement. Prior to charging off a loan, an allowance is recorded based on the estimated recoverable amount. Upon forgiveness, both the allowance and the loan balance are reduced which results in no further gain or loss.
During 2016, American National did not foreclose on any loans, and one loan with a recorded investment of $1,940,000, was in the process of foreclosure. For the year ended December 31, 2015, American National foreclosed on three loans with a recorded investment totaling $24,333,000 and one loan was in the process of foreclosure with a recorded investment of $2,450,000. American National sold no loans during 2016 and one loan with a recorded investment of $2,702,000 resulting in a realized loss of $1,602,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Index to Financial Statements Note 5 - Mortgage Loans - (Continued)
The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Since fixed maturity securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications, which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. Additionally, an option adjusted spread model is used to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios.
Other Financial Instruments-Other financial instruments classified as Level 3 measurements, as there is little or no market activity, are as follows:
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value hierarchies. The transfers into Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 were the result of existing securities no longer being priced by the third-party pricing service at the end of the period and unless information is obtained from the brokers that indicate observable inputs were used in their pricing, there are not enough observable inputs to enable American National to classify the securities priced by the brokers as anything other than Level 3. American National’s valuation of these securities involves judgment regarding assumptions market participants would use including quotes from independent brokers. The inputs used by the brokers include recent transactions in the security, similar bonds with same name, ratings, maturity and structure, external dealer quotes in the security, Bloomberg evaluated pricing and prior months pricing. None of them are observable to American National as of December 31, 2016. The transfers out of Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, were securities being priced by the third-party service at the end of the period, using inputs that are observable or derived from market data, which resulted in classification of these assets as Level 2.
Initial Expected Loss Ratio-This method calculates an estimate of ultimate losses by applying an estimated loss ratio to actual earned premium for each calendar/accident year.
Accident and Health- Consists of stop loss, other supplemental health products and credit disability insurance. This line of business has substantially all claims settled and paid in less than four years. Claims and claim adjustment expenses are shown below (in thousands):
American National has a $100,000,000 short-term variable rate borrowing facility containing a $55,000,000 sub-feature for the issuance of letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility are at the discretion of the lender and would be used only for funding working capital requirements. The combination of borrowings and outstanding letters of credit cannot exceed $100,000,000 at any time. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the outstanding letters of credit were $9,473,000 and $9,501,000, respectively, and there were no borrowings on this facility. This facility expires on October 30, 2017. American National expects it will be renewed on substantially equivalent terms upon expiration.