The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method using premiums and paid losses is a combination of the Paid Development method and the Expected Loss Ratio method. This method normally determines expected loss ratios similar to the method used for the Expected Loss Ratio method and requires analysis of the same factors described above. The method assumes that only future losses will develop at the expected loss ratio level. The percent of paid loss to ultimate loss implied from the Paid Development method is used to determine what percentage of ultimate loss is yet to be paid. The use of the pattern from the Paid Development method requires consideration of all factors
The detailed reserve analyses that the Company’s internal and external actuaries complete use a variety of generally accepted actuarial methods and techniques to produce a number of estimates of ultimate loss. The Company determines its best estimate of ultimate loss by reviewing the various estimates and assigning weight to each estimate given the characteristics of the reserve category being reviewed. The reserve estimate is the difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the losses paid to date. The difference between the estimated ultimate loss and the case incurred loss (paid loss plus case reserve) is considered to be IBNR. IBNR calculated as such includes a provision for development on known cases (supplemental development) as well as a provision for claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported (pure IBNR).
(4) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments and premium deficiency charges. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
(11) The Company believes that this non-GAAP ratio or measure is useful to investors when evaluating the Company’s underwriting performance as trends in the Company’s U.S. insurance operations may be obscured by premium deficiency charges. This non-GAAP ratio or measure should not be considered as a substitute for its most directly comparable GAAP measure and does not reflect the overall underwriting profitability of the Company.
(12) This is a non-GAAP ratio that excludes the impact of prior accident year adjustments. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is the loss ratio.
Net premiums written was $213.7 million for 2013, compared with $177.8 million for 2012, an increase of $35.9 million or 20.2%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in gross premiums written and a reduction of ceded premiums written as a result of an increase in retention in property excess of loss and property catastrophe. The ratio of net premiums written to gross premiums written was 92.0% for 2013 and 88.1% for 2012.
Net investment income, which is gross investment income less investment expenses, was $37.2 million for 2013, compared with $47.6 million for 2012, a decrease of $10.3 million or 21.8%.
The Company has available two margin borrowing facilities. The borrowing rate is tied to LIBOR and is currently approximately 1%. These facilities are due on demand. The borrowings are subject to maintenance margin, which is a minimum account balance that must be maintained. A decline in market conditions could require an additional deposit of collateral. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $222.8 million in collateral was deposited to support the borrowings. The amount borrowed against the margin accounts may fluctuate as routine investment transactions, such as dividends received, investment income received, maturities and pay-downs, impact cash balances. The margin facilities contains customary events of default, including, without limitation, insolvency, failure to make required payments, failure to comply with any representations or warranties, failure to adequately assure future performance, and failure of a guarantor to perform under its guarantee.
In December, 2014, Global Indemnity Group, Inc. declared and paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. and U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. declared and paid a dividend of $125 million to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) IV S.à.r.l. In accordance with the Luxembourg Treaty, the $125 million dividend from Global Indemnity Group, Inc. to U.A.I. (Luxembourg) Investment S.à.r.l. was subject to a 5% U.S. withholding tax amounting to $6.3 million.
The Company offers property and casualty insurance products in the excess and surplus lines marketplace through its Insurance Operations and provides third party treaty reinsurance for specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies through its Reinsurance Operations. As of December 31, 2014, the Company managed its Insurance Operations by differentiating them into three product classifications: Penn-America, which markets to small commercial businesses through a select network of wholesale general agents with specific binding authority; United National, which markets insurance products for targeted insured segments, including specialty products, such as property, general liability, and professional lines through program administrators with specific binding authority; and Diamond State, which markets property, casualty, and professional lines products, which are developed by the Company’s underwriting department by individuals with expertise in those lines of business, through wholesale brokers and also markets through program administrators having specific binding authority. These product classifications comprise the Company’s Insurance Operations business segment and are not considered individual business segments because each product has similar economic characteristics, distribution, and coverage. Collectively, the Company’s U.S. insurance subsidiaries are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations consist solely of the operations of its Bermuda-based wholly-owned subsidiary, Global Indemnity Reinsurance. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is a treaty reinsurer of specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance companies. The Company’s Reinsurance Operations segment provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies.
reinsurers. Amounts receivable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the reinsured policy and the reinsurance contract.
U.S. treasury and agency obligations-As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to U.S. treasury and agency obligations were $0.083 million. Of this amount, $0.074 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater and are rated AA+ or better. Macroeconomic and market analysis is conducted in evaluating these securities. The analysis is driven by moderate interest rate anticipation, yield curve management, and security selection.
Common stock-As of December 31, 2014, gross unrealized losses related to common stock were $2.938 million. Of this amount, $0.130 million have been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater. To determine if an other than temporary impairment of an equity security has occurred, the Company considers, among other things, the severity and duration of the decline in fair value of the equity security. The Company also examines other factors to determine if the equity security could recover its value in a reasonable period of time.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has goodwill of $4.8 million as a result of a 2010 acquisition, which represents the excess purchase price over the Company’s best estimate of the fair value of the assets acquired. Impairment testing performed in 2014 and 2013 did not result in impairment of the goodwill acquired.
Marine: A $0.9 million increase primarily related to accident years 2011 and 2012.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) issues model laws and regulations, many of which have been adopted by state insurance regulators, relating to: (a) risk-based capital (“RBC”) standards;
Under the Companies Act, Global Indemnity Reinsurance may only declare or pay a dividend if it has no reasonable grounds for believing that it is, or would after the payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due, or if the realizable value of its assets would not be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and its issued share capital and share premium accounts. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is also prohibited, without the approval of the BMA, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements, and any application for such approval must include such information as the BMA may require. Based upon the total statutory capital plus the statutory surplus as set out in its 2014 statutory financial statements that will be filed in 2015, Global Indemnity Reinsurance could pay a dividend of up to $287.1 million without requesting BMA approval. Global Indemnity Reinsurance is dependent on receiving distributions from its subsidiaries in order to pay the full dividend.