As a smaller reporting company, we have elected to comply with certain scaled disclosure reporting obligations, and therefore are not providing the information required by this Item.
The Company determines the fair values of certain financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820-10-20, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10-20”). The fair values of fixed maturities and equity securities are largely determined by nationally quoted market prices, when available, or independent broker quotations. See Note 2 and Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to assets and liabilities carried at fair value and information about the inputs used to value those financial instruments, by hierarchy level, in accordance with ASC 820-10-20.
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses comprised 30% of the Company’s total liabilities at December 31, 2020. This liability includes estimates for: 1) unpaid losses on claims reported prior to December 31, 2020, 2) future development on those reported claims, 3) unpaid ultimate losses on claims incurred prior to December 31, 2020 but not yet reported and 4) unpaid loss adjustment expenses for reported and unreported claims incurred prior to December 31, 2020. Quantification of loss estimates for each of these components involves a significant degree of judgment and estimates may vary, materially, from period to period. Estimated unpaid losses on reported claims are developed based on historical experience with similar claims by the Company. Development on reported claims, estimates of unpaid ultimate losses on claims incurred prior to December 31, 2020 but not yet reported, and estimates of unpaid loss adjustment expenses are developed based on the Company’s historical experience, using actuarial methods to assist in the analysis. The Company’s actuaries develop ranges of estimated development on reported and unreported claims as well as loss adjustment expenses using various methods, including the paid-loss development method, the reported-loss development method, the paid Bornhuetter-Ferguson method and the reported Bornhuetter-Ferguson method. Any single method used to estimate ultimate losses has inherent advantages and disadvantages due to the trends and changes affecting the business environment and the Company’s administrative policies. Further, external factors, such as legislative changes, medical cost inflation, and others may directly or indirectly impact the relative adequacy of liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. The Company’s approach is to select an estimate of ultimate losses based on comparing results of a variety of reserving methods, as opposed to total reliance on any single method. Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses are reviewed periodically for significant lines of business, and when current results differ from the original assumptions used to develop such estimates, the amount of the Company’s recorded liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses is adjusted. In the event the Company’s actual reported losses in any period are materially in excess of the previously estimated amounts, such losses, to the extent reinsurance coverage does not exist, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Receivables are amounts due from reinsurers, insureds and agents, and any sales of investment securities not yet settled, and comprised 14% of the Company’s total assets at December 31, 2020. Insured and agent balances are evaluated periodically for collectibility. Annually, the Company performs an analysis of the creditworthiness of the reinsurers with whom the Company contracts using various data sources. Failure of reinsurers to meet their obligations due to insolvencies, disputes or otherwise could result in uncollectible amounts and losses to the Company. Allowances for uncollectible amounts are established, as and when a loss has been determined probable, against the related receivable. Losses are recognized by the Company when determined on a specific account basis and a general provision for loss is made based on the Company’s historical experience.
Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences between assets and liabilities that are recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts that are recognized for tax purposes. These deferred income taxes are measured by applying currently enacted tax laws and rates. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is deemed more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the likelihood of realization, management considers estimates of future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
Share-based transactions include employee and director share-based compensation awards. The Company determines a grant date fair value based on the price of our publicly-traded common stock and recognize the related compensation expense, adjusted for actual forfeitures, in the consolidated statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For non-employee share-based compensation awards, the Company recognizes the impact during the period of performance, and the fair value of the award is measured as of the date performance is complete, which is the vesting date.
Refer to Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details regarding the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Total revenue was $195.3 million in 2020 as compared to $198.2 million in 2019. Premium revenue increased to $183.5 million in 2020 from $181.9 million in 2019. The increase in premium revenue was primarily due to an increase in the automobile physical damage line of business within the property and casualty operations in addition to life and other health lines in the life and health operations. Partially offsetting the increase in premium revenue was a decrease in the Medicare supplement line of business in the life and health operations.
Gross written premiums at American Southern increased $4.4 million, or 6.7%, during 2020 as compared to 2019. The increase in gross written premiums was primarily attributable to an increase in premiums written in the automobile physical damage line of business due to a new agency that started in the second half of 2019, as well as increased writings from certain existing agencies. Also contributing to the increase in gross written premiums was an increase in premiums written in the general liability line of business related to new and existing programs. Partially offsetting the increase in gross written premiums was a decline in premiums written in the automobile liability line of business primarily attributable to the cancellation of certain programs and a return of premium to one account as a result of a decline of usage due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ceded premiums increased $0.4 million, or 6.7%, during 2020 as compared to 2019. American Southern’s ceded premiums are typically determined as a percentage of earned premiums and generally increase or decrease as earned premiums increase or decrease. Also contributing to the increase in ceded premiums was an increase in earned premiums in certain accounts within the automobile physical damage and general liability lines of business, which are subject to reinsurance.
Insurance benefits and losses incurred at American Southern decreased $0.2 million, or 0.5%, during 2020 as compared to 2019. As a percentage of premiums, insurance benefits and losses incurred were 63.1% in 2020 as compared to 67.4% in 2019. The decrease in the loss ratio was primarily due to a decline in the number and severity of claims in the automobile liability line of business as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Partially offsetting the decrease in the loss ratio was less favorable loss experience in the automobile physical damage line of business due to an increase in frequency of claims from the new agency.
Contingent commissions, if contractually applicable, are ultimately payable to participating agents based on the underlying profitability of a particular insurance contract or a group of insurance contracts, and are periodically evaluated and accrued as earned. In 2020, approximately 47% of American Southern’s earned premium provides for contractual commission arrangements which compensate the company’s agents in relation to the loss ratios of the business they write, compared to 44% in 2019. By structuring its business in this manner, American Southern provides its agents with an economic incentive to place profitable business with American Southern. In periods in which loss reserves reflect favorable development from prior years’ reserves, there is generally a highly correlated increase in commission expense also related to the prior year business. Accordingly, favorable loss development from prior years, while anticipated to continue in future periods, is not an indicator of significant additional profitability in the current year.
The Company had net realized investment gains of $7.4 million in 2020 as compared to net realized investment gains of $1.6 million in 2019. The net realized investment gains in 2020 were primarily attributable to gains of $6.9 million from the sale of the Company’s interest in a certain limited liability company as well as gains from the sale of a number of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities. The net realized investment gains in 2019 resulted from the disposition of certain of the Company’s investments in equity and fixed maturities. Management continually evaluates the Company’s investment portfolio and, as may be determined to be appropriate, makes adjustments for impairments and/or will divest investments. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Investments in equity securities are measured at fair value at the end of the reporting period, with any changes in fair value reported in net income during the period. The Company recognized net unrealized losses on equity securities of $3.4 million and unrealized gains of $5.5 million during the years ended December 2020 and 2019, respectively. Changes in unrealized gains on equity securities for the applicable periods are primarily the result of fluctuations in the market value of certain of the Company’s equity securities.
Interest expense decreased $0.5 million, or 24.4%, in 2020 as compared to 2019 due to a decrease in the average London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) during the years ending 2020 and 2019, respectively, as the interest rates on the Company’s outstanding junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Junior Subordinated Debentures”) are directly related to LIBOR.
The primary cash needs of the Company are for the payment of claims and operating expenses, maintaining adequate statutory capital and surplus levels, and meeting debt service requirements. Current and expected patterns of claim frequency and severity may change from period to period, but generally are expected to continue within historical ranges. The Company’s primary sources of cash are written premiums, investment income and proceeds from the sale and maturity of its invested assets. The Company believes that, within each operating company, total invested assets will be sufficient to satisfy all policy liabilities and that cash inflows from investment earnings, future premium receipts and reinsurance collections will be adequate to fund the payment of claims and operating expenses as needed.
Cash flows at the Parent are derived from dividends, management fees, and tax-sharing payments, as described below, from the subsidiaries. The principal cash needs of the Parent are for the payment of operating expenses, the acquisition of capital assets and debt service requirements, as well as the repurchase of shares and payments of any dividends as may be authorized and approved by the Company’s board of directors from time to time. At December 31, 2020, the Parent had approximately $4.7 million of unrestricted cash and investments.
Dividend payments to a parent corporation by its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries are subject to annual limitations and are restricted to 10% of statutory surplus or statutory earnings before recognizing realized investment gains of the individual insurance subsidiaries. At December 31, 2020, the Parent’s insurance subsidiaries had an aggregate statutory surplus of $92.5 million. Dividends were paid to Atlantic American by its subsidiaries totaling $3.9 million and $4.8 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Parent provides certain administrative, purchasing and other services to each of its subsidiaries. The amount charged to and paid by the subsidiaries for these services was $6.7 million and $7.2 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. In addition, the Parent has a formal tax-sharing agreement with each of its insurance subsidiaries. A net total of $1.8 million and $3.3 million were paid to the Parent under the tax sharing agreement in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company has two statutory trusts which exist for the exclusive purpose of issuing trust preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts and investing the gross proceeds of the trust preferred securities in Junior Subordinated Debentures. The outstanding $18.0 million and $15.7 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures mature on December 4, 2032 and May 15, 2033, respectively, are callable quarterly, in whole or in part, only at the option of the Company, and have an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The margin ranges from 4.00% to 4.10%. At December 31, 2020, the effective interest rate was 4.28%. The obligations of the Company with respect to the issuances of the trust preferred securities represent a full and unconditional guarantee by the Parent of each trust’s obligations with respect to the trust preferred securities. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, the Company may elect from time to time to defer Junior Subordinated Debenture interest payments, which would result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related trust preferred securities. The Company has not made such an election.
Expected Impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Benefits and losses in our property and casualty operations could be adversely impacted as a result of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to the nature of our primary product lines, the impact is not currently expected to be material. As a result, we do not currently expect a material adverse effect on operating results or liquidity in the property and casualty operations.
The majority of premium revenue in our life and health operations are derived from the senior market segment of the population, or those individuals age sixty-five and up, who maintain Medicare supplement and to a lesser extent, whole life insurance policies with the Company. We expect that earned premiums could be adversely impacted by the rise in unemployment and economic slowdown related to the COVID-19 pandemic and individual, business and government responses thereto, which could lead to a decline in new sales and reduced retention of insureds. As a result, we currently anticipate that the life and health operations may experience a marginal decline in earned premiums although the actual impact cannot be predicted with certainty at this time.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atlantic American Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes and schedules (collectively, referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Evaluating movement of the Company’s recorded property casualty claim reserves within the Company’s estimated reserve range year over year.
As reflected on the consolidated balance sheet and discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements, the Company’s insurance reserves for future policy benefits (policy reserves) were $90.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Policy reserves are related to life and health insurance policies and are based upon significant assumptions including future investment yields, mortality rates, withdrawal rates and expenses after giving effect to possible risks of unexpected claim experience. These assumptions are based on historical experience modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and are generally established at contract inception.
The principal considerations for our determination that the valuation of policy reserves is a critical audit matter are the high degree of judgment required to assess certain assumptions that impact policy reserves and the complexity of the actuarial calculations.
Evaluating whether the methodology applied by management is consistent in the aggregate with the methodology compliant with GAAP;
Life insurance premiums are recognized as revenue when due; accident and health insurance premiums are recognized as revenue 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. Losses, benefits and expenses are accrued as incurred and 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, which are referred to as “deferred policy acquisition costs” (principally commissions, premium taxes, and other incremental direct costs of issuing policies). Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) are amortized over the estimated premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing the future 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. DAC for property and casualty insurance and short-duration health insurance is amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Contingent commissions, if contractually applicable, are ultimately payable to agents based on the underlying profitability of a particular insurance contract or a group of insurance contracts, and are periodically evaluated and accrued as earned. In periods in which revisions are made to the estimated loss reserves related to the particular insurance contract or group of insurance contracts subject to such commissions, corresponding adjustments are also made to the related accruals. DAC is 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).
Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common and participating shares outstanding during the relevant period. Diluted earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common and participating shares outstanding during the relevant period, plus options outstanding, if applicable, using the treasury stock method and the assumed conversion of the Series D preferred stock, if dilutive. Unless otherwise indicated, earnings per common share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.
The Company enters into reinsurance agreements with other companies in the normal course of business. For each reinsurance agreement, the Company determines if the agreement provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk in accordance with applicable accounting standards. Reinsurance premiums and benefits paid or provided are accounted for on bases consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums, benefits and DAC are reported net of insurance ceded. Reinsurance premiums from assumed business are estimated based on information received from ceding companies and reinsureds. Any subsequent differences that arise regarding such estimates are recorded in the period in which they are determined.
For employee and director share-based compensation awards, the Company determines a grant date fair value based on the price of our publicly-traded common stock and recognize the related compensation expense, adjusted for actual forfeitures, in the consolidated statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For non-employee share-based compensation awards, the Company recognizes the impact during the period of performance, and the fair value of the award is measured as of the date performance is complete, which is the vesting date.
Treasury stock is reflected as a reduction of shareholders’ equity at cost. The Company uses the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) purchase cost to determine the cost of treasury stock that is reissued. The Company includes any gains and losses in additional paid-in capital when treasury stock is reissued.
Fair Value Measurement - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). This guidance removes the following disclosure requirements from Topic 820: (1) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (2) the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This disclosure also includes the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 is intended to simplify the evaluation of goodwill. The updated guidance requires recognition and measurement of goodwill impairment based on the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit compared to its estimated fair value, with the amount of the impairment not to exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Under the prior accounting guidance, if the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company allocates the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to determine an implied goodwill value. An impairment loss is then recognized for the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill compared to the implied goodwill value. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). This updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, although earlier adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the updated guidance January 1, 2021, and does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments (including reinsurance recoverable and policy loans) held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Under current GAAP, entities generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. ASU 2016-13 will remove all recognition thresholds and will require entities to recognize an allowance for credit losses equal to the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the entity expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities and beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. Credit losses on AFS debt securities carried at fair value will continue to be measured as an other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) when incurred; however, the losses will be recognized through an allowance and no longer as an adjustment to the cost basis. Recoveries of OTTI will be recognized as reversals of valuation allowances and no longer accreted as investment income through an adjustment to the investment yield. The allowance on AFS debt securities cannot cause the net carrying value to be below fair value and, therefore, it is possible that increases in fair value due to decreases in market interest rates could cause the reversal of a valuation allowance and increase net income. The new guidance will also require purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since original issuance to be recorded based on contractual amounts due and an initial allowance recorded at the date of purchase. For the Company, the amendments in ASU 2016-13 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has not yet determined the timing of adoption. Implementation matters yet to be addressed include determining the impact of valuation allowances on the effective interest method for recognizing interest income from AFS debt securities as well as updating our investment accounting system functionality to adjust valuation allowances based on changes in fair value. The estimated effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements can only be estimated based on the current investment portfolio at any given point in time, and accordingly, has not currently been determined.
The following tables set forth the estimated fair value, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and cost or amortized cost of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities, aggregated by type and industry, as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale fixed maturities were as follows:
Proceeds from the sales of available-for-sale equity securities were as follows:
The following table presents the portion of unrealized gains (losses) related to equity securities still held for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Company’s bond portfolio included 97% investment grade securities, as defined by the NAIC, at December 31, 2020.
The Company holds passive interests in a number of entities that are considered to be variable interest entities ("VIEs") under GAAP guidance. The Company’s VIE interests principally consist of interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies formed for the purpose of achieving diversified equity returns. The Company’s VIE interests, carried as a part of other invested assets, totaled $3,238 and $9,960 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company’s VIE interests, carried as a part of investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries, totaled $1,238 at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Company does not have power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs and thus is not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated these VIEs. The Company’s involvement with each VIE is limited to its direct ownership interest in the VIE. The Company has no arrangements with any of the VIEs to provide other financial support to or on behalf of the VIE. The Company’s maximum loss exposure relative to these investments was limited to the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the VIEs, which amount to $4,476 and $11,198, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had outstanding commitments totaling $1,997, whereby the Company is committed to fund these investments and may be called by such VIEs during the commitment period to fund the purchase of new investments and partnership expenses.
Cash Equivalents. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments.
Fixed Maturities and Common and Non-Redeemable Preferred Stocks. The carrying amount is determined from publicly quoted market prices. Certain fixed maturities do not have publicly quoted values and consist solely of issuances of pooled debt obligations of multiple, smaller financial services companies. They are not actively traded and valuation techniques used to measure fair value are based on future estimated cash flows discounted at reasonable estimated rates of interest. Other qualitative and quantitative information is also considered, as applicable.
The Company does not have any fixed maturities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The following table sets forth the carrying amount, estimated fair value and level within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Annualized premiums for accident and health insurance policies were $109,430 and $112,734 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Liabilities for life insurance future policy benefits are based upon assumed future investment yields, mortality rates, and withdrawal rates after giving effect to possible risks of unexpected claim experience. The assumed mortality, withdrawal rates and expenses are based upon the Company’s experience modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and are generally established at contract inception. The interest rates assumed for life, accident and health future policy benefits are generally: (i) 2.5% to 5.5% for issues prior to 1977, (ii) 7% graded to 5.5% for 1977 through 1979 issues, (iii) 9% for 1980 through 1987 issues, (iv) 5% to 7% for 1988 through 2009 issues, (v) 4% for 2010 through 2012 issues, and (vi) 3.5% to 4.0% for 2013 through 2020 issues.
Loss and claim reserves represent estimates of projected ultimate losses and are based upon: (a) management’s estimate of ultimate liability and claims adjusters’ evaluations for unpaid claims reported prior to the close of the accounting period, (b) estimates of IBNR claims based on past experience, and (c) estimates of loss adjustment expenses. The estimated liability is periodically reviewed by management and updated, with changes to the estimated liability recorded in the statement of operations in the year in which such changes are known.
Prior years’ development was primarily the result of favorable development in the loss and claim reserves for the Medicare supplement line of business in Bankers Fidelity. Rate increases on existing business and the resultant improvement in rate adequacy was more favorable than expected. Additionally, the Company experienced favorable development in the surety line of business in American Southern due to a reduction in exposure coupled with recoveries on certain prior year losses.
The cumulative number of reported claims for the Medicare supplement line of business is the number of distinct claims incurred and submitted to Medicare for payment in the given year. Multiple payments on the same claim are not counted in the frequency information. Estimated ultimate claims incurred, using claims data reported during each month of any given year, are calculated using the chain ladder method modified to use seasonality and trend-adjusted expected claims for the final four months. Additional adjustments to the estimated ultimate claims incurred are then applied to account for seasonal changes in billing and payment frequencies. The IBNR reserve is calculated as estimated ultimate claims less paid claims and claims in course of settlement. Thirty-six months of loss data are used to develop the estimated ultimate incurred claims. Similar approaches are used for other less significant health products, subject to modifications to account for unique aspects of the product.
In addition to case reserves, IBNR reserves are established to provide for claims which have not been reported to the Company as of the reporting date as well as potential adverse development on known case reserves. IBNR reserve estimates are derived through a number of analytical techniques. Actuarial data is analyzed by line of business, coverage and accident year. Qualitative factors are also considered in determining IBNR reserves and include such factors as judicial decisions, general economic trends such as inflation, changes in policy forms, and underwriting changes. Reserves are reviewed quarterly and any indicated adjustments are made.
In accordance with general practice in the insurance industry, portions of the life, property and casualty insurance written by the Company are reinsured; however, the Company remains liable with respect to reinsurance ceded should any reinsurer be unable or unwilling to meet its obligations. Approximately 99.6% of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables were due from a single reinsurer as of December 31, 2020. Reinsurance recoverables of $28,980 were due from General Re Corporation, rated “AA+” by Standard & Poor’s and “A++” (Superior) by A.M. Best. Allowances for uncollectible amounts are established against reinsurance recoverables, if appropriate.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were comprised of the following:
The financial structure of each of Atlantic American Statutory Trust I and II, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, was as follows:
On May 1, 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”). The 2012 Plan authorizes the grant of up to 2,000,000 stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other awards for the purpose of providing the Company’s non-employee directors, consultants, officers and other employees incentives and rewards for superior performance. In 2020, a total of 20,000 restricted shares, with an estimated fair value of $38, were issued under the 2012 Plan and 35,000 restricted shares, with an estimated fair value of $98, were forfeited under such plan. In 2019, a total of 355,000 restricted shares, with an estimated fair value of $948, were issued under the 2012 Plan. The estimated fair value of the restricted shares issued under the 2012 Plan for 2020 and 2019 was based on the common stock price at date of grant. Stock grants are generally issued from treasury shares. Vesting of restricted shares generally occurs after a one to three year period. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. There were no stock options granted or outstanding under the 2012 Plan in 2020 or 2019. Shares available for future grant at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were 935,200 and 920,200, respectively.
Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted earnings per share reflected the effect of potentially dilutive securities.
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the income (loss) per common share calculations is as follows:
The assets, liabilities and results of operations have been reported on the basis of GAAP, which varies in some respects from statutory accounting practices (“SAP”) prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities. The principal differences between SAP and GAAP are that under SAP: (i) certain assets that are non-admitted assets are eliminated from the balance sheet; (ii) acquisition costs for policies are expensed as incurred, while they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the policies under GAAP; (iii) the provision that is made for deferred income taxes is different than under GAAP; (iv) the timing of establishing certain reserves is different than under GAAP; and (v) certain valuation allowances attributable to certain investments are different.
Certain members of the Company’s management and board of directors are shareholders and on the board of directors of Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray”). As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company owned 880,272 shares of Gray Class A common stock and 106,000 shares of Gray common stock. The aggregate carrying value of these investments in Gray at December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $16,606 and $19,764, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, Gray paid the Company approximately $1,038 and $1,022, respectively, in insurance premiums related to certain voluntary employee benefit plans.
Since December 31, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause material disruption to financial markets and the economy. As a result of the pandemic, the Company could experience future losses in its investment portfolio as a result of the weakened and volatile markets. Additionally, the Company can experience increased risk of loss any time unforeseen infectious diseases impact large portions of a population. Specifically, the Company’s life and health business could experience significant loss due to increased claims volume arising from COVID-19. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown at this time and it is not possible to reliably estimate the impact on the financial condition, operating results or liquidity of the Company and its operating subsidiaries in future periods.