Tierra Verde, Florida. The real estate consists of 7.1 acres of waterfront property, a dry rack storage building with gross area of 57,500 square feet, and two buildings with retail space having an aggregate gross area of approximately 23,000 square feet. This marina facility is owned and operated by us. Approximately 5% of the available retail space is occupied by us, 49% of the retail space is leased to non-affiliates, and the remaining space is available for lease.
Tampa, Florida. We lease 122,000 square feet of office space and a four-level parking garage to serve as our headquarters and several subsidiaries’ offices.
HCI Group, Inc. is a Florida-based company which through its subsidiaries is engaged in a variety of business activities, including property and casualty insurance, reinsurance, real estate and information technology. Its principal business is property and casualty insurance.
Our general operating and growth strategies are to continually optimize our existing book of insurance business, organically expand our insurance business, manage our costs and expenses, diversify our business operations, develop and deploy new technologies to streamline operational processes, and maintain a strong balance sheet so we can quickly pursue accretive opportunities when they arise.
On January 15, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per common share. The dividends are to be paid March 19, 2021 to stockholders of record on February 19, 2021.
On January 18, 2021, we entered into an agreement with United Insurance Holdings Corporation (“United”) for United’s primary insurance subsidiary, United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, to cede to us a portion of its personal lines insurance business in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Under the reinsurance agreement, we will provide 69.5% quota share reinsurance on all of United’s in-force, new and renewal policies in those states from December 31, 2020 through May 31, 2021. In exchange, we paid United an allowance of $4,400,000 towards already purchased catastrophe reinsurance and a provisional ceding commission of 25% of premium. That percentage could increase up to 31.5% depending on the direct loss ratio results from the reinsured business. Annual premiums from the assumed business approximate $125,000,000. We also entered into a renewal rights agreement with United in connection with the assumed business. Under the renewal rights agreement, we have the right to renew and/or replace United’s insurance policies at the end of their respective policy periods in the four states. Our ability to replace policies begins June 1, 2021 or at a later date as mutually agreed upon by both parties. The agreement also contains a non-compete clause that does not permit United to engage in marketing, selling, writing, renewing, or servicing any insurance contract in these states until July 1, 2024. In return, United received 100,000 shares of our common stock and a 6% commission on the aggregate replacement premium in excess of $80,000,000. The total commission will not exceed $3,100,000.
On February 26, 2021, TypTap Insurance Group, Inc. (“TTIG”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, completed an investment transaction with a fund associated with Centerbridge Partners, L.P. Under the agreement, TTIG issued 9,000,000 voting shares of its Series A-1 Preferred Stock and 1,000,000 non-voting shares of its Series A-2 Preferred Stock (together “Series A Preferred Stock”), $0.001 par value, at a price of $10 per share for total proceeds of $100,000,000 (which is based on TTIG’s pre-transaction valuation of $850,000,000). Cumulative dividends are payable semi-annually in cash or paid-in-kind at TTIG’s option. Cash dividend rates are $0.50 per share in Year 1, $0.60 per share in Year 2, $0.75 per share in Year 3, and $0.95 in Year 4 and thereafter. The rates for paid-in-kind are $0.60 per share in Year 1 and $0.70 per share in Year 2. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have the right to convert the stock at
any time into shares of common stock with an initial conversion rate of 1 to 1. The conversion rate will be adjusted under certain conditions. Unless converted earlier, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into shares of TTIG’s common stock at the then-applicable conversion rate upon 1) a public offering of TTIG’s common stock with gross proceeds of not less than $250,000,000 with a price per share at least equal to 150% of the original purchase price of the shares, or 2) at the election of holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock, whichever comes first. The holders of Series A Preferred Stock also have redemption rights and liquidation preference.
In connection with the transaction, the lead investor was granted warrants to purchase 750,000 shares of HCI with an exercise price of $54.40 per share. The warrants will be immediately exercisable and will expire on the fourth anniversary of the date of issuance.
Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflect net income of $27,580,000, or $3.49 diluted earnings per share, compared with a net income of $26,576,000, or $3.31 diluted earnings per share, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to a gain on involuntary conversion of $36,969,000 and an net increase in net premiums earned of $46,146,000, offset by an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $52,522,000, a net decrease in income from our investment portfolio (consisting of net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains or losses) of $15,095,000, an increase in policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses of $11,362,000 and a $2,717,000 increase in payroll costs and other personnel expenses.
Premiums Ceded for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were approximately $153,458,000 and $125,765,000, respectively, representing 36.9% and 36.8%, respectively, of gross premiums earned. Our premiums ceded represent costs of reinsurance to cover losses from catastrophes that exceed the retention levels defined by our catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance contracts or to assume a proportional share of losses defined in a quota share arrangement. The rates we pay for reinsurance are based primarily on policy exposures reflected in gross premiums earned. The $27,693,000 increase was primarily attributable to increased reinsurance costs effective June 1, 2020 and a higher level of reinsurance coverage, offset by a reduction in premiums ceded attributable to retrospective provisions under one reinsurance contract. See “Economic Impact of Reinsurance Contracts with Retrospective Provisions” under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”
Our Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses amounted to approximately $160,036,000 and $107,514,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The $52,522,000 increase was primarily attributable to $14,850,000 of losses from the addition of the Anchor policies, net losses after reinsurance recoverable for Hurricane Sally of $20,264,000 and $10,000,000 of losses specific to Tropical Storm Eta, offset by lower prior year development. See “Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses” under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”
The loss ratio applicable to the year ended December 31, 2020 (losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred related to net premiums earned) was 61.0% compared with 49.7% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to a change in the mix of business and losses related to Hurricane Sally and Tropical Storm Eta.
The expense ratio applicable to the year ended December 31, 2020 (defined as total expenses excluding losses and loss adjustment expenses related to net premiums earned) was 43.2% compared with 45.7% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in our expense ratio was primarily attributable to the increase in net premiums earned, offset by the increases in policy acquisition expenses and general and administrative personnel expenses as described earlier.
Net Investment Income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $13,642,000 and $16,581,000, respectively. The year-over-year decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in income from limited partnership investments of
Net Realized Investment Losses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were approximately $254,000 versus net unrealized investment gains of approximately $6,183,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The gains in 2018 resulted primarily from sales intended to rebalance our investment portfolio to mitigate the impact from the rising interest rate trend and to decrease our holdings in municipal bonds as they become less attractive in a low tax rate environment.
General and Administrative Personnel Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were approximately $31,112,000 and $25,908,000, respectively. The year-over-year increase of $5,204,000 was primarily attributable to an increase in the headcount of temporary and full-time employees, merit increases for non-executive employees effective in late March 2019, higher stock-based compensation expense, and an increase in employee incentive bonus.
Income Tax Expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $9,517,000 for federal, state, and foreign income taxes compared with income tax expense of approximately $9,177,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018, resulting in an effective tax rate of 26.4% for 2019 and 34.1% for 2018. The decrease was primarily attributable to the negative effect of the derecognition of deferred tax assets of approximately $1,825,000 and the nondeductible expense of approximately $1,887,000, both of which occurred in 2018 and related to restricted stock awards with market conditions that were not met. (see Restricted Stock Awards in Note 21 -- “Stock-Based Compensation” to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
The loss ratio applicable to the year ended December 31, 2019 was 49.7% compared with 51.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the increase in net premiums earned combined with the decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses.
The expense ratio applicable to the year ended December 31, 2019 was 45.7% compared with 44.6% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in our expense ratio was primarily attributable to the increases in policy acquisition expenses and other general and administrative personnel expenses, offset by the increase in net premiums earned as described earlier.
Throughout our history, our liquidity requirements have been met through issuances of our common and preferred stock, debt offerings and funds from operations. We expect our future liquidity requirements will be met by funds from operations, primarily the cash received by insurance operations from premiums written and investment income. We may consider raising additional capital through debt and/or equity offerings to support our growth and future investment opportunities.
We believe that we maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and expenses, as well as to satisfy commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reinsurer insolvencies, inadequate premium rates, or reserve deficiencies. We maintain a comprehensive reinsurance program at levels management considers adequate to diversify risk and safeguard our financial position.
The following table summarizes the principal and interest payment obligations for our indebtedness at December 31, 2020:
See Note 13 -- “Long-Term Debt” to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In the future, we may alter our investment policy with regard to investments in federal, state and municipal obligations, preferred and common equity securities and real estate mortgages, as permitted by applicable law, including insurance regulations.
As of December 31, 2020, we had unexpired capital commitments for limited partnerships in which we hold interests. Such commitments are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements but are required to be disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. See Note 23 -- “Commitments and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments to develop amounts reflected and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are related to our losses and loss adjustment expenses, which include amounts estimated for claims incurred but not yet reported. We base our estimates on various assumptions and actuarial data we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
Stock-Based Compensation. We account for stock-based compensation awards under our stockholder-approved incentive plans in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of U.S. GAAP, which require the measurement, and recognition of compensation for all stock-based awards made to employees and non-employee directors including stock options and restricted stock issuances based on estimated fair values. We recognize stock-based compensation in the consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the following variables for input to calculate the fair value of each stock award on the option grant date: 1) expected volatility of our stock price, 2) the risk-free interest rate, 3) expected term of each award, 4) expected dividends, and 5) an expected forfeiture rate.
Reports of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HCI Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (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 three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
auditor procedures to evaluate management’s estimates and assumptions as it relates to the reserves for losses and LAE, including the use of a specialist.
We tested the completeness and accuracy of the historical loss data used in the development of the reserves.
We performed analytical procedures over the Company’s recorded reserves in relation to the Company’s consulting actuary’s range of reserve estimates.
We tested the completeness and accuracy of the data utilized by management and evaluated the reasonableness of management’s assumptions used to develop an estimate of fair value.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and our report dated March 12, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
HCI Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“HCI” or the “Company”), is primarily engaged in the property and casualty insurance business through two Florida domiciled insurance companies, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. (“HCPCI”) and TypTap Insurance Company (“TypTap”). HCPCI is authorized to underwrite various homeowners’ property and casualty insurance products and allied lines business in the state of Florida. HCPCI also offers flood-endorsed and wind-only policies to Florida customers and has regulatory approval to underwrite residential property and casualty insurance in various other states. HCPCI has issued insurance policies in other states, however, Florida is still its primary market. TypTap offers standalone flood and homeowners multi-peril policies to Florida homeowners. In October 2020, TypTap began applying for approval to offer homeowners coverage in 23 states outside of Florida. Since then, TypTap has received approvals from ten states. The operations of both insurance subsidiaries are supported by HCI Group, Inc. and certain HCI subsidiaries. In particular, the Company is currently using internally developed technologies to collect and analyze claims and other supplemental data to generate savings and efficiency for the operations of the insurance subsidiaries. In addition, Greenleaf Capital, LLC, the Company’s real estate subsidiary, is primarily engaged in the businesses of owning and leasing real estate and operating marina facilities.
In December 2020, the Company reached an agreement in principle with United Insurance Holdings Corporation (“United”) for United’s primary insurance subsidiary, United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, to cede a portion of its personal lines insurance business in the states of Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and subsequently sell its policy renewal rights to HCPCI. The agreement was later finalized on January 18, 2021. Under the reinsurance agreement, HCPCI will provide 69.5% quota share reinsurance on all of United’s in-force, new and renewal policies in those states from December 31, 2020 through May 31, 2021. In exchange, HCPCI paid United an allowance of $4,400 towards already purchased catastrophe reinsurance and a provisional ceding commission of 25% of premium. That percentage could increase up to 31.5% depending on the direct loss ratio results from the reinsured business. Annual premiums from the assumed business approximate $125,000. After the reinsurance agreement expires, the Company has the ability to renew and/or replace United’s insurance policies under a renewal rights agreement. See Note 28 -- “Subsequent Events” for information concerning the acquisition of the renewal rights from United.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are primarily related to losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance with retrospective provisions, reinsurance recoverable, deferred income taxes, limited partnership investments and stock-based compensation expense.
Available-for-Sale Fixed-Maturity Securities. Fixed-maturity securities that are available for sale include debt securities and redeemable preferred stock. The Company’s available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities representing unrealized gains or losses, other than impairments, are excluded from net investment income and reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Realized investment gains and losses from sales are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method. Investment income is recognized as earned and discounts or premiums arising from the purchase of debt securities are recognized in investment income using the interest method over the estimated remaining term of the security. Gains and losses from call redemptions and repayments are charged to investment income.
Impaired securities where the Company has the ability and intent to hold until recovery and believes it is not probable that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to their anticipated recovery or maturity, are evaluated for the existence of credit-related losses. When determining impairment due to a credit-related loss, the Company carefully considers factors such as the issuer’s financial ratios and condition, the security’s current ratings and maturity date, the failure of the issuer to make a scheduled payment, and overall market conditions in estimating the cash flows expected to be collected. The expected cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate of the security implicit at the date of acquisition is then compared with the security’s amortized cost at the measurement date. A credit loss is incurred when the present value of the expected cash flows is less than the security’s amortized cost. If such credit-related losses exist, an allowance for credit losses is established with a charge in the statement of income. Subsequent changes in the allowance, whether favorable or unfavorable, are recorded on the statement of income. See additional information in the Allowance for Credit Losses section within this note. Any remaining impairment loss related to other non-credit factors such as changes in interest rates or market conditions is reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
impairment loss related to other non-credit factors such as changes in interest rates or market conditions was recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Allowance for Credit Losses. Allowance for credit losses represents an estimation of potential losses that the Company may experience due to credit risk. The allowance for credit losses account is a contra account of a financial asset to reflect the net amount expected to be collected. Any increase or decrease in the allowance for credit losses related to investments is recognized and reflected as credit losses on investments in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. For all other financial assets, credit loss expense is included in other operating expenses. When the risk of credit loss becomes certain, the allowance for credit losses account will be written off against the financial asset. Under the CECL model, the Company measures all expected credit losses related to relevant financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts which incorporate forward-looking information. The Company primarily uses a discounted cash flow method and a rating-based method in estimating credit losses at a reporting date for financial assets under the scope of the CECL model. The discounted cash flow method is a valuation method used to estimate the value of a financial asset based on its future cash flows. The Company uses this method to determine the expected credit losses for available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities. In addition, the Company elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable as any uncollectible amount is adjusted to interest income on a monthly basis.
Real Estate Investments. Real estate investments include real estate and the related assets purchased for investment purposes (see Note 5 -- “Investments”). Real estate and the related depreciable assets are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, which is included in net investment income and allocated over the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method of depreciation. Land is not depreciated. Real estate is evaluated for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of the real estate may not be recoverable.
DAC is reviewed to determine if it is recoverable from future premium income, including investment income. If such costs are determined to be unrecoverable, they are expensed at the time of determination. The amount of DAC considered recoverable could be reduced in the near term if the estimates of total gross premium earned are reduced or permanently impaired as a result of the disposition of a line of business. The amount of amortization of DAC could be revised in the near term if any of the gross premium earned estimates discussed above are revised.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, which is included in other operating expenses. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: building, 39 years; computer hardware and software, three years; and furniture and office equipment, three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the asset’s useful life. Land is not depreciated. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized to the property accounts. Replacements and maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes both internal and external costs for internally developed software during the application development stage. During the preliminary project and post-implementation stage, internal-use software development costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of seven years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the assets can be recovered from undiscounted future cash flows. 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. In the opinion of management, based upon current information and projections, long-lived assets will be recovered over the period of benefit.
If the contract is or contains a lease and the Company has the right to control the use of the identified asset, the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and the lease liability is measured from the lease component of the contract and recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. In measuring the lease liability, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate for a loan secured by a similar asset that has a term similar to the lease term to discount the lease payments. The contract is further evaluated to determine the classification of the lease as to whether it is finance or operating. If the lease is a finance lease, the ROU asset is depreciated to depreciation expense over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the lease term. Interest expense is recorded in connection with the lease liability using the effective interest method. If the lease is an operating lease, the ROU asset is amortized to lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For the presentation of finance leases on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities are included with property and equipment, net, and long-term debt, respectively. For the presentation of operating leases on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, ROU assets are presented as right-of-use assets - operating leases and corresponding lease liabilities are reflected as lease liabilities - operating leases.
Lease Acquisition Costs. Lease acquisition costs represent capitalized costs of finding and acquiring tenants such as leasing commissions, legal, and marketing expenses. The costs are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company amortizes these costs in other operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the term of a lease.
Long-Term Debt. Long-term debt includes debt instruments and finance lease obligations. A debt instrument is generally classified as a liability and carried at amortized cost, net of any discount and issuance costs. At issuance, a debt instrument with embedded features such as conversion and redemption options is evaluated to determine whether bifurcation and derivative accounting is applicable. If such instrument is not subject to derivative accounting, it is further evaluated to determine if the Company is required to separately account for the liability and equity components.
However, when the 30-day grace period falls between two reporting periods, the premium receivable balance at the end of the first reporting period may potentially be overstated for not considering the policy that is subsequently cancelled during the following reporting period. To mitigate the overstatement issue, the Company estimates the monetary impact from the subsequent policy cancellation by multiplying the historical cancellation rate to the premium receivable balance at the reporting date. The premium receivable balance, together with the unearned premium liability, is then reduced by the computed amount.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, allowances for uncollectible premiums were $2,053 and $528, respectively.
Reinsurance. In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the loss that may arise from catastrophes or other events by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. The Company contracts with a number of reinsurers to secure its annual reinsurance coverage, which generally becomes effective June 1st of each year. The Company purchases reinsurance each year taking into consideration probable maximum losses and reinsurance market conditions. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the applicable reinsurance contract or contracts. Reinsurance premiums and reserves related to reinsured business are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Premiums ceded to other companies have been reported as a reduction of gross premiums earned. Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the unexpired portion of premiums ceded to reinsurers.
Deferred income tax expense and benefit results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than fifty percent; the terms “examined” and “upon examination” also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of December 31, 2020, management is not aware of any uncertain tax positions that would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Reclassification. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities - operating leases were reclassified out of other assets and other liabilities, respectively, at December 31, 2019.
ASU 2020-06 is effective for public companies beginning with the first quarter of 2022 and shall be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will early adopt this update in the first quarter of 2021 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this update will increase long-term debt by $4,000 and simultaneously decrease beginning retained income and deferred income tax liabilities by $3,019 and $981, respectively.
Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-08. In October 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-08 (“ASU 2020-08”) Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. ASU 2020-08 states that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security that has multiple call dates is within the scope of ASC 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. Securities within the scope are those that have explicit, noncontingent call options that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates at prices less than the amortized cost basis of the security. ASC 310-20-35-33 requires that for each reporting period, to the extent the amortized cost basis of an individual callable debt security exceeds the amount repayable by the issuer at the next call date, the excess should be amortized to the next call date, unless the guidance in ASC 310-20-35-26 applies. ASU 2020-08 is effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of 2021 and will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is not permitted. This guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company holds investments in fixed-maturity securities that are classified as available-for-sale. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities by security type were as follows:
Proceeds received, and the gross realized gains and losses from sales of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Securities with gross unrealized loss positions at December 31, 2020 and 2019, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, are as follows:
The Company holds investments in equity securities measured at fair values which are readily determinable. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s equity securities were as follows:
Expected to have a ten-year term. Although the capital commitment has expired, follow-on investments and pending commitments may require additional fundings.
With the consent of a supermajority of partners, the term of the fund may be extended for up to three additional one-year periods.
Expected to have a six-year term from the commencement date, which can be extended for up to two additional one-year periods with the consent of either the advisory committee or a majority of limited partners.
The following is the summary of aggregated unaudited financial information of limited partnerships included in the investment strategy table above, which in certain cases is presented on a three-month lag due to the unavailability of information at the Company’s respective balance sheet dates. The financial statements of these limited partnerships are audited annually.
Included in net investment income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
On April 9, 2020, Greenleaf Capital, LLC decided to offer for sale its investment property in Riverview, Florida. The proceeds from the sale are expected to exceed the property’s carrying value of $4,519 and, accordingly, no impairment loss was recognized on the classification of this property as held for sale. Although this property has drawn interest from several potential buyers since the listing, the Company has yet to receive an offer with acceptable terms. The Company will continue to market the property but can no longer reasonably assume a sale will occur within a year. Accordingly, in December 2020 the property was reclassified back to real estate investments at its carrying value before it was classified as held for sale. The carrying value of $4,748, including additional improvement costs of $229, was then adjusted for catch-up depreciation expense of $68, which is included in net investment income in the Company’s consolidated statement of income.
The Company’s revolving credit facility is a variable-rate loan. The interest rate is periodically adjusted based on the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. As a result, its carrying value approximates fair value.
Assets Measured and Recorded at Estimated Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present fair value information for assets and liabilities that are carried on the balance sheet at amounts other than fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Depreciation and amortization expense under property and equipment was $1,854, $1,550 and $1,370, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The following table summarizes future maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 2020, which takes into consideration the assumption that the 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes are repurchased at the earliest call date:
The Company determined that the Convertible Senior Notes’ embedded conversion feature is not a derivative financial instrument but rather is required to be separately accounted for in equity because the Company may elect to settle the conversion option entirely or partially in cash. At issuance, the Company accounted for the equity component of the embedded conversion feature as a reduction in the carrying amount of the debt and an increase in additional paid-in capital.
The note holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of the Convertible Senior Notes at par prior to the maturity date should any of the fundamental change events described in the indenture occur. The Company concluded that this embedded redemption feature is not a derivative financial instrument and that it is not probable at issuance that any of the specified fundamental change events will occur. Therefore, this embedded redemption feature is not substantive and will not affect the expected life of the liability component.
The effective interest rate for the Convertible Senior Notes, taking into account both cash and non-cash components, approximates 7.6%. Had a 20-year term been used for the amortization of the liability component and issuance costs, the annual effective interest rate charged to earnings would have decreased to approximately 5.4%. As of December 31, 2020, the remaining amortization period of the debt discount was expected to be 1.17 years.
The following table summarizes information regarding the equity and liability components of the Convertible Senior Notes:
On March 19, 2020, the loan agreement was modified to revise the due dates for the first and last installments to May 1, 2020 and April 1, 2032, respectively, while other terms and conditions remain intact.
The loan bears interest at a fixed annual rate of 3.75% and is collateralized by a retail shopping center in Sorrento, Florida and the lease agreements associated with this property. Approximately $53 of principal and interest is payable in 240 monthly installments. The promissory note may be repaid in full as long as the Company provides at least 60 days’ written notice and pays a prepayment premium as specified in the loan agreement. In addition, the lender may require full payment of the outstanding principal and unpaid interest on September 1, 2031 provided a written notice of its intention to call the note is given at least six months in advance.
On July 29, 2020, the Company made an early repayment of its 4.00% Promissory Note totaling $7,062 in principal plus accrued interest. As a result, the Company incurred $98 of loss on extinguishment of debt. The note was collateralized by the Company’s Tampa, Florida headquarters which was acquired by the FDOT in the eminent domain proceedings as described in Note 9 -- “Property and Equipment, Net.”
The Company remains liable for claims payments in the event that any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations under the reinsurance agreements. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. The Company contracts with a number of reinsurers to secure its annual reinsurance coverage, which generally becomes effective June 1st of each year. The Company purchases reinsurance each year taking into consideration probable maximum losses and reinsurance market conditions.
One of the reinsurance contracts includes retrospective provisions that adjust premiums in the event losses are minimal or zero. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized reductions in ceded premiums of $15,120 and $6,778, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a net reduction in ceded premiums of $485. Included in these adjustments attributable to the Company’s contract with Oxbridge for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $448 of net increase in ceded premiums.
benefits is minimal as the amount receivable is concentrated with one reinsurer and the Company monitors the creditworthiness of this reinsurer based on available information about the reinsurer’s financial condition.
Reserves are closely monitored and are recalculated periodically using the most recent information on reported claims and a variety of actuarial techniques. Specifically, claims management personnel complete weekly and ongoing reviews of existing case reserves, new claims, changes to existing case reserves, and paid losses with respect to the current and prior years. As the Company continues to expand historical data regarding paid and incurred losses, the data is used to develop expected ultimate loss and LAE ratios, then these expected loss and LAE ratios are applied to earned premium to derive a reserve level for each line of business. In connection with the determination of these reserves, other specific factors such as recent weather-related losses, trends in historical reported and paid losses, and litigation and judicial trends regarding liability will also be considered. Therefore, the loss ratio method, among other methods, is used to project an ultimate loss expectation, and then the related loss history must be regularly evaluated and loss expectations updated, with the possibility of variability from the initial estimate of ultimate losses.
The Company maintains IBNR reserves to provide for claims that have been incurred but have not been reported and subsequent development on reported claims. The IBNR reserve is determined by estimating the Company’s ultimate net liability for both reported and unreported claims and then subtracting the case reserves and payments made to date for reported claims.
Currently, the estimated ultimate liability is calculated using the principles and procedures described above, which are applied to the lines of business written. However, because the establishment of loss and LAE reserves is an inherently uncertain process, ultimate losses and LAE may exceed the established loss and LAE reserves and have a material, adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Changes in estimates, or differences between estimates and amounts ultimately paid, are reflected in the operating results of the period during which such adjustments are made.
The Company’s reported results, financial position and liquidity would be affected by likely changes in key assumptions that determine the net loss reserves. However, it is believed that a reasonably likely increase or decrease in the severity of claims could impact our net loss reserves.
The following is information about incurred and paid claims development as of December 31, 2020, net of reinsurance, as well as cumulative claim frequency and the total of incurred-but-not-reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims included within the net incurred claims amounts. The information about incurred and paid claims development for the years ended December 31, 2015 to 2012 is presented as supplementary information and is unaudited.
The cumulative number of reported claims is measured as the number of per-policyholder, per-event claims for all coverages regardless of whether the claim results in loss or expense to the Company.
Represents amounts before reclassification of certain revenue and expenses to conform with an insurance company’s presentation.
As a result of the change in ownership of the Company’s headquarters building through the eminent domain proceeding described in Note 9 -- “Property and Equipment, Net,” all existing intercompany operating leases related to this building that were previously eliminated on consolidation are now reflected on the balance sheet. These leases were determined to be at market rates on the date of the ownership change.
Included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.
The Company has no uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate. The tax returns filed for the years ending December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 remain subject to examination by the Company’s major taxing jurisdictions. The Company elected to classify interest and penalties, if any, arising from uncertain tax positions as income tax expense as permitted by current accounting standards. There have been no material amounts of interest or penalties for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded income taxes of $9,348, $9,517 and $9,177, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 25.3%, 26.4% and 34.1%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate in 2019 as compared with 2018 was primarily attributable to the unfavorable factors in 2018 consisting of the negative effect of the derecognition of deferred tax assets of $1,825 for restricted stock awards of which market conditions would not be met prior to their expiry date, the disallowance of the deductibility of the $1,887 expense representing dividends cumulatively paid on such restricted stock awards which were reclassified from retained income (see Restricted Stock Awards in Note 21 -- “Stock-Based Compensation”), offset by an increase in nondeductible performance-based compensation expenses for 2019.
Significant components of the Company’s net deferred income tax liabilities are as follows:
A valuation allowance is established if, based upon the relevant facts and circumstances, management believes any portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Although realization of deferred income tax assets is not certain, management believes it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized. Thus, the Company did not have a valuation allowance established as of December 31, 2020 or 2019.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company repurchased and retired 129,142, 454,010 and 511,628 shares, respectively, at weighted average prices per share of $39.93, $41.49 and $39.09, respectively. The total costs of shares repurchased, inclusive of fees and commissions, during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $5,161, $18,851 and $20,015, respectively, or $39.96, $41.52 and $39.12 per share, respectively.
On May 15, 2020, the Company amended its Articles of Incorporation, effective on the same date, to cancel the designation of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, and the designation of 400,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock. As a result, all 20,000,000 authorized shares of the Company’s preferred stock are undesignated. Since the designation of these types of preferred stock, none have ever been issued by the Company.
The Company currently has outstanding stock-based awards granted under its 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Only the 2012 Plan is active and available for future grants. With respect to the 2012 Plan, the Company may grant stock-based awards to employees, directors, consultants, and advisors of the Company. At December 31, 2020, there were 1,477,976 shares available for grant.
From time to time, the Company has granted and may grant restricted stock awards to certain executive officers, other employees and nonemployee directors in connection with their service to the Company. The terms of the Company’s outstanding restricted stock grants include only service conditions. The determination of fair value with respect to the awards with only service-based conditions is based on the market value of the Company’s stock on the grant date.
Information with respect to the activity of unvested restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
The Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted stock, which is included in general and administrative personnel expenses, of $6,953, $5,590 and $4,111 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was approximately $13,666 and $12,661, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock arrangements. The Company expects to recognize the remaining compensation expense over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years. The following table summarizes information about deferred tax benefits recognized and tax benefits realized related to restricted stock awards and paid dividends, and the fair value of vested restricted stock for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
During 2018, the Company reclassified from retained income dividends of $1,887 cumulatively paid on unvested restricted stock awards with market based vesting conditions to general and administrative personnel expenses for $1,346 and to other operating expenses for $541. These awards, of which the market conditions would not have been met, were granted to the Company’s employee and nonemployee directors during 2013. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized dividends of $195 related to these awards in general and administrative personnel expenses for $159 and in other operating expenses for $36.
The tables below summarize unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The Company has no restrictions on the payment of dividends to its shareholders except those restrictions imposed by the Florida Business Corporation Act and those restrictions imposed by insurance statutes and regulations applicable to the Company’s insurance subsidiaries. As of December 2020, without prior regulatory approval, $139,670 of the Company’s consolidated retained earnings was free from restriction under the insurance statutes and regulations and available for the payment of dividends in 2021. The following briefly describes certain related and other requirements and restrictions imposed by the states or jurisdiction in which the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are incorporated.
The Code requires HCPCI and TypTap to maintain capital and surplus equal to the greater of 10% of their respective liabilities or a statutory minimum as defined in the Code. At December 31, 2020, HCPCI and TypTap were required to maintain minimum capital and surplus of $31,140 and $10,000, respectively. At December 31, 2019, HCPCI and TypTap were required to maintain minimum capital and surplus of $21,700 and $10,000, respectively. HCPCI and TypTap were in compliance with these requirements at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
dividend or distribution with the FLOIR at least ten business days prior to the dividend payment or distribution and (4) the notice includes a certification by an officer of the insurer attesting that, after the payment of the dividend or distribution, the insurer will have at least 115% of required statutory capital surplus as to policyholders. Except as provided above, a Florida domiciled insurer may only pay a dividend or make a distribution (1) subject to prior approval by the FLOIR or (2) 30 days after the FLOIR has received notice of such dividend or distribution and has not disapproved it within such time.
As a result, only HCPCI was qualified to make dividend payments at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Without prior written approval from the FLOIR, TypTap was not permitted to make any dividend payments.
Claddaugh had a reinsurance agreement with Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited (“Oxbridge”) whereby a portion of the business assumed from the Company’s insurance subsidiary, HCPCI, was ceded by Claddaugh to Oxbridge. On May 28, 2018, Claddaugh terminated its multi-year reinsurance contract with Oxbridge, effective June 1, 2018. Upon termination, Claddaugh agreed to pay Oxbridge a settlement fee of $600 and derecognized the benefits accrued in connection with retrospective provisions. The settlement fee and the derecognition of the $622 of accrued benefits were recorded in premiums ceded. With respect to the period from June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018, Oxbridge assumed $7,400 of the total covered exposure for approximately $3,400 in premiums. Among the Oxbridge shareholders were Paresh Patel, the Company’s chief executive officer, and members of his immediate family and three of the Company’s non-employee directors including Sanjay Madhu who served as Oxbridge’s president and chief executive officer.
2018, the Company moved the funds from the certificate of deposit accounts to a money market account. The interest rates and terms of the accounts were comparable to those offered at the time to other clients of the bank. All accounts with this bank were closed during 2019.
On January 15, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per common share. The dividends are payable on March 19, 2021 to stockholders of record on February 19, 2021.
On March 2, 2021, GTB received from Kroger Co. approximately $3,100 in settlement of the lawsuit filed by GTB to enforce the guaranty described in Note 23 -- “Commitments and Contingencies.” GTB recorded this settlement in 2021.
On March 8, 2021, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of $23,750 on its revolving credit facility. The borrowing capacity of the facility is now $65,000.