A brief summary of each of these critical accounting estimates follows. For a more detailed discussion of the effect of these estimates on our consolidated financial statements, and the judgments and assumptions related to these estimates, see the referenced sections of this document. For a complete summary of our significant accounting policies, see Note 1, ‘Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation,’ to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Atlas’ fixed income portfolio is managed by a SEC registered investment advisor specializing in the management of insurance company portfolios. Management works directly with them to ensure that Atlas benefits from their expertise and also evaluates investments as well as specific positions independently using internal resources. Atlas’ investment advisor has a team of credit analysts for all investment grade fixed income sectors. The investment process begins with an independent analyst review of each security’s credit worthiness using both quantitative tools and qualitative review. At the issuer level, this includes reviews of past financial data, trends in financial stability, projections for the future, reliability of the management team in place, market data (credit spread, equity prices, trends in this data for the issuer and the issuer’s industry). Reviews also consider industry trends and the macro-economic environment. This analysis is continuous, integrating new information as it becomes available. As of December 31, 2017, this process did not generate any significant difference in the rating assessment between Atlas’ review and the rating agencies.
Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) - Atlas defers brokers’ commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting and marketing costs directly relating to the successful acquisition of premiums written to the extent they are considered recoverable. The other underwriting and marketing costs include a percentage of salary and related expense, payroll taxes and travel of our marketing and underwriting employees. The percentage is derived from an annual persistency rate study using policy and vehicle counts to compute a hit ratio. The deferred costs are then expensed as the related premiums are earned. The method followed in determining the deferred policy acquisition costs limits the deferral to its realizable value by giving consideration to estimated future claims and expenses to be incurred as premiums are earned. Changes in estimates, if any, are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined. Anticipated investment income is included in determining the realizable value of the deferred policy acquisition costs. Atlas’ deferred policy acquisition costs are reported net of deferred ceding commissions.
1 - For 2015, we reclassified our presentation for costs related to acquisition and stock purchase agreements from non-operating expenses to other underwriting expenses, because these costs were incurred as a result of acquiring new businesses. The reclassification increased the total underwriting expense ratio and the combined ratio by 1.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The reclassification increased total underwriting expenses and decreased underwriting income and income from operating activities, before income taxes by $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Year ended December 31, 2017 compared to year ended December 31, 2016:
Atlas performed a comprehensive review of its reserves, and based on year-end actuarial work coupled with a detailed internal file audit for claims with reserves not established by the Company’s predictive analytics tools, overall reserves were strengthened.
anticipated ability to increase prices in core lines as the commercial auto market is firming;
Atlas recognized $2.1 million of tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2016 and recognized $7.6 million of tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2015. The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory marginal income tax rate of 35.0% to the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
The length of time securities may be held in an unrealized loss position may vary based on the opinion of the appointed investment manager and their respective analyses related to valuation and to the various credit risks that may prevent us from recapturing the principal investment. In cases of securities with a maturity date where the appointed investment manager determines that there is little or no risk of default prior to the maturity of a holding, Atlas would elect to hold the security in an unrealized loss position until the price recovers or the security matures. In situations where facts emerge that might increase the risk associated with recapture of principal, Atlas may elect to sell securities at a loss.
Principles of consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atlas and the entities it controls. Subsidiaries are entities over which Atlas, directly or indirectly, has the power to govern the financial and operating policies in order to obtain the benefits from their activities, generally accompanying an equity shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to Atlas and would be de-consolidated from the date that control ceases. The operating results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year will be included in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) from the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by Atlas.
Effective interest method - For securities other than mortgage backed and asset backed, Atlas utilizes the effective interest method to calculate the amortized cost of the financial asset and to amortize the premium or accrete the discount over the remaining life. The effective interest rate is the rate that discounts the estimated future cash flows through the expected life of the financial instrument. Mortgage backed and asset backed securities are valued using the retrospective adjustment method, which uses the effective interest method and includes anticipated prepayments. Interest income is reported net of amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Realized gains and losses on disposition of available-for-sale securities are based on the net proceeds and the adjusted cost of the securities sold using the specific identification method.
In 2013 we acquired Camelot Services, Inc. (“Camelot Services”), a privately owned insurance holding company, and its sole subsidiary Gateway from an unaffiliated third party. Gateway provides specialized commercial insurance products, including commercial automobile insurance to niche markets such as taxi, black car and sedan service owners and operators.
The following table summarizes Atlas’ investments at fair value as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 ($ in ‘000s):