SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

[X] Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period endedSeptember 30, 2016March 31, 2017or

 

[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission File No.0-3978

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

             Nevada                                                                     95-2583928

(State or Other Jurisdiction of                                            (I.R.S. Employee

Incorporation or Organization)                                               Identification No.)

 

26050 Mureau Road, Calabasas, California 91302

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(818) 591-9800

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

No Change

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YesX No __ 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YesX No__ 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer__ Accelerated filer__

 

Non-accelerated filer__ Smaller reporting companyX Emerging growth company__

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

ClassOutstanding at November 9, 2016May 15, 2017
Common Stock, $0 par value per share5,307,133

 

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PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 September 30 December 31  March 31 December 31
 2016 2015  2017   2016
 (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)     
ASSETS                
Investments                
Available-for-sale:                
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $82,607,624 at September 30, 2016; $82,202,727 at December 31, 2015) $82,648,802  $82,161,291 
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $68,236,670 at March 31, 2017, and $80,371,842 at December 31, 2016) $68,240,425  $80,383,925 
Short-term investments, at fair value  8,174,608   15,640,803   21,802,697   10,204,603 
Total Investments  90,823,410   97,802,094   90,043,122   90,588,528 
Cash  1,215,271   334,495 
Cash and restricted cash  13,602,118   13,496,379 
Accrued investment income  174,660   85,915   211,770   185,916 
Receivables, net  6,142,607   5,505,361   6,260,931   6,008,083 
Reinsurance recoverable:                
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses  497,166   751,323   157,791   260,744 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  9,653,714   9,636,961   9,885,632   9,520,970 
Deferred policy acquisition costs  4,546,827   4,233,396   4,420,746   4,432,299 
Property and equipment, net  10,395,814   10,220,720   10,186,014   10,282,532 
Deferred income taxes  1,296,451   1,334,087   1,173,686   1,177,346 
Other assets  16,064,046   10,266,083   3,018,315   2,269,408 
Total Assets $140,809,966  $140,170,435  $138,960,125  $138,222,205 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                
LIABILITIES                
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $49,821,455  $49,093,571  $49,890,049  $47,055,787 
Unearned premiums  19,402,159   18,079,253   19,397,282   19,374,740 
Advance premium and premium deposits  489,448   212,255   393,380   224,055 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  2,774,014   2,443,284   2,519,749   2,660,983 
Total Liabilities $72,487,076  $69,828,363  $72,200,460  $69,315,565 
                
Commitments and contingencies                
                
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding shares 5,307,133 at September 30, 2016, and 5,315,945 at December 31, 2015 $3,755,544  $3,742,547 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  27,177   (27,348)
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding shares 5,307,133 at March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016 $3,767,096  $3,761,320 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  2,478   7,975 
Retained earnings  64,540,169   66,626,873   62,990,091   65,137,345 
Total Stockholders’ Equity $68,322,890  $70,342,072  $66,759,665  $68,906,640 
                
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $140,809,966  $140,170,435  $138,960,125  $138,222,205 

 

 

See condensed notes to unauditedcondensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30  September 30 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
REVENUES                
Insurance company operation:                
  Net earned premium $7,980,930  $7,563,594  $23,271,296  $21,856,593 
  Investment income  234,495   128,742   658,839   313,918 
  Net realized investment losses  —     —     (1,278)  —   
  Other income  66,147   68,974   201,425   310,069 
     Total Insurance Company Operation  8,281,572   7,761,310   24,130,282   22,480,580 
                 
Other insurance operations:                
  Gross commissions and fees  697,245   672,368   2,063,429   2,065,582 
  Investment income  75   76   272   243 
  Finance fees earned  18,450   17,749   50,667   48,730 
  Other income  1,000   —     6,002   2,258 
     Total Revenues  8,998,342   8,451,503   26,250,652   24,597,393 
                 
EXPENSES                
Losses and loss adjustment expenses  8,038,100   4,346,517   17,982,351   13,873,940 
Policy acquisition costs  1,741,499   1,659,226   5,142,250   4,751,939 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,318,622   1,254,967   3,980,055   3,669,080 
Commissions to agents/brokers  40,324   37,601   121,379   126,945 
Other operating expenses  826,519   2,120,832   2,052,771   3,551,493 
     Total Expenses  11,965,064   9,419,143   29,278,806   25,973,397 
                 
Loss before taxes  (2,966,722)  (967,640)  (3,028,154)  (1,376,004)
Income tax benefit  (1,013,225)  (318,130)  (1,026,700)  (442,090)
Net Loss $(1,953,497) $(649,510) $(2,001,454) $(933,914)
                 
                 
                 
PER SHARE DATA:                
Basic                
    Loss per share $(0.37) $(0.12) $(0.38) $(0.17)
    Weighted average shares  5,307,133   5,335,319   5,307,881   5,338,619 
Diluted                
    Loss per share $(0.37) $(0.12) $(0.38) $(0.17)
    Weighted average shares  5,307,133   5,335,319   5,307,881   5,338,619 

See condensed notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30  September 30 
      2016  2015  2016    2015 
             
             
Net loss $(1,953,497) $(649,510) $(2,001,454) $(933,914)
Other changes in comprehensive loss:                
Changes in net unrealized gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising  during the period  (21,186)  16,893   82,614   86,730 
                 
Income tax benefit (expense) related to changes in unrealized gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during the period  7,203   (5,743)  (28,089)  (29,488)
            Comprehensive Loss $(1,967,480) $(638,360) $(1,946,929) $(876,672)

See condensed notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.statements (unaudited).

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30 
     2016     2015 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
   Net loss $(2,001,454) $(933,914)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:        
      Depreciation and amortization  361,490   348,979 
      Bond amortization, net  (12,897)  (14,011)
      Non-cash stock based compensation  17,328   17,328 
      Loss on asset impairment  —     1,287,460 
   Changes in assets and liabilities:        
      Net receivables and accrued investment income  (725,991)  (753,430)
      Reinsurance recoverable  237,404   (1,479,971)
      Deferred policy acquisition costs  (313,431)  (451,269)
      Other assets  (4,750,878)  (371,366)
      Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  727,884   1,184,375 
      Unearned premium  1,322,906   1,906,565 
      Advance premium and premium deposits  277,193   164,220 
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities  330,730   (759,047)
      Income taxes current/deferred  (1,037,537)  (453,102)
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities  (5,567,253)  (307,183)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of fixed maturity investments  (12,032,000)  (36,247,858)
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments  11,640,000   3,249,000 
Net decrease in short-term investments  7,466,195   34,007,837 
Additions to property and equipment  (536,584)  (490,196)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities  6,537,611   518,783 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Repurchase of common stock  (89,582)  (117,862)
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities  (89,582)  (117,862)
         
Net increase in cash  880,776   93,738 
Cash at beginning of period  334,495   309,162 
Cash at End of Period $1,215,271  $402,900 
         
Supplemental cash flow information        
Cash paid during the period for:        
Interest  —     —   
Income taxes $8,774  $8,900 

See condensed notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended
  March 31
   2017  2016
REVENUES    
Insurance company operation:        
Net earned premium $7,920,699  $7,572,415 
Investment income  212,186   212,000 
Net realized investments losses  —     (1,278)
Other income  68,212   67,594 
Total Insurance Company Operation  8,201,097   7,850,731 
         
Other insurance operations:        
Gross commissions and fees  741,175   657,245 
Investment income  49   91 
Finance fees earned  18,161   16,609 
Other income  15   5,002 
Total Revenues  8,960,497   8,529,678 
         
EXPENSES        
Losses and loss adjustment expenses  8,525,181   5,085,494 
Policy acquisition costs  1,497,634   1,699,660 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,348,643   1,381,584 
Commissions to agents/brokers  41,889   40,419 
Other operating expenses  814,499   592,547 
Total Expenses  12,227,846   8,799,704 
         
Loss before taxes  (3,267,349)  (270,026)
Income tax benefit  1,120,097   71,039 
 Net Loss $(2,147,252) $(198,987)
         
         
         
PER SHARE DATA:        
Basic        
Loss Per Share $(0.40) $(0.04)
Weighted Average Shares  5,307,133   5,309,377 
         
Diluted        
Loss Per Share $(0.40) $(0.04)
Weighted Average Shares  5,307,133   5,309,377 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended
  March 31
  2017 2016
     
Net loss $(2,147,252) $(198,987)
Other changes in comprehensive loss:        
Changes in unrealized (losses) and gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during the period  (8,328)  92,837 
Income tax benefit and (expense) related to changes in unrealized (losses) and gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during the period  2,832   (31,564)
Comprehensive Losses $(2,152,748) $(137,714)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

  Three Months Ended
  March 31
  2017 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss $(2,147,252) $(198,987)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:        
Depreciation and amortization  132,269   115,283 
Bond amortization, net  (2,828)  (4,284)
Bad debt expense  13,352   39 
Non-cash stock based compensation  5,776   5,776 
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
Net receivables and accrued investment income  (292,054)  (276,402)
Reinsurance recoverable  (261,709)  (871,392)
Deferred policy acquisition costs  11,553   (87,944)
Other assets  375,717   538,725 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  2,834,262   917,713 
Unearned premiums  22,542   134,489 
Advance premium and premium deposits  169,325   281,492 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (141,236)  206,124 
Income taxes current/deferred  (1,118,132)  (68,840)
Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities  (398,415)  691,792 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of fixed maturity investments  (100,000)  (200,000)
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments  12,238,000   1,046,000 
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments  (11,598,094)  4,351,412 
Additions to property and equipment  (35,752)  (351,777)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities  504,154   4,845,635 
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Repurchase of common stock  —     (89,582)
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities  —     (89,582)
         
Net increase in cash and restricted cash  105,739   5,447,845 
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period  13,496,379   8,258,673 
Cash and Restricted Cash at End of Period $13,602,118  $13,706,518 
         
Supplemental cash flow information        
Cash paid during the period for:        
Interest  —     —   
Income taxes  —     —   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITEDCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016MARCH 31, 2017

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Unico American Corporation (the “Company” or “Unico”) is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and provides insurance premium financing and membership association services through its other subsidiaries. ReferencesUnico American Corporation is referred to Unicoherein as the "Company" or the Company"Unico" and such references include both the corporation and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. Unico was incorporated under the laws of Nevada in 1969.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Unico American Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X for smaller reporting companies. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September30, 2016,March 31, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.2017. Quarterly financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s 20152016 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current quarter’squarter presentation.

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect its reported amounts of assets and liabilities and its disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of its financial statements, as well as its reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant assumptions in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements relate to losses and loss adjustment expenses. While every effort is made to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results may differ.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company employs a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs for valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Financial assets and financial liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value are categorized based on the reliability of inputs for the valuation techniques. (See Note 8.)

 

The Company has used the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value disclosures:

 

1.Investment securities, excluding long-term certificates of deposit – Fair values are obtained from a national quotation service.

 

2.Long-term certificates of deposit – The carrying amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for these instruments approximate their fair values.

 

 

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NOTE 2 – REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK – EFFECTS ON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire from time to time up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This program has no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 188,655 and 197,467 shares of its common stock, respectively.stock. The 2008 program is the only program under which there is authority to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company did not repurchase any stock during the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The Company repurchased 8,812 shares of stock during the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2016, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $89,582 of which $4,331 was allocated to capital and $85,251 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company repurchased 9,630 shares of stock during the three months ended September 30, 2015, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $94,372 of which $4,733 was allocated to capital and $89,639 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company repurchased 11,834 shares of stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $117,862 of which $5,816 was allocated to capital and $112,046 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company has or will retire all repurchased stock.stock repurchased.

 

NOTE 3 – LOSS PER SHARE

The following table represents the reconciliation of the Company's basic loss per share and diluted loss per share computations reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015:2016:

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended
 September 30 September 30       March 31
   2016   2015 2016 2015  2017 2016
Basic Loss Per Share                
Net loss $(1,953,497) $(649,510) $(2,001,454) $(933,914) $(2,147,252) $(198,987)
                        
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,307,133   5,335,319   5,307,881   5,338,619   5,307,133   5,309,377 
                        
Basic loss per share $(0.37) $(0.12) $(0.38) $(0.17) $(0.40) $(0.04)
                        
Diluted Loss Per Share                
Diluted Loss per Share        
Net loss $(1,953,497) $(649,510) $(2,001,454) $(933,914) $(2,147,252) $(198,987)
                        
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,307,133   5,335,319   5,307,881   5,338,619   5,307,133   5,309,377 
Effect of dilutive securities  —     —     —     —   
Diluted shares outstanding  5,307,133   5,335,319   5,307,881   5,338,619   5,307,133   5,309,377 
                        
Diluted loss per share $(0.37) $(0.12) $(0.38) $(0.17) $(0.40) $(0.04)

 

Basic earnings per share exclude the impact of common share equivalents and are based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share utilize the average market price per share when applying the treasury stock method in determining common share dilution. When outstanding stock options are dilutive, they are treated as common share equivalents for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share and represent the difference between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding. In loss periods, stock options are excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share, as the inclusion of stock options would have an anti-dilutive effect. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company had 222 and 0 common share equivalents that were excluded in the three months diluted loss per share calculation, respectively, and 530 and 3,682 common share equivalents that were excluded in the nine months diluted loss per share calculation, respectively.

 

NOTE 4 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In June 2016,During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has not issued any accounting standards that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting StandardStandards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 replaces the current incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses with a current expected credit loss model, which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced disclosures for better understanding of significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but expects the primary changes to be (i) the use of the expected credit loss model for its premium receivables and reinsurance recoverables and (ii) the presentation of credit losses within the available-for-sale fixed maturities portfolio through an allowance method rather than as a direct write-down. ASU 2016-13 will become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2019, but provides for an early adoption for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018. The Company has not determined when it will adopt ASU 2016-13.

  

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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases.” This ASU requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by all leases, including those historically accounted for as operating leases. The Company is currently evaluating the effect ASU 2016-02 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018, and will be applied under a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash.” The ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows. The Company early adopted this ASU as of December 31, 2016, and the ASU was applied using a retrospective approach for each period presented. Upon adoption of this ASU, the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows included restricted cash in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts for cash and restricted cash. The ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, but the ASU required additional disclosures in “Note 10 – Cash and Restricted Cash” to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09 “Disclosures About Short-Duration Contracts.” The objective of this ASU is to increase transparency about significant estimates in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and provide additional information about amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows related to unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. ASU 2015-09 also requires entities to disclose information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability for loss and loss expense reserves, including reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. ASU 2015-09 also requires entities to disclose a roll forward of the liability of loss and loss expense reserves for annual and interim reporting periods. The effective date of ASU 2015-09 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this ASU as of December 31, 2016. The ASU did not expected to have anya material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The disclosure mandated bystatements, but the ASU 2015-09 will become effective for annualrequired additional disclosures in “Note 11 – Unpaid Losses and quarterly reporting periods ended on and after December 31, 2016.Loss Adjustment Expenses” to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state income tax returns. Pursuant to thea tax allocation agreement, the Company’s subsidiaries, Crusader Insurance Company (“Crusader”) and American Acceptance Corporation (“AAC”), wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, are allocated taxes or tax credits in the case of losses, at current corporate rates based on their own taxable income or loss. The Company files income tax returns under U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. The Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal income tax authorities for tax returns filed starting at taxable year 2013 and California state income tax authorities for tax returns filed starting at taxable year 2012. There are no ongoing examinations of income tax returns by federal or state tax authorities.

 

As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities. In addition, the Companyliabilities and, therefore, had not accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.

 

As a California based insurance company, Crusader is obligated to pay a premium tax on gross premiums written in all states in whichthat Crusader is admitted. Premium taxes are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned. The premium tax is in lieu of state franchise taxes and is not included in the provision for state taxes.

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NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 September 30 December 31  March 31 December 31
 2016 2015  2017 2016
            
Building located in Calabasas, California $8,331,182  $8,217,477 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  2,669,508   2,251,623 
Building and leasehold improvements located in Calabasas, California $8,345,740  $8,339,807 
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment  2,683,288   2,673,670 
Computer software  189,377   169,177 
        
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (2,565,517)  (2,204,027)  (2,819,876)  (2,687,607)
        
Land located in Calabasas, California  1,787,485   1,787,485   1,787,485   1,787,485 
Computer software under development  173,156   168,162 
                
Property and equipment, net $10,395,814  $10,220,720  $10,186,014  $10,282,532 

 

Depreciation on the Calabasas building, owned by Crusader, is computed using the straight line method over 39 years. Depreciation onfurniture, fixtures, and equipment in the Calabasas building iscomputed using the straight line method over 3 to 15 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements in the Calabasas building is being computed using the shorter of the useful life of the leasehold improvements or the remaining years of the lease.

Depreciation and amortization expense on all property and equipment for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, was $121,577$132,269 and $361,490, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, was $114,634 and $348,979,$115,283, respectively.

 

TheFor the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Calabasas building has generated rental revenue from non-affiliated tenants in the amount of $55,099$57,745 and $171,133 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $51,552 and $140,518 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. This rental revenue$59,406 which is included in “Other income” from insurance company operation in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

.

TheFor the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Calabasas building has incurred operating expenses (including depreciation) in the amount of $207,401$166,974 and $543,638 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $180,146 and $524,351 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. These operating expenses$171,877 which are included in “Other operating expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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The total square footage of the Calabasas building is 46,884, including common areas. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, 10,292 square feet of the Calabasas building was leased to non-affiliated entities and 4,189 square feet was vacant and available to be leased to non-affiliated entities.

 

The Company capitalizes certain computer software costs purchased from outside vendors for internal use. These costs also include configuration and customization activities, coding, testing and installation. Training costs and maintenance are expensed as incurred, while upgrade and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that such expenditure will result in additional functionality. The capitalized costs are not depreciated until the software is placed into production.

On October 9, 2015, the Company concluded that a charge for impairment of the The Company’s capitalized computer software costs, related to a contract entered into on November 1, 2012, was required under GAAP. The capitalized costs which were all incurred through the quarter ended June 30, 2015, included $1,287,460 of paid and $223,442 of accrued unpaid invoices from the software vendor, Insurance Systems, Inc. (“ISI”). The impact of this impairment to the Company’s consolidated statements of operationsnew general ledger system was a charge of $1,287,460 before income taxesplaced into production in the quarter ended September 30, 2015. The Company did not intend to pay the accrued unpaid invoices which have been reversed from the accrued expensescurrent period, and, other liabilities and capitalized computer software costs as of September 30, 2015. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 855, “Subsequent Events,” this impairment was reported as a subsequent event on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2015. The decision to impair the asset was based on the Company’s beliefs that the ISI software had not achieved and would not be able to achieve the Company’s expected implementation targets and thatthus the Company was unable to renegotiatebegan depreciating the terms of its agreement with ISI. The fair value of the capitalized costs was deemed to be $0. The charge was included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.software.

 

NOTE 7 – SEGMENT REPORTING

ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for the way information about operating segments is reported in financial statements. The Company has identified its insurance company operation as its primary reporting segment. Revenues from this segment comprised 92% of totalconsolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to 92%March 31, 2017 and 91% of total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.2016. The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually insignificant to totalconsolidated revenues.

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Revenues, income (loss) before income taxes, and assets by segment are as follows:

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended
 September 30 September 30  March 31
 2016 2015  2016  2015    2017   2016
Revenues                    
Insurance company operation $8,281,572  $7,761,310  $24,130,282  $22,480,580  $8,201,097  $7,850,731 
                        
Other insurance operations  3,367,469   3,191,814   10,108,721   9,715,760   3,389,455   3,198,146 
Intersegment eliminations (1)  (2,650,699)  (2,501,621)  (7,988,351)  (7,598,947)  (2,630,055)  (2,519,199)
Total other insurance operations  716,770   690,193   2,120,370   2,116,813   759,400   678,947 
                        
Total revenues $8,998,342  $8,451,503  $26,250,652  $24,597,393  $8,960,497  $8,529,678 
                        
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes        
Insurance company operation $(2,414,571) $863,488  $(1,856,083) $861,422  $(3,063,919) $253,754 
Other insurance operations  (552,151)  (1,831,128)  (1,172,071)  (2,237,426)  (203,430)  (523,780)
Total loss before income taxes $(2,966,722) $(967,640) $(3,028,154) $(1,376,004) $(3,267,349) $(270,026)

 

  September 30  December 31 
  2016  2015 
Assets        
Insurance company operation $126,009,223  $126,406,439 
Intersegment eliminations (2)  (1,907,685)  (1,409,797)
     Total insurance company operation  124,101,538   124,996,642 
Other insurance operations  16,708,428   15,173,793 
     Total assets $140,809,966  $140,170,435 

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  As of
  March 31 December 31
  2017 2015
Assets    
Insurance company operation $126,857,152  $124,325,620 
Intersegment eliminations (2)  (2,456,298)  (1,579,820)
Total insurance company operation  124,400,854   122,745,800 
Other insurance operations  14,559,271   15,476,405 
Total assets $138,960,125  $138,222,205 

 

(1)Intersegment revenue eliminations reflect rents paid by Unico to Crusader for spacespaced leased in the Calabasas building and commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc. (“Unifax”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Unico.
(2)Intersegment asset eliminations reflect the elimination of Crusader receivables from Unifax and Unifax payables to Crusader.

 

NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company employs a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs for the valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Financial assets and financial liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value are categorized based on the reliability of inputs for the valuation techniques as follows:

 

Level 1 – Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

Level 2 – Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets; or valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability as of the reporting date.

 

Level 3 – Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect the Company’s estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the financial assets and financial liabilities as of the reporting date.

 

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy level within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Thus, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Level 1 or Level 2) or unobservable (Level 3). The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

 

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The following table presents information about the Company’s consolidated financial instruments and their estimated fair values, which are measured on a recurring basis, and are allocated among the three levels within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015:2016:

 

  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
September 30, 2016                
Financial instruments:                
  Fixed maturity securities:                
    U.S. treasury securities $19,129,802  $—    $—    $19,129,802 
    Certificates of deposit  —     63,519,000   —     63,519,000 
       Total fixed maturity securities  19,129,802   63,519,000   —     82,648,802 
  Cash and short-term investments  9,389,879   —     —     9,389,879 
       Total financial instruments at fair value $28,519,681  $63,519,000  $—    $92,038,681 
                 
December 31, 2015                
Financial instruments:                
  Fixed maturity securities:                
    U.S. treasury securities $24,034,291  $—    $—    $24,034,291 
    Certificates of deposit  —     58,127,000   —     58,127,000 
       Total fixed maturity securities  24,034,291   58,127,000   —     82,161,291 
  Cash and short-term investments  15,975,298   —     —     15,975,298 
       Total financial instruments at fair value $40,009,589  $58,127,000  $—    $98,136,589 

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  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
March 31, 2017        
Financial instruments:                
Fixed maturity securities:                
U.S. treasury securities $14,098,425  $—    $—    $14,098,425 
Certificates of deposit  —     54,142,000   —     54,142,000 
Total fixed maturity securities  14,098,425   54,142,000   —     68,240,425 
Cash and restricted cash  13,602,118   —     —     13,602,118 
Short-term investments  21,802,697   —     —     21,802,697 
Total financial instruments at fair value $49,503,240  $54,142,000  $—    $103,645,240 
                 
December 31, 2016                
Financial instruments:                
Fixed maturity securities:                
U.S. treasury securities $19,103,925  $—    $—    $19,103,925 
Certificates of deposit  —     61,280,000   —     61,280,000 
Total fixed maturity securities  19,103,925   61,280,000   —     80,383,925 
Cash and restricted cash  13,496,379   —     —     13,496,379 
Short-term investments  10,204,603   —     —     10,204,603 
Total financial instruments at fair value $42,804,907  $61,280,000  $—    $104,084,907 

 

Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. The Company recognizes transfers between levels at either the actual date of the event or a change in circumstances that caused the transfer. The Company did not have any transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015.2016.

 

NOTE 9 – INVESTMENTS

A summary of total investment income and net realized losses is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

September 30

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30

  

Three Months Ended

March 31

     2016     2015   2016   2015      2017     2016
             
Fixed maturities $196,327  $117,904  $554,992  $275,069  $178,433  $177,837 
Short-term investments  38,243   10,914   104,119   39,092   33,802   34,254 
Total investment income  234,570   128,818   659,111   314,161   212,235   212,091 
Net realized losses  —     —     (1,278)  —     —     (1,278)
Total investment income and net realized losses $234,570  $128,818  $657,833  $314,161 
Investment income and net realized losses $212,235  $210,813 

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in fixed maturities by category are as follows:

 

Amortized

Cost

 Gross
Unrealized Gains
 Gross
Unrealized Losses
 Estimated
Fair Value
  

 

Amortized

Cost

 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

 

Gross

UnrealizedLosses

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

September 30, 2016                
Available for sale:                
Fixed maturities:                
March 31, 2017                
Available-for-sale:                
Fixed maturities                
Certificates of deposit $63,519,000  $—    $—    $63,519,000  $54,142,000  $—    $—    $54,142,000 
U.S. treasury securities  19,088,624   41,257   (79)  19,129,802   14,094,670   5,279   (1,524)  14,098,425 
Total fixed maturities $82,607,624  $41,257  $(79) $82,648,802  $68,236,670  $5,279  $(1,524) $68,240,425 
                
December 31, 2015                
Available for sale:                
Fixed maturities:                
Certificates of deposit $58,127,000  $—    $—    $58,127,000 
U.S. treasury securities  24,075,727   3,188   (44,624)  24,034,291 
Total fixed maturities $82,202,727  $3,188  $(44,624) $82,161,291 

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Amortized

Cost

 

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

 

Gross

UnrealizedLosses

 

Estimated

Fair

Value

December 31, 2016                
Available-for-sale:                
Fixed maturities                
Certificates of deposit $61,280,000  $—    $—    $61,280,000 
U.S. treasury securities  19,091,842   14,205   (2,122)  19,103,925 
Total fixed maturities $80,371,842  $14,205  $(2,122) $80,383,925 

 

A summary of the unrealized gains (losses) on investments in fixed maturities carried at fair value and the applicable deferred federal income taxes isare shown below:

  September 30  December 31 
  2016  2015 
         
Gross unrealized gains of fixed maturities $41,257  $3,188 
Gross unrealized (losses) of fixed maturities  (79)  (44,624)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments  41,178   (41,436)
Deferred federal tax (expense) benefits  (14,001)  14,088 
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income taxes $27,177  $(27,348)
  March 31 December 31
  2017 2016
     
Gross unrealized gains on fixed maturities $5,279  $14,205 
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities  (1,524)  (2,122)
Net unrealized gains on fixed maturities  3,755   12,083 
Deferred federal tax expense  (1,277)  (4,108)
Net unrealized gains, net of deferred income taxes $2,478  $7,975 

 

At September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company had one fixed maturity investment with grossan unrealized lossesloss of $79$1,118 for a continuous period of less than 12 months and one fixed maturity investment with an unrealized loss of $406 for a continuous period of more than 12 months. At December 31, 2016, the Company had no fixed maturity investments with gross unrealized losses for a continuous period of more than 12 months. At December 31, 2015, the Company had three fixed maturity investments with gross unrealized losses of $38,509 for a continuous period of less than 12 months and two fixed maturity investmentsthree U.S. treasury securities with gross unrealized losses of $6,115 for a continuous period of more than 12 months.

 

The Company closely monitors its investments. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time to maturity and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments. The unrealized losses on the U.S. treasury securities in unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, were determined to be temporary.

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Although the Company does not intend to sell its fixed maturity investments prior to maturity, the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to cash flow requirements, economic and/or market conditions. TheDuring the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company did not sell any fixed maturity investments. There were no realized investment gains or losses during the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company sold three certificates of deposit prior to their maturity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.deposit. These securities had an amortized cost of $746,000. The Company realized an investment loss of $1,278 on the sale. The Company did not sell any fixed maturity investments and there were no realized investment gains or losses during the three months ended September 30, 2016, nor during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “accumulated“Accumulated other comprehensive income, (loss),” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.

 

The Company’s investment in certificates of deposit included $62,919,000$53,642,000 and $57,527,000$60,780,000 of brokered certificates of deposit as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, respectively. Brokered certificates of deposit provide the safety and security of a certificate of deposit combined with the convenience gained by one-stop shopping for rates at various institutions. This allows the Company to spread its investments across multiple institutions so that all of its certificatescertificate of deposit investments are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Brokered certificates of deposit are purchased through UnionBanc Investment Services, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, investment advisor, member of FINRA/SIPC, and a subsidiary of MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Brokered certificates of deposit are a direct obligation of the issuing depository institution, are bank products of the issuing depository institution, are held byin the name of Union Bank Global Custody Servicesas Custodian for the benefit of the Company, and are FDIC insured within permissible limits. As of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015,All the Company’s remainingbrokered certificates of deposit totaling $600,000 are within the FDIC insured permissible limits.

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The following securities from four different banks and represent statutory deposits that are assigned to and are held by the California State Treasurer and the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Nevada. These deposits are required for writing certain lines of business in California and for admission to transact insurance business in the state of Nevada.

  March 31 December 31
  2017 2016
     
Certificates of deposit $500,000  $500,000 
Short-term investments  100,000   100,000 
Total state held deposits $600,000  $600,000 

All the Company’s brokered and non-brokered certificates of deposit are within the FDIC insured permissible limits. Due to nature of the Company’s business, certain bank accounts may exceed FDIC insured permissible limits.

 

Short-term investments have an initial maturity of one year or less and consist of the following:

 

September 30

2016

 

December 31

2015

  March 31 December 31
         2017 2016
U.S. treasury bills $—    $9,987,804 
    
U.S. treasury money market fund  6,304,321   3,357,841  $20,747,374  $8,542,292 
Certificates of deposit  1,098,000   1,346,000   350,000   1,098,000 
Bank money market accounts  770,524   947,395   703,560   562,548 
Bank savings accounts  1,763   1,763   1,763   1,763 
Total short-term investments $8,174,608  $15,640,803  $21,802,697  $10,204,603 

NOTE 10 – CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:

  March 31 December 31
  2017 2016
     
Cash $228,325  $122,586 
Restricted cash  13,373,793   13,373,793 
Cash and restricted cash $13,602,118  $13,496,379 

The restricted cash is represented by two cash deposits placed by Crusaderwith the Los Angeles Superior Court in lieu of appeal bonds. In December 2015, a judgment was finalized on a Crusader policy liability claim. Crusader is appealing the judgment. As a part of the appeal, Crusader deposited $7,924,178 in cash with the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 28, 2015, in lieu of an appeal bond. This cash deposit was required to appeal the judgment. In March 2016, an additional judgment for plaintiff’s attorney fees and costs on this Crusader policy liability claim was finalized. The Company is also appealing this additional judgment. That additional appeal required an additional $5,449,615 cash deposit which was made on March 21, 2016, in lieu of an appeal bond.

 

NOTE 1011UNPAID LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

The following table provides an analysis of Crusader’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance sheet liability for the periods indicated:

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  Three Months Ended
March 31
  2017 2016
     
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at January 1 – gross of reinsurance $47,055,787  $49,093,571 
Less reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  9,520,970   9,636,961 
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at January 1 – net of reinsurance  37,534,817   39,456,610 
         
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses:        
Provision for insured events of current year  6,497,566   4,723,668 
Development of insured events of prior years  2,027,615   361,826 
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  8,525,181   5,085,494 
         
Loss and loss adjustment expense payments:        
Attributable to insured events of the current year  1,035,179   465,024 
Attributable to insured events of prior years  5,020,402   4,705,011 
Total payments  6,055,581   5,170,035 
         
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at March 31 – net of reinsurance  40,004,417   39,372,069 
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  9,885,632   10,639,215 
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at March 31 – gross of reinsurance $49,890,049  $50,011,284 

 Some lines of insurance are commonly referred to as "long-tail" lines because of the extended time required before claims are ultimately settled. Lines of insurance in which claims are settled relatively quickly are called "short-tail" lines. It is generally more difficult to estimate loss reserves for long-tail lines because of the long period of time that elapses between the occurrence of a claim and its final disposition and the difficulty of estimating the settlement value of the claim. Crusader’s short-tail lines consist of its property coverages, and its long-tail lines consist of its liability coverages. However, Crusader’s long-tail liability claims tend to be settled relatively quicker than other long-tail lines not underwritten by Crusader, such as workers’ compensation, professional liability, umbrella liability, and medical malpractice. Since trends develop over longer periods of time on long-tail lines of business, the Company generally gives credibility to those trends more slowly than for short-tail or less volatile lines of business.

The $1,773,898 increase in the provision for insured events of current year for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the provision for insured events of current year for the three months ended March 31,2016, was due primarily to an aberrational increase in the frequency and severity of accident year 2017 short-tail property claims.

The $1,665,789 increase in the development of insured events of prior years for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016, was primarily due to higher than expected long-tail liability claims in accident years 2013, 2014, and 2016.

NOTE 12 – CONTINGENCIES

The Company, by virtue of the nature of the business conducted by it, becomes involved in numerous legal proceedings as either plaintiff or defendant. From time to time, the Company is required toresort to legal proceedings against vendors providing services to the Company or againstcustomers or their agentsto enforce collection of premiums, commissions, or fees. These routine items of litigation do not materially affect the Company and are handled on a routine basis by the Company through its counsel.

 

The Company establishes reserves for lawsuits, regulatory actions, and other contingencies for which the Company is able to estimate its potential exposure and believes a loss is probable. For loss contingencies believed to be reasonably possible, the Company discloses the nature of the loss contingency, an estimate of the possible loss, a range of loss, or a statement that such an estimate cannot be made.

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Likewise, the Company is sometimes named as a cross-defendant in litigation, which is principally directed against an insured who was issued a policy of insurance directly or indirectly through the Company. Incidental actions related to disputes concerning the issuance or non-issuance of individual policies are sometimes brought by customers or others. These items are also handled on a routine basis by counsel, and they do not generally affect the operations of the Company. Management is confident that the ultimate outcome of pending litigation should not have an adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position. The Company vigorously defends itself unless a reasonable settlement appears appropriate.

 

In December 2015, a judgment was finalized on a Crusader policy liability claim. Crusader is appealing the judgment. As a part of the appeal, Crusader deposited $7,924,178 in cash in lieu of an appeal bond with the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 28, 2015. This cash deposit was required to appeal the judgment. In March 2016, an additional judgment for plaintiff’s attorney fees and costs on this Crusader policy liability claim was finalized. The Company is also appealing this additional judgment. That additional appeal required an additional cash deposit in lieu of an appeal bond of $5,449,615. The additional cash deposit was made on March 21, 2016. These cash deposits for the appeals represent 150% of the judgments. The cash deposits in lieu of an appeal bond of $13,373,793 and $7,924,178 were included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively. Management believes the ultimate outcome of this litigation will be covered by Crusader’s reinsurance, subject to retention and participation.reinsurance. Since this litigation was related to a Crusader claim in its normal course of business, management’s best estimate for ultimate liability related to this litigation was included in Crusader’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2015.2016.

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One of the Company’s agents, which was appointed in 2008 to assist the Company in implementing its Trucking Program, failed to pay the net premium and policy fees due Unifax, the exclusive general agent for Crusader. The agent was initially late in paying its February 2009 production that was due to Unifax on April 15, 2009. In May 2009, as a result of the agent’s failure to timely pay its balance due to Unifax, the Company terminated its agency agreement and assumed ownership and control of that agent’s policy expirations written with the Company. The Company subsequently commenced legal proceedings against the agent corporation, its three principals (who personally guaranteed the agent’s obligations) and another individual for the recovery of the balance due and any related recovery costs incurred. All related recovery costs have been expensed as incurred. The agent corporation and two of its principals filed bankruptcy. The corporation was adjudicated bankrupt. The Company obtained judgments, non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, for the full amount due from the two principals who filed bankruptcy. The other principal stipulated to a judgment of $1,200,000. The other individual paid the Company to settle the claim against him.the fourth individual was resolved. The Company collected $0 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015.2016. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the agent’s balance due to Unifax was $1,181,272. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the Company’s bad debt reserve associated with this matter was $1,181,272, which represents 100% of the balance due to Unifax. Although the receivable is fully reserved for financial reporting purposes at September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company continues to pursue collection of the judgments from the three principals.

On October 9, 2015, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles, Central District against ISI. The lawsuit sought an unspecified amount in monetary damages plus punitive damages against ISI. Causes of action stated in the lawsuit included fraudulent inducement and intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, negligence, violation of business and professional code, breach of implied warranty of merchantability, breach of implied warranty of fitness, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealings. Subsequently, the lawsuit was removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California and all causes of action have been disallowed by the court except for breach of contract. On May 16, 2016, ISI filed a countersuit against the Company for $1,792,398 for unpaid invoices plus damages for alleged breach of the contract related to implementation of the ISI computer software by the Company. The Company is vigorously defending the countersuit and believes it to be without merit. The Company has asserted various affirmative defenses in opposition to the ISI countersuit including defenses of fraud in inducement, fraudulent concealment, and negligent misrepresentation.

 

ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

Unico American Corporation, referred to herein as the "Company” or “Unico," is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, health and life insurance through its agency subsidiaries; provides insurance premium financing; and provides membership association services.

 

As reported on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2016, Michael Budnitsky was appointed to Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company effective August 1, 2016. Pursuant to a job offer letter signed by the Company when Mr. Budnitsky joined the Company in September 2014, Mr. Budnitsky is entitled to cash compensation, currently set at of $185,000 per year, and a severance payment equal to three years’ salary in the event his employment is terminated due to a change in ownership of the Company. The foregoing is a summary of certain terms of Mr. Budnitsky’s offer letter. A complete copy of the offer letter is attached to this Form 10-Q as Exhibit 10.1.

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Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016, were $8,998,342March 31, 2017, was $8,960,497 compared to $8,451,503$8,529,678 for the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, an increase of $546,839 (6%). Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, were $26,250,652 compared to $24,597,393 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $1,653,259 (7%$430,819 (5%). The Company had net loss of $1,953,497$2,147,252 for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, compared to net loss of $649,510$198,987 for the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, an increase in loss before taxes of $1,303,987 (201%). The Company had net loss of $2,001,454 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to net loss of $933,914 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase in loss before taxes of $1,067,540 (114%).$1,948,265.

 

This overview discusses some of the relevant factors that management considers in evaluating the Company's performance, prospects, and risks. It is not all inclusive and is meant to be read in conjunction with the entirety of the management discussion and analysis, the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, and all other items contained within the Company’s 20152016 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Revenue and Income Generation

The Company receives its revenues primarily from earned premium derived from the insurance company operation,operations, commission and fee income generated from the insurance agency operation,operations, finance charges and fee income from the premium finance operation,operations, and investment income from cash generated primarily from the insurance company operation. The insurance company operation generated approximately 92% oftotalof consolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to 92%March 31, 2017 and 91% of total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.2016. The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually not material to totalconsolidated revenues.

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Insurance Company Operation

As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, Crusader Insurance Company (“Crusader”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was licensed as an admitted insurance carrier in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. FromSince 2004, until June 2014, all of Crusader’s business was written in the state of California. InCalifornia until June 2014 when Crusader also began writing business in the state of Arizona. During the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, 99.7%98% and 99.5% of Crusader’s total direct written premium (before premium ceded to reinsurers) was produced in California, respectively, compared to 99.6% and 99.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. 99% of Crusader’s business was commercial multi-peril policies for the three months and nine ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.policies. On October 28, 2016, A.M. Best Company reaffirmed Crusader’s financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and a rating outlook of “stable.” In addition, A.M. Best Company assigned Crusader an Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent).

 

The property and casualty insurance business is cyclical in nature, and the previous years have been characterized as a “soft market.” The conditions of a soft market include premium rates that are stable or falling and insurance is readily available. Contrarily, “hard market” conditions occur during periods in which premium rates rise and coverage may be more difficult to find. The Company believes that the California property and casualty insurance market is intensely competitive but relatively stable.

 

Written premium is a financial measure that is defined, under the statutory accounting principles,practices prescribed or permitted the California Department of Insurance, as the contractually determined amount charged by the insurance company to the policyholder for the effective period of the contract based on the expectation of risk, policy benefits, and expenses associated with the coverage provided by the terms of the policies. Written premium is a required statutory measure. Written premium is not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).GAAP in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 405, “Liabilities,” as “premiums on all policies an entity has issued in a period.” Earned premium the most directly comparable GAAP measure, represents the portion of written premium that is recognized as income in the financial statements for the period presented and earned on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies.

 

The following is a reconciliation of net written premium to net earned premium (after premium ceded to reinsurers):

  Three Months Ended September 30  Nine Months Ended September 30 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
             
Net written premium $8,120,565  $7,768,030  $24,580,923  $23,750,128 
Change in direct unearned premium  (137,144)  (189,902)  (1,322,897)  (1,906,565)
Change in ceded unearned premium  (2,491)  (14,534)  13,270   13,030 
  Net earned premium $7,980,930  $7,563,594  $23,271,296  $21,856,593 

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Three Months Ended

March 31

  2017 2016
     
Net written premium $7,942,843  $7,705,590 
Change in direct unearned premium  (22,541)  (134,489)
Change in ceded unearned premium  397  1,314 
   Net earned premium $7,920,699  $7,572,415 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, direct written premium (before premium ceded to reinsurers) as reported on Crusader’s statutory financial statements was $9,667,046$9,570,025 compared to $9,119,548$9,182,555 for the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, an increase of $547,498 (6%). For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, direct written premium as reported on Crusader’s statutory financial statements was $29,120,412 compared to $27,699,119 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of $1,421,293 (5%$387,470 (4%).

 

Insurance company operationThe Company’s insurance operations underwriting profitability is defined by pre-tax underwriting profit, which is calculated as net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs.

 

Crusader’s underwriting profit (loss) before income taxes is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

March 31

 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30      Increase
 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Increase

(Decrease)

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Increase

(Decrease)

  2017 2016 (Decrease)
                   
Net written premium $8,120,565  $7,768,030  $352,535  $24,580,923  $23,750,128  $830,795  $7,942,843  $7,705,590  $237,253 
Change in net unearned premium  (139,635)  (204,436)  64,801   (1,309,627)  (1,893,535)  583,908   (22,144)  (133,175)  118,031 
Net earned premium  7,980,930   7,563,594   417,336   23,271,296   21,856,593   1,414,703   7,920,699   7,572,415   348,284 
Less:                        
Less underwriting expenses:            
Losses and loss
adjustment expenses
  8,038,100   4,346,517   3,691,583   17,982,351   13,873,940   4,108,411   8,525,181   5,085,494   3,439,687 
Policy acquisition costs  1,741,499   1,659,226   82,273   5,142,250   4,751,939   390,311   1,497,634   1,699,660   202,026 
Total  9,779,599   6,005,743   3,773,856   23,124,601   18,625,879   4,498,722 
Underwriting profit (loss) (before income taxes) $(1,798,669) $1,557,851  $(3,356,520) $146,695  $3,230,714  $(3,084,019)
Total underwriting expenses  10,022,815   6,785,154   3,237,661 
Underwriting profit (loss) before income taxes $(2,102,116) $787,261  $(2,889,377)

 

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The following table provides an analysis of the losses and loss adjustment expenses:

  Three Months Ended September 30  Nine Months Ended September 30 
  

2016

  

2015

  

Increase

  

2016

  

2015

  

Increase

 
                   
Losses and loss adjustment expenses                        
  Provision for insured events of current year $6,792,115  $5,195,943  $1,596,172  $17,119,210  $16,482,482  $636,728 
  Development of insured events of prior years  1,245,985   (849,426)  2,095,411   863,141   (2,608,542)  3,471,683 
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $8,038,100  $4,346,517  $3,691,583  $17,982,351  $13,873,940  $4,108,411 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 101% and 77% of net earned premium for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to 57% and 63% of net earned premium for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

  

Three Months Ended

March 31

  

2017

 

2017 Loss Ratio

 

2016

 

2016 Loss Ratio

 

Increase

           
Net earned premium $7,920,699      $7,572,415      $348,284 
                     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                    
Provision for insured events of current year  6,497,566   82%  4,723,668   62%  1,773,898 
Development of insured events of prior years  2,027,615   26%  361,826   5%  1,665,789 
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $8,525,181   108% $5,085,494   67% $3,439,687 

  

Revenues from Other Insurance Operations

The Company’s revenues from other insurance operations consist of commissions, fees, investment and other income. Excluding investment and other income, these operations accounted for approximately 9% and 8% of total revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, compared to approximately 8% and 9% of total revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

 

Investments and Liquidity

The Company generated revenues from its total invested assets of $90,782,232$90,039,367 (at amortized cost) and $106,417,552$92,650,402 (at amortized cost) as of September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, and from two cash deposits placed with the Los Angeles Superior Court by Crusader in lieu of appeal bonds, placed with the Los Angeles Superior Court.bonds. These two deposits, totaling $13,373,793, were made on December 28, 2015, for $7,924,178, and on March 21, 2016, for $5,449,615, and their respective balances were included in “Other assets”“Cash and restricted cash” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetSheets and were not a part of the total invested assets as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015. 2016.

Investment income included in insurance company operation and other insurance operations revenue increased $105,752 (82%) and $344,950 (110%$144 (0.1%) to $234,570 and $659,111$212,235 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $128,818 and $314,161$212,091 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. The increase in investment income was primarily a result of an increase in the Company’s annualized yield on average invested assets to 1.0% andwas 0.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, from 0.5%March 31, 2017 and 0.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase in the annualized yield on average invested assets is primarily a result of reinvesting the proceeds of matured short-term and fixed maturity investments into higher yielding fixed maturity investments.2016. Due to the current interest rate and financial market environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of 5 years or less and with minimal credit risk. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, all of the Company’s investments are in U.S. treasury securities, FDIC insured certificates of deposit, money market funds, and a savings account. The Company’s investments in U.S treasury securities and money market funds are readily marketable. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the weighted average maturity of the Company’s investments wasis approximately 1.11.2 years.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Crusader generates a significant amount of cash as a result of its holdings of unearned premium reserves, its reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense payments, and its capital and surplus. Crusader's loss and loss adjustment expense payments are the most significant cash flow requirement of the Company. These payments are continually monitored and projected to ensure that the Company has the liquidity to cover these payments without the need to liquidate its investments. Cash, restricted cash, and investments (at amortized cost) of the Company at September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, were $91,997,503$103,641,485, compared to $98,178,025$104,072,824 at December 31, 2015.2016. Crusader's cash, restricted cash, and investments were 99% of the total cash and investments (at amortized cost) held by the Company as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015.2016.

 

As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company hadinvested $82,607,624$68,236,670 (at amortized cost) or 91%76% of its total invested assets in fixed maturity obligations, whichincluded $19,088,624 (23%$14,094,670 (21% of fixed maturity investments) in U.S. treasury notes and $63,519,000 (77%$54,142,000 (79% of fixed maturity investments) in long-term certificates of deposit.As of December 31, 2015,2016, the Company hadinvested $82,202,727$80,371,842 (at amortized cost) or 84%89% of its total invested assets in fixed maturity obligations, whichincluded $24,075,727 (29%$19,091,842 (24% of fixed maturity investments) in U.S. treasury notes and $58,127,000 (71%$61,280,000 (76% of fixed maturity investments) in long-term certificates of deposit.The remaining balance of the Company's investments are in short-term investments that include U.S. treasury bills, a U.S. treasury money market fund, certificates of deposit, bank money market accounts, and a bank savings account whichthat are all highly rated and redeemable within one year.

 

The Company is required to classify its investment securities into one of three categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities. Although all of the Company's investment in fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and, while the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to economic and market conditions, its investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality investments to maturity.

 

The

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For a period beginning prior to fiscal 2015 and ending on March 24, 2017, the Company’s investment guidelines on equity securities limitlimited investments in equity securities to an aggregate maximum of $2,000,000. The Company’s investment guidelines on fixed maturities limitlimited those investments to high-grade obligations with a maximum term of 8 years. The maximum investment authorized in any one issuer iswas $2,000,000. This dollar limitation excludesexcluded bond premiums paid in excess of par value and U.S. government or U.S. government guaranteed issues. When the Company investsinvested in fixed maturity municipal securities, preference iswas given to issues that are pre-refunded and secured by U.S. treasury securities. The short-term investments arewere either U.S. government obligations, FDIC insured, or are in an institution with a Moody's rating of at least P2 and/or a Standard & Poor's rating of A1. All of the Company's fixed maturity investment securities arewere rated, readily marketable, and could be liquidated without any materially adverse financial impact.

On March 24, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved new investment guidelines. Those guidelines are similar to what the Company believes are general investment guidelines used by Crusader’s peers.

Under the new investment guidelines, investments may only include U.S. treasury notes, U.S. government agency notes, mortgage-backed securities (including pass through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations) that are backed by agency and non-agency collateral, commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. corporate obligations, asset backed securities, (including but not limited to credit card, automobile and home equity backed securities), tax-exempt bonds, preferred stocks, common stocks, commercial paper, repurchase agreements (treasuries only), mutual funds, exchange traded funds, bank certificates of deposits and time deposits. The new investment guidelines provide for certain investment limitations in each investment category.

Unless agreed to in advance in writing by Crusader, investments in the following types of securities are prohibited:

Mortgage loans, except for mortgage backed securities issued by an agency of the U.S. government.
Derivative mortgage-backed securities including interest only, principal only and inverse floating rate securities.
All fixed maturity real estate securities, except mortgage-backed securities (including pass through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations) that are backed by agency and non-agency collateral and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
Options and futures contracts.
All non-U.S. dollar denominated securities.
Any security that would not be in compliance with the regulations of Crusader’s state of domicile.

Historically, the Company managed Crusader’s investments in-house. Effective April 1, 2017, an outside investment advisor began managing Crusader’s investments.  The advisor’s role currently is limited to maintaining Crusader’s portfolio within the new investment guidelines and providing investment accounting services to the Company.  The investments will continue to be held by Crusader’s current custodian, Union Bank Global Custody Services.

 

On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire from time to time up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. This program has no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 188,655 and 197,467 shares of its common stock, respectively.stock. The 2008 program is the only program under which there is authority to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company did not repurchase any stock during the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The Company repurchased 8,812 shares of stock during the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2016, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $89,582 of which $4,331 was allocated to capital and $85,251 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company repurchased 9,630 shares of stock during the three months ended September 30, 2015, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $94,372 of which $4,733 was allocated to capital and $89,639 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company repurchased 11,834 shares of stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $117,862 of which $5,816 was allocated to capital and $112,046 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company has or will retire all repurchased stock.stock repurchased.

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The Company reported $5,567,253$398,415 net cash used by operating activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, compared to $307,183$691,792 net cash usedprovided by operating activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015. The largest contributor to the use of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was a $5,449,615 cash deposit by Crusader in lieu of an appeal bond placed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on March 21,31, 2016. No investments were sold prior to their maturity to fund this cash deposit. This cash deposit was in addition to the$7,924,178 cash deposit by Crusader in lieu of an appeal bond placed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 28, 2015, to appeal two judgments on a Crusader policy liability claim.

Other fluctuations in cash flows from operating activities relate to the timing of the collection and the payment of insurance-related receivables and payables. The variability of the Company’s losses and loss adjustment expenses is primarily due primarily to its small population of claims population which may result in greater fluctuations in claim frequency and/or severity. Although the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows reflect net cash used by operating activities, the Company does not anticipate future liquidity problems, and it continues to be well capitalized and adequately reserved. 

 

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Although material capital expenditures may also be funded through borrowings, the Company believes that its cash and short-term investments at September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017,net ofstatutory deposits of $700,000, and California insurance company statutory dividend restrictions applicable to Crusader, plus the cash to be generated from operations, should be sufficient to meet its operating requirements during the next 12 months without the necessity of borrowing funds. Since trust receivables were in excess of trust payables, there were no trust restrictions on cash and short-term investments at September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.

 

Results of Operations

All comparisons made in this discussion are comparing the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, unless otherwise indicated.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, total revenues were $8,998,342 and $26,250,652, respectively,$8,960,497, an increase of $546,839 (6%$430,819 (5%)and $1,653,259 (7%), compared to total revenues of $8,451,503 and $24,597,393$8,529,678 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company had a loss before taxes of $2,966,722 and $3,028,154, respectively,$3,267,349, an increase inof $2,997,323 (1110%) compared to loss before taxes of $1,999,082 (207%) and $1,652,150 (120%), compared to a loss before taxes of $967,640 and $1,376,004$270,026 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company had a net loss of $1,953,497 and $2,001,454, respectively,$2,147,252, an increase in net loss of $1,303,987 (201%$1,948,265 (979%) and $1,067,540 (114%), compared to net loss of $649,510 and $933,914$198,987 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016.

 

The increase in revenues of $546,839 (6%$430,819 (5%) for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, when compared to September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, was primarily due to an increase in net earned premium of $417,336 (6%). The increase in revenues of $1,653,259 (7%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, when compared to September 30, 2015, was primarily due to an increase in net earned premium of $1,414,703 (6%$348,284 (5%).

 

The increase in loss before tax of $1,999,082 (207%)$2,997,323 for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, was due primarily to the increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $3,691,583 (85%$3,439,687 (68%) offset partially offset by thean increase in net earned premiumrevenues of $417,336 (6%$430,819 (5%) and a decrease of $1,287,460 (100%) in capitalized computer software costs impairment. The increase in loss before tax of $1,652,150 (120%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015, was due primarily to the increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $4,108,411 (30%) partially offset by the increase in net earned premium of $1,414,703 (6%) and a decrease of $1,287,460 (100%) in capitalized computer software costs impairment. The Company incurred capitalized computer software costs impairment of $0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $1,287,460 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively..

 

Written premiumis a required statutory measure. Direct written premium reported on Crusader’s statutory financial statements increased $547,498 (6%) and $1,421,293 (5%$387,470 (4%) to $9,667,046 and $29,120,412$9,570,025 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $9,119,548 and $27,699,119$9,182,555 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016.

 

The property casualty insurance marketplace continues to be intensely competitive. While Crusader attempts to meet such competition with competitive prices, its emphasis is on service, promotion, and distribution. Crusader believes that rate adequacy is more important than premium growth and that underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs) is its primary goal. As a result, in November 2016, Crusader filed for rate increases on several programs with California Department of Insurance; those increases were approved on May 15, 2017.

Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and profitability by continuing to focus upon fourfive areas of its operations: (1) product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, (3) appointment of captive and independent retail agents, and (4) geographical expansion.expansion, and (5) use of alternative marketing channels. While the Company’s policy administration system continues to support the Company’s existing operations, the Company believes it would realize more competitive parity with respect to product and service by switching or upgrading to a more contemporary platform. The Company is currently evaluating potential firms and consultants to assist it with development and execution of its information technology and marketing efforts. Crusader does not intend to substantially increase its number of appointed retail agents until the Company replaces its policy administration system.alternatives.

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Earned premium(before reinsurance) increased $600,266 (7%$499,409 (6%) to $9,529,911 and $2,004,961 (8%) to $27,797,515$9,547,484 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $8,929,645 and $25,792,554$9,048,075 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. The Company writes annual policies and, therefore, earns written premium ratably over the one-year policy term.

 

Ceded earned premium increased $182,930 (13%$151,125 (10%) to $1,548,981 and $590,258 (15%) to $4,526,219$1,626,785 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $1,366,051 and $3,935,961$1,475,660 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. Ceded earned premium as a percentage of direct earned premium (before reinsurance) was 17% and 16% for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 15% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.respectively.

 

In calendar years 20162017 and 2015,2016, Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% and 10%, respectively in its 1st layer ($500,000 in excess of $500,000), 0% in its 2nd layer ($2,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000) and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty. In calendar year 2017 and 2016, Crusader retained a participation in its catastropheCatastrophe excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer ($9,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000) and 0% in its 2nd layer ($36,000,000 in excess of $10,000,000). In calendar year 2015, Crusader retained a participation in its catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer ($9,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000) and 0% in its 2nd layer ($31,000,000 in excess of $10,000,000). The Company monitors its catastrophe exposure no less than on an annual basis and purchases the level of coverage deemed appropriate.

Crusader’s excess of loss reinsurance treaties provided for a contingent commission for accident years 2006, 2004 and 2003. Crusader’s 2006 1st layer primary excess of loss reinsurance treaty provided for a contingent commission equal to 20% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer. Crusader’s 2004 and 2003 1st layer primary excess of loss reinsurance treaties provided for a contingent commission to the Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer. Any contingent commission received is subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses. As of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the unearned contingent commission balance included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $0. The contingent commission income recognized was $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and $0 and $91,686 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at its inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under GAAP.current accounting literature. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, all such ceded contracts wereare accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.

 

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Crusader’s direct, ceded and net earned premium are as follows:

  Three Months Ended September 30  Nine Months Ended September 30 
  2016  2015  Increase  2016  2015  Increase 
                   
Direct earned premium $9,529,911  $8,929,645  $600,266  $27,797,515  $25,792,554  $2,004,961 
Ceded earned premium  1,548,981   1,366,051   182,930   4,526,219   3,935,961   590,258 
   Net earned premium $7,980,930  $7,563,594  $417,336  $23,271,296  $21,856,593  $1,414,703 
Ratio of ceded earned premium to direct earned premium  16%  15%      16%  15%    

The Company is currently negotiating its 2017 excess of loss reinsurance treaty. Based on initial indications, the Company expects a rate increase on that treaty; however, the increase cannot yet be quantified.

  

Three Months Ended

March 31

  2017 2016 Increase
       
Direct earned premium $9,547,484  $9,048,075  $499,409 
Ceded earned premium  1,626,785   1,475,660   151,125 
Net earned premium $7,920,699  $7,572,415  $348,284 
Ratio of ceded earned premium to direct earned premium  17%  16%    

 

 

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Investment incomeincluded in insurance company operation and other insurance operations revenues,increased $105,752 (82%$144 (0.1%) to $234,570 and $344,950 (110%) to $659,111$212,235 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $128,818 and $314,161$212,091 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

March 31, 2016. The increase in investment income was primarily a resultCompany had no realized gains or losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and had realized losses of an increase in$1,278 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The Company’s annualized yield on average invested assets to 1.0% andwas 0.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, from 0.5%March 31, 2017 and 0.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in the annualized yield on average invested assets is primarily a result of reinvesting the proceeds of matured short-term and fixed maturity investments into higher yielding fixed maturity investments.2016.

 

Investment income, excluding net realized investment losses, and average annualized yields on the Company’s average invested assets are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

  

Three Months Ended

March 31

 2016 2015 2016 2015   2017  2016
             
Average invested assets* - at amortized cost $92,050,184  $106,283,275  $94,312,881  $106,915,036  $90,310,610  $95,246,966 
Interest income:                        
Insurance company operation $234,495  $128,742  $658,839  $313,918  $212,186  $212,000 
Other insurance operations  75   76   272   243   49   91 
Total investment income and realized gains $234,570  $128,818  $659,111  $314,161 
Total investment income $212,235  $212,091 
Annualized yield on average invested assets  1.0%  0.5%  0.9%  0.4%  0.9%  0.9%

 

*The average is based on the beginning and ending balance of the amortized cost of the invested assets for each respective period.

 

The par value, amortized cost, fairestimated market value and weighted average yield of fixed maturity investments at September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, by contractual maturity are as follows:

Contractual Maturities

By Calendar Year

 

Par

Value

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted

Average Yield

 

Maturities by

Calendar Year

 

Par Value

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted

Average Yield

                        
December 31, 2016 $6,979,000  $6,979,000  $6,979,000   0.7%
December 31, 2017  52,282,000   52,270,507   52,311,763   0.8% $40,494,000  $40,488,592  $40,492,752   0.9%
December 31, 2018  18,026,000   18,026,117   18,026,039   1.1%  21,520,000   21,520,078   21,519,673   1.1%
December 31, 2019  5,232,000   5,232,000   5,232,000   1.1%  5,980,000   5,980,000   5,980,000   1.1%
December 31, 2020  100,000   100,000   100,000   0.3%
December 31, 2021  598,000   598,000   598,000   1.7%
Total $82,619,000  $82,607,624  $82,648,802   0.9% $68,592,000  $68,586,670  $68,590,425   1.0%

 

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

 

The weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments was 1.11.2 years as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and 1.51.3 years as of DecemberMarch 31, 2015.2016. Due to the current interest rate environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of five5 years or less and with minimal credit risk.

 

At September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company had one fixed maturity investment with grossan unrealized lossesloss of $79$1,118 for a continuous period of less than 12 months and one fixed maturity investment with an unrealized loss of $406 for a continuous period of more than 12 months. At December 31, 2016, the Company had no fixed maturity investments with gross unrealized losses for a continuous period of more than 12 months. At December 31, 2015, the Company had three fixed maturity investments with gross unrealized losses of $38,509 for a continuous period of less than 12 months and two fixed maturity investmentsthree U.S. treasury securities with gross unrealized losses of $6,115 for a continuous period of more than 12 months.

 

The Company closely monitors its investments. If an unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time to maturity and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments. The unrealized losses on the U.S. treasury securities in unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, were determined to be temporary.

 

 

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Although the Company does not intendhave an intent to sell its fixed maturity investments, prior to maturity, the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to cash flow requirements, economic and/orand market conditions. TheDuring the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company did not sell any fixed maturity investments. There were no realized investment gains or losses during the three months ended March 31, 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company sold three certificates of deposit prior to their maturity during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.deposit. These securities had an amortized cost of $746,000. The Company realized an investment loss of $1,278 on the sale. The Company did not sell any fixed maturity investments and there were no realized investment gains or losses during the three months ended September 30, 2016, nor during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “accumulated“Accumulated other comprehensive income, (loss),” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.

 

Other income included in insurance company operationInsurance Company Revenues and other insurance operations revenues,Other Insurance Operations decreased $1,827 (3%$4,369 (6%) to $67,147 and $104,900 (34%) to $207,427$68,227 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $68,974 and $312,327$72,596 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The decrease from nine months ended September 30, 2015, to nine months ended September 30, 2016, is due primarily to $0 contingent commission recognized on Crusader’s excess of loss reinsurance treaties for accident years 2006, 2004 and 2003 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to $91,686 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.

 

Gross commissions and feesincreased $24,877 (4%$83,930 (13%) to $697,245 and decreased $2,153 (0.1%) to $2,063,429$741,175 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $672,368 and $2,065,582 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

The increases/decreases in gross commissions and fees of $657,245 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2016.

The changes in gross commission and fee income for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, are as follows:

 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
  

Three Months Ended

March 31

          Increase           Increase    Increase
  2016   2015   (Decrease)   2016   2015   (Decrease)  2017 2016 (Decrease)
                              
Policy fee income $418,301  $427,585  $(9,284) $1,260,808  $1,263,923  $(3,115) $407,336  $409,989  $(2,653)
Health insurance program  259,776   222,955   36,821   734,487   715,999   18,488   311,211   217,812   93,399 
Membership and fee income  19,168   21,776   (2,608)  59,315   67,346   (8,031)  18,252   20,625   (2,373)
Daily automobile rental insurance program:                                    
Commission income (excluding contingent commission)  —     52   (52)  —     1,727   (1,727)
Contingent commission  —     —     —     8,819   16,587   (7,768)  4,376   8,819   (4,443)
Total $697,245  $672,368  $24,877  $2,063,429  $2,065,582  $(2,153) $741,175  $657,245  $(83,930)

 

Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc. (“Unifax”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, sells and services insurance policies for Crusader. The commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany transactions and are not reflected as income in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Unifax also receives non-refundable policy fee income that is directly related to the Crusader policies it sells. For financial statement reporting purposes, policy fees are earned ratably over the life of the related insurance policy. The unearned portion of the policy fee is recorded as a liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets under “Accrued expenses and other liabilities.” The earned portion of the policy fee charged to the policyholder by Unifax is recognized as income in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Policy fee income decreased $9,284 (2%) and $3,115 (0.2%$2,653 (less than 1%) in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.

 

American Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“AIB”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, markets health insurance in California through non-affiliated insurance companies for individuals and groups. For these services, AIB receives commission based on the premiums that it writes. Commission income increased $36,821 (17%) and $18,488 (3%$93,399 (43%) in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. The increases are dueincrease in commission income reported in the three months ended March 31, 2017, when compared to increases in sales andthe prior year period, is primarily a one-time adjustmentresult of commissionable base. a cumulative commission correction of $68,971 by the non-affiliated insurance carriers.

 

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The Company's wholly owned subsidiary Insurance Club, Inc., dba AAQHC An Administrator (“AAQHC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a third party administrator for contracted insurance companies and is a membership association that provides various consumer benefits to its members, including participation in group health care insurance policies that AAQHC negotiates for the association. For these services, AAQHC receives membership and fee income from its members. Membership and fee income decreased $2,608$2,373 (12%) and $8,031 (12%) infor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. These decreases wereMarch 31, 2016. This decrease is primarily a result of a decrease in the number of associationindividual members enrolledoffset by an increase in AAQHC during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the number of association members enrolled during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. group members.

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The daily automobile rental insurance program was produced by Bedford Insurance Services, Inc. (“Bedford”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Bedford received commission income from non-affiliated insurance companies based on written premium and continues to receive contingent commission on previous business written. The Company no longer actively markets this program.

 

Finance fees earned consist of late fees, returned check fees and payment processing fees. These fees earned by the Company’s wholly owned premium finance subsidiary, American Acceptance Corporation (“AAC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, increased $701 (4%$1,552 (9%) to $18,450 and increased $1,937 (4%) to $50,667$18,161 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, compared to $17,749 and $48,730$16,609 in fees earned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. DuringMarch 31, 2016. The increase in fees earned during the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017, compared to three months ended March 31, 2016, is primarily a result of more late fees earned during the period compared to the prior year period. AAC issued 783 and 2,405743 loans respectively, and had 2,4352,196 loans outstanding as of September 30, 2016. Duringduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, AACMarch 31, 2017, compared to 805 loans issued 822 and 2,605 loans, respectively, and had 2,5662,416 loans outstanding as of September 30, 2015.during the three months ended March 31, 2016. AAC provides premium financing only for Crusader policies produced by Unifax in California. AAC reduced the interest rate charged on premiums financed to 0% beginning July 20, 2010, and, therefore, did not earn any finance charges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015.2016. This reduction in the interest rate charged was initiated in an effort to increase the sales of existing renewal and new business written by Unifax for Crusader. Due to the low interest rate environment, the cost of money to provide this incentive is not material. The Company monitors the cost of providing this incentive and depending on the cost/benefit determination, can continue to offer it or withdraw it at any time.

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 101% and 77%108% of net earned premium for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to 57% and 63%67% of net earned premium for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016.

 

Loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss adjustment expenses by net earned premium. Losses and loss adjustment expenses and loss ratios are as follows:

 Three Months Ended September 30  Three Months Ended
March 31
 

 

2016

 

2016 Loss Ratio

 

2015

 

2015 Loss Ratio

 

 Increase

  

2017

 

2017 Loss Ratio

 

2016

 

2016 Loss Ratio

 

Increase

                     
Net earned premium $7,980,930      $7,563,594      $417,336  $7,920,699      $7,572,415      $348,284 
                                        
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                                        
Provision for insured events of current year  6,792,115   85%  5,195,943   69%  1,596,172   6,497,566   82%  4,723,668   62%  1,773,898 
Development of insured events of prior years  1,245,985   16%  (849,426)  (12%)  2,095,411   2,027,615   26%  361,826   5%  1,665,789 
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $8,038,100   101% $4,346,517   57% $3,691,583  $8,525,181   108% $5,085,494   67% $3,439,687 

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30 
  

2016

  

2016 Loss Ratio

  

 

2015

  

2015 Loss Ratio

  

Increase

 
                
Net earned premium $23,271,296      $21,856,593      $1,414,703 
                     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                    
  Provision for insured events of current year  17,119,210   74%  16,482,482   75%  636,728 
  Development of insured events of prior years  863,141   3%  (2,608,542)  (12%)  3,471,683 
       Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $17,982,351   77% $13,873,940   63% $4,108,411 

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Some lines of insurance are commonly referred to as "long-tail" lines because of the extended time required before claims are ultimately settled. Lines of insurance in which claims are settled relatively quickly are called "short-tail" lines. It is generally more difficult to estimate loss reserves for long-tail lines because of the long period of time that elapses between the occurrence of a claim and its final disposition and the difficulty of estimating the settlement value of the claim. Crusader’s short-tail lines consist of its property coverages, and its long-tail lines consist of its liability coverages. However, Crusader’s long-tail liability claims tend to be settled relatively quicker than other long-tail lines not underwritten by Crusader, such as workers’ compensation, professional liability, umbrella liability, and medical malpractice. Since trends develop over longer periods of time on long-tail lines of business, the Company generally gives credibility to those trends more slowly than for short-tail or less volatile lines of business.

 

The 85% loss ratio for$1,773,898 increase in the provision for insured events of current year for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, compared to the 69% loss ratio for the provision for insured events of current year for the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, was due primarily to an aberrational increase in the frequency and severity of accident year 20162017 short-tail property claims.

claims.

 

The increases$1,665,789 increase in the development of insured events of prior years of $2,095,411 and $3,471,683 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, wereMarch 31, 2016, was primarily due to higher than expected long-tail liability claims in accident years 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015.2016.

 

While it is difficult to estimate adequacy of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, historically, the Company was able to establish sufficient loss and loss adjustment expense reserves to mitigate adverse prior accident year developments.

 

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The following table breaks out adverse (favorable) development from total losses and loss adjustment expenses quarterly since March 31, 2014:

 

     

 

Provision for InsuredEvents of Current Year

   Adverse (Favorable) Development of InsuredEvents of Prior Years   

 

Total Losses and LossAdjustment Expenses

 
               
 Three Months Ended:             
    September 30, 2016  $6,792,115  $1,245,985  $8,038,100 
    June 30, 2016   5,603,427   (744,670)  4,858,757 
    March 31, 2016   4,723,668   361,826   5,085,494 
    December 31, 2015   5,125,146   164,230   5,289,376 
    September 30, 2015   5,195,943   (849,426)  4,346,517 
    June 30, 2015   5,280,840   (647,324)  4,633,516 
    March 31, 2015   6,005,699   (1,111,792)  4,893,907 
    December 31, 2014   4,473,359   (552,836)  3,920,523 
    September 30, 2014   4,686,287   (529,807)  4,156,480 
    June 30, 2014   4,455,943   (808,178)  3,647,765 
    March 31, 2014  4,310,293  (1,417,943)  2,892,350 
     

 

Provision for InsuredEvents of Current Year

   Adverse (Favorable) Development of InsuredEvents of Prior Years   

 

Total Losses and LossAdjustment Expenses

 
               
 Three Months Ended:             
    March 31, 2017  $6,497,566  $2,027,615  $8,525,181 
    December 31, 2016   5,731,198   (886,671)  4,844,527 
    September 30, 2016   6,792,115   1,245,985   8,038,100 
    June 30, 2016   5,603,427   (744,670)  4,858,757 
    March 31, 2016   4,723,668   361,826   5,085,494 
    December 31, 2015   5,125,146   164,230   5,289,376 
    September 30, 2015   5,195,943   (849,426)  4,346,517 
    June 30, 2015   5,280,840   (647,324)  4,633,516 
    March 31, 2015   6,005,699   (1,111,792)  4,893,907 
    December 31, 2014   4,473,359   (552,836)  3,920,523 
    September 30, 2014   4,686,287   (529,807)  4,156,480 
    June 30, 2014   4,455,943   (808,178)  3,647,765 
    March 31, 2014   4,310,293   (1,417,943)  2,892,350 

 

The variability of the Crusader’s losses and loss adjustment expenses for the periods presented is primarily due primarily to the small and diverse population of the Crusader’s policyholders and claims, population, which may result in greater fluctuations in claim frequency and/or severity. In addition, Crusader’s reinsurance retention, which is relatively high in relationship to its net earned premium, can result in increased loss ratio volatility when large losses are incurred in a relatively short period of time. Nevertheless, management believes that its reinsurance retention is reasonable given the amount of Crusader’s surplus and its goal to minimize ceded premium.

 

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires estimation of certain liabilities, most significantly the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. Management makes its best estimate of the liability for these unpaid claims costs as of the end of each fiscal quarter. Due to the inherent uncertainties in estimating the Company’s unpaid claims costs, actual loss and loss adjustment expense payments are expected to vary, perhaps significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all claims. Variability is inherent in establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, especially for a small insurer like Crusader. For any given line of insurance, accident year, or other group of claims, there is a continuum of possible loss and loss adjustment expense reserve estimates, each having its own unique degree of propriety or reasonableness. Due to the complexity and the nature of the insurance claims process, there are potentially an infinite number of reasonably likely scenarios. Management draws on its collective experience to judgmentally determine its best estimate. In addition to applying a variety of standard actuarial methods to the data, an extensive series of diagnostic tests are applied to the resultant loss and loss adjustment expense reserve estimates to determine management’s best estimate of the unpaid claims liability. Among the statistics reviewed for each accident year are: loss and loss adjustment expense development patterns; frequencies; severities; and ratios of loss to premium, loss adjustment expense to premium, and loss adjustment expense to loss.

 

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When there is clear evidence that the actual emerged claims costs emerged are different than expected for any prior accident year, the claims cost estimates for that year are revised accordingly. If the claims costs that emerge are less favorable than initially anticipated, generally, the Company increases its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves immediately. However, if the claims costs that emerge are more favorable than initially anticipated, generally, the Company reduces its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves over time while it continues to assess the validity of the observed trends based on the subsequent emerged claimsclaim costs.

 

The establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is a detailed process as there are many factors that can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim. Estimates are based on a variety of industry data and on the Company’s current and historical accident year claims data, including but not limited to reported claim counts, open claim counts, closed claim counts, closed claim counts with payments, paid losses, paid loss adjustment expenses, case loss reserves, case loss adjustment expense reserves, earned premiums and policy exposures, salvage and subrogation, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses paid. Many other factors, including changes in reinsurance, changes in pricing, changes in policy forms and coverage, changes in underwriting and risk selection, legislative changes, results of litigation and inflation are also taken into account.

 

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At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves for each accident year (i.e., for all claims incurred within each year) are re-evaluated independently by the Company’s president, the Company’s chief financial officer, and by an independent consulting actuary.  Generally accepted actuarial methods, including the widely used Bornhuetter-Ferguson and loss development methods, are employed to estimate ultimate claims costs. An actuarial central estimate of the ultimate claims costs and IBNR reserves is ultimately determined by management and tested for reasonableness by the independent consulting actuary.

 

Policy acquisition costs consist of commissions, premium taxes, inspection fees, and certain other underwriting costs that are directly related to and vary with the successful production of Crusader insurance policies. These policy acquisition costs include both Crusader expenses and the allocated expenses of other Unico subsidiaries. Crusader's reinsurers pay Crusader a ceding commission, which is primarily a reimbursement of the acquisition cost related to the ceded premium. Ceding commission is received on excess of loss ceded premium, and noNo ceding commission is received on facultative or catastrophe ceded premium. Policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commission, are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned. The Company annually re-evaluatesreevaluates its policy acquisition costs to determine that costs related to successful policy acquisition are capitalized and deferred. These policy acquisition costs were approximately 19% and 22% of net earned premium for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015. The policyrespectively. Policy acquisition costs increaseddecreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,prior year period, due primarily to a decrease in bonus commission payments to brokers and agents in 2017 related to the increase in the commission expenses associated with the increase in the net earned premium in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2016 results.

 

Policy acquisition costs and the ratio to net earned premiumarepremium are as follows:

 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30  

Three Months Ended

March 31

 2016 2015 Increase 2016 2015 Increase  2017 2016 Decrease
                   
Policy acquisition costs $1,741,499  $1,659,226  $82,273  $5,142,250  $4,751,939  $390,311  $1,497,634  $1,699,660  $202,026 
Ratio to net earned premium (GAAP ratio)  22%  22%      22%  22%      19%  22%    

 

Salaries and employee benefitsincreased $63,655 (5%decreased $32,941 (2%) to $1,318,622 and $310,975 (8%) to $3,980,055$1,348,643 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to salary and employee benefits of $1,254,967 and $3,669,080$1,381,584 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016.

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Salaries and employee benefits incurred and charged to operating expenses are as follows:

  Three Months Ended September 30 
  

 

2016

  

 

2015

  

Increase

(Decrease)

 
          
Total salaries and employee benefits incurred $1,999,588  $1,917,375  $82,213 
  Less: charged to losses and loss adjustment expenses  (291,711)  (292,371)  660 
  Less: capitalized to policy acquisition costs  (389,255)  (370,037)  (19,218)
     Net amount charged to operating expenses $1,318,622  $1,254,967  $63,655 

 Nine Months Ended September 30  

Three Months Ended

March 31

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Increase

(Decrease)

  

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Increase

(Decrease)

             
Total salaries and employee benefits incurred $6,024,572  $5,558,520  $466,052  $1,997,271  $2,030,921  $(33,650)
Less: charged to losses and loss adjustment expenses  (861,293)  (796,645)  (64,648)  (323,018)  (288,114)  (34,904)
Less: capitalized to policy acquisition costs  (1,183,224)  (1,092,795)  (90,429)  (325,610)  (361,223)  35,613 
Net amount charged to operating expenses $3,980,055  $3,669,080  $310,975  $1,348,643  $1,381,584  $(32,941)

 

Commissions to agents/brokers on the Company’s health insurance and daily automobile rental insurance programs increased $2,723 (7%) to $40,324 and decreased $5,566$1,470 (4%) to $121,379$41,889 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $37,601 and $126,945$40,419 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016.

 

Other operating expensesdecreased $1,294,313 (61%increased $221,952 (37%) to $826,519 and $1,498,722 (42%) to $2,052,771$814,499 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively,March 31, 2017, compared to $2,120,832 and $3,551,493$592,547 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. The decreasesincrease in other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, areMarch 31, 2016, is related primarily related to $1,287,460 capitalized computer software costs impairment that was recognized duringfees associated with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Company did not have any capitalized computer software costs impairment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Other operating expenses include costs incurred to review strategic alternatives and potential opportunities. These costs amounted to $139,270 and $346,890 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and $87,076 and $89,076 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.on-going California Department of Insurance financial examination of Crusader.

 

Income tax benefitincreased $695,095 (218%$1,049,058 (1,477%) to an income tax benefit of $1,013,225$1,120,097 (34% of pre-tax income) and $584,610 (132%) to an income tax benefit of $1,026,700 (34% of pre-tax income)loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, from an income tax benefit of $318,130 (33%$71,039 (26% of pre-tax income) and $442,090 (32% of pre-tax income)loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. The increase in income tax provision isbenefit during the three months ended March 31, 2017, when compared to three months ended March 31, 2016, was primarily relateddue to income before taxes.an increase of $2,997,323 in pre-tax loss of $3,267,349 for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to pre-tax loss of $270,026 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The calculated tax rate for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, consisted of a federal tax benefit rate of 34% and a state income tax benefit rate of 0.5%. The calculated tax rate for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2015, consistedMarch 31, 2016, was comprised of a calculated federal tax benefit rate of 33% and aapproximately 32% while the calculated state income tax expense rate was approximately 6%.

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Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein, including the sections entitled “Business,” “Legal Proceedings” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” that are not historical facts are forward looking. These statements, which may be identified by forward looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” and “would” involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include: underwriting or marketing actions not being effective; rate increases for coverages not being sufficient; premium rate adequacy relating to competition or regulation; actual versus estimated claim experience; the outcome of rate change filings with regulatory authorities; acceptance by insureds of rate changes; adequacy of rate changes; changes in Crusader’s A.M. Best rating; regulatory changes or developments; the outcome of regulatory proceedings; unforeseen calamities; general market conditions; and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.

 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets include a substantial amount of invested assets whose fair values are subject to various market risk exposures including interest rate risk and equity price risk.

 

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The Company’s invested assets consist of the following:

 

September 30

2016

 

December 31

2015

 

Increase

(Decrease)

  

March 31

2017

 

December 31

2016

 

Increase

(Decrease)

                  
Fixed maturity bonds (at amortized value) $19,088,624  $24,075,727  $(4,987,103) $14,094,670  $19,091,842  $(4,987,172)
Short-term investments (at cost)  8,174,608   15,640,803   (7,466,195)
Certificates of deposit - over 1 year (at cost)  63,519,000   58,127,000   5,392,000 
Short-term cash investments (at cost)  21,802,697   10,204,603   11,598,094 
Certificates of deposit with original maturity over 1 year (at cost)  54,142,000   61,280,000   (7,138,000)
Total invested assets $90,782,232  $97,843,530  $(7,061,298) $90,039,367  $90,576,445  $(537,078)

 

There have been no material changes in the composition of the Company’s invested assets or market risk exposures since the end of the preceding fiscal year end.

 

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was carried out by the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

During the period covered by this report, there has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,2016, in response to Item 1A to Part I of Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS

10.1Job offer to Michael Budnitsky dated August 12, 2014.

 

31.1Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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101The following information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Condensed Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.*

 

*XBRL information is furnished and deemed not filed as part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

 

Date: November 9, 2016May 15, 2017 By:/s/ CARY L. CHELDIN

Cary L. Cheldin

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief

Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Date: November 9, 2016May 15, 2017 By:/s/ MICHAEL BUDNITSKY

Michael Budnitsky

Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer (Principal

Accounting and Principal Financial Officer)

 

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