UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period endedJune 30, 20192020or

 

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

For the transition period from ____ to ____.

 

Commission File No. 000-03978

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                                        Nevada95-2583928
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
26050 Mureau Road, Calabasas, California91302
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(818) 591-9800

 

No Change

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, No Par ValueUNAMNasdaq Global Market

 

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.

YesXNo __ 

 

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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

 

Large accelerated filer__ Accelerated filer__

 

Non-accelerated filer__ Smaller reporting companyXEmerging growth company__

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.__

 

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 August 14, 20192020
Common Stock, no par value per share5,306,7475,305,742

 

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

  Page No.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements  3 
Part I - Financial Information  45 
Item 1. Financial Statements  45 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  1618 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk  2933 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures  2933 
Part II - Other Information  2934 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings  2934 
Item 1A. Risk Factors  2934 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  3034 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities  3034 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures  3034 
Item 5. Other Information  3034 
Item 6. Exhibits  3034 
Signatures  3135 

 

2 of 3135 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Form 10-Q, and the documents incorporated by reference in this document, ourthe Company’s press releases and oral statements made from time to time by usthe Company or on ourthe Company’s behalf, may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or “the Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or “the Exchange Act”). In this context, forward-looking statements are not historical facts and include statements about ourthe Company’s plans, objectives, beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “seeks,” “plans,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “targets,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “can,” “can have,” “likely,” the negatives thereof or similar words and expressions. These forward-looking statements are contained throughout this Form 10-Q, including, but not limited to, statements found in Part I – Item 2.2 – “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions involving judgments about, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond ourthe Company’s control. These predictions are also affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause ourthe Company’s actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Many of these factors are beyond ourthe Company’s ability to control or predict. OurThe Company’s actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

·failure to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements;
·vulnerability to significant catastrophic property loss;
·a change in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board;
·ability to adjust claims accurately;
·insufficiency of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves to cover future losses;
·changes in federal or state tax laws;
·ability to realize deferred tax assets;
·ability to accurately underwrite risks and charge adequate premium;
·ability to obtain reinsurance or collect from reinsurers and or losses in excess of reinsurance limits;
·extensive regulation and legislative changes;
·reliance on subsidiaries to satisfy obligations;
·downgrade in financial strength rating by A.M. Best;
·changes in interest rates;
·investments subject to credit, prepayment and other risks;
·geographic concentration;
·reliance on independent insurance agents and brokers;
·insufficient reserve for doubtful accounts;
·litigation;
·enforceability of exclusions and limitations in policies;
·reliance on information technology systems;
·ability to prevent or detect acts of fraud with disclosure controls and procedures;
·change in general economic conditions;
·dependence on key personnel;
·ability to attract, develop and retain employees and maintain appropriate staffing levels;
·insolvency, financial difficulties, or default in performance of obligations by parties with significant contracts or relationships;
·ability to effectively compete;
·maximization of long-term value and no focus on short-term earnings expectations;
·control by a small number of shareholders;
·limited trading of stock;
·failure to maintain effective system of internal controls; and
·difficulty in effecting a change of control or sale of any subsidiaries.

·failure to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements;

·vulnerability to significant catastrophic property loss;

·the impact of the recent coronavirus outbreak;

·changes in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board;

·ability to adjust claims accurately;

·insufficiency of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves to cover future losses;

·changes in federal or state tax laws;

·ability to realize deferred tax assets;

·ability to accurately underwrite risks and charge adequate premium;

·ability to obtain reinsurance or collect from reinsurers and or losses in excess of reinsurance limits;

·extensive regulation and legislative changes;

·reliance on subsidiaries to satisfy obligations;

·downgrade in financial strength rating or long-term issuer credit rating by A.M. Best;

·changes in interest rates;

·investments subject to credit, prepayment and other risks;

·geographic concentration;

·reliance on independent insurance agents and brokers;

·insufficient reserve for doubtful accounts;

·litigation;

·enforceability of exclusions and limitations in policies;

·reliance on information technology systems;

·single operating location;

·ability to prevent or detect acts of fraud with disclosure controls and procedures;

·change in general economic conditions;

·dependence on key personnel;

·ability to attract, develop and retain employees and maintain appropriate staffing levels;

·insolvency, financial difficulties, or default in performance of obligations by parties with significant contracts or

relationships

·ability to effectively compete;

·maximization of long-term value and no focus on short-term earnings expectations;

·control by a small number of stockholders;

·limited trading of stock;

·failure to maintain effective system of internal controls; and

·difficulty in effecting a change of control or sale of any subsidiaries.

3 of 35 

Please see Part I - Item 1A – “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as other documents we file with the SEC from time-to-time, for other important factors that could cause ourthe Company’s actual results to differ materially from ourthe Company’s current expectations and from the forward-looking statements discussed herein. Because of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q and, except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

 

34 of 3135 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  June 30 December 31
  2019 2018
   (Unaudited)     
ASSETS        
Investments        
Available-for-sale:        
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $80,207,437 at June 30, 2019, and $78,302,588 at December 31, 2018) $81,270,712  $76,910,137 
Held-to-maturity:        
Fixed maturities, at amortized cost (fair value: $4,782,000 at June 30, 2019, and $7,126,000 at December 31, 2018)  4,782,000   7,126,000 
Short-term investments, at fair value  200,000   4,690,954 
Total Investments  86,252,712   88,727,091 
Cash and cash equivalents  5,591,085   4,917,762 
Accrued investment income  409,544   393,782 
Receivables, net  4,738,587   3,933,068 
Reinsurance recoverable:        
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses  455,413   (1,319)
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  11,139,312   9,531,602 
Deferred policy acquisition costs  3,628,624   3,489,728 
Property and equipment, net  9,909,957   9,692,325 
Deferred income taxes  4,089,041   4,375,484 
Other assets  257,394   557,443 
Total Assets $126,471,669  $125,616,966 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
         
LIABILITIES        
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $49,829,790  $51,657,155 
Unearned premiums  17,726,398   15,964,589 
Advance premium and premium deposits  359,705   234,442 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  1,650,203   1,845,358 
Total Liabilities  69,566,096   69,701,544 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY        
Common stock, no par value – authorized 10,000,000 shares; 5,306,747 and 5,307,103 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively  3,772,682   3,772,857 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)  839,987   (1,100,036)
Retained earnings  52,292,904   53,242,601 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  56,905,573   55,915,422 
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $126,471,669  $125,616,966 

  June 30 December 31
  2020 2019
   (Unaudited)     
ASSETS        
Investments        
Available-for-sale:        
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $80,941,028 at June 30, 2020, and $82,002,411 at December 31, 2019) $84,213,401  $83,499,710 
Held-to-maturity:        
Fixed maturities, at amortized cost (fair value: $798,000 at June 30, 2020, and $798,000 at December 31, 2019)  798,000   798,000 
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $502,484 at June 30, 2020, and $0 at December 31, 2019)  525,443   —   
Short-term investments, at fair value  2,199,204   2,196,815 
Total Investments  87,736,048   86,494,525 
Cash and cash equivalents  4,674,661   5,781,639 
Accrued investment income  395,026   397,302 
Receivables, net  4,160,471   4,019,437 
Reinsurance recoverable:        
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses  361,010   685,841 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  15,806,548   14,725,855 
Deferred policy acquisition costs  3,668,136   3,619,594 
Property and equipment, net  10,237,459   10,226,595 
Deferred income taxes  3,604,087   3,925,432 
Other assets  368,604   430,305 
Total Assets $131,012,050  $130,306,525 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
         
LIABILITIES        
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $54,877,319  $55,066,480 
Unearned premiums  18,127,661   17,810,337 
Advance premium and premium deposits  289,181   219,083 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  2,720,135   2,130,300 
Total Liabilities $76,014,296  $75,226,200 
         
Commitments and contingencies        
         
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY        
Common stock, no par value – authorized 10,000,000 shares; 5,305,742 and 5,306,720, shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively $3,772,189  $3,772,669 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  2,585,175   1,182,866 
Retained earnings  48,640,390   50,124,790 
Total Stockholders’ Equity $54,997,754  $55,080,325 
         
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $131,012,050  $130,306,525 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30 June 30
  2019 2018 2019 2018
REVENUES        
Insurance company operation:                
Net earned premium $6,518,112  $7,362,945  $12,782,262  $15,044,572 
Investment income  530,745   452,508   1,063,375   897,209 
Net realized investments gains (losses)  (4,512)  137   (12,661)  137 
Other income (loss)  168,828   112,199   (91,872)  167,889 
Total Insurance Company Operation  7,213,173   7,927,789   13,741,104   16,109,807 
                 
Other insurance operations:                
Gross commissions and fees  527,825   671,449   1,075,270   1,278,106 
Investment income  2   98   9   195 
Finance charges and fees earned  53,998   34,380   103,371   52,476 
Other income  100   9,736   10,818   9,757 
Total Revenues  7,795,098   8,643,452   14,930,572   17,450,341 
                 
EXPENSES                
Losses and loss adjustment expenses  5,058,951   4,929,203   10,213,394   12,730,960 
Policy acquisition costs  1,289,481   1,515,476   2,376,194   3,136,981 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,012,805   1,126,503   2,040,654   2,414,580 
Commissions to agents/brokers  41,077   40,541   91,198   81,880 
Other operating expenses  735,454   744,697   1,363,534   1,610,840 
Total Expenses  8,137,768   8,356,420   16,084,974   19,975,241 
                 
Income (Loss) before taxes  (342,670)  287,032   (1,154,402)  (2,524,900)
Income tax expense (benefit)  (65,993)  118,735   (206,651)  (485,945)
Net Income (Loss) $(276,677) $168,297  $(947,751) $(2,038,955)
                 
                 
                 
PER SHARE DATA:                
Basic                
Earnings (loss) per share $(0.05) $0.03  $(0.18) $(0.38)
Weighted average shares  5,306,938   5,307,133   5,307,021   5,307,133 
Diluted                
Earnings (loss) per share $(0.05) $0.03  $(0.18) $(0.38)
Weighted average shares  5,306,938   5,307,133   5,307,021   5,307,133 

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30 June 30
  2020 2019  2020 2019
REVENUES        
Insurance company operation:                
Net earned premium $6,770,111  $6,518,112  $13,681,245  $12,782,262 
Investment income  489,498   530,745   1,010,190   1,063,375 
Net realized investments gains (losses)  461   (4,512)  1,575   (12,661)
Net unrealized investments gains on equity securities  67,759   —     22,959   —   
Other income (loss)  122,822   168,828   203,759   (91,872)
Total Insurance Company Operation  7,450,651   7,213,173   14,919,728   13,741,104 
                 
Other insurance operations:                
Gross commissions and fees  457,886   527,825   926,955   1,075,270 
Finance charges and fees earned  67,686   53,998   134,705   103,371 
Other income  4   102   20   10,827 
Total Revenues  7,976,227   7,795,098   15,981,408   14,930,572 
                 
EXPENSES                
Losses and loss adjustment expenses  4,888,906   5,058,951   10,766,291   10,213,394 
Policy acquisition costs  1,202,026   1,289,481   2,346,451   2,376,194 
Salaries and employee benefits  1,251,922   1,012,805   2,374,421   2,040,654 
Commissions to agents/brokers  24,000   41,077   49,954   91,198 
Other operating expenses  993,935   735,454   1,974,351   1,363,534 
Total Expenses  8,360,789   8,137,768   17,511,468   16,084,974 
                 
Loss before taxes  (384,562)  (342,670)  (1,530,060)  (1,154,402)
Income tax expense (benefit)  50,252   (65,993)  (51,420)  (206,651)
Net Loss $(434,814) $(276,677) $(1,478,640) $(947,751)
                 
                 
                 
PER SHARE DATA:                
Basic                
Loss per share $(0.08) $(0.05) $(0.28) $(0.18)
Weighted average shares  5,305,742   5,306,938   5,306,231   5,307,021 
Diluted                
Loss per share $(0.08) $(0.05) $(0.28) $(0.18)
Weighted average shares  5,305,742   5,306,938   5,306,231   5,307,021 

   

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED)

 

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30 June 30
  2019 2018 2019 2018
         
         
Net income (loss) $(276,677) $168,297  $(947,751) $(2,038,955)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during the period, net of income tax  964,138   (244,273)  1,940,023   (1,139,399)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) $687,461  $(75,976) $992,272  $(3,178,354)

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  June 30 June 30
  2020 2019 2020 2019
         
         
Net loss $(434,814) $(276,677) $(1,478,640) $(947,751)
Changes in unrealized gains on securities classified as available-for-sale arising during the period, net of income tax  1,702,302   964,138   1,402,309   1,940,023 
Comprehensive Income (Loss) $1,267,488  $687,461  $(76,331) $992,272 

 

   

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

         
    Accumulated    
  Common Shares Other    
  Issued and   Comprehensive Retained  
  Outstanding Amount Loss Earnings Total
           
Balance – December 31, 2017  5,307,133  $3,772,872  $(239,896) $56,412,361  $59,945,337 
                     
Change in comprehensive loss, net of deferred income tax  —     —     (895,126)  —     (895,126)
Net loss  —     —     —     (2,207,251)  (2,207,251)
Balance – March 31, 2018  5,307,133  $3,772,872  $(1,135,022) $54,205,110  $56,842,960 
                     
Change in comprehensive loss, net of deferred income tax  —     —     (244,273)  —     (244,273)
Net income  —     —     —     168,296   168,296 
Balance – June 30, 2018  5,307,133  $3,772,872  $(1,379,295) $54,373,406  $56,766,983 
         
    Accumulated    
           Common Shares      Other    
  Issued and   Comprehensive Retained  
  Outstanding Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Total
           
Balance – December 31, 2018  5,307,103  $3,772,857  $(1,100,036) $53,242,601  $55,915,422 
                     
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax  —     —     975,885   —     975,885 
Net loss  —     —     —     (671,074)  (671,074)
Balance – March 31, 2019  5,307,103  $3,772,857  $(124,151) $52,571,527  $56,220,233 
                     
Shares repurchased  (356)  (175)  —     (1,946)  (2,121)
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax  —     —     964,138   —     964,138 
Net loss  —     —     —     (276,677)  (276,677)
Balance – June 30, 2019  5,306,747  $3,772,682  $839,987  $52,292,904  $56,905,573 

 

         
    Accumulated    
  Common Shares Other    
  Issued and   Comprehensive Retained  
  Outstanding Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Total
           
Balance – December 31, 2018  5,307,103  $3,772,857  $(1,100,036) $53,242,601  $55,915,422 
                     
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax  —     —     975,885   —     975,885 
Net loss  —     —     —     (671,074)  (671,074)
Balance – March 31, 2019  5,307,103  $3,772,857  $(124,151) $52,571,527  $56,220,233 
                     
Shares repurchased  (356)  (175)  —     (1,946)  (2,121)
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax  —     —     964,138   —     964,138 
Net loss  —     —     —     (276,677)  (276,677)
Balance – June 30, 2019  5,306,747  $3,772,682  $839,987  $52,292,904  $56,905,573 

         
    Accumulated    
           Common Shares      Other    
  Issued and   Comprehensive Retained  
  Outstanding Amount Income (Loss) Earnings Total
           
Balance – December 31, 2019  5,306,720  $3,772,669  $1,182,866  $50,124,790  $55,080,325 
                     
Shares repurchased  (978)  (480)  —     (5,760)  (6,240)
Change in comprehensive loss, net of deferred income tax  —     —     (299,993)  —     (299,993)
Net loss  —     —     —     (1,043,826)  (1,043,826)
Balance – March 31, 2020  5,305,742  $3,772,189  $882,873  $49,075,204  $53,730,266 
                     
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax  —     —     1,702,302   —     1,702,302 
Net loss  —     —     —     (434,814)  (434,814)
Balance – June 30, 2020  5,305,742  $3,772,189  $2,585,175  $48,640,390  $54,997,754 

 

  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30 June 30
 2019 2018 2020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss $(947,751) $(2,038,955) $(1,478,640) $(947,751)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:                
Depreciation and amortization  270,105   281,717   376,723   270,105 
Bond amortization, net  (5,228)  128,839   (236,401)  (5,228)
Bad debt expense  (20,867)  279   706   (20,867)
Net realized investment losses (gains)  12,661   (137)
Net realized investment (gains) losses  (1,575)  12,661 
Net unrealized investment gains on equity securities  (22,959)  —   
Changes in assets and liabilities:                
Net receivables and accrued investment income  (800,414)  1,626,298   (139,464)  (800,414)
Reinsurance recoverable  (2,064,442)  (378,171)  (755,862)  (2,064,442)
Deferred policy acquisition costs  (138,896)  445,267   (48,542)  (138,896)
Other assets  300,049   (50,203)  61,701   300,049 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  (1,827,365)  989,062   (189,161)  (1,827,365)
Unearned premiums  1,761,809   (1,944,306)  317,324   1,761,809 
Advance premium and premium deposits  125,263   31,980   70,098   125,263 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (195,155)  (697,649)  589,835   (195,155)
Deferred income taxes  (229,260)  (494,745)
Income taxes current/deferred  (51,420)  (229,260)
Net Cash Used by Operating Activities  (3,759,491)  (2,100,724)  (1,507,637)  (3,759,491)
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Purchase of fixed maturity investments  (6,743,752)  (10,735,449)  (11,764,292)  (6,743,752)
Purchase of equity securities  (502,484)  —   
Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments  3,702,676   8,741,441   9,369,854   3,702,676 
Proceeds from sale or call of fixed maturity investments  3,472,794   1,000,000   3,693,797   3,472,794 
Net decrease in short-term investments  4,490,954   1,647,778 
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments  (2,389)  4,490,954 
Additions to property and equipment  (487,737)  (84,790)  (387,587)  (487,737)
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities  4,434,935   568,980   406,899   4,434,935 
                
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Repurchase of common stock  (2,121)  —     (6,240)  (2,121)
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities  (2,121)  —     (6,240)  (2,121)
                
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  673,323   (1,531,744)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (1,106,978)  673,323 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  4,917,762   9,366,944   5,781,639   4,917,762 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $5,591,085  $7,835,200  $4,674,661  $5,591,085 
                
Supplemental cash flow information                
Cash paid during the period for:                
Interest  —     —     —     —   
Income taxes $8,800  $8,800  $8,800   8,800 

  

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

JUNE 30, 20192020

 

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Unico American Corporation 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. Unico American Corporation is referred to herein as the "Company" or "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 condensed consolidated 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 six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.2020. Quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s 20182019 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 current quarter 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 (seetechniques. (See Note 7).7.)

 

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

 

The Company has used the following methods and assumptions for estimating fair value for other financial instruments not carried at fair value:

 

 

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Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are comprised of highly liquid investments with initial maturity of 90 days or less. Cash equivalents include, but not limited to, custodial trust, bank money market and savings accounts.

 

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 June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 188,269187,264 and 188,625188,242 shares of its common stock, respectively. The 2008 program is the only program under which there is authority to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company repurchased 978 shares of stock during the six months ended June 30, 2020, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $6,240 of which $480 was allocated to capital and $5,760 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company repurchased 356 shares of stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $2,121 of which $175 was allocated to capital and $1,946 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company did not repurchase any stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company has retired or will retire all stock repurchased.

 

NOTE 3 – EARNINGS (LOSS)LOSS PER SHARE

The following table represents the reconciliation of the Company's basic earnings (loss)loss per share and diluted earnings (loss)loss per share computations reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019:

  Three Months Ended June 30    Six Months Ended June 30
  2019 2018 2019 2018
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share        
Net income (loss) $(276,677) $168,297  $(947,751) $(2,038,955)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,306,938   5,307,133   5,307,021   5,307,133 
                 
     Basic earnings (loss) per share $(0.05) $0.03  $(0.18) $(0.38)
                 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share                
Net income (loss) $(276,677) $168,297  $(947,751) $(2,038,955)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,306,938   5,307,133   5,307,021   5,307,133 
Diluted shares outstanding  5,306,938   5,307,133   5,307,021   5,307,133 
                 
     Diluted earnings (loss) per share $(0.05) $0.03  $(0.18) $(0.38)
  Three Months Ended June 30    Six Months Ended June 30
  2020 2019 2020  2019

Basic Loss Per Share

        
Net loss $(434,814) $(276,677) $(1,478,640) $(947,751)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,305,742   5,306,938   5,306,231   5,307,021 
                 
Basic loss per share $(0.08) $(0.05) $(0.28) $(0.18)
                 
Diluted Loss Per Share                
Net loss $(434,814) $(276,677) $(1,478,640) $(947,751)
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding  5,305,742   5,306,938   5,306,231   5,307,021 
Diluted shares outstanding  5,305,742   5,306,938   5,306,231   5,307,021 
                 
Diluted loss per share $(0.08) $(0.05) $(0.28) $(0.18)

 

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.

 

NOTE 4 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

Recently adopted standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 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 adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 did not have a material impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

 

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In August, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement”: Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The amendments in this ASU require certain existing disclosure requirements to be modified or removed, and certain new disclosure requirements to be added. In addition, this ASU allows entities to exercise more discretion when considering fair value measurement disclosures. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact to the Company’s disclosures.

 

Standards not yet adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued 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 becomeprimarily impact the Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturities portfolio and reinsurance recoverables. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Leases.” ASU 2019-10 updated the effective date for implementing ASU 2016-13 for smaller reporting entities, and that effective date will be for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2019.15, 2022. Since the Company’s fixed income portfolio is invested primarily in higher rated bonds and the reinsurance is purchased from financially strong reinsurers, the Company believes the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will not have a material impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTING FOR TAXES

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state income tax returns. Pursuant to a tax allocation agreement, the Company’s subsidiaries, Crusader Insurance Company (“Crusader”) and American Acceptance Corporation (“AAC”), 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 20152016 and California state income tax authorities for tax returns filed starting at taxable year 2014.2015. There are no ongoing examinations of income tax returns by federal or state tax authorities.

 

As of June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities 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 that 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.

 

NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 June 30 December 31 June 30 December 31
 2019 2018 2020 2019
        
Building and leasehold improvements located in Calabasas, California $8,398,275  $8,398,275  $8,411,541  $8,411,541 
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment  2,081,157   2,063,549   2,137,961   2,110,653 
Computer software  363,016   363,016   459,899   459,899 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (3,321,610)  (3,051,505)  (3,994,104)  (3,617,381)
Computer software under development  601,634   131,505   1,434,677   1,074,398 
Land located in Calabasas, California  1,787,485   1,787,485   1,787,485   1,787,485 
Property and equipment, net $9,909,957  $9,692,325  $10,237,459  $10,226,595 

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Depreciation on the Calabasas building, owned by Crusader, is computed using the straight line method over 39 years. Depreciation on furniture, fixtures, and equipment in the Calabasas building is computed 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 six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, was $135,078$188,638 and $270,105,$376,723, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, was $141,516$135,078 and $281,717,$270,105, respectively.

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, the Calabasas building has generated rental revenue from non-affiliated tenants in the amount of $36,070 and $89,360, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, rental revenue from non-affiliated tenants in the amount of $40,158 and $82,388, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, rental revenue from non-affiliated tenants in the amount of $89,211 and $175,117, respectively, which is included in “Other income” from insurance company operation in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

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For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, the Calabasas building incurred operating expenses (including depreciation) in the amount of $198,507$182,937 and $355,296,$373,034, respectively, and, $186,205 and $374,109 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, it incurred operating expenses of $198,507 and $355,296, respectively, which are included in “Other operating expenses” in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The total square footage of the Calabasas building is 46,884, including common areas. As of June 30, 2019, 5,0922020, 6,942 square feet of the Calabasas building was leased to non-affiliated entities and 9,3897,539 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 or incurred internally to upgrade the existing systems. 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.

 

NOTE 7 – 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 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.

 

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 June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018:2019:

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
June 30, 2019        
Financial instruments:                
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                
U.S. treasury securities $15,198,840  $—    $—    $15,198,840 
Corporate securities  —     42,276,974   —     42,276,974 
Agency mortgage backed securities  —     23,794,898   —     23,794,898 
Short-term investments  200,000   —     —     200,000 
Total financial instruments at fair value $15,398,840  $66,071,872  $—    $81,470,712 
                 

 

 

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  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
December 31, 2018        
Financial instruments:                
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                
U.S. treasury securities $16,619,619  $—    $—    $16,619,619 
Corporate securities  —     40,003,723   —     40,003,723 
Agency mortgage backed securities  —     20,286,795   —     20,286,795 
Short-term investments  4,690,954   —     —     4,690,954 
Total financial instruments at fair value $21,310,573  $60,290,518  $—    $81,601,091 

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
June 30, 2020        
Financial instruments:                
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                
U.S. Treasury securities $11,821,415  $—    $—    $11,821,415 
Corporate securities  —     46,342,723   —     46,342,723 
Agency mortgage backed securities  —     26,049,263   —     26,049,263 
Equity securities  525,443   —     —     525,443 
Short-term investments  2,199,204   —     —     2,199,204 
Total financial instruments at fair value $14,546,062  $72,391,986  $—    $86,938,048 

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
December 31, 2019        
Financial instruments:                
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                
U.S. Treasury securities $15,235,332  $—    $—    $15,235,332 
Corporate securities  —     43,029,333   —     43,029,333 
Agency mortgage backed securities  —     25,235,045   —     25,235,045 
Short-term investments  2,196,815   —     —     2,196,815 
Total financial instruments at fair value $17,432,147  $68,264,378  $—    $85,696,525 

 

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 six months ended June 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.

As a result of the spread of the recent coronavirus outbreak, economic uncertainties have arisen which are likely to impact the fair value of investments, day to day administration of the business and premium volume.  While the Company does not believe it is exposed to substantial risk from coronavirus-related claims under the insurance policies written by Crusader, it is likely that the fair value of its investment portfolio will be adversely affected by the severe disruption and volatility in the capital markets, as well as general economic conditions as a result of the coronavirus and governmental responses to the outbreak.  The financial impact of these uncertainties is unknown at this time.

 

NOTE 8 – INVESTMENTS

A summary of investment income, net of investment expenses, is as follows:

 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
                
Fixed maturities $550,841  $469,500  $1,094,536  $931,667  $509,324  $550,841  $1,051,731  $1,094,536 
Equity securities  4,890   —     6,332   —   
Short-term investments and cash equivalents  9,906   11,642   36,467   19,588   8,193   9,904   19,914   36,458 
Gross investment income  560,747   481,142   1,131,003   951,255   522,407   560,745   1,077,977   1,130,994 
Less: investment expenses  (30,000)  (28,536)  (67,619)  (53,851)  (32,909)  (30,000)  (67,787)  (67,619)
Net investment income $530,747  $452,606  $1,063,384  $897,404   489,498   530,745   1,010,190   1,063,375 
Net realized investment gains (losses)  461   (4,512)  1,575   (12,661)
Net unrealized investment gains on equity securities  67,759   —     22,959   —   
Net investment income, realized investment gains (losses) and unrealized investment gains on equity securities $557,718  $526,233  $1,034,724  $1,050,714 

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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

June 30, 2019        
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                
U.S. treasury securities $15,076,613  $132,352  $(10,125) $15,198,840 
Corporate securities  41,465,815   817,350   (6,191)  42,276,974 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  23,665,009   184,821   (54,932)  23,794,898 
Held-to-maturity fixed securities:                
Certificates of deposits  4,782,000   —   —     4,782,000 
Total fixed maturities $84,989,437  $1,134,523  $(71,248) $86,052,712 

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Gross Unrealized Gains

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Gross Unrealized Gains

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Estimated Fair Value

December 31, 2018        
June 30, 2020        
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                                
U.S. treasury securities $16,746,832  $16,069  $(143,282) $16,619,619 
U.S. Treasury securities $11,480,647  $340,768  $—    $11,821,415 
Corporate securities  40,804,425   50,422   (851,124)  40,003,723   44,312,530   2,192,937   (162,744)  46,342,723 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  20,751,331   7,757   (472,293)  20,286,795   25,147,851   906,256   (4,844)  26,049,263 
Held-to-maturity fixed securities:                                
Certificates of deposits  7,126,000   —     —     7,126,000   798,000   —     —     798,000 
Total fixed maturities $85,428,588  $74,248  $(1,466,699) $84,036,137  $81,739,028  $3,439,961  $(167,588) $85,011,401 

  

 

Amortized Cost

 

Gross Unrealized Gains

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Estimated Fair Value

December 31, 2019        
Available-for-sale fixed maturities:                
U.S. Treasury securities $15,105,795  $130,564  $(1,027) $15,235,332 
Corporate securities  41,953,378   1,076,012   (57)  43,029,333 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  24,943,238   293,757   (1,950)  25,235,045 
Held-to-maturity fixed securities:                
Certificates of deposits  798,000   —     —     798,000 
Total fixed maturities $82,800,411  $1,500,333  $(3,034) $84,297,710 

 

13As of 31 June 30, 2020, one corporate security, included in available-for-sale fixed maturities, was held as collateral with Comerica Bank & Trust, N. A.(“Comerica”), pursuant to the reinsurance trust agreement among Crusader, United Specialty Insurance Company (“USIC”) and Comerica to secure payment of Crusader’s liabilities and performance of its obligations under the reinsurance arrangement with USIC. The estimated fair value and amortized cost of that security was $725,047 and $687,097 on June 30, 2020, respectively.

 

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

  June 30 December 31
  2019 2018
     
Gross unrealized gains on fixed maturities $1,134,523  $74,248 
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities  (71,248)  (1,466,699)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities  1,063,275   (1,392,451)
Deferred federal tax benefit (expense)  (223,288)  292,415 
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income taxes $839,987  $(1,100,036)
  June 30 December 31
  2020 2019
     
Gross unrealized gains on fixed maturities $3,439,961  $1,500,333 
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities  (167,588)  (3,034)
Net unrealized gains on fixed maturities  3,272,373   1,497,299 
Deferred federal tax expense  (687,198)  (314,433)
Net unrealized gains, net of deferred income taxes $2,585,175  $1,182,866 

 

A summary of estimated fair value, gross unrealized losses, and number of securities in a gross unrealized loss position by the length of time in which the securities have continually been in that position is shown below:

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
  

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

June 30, 2019            
U.S. treasury securities $—    $—     —    $3,486,173  $(10,125)  3 
Corporate securities  —     —     —     3,513,044   (6,191)  5 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  —     —     —     13,031,946   (54,932)  11 
Total $—    $—     —    $20,031,163  $(71,248)  19 

 

 Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

December 31, 2018            
U.S. treasury securities $1,760,491  $(20,181)  2  $8,496,069  $(123,101)  6 
June 30, 2020            
Corporate securities  10,878,381   (272,515)  17   21,189,487   (578,609)  27  $3,047,051  $(162,744)  6  $—    $—     —   
Agency mortgage-backed securities  —     —     —     17,034,086   (472,293)  15   472,856   (4,844)  1   —     —     —   
Total $12,638,872  $(292,696)  19  $46,719,642  $(1,174,003)  48  $3,519,907  $(167,588)  7  $—    $—     —   

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  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
  

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

December 31, 2019            
U.S. Treasury securities $1,996,562  $(253)  1  $1,002,031  $(775)  1 
Corporate securities  999,818   (56)  1   —     —     —   
Agency mortgage-backed securities  750,058   (1,950)  2   —     —     —   
Total $3,746,438  $(2,259)  4  $1,002,031  $(775)  1 

 

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 performed by the Company’s independent investment advisor, 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. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, one fixed maturity corporate security experienced a significant decline in market value; the market and book value of that security at June 30, 2020, was $758,250 and $912,090, respectively. The unrealized losses on all securities as of June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, were determined to be temporary.

 

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, regulatory, and/or market conditions or investment securities may be called by their issuers prior to the securities’ maturity. The Company sold one security, with amortized cost of $601,316, prior to maturity during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company did not sell any securities, prior to maturity during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company had two calls of an investment security during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company realized net investment gain of $1,114 and $461 on these sales and call for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The Company sold two securities, with amortized cost of $2,498,104, prior to maturity during the three months ended June 30, 2019 and three securities, with amortized cost of $2,997,098, during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The Company had one call of an investment security during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. The Company realized net investment losses of $4,512 and $12,661 on these sales and call for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. The Company had two calls of investment securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and realized net investment gains of $137 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 on these calls. The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss,” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.

 

The Company started investing in common stock equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The Company’s equity securities allocation is intended to enhance the return of and provide diversification for the total investment portfolio. At June 30, 2020, less than 1% of the total investment portfolio at fair value was held in equity securities. A summary of equity securities is shown below:

  June 30 December 31
  2020 2019
     
Cost $502,484  $—   
Unrealized gain      22,959   —   
Fair market value of equity securities $525,443  $—   

The primary cause for the increase in fair value of the Company’s equity securities portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was the overall increase in equity markets during the period.

The Company’s investment in certificates of deposit included $4,382,000 and $6,726,000$598,000 of brokered certificates of deposit as of June 30, 2019,2020 and December 31, 2018, 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 certificate of deposit investments are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).2019.

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

 

 June 30 December 31 June 30 December 31
 2019 2018 2020 2019
        
Certificates of deposit $200,000  $200,000  $200,000  $200,000 
Short-term investments  200,000   200,000   200,000   200,000 
Total state held deposits $400,000  $400,000  $400,000  $400,000 

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All of the Company’s brokered and non-brokered certificates of deposit are within the FDIC insured permissible limits. Due to the 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:

  June 30 December 31
  2019 2018
U.S. treasury bills $—    $4,490,954 
Certificate of deposit  200,000   200,000 
Total short-term investments $200,000  $4,690,954 
  June 30 December 31
  2020 2019
         
U.S. Treasury bills $1,999,204  $1,996,815 
Certificates of deposit  200,000   200,000 
Total short-term investments $2,199,204  $2,196,815 

 

NOTE 9 – UNPAID 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:

 

 Six Months Ended June 30 Six  Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 2020 2019
        
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at January 1 – gross of reinsurance $51,657,155  $49,076,991  $55,066,480  $51,657,155 
Less reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  9,531,602   8,393,550   14,725,855   9,531,602 
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at January 1 – net of reinsurance  42,125,553   40,683,441   40,340,625   42,125,553 
                
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses:                
Provision for insured events of current year  9,685,514   10,661,378   10,539,635   9,685,514 
Development of insured events of prior years  527,880   2,069,582   226,656   527,880 
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  10,213,394   12,730,960   10,766,291   10,213,394 
                
Loss and loss adjustment expense payments:                
Attributable to insured events of the current year  2,670,068   2,819,187   3,266,570   2,670,068 
Attributable to insured events of prior years  10,978,401   9,333,811   8,769,575   10,978,401 
Total payments  13,648,469   12,152,998   12,036,145   13,648,469 
                
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at June 30 – net of reinsurance  38,690,478   41,261,403   39,070,771   38,690,478 
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses  11,139,312   8,804,650   15,806,548   11,139,312 
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at June 30 – gross of reinsurance $49,829,790  $50,066,053  $54,877,319  $49,829,790 

 

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.

 

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NOTE 10 – 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.

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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.

 

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.Crusader. 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.

 

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

OVERVIEW

General

Unico American Corporation, referred to herein as the "Company” or “Unico," is an insurance holding company. Currently, the Company’s subsidiary Crusader Insurance Company (“Crusader”) underwrites commercial property and casualty insurance, the Company’s subsidiaries Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc. (“Unifax”) and American Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“AIB”) provide marketing and various underwriting support services related to property, casualty, health and life insurance, the Company’s subsidiary American Acceptance Company (“AAC”) provides insurance premium financing, and the Company’s subsidiary Insurance Club, Inc., dba AAQHC (“AAQHC”), an Administrator provides membership association services.

 

Total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2019,2020, were $7,795,098$7,976,227 compared to $8,643,452$7,795,098 for the three months ended June 30, 2018, a decrease2019, an increase of $848,354 (10%$181,129 (2%). Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, were $14,930,572$15,981,408 compared to $17,450,341$14,930,572 for the six months ended June 30, 2018, a decrease2019, an increase of $2,519,769 (14%$1,050,836 (7%). The Company had net loss of $434,814 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to net loss of $276,677 for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to2019. The Company had net incomeloss of $168,297$1,478,640 for the threesix months ended June 30, 2018. The Company had2020, compared to net loss of $947,751 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to net loss of $2,038,955 for the six months ended June 30, 2018.2019.

 

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 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

As a result of the spread of the recent coronavirus outbreak, economic uncertainties have arisen which impacted and may continue to impact the fair value of investments, day to day administration of the Company’s business and the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

While the fair value of Company’s investment portfolio at June 30, 2020, has recovered from the declines recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the effects of the coronavirus outbreak were a major contributor to the variability in fair value of the Company’s fixed income and equity investments during the three months ended March 31, 2020, and June 30, 2020, and the economic uncertainty caused by the outbreak may lead to further investment valuation volatility. In addition, the recent decline in investment yields resulted in lower reinvestment rates, compared to the previous years, which will cap the Company’s investment portfolio’s ability to generate higher levels of investment income, absent a larger invested asset base or a change in investment philosophy.

Although the coronavirus outbreak did not have a significant impact on Crusader’s gross written premium (direct and assumed written premium before cessions to reinsurers under reinsurance treaties) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, Crusader has experienced a decrease in new business submissions and renewals, particularly in its Bar/Taverns market sector niche, as a result of government regulations, such as shelter-in-place orders and in-door dining limitations, which the Company believes may adversely impact its gross written premium in future periods.

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Crusader has received a number of coronavirus-related business interruption claims. While the Company does not believe it is exposed to substantial risk from those claims under the insurance policies written by Crusader, the individual circumstances of each such claim are reviewed to fulfill Crusader’s obligation to its policyholders if coverage applies. Further, there may be impacts to the timing of loss emergence and ultimate loss ratios for certain Crusader’s products due to postponements of civil court cases, extensions of various statutes of limitations, changes in settlement trends and other new legislative, regulatory or judicial developments which could result in loss reserve deficiencies and negative impact on results of operations.

The Company’s financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, do not fully reflect the potential adverse impacts that the coronavirus outbreak has had or will have on its business due to a high degree of uncertainty around this relatively new and continuously evolving environment. The financial impact of these uncertainties is unknown at this time but could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

While the coronavirus outbreak is also affecting the Company’s internal operations, the Company has a plan in place to help its operations continue effectively during the outbreak, including processes to limit the spread of the virus between employees. For example, the Company modified its business practices in accordance with social distancing and safety guidelines, allowing many work-from-home arrangements, flexible work schedules, and restricted business travel. The Company’s employees are following the guidelines and approximately 75% are working from their homes. The Company will follow the safety guidelines in determining on when to remove the coronavirus-related business restrictions and on when to allow the employees working from their homes to return to their workplaces; at this point, the Company does not have an estimate on when these changes will occur. While the coronavirus outbreak has created new challenges for the Company, the Company’s ability to maintain its operations, internal controls and relationships has not been adversely affected.

The Company’s financial performance has suffered in recent years, and the Company has reportedreporting net losses for each fiscal year beginning with the year ended December 31, 2015. While losses in recent years have been driven primarily by losses from Crusader’s policies and its high loss ratios, management believes that other contributing factors include (1) flat or declining revenues due to intense competition, (2) the somewhat-fixed nature of many of the Company’s expenses relative to flat or declining revenues, (3)(2) the failure to have replaced or upgraded the Company’s legacy IT system in order to process Crusader’s smaller premium accounts more efficiently, and (4)(3) the failure to have shifted focus to larger premium accounts and fee-for-service operations.

 

16In light of 31 the challenges faced and operational results, the Company has taken several steps to improve. To improve Crusader's loss ratios, beginning in January 2017, the Company made significant changes in its staffing and in its pricing and risk selection practices. To improve revenues the Company is working to improve its sales in the markets that it has historically served, to gain access to markets that it has not previously served, and to generate new sources of revenue on a fee-for-service basis. For example, on April 6, 2020, the Company executed an arrangement with United Specialty Insurance Company (“USIC”), a non-admitted, non-affiliated insurer that is rated "A" by A.M. Best Company, thereby providing Unifax and Crusader with a wider range of possibilities for their products and services. The Company also re-activated its US Risk Managers, Inc. subsidiary so that it can provide claims adjustment services to non-affiliated insurers and to self-insurers on a fee-for-service basis (i.e., where Crusader will not be underwriting the risk), providing the potential for an alternative revenue source to the Company.

 

In 2018, the Company determined that the cost to replace its legacy IT system would be between $4 million$4,000,000 and $8 million,$8,000,000, and the installation of such a system would take between two to four years. After weighing the time and expense involved against the anticipated benefit from such an investment, the Company opted for what it then perceived to be a less expensive upgrade to its legacy system, an upgrade that then seemed to offer more incremental benefits in a shorter timeframe. While initially expected to be completed by the end of 2019, at a cost of approximately $300,000, excluding costs of Unico’s employees involved in the upgrade, the system upgrade is now expected to be completed by the end of 2020, at a cost of approximately $1,300,000, excluding costs of Unico’s employees involved in the first half of 2020,upgrade, due to unexpected technical challenges. While working to bring Crusader’s loss ratios back into lineIn light of the significant delays and increases in cost associated with historical expectations,its legacy upgrade project, the Company has deployed additional resources toward the management of this project and to improve its sales inhas renegotiated the marketsrelationship that it historically serves,has with the Company’s other subsidiaries arenon-affiliated vendor working to generate new sources of revenue on a fee-for-service basis. For example, the Unifax operations are preparing to transact admitted and non-admitted business with non-affiliated insurers; and the Company re-activated its US Risk Managers, Inc. subsidiary so it can provide claims adjustment services to non-affiliated insurers and self-insurers. The Company cannot predict the outcome of such endeavors but believes them to have a reasonable likelihood of long-term success.this project.

 

Revenue and Income Generation

The Company receives its revenues primarily from earned premium derived from the insurance company operations, commission and fee income generated from the insurance agency operations, finance charges and fee income from the premium finance operations, and investment income from fundscash generated primarily from the insurance company operation. The insurance company operation generated approximately 93% of consolidated revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to 92% and 93% of consolidated revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to 93% and 92% of consolidated revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. None of the Company’s other operations is individually material to consolidated revenues.

 

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Insurance Company Operation

As of June 30, 2019,2020, Crusader was licensed as an admitted insurance carrier in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. From 2004 until September 2014, all of Crusader’s business was written in the state of California. Crusader’s business remains concentrated in California (99.8%(99.9% of directgross written premium (before reinsurance ceded) during the three and six months ended June 30, 20192020 and 99.6%99.8% of directgross written premium (before reinsurance ceded) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018)2019).

On April 6, 2020, Crusader and Unifax entered into a reinsurance arrangement with USIC, pursuant to which USIC underwrites property and casualty insurance policies by and through Unifax, acting as its agent, and such policies are reinsured by Crusader.  Pursuant to that reinsurance arrangement, Crusader generated $184,698 in assumed written premium during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. All assumed written premium was produced in California.

 

Crusader’s total directgross written premium, as reported on Crusader’s statutory financial statements, was produced geographically as follows:

 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 

2020

 

2019

 

Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

Change

                        
California $9,437,584  $7,753,668  $1,683,916  $17,953,139  $16,380,339  $1,572,800  $8,770,767  $9,437,584  $(666,817) $17,966,631  $17,953,139  $13,492 
Arizona  16,818   26,087   (9,269)  31,593   55,559   (23,966)  10,360   16,818   (6,458)  21,382   31,593   (10,211)
Washington  —     6,444   (6,444)  (1,149)  6,444   (7,593)  —     —     —     —     (1,149)  1,149 
Total direct written premium $9,454,402  $7,786,199  $1,668,203  $17,983,583  $16,442,342  $1,541,241 
Total gross written premium
 $8,781,127  $9,454,402  $(673,275) $17,988,013  $17,983,583  $4,430 

 

Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and profitability through improved specialization and sales incentives. Crusader currently focuses in four underwriting verticals: (1) Transportation, (2) Food, Beverage & Entertainment, (3) Garage & Mercantile, and (4) Apartments & Commercial Buildings. Crusader is also is evaluating the possibility of expanding its operations geographically, on an admitted or non-admitted basis, so as to offer similar products in other states, but the timing of any such expansion is not yet determined.

 

Written premium is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined, under the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the California Department of Insurance,SAP, 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 defined under 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 to written premium, 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. Written premium is intended to reflect production levels and is meant as supplemental information and not intended to replace earned premium. Such information should be read in conjunctionconnection with the Company’s GAAP financial results.

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

  Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
  2019 2018 2019 2018
         
Direct written premium $9,454,402  $7,786,199  $17,983,583  $16,442,342 
Less: written premium ceded to reinsurers  (1,732,839)  (1,690,611)  (3,416,529)  (3,442,442)
Net written premium  7,721,563   6,095,588   14,567,054   12,999,900 
Change in direct unearned premium  (1,200,032)  1,230,382   (1,761,809)  1,944,306 
Change in ceded unearned premium  (3,419)  36,975   (22,983)  100,366 
Net earned premium $6,518,112  $7,362,945  $12,782,262  $15,044,572 
  Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
  2020 2019 2020 2019
         
Gross written premium $8,781,127  $9,454,402  $17,988,013  $17,983,583 
Less: written premium ceded to
reinsurers
  (2,003,311)  (1,732,839)  (3,982,438)  (3,416,529)
Net written premium  6,777,816   7,721,563   14,005,575   14,567,054 
   Change in gross unearned premium  (20,263)  (1,200,032)  (317,324)  (1,761,809)
   Change in ceded unearned premiums  12,558   (3,419)  (7,006)  (22,983)
      Net earned premium $6,770,111  $6,518,112  $13,681,245  $12,782,262 

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The insurance company operation’soperation underwriting profitability is defined by pre-tax underwriting gain, which is calculated as net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs.

 

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

 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change    2020    2019 Change    2020    2019 Change
                        
Net written premium $7,721,563  $6,095,588  $1,625,975  $14,567,054  $12,999,900  $1,567,154  $6,777,816  $7,721,563  $(943,747) $14,005,575  $14,567,054  $(561,479)
Change in net unearned premium  (1,203,451)  1,267,357   (2,470,808)  (1,784,792)  2,044,672   (3,829,464)  (7,705)  (1,203,451)  1,195,746   (324,330)  (1,784,792)  1,460,462 
Net earned premium  6,518,112   7,362,945   (844,833)  12,782,262   15,044,572   (2,262,310)  6,770,111   6,518,112   251,999   13,681,245   12,782,262   898,983 
Less:                                                
Losses and loss adjustment expenses  5,058,951   4,929,203   129,748   10,213,394   12,730,960   (2,517,566)  4,888,906   5,058,951   (170,045)  10,766,291   10,213,394   552,897 
Policy acquisition costs  1,289,481   1,515,476   (225,995)  2,376,194   3,136,981   (760,787)  1,202,026   1,289,481   (87,455)  2,346,451   2,376,194   (29,743)
Total underwriting expenses  6,348,432   6,444,679   (96,247)  12,589,588   15,867,941   (3,278,353)  6,090,932   6,348,432   (257,500)  13,112,742   12,589,588   523,154 
Underwriting gain (loss) before income taxes $169,680  $918,266  $(748,586) $192,674  $(823,369) $1,016,043 
Underwriting gain before income taxes $679,179  $169,680  $509,499  $568,503  $192,674  $375,829 

 

Underwriting gain or loss before income taxes is a non-GAAP financial measure. Underwriting gain or loss before income taxes represents one measure of the pretax profitability of the insurance company operation and is derived by subtracting losses and loss adjustment expenses, and policy acquisition costs from net earned premium, which are all GAAP financial measures. Management believes disclosure of underwriting gainincome or loss before income taxes is useful supplemental information that helps align the reader’s understanding with management’s view of insurance company operations profitability. Each of these captions is presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations but is not subtotaled.

 

The following is a reconciliation of Crusader’s underwriting gain (loss) before income taxes to the Company’s income (loss)loss before taxes:

 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
                
Underwriting gain (loss) before income taxes $169,680  $918,266  $192,674  $(823,369)
Underwriting gain before income taxes $679,179  $169,680  $568,503  $192,674 
Insurance company operation revenues:                                
Investment income  530,745   452,508   1,063,375   897,209   489,498   530,745   1,010,190   1,063,375 
Net realized investment gains (losses)  (4,512)  137   (12,661)  137   461   (4,512)  1,575   (12,661)
Net unrealized investment gains on equity securities  67,759   —     22,959   —   
Other income (loss)  168,828   112,199   (91,872)  167,889   122,822   168,828   203,759   (91,872)
Other insurance operations revenues:                                
Gross commissions and fees  527,825   671,449   1,075,270   1,278,106   457,886   527,825   926,955   1,075,270 
Investment income  2   98   9   195 
Finance charges and fees earned  53,998   34,380   103,371   52,476   67,686   53,998   134,705   103,371 
Other income  100   9,736   10,818   9,757   4   102   20   10,827 
Less expenses:                                
Salaries and employee benefits  1,012,805   1,126,503   2,040,654   2,414,580   1,251,922   1,012,805   2,374,421   2,040,654 
Commissions to agents/brokers  41,077   40,541   91,198   81,880   24,000   41,077   49,954   91,198 
Other operating expenses  735,454   744,697   1,363,534   1,610,840   993,935   735,454   1,974,351   1,363,534 
Income (loss) before taxes $(342,670) $287,032  $(1,154,402) $(2,524,900)
Loss before taxes $(384,562) $(342,670) $(1,530,060) $(1,154,402)

 

 

18Unearned premiums represent premium applicable to the unexpired terms of 31 

policies in force. The Company evaluates its unearned premiums periodically for premium deficiencies by comparing the sum of expected claim costs, unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs, and maintenance costs partially offset by net investment income to related unearned premiums. To the extent that any of the Company’s programs become unprofitable, a premium deficiency reserve may be required. The Company did not carry a premium deficiency reserve as of June 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.

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

 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change            
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                                                
Provision for insured events of current year $5,134,626  $4,652,240  $482,386  $9,685,514  $10,661,378  $(975,864) $5,378,459  $5,134,626  $243,833  $10,539,635  $9,685,514  $854,121 
Development of insured events of prior years  (75,675)  276,963   (352,638)  527,880   2,069,582   (1,541,702)  (489,553)  (75,675)  (413,878)  226,656   527,880   (301,224)
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $5,058,951  $4,929,203  $129,748  $10,213,394  $12,730,960  $(2,517,566) $4,888,906  $5,058,951  $(170,045) $10,766,291  $10,213,394  $552,897 

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 72% and 79% of net earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to 78% and 80% of net earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to 67% and 85% of net earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. For further analysis, refer to “Results of Operations.”

 

On January 17, 2019, the A.M. Best Company downgraded Crusader’s Financial Strength Rating to “B+B++ (Good) from “A-”A- (Excellent) and theits Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR”) to “bbb+”bbb+ from “a-”.a-. The outlook of the Financial Strength Rating has beenwas revised at that time to stable from negative while the outlook of the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating remainsremained negative.  The rating downgrades reflectreflected a revision in A.M. Best’s assessment of the company’sCrusader’s operating performance to adequate from strong.

On January 30, 2020, A.M. Best Company affirmed Crusader’s Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and further downgraded Crusader’s Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (“Long-Term ICR”) to “bbb” from “bbb+”. The outlook of the FSR of Crusader remains stable while the outlook of the Long-Term ICR of Crusader was revised to stable from negative.  Also on January 30, 2020, A.M Best downgraded the Long-Term ICR of Unico to “bb” from “bb+”. The outlook of the Long-Term ICR of Unico was revised to stable from negative. 

The January 30, 2020, ratings reflect Crusader’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management.  The downgrade of the Long-Term ICR reflects a revision in A.M. Best’s assessment of Crusader‘s operating performance to marginal from adequate.  According to A.M. Best, (i) the downgrades consider a material decline in Crusader’s operating performance, resulting from sub-par underwriting results in a relatively compact time frame, (ii) Crusader’s adverse performance has been amplified by increased frequency and severity of apartment building insurance related claims, (iii) multiple operating metrics of Crusader trail the commercial casualty composite on a five-year and 10-year basis, and (iv) the consequential business changes being implemented to address these conditions lead to significant execution risk in returning Crusader’s operational results to historical levels. 

Some of Crusader’s policyholders, or the lenders, landlords or clients of Crusader’s policyholders, require insurance from a company that has an A.M. Best Company ratingFinancial Strength Rating of “A-” or higher, and the A.M. Best Company’s changed ratingratings of Crusader may also have a negative impact on Crusader’s reputation. Therefore, Crusader’s and Unico’s changed ratingratings may have a negative impact on the Company’s revenue and results of operations. The Company cannot quantify the impact that the rating changechanges have had or will have on its revenue and results of operations, and the Company cannot determine if or when Crusader might regain the “A-” ratingFinancial Strength Rating from the A.M. Best Company. The Company does not expect Crusader to regain the A.M. Best Company “A-” ratingFinancial Strength Rating prior to January of 2021.2021 at the earliest.

The reinsurance arrangement with USIC allows Unifax to offer its customers policies written on USIC paper, which has A.M. Best Company Financial Strength Rating of “A,” when such rating is required.

 

The property and casualty insurance business is cyclical in nature. 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 relatively mature and intensely competitive, with different products in different stages of the soft/hard market cycle at any given time.

 

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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 7% of total revenues in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to approximately 7% and 8% of total revenues in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to approximately 8% of total revenues in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.respectively.

 

Investments

The Company generated revenues from its total invested assets of $85,189,437 (at$84,440,715 (fixed maturities at amortized cost and equity securities at cost) and $87,316,426 (at$87,431,950 (fixed maturities at amortized cost) as of June 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively.

 

Net investment income (net of investment expenses) included in insurance company operation and other insurance operations revenue increased $78,141 (17%decreased $41,247 (8%) and $165,980 (18%$53,185 (5%) to $530,747$489,498 and $1,063,384$1,010,190 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $530,745 and $1,063,375 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $452,606 and $897,404 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.This increasedecrease in net investment income was due primarily to increasedecrease in the yield on average invested assets.

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Due to the current interest rate environment, the current target effective duration for the Company’s investment portfolio is between 3.252.0 and 4.754.0 years. As of June 30, 2019,2020, all of the Company’s investments are in U.S. treasuryTreasury securities, corporate fixed maturity securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, equity securities, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured certificates of deposit, money market funds, and a savings account. The Company’s investments in U.S.U.S treasury securities, corporate fixed maturity securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, common stock and money market funds are readily marketable. As of June 30, 2019,2020, the weighted average maturity of the Company’s investments was approximately 7.38.3 years, and the effective duration for available-for-sale investments (investments managed under the investment guidelines) was 3.143.0 years.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The most significant liquidity risk faced by the Company is adverse development of the insurance company’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves.  Based on the Company’s current loss and loss expense reserves and expected current and future payments, the Company believes that there are no current liquidity issues.  However, no assurance can be given that the Company’s estimate of ultimate loss and loss adjustment expense reserves will be sufficient.

Crusader has a significant amount of cash, cash equivalents, and investments 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, cash equivalents, and investments (at amortized cost) of the Company at June 30, 2019,2020, were $90,780,522$88,756,989 compared to $95,037,304$90,778,865 at December 31, 2018.2019. Crusader's cash, cash equivalents, and investments werewas 99% and 98% of the total cash and investments (at amortized cost) held by the Company as of June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018, respectively.2019.

 

As of June 30, 2019,2020, all of the Company’s investments are in U.S. treasuryTreasury securities, FDIC insured certificates of deposit, othercorporate fixed maturity securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, equity securities and short-term investments. All of the Company’s investments, except for the certificates of deposit, are readily marketable.

The Company’s investments, fixed maturities and short-term bonds at amortized cost, and equities and other short-term investments at cost, were as follows:

 

 June 30 December 31 June 30 December 31
 2019 2018 2020 2019
        
Fixed maturities:                
Certificates of deposit $4,782,000  $7,126,000 
U.S. treasury securities  15,076,613   16,746,832 
U.S. Treasury securities $11,480,647  $15,105,795 
Corporate securities  41,465,815   40,804,425   44,312,530   41,953,378 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  23,665,009   20,751,331   25,147,851   24,943,238 
Certificates of deposit  798,000   798,000 
Total fixed maturities  84,989,437   85,428,588   81,739,028   82,800,411 
Equity securities  502,484   —   
Short-term investments  200,000   4,690,954   2,199,204   2,196,815 
Total investments $85,189,437  $90,119,542  $84,440,716  $84,997,226 

 

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As of June 30, 2020, one corporate security, included in available-for-sale fixed maturities, was held as collateral with Comerica Bank & Trust, N. A.(“Comerica”), pursuant to the reinsurance trust agreement among Crusader, USIC and Comerica to secure payment of Crusader’s liabilities and performance of its obligations under the reinsurance arrangement with USIC. The estimated fair value and amortized cost of that security was $725,047 and $687,097 on June 30, 2020, respectively.

 

The short-term investments include U.S. treasuryTreasury bills and certificates of deposit that are all highly rated and have initial maturity between three and twelve months. Amortized costs of the short-term investments approximate their fair values.

 

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

 

The Company’s Board of Directors approved investment guidelines which are similar to what the Company believes are general investment guidelines used by Crusader’s peers.

 

Under the Company’s investment guidelines, investments may only include U.S. treasuryTreasury 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 investment guidelines provide for certain investment limitations in each investment category.

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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.

 

An independent investment advisor manages Crusader’s investments.  The advisor’s role currently is limited to maintaining Crusader’s portfolio within the investment guidelines and providing investment accounting services to the Company.  The investments 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 June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 188,269187,264 and 188,625188,242 shares of its common stock, respectively. The 2008 program is the only program under which there is authority to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company repurchased 978 shares of stock during the six months ended June 30, 2020, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $6,240 of which $480 was allocated to capital and $5,760 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company repurchased 356 shares of stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, in unsolicited transactions at a cost of $2,121 of which $175 was allocated to capital and $1,946 was allocated to retained earnings. The Company did not repurchase any stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company has retired or will retire all stock repurchased.

 

The Company reported $1,507,637 net cash used by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $3,759,491 net cash used by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $2,100,724 net cash used by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018.2019. Fluctuations in cash flows from operating activities relate to changes in loss and loss adjustment expense payments, unearned premium holdings, and 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 to its small population of claims 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 the Company believes it continues to be well capitalized and adequately reserved. 

 

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On May 20, 2020, Crusader paid a cash dividend of $2,000,000 to Unico, its parent and sole shareholder. This dividend is intended to be used primarily for general corporate purposes. Based on Crusader’s statutory surplus for the year ended December 31, 2019, the maximum aggregate dividend that could be made by Crusader to Unico without prior regulatory approval in 2020 is $ 4,649,896.

While material capital expenditures may be funded through borrowings, the Company believes that its cash cash equivalents, and short-term investments at June 30, 2019,2020, net ofstatutory deposits of $710,000 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.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All comparisons made in this discussion are comparing the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, unless otherwise indicated.

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, total revenues were $7,795,098, a decrease$7,976,227, an increase of $848,354 (10%$181,129 (2%) and $14,930,572, a decrease$15,981,408, an increase of $2,519,769 (11%$1,050,836 (7%) compared to total revenues of $8,643,452$7,795,098 and $17,450,341$14,930,572 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, the Company had loss before taxes of $342,670$384,562 and $1,154,402,$1,530,060, respectively, compared to income before taxes of $287,032 and loss before taxes of $2,524,900$342,670 and $1,154,402 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, the Company had net loss of $276,677$434,814 and $947,751,$1,478,640, respectively, compared to net income of $168,297 and net loss of $2,038,955$276,677 and $947,751, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.2019, respectively

 

The decreaseincrease in revenues of $848,354$181,129 for the three months ended June 30, 2019,2020, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018,2019, was primarily due to a decreasean increase in net earned premium of $844,833 (11%$251,998 (4%). The decreaseincrease in revenues of $2,519,769$1,050,836 for the six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, was primarily due to a decreasean increase in net earned premium of $2,262,310 (15%$898,983 (7%).

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The increase in loss before tax of $629,702$41,892 for the three months ended June 30, 2019,2020, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018,2019, was due primarily to a decreasean increase in salaries and employee benefits of $239,117 (24%), an increase in other operating expenses of $258,482 (35%), partially offset by an increase in net earned premium of $844,833 (11%$251,998 (4%) partially offset by a decrease in policy acquisition costs of $225,995 (15%). The decrease in loss before tax of $1,370,498 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was primarily due toand a decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $2,517,566 (20%$170,045 (3%). The increase in loss before tax of $375,659 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019, was primarily due to an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $552,897 (5%), a decrease in policy acquisition costs of $760,787 (24%), a decreasean increase in salaries and employee benefits of $373,926 (15%$333,767 (16%), an increase in other operating expenses of $610,817 (45%) partially offset by a decreasean increase in net earned premium of $2,262,310 (15%$898,893 (9%) and an increase in other income of $284,829 (351%).

 

Written premium

Written premium is a required statutory measure. DirectWritten premium is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined, under SAP, 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 defined under 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 to written premium, (writtenrepresents 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. Written premium is intended to reflect production levels and is meant as supplemental information and not intended to replace earned premium. Such information should be read in connection with the Company’s GAAP financial results.

Gross written premium (direct and assumed written premium before reinsurance)cessions to reinsurers under reinsurance treaties) reported on Crusader’s statutory financial statements increased $1,668,203 (21%decreased $857,972 (9%) and $1,541,241 (9%$180,268 (1%) to $8,596,429 and $17,803,315 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $9,454,402 and $17,983,583 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $7,786,199 and $16,442,342 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

 

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, innovation, 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. CrusaderThe Company believes that it can grow its sales and profitability through improved specialization and sales incentives, currently focused in four underwriting verticals: (1) Transportation, (2) Food, Beverage & Entertainment, (3) Garage & Mercantile, and (4) Apartments & Commercial Buildings. The increasesdecrease in directgross written premium for the three andmonths ended June 30, 2020, is due primarily to coronavirus-related contraction in the Food, Beverage & Entertainment underwriting vertical. The increase in gross written premium for the six months ended June 30, 2019, are2020 is due to growth in Crusader’sthe Company’s Transportation underwriting vertical partially offset by declines in the other three underwriting verticals.

 

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Although the coronavirus outbreak did not have a significant impact on Crusader’s gross written premium during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, Crusader has experienced a decrease in new business submissions and renewals, particularly in its Bar/Taverns market sector niche, as a result of government regulations, such as shelter-in-place orders and in-door dining limitations, which the Company believes may adversely impact its gross written premium in future periods.

Crusader’s primary line of business is CMP policies. This line of business represented approximately 99.5% Crusader’s total written premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

DirectGross earned premium

DirectGross earned premium (earned(direct and assumed earned premium before reinsurance) decreased $762,211 (8%cessions to reinsurers under reinsurance treaties) increased $506,494 (6%) to $8,760,864 and $1,448,915 (9%) to $17,670,689 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $8,254,370 and $2,164,874 (12%) to $16,221,774 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $9,016,581 and $18,386,648, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The Company writes annual policies. Earned premium represents a portion of written premium that is recognized as income in the financial statements for the period presented and earned daily on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies, and, therefore, premiums earned in the current year are related to policies written during both the current year and immediately preceding year. The decreaseincrease in directgross earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, was due primarily to a decreasean increase in directgross written premium in 2018.2019.

 

Ceded earned premium

Ceded earned premium (premium ceded to reinsurers under reinsurance treaties) increased $82,622 (5%$254,495 (15%) to $1,990,753 and $549,932 (16%) to $3,989,444 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $1,736,258 and $97,436 (3%) to $3,439,512 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $1,653,636 and $3,342,076respectively. Ceded earned premium as a percentage of gross earned premium was 23% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. Ceded earned premium as a percentage of direct earned premium was2020, and 21% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 18% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.2019. The increase in the ceded earned premium as a percentage of directgross earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, was due primarily to higher gross earned premium subject to reinsurance treaties and higher rates on Crusader’s excess of loss reinsurance treaties.

 

Reinsurance treaties are generally structured in layers, with different negotiated economic terms and retention of participation, or liability, in each layer. In calendar yearyears 2020 and 2019, Crusader will retain aretained participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 0% in its 1st layer (reinsured losses between $500,000 and $1,000,000), 0% in its 2nd layer (reinsured losses between $1,000,000 and $4,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty. In calendar year 2018, Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer (reinsured losses between $500,000 and $1,000,000), 0% in its 2nd layer (reinsured losses between $1,000,000 and $4,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty.

 

Crusader also has catastrophe reinsurance treaties from various highly rated California authorized and California unauthorized reinsurance companies. These reinsurance treaties help protect Crusader against losses in excess of certain retentions from catastrophic events that may occur on property risks which Crusader insures. In calendar years 20192020 and 2018,2019, Crusader retained a participation in its catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer (reinsured losses between $1,000,000 and $10,000,000) and 0% in its 2nd layer (reinsured losses between $10,000,000 and $46,000,000).

 

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The CompanyCrusader 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 current accounting literature. As of June 30, 2019,2020, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.

 

Investment Income, Net investment incomeRealized Investment Gains and Losses, and Net Unrealized Investment Losses on Equity Securities

Net investmentInvestment income increased $78,141 (17%decreased $41,247 (8%) to $530,747$489,498 and $165,980 (18%$53,185 (5%) to $1,063,384$1,010,190 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 respectively, compared to $530,745 and $1,063,375 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, comparedrespectively. This decrease in investment income was due primarily to $452,606a decrease in average invested assets. The Company had net realized gains of $461 and $897,404$1,575 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2020, respectively. This increase in investment income was due primarily to an increase in the yield on average invested assets. The Company had net realized investment losses of $4,512 and $12,661 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. The Company had net realizedunrealized investment gains on equity securities of $137$67,759 and $22,959 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.2020 compared to none for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The net unrealized investment gains on equity securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were due primarily to the increase in fair value of equity securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Net investment income, excluding net realized investment losses, and average

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Average annualized yields on the Company’s average invested assets and investment income, excluding net realized investment gain and losses and net unrealized investment losses on equity securities, are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

Six Months Ended June 30

 

Three Months Ended June 30

 

Six Months Ended June 30

  2019  2018  2019  2018 2020 2019 2020 2019
                
Average invested assets (1) - at amortized cost $86,305,694  $88,496,289  $87,654,490  $87,707,662  $84,876,803  $86,305,694  $84,718,971  $87,654,490 
Net investment income from:                                
Invested assets (2) $523,943  $443,466  $1,043,914  $882,600  $489,387  $523,943  $1,006,567  $1,043,914 
Cash equivalents  6,804   9,140   19,470   14,804   111   6,802   3,623   19,461 
Total investment income $530,747  $452,606  $1,063,384  $897,404  $489,498  $530,745  $1,010,190  $1,063,375 
Annualized yield on average invested assets (3)  2.4%  2.0%  2.4%  2.0%  2.3%  2.4%  2.4%  2.4%

 

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

 

(2)Investment income from insurance company operation included $32,909 and $67,787 of investment expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $30,000 and $67,619 of investment expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $28,536 and $53,851 of investment expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.2019.

 

(3)Annualized yield on average invested assets did not include the investment income from cash equivalents.

 

The par value, amortized cost, estimated market value and weighted average yield of fixed maturity investments by contractual maturity are as follows:

 

Par Value

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted Average Yield

 

Par Value

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted Average Yield

Maturities by Year at June 30, 2019        
Maturities by Year at June 30, 2020        
Due in one year $10,734,000  $10,713,537  $10,732,012   2.0% $10,525,000  $10,522,853  $10,667,311   2.3%
Due after one year through five years  41,081,731   41,039,656   41,511,591   2.5%  35,696,289   35,726,483   37,015,651   2.6%
Due after five years through ten years  15,035,108   15,109,018   15,613,561   3.2%  13,596,311   13,730,251   14,789,818   2.8%
Due after ten years and beyond  17,678,346   18,127,226   18,195,548   2.9%  21,210,129   21,759,441   22,538,621   2.6%
Total $84,529,185  $84,989,437  $86,052,712   2.6% $81,027,729  $81,739,028  $85,011,401   2.6%

 

  

Par

Value

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted Average Yield

Maturities by Year at December 31, 2018                
Due in one year $9,328,000  $9,326,886  $9,311,678   1.3%
Due after one year through five years  43,893,000   43,821,970   43,211,883   2.5%
Due after five years through ten years  15,788,408   15,876,016   15,497,513   3.2%
Due after ten years and beyond  15,964,156   16,403,716   16,015,063   2.8%
Total $84,973,564  $85,428,588  $84,036,137   2.5%

 

 

Par Value

 

Amortized Cost

 

 

Fair Value

 

Weighted Average Yield

Maturities by Year at December 31, 2019        
Due in one year $10,070,000  $10,063,975  $10,087,478   2.3%
Due after one year through five years  42,936,754   42,944,463   43,654,657   2.6%
Due after five years through ten years  9,982,374   9,996,830   10,529,528   3.3%
Due after ten years and beyond  19,336,385   19,795,143   20,026,047   2.8%
Total $82,325,513  $82,800,411  $84,297,710   2.7%

 

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 8.3 years as of June 30, 2020, and 7.3 years as of June 30, 2019, and 6.5 years as of December 31, 2018.2019.

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A summary of estimated fair value, gross unrealized losses, and number of securities in a gross unrealized loss position by the length of time in which the securities have continually been in that position is shown below:

 

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
  

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

June 30, 2019            
U.S. treasury securities $—    $—     —    $3,486,173  $(10,125)  3 
Corporate securities  —     —     —     3,513,044   (6,191)  5 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  —     —     —     13,031,946   (54,932)  11 
Total $—    $—     —    $20,031,163  $(71,248)  19 

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
  

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

June 30, 2020            
Corporate securities $3,047,051  $(162,744)  6  $—    $—     —   
Agency mortgage-backed securities  472,856   (4,844)  1   —     —     —   
Total $3,519,907  $(167,588)  7  $—    $—     —   

 

  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
  

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

December 31, 2018            
U.S. treasury securities $1,760,491  $(20,181)  2  $8,496,069  $(123,101)  6 
Corporate securities  10,878,381   (272,515)  17   21,189,487   (578,609)  27 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  —     —     —     17,034,086   (472,293)  15 
Total $12,638,872  $(292,696)  19  $46,719,642  $(1,174,003)  48 

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  Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer
  

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

 

Estimated Fair Value

 

Gross Unrealized Losses

 

Number of Securities

December 31, 2019            
U.S. Treasury securities $1,996,562  $(253)  1  $1,002,031  $(775)  1 
Corporate securities  999,818   (56)  1   —     —     —   
Agency mortgage-backed securities  750,058   (1,950)  2   —     —     —   
Total $3,746,438  $(2,259)  4  $1,002,031  $(775)  1 

While the fair value of Company’s investment portfolio at June 30, 2020, has recovered from the declines recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the effects of the coronavirus outbreak were a major contributor to the variability in fair value of the Company’s fixed income and equity investments during the three months ended March 31, 2020, and June 30, 2020, and the economic uncertainty caused by the outbreak may lead to further investment valuation volatility. In addition, the recent decline in investment yields resulted in lower reinvestment rates, compared to the previous years, which will cap the Company’s investment portfolio’s ability to generate higher levels of investment income, absent a larger invested asset base or a change in investment philosophy.

 

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 performed by the Company’s independent investment advisor, 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. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, one fixed maturity corporate security experienced a significant decline in market value; the market and book value of that security at June 30, 2020, was $758,250 and $912,090, respectively. The unrealized losses on all securities as of June 30, 2019,2020, and December 31, 2018,2019, were determined to be temporary.

 

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, regulatory, and/or market conditions or investment securities may be called by their issuers prior to the securities’ maturity. The Company sold one security, with amortized cost of $601,316, prior to maturity during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company did not sell any securities, prior to maturity during the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company had two calls of an investment security during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company realized net investment gain of $1,114 and $461 on these sales and call for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The Company sold two securities, with amortized cost of $2,498,104, prior to maturity during the three months ended June 30, 2019 and three securities, with amortized cost of $2,997,098, during the six months ended June 30, 2019. The Company had one call of an investment security during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. The Company realized net investment losses of $4,512 and $12,661 on these sales and call for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. The Company had two calls of investment securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and realized net investment gains of $137 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 on these calls. The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss,” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.

 

Other income

Other income included in Insurance Company Revenues and Other Insurance Operations increased $46,993 (39%decreased $46,104 (27%) to $168,928$122,826 and decreased $258,700 (46%increased $284,824 (351%) to $(81,054)$203,779 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $168,930 and $(81,045) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $121,935 and $177,646 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The increasedecrease in other income during the three months ended June 30, 20192020, is due primarily to a $71,282$27,152 increase in Crusader’s share of California FAIR Plan equity compared to a $14,776$71,282 increase during the three months ended June 30, 2018.2019. The decreaseincrease in other income during the six months ended June 30, 20192020, is due primarily to a $238,816 decrease$48,429 increase in Crusader’s share of California FAIR Plan equity compared to a $29,986$238,816 decrease during the six months ended June 30, 2018.2019.

 

Gross commissions and fees

Gross commissions and fees decreased $143,624 (21%$69,939 (13%) to $457,886 and $148,315 (14%) to $926,955 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to gross commissions and fees of $527,825 and $202,836 (16%) to $1,075,270 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to gross commissions and fees of $671,449 and $1,278,106 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

 

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The changes in gross commission and fee income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, are as follows:

 Three Months Ended June 30   Six Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
                        
Policy fee income $295,334  $374,330  $(78,996) $594,035  $755,250  $(161,215) $265,666  $295,334  $(29,668) $526,709  $594,035  $(67,326)
Health insurance program  209,907   281,233   (71,326)  433,889   490,640   (56,751)  168,098   209,907   (41,809)  353,282   433,889   (80,607)
Membership and fee income  22,584   15,886   6,698   47,346   32,216   15,130   24,122   22,584   1,538   46,964   47,346   (382)
Total $527,825  $671,449  $(143,624) $1,075,270  $1,278,106  $(202,836) $457,886  $527,825  $(69,939) $926,955  $1,075,270  $(148,315)

 

Unifax 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 $78,996 (21%$29,688 (10%) and $161,215 (21%$67,326 (11%) in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, due primarily to reduction in policy counts.

 

AIB 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 decreased $71,326 (25%$41,809 (20%) and 56,751 (12%$80,607 (19%) in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.2019. The decrease in commission income reported in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, when compared to the prior year period, is primarily a result of a decrease in commission income onloss of a large group health and life premiums and timing of commission receipts.account.

 

AAQHC 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 increased $6,698 (42%$1,538 (7%) and $15,130 (47%decreased $382 (1%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. This increase is primarily a result of an increase in administration fees partially offset by a decrease in the number of association members enrolled in AAQHC.2019.

 

Finance charges and fees earned

Finance charges and fees earned consist of finance charges, late fees, returned check fees and payment processing fees. These charges and fees earned by AAC increased $19,618 (57%$13,688 (25%) to $53,998$67,686 and $50,895 (97%$31,334 (30%) to $103,371$134,705 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, respectively, compared to $34,380$53,998 and $52,476$103,371 in fees earned during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.2019, respectively, due primarily to the increase in earned finance charges as a result of the change in annual percentage rate charged on AAC new loans from a single fixed interest rate to a tiered interest rate structure effective April 1, 2019. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, AAC issued 296 and 641 loans, respectively, and had 1,078 loans outstanding as of June 30, 2020. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, AAC issued 390 and 863 loans, respectively, and had 1,347 loans outstanding as of June 30, 2019. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, AAC issued 543 and 1203, respectively, and had 1,887 loans outstanding as of June 30, 2018. AAC provides premium financing only for Crusader policies produced by Unifax in California. From July 2010 to March 1, 2018, AAC offered 0% financing on policies produced by Unifax for Crusader. From March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, the annual percentage rate charged by AAC on new loans increased to a single fixed interest rate from 0%. Effective April 1, 2019, the Company converted from the single fixed interest rate for all financed policies to a tiered interest rate structure under which different fixed interest rates are charged based on amount of underlying financed premium.

 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 78% and 80% of net earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 67% and 85% of net earned premium for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. 

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Loss ratio, which is calculated by dividing losses and loss adjustment expenses by net earned premium. premium, were 72% and 79% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to 78% and 80% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses and loss ratios are as follows:

 Three Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30
 2019 2019 Loss Ratio 2018 2018 Loss Ratio Change 2020 2020 Loss Ratio 2019 

2019 Loss Ratio

 

Change

                    
Net earned premium $6,518,112      $7,362,945      $(844,833) $6,770,111      $6,518,112      $251,999 
                                        
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                                        
Provision for insured events of current year  5,134,626   79%  4,652,240   63%  482,386   5,378,459   79%  5,134,626   79%  243,833 
Development of insured events of prior years  (75,675)  (1)%  276,963   4%  (352,638)  (489,553)  (7)%  (75,675)  (1)%  (413,878)
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $5,058,951   78% $4,929,203   67% $129,748  $4,888,906   72% $5,058,951   78% $(170,045)

 

  Six Months Ended June 30
  2019 2019 Loss Ratio 2018 2018 Loss Ratio 

 

Change

           
Net earned premium $12,782,262      $15,044,572      $(2,262,310)
                     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                    
Provision for insured events of current year  9,685,514   76%  10,661,378   71%  (975,864)
Development of insured events of prior years  527,880   4%  2,069,582   14%  (1,541,702)
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $10,213,394   80% $12,730,960   85% $(2,517,566)

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  Six Months Ended June 30
  2020 

2020 Loss Ratio

 2019 

2019 Loss Ratio

 Change
           
Net earned premium $13,681,245      $12,782,262      $898,983 
                     
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:                    
Provision for insured events of current year  10,539,635   77%  9,685,514   76%  854,121 
Development of insured events of prior years  226,656   2%  527,880   4%  (301,224)
Total losses and loss adjustment expenses $10,766,291   79% $10,213,394   80% $552,897 

 

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 $5,378,459 provision for insured events of current year for the three months ended June 30, 2020, was $243,833 higher than the $5,134,626 provision for insured events of current year for the three months ended June 30, 2019, was $482,386due primarily to higher thanclaims costs related to Crusader’s underwriting activities in the $4,652,240 provisionTransportation vertical, associated with an increase in net earned premium for that vertical during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

The $489,553 favorable development of insured events of current yearprior years for the three months ended June 30, 2018, due primarily to increases in incurred losses and loss adjusted expenses on reported claims as a result of2020, was $413,878 higher frequency and severity of Transportation liability claims and higher severity of Food, Beverage & Entertainment liability claims for insured events of current year duringthan the three months ended June 30, 2019.

The $75,675 favorable development of insured events of prior years for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $352,638 lower than the $276,963 adverse development for the three months ended June 30, 2018, due primarily to decreases in incurred losses and loss adjusted expenses on reported claims as a result of lower frequency and severity of Apartments & Commercial Buildings liability claims and Food, Beverage & Entertainment liability claimsclaims.

The $10,539,635 provision for insured events of prior years duringcurrent year for the threesix months ended June 30, 2019.

The2020, was $854,121 higher than the $9,685,514 provision for insured events of current year for the six months ended June 30, 2019, was $975,864 lower than the $10,661,378 provision for insured events of current year for the six months ended June 30, 2018, due primarily to lower incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves for Food, Beverage & Entertainment liabilityhigher claims costs related to Crusader’s underwriting activities in the Transportation vertical, associated with reductionan increase in net earned premium for that vertical during the six months ended June 30, 2019.2020.

The $527,880$226,656 adverse development of insured events of prior years for the six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, was $1,541,702$301,224 lower than the $2,069,582$527,880 adverse development of insured events for the six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, due primarily to decreaseslower claims costs related to Crusader’s underwriting activities in incurred losses and loss adjusted expenses on reported claims as a result of lower frequency and severity ofthe Apartments & Commercial Buildings liability claims and Transportation liabilityvertical, associated with a decrease in ultimate expected number of claims for insured invests of prior yearsthat vertical during the six months ended June 30, 2019.2020.

 

Crusader has received 134 coronavirus-related business interruption claims through June 30, 2020. While the Company does not believe it is exposed to substantial risk from those claims under the insurance policies written by Crusader, the individual circumstances of each such claim are reviewed to fulfill Crusader’s obligation to its policyholders if coverage applies. Further, there may be impacts to the timing of loss emergence and ultimate loss ratios for certain Crusader’s products due to postponements of civil court cases, extensions of various statutes of limitations, changes in settlement trends and other new legislative, regulatory or judicial developments which could result in loss reserve deficiencies and negative impact on results of operations.

Crusader has received seven claims related to the recent civil unrest through June 30, 2020. Crusader has sufficient excess of loss and catastrophe reinsurance treaties to protect from exposure of such claims. The Company believes the losses and loss adjustment expenses associated with those claims will not exceed Crusader’s $500,000 excess of loss reinsurance treaty retention.

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The following table breaks out adverse (favorable) development from total losses and loss adjustment expenses quarterly since June 30, 2017:2018:

     

Provision for Insured Events of Current Year

   

Adverse (Favorable) Development of Insured Events of Prior Years

   

Total Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 
               
 Three Months Ended:             
  June 30, 2019  $5,134,626  $(75,675) $5,058,951 
  March 31, 2019   4,550,888   603,555   5,154,443 
  December 31, 2018   5,134,166   53,997   5,188,163 
  September 30, 2018   4,840,242   798,378   5,638,620 
  June 30, 2018   4,652,240   276,963   4,929,203 
  March 31, 2018   6,009,138   1,792,619   7,801,757 
  December 31, 2017   5,330,275   808,481   6,138,756 
  September 30, 2017   5,982,245   3,935,651   9,917,896 
  June 30, 2017   5,567,142   341,532   5,908,674 
     

 

Provision for Insured Events of Current Year

   

Adverse (Favorable)

Development of Insured Events of Prior Years

   

 

Total Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

 
               
 Three Months Ended:             
 June 30, 2020  $5,378,459  $(489,553) $4,888,906 
 March 31, 2020  5,161,176  716,209  5,877,385 
 December 31, 2019   5,400,410   1,824,349   7,224,759 
 September 30, 2019   4,299,018   838,956   5,137,974 
 June 30, 2019   5,134,626   (75,675)  5,058,951 
 March 31, 2019   4,550,888   603,555   5,154,443 
 December 31, 2018   5,134,166   53,997   5,188,163 
 September 30, 2018   4,840,242   798,378   5,638,620 
 June 30, 2018   4,652,240   276,963   4,929,203 

Crusader attributes much of its adverse loss development to “social inflation.” Used here, social inflation is a term that encompasses a new adverse trend related to society’s application of the law when it comes to insurance.  In this context, social inflation is generally described by the rising costs of insurance claims due to societal trends which has resulted in increased litigation, broader definitions of liability and contractual interpretations, plaintiff friendly legal decisions, larger compensatory jury awards, and larger awards for non-economic damages  Crusader has experienced increased costs due to social inflation in all three of its largest market sector niches, Long-haul Transportation, Residential Apartment Buildings, and Bars/Taverns, resulting in higher-than-expected frequency and severity of third-party liability claims which contributed to adverse loss development of 2015 and 2017 accident years.

 

The variability of Crusader’s losses and loss adjustment expenses for the periods presented is primarily due to the small and diverse population of Crusader’s policyholders and claims, which may result in greater fluctuations in claim frequency and/or severity between quarters.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’sCrusader’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 such as 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 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.

 

When there is clear evidence that the actual 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 CompanyCrusader increases its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves immediately. However, if the claims costs that emerge are more favorable than initially anticipated, generally, the CompanyCrusader 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 claim 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’sCrusader’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’sCrusader’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.

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Policy acquisition costs

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 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. No 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 reevaluates its acquisition costs to determine that costs related to successful policy acquisition are capitalized and deferred.

 

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

 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 Change 2019 2018 Change 2020 2019 Change 2020 2019 Change
                        
Policy acquisition costs $1,289,481  $1,515,476  $(225,995) $2,376,194  $3,136,981  $(760,787) $1,202,026  $1,289,481  $(87,455) $2,346,451  $2,376,194  $(29,743)
Ratio to net earned premium (GAAP ratio)  20%  21%      19%  21%      18%  20%      17%  19%    

 

Policy acquisition costs decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018,2019, due primarily to relatively higher sales in the decrease in net earned premium.Company’s Transportation vertical which pays a lower commission rate than the other verticals.

 

Salaries and employee benefits

Salaries and employee benefits decreased $113,698 (10%increased $239,117 (24%) to $1,251,922 and $333,767 (16%) to $2,374,421 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $1,012,805 and $373,926 (15%) to $2,040,654 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $1,126,503 and $2,414,580 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.2019.

 

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

 Three Months Ended June 30 Three Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 Change 2020 2019 Change
            
Total salaries and employee benefits incurred $1,894,165  $1,975,558  $(81,393) $2,066,520  $1,894,165  $172,355 
Less: charged to losses and loss adjustment expenses  (507,433)  (452,103)  55,330   (392,682)  (507,433)  114,751 
Less: capitalized to policy acquisition costs  (308,480)  (396,952)  (88,472)  (362,029)  (308,480)  (53,549)
Less: charged to IT system upgrade  (65,447)  —     65,447   (59,887)  (65,447)  5,560 
Net amount charged to operating expenses $1,012,805  $1,126,503  $(113,698) $1,251,922  $1,012,805  $239,117 

 

 Six Months Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30
 2019 2018 Change 2020 2019 Change
            
Total salaries and employee benefits incurred $3,771,583  $4,068,262  $(296,679) $4,073,278  $3,771,583  $301,695 
Less: charged to losses and loss adjustment expenses  (1,002,461)  (882,250)  120,211   (909,065)  (1,002,461)  93,396 
Less: capitalized to policy acquisition costs  (617,464)  (771,432)  (153,968)  (682,078)  (617,464)  (64,614)
Less: charged to IT system upgrade  (111,004)  —     111,004   (107,714)  (111,004)  3,290 
Net amount charged to operating expenses $2,040,654  $2,414,580  $(373,926) $2,374,421  $2,040,654  $333,767 

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The decreaseincrease in the total salaries and employee benefits incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019,2020, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, was due primarily to a decrease in the headcount and several managerial vacancies for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

Commissions to agents/brokers

Commissions to agents/brokers increased $536 (1%) to $41,077 and $9,318 (11%) to $91,198 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $40,541 and $81,880 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. These increases in commissions to agents/brokers were due primarily to timing of payment receipts.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses decreased $9,244 (1%) to $735,454 and $247,306 (15%) to $1,363,534 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $744,697 and $1,610,840 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in other operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, was due to lower costs of temporary help and a number of various insignificant fluctuations.

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Income tax expense/benefit

Income tax benefit was $65,993 (19% of pre-tax income) and $206,651 (18% of pre-tax loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to an income tax expense of $118,735 (41% of pre-tax income) and income tax benefit of $485,945 (19% of pre-tax loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The income tax benefit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, was due primarily to losses before taxesincreases in executive compensation, due to the addition of $342,670the executive officer in January 2020, employee benefits, due to higher medical insurance rates, and $1,154,402, respectively.vacation accruals due to less vacation taken by the employees as a result of the recent coronavirus outbreak.

Commissions to agents/brokers

Commissions to agents/brokers decreased $17,077 (42%) to $24,000 and $41,243 (45%) to $49,954 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $41,077 and $91,198 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. These decreases in commissions to agents/brokers were due primarily to lower commissions associated with loss of a large group account.

Other operating expenses

Other operating expenses increased $258,482 (35%) to $993,935 and $610,817 (45%) to $1,974,351 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $735,454 and $1,363,534 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. The incomeincrease in other operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019, was due to an increase in legal expense, an increase in depreciation expense, an increase in board of director fees and timing of expenses.

Income tax expense/benefit

Income tax expense was $50,252 (-13% of pre-tax loss) for the three months ended June 30, 2018, was due primarily to income before taxes of $287,0322020 and a change in valuation allowance on the state net operating loss carryforward, and the income tax benefit was $65,993 (19% of pre-tax loss) for the three months ended June 30, 2019. Income tax benefit was $51,420 (3% of pre-tax loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2018,2020 and income tax benefit was due primarily to net loss before taxes$206,651 (18% of $2,524,900. The calculated tax ratepre-tax loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2019, consisted of federal tax benefit rate of 21% and a state2019. The fluctuation in the income tax benefit rate as a percentage of 5.3%. The calculated tax ratepre-tax loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, was comprised of a calculated federal tax benefit rate of approximately 21%2020, when compared to the three and a state income tax benefit rate of 1.3%. The Company increased itssix months ended June 30, 2019, is primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets on federal net operating losses by $42,000 to $85,000 during the three months endedlosses.

As of June 30, 2019, thus making2020, the effectiveCompany had deferred tax rate 19% and 18% forassets of $4,481,316 generated from $21,339,605 of federal net operating loss carryforwards that will begin to expire in 2035. In light of the three andnet losses that were generated in recent years, the Company periodically performs an analysis of future income projections to determine the adequacy of the valuation allowance. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019, respectively.the Company carried a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets generated from federal net operating losses in the amount of $900,000 and $600,000, respectively as the Company does not expect to realize that portion of the tax benefit from its federal net operating losses in the future.

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had deferred tax assets of $2,055,377 generated from state net operating loss carryforwards which expire between 2028 and 2040. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets generated from state net operating loss carryforwards was established in the amount of $2,055,377 and $1,931,665, respectively as the Company does not expect to realize a tax benefit from its state net operating losses in the future.

As a result of the Company’s analysis at June 30, 2020, the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will be able to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards, net of the valuation allowance, before they expire. Additionally, $5,516,392 of the net operating losses generated in 2020, 2019 and 2018 is subject to an indefinite carryforward period.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

During the periods presented, there were no off-balance sheet transactions, unconditional purchase obligations or similar instruments and the Company was not a guarantor of any other entities’ debt or other financial obligations.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company is currently a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. The Company has elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies and has therefore omitted the information required under Item 305 of Regulation S-K.

 

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 June 30, 2019,2020, 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 as of June 30, 2019.2020.

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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 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are named from time to time as defendants in various legal actions that are incidental to its business, including those which arise out of or are related to the handling of claims made in connection with Crusader’s insurance policies. The CompanyCrusader establishes reserves for certain claims-related lawsuits, regulatory actions and other contingencies when the Companyit believes a loss is probable and is able to estimate its potential exposure. While actual losses may differ from the amounts recorded and such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance, the Company is not aware of any currently pending or threatened legal or regulatory proceedings that, either individually or in the aggregate, it anticipates will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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, 2018,2019, in response to Item 1A to Part I of Form 10-K and in the Company’s Form10-QForm 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019,2020, in response to Item 1A to Part II of Form 10-Q.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2019, by the Company.None.

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part Of Publicly Announced Plans Or Programs Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
         
 April 1, 2019, to April 30, 2019   —     —     —     188,625 
 May 1, 2019, to May 31, 2019   356  $5.92   356   188,269 
 June 1, 2019, to June 30, 2019   —     —     —     188,269 
 Total   356       356     

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

10.1#Quota share agreement among United Specialty Insurance Company and Crusader Insurance Company and Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc., effective April 1, 2020.

10.2#General agency agreement by and among United Specialty Insurance Company, Crusader Insurance Company and Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc., effective April 1, 2020.

10.3#Reinsurance trust agreement entered into by and among Crusader Insurance Company and United Specialty Insurance Company held by Comerica Bank & Trust, National Association Trustee, effective April 1, 2020.

 

31.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.1934.

 

31.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.1934.

 

32.1Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.1350.

 

32.2Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

 

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101The following information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019,2020, 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 Changes in Stockholders’ Equity; (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi)(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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# Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2020.

 

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: August 14, 20192020 By:/s/ CARY L. CHELDINRONALD A. CLOSSER

Cary L. CheldinRonald A. Closser

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief

Executive Officer, (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

Date: August 14, 20192020 By:/s/ MICHAEL BUDNITSKY

Michael Budnitsky

Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, (Principal

Accounting and Principal Financial Officer)

 

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