UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172019

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period fromto                     .

Commission file number0-15341

 

 

Donegal Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 23-2424711

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1195 River Road, P.O. Box 302, Marietta, PA 17547

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(717)426-1931

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(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 Class

Trading

Symbols

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par valueDGICAThe NASDAQ Global Select Market
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par valueDGICBThe NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether 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.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company 
   Emerging growth 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 Rule12b-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: 21,854,07523,106,528 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5,576,775 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding on October 31, 2017.2019.

 

 

 


DONEGAL GROUP INC.

INDEX TO FORM10-Q REPORT

 

     Page 

PART I

 FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

Item 1.

 Financial Statements   31 

Item 2.

 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   2321 

Item 3.

 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   3331 

Item 4.

 Controls and Procedures   3431 

PART II

 OTHER INFORMATION  

Item 1.

 Legal Proceedings   3532 

Item 1A.

 Risk Factors   3532 

Item 2.

 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   3532 

Item 3.

 Defaults upon Senior Securities   3532 

Item 4.

 Removed and Reserved   3532 

Item 5.

 Other Information   3532 

Item 6.

 Exhibits   3633 

Signatures

   3734 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

  September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
   September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 
  (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)   

Assets

      

Investments

      

Fixed maturities

      

Held to maturity, at amortized cost

  $365,277,271  $336,100,948   $458,888,742  $402,798,518 

Available for sale, at fair value

   533,461,436  515,074,940    559,101,387  526,558,304 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value

   50,028,460  47,087,842 

Equity securities, at fair value

   52,098,509  43,667,009 

Investment in affiliate

   39,339,820  37,884,918    —    41,025,975 

Short-term investments, at cost, which approximates fair value

   10,731,366  9,371,007    8,626,324  16,748,760 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total investments

   998,838,353  945,519,655    1,078,714,962  1,030,798,566 

Cash

   31,541,139  24,587,214    55,268,760  52,594,461 

Accrued investment income

   6,951,728  6,295,513    7,285,349  6,561,199 

Premiums receivable

   163,425,210  159,389,667    173,749,759  156,702,250 

Reinsurance receivable

   283,579,561  263,028,008    362,366,588  343,369,065 

Deferred policy acquisition costs

   61,877,626  56,309,196    63,685,811  60,615,127 

Deferred tax asset, net

   18,413,751  19,043,413    8,965,877  13,069,755 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

   137,810,229  124,255,495    141,958,161  135,379,777 

Property and equipment, net

   7,040,213  6,668,489    4,622,446  4,690,704 

Accounts receivable—securities

   61,446   —   

Accounts receivable - securities

   48,428  261,829 

Federal income taxes receivable

   2,103,557  1,108,250    15,766,182  19,032,604 

Due from affiliate

   —    9,204,910 

Goodwill

   5,625,354  5,625,354    5,625,354  5,625,354 

Other intangible assets

   958,010  958,010    958,010  958,010 

Other

   1,260,508  1,137,863    2,069,524  2,419,566 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total assets

  $1,719,486,685  $1,623,131,037   $1,921,085,211  $1,832,078,267 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

      

Liabilities

      

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

  $644,350,129  $606,664,590   $864,534,338  $814,665,224 

Unearned premiums

   515,905,915  466,055,228    528,037,212  506,528,606 

Accrued expenses

   23,228,360  28,246,691    26,964,878  25,442,146 

Reinsurance balances payable

   5,682,000  4,369,528    2,032,722  3,882,193 

Borrowings under lines of credit

   69,000,000  69,000,000    35,000,000  60,000,000 

Cash dividends declared to stockholders

   —    3,622,821    —    3,948,484 

Subordinated debentures

   5,000,000  5,000,000    5,000,000  5,000,000 

Accounts payable—securities

   260,592   —   

Accounts payable - securities

   1,956,151  1,003,810 

Due to affiliate

   5,755,652   —      7,015,832  10,874,540 

Other

   1,577,826  1,556,859    7,992,473  1,863,363 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities

   1,270,760,474  1,184,515,717    1,478,533,606  1,433,208,366 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

      

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued

   —     —      —     —   

Class A common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued 24,803,267 and 24,483,377 shares and outstanding 21,800,679 and 21,480,789 shares

   248,033  244,834 

Class A common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 26,052,220 and 25,819,341 shares and outstanding 23,049,632 and 22,816,753 shares

   260,523  258,194 

Class B common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued 5,649,240 shares and outstanding 5,576,775 shares

   56,492  56,492    56,492  56,492 

Additional paid-in capital

   243,628,904  236,851,709    265,680,180  261,258,423 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (874,094 (2,254,271

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   418,394  (14,228,059

Retained earnings

   246,893,233  244,942,913    217,362,373  192,751,208 

Treasury stock, at cost

   (41,226,357 (41,226,357   (41,226,357 (41,226,357
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

   448,726,211  438,615,320    442,551,605  398,869,901 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $1,719,486,685  $1,623,131,037   $1,921,085,211  $1,832,078,267 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2019 2018 

Revenues:

       

Net premiums earned

  $177,283,816   $166,809,851   $189,821,058  $187,661,705 

Investment income, net of investment expenses

   5,979,834    5,581,238    7,389,749  6,620,491 

Net realized investment gains (includes $561,429 and $1,018,415 accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications)

   561,429    1,018,415 

Net investment (losses) gains (includes $102,311 and ($20,512) accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications)

   (369,041 3,463,504 

Lease income

   113,409    163,779    110,598  119,934 

Installment payment fees

   1,373,892    1,380,024    1,057,536  1,305,778 

Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation

   403,647    357,956    —    732,768 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total revenues

   185,716,027    175,311,263    198,009,900  199,904,180 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Expenses:

       

Net losses and loss expenses

   114,386,379    111,174,963    130,743,395  140,726,106 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

   29,008,000    27,524,000    31,304,000  31,110,000 

Other underwriting expenses

   31,790,251    28,340,135    26,516,518  24,528,860 

Policyholder dividends

   1,376,115    1,143,026    2,446,696  1,050,200 

Interest

   466,262    473,917    443,179  651,768 

Other expenses

   176,970    226,183 

Other expenses, net

   251,228  560,260 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total expenses

   177,203,977    168,882,224    191,705,016  198,627,194 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Income before income tax expense

   8,512,050    6,429,039    6,304,884  1,276,986 

Income tax expense (includes $196,500 and $356,446 income tax expense from reclassification items)

   1,403,476    1,615,635 

Income tax expense (includes $21,485 and ($4,308) income tax expense (benefit) from reclassification items)

   1,118,505  70,630 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net income

  $7,108,574   $4,813,404   $5,186,379  $1,206,356 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Earnings per common share:

       

Class A common stock—basic

  $0.27   $0.19 

Class A common stock - basic

  $0.19  $0.04 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Class A common stock—diluted

  $0.26   $0.18 

Class A common stock - diluted

  $0.18  $0.04 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Class B common stock—basic and diluted

  $0.24   $0.16 

Class B common stock - basic and diluted

  $0.16  $0.04 
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

 

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2017 2016   2019 2018 

Net income

  $7,108,574  $4,813,404   $5,186,379  $1,206,356 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

      

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities:

      

Unrealized holding gain (loss) during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $561,247 and ($595,724)

   1,042,317  (1,106,346

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $196,500 and $356,446

   (364,929 (661,969

Unrealized holding gain (loss) during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $621,120 and ($609,572)

   2,336,599  (2,293,154

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $21,485 and ($4,308)

   (80,826 16,204 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   677,388  (1,768,315   2,255,773  (2,276,950
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Comprehensive income

  $7,785,962  $3,045,089 

Comprehensive income (loss)

  $7,442,152  $(1,070,594
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2019   2018 

Revenues:

        

Net premiums earned

  $521,454,835   $487,227,767   $566,657,613   $555,140,395 

Investment income, net of investment expenses

   17,385,103    16,471,630    21,727,904    19,341,012 

Net realized investment gains (includes $4,207,710 and $2,204,533 accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications)

   4,207,710    2,204,533 

Net investment gains (includes $154,725 and ($52,828) accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications)

   19,294,229    4,062,475 

Lease income

   383,183    514,768    333,852    365,930 

Installment payment fees

   3,813,663    4,109,550    3,204,130    3,959,936 

Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation

   1,023,212    698,658    295,000    2,152,738 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total revenues

   548,267,706    511,226,906    611,512,728    585,022,486 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Expenses:

        

Net losses and loss expenses

   356,825,751    309,946,943    385,361,331    433,063,019 

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs

   85,391,000    80,034,000    92,821,000    91,354,000 

Other underwriting expenses

   88,538,755    81,557,159    85,409,737    82,343,932 

Policyholder dividends

   3,422,672    2,729,595    6,765,834    3,565,971 

Interest

   1,212,895    1,286,279    1,311,894    1,682,200 

Other expenses

   1,036,223    1,179,660 

Other expenses, net

   1,155,493    1,604,595 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total expenses

   536,427,296    476,733,636    572,825,289    613,613,717 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income tax expense

   11,840,410    34,493,270 

Income tax expense (includes $1,472,698 and $771,587 income tax expense from reclassification items)

   1,945,666    9,246,299 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

   38,687,439    (28,591,231

Income tax expense (benefit) (includes $32,492 and ($11,094) income tax expense (benefit) from reclassification items)

   5,689,442    (10,829,654
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $9,894,744   $25,246,971 

Net income (loss)

  $32,997,997   $(17,761,577
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per common share:

    

Class A common stock—basic

  $0.37   $0.98 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

    

Class A common stock - basic

  $1.18   $(0.64
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Class A common stock—diluted

  $0.36   $0.95 

Class A common stock - diluted

  $1.17   $(0.64
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Class B common stock—basic and diluted

  $0.33   $0.88 

Class B common stock - basic and diluted

  $1.06   $(0.59
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2017  2016 

Net income

  $9,894,744  $25,246,971 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

   

Unrealized gain on securities:

   

Unrealized holding gain during the period, net of income tax expense of $2,215,869 and $3,768,959

   4,115,189   6,999,494 

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $1,472,698 and $771,587

   (2,735,012  (1,432,946
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

   1,380,177   5,566,548 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

  $11,274,921  $30,813,519 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2019  2018 

Net income (loss)

  $32,997,997  $(17,761,577

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

   

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities:

   

Unrealized holding gain (loss) during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $3,925,853 and ($3,025,784)

   14,768,686   (11,382,714

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax expense (benefit) of $32,492 and ($11,094)

   (122,233  41,734 
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   14,646,453   (11,340,980
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

  $47,644,450  $(29,102,557
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172019

 

  Class A
Shares
   Class B
Shares
   Class A
Amount
   Class B
Amount
   Additional Paid-
In Capital
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 Retained
Earnings
 Treasury Stock Total
Stockholders’
Equity
   Class A
Shares
   Class B
Shares
   Class A
Amount
   Class B
Amount
   Additional
Paid-In Capital
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 Retained
Earnings
 Treasury Stock Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2016

   24,483,377    5,649,240   $244,834   $56,492   $236,851,709   $(2,254,271 $244,942,913  $(41,226,357 $438,615,320 

Issuance of common stock

   107,223    —      1,073    —      1,693,208    —     —     —    1,694,281 

Balance, December 31, 2018

   25,819,341    5,649,240   $258,194   $56,492   $261,258,423   $(14,228,059 $192,751,208  $(41,226,357 $398,869,901 

Issuance of common stock (stock compensation plans)

   33,334    —         333    —      403,722    —     —     —    404,055 

Share-based compensation

   212,667    —      2,126    —      4,596,068    —     —     —    4,598,194    —      —      —      —      442,920    —     —     —    442,920 

Net income

   —      —      —      —      —      —    9,894,744   —    9,894,744    —      —      —      —      —      —    23,023,164   —    23,023,164 

Cash dividends declared

   —      —      —      —      —      —    (7,456,505  —    (7,456,505   —      —      —      —      —      —    (4,752  —    (4,752

Grant of stock options

   —      —      —      —      487,919    —    (487,919  —     —      —      —      —      —      144,226    —    (144,226  —     —   

Other comprehensive income

   —      —      —      —      —      1,380,177   —     —    1,380,177    —      —      —      —      —      6,468,473   —     —    6,468,473 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2017

   24,803,267    5,649,240   $248,033   $56,492   $243,628,904   $(874,094 $246,893,233  $(41,226,357 $448,726,211 

Balance, March 31, 2019

   25,852,675    5,649,240    258,527    56,492    262,249,291    (7,759,586 215,625,394  (41,226,357 429,203,761 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Issuance of common stock (stock compensation plans)

   55,933    —      560    —      752,354    —     —     —    752,914 

Share-based compensation

   60,969    —      609    —      1,218,195    —     —     —    1,218,804 

Net income

   —      —      —      —      —      —    4,788,454   —    4,788,454 

Cash dividends declared

   —      —      —      —      —      —    (4,032,416  —    (4,032,416

Grant of stock options

   —      —      —      —      100,485    —    (100,485  —     —   

Other comprehensive income

   —      —      —      —      —      5,922,207   —     —    5,922,207 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2019

   25,969,577    5,649,240    259,696    56,492    264,320,325    (1,837,379 216,280,947  (41,226,357 437,853,724 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Issuance of common stock (stock compensation plans)

   22,926    —      229    —      280,385    —     —     —    280,614 

Share-based compensation

   59,717    —      598    —      1,020,018    —     —     —    1,020,616 

Net income

   —      —      —      —      —      —    5,186,379   —    5,186,379 

Cash dividends declared

   —      —      —      —      —      —    (4,045,501  —    (4,045,501

Grant of stock options

   —      —      —      —      59,452    —    (59,452  —     —   

Other comprehensive income

   —      —      —      —      —      2,255,773   —     —    2,255,773 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2019

   26,052,220    5,649,240   $260,523   $56,492   $265,680,180   $418,394  $217,362,373  $(41,226,357 $442,551,605 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

   Class A
Shares
   Class B
Shares
   Class A
Amount
   Class B
Amount
   Additional
Paid-In Capital
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury Stock  Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 

Balance, December 31, 2017

   25,564,481    5,649,240   $255,645   $56,492   $255,401,558   $(2,684,275 $236,893,041  $(41,226,357 $448,696,104 

Issuance of common stock (stock compensation plans)

   29,162    —      292    —      422,318    —     —     —     422,610 

Share-based compensation

   32,176    —      322    —      1,024,328    —     —     —     1,024,650 

Net loss

   —      —      —      —      —      —     (18,178,078  —     (18,178,078

Cash dividends declared

   —      —      —      —      —      —     (8,587  —     (8,587

Grant of stock options

   —      —      —      —      187,444    —     (187,444  —     —   

Reclassification of equity unrealized gains

   —      —      —      —      —      (4,918,655  4,918,655   —     —   

Other comprehensive loss

   —      —      —      —      —      (6,602,985  —     —     (6,602,985
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2018

   25,625,819    5,649,240    256,259    56,492    257,035,648    (14,205,915  223,437,587   (41,226,357  425,353,714 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock (stock compensation plans)

   63,430    —      634    —      960,139    —     —     —     960,773 

Share-based compensation

   —      —      —      —      536,472    —     —     —     536,472 

Net loss

   —      —      —      —      —      —     (789,855  —     (789,855

Cash dividends declared

   —      —      —      —      —      —     (3,930,019  —     (3,930,019

Grant of stock options

   —      —      —      —      133,656    —     (133,656  —     —   

Other comprehensive loss

   —      —      —      —      —      (2,461,046  —     —     (2,461,046
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2018

   25,689,249    5,649,240    256,893    56,492    258,665,915    (16,666,961  218,584,057   (41,226,357  419,670,039 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock (stock compensation plans)

   27,802    —      278    —      321,349    —     —     —     321,627 

Share-based compensation

   16,168    —      162    —      552,928    —     —     —     553,090 

Net income

   —      —      —      —      —      —     1,206,356   —     1,206,356 

Cash dividends declared

   —      —      —      —      —      —     (3,934,135  —     (3,934,135

Grant of stock options

   —      —      —      —      126,870    —     (126,870  —     —   

Other comprehensive loss

   —      —      —      —      —      (2,276,949  —     —     (2,276,949
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2018

   25,733,219    5,649,240   $257,333   $56,492   $259,667,062   $(18,943,910 $215,729,408  $(41,226,357 $415,540,028 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Donegal Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017 2016   2019 2018 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

      

Net income

  $9,894,744  $25,246,971 

Net income (loss)

  $32,997,997  $(17,761,577
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items

   4,791,010  5,365,877    4,299,566  5,288,171 

Net realized investment gains

   (4,207,710 (2,204,533

Net investment gains

   (19,294,229 (4,062,475

Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation

   (1,023,212 (698,658   (295,000 (2,152,738

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Losses and loss expenses

   37,685,539  16,062,834    49,869,114  103,307,950 

Unearned premiums

   49,850,687  46,939,580    21,508,606  27,087,130 

Premiums receivable

   (4,035,543 (24,494,489   (17,047,509 87,668 

Deferred acquisition costs

   (5,568,430 (5,295,901   (3,070,684 (4,277,025

Deferred income taxes

   (113,508 1,725,335    210,518  83,985 

Reinsurance receivable

   (20,551,553 299,487    (18,997,523 (24,125,183

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

   (13,554,734 (13,908,998   (6,578,384 (6,504,067

Accrued investment income

   (656,215 (826,563   (724,150 (613,539

Due to affiliate

   14,960,562  421,781    (3,858,708 (3,577,086

Reinsurance balances payable

   1,312,472  (422,181   (1,849,471 (924,413

Current income taxes

   (995,307 (335,617   3,266,422  (8,660,414

Accrued expenses

   (5,018,331 (1,393,305   1,522,732  (3,652,271

Other, net

   (101,676 (185,278   6,479,153  310,988 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net adjustments

   52,774,051  21,049,371    15,440,453  77,616,681 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   62,668,795  46,296,342    48,438,450  59,855,104 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

      

Purchases of fixed maturities, held to maturity

   (43,710,213 (35,461,529   (69,297,759 (42,834,707

Purchases of fixed maturities, available for sale

   (105,011,666 (127,113,153   (125,791,644 (88,940,126

Purchases of equity securities, available for sale

   (9,030,858 (10,753,187   (19,055,851 (11,255,867

Maturity of fixed maturities:

      

Held to maturity

   14,580,714  13,603,700    13,723,483  9,485,969 

Available for sale

   75,856,616  64,406,512    88,459,874  84,617,730 

Sales of fixed maturities, available for sale

   9,634,968  52,032,208    20,548,077  1,388,934 

Sales of equity securities, available for sale

   10,782,859  5,068,287    37,968,114  7,843,437 

Net purchases of property and equipment

   (740,608 (260,968   (147,005 (132,290

Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments

   (1,360,359 4,181,329 

Sale of investment in Donegal Financial Services Corporation

   19,863,949   —   

Dividends received from Donegal Financial Services Corporation

   14,058,824   —   

Net sales of short-term investments

   8,122,436  5,953,868 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   (48,998,547 (34,296,801   (11,547,502 (33,873,052
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

      

Cash dividends paid

   (11,079,326 (10,497,404   (12,031,153 (11,714,561

Issuance of common stock

   4,363,003  9,489,253    2,814,504  2,157,730 

Payment on lines of credit

   —    (7,000,000

Borrowings under line of credit

   —    1,000,000 

Payments on lines of credit

   (25,000,000  —      
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

   (6,716,323 (8,008,151   (34,216,649 (8,556,831
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Net increase in cash

   6,953,925  3,991,390    2,674,299  17,425,221 

Cash at beginning of period

   24,587,214  28,139,144    52,594,461  37,833,435 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash at end of period

  $31,541,139  $32,130,534   $55,268,760  $55,258,656 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Cash paid during period—Interest

  $1,016,678  $1,001,870 

Net cash paid during period—Taxes

  $3,050,000  $8,255,000 

Cash paid during period - Interest

  $321,585  $937,470 

Net cash paid during period - Taxes

  $2,200,000  $—   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DONEGAL GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Unaudited)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1—Organization

1 - Organization

Donegal Mutual Insurance Company (“Donegal Mutual”) organized us as an insurance holding company on August 26, 1986. Our insurance subsidiaries, Atlantic States Insurance Company (“Atlantic States”), Southern Insurance Company of Virginia (“Southern”), Le Mars Insurance Company (“Le Mars”), the Peninsula Insurance Group (“Peninsula”), which consists of Peninsula Indemnity Company and The Peninsula Insurance Company, Sheboygan Falls Insurance Company (“Sheboygan”) and Michigan Insurance Company (“MICO”), write personal and commercial lines of property and casualty coveragesinsurance exclusively through independent insurance agents in certainMid-Atlantic, Midwestern, New England and Southern states. WeUntil March 8, 2019, we also ownowned 48.2% of the outstanding stock of Donegal Financial Services Corporation (“DFSC”), a grandfathered unitary savings and loan holding company that ownsowned Union Community Bank (“UCB”), a state savings bank. Donegal Mutual ownsowned the remaining 51.8% of the outstanding stock of DFSC.

We have fourAt September 30, 2019, we had three segments: our investment function, our personal lines of insurance and our commercial lines of insurance and our investment in DFSC.insurance. The personal lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of homeowners and private passenger automobile policies. The commercial lines products of our insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation policies.

At September 30, 2017,2019, Donegal Mutual held approximately 45%43% of our outstanding Class A common stock and approximately 83%approximately84% of our outstanding Class B common stock. ThatThis ownership provides Donegal Mutual with approximately 73%72% of the combinedtotal voting power of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock and our outstanding shares of Class B common stock. We believe Donegal Mutual’s voting control of us benefits us for the reasons we describe in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and in our proxy statements. Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual have interrelated operations due to a pooling agreement and other intercompany agreements and transactions. While each company maintains its separate corporate existence, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries conduct business together as the Donegal Insurance Group. As such, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share the same business philosophy, the same management, the same employees and the same facilities and offer the same types of insurance products.

Atlantic States, our largest subsidiary, participates in a pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual. Under the pooling agreement, Donegal Mutual and Atlantic Statesthe two companies pool their insurance business and each company receives an allocated percentage of the pooled business. Atlantic States has an 80% share of the results of the pooled business, and Donegal Mutual has a 20% share of the results of the pooled business. Pooled business represents the predominant percentage of the net underwriting activity of both Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States.

Donegal Mutual completed the merger of Mountain States Mutual Casualty Company (“Mountain States”) with and into Donegal Mutual effective May 25, 2017. Donegal Mutual was the surviving company in the merger, and Mountain States’ insurance subsidiaries, Mountain States Indemnity Company and Mountain States Commercial Insurance Company, became insurance subsidiaries of Donegal Mutual upon completion of the merger. Upon completion of the merger, Donegal Mutual assumed all of the policy obligations of Mountain States and began to market its products together with its insurance subsidiaries as the Mountain States Insurance Group in four Southwestern states. For an indefinite period of time, Donegal Mutual will exclude the business of the Mountain States Insurance Group from the pooling agreement with Atlantic States. As a result, our consolidated financial results will exclude the results of Donegal Mutual’s operations in those Southwestern states.

The same executive management and underwriting personnel administer products, classes of business underwritten, pricing practices and underwriting standards of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries. In addition, as the Donegal Insurance Group, Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries share a combined business plan to achieve market penetration and underwriting profitability objectives. The products our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual market are generally complementary, thereby allowing the Donegal Insurance Group to offer a broader range of products to a given market and to expand the Donegal Insurance Group’s ability to service entire personal lines or commercial lines accounts. Distinctions within the products Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries offer relate generally to specific risk profiles targeted within similar classes of business, such as preferred tier products versus standard tier products, but we do not allocate all of the standard risk gradients to any specific company within the Donegal Insurance Group. Therefore, the underwriting profitability of the business the individual companies write directly will vary. However, because the risk characteristics of all business Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write directly are homogenized within the underwriting pool, Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States share the underwriting results in proportion to their respective participation in the underwriting pool.

In July 2018, we consolidated the branch office operations of Peninsula into our home office operations to achieve economies of scale and enhance service levels for policyholders of Peninsula. We recorded a restructuring charge for employee termination costs associated with the Peninsula consolidation of approximately $1.9 million and paid approximately $1.5 million of these costs in 2018. We paid approximately $195,000 of these costs in the first nine months of 2019 and had an accrual of approximately $195,000 remaining at September 30, 2019. We entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the sale of Peninsula’s branch office in 2018. The sale was completed in January 2019, and we received net proceeds of $1.2 million. We recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million in other expenses in 2018 related to this real estate transaction and included the $1.2 million fair value of the real estate we held for sale in other assets at December 31, 2018.

We and Donegal Mutual sold DFSC to Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (“Northwest”) on March 8, 2019, resulting in proceeds valued at approximately $85.8 million in a combination of cash and Northwest common stock. Immediately prior to the closing of the merger, DFSC paid a dividend of approximately $29.2 million to us and Donegal Mutual. As the owner of 48.2% of DFSC’s common stock, we received a dividend payment from DFSC of approximately $14.1 million and consideration from

Northwest that included a combination of cash in the amount of $20.5 million and Northwest common stock with a fair value at the closing date of $20.9 million. We recorded a gain of $12.7 million from the sale of DFSC in our results of operations for the first quarter of 2019. We sold the Northwest common stock that we received as part of the consideration during the first quarter of 2019. This transaction represented the culmination of a banking strategy that began with the formation of DFSC in 2000.

On July 18, 2013, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program pursuant to which we have the authority to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the provisions of applicable rules of the SECSecurities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in privately negotiated transactions. We did not purchase any shares of our Class A common stock under this program during the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 or 2016.2018. We have purchased a total of 57,658 shares of our Class A common stock under this program from its inception through September 30, 2017.2019.

2—2 - Basis of Presentation

Our financial information for the interim periods included in this Form10-Q Report is unaudited; however, our financial information we include in this Form10-Q Report reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of our management, are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for those interim periods. Our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations we expect for the year ending December 31, 2017.2019.

We recommend you read the interim financial statements we include in this Form10-Q Report in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to our financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.

3—3 - Earnings Per Share

We have two classes of common stock, which we refer to as our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock. Our certificate of incorporation provides that whenever our board of directors declares a dividend on our Class B common stock, our board of directors shall simultaneously declare a dividend on our Class A common stock that is payable to the holders of our Class A common stock at the same time and as of the same record date at a rate that is at least 10% greater than the rate at which our board of directors declared a dividend on our Class B common stock. Accordingly, we use thetwo-class method to compute our earnings per common share. Thetwo-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share separately for each class of common stock based on dividends we have declared and an allocation of our remaining

undistributed earnings using a participation percentage that reflects the dividend rights of each class. The table below presents for the periods indicated a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators we used to compute basic and diluted net income per share for our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock:

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2019   2018 
  Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B 
  (in thousands, except per share data)   (in thousands, except per share data) 

Basic net income per share:

        

Basic earnings per share:

        

Numerator:

                

Allocation of net income

  $5,787   $1,322   $3,901   $912   $4,269   $917   $1,006   $200 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Denominator:

                

Weighted-average shares outstanding

   21,756    5,577    21,078    5,577    23,015    5,577    22,717    5,577 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic net income per share

  $0.27   $0.24   $0.19   $0.16 

Basic earnings per share

  $0.19   $0.16   $0.04   $0.04 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted net income per share:

        

Diluted earnings per share:

        

Numerator:

                

Allocation of net income

  $5,787   $1,322   $3,901   $912   $4,269   $917   $1,006   $200 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Denominator:

                

Number of shares used in basic computation

   21,756    5,577    21,078    5,577    23,015    5,577    22,717    5,577 

Weighted-average shares effect of dilutive securities

        

Weighted-average shares effect of dilutive securities:

        

Director and employee stock options

   461    —      831    —      277    —      178    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Number of shares used in diluted computation

   22,217    5,577    21,909    5,577    23,292    5,577    22,895    5,577 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted net income per share

  $0.26   $0.24   $0.18   $0.16 

Diluted earnings per share

  $0.18   $0.16   $0.04   $0.04 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2019   2018 
  Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B 
  (in thousands, except per share data) 

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

        

Numerator:

        

Allocation of net income (loss)

  $27,065   $5,933   $(14,472  $(3,290
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Denominator:

        

Weighted-average shares outstanding

   22,933    5,577    22,673    5,577 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

  $1.18   $1.06   $(0.64  $(0.59
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

        

Numerator:

        

Allocation of net income (loss)

  $27,065   $5,933   $(14,472  $(3,290
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
        

Denominator:

        

Number of shares used in basic computation

   22,933    5,577    22,673    5,577 

Weighted-average shares effect of dilutive securities:

        

Director and employee stock options

   183    —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Number of shares used in diluted computation

   23,116    5,577    22,673    5,577 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

  $1.17   $1.06   $(0.64  $(0.59
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2017   2016 
   Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B 
   (in thousands, except per share data) 

Basic net income per share:

        

Numerator:

        

Allocation of net income

  $8,066   $1,829   $20,329   $4,918 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

        

Weighted-average shares outstanding

   21,669    5,577    20,791    5,577 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

  $0.37   $0.33   $0.98   $0.88 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share:

        

Numerator:

        

Allocation of net income

  $8,066   $1,829   $20,329   $4,918 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

        

Number of shares used in basic computation

   21,669    5,577    20,791    5,577 

Weighted-average shares effect of dilutive securities

        

Director and employee stock options

   778    —      560    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of shares used in diluted computation

   22,447    5,577    21,351    5,577 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

  $0.36   $0.33   $0.95   $0.88 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We did not include outstanding options to purchase the following number of5,330,525 shares and 5,531,561 shares of our Class A common stock in our computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2019 because the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price of our Class A common stock during the applicable periods:period.

We did not include outstanding options to purchase 6,731,481 shares of Class A common stock in our computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2018 because the exercise price of the options exceeded the average market price of our Class A common stock during the period. We did not include any effect of dilutive securities in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 because we sustained a net loss for this period.

   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2017   2016   2017   2016 

Number of options to purchase Class A shares excluded

   5,178,629    —      1,382,400    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

4 - Reinsurance

4—Reinsurance

Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual have participated in a pooling agreement since 1986 under which they pool substantially all of their direct premiums written, and Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual then share the underwriting results of the pool in accordance with the terms of the pooling agreement. Atlantic States has an 80% share of the results of the pool, and Donegal Mutual has a 20% share of the results of the pool.

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual purchase certainimplemented a combined third-party reinsurance on a combined basis. Le Mars, MICO, Peninsulaprogram effective January 1, 2019. The coverage and Sheboygan also separately purchase third-party reinsurance that provides thatparameters of the fully consolidated program are common to all of our insurance subsidiary with reinsurance coverage that we believe is commensurate with its respective sizesubsidiaries and risk exposures.Donegal Mutual. Our insurance subsidiaries use several different reinsurers, all of which have an A.M. Best rating ofA- (Excellent) or better or, with respect to foreign reinsurers, have a financial condition that, in the opinion of our management, is equivalent to a company with at least anA- rating from A.M. Best. The following information describes the external reinsurance our insurance subsidiaries have in place for 2017:2019:

 

excess of loss reinsurance, under which the losses of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries recover,are automatically reinsured, through a series of reinsurance agreements, lossescontracts, over a set retention (generallyof $1.0 million),million for property losses and a retention of $2.0 million for casualty losses (including workers’ compensation losses); and

 

catastrophe reinsurance, under which Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries recover, through a series of reinsurance agreements, 100% of an accumulation of many losses resulting from a single event, including natural disasters, over a set retention (generally $5.0 million)of $10.0 million and after exceeding an annual aggregate deductible (generally $1.0 million)of $1.2 million up to aggregate losses of $170.0$190.0 million per occurrence.

Our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual also purchase facultative reinsurance to cover exposures in excess of the covered limits of their third-party reinsurance agreements.

In addition to the pooling agreement and third-party reinsurance, our insurance subsidiaries have variousa catastrophe reinsurance agreementsagreement with Donegal Mutual.

We have made no significant changes to our third-party reinsurance or the reinsurance agreements betweenMutual, under which each of our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.recovers 100% of an accumulation of multiple losses resulting from a single event, including natural disasters, over a set retention of $2.0 million up to aggregate losses of $8.0 million per occurrence. The agreement also provides additional coverage for an accumulation of losses from a single event including a combination of our insurance subsidiaries over a combined retention of $5.0 million.

5 - Investments

5—Investments

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of our fixed maturities and equity securities at September 30, 20172019 were as follows:

 

  Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
   Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Held to Maturity

                

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $70,145   $1,357   $444   $71,058   $91,485   $2,336   $47   $93,774 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   136,835    10,941    152    147,624    181,575    15,124    86    196,613 

Corporate securities

   106,387    2,786    1,077    108,096    151,654    8,281    353    159,582 

Mortgage-backed securities

   51,910    818    77    52,651    34,175    623    25    34,773 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Totals

  $365,277   $15,902   $1,750   $379,429   $458,889   $26,364   $511   $484,742 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
 
  (in thousands) 

Available for Sale

        

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $47,217   $63   $499   $46,781 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   135,367    4,874    270    139,971 

Corporate securities

   100,230    1,228    347    101,111 

Mortgage-backed securities

   246,925    794    2,121    245,598 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Fixed maturities

   529,739    6,959    3,237    533,461 

Equity securities

   44,819    5,855    646    50,028 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Totals

  $574,558   $12,814   $3,883   $583,489 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

   Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 

Available for Sale

        

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $19,325   $128   $7   $19,446 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   57,178    1,990    3    59,165 

Corporate securities

   146,644    4,295    158    150,781 

Mortgage-backed securities

   327,645    2,902    838    329,709 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Totals

  $550,792   $9,315   $1,006   $559,101 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At September 30, 2017,2019, our holdings of obligations of states and political subdivisions included general obligation bonds with an aggregate fair value of $197.1$170.9 million and an amortized cost of $187.3$160.4 million. Our holdings at September 30, 20172019 also included special revenue bonds with an aggregate fair value of $90.5$84.9 million and an amortized cost of $84.9$78.4 million. With respect to both categories of those bonds at September 30, 2017,2019, we held no securities of any issuer that comprised more than 10% of our holdings of either bond category. Education bonds and water and sewer utility bonds represented 54%45% and 24%34%, respectively, of our total investments in special revenue bonds based on the carrying values of these investments at September 30, 2017.2019. Many of the issuers of the special revenue bonds we held at September 30, 20172019 have the authority to impose ad valorem taxes. In that respect, many of the special revenue bonds we held at September 30, 2017 were2019 are similar to general obligation bonds.

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of our fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31, 20162018 were as follows:

 

   Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 

Held to Maturity

  

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $61,382   $1,255   $674   $61,963 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   122,793    8,404    369    130,828 

Corporate securities

   91,555    1,172    1,678    91,049 

Mortgage-backed securities

   60,371    546    110    60,807 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Totals

  $336,101   $11,377   $2,831   $344,647 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
 
  (in thousands) 

Held to Maturity

        

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $76,222   $175   $1,087   $75,310 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   159,292    8,237    704    166,825 

Corporate securities

   127,010    396    4,391    123,015 

Mortgage-backed securities

   40,274    64    450    39,888 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Totals

  $402,798   $8,872   $6,632   $405,038 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
   Amortized Cost   Gross Unrealized
Gains
   Gross Unrealized
Losses
   Estimated Fair
Value
 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Available for Sale

                

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $39,094   $100   $606   $38,588   $45,188   $25   $1,003   $44,210 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   179,889    6,637    443    186,083    73,761    1,762    307    75,216 

Corporate securities

   87,715    662    921    87,456    140,689    203    3,059    137,833 

Mortgage-backed securities

   204,931    637    2,620    202,948    275,475    149    6,325    269,299 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Fixed maturities

   511,629    8,036    4,590    515,075 

Equity securities

   42,432    4,788    132    47,088 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Totals

  $554,061   $12,824   $4,722   $562,163   $535,113   $2,139   $10,694   $526,558 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

At December 31, 2016,2018, our holdings of obligations of states and political subdivisions included general obligation bonds with an aggregate fair value of $220.1$157.7 million and an amortized cost of $211.0$152.2 million. Our holdings at December 31, 2016 also included special revenue bonds with an aggregate fair value of $96.8$84.3 million and an amortized cost of $91.7$80.9 million. With respect to both categories of those bonds, at December 31, 2016, we held no securities of any issuer that comprised more than 10% of that category.category at December 31, 2018. Education bonds and water and sewer utility bonds represented 62%49% and 23%29%, respectively, of our total investments in special revenue bonds based on their carrying values at December 31, 2016.2018. Many of the issuers of the special revenue bonds we held at December 31, 20162018 have the authority to impose ad valorem taxes. In that respect, many of the special revenue bonds we held are similar to general obligation bonds.

We made reclassifications from available for sale to held to maturity of certain fixed maturities at fair value on November 30, 2013. We segregated within accumulated other comprehensive loss the net unrealized losses of $15.1 million arising prior to the November 30, 2013 reclassifications. We are amortizing this balance over the remaining life of the related securities as an adjustment to yield in a manner consistent with the accretion of discount on the same fixed maturities. We recorded amortization of $909,044$870,186 and $1.0 million$912,229 in other comprehensive income (loss) during the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. At September 30, 20172019 and December 31, 2016,2018, net unrealized losses of $10.1$7.8 million and $11.0$8.6 million, respectively, remained within accumulated other comprehensive loss.income (loss).

We show below the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our fixed maturities at September 30, 20172019 by contractual maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

   Amortized Cost   Estimated Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 

Held to maturity

    

Due in one year or less

  $22,801   $22,881 

Due after one year through five years

   72,894    75,680 

Due after five years through ten years

   179,648    189,376 

Due after ten years

   149,371    162,032 

Mortgage-backed securities

   34,175    34,773 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total held to maturity

  $458,889   $484,742 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Available for sale

    

Due in one year or less

  $16,975   $17,152 

Due after one year through five years

   90,226    92,564 

Due after five years through ten years

   100,580    103,705 

Due after ten years

   15,366    15,971 

Mortgage-backed securities

   327,645    329,709 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available for sale

  $550,792   $559,101 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The cost and estimated fair values of our equity securities at September 30, 2019 were as follows:

   Amortized Cost   Estimated
Fair Value
 
Held to maturity  (in thousands) 

Due in one year or less

  $6,681   $6,689 

Due after one year through five years

   52,418    53,656 

Due after five years through ten years

   139,103    143,566 

Due after ten years

   115,165    122,867 

Mortgage-backed securities

   51,910    52,651 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total held to maturity

  $365,277   $379,429 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Available for sale

    

Due in one year or less

  $54,276   $55,289 

Due after one year through five years

   94,106    95,647 

Due after five years through ten years

   110,187    111,712 

Due after ten years

   24,245    25,215 

Mortgage-backed securities

   246,925    245,598 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available for sale

  $529,739   $533,461 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Cost   Gross Gains   Gross Losses   Estimated Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 

Equity securities

  $43,407   $10,078   $1,386   $52,099 

The cost and estimated fair values of our equity securities at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

 

   Cost   Gross Gains   Gross Losses   Estimated Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 

Equity securities

  $40,943   $4,818   $2,094   $43,667 

Gross realizedinvestment gains and losses from investments before applicable income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 20162018 were as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2017   2016   2019   2018   2019   2018 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands)   (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Gross realized gains:

        

Gross investment gains:

        

Fixed maturities

  $107   $5   $479   $16 

Equity securities

   721    2,976    8,293    6,246 

Investment in affiliate

   —      —      12,662    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   828    2,981    21,434    6,262 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross investment losses:

        

Fixed maturities

  $87   $289   $138   $2,129    4    25    324    70 

Equity securities

   513    1,170    4,142    1,226    1,193    (508   1,816    2,130 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   600    1,459    4,280    3,355    1,197    (483   2,140    2,200 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross realized losses:

        

Fixed maturities

   39    22    69    280 

Equity securities

   —      419    3    870 

Net investment (losses) gains

  $(369  $3,464   $19,294   $4,062 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   39    441    72    1,150 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net realized gains

  $561   $1,018   $4,208   $2,205 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

We recognized $6.7 million of gains and $1.2 million of losses on equity securities we held at September 30, 2019 in net investment gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. We recognized $3.9 million of gains and $1.6 million of losses on equity securities held at September 30, 2018 in net investment gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at September 30, 20172019 as follows:

 

   Less Than 12 Months   More Than 12 Months 
   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses 
   (in thousands) 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $50,877   $865   $1,919   $78 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   19,651    366    4,601    56 

Corporate securities

   39,754    735    16,426    689 

Mortgage-backed securities

   176,141    1,677    16,653    521 

Equity securities

   4,678    475    766    171 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Totals

  $291,101   $4,118   $40,365   $1,515 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Less Than 12 Months   More Than 12 Months 
   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses 
   (in thousands) 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $3,466   $34   $6,429   $20 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   4,582    86    2,321    3 

Corporate securities

   14,152    179    25,113    332 

Mortgage-backed securities

   18,686    75    89,643    788 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Totals

  $40,886   $374   $123,506   $1,143 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We held fixed maturities and equity securities with unrealized losses representing declines that we considered temporary at December 31, 20162018 as follows:

 

  Less Than 12 Months   More Than 12 Months   Less Than 12 Months   More Than 12 Months 
  Fair Value   Unrealized Losses   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses   Fair Value   Unrealized Losses 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $37,730   $1,280   $—     $—     $26,342   $166   $54,900   $1,924 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   40,739    802    710    9    28,322    477    21,560    534 

Corporate securities

   80,181    2,127    4,707    472    149,270    4,483    59,397    2,968 

Mortgage-backed securities

   168,772    2,728    417    3    82,594    913    181,379    5,862 

Equity securities

   5,421    132    —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Totals

  $332,843   $7,069   $5,834   $484   $286,528   $6,039   $317,236   $11,288 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

We make estimates concerning the valuation of our investments and the recognition of other-than-temporary declines in the value of our investments. For equity securities, we write down the investment to itsmeasure investments at fair value, and we reflect the amount of the write-down as a realized lossrecognize changes in fair value in our results of operations when we consider the decline in value of an individual equity security investment to be other than temporary. We monitor all investments individually for other-than-temporary declines in value. Generally, we assume there has been an other-than-temporary decline in value if an individual equity security has depreciated in value by more than 20% of our original cost and has been in such an unrealized loss position for more than six months. We held seven equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these equity securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary.operations. With respect to a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position, we first assess if we intend to sell the debt security. If we determine we intend to sell the debt security, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we do not intend to sell the debt security, we determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we then evaluate whether a credit loss has occurred with respect to that security. We determine whether a credit loss has occurred by comparing the amortized cost of the debt security to the present value of the cash flows we expect to collect. If we expect a cash flow shortfall, we consider that a credit loss has occurred. If we determine that a credit loss has occurred, we consider the impairment to be other than temporary. We then recognize the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit loss in our results of operations, and we recognize the remaining portion of the impairment loss in our other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In addition, we may write down securities in an unrealized loss position based on a number of other factors, including when the fair value of an investment is significantly below its cost, when the financial condition of the issuer of a security has deteriorated, the occurrence of industry, issuer or geographic events that have negatively impacted the value of a security and rating agency downgrades. We held 232131 debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017.2019. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these debt securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary.

We amortize premiums and discounts on debt securities over the life of the security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. We compute realized investment gains and losses using the specific identification method.

We amortize premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed debt securities using anticipated prepayments.

Our investment in affiliate represents our 48.2% ownership interest in DFSC. We account for our investment in affiliate using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, we record our investment at cost, with adjustments for our share of DFSC’s earnings and losses as well as changes in the equity of DFSC due to unrealized gains and losses. We include our share of DFSC’s net income in our results of operations. We have compiled the following summary financial information for DFSC at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from the financial statements of DFSC. The financial information of DFSC at September 30, 2017 and 2016 and for the three and nine months then ended is unaudited.

Balance sheets:  September 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016
 
   (in thousands) 

Total assets

  $559,961   $535,590 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $478,455   $457,101 

Stockholders’ equity

   81,506    78,489 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $559,961   $535,590 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
Income statements:  2017   2016   2017   2016 
   (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Net income

  $837   $742   $2,122   $1,449 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

6—6 - Segment Information

We evaluate the performance of our personal lines and commercial lines segments based upon the underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries using statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) that various state insurance departments prescribe or permit. Our management uses SAP to measure the performance of our insurance subsidiaries instead of United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). SAP financial measures are considerednon-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because they include or exclude certain items that the most comparable GAAP financial measures do not ordinarily include or exclude. For more information about non-GAAP financial measures, we refer you to “Non-GAAP Information” under Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Financial data by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 20162018 is as follows:

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2019   2018 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Revenues:

        

Premiums earned:

        

Commercial lines

  $80,724   $75,571   $98,324   $84,251 

Personal lines

   96,560    91,239    91,497    103,410 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Premiums earned

   177,284    166,810    189,821    187,661 

Net investment income

   5,980    5,581    7,390    6,620 

Realized investment gains

   561    1,018 

Investment (losses) gains

   (369   3,464 

Equity in earnings of DFSC

   404    358    —      733 

Other

   1,487    1,544    1,168    1,426 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total revenues

  $185,716   $175,311   $198,010   $199,904 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes:

    

Income before income tax expense:

    

Underwriting income (loss):

        

Commercial lines

  $8,998   $3,701   $2,521   $2,125 

Personal lines

   (8,919   (5,861   (3,312   (12,210
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

SAP underwriting income (loss)

   79    (2,160

SAP underwriting loss

   (791   (10,085

GAAP adjustments

   644    788    (399   332 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

GAAP underwriting income (loss)

   723    (1,372

GAAP underwriting loss

   (1,190   (9,753

Net investment income

   5,980    5,581    7,390    6,620 

Realized investment gains

   561    1,018 

Investment (losses) gains

   (369   3,464 

Equity in earnings of DFSC

   404    358    —      733 

Other

   844    844    474    213 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

  $8,512   $6,429 

Income before income tax expense

  $6,305   $1,277 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2017   2016 
   (in thousands) 

Revenues:

    

Premiums earned:

    

Commercial lines

  $236,437   $218,405 

Personal lines

   285,018    268,823 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Premiums earned

   521,455    487,228 

Net investment income

   17,385    16,472 

Realized investment gains

   4,208    2,205 

Equity in earnings of DFSC

   1,023    699 

Other

   4,197    4,623 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  $548,268   $511,227 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes:

    

Underwriting income (loss):

    

Commercial lines

  $12,670   $14,118 

Personal lines

   (31,816   (6,953
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SAP underwriting (loss) income

   (19,146   7,165 

GAAP adjustments

   6,423    5,795 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAAP underwriting (loss) income

   (12,723   12,960 

Net investment income

   17,385    16,472 

Realized investment gains

   4,208    2,205 

Equity in earnings of DFSC

   1,023    699 

Other

   1,947    2,157 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

  $11,840   $34,493 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2019   2018 
   (in thousands) 

Revenues:

    

Premiums earned:

    

Commercial lines

  $284,593   $251,029 

Personal lines

   282,065    304,111 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Premiums earned

   566,658    555,140 

Net investment income

   21,728    19,341 

Investment gains

   19,294    4,062 

Equity in earnings of DFSC

   295    2,153 

Other

   3,538    4,326 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

  $611,513   $585,022 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):

    

Underwriting income (loss):

    

Commercial lines

  $4,946   $(17,935

Personal lines

   (10,077   (42,358
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SAP underwriting loss

   (5,131   (60,293

GAAP adjustments

   1,431    5,106 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

GAAP underwriting loss

   (3,700   (55,187

Net investment income

   21,728    19,341 

Investment gains

   19,294    4,062 

Equity in earnings of DFSC

   295    2,153 

Other

   1,070    1,040 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

  $38,687   $(28,591
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

7 - Borrowings

7—Borrowings

Lines of Credit

In July 2017,March 2019, we renewedterminated our existingprevious credit agreement with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (“M&T”) relatingand entered into a new credit agreement with M&T. The new credit agreement relates to a $60.0$30.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit. The line of credit expires in July 2020. We have the right to request a one-year extension of the credit agreement as of each anniversary date of the credit agreement. At September 30, 2017,2019, we had $34.0 million inno outstanding borrowings from M&T and had the ability to borrow an additional $26.0up to $30.0 million at interest rates equal to M&T’s current prime rate or the then currentthen-current LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. The interest rate on our outstanding borrowings from M&T is adjustable quarterly, and, at September 30, 2017, that interest rate was 3.49%. We pay a fee of 0.25%0.15% per annum on the loan commitment amount regardless of usage. The credit agreement requires our compliance with certain covenants. These covenants include minimum levels of our net worth, leverage ratio, statutory surplus and the A.M. Best ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. In addition, Atlantic States has guaranteed our payment obligations under the new credit agreement. We were in compliancecomplied with all requirements of the credit agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2019.

MICO is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Indianapolis. Through its membership, MICO has the ability to issue debt to the FHLB of Indianapolis in exchange for cash advances. MICO had no outstanding borrowings with the FHLB of Indianapolis at September 30, 2017. The table below presents the amount of FHLB of Indianapolis stock MICO purchased, collateral pledged and assets related to MICO’s membership in the FHLB of Indianapolis at September 30, 2017.

FHLB of Indianapolis stock purchased and owned

  $267,700 

Collateral pledged, at par (carrying value $2,753,427)

   2,850,000 

Borrowing capacity currently available

   2,623,990 

Atlantic States is a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh. Through its membership, Atlantic States has the ability to issue debt to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for cash advances. In August 2019, Atlantic States hadrepaid a variable-rate cash advance of $35.0 million that was due in March 2020 and issued debt to the FHLB of Pittsburgh in exchange for a fixed-rate cash advance of $35.0 million that was outstanding advances at September 30, 2017.2019. Atlantic States incurred apre-payment penalty of $176,000 related to the early repayment of its previous cash advance. The new cash advance carries a fixed interest rate on the advances was 1.25% at September 30, 2017.of 1.74% and is due in August 2024. The table below presents the amount of FHLB of Pittsburgh stock Atlantic States purchased, collateral pledged and assets related to Atlantic States’ membership in the FHLB of Pittsburgh at September 30, 2017.2019.

 

FHLB of Pittsburgh stock purchased and owned

  $1,599,700   $1,639,200 

Collateral pledged, at par (carrying value $37,989,459)

   38,391,248 

Collateral pledged, at par (carrying value $37,535,059)

   37,635,763 

Borrowing capacity currently available

   1,903,348    1,428,241 

Subordinated Debentures

Donegal Mutual holds a $5.0 million surplus note that MICO issued to increase MICO’s statutory surplus. The surplus note carries an interest rate of 5.00%, and any repayment of principal or payment of interest on the surplus note requires prior approval of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

8—8 - Share–Based Compensation

We measure all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, and use a fair-value-based method for the recording of related compensation expense in our consolidated statementsresults of income.operations. In determining the expense we record for stock options granted to directors and employees of our subsidiaries and affiliates, we estimate the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The significant assumptions we utilize in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model are the risk-free interest rate, the expected term, the dividend yield and the expected volatility.

We charged compensation expense related to our stock compensation plans against income before income taxes of $411,450$247,301 and $414,696$317,526 for the three months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, with a corresponding income tax benefit of $144,008$51,933 and $145,143,$66,680, respectively. We charged compensation expense related to our stock compensation plans against income before income taxes of $1.6$1.1 million and $2.0$1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, with a corresponding income tax benefit of $564,075$233,851 and $710,584,$285,578, respectively. At September 30, 2017,2019, we had $2.0$1.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share-based compensation granted under our stock compensation plans that we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 1.5 years.1.5years.

We received cash from option exercises under all stock compensation plans during the three months ended September 30, 20172019 and 20162018 of $765,127$772,969and 217,112, respectively. We realized actual tax benefits for the tax deductions related to those option exercises of $22,414and $2,516 for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and $3.7 million,2018, respectively. We received cash from option exercises under all stock compensation plans during the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 20162018 of $2.9$1.6 million and $7.8 million,$695,762, respectively. We realized actual tax benefits for the tax deductions related to those option exercises of $42,411 and $243,656 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We realized actual tax benefits for the tax deductions related to option exercises of $220,767 and $521,852$38,376and $21,319 for the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively.

9—9 - Fair Value Measurements

We account for financial assets using a framework that establishes a hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the inputs, or assumptions, we use in the determination of fair value, and we classify financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 – directly or indirectly observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices; and

Level 3 – unobservable inputs not corroborated by market data.

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, we use the quoted market price as fair value and include these investments in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify publicly-traded equity securities as Level 1. When quoted market prices in active markets are not available, we base fair values on quoted market prices of comparable instruments or price estimates we obtain from independent pricing services and include these investments in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify our fixed maturity investments as Level 2. Our fixed maturity investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate securities and mortgage-backed securities.

We present our investments inavailable-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of a security may differ from the amount that could be realized if we sold the security in a forced transaction. In addition, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid, increasing the potential that the estimated fair value does not reflect the price at which an actual transaction would occur. We utilize nationally recognized independent pricing services to estimate fair values or obtain market quotations for substantially all of our fixed maturity and equity investments. These pricing services utilize market quotations for fixed maturity and equity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. For fixed maturity securities that generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing services prepare estimates of fair value measurements based predominantly on observable market inputs. The pricing services do not use broker quotes in determining the fair values of our investments. Our investment personnel review the estimates of fair value the pricing services provide to determine ifverify that the estimates we obtain from the pricing services are representative of fair

values based upon our investment personnel’s general knowledge of the market, their research findings related to unusual fluctuations in value and their comparison of such values to execution prices for similar securities. Our investment personnel regularly monitor the market, current trading ranges for similar securities and the pricing of specific investments. Our investment personnel review all pricing estimates that we receive from the pricing services against their expectations with respect to pricing based on fair market curves, security ratings, interest rates, security types and recent trading activity. Our investment personnel periodically review documentation with respect to the pricing services’ pricing methodology that they obtain to determine if the primary pricing sources, market inputs and pricing frequency for various security types are reasonable. At September 30, 2017,2019, we received two estimates per security from the pricing services, and we priced substantially all of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments using those prices. In our review of the estimates the pricing services provided at September 30, 2017,2019, we did not identify any material discrepancies, and we did not make any adjustments to the estimates the pricing services provided.

We present our cash and short-term investments at estimated fair value. We classify these items as Level 1.

The carrying values we report in our balance sheet for premium receivables and reinsurance receivables and payables for premiums and paid losses and loss expenses approximate their fair values. The carrying amounts we report in our balance sheets for our subordinated debentures and borrowings under lines of credit approximate their fair values. We classify these items as Level 3.

We evaluate our assets and liabilities to determine the appropriate level at which to classify them for each reporting period.

The following table presents our fair value measurements for our investments inavailable-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at September 30, 2017:2019:

 

   Fair Value Measurements Using 
   Fair Value   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
   (in thousands) 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $46,781   $—     $46,781   $—   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   139,971    —      139,971    —   

Corporate securities

   101,111    —      101,111    —   

Mortgage-backed securities

   245,598    —      245,598    —   

Equity securities

   37,041    37,041    —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy

   570,502    37,041    533,461    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment measured at net asset value

   12,987    —      —      —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Totals

  $583,489   $37,041   $533,461   $—   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We did not transfer any investments between Levels 1 and 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

   Fair Value Measurements Using 
   Fair Value   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
       (in thousands)     

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $19,446   $—     $19,446   $—   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   59,165    —      59,165    —   

Corporate securities

   150,781    —      150,781    —   

Mortgage-backed securities

   329,709    —      329,709    —   

Equity securities

   52,099    49,746    2,353    —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy

  $611,200   $49,746   $561,454   $—   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table presents our fair value measurements for our investments inavailable-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31, 2016:2018:

 

  Fair Value Measurements Using   Fair Value Measurements Using 
  Fair Value   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Fair Value   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
  (in thousands)       (in thousands)     

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies

  $38,588   $—     $38,588   $—     $44,210   $—     $44,210   $—   

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

   186,083    —      186,083    —      75,216    —      75,216    —   

Corporate securities

   87,456    —      87,456    —      137,833    —      137,833    —   

Mortgage-backed securities

   202,948    —      202,948    —      269,299    —      269,299    —   

Equity securities

   35,922    35,922    —      —      30,675    28,351    2,324    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total investments in the fair value hierarchy

   550,997    35,922    515,075    —      557,233    28,351    528,882    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Investment measured at net asset value

   11,166    —      —      —      12,992    —      —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Totals

  $562,163   $35,922   $515,075   $—     $570,225   $28,351   $528,882   $—   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

10—

10 - Income Taxes

At September 30, 20172019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively, we had no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties. Tax years 20142016 through 20172018 remained open for examination at September 30, 2017.2019. We provide a valuation allowance when we believe it is more likely than not that we will not realize some portion of our tax assets. We established a valuation allowance of $440,778$264,467 related to a portion of the net operating loss carryforward of Le Mars at January 1, 2004.2004 and a valuation allowance of $8.1 million for our net state operating loss carryforward. We have determined that we are not required to establish a valuation allowance for our other deferred tax assets of $45.7$25.2 million and $43.1$32.4 million at September 30, 20172019 and December 31, 2016,2018, respectively, because it is more likely than not that we will realize these deferred tax assets through reversals of existing temporary differences, future taxable income and the implementation of tax planning strategies.

Our deferred tax assets include a net operating loss carryforward of $2.0$1.2 million related to Le Mars, which will begin to expire in 2020 if not previously utilized. This carryforward is subject to an annual limitation in the amount that we can use in any one year of approximately $376,000. Our deferred tax assets also include an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $7.4 million with an indefinite life.

11—11 - Liability for Losses and Loss Expenses

The establishment of an appropriate liability for losses and loss expenses is an inherently uncertain process, and we can provide no assurance that our insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will not exceed their loss and loss expense reserves and have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, frequency and extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries’ estimated future liabilities, because the historical conditions and events that serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for substantially all property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to increase their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods, and, in other periods, their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses have exceeded their actual liabilities for losses and loss expenses. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimate of their liability for losses and loss expenses generally reflect actual payments and their evaluation of information received subsequent to the prior reporting period.

We summarize activity in our insurance subsidiaries’ liability for losses and loss expenses as follows:

 

  Nine Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2019   2018 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Balance at January 1

  $606,665   $578,205   $814,665   $676,672 

Less reinsurance recoverable

   (259,147   (256,151   (339,267   (293,271
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net balance at January 1

   347,518    322,054    475,398    383,401 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Incurred related to:

        

Current year

   351,812    307,826    393,301    404,150 

Prior years

   5,014    2,121    (7,940   28,913 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total incurred

   356,826    309,947    385,361    433,063 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Paid related to:

        

Current year

   201,849    169,798    197,234    214,825 

Prior years

   133,587    122,162    157,691    140,806 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total paid

   335,436    291,960    354,925    355,631 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net balance at end of period

   368,908    340,041    505,834    460,833 

Plus reinsurance recoverable

   275,442    254,227    358,700    319,147 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance at end of period

  $644,350   $594,268   $864,534   $779,980 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Our insurance subsidiaries recognized ana (decrease) increase in their liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years of $5.0 million ($7.9 million)and $2.1$28.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Our insurance subsidiaries made no significant changes in their reserving philosophy key reserving assumptions or claims management personnel, and our insurance subsidiariesthey have made

no significant offsetting changes in estimates that increased or decreased their loss and loss expense reserves in those periods.years. The 20172019 development represented 1.4%1.7% of the December 31, 20162018 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business. The majority of the 2019 development related to decreases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Michigan. During the first quarter of 2018, our insurance subsidiaries received new information on previously-reported commercial automobile and personal automobile claims that led our insurance subsidiaries to conclude that their prior actuarial assumptions did not fully anticipate recent changes in severity and reporting trends. Our insurance subsidiaries have encountered increasing difficulties in projecting the ultimate severity of automobile losses over recent accident years, which our insurance subsidiaries attribute to worsening litigation trends and an increased delay in the reporting to our insurance subsidiaries of information with respect to the severity of claims. As a result, our insurance subsidiaries’ actuaries increased their projections of the ultimate cost of our insurance subsidiaries’ prior-year personal automobile and commercial automobile losses, and our insurance subsidiaries added $13.0 million to their reserves for personal automobile and $19.1 million to their reserves for commercial automobile for accident years prior to 2018 at September 30, 2018. The 2018 development represented 7.5% of the December 31, 2017 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-expected severity in the commercial multi-perilpersonal automobile and commercial automobile liability lines of business, offset by lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business, in accident years prior to 2017.2018. The majority of the 20172018 development related to increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Peninsula. The 2016 development represented 0.7% of the December 31, 2015 net carried reserves and resulted primarily from higher-than-expected severity in the commercial multi-peril and commercial automobile liability lines of business, offset by lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business, in accident years prior to 2016. The majority of the 2016 development related to increases in the liability for losses and loss expenses of prior years for Atlantic States and Peninsula.Southern.

Short-duration contracts are contracts for which our insurance subsidiaries receive premiums that they recognize as revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection our insurance subsidiaries provide. Our insurance subsidiaries consider the policies they issue to be short-duration contracts. We consider our insurance subsidiaries’the material lines of business of our insurance subsidiaries to be personal automobile, homeowners, commercial automobile, commercial multi-peril and workers’ compensation.

Our insurance subsidiaries determine incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves by subtracting the cumulative loss and loss expense amounts our insurance subsidiaries have paid and the case reserves our insurance subsidiaries have established at the balance sheet date from their actuaries’ estimate of the ultimate cost of losses and loss expenses. Accordingly, the IBNR reserves of our insurance subsidiaries include their actuaries’ projections of the cost of unreported claims as well as their actuaries’ projected development of case reserves on known claims and reopened claims. Our insurance subsidiaries’ methodology for estimating IBNR reserves has been in place for many years, and their actuaries made no significant changes to that methodology during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2019.

The actuaries for our insurance subsidiaries generally prepare an initial estimate for ultimate losses and loss expenses for the current accident year by multiplying earned premium by an expected loss ratio for each line of business our insurance subsidiaries write. Expected loss ratios represent the actuaries’ expectation of losses at the time our insurance subsidiaries price and write their policies and before the emergence of any actual claims experience. The actuaries determine an expected loss ratio by analyzing historical experience and adjusting for loss cost trends, loss frequency and severity trends, premium rate level changes, reported and paid loss emergence patterns and other known or observed factors.

The actuaries use a variety of actuarial methods to estimate the ultimate cost of losses and loss expenses. These methods include paid loss development, incurred loss development and the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method. The actuaries base their selection of a point estimate on a judgmental weighting of the estimates each of these methods produce.

The actuaries consider loss frequency and severity trends when they develop expected loss ratios and point estimates. Loss frequency is a measure of the number of claims per unit of insured exposure, and loss severity is a measure of the average size of claims. Factors that affect loss frequency include changes in weather patterns and economic activity. Factors that affect loss severity include changes in policy limits, reinsurance retentions, inflation rates and judicial interpretations.

Our insurance subsidiaries create a claim file when they receive notice of an actual demand for payment, an event that may lead to a demand for payment or when they otherwise determine that a demand for payment could potentially lead to a future demand for payment on another coverage under the same policy or another policy they have issued. In recent years, our insurance subsidiaries have noted an increase in the period of time between the occurrence of a casualty loss event and the date at which they receive notice of a liability claim. Changes in the length of time between the loss occurrence date and the claim reporting date affect the actuaries’ ability to predict loss frequency accurately and the amount of IBNR reserves our insurance subsidiaries require.

Our insurance subsidiaries generally create a claim file for a policy at the claimant level by type of coverage and generally recognize one count for each claim event. In certain lines of business where it is common for multiple parties to claim damages arising from a single claim event, our insurance subsidiaries recognize one count for each claimant involved in the event. Atlantic States recognizes one count for each claim event, or claimant involved in a multiple-party claim event, related to losses Atlantic States assumes through its participation in its pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual. Our insurance subsidiaries accumulate the claim counts and report them by line of business.

12—

12 - Impact of New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance that requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. While this guidance will replace most existing GAAP revenue recognition guidance, the scope of the guidance excludes insurance contracts. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or the cumulative effect transition method. Because the accounting for insurance contracts is outside of the scope of the standard, we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that generally requires entities to measure equity investments at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in their results of operations. This guidance also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring entities to perform a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. The FASB issued other disclosure and presentation improvements related to financial instruments within the guidance. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. As a result of this guidance, we will reflect changes in the fair value of our equity investments in our results of operations beginning January 1, 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize leases, including operating leases, on the lessee’s balance sheet, unless a lease is considered a short-term lease. This guidance also requires entities to make new judgments to identify leases. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and permits early adoption. We do not expect theOur adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies and improves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this guidanceJanuary 1, 2019 did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that amends previous guidance on the impairment of financial instruments by adding an impairment model that requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses as an allowance rather than impairments as credit losses are incurred. The intent of this guidance is to reduce complexity and result in a more timely recognition of expected credit losses. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the measurement of goodwill by modifying the goodwill impairment test previous guidance required. The guidance requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize impairment for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and permits early adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2017,August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that amends previousmodifies disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. The guidance onremoves the amortization periodrequirements to disclose the amounts of, and reasons for, certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. This new guidance shortens the amortization period to the earliest call date. The intenttransfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the newfair value hierarchy. The guidance is to align interest income recognition with the expectations incorporated in the market pricing on the underlying securities. The new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with2019 and permits early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017.adoption. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2019 did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

We recommend that you read the following information in conjunction with the historical financial information and the footnotes to that financial information we include in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q. We also recommend you read Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We combine our financial statements with those of our insurance subsidiaries and present our financial statements on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Our insurance subsidiaries make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts and disclosures we report in our financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to the reserves of our insurance subsidiaries for property and casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss expenses, the valuation of investments and the determination of other-than-temporary investment impairments and the policy acquisition costs of our insurance subsidiaries.expenses. While we believe our estimates and the estimates of our insurance subsidiaries are appropriate, the ultimate amounts of these liabilities may differ from the estimates we provided. We regularly review our methods for making these estimates and we reflect any adjustment we consider necessary in our current consolidated results of operations.

Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses

Liabilities for losses and loss expenses are estimates at a given point in time of the amounts an insurer expects to pay

with respect to incurred policyholder claims based on facts and circumstances the insurer knows at that point in time. At the time of establishing its estimates, an insurer recognizes that its ultimate liability for losses and loss expenses will exceed or be less than such estimates. Our insurance subsidiaries base their estimates of liabilities for losses and loss expenses on assumptions as to future loss trends, expected claims severity, judicial theories of liability and other factors. However, during the loss adjustment period, our insurance subsidiaries may learn additional facts regarding individual claims, and, consequently, it often becomes necessary for our insurance subsidiaries to refine and adjust their estimates for these liabilities. We reflect any adjustments to the liabilities for losses and loss expenses of our insurance subsidiaries in our consolidated results of operations in the period in which our insurance subsidiaries make adjustments to their estimates.

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain liabilities for the payment of losses and loss expenses with respect to both reported and unreported claims. Our insurance subsidiaries establish these liabilities for the purpose of covering the ultimate costs of settling all losses, including investigation and litigation costs. Our insurance subsidiaries base the amount of their liability for reported losses primarily upon acase-by-case evaluation of the type of risk involved, knowledge of the circumstances surrounding each claim and the insurance policy provisions relating to the type of loss the policyholder incurred. Our insurance subsidiaries determine the amount of their liability for unreported claims and loss expenses on the basis of historical information by line of insurance. Our insurance subsidiaries account for inflation in the reserving function through analysis of costs and trends and reviews of historical reserving results. Our insurance subsidiaries monitor their liabilities closely and recompute them periodically using new information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Our insurance subsidiaries do not discount their liabilities for losses and loss expenses.

Reserve estimates can change over time because of unexpected changes in assumptions related to our insurance

subsidiaries’ external environment and, to a lesser extent, assumptions related to our insurance subsidiaries’ internal operations. For example, our insurance subsidiaries have experienced a decreasean increase in claims frequencyseverity and a lengthening of the claim settlement periods on workers’ compensationbodily injury claims during the past several years while the severity of these claims has gradually increased.years. These trend changes give rise to greater uncertainty as to the pattern of future loss settlements on workers’ compensationbodily injury claims. Related uncertainties regarding future trends include the cost of medical technologies and procedures and changes in the utilization of medical procedures. Assumptions related to our insurance subsidiaries’ external environment include the absence of significant changes in tort law and the legal environment that increase liability exposure, consistency in judicial interpretations of insurance coverage and policy provisions and the rate of loss cost inflation. Internal assumptions include consistency in the recording of premium and loss statistics, consistency in the recording of claims, payment and case reserving methodology, accurate measurement of the impact of rate changes and changes in policy provisions, consistency in the quality and characteristics of business written within a given line of business and consistency in reinsurance coverage and collectability of reinsured losses, among other items. To the extent our insurance subsidiaries determine that underlying factors impacting their assumptions have changed, our insurance subsidiaries make adjustments in their reserves that they consider appropriate for such changes. Accordingly, our insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses will likely differ from the amount recorded at September 30, 2017.2019. For every 1% change in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimate for loss and loss expense reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable, the effect on ourpre-tax results of operations would be approximately $3.7$5.1 million.

The establishment of appropriate liabilities is an inherently uncertain process and we can provide no assurance that our

insurance subsidiaries’ ultimate liability will not exceed our insurance subsidiaries’ loss and loss expense reserves and have an

adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we cannot predict the timing, frequency and

extent of adjustments to our insurance subsidiaries’ estimated future liabilities, because the historical conditions and events that serve as a basis for our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of ultimate claim costs may change. As is the case for substantially all property and casualty insurance companies, our insurance subsidiaries have found it necessary in the past to increase their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses in certain periods and, in other periods, their estimated future liabilities for losses and loss expenses have exceeded their actual liabilities for losses and loss expenses. Changes in our insurance subsidiaries’ estimates of their liability for losses and loss expenses generally reflect actual payments and their evaluation of information received subsequent to the prior reporting period.

Excluding the impact of severe weather events, our insurance subsidiaries have noted stable amounts in the number of

claims incurred and a slight downward trend in the number of claims outstanding at period ends relative to their premium base in recent years across most

of their lines of business. However, the amount of the average claim outstanding has increased gradually over the past several

years due to various factors such as rising medical loss costs and increased litigation trends. We have also experienced a general slowing of settlement rates in litigated claims. Our insurance subsidiaries could have to make further adjustments to their estimates in the future. However, on the basis of our insurance subsidiaries’ internal procedures, which analyze, among other things, their prior assumptions, their experience with similar cases and historical trends such as reserving patterns, loss

payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and product mix, as well as court decisions, economic conditions and public

attitudes, we believe that our insurance subsidiaries have made adequate provision for their liability for losses and loss

expenses.

Atlantic States’ participation in the pool with Donegal Mutual exposes Atlantic States to adverse loss development on the business of Donegal Mutual that the pool includes. However, pooled business represents the predominant percentage of the net underwriting activity of both companies, and Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States share proportionately any adverse risk development relating to the pooled business. The business in the pool is homogeneous and each company has apro-rata share of the entire pool. Since the predominant percentage of the business of Atlantic States and Donegal Mutual is pooled and the results shared by each company according to its participation level under the terms of the pooling agreement, the intent of the underwriting pool is to produce a more uniform and stable underwriting result from year to year for each company than either would experience individually and to spread the risk of loss between the companies.

Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries operate together as the Donegal Insurance Group and share a combined business plan designed to achieve market penetration and underwriting profitability objectives. The products our insurance subsidiaries and Donegal Mutual offer are generally complementary, thereby allowing Donegal Insurance Group to offer a broader range of products to a given market and to expand Donegal Insurance Group’s ability to service an entire personal lines or commercial lines account. Distinctions within the products of Donegal Mutual and our insurance subsidiaries generally relate to specific risk profiles targeted within similar classes of business, such as preferred tier products compared to standard tier products, but we do not allocate all of the standard risk gradients to one company. Therefore, the underwriting profitability of the business the individual companies write directly will vary. However, because the pool homogenizes the risk characteristics of the predominant percentage of the business Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States write directly and each

company shares the underwriting results according to each company’s participation percentage, each company realizes its

percentage share of the underwriting results of the pool.

Our insurance subsidiaries’ unpaid liability for losses and loss expenses by major line of business at September 30, 20172019 and December 31, 20162018 consisted of the following:

 

  September 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016
   September 30,
2019
   December 31,
2018
 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Commercial lines:

        

Automobile

  $68,515   $58,615   $120,902   $106,734 

Workers’ compensation

   104,605    104,446    112,322    109,512 

Commercial multi-peril

   67,084    60,887    97,587    85,937 

Other

   3,640    3,868    9,398    5,207 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total commercial lines

   243,844    227,816    340,209    307,390 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Personal lines:

        

Automobile

   103,109    100,498    137,897    144,788 

Homeowners

   19,848    17,286    22,886    18,374 

Other

   2,107    1,918    4,842    4,846 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total personal lines

   125,064    119,702    165,625    168,008 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total commercial and personal lines

   368,908    347,518    505,834    475,398 

Plus reinsurance recoverable

   275,442    259,147    358,700    339,267 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses

  $644,350   $606,665   $864,534   $814,665 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

We have evaluated the effect on our insurance subsidiaries’ unpaid loss and loss expense reserves and our stockholders’ equity in the event of reasonably likely changes in the variables we consider in establishing the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries. We established the range of reasonably likely changes based on a review of changes in accident-year development by line of business and applied those changes to our insurance subsidiaries’ loss reserves as a whole. The range we selected does not necessarily indicate what could be the potential best or worst case or the

most likely scenario. The following table sets forth the estimated effect on our insurance subsidiaries’ unpaid loss and loss expense reserves and our stockholders’ equity in the event of reasonably likely changes in the variables we considered in establishing the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries:

 

Percentage Change in Loss

and Loss Expense

Reserves Net of

Reinsurance

 

Adjusted Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves Net of
Reinsurance at
September 30, 2017

 

Percentage Change
in Stockholders’ Equity at
September 30, 2017(1)

 

Adjusted Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves Net of
Reinsurance at

December 31, 2016

 

Percentage Change
in Stockholders’ Equity at
December 31, 2016(1)

(dollars in thousands)

(10.0)%

 $332,017 5.3% $312,766 5.1%

(7.5)

 341,240 4.0 321,454 3.9

(5.0)

 350,463 2.7 330,142 2.6

(2.5)

 359,685 1.3 338,830 1.3

Base

 368,908  347,518 —  

2.5

 378,131 (1.3) 356,206 (1.3)

5.0

 387,353 (2.7) 364,894 (2.6)

7.5

 396,576 (4.0) 373,582 (3.9)

10.0

 405,799 (5.3) 382,270 (5.1)
Percentage Change in Loss
and Loss Expense
Reserves Net of
Reinsurance
  Adjusted Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves
Net of Reinsurance at
September 30, 2019
   Percentage Change
in Stockholders’ Equity at

September 30, 2019(1)
  Adjusted Loss and Loss
Expense Reserves Net of
Reinsurance at
December 31, 2018
   Percentage Change
in Stockholders’ Equity at
December 31, 2018(1)
 
(dollars in thousands) 
 (10.0)%  $455,251    9.0 $427,858    9.4
 (7.5  467,896    6.8   439,743    7.1 
 (5.0  480,542    4.5   451,628    4.7 
 (2.5  493,188    2.3   463,513    2.4 
 Base   505,834    —     475,398    —   
 2.5   518,480    (2.3  487,283    (2.4
 5.0   531,126    (4.5  499,168    (4.7
 7.5   543,772    (6.8  511,053    (7.1
 10.0   556,417    (9.0  522,938    (9.4

 

(1)

Net of income tax effect.

Non-GAAP Information

We prepare our consolidated financial statements on the basis of GAAP. Our insurance subsidiaries also prepare financial statements based on statutory accounting principles state insurance regulators prescribe or permit (“SAP”). SAP financial measures are considerednon-GAAP financial measures under applicable SEC rules because the SAP financial measures include or exclude certain items that the most comparable GAAP financial measures do not ordinarily include or exclude. Our calculation ofnon-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures other companies use, so investors should exercise caution when comparing ournon-GAAP financial measures to thenon-GAAP financial measures other companies use.

Because our insurance subsidiaries do not prepare GAAP financial statements, we evaluate the performance of our personal lines and commercial lines segments utilizing SAP financial measures that reflect the growth trends and underwriting results of our insurance subsidiaries. The SAP financial measures we utilize are net premiums written and statutory combined ratio.

Net Premiums Written

We define net premiums written as the amount of full-term premiums our insurance subsidiaries record for policies effective within a given period less premiums our insurance subsidiaries cede to reinsurers. Net premiums earned is the most comparable GAAP financial measure to net premiums written. Net premiums earned represent the sum of the amount of net premiums written and the change in net unearned premiums during a given period. Our insurance subsidiaries earn premiums and recognize them as revenue over the terms of their policies, which are one year or less in duration. Therefore, increases or decreases in net premiums earned generally reflect increases or decreases in net premiums written in the preceding12-month period compared to the comparable period one year earlier.

The following table provides a reconciliation of our net premiums earned to our net premiums written for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016:2018:

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2017   2016   2017   2016   2019   2018   2019   2018 

Net premiums earned

  $177,284   $166,810   $521,455   $487,228   $189,821   $187,662   $566,658   $555,140 

Change in net unearned premiums

   5,194    5,138    36,296    33,030    (5,951   (3,144   14,930    20,583 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net premiums written

  $182,478   $171,948   $557,751   $520,258   $183,870   $184,518   $581,588   $575,723 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Statutory Combined Ratio

The combined ratio is a standard measurement of underwriting profitability for an insurance company. The combined ratio does not reflect investment income, net realized investment gains or losses, federal income taxes or othernon-operating income or expense. A combined ratio of less than 100% generally indicates underwriting profitability.

The statutory combined ratio is anon-GAAP financial measure that is based upon amounts determined under SAP. We calculate our statutory combined ratio as the sum of:

 

the statutory loss ratio, which is the ratio of calendar-year net incurred losses and loss expenses to net premiums earned;

 

the statutory expense ratio, which is the ratio of expenses incurred for net commissions, premium taxes and underwriting expenses to net premiums written; and

 

the statutory dividend ratio, which is the ratio of dividends to holders of workers’ compensation policies to net premiums earned.

The calculation of our statutory combined ratio differs from the calculation of our GAAP combined ratio. In calculating our GAAP combined ratio, we do not deduct installment payment fees from incurred expenses, and we base the expense ratio on net premiums earned instead of net premiums written. Differences between our GAAP loss ratio and our statutory loss ratio result from anticipating salvage and subrogation recoveries for our GAAP loss ratio but not for our statutory loss ratio.

Combined Ratios

The following table presents comparative details with respect to our GAAP and statutory combined ratios for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016:2018:

 

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 

GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)

     

Loss ratio (non-weather)

   54.2  59.6  58.2  57.5

Loss ratio (weather-related)

   10.3   7.0   10.2   6.1 

Expense ratio

   34.3   33.5   33.3   33.2 

Dividend ratio

   0.8   0.7   0.7   0.5 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Combined ratio

   99.6  100.8  102.4  97.3
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Statutory Combined Ratios

     

Commercial lines:

     

Automobile

   116.6  110.8  110.5  106.5

Workers’ compensation

   67.6   86.8   78.5   85.3 

Commercial multi-peril

   86.7   94.7   96.6   88.5 

Total commercial lines

   86.9   94.3   91.8   90.3 

Personal lines:

     

Automobile

   103.8   105.9   105.8   102.6 

Homeowners

   117.0   101.5   115.2   97.1 

Total personal lines

   107.5   103.6   108.2   99.9 

Total commercial and personal lines

   98.2   99.5   100.8   95.6 

Investments

We make estimates concerning the valuation of our investments and the recognition of other-than-temporary declines in the value of our investments. For equity securities, we write down an individual investment to its fair value and we reflect the amount of the write-down as a realized loss in our results of operations when we consider the decline in value of the individual investment to be other than temporary. We monitor all investments individually for other-than-temporary declines in value. Generally, we assume there has been an other-than-temporary decline in value if an individual equity security has depreciated in value by more than 20% of our original cost and has been in such an unrealized loss position for more than six months. We held seven equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these equity securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary. With respect to a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position, we first assess if we intend to sell the debt security. If we determine we intend to sell the debt security, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we do not intend to sell the debt security, we determine whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we recognize the impairment loss in our results of operations. If we determine it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell the debt security prior to recovery, we then evaluate whether a credit loss has occurred. We determine whether a credit loss has occurred by comparing the amortized cost of the debt security to the present value of the cash flows we expect to collect on the debt security. If we expect a cash flow shortfall, we consider that a credit loss has occurred. If we determine that a credit loss has occurred, we consider the impairment to be other than temporary. We then recognize the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit loss in our results of operations, and we recognize the remaining portion of the impairment loss in our other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In addition, we may write down securities in an unrealized loss position based on a number of other factors, including when the fair value of an investment is significantly below its cost, when the financial condition of the issuer of a security has deteriorated, the occurrence of industry, company or geographic events that have negatively impacted the value of a security or rating agency downgrades. We held 232 debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017. Based upon our analysis of general market conditions and underlying factors impacting these debt securities, we considered these declines in value to be temporary. We did not recognize any impairment losses in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.

We present our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities at estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of a security may differ from the amount we could realize if we sold the security in a forced transaction. In addition, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid, increasing the potential that the estimated fair value does not reflect the price at which an actual transaction would occur. We utilize nationally recognized independent pricing services to estimate fair values or obtain market quotations for substantially all of our fixed maturity and equity investments. The pricing services utilize market quotations for fixed maturity and equity securities that have quoted prices in active markets. For fixed maturity securities that generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing services prepare estimates of fair value measurements based predominantly on observable market inputs. The pricing services do not use broker quotes in determining the fair values of our investments. Our investment personnel review the estimates of fair value the pricing services provide to determine if the estimates we obtain from the pricing services are representative of fair values based upon the general market knowledge of our investment personnel, their research findings related to unusual fluctuations in value and their comparison of such values to execution prices for similar securities. Our investment personnel monitor the market and are familiar with current trading ranges for similar securities and pricing of specific investments. Our investment personnel review all pricing estimates that we receive from the pricing services against their expectations with respect to pricing based on fair market curves, security ratings, coupon rates, security types and recent trading activity. Our investment personnel review documentation with respect to the pricing services’ pricing methodology that they obtain periodically to determine if the primary pricing sources, market inputs and pricing frequency for various security types are reasonable. At September 30, 2017, we received two estimates per security from the pricing services, and we priced substantially all of our Level 1 and Level 2 investments using those prices. In our review of the estimates the pricing services provided at September 30, 2017, we did not identify any material discrepancies, and we did not make any adjustments to the estimates the pricing services provided.

Policy Acquisition Costs

Our insurance subsidiaries defer their policy acquisition costs, consisting primarily of commissions, premium taxes and certain other underwriting costs that relate directly to the successful acquisition of insurance policies. We amortize these costs over the period in which our insurance subsidiaries earn the related premiums. The method we follow in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This method gives effect to the premiums to be earned, related investment income, losses and loss expenses and certain other costs we expect to incur as our insurance subsidiaries earn the premiums.

   Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2019  2018  2019  2018 

GAAP Combined Ratios (Total Lines)

     

Loss ratio(non-weather)

   61.6  63.7  60.8  68.5

Loss ratio (weather-related)

   7.3   11.3   7.2   9.5 

Expense ratio

   30.5   29.6   31.5   31.3 

Dividend ratio

   1.2   0.6   1.2   0.6 
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Combined ratio

   100.6  105.2  100.7  109.9
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Statutory Combined Ratios

     

Commercial lines:

     

Automobile

   113.9  114.6  114.3  133.7

Workers’ compensation

   85.4   83.6   82.0   86.6 

Commercial multi-peril

   98.7   96.0   94.4   101.2 

Other

   76.6   94.2   79.3   64.9 

Total commercial lines

   97.9   97.6   95.8   104.5 

Personal lines:

     

Automobile

   103.3   115.8   103.9   114.5 

Homeowners

   109.4   110.3   106.0   112.0 

Other

   73.6   63.5   77.7   94.9 

Total personal lines

   103.9   111.5   103.3   113.0 

Total commercial and personal lines

   100.8   105.2   99.5   109.0 

Results of Operations—Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 20172019 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 20162018

Net Premiums Earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums earned for the third quarter of 20172019 were $177.3$189.8 million, an increase of $10.5$2.1 million, or 6.3%1.2%, compared to $166.8$187.7 million for the third quarter of 2016,2018, reflecting increases in net premiums written during 20172019 and 2016.2018.

Net Premiums Written. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums written for the three months ended September 30, 20172019 were $182.5$183.9 million, an increasea decrease of $10.5 million,$647,897, or 6.1%0.4%, from the $171.9$184.5 million of net premiums written for the third quarter of 2016. We attribute the increase primarily to the impact of premium rate increases and an increase in the writing of new accounts in both personal and commercial lines of business. Personal2018. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $7.2$11.0 million, or 7.3%13.2%, for the third quarter of 20172019 compared to the third quarter of 2016. We attribute the increase in personal lines primarily to an increase in new business and premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries implemented throughout 2016 and 2017. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $3.3 million, or 4.6%, for the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.2018. We attribute the increase in commercial lines primarily to premium rate increases throughout 2018 and 2019, increased writings of new commercial accounts.accounts and lower reinsurance premiums. Personal lines net premiums written decreased $11.7 million, or 11.6%, for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018. We attribute the decrease in personal lines primarily to net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries have implemented to slow new policy growth and to increase pricing on renewal policies, as well as the previously announcednon-renewal of unprofitable personal lines business in seven states that began in February 2019, partially offset by premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past five quarters and lower reinsurance premiums.

Investment Income. Our net investment income increased to $6.0$7.4 million for the third quarter of 2017,2019, compared to $5.6$6.6 million for the third quarter of 2016.2018. We attribute the increase primarily to an increase in average invested assets.

Net Realized Investment (Losses) Gains. Net realizedinvestment losses for the third quarter of 2019 were $369,041, compared to net investment gains of $3.5 million for the third quarter of 2018. The net investment losses for the third quarter of 2019 resulted primarily from unrealized losses within our equity securities portfolio. The net investment gains for the third quarter of 2017 were $561,429, compared to $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2016. The net realized investment gains for the third quarter of 20172018 resulted primarily from strategic sales of equity securities within our investment portfolio and unrealized gains within a limited partnership that invests inour equity securities. The net realized investment gains for the third quarter of 2016 resulted primarily from calls and strategic sales of fixed maturities and equity securities within our investment portfolio. We did not recognize any impairment losses in our investment portfolio during the third quarters of 2017 or 2016.

Equity in Earnings of DFSC. Our equity in the earnings of DFSC was $403,647 for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $357,956 for the third quarter of 2016. We attribute the increase in DFSC’s earnings primarily to higher net interest income related to loan portfolio growth that DFSC achieved during 2017.2019 or 2018.

Losses and Loss Expenses. Our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio, which is the ratio of incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, for the third quarter of 20172019 was 64.5%68.9%, a decrease from our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio of 66.6%75.0% for the third quarter of 2016.2018. Weather-related losses of $13.9 million for the third quarter of 2019, or 7.3 percentage points of the loss ratio, decreased from $21.2 million for the third quarter of 2018, or 11.3 percentage points of the loss ratio. On a statutory basis, our insurance subsidiaries’ commercial lines loss ratio was 54.0%65.2% for the third quarter of 2017,2019, compared to 62.5%67.5% for the third quarter of 2016,2018, primarily due to decreases in the commercial multi-perilautomobile and workers’ compensation loss ratios. The personal lines statutory loss ratio of our insurance subsidiaries increaseddecreased to 73.7%73.4% for the third quarter of 2017,2019, compared to 70.4%81.8% for the third quarter of 2016.2018. We attribute this increasedecrease primarily to an increasea decrease in the homeownerspersonal automobile loss ratio. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced favorable loss reserve development in their reserves for prior accident years of approximately $3.4$1.0 million during the third quarter of 2017, compared to favorable2019. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced adverse loss reserve development of approximately $1.6$2.7 million during the third quarter of 2016. The development occurred primarily from lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business, offset by higher-than-expected severity in the commercial multi-peril and commercial automobile liability lines of business, in accident years prior to 2017.2018.

Underwriting Expenses. The expense ratio for an insurance company is the ratio of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to premiums earned. The expense ratio of our insurance subsidiaries was 34.3%30.5% for the third quarter of 2017,2019, compared to 33.5%29.6% for the third quarter of 2016.2018. We attribute the increase to higher underwriting-based incentivesincentive costs for the third quarter of 20172019 compared to the third quarter of 2016.2018.

Policyholder Dividends. Our insurance subsidiaries pay policyholder dividends primarily on workers’ compensation policies on a sliding scale based on the profitability of a given policy. We attribute the increase in dividends incurred for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 to growth and profitability of the workers’ compensation line of business over the respective periods to which the dividends applied. We also partially attribute the increase to growth in workers’ compensation writings in Wisconsin, a state in which our insurance subsidiaries and their competitors pay a higher rate of dividends compared to other states and where such dividends are not dependent on the profitability of a given policy.

Combined Ratio. The combined ratio represents the sum of the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the dividend ratio, which is the ratio of policyholder dividends incurred to premiums earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ combined ratios were 99.6%100.6% and 100.8%105.2% for the three monthsthird quarters ended September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. We attribute the decrease in the combined ratio to a decrease in the loss ratio for the third quarter of 20172019 compared to the third quarter of 2016.2018.

Interest Expense. Our interest expense for the third quarter of 20172019 was $466,262,$443,179, compared to $473,917$651,768 for the third quarter of 2016. We2018.We attribute the decrease to lower average borrowings under our lines of credit during the third quarter of 20172019 compared to the third quarter of 2016.2018, partially offset by apre-payment penalty of $176,000 related to Atlantic States’ early repayment of a cash advance with the FHLB of Pittsburgh.

Income Taxes. IncomeWe recorded income tax expense was $1.4of $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2017,2019, representing an effective tax rate of 16.5%17.7%. IncomeWe recorded an income tax benefit of $70,630for the third quarter of 2018 based upon an estimated carryback of our taxable loss in 2018 to prior tax years. The income tax expense was $1.6 millionand effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2016, representing an effective tax rate of 25.1% . The effective tax rate in both periods2019 represented an estimate based on our projected annual taxable income. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily due to tax-exempt interest income representing a larger proportion of income before income tax expense during the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Net Income and EarningsIncome Per Share. Our net income for the third quarter of 20172019 was $7.1$5.2 million, or $.26 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, and $.24 per share of Class B common stock, compared to net income of $4.8 million, or $.18 per$.18per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.16 per share of Class B common stock, compared to $1.2 million, or $.04 per share of Class A common stock and $.04 per share of Class B common stock, for the third quarter of 2016.2018. We had 21.823.0 million and 21.222.7 million Class A shares outstanding at September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. We had 5.6 million Class B shares outstanding at the end of both periods.

Results of Operations—Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 20172019 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 20162018

Net Premiums Earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums earned for the first nine months of 20172019 were $521.5$566.7 million, an increase of $34.3$11.6 million, or 7.0%2.1%, compared to $487.2$555.1 million for the first nine months of 2016,2018, reflecting increases in net premiums written during 20172019 and 2016.2018.

Net Premiums Written. Our insurance subsidiaries’ net premiums written for the first nine months ended September 30, 2017of 2019 were $557.8$581.6 million, an increase of $37.5$5.9 million, or 7.2%1.0%, from the $520.3$575.7 million of net premiums written for the first nine months of 2016. We attribute the increase primarily to the impact of premium rate increases and an increase in the writing of new accounts in both personal and commercial lines of business. Personal2018. Commercial lines net premiums written increased $22.3$36.2 million, or 7.9%13.1%, for the first nine months of 20172019 compared to the first nine months of 2016.2018. We attribute the increase in commercial lines primarily to an increase in new business and premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries implemented throughout 20162018 and 2017. Commercial2019, increased writings of new commercial accounts and lower reinsurance premiums. Personal lines net premiums written increased $15.2decreased $30.3 million, or 6.4%10.1%, for the first nine months of 20172019 compared to the first nine months of 2016.2018. We attribute the increasedecrease in personal lines primarily to net attrition as a result of underwriting measures our insurance subsidiaries have implemented to slow new policy growth and to increase pricing on renewal policies, as well as the previously announcednon-renewal of unprofitable personal lines business in seven states that began in February 2019, partially offset by premium rate increases our insurance subsidiaries have implemented over the past five quarters and increased writings of new commercial accounts.lower reinsurance premiums.

Investment Income. Our net investment income increased to $17.4$21.7 million for the first nine months of 2017,2019, compared to $16.5$19.3 million for the first nine months of 2016.2018. We attribute the increase primarily to an increase in average invested assets.

Net Realized Investment Gains. Net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 20172019 were $4.2$19.3 million, compared to $2.2$4.1 million for the first nine months of 2016.2018. The net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 2017 resulted primarily2019 included $12.7 million from strategic salesthe sale of equity securities within our investment portfolioDFSC and $5.5 million related to unrealized gains within a limited partnership that invests inour equity securities.securities portfolio. The net realized investment gains for the first nine months of 20162018 resulted primarily from calls and strategic sales of fixed maturities andunrealized gains within our equity securities within our investment portfolio. We did not recognize any impairment losses in our investment portfolio during the first nine months of 20172019 or 2016.

Equity in Earnings of DFSC. Our equity in the earnings of DFSC was $1.0 million for the first nine months of 2017, compared to $698,658 for the first nine months of 2016. We attribute the increase in DFSC’s earnings primarily to higher net interest income related to loan portfolio growth that DFSC achieved during 2017.2018.

Losses and Loss Expenses. Our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio, which is the ratio of incurred losses and loss expenses to premiums earned, for the first nine months of 20172019 was 68.4%68.0%, an increasea decrease from our insurance subsidiaries’ loss ratio of 63.6%78.0% for the first nine months of 2016. We attribute this increase primarily to an increase in weather-related2018. Weather-related losses for the first nine months of 2017 to $53.0 million, compared to $29.8$40.6 million for the first nine months of 2016.2019, or 7.2 percentage points of the loss ratio, decreased from $52.5 million for the first nine months of 2018, or 9.5 percentage points of the loss ratio. On a statutory basis, our insurance subsidiaries’ commercial lines loss ratio was 60.4%63.2% for the first nine months of 2017,2019, compared to 59.4%74.1% for the first nine months of 2016,2018, primarily due to an increasedecreases in the commercial multi-perilautomobile, workers’ compensation and commercial automobilemultiple-peril loss ratios. The personal lines statutory loss ratio of our insurance subsidiaries increaseddecreased to 75.4%72.7% for the first nine months of 2017,2019, compared to 67.2%81.8% for the first nine months of 2016,2018. We attribute this decrease primarily due to an increasedecreases in the homeownerspersonal automobile and personal automobilehomeowners loss ratios. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced unfavorablefavorable loss reserve development in their reserves for prior accident years of approximately $5.0$7.9 million during the first nine months of 2017, compared to2019. Our insurance subsidiaries experienced adverse loss reserve development of approximately $2.1$28.9 million during the first nine months of 2016. The development occurred primarily from higher-than-expected severity in the commercial multi-peril and commercial automobile liability lines of business, offset by lower-than-expected severity in the workers’ compensation line of business, in accident years prior to 2017.2018.

Underwriting Expenses. The expense ratio for an insurance company is the ratio of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to premiums earned. The expense ratio of our insurance subsidiaries was 33.3%31.5% for the first nine months of 2017,2019, compared to 33.2%31.3% for the first nine months of 2016.2018.

Policyholder Dividends. Our insurance subsidiaries pay policyholder dividends primarily on workers’ compensation policies on a sliding scale based on the profitability of a given policy. We attribute the increase in dividends incurred for the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018 to growth and profitability of the workers’ compensation line of business over the respective periods to which the dividends applied. We also partially attribute the increase to growth in workers’ compensation writings in Wisconsin, a state in which our insurance subsidiaries and their competitors pay a higher rate of dividends compared to other states and where such dividends are not dependent on the profitability of a given policy.

Combined Ratio. The combined ratio represents the sum of the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the dividend ratio, which is the ratio of policyholder dividends incurred to premiums earned. Our insurance subsidiaries’ combined ratios were 102.4%100.7% and 97.3%109.9% for the first nine months ended September 30, 2017of 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. We attribute the increasedecrease in the combined ratio to an increasea decrease in the loss ratio for the first nine months of 20172019 compared to the first nine months of 2016.2018.

Interest Expense. Our interest expense for the first nine months of 20172019 was $1.2$1.3 million, compared to $1.3$1.7 million for the first nine months of 2016. We2018.We attribute the decrease primarily to lower average borrowings under our lines of credit during the first nine months of 20172019 compared to the first nine months of 2016.2018.

Income Taxes. IncomeWe recorded income tax expense was $1.9of $5.7 million for the first nine months of 2017,2019, representing an effective tax rate of 16.4%, compared14.7%. We recorded an income tax benefit of $10.8 millionfor the first nine months of 2018 based upon an estimated carryback of our taxable loss in 2018 to prior tax years. The income tax expense of $9.2 millionand effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2016, representing an effective tax rate of 26.8% . The effective tax rate in both periods2019 represented an estimate based on our projected annual taxable income. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily due to tax-exempt interest income representing a larger proportion of income before income tax expenseestimate for the first nine months of 2017 compared2019 included income tax expense associated with the gain we realized on the sale of DFSC, which was partially offset by an accounting tax benefit with respect to a tax deduction that applies to a portion of the dividend we received from DFSC prior to the first nine monthsclosing of 2016.the sale.

Net Income (Loss) and EarningsIncome (Loss) Per Share. Our net income for the first nine months of 20172019 was $9.9$33.0 million, or $.36 per$1.17per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis and $.33$1.06 per share of Class B common stock, compared to a net incomeloss of $25.2$17.8 million, or $.95$.64 per share of Class A common stock on a diluted basis, and $.88$.59 per share of Class B common stock, for the first nine months of 2016.2018. We had 21.823.0 million and 21.222.7 million Class A shares outstanding at September 30, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. We had 5.6 million Class B shares outstanding at the end of both periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of an entity’s ability to secure enough cash to meet its contractual obligations and operating needs as such obligations and needs arise. Our major sources of funds from operations are the net cash flows we generate from our insurance subsidiaries’ underwriting results, investment income and investment maturities.

Our operations have historically generated sufficient net positive cash flow to fund our commitments and add to our investment portfolio, thereby increasing future investment returns and enhancing our liquidity. The impact of the pooling agreement between Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States has historically been cash-flow positive because of the consistent underwriting profitability of the pool. Donegal Mutual and Atlantic States settle their respective obligations to each other under the pool monthly, thereby resulting in cash flows substantially similar to the cash flows that would result from each company writing the business directly. We have not experienced any unusual variations in the timing of claim payments associated with the loss reserves of our insurance subsidiaries. We maintain significant liquidity in our investment portfolio in the form of readily marketable fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments. We structure our fixed-maturity investment portfolio following a “laddering” approach, so that projected cash flows from investment income and principal maturities are evenly distributed from a timing perspective, thereby providing an additional measure of liquidity to meet our obligations should an unexpected variation occur in the future. Our operating activities provided net cash flows in the first nine months of 20172019 and 20162018 of $62.7$48.4 million and $46.3$59.9 million, respectively.

At September 30, 2017,2019, we had $34.0 million inno outstanding borrowings under our line of credit with M&T and had the ability to borrow an additional $26.0up to $30.0 million at interest rates equal to M&T’s current prime rate or the then current LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. The interest rate on these borrowings was 3.49% at.At September 30, 2017. At September 30, 2017,2019, Atlantic States had $35.0 million in outstanding advances with the FHLB of Pittsburgh. The interest rate on these advances was 1.25%1.74% at September 30, 2017.2019.

The following table shows our expected payments for significant contractual obligations at September 30, 2017:2019:

 

  Total   Less than 1 year   1-3 years   4-5 years   After 5 years   Total   Less than 1 year   1-3 years   4-5 years   After 5 years 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

Net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses of our insurance subsidiaries

  $368,908   $171,591   $169,326   $13,835   $14,156   $505,834   $234,446   $237,036   $18,341   $16,011 

Subordinated debentures

   5,000    —      —      —      5,000    5,000    —      —      —      5,000 

Borrowings under lines of credit

   69,000    35,000    34,000    —      —      35,000    —      —      35,000    —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total contractual obligations

  $442,908   $206,591   $203,326   $13,835   $19,156   $545,834   $234,446   $237,036   $53,341   $21,011 
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

We estimate the date of payment for the net liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses of our insurance subsidiaries based on historical experience and expectations of future payment patterns. We show the liability net of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses to reflect expected future cash flows related to such liability. Amounts Atlantic States assumes pursuant to the pooling agreement with Donegal Mutual represent a substantial portion of our insurance subsidiaries’ gross liability for unpaid losses and loss expenses, and amounts Atlantic States cedes pursuant to the pooling agreement represent a substantial portion of our insurance subsidiaries’ reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses. We include cash settlement of Atlantic States’ assumed liability from the pool in monthly settlements of pooled activity, as we net amounts ceded to and assumed from the pool. Although Donegal Mutual and we do not anticipate any changes in the pool participation levels in the foreseeable future, any such change would be prospective in nature and therefore would not impact the timing of expected payments by Atlantic States for its percentage share of pooled losses occurring in periods prior to the effective date of such change.

We discuss in Note 7 – Borrowings our estimate of the timing of the amounts payable for the borrowings under our lines of credit based on their contractual maturities. The borrowings under our lines of credit carry interest rates that vary as we discuss in Note 7 – Borrowings. Based upon the interest rates in effect at September 30, 2017, our annual interest cost associated with the borrowings under our lines of credit is approximately $1.8 million. For every 1% change in the interest rate associated with the borrowings under our lines of credit, the effect on our annual interest cost would be approximately $690,000.

We discuss in Note 7 – Borrowings our estimate of the timing of the amounts payable for the subordinated debentures based on their contractual maturity. The subordinated debentures carry an interest rate of 5%, and any repayment of principal or payment of interest on the subordinated debentures requires prior approval of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Our annual interest cost associated with the subordinated debentures is $250,000.

On July 18, 2013, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase program pursuant to which we have the authority to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our Class A common stock at prices prevailing from time to time in the open market subject to the provisions of applicable rules of the SEC and in privately negotiated transactions. We did not purchase any shares of our Class A common stock under this program during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .2019 or 2018. We have purchased a total of 57,658 shares of our Class A common stock under this program from its inception through September 30, 2017.2019.

On October 19, 2017,17, 2019, our board of directors declared quarterly cash dividends of 1414.5 cents per share of our Class A common stock and 12.25 cents12.75cents per share of our Class B common stock, payable on November 15, 20172019 to our stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 1, 2017.2019. We are not subject to any restrictions on our payment of dividends to our stockholders, although there are state law restrictions on the payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries to us. Dividends from our insurance subsidiaries are our principal source of cash for payment of dividends to our stockholders. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that restrict the payment of dividends from statutory surplus and may require prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. Our insurance subsidiaries are also subject to risk based capital (“RBC”) requirements that limit their ability to pay dividends to us. Our insurance subsidiaries’ statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 20162018 exceeded the amount of statutory capital and surplus necessary to satisfy regulatory requirements, including the RBC requirements, by a significant margin. Our insurance subsidiaries paid $9.0$4.0 million in dividends to us during the first nine months of 2017.2019. Amounts remaining available for distribution to us as dividends from our insurance subsidiaries without prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities in 20172019 are $20.3$15.4 million from Atlantic States, $1.8$4.5 million from Southern, $2.6$2.0 million from Le Mars, $1.6$1.7 million from Peninsula, $643,035$1.7 million from Sheboygan and $3.0$5.6 million from MICO, or a total of approximately $29.9$30.9 million.

At September 30, 2017,2019, we had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Equity Price Risk

Our portfolio of marketable equity securities, which we carry on our consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value, has exposure to the risk of loss resulting from an adverse change in prices. We manage this risk by having our investment personnel perform an analysis of prospective investments and regular reviews of our portfolio of equity securities.

Credit Risk

Our portfolio of fixed-maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, our portfolio of short-term investments is subject to credit risk, which we define as the potential loss in market value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay its debt. We manage this risk by having our investment personnel perform an analysis of prospective investments and regular reviews of our portfolio of fixed-maturity securities. We also limit the percentage and amount of our total investment portfolio that we invest in the securities of any one issuer.

Our insurance subsidiaries provide property and casualty insurance coverages through independent insurance agencies. We bill the majority of this business directly to the insured, although we bill a portion of our commercial business through licensed insurance agents to whom our insurance subsidiaries extend credit in the normal course of business.

Because the pooling agreement does not relieve Atlantic States of primary liability as the originating insurer, Atlantic States is subject to a concentration of credit risk arising from the business it cedes to Donegal Mutual. Our insurance subsidiaries maintain reinsurance agreements with Donegal Mutual and with a number of other major unaffiliated authorized reinsurers.

Impact of Inflation

We establish property and casualty insurance premium rates before we know the amount of unpaid losses and loss expenses or the extent to which inflation may impact such losses and expenses. Consequently, our insurance subsidiaries attempt, in establishing rates, to anticipate the potential impact of inflation.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Our market risk generally represents the risk of gain or loss that may result from the potential change in the fair value of the securities we hold in our investment portfolio as a result of fluctuations in prices and interest rates and, to a lesser extent, our debt obligations. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an appropriate relationship between the average duration of our investment portfolio and the approximate duration of our liabilities, i.e., policy claims of our insurance subsidiaries and our debt obligations.

There have been no material changes to our quantitative or qualitative market risk exposure from December 31, 20162018 through September 30, 2017.2019.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules13a-15(e) and15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, at September 30, 2017,2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, and our disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information we disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter covered by this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect materially, our internal control over financial reporting.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

We base all statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q that are not historic facts on our current expectations. Such statements are forward-looking in nature (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and necessarily involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements we make may be identified by our use of words such as “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Our actual results could vary materially from our forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause our actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements we have previously made include, but are not limited to, adverse and catastrophic weather events, our ability to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the loss and loss expense reserves of our insurance subsidiaries, the availability and successful operation of the information technology systems our insurance subsidiaries utilize, the successful development of new information technology systems to allow our insurance subsidiaries to compete effectively, business and economic conditions in the areas in which we and our insurance subsidiaries operate, interest rates, competition from various insurance and other financial businesses, terrorism, the availability and cost of reinsurance, legal and judicial developments, adverse litigation and other industry trends that could increase our loss costs, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in our A.M. Best rating, our ability to integrate and manage successfully the companies we may acquire from time to time and the other risks that we describe from time to time in our filings with the SEC. We disclaim any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that we may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our business, results of operations and financial condition, and, therefore, the value of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock, are subject to a number of risks. For a description of certain risks, we refer to “Risk Factors” in our 20162018 Annual Report on Form10-K that we filed with the SEC on March 10, 2017.14, 2019. There have been no material changes in the risk factors we disclosed in that Form10-K Report during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2019.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Removed and Reserved.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

Exhibit 31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.1  Statement of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code
Exhibit 32.2  Statement of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code
Exhibit 101.INS  XBRL Instance Document
Exhibit 101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
Exhibit 101.PRE  XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.CAL  XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
Exhibit 101.DEF  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

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.

 

  DONEGAL GROUP INC.
November 7, 20178, 2019  By: 

/s/ Kevin G. Burke

   Kevin G. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer
November 7, 20178, 2019  By: 

/s/ Jeffrey D. Miller

   

Jeffrey D. Miller, Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

 

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