ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 0-06334
AssuranceAmerica Corporation
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
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Nevada
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87-0281240 |
(State of Incorporation)
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(IRS Employer ID Number) |
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5500 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 600
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30328 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(770) 952-0200
(Issuers telephone number, including area code)
Check whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or 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 þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated
filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
o Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ
There were 61,402,971 shares of the Registrants $.01 par value Common Stock outstanding as of
May 1, 2007, and 324,000 shares of the Registrants $.01 par value Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock (Preferred Stock) outstanding as of May 1, 2007.
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
Index to Form 10-Q
Page 2 of 26
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
(Unaudited) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
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March 31, 2007 |
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December 31, 2006 |
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Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
4,413,853 |
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$ |
8,185,539 |
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Short-term investments |
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126,013 |
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619,843 |
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Long-term investments, available for sale at fair value |
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15,122,892 |
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10,446,830 |
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Marketable equity securities |
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2,086,278 |
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2,055,983 |
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Other securities |
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155,000 |
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155,000 |
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Investment income due and accrued |
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188,083 |
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117,363 |
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Receivable from insureds |
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26,143,609 |
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18,707,773 |
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Reinsurance recoverable (including $7,956,888 and $5,130,845 on paid losses) |
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26,950,095 |
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22,563,990 |
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Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
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20,217,416 |
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14,012,481 |
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Deferred acquisition costs |
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1,256,031 |
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800,125 |
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Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $2,356,022 and $2,136,512) |
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2,482,864 |
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2,481,660 |
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Other receivables |
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2,706,241 |
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585,999 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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719,603 |
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273,733 |
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Intangibles (net of accumulated amortization of $1,934,581 and $1,824,334) |
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11,420,272 |
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11,114,882 |
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Security deposits |
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79,216 |
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74,140 |
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Prepaid income tax |
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209,464 |
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668,677 |
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Deferred tax assets |
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2,469,967 |
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2,506,503 |
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Other assets |
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371,131 |
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374,365 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
117,118,028 |
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$ |
95,744,886 |
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Liabilities and stockholders equity |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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$ |
5,769,361 |
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$ |
5,039,900 |
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Unearned premium |
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29,853,803 |
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20,614,781 |
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Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses |
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27,148,611 |
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24,904,492 |
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Reinsurance payable |
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24,714,214 |
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16,744,406 |
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Provisional commission reserve |
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2,812,444 |
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2,319,540 |
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Debt, related party |
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5,638,040 |
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5,797,122 |
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Junior subordinated debentures payable |
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4,963,519 |
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4,961,852 |
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Capital lease obligations |
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244,566 |
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265,670 |
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Total liabilities |
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101,144,558 |
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80,647,763 |
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Minority interest |
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6,012 |
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Commitments and contingencies |
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Stockholders equity |
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Common stock, .01 par value (authorized 120,000,000, outstanding 56,642,971 and 56,072,971) |
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566,429 |
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560,730 |
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Preferred stock, .01 par value (authorized 5,000,000, outstanding 800,000 and 840,000;
liquidation preference $4,000,000 and $4,200,000) |
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8,000 |
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8,400 |
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Surplus-paid in |
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16,659,444 |
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16,426,292 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(1,309,584 |
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(1,948,711 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income: |
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Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities, net of taxes |
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43,169 |
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50,412 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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15,967,458 |
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15,097,123 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
117,118,028 |
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$ |
95,744,886 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Page 3 of 26
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
(Unaudited) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
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Three Months |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Revenue: |
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Gross premiums written |
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$ |
26,505,097 |
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$ |
19,460,734 |
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Gross premiums ceded |
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(17,923,795 |
) |
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(13,165,429 |
) |
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Net premiums written |
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8,581,302 |
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6,295,305 |
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Increase in unearned premiums,
net of prepaid reinsurance premiums |
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(3,034,087 |
) |
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(1,188,445 |
) |
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Net premiums earned |
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5,547,215 |
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5,106,860 |
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Commission income |
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6,724,565 |
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7,367,806 |
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Managing general agent fees |
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2,574,961 |
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2,546,505 |
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Net investment income |
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180,650 |
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151,015 |
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Net investment gains on securities |
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1,797 |
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Other fee income |
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138,616 |
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204,764 |
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Total revenue |
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15,167,804 |
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15,376,950 |
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Expenses: |
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Losses and loss adjustment expenses |
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4,105,632 |
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3,978,178 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses |
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9,190,827 |
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9,628,477 |
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Stock option expense |
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126,352 |
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70,400 |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
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329,757 |
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217,084 |
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Interest expense |
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262,979 |
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284,658 |
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Total operating expenses |
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14,015,547 |
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14,178,797 |
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Income before provision for income tax expense |
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1,152,257 |
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1,198,153 |
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Income tax provision |
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507,121 |
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401,582 |
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Net income before minority interest |
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645,136 |
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796,571 |
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Minority interest |
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6,012 |
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Net income |
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639,124 |
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796,571 |
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Dividends on preferred stock |
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126,600 |
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Net income attributable to common stockholders |
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$ |
639,124 |
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$ |
669,971 |
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Earnings per common share |
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Basic |
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0.011 |
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0.013 |
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Diluted |
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0.010 |
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0.012 |
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Weighted average shares outstanding-basic |
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56,286,971 |
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51,647,321 |
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Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted |
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65,697,312 |
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66,100,226 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Page 4 of 26
ASSURANCEAMERICA
CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Net income |
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$ |
639,124 |
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$ |
669,971 |
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Other comprehensive income (loss): |
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Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments arising
during the period |
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(11,588 |
) |
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(32,272 |
) |
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) on above changes |
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4,345 |
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12,102 |
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Other comprehensive income (loss) |
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(7,243 |
) |
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(20,170 |
) |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
631,881 |
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$ |
649,801 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Page 5 of 26
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
(Unaudited) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
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2007 |
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2006 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income |
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$ |
639,124 |
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$ |
796,571 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities, net of effect of agency acquisitions: |
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Net investment gains on securities |
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(1,797 |
) |
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Minority interests |
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6,012 |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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331,424 |
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218,751 |
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Stock-based compensation |
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126,352 |
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70,400 |
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Deferred tax provision |
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40,883 |
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401,582 |
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Changes in assets and liabilities: |
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Investment income due and accrued |
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(70,720 |
) |
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(45,563 |
) |
Receivables |
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(9,556,078 |
) |
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(5,314,162 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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(447,710 |
) |
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(72,851 |
) |
Unearned premiums |
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9,239,022 |
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3,533,791 |
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Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses |
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2,244,119 |
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3,869,713 |
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Ceded reinsurance payable |
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7,969,808 |
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1,769,965 |
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Reinsurance recoverable |
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(4,386,105 |
) |
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(3,125,743 |
) |
Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
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(6,204,935 |
) |
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(2,345,346 |
) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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728,223 |
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(1,063,901 |
) |
Prepaid income taxes |
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|
459,213 |
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Deferred acquisition costs |
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(455,906 |
) |
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|
91,144 |
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Provisional commission reserve |
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492,904 |
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362,049 |
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Net cash provided (used) by operating activities, net of effect of agency
acquisitions |
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1,153,833 |
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(853,600 |
) |
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Cash flows from investing activities, net of effect of agency acquisitions: |
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Purchases of property and equipment, net |
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(220,714 |
) |
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(314,969 |
) |
Proceeds from sales, call and maturities of investments |
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272,287 |
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|
24,245 |
|
Purchases of investments |
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(4,494,606 |
) |
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(992,355 |
) |
Cash paid for acquisition of agencies, net of cash acquired |
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(300,000 |
) |
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(554,741 |
) |
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Net cash used by investing activities, net of effect of agency acquisitions |
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(4,743,033 |
) |
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(1,837,820 |
) |
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Cash flows from financing activities, net of effect of agency acquisitions: |
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Repayments of notes payable |
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(273,482 |
) |
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(315,542 |
) |
Repayments on capital lease obligation |
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(21,104 |
) |
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(11,894 |
) |
Stock issued |
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112,100 |
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|
348,750 |
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Net cash (used) provided by financing activities, net of effect of agency
acquisitions: |
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(182,486 |
) |
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|
21,314 |
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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|
(3,771,686 |
) |
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|
(2,670,106 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
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|
8,185,539 |
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|
8,668,827 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
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$ |
4,413,853 |
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|
$ |
5,998,721 |
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|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Page 6 of 26
ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2007 and 2006
(1) |
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Description of Business |
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AssuranceAmerica Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the Company) is an insurance holding
company whose business is comprised of AssuranceAmerica Insurance Company (AAIC),
AssuranceAmerica Managing General Agency, LLC (MGA) and TrustWay Insurance Agencies, LLC
(TrustWay), each wholly-owned. The Company solicits and underwrites nonstandard private
passenger automobile insurance. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. |
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(2) |
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
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Basis of Consolidation and Presentation |
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The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q
and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Such financial statements do not include all of the
information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America for complete financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments
(consisting solely of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation have been
included in the accompanying financial statements. Certain items in prior period financial
statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. For further
information, please refer to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing in the Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2006. |
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Estimates |
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|
A discussion of our significant accounting policies and the use of estimates is included in the
notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Financial Statements for
the year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the 2006
Form 10-KSB. |
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|
Current-Year Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements |
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|
On January 1, 2007, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation (FIN)
No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
This Interpretation required us to develop a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for
the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be
taken in a tax return. Additional information regarding the adoption of FIN No. 48 is included in
Note 5 to these Consolidated Financial Statements. |
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(3) |
|
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses |
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|
The estimated liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) include the
accumulation of estimates for losses for claims reported prior to the balance sheet dates (case
reserves), estimates (based upon actuarial analysis of historical data) of losses for claims
incurred but not reported (IBNR) and for the development of case reserves to ultimate values,
and estimates of expenses for investigating, adjusting and settling all incurred claims. Amounts
reported are estimates of the ultimate costs of settlement, net of estimated salvage and
subrogation. These estimated liabilities are subject to the outcome of future events, such as
changes in medical and repair costs as well as economic and social conditions that impact the
settlement of claims. Management believes that, given the inherent variability in any such
estimates, the aggregate reserves are within a reasonable and acceptable range of adequacy. The
methods of making such estimates and for establishing the resulting reserves are reviewed and
updated quarterly and any resulting adjustments are reflected in current operations. |
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|
A summary of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance ceded, is as follows: |
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|
|
|
March 31, 2007 |
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
Case basis |
|
$ |
3,754,178 |
|
|
$ |
3,510,978 |
|
IBNR |
|
|
4,401,226 |
|
|
|
3,960,369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total |
|
$ |
8,155,404 |
|
|
$ |
7,471,347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Page 7 of 26
(4) |
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Reinsurance |
|
|
|
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce its overall risk levels by
obtaining reinsurance from other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. Reinsurance premiums and
reserves on reinsured business are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in
accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. |
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|
|
Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The
Company periodically reviews the financial condition of its reinsurers to minimize its exposure
to losses from reinsurer insolvencies. |
|
|
|
Reinsurance assets include balances due from other insurance companies under the terms of
reinsurance agreements. Amounts applicable to ceded unearned premiums, ceded loss payments and
ceded claims liabilities are reported as assets in the accompanying balance sheets. The Company
believes the fair value of its reinsurance recoverables approximates their carrying amounts. |
|
|
|
The impact of reinsurance on the statements of operations for the period ended March 31 is as
follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Premiums written: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct |
|
$ |
26,151,772 |
|
|
$ |
19,289,626 |
|
Assumed |
|
|
353,325 |
|
|
|
171,108 |
|
Ceded |
|
|
17,923,795 |
|
|
|
13,165,429 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
$ |
8,581,302 |
|
|
$ |
6,295,305 |
|
Premiums earned: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct |
|
$ |
17,141,155 |
|
|
$ |
15,858,513 |
|
Assumed |
|
|
124,920 |
|
|
|
68,430 |
|
Ceded |
|
|
11,718,860 |
|
|
|
10,820,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
$ |
5,547,215 |
|
|
$ |
5,106,860 |
|
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct |
|
$ |
13,607,443 |
|
|
$ |
13,286,350 |
|
Assumed |
|
|
13,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ceded |
|
|
9,515,017 |
|
|
|
9,308,172 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
$ |
4,105,632 |
|
|
$ |
3,978,178 |
|
|
|
The impact of reinsurance on the balance sheets as of March 31 is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2007 |
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct |
|
$ |
27,145,611 |
|
|
$ |
24,904,492 |
|
Assumed |
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ceded |
|
|
18,993,207 |
|
|
|
17,433,145 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
$ |
8,155,404 |
|
|
$ |
7,471,347 |
|
Unearned premiums: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct |
|
$ |
29,510,484 |
|
|
$ |
20,499,867 |
|
Assumed |
|
|
343,319 |
|
|
|
114,914 |
|
Ceded |
|
|
20,217,416 |
|
|
|
14,012,481 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
$ |
9,636,387 |
|
|
$ |
6,602,300 |
|
|
|
The Company received $4,660,187 in commissions on premiums ceded during the three month period
ended March 31, 2007. Had all of the Companys reinsurance agreements been cancelled at March
31, 2007, the Company would have returned $5,256,528 in reinsurance commissions to its reinsurers
and its reinsurers would have returned $20,217,416 in unearned premiums to the Company. |
|
(5) |
|
Income Taxes |
|
|
|
The provision for federal and state income taxes for the periods ended March 31 are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Current |
|
$ |
466,238 |
|
|
$ |
433,487 |
|
Deferred |
|
|
40,883 |
|
|
|
(31,905 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
507,121 |
|
|
$ |
401,582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 8 of 26
|
|
On July 13, 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB 109. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in
income taxes recognized in a companys financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement
attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with FIN 48
is a two-step process. The Company must determine whether it is more-likely-then-not that a tax
position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or
litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position
has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company should presume that the
position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority. A tax position that meets the
more-likely-than-not threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than
50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adopted the provisions
of FIN 48 with respect to all of our tax positions as of January 1, 2007. The cumulative effect
of applying FIN 48 would have been reported as an adjustment in the opening balance of retained
earnings at January 1, 2007. We have determined the impact of adopting FIN 48 to be immaterial. |
|
|
|
The Company classifies interest on income tax related balances as interest expense and classifies
tax related penalties as operating expense. To date, the Company has not incurred any tax
related interest or penalties. |
|
(6) |
|
Capital Stock |
|
|
|
Preferred Stock |
|
|
|
The series A convertible stock pays a cumulative semi-annual dividend of $0.20 per share. Each
outstanding share of preferred stock is convertible into ten shares of common stock automatically
two years from the date of issuance, or at any time prior to such automatic conversion at the
Holders request, and has the voting rights of 10 common shares. The outstanding preferred stock
will automatically convert, if not converted sooner, at various times during 2007 with the last
automatic conversion scheduled for May 24, 2007. During the first three months of 2007, 40,000
shares of preferred stock converted to 400,000 shares of common stock. |
|
|
|
Common Stock |
|
|
|
During the first three months of 2006, the Company issued 600,000 shares of common stock, $0.01
par value, through a private placement. During the first three months of 2007, 40,000 shares of
preferred stock converted to 400,000 shares of common stock. |
|
|
|
Stock-Based Compensation |
|
|
|
The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March
31, 2007 and March 31, 2006, using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, was $0.8633 and
$0.7093, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months
ended March 31, 2007 was $39,000. No options were exercised during the three month period ended
March 31, 2006. |
|
|
|
Total compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements recognized for the three month
period ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006 was $126,352 and $70,400, respectively. The fair
value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton
option-pricing model using the assumptions noted in the following table. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2007 |
|
March 31, 2006 |
Expected volatility |
|
|
107% - 120 |
% |
|
|
117% - 119 |
% |
Weighted average volatility |
|
|
108% |
|
|
|
118% |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
2.00% - 2.50 |
% |
|
|
1.90% - 2.00 |
% |
Expected term (in years) |
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
Page 9 of 26
|
|
A summary of all stock option activity during the three months ending March 31 follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Number of |
|
Average |
|
Number of |
|
Average |
Options Outstanding |
|
Shares |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Shares |
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
|
January 1 |
|
|
5,347,225 |
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
|
|
4,215,628 |
|
|
$ |
0.97 |
|
Add (deduct): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
$ |
1.06 |
|
|
|
1,132,315 |
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
Exercised |
|
|
(50,000 |
) |
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(416,750 |
) |
|
$ |
0.78 |
|
|
|
(239,500 |
) |
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
Expired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,000 |
) |
|
$ |
5.50 |
|
|
|
|
March 31 |
|
|
5,210,475 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
|
|
5,100,443 |
|
|
$ |
0.95 |
|
Exercisable, March 31 |
|
|
1,445,195 |
|
|
$ |
0.74 |
|
|
|
1,033,818 |
|
|
$ |
1.89 |
|
(7) |
|
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
Contractual Commitments |
|
|
|
The Company leases office space for its corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia under a
12-year lease that commenced on May 1, 2003. The Company leases retail office space at various
locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama under short to medium term commercial leases. The
Company also leases office equipment for use in its various locations. Rent expense for
long-term leases with predetermined minimum rental escalations is recognized on a straight-line
basis, and the difference between the recognized rental expense and amounts payable under the
leases, or deferred rent, is included in other liabilities. The Company also a software license
agreement with terms greater than one year. |
|
|
|
The Company also has contractual commitments in association with long-term debt owed to current
and former owners of the Company and in connection with a Junior Subordinated Debentures issued
in December 2005. Please refer to Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, as
December 31, 2006 for additional information about the long term debt arrangements. |
|
|
|
Minimum amounts due under the Companys noncancelable commitments at March 31, 2007 are as
follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Debt |
|
Operating Lease |
|
Capital Lease |
|
|
Payments due by period |
|
Obligations |
|
Obligations |
|
Obligations |
|
Total |
|
Less than 1 year |
|
$ |
1,791,377 |
|
|
$ |
1,391,147 |
|
|
$ |
104,632 |
|
|
$ |
3,287,156 |
|
1-3 years |
|
|
3,846,663 |
|
|
|
2,541,059 |
|
|
|
162,786 |
|
|
|
6,550,508 |
|
4-5 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,226,576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,226,576 |
|
More than 5 years |
|
|
4,963,519 |
|
|
|
1,352,797 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,316,316 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
10,601,559 |
|
|
$ |
6,511,579 |
|
|
|
267,418 |
|
|
|
17,380,556 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less amount representing interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,852 |
) |
|
|
(22,852 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of minimum lease payments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
244,566 |
|
|
$ |
17,357,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined Contribution Plan |
|
|
|
The Companys employees participate in the AssuranceAmerica 401(k) defined contribution
retirement plan. Under the plan, the Company can elect to make discretionary contributions.
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company elected to match 25% of employee contributions up to 4% of
gross earnings. Matching contributions during the first three months of 2007 totaled $9,138. The
Company did not make contributions in 2006. The eligibility requirements are 21 years of age, 6
months of service and full time employment. |
|
(8) |
|
Net Income Per Share |
|
|
|
Basic and diluted income per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares not included in the calculations
of net income per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, because their
inclusion would be anti-dilutive, are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
141,918 |
|
Stock options |
|
|
1,806,400 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,806,400 |
|
|
|
311,918 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 10 of 26
|
|
The reconciliation of the amounts used in the computation of both basic earnings per share and
diluted earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are as
follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Shares |
|
|
Per Share |
|
|
|
Net Income |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Amount |
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2007: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income basic |
|
$ |
639,124 |
|
|
|
56,286,971 |
|
|
|
0.011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of common shares issued upon conversion of preferred |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of dilutive stock warrants and options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,410,341 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income diluted |
|
$ |
639,124 |
|
|
|
65,697,312 |
|
|
|
0.010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2006: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income basic |
|
$ |
669,971 |
|
|
|
51,647,321 |
|
|
|
0.013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of common shares issued upon conversion of preferred |
|
|
126,600 |
|
|
|
12,660,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of dilutive stock warrants and options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,792,905 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income diluted |
|
$ |
796,571 |
|
|
|
66,100,226 |
|
|
|
0.012 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9) |
|
Supplemental Cash Flow Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Cash paid during the three months ended March 31: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ |
262,979 |
|
|
$ |
284,658 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
7,025 |
|
|
|
64,250 |
|
|
|
The Company recorded net unrealized gains on investment securities during 2007 in the amount of
$43,169, net of taxes and unrealized losses on investment securities in the amount of $20,170,
net of taxes, for the three month period ended March 31, 2006. |
|
|
|
On January 16, 2006 the Company purchased the assets of Tampa No-Fault Insurance Agency, Inc. As
part of the purchase agreement, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $283,333. |
|
|
|
On January 27, 2006, the Company acquired The Insurance Center, Inc. As part of the purchase
agreement, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $1,900,000. |
|
|
|
On January 3, 2007, the Company purchased the assets of Frontline Insurance Group, LLC. As part
of the purchase agreement, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of $114,400. |
|
(10) |
|
Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
|
|
|
The Company periodically reviews recent accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Emerging Issues
Task Force and Staff Accounting Bulletins issued by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission to determine the potential impact on the Companys financial statements. Based on its
most recent review, the Company has determined that the majority of these recently issued
accounting standards either do not apply to the Company or will not have a material impact on its
financial statements. |
|
|
|
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 159 (SFAS No. 159), The Fair Value for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilitiesincluding an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. This statement permits entities to
choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective
is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate
volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently
without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is expected to expand
the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASBs long-term measurement
objective for accounting for financial instruments. This statement is effective as of the
beginning of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is
permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007,
provided the entity also elects to apply SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. The Company
expects to adopt this standard beginning January 1, 2008. The financial statement impact is being
evaluated, however, it is not expected to be material to the Companys financial position,
results of operations or disclosures. |
Page 11 of 26
(11) |
|
Segment Reporting |
|
|
|
The Companys subsidiaries are each unique operating entities performing a separate business
function. AAIC, a property and casualty insurance company focuses on writing nonstandard
automobile business in the states of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South
Carolina and Texas. MGA markets AAICs policies through more than 1,500 independent agencies in
these states. MGA provides all of the underwriting, accounting, product management, legal,
policyholder administration and claims functions for AAIC and for an unaffiliated insurer that in
2005 retained the non-standard automobile insurance policies produced by MGA in Florida. MGA
receives various fees related to insurance transactions that vary according to state insurance
laws and regulations. TrustWay is comprised of 47 retail insurance agencies that focus on
selling nonstandard automobile policies and related coverages in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
TrustWay receives commissions and various fees associated with the sale of the products and
services from its appointing insurance carriers. |
|
|
|
The Company evaluates profitability based on pretax income. Pretax income for each segment is
defined as the revenues less the segments operating expenses including depreciation,
amortization and interest. |
|
|
|
Following are the operating results for the Companys various segments and an overview of segment
assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in thousands) |
|
MGA |
|
TrustWay |
|
AAIC |
|
Company |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
FIRST QUARTER 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External customer |
|
|
7,532 |
|
|
|
1,906 |
|
|
|
5,730 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,168 |
|
Intersegment |
|
|
2,031 |
|
|
|
1,532 |
|
|
|
916 |
|
|
|
743 |
|
|
|
(5,222 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment pretax income(loss) |
|
|
331 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
865 |
|
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,152 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets |
|
|
7,730 |
|
|
|
12,020 |
|
|
|
95,986 |
|
|
|
24,716 |
|
|
|
(23,334 |
) |
|
|
117,118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ in thousands) |
|
MGA |
|
TrustWay |
|
AAIC |
|
Company |
|
Eliminations |
|
Consolidated |
|
FIRST QUARTER 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
External customer |
|
|
7,278 |
|
|
|
2,842 |
|
|
|
5,252 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,377 |
|
Intersegment |
|
|
1,567 |
|
|
|
906 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
(3,694 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment pretax income(loss) |
|
|
980 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
(269 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,198 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets |
|
|
5,211 |
|
|
|
15,098 |
|
|
|
63,891 |
|
|
|
21,461 |
|
|
|
(22,083 |
) |
|
|
83,578 |
|
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Financial Condition
Investments and cash as of March 31, 2007, increased $0.5 million from investments and cash of
$21.6 million as of December 31, 2006. The increase was due in part to $1.2 million in cash and
income generated through operating activities. The increase was offset by $0.3 million used to
purchase the assets of Frontline Insurance Group, LLC on January 3, 2007. The Company issued new
promissory notes in connection with this acquisition in the amount of $0.1 million. The Companys
investments of $17.5 million are primarily in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury as well as
those securities unconditionally guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest by the
United States government or any agency thereof and in high-quality corporate and municipal bonds of
Georgia-based issuers. The Companys investment activities are made in accordance with the
Companys Investment Policy. The objectives of the investment policy are to obtain favorable
after-tax returns on investments through a diversified portfolio of fixed income, equity and real
estate holdings. The Companys investment criteria and practices reflect the short-term duration
of its contractual obligations with policyholders and regulators. Tax considerations include
federal and state income tax as well as premium tax abatement and credit opportunities offered to
insurance companies in the states where AAIC writes policies.
Premiums receivable as of March 31, 2007, increased $7.4 million to $26.1 million compared to
December 31, 2006. The balance represents amounts due from AAICs insureds and the increase is
directly attributable to the increase in AAICs premium writings during the first quarter of 2007.
The Companys policy is to write off receivable balances immediately upon cancellation or
expiration, and the Company does not consider an allowance for doubtful accounts to be necessary.
Page 12 of 26
Reinsurance recoverable as of March 31, 2007, increased $4.4 million, to $27.0 million
compared to December 31, 2006. The increase is directly related to AAICs continued growth. AAIC
maintains a quota-share reinsurance treaty with its reinsurers in which it cedes 70% of both
premiums and losses. The $27.0 million represents the reinsurers portion of losses and loss
adjustment expense, both paid and unpaid. All amounts are considered current.
Prepaid reinsurance premiums as of March 31, 2007, increased $6.2 million to $20.2 million
compared to December 31, 2006. The increase results from AAICs continued growth, and represents
premiums ceded to its reinsurers which have not been fully earned.
Deferred acquisition costs as of March 31, 2007 increased $0.5 million to $1.3 million
compared to December 31, 2006. The increase resulted from AAICs continued growth. The amount
represents agents commissions and other variable expenses associated with acquiring the insurance
policies that are being deferred to coincide with the earnings of the related policy premiums.
Other receivables as of March 31, 2007 increased $2.1 million to $2.7 million compared to
December 31, 2006. The balances represent TrustWay receivables from insurance carriers for direct
bill commissions and balances due to the MGA from insurance carriers for amounts owed in accordance
with the terms of its managing general agency agreements. The change in the TrustWay receivables
is directly attributable to the increase in direct bill commissions from carriers and related
increased premium produced during the first quarter of 2007. The increase in the MGA receivables
is directly attributable to increases in business placed by the MGA in the states of Florida and
Texas on behalf of a two non-affiliated insurers.
Intangible assets as of March 31, 2007, increased $0.3 million to $11.4 million from the
balance of $11.1 million as of December 31, 2006. This increase is directly related to the
Companys acquisition of the assets of an Alabama insurance agency, less amortization of
identifiable intangible assets for the first quarter of 2007.
Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of March 31, 2007, increased $0.7 million from
December 31, 2006 to $5.8 million. $1.9 million of the balance represents the Companys liability
for premium taxes, an increase of $0.7 million from December 31, 2006.
Unearned premium as of March 31, 2007 increased $9.2 million to $29.9 million from December
31, 2006, and represents premiums written but not earned. This is directly attributable to the
increase in AAICs premium writings during the first quarter of 2007.
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses increased $2.2 million to $27.1 million as of March
31, 2007 from $24.9 million at December 31, 2006. This amount represents managements estimates of
future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses and the increase correlates with the
increase in AAICs writings and anticipated future losses.
Reinsurance payable as of March 31, 2007 increased $8.0 million to $24.7 million,
compared to the balance at December 31, 2006. The amount represents premiums owed to the Companys
reinsurers. AAIC maintains a quota-share reinsurance treaty with its reinsurers in which it cedes
70% of both premiums and losses. The increase is directly attributable to the increase in AAICs
premium writings during the first quarter of 2007.
Provisional commission reserves represent the difference between our minimum ceding commission
and the provisional amount paid by the reinsurers. These balances as of March 31, 2007 increased
$0.5 million to $2.8 million, compared to the balance at December 31, 2006. The increase is
related to increases in AAIC writings during the first quarter of 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was $1.2
million compared to net cash used by operating activities of $0.9 million for the same period of
2006.
Investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 consisted of the purchase of
leasehold improvements and property and equipment in the amount of $0.2 million in our headquarters
and in TrustWay; the purchase of an Alabama agency during the first quarter and $4.2 million in
purchases of investments in compliance with various Departments of Insurance requirements for
issuance of Certificates of Authority and general investment policies of the Company.
Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2007 included the issuance of common
stock resulting in additional capital of $0.1 million. Debt repayments for the three months ended
March 31, 2007 were $0.3 million and the Company issued one promissory notes in connection with the
acquisition of an agency in an amount of $0.1 million.
The Companys liquidity and capital needs have been met in the past through premium,
commission and fee income, loans from its Chairman, its Chief Executive Officer, a former Division
President of the Company and a current Division President of the Company and issuance of its Series
A Convertible Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Debt Securities. The Companys
Page 13 of 26
related party debt consists of unsecured promissory notes payable to its Chairman, its Chief
Executive Officer, a former Division President of the Company and a current Division President of
the Company. The promissory notes carry an interest rate of 8% per annum and provide for the
repayment of principal on an annual basis. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company issued
600,000 shares of its Common Stock for an aggregate consideration of $390,000. On December 22,
2005, the Company, through a newly-formed Delaware statutory trust, AssuranceAmerica Capital Trust
I (the Trust), consummated the private placement of 5,000 of the Trusts floating rate capital
securities, with a liquidation amount of $1,000 per capital security (the Capital Securities).
In connection with the Trusts issuance and sale of the Capital Securities, the Company purchased
from the Trust 155 of the Trusts floating rate common securities, with a liquidation amount of
$1,000 per common security (the Common Securities). The Trust used the proceeds from the
issuance and sale of the Capital Securities and the Common Securities to purchase $5,155,000 in
aggregate principal amount of the floating rate junior subordinated debentures of the Company (the
Debentures). The Capital Securities mature on December 31, 2035, but may be redeemed at par
beginning December 31, 2010 if and to the extent the Company exercises its right to redeem the
Debentures. The Capital Securities require quarterly distributions by the Trust to the holders of
the Capital Securities, at a floating rate of three-month LIBOR plus 5.75% per annum, reset
quarterly. Distributions are cumulative and will accrue from the date of original issuance but may
be deferred for a period of up to 20 consecutive quarterly interest payment periods if the Company
exercises its right under the Indenture to defer the payment of interest on the Debentures.
The growth of the Company has and will continue to strain its liquidity and capital resources.
AAIC is required by the state of South Carolina to maintain minimum Capital and Surplus of $3.0
million. As of March 31, 2007, AAICs Capital and Surplus was $10.1 million.
Results of Operations
The Company reported net income of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007
compared to net income of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The Company
reported basic earnings per common share of $0.011 for the three months ended March 31, 2007
compared to $0.013 for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Fully diluted earnings per common
share for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $0.010 compared to $0.012 for the three months
ended March 31, 2006.
Revenues
Premiums
Gross premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $26.5 million. In the
comparable period for 2005, AAIC recorded $19.5 million in gross premiums written. 2007 gross
premiums written includes insurance premiums written directly by AAIC, direct premiums written,
of $26.2 million, plus $0.3 million of premiums associated with the insurance risk transferred to
AAIC by two unaffiliated insurance companies pursuant to reinsurance contracts, assumed premiums
written. AAIC recorded assumed premiums written of $0.2 million in the three months ended March
31, 2007. The majority of our growth occurred in Florida, where AAIC began writing policies in
2006. Entry into Florida accounted for $10.4 million of the increase, or 152%, during 2007 over
the comparable 2006 period. As of March 31, Florida accounts for 40% of year-to-date direct
written premium, surpassing Georgia for the first time in the history of the Company. This is due
also, in part to the decline in Georgia premium during the first three months of 2007 from the
comparable 2006 period. Planned rate increases during the latter part of 2006 continued to
suppress Georgia growth. The decline in Georgia premium for the three months ended March 31, 2007
declined $3.1 million or 23% from the 2006 comparable period. Both Alabama and South Carolina
premium declined $0.4 million in response to rate increases and competition during the first
quarter of 2007, when compared with the first quarter of 2006. Growth in Louisiana premium of $0.4
million during the first quarter reflects entry into this new state during the fourth quarter of
2006. Policies inforce increased 20% from December 31, 2006 to March 31, 2007. The Company cedes
approximately 70% of its direct premiums written to its reinsurers and the amount ceded for the
three months ended March 31, 2007, was $17.9 million.
Premiums written refers to the total amount of premiums billed to the policyholder less the
amount of premiums returned, generally as a result of cancellations, during a given period.
Premiums written become premiums earned as the policy ages. Barring premium rate changes, if an
insurance company writes the same mix of business each three months, premiums written and premiums
earned will be equal and the unearned premium reserve will remain constant. During periods of
growth, the unearned premium reserve will increase, causing premiums earned to be less than
premiums written. Conversely, during periods of decline, the unearned premium reserve will
decrease, causing premiums earned to be greater than premiums written. The Companys net earned
premium, after deducting reinsurance, was $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007
and compares to $5.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006.
Commission and Fee Income
MGA and TrustWay produce and service non-standard personal automobile insurance business for
our own carrier and other insurers. We receive service fees for agency, underwriting, policy
administration, and claims adjusting services performed on behalf of these insurers. We also
receive commission and service fee income in TrustWay on other insurance products produced
Page 14 of 26
for unaffiliated insurance companies on which we do not bear underwriting risk, including
travel protection, vehicle protection and hospital indemnity insurance policies. Commission rates
vary between carriers and are applied to written premium to determine commission income.
Commission income, as a result of business produced in both TrustWay and the MGA, for the
three months ended March 31, 2007 decreased 8.7% compared to the same period ended March 31, 2006.
During the fourth quarter of 2006, TrustWay closed five locations for strategic reasons. Increases
in Florida business as noted above stem from both increased production with unaffiliated Florida
agencies as well as our own TrustWay locations. Total commission income earned by TrustWay from
the production of AAIC for the three month period ended March 31, 2007 totaled $1.5 million. This
amount was eliminated from total commission income (revenue) and commission expense. AAIC pays MGA
commission on the 30% of premium which AAIC retains and is subsequently eliminated upon
consolidation. The amount eliminated was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Managing general agent fees for the period ended March 31, 2007 were $2.6 million, an increase
of $0.1 million, when compared to the same period of 2006.
Other fee income decreased $0.1 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2007 from
the comparable period of 2006. TrustWay collects fees for various services performed and for
additional products sold to insureds. As TrustWay writes more direct bill policies, increasing
policy renewals and related commissions, fee income is reduced.
Net Investment Income
Our investment portfolio is generally highly liquid and consists substantially of readily
marketable, investment-grade debt and equity securities. Net investment income is primarily
comprised of interest and dividends earned on these securities, net of related investment expenses.
Net investment income increased $30,000 to $0.2 million period ended March 31, 2007 from the
comparable 2006 period. This is primarily a result of an increase in average invested assets.
The improved cash flows from our insurance operations resulted in increases in average invested
assets.
Expenses
Insurance Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses include payments made to settle claims,
estimates for future claim payments and changes in those estimates for current and prior periods,
as well as loss adjustment expenses incurred in connection with settling claims. Insurance losses
and loss adjustment expenses are influenced by many factors, such as claims frequency and severity
trends, the impact of changes in estimates for prior accident years, and increases in the cost of
medical treatment and automobile repairs. The anticipated impact of inflation is considered when
we establish our premium rates and set loss reserves. We perform a rolling quarterly actuarial
analysis each month and establish or adjust (for prior accident quarters) reserves, based upon our
estimate of the ultimate incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to reflect loss development
information and trends that have been updated for the most recent quarters activity. Each month
our estimate of ultimate loss and loss adjustment expenses is evaluated by accident quarter, by
state and by major coverage grouping (e.g., bodily injury, physical damage) and changes in
estimates are reflected in the period the additional information becomes known.
We have historically used reinsurance to manage our exposure to loss by ceding a portion of
our gross losses and loss adjustment expenses to reinsurers. We remain obligated for amounts
covered by reinsurance, however, in the event that the reinsurers do not meet their obligations
under the agreements (due to, for example, disputes with the reinsurer or the reinsurers
insolvency). The Company cedes approximately 70% of its direct loss and loss adjustment expenses
incurred to its reinsurers and the amount ceded for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was $9.5
million.
After making deductions for the effect of reinsurance, losses and loss adjustment expenses
were $4.1 million for the period ended March 31, 2007. As a percentage of earned premiums, this
amount decreased for the period ended March 31, 2007, from 77.9% to 74.0%, when compared with the
same period in 2006. The amount represents actual payments made and changes in estimated future
payments to be made to or on behalf of its policyholders, including the expenses associated with
settling claims. The decrease in the three months-over-three months loss ratio is in part due to
planned price increases in certain states in response to previously reported loss increases.
Other Expenses
Other operating expenses, including selling and general and administrative decreased $0.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 when compared to the same period of 2006. As a
percentage of revenue, selling and general and administrative expenses for the twelve month period
ended March 31, 2007 decreased from 62.6% to 60.6% when compared to the 2006 period. This
improvement reflects improved economies of scale and operating leverage of the Companys growth.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31,
2007 when compared to the same period of 2006. This increase is associated with the increase in
fixed and intangible assets, including the added depreciable
and amortizable assets from the three agency acquisitions in January 2006 and January 2007.
Page 15 of 26
Income Tax Expense
The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 consists of federal
and state income taxes at the Companys effective tax rate. The Companys tax expense was $0.5
million for the period ended March 31, 2007, representing an effective tax rate of 44.0%. This tax
expense compares with $0.4 million for the period ended March 31, 2006, which was an effective tax
rate of 33.5%. The tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2006 included a partial reversal
of prior year valuation allowances on net operating loss carry-forwards.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements during the year ended December 31,
2006.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are primarily exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, changes in market values of
investments and to credit risk.
In the normal course of business, we employ established policies and procedures to manage our
exposure to changes in interest rates, fluctuations in the fair market value of debt and equity
securities and credit risk. We seek to mitigate these risks by various actions described below.
Our cash flows from operations and short-term cash position generally have been more than
sufficient to meet our projected obligations for claim payments, which by the nature of the
personal automobile insurance business, tend to have an average duration of less than one year. As
a result, it has been unnecessary for the Company to employ elaborate market risk management
techniques involving complicated asset and liability duration matching or hedging strategies.
Interest Rate Risk
Investments. Our investment portfolio consists primarily of fixed-maturity debt securities, all of
which are classified as available for sale. For these securities, we seek to provide for liquidity
and diversification while maximizing income without sacrificing investment quality. The value of
the fixed maturity securities portfolio is subject to interest rate risk where the value of the
fixed maturity securities portfolio decreases as market interest rates increase, and conversely,
when market interest rates decrease, the value of the fixed maturity securities portfolio
increases. Duration is a common measure of the sensitivity of a fixed maturity securitys value to
changes in interest rates. More specifically, it is the approximate percentage change in the value
of a bond or bond portfolio due to a 100 basis point change in interest rates. The higher the
duration, the more sensitive a fixed maturity security is to market interest rate fluctuations.
Effective duration also measures this sensitivity, but it takes into account call terms, as well as
changes in remaining term, coupon rate, cash flow, and other items. We strive to limit interest
rate risk by selecting investments with characteristics such as duration, yield and liquidity
tailored to the anticipated cash outflow characteristics of our liabilities. Interest rate risk
includes the risk from movements in the underlying market rate and in the credit spread of the
respective sectors of the debt securities in our portfolio. We do not hedge our exposure to
interest rate risk because we have the capacity to, and do, hold fixed-maturity investments to
maturity. The effective duration of the portfolio as of March 31, 2007 was 4.43 years. Should
market interest rates increase 1.0%, our fixed income portfolio would be expected to decline in
market value by $0.7 million, or 4.6%. Conversely, a 1.0% decline in interest rates would result
in approximately $0.6 million, or 3.99%, appreciation in the market value of our fixed income
portfolio.
Credit Facility. We also have exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates because we
have variable rate debt. The interest rate we pay increases or decreases with the changes in
LIBOR. Based on our borrowings under the floating rate credit agreement at March 31, 2007, a 10%
increase in market interest rates would increase our annual net interest expense by approximately
$27,000. Conversely, a 10% decrease in market interest rates would decrease our annual net
interest expense by approximately $27,000.
The graphical depiction of the relationship between the yield on bonds of the same credit quality
with different maturities is usually referred to as a yield curve. Because the yield on U.S.
Treasury securities is the base rate (or risk free rate) from which non-government bond yields
are normally benchmarked, the most commonly constructed yield curve is derived from the observation
of prices and yields in the Treasury market. An upward sloping curve, where yield rises steadily as
maturity increases, is referred to as a normal yield curve.
The following table shows the carrying values of our fixed maturity securities, which are reported
at fair value, and our debt, which is reported at amortized cost. The table also presents estimated
fair values at adjusted market rates assuming a parallel 100 basis point increase in market
interest rates, given the effective duration noted above. The following sensitivity analysis
summarizes only the exposure to market interest rate risk:
Page 16 of 26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying Value at |
|
Change in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted Market |
|
Value as a |
(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
|
Carrying |
|
Rates/Prices |
|
Percentage of |
March 31, 2007 |
|
Value |
|
Indicated Above |
|
Carrying Value |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value |
|
$ |
15,122.9 |
|
|
$ |
14,432.4 |
|
|
|
(4.6 |
)% |
The discussion above provides only a limited, point-in-time view of the market risk sensitivity of
our fixed rate financial instruments. The actual impact of interest rate changes on our fixed
maturity securities in particular may differ significantly from those shown, as the analysis
assumes a parallel shift in market interest rates. The analysis also does not consider any actions
we could take in response to actual and/or anticipated changes in interest rates.
The difference between long-term Treasury yields and short-term Treasury yields are usually
referred as the slope of the yield curve. If the spread between the long end of the curve, where
maturities are high, and the short end of the curve, where maturities are low, narrows, the yield
curve is said to be flattening. Conversely, if the spread between the long end of the curve and
the short end of the curve widens, the yield curve is said to be steepening. If the yields on
the long end of the curve fall below those of the short end of the curve, the yield curve is said
to be inverted.
The analysis above assumes a parallel shift in interest rates. However, the curve may also steepen,
flatten or become inverted. This type of behavior may affect certain sections of the curve in
disproportionate amounts. For example, if short-term Treasury yields rise and the yield curve
flattens, fixed maturity instruments with short duration may be impacted to a greater degree than
fixed maturity instruments with longer duration. Conversely, if long-term Treasury yields rise and
the yield curve steepens, fixed maturity instruments with long duration may be impacted to a
greater degree than fixed maturity instruments with shorter duration.
The following summarizes the effective duration distribution of our fixed maturity securities
portfolio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Duration Ranges |
March 31, 2007 |
|
Below 1 |
|
1 to 3 |
|
3 to 5 |
|
5 to 7 |
|
7 to 10 |
|
10 to 20 |
|
Fair value
percentage of fixed
maturity security
portfolio |
|
|
10.8 |
% |
|
|
1.2 |
% |
|
|
60.6 |
% |
|
|
17.3 |
% |
|
|
10.1 |
% |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Equity Price Risk
Investments.
The marketable equity securities portfolio of our insurance subsidiary, which is
carried on our consolidated balance sheets at estimated fair value, has exposure to price risk,
which is the risk of potential loss in estimated fair value resulting from adverse changes in
prices. The objective of our insurance subsidiary is to earn competitive relative returns by
investing in diverse portfolios of high-quality, liquid securities.
Credit Risk
Investments. The fixed maturity securities portfolio of our insurance subsidiary is subject to
credit risk. This risk is the potential loss in market value resulting from adverse changes in the
borrowers ability to repay the debt. We attempt to manage our credit risk through issuer and
industry diversification. We regularly monitor our overall investment results and review
compliance with our investment objectives and guidelines. Our investment guidelines include
limitations on the minimum rating of debt securities in our investment portfolio, as well as
restrictions on investments in debt securities of a single issuer. All of the debt securities in
our portfolio were rated investment grade by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners,
or the NAIC, and Standard & Poors as of March 31, 2007.
Reinsurance. The Carrier places reinsurance with four major unaffiliated reinsurers. Two of the
reinsurers are authorized and two are unauthorized To the extent that a reinsurer may be unable to
pay losses for which it is liable to Carrier under the terms of its reinsurance agreement, Carrier
remains liable for such losses. The Company attempts to minimize this risk by maintaining
reinsurance agreements with financially sound reinsurers. The Company maintains security trust
agreements with the two unauthorized reinsurers, whereby all reinsurance receivables are pre-funded
and secured. As of March 31, 2007, there were no amounts deemed uncollectible.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q, the Companys Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design
and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures in accordance with Rule 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act.) Based on
this evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded
Page 17 of 26
that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange
Act is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its principal executive
officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure and are effective to ensure that such information is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange
Commissions rules and forms.
There were no significant changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the
foregoing evaluation that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2007, that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect subsequent to the date of the evaluation,
the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
PART
II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in Company common stock involves a number of risks. Investors should carefully
consider the following information, together with the other information contained in the Companys
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, before investing in Company common stock. Further, such factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking
statement contained in this report, statements by us in periodic press releases and oral statements
by Company officials to securities analysts and stockholders during presentations about us.
We face intense competition from other automobile insurance providers.
The non-standard automobile insurance business is highly competitive and, except for
regulatory considerations, there are relatively few barriers to entry. We compete with both large
national insurance providers and smaller regional companies. The largest automobile insurance
companies include The Progressive Corporation, The Allstate Corporation, State Farm Mutual
Automobile Insurance Company, GEICO, Farmers Insurance Group, Safeco Corp., and American
International Group (AIG). Our chief competitors include some of these companies as well as Mercury
General Corporation, Infinity Property & Casualty Corporation, Affirmative Insurance Holdings,
Inc., and Direct General Corporation. Some of our competitors have more capital, higher ratings and
greater resources than we have, and may offer a broader range of products and lower prices and down
payments than we offer. Some of our competitors that sell insurance policies directly to customers,
rather than through agencies or brokerages as we do, may have certain competitive advantages,
including increased name recognition among customers, direct relationships with policyholders and
potentially lower cost structures. In addition, it is possible that new competitors will enter the
non-standard automobile insurance market. Our loss of business to competitors could have a material
impact on our growth and profitability. Further, competition could result in lower premium rates
and less favorable policy terms and conditions, which could reduce our underwriting margins.
Our concentration on non-standard automobile insurance could make us more susceptible to
unfavorable market conditions.
We underwrite exclusively non-standard automobile insurance. Given this focus, negative
developments in the economic, competitive or regulatory conditions affecting the non-standard
automobile insurance industry could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows. In addition, these developments could have a greater effect on
us, compared to more diversified insurers that also sell other types of automobile insurance
products. Our profitability can be affected by cyclicality in the non-standard automobile insurance
industry caused by price competition and fluctuations in underwriting capacity in the market, as
well as changes in the regulatory environment.
Our success depends on our ability to price the risks we underwrite accurately.
Our results of operations and financial condition depend on our ability to underwrite and set
rates accurately for a full spectrum of risks. Rate adequacy is necessary to generate sufficient
premiums to pay losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses and to earn a profit. If
we fail to assess accurately the risks that we assume, we may fail to establish adequate premium
rates, which could reduce our income and have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In order to price our products accurately, we must collect and properly analyze a substantial
volume of data; develop, test and apply appropriate rating formulas; closely monitor and timely
recognize changes in trends; and project both severity and frequency of losses with reasonable
accuracy. Our ability to undertake these efforts successfully, and as a result price our products
accurately, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation:
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availability of sufficient reliable data; |
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incorrect or incomplete analysis of available data; |
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uncertainties inherent in estimates and assumptions, generally; |
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selection and application of appropriate rating formulas or other pricing methodologies; |
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unanticipated or inconsistent court decisions, legislation or regulatory action; |
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ongoing changes in our claim settlement practices, which can influence the amounts paid on claims; |
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changing driving patterns, which could adversely affect both frequency and severity of claims; |
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unexpected inflation in the medical sector of the economy, resulting in increased bodily
injury and personal injury protection claim severity; and |
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unanticipated inflation in automobile repair costs, automobile parts prices and used
automobile prices, adversely affecting automobile physical damage claim severity. |
Such risks may result in our pricing being based on inadequate or inaccurate data or
inappropriate analyses, assumptions or methodologies, and may cause us to estimate incorrectly
future increases in the frequency or severity of claims. As a result, we could underprice our
products, which would negatively affect our profit margins, or we could overprice our products,
which could reduce our volume and competitiveness. In either event, our results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Our losses and loss adjustment expenses may exceed our loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves, which could adversely impact our results of operation, financial condition and cash
flows.
Our financial statements include loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, which represent
our best estimate of the amounts that we will ultimately pay on claims and the related costs of
adjusting those claims as of the date of the financial statements. We rely heavily on our
historical loss and loss adjustment expense experience in determining these loss and loss
adjustment expense reserves. The historic development of reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses may not necessarily reflect future trends in the development of these amounts. In
addition, factors such as inflation, claims settlement patterns and legislative activities,
regulatory activities, and litigation trends may also affect loss and loss adjustment expense
reserves. As a result of these and other risks and uncertainties, ultimate losses and loss
adjustment expenses may deviate, perhaps substantially, from our estimates of losses and loss
adjustment expenses included in the loss and loss adjustment expense reserves in our financial
statements. If actual losses and loss adjustment expenses exceed our expectations, our net income
and our capital would decrease. Actual paid losses and loss adjustment expenses may be in excess of
the loss and loss adjustment expense reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements.
We are subject to comprehensive regulation, and our ability to earn profits may be adversely
affected by these regulations.
We are subject to comprehensive regulation by government agencies in the states where our
insurance subsidiaries are domiciled and where these subsidiaries issue policies and handle claims.
Certain states impose restrictions or require prior regulatory approval of certain corporate
actions, which may adversely affect our ability to operate, innovate, obtain necessary rate
adjustments in a timely manner or grow our business profitably. In addition, certain federal laws
impose additional requirements on insurers. Our ability to comply with these laws and regulations,
and to obtain necessary regulatory action in a timely manner, is and will continue to be critical
to our success.
Required Licensing. We operate under licenses issued by various state insurance
authorities. If a regulatory authority denies or delays granting a new license, our ability to
enter that market quickly can be substantially impaired.
Transactions Between Insurance Companies and Their Affiliates. Transactions between our
subsidiaries and their affiliates (including us) generally must be disclosed to the state
regulators, and prior approval of the applicable regulator generally is required before any
material or extraordinary transaction may be consummated. State regulators may refuse to approve or
delay approval of such a transaction, which may impact our ability to innovate or operate
efficiently.
Regulation of Insurance Rates and Approval of Policy Forms. The insurance laws of the
states in which our insurance subsidiaries operate require insurance companies to file insurance
rate schedules and insurance policy forms for review and/or approval. If, as permitted in some
states, we begin using new rates before they are approved, we may be required to issue refunds or
credits to our policyholders if the new rates are ultimately deemed excessive or unfair and
disapproved by the applicable state regulator. Accordingly, our ability to respond to market
developments or increased costs in that state can be adversely affected.
Restrictions on Cancellation, Non-Renewal or Withdrawal. Many states have laws and
regulations that limit an insurers ability to exit a market. For example, certain states limit an
automobile insurers ability to cancel or not renew policies. Some states prohibit an insurer from
withdrawing from one or more lines of business in the state, except pursuant to a plan approved by
the state insurance department. In some states, this restriction applies to significant reductions
in the amount of insurance written, not just to a complete withdrawal. These laws and regulations
could limit our ability to exit or reduce our writings in unprofitable markets or discontinue
unprofitable products in the future.
Other Regulations. We must also comply with regulations involving, among other things:
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the use of non-public consumer information and related privacy issues; |
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investment restrictions; |
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the use of credit history in underwriting and rating; |
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the payment of dividends; |
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the acquisition or disposition of an insurance company or of any company controlling an insurance company; |
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the involuntary assignments of high-risk policies, participation in reinsurance
facilities and underwriting associations, assessments and other governmental charges; and |
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reporting with respect to financial condition. |
Compliance with laws and regulations addressing these and other issues often will result in
increased administrative costs. In addition, these laws and regulations may limit our ability to
underwrite and price risks accurately, prevent us from obtaining timely rate increases necessary to
cover increased costs and may restrict our ability to discontinue unprofitable relationships or
exit unprofitable markets. These results, in turn, may adversely affect our results of operation or
our ability or desire to grow our business in certain jurisdictions. The failure to comply with
these laws and regulations may also result in actions by regulators, fines and penalties, and in
extreme cases, revocation of our ability to do business in that jurisdiction. In addition, we may
face individual and class action lawsuits by our insureds and other parties for alleged violations
of certain of these laws or regulations.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to minimum capital and surplus requirements. Our failure
to meet these requirements could subject us to regulatory action.
The laws of the states of domicile of our insurance subsidiaries impose risk-based capital
standards and other minimum capital and surplus requirements. Failure to meet applicable risk-based
capital requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements could subject us to further
examination or corrective action imposed by state regulators, including limitations on our writing
of additional business, state supervision or liquidation. Any changes in existing risk-based
capital requirements or minimum statutory capital requirements may require us to increase our
statutory capital levels, which we may be unable to do.
Regulation may become more extensive in the future, which may adversely affect our business.
States may make existing insurance laws and regulations more restrictive in the future or
enact new restrictive laws. In such events, we may seek to reduce our premium writings in, or to
withdraw entirely from, these states. In addition, from time to time, the United States Congress
and certain federal agencies investigate the current condition of the insurance industry to
determine whether federal regulation is necessary. We are unable to predict whether and to what
extent new laws and regulations that would affect our business will be adopted in the future, the
timing of any such adoption and what effects, if any, they may have on our financial condition,
results of operations, and cash flows.
Our failure to pay claims accurately could adversely affect our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
We must accurately evaluate and pay claims that are made under our policies. Many factors
affect our ability to pay claims accurately, including the training and experience of our claims
representatives, our claims organizations culture and the effectiveness of our management, our
ability to develop or select and implement appropriate procedures and systems to support our claims
functions and other factors. Our failure to pay claims accurately could lead to material
litigation, undermine our reputation in the marketplace, impair our image and materially adversely
affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, if we do not train new claims employees effectively or lose a significant number
of experienced claims employees our claims departments ability to handle an increasing workload
could be adversely affected. In addition to potentially requiring that growth be slowed in the
affected markets, we could suffer in decreased quality of claims work, which in turn could lower
our operating margins.
The policy service fee revenues could be adversely affected by insurance regulation.
Policy service fee revenues have provided additional revenues equivalent to approximately 9%
of gross premium produced by MGA. These fees include policy origination fees and installment fees
to compensate us for the costs of providing installment payment plans, as well as late payment,
policy cancellation, policy rewrite and reinstatement fees. Our revenues could be reduced by
changes in insurance regulation that restrict our ability to charge these fees. Those arrangements
are subject to insurance holding company act regulation in the states where our insurance
subsidiaries are domiciled. Continued payment of these fees could be affected if insurance
regulators in these states determined that these arrangements are not permissible under the
insurance holding company acts.
New pricing, claim and coverage issues and class action litigation are continually emerging in
the automobile insurance industry, and these new issues could adversely impact our results of
operations and financial condition.
As automobile insurance industry practices and regulatory, judicial and consumer conditions
change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims, coverage and business practices may
emerge. These issues can have an adverse effect on our business by changing the way we price our
products, including limiting the factors we may consider when we underwrite risks, by extending
coverage beyond our underwriting intent, by increasing the size or frequency of claims or by
requiring us to change our claims handling practices and procedures or our practices for charging
fees. The effects of these unforeseen emerging issues could negatively affect our results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We may be unable to attract and retain independent agents and brokers.
We distribute our products exclusively through independent agents and brokers. We compete with
other insurance carriers to attract producers and maintain commercial relationships with them. Some
of our competitors offer a larger variety of products, lower prices for insurance coverage or
higher commissions. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain independent
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agents and brokers to sell our products. Our inability to continue to recruit and retain
productive independent agents and brokers would have an adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations and could impact our cash flows.
We rely on information technology and telecommunication systems, and the failure of these
systems could materially and adversely affect our business.
Our business is highly dependent upon the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our
information technology and telecommunications systems. We rely on these systems to process new and
renewal business, provide customer service, make claims payments and facilitate collections and
cancellations. These systems also enable us to perform actuarial and other modeling functions
necessary for underwriting and rate development. The failure of these systems could interrupt our
operations or materially impact our ability to evaluate and write new business. Because our
information technology and telecommunication systems interface with and depend on third-party
systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such service exceeds capacity or such
third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If sustained or repeated, a system failure or
service denial could result in a deterioration of our ability to write and process new and renewal
business and provide customer service or compromise our ability to pay claims in a timely manner.
This outcome could result in a material adverse effect on our business and our results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our ability to operate our company effectively could be impaired if we lose key personnel.
We manage our business with a number of key personnel, including our executive officers, the
loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on our business and our results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows. Only our Chief Executive Officer, Lawrence Stumbaugh and our
MGA President, Joseph Skruck, have employment agreements with us. In addition, as our business
develops and expands, we believe that our future success will depend greatly on our continued
ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. We may not be able to
continue to employ key personnel and may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel in
the future. Failure to retain or attract key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our
business and our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We do not have key
person life insurance to cover our executive officers.
Our debt service obligations could impede our operations, flexibility and financial
performance.
Our level of debt could affect our financial performance. As of March 31, 2007, we had
consolidated indebtedness (other than trade payables and certain other short term debt) of
approximately $10.6 million. In addition, borrowings under our trust preferred arrangement bear
interest at rates that may fluctuate. Therefore, increases in interest rates on the obligations
under our credit agreement would adversely affect our income and cash flow that would be available
for the payment of interest and principal on the loans outstanding.
If we do not have enough money to pay our debt service obligations, we may be required to
refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise equity. In that
event, we may not be able to refinance our debt, sell assets, borrow more money or raise equity on
terms acceptable to us or at all.
Adverse securities market conditions can have significant and negative effects on our
investment portfolio.
Our results of operations depend in part on the performance of our invested assets. As of
March 31, 2007, 88% of our investment portfolio was invested in fixed maturity securities with the
remainder equity investments. Certain risks are inherent in connection with fixed maturity
securities, including loss upon default and price volatility in reaction to changes in interest
rates, credit spreads, deterioration in the financial condition of the issuers and general market
conditions. An increase in interest rates lowers prices on fixed maturity securities, and any sales
we make during a period of increasing interest rates may result in losses. Also, investment income
earned from future investments in fixed maturity securities will decrease if interest rates
decrease.
In addition, our investment portfolio is subject to risks inherent in the capital markets. The
functioning of those markets, the values of our investments and our ability to liquidate
investments on short notice may be adversely affected if those markets are disrupted by national or
international events including, without limitation, wars, terrorist attacks, recessions or
depressions, high inflation or a deflationary environment, the collapse of governments or financial
markets, and other factors or events.
If our investment portfolio were impaired by market or issuer-specific conditions to a
substantial degree, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be
materially adversely affected. Further, our income from these investments could be materially
reduced, and write-downs of the value of certain securities could further reduce our profitability.
In addition, a decrease in value of our investment portfolio could put us at risk of failing to
satisfy regulatory capital requirements. If we were not able to supplement our subsidiaries
capital by issuing debt or equity securities on acceptable terms, our ability to continue growing
could be adversely affected.
Our operations could be adversely affected if conditions in the states where our business is
concentrated were to deteriorate.
For the three months ended March 31, 2007, we generated approximately 80% of our gross written
premium in our top two states, Florida and Georgia. Our revenues and profitability are therefore
subject to prevailing regulatory, legal, economic, demographic, competitive and other conditions in
those states. Changes in any of those conditions could have an adverse effect on our results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows. Adverse regulatory developments in any of those
states, which could include, among others, reductions in the rates permitted to be charged,
inadequate rate increases, restrictions on our ability to reject applications for coverage or on
how we handle claims, or more fundamental changes in the design or implementation of
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the automobile insurance regulatory framework, could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Severe weather conditions and other catastrophes may result in an increase in the number and
amount of claims filed against us.
Our business is also exposed to the risk of severe weather conditions and other catastrophes
in the states in which we operate. Catastrophes include severe hurricanes, tornadoes, hail storms,
floods, windstorms, earthquakes, fires and other events such as terrorist attacks and riots, each
of which tends to be unpredictable. Such conditions may result in higher incidence of automobile
accidents and increase the number of claims. Because many of our insureds live near the coastlines,
we have potential exposure to hurricanes and major coastal storms. In addition, our business could
be impaired if a significant portion of our business or systems were shut down by, or if we were
unable to gain access to certain of our facilities as a result of such an event. If such events
were to occur with enough severity, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows
could be materially adversely affected.
Our financial condition may be adversely affected if one or more parties with which we enter
into significant contracts becomes insolvent or experiences other financial hardship.
Our business is dependent on the performance by third parties of their responsibilities under
various contractual relationships, including without limitation, contracts for the acquisitions of
goods and services (such as telecommunications and information technology software, equipment and
support and other services that are integral to our operations) and arrangements for transferring
certain of our risks (including our corporate insurance policies). If one or more of these parties
were to default on the performance of their obligations under their respective contracts or
determine to abandon or terminate support for a system, product or service that is significant to
our business, we could suffer significant financial losses and operational problems, which could in
turn adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
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31.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. |
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31.2 |
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. |
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32.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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ASSURANCEAMERICA CORPORATION
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By: |
/s/ Lawrence Stumbaugh
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Lawrence Stumbaugh |
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President and CEO |
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Date: May 15, 2007
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