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Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

ICC Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Pennsylvania		6331		81-3359409
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

225 20^th Street

Rock Island, Illinois 61201

(309) 793-1700

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Arron K. Sutherland

President and Chief Executive Officer

Illinois Casualty Company

225 20^th Street

Rock Island, Illinois 61201

(309) 793-1700

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Sunjeet S. Gill, Esquire Stevens & Lee, P.C. 620 Freedom Business Center Drive, Suite 200 King of Prussia, PA 19603 (610) 205-6000		Scott H. Spencer, Esquire Stevens & Lee, P.C. 17 North Second Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 (717) 399-6634

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box:  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer		¨		Accelerated filer		¨
Non-accelerated filer		¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company		x

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Table of each class of securities to be registered		Amount to be registered		Proposed maximum offering price per share		Proposed maximum aggregate offering price		Amount of registration fee
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		3,680,000 shares		$10.00 (1)		$36,800,000 (2)		$4,265
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (3)		408,889 shares		$10.00 (1)		$4,088,890 (2)		$474

(1)	Shares to be sold in the stock offering by the issuer have an offering price of $10.00.

(2)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(3)	Shares to be sold in the stock offering by the issuer to the employee stock ownership plan.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PROSPECTUS

ICC HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

We are offering, as part of our initial public offering, up to 3,680,000 shares of our common stock for sale at a price of $10.00 per share in connection with the conversion of Illinois Casualty Company, or Illinois Casualty, from the mutual to stock form of organization. Immediately following the conversion, we will acquire all of the newly issued shares of Illinois Casualty common stock.

We are offering shares of our common stock in three phases: a subscription offering phase, a community offering phase, and a syndicated community offering phase. The minimum number of shares that must be sold, the maximum number of shares that can be sold and the limit on the number of shares that any person may purchase apply to all three phases of the offering taken together.

We are offering shares in the subscription offering phase in the following order of priority:

 

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eligible members of Illinois Casualty, who are the policyholders of Illinois Casualty as of February 16, 2016;

 

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our employee stock ownership plan, which we refer to as our ESOP; and

 

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directors, officers, and employees of Illinois Casualty and its subsidiaries.

The subscription offering phase will end at noon, Central Time, on                     , 2016. Any shares of our common stock not sold in the subscription offering will be sold, up to 1,400,000 shares, to certain investors who have entered into purchase agreements with us and may also be sold to certain members of the general public discussed below in the community offering phase, which will commence simultaneously with and end concurrently with the subscription offering phase unless extended by us. We may also sell shares of our common stock to offerees in a syndicated community offering phase that may be conducted concurrently with or subsequent to the subscription offering and the community offering phases.

Our ability to complete this offering is subject to three conditions. First, the Illinois Department of Insurance must approve the plan of conversion of Illinois Casualty. Second, a minimum of 2,720,000 shares of common stock must be sold to complete the offering. Third, this plan of conversion must be approved by at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the members of Illinois Casualty as of February 16, 2016. Until such time as these conditions are satisfied, all funds submitted to purchase shares will be held in escrow with                     . If the offering is terminated, purchasers will have their funds promptly returned without interest.

Our ESOP has the right to purchase that number of shares which is equal to 10.0% of the total number of shares sold in the offering. Therefore, the maximum number of shares sold may be increased to 4,088,889 shares solely to accommodate the 10.0% interest being purchased by our ESOP. Shares issued to the ESOP will be counted toward satisfaction of the minimum amount. Additionally, surplus noteholders of Illinois Casualty shall have the right at the time of Illinois Casualty’s conversion to convert all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the note into shares of our common stock, which will also be counted toward satisfaction of the minimum amount.

The minimum number of shares that a person may subscribe to purchase is 50 shares. Except for our ESOP and certain investors purchasing pursuant to purchase agreements with us, the maximum number of shares that a person may purchase is 5% of the total number of shares sold in the offering. Those investors have agreed to purchase up to 1,400,000 shares of our common stock and to certain restrictions on their acquisition, sale and voting of our common stock. If more orders are received than shares offered, shares will be allocated in the manner and priority described in this prospectus.

Because of the purchase agreements with those investors, at this time, we do not anticipate selling more than 3,500,000 shares of common stock in this offering and selling shares to the public in a syndicated community offering. The investors agreed to certain post-closing standstill and voting covenants and restrictions on their ability to sell shares for three years following the closing of the offerings and additional limitations for up to seven years following the closing of the offerings. For more information, see “The Conversion and Offering — Investor Agreements” and “Risk Factors- Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Common Stock — A small number of shareholders will collectively own a substantial portion of our common stock and

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voting power, and, because of restrictions on their ability to buy or sell our shares, our public float will be limited.” Shares purchased by the ESOP and shares acquired from the conversion of outstanding surplus notes of Illinois Casualty in this offering are counted towards this 3,500,000 threshold.

Griffin Financial Group, LLC, which we refer to as Griffin, will act as our underwriter and will use its best efforts to assist us in selling our common stock in the offering, but is not obligated to purchase any shares of common stock that are being offered for sale. Purchasers will not pay any commission to purchase shares of common stock in the offering.

There is currently no public market for our common stock. We have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ICCH.”

 

 

We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. This investment involves risk. For a discussion of the material risks that you should consider, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17 of this prospectus.

OFFERING SUMMARY

Price: $10.00 per share

 

		Minimum				Midpoint				Maximum				Adjusted Maximum (5)
Number of shares offered			2,720,000				3,200,000				3,680,000				4,088,889
Gross offering proceeds (1) (2)		$	27,200,000			$	32,000,000			$	36,800,000			$	40,888,890
Estimated offering expenses		$	625,000			$	625,000			$	625,000			$	625,000
Estimated selling agent fees and expenses (3)(4)		$	644,000			$	740,000			$	836,000			$	917,778
Estimated net proceeds		$	25,931,000			$	30,635,000			$	35,339,000			$	39,346,112
Estimated net proceeds per share		$	9.53			$	9.57			$	9.60			$	9.62

 

(1)	For purposes of this offering, we treat the outstanding principal amount of surplus notes of Illinois Casualty converted in this offering as part of our gross offering proceeds.

(2)

We include the shares being purchased by (i) our ESOP, which will be funded by a loan to the ESOP from Illinois Casualty’s available cash on hand an amount equal to fund the purchase of such shares prior to the expiration of the offering, and (ii) those investors with whom we have entered into purchase agreements to purchase up to 1,400,000 shares. The ESOP is purchasing such number of shares as will equal 10.0% of the total number of shares sold in the offering.

(3)

Represents the total of (i) the fees to be paid to Griffin, which is equal to 2.0% of the shares sold in the subscription offering and the community offering, and (ii) other expenses payable to Griffin in the offering of up to $10,000. See “The Conversion and Offering — Marketing and Underwriting Arrangements.”

(4)	Assumes that no shares are sold in a syndicated community offering phase. See “The Conversion and Offering —Marketing and Underwriting Arrangements” for commissions to be paid in the event of a syndicated community offering.

(5)

The maximum number of shares sold in this offering may be increased to 4,088,889 shares solely to permit the ESOP to purchase such number of shares as will equal 10.0% of the total number of shares sold in the offering. This will occur only if 3,680,000 shares are subscribed for by the eligible members in the subscription offering phase.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Illinois Department of Insurance nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

For assistance, please call the Stock Information Center at             .

 

 

Griffin Financial Group, LLC

The date of this prospectus is             , 2016

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
CERTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION			1
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY			3
RISK FACTORS			17
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION			31
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA			33
USE OF PROCEEDS			35
MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK			37
DIVIDEND POLICY			38
CAPITALIZATION			39
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION			40
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS			53
BUSINESS			81
THE CONVERSION AND OFFERING			105
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			129
MANAGEMENT			134
RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF ICC HOLDINGS, INC.			151
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK			157
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR			158
LEGAL MATTERS			158
EXPERTS			158
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			158
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-1

 

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CERTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and Griffin has not, authorized any other person to provide information that is different from that contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and Griffin are offering to sell and seeking offers to buy our common stock only in jurisdictions where such offers and sales are permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Information contained on our website, or any other website operated by us, is not part of this prospectus.

Frequently Used Terms

Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus:

 

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“ICC Holdings” refers to ICC Holdings, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation formed to be the holding company for Illinois Casualty upon its conversion from mutual to stock form;

 

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“Illinois Casualty” refers to Illinois Casualty Company, an Illinois insurance company;

 

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“ICC,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refers to Illinois Casualty and its consolidated subsidiaries prior to the conversion as described in this prospectus, and to ICC Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries after conversion;

 

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the “conversion” refers to a series of transactions by which Illinois Casualty will convert from mutual to stock form and become a subsidiary of ICC Holdings under the terms of the plan of conversion adopted by the board of directors of Illinois Casualty;

 

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“mutual form” refers to an insurance company or its holding company organized as a mutual company, which is a form of organization in which the policyholders or members have certain membership rights in the mutual company, such as the right to vote with respect to the election of directors and approval of certain fundamental transactions, including the conversion from mutual to stock form; however, unlike shares held by stockholders, membership rights are not transferable and do not exist separately from the related insurance policy;

 

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“stock form” is a form of organization in which the only rights that policyholders have are contractual rights under their insurance policies and in which voting rights reside with stockholders under state corporate law;

 

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this “offering” and this “conversion offering” refer to this offering of up to 4,088,889 shares of our common stock under the plan of conversion to eligible members in a subscription offering and to the general public in a community offering and syndicated community offering. We expect to conduct the subscription offering and the community offering at the same time. The syndicated community offering may be conducted concurrently with or subsequent to the subscription offering and the community offering;

 

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“gross proceeds” refers to the proceeds received in this offering, including (i) gross proceeds from the shares being purchased by (a) our ESOP and (b) those investors with whom we have entered into purchase agreements to purchase up to 1,400,000 shares, and (b) the outstanding principal amount of surplus notes of Illinois Casualty converted into shares of our common stock in this offering;

 

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“eligible member” refers to a person who was a member of Illinois Casualty on February 16, 2016, the date the plan of conversion was adopted by the board of directors of Illinois Casualty; and

 

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“member” refers to a person who is the owner of an in-force policy of insurance issued by Illinois Casualty.

 

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Market and Industry Data

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market share, is based on information from our own management estimates and research, as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information, our knowledge of our industry and assumptions based on such information and knowledge, which we believe to be reasonable. Assumptions and estimates of our and our industry’s future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

In addition to all other information contained in this prospectus, you should carefully consider the following risk factors in deciding whether to purchase our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business

A reduction in our A.M. Best rating could affect our ability to write new business or renew our existing business.

Ratings assigned by A.M. Best are an important factor influencing the competitive position of insurance companies. A.M. Best ratings, which are reviewed at least annually, represent independent opinions of financial strength and ability to meet obligations to policyholders and are not directed toward the protection of investors. Therefore, our A.M. Best rating should not be relied upon as a basis for an investment decision to purchase our common stock.

Illinois Casualty Company holds a financial strength rating of “B++” (Good) by A.M. Best, the fifth highest rating out of 15 rating classifications. Our most recent evaluation by A.M. Best occurred on February 23, 2016, when A.M. Best upgraded its outlook to positive from stable for Illinois Casualty’s issuer credit rating, while affirming its financial strength rating of “B++” and issuer credit rating of “bbb” (Good). Financial strength ratings are used by producers and customers as a means of assessing the financial strength and quality of insurers. Issuer credit ratings is an opinion by A.M. Best of an entity’s ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations. If our financial position deteriorates, we may not maintain our favorable financial strength and issuer credit ratings from A.M. Best. A downgrade of our rating could severely limit or prevent us from writing desirable business or from renewing our existing business. In addition, a downgrade could negatively affect our ability to implement our strategy. See “Business — A.M. Best Rating.”

Our food and beverage customers have been the target of claims and lawsuits. Proceedings of this nature, if successful, could result in our payment of substantial costs and damages.

Occasionally, patrons of our food and beverage industry insured customers file complaints or lawsuits against our insureds alleging a variety of claims arising in the ordinary course of their business, including personal injury claims, contract claims and claims alleging violations of federal and state laws. In addition, certain of our insured customers who serve alcohol are subject to state “dram shop” or similar laws that generally allow a person to sue our customer if that person was injured by a legally intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages by our customer. A number of these lawsuits in the food and beverage industry have resulted in the payment of substantial damages by us on behalf of our insureds.

Additionally, states have, from time to time, explored lowering the blood alcohol content levels for criminal statutes related to driving under the influence or similar laws, removing or increasing caps for liability with respect to injuries by a legally intoxicated person, or preventing or limiting rate changes by insurance companies.

Regardless of whether any claims against our customers are valid or whether they are liable, claims may be expensive to defend and may result in significant liabilities. Defense costs, even for unfounded claims, or a judgment or other liability in excess of our reinsurance limits for any claims or any adverse publicity resulting from claims could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our strategy for growing our business may not be profitable.

Over the past several years, we have made, and our current plans are to continue to make, investments in our lines of business, and we have increased expenses in order to, among other things, strengthen our product offerings and service capabilities, expand into new geographic areas, improve technology and our operating

 

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models, build expertise in our personnel, and expand our distribution capabilities, with the ultimate goal of achieving significant, sustained growth. The ability to achieve significant profitable premium growth in order to earn adequate returns on such investments and expenses, and to grow further without proportionate increases in expenses, is an important part of our current strategy. There can be no assurance that we will be successful at profitably growing our business, or that we will not alter our current strategy due to changes in our markets or an inability to successfully maintain acceptable margins on new business or for other reasons, in which case premiums written and earned, operating income and net book value could be adversely affected.

Our investment performance may suffer as a result of adverse capital market developments, which may affect our financial results and ability to conduct business.

We invest the premiums we receive from policyholders until cash is needed to pay insured claims or other expenses. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we had $138,000 in net realized investment gains as compared to investment gains of $81,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $459,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our investments will be subject to a variety of investment risks, including risks relating to general economic conditions, market volatility, interest rate fluctuations, liquidity risk and credit risk. An unexpected increase in the volume or severity of claims may force us to liquidate securities, which may cause us to incur capital losses. If we do not structure the duration of our investments to match our insurance liabilities, we may be forced to liquidate investments prior to maturity at a significant loss to cover such payments. Investment losses could significantly decrease our asset base and statutory surplus, thereby affecting our ability to conduct business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risk.”

The geographic distribution of our business exposes us to significant natural disasters, which may negatively affect our financial and operating results.

As of June 30, 2016, approximately 39.4% of our direct premiums written originated from business written in Illinois, and therefore, we have a greater exposure to catastrophic or other significant natural or man-made losses in that geographic region. The incidence and severity of such events are inherently unpredictable. In recent years, changing climate conditions have increased the unpredictability, severity and frequency of tornados, hurricanes, and other storms.

States and regulators from time to time have taken action that has the effect of limiting the ability of insurers to manage these risks, such as prohibiting insurers from reducing exposures or withdrawing from catastrophe-prone areas, or mandating that insurers participate in residual markets. Our ability or willingness to manage our exposure to these risks may be limited due to considerations of public policy, the evolving political environment, or social responsibilities. We may choose to write business in catastrophe-prone geographic areas that we might not otherwise write for strategic purposes, such as improving our access to other underwriting opportunities.

Our ability to properly estimate reserves related to tornados and storms can be affected by the inability to access portions of the impacted areas, the complexity of factors contributing to the losses, the legal and regulatory uncertainties, and the nature of the information available to establish the reserves. These complex factors include, but are not limited to the following:

 

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determining whether damages were caused by flooding versus wind;

 

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evaluating general liability and pollution exposures;

 

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the impact of increased demand for products and services necessary to repair or rebuild damaged properties;

 

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infrastructure disruption;

 

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fraud;

 

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the effect of mold damage;

 

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business interruption costs; and

 

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reinsurance collectability.

The estimates related to catastrophes are adjusted as actual claims are filed and additional information becomes available. This adjustment could reduce income during the period in which the adjustment is made, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Large-scale natural disasters may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Midwest has historically been at a relatively high risk of natural disasters such as tornados, blizzards and flooding. If the Midwest were to experience a large-scale natural disaster, claims incurred would likely increase and our insured’s properties may incur substantial damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our results may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including cyclical changes in the insurance industry, which may lead to reduced premium volume.

Results of companies in the insurance industry, and particularly the property and casualty insurance industry, historically have been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. The industry’s profitability can be affected significantly by:

 

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rising levels of actual costs that are not known by companies at the time they price their products;

 

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volatile and unpredictable developments, including man-made and natural catastrophes;

 

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changes in reserves resulting from the general claims and legal environments as different types of claims arise and judicial interpretations relating to the scope of insurers’ liability develop; and

 

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fluctuations in interest rates, inflationary pressures and other changes in the investment environment, which affect returns on invested capital and may impact the ultimate payout of losses.

Historically, the financial performance of the insurance industry has fluctuated in cyclical periods of low premium rates and excess underwriting capacity resulting from increased competition (a so-called “soft market”), followed by periods of high premium rates and a shortage of underwriting capacity resulting from decreased competition (a so-called “hard market”). Fluctuations in underwriting capacity, demand and competition, and the impact on our business of the other factors identified above, could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Because estimating future losses is difficult and uncertain, if our actual losses exceed our loss reserves our operating results may be adversely affected.

We maintain reserves to cover amounts we estimate will be needed to pay for insured losses and for the expenses necessary to settle claims. Estimating loss and loss expense reserves is a difficult and complex process involving many variables and subjective judgments. We regularly review our reserve estimate protocols and our overall amount of reserves. We review historical data and consider the impact of various factors such as:

 

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trends in claim frequency and severity;

 

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information regarding each claim for losses;

 

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legislative enactments, judicial decisions and legal developments regarding damages; and

 

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trends in general economic conditions, including inflation.

 

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Our actual losses could exceed our reserves. If we determine that our loss reserves are inadequate, we will have to increase them. This adjustment would reduce income during the period in which the adjustment is made, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Such adjustments to loss reserve estimates are referred to as “loss development.” If existing loss reserves exceed the revised estimate, it is referred to as positive loss development. Negative loss development occurs when the revised estimate of expected losses with respect to a calendar year exceed existing loss reserves. For additional information, see “Business — Loss and LAE Reserves.”

If our reinsurers do not pay our claims in accordance with our reinsurance agreements, we may incur losses.

We are subject to loss and credit risk with respect to the reinsurers with whom we deal because buying reinsurance does not relieve us of our liability to policyholders. If our reinsurers are not capable of fulfilling their financial obligations to us, our insurance losses would increase. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we ceded 15.8% of our gross written premiums to our reinsurers. We secure reinsurance coverage from a number of reinsurers. The lowest A.M. Best rating issued to any of our reinsurers is “A-” (Excellent), which is the fourth highest of fifteen ratings. See “Business — Reinsurance.”

The property and casualty insurance market in which we operate is highly competitive, which limits our ability to increase premiums for our products and recruit new producers.

Competition in the property and casualty insurance business is based on many factors. These factors include the perceived financial strength of the insurer, premiums charged, policy terms and conditions, services provided, reputation, financial ratings assigned by independent rating agencies and the experience of the insurer in the line of insurance to be written. We compete with stock insurance companies, mutual companies, local cooperatives and other underwriting organizations. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and operating resources than we have. Many of the lines of insurance we write are subject to significant price competition. If our competitors price their products aggressively, our ability to grow or renew our business may be adversely affected. We pay producers on a commission basis to produce business. Some of our competitors may offer higher commissions or insurance at lower premium rates through the use of salaried personnel or other distribution methods that do not rely on independent agents. Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain business and thereby reduce our profits from operations.

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by any loss of business from key producers.

Our products are primarily marketed by independent agents. Other insurance companies compete with us for the services and allegiance of these producers. These producers may choose to direct business to our competitors, or may direct less desirable risks to us. One producer accounted for $2.9 million or approximately 6.1% of our direct premiums written in 2015. No other producer accounted for more than 6% of our 2015 direct premiums written. If we experience a significant decrease in business from, or lose entirely, our largest producers it would have a material adverse effect on us.

Our revenues may fluctuate with our investment results and changes in interest rates.

Our investment portfolio contains a significant amount of fixed income securities. The fair values of these invested assets fluctuate depending upon economic conditions, particularly changes in interest rates. We may not be able to prevent or minimize the negative impact of interest rate changes. Additionally, unforeseen circumstances may force us to sell certain of our invested assets at a time when their fair values are less than their original cost, resulting in realized capital losses, which would reduce our net income.

 

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Proposals to federally regulate the insurance business could affect our business.

Currently, the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the insurance business. However, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly and adversely affect insurance companies. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, pension regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In addition, various forms of direct federal regulation of insurance have been proposed. These proposals generally would maintain state-based regulation of insurance, but would affect state regulation of certain aspects of the insurance business, including rates, producer and company licensing, and market conduct examinations. We cannot predict whether any of these proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, such proposals or, if enacted, such laws may have on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

If we fail to comply with insurance industry regulations, or if those regulations become more burdensome, we may not be able to operate profitably.

We are regulated by the Illinois Department of Insurance, as well as, to a more limited extent, the federal government and the insurance departments of other states in which we do business. For the quarter ended June 30, 2016, approximately 39.4% of our direct premiums written originated from business written in Illinois. Therefore, the cancellation or suspension of our license in Illinois, as a result of any failure to comply with the applicable insurance laws and regulations, may negatively impact our operating results.

Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than shareholders and other investors. These regulations relate to, among other things:

 

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approval of policy forms and premium rates;

 

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standards of solvency, including establishing requirements for minimum capital and surplus, and for risk-based capital;

 

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classifying assets as admissible for purposes of determining solvency and compliance with minimum capital and surplus requirements;

 

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licensing of insurers and their producers;

 

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advertising and marketing practices;

 

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restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

 

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assessments by guaranty associations and mandatory pooling arrangements;

 

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restrictions on the ability to pay dividends;

 

•

restrictions on transactions between affiliated companies;

 

•

restrictions on the size of risks insurable under a single policy;

 

•

requiring deposits for the benefit of policyholders;

 

•

requiring certain methods of accounting;

 

•

periodic examinations of our operations and finances;

 

•

claims practices;

 

•

prescribing the form and content of reports of financial condition required to be filed; and

 

•

requiring reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other purposes.

The Illinois Department of Insurance also conducts periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and requires the filing of annual and other reports relating to financial condition, holding company

 

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issues and other matters. These regulatory requirements may adversely affect or inhibit our ability to achieve some or all of our business objectives. Our last examination by the Illinois Department of Insurance was in February 2012.

In addition, regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to deny or revoke licenses for various reasons, including the violation of regulations. Further, changes in the level of regulation of the insurance industry or changes in laws or regulations themselves or interpretations by regulatory authorities could adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

Our ability to manage our exposure to underwriting risks depends on the availability and cost of reinsurance coverage.

Reinsurance is the practice of transferring part of an insurance company’s liability and premium under an insurance policy to another insurance company. We use reinsurance arrangements to limit and manage the amount of risk we retain, to stabilize our underwriting results and to increase our underwriting capacity. The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to current market conditions and may vary significantly over time. Any decrease in the amount of our reinsurance will increase our risk of loss. We may be unable to maintain our desired reinsurance coverage or to obtain other reinsurance coverage in adequate amounts and at favorable rates. If we are unable to renew our expiring coverage or obtain new coverage, it will be difficult for us to manage our underwriting risks and operate our business profitably.

It is also possible that the losses we experience on risks we have reinsured will exceed the coverage limits on the reinsurance. If the amount of our reinsurance coverage is insufficient, our insurance losses could increase substantially.

We could be adversely affected by the loss of our existing management or key employees.

The success of our business is dependent, to a large extent, on our ability to attract and retain key employees, in particular our senior officers. Our business may be adversely affected if labor market conditions make it difficult for us to replace our current key officers with individuals having equivalent qualifications and experience at compensation levels competitive for our industry. In particular, because of the shortage of experienced underwriters and claims personnel who have experience or training in the liquor liability sector of the insurance industry, replacing key employees in that line of our business could be challenging. Our key officers include: Arron K. Sutherland, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael R. Smith, our Chief Financial Officer, Norman D. Schmeichel, our Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Howard J. Beck, our Chief Underwriting Officer, Julia B. Suiter, our Chief Legal Officer, Rickey Plunkett, our Director of Claims, and Kathleen S. Springer, our Director of Human Resources. These key officers have an average of more than 20 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry.

We do not have agreements not to compete or employment agreements with our employees, except for our employment agreement with Mr. Sutherland and change in control agreements with certain officers, including Messrs. Smith, Schmeichel, Beck, and Plunkett and Mesdames Suiter and Springer. Each of our employment agreement with Mr. Sutherland and change in control agreements has change of control provisions that provide for certain payments and the continuation of certain benefits in the event such officer is terminated without cause or such officer voluntarily quits for good reason after a change in control. See “Management —Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements.”

Losses resulting from political instability, acts of war or terrorism may negatively affect our financial and operating results.

Numerous classes of business are exposed to terrorism related catastrophic risks. The frequency, number and severity of these losses are unpredictable. As a result, we have changed our underwriting protocols to address terrorism and the limited availability of terrorism reinsurance. However, given the uncertainty of the potential threats, we cannot be sure that we have addressed all the possibilities.

 

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The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, as extended by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015, is effective through December 31, 2020. Prior to the act, insurance coverage by private insurers for losses (other than workers’ compensation) arising out of acts of terrorism was severely limited. The act provides, among other things, that all licensed insurers must offer coverage on most commercial lines of business for acts of terrorism. Losses arising out of acts of terrorism that are certified as such by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States and that exceed $120 million for calendar year 2016 will be reimbursed by the federal government subject to a limit of $100 billion in any year, which loss trigger increases each year by $20 million until it reaches $200 million in 2020 and any calendar year thereafter. Each insurance company is responsible for a deductible equal to 20% of its direct earned premiums in the previous calendar year. For 2016, our deductible is approximately $9.5 million. For losses in excess of the deductible, the federal government will reimburse 84% of the insurer’s loss, up to the insurer’s proportionate share of the $100 billion. Such reimbursement percentage will be reduced by one percentage point each year until it reaches 80%.

Notwithstanding the protection provided by reinsurance and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, the risk of severe losses to us from acts of terrorism has not been eliminated. Our reinsurance contracts include various limitations or exclusions limiting the reinsurers’ obligation to cover losses caused by acts of terrorism. Accordingly, events constituting acts of terrorism may not be covered by, or may exceed the capacity of, our reinsurance and could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We could be adversely affected by any interruption to our ability to conduct business at our current location.

Our business operations could be substantially interrupted by flooding, snow, ice, and other weather-related incidents, or from fire, power loss, telecommunications failures, terrorism, or other such events. In such an event, we may not have sufficient redundant facilities to cover a loss or failure in all aspects of our business operations and to restart our business operations in a timely manner. Any damage caused by such a failure or loss may cause interruptions in our business operations that may adversely affect our service levels and business. See “Business — Technology.”

Changes in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other standard-setting bodies may adversely affect our consolidated financial statements.

Our consolidated financial statements are subject to the application of GAAP, which is periodically revised and/or expanded. Accordingly, we are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards from time to time issued by recognized authoritative bodies, including the FASB. It is possible that future changes we are required to adopt could change the current accounting treatment that we apply to our consolidated financial statements and that such changes could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Assessments and premium surcharges for state guaranty funds, second injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements may reduce our profitability.

Most states require insurance companies licensed to do business in their state to participate in guaranty funds, which require the insurance companies to bear a portion of the unfunded obligations of impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies. These obligations are funded by assessments, which are expected to continue in the future. State guaranty associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurance companies in the state based on their proportionate share of premiums written in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies are engaged. Accordingly, the assessments levied on us may increase as we increase our written premiums. Some states also have laws that establish second injury funds to reimburse insurers and employers for claims paid to injured employees for aggravation of prior conditions or injuries. These funds are supported by either assessments or premium surcharges based on incurred losses. See “Business — Regulation.”

 

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In addition, as a condition to conducting business in some states, insurance companies are required to participate in residual market programs to provide insurance to those who cannot procure coverage from an insurance carrier on a negotiated basis. Insurance companies generally can fulfill their residual market obligations by, among other things, participating in a reinsurance pool where the results of all policies provided through the pool are shared by the participating insurance companies. Although we price our insurance to account for our potential obligations under these pooling arrangements, we may not be able to accurately estimate our liability for these obligations. Accordingly, mandatory pooling arrangements may cause a decrease in our profits. At June 30, 2016, we participated in mandatory pooling arrangements in three states. As we write policies in new states that have mandatory pooling arrangements, we will be required to participate in additional pooling arrangements. Further, the impairment, insolvency or failure of other insurance companies in these pooling arrangements would likely increase the liability for other members in the pool. The effect of assessments and premium surcharges or increases in such assessments or surcharges could reduce our profitability in any given period or limit our ability to grow our business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Other Segment.”

Risk Factors Relating to the Ownership of Our Common Stock

A small number of shareholders will collectively own a substantial portion of our common stock and voting power, and, because of restrictions on their ability to buy or sell our shares, our public float will be limited.

Collectively, the three investors purchasing shares from us pursuant to investment agreements (the Clinton-Flood Purchasers, Rock Island Investors, LLC and Tuscarora Wayne) will own or exercise voting and investment control of up to 1.4 million of our shares, or 40% of our outstanding common stock if we sold 3.5 million shares in this offering. Pursuant to their respective purchase agreement, each investor has agreed to, among other things, vote as recommended by our board of directors (subject to limited exceptions), agree to a standstill provision, including from purchasing shares of our common stock except as provided by a contractual preemptive right, for up to seven years, agreed to restrictions on their respective ability to sell their shares of our common stock. For more information regarding these purchase agreements, see “The Conversion Offering — Investor Agreements” below.

If and for so long as an investor beneficially owns two percent (2.0%) or more of the shares of our common stock and a standstill termination event has not occurred, the investor shall generally vote and cause to be voted all shares of common stock beneficially owned by such investor (a) for persons nominated and recommended by ICC Holdings’ board of directors for election as directors of ICC Holdings’ board of directors and against any person nominated for election as a director by any other person or entity, and (b) as directed or recommended by ICC Holdings’ board of directors with respect to any proposal presented at any meeting of ICC Holdings’ shareholders, including, but not limited to (i) the entire slate of directors recommended for election by the ICC Holdings’ board of directors to the shareholders of ICC Holdings at any meeting of ICC Holdings’ shareholders at which any directors are elected, (ii) any shareholder proposal submitted for a vote at any meeting of ICC Holdings’ shareholders, and (iii) any proposal submitted by ICC Holdings for a vote at any meeting of ICC Holdings’ shareholders relating (A) to the appointment of ICC Holdings’ accountants, or (B) an equity compensation plan of ICC Holdings and/or any material revisions thereto. This provision may have the effect of entrenching our board of directors and management team and may deprive you of the opportunity to sell your shares to potential acquirers at a premium over prevailing prices. As a result, other shareholders may be prevented from affecting matters involving our company, including:

 

•

the composition of our board of directors and, through it, any determination with respect to our business direction and policies, including the appointment and removal of officers;

 

•

any determinations with respect to mergers or other business combinations;

 

•

our acquisition or disposition of assets; and

 

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our corporate financing activities.

 

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Furthermore, this concentration of voting power could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control or other business combination that might otherwise be beneficial to our shareholders. This significant concentration of share ownership may also adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in a company that is controlled by a small number of shareholders.

In addition, these investors are restricted from buying or selling shares of our common stock pursuant to their respective investment agreements and, in some cases, by restrictions under applicable securities laws. For three years following the closing, each of the investors are generally prohibited from selling any shares of our common stock. Beginning on the third anniversary of the closing date, subject to our right of first refusal in favor of us, each investor could sell no more than six and one-quarter percent (6-1/4%) of the number of shares purchased at the closing of the offering every ninety days. Upon the occurrence of a death or disability of Mr. Clinton, no more than six and one-quarter percent (6-1/4%) of the number of shares purchased at the closing of the offering by Mr. Clinton and certain other purchasers who together have subscribed to purchase up to 600,000 shares of our common stock every ninety days by their trusts, estate or spouse could be sold beginning, unless an earlier date has been approved by a majority of the members of our board of directors other than Mr. Clinton or his replacement on our board of directors, (a) one year following such occurrence, if such event occurs during the first year following the closing date, (b) six months following such occurrence, if such event occurs during the second year following the closing date, or (c) following such occurrence, if such event occurs during the third year following the closing date. Until the expiration of the standstill provision discussed below, each investor is restricted from buying any shares of our common stock other than those acquired pursuant to their respective investment agreements and pursuant to their respective preemptive right thereunder. As a result, the liquidity of our common stock relative to what it would have been had these shares been purchased by other investors may be reduced.

For so long as an investor beneficially owns two percent (2.0%) or more of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, these standstill provisions will continue until the earliest of (a) the seventh anniversary of the closing of the offering, or (b) the date on which ICC Holdings includes a balance sheet in a filing with the SEC in which its “adjusted shareholders’ equity” at the end of such fiscal quarter is less than 85% of the “starting shareholders’ equity”. Assuming we receive gross proceeds of $35.0 million in the offering, using information as of June 30, 2016 as the starting shareholders’ equity, the adjusted shareholders equity would have to be $9.4 million lower in order to trigger a termination of the standstill provisions. For the definition of each of these terms, see “The Conversion and Offering - Investor Agreements” below. Following the expiration of the standstill and other provisions, if these investors retain their ownership levels, such investors together may be able to exhibit significant control over us and our management and will have significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, including future amendments to our amended and restated articles of incorporation or other significant or extraordinary transactions. The interests of these investors may differ from the interests of our other shareholders with respect to certain matters.

Our ESOP and stock-based incentive plan will increase our costs, which will reduce our income.

Our ESOP will purchase 10.0% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering with funds borrowed from us prior to the expiration of the offering. The cost of acquiring the shares of common stock for the ESOP, and therefore the amount of the loan, will be between $2,720,000 at the minimum of the offering range and $4,088,889 at the adjusted maximum of the offering range. The loan will be repaid over a fifteen year period. We will record annual employee stock ownership plan expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the shares of common stock committed to be released to employees under the ESOP for each year. If shares of our common stock appreciate in value over time, compensation expense relating to the employee stock ownership plan will increase.

We have adopted a stock-based incentive plan that we will submit to our shareholders for approval no earlier than six months after the offering. Under this plan, we may award participants restricted shares of our

 

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common stock, restricted stock units denominated in shares of our common stock, or options to purchase shares of our common stock. Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards will be made at no cost to the participants. Restricted stock units are payable in shares of common stock or in cash in the discretion of the compensation committee. The number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (to the extent that such restricted stock unit awards are not paid in cash) or upon exercise of stock option awards under the stock-based incentive plan may not exceed 4% and 10%, respectively, of the total number of shares sold in the offering.

The costs associated with the grant of restricted stock awarded under the stock-based incentive plan will be recognized and expensed over the vesting period of the award at the fair market value of the shares on the date they are awarded. If the restricted shares of common stock to be awarded under the plan are repurchased in the open market (rather than issued directly from our authorized but unissued shares of common stock) and cost the same as the purchase price in the offering, the reduction to shareholders’ equity due to the plan would be between $1,088,000 at the minimum of the offering range and $1,635,556 at the adjusted maximum of the offering range. To the extent we repurchase such shares in the open market and the price of such shares exceeds the offering price of $10.00 per share, the reduction to shareholders’ equity would exceed the range described above. Conversely, to the extent the price of such shares is below the offering price of $10.00 per share, the reduction to shareholders’ equity would be less than the range described above. The costs associated with the grant of restricted stock unit awards to be settled in cash will similarly be recognized and expensed over their vesting period at the fair market value of the shares on the date they are awarded. However, unlike awards of restricted stock, the fair market value will be remeasured on a quarterly basis until the award vests or is otherwise settled. Therefore, in addition to reducing our net income by recording this compensation and benefit expense, increases in our stock price will increase this expense for restricted stock unit awards settled in cash, thereby further reducing our net income.

Finally, accounting rules require companies to recognize as compensation expense the award-date fair value of stock options. This compensation expense will be recognized over the appropriate service period. When we record an expense for the award of options using the fair value method, we will incur significant compensation and benefits expense, which will reduce our net income.

The implementation of the stock-based incentive plan may dilute your percentage ownership interest and may also result in downward pressure on the price of our stock.

The proposed stock-based incentive plan will be funded through either open market purchases or from the issuance of authorized but unissued shares. In the event that authorized but unissued shares are used to fund restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards and the exercise of stock option awards under the plan in an amount equal to 4% and 10%, respectively, of the shares issued in a midpoint offering, shareholders would experience a reduction in ownership interest of approximately 12.3%. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance pursuant to restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards and upon exercise of stock option awards following the approval of our stock-based incentive plan may be perceived by the market as having a dilutive effect, which could lead to a decrease in the price of our common stock.

The valuation of our common stock in the offering is not necessarily indicative of the future price of our common stock, and the price of our common stock may decline after this offering.

There can be no assurance that shares of our common stock will be able to be sold in the market at or above the $10.00 per share initial offering price in the future. The final aggregate purchase price of our common stock in the offering will be based upon an independent appraisal. The appraisal is not intended, and should not be construed, as a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of common stock. The valuation is based on estimates of a number of matters, all of which are subject to change from time to time. See “The Conversion and Offering — The Valuation” for the factors considered by Feldman Financial in determining the appraisal.

 

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The price of shares of our common stock may decline for many reasons, some of which are beyond our control, including among others:

 

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Capital market conditions generally;

 

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quarterly variations in our results of operations;

 

•

changes in expectations as to our future results of operations, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;

 

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announcements by third parties of claims against us;

 

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changes in law and regulation;

 

•

results of operations that vary from those expected by investors; and

 

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future sales of shares of our common stock.

In addition, the stock market routinely experiences substantial price and volume fluctuations that sometimes have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. As a result, the trading price of shares of our common stock may be below the initial public offering price, and you may not be able to sell your shares at or above the price you pay to purchase them.

Statutory provisions and our articles and bylaws may discourage takeover attempts on ICC that you may believe are in your best interests or that might result in a substantial profit to you.

We are subject to provisions of Pennsylvania corporate law and Illinois insurance law that hinder a change of control. Illinois law requires the Illinois Department of Insurance’s prior approval of a change of control of an insurance holding company. Under Illinois law, the acquisition of 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of an insurer or its holding company is presumed to be a change in control. Approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance may be withheld even if the transaction would be in the shareholders’ best interest if the Illinois Department of Insurance determines that the transaction would be detrimental to policyholders.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws also contain provisions that may discourage a change in control. These provisions include:

 

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a prohibition on a person, including a group acting in concert, from acquiring voting control of more than 10% of our outstanding stock without prior approval of the board of directors;

 

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a classified board of directors divided into three classes serving for successive terms of three years each;

 

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the prohibition of cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

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the requirement that nominations for the election of directors made by shareholders and any shareholder proposals for inclusion on the agenda at any annual meeting must be made by notice (in writing) delivered or mailed to us not less than 90 days prior to the meeting;

 

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the prohibition of shareholders’ action without a meeting and of shareholders’ right to call a special meeting;

 

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unless otherwise waived by the board of directors, to be elected as a director, a person must be a shareholder of ICC Holdings, Inc. for the lesser of one year or the time that has elapsed since the completion of the conversion;

 

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the requirement imposing a mandatory tender offering requirement on a shareholder that has a combined voting power of 25% or more of the votes that our shareholders are entitled to cast;

 

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•

the requirement that certain provisions of our articles of incorporation can only be amended by an affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 80% of all votes that shareholders are entitled to cast, unless approved by an affirmative vote of at least 80% of the members of the board of directors; and

 

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the requirement that certain provisions of our bylaws can only be amended by an affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 66 2/3%, or in certain cases 80%, of all votes that shareholders are entitled to cast.

These provisions may serve to entrench management and may discourage a takeover attempt that you may consider to be in your best interest or in which you would receive a substantial premium over the current market price. These provisions may make it extremely difficult for any one person, entity or group of affiliated persons or entities to acquire voting control of ICC, with the result that it may be extremely difficult to bring about a change in the board of directors or management. Some of these provisions also may perpetuate present management because of the additional time required to cause a change in the control of the board. Other provisions make it difficult for shareholders owning less than a majority of the voting stock to be able to elect even a single director. See “Management — Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements” and “Description of the Capital Stock.”

We will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds that we retain from the offering.

Although we expect to use part of the net proceeds of the offering to potentially make open market purchases of our shares for our stock incentive plan, our management will have broad discretion with respect to the use of the net proceeds that are contributed to Illinois Casualty. Except as specified above, we expect to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, purchasing investment securities and further expanding our insurance operations. See “Use of Proceeds.”

We believe that subscription rights have no value, but the Internal Revenue Service may disagree, and therefore eligible members may be deemed to have taxable income as a result of their receipt of the subscription rights.

Generally, the federal income tax consequences of the receipt, exercise and expiration of subscription rights are uncertain. We intend to take the position that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, eligible members will be treated as transferring their membership interests in Illinois Casualty to ICC Holdings, Inc. in exchange for subscription rights to purchase ICC Holdings, Inc. common stock, and that any gain realized by an eligible member as a result of the receipt of a subscription right that is determined to have ascertainable fair market value on the date of such deemed exchange must be recognized and included in such eligible member’s gross income for federal income tax purposes, whether or not such right is exercised.

Feldman Financial has advised us that it believes the subscription rights will not have any fair market value. Feldman Financial has noted that the subscription rights will be granted at no cost to recipients, will be legally nontransferable and of short duration, and will provide the recipient with the right only to purchase shares of our common stock at the same price to be paid by members of the general public in the community offering. Nevertheless, Feldman Financial cannot assure us that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge its determination that the subscription rights will not have any fair market value or that such challenge, if made, would not be successful.

You should consult your tax advisors with respect to the potential tax consequences to you of the receipt, exercise and expiration of subscription rights.

The United States federal income tax consequences of the receipt, exercise or expiration of the subscription rights granted to eligible members of Illinois Casualty, our ESOP, and the directors, officers and employees of ICC are uncertain.

 

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For more information see “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Tax Consequences of Subscription Rights” and “Federal Income Tax Considerations — Recent Developments.”

If Illinois Casualty is not sufficiently profitable, our ability to pay dividends will be limited.

Following the conversion, we will be a separate entity with no operations of our own other than holding the stock of Illinois Casualty. We will depend primarily on dividends paid by Illinois Casualty and any proceeds from the offering that are not contributed to Illinois Casualty to pay the debt service on our existing loans and to provide funds for the payment of dividends. Following the acquisition of ICC Realty, LLC from Illinois Casualty by ICC Holdings, we may receive distributions from ICC Realty, LLC. We will receive dividends only after all of Illinois Casualty’s obligations and regulatory requirements with the Illinois Department of Insurance have been satisfied. During any twelve-month period, the amount of dividends paid by Illinois Casualty to us, without the prior approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance, may not exceed the greater of 10% of Illinois Casualty’s surplus as regards policyholders as reported on its most recent annual statement filed with the Illinois Department of Insurance or Illinois Casualty’s statutory net income as reported on such statement. We presently do not intend to pay dividends to our shareholders. If Illinois Casualty is not sufficiently profitable, our ability to pay dividends to you in the future will be limited.

Compliance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could result in higher operating costs and adversely affect our results of operations.

When the offering is completed, we will be subject to the periodic reporting, proxy solicitation, insider trading prohibitions and other obligations imposed under the Securities Exchange Act. In addition, certain of the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will immediately become applicable to us. Compliance with these requirements will increase our legal, accounting and other compliance costs and the cost of directors and officer’s liability insurance, and will require management to devote substantial time and effort to ensure initial and ongoing compliance with these obligations. A key component of compliance under the Exchange Act is to produce quarterly and annual financial reports within prescribed time periods after the close of our fiscal year and each fiscal quarter. Historically, we have not been required to prepare such financial reports within these time periods. Failure to satisfy these reporting requirements may result in delisting of our common stock by the Nasdaq Capital Market, and inquiries from or sanctions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Moreover, the provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that requires public companies to review and report on the adequacy of their internal controls over financial reporting will be applicable to us in 2021. We expect these rules, regulations and requirements to significantly increase our accounting, legal, compliance and other costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. We also will need to hire additional accounting, legal, compliance and administrative staff with experience working for public companies. We may be unable to hire such additional staff on terms that are favorable to us, or at all. In addition, such additional staff may not be able to provide such services at levels sufficient to comply with these requirements. Moreover, the rules that will be applicable to us as a public company after this offering could make it more difficult and expensive for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors and qualified executive officers. We also anticipate that these rules will make it more expensive for us to obtain directors’ and officers’ insurance, and we may be required to incur substantially higher costs to obtain such coverage. If we fail to predict these costs accurately or to manage these costs effectively, our operating results could be adversely affected.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our ability to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.

Upon completion of the offering, we will become a public reporting company. The federal securities laws and regulations of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will require that we file annual, quarterly and current reports, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting and that we certify the adequacy of our internal controls and procedures. Before this offering, we and

 

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our independent registered public accounting firm did not, and were not required to, perform an evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Our high price-to-earnings ratio may cause our stock to trade at less than $10 per share in the secondary market after completion of the offering.

Because of our relatively low returns on equity in recent reporting periods, Feldman Financial did not rely solely on the pro forma price-to-earnings ratio in performing its valuation of us. Instead, Feldman Financial relied significantly on the pro forma price-to-book ratio as a valuation metric in determining the value of the Company. As a result, the price-to-earnings ratio of our shares may be substantially higher than our peers after completion of the offering. This may result in our shares trading in the secondary market after completion of the offering at less than the $10 per share offering price.

If we do not obtain approval to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we may fail to complete our offering, and the price and liquidity of our stock may be adversely affected.

We have applied for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In order to list, we must meet certain minimum requirements for our shareholders’ equity, net income, the market value and number of publicly held shares, the number of shareholders, and the market price of our stock. In addition, to initially list, we must have at least three market makers agree to make a market in our stock. Even if we are approved, an active trading market may not develop and similar minimum criteria is required for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, including having up to four market makers making a market in our stock under certain continued listing standards. The failure to receive approval to list or a subsequent delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market may adversely affect the market price for our stock and reduce the liquidity of our common stock, and therefore, make it more difficult for you to sell our stock. Additionally, approval of our shares of common stock to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market is a closing condition with those investors with whom we have entered into purchase agreements. Failure to complete those transactions may result in our failure to complete this offering. For more information regarding the reduced liquidity as a result of our agreements with the investors, see “- Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Common Stock — A small number of shareholders will collectively own a substantial portion of our common stock and voting power, and, because of restrictions on their ability to buy or sell our shares, our public float will be limited.”

Because Stevens & Lee is acting as legal counsel to us and is an affiliate of Griffin, a conflict of interest exists which may adversely affect us.

Stevens & Lee is acting as our counsel in connection with this transaction. Griffin, an affiliate of Stevens & Lee, is acting as our underwriter in connection with this transaction. Accordingly, conflicts of interest may arise because Stevens & Lee is acting as counsel to us and is an affiliate of Griffin.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of such words as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “seek,” “expect” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include:

 

•

statements of goals, intentions and expectations;

 

•

statements regarding prospects and business strategy; and

 

•

estimates of future costs, benefits and results.

The forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” that could affect the actual outcome of future events.

All of these factors are difficult to predict and many are beyond our control. These important factors include those discussed under “Risk Factors” and those listed below:

 

•

the potential impact of fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions, or cybersecurity incidents;

 

•

future economic conditions in the markets in which we compete that are less favorable than expected;

 

•

our ability to expand geographically;

 

•

the effects of weather-related and other catastrophic events;

 

•

the effect of legislative, judicial, economic, demographic and regulatory events in the jurisdictions where we do business, especially changes with respect to laws, regulations and judicial decisions relating to liquor liability;

 

•

our ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities either through acquisitions or the expansion of our producer network;

 

•

financial market conditions, including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and the stock markets causing a reduction of investment income or investment gains and a reduction in the value of our investment portfolio;

 

•

heightened competition, including specifically the intensification of price competition, the entry of new competitors and the development of new products by new or existing competitors, resulting in a reduction in the demand for our products;

 

•

the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war;

 

•

the effects of terrorist related insurance legislation and laws;

 

•

changes in general economic conditions, including inflation, unemployment, interest rates and other factors;

 

•

the cost, availability and collectability of reinsurance;

 

•

estimates and adequacy of loss reserves and trends in loss and loss adjustment expenses;

 

•

changes in the coverage terms selected by insurance customers, including higher limits;

 

•

our inability to obtain regulatory approval of, or to implement, premium rate increases;

 

•

our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at reasonable prices or on terms that adequately protect us;

 

•

the potential impact on our reported net income that could result from the adoption of future auditing or accounting standards issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard-setting bodies;

 

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•

unanticipated changes in industry trends and ratings assigned by nationally recognized rating organizations;

 

•

adverse litigation or arbitration results; and

 

•

adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations or rules governing insurance holding companies and insurance companies, and environmental, tax or accounting matters including limitations on premium levels, increases in minimum capital and reserves, and other financial viability requirements, and changes that affect the cost of, or demand for our products.

Because forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from that expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.

ALL SUBSEQUENT WRITTEN AND ORAL FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION ATTRIBUTABLE TO ICC OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON OUR BEHALF IS EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONTAINED OR REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following table sets forth selected financial data for Illinois Casualty prior to the offering. The selected statements of operations and expenses data for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Illinois Casualty and its subsidiaries contained herein. The selected statements of operations and expenses data for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and the selected balance sheet data as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 are derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Illinois Casualty and its subsidiaries contained herein. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated financial information set forth below on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and have included all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results for such periods. You should read this data in conjunction with our financial statements and accompanying notes, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.

We evaluate our insurance operations by monitoring certain key measures of growth and profitability. In addition to GAAP measures, we utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are valuable in managing our business and for providing comparisons to our peers. These non-GAAP measures are loss and loss adjustment expense ratios, expense ratios and combined ratios, written premiums, and net written premiums to statutory surplus ratio.

These historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results, and the results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year.

The selected historical financial data of ICC Holdings, Inc. have not been presented as ICC Holdings, Inc. is a newly incorporated entity, has had no business transactions or activities to date and had no assets or liabilities during the periods presented in this section.

 

		At or for the years ended December 31,								At or for the six months ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2016				2015
		(Dollars in thousands)
Statement of Operations Data:
Direct premiums written		$	49,047			$	46,340			$	25,878			$	24,844
Net premiums written		$	41,631			$	41,077			$	21,898			$	20,853
Net premiums earned		$	40,220				38,121			$	20,846				19,217
Net investment income			1,333				1,141				770				694
Other net realized investment gains			81				459				138				34
Other revenue			190				113				76				136
Total revenue		$	41,823				39,833			$	21,830				20,081
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expense		$	23,801				22,748			$	12,557				11,747
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs			6,814				6,821				3,437				3,280
Underwriting and administrative expense			7,742				7,501				4,106				3,738
Other operating expenses			450				397				291				212
Total losses and expenses		$	38,806				37,468			$	20,391				18,977
			0				0
Income, before income taxes		$	3,016				2,365			$	1,439				1,104
Income tax expense			862				779				548				315
Net income		$	2,155				1,585			$	891				789

 

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		At or for the years ended December 31,								At or for the six months ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2016				2015
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Total investments, cash and cash equivalents		$	76,260				72,917			$	77,717				72,433
Premiums receivable, net of allowance			15,638				14,522				17,254				17,149
Reinsurance receivable			19,535				25,855				15,557				22,719
Total assets			123,373				123,428				123,608				123,341
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses			61,056				64,617				57,387				63,619
Unearned premiums			23,948				22,498				25,263				24,147
Total liabilities			93,208				94,393				90,733				94,070
Equity			30,166				29,035				32,876				29,271
Non-GAAP Ratios:
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio (1)			59.18	%			59.67	%			60.24	%			61.13	%
Expense ratio (2)			36.19	%			37.57	%			36.19	%			36.52	%
Combined ratio (3)			96.49	%			98.29	%			96.42	%			97.65	%
Return on average equity			7.3	%			5.7	%			2.9	%			2.5	%
Statutory Data:
Statutory net income (loss)		$	1,849			$	1,381			$	699			$	528
Statutory surplus		$	26,856			$	25,193			$	27,719			$	25,492
Ratio of net premiums written to statutory surplus (4)			155.02	%			163.05	%			153.96	%			157.04	%

 

(1)	Calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses by net premiums earned.

(2)	Calculated by dividing amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and underwriting and administrative expenses by net premiums earned.

(3)	The sum of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio of under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.

(4)	The information as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 is presented on an annualized basis.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Although the actual proceeds from the sale of our common stock cannot be determined until the offering is complete, we currently anticipate that the gross proceeds from the sale of our common stock will be between $27.2 million, at the minimum, and $40.9 million, at the adjusted maximum, of the offering range. We expect net proceeds from this offering to be between $25.9 million and $39.3 million, after payment of our offering expenses. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — Additional Pro Forma Data” and “The Conversion and Offering — The Valuation” as to the assumptions used to arrive at such amounts. While we currently have no specific plan for a majority of the net proceeds, the principal purpose of this offering is to convert Illinois Casualty from a mutual insurance company into a stock insurance company in order to enhance our strategic and financial flexibility and to provide Illinois Casualty’s eligible members with the right to acquire an equity interest in us. Additionally, we believe that additional capital resulting from the offering should: (i) support further organic growth in direct written premium, (ii) enhance the prospect for Illinois Casualty to receive a rating upgrade from A. M. Best, (iii) permit prudent geographic expansion, and (iv) provide a more cost effective capital structure.

We expect to use the net proceeds from the offering as follows:

 

		Minimum				Adjusted Maximum
Net Proceeds
Gross proceeds		$	27,200,000			$	40,888,889
Estimated offering expenses			625,000				625,000
Estimated selling agent fees and expenses (1)			644,000				917,778
Net proceeds		$	25,931,000			$	39,346,112
Use of Net Proceeds
Conversion expenses			1,050,000				1,050,000
Purchase of ICC Realty, LLC			5,000,000				5,000,000
General corporate purposes			17,161,000				29,207,222
Total		$	25,931,000			$	39,346,112

 

(1)

Because of the purchase agreements with those certain investors, at this time, we do not anticipate selling shares to the public in a syndicated community offering. Commissions payable in connection with shares purchased in the syndicated community offering are higher than those payable for shares sold in the subscription and community offerings. For information regarding such commissions, see “The Conversion and Offering — Marketing and Underwriting Arrangements” below.

After the payment of our conversion and offering expenses and commissions, contingent upon approval from the Illinois Department of Insurance, we expect to purchase from Illinois Casualty its subsidiary, ICC Realty, LLC, for approximately $5 million, which we believe represents its fair market value. ICC Realty, LLC holds real estate assets consisting of our corporate headquarters building, an assisted living facility and other investment real estate. We believe that transferring ICC Realty, LLC out of Illinois Casualty in exchange for cash represents a more efficient use of capital. Under current Risk Based Capital (RBC) Calculation promulgated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which has been adopted by the Illinois Department of Insurance, we are required to maintain RBC equal to 10% of the value of the real estate owned by ICC Realty, LLC, as a subsidiary of Illinois Casualty, which amounted to approximately $437,000. If $5 million were held as investments in the same proportion among cash, bonds and equity as held overall on June 30, 2016, the amount of RBC we would be required to maintain would be approximately $135,000, reducing our RBC requirements by approximately $302,000.

 

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We expect to contribute most of the remaining net proceeds from the offering to Illinois Casualty. The net proceeds contributed to the capital of Illinois Casualty will also be used for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing our reliance on reinsurance, furthering our geographic diversification through expansion of our producer network. See “Business — Our Business Strategies and Offering Rationale.” On a short-term basis, the net proceeds contributed to Illinois Casualty will be invested primarily in U.S. government securities, other federal agency securities, and other securities consistent with our investment policy.

Also, we intend to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including the possible purchase of stock to fund restricted stock awards and stock option grants. Except as described above, we currently have no specific plans, arrangements or understandings regarding the use of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

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MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK

We have applied for listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ICCH,” subject to the completion of the offering.

We have never issued any capital stock to the public. Consequently, there is no established market for our common stock. The development of a public market having the desirable characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends upon the presence in the marketplace of a sufficient number of willing buyers and sellers at any given time. Neither we nor any market maker has any control over the development of such a public market. Although we have applied to have our stock listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, an active trading market is unlikely to develop. This is, in part, because the size of the offering is small and a majority of our common stock will be held by certain investors, our management and our ESOP.

One of the requirements for initial listing of the common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market is that there are at least three market makers for the common stock. Griffin intends to become a market maker in our common stock following the offering, but is under no obligation to do so. We cannot assure you that there will be three or more market makers for our common stock. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to resell your shares of common stock for a price at or above $10.00 per share, or that approval for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market will be available, as contemplated.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

Payment of dividends on our common stock is subject to determination and declaration by our board of directors. Our dividend policy will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

At present, we have no intention to pay dividends to our shareholders. We cannot assure you that dividends will be paid, or if and when paid, that they will continue to be paid in the future.

We initially will have no significant source of cash flow other than dividends from Illinois Casualty and the investment earnings on any net proceeds of the offering not contributed to Illinois Casualty. After we acquire ICC Realty, LLC from Illinois Casualty, we may receive distributions from ICC Realty, LLC. Therefore, the payment of dividends by us will depend significantly upon our receipt of dividends from Illinois Casualty or ICC Realty, LLC.

Illinois law sets the maximum amount of dividends that may be paid by Illinois Casualty during any twelve-month period after notice to, but without prior approval of, the Illinois Department of Insurance. This amount cannot exceed the greater of 10% of the company’s surplus as regards policyholders as reported on the most recent annual statement filed with the Illinois Department of Insurance, or the company’s statutory net income for the period covered by the annual statement as reported on such statement. As of June 30, 2016, the amount available for payment of dividends by Illinois Casualty to us in 2016 without the prior approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance is approximately $2.7 million. We cannot assure you that the Illinois Department of Insurance would approve the declaration or payment by Illinois Casualty of any dividends in excess of such amount to us. See “Business — Regulation.”

Even if we receive any dividends from Illinois Casualty, we may not declare any dividends to our shareholders because of our working capital requirements. We are not subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to shareholders, but we are subject to the requirements of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988. This law generally permits dividends or distributions to be paid as long as, after making the dividend or distribution, we will be able to pay our debts in the ordinary course of business and our total assets will exceed our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of stock with senior liquidation rights if we were to be dissolved at the time the dividend or distribution is paid.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table displays information regarding our historical and pro forma capitalization at June 30, 2016, on a consolidated basis. The pro forma information gives effect to the sale of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, and maximum of the range of our estimated consolidated pro forma market value, as determined by the independent valuation of Feldman Financial. The pro forma information also is displayed at the maximum of the estimated valuation range plus shares issuable to the ESOP, which we refer to as the “adjusted maximum.” The various capital positions are displayed based upon the assumptions set forth under “Use of Proceeds.” For additional financial information, see the consolidated financial statements of Illinois Casualty Company and related notes beginning on page F-2 of this prospectus. The total number of shares to be issued in the offering will range from 2,720,000 shares to 4,088,889 shares. The exact number will depend on market and financial conditions. See “Use of Proceeds” and “The Conversion and Offering — Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued.”

Pro Forma Capitalization at June 30, 2016

 

		ICC Historical Consolidated Capitalization				Minimum				Midpoint				Maximum				Adjusted Maximum
		(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; authorized shares 10,000,000 (1)		$	—			$	27			$	32			$	37			$	41
Additional paid in capital			—				25,904				30,603				35,302				39,305
Retained earnings			30,526				30,526				30,526				30,526				30,526
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			2,350				2,350				2,350				2,350				2,350
Less: common stock to be acquired by ESOP (2)			—				2,720				3,200				3,680				4,089
Total shareholders’ equity		$	32,876			$	56,087			$	60,311			$	64,535			$	68,133

 

(1)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares of common stock pursuant to the proposed stock-based incentive plan. We intend to adopt a stock-based incentive plan and will submit such plan to shareholders for their approval at a meeting of shareholders to be held at least six months following completion of the offering. If the plan is approved by shareholders, an amount equal to 14% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering will be available for future issuance under such plan. Under such plan, 4% will be available for future awards of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards settled in our common stock, and 10% will be available for future stock option grants. Your ownership percentage would decrease by approximately 12.3% if shares were issued from our authorized but unissued shares upon the grant of all potential restricted stock awards and the exercise of all potential stock options, and if 2,720,000 shares were sold in the offering. No decrease in your ownership percentage will occur if the shares are purchased for the plan on the open market. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — Additional Pro Forma Data” and “Management — Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements — Stock-Based Incentive Plan.”

(2)

Assumes that 10.0% of the common stock sold in the offering will be purchased by the ESOP. The common stock acquired by the ESOP is reflected as a reduction in shareholders’ equity. Assumes the funds used to acquire the ESOP shares will be borrowed from ICC Holdings. See Note 1 to the table set forth under “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information — Additional Pro Forma Data” and “Management — Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements — Employee Stock Ownership Plan.”

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, gives effect to the completion of the offering, including implementation of the ESOP, as if it had occurred as of those dates. The data is based on the assumption that 2,720,000 shares of common stock (the minimum number of shares required to be sold in the offering) are sold to eligible members of Illinois Casualty, our directors, officers, and employees, the investors, and the ESOP and other purchasers in the subscription offering and community offering, and that no shares are sold in the syndicated community offering.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015, presents our operating results as if the offering was completed and the implementation of the ESOP had occurred as of January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2015, respectively.

Completion of the offering is contingent on the sale of a minimum of 2,720,000 shares of common stock in the offering. If less than 2,720,000 shares of common stock are subscribed for in the subscription offering and community offering phases, the remaining shares may be sold in the syndicated community offering phase.

The unaudited pro forma information does not claim to represent what our financial position or results of operations would have been had the offering occurred on the dates indicated. This information is not intended to project our financial position or results of operations for any future date or period. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and certain assumptions that we believe are factually supportable and reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, the accompanying notes, and the other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The pro forma adjustments and pro forma amounts are provided for informational purposes only. Our financial statements will reflect the effects of the offering only from the date it is completed.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2016

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		ICC Historical Consolidated				Pro Forma Adjustments				ICC Pro Forma Consolidated (3)
Assets
Investments and Cash
Fixed Income
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost — $61,100 at June 30, 2016)		$	64,502			$	18,276	(1)		$	82,778
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost — $9,671 at June 30, 2016)			9,829			$	2,785	(1)			12,613
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value			—								—
Cash and invested assets			3,386				1,000				4,386
Total investments and cash			77,717				22,061				99,778
Accrued investment income			505								505
Premiums and Reinsurance receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $100 at June 30, 2016			17,254								17,254
Ceded unearned premiums			270								270
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $0 at June 30, 2016			15,557								15,557
Current federal income taxes			299								299
Net deferred federal income taxes			392								392
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net			4,214								4,214
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,938 at June 30, 2016			6,047								6,047
Other assets			1,353								1,353
Total assets		$	123,608			$	22,061			$	145,669
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses		$	57,387							$	57,387
Unearned premiums			25,263								25,263
Reinsurance balances payable			233								233
Corporate debt			3,743			$	(1,150	)(4)			2,593
Accrued expenses			3,263								3,263
Bank overdraft			—								—
Other liabilities			844								844
Total liabilities		$	90,733			$	(1,150	)		$	89,583
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock (2,720,000 shares with a par value of $0.01)							27	(1)			27
Paid in Capital							25,904	(2)			25,904
Unearned compensation							(2,720	)			(2,720	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes			2,349								2,349
Retained earnings			30,526								30,526
Total shareholders’ equity		$	32,875			$	23,211			$	56,086
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	123,608			$	22,061			$	145,669

 

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(1)

The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet, as prepared, gives effect to the sale of common stock at the minimum of the estimated range of our consolidated pro forma market value, as determined by the independent valuation of Feldman Financial. The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet is based upon the assumptions set forth under “Use of Proceeds.”

(2)

Reflects the $2,720,000 loan from us to our ESOP prior to the expiration of the offering, the proceeds of which will be used to purchase 10.0% of the common stock issued in the offering at a purchase price of $10.00 per share. The amount of this borrowing has been reflected as a reduction from net proceeds to determine the estimated funds available for investment. The amount of the ESOP loan will increase to $3,200,000, $3,680,000 and $4,088,889 if 3,200,000 shares, 3,680,000 shares and 4,088,889 shares, respectively, are sold in the offering. The ESOP loan will bear interest at an annual rate equal to the current long-term Applicable Federal Rate with annual compounding in effect on the closing date of the offering and will be amortized over a fifteen year period.

(3)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we intend to adopt. Under the stock-based incentive plan, an amount equal to the aggregate of 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 272,000, 320,000, 368,000, and 408,889 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be available for future issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. Also under the stock-based incentive plan an amount equal to the aggregate of 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 108,800, 128,000, 147,200 and 163,556 shares of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be purchased either through open market purchases or issued by ICC for the purposes of making awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan. We expect to seek shareholder approval of the plan at least six months after completion of the offering. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock for the purpose of making awards of stock options, restricted stock, or restricted stock units under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.3% at the midpoint of the offering range.

(4)	Assumes the conversion of the surplus note issued by Illinois Casualty to John R. Klockau, a member of our board of directors, in connection with the offering. The surplus note has a principal amount of $1.15 million.

For comparison with the above, the following table provides the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of common stock at the minimum, midpoint and maximum of the estimated valuation range and at the adjusted maximum, which includes the shares to be issued to the ESOP in the event we accept subscriptions to purchase the maximum number of shares from other purchasers in the offering.

 

		Minimum				Midpoint				Maximum				Adjusted Maximum
		(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Gross proceeds from the offering		$	27,200			$	32,000			$	36,800			$	40,889
Less: common stock acquired by the ESOP			2,720				3,200				3,680				4,089
Less: offering expenses			625				625				625				625
Less: underwriting commissions			644				740				836				918
Net proceeds from the offering		$	23,211			$	27,435			$	31,659			$	35,257
Total shares issued by ICC in the offering			2,720,000				3,200,000				3,680,000				4,088,889

The ESOP loan will require at least annual payments of principal and interest for a term of fifteen years. Illinois Casualty intends to make contributions to the ESOP at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the ESOP loan. As the ESOP loan is repaid, the shareholders’ equity of ICC Holdings, Inc. will be increased. The ESOP expense reflects adoption of ASC 718-40, which requires recognition of expense based upon shares committed to be allocated under the ESOP, and the exclusion of unallocated shares from earnings per share computations. The valuation of shares committed to be allocated under the ESOP would be based upon the average market value of the shares during the year. For purposes of this calculation, the average market value was assumed to be equal to $10.00 per share. See “Management — Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements.”

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2015

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		ICC Historical Consolidated				Pro Forma Adjustments				ICC Pro Forma Consolidated (3)
Assets
Investments and Cash
Fixed Income
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost — $63,995 in 2015)		$	65,195			$	18,276	(1)		$	83,471
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost — $8,967 in 2015)			8,885			$	2,785	(1)			11,670
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value			—								—
Cash and invested assets			2,180				1,000				3,180
Total investments and cash			76,260				22,061				98,321
Accrued investment income			580								580
Premiums and Reinsurance receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $100 in 2015			15,638								15,638
Ceded unearned premiums			57								57
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $0 in 2015			19,535								19,535
Current federal income taxes			773								773
Net deferred federal income taxes			1,401								1,401
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net			3,983								3,983
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,553 in 2015			4,241								4,241
Other assets			905								905
Total assets		$	123,373			$	22,061			$	145,434
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses		$	61,056							$	61,056
Unearned premiums			23,948								23,948
Reinsurance balances payable			—								—
Corporate debt			3,274				(1,150	)(4)			2,124
Accrued expenses			4,096								4,096
Other liabilities			834								834
Total liabilities		$	93,208			$	(1,150	)		$	92,058
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock (2,720,000 shares with a par value of $0.01)			—				27	(1)			27
Paid in Capital			—				25,904	(2)			25,904
Unearned compensation			—				(2,720	)			(2,720	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes			530								530
Retained earnings			29,636								29,636
Total shareholders’ equity		$	30,166			$	23,211			$	53,377
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	123,373			$	22,061			$	145,434

 

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(1)

The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet, as prepared, gives effect to the sale of common stock at the minimum of the estimated range of our consolidated pro forma market value, as determined by the independent valuation of Feldman Financial. The unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet is based upon the assumptions set forth under “Use of Proceeds.”

(2)

Reflects the $2,720,000 loan from us to our ESOP prior to the expiration of the offering, the proceeds of which will be used to purchase 10.0% of the common stock issued in the offering at a purchase price of $10.00 per share. The amount of this borrowing has been reflected as a reduction from net proceeds to determine the estimated funds available for investment. The amount of the ESOP loan will increase to $3,200,000, $3,680,000 and $4,088,889 if 3,200,000 shares, 3,680,000 shares and 4,088,889 shares, respectively, are sold in the offering. The ESOP loan will bear interest at an annual rate equal to the current long-term Applicable Federal Rate with annual compounding in effect on the closing date of the offering and will be amortized over a fifteen year period.

(3)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we intend to adopt. Under the stock-based incentive plan, an amount equal to the aggregate of 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 272,000, 320,000, 368,000, and 408,889 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be available for future issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. Also under the stock-based incentive plan an amount equal to the aggregate of 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 108,800, 128,000, 147,200 and 163,556 shares of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be purchased either through open market purchases or issued by ICC for the purposes of making awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan. We expect to seek shareholder approval of the plan at least six months after completion of the offering. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock for the purpose of making awards of stock options, restricted stock, or restricted stock units under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.3% at the midpoint of the offering range.

(4)	Assumes the conversion of the surplus note issued by Illinois Casualty to John R. Klockau, a member of our board of directors, in connection with the offering. The surplus note has a principal amount of $1.15 million.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

		ICC Historical Consolidated				Pro Forma Adjustments				ICC Pro Forma Consolidated
Net premiums earned		$	20,846							$	20,846
Net investment income			770								770
Net realized investment gains			138								138
Other income			76								76
Consolidated revenues			21,830								21,830
Losses and settlement expenses			12,557								12,557
Policy acquisition costs			7,543								7,543
Interest expense on debt			92								92
General corporate expenses			199				91	(1)			290
Total expenses			20,391				91				20,482
Earnings before income taxes			1,439				(91	)			1,348
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current			477				(31	)(2)			446
Deferred			71								71
Total income tax expense:			548				(31	)			517
Net earnings		$	891			$	(60	)		$	831
Basic and Fully Diluted EPS		$	—							$	0.339	(4)

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statements of Operations

 

(1)

General operating expenses include a pro forma adjustment to recognize compensation expense under the ESOP will be offset by a dollar-for-dollar reduction in expense for the Illinois Casualty Company Profit Sharing Cash Bonus Program for shares of common stock committed to be released to participants as the principal and interest of the $2,720,000 loan from us to the ESOP is repaid. The pro forma adjustment reflects the amounts repaid on the ESOP loan based on fifteen equal annual installments of principal and interest.

 

(2)	Adjustments to reflect the federal income tax effects in note (1) above assuming an effective federal and state income tax rate of 34%.

 

(3)

It is assumed that 10.0% of the shares issuable in the offering will be purchased by our ESOP. For purposes of this table, the funds used to acquire such shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the ESOP from ICC Holdings, Inc. The amount to be borrowed is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Illinois Casualty expects to make annual contributions to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. Annual payments of the ESOP debt are based upon fifteen equal annual installments of principal and interest. The pro forma net earnings assumes: (i) that the contribution to the ESOP is equivalent to the debt service requirement for the six months ended June 30, 2016; (ii) (A) that 9,067, 10,667, 12,267, and 13,630 shares at the minimum, the midpoint, the maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range, respectively, were committed to be released at the end of the year ended December 31, 2016, at an average fair value of $10.00 per share, in accordance with ASC 718-40; and (B) for purposes of calculating the net income per share, the weighted average of the ESOP shares which have not been committed for release, equal 270,116, 317,784, 365,451 and 406,057 at the minimum,

 

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midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range during the six months ended June 30, 2016, were subtracted from total shares outstanding of 2,720,000, 3,200,000, 3,680,000, and 4,088,889 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range on such dates.

 

(4)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we intend to adopt. Under the stock-based incentive plan, an amount equal to the aggregate of 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 272,000, 320,000, 368,000, and 408,889 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be available for future issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. Also under the stock-based incentive plan an amount equal to the aggregate of 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 108,800, 128,000, 147,200 and 163,556 shares of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be purchased either through open market purchases or issued by ICC for the purposes of making awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan. We expect to seek shareholder approval of the plan at least six months after completion of the offering. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock for the purpose of making awards of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.3% at the midpoint of the offering range.

Additional Pro Forma Data

The actual net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in the offering cannot be determined until the offering is completed. However, the offering net proceeds are currently estimated to be between $25.9 million and $39.4 million, based upon the following assumptions:

 

•

expenses of the conversion and offering will be $1.1 million; and

 

•

underwriting commissions will equal 2.0% of the gross proceeds of the offering and that no shares will be sold in the syndicated community offering.

We have prepared the following table, which sets forth our historical net income and retained earnings prior to the offering and our pro forma net income and shareholders’ equity following the offering. In preparing this table and in calculating pro forma data, the following assumptions have been made:

 

•

the loan from us to our ESOP to purchase an amount equal to 10.0% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering is treated as a reduction in net proceeds;

 

•

average weighted shares outstanding and ESOP expense have been calculated as if our common stock had been sold in the offering on January 1, 2016;

 

•

pro forma per share amounts have been calculated by dividing historical and pro forma amounts by the indicated number of shares of stock, as adjusted to give effect to the purchase of shares by our ESOP; and

 

•

pro forma shareholders’ equity amounts, pro forma net income, and pro forma loss per share have been calculated as if our common stock had been sold in the offering on June 30, 2016, and, accordingly, no effect has been given to the assumed earnings effect of the net proceeds from the offering.

The following pro forma information may not be representative of the financial effects of the offering at the date on which the offering actually occurs and should not be taken as indicative of future results of operations. The pro forma shareholders’ equity is not intended to represent the fair market value of the common stock and may be different than amounts that would be available for distribution to shareholders in the event of liquidation.

 

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The following table summarizes historical data and our pro forma data at June 30, 2016, based on the assumptions set forth above and in the table and should not be used as a basis for projection of the market value of the common stock following the completion of the offering.

 

		At or For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands, except for share and per share data)
		2,720,000 shares sold at $10.00 per share (minimum of range)				3,200,000 shares sold at $10.00 per share (midpoint of range)				3,680,000 shares sold at $10.00 per share (maximum of range)				4,088,889 shares sold at $10.00 per share (adjusted maximum of range)
Pro forma offering proceeds
Gross proceeds of public offering		$	27,200			$	32,000			$	36,800			$	40,889
Less offering expenses and commissions			1,269				1,365				1,461				1,543
Net proceeds			25,931				30,635				35,339				39,346
Less ESOP shares (1)			2,720				3,200				3,680				4,089
Net proceeds after ESOP shares		$	23,211			$	27,435			$	31,659			$	35,257
Pro forma shareholders’ equity
Historical equity of ICC			32,876				32,876				32,876				32,876
Pro forma proceeds after ESOP shares			23,211				27,435				31,659				35,257
Pro forma shareholders’ equity (2)		$	56,087			$	60,311			$	64,535			$	68,133
Pro forma per share data
Total shares outstanding after the offering			2,720,000				3,200,000				3,680,000				4,088,889
Pro forma book value per share			20.62				18.85				17.54				16.66
Pro forma price-to-book value			48.5	%			53.1	%			57.0	%			60.0	%
Pro forma net income:
Historical income			890.6				890.6				890.6				890.6
ESOP and other expense, net of tax			59.8				70.4				81.0				90.0
Pro forma income		$	830.7			$	820.2			$	809.6			$	800.6
Weighted average shares outstanding (3)			2,449,884				2,882,216				3,314,549				3,682,832
Pro forma net income per share		$	0.34			$	0.28			$	0.24			$	0.22

 

(1)

It is assumed that 10.0% of the aggregate shares sold in the offering will be purchased by the ESOP. The funds used to acquire such shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the ESOP from us. The amount to be borrowed is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Annual contributions are expected to be made to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. The pro forma net income assumes: (i) that the contribution to the ESOP is equivalent to the debt service requirements for the six months ended June 30, 2016; and (ii) only the ESOP shares committed to be released were considered outstanding for purposes of the net income per share calculations.

(2)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we intend to adopt. Under the stock-based incentive plan, an amount equal to the aggregate of 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 272,000, 320,000, 368,000, and 408,889 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be available for future issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. Also under the stock-based incentive plan an amount equal to the aggregate of 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 108,800, 128,000, 147,200 and 163,556 shares of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be purchased either through open market purchases or issued by ICC for the purposes of making awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan. We expect to seek shareholder approval of the plan at least six months after completion of the offering. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock for the purpose of making awards of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.3% at the midpoint of the offering range.

(3)	It is assumed that 10.0% of the shares issuable in the offering will be purchased by our ESOP. For purposes of this table, the funds used to acquire such shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the ESOP from ICC Holdings, Inc. The

 

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amount to be borrowed is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity of ICC Holdings, Inc. Annual contributions are expected to be made to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. The annual payment of the ESOP debt is based upon fifteen equal annual installments of principal and interest. The pro forma net earnings assumes: (i) that the contribution to the ESOP is equivalent to the debt service requirement for the year ended December 31, 2016; (ii) that 9,067, 10,667, 12,267 and 13,630 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range, respectively, were committed to be released at the end of the year ended December 31, 2016, at an average fair value of $10.00 per share in accordance with ASC 718-40; and (iii) for purposes of calculating the net income per share, the weighted average of the ESOP shares which have not been committed for release, equal to 270,116, 317,784, 365,451 and 406,057 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range during the six months ended June 30, 2016, were subtracted from total shares outstanding of 2,720,000, 3,200,000, 3,680,000 and 4,088,889 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range on such dates.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

		ICC Historical Consolidated				Pro Forma Adjustments				ICC Pro Forma Consolidated
Net premiums earned		$	40,220							$	40,220
Net investment income			1,333								1,333
Net realized investment gains			81								81
Other income			190								190
Consolidated revenues			41,823								41,823
Losses and settlement expenses			23,801								23,801
Policy acquisition costs			14,555								14,555
Interest expense on debt			136								136
General corporate expenses			314				181	(1)			495
Total expenses			38,806				181				38,988
Earnings before income taxes			3,016				(181	)			2,835
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current			462				(62	)(2)			400
Deferred			400								400
Total income tax expense:			862				(62	)			800
Net earnings		$	2,155			$	(120	)		$	2,035
Basic and Fully Diluted EPS		$	—							$	0.828	(4)

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statements of Operations

 

(1)

General operating expenses include a pro forma adjustment to recognize compensation expense under the ESOP for shares of common stock committed to be released to participants as the principal and interest of the $2,720,000 loan from us to the ESOP is repaid. The pro forma adjustment reflects the amounts repaid on the ESOP loan based on fifteen equal annual installments of principal and interest.

 

(2)	Adjustments to reflect the federal income tax effects in note (1) above assuming an effective federal and state income tax rate of 34%.

 

(3)

It is assumed that 10.0% of the shares issuable in the offering will be purchased by our ESOP. For purposes of this table, the funds used to acquire such shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the ESOP from ICC Holdings, Inc. The amount to be borrowed is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Illinois Casualty expects to make annual contributions to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. Annual payments of the ESOP debt are based upon fifteen equal annual installments of principal and interest. The pro forma net earnings assumes: (i) that the contribution to the ESOP is equivalent to the debt service requirement for the year ended December 31, 2015; (ii) (A) that 18,133, 21,333 24,533, and 27,259 shares at the minimum, the midpoint, the maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range, respectively, were committed to be released at the end of the year ended December 31, 2015, at an average fair value of $10.00 per share, in accordance with ASC 718-40; and (B) for purposes of calculating the net income per share, the weighted average of the ESOP shares which have not been committed for release, equal to 263,650, 310,176, 356,702 and 396,336 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range during the year ended December 31, 2015, were subtracted from total shares outstanding of 2,720,000, 3,200,000, 3,680,000, and 4,088,889 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range on such dates.

 

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(4)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we intend to adopt. Under the stock-based incentive plan, an amount equal to the aggregate of 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 272,000, 320,000, 368,000, and 408,889 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be available for future issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. Also under the stock-based incentive plan an amount equal to the aggregate of 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 108,800, 128,000, 147,200 and 163,556 shares of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be purchased either through open market purchases or issued by ICC for the purposes of making awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan. We expect to seek shareholder approval of the plan at least six months after completion of the offering. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock for the purpose of making awards of stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.3% at the midpoint of the offering range.

Additional Pro Forma Data

The actual net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in the offering cannot be determined until the offering is completed. However, the offering net proceeds are currently estimated to be between $23.2 million and $35.3 million, based upon the following assumptions:

 

•

expenses of the conversion and offering will be $1.1 million; and

 

•

underwriting commissions will equal 2.0% of the gross proceeds of the offering and that no shares will be sold in the syndicated community offering.

We have prepared the following table, which sets forth our historical net income and retained earnings prior to the offering and our pro forma net income and shareholders’ equity following the offering. In preparing this table and in calculating pro forma data, the following assumptions have been made:

 

•

the loan from us to our ESOP to purchase an amount equal to 10.0% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering is treated as a reduction in net proceeds;

 

•

average weighted shares outstanding and ESOP expense have been calculated as if our common stock had been sold in the offering on January 1, 2015;

 

•

pro forma per share amounts have been calculated by dividing historical and pro forma amounts by the indicated number of shares of stock, as adjusted to give effect to the purchase of shares by our ESOP; and

 

•

pro forma shareholders’ equity amounts, pro forma net income, and pro forma loss per share have been calculated as if our common stock had been sold in the offering on December 31, 2015, and, accordingly, no effect has been given to the assumed earnings effect of the net proceeds from the offering.

The following pro forma information may not be representative of the financial effects of the offering at the date on which the offering actually occurs and should not be taken as indicative of future results of operations. The pro forma shareholders’ equity is not intended to represent the fair market value of the common stock and may be different than amounts that would be available for distribution to shareholders in the event of liquidation.

 

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The following table summarizes historical data and our pro forma data at December 31, 2015, based on the assumptions set forth above and in the table and should not be used as a basis for projection of the market value of the common stock following the completion of the offering.

 

		At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands, except for share and per share data)
		2,720,000 shares sold at $10.00 per share (minimum of range)				3,200,000 shares sold at $10.00 per share (midpoint of range)				3,680,000 shares sold at $10.00 per share (maximum of range)				4,088,889 shares sold at $10.00 per share (adjusted maximum of range)
Pro forma offering proceeds
Gross proceeds of public offering		$	27,200			$	32,000			$	36,800			$	40,889
Less offering expenses and commissions			1,269				1,365				1,461				1,543
Net proceeds			25,931				30,635				35,339				39,346
Less ESOP shares (1)			2,720				3,200				3,680				4,089
Net proceeds after ESOP shares		$	23,211			$	27,435			$	31,659			$	35,257
Pro forma shareholders’ equity
Historical equity of ICC			30,166				30,166				30,166				30,166
Pro forma proceeds after ESOP shares			23,211				27,435				31,659				35,257
Pro forma shareholders’ equity (2)		$	53,377			$	57,601			$	61,825			$	65,423
Pro forma per share data
Total shares outstanding after the offering			2,720,000				3,200,000				3,680,000				4,088,889
Pro forma book value per share		$	19.62			$	18.00			$	16.80			$	16.00
Pro forma price-to-book value			51.0	%			55.6	%			59.5	%			62.5	%
Pro forma net income:
Historical income		$	2,154.7			$	2,154.7			$	2,154.7			$	2,154.7
ESOP and other expense, net of tax			119.7				140.8				161.9				179.9
Pro forma income		$	2,035.0			$	2,013.9			$	1,992.8			$	1,974.8
Weighted average shares outstanding (3)			2,456,350				2,889,824				3,323,298				3,692,553
Pro forma net income per share		$	0.83			$	0.70			$	0.60			$	0.53

 

(1)

It is assumed that 10.0% of the aggregate shares sold in the offering will be purchased by the ESOP. The funds used to acquire such shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the ESOP from us. The amount to be borrowed is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Annual contributions are expected to be made to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. The pro forma net income assumes: (i) that the contribution to the ESOP is equivalent to the debt service requirements for the year ended December 31, 2015 and (ii) only the ESOP shares committed to be released were considered outstanding for purposes of the net income per share calculations.

(2)

No effect has been given to the issuance of additional shares in connection with the grant of options or awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan that we intend to adopt. Under the stock-based incentive plan, an amount equal to the aggregate of 10% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 272,000, 320,000, 368,000, and 408,889 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be available for future issuance upon the exercise of options to be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. Also under the stock-based incentive plan an amount equal to the aggregate of 4% of the shares of common stock sold in the offering, or 108,800, 128,000, 147,200 and 163,556 shares of common stock at the minimum, midpoint, maximum, and adjusted maximum of the estimated offering range, respectively, will be purchased either through open market purchases or issued by ICC for the purposes of making awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units settled in our common stock under the stock-based incentive plan. We expect to seek shareholder approval of the plan at least six months after completion of the offering. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock for the purpose of making awards of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units under the stock-based incentive plan instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders by approximately 12.3% at the midpoint of the offering range.

(3)	It is assumed that 10.0% of the shares issuable in the offering will be purchased by our ESOP. For purposes of this table, the funds used to acquire such shares are assumed to have been borrowed by the ESOP from ICC Holdings, Inc. The

 

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amount to be borrowed is reflected as a reduction to shareholders’ equity of ICC Holdings, Inc. Annual contributions are expected to be made to the ESOP in an amount at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. The annual payment of the ESOP debt is based upon fifteen equal annual installments of principal and interest. The pro forma net earnings assumes: (i) that the contribution to the ESOP is equivalent to the debt service requirement for the year ended December 31, 2015; (ii) that 18,133, 21,333, 24,533, and 27,259 shares at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range, respectively, were committed to be released at the end of the year ended December 31, 2015, at an average fair value of $10.00 per share in accordance with ASC 718-40; and (iii) for purposes of calculating the net income per share, the weighted average of the ESOP shares which have not been committed for release, equal to 263,650, 310,176, 356,702, and 396,336 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range during the year ended December 31, 2015, were subtracted from total shares outstanding of 2,720,000, 3,200,000, 3,680,000, and 4,088,889 at the minimum, midpoint, maximum and adjusted maximum of the offering range on such dates.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus constitutes forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Please see “Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” for more information. You should review “Risk Factors” for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained herein.

Overview

Illinois Casualty Company is a regional property and casualty insurance company incorporated in Illinois and focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry. On the effective date of the conversion, Illinois Casualty will become a wholly owned subsidiary of ICC Holdings, Inc. The consolidated financial statements of Illinois Casualty prior to the conversion will become the consolidated financial statements of ICC Holdings, Inc. upon completion of the conversion.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we had direct written premium of $25.9 million, net premiums earned of $20.8 million, and net income from operations of $0.9 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we had direct written premium of $24.8 million, net premiums earned of $19.2 million and net income from operations of $0.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we had direct premiums written of $49.0 million, net premiums earned of $40.2 million, and net income from operations of $2.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we had direct premiums written of $46.3 million, net premiums earned of $38.1 million, and net income from operations of $1.6 million. At June 30, 2016, we had total assets of $123.6 million and equity of $32.9 million.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to: not required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; exemptions from the requirements of holding an annual non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and nonbinding stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have taken advantage of the extended transition period provided by Section 107 of the JOBS Act. However, we may decide to comply with the effective dates for financial accounting standards applicable to emerging growth companies at a later date in compliance with the requirements in Sections 107(b)(2) and (3) of the JOBS Act. If we do so, we will prominently disclose this decision in the first periodic report or registration statement following our decision, and such decision is irrevocable.

Principal Revenue and Expense Items

We derive our revenue primarily from premiums earned, net investment income and net realized gains (losses) from investments.

Gross and net premiums written

Gross premiums written is equal to direct and assumed premiums before the effect of ceded reinsurance. Net premiums written is the difference between gross premiums written and premiums ceded or paid to reinsurers (ceded premiums written).

 

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Premiums earned

Premiums earned is the earned portion of our net premiums written. Gross premiums written include all premiums recorded by an insurance company during a specified policy period. Insurance premiums on property and casualty insurance contracts are recognized in proportion to the underlying risk insured and are earned ratably over the duration of the policies. At the end of each accounting period, the portion of the premiums that is not yet earned is included in unearned premiums and is realized as revenue in subsequent periods over the remaining term of the policy. Our policies typically have a term of twelve months. Thus, for example, for a policy that is written on July 1, 2015, one-half of the premiums would be earned in 2015 and the other half would be earned in 2016.

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses) on investments

We invest our surplus and the funds supporting our insurance liabilities (including unearned premiums and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses) in cash, cash equivalents, equities, fixed maturity securities and real estate. Investment income includes interest and dividends earned on invested assets. Net realized gains and losses on invested assets are reported separately from net investment income. We recognize realized gains when invested assets are sold for an amount greater than their cost or amortized cost (in the case of fixed maturity securities) and recognize realized losses when investment securities are written down as a result of an other than temporary impairment or sold for an amount less than their cost or amortized cost, as applicable. Our portfolio of investment securities is managed by an independent third party and manager specializing in the insurance industry.

Illinois Casualty’s expenses consist primarily of:

Loss and loss adjustment expense

Loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the largest expense item and include: (1) claim payments made, (2) estimates for future claim payments and changes in those estimates for prior periods, and (3) costs associated with investigating, defending and adjusting claims.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and underwriting and administrative expenses

Expenses incurred to underwrite risks are referred to as policy acquisition expenses. Variable policy acquisition costs consist of commission expenses, premium taxes and certain other underwriting expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the writing and acquisition of new and renewal business. These policy acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Fixed policy acquisition costs, referred to herein as underwriting and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred. These costs include salaries, rent, office supplies, depreciation and all other operating expenses not otherwise classified separately.

Income taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of our assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period of the enactment date.

Key Financial Measures

We evaluate our insurance operations by monitoring certain key measures of growth and profitability. In addition to reviewing our financial performance based on results determined in accordance with generally

 

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accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), we utilize certain non-GAAP financial measures that we believe are valuable in managing our business and for comparison to our peers. These non-GAAP measures are combined ratio, written premiums, underwriting income, the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, the expense ratio, the ratio of net written premiums to statutory surplus and return on average equity.

We measure growth by monitoring changes in gross premiums written and net premiums written. We measure underwriting profitability by examining loss and loss adjustment expense, underwriting expense and combined ratios. We also measure profitability by examining underwriting income (loss) and net income (loss).

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred to premiums earned. We measure the loss ratio on an accident year and calendar year loss basis to measure underwriting profitability. An accident year loss ratio measures loss and loss adjustment expenses for insured events occurring in a particular year, regardless of when they are reported, as a percentage of premiums earned during that year. A calendar year loss ratio measures loss and loss adjustment expense for insured events occurring during a particular year and the change in loss reserves from prior accident years as a percentage of premiums earned during that year.

Expense ratio

The underwriting expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and net underwriting and administrative expenses (attributable to insurance operations) to premiums earned, and measures our operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering our insurance business.

GAAP combined ratio

Our GAAP combined ratio is the sum of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio and the expense ratio and measures our overall underwriting profit. If the GAAP combined ratio is below 100%, we are making an underwriting profit. If our combined ratio is at or above 100%, we are not profitable without investment income and may not be profitable if investment income is insufficient.

Net premiums written to statutory surplus ratio

The net premiums written to statutory surplus ratio represents the ratio of net premiums written, after reinsurance ceded, to statutory surplus. This ratio measures our exposure to pricing errors in our current book of business. The higher the ratio, the greater the impact on surplus should pricing prove inadequate.

Underwriting income (loss)

Underwriting income (loss) measures the pre-tax profitability of our insurance operations. It is derived by subtracting loss and loss adjustment expense, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, and underwriting and administrative expenses from earned premiums. Each of these items is presented as a caption in our statements of operations.

Net income (loss) and return on average equity

We use net income (loss) to measure our profit and return on average equity to measure our effectiveness in utilizing equity to generate net income. In determining return on average equity for a given year, net income (loss) is divided by the average of the beginning and ending equity for that year.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

General

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires both the use of estimates and judgment relative to the application of appropriate accounting policies. We are required to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in our financial statements and related footnotes. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an on-going basis based on historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to our estimates and assumptions and that reported results of operations will not be materially adversely affected by the need to make accounting adjustments to reflect changes in these estimates and assumptions from time to time. We believe the following policies are the most sensitive to estimates and judgments.

Investments

The Company classifies its investments in all debt and equity securities as available-for-sale.

Available-for-Sale Securities

Debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on these securities are excluded from net earnings but are recorded as a separate component of comprehensive earnings and shareholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes.

Other Than Temporary Impairment

Under current accounting standards, an OTTI write-down of debt securities, where fair value is below amortized cost, is triggered by circumstances where (1) an entity has the intent to sell a security, (2) it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (3) the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If an entity intends to sell a security or if it is more likely than not the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the security’s amortized cost and its fair value. If an entity does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. Impairment losses result in a reduction of the underlying investment’s cost basis.

The Company regularly evaluates its fixed income and equity securities using both quantitative and qualitative criteria to determine impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of the investments. The following are the key factors for determining if a security is other-than-temporarily impaired:

 

•

The extent to which the fair value is less than cost,

 

•

The assessment of significant adverse changes to the cash flows on a fixed income investment,

 

•

The occurrence of a discrete credit event resulting in the issuer defaulting on a material obligation, the issuer seeking protection from creditors under the bankruptcy laws, the issuer proposing a voluntary reorganization under which creditors are asked to exchange their claims for cash or securities having a fair value substantially lower than par value,

 

•

The probability that the Company will recover the entire amortized cost basis of the fixed income securities prior to maturity,

 

•

The ability and intent to hold fixed income securities until maturity or

 

•

For equity securities, the expectation of recovery to cost within a reasonable period of time.

 

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Quantitative and qualitative criteria are considered during this process to varying degrees depending on the sector the analysis is being performed:

Corporates

The Company performs a qualitative evaluation of holdings that fall below the price threshold. The analysis begins with an opinion of industry and competitive position. This includes an assessment of factors that enable the profit structure of the business (e.g., reserve profile for exploration and production companies), competitive advantage (e.g., distribution system), management strategy, and an analysis of trends in return on invested capital. Analysts may also review other factors to determine whether an impairment exists including liquidity, asset value cash flow generation, and industry multiples.

Municipals

The Company analyzes the screened impairment candidates on a quantitative and qualitative basis. This includes an assessment of the factors that may be contributing to the unrealized loss and whether the recovery value is greater or less than current market value.

Structured Securities

The “stated assumptions” analytic approach relies on actual 6-month average collateral performance measures (voluntary prepayment rate, gross default rate, and loss severity) sourced through third party data providers or remittance reports. The analysis applies the stated assumptions throughout the remaining term of the transaction using forecasted cash flows, which are then applied through the transaction structure (reflecting the priority of payments and performance triggers) to determine whether there is a loss to the security (“Loss to Tranche”). For securities or sectors for which no actual loss or minimal loss has been observed (certain Prime Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (RMBS) and Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS), for example), sector-based assumptions are applied or an alternative quantitative or qualitative analysis is performed.

Investment Income

Interest on fixed maturities and short-term investments is credited to earnings on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the lives of the related fixed maturities. Dividends on equity securities are credited to earnings on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses on disposition of investments are based on specific identification of the investments sold on the settlement date, which does not differ significantly from trade date accounting.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists of uninvested balances in bank accounts. Cash equivalents consist of investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, primarily AAA-rated prime and government money market funds. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company has not experienced losses on these instruments.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

We maintain reserves for the payment of claims (incurred losses) and expenses related to adjusting those claims (loss adjustment expenses or LAE). Our loss reserves consist of case reserves, which are reserves for claims that have been reported to us, defense and cost containment expense (DCC) reserve, which includes all defense and litigation-related expenses, whether internal or external to us, and reserves for claims that have been incurred but have not yet been reported or for case reserve deficiencies or redundancies (IBNR).

 

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When a claim is reported to us, our claims personnel establish a case reserve for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The amount of the loss reserve for the reported claim is based primarily upon a claim-by-claim evaluation of coverage, liability, injury severity or scope of property damage, and any other information considered pertinent to estimating the exposure presented by the claim. Each claim is settled individually based upon its merits, and some claims may take years to settle, especially if legal action is involved. Case reserves are reviewed on a regular basis and are updated as new data becomes available.

In addition to case reserves, we maintain an estimate of reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred but not reported. Some claims may not be reported for several years. As a result, the liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment reserves includes significant estimates for IBNR.

We utilize an independent actuary to assist with the estimation of our loss and LAE reserves bi-annually. This actuary prepares estimates of the ultimate liability for unpaid losses and LAE based on established actuarial methods described below. Our management reviews these estimates and supplements the actuarial analysis with information not fully incorporated into the actuarially based estimate, such as changes in the external business environment and changes in internal company processes and strategy. We may adjust the actuarial estimates based on this supplemental information in order to arrive at the amount recorded in the financial statements.

We accrue liabilities for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses based upon estimates of the ultimate amount payable.

Policy Acquisition Costs

The Company defers commissions, premium taxes, and certain other costs that are incrementally or directly related to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts. Acquisition-related costs may be deemed ineligible for deferral when they are based on contingent or performance criteria beyond the basic acquisition of the insurance contract or when efforts to obtain or renew the insurance contract are unsuccessful. All eligible costs are capitalized and charged to expense in proportion to premium revenue recognized. The method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This deferral methodology applies to both gross and ceded premiums and acquisition costs.

Premiums

Premiums are recognized ratably over the term of the contracts, net of ceded reinsurance. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written relative to the unexpired terms of coverage. Unearned premiums are calculated on a daily pro rata basis.

Reinsurance

Ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance balances recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses are reported separately as assets instead of being netted with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve us of our legal liability to our policyholders.

Quarterly, the Company monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers. The Company’s monitoring efforts include, but are not limited to, the review of annual summarized financial data and analysis of the credit risk associated with reinsurance balances recoverable by monitoring the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) ratings. In addition, the Company subjects its reinsurance recoverables to detailed recoverable tests, including an analysis based on average default by A.M. Best rating. Based upon the review and testing, the Company’s policy is to charge to earnings, in the form of an allowance, an estimate of unrecoverable amounts from reinsurers. This allowance is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the amount makes a reasonable provision for reinsurance balances that the Company may be unable to recover.

 

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Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return. Federal income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of “temporary differences” by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities, operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The effect on deferred taxes for a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not all or some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company considers uncertainties in income taxes and recognizes those in its financial statements as required. As it relates to uncertainties in income taxes, unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalty accruals, are not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. Also, no tax uncertainties are expected to result in significant increases or decreases to unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12-month period. Penalties and interest related to income tax uncertainties, should they occur, would be included in income tax expense in the period in which they are incurred.

As an insurance company, the Company is subject to minimal state income tax liabilities. On a state basis, since the majority of income is from insurance operations, the Company pays premium taxes in lieu of state income tax. Premium taxes are a component of policy acquisition costs and calculated as a percentage of gross premiums written.

Comprehensive Earnings

Comprehensive earnings include net earnings plus unrealized gains/losses on available-for-sale investment securities, net of tax. In reporting the components of comprehensive earnings on a net basis in the statement of earnings, the Company used a 34 percent tax rate.

Reserving Methods

In developing our loss and DCC reserve estimates, we relied upon five widely used and accepted loss reserving methods (described below). Based on the deemed predictive qualities of each of the applied methods, we selected estimated ultimates by year in order to determine our reserve estimates. Our estimates can be considered actuarial central estimates, which means that they represent an expected value over the range of reasonably possible outcomes.

Loss Development Methods (Paid and Incurred Loss and DCC). Loss development ultimates are determined by multiplying current reported values by cumulative loss development factors. Incremental loss development factors are determined by analyzing historical development of losses and assuming that future development will mimic historical. Cumulative development factors are calculated from the selection of incremental factors.

This method is also applied to incurred DCC to incurred loss ratios and paid DCC to paid loss ratios to estimate ultimate DCC.

Loss development methods are particularly appropriate when historical loss development patterns have been relatively stable and can be predicted with reasonable accuracy.

Expected Loss Ratio Method. The expected loss ratio method applies a selected ultimate loss ratio to premium to determine ultimate losses and LAE. Expected loss ratios for 2007 and prior were selected based on the results of the loss development methods discussed above, industry experience, actual loss experience of ICC to date and general industry conditions. Beginning with 2008, expected loss ratios have been calculated based on the prior expected loss ratios, rate changes and loss trend.

 

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Bornhuetter-Ferguson (B-F) Methods (Paid and Incurred Loss). The Loss Development Methods rely heavily on data as of the most recent evaluation date, and a relatively small swing in early reported (or paid) losses may result in a large swing in the ultimate loss projections. Therefore, other methods may also be considered.

The B-F Methods offer a blend of stability and responsiveness by estimating ultimate losses as a weighted combination of an expected loss estimate and current loss data. The weight applied to the expected loss estimate is based on the appropriate cumulative loss development factor from the Loss Development Methods. This percentage is multiplied by expected losses to determine expected future development. This estimate of future loss development is then added to losses as of the current evaluation date to project ultimate losses.

A&OE Method. During 2012, we began to implement a new approach to reserving for unpaid Adjusting & Other Expenses (A&OE). This method is referred to as the “Wendy Johnson Method” where historical A&OE payments are measured against certain claim units to develop an average rate for projecting into future years. These claim units are defined as a means of measuring the overall level of claim activity in a year as follows:

Units =

2 x (Newly Reported Claims in Year X) +

(Number of Claims Open at Start of Year X)

Future A&OE costs are projected by inflating the selected average A&OE per unit rate, 1.0% annually, against future units calculated by claims runoff patterns.

Range of Estimates

In addition to our actuarial central estimate, we have also developed a range of estimates. This range is not designed to represent minimum or maximum possible outcomes. It is developed to represent low and high ends for a reasonable range of expected outcomes given the selection of alternative, but reasonable assumptions. Actual results may fall outside of this range.

High and low net reserve estimates were developed by stressing our expected loss ratio and loss development factor selections. By applying a factor to increase (and decrease) these assumptions, we developed high (and low) ultimate loss and DCC estimates. These estimates, along with paid and incurred loss information, result in a range of reserves. The gross reserve range is based on selected percentages which produce a range which is slightly wider than the net range.

We estimate IBNR reserves by first deriving an actuarially based estimate of the ultimate cost of total loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred by line of business as of the financial statement date. We then reduce the estimated ultimate loss and loss adjustment expenses by loss and loss adjustment expense payments and case reserves carried as of the financial statement date. The actuarially determined estimate is based upon indications from one of the above actuarial methodologies or uses a weighted average of these results. The specific method used to estimate the ultimate losses for individual lines of business, or individual accident years within a line of business, will vary depending on the judgment of the actuary as to what is the most appropriate method for a line of business’ unique characteristics. Finally, we consider other factors that impact reserves that are not fully incorporated in the actuarially based estimate, such as changes in the external business environment and changes in internal company processes and strategy.

The process of estimating loss reserves involves a high degree of judgment and is subject to a number of variables. These variables can be affected by both internal and external events, such as changes in claims handling procedures, economic inflation, legal trends, and legislative changes, among others. The impact of many of these items on ultimate costs for claims and claim adjustment expenses is difficult to estimate. Loss reserve estimation difficulties also differ significantly by line of business due to differences in claim complexity,

 

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the volume of claims, the potential severity of individual claims, the determination of occurrence date for a claim, and reporting lags (the time between the occurrence of the policyholder event and when it is actually reported to the insurer). Informed judgment is applied throughout the process, including the application of various individual experiences and expertise to multiple sets of data and analyses. We continually refine our loss reserve estimates in a regular ongoing process as historical loss experience develops and additional claims are reported and settled. We consider all significant facts and circumstances known at the time loss reserves are established.

Due to the inherent uncertainty underlying loss reserve estimates, final resolution of the estimated liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses may be higher or lower than the related loss reserves at the reporting date. Therefore, actual paid losses, as claims are settled in the future, may be materially higher or lower in amount than current loss reserves. We reflect adjustments to loss reserves in the results of operations in the period the estimates are changed.

Results of Operations

Our results of operations are influenced by factors affecting the property and casualty insurance industry in general. The operating results of the United States property and casualty insurance industry are subject to significant variations due to competition, weather, catastrophic events, regulation, general economic conditions, judicial trends, fluctuations in interest rates and other changes in the investment environment.

Our premium growth and underwriting results have been, and continue to be, influenced by market conditions. Pricing in the property and casualty insurance industry historically has been cyclical. During a soft market cycle, price competition is more significant than during a hard market cycle and makes it difficult to attract and retain properly priced commercial business. A hard market typically has a positive effect on premium growth.

The major components of operating revenues and net (loss) income are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		June 30,								December 31,
		2016				2015				2015				2014
Revenues:
Total premiums earned		$	20,846			$	19,217			$	40,220			$	38,121
Investment income, net of investment expense			770				694				1,333				1,141
Realized investment gains (losses), net			138				34				81				459
Other income			76				136				190				113
Total revenues		$	21,830			$	20,081			$	41,823			$	39,833
Components of net income (loss):
Underwriting (loss) income		$	746			$	452			$	1,864			$	1,050
Investment income, net of investment expense			770				694				1,333				1,141
Realized investment gains (losses), net			138				34				81				459
Other income			76				136				190				113
Corporate expense			199				147				314				263
Interest expense			92				64				136				134
Other expense, net
Income (loss), before income taxes		$	1,439			$	1,104			$	3,016			$	2,365
Income tax expense (benefit)			548				315				862				779
Net income (loss)		$	891			$	789			$	2,155			$	1,585
Total other comprehensive (loss) earnings			1,819				(553	)			(1,024	)			904
Comprehensive Earnings		$	2,710			$	236			$	1,131			$	2,489

 

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

The following summarizes our results for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

Premiums

Direct premiums written grew by $1.03 million, or 4.2%, from the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015, while net written premium grew slightly faster, increasing by $1.04 million, or 5.0%, during the same period. Net premiums earned grew by $1.6 million, or 8.5%, in the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to increased organic growth and lower levels of premium ceded to reinsurance.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we ceded to reinsurers $4.06 million of written premiums, compared to $4.12 million of written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Ceded earned premiums as a percent of direct premiums written were 14.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2016, and 16.5% in the six months ended June 30, 2015. This favorable decrease is a result of overall improving reinsurance market pricing.

Premiums are earned ratably over the term of the policy whereas written premiums are reflected on the effective date of the policy.

Other income

Substantially all other income is derived from policies we write and represents additional charges to policyholders for services outside of the premium charge, such as installment billing or policy issuance costs. Other income decreased by $60,000 from the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015. Typically, other income remains relatively flat, however, a whole life insurance policy’s cash surrender value was not available as of the second quarter of 2015 and, therefore, the associated income was deferred to the third quarter.

Unpaid Losses and Settlement Expenses

The table below details our unpaid losses and settlement expenses (“LAE”) and loss reserves for the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

Dollars in thousands		At June 30,
		2016				2015
Unpaid losses and LAE at beginning of the period:
Gross		$	61,056			$	64,617
Ceded			(19,158	)			(25,822	)
Net			41,898				38,795
Increase (decrease) in incurred losses and LAE:
Current year			12,781				11,864
Prior years			(224	)			(116	)
Total incurred			12,557				11,747
Loss and LAE payments for claims incurred:
Current year			(2,608	)			(2,193	)
Prior years			(10,017	)			(7,449	)
Total paid			(12,625	)			(9,642	)
Net unpaid losses and LAE at end of the period		$	41,830			$	40,900

Net unpaid losses and LAE increased $0.9 million, or 2.2%, in the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. This increase was due principally to increases in net additional IBNR established in 2016.

 

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Expense Ratio

Our expense ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of policy acquisition costs and operating expenses by net earned premiums. We use the expense ratio to evaluate the operating efficiency of our consolidated operations. Costs that cannot be readily identifiable as a direct cost of a product line remain in Corporate and Other.

Our expense ratio decreased 33 basis points during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015. As earned premiums grow year-over-year on an expense structure that is less variable to premium volume, we expect a decrease in the expense ratio.

Policy Acquisition Costs

Policy acquisition costs are either variable costs we incur to issue policies, which include commissions, premium taxes, and certain underwriting expenses, or fixed period costs including underwriter compensation costs. The Company offsets the direct commissions it pays with ceded commissions it receives from reinsurers. Policy acquisition costs increased by $525,000, or 7.5%, during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015. The percentage of policy acquisition costs to net earned premiums remained relatively flat at 36.2% and 36.5% for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

General Corporate Expenses

General corporate expenses consist primarily of real estate and occupancy costs, such as utilities and maintenance. These costs are largely fixed and, therefore, do not vary significantly with premium volume. Accordingly, our general corporate expenses increased by $52,000, or 35.4% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase was due to our continued investment in our infrastructure and retaining highly qualified personnel to execute our growth strategy. Necessarily, those costs are incurred prior to our writing sufficient premium to support that expense structure. As we continue to grow we expect the expense ratio to continue to decline as our current infrastructure and personnel is adequate, with minimal additional operating costs, to write substantially more premium volume.

Investment Income

Net investment income increased by $76,000, or 11.0% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily from the growth of the investment portfolio. Average cash and invested assets during the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $77.0 million compared to $72.7 million during the same period in 2015, an increase of $4.3 million, or 5.9%. The increase in the portfolio was primarily due to new borrowings of $0.7 million and the collection of approximately $3.0 million in reinsurance recoverables in the second quarter of 2016.

For additional information, see “Business — Investments” above.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased to $92,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $64,000 for the same period during 2015. This 43.8% increase reflects $0.7 million in new borrowings late in the first quarter of 2016 in addition to other new borrowings in 2016 that did not exist in the first half of 2015.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense increased by $233,000, or 74.0% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015. This was primarily the result of a more conservative approach in the calculation of the income tax provision.

 

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The Company has not established a valuation allowance against any of the net deferred tax assets.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014

Premiums

Direct premiums written increased by $2.7 million, or 5.8%, primarily from organic growth from 2014 to 2015, while net written premium was essentially flat, growing by $555,000, or 1.4%, during the same period. Net premiums earned grew slightly less than direct premiums written from 2014 to 2015, growing by $2.1 million, or 5.5%.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, we ceded to reinsurers $7.8 million of written premiums, compared to $5.6 million of written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2014. Ceded earned premiums as a percent of direct premiums written were 15.7% in 2015, and 16.0% in 2014. This favorable decrease is a result of an overall softer reinsurance market pricing.

Premiums are earned ratably over the term of the policy whereas written premiums are reflected on the effective date of the policy.

Other income

Substantially all other income is derived from policies we write and represents additional charges to policyholders for services outside of the premium charge, such as installment billing or policy issuance costs. Other income grew by $77,000, or 68.4%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily as a result of the growth in premium volume.

Unpaid Losses and Settlement Expenses

The table below details our unpaid losses and settlement expenses (“LAE”) and loss reserves for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

Dollars in thousands		At December 31,
		2015				2014
Unpaid losses and LAE at beginning of year:
Gross		$	64,617			$	57,336
Ceded			(25,822	)			(20,994	)
Net			38,795				36,342
Increase (decrease) in incurred losses and LAE:
Current year			24,293				22,267
Prior years			(493	)			481
Total incurred			23,800				22,748
Loss and LAE payments for claims incurred:
Current year			(6,466	)			(7,798	)
Prior years			(14,231	)			(12,497	)
Total paid			(20,697	)			(20,295	)
Net unpaid losses and LAE at end of year			41,898				38,795
Unpaid losses and LAE at end of year:
Gross			61,056				64,617
Ceded			(19,158	)			(25,822	)
Net		$	41,898			$	38,795

 

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Differences from the initial reserve estimates emerged as changes in the ultimate loss estimates as those estimates were updated through the reserve analysis process. The recognition of the changes in initial reserve estimates occurred over time as claims were reported, initial case reserves were established, initial reserves were reviewed in light of additional information and ultimate payments were made on the collective set of claims incurred as of that evaluation date. The new information on the ultimate settlement value of claims is updated until all claims in a defined set are settled. As a small specialty insurer with a niche product portfolio, our experience will ordinarily exhibit fluctuations from period to period. While management attempts to identify and react to systematic changes in the loss environment, management must also consider the volume of experience directly available to us and interpret any particular period’s indications with a realistic technical understanding of the reliability of those observations.

We experienced favorable development in 2015 relative to 2014’s reserve estimates in our property line of business primarily from the 2014 accident year. The largest contributor to the adverse development in the casualty line of business was liquor liability, with approximately 89.3% of the development coming from this business.

Expense Ratio

Our expense ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of policy acquisition costs and operating expenses by net earned premiums. We use the expense ratio to evaluate the operating efficiency of our consolidated operations. Costs that cannot be readily identifiable as a direct cost of a product line remain in Corporate and Other.

Our expense ratio decreased 138 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014, due to the premium volume growth rate well exceeding the increase in the cost of our infrastructure. As our earned premiums grow year-over-year on an expense structure that is less variable to premium volume, we expect this trend to continue in the near future, but at a slower pace.

Policy Acquisition Costs

Policy acquisition costs are costs we incur to issue policies, which include commissions, premium taxes, underwriting reports, and underwriter compensation costs. The Company offsets the direct commissions it pays with ceded commissions it receives from reinsurers. Policy acquisition costs were essentially flat, increasing by $233,000, or 1.6%. The percentage of policy acquisition costs to net earned premiums was 36.2% and 37.6% for 2015 and 2014, respectively. The reduction in the ratio was mostly due to organic premium growth year over year.

Also contributing to the improvement in policy acquisition costs were small reductions in expense ratios as seen across most product lines. These efficiencies are the result of prior policies written entering the renewal stage, as renewal policies are less expensive to underwrite than new policies.

General Corporate Expenses

General corporate expenses consist primarily of employee compensation and occupancy costs, such as rent and utilities. These costs are largely fixed and, therefore, do not vary significantly with premium volume. Accordingly, our general corporate expenses increased by $51,000, or 19.4%, in 2015 as compared to 2014. The increase was due to our continued investment in our infrastructure and retaining highly qualified personnel to execute our growth strategy. Necessarily, those costs are incurred prior to our writing sufficient premium to support that expense structure. As we continue to grow we expect the expense ratio to continue to decline as our current infrastructure and personnel is adequate, with minimal additional operating costs, to write substantially more premium volume.

 

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Investment Income

Our investment portfolio is generally highly liquid and 88.0% and 87.3% of the portfolio consisted of readily marketable, investment-grade fixed-income securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The remainder of the portfolio is comprised of exchange traded funds. Net investment income is primarily comprised of interest earned and dividends paid on these securities and rental income on investment real estate, net of related investment expenses, and excludes realized gains and losses.

Net investment income increased by $192,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014, primarily from the growth of the investment portfolio. Average invested assets for 2015 was $74.6 million compared to $69.0 million for 2014, an increase of $5.6 million, or 8.1%. The increase in the portfolio was primarily due to net cash provided by operating activities of $5.7 million.

For additional information, see “Business — Investments” above.

Interest Expense

Interest expense remained flat, increasing slightly to $136,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $134,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Income Tax Expense

We reported an income tax expense of $862,000 in 2015, as compared to an income tax expense of $779,000 in 2014. The income tax expense increase for 2015 relates to earnings before income taxes in 2015.

The Company has not established a valuation allowance against any of the net deferred tax assets.

 

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Financial Position

The major components of our assets and liabilities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		As of
		June 30, 2016				December 31, 2015
Assets
Investments and cash:
Fixed income
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost — $61,100 at June 30, 2016 and $63,995 at December 31, 2015)		$	64,502			$	65,195
Equity securities available -for-sale, at fair value (cost — $9,671 at June 30, 2016 and $9,282 at December 31, 2015)			9,829				8,885
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value
Cash and cash equivalents			3,386				2,180
Total investments and cash			77,717				76,260
Accrued investment income			505				581
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $100,000 at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015			17,254				15,638
Ceded unearned premiums			270				57
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $0 at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015			15,557				19,535
Current federal income taxes			299				773
Net deferred federal income taxes			392				1,401
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net			4,214				3,983
Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,938 at June 30, 2016 and $3,553 at December 31, 2015			6,047				4,241
Other assets			1,353				905
Total assets		$	123,608			$	123,373
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses		$	57,387			$	61,056
Unearned premiums			25,263				23,948
Reinsurance balances payable			233				—
Corporate debt			3,743				3,274
Accrued expenses			3,263				4,096
Bank overdraft			—				—
Other liabilities			843				834
Total liabilities			90,733				93,208
Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax			2,349				530
Retained earnings			30,526				29,636
Total equity			32,875				30,166
Total liabilities and equity		$	123,608			$	123,373

 

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Unpaid Losses and LAE

Our reserves for unpaid loss and LAE are summarized below (dollars in thousands):

 

		As of June 30,								As of December 31,
		2016				2015				2015				2014
Case reserves		$	22,448			$	22,893			$	23,139			$	21,807
IBNR reserves			19,382				18,007				18,759				16,988
Net unpaid loss and LAE			41,830				40,900				41,897				38,795
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and LAE			15,557				22,719				19,158				25,822
Reserves for unpaid loss and LAE		$	57,387			$	63,619			$	61,056			$	64,617

Actuarial Ranges

The selection of the ultimate loss is based on information unique to each line of business and accident year and the judgment and expertise of our actuary and management.

The following table provides case and IBNR reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of June 30, 2016 and 2015 and December 31, 2015 and 2014.

As of June 30, 2016

 

(dollars in thousands)		Case Reserves				IBNR Reserves				Total Reserves
Commercial liability		$	16,569			$	14,318			$	30,887
Property			3,450				3,694				7,145
Other			2,428				1,369				3,798
Total net reserves			22,448				19,382				41,830
Reinsurance recoverables			8,340				7,217				15,557
Gross reserves		$	30,788			$	26,599			$	57,387

As of June 30, 2015

 

(dollars in thousands)		Case Reserves				IBNR Reserves				Total Reserves
Commercial liability		$	16,899			$	13,404			$	30,304
Property			3,422				3,484				6,906
Other			2,572				1,119				3,690
Total net reserves			22,893				18,007				40,900
Reinsurance recoverables			10,592				12,127				22,719
Gross reserves		$	33,485			$	30,134			$	63,619

As of December 31, 2015

 

		Case Reserves				IBNR Reserves				Total Reserves				Actuarially Determined Range of Estimates
(dollars in thousands)														Low				High
Commercial liability		$	17,712			$	13,850			$	31,562
Property			1,983				1,295				3,279
Other			3,443				3,613				7,056
Total net reserves			23,139				18,759				41,897			$	37,725			$	42,886
Reinsurance recoverables			10,231				8,928				19,158				13,773				17,799
Gross reserves		$	33,369			$	27,686			$	61,056			$	51,498			$	60,685

 

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As of December 31, 2014

 

														Actuarially Determined Range of Estimates
(dollars in thousands)		Case Reserves				IBNR Reserves				Total Reserves				Low				High
Commercial liability		$	16,359			$	12,987			$	29,346
Property liability			2,446				1,118				3,564
Other			3,002				2,883				5,885
Total net reserves			21,807				16,988				38,795			$	34,939			$	39,837
Reinsurance recoverables			14,890				10,932				25,822				20,083				25,000
Gross reserves		$	36,697			$	27,920			$	64,617			$	55,022			$	64,837

Our actuary determined a range of reasonable reserve estimates which reflect the uncertainty inherent in the loss reserve process. This range does not represent the range of all possible outcomes. We believe that the actuarially-determined ranges represent reasonably likely changes in the loss and LAE estimates, however actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. The range was determined by line of business and accident year after a review of the output generated by the various actuarial methods utilized. The actuary reviewed the variance around the select loss reserve estimates for each of the actuarial methods and selected reasonable low and high estimates based on his knowledge and judgment. In making these judgments the actuary typically assumed, based on his experience, that the larger the reserve the less volatility and that property reserves would exhibit less volatility than casualty reserves. In addition, when selecting these low and high estimates, the actuary considered:

 

•

historical industry development experience in our business line;

 

•

historical company development experience;

 

•

the impact of court decisions on insurance coverage issues, which can impact the ultimate cost of settling claims;

 

•

changes in our internal claims processing policies and procedures; and

 

•

trends and risks in claim costs, such as risk that medical cost inflation could increase.

Our actuary is required to exercise a considerable degree of judgment in the evaluation of all of these and other factors in the analysis of our loss and LAE reserves, and related range of anticipated losses. Because of the level of uncertainty impacting the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that different actuaries would arrive at different conclusions. The method of determining the reserve range has not changed and the reserve range generated by our actuary is consistent with the observed development of our loss reserves over the last few years.

The width of the range in reserves arises primarily because specific losses may not be known and reported for some period and the ultimate losses paid and loss adjustment expenses incurred with respect to known losses may be larger than currently estimated. The ultimate frequency or severity of these claims can be very different than the assumptions we used in our estimation of ultimate reserves for these exposures.

Specifically, the following factors could impact the frequency and severity of claims, and therefore, the ultimate amount of loss and LAE paid:

 

•

the rate of increase in labor costs, medical costs, and material costs that underlie insured risks;

 

•

development of risk associated with our expanding producer relationships and our growth in new states or states where we currently have small market share; and

 

•

impact of changes in laws or regulations.

The estimation process for determining the liability for unpaid loss and LAE inherently results in adjustments each year for claims incurred (but not paid) in preceding years. Negative amounts reported for claims incurred related to prior years are a result of claims being settled for amounts less than originally

 

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estimated (favorable development). Positive amounts reported for claims incurred related to prior years are a result of claims being settled for amounts greater than originally estimated (unfavorable development). For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we experienced favorable (unfavorable) development of $0.5 million and $(0.5) million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, we experienced favorable developments of $0.2 million and $0.1 million respectively.

Potential for variability in our reserves is evidenced by this development. As further illustration of reserve variability, we initially estimated our ultimate incurred for unpaid loss and LAE net of reinsurance at the end of 2014 at $38.8 million. As of December 31, 2015, that reserve was re-estimated at $38.3 million, which is $0.5 million, or 1.3%, lower than the initial estimate.

As discussed earlier, the estimation of our reserves is based on several actuarial methods, each of which incorporates many quantitative assumptions. The judgment of the actuary plays an important role in selecting among various loss development factors and selecting the appropriate method, or combination of methods, to use for a given accident year. The ranges presented above represent the expected variability around the actuarially determined central estimate. The total range around our actuarially determined estimate varies from -5.8% to +7.1%. As shown in the table below, since 2011 the variance in our originally estimated accident year loss reserves has ranged from (0.3)% deficient to 6.0% redundant as of June 30, 2016.

Recent Variabilities of the Liability for Unpaid Loss and LAE, Net of Reinsurance Recoverables

 

		Accident Year Data
Dollars in thousands		2011				2012				2013				2014				2015
As originally estimated		$	19,420			$	19,276			$	22,064			$	22,267			$	24,293
As estimated at June 30, 2016			18,263				18,721				21,381				22,273				24,202
Net cumulative redundancy (deficiency)		$	1,157			$	555			$	682			$	(6	)		$	91
% redundancy (deficiency)			6.0	%			2.9	%			3.1	%			(0.3	)%			0.4	%

The table below summarizes the impact on equity from changes in estimates of unpaid loss and LAE reserves as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

Reserve Range for Unpaid Loss and LAE		Aggregate Loss and LAE Reserve				Percentage Change in Equity (1)
As of December 31, 2015
Low End		$	37,725				9.2	%
Recorded		$	41,897				—
High End		$	42,886				(2.2	)%
As of December 31, 2014
Low End		$	34,939				8.8	%
Recorded		$	38,795				—
High End		$	39,837				(2.4	%)

 

(1)	Net of tax

If the loss and LAE reserves were recorded at the high end of the actuarially-determined range, the loss and LAE reserves would increase by $1.0 million before taxes. This increase in reserves would have the effect of decreasing net income and equity as of December 31, 2015 by $0.7 million. If the loss and LAE reserves were recorded at the low end of the actuarially-determined range, the loss and LAE reserves at December 31, 2015 would be reduced by $4.2 million with corresponding increases in net income and equity of $2.8 million.

If the loss and LAE reserves were to adversely develop to the high end of the range, approximately $1.0 million of anticipated future payments for the loss and LAE expenses would be required to be paid, thereby affecting cash flows in future periods as the payments for losses are made.

 

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Investments

Our fixed maturity and equity securities investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at estimated fair value as determined by management based upon quoted market prices or a recognized pricing service at the reporting date for those or similar investments. Changes in unrealized investment gains or losses on our investments, net of applicable income taxes, are reflected directly in equity as a component of comprehensive income (loss) and, accordingly, have no effect on net income (loss). Investment income is recognized when earned, and capital gains and losses are recognized when investments are sold, or other-than-temporarily impaired.

The fair value and unrealized losses for our securities that were temporarily impaired as of June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

		Less than 12 months (dollars in thousands)								12 months or longer (dollars in thousands)								Total (dollars in thousands)
Description of securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses
June 30, 2016:
U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities		$	—				$ —			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
MBS/ABS/CMBS			1,149				(19	)			66				(1	)			1,215				(20	)
Corporate			1,135				(15	)			469				(24	)			1,604				(39	)
Total fixed maturities			2,284				(34	)			535				(25	)			2,818				(58	)
Common stocks, unaffiliated			374				(56	)			3,324				(285	)			3,698				(341	)
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	2,657				$ (89	)		$	3,859			$	(310	)		$	6,516			$	(399	)

 

		Less than 12 months (dollars in thousands)								12 months or longer (dollars in thousands)								Total (dollars in thousands)
Description of securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2015:
U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities		$	1,233			$	(10	)		$	—			$	—			$	1,233			$	(10	)
MBS/ABS/CMBS			9,405				(126	)			729				(18	)			10,133				(144	)
Corporate			11,205				(480	)			1,263				(42	)			12,468				(522	)
Total fixed maturities			21,843				(616	)			1,992				(60	)			23,835				(676	)
Common stocks, unaffiliated			398				(31	)			3,222				(387	)			3,620				(419	)
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	22,241			$	(647	)		$	5,214			$	(447	)		$	27,455			$	(1,094	)

 

		Less than 12 months (dollars in thousands)								12 months or longer (dollars in thousands)								Total (dollars in thousands)
Description of securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2014:
U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities		$	—			$	—			$	293			$	(4	)		$	293			$	(4	)
MBS/ABS/CMBS			1,963				(7	)			4,043				(64	)			6,006				(71	)
Corporate			3,503				(21	)			3,720				(90	)			7,223				(111	)
Total fixed maturities			5,466				(28	)			8,056				(158	)			13,522				(186	)
Common stocks, unaffiliated			3,707				(110	)			—				—				3,707				(110	)
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	9,173			$	(138	)		$	8,056			$	(158	)		$	17,229			$	(296	)

 

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Fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates which generally translate, respectively, into decreases and increases in fair values of fixed maturity investments. The fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments also may be affected by the credit worthiness of the issuer, prepayment options, relative values of other investments, the liquidity of the instrument, and other general market conditions.

For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015, our fixed maturity portfolio experienced unrealized gains/(losses) of $2.2 million and $(1.1) million due to changes in the interest rate environment, respectively. Most of the increase in fair value in our fixed maturity portfolio was in corporate bonds and asset-backed securities as a result of decreases in prevailing interest rates.

We monitor our investment portfolio and review securities that have experienced a decline in fair value below cost to evaluate whether the decline is other than temporary. When assessing whether the amortized cost basis of the security will be recovered, we compare the present value of the cash flows likely to be collected, based on an evaluation of all available information relevant to the collectability of the security, to the amortized cost basis of the security. The shortfall of the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected in relation to the amortized cost basis is referred to as the “credit loss.” If there is a credit loss, the impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. If we identify that an other-than-temporary impairment loss has occurred, we then determine whether we intend to sell the security, or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovering the amortized cost basis less any current-period credit losses. If we determine that we do not intend to sell, and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security, the amount of the impairment loss related to the credit loss will be recorded in earnings, and the remaining portion of the other-than-temporary impairment loss will be recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. If we determine that we intend to sell the security, or that it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security prior to recovering its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit losses, the full amount of the other-than-temporary impairment will be recognized in earnings.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, we did not determine that any securities were other-than-temporarily impaired. Adverse investment market conditions, or poor operating results of underlying investments, could result in impairment charges in the future.

We use quoted values and other data provided by independent pricing services in our process for determining fair values of our investments. The evaluations of such pricing services represent an exit price and a good faith opinion as to what a buyer in the marketplace would pay for a security in a current sale. This pricing service provides us with one quote per instrument. For fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets, market quotations are provided. For fixed maturity securities that do not trade on a daily basis, the independent pricing service prepares estimates of fair value using a wide array of observable inputs including relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing. The observable market inputs that our independent pricing service utilizes may include (listed in order of priority for use) benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers, and other reference data on markets, industry, and the economy. Additionally, the independent pricing service uses an option adjusted spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The pricing service did not use broker quotes in determining fair values of our investments.

Should the independent pricing service be unable to provide a fair value estimate, we would attempt to obtain a non-binding fair value estimate from a number of broker-dealers and review this estimate in conjunction with a fair value estimate reported by an independent business news service or other sources. In instances where only one broker-dealer provides a fair value for a fixed maturity security, we use that estimate. In instances where we are able to obtain fair value estimates from more than one broker-dealer, we would review the range of estimates and would select the most appropriate value based on the facts and circumstances. Should neither the independent pricing service nor a broker-dealer provide a fair value estimate, we would develop a fair value

 

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estimate based on cash flow analyses and other valuation techniques that utilize certain unobservable inputs. Accordingly, we would classify such a security as a Level 3 investment.

The fair value estimates of our investments provided by the independent pricing service at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were utilized, among other resources, in reaching a conclusion as to the fair value of our investments.

Management reviews the reasonableness of the pricing provided by the independent pricing service by employing various analytical procedures. We review all securities to identify recent downgrades, significant changes in pricing, and pricing anomalies on individual securities relative to other similar securities. This will include looking for relative consistency across securities in common sectors, durations, and credit ratings. This review will also include all fixed maturity securities rated lower than “A” by Moody’s or S&P. If, after this review, management does not believe the pricing for any security is a reasonable estimate of fair value, then it will seek to resolve the discrepancy through discussions with the pricing service. In our review we did not identify any such discrepancies for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and no adjustments were made to the estimates provided by the pricing service for the years 2015 and 2014. The classification within the fair value hierarchy of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, is then confirmed based on the final conclusions from the pricing review.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Certain direct acquisition costs consisting of commissions, premium taxes and certain other direct underwriting expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the production of business are deferred and amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies as the underlying policy premiums are earned. At June 30, 2016 and 2015, and December 31, 2015 and 2014, deferred acquisition costs and the related unearned premium reserves were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		June 30,								December 31,
		2016				2015				2015				2014
Deferred acquisition costs		$	4,214			$	4,006			$	3,983			$	3,801
Unearned premium reserves		$	25,263			$	24,147			$	23,948			$	22,498

The method followed in computing deferred acquisition costs limits the amount of deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, loss and loss adjustment expenses, and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. Future changes in estimates, the most significant of which is expected loss and loss adjustment expenses, may require adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs. If the estimation of net realizable value indicates that the deferred acquisition costs are not recoverable, they would be written off.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of our assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period of the enactment date.

We had net deferred tax assets of $392,000 and $1.4 million at June 30, 2016 and at December 31, 2015. A valuation allowance is required to be established for any portion of the deferred tax asset for which we believe it is more likely than not that it will not be realized. At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had no valuation allowance with respect to our deferred tax asset.

 

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We exercise significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets. These judgments require us to make projections of future taxable income. The judgments and estimates we make in determining our deferred tax assets, which are inherently subjective, are reviewed on a continual basis as regulatory and business factors change. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require us to record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties. Federal tax years 2012 through 2015 are open for examination.

Outstanding Debt

As of June 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and 2014, outstanding debt balances totaled $3.7 million, $3.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively. On August 31, 2016, surplus notes with a par value of $250,000 matured. We incurred interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 of $136,000 and $134,000, respectively. The average rate on debt in 2015 was 4.50%. The debt balance is comprised of the following:

Surplus Notes. We had $1.9 million and $2.0 million of surplus notes issued, for cash, and outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Payment of principal and interest on all surplus notes requires specific approval by the Illinois Department of Insurance. Our obligation to pay principal and interest on surplus notes is subordinate to the insurance claims of policyholders of Illinois Casualty in accordance with terms of Section 56 of the Illinois Insurance Code.

Subject to the approval of the Director of Insurance of the State of Illinois and the applicable provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code, the noteholder shall have the right at the time of a stock conversion of Illinois Casualty, upon not less than thirty (30) days’ written notice to us, to convert all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of the note into shares of our common stock.

Additional information regarding each surplus note follows (with dollars in thousands):

 

Date Issued				Interest Rate (%)				Par Value (Face Amount of Notes) ($)				Carrying Value of Note ($)				Principal and/or Interest Paid During 2015 ($)				Total Principal and/or Interest Paid Through Dec. 31, 2015 ($)				Unapproved Principal and/or Interest ($)				Date of Maturity
	12/31/2003				5.35	%			1,600				1,600				86				1,031				—				12/31/2033
	7/15/2004				7.00	%			410				250				18				444				—				7/15/2034
	8/31/2004				7.00	%			250				71				75				340				—				8/31/2016
									2,260				1,921				178				1,815				—

Note holders are entitled to 1/28th of the principal each year. To date, the note holders of the surplus notes maturing on December 31, 2033 and July 15, 2034 have elected to waive principal repayment.

Leasehold Obligations. We entered into a sale leaseback arrangement in September 2015 that is accounted for as a capital lease. Under the agreement, the third party finance company purchased electronic data processing software and titled vehicles which are leased to us. These assets remain on our books due to provisions within the agreement that trigger capital lease accounting. To secure the lowest rate possible of 4.7%, we pledged bonds totaling $950,000. There was no gain or loss recognized as part of this transaction. Lease payments for 2015 totaled $64,000. The term of the electronic data processing lease is 48 months and the term of the titled vehicles lease is 36 months. The outstanding lease obligation at December 31, 2015, was $860,000.

 

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Future minimum lease payments for the five succeeding years as of December 31, 2015 are:

 

Year		Amount
2016		$	248,446
2017			248,446
2018			248,446
2019			192,353
2020			30,189
			967,880
Interest portion			108,062
Total		$	859,818

Home Office Mortgage. We maintain a mortgage on our home office. Interest is charged at a fixed rate of 2.6% and the loan matures in 2017. The building is used as collateral to secure the loan. The loan balance at year end 2015 and 2014 was $492,000 and $793,000, respectively. The interest paid on the loan in 2015 was $17,000 and $25,000 in 2014.

Payments due subsequent to December 31, 2015 are summarized below:

 

Year		Amount
2016		$	317,820
2017			185,395
			503,215
Interest portion			10,900
Total		$	492,315

Revolving Line of Credit. We maintain a revolving line of credit with American Bank & Trust, which permits borrowing up to an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 million. This facility was entered into during 2013 and is renewed annually. There are no financial covenants governing this agreement. As of and during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, no amounts were outstanding on this facility.

For information regarding our reinsurance program, investment portfolio, unpaid losses and settlement information, see “Business.”

Effect of Offering on Our Future Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our future financial condition and results of operations will be affected by the offering. Upon completion of the offering, our pro forma shareholders’ equity will be between $56.0 million and $68.0 million, an increase of approximately 70.6% to 107.2% over our equity at June 30, 2016. See “Use of Proceeds,” “Capitalization” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information.” This increased capitalization should permit us to (i) increase direct premium volume to the extent competitive conditions permit, (ii) increase net premium volume by decreasing our reliance on reinsurance, and (iii) enhance investment income by increasing our investment portfolio.

ESOP

In connection with the offering, the ESOP intends to finance the purchase of 10.0% of the common stock issued in the offering with the proceeds of a loan from Illinois Casualty prior to the expiration of the offering, and Illinois Casualty will make annual contributions to the ESOP sufficient to repay that loan, which we estimate will total, on a pre-tax basis, between approximately $2,720,000 and $4,088,889. See “Management — Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements —Employee Stock Ownership Plan.”

 

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Stock-based Incentive Plan

Under the stock-based incentive plan, we may issue a total number of shares equal to 14% of the shares of common stock that are issued in the offering. Of this amount, an amount equal to 4% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering may be used to make restricted stock and stock-settled restricted stock unit awards and 10% of the shares of common stock issued in the offering may be used to award stock options under the stock-based incentive plan. The grant-date fair value of any common stock used for restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards will represent unearned compensation. As we accrue compensation expense to reflect the vesting of such shares, unearned compensation will be reduced accordingly. We will also compute compensation expense at the time stock options are awarded based on the fair value of such options on the date they are granted. This compensation expense will be recognized over the appropriate service period. Implementation of the stock-based incentive plan is subject to shareholder approval. See “Management — Benefit Plans and Employment Agreements.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We generate sufficient funds from our operations and maintain a high degree of liquidity in our investment portfolio to meet the demands of claim settlements and operating expenses. The primary sources of funds are premium collections, investment earnings and maturing investments.

We maintain investment and reinsurance programs that are intended to provide sufficient funds to meet our obligations without forced sales of investments. We maintain a portion of our investment portfolio in relatively short-term and highly liquid assets to ensure the availability of funds.

Upon completion of the offering, we will immediately become subject to the proxy solicitation, periodic reporting, insider trading prohibitions and other requirements of the Exchange Act and to most of the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We estimate that the cost of initial compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will be approximately $300,000 and that compliance with the ongoing requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will result in an increase of approximately $200,000 in our annual operating expenses.

Cash flows from continuing operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

		Year ended December 31,								Six months ended June 30,
		2015				2014				2016				2015
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities		$	5,745			$	7,372			$	552			$	1,043
Cash flows provide/(used) in investing activities			(5,195	)			(8,113	)			345				(1,084	)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities			488				(364	)			309				(114	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		$	1,038			$	(1,105	)		$	1,206			$	(155	)

For the year ended December 31, 2015, cash flows from operating activities totaled $5.7 million compared to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This decrease in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to the cutoff of reinsurance contracts on January 1, 2014 which created positive cash flow of $1.9 million in 2014. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $8.1 million in 2014, primarily reflecting decreased cash flows generated from both operations and financing activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, cash flows from operating activities totaled $0.6 million compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2015. This decrease in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to a large decrease in reinsurance receivables offset by payment of losses and settlement expenses. Cash flows provided from investing activities totaled $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $(1.1) million for the same period in 2015, primarily reflecting proceeds received to fund claim settlements.

 

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Our principal source of liquidity will be dividend payments and other fees received from Illinois Casualty and ICC Realty, LLC. Illinois Casualty is restricted by the insurance laws of Illinois as to the amount of dividends or other distributions it may pay to us. Under Illinois law, there is a maximum amount that may be paid by Illinois Casualty during any twelve-month period. Illinois Casualty may pay dividends to us after notice to, but without prior approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance in an amount “not to exceed” the greater of (i) 10% of the surplus as regards policyholders of Illinois Casualty as reported on its most recent annual statement filed with the Illinois Department of Insurance, or (ii) the statutory net income of Illinois Casualty for the period covered by such annual statement. Dividends in excess of this amount are considered “extraordinary” and are subject to the approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance.

The amount available for payment of dividends from Illinois Casualty in 2016 without the prior approval of the Illinois Department of Insurance is approximately $2.7 million based upon the insurance company’s 2015 annual statement. Prior to its payment of any dividend, Illinois Casualty is required to provide notice of the dividend to the Illinois Department of Insurance. This notice must be provided to the Illinois Department of Insurance 30 days prior to the payment of an extraordinary dividend and 10 days prior to the payment of an ordinary dividend. The Illinois Department of Insurance has the power to limit or prohibit dividend payments if Illinois Casualty is in violation of any law or regulation. These restrictions or any subsequently imposed restrictions may affect our future liquidity.

The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, our future payments under contractual obligations and estimated claims and claims related payments for continuing operations.

As of June 30, 2016

 

		Payments due by period
		(Dollars in thousands)
Contractual Obligations		Total				Less than 1 year				1-3 years				3-5 years				More than 5 years
Estimated gross loss & loss adjustment expense payments		$	57,387			$	22,668			$	22,496			$	7,747			$	4,476
Operating lease obligations			25				25
Total		$	57,412			$	22,693			$	22,496			$	7,747			$	4,476

As of December 31, 2015

 

		Payments due by period
		(Dollars in thousands)
Contractual Obligations		Total				Less than 1 year				1-3 years				3-5 years				More than 5 years
Estimated gross loss & loss adjustment expense payments		$	61,056			$	24,117			$	23,934			$	8,243			$	4,762
Operating lease obligations			21				21
Total		$	61,077			$	24,138			$	23,934			$	8,243			$	4,762

The timing of the amounts of the gross loss and loss adjustment expense payments is an estimate based on historical experience and the expectations of future payment patterns. However, the timing of these payments may vary from the amounts stated above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital reserves.

 

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Quantitative and Qualitative Information about Market Risk

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that we will incur losses due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. We have exposure to three principal types of market risk through our investment activities: interest rate risk, credit risk and equity risk. Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. We have not entered, and do not plan to enter, into any derivative financial instruments for hedging, trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Our exposure to interest rate changes primarily results from our significant holdings of fixed rate investments. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the fair value of these securities.

The average maturity of the debt securities in our investment portfolio at June 30, 2016, was 6.2 years. Our debt securities investments include U.S. government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, obligations of state and local governments and governmental authorities, and corporate bonds, most of which are exposed to changes in prevailing interest rates and which may experience moderate fluctuations in fair value resulting from changes in interest rates. We carry these investments as available for sale. This allows us to manage our exposure to risks associated with interest rate fluctuations through active review of our investment portfolio by our management and board of directors and consultation with our third party investment manager.

Fluctuations in near-term interest rates could have an impact on our results of operations and cash flows. Certain of these securities may have call features. In a declining interest rate environment these securities may be called by their issuer and replaced with securities bearing lower interest rates. If we are required to sell these securities in a rising interest rate environment we may recognize losses.

As a general matter, we attempt to match the durations of our assets with the durations of our liabilities. Our investment objectives include maintaining adequate liquidity to meet our operational needs, optimizing our after-tax investment income, and our after-tax total return, all of which are subject to our tolerance for risk.

The table below shows the interest rate sensitivity of our fixed maturity investments measured in terms of fair value (which is equal to the carrying value for all of our investment securities that are subject to interest rate changes) at June 30, 2016:

 

As of June 30, 2016
Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates		Estimated Change in Fair Value				Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
200 basis point increase		$	(5,721	)		$	58,781
100 basis point increase		$	(2,903	)		$	61,599
No change		$	—			$	64,502
100 basis point decrease		$	2,567			$	67,069
200 basis point decrease		$	3,599			$	68,101

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the potential economic loss principally arising from adverse changes in the financial condition of a specific debt issuer. We address this risk by investing primarily in fixed maturity securities that are rated investment grade and at least 70% of our investment securities must be rated at least “A” by Moody’s or an equivalent rating quality. We also independently, and through our independent third party investment manager, monitor the financial condition of all of the issuers of fixed maturity securities in the portfolio. To limit our exposure to risk, we employ diversification rules that limit the credit exposure to any single issuer or asset class.

 

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Equity Risk

Equity price risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices.

Impact of Inflation

Inflation increases our customers’ needs for property and casualty insurance coverage due to the increase in the value of the property covered and any potential liability exposure. Inflation also increases claims incurred by property and casualty insurers as property repairs, replacements and medical expenses increase. These cost increases reduce profit margins to the extent that rate increases are not implemented on an adequate and timely basis. We establish property and casualty insurance premiums levels before the amount of loss and loss expenses, or the extent to which inflation may impact these expenses, are known. Therefore, we attempt to anticipate the potential impact of inflation when establishing rates. Because inflation has remained relatively low in recent years, financial results have not been significantly affected by it.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The dates presented below, represent the implementation dates for publicly traded entities. The Company’s status as an Emerging Growth Company could delay the required adoption of each of these standards.

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016 01, Financial Instruments Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The guidance affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements of financial instruments. The amendments will be applied to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for the accounting guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option. The Company is currently assessing the impact this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016 02, Leases, which will supersede the current lease requirements in ASC 840. The ASU requires lessees to recognize a right of use asset and related lease liability for all leases, with a limited exception for short term leases. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with the classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations. Currently, leases are classified as either capital or operating, with only capital leases recognized on the balance sheet. The reporting of lease related expenses in the statements of operations and cash flows will be generally consistent with the current guidance. The new lease guidance will be effective for the Company’s year ending December 31, 2020 and will be applied using a modified retrospective transition method to the beginning of the earliest period presented. The effect of applying the new lease guidance on the consolidated balance sheet has not yet been determined.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016 13, Financial Instruments Credit Losses. The guidance affects the recognition of expected credit losses. Credit losses relating to available for sale securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The amendments will be applied to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The effect of applying the new guidance on accounting for credit losses has not yet been determined.

In May 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-09, Disclosure about Short-Duration Contracts. The guidance addresses enhanced disclosure requirements for insurers relating to short-duration insurance contract claims and the unpaid claims liability rollforward for long and short-duration contracts. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and for interim periods after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not early-adopted this ASU and while disclosures will be increased, management does not believe adoption will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014 09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede the current revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The new guidance will be effective for the Company’s year ending December 31, 2019. The effect of applying the new lease guidance on the consolidated balance sheet has not yet been determined.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a regional, multi-line property and casualty insurance company focusing exclusively on the food and beverage industry. In 2015, we had $49.0 million in direct written premiums.

We primarily market our products through a network of approximately 130 independent agents in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. We expect to begin writing premium in Michigan as early as 2017. Illinois Casualty has been assigned a “B++” (Good) financial strength rating by A.M. Best Company, Inc. (A.M. Best), which is the fifth highest out of fifteen possible ratings. Our most recent evaluation by A.M. Best occurred on February 23, 2016, when A.M. Best upgraded its outlook to positive from stable for Illinois Casualty’s issuer credit rating, while affirming its financial strength rating of “B++” and issuer credit rating of “bbb” (Good).

We formed ICC Holdings, Inc. so that it could acquire all of the capital stock of Illinois Casualty in the conversion. Subject to approval from the Illinois Department of Insurance, as part of the conversion, we will acquire control of Illinois Casualty. Prior to the conversion, we do not expect to engage in any significant operations. After the conversion, our primary assets will be the outstanding capital stock of Illinois Casualty, the outstanding membership interests of ICC Realty, LLC and a portion of the net proceeds of this offering.

ICC will consist of a holding company, ICC Holdings, Inc., and an operating insurance company, Illinois Casualty Company, and Illinois Casualty’s three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Beverage Insurance Agency, Inc., an inactive insurance agency, Estrella Innovative Solutions, Inc., an outsourcing company, and ICC Realty, LLC, a real estate services and holding company, which will be purchased from Illinois Casualty by ICC Holdings following the conversion. Illinois Casualty Company is an Illinois insurance company.

For over 66 years, Illinois Casualty has specialized in providing customized insurance products and aggressive claims defense for customers exclusively in the food and beverage industry.

Illinois Casualty was founded as an inter-insurance exchange in 1950 based upon the recognition that establishments serving alcohol require unique insurance protection. Beginning in 1998, we expanded the scope of our product offerings beyond liquor liability to include property, general liability, umbrella, and workers compensation coverage. Our goal was to meet the full range of business insurance needs of our clients in the food and beverage industry.

In 1999, Illinois Casualty recognized the significant need to automate. Upon determining available commercial software was inadequate to meet our long-term vision, we contracted the development of an integrated platform to handle agency, policy, and vendor management. Introduced in 2001, the first module successfully improved productivity and reporting capabilities. We built on that success by adding document imaging, claims, billing, and risk management modules. As it has grown, our information management system has provided us with a unique and comprehensive ability to automate processes, track and examine risk traits, and monitor claims development. As a result, Illinois Casualty has constructed and leveraged a multi-variant pricing algorithm that allows us to better segment our business in order to more effectively price to actual exposure.

Illinois Casualty mutualized in 2004 and began to expand its territory geographically within the Midwest. We are an admitted carrier in eight states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. We currently issue policies in seven states, including Ohio where we began writing policies in the third quarter of 2016, and expect to begin writing premium in Michigan as early as 2017. As we expanded our territory and product lines over the last 66 years, we have maintained our focus and commitment to the food and beverage industry. As a result, we have developed unsurpassed expertise in our niche, particularly within the

 

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areas of underwriting, loss control, and claims management. Illinois Casualty continues to leverage that experience into the ongoing development of innovative insurance products and services uniquely tailored to the food and beverage industry.

Illinois Casualty Company is subject to examination and comprehensive regulation by the Illinois Department of Insurance. See “— Regulation.”

Our executive offices are located at 225 20th Street, Rock Island, Illinois 61201, and our phone number is (309) 793-1700. Our web site address is www.ilcasco.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and such information should not be considered to be part of this prospectus.

Our Business Strategies

We believe that our mission is to deliver expertly crafted insurance products and services for the food and beverage industry. Accordingly, we believe that this focus positions us to write profitable business in both hard insurance markets (where industry capital is constricted, competition is low, and premium rates are rising) and soft insurance markets (where industry capital is rising, competition is high and premium rates are falling). As part of our business process, we have developed our business strategy and focus using the following guiding principles to reflect the essence of who ICC aspires to be:

 

•

we endeavor to return value to our stakeholders in the form of strong financial performance and sustained surplus growth;

 

•

we conduct our business with the highest ethics and unquestionable integrity;

 

•

we recognize and reward the commitment of all of our associates who make ICC a success, by challenging our associates, by valuing them and recognizing their contribution, while cultivating a mutually supporting culture;

 

•

we believe that an independent agency system is mutually beneficial to both the agent and ICC because of the drive to deliver the highest quality products at competitive prices;

 

•

customer service, which is understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of our policyholder and agents, is at the fundamental core of our existence;

 

•

we believe we can succeed in the marketplace given our unique understanding of the food and beverage industry, offering customized products and aggressively defending our insureds;

 

•

we focus on innovation, which drives our efficiency, quality and effectiveness;

 

•

we identify worthy causes to support with our corporate and associate resources and promote good corporate citizenship; and

 

•

we strive to improve our products and processes through intelligent investment in talent and technology that meets our exacting needs and those of our customers.

In order to effectuate our mission and guiding principles, we have identified the following core strategies to achieve our long-term success:

 

•

design and market commercial property and casualty products customized for the food and beverage industry, through our in-depth knowledge and research of the industry;

 

•

pursue deliberate geographic expansion;

 

•

Provide and market comprehensive policies with flexible a la carte options;

 

•

foster true partnerships with independent agents who have a significant presence in the food and beverage industry and an appreciation for ICC’s commitment and expertise to obtain optimal market share in the food and beverage industry;

 

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•

leverage business intelligence to maximize performance, increase operational efficiency, and price our products for sustained profitability;

 

•

implement an investment strategy that maximizes return within acceptable risk tolerances;

 

•

promote a culture of excellence that encourages teamwork and contributes to talent retention and development; and

 

•

maintain a robust and comprehensive enterprise risk management program, focused on upside optimization and downside mitigation.

Competitive Growth Strategies

Technology. We believe that existing and developing technology and information systems are and will continue to impact the insurance industry’s use of risk analysis in the underwriting process, provide tools for reduction of claims, and modernize the claims handling process. As part of our focus, we have internally developed a completely integrated policy management system. This system allows us to leverage loss control data for predictive analytics in both the claims and underwriting areas. For example, in the underwriting area, we create pricing models taking into account the unique characteristics of our customers, with industry-specific variables such as latest hour of close, type and frequency of on-site entertainment, and average alcoholic beverage pricing. We also have achieved better efficiency by moving to a more paperless organization and integrate off-site employees in our claims, underwriting, accounting, loss control and IT development areas. We intend to remain a leader in the industry in utilizing technology and data analysis to price our coverage based on the risk assumed, reduce accidents and provide prompt claims response.

Industry Expertise. We have been providing the food and beverage industry with insurance products and services since 1950. By leveraging our experience, we better understand our customers and their needs, which allows us to better price our products and services and defend claims aggressively and economically, using the experience of our in-house legal department and an established network of specialized defense attorneys. As a result, we are the endorsed carrier for the Missouri Restaurant Association, the Indiana Restaurant Association, the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association and the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association. We also provide insurance agents continuing education on industry topics, such as liquor liability, kitchen fire prevention and alcohol server training. For policyholders serving liquor, we provide certified alcohol server training as a value-added service and risk elimination/mitigation tool. Our associates are also regular panel speakers at local and national claims conferences.

Enterprise Risk Management. As part of our effort to grow responsibly, we have put in place a cross-functional, multi-dimensional enterprise risk management program. The program is focused on financial, organization, operational, tactical, market and legal risks and managed at three different levels: the enterprise risk committee of our board of directors, our internal enterprise risk management committee and our internal audit committee. The focus of the enterprise risk committee of our board of directors is on oversight, top tier risk, emerging risks, and risk optimization. The internal enterprise risk committee is comprised of our senior management team, which is focused on conducting a review of all risks attendant to ICC at least annually; rating triaged risks for severity, frequency, and control; completing risk control reports for stress testing, risk tolerance, and mitigation plans; measuring and monitoring risk on an ongoing basis; and tying enterprise risk management to individual performance evaluations and compensation. Our internal audit function focuses on policy and procedure compliance and mitigation plans.

Growth Strategies

While Illinois Casualty has established a significant market share in our existing territories, we believe that there is still opportunity for growth within our existing footprint. We will continue to seek out insurance agency partners who have a commitment to our niche and an ability to sell the value represented by our products. Our

 

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long-term growth plan also involved expanding geographically into states where we believe current insurance laws provide an attractive market within our niche for our existing products and services. Current state expansion plans include Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. We will consider geographic expansion opportunities that allow us to leverage existing agency relationships whose footprints overlap our own. Growth opportunities will always be carefully evaluated with long term profitability at the forefront of the decision making process.

Although we do not have any current plans or intent to expand or grow our business by acquisition, we will consider opportunities that are presented to us. The completion of this offering will supply additional capital needed to support substantially increased premium volume, which we expect to result from the implementation of these growth strategies.

Reaction to Market Cycles

Many insurance companies sporadically target businesses within our niche; however, a relatively small number make a long-term commitment to the niche through changing insurance market cycles. When the insurance market is “hard” and premium growth is achievable in less specialized segments, many carriers exit this niche. Large and diversified insurance carriers have the ability to shift their focus and resources to less challenging areas. When market conditions “soften,” those same carriers often aggressively move back into our niche for premium growth. Because Illinois Casualty specializes in the niche, we do not shift resources to other market segments. Therefore, the Company generally maintains pricing stability throughout market cycles by relying on our strong loss control, underwriting, and claims expertise and our customer service commitment. We react to market cycles by adjusting our appetite for risks based on pricing and cycle conditions, but we maintain a consistent commitment to the food and beverage industry. Due to the relatively small number of insurance companies that make a long-term commitment to this niche, the insurance market does not fluctuate to the same extent as the insurance market for the general commercial market.

Our Challenges

Our business faces significant challenges that can impede our goal of growing our business while realizing operating profits, including the following:

Estimating Our Loss Reserves.

We maintain loss reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period. These reserves represent management’s estimates of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will cost. Pursuant to applicable insurance regulations, these reserves are reviewed by an independent actuary on at least an annual basis. Setting reserves is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that current or future reserves will prove adequate. If our loss reserves are inadequate, it will have an unfavorable impact on our results. A summary of the favorable and unfavorable developments in our loss reserves in the previous 10-year period is on page     .

Reliance on Independent Agents.

Our product is distributed through a contracted network of independent insurance agents. Independent agents are typically contracted with a number of insurance carriers. The producers within an agency will determine which product is most appropriate to recommend to their client or prospective client. The agency will select a product based on a variety of factors such as: premium; coverage; service including billing and claims; agency compensation and agency/company relationship. Establishing and maintaining long term financially successful agency relationships is very important to the long term success of a company.

 

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Maintaining Our Financial Strength Ratings.

In February 2016, A.M. Best affirmed Illinois Casualty’s financial strength rating of “B++” positive outlook. A key to achieving our goal of significant growth in our premiums written, is obtaining an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better. Increasing our capitalization and maintaining strong operating performance, are significant rating components reviewed by A.M. Best. This is combined with a review of various other rating requirements. If we are not able to increase our rating or if A.M. Best downgrades our rating, it is likely that we will not be able to compete as effectively and our ability to sell insurance policies could decline. As a result, our financial results would be adversely affected. A.M. Best reviews our rating approximately once per year.

Attracting, Developing and Retaining Experienced Personnel.

To sustain our growth as a property and casualty insurance company operating in a specialty niche market, we must continue to attract, develop and retain management, marketing, distribution, underwriting, customer service, and claims personnel with expertise in the products we offer. The loss of key personnel, or our inability to recruit, develop and retain additional qualified personnel, could materially and adversely affect our business, growth and profitability.

Competitive Strengths

Our opportunity for growth is driven by our competitive strengths, which include the following:

Use of Data and Metrics to Improve our Underwriting Results.

Our analysis of data available through both governmental and other industry resources, combined with our internal data, drive our underwriting and pricing decisions. We have developed a multi-variant risk grading system and pricing algorithm that combines both objective and subjective inputs that drive both whether to provide coverage and pricing. This information helps us avoid providing coverage to higher risk insureds while improving our overall risk profile. Every risk we insure is inspected within the first 60 days of policy binding, which permits us to cancel the policy if we determine that the insured is not an acceptable risk or pricing is inadequate. Each inspection consists of an extensive risk profile questionnaire as well as between 25 to 100 pictures of the insured’s place of business. We believe this approach reduces claims frequency.

Focus on niche food and beverage business.

We target niche markets within the food and beverage industry that support adequate pricing and believe we are able to adapt to changing market needs ahead of our competitors through our strategic focus. We develop and deliver specialty insurance products priced to meet our customers’ needs and strive to generate consistent underwriting profit. We believe that our extensive experience and expertise specific to underwriting and claims management in the food and beverage industry will allow continued loss ratio improvement in 2016 and going forward. The Company is committed to retaining this underwriting and claim handling expertise as a core competency as the volume of business increases.

 

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Strong market presence with name recognition and long-standing distribution relationships.

We have been writing insurance for the food and beverage industry in Illinois since 1950. Approximately 39% of current total premium is written in Illinois. In the Illinois Department of Insurance 2013 Annual Cost Containment Report, Illinois Casualty was the largest writer of liquor liability insurance in the state by a significant margin.

 

Liquor Liability		Market Share
Illinois Casualty Co A Mutual Co			25.0	%
Underwriters At Lloyds London			15.4	%
Society Ins			14.5	%
Badger Mutual Ins Co			10.1	%
US Ins Co of America			9.7	%
Founders Ins Co			6.3	%
Capitol Indemnity Corp			2.3	%
North Pointe Ins Co			1.6	%
Specialty Risk of America			1.5	%
RSUI Indemnity Co			1.2	%

Great care is taken in building the ICC brand in all states of operation and the Company holds significant market share in nearly all states serviced. Illinois Casualty acknowledges that each state, each agency and each customer is unique. A commitment to quality of product and services is universally important and recognized.

Scalable operations positioned for growth.

Illinois Casualty is focused on automation and operating efficiencies across its core functional areas. We have consistently increased premium per full time equivalent employee for five consecutive years and are positioned to continue that trend with current growth plans. We believe we are well-positioned in both terms of personnel and systems to increase written premiums and to expand into new geographic markets with better than industry level profitability using the efficient operating infrastructure we have developed over the last few years.

Experienced management team.

We are managed by an experienced group of executives led by Arron K. Sutherland, our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sutherland has served in his current position since June 2010, joined ICC in 2006 and has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years. Michael R. Smith, our Chief Financial Officer, has served with ICC since 2011. Mr. Smith has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 15 years with insurance organizations. Howard J. Beck, our Chief Underwriting Officer, has been with ICC since 2004 and has over 24 years of underwriting experience. Norman D. Schmeichel, our Vice President — Chief Information Officer, has served with ICC since 2002. Mr. Schmeichel has more than 20 years’ experience in information technologies and 14 years’ experience in the insurance industry. Additionally, Julia B. Suiter, our Chief Legal Officer, has served with ICC since 2009 and has over 20 years’ experience in insurance defense and contract law. Rickey Plunkett, our Director of Claims, has served with ICC since 2010 and has over 35 years of experience in the claims field. Kathleen S. Springer, our Director of Human Resources, has served with ICC since 2008 and has over 20 years’ experience in benefits, compensation, and talent acquisition and more than 8 years’ experience in the insurance industry. As a group, our executive officers have on average more than 20 years’ experience in the property and casualty insurance industry.

Products

Illinois Casualty has specialized in the food and beverage industry since 1950. Our product language is based on Insurance Services Offices (ISO) forms, which is an industry standard, but tailored to the specific needs of our clients. We began by writing liquor liability or dram shop insurance and that remains a prominent line of

 

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business today. Commercial property and liability are written in a single policy as a business owners policy (BOP). Illinois Casualty also writes workers compensation and commercial umbrella policies which are written as complementary lines to the BOP and liquor liability and are not offered on a stand-alone basis. As of June 30, 2016, Illinois Casualty writes 4,691 BOP policies, 4,537 liquor liability policies, 1,762 worker’s compensation policies and 1,152 commercial umbrella policies. 90.6% of BOP policies and 89.9% of liquor liability policies are for either restaurants or taverns. While we do not currently write commercial auto insurance, we do insure risks associated with the delivery of food or beverage.

Marketing and Distribution

Our commercial insurance product is sold by over 130 independent insurance agents in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. These agencies access multiple insurance companies and are typically established businesses in the communities in which they operate. We view these agents as our primary customers because they are in a position to recommend either our insurance products or those of a competitor to their customers. We consider our relationships with these agencies to be a core strength of the Company.

We manage our producers through quarterly business reviews utilizing various internally generated reports. Our quantitative agency review (QAR) measures each agency on a variety of weighted metrics and ranks them from high to low. The measurement is updated on a weekly basis and is available for all company employees’ review.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, only three of our producers were responsible for more than 5% of our direct premiums written and our top 10 producers accounted for approximately 37.8% of direct premiums written.

Our agency partners are supported by our marketing department. These representatives also identify and train new agents. Illinois Casualty conducts regularly scheduled webinars for agents as well as onsite training on company products and services. These include technical training about our products as well as sales training to effectively market our products. We also offer our agents industry specific training that qualifies for continuing education credit for state insurance license requirements.

Agents are compensated through a fixed base commission with an opportunity for profit sharing depending on the producer’s premiums written and profitability. Agents receive commission as a percentage of premiums (generally 15% for most lines, except worker’s compensation policies which are generally at 7.5%) as their primary compensation from us. Illinois Casualty offers a contingent compensation plan as an incentive for producers to place high-quality business with us and to support our loss control efforts. We believe that the contingent compensation paid to our producers is comparable with those offered by other insurance companies and is designed to reward agents for growth and profitability.

Our marketing efforts are also supported by our Claims, Litigation, Billing, Underwriting and Loss Control Departments. As industry specialists, we are able to offer expertise in all interactions with agents and/or policyholders. For example, our claims philosophy is to provide prompt and efficient service and claims processing, resulting in a positive experience for both the agents and policyholders. We take an aggressive, defense-oriented position on third party liability claims which is recognized and appreciated by our policyholders. We believe that these positive experiences result in higher policyholder retention and create new business opportunities for our agents. While we rely on our agents for front line distribution and customer support, underwriting, billing, loss control and claim handling responsibilities are retained by us. Many of our agents have had direct relationships with us for a number of years.

Underwriting, Risk Assessment and Pricing

Our underwriting philosophy is aimed at consistently generating profits through sound risk selection, stringent loss control and pricing discipline. One key element in sound risk selection is our use of risk

 

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characteristic metrics. Through 66 years of focused underwriting, we have identified predictive metrics of data that many other insurance companies do not recognize or measure. Use of these metrics allows us to more effectively price risks, thereby improving our profitability and allowing us to compete favorably with other insurance carriers. We also are very active in leveraging our onsite loss control inspections. An example would be the monitoring of kitchen fire suppression systems servicing to reduce kitchen fire losses.

Our philosophy is to understand our industry and be disciplined in our underwriting efforts. We will not compromise profitability for top line growth.

Our competitive strategy in underwriting is:

 

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Maximize the use of available information acquired through a wide variety of industry resources.

 

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Allow our internal metrics and rating to establish risk pricing and use sound underwriting judgement for risk selection and pricing modification.

 

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Utilize our risk grading system, which combines both objective and subjective inputs, to quantify desirability of risks and improve our overall risk profile.

 

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Physically inspect every new insured within the first 60 days of policy binding with our in-house loss control representatives. Our inspection consists of an extensive risk profile questionnaire and includes 25 to 100 electronic photos of the insured’s place of business. Inspections that demonstrate that a risk is not desirable is a basis for revoking coverage.

 

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Provide very high-quality service to our agents and insureds by responding quickly and effectively to information requests and policy submissions. Treat our agents as partners and have the same expectation of them.

Our underwriting department works in teams with each agent assigned to one of three teams. We underwrite our accounts by evaluating each risk with consistently applied standards. Each policy undergoes a thorough evaluation process prior to every renewal.

Our underwriting staff of 24 employees has an average of 12 years of insurance industry experience. Howard J. Beck, our Chief Underwriting Officer, has been with ICC since 2004 and has over 27 years of insurance experience with 20 years of property and casualty underwriting experience.

We strive to be disciplined in our pricing by pursuing targeted rate changes to continually improve our underwriting profitability while still being able to attract and retain profitable customers. Our pricing reviews involve evaluating our claims experience, loss trends, data acquired from inspections, applications and other data sources to identify characteristics that drive the frequency and severity of our claims. These results drive changes to rates and rating metrics as well as understanding what portions of our business are most profitable.

This knowledge and analysis enables us to price risks accurately, improve account retention, and drive profitable new business.

Claims and Litigation Management

Our claims team supports our underwriting strategy by working to provide a timely, good faith claims handling response to our policyholders. Claims excellence is achieved by timely investigation and handling of claims, settlement of meritorious claims for equitable amounts, maintenance of adequate case reserves, and control of claims loss adjustment expenses.

Claims on insurance policies are received directly from the insured or through our independent agents. Our claims department supports our producer relationship strategy by working to provide a consistently responsive level of claim service to our policyholders.

 

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Rick Plunkett, our Director of Claims, supervises a staff of 16 employees with an average of 18 years of experience in processing property and casualty insurance claims. Mr. Plunkett joined ICC in 2010 and has over 35 years of experience in claims management.

Julia B. Suiter, our Chief Legal Officer, supervises a staff of three employees, two of whom are also attorneys. Ms. Suiter joined ICC in 2009 and has been practicing law both in-house and in private practice for 24 years.

Technology

Our technology efforts are focused on supporting our strategy of differentiating ourselves from our competitors through use of data mining, business intelligence solutions, and data analysis to determine profitability of new and existing business and to better price risks that we underwrite.

We have streamlined internal processes to achieve operational efficiencies through the implementation of a policy and claim imaging and workflow system. This system provides online access to electronic copies of policies, quotes, inspections, and any other correspondence enabling our associates to quickly and efficiently underwrite policies and adjust claims as well as respond to our producers’ inquiries.

Since the system integrates all aspects of the policy life cycle, from underwriting to billing to claims, we are able to better automate all internal workflows through electronic routing thus lowering costs and providing better service to our customers. This system allows us to leverage loss control data for predictive analytics in both the claims and underwriting areas. For example, in the underwriting area, we can create pricing models taking into account the unique characteristics of our customers, such as neighborhoods, entertainment on site and average alcoholic beverage pricing.

We have implemented best in class virus or malware protections while still enabling our employees to work from any location. We are tested on a periodic basis to ensure our protections are sufficient.

We have the ability to scale since we are almost entirely a paperless organization. This allows us to integrate off-site employees just as if they are in the office. We intend to remain a leader in the industry by utilizing technology and data analysis to price our coverage based on the risk assumed and to both reduce accidents and provide a prompt response to claims.

As part of our disaster recovery program, we utilize a third party backup system to provide a complete copy of our production systems at an off-site location that is updated on a daily basis. We also have a generator that will allow the home office to operate in the event that power or access to our headquarters is disrupted. We test this disaster recovery plan bi-annually as well as continually expand its capabilities to eliminate business interruption to the best of our ability.

Reinsurance

In accordance with insurance industry practice, we reinsure a portion of our exposure and pay to the reinsurers a portion of the premiums received on all policies reinsured. Insurance policies written by us are reinsured with other insurance companies principally to:

 

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reduce net liability on individual risks;

 

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mitigate the effect of individual loss occurrences (including catastrophic losses);

 

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stabilize underwriting results;

 

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decrease leverage; and

 

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increase our underwriting capacity.

 

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Reinsurance can be facultative reinsurance or treaty reinsurance. Under facultative reinsurance, each policy or portion of a risk is reinsured individually. Under treaty reinsurance, an agreed-upon portion of a class of business is automatically reinsured. Reinsurance also can be classified as quota share reinsurance, pro rata reinsurance or excess of loss reinsurance. Under quota share reinsurance and pro rata reinsurance, the insurance company issuing the policy cedes a percentage of its insurance liability to the reinsurer in exchange for a like percentage of premiums, less a ceding commission. The company issuing the policy in turn recovers from the reinsurer the reinsurer’s share of all loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred on those risks. Under excess of loss reinsurance, an insurer limits its liability to all or a particular portion of the amount in excess of a predetermined deductible or retention. Regardless of type, reinsurance does not legally discharge the insurance company issuing the policy from primary liability for the full amount due under the reinsured policies. However, the assuming reinsurer is obligated to reimburse the company issuing the policy to the extent of the coverage ceded.

We determine the amount and scope of reinsurance coverage to purchase each year based on a number of factors. These factors include the evaluation of the risks accepted, consultations with reinsurance intermediates and a review of market conditions, including the availability and pricing of reinsurance. A primary factor in the selection of reinsurers from whom we purchase reinsurance is their financial strength. Our reinsurance arrangements are generally renegotiated annually. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we ceded to reinsurers $7.8 million of written premiums, compared to $5.6 million of written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we ceded to reinsurers $4.1 million of written premiums, compared to $4.1 million of written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

The chart below illustrates the reinsurance coverage under our excess of loss treaty for individual liability and property risks (with the defined terms listed below the chart):

 

 

 

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Term		Meaning
1 @ x%		“1” refers to the number of times that we reinstate the coverage. The number prior to the “%” sign indicates the overall cost to us when reinstating coverage.
Aggregate Catastrophe		An aggregate catastrophe treaty is a reinsurance cover designed to help us manage the effects of multiple extreme weather events on our results.
Basket Retention		Excess liability insurance that attaches once retained losses for several lines of coverage (e.g., Workers compensation, Business Owners Liability, or Liquor Liability) reach a certain specified level. If we have one loss occurrence with $500,000 incurred on both a workers compensation claim and a liquor liability claim, this coverage limits our retention to $500,000 and not $500,000 per claim.
Casualty		For this chart, this refers to our liquor liability, business owners liability, workers compensation and any umbrella policies.
Clash		A reinsurance casualty excess contract requiring two or more policies to be involved in a loss for coverage to apply. We issue separate liability policies that cover liquor exposures, business owner exposures, workers compensation exposures and umbrella exposures.
Free & Unlimited		This refers to the number and cost of reinstating the reinsurance coverage. With this wording, each separate loss occurrences above the retention will be covered by the treaty.
Inures		Our Workers Compensation Reinsurance contracts are first applied to reduce the loss subject to the Casualty XOL contract and are said to inure to the benefit of the Casualty XOL contract.
MAOL		This reinsurance sublimit puts a cap on the maximum loss any one life/claimant can contribute to the reinsurance recoverable.
Per Risk		Reinsurance in which the reinsurance limit and our loss retention apply “per risk,” rather than per accident, per event, or in the aggregate.
Retention		The amount of loss and loss adjustment expense retained by us either per occurrence on casualty losses or per risk on property claims
WC		This is short for Workers Compensation.
XOL		This is short for Excess of Loss reinsurance coverage.
xs		This is short for Excess. For example, our Property per Risk tower has three separate contracts providing coverage. The top layer in that tower provides $5.0 million coverage for each risk with losses in excess of $4.0 million.

We retain the first $500,000 of workers compensation losses. Losses in excess of the $500,000 are covered under our workers compensation excess of loss program (WC XOL Tower) up to $1.0 million. Losses above the $1.0 million are then covered under the second workers compensation treaty through $10.0 million. Above $10.0 million, losses would fall back to the casualty tower for an additional $5.5 million of coverage per employee.

Casualty risks (Casualty XOL Tower) (business owners property, liability, liquor liability, umbrella) are covered for $10.5 million in loss above a $500,000 retention for each loss occurrence.

Property per risk excess of loss program (Property Per Risk XOL Tower) provides coverage above our $350,000 retention up to $9.0 million on a treaty basis and facultative for a few risks above that to their full limits.

 

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Property catastrophe reinsurance (Section A Property Cat Occurrence) provides coverage in any one event for $10.0 million of loss in excess of our $500,000 retention.

We also have aggregate catastrophe protection (Section B Aggregate Catastrophe) in the event that catastrophe losses retained by us exceeds $1.5 million in such year. This program allows us to aggregate storms losses where losses exceed $50,000 but fall below the $500,000 occurrence retention.

The insolvency or inability of any reinsurer to meet its obligations to us could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Our reinsurance providers, the majority of whom are longstanding partners who understand our business, are all carefully selected with the help of our reinsurance broker. We monitor the solvency of reinsurers through regular review of their financial statements and, if available, their A.M. Best ratings. All of our reinsurance partners have at least an “A-” rating from A.M. Best. According to A.M. Best, companies with a rating of “A-” or better “have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.”

The following table sets forth the largest amounts of loss and loss expenses recoverable from reinsurers as of December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands) and the current A.M. Best Rating of each as of June 30, 2016:

 

Reinsurance Company

Loss & Loss Expense Recoverable On Unpaid Claims

Percentage of Total Recoverable

A.M. Best Rating