form10-k.htm

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
Commission File No. 0-3978

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
95-2583928
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
   
23251 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, California
91364
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, No Par Value
NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(Title of each class)
Name Of Each Exchange On Which Registered

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes    No X

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes    No  X 

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy of information statements incorporated by reference as Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  X

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.

Large accelerated filer __   Accelerated filer __   Non-accelerated filer  ___ Smaller reporting company X
                                                                 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

The aggregate market value of registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2008, the last business day of Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $28,473,038.

5,567,627
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of March 26, 2009

Portions of the definitive proxy statement that Registrant intends to file pursuant to Regulation 14(A) by a date no later than 120 days after December 31, 2008, to be used in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders, are incorporated herein by reference into Part III hereof.  If such definitive proxy statement is not filed in the 120-day period, the information called for by Part III will be filed as an amendment to this Form 10-K not later than the end of the 120-day period.

 
1

 

PART I
 
Item 1.  Business.
 
Unico American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and through its other subsidiaries provides insurance premium financing and membership association services.  Unico American Corporation is referred to herein as the "Company" or "Unico" and such references include both the corporation and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned.  Unico was incorporated under the laws of Nevada in 1969.

Descriptions of the Company’s operations in the following paragraphs are categorized between the Company’s major segment, its insurance company operation, and all other revenues from insurance operations.  The insurance company operation is conducted through Crusader Insurance Company (Crusader), Unico’s property and casualty insurance company.  Insurance company revenues and other revenues from insurance operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006, are as follows:

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
 
Total Revenues
   
Percent
 of Total
Company
Revenues
   
 
 Total
 Revenues
   
Percent
 of Total
Company Revenues
   
 
 Total
 Revenues
   
Percent
of Total
Company Revenues
 
                                     
Insurance company revenues
  $ 40,527,988       86.7 %   $ 44,137,213       87.6 %   $ 48,942,568       89.1 %
                                                 
Other revenues from insurance operations                                                
Gross commissions and fees:
                                               
Health insurance program
   commission income
    2,754,293       5.9 %     2,320,161       4.9 %     1,634,438       3.0 %
Policy fee income
    2,239,306       4.8 %     2,482,006       4.7 %     2,837,810       5.2 %
Daily automobile rental insurance
  program:
   Commission
      403,943       0.9 %       390,659       0.8 %       371,317       0.7 %
   Claim administration fees
    -       -       -       -       4,035       -  
Association operations
  membership and fee income
    300,214       0.6 %     309,712       0.6 %     300,527       0.5 %
Other commission and fee income
     8,315        -        13,095        -        38,030       0.1 %
Total gross commission and
  fee income
    5,706,071       12.2 %     5,515,633       11.0 %     5,186,157       9.5 %
Investment income
    61,434       0.1 %     152,002       0.3 %     100,955       0.2 %
Finance charges and fees earned
    460,422       1.0 %     553,997       1.1 %     678,740       1.2 %
Other income
    13,529        -       14,050        -       7,786        -  
  Total other revenues from
    insurance operations
    6,241,456       13.3 %     6,235,682       12.4 %     5,973,638       10.9 %
                                                 
Total revenues
  $ 46,769,444       100.0 %   $ 50,372,895       100.0 %   $ 54,916,206       100.0 %


INSURANCE COMPANY OPERATION
 
General
 
The insurance company operation is conducted through Crusader Insurance Company.  Crusader is a multiple line property and casualty insurance company that began transacting business on January 1, 1985.  Since 2004, all Crusader business was written in the state of California.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, 98% of Crusader’s business was commercial multiple peril policies.  Commercial multiple peril policies provide a combination of property and liability coverage for businesses.  Commercial property coverage insures against loss or damage to buildings, inventory and equipment from natural disasters, including hurricanes, windstorms, hail, water, explosions, severe winter weather, and other events such as theft and vandalism, fires, storms, and financial loss due to business interruption resulting from covered property damage.  However, Crusader does not write earthquake coverage.  Commercial liability coverages insure against third party liability from accidents occurring on the insured’s premises or arising out of its operation.  In addition to commercial multiple peril policies, Crusader also writes separate policies to insure commercial property and commercial liability risk on a mono-line basis.  As of December 31, 2008, Crusader was licensed as an admitted insurance carrier in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
 
 
2


The insurance marketplace continues to be intensely competitive as more insurers are competing for the same customers.  Many of Crusader’s competitors price their insurance at rates that the Company believes are inadequate to support any profit.  Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1) product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment of captive and independent retail agents. During 2008, Crusader began to introduce many product changes such as to its rates, eligibility guidelines, rules and coverage forms.  Improved service to retail brokers is primarily focused upon transacting business through the internet, as well as providing more options to make the brokers’ time more efficiently spent with us (i.e., as opposed to spending time with our competitors).  In an effort to increase sales, in October 2008 the Company hired a marketing manager, bringing the total number of employees dedicated exclusively to marketing to three.  Those representatives are charged with the responsibility of identifying product development opportunities, with promoting the Company and its products to the insurance brokerage community, and with the duty to appoint retail agents so as to introduce the Crusader brand at the consumer’s level of distribution (i.e., retail).  Crusader appointed twelve retail agents as of December 31, 2008, and plans to have approximately twenty-four by the end of year 2009.  Presently, it is expected that each such retail agent should be able to reach an annual sales volume of approximately one to two million dollars of Crusader’s products within three to five years of their appointment by the Company.

All of Crusader’s business is produced by Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc. (Unifax), its sister corporation.  Unifax has substantial experience with these classes of business.  The commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany transactions and are not reflected in the previous table.  Crusader is licensed in property and casualty and disability lines of insurance by the California Department of Insurance.

Reinsurance
 
A reinsurance transaction occurs when an insurance company transfers (cedes) a portion of its exposure on policies written by it to a reinsurer that assumes that risk for a premium (ceded premium).  Reinsurance does not legally discharge the Company from primary liability under its policies.  If the reinsurer fails to meet its obligations, the Company must nonetheless pay its policy obligations.

Crusader’s primary excess of loss reinsurance agreements since January 1, 1998, are as follows:
 
Loss Year(s)
Reinsurer(s)
A.M. Best Rating
Retention
Annual Aggregate Deductible
         
2005 – 2008
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
  & Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
     A
     A
 
$300,000
 
$500,000
         
2004
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
  & Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
     A
     A
 
$250,000
 
$500,000
         
2003
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
  & Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
  & QBE Reinsurance Corporation
     A
     A
     A
 
 
$250,000
 
 
$500,000
         
2002
Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
     A+
$250,000
$675,000
         
2000 - 2001
Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
     A+
$250,000
$500,000
         
1998 - 1999
General Reinsurance Corporation
     A++
$250,000
$750,000

Prior to January 1, 1998, National Reinsurance Corporation (acquired by General Reinsurance Corporation in 1996) charged a provisional rate on exposures up to $500,000 that was subject to adjustment and was based on the amount of losses ceded, limited by a maximum percentage that could be charged.  That provisionally rated treaty was cancelled on a runoff basis and replaced by a flat rated treaty on January 1, 1998.
 
 
3


In 2008 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 20% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty.  In 2007 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 15% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 15% in its property clash treaty.  In 2006 and 2005 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 10% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties. In 2004 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 10% in its 1st layer ($750,000 in excess of $250,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties.  In 2003 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer ($750,000 in excess of $250,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties.

The 2008 and 2007 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission.  Crusader’s 2006 1st layer primary excess of loss treaty provides for a contingent commission equal to 20% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.  The 2005 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission. Crusader’s 2004 and 2003 1st layer primary excess of loss treaties provide for a contingent commission to the Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2004.  For each accounting period as described above, the Company will calculate and report to the reinsurers its net profit (excluding incurred but not reported losses), if any, within 90 days after 36 months following the end of the first accounting period, and within 90 days after the end of each 12 month period thereafter until all losses subject to the agreement have been finally settled.  Any contingent commission payment received is subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses.  In March 2007, the Company received an advance of $1 million from its reinsurer, and in February 2008, the Company received an additional $2,419,940 to be applied against future contingent commission earned, if any.  Based on the Company’s ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses (including ceded incurred but not reported losses) as of December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $2,500,211 of these payments as an advance from its reinsurer and it is included in “Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.  Thus, the Company recognized $919,729 of contingent commission, of which $666,174 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2008, and $253,555 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Crusader also has catastrophe reinsurance from various highly rated California authorized and unauthorized reinsurance companies.  These reinsurance agreements help protect Crusader against liabilities in excess of certain retentions, including major or catastrophic losses that may occur from any one or more of the property and/or casualty risks which Crusader insures.  The Company has no reinsurance recoverable balances in dispute.

The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at their inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  As of December 31, 2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.

The aggregate amount of earned premium ceded to the reinsurers was $8,771,069 for the year ended December 31, 2008, $11,532,308 for the year ended December 31, 2007, and $13,758,424 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

On most of the premium that Crusader cedes to the reinsurer, the reinsurer pays a commission to Crusader that includes a reimbursement of the cost of acquiring the portion of the premium that is ceded.  Crusader does not currently assume any reinsurance.  The Company intends to continue obtaining reinsurance although the availability and cost may vary from time to time.  The unpaid losses ceded to the reinsurer are recorded as an asset on the balance sheet.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 
Crusader maintains reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to both reported and unreported losses.  When a claim for loss is reported to the Company, a reserve is established for the expected cost to settle the claim, including estimates of any related legal expense and other costs associated with resolving the claim.  These reserves are called “case based” reserves.  In addition, the Company also sets up reserves at the end of each reporting period for losses that have occurred but have not yet been reported to the Company.  These incurred but not reported losses are referred to as “IBNR” reserves.
 
 
4


Crusader establishes reserves for reported losses based on historical experience, upon case-by-case evaluation of facts surrounding each known loss, and the related policy provisions.  The amount of reserves for unreported losses is estimated by analysis of historical and statistical information.  The ultimate liability of Crusader may be greater or less than estimated reserves.  Reserves are monitored and adjusted when appropriate and are reflected in the statement of operations in the period of adjustment.  Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated to cover the future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses with respect to insured events that have occurred.

The process of establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves involves significant judgment.  The following table shows the development of the unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for fiscal years 1998 through 2008.  The top line of the table shows the estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years.  This liability represents the estimated amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses for losses arising in the current and prior years that are unpaid at the balance sheet date.  The table shows the reestimated amount of the previously recorded liability based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year.  The estimate is increased or decreased, as more information becomes known.  The Company believes that its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are properly stated.  When subsequent loss and loss adjustment expense development justifies changes in reserving practices, the Company responds accordingly.

 
5

 

The following table reflects redundancies and deficiencies in Crusader’s net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves.  As of December 31, 2008, all periods stated in the table prior to 2002 reflected a cumulative deficiency.  The 2002 through 2007 periods reflect a cumulative redundancy.  See discussion of losses and loss adjustment expenses in Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Results of Operations - Insurance Company Operation.”

When evaluating the information in the following table, it should be noted that each amount includes the effects of all changes in amounts of prior periods; therefore, the cumulative redundancy or deficiency represents the aggregate change in the estimates over all prior years.  Conditions and trends that have affected development of liability in the past may not necessarily occur in the future.  Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future deficiencies or redundancies based on this table.

   
CRUSADER INSURANCE COMPANY
 
   
ANALYSIS OF LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE DEVELOPMENT
 
   
Year Ended December 31
 
   
1998
   
1999
   
2000
   
2001
   
2002
   
2003
   
2004
   
2005
   
2006
   
2007
   
2008
 
                                                                   
Reserve for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
  $ 40,374,232     $ 37,628,165     $ 34,546,026     $ 49,786,215     $ 53,596,945     $ 58,883,861     $ 67,349,989     $ 76,235,467     $ 70,076,430     $ 66,305,287     $ 58,839,017  
                                                                                         
Paid Cumulative as of
                                                                                       
1 Year Later
    15,393,167       18,745,224       20,841,417       23,010,615       21,326,688       18,546,279       14,626,446       17,257,218       18,136,958       20,255,356          
2 Years Later
    28,570,117       34,905,359       37,976,277       39,463,106       35,883,729       28,289,327       26,374,067       30,280,022       32,708,859                  
3 Years Later
    38,923,545       46,072,688       49,053,708       46,256,431       40,808,763       35,508,898       34,031,644       39,459,338                          
4 Years Later
    45,425,709       53,153,491       52,821,183       49,157,040       44,116,477       39,577,949       37,471,168                                  
5 Years Later
    50,526,164       56,021,297       54,919,573       51,678,787       46,382,760       41,417,614                                          
6 Years Later
    52,588,830       57,247,843       56,715,300       53,604,855       47,272,911                                                  
7 Years Later
    53,482,116       58,801,974       58,428,481       53,834,453                                                          
8 Years Later
    54,659,842       60,000,165       58,528,260                                                                  
9 Years Later
    55,763,935       60,075,050                                                                          
10 Years Later
    55,842,233                                                                                  
                                                                                         
Reserves Reestimated as of
                                                                                       
1 Year Later
    39,132,945       41,898,796       53,872,376       57,577,066       56,348,531       58,048,427       63,525,526       64,064,784       65,958,329       62,748,486          
2 Years Later
    43,164,627       56,423,375       59,746,880       60,629,814       57,237,770       54,623,000       51,981,027       60,840,795       61,135,905                  
3 Years Later
    52,349,735       59,486,543       62,172,320       60,974,567       55,430,550       50,602,947       49,959,618       57,688,373                          
4 Years Later
    54,291,547       61,791,428       62,369,460       59,745,610       53,154,847       49,959,618       47,537,734                                  
5 Years Later
    56,619,057       62,174,813       61,894,587       58,289,479       53,047,154       47,848,145                                          
6 Years Later
    57,151,258       61,983,908       61,192,597       58,677,307       51,628,155                                                  
7 Years Later
    56,935,245       61,875,465       61,975,092       57,039,089                                                          
8 Years Later
    56,906,786       62,659,129       60,565,031                                                                  
9 Years Later
    57,572,353       61,392,495                                                                          
10 Years Later
    56,668,561                                                                                  
                                                                                         
Cumulative Redundancy  (Deficiency)
  $ (16,294,329 )   $ (23,764,330 )   $ (26,019,005 )   $ (7,252,874 )   $ 1,968,790     $ 11,035,716     $ 19,812,255     $ 18,547,094     $ 8,940,525     $ 3,556,801          
                                                                                         
Gross Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss  Adjustment Expenses
  $ 41,513,945     $ 41,592,489     $ 45,217,369     $ 60,534,295     $ 74,905,284     $ 78,139,090     $ 87,469,000     $ 101,914,548     $ 93,596,117     $ 94,730,711     $ 78,654,590  
 
                                                                                       
Ceded Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
    (1,139,713 )     (3,964,324 )     (10,671,343 )     (10,748,080 )     (21,308,339 )     (19,255,229 )     (20,119,011 )     (25,679,081 )     (23,519,687 )     (28,425,424 )     (19,815,573 )
                                                                                         
 Net Liability for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
  $ 40,374,232     $ 37,628,165     $ 34,546,026     $ 49,786,215     $ 53,596,945     $ 58,883,861     $ 67,349,989     $ 76,235,467     $ 70,076,430     $ 66,305,287     $ 58,839,017  
                                                                                         
Gross Liability Reestimated
  $ 81,932,784     $ 89,440,233     $ 92,269,584     $ 87,966,882     $ 74,860,735     $ 69,189,276     $ 67,381,960     $ 78,646,420     $ 81,030,149     $ 85,453,563          
Ceded Liability Reestimated
    (25,264,223 )     (28,047,738 )     (31,704,553 )     (30,927,793 )     (23,232,580 )     (21,341,131 )     (19,844,226 )     (20,958,047 )     (19,894,244 )  
(22,705,077
)        
Net Liability Reestimated
  $ 56,668,561     $ 61,392,495     $ 60,565,031     $ 57,039,089     $ 51,628,155     $ 47,848,145     $ 47,537,734     $ 57,688,373     $ 61,135,905     $ 62,748,486          
                                                                                         
Gross Reserve Redundancy (Deficiency)
  $ (40,418,839 )   $ (47,847,744 )   $ (47,052,215 )   $ (27,432,587 )   $ 44,549     $ 8,949,814     $ 20,087,040     $ 23,268,128     $ 12,565,968     $ 9,277,148          

 
6

 

Net Premium Written to Policyholders' Surplus Ratio
 
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, Crusader's statutory ratios of net premiums written to statutory policyholders' surplus.  Since each property and casualty insurance company has different capital needs, an "acceptable" ratio of net premium written to policyholders' surplus for one company may be inapplicable to another.  While there is no statutory requirement applicable to Crusader that establishes a permissible net premium to surplus ratio, guidelines established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provide that such ratio should generally be no greater than 3 to 1.

   
Twelve months ended December 31
 
Statutory:
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
                               
Net premiums written
  $ 31,175,204     $ 33,412,745     $ 38,166,864     $ 46,030,707     $ 51,089,573  
Policyholders’ surplus
  $ 64,736,230     $ 57,862,334     $ 50,023,768     $ 36,586,441     $ 29,436,343  
Ratio
 
0.5 to 1
   
0.6 to 1
   
0.8 to 1
   
1.3 to 1
   
1.7 to 1
 

Crusader’s results are reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  These results differ from its financial results reported in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) as prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities.  Crusader is required to file financial statements with insurance regulatory authorities prepared on a SAP basis.

SAP differs in certain respects from GAAP.  The more significant of these differences that apply to Crusader are:

 
·
Under GAAP, policy acquisition costs such as commissions, premium taxes and other variable costs incurred in connection with writing new and renewal business are capitalized and amortized on a pro rata basis over the period in which the related premiums are earned, rather than expensed as incurred as required by SAP.
 
·
Certain assets included in balance sheets under GAAP are designated as “non-admitted assets” and are charged directly against statutory surplus under SAP.  Non-admitted assets include primarily premium receivables that are outstanding over 90 days, federal deferred tax assets in excess of statutory limitations, furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements, and prepaid expenses.
 
·
Under GAAP, amounts related to ceded reinsurance are shown gross as prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance recoverable, rather than netted against unearned premium reserves and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, respectively, as required by SAP.
 
·
Under GAAP, fixed maturity securities that are classified as available-for-sale are reported at estimated fair values, rather than at amortized cost or the lower of amortized cost or market, depending on the specific type of security as required by SAP.
 
·
The differing treatment of income and expense items results in a corresponding difference in federal income tax expense.  Under GAAP reporting, changes in deferred income taxes are reflected as an item of income tax benefit or expense.  As required by SAP, federal income taxes are recorded when payable and deferred taxes, subject to limitations, are recognized but only to the extent that they do not exceed 10% of statutory surplus.  Changes in deferred taxes are recorded directly to statutory surplus.

Regulation
 
The insurance company operation is subject to regulation by the California Department of Insurance (the insurance department) and by the department of insurance of other states in which Crusader is licensed.  The insurance department has broad regulatory, supervisory, and administrative powers.  These powers relate primarily to the standards of solvency which must be met and maintained; the licensing of insurers and their agents; the nature and limitation of insurers' investments; the prior approval of rates, rules and forms; the issuance of securities by insurers; periodic financial and market conduct examinations of the affairs of insurers; the annual and other reports required to be filed on the financial condition and results of operations of such insurers or for other purposes; and the establishment of reserves required to be maintained for unearned premiums, losses, and other purposes.  The regulations and supervision by the insurance department are designed principally for the benefit of policyholders and not for the insurance company shareholders.  The insurance department’s Market Conduct Division is responsible for conducting periodic examinations of companies to ensure compliance with California Insurance Code and California Code of Regulations with respect to rating, underwriting and claims handling practices.  The most recent Market Conduct Examination of Crusader covered rating and underwriting practices in California during the period from December 15, 2005, through April 10, 2006.  No significant issues were reported as a result of that examination.  The insurance department also conducts periodic financial examinations of Crusader.  The insurance department completed a financial examination of Crusader’s December 31, 2004, statutory financial statements.  No significant issues were reported as a result of that examination.
 
 
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In December 1993, the NAIC adopted a Risk-Based Capital (RBC) Model Law for property and casualty companies.  The RBC Model Law is intended to provide standards for calculating a variable regulatory capital requirement related to a company's current operations and its risk exposures (asset risk, underwriting risk, credit risk and off-balance sheet risk).  These standards are intended to serve as a diagnostic solvency tool for regulators that establishes uniform capital levels and specific authority levels for regulatory intervention when an insurer falls below minimum capital levels.  The RBC Model Law specifies four distinct action levels at which a regulator can intervene with increasing degrees of authority over a domestic insurer if its RBC is equal to or less than 200% of its computed authorized control level RBC.  A company's RBC is required to be disclosed in its statutory annual statement.  The RBC is not intended to be used as a rating or ranking tool nor is it to be used in premium rate making or approval.  Crusader’s adjusted capital at December 31, 2008, was 849% of authorized control level risk-based capital.

The following table sets forth the different levels of risk-based capital that may trigger regulatory involvement and the corresponding actions that may result.

LEVEL
TRIGGER
 
CORRECTIVE ACTION
       
Company Action Level
Adjusted Capital less than 200% of Authorized Control Level
 
The insurer must submit a comprehensive plan to the insurance commissioner
       
Regulatory Action Level
Adjusted Capital less than 150% of Authorized Control Level
 
In addition to above, insurer is subject to examination, analysis, and specific corrective action.
       
Authorized Control Level
Adjusted Capital less than 100% of Authorized Control Level
 
In addition to both of the above, insurance commissioner may place insurer under regulatory control.
       
Mandatory Control Level
Adjusted Capital less than 70% of Authorized Control Level
 
Insurer must be placed under regulatory control.

Insurance Regulatory Information System (IRIS) was developed by a committee of state insurance regulators primarily to assist state insurance departments in executing their statutory mandate to oversee the financial condition of insurance companies.  IRIS helps those companies that merit highest priority in the allocation of the regulators’ resources on the basis of 13 financial ratios that are calculated annually.  The analytical phase is a review of annual statements and the financial ratios.  The ratios and trends are valuable in pointing to companies likely to experience financial difficulties but are not themselves indicative of adverse financial condition.  The ratio and benchmark comparisons are mechanically produced and are not intended to replace the state insurance departments’ own in-depth financial analysis or on-site examinations.

An unusual range of ratio results has been established from studies of the ratios of companies that have become insolvent or have experienced financial difficulties.  In the analytical phase, companies that receive four or more financial ratio values outside the usual range are analyzed in order to identify those companies that appear to require immediate regulatory action.  Subsequently, a more comprehensive review of the ratio results and an insurer’s annual statement is performed to confirm that an insurer’s situation calls for increased or close regulatory attention.  In 2008, the Company was not outside the usual values on any of the thirteen IRIS ratio tests.

California Insurance Guarantee Association
 
The California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) was created to provide for payment of claims for which insolvent insurers of most casualty lines are liable but which cannot be paid out of such insurers’ assets.  The Company is subject to assessment by CIGA for its pro-rata share of such claims based on premiums written in the particular line in the year preceding the assessment by insurers writing that line of insurance in California.  Such assessments are based upon estimates of losses to be incurred in liquidating an insolvent insurer.  Under the current California Insurance Code, in a particular year, the Company cannot be assessed an amount greater than 2% of its premiums written in the preceding year.  Assessments are recouped through a mandated surcharge to policyholders the year after the assessment.  No assessment was made by CIGA for the 2008, 2007, or the 2006 calendar years.
 
 
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Holding Company Act
 
Crusader is subject to regulation by the insurance department pursuant to the provisions of the California Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act (the "Holding Company Act").  Pursuant to the Holding Company Act, the insurance department may examine the affairs of Crusader at any time.  Certain transactions defined to be of an "extraordinary" type may not be effected without the prior approval of the insurance department.  Such transactions include, but are not limited to, sales, purchases, exchanges, loans and extensions of credit, and investments made within the immediately preceding 12 months involving the lesser of 3% of admitted assets or 25% of policyholders’ surplus as of the preceding December 31.  An extraordinary transaction also includes a dividend which, together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the greater of 10% of the insurance company's policyholders' surplus as of the preceding December 31 or the insurance company's net income for the preceding calendar year.  An insurance company is also required to notify the insurance department of any dividend after declaration, but prior to payment.

The Holding Company Act also provides that the acquisition or change of “control” of a California domiciled insurance company or of any person who controls such an insurance company cannot be consummated without the prior approval of the Insurance Commissioner.  In general, a presumption of “control” arises from the ownership of voting securities and securities that are convertible into voting securities, which in the aggregate constitute 10% or more of the voting securities of a California insurance company or a person who controls a California insurance company, such as Crusader.  A person seeking to acquire “control,” directly or indirectly, of the Company must generally file with the Insurance Commissioner an application for change of control containing certain information required by statute and published regulations and provide a copy of the application to the Company.  The Holding Company Act also effectively restricts the Company from consummating certain reorganization or mergers without prior regulatory approval.  The Company is in compliance with the Holding Company Act.

Rating
 
Insurance companies are rated to provide both industry participants and insurance consumers with meaningful information on specific insurance companies.  Higher ratings generally indicate financial stability and a strong ability to pay claims.  These ratings are based upon factors relevant to policyholders and are not directed toward protection of investors.  Such ratings are neither a rating of securities nor a recommendation to buy, hold or sell any security and may be revised or withdrawn at any time.  Ratings focus primarily on the following factors:  capital resources, financial strength, demonstrated management expertise in the insurance business, credit analysis, systems development, market segment position and growth opportunities, marketing, sales conduct practices, investment operations, minimum policyholders’ surplus requirements and capital sufficiency to meet projected growth, as well as access to such traditional capital as may be necessary to continue to meet standards for capital adequacy.

The claims-paying abilities of insurers are rated to provide both insurance consumers and industry participants with comparative information on specific insurance companies.  Claims-paying ratings are important for the marketing of certain insurance products.  A higher rating generally indicates greater financial strength and a stronger ability to pay claims.

Effective January 27, 2009, A.M. Best Company has upgraded Crusader’s financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and revised Crusader’s rating outlook to stable from positive.  In addition, Crusader’s Issuer Credit Rating was upgraded to a- (Excellent) from bbb+ (Good).

Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002
 
On November 26, 2002, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (The Act) was signed by President Bush.  On December 22, 2005, the United States’ government extended The Act, which was set to expire on December 31, 2005, for two more years.  On December 26, 2007, the United States government extended The Act through December 31, 2014.  The Act establishes a program within the Department of the Treasury in which the Federal Government will share the risk of loss from acts of terrorism with the insurance industry.  Federal participation will be triggered when the Secretary of the Treasury, in concurrence with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General of the United States, certifies an act to be an act of terrorism.  No act shall be certified as an act of terrorism unless the terrorist act results in aggregate losses in excess of $5 million.
 
 
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Under The Act, the federal government will pay 85% of covered terrorism losses exceeding the statutorily established deductible.  All property and casualty insurance companies are required to participate in the program to the extent that they must make available property and casualty insurance coverage for terrorism that does not differ materially from the terms, amounts, and other coverage limitations applicable to losses arising from events other than acts of terrorism.
 
 
The Company does not write policies on properties considered a target of terrorist activities such as airports, large hotels, large office structures, amusement parks, landmark defined structures, or other large scale public facilities.  In addition, there is not a high concentration of policies in any one area where increased exposure to terrorist threats exist.  Consequently, the Company believes its exposure relating to acts of terrorism is low.  In 2008, Crusader received $155,631 in terrorism coverage premium from approximately 9% of its policyholders.  Crusader’s 2008 terrorism deductible was $9,732,395.  Crusader’s 2009 terrorism deductible is $8,544,153.

OTHER INSURANCE OPERATIONS
 
General Agency Operations
 
Unifax primarily sells and services commercial multiple peril business insurance policies for Crusader in California.

Bedford Insurance Services, Inc., (Bedford) sells and services daily automobile rental policies in most states for a non-affiliated insurer.

As general agents, these subsidiaries market, rate, underwrite, inspect and issue policies, bill and collect insurance premiums, and maintain accounting and statistical data.  Unifax is the exclusive general agent for Crusader.  Unifax and Bedford are non-exclusive general agents for non-affiliated insurance companies.  The Company's marketing is conducted through advertising to independent insurance agents and brokers.  For its services, the general agent receives a commission (based on the premium written) from the insurance company and, in some cases, a policy fee from the customer.  These subsidiaries all hold licenses issued by the California Department of Insurance and other states where applicable.

Insurance Premium Finance Operation
 
The Company’s subsidiary, American Acceptance Corporation (AAC) is a licensed insurance premium finance company that provides insurance purchasers with the ability to pay their insurance premiums on an installment basis.  The premium finance company pays the insurance premium to the insurance company in return for a premium finance note from the insured.  These notes are paid off by the insured in nine monthly installments and are secured by the unearned premiums held by the insurance company.  AAC provides premium financing solely for Crusader policies that are produced by Unifax in California.

Association Operation
 
The Company's subsidiary, Insurance Club, Inc., dba AAQHC, An Administrator (AAQHC) (formally American Association of Quality Health Care), is a membership association and a third party administrator.  AAQHC provides various consumer benefits to its members, including participation in group medical and dental insurance policies that it negotiates.  AAQHC also provides services as a third party administrator and is licensed by the California Department of Insurance.  For these services, AAQHC receives membership and fee income from its members.

Health Insurance Operations
 
The Company's subsidiary, American Insurance Brokers, Inc. (AIB), markets health insurance in California through non-affiliated insurance companies for individuals and groups.  The services provided consist of marketing, billing and collection, accounting, and customer service.  For these services AIB receives commissions from insurance companies.  Most of the business is produced through independent insurance agents and brokers.  AIB holds licenses issued by the California Department of Insurance.
 
 
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INVESTMENTS
 
The investments of the Company are made by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer under the supervision of an investment committee appointed by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The Company’s investment guidelines on equity securities limit investments in equity securities to a maximum of $2,000,000 in aggregate.  The Company’s investment guidelines on fixed maturities limit those investments to high-grade obligations with a maximum term of eight years.  The maximum investment authorized in any one issuer is $2,000,000 and the maximum in any one U.S. government agency or U.S. government sponsored enterprise is $3,000,000.  This dollar limitation excludes bond premiums paid in excess of par value and U.S. government or U.S. government guaranteed issues.  Investments in municipal securities are primarily pre-refunded and secured by U.S. treasury securities.  The short-term investments are either U.S. government obligations, FDIC insured, or are in an institution with a Moody's rating of P2 and/or a Standard & Poor's rating of A1.  All of the Company's fixed maturity investment securities are rated and readily marketable and could be liquidated without any material adverse financial impact.

COMPETITION
 
General
 
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive in the areas of price, coverage, and service.  It is highly cyclical, characterized by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity followed by periods of severe price competition and excess capacity.

The profitability of insurers is affected by many factors including rate and coverage competition, the frequency of claims and their average cost, natural disasters, state regulations, interest rates, crime rates, general business conditions, and court decisions redefining and expanding the extent of coverage and granting higher compensation awards.  One of the challenging and unique features of the property and casualty business is the fact that, since premiums are collected before losses are paid, its products are normally priced before its costs are known.

Insurance Company and General Agency Operations (Property and Casualty)
 
The Company's property and casualty insurance business continues to experience a competitive marketplace.  There are many substantial competitors who have larger resources, operate in more states, and insure coverages in more lines and in higher limits than the Company.  In addition, Crusader competes not only with other insurance companies but also with other general agencies.  Many of those general agencies offer more products than the Company.  The principal method of competition among competitors is based on price.  While the Company attempts to meet such competition with competitive prices, its emphasis is on service, promotion, and distribution.  Additional information regarding competition in the insurance marketplace is discussed in the Item 7 -“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations.”

Insurance Premium Financing Operation
 
The insurance premium financing operation currently finances policies written only through its sister company, Unifax.  Consequently, AAC’s growth is primarily dependent on the growth of Crusader and Unifax business.  In addition, the competitive pricing, the quality of its service, and the ease and convenience of financing with AAC have made its profitability possible.

Health Insurance Operations
 
Competition in the health insurance business is intense.  In 2008 and 2007 approximately 82% and 80% of the Company’s health insurance business was from the CIGNA HealthCare medical and dental plan programs, respectively.  CIGNA’s plans consist of small group medical and dental policies and individual dental policies.  In May 2006, CIGNA HealthCare began offering new small group medical insurance policies in the state of California.  Currently, all new CIGNA small group medical insurance policies are written through AIB and all CIGNA small group medical insurance policyholders are members of AAQHC.  In November 2008, AIB entered into a General Agent Contract with Blue Shield of California who will pay AIB override commissions for all business submitted to them.  In June 2009, CIGNA plans to substantially reduce the medical plans offered to Small Group Employers in the state of California from sixteen current plans to four.  All new employer groups and existing employer groups, on their anniversary date, will have the option to choose from the four available plans.  AIB will be assisting its CIGNA policyholders in obtaining new coverage in one of the four CIGNA plans or with other contracted carriers.  This reduction in CIGNA medical plans offered to Small Group Employers in the state of California may result in a decrease in AIB commission income and AAQHC fee income.  AAQHC will continue to underwrite and administer all remaining CIGNA business, including dental plans for Individuals and Small Group Employers.
 
 
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EMPLOYEES
 
On March 6, 2009, the Company employed 105 persons at its facility located in Woodland Hills, California.  The Company has no collective bargaining agreements and believes its relations with its employees are excellent.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.
 
The Company is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, the outcome of which may impact future results of operations and financial condition.  These risks are as follows:

Changes and general economic conditions may have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and profitability.
 
The Company’s revenues and profitability may be impacted by national and local economic conditions, particularly in the state of California.  Unfavorable changes in economic conditions such as recessions, increased levels of unemployment and inflation may reduce the Company’s revenue through policy cancellations, modifications or non-renewals.  The recent turmoil in the economy and the disruption in the financial markets may impair the ability of customers to pay premiums as they become due, reduce the amount of coverage that customers may seek and may limit the amount of premiums the Company may charge for insurance.  The Company is not able to predict the duration and severity of the current disruption in the financial markets and adverse economic conditions, both nationally and in the state of California.

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are based on estimates and may not be sufficient to cover future losses.
 
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves represent an estimate of amounts needed to pay and administer claims with respect to insured events that have occurred, including events that have incurred which have not yet been reported to the Company.  There is a high level of uncertainty inherent in the evaluation of the required losses and loss adjustment expense reserves for the Company.  The long-tailed nature of liability claims and the volatility of jury awards exacerbate that uncertainty.  The Company sets loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at each balance sheet date at management’s best estimate of the ultimate payments that it anticipates will be made to settle all losses incurred and related loss adjustment expenses incurred as of that date for both reported and unreported losses.  The ultimate cost of claims is dependent upon future events, the outcomes of which are affected by many factors.  Company claim reserving procedures and settlement philosophy, current and perceived social and economic inflation, current and future court rulings and jury attitudes, improvements in medical technology, and many other economic, scientific, legal, political, and social factors all can have significant effects on the ultimate costs of claims.  Changes in Company operations and management philosophy also may cause actual developments to vary from the past.  Since the emergence and disposition of claims are subject to uncertainties, the net amounts that will ultimately be paid to settle claims may vary significantly from the estimated amounts provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Any adjustments to reserves are reflected in the operating results of the periods in which they are made.

The Company’s success depends on its ability to accurately underwrite risks and to charge adequate premiums to policyholders.
 
The Company’s financial condition, liquidity and results of operations depend in large part on the Company’s ability to underwrite and set premiums accurately for the risks it faces.  Premium rate adequacy is necessary to generate sufficient premium to offset losses, loss adjustment expenses, underwriting expenses, and to earn a profit.  In order to price its products accurately, the Company must collect and properly analyze a substantial volume of data; develop, test and apply appropriate rating formulas; closely monitor and timely recognize changes in trends; and project both severity and frequency of losses with reasonable accuracy.  The Company’s ability to undertake these efforts successfully is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation:
 

 
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Availability of sufficient reliable data.
 
 
Incorrect or incomplete analysis of available data.
 
 
Uncertainties inherent in estimates and assumptions.
 
 
Selection and application of appropriate rating formulae or other pricing methodologies.
 
 
Adoption of successful pricing strategies.
 
 
Prediction of policyholder retention (e.g., policy life expectancy).
 
 
Unanticipated court decisions, legislation or regulatory action.
 
 
Ongoing changes in the Company’s claim settlement practices.
  
 
Unexpected inflation.
  
 
Social changes, particularly those affecting litigious inclinations.
  
Such risks may result in the Company’s pricing being based on outdated, inadequate, or inaccurate data, or inappropriate analyses, assumptions, or methodologies, and may cause the Company to estimate incorrectly future changes in the frequency or severity of claims.  As a result, the Company could under price risks, which would negatively affect the Company’s margins, or it could overprice risks, which could reduce the Company’s volume and competitiveness.  In either event, the Company’s operating results, financial condition, and cash flow could be materially adversely affected.

Inability to obtain reinsurance or to collect on ceded reinsurance could adversely affect the Company’s ability to write new policies.
 
The availability, amount and cost of reinsurance depend on market conditions and may vary significantly.  Any decrease in the amount of the Company’s reinsurance will increase the risk of loss and could materially adversely affect its business and financial condition.  Ceded reinsurance does not discharge the Company’s direct obligations under the policies it writes.  The Company remains liable to its policyholders even if the Company is unable to make recoveries that it believes it’s entitled to under the reinsurance contracts.  Losses may not be recovered from the reinsurers until claims are paid.

The insurance business is subject to extensive regulation and legislative changes, which may impact the manner in which the company operates its business.
 
The insurance business is subject to extensive regulation by the California Department of Insurance.  The California Department of Insurance has broad regulatory powers implemented to protect policyholders, not stockholders or other investors.  These powers include, among other things, the ability to:
 
 
Place limitations on the Company’s investments and dividends.
  
 
Place limitations on the Company’s ability to transact business with its affiliates.
  
 
Establish standards of solvency including minimum reserves and capital surplus requirements.
  
 
Prescribe the form and content of, and to examine, the Company’s financial statements.
 
Federal legislation currently does not directly impact the property and casualty business, but the business can be indirectly affected by changes in federal regulations.  In addition, the U.S. Congress and other federal agencies from time to time consider whether federal regulation of U. S. insurers is necessary.  The Company is unable to predict whether such laws will be enacted and how and to what extent this could affect our business.
 
This extensive regulation may affect the cost or demand for the Company’s products and may limit the ability to obtain rate increases or to take other actions that the Company might desire to do in order to increase its profitability.

A downgrade in the financial strength rating of the insurance company could reduce the amount of business it may be able to write.
 
Rating agencies rate insurance companies based on financial strength as an indication of an ability to pay claims.  Effective January 27, 2009, A.M. Best Company has upgraded Crusader’s financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good) and revised Crusader’s rating outlook to stable from positive.  In addition, Crusader’s Issuer Credit Rating was upgraded to a- (Excellent) from bbb+ (Good).  The financial strength rating of A.M. Best is subject to periodic review using, among other things, proprietary capital adequacy models, and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.  Insurance financial strength ratings are directed toward the concerns of policyholders and insurance agents and are not intended for the protection of investors.  Any downgrade in the Company’s A.M. Best rating could cause a reduction in the number of policies it writes and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
 
 
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Intense competition could adversely affect the ability to sell policies at premium rates the Company deems adequate.
 
The Company faces significant competition which, at times, is intense.  If the Company is unable to compete effectively, its business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  Competition in the property and casualty marketplace is based on many factors including premiums charged, services provided, financial strength ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, speed of claims payments, reputation, perceived financial strength, and general experience.  The Company competes with regional and national insurance companies.  Some competitors have greater financial, marketing, and management resources than the Company.  Intense competitive pressure on prices can result from the actions of even a single large competitor.  The Company uses its own proprietary premium rates to determine the price for its property and casualty policies.

The Company’s earnings may be affected by changes in interest rates.
 
Investment income is an important component of the Company’s revenues and net income.  The ability to achieve investment objectives is affected by factors that are beyond the Company’s control.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political conditions.  Any significant decline in investment income as a result of falling interest rates or general market conditions would have an adverse effect on net income and, as a result, on the Company’s stockholders' equity and policyholders' surplus.

The outlook of the Company’s investment income is dependent on the future direction of interest rates and the amount of cash flows from operations that are available for investment.  The fair values of fixed maturity investments that are "available-for-sale" fluctuate with changes in interest rates and cause fluctuations in the stockholders' equity.

The Company’s geographic concentration ties its performance to the business, economic, and regulatory conditions in California.
 
The Company’s insurance business is concentrated in California (100% of gross written premium in 2005 through 2008).  Accordingly, unfavorable business, economic or regulatory conditions in the state of California could negatively impact the Company’s performance.  In addition, California is exposed to severe natural perils, such as earthquakes and fires, along with the possibility of terrorist acts.  Accordingly, the Company could suffer losses as a result of catastrophic events.

The Company relies on independent insurance agents and brokers.
 
The failure or inability of independent insurance agents and brokers to market the Company’s insurance programs successfully could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.  Independent brokers are not obligated to promote the Company’s insurance programs and may sell competitors' insurance programs.  The Company’s business largely depends on the marketing efforts of independent brokers and on the Company’s ability to offer insurance programs and services that meet the requirements of those brokers’ customers.

Litigation may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
 
The insurance industry is the target of an increasing number of class action lawsuits and other types of litigation, some of which involve claims for substantial and/or indeterminate amounts and the outcomes of which are unpredictable.  This litigation is based on a variety of issues including insurance and claim settlement practices.  Although the Company has not been the target of any specific class action lawsuits, it is possible that a suit of this type could have a negative impact on the Company’s business.

The Company relies on its information technology systems to manage many aspects of its business and any failure of these systems to function properly or any interruption in their operation could result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Company depends on the accuracy, reliability, and proper functioning of its information technology systems.  The Company relies on these information technology systems to effectively manage many aspects of its business, including underwriting, policy acquisition, claims processing and handling, accounting, reserving and actuarial processes and policies, and maintaining its policyholder data.  The failure of hardware or software that supports the Company’s information technology systems or the loss of data contained in the systems could disrupt its business and could result in decreased premiums, increased overhead costs, and inaccurate reporting, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.  In addition, despite system redundancy, the implementation of security measures and the existence of a disaster recovery plan for the Company’s information technology systems, these systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from events such as:
 
 
14


  
 
Earthquake, fire, flood and other natural disasters.
 
 
Terrorist attacks and attacks by computer viruses or hackers.
 
 
Power loss.
 
 
Unauthorized access.
 
 
Computer systems or data network failure.
 
It is possible that a system failure, accident, or security breach could result in a material disruption to the Company’s business.  In addition, substantial costs may be incurred to remedy the damages caused by these disruptions.  To the extent that a critical system fails or is not properly implemented and the failure cannot be corrected in a timely manner, the Company may experience disruptions to the business that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all acts of fraud.
 
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  The Company’s management believes that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by an unauthorized override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and the Company cannot ensure that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected.

Failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting may have an adverse effect on the Company’s stock price.
 
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC require the Company to include in its Form 10-K a report by its management regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The report includes, among other things, an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of the end of its fiscal year, including a statement as to whether or not the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.  This assessment must include disclosure of any material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified by management.  Areas of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting may require improvement from time to time.  If management is unable to assert that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective now or in any future period, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of the Company’s financial reports, which could have an adverse effect on its stock price.

The ability of the Company to attract, develop and retain talented employees, managers, and executives, and to maintain appropriate staffing levels, is critical to the Company’s success.
 
The Company must hire and train new employees and retain current employees to handle its operations.  The failure of the Company to successfully hire and retain a sufficient number of skilled employees could result in the Company having to slow the growth of its business.  In addition, the failure to adequately staff its claims department could result in decreased quality of the Company’s claims operations.  The Company’s success also depends heavily upon the continued contributions of its executive officers, both individually and as a group.  The Company’s future performance will be substantially dependent on its ability to retain and motivate its management team.  The loss of the services of any of the Company’s executive officers could prevent the Company from successfully implementing its business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.
 
 
15


Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
Not applicable.

Item 2.  Properties.
 
The Company presently occupies a 46,000 square foot office building located at 23251 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, California, under a master lease expiring March 31, 2012.  Erwin Cheldin, the Company's president, chairman, and principal stockholder, is the owner of the building.  The Company signed an extension to the lease with a 4% increase in rent effective April 1, 2007.  The lease provides for an annual gross rent of $1,066,990 from April 1, 2007, through March 31, 2012.  In addition, the lease extension provides for two, five-year options with a rent increase of 5% for each option period.  The Company believes that at the inception of the lease agreement and at each subsequent extension, the terms of the lease were at least as favorable to the Company as could have been obtained from non-affiliated third parties.  The Company utilizes for its own operations approximately 100% of the space it leases.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.
 
The Company, by virtue of the nature of the business conducted by it, becomes involved in numerous legal proceedings in which it may be named as either plaintiff or defendant.  Incidental actions are sometimes brought by customers or others that relate to disputes concerning the issuance or non-issuance of individual insurance policies or other matters.  In addition, the Company resorts to legal proceedings from time to time in order to enforce collection of premiums, commissions, or fees for the services rendered to customers or to their agents.  These routine items of litigation do not materially affect the Company’s operations and are handled on a routine basis through its counsel.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
None


PART II
 
Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
              Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "UNAM."  The high and low sales prices (by quarter) during the last two comparable twelve-month periods are as follows:

Quarter Ended
 
High Price
   
Low Price
 
             
March 31, 2007
  $ 14.25     $ 11.55  
June 30, 2007
  $ 13.45     $ 10.97  
September 30, 2007
  $ 14.03     $ 9.93  
December 31, 2007
  $ 11.90     $ 9.94  
                 
March 31, 2008
  $ 10.34     $ 8.80  
June 30, 2008
  $ 10.42     $ 8.57  
September 30, 2008
  $ 9.29     $ 7.63  
December 31, 2008
  $ 9.03     $ 6.63  

As of December 31, 2008, the approximate number of shareholders of record of the Company's common stock was 353.  In addition, the Company estimates beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock held in the name of nominees to be approximately 560.  Total shareholders are estimated to be approximately 913.
 
 
16


The Board of Directors last declared a cash dividend on the Company’s common stock in 2002.  On March 23, 2009, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per common share payable on May 1, 2009, to shareholders of record on April 10, 2009.  Declaration of future cash dividends will be subject to the Company’s profitability and its cash requirements.  Because the Company is a holding company and operates through its subsidiaries, its cash flow and, consequently, its ability to pay dividends are dependent upon the earnings and cash requirements of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings to the Company.  Also, the ability of Crusader to pay dividends to the Company is subject to certain regulatory restrictions under the Holding Company Act (see Item 1 – “Business - Insurance Company Operation - Holding Company Act”).  Presently, without prior regulatory approval, Crusader may pay a dividend in any twelve (12) month period to its parent equal to the greater of (a) 10% of Crusader's statutory policyholders' surplus or (b) Crusader's statutory net income for the preceding calendar year.  Based on Crusader’s statutory net income for the year ended December 31, 2008, the maximum dividend that could be made by Crusader to Unico without prior regulatory approval in 2009 is $7,067,715.

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to purchases of common stock of the Company during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, by the Company.

 
 
 
 
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
   
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part
Of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(1)
   
Maximum
Number
of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(1)
 
                         
October 1, 2008 through October 31, 2008
    30,477     $ 8.21       30,477       24,483  
November 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008
    4,351     $ 7.58       4,351       20,132  
December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
    4,665     $ 7.50       4,665       515,467  
      Total
    39,493     $ 8.05       39,493       515,467  

(1)  
In April 2000, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the purchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 315,000 shares of the common stock of the Company.  On August 8, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of an additional 315,000 shares and on September 6, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of another 315,000 shares of the common stock of the Company in the open market from time to time.  On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program to acquire up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market from time to time.  This brought the total shares of the Company’s common stock authorized to be repurchased to 1,445,000 shares since the year 2000 (see Note 16 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”).  The programs have no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 51,092 shares of the Company’s common stock at a cost of $416,583 of which $25,108 was allocated to capital and $391,475 was allocated to retained earnings.  As of December 31, 2008, under the stock repurchase programs previously adopted by the Company, the Company had remaining authority to repurchase up to an aggregate of 515,467 shares of common stock. During the months of January and February 2009, the Company purchased and retired an additional 6,688 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $51,866.  The Company has or will retire all stock purchased.
 
 
 
17

 

Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock with the cumulative total return of equity securities traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (NASDAQ) and a peer group consisting of all NASDAQ property and casualty companies.  The comparison assumes $100.00 was invested on December 31, 2003, in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the comparison groups, and assumes reinvestment of dividends.  It should be noted that this graph represents historical stock price performance and is not necessarily indicative of any future stock price performance.
 
Graph
 
   
12/31/03
   
12/31/04
   
12/31/05
   
12/31/06
   
12/31/07
   
12/31/08
 
Unico American Corp.
    100.00       170.22       167.51       234.35       183.67       146.95  
NASDAQ Market Index
    100.00       108.84       111.16       122.11       132.42       63.80  
Peer Group Index
    100.00       117.23       137.17       151.77       145.71       123.42  

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data.
 
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company identified an error associated with the Company’s policy fee income. The error arose from the recognition of non-refundable policy fee income at policy inception rather than over the policy term in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” and EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.

The Company made an assessment of the materiality of this item on the Company’s historical financial statements in accordance with SAB No. 99, “Materiality,and concluded that the error was immaterial to all periods.  The Company also concluded that had the error been adjusted when it was identified within the first quarter of 2008, the impact of such an adjustment would have been material to its first quarter 2008 financial statements and was expected to be material to its full year 2008 financial statements.

Accordingly, in accordance with SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the prior year’s balance sheet, the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows have been revised to correct the immaterial error and to reflect the corrected balances as of that date (see Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”).
 
 
18


   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
                               
                               
Total revenues
  $ 46,769,444     $ 50,372,895     $ 54,916,206     $ 61,364,024     $ 62,006,124  
Total costs and expenses     38,784,978       40,299,742       36,563,395       50,716,092       53,230,852  
Income before taxes   $ 7,984,466     $ 10,073,153     $ 18,352,811     $ 10,647,932     $ 8,775,272  
Net income   $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466     $ 6,834,795     $ 5,749,357  
Basic earnings per share   $ 0.94     $ 1.20     $ 2.14     $ 1.24     $ 1.05  
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.93     $ 1.18     $ 2.11     $ 1.22     $ 1.03  
Cash dividends per share     -       -       -       -       -  
Total assets   $ 184,602,976     $ 193,775,861     $ 188,244,584     $ 186,807,528     $ 173,142,336  
Stockholders’ equity   $ 76,958,255     $ 69,103,103     $ 60,011,570     $ 48,086,104     $ 41,251,309  
 
 
 Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Overview
General
 
Unico American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, health and life insurance through its agency subsidiaries; insurance premium financing; and membership association services.

The Company’s net income was $5,283,016 in 2008, $6,712,444 in 2007, and $11,925,466 in 2006.

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

Revenue and Income Generation
 
The Company receives its revenue primarily from earned premium derived from the insurance company operations, commission and fee income generated from the insurance agency operations, finance charges and fee income from the premium finance operations, and investment income from cash generated primarily from the insurance company operation.  The insurance company operation generates approximately 87% of the Company’s total revenue.  The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually not material to consolidated revenues.

Insurance Company Operation
 
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive and includes many insurers, ranging from large companies offering a wide variety of products worldwide to smaller, specialized companies in a single state or region offering only a single product.  Many of the Company's existing or potential competitors have considerably greater financial and other resources, have a higher rating assigned by independent rating organizations such as A.M. Best Company, have greater experience in the insurance industry and offer a broader line of insurance products than the Company.  As of December 31, 2008, Crusader was licensed as an admitted insurance carrier in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.  However, all Crusaders’ business was written in the State of California.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, 98% of Crusader’s business was commercial multiple peril policies.  Effective January 27, 2009, A.M. Best Company upgraded Crusader’s financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good), and revised Crusader’s rating outlook to stable from positive.  In addition, Crusader’s Issuer Credit Rating was upgraded to a- (Excellent) from bbb+ (Good).

A primary challenge of the property and casualty insurance company operation is contending with the fact that the Company sells its products before the ultimate costs are actually known.  That is, when pricing its products, the Company must forecast the ultimate claim and loss adjustment costs.  In addition, factors such as changes in regulations and legal environment, among other things, can all impact the accuracy of such cost.
 
 
19


The property and casualty insurance industry is characterized by periods of soft market conditions, in which premium rates are stable or falling and insurance is readily available, and by periods of hard market conditions, in which premium rates rise, coverage may be more difficult to find, and insurers’ profits increase.  The Company believes that the California property and casualty insurance market has transitioned to a “soft market” in the last few years.  The Company cannot determine how long the existing market conditions will continue nor in which direction they might change.  Despite the increased competition in the property and casualty marketplace, the Company believes that rate adequacy is more important than premium growth and that underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs) is its primary goal.  Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1) product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment of captive and independent retail agents.  Crusader’s underwriting profit (before income taxes) is as follows:


   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Net premium earned
  $ 33,949,695     $ 37,129,665       42,933,789  
Less:
                       
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    20,592,730       22,182,237       17,826,979  
Policy acquisition costs
    8,261,324       8,465,047       9,250,989  
Total
    28,854,054       30,647,284       27,077,968  
                         
Underwriting profit (before income taxes)
  $ 5,095,641     $ 6,482,381     $ 15,855,821  

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

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
                 
                   
Current accident year
    24,149,531       26,300,338       29,997,662  
Favorable development of all prior accident years
    3,556,801       4,118,101       12,170,683  
                         
Total loss and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 20,592,730     $ 22,182,237     $ 17,826,979  

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 61% of net premium earned for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to 60% of net premium earned for the year ended December 31, 2007, and compared to 42% of net premium earned for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Other Operations
 
The Company’s other operations generate commissions, fees, and finance charges from various insurance products.  The events that have the most significant economic impact are as follows:

Unifax primarily sells and services insurance policies for Crusader.  The commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany transactions and are not reflected as income in the financial statements.  Policy fee income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, decreased 10% as compared to the prior year.  The decrease in policy fee income is a result of a decrease in the number of policies issued during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, as compared to 2007.

AIB sells and services health insurance policies for individual/family and small business groups and receives commissions based on the premiums that it writes.  Commission income increased 19% for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to 2007.  The increase is primarily due to the increase in sales of small group medical insurance offered through CIGNA HealthCare.  All CIGNA small group medical insurance policyholders are members of AAQHC.   In November 2008, AIB entered into a General Agent Contract with Blue Shield of California who will pay AIB override commissions for all business submitted to them.  In June 2009, CIGNA plans to substantially reduce the medical plans offered to Small Group Employers in the state of California, from sixteen current plans to four.  All new employer groups and existing employer groups, on their anniversary date, will have the option to choose from the four available plans.  AIB will be assisting its CIGNA policyholders in obtaining new coverage in one of the four CIGNA plans or with other contracted carriers.  This reduction in CIGNA medical plans offered to Small Group Employers in the state of California may result in a decrease in AIB commission income and AAQHC fee income.  AAQHC will continue to underwrite and administer all remaining CIGNA business, including dental plans for Individuals and Small Group Employers.
 
 
20


AAQHC provides various consumer benefits to its members, including participation in group health care insurance policies.  For these services, AAQHC receives membership and fee income from its members.  Membership and fee income decreased 3% in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to 2007.  The decrease is a result of a decrease in the number of members.

AAC provides premium financing for Crusader policies that are produced by Unifax in California.  Finance charges and fees earned by AAC during 2008 decreased 17% as compared to 2007.  The decrease is primarily a result of a 11% decrease in the number of loans issued in 2008 compared to 2007.  Average premium financed by AAC decreased to $2,653 in 2008 from $2,769 in 2007.

The daily automobile rental insurance program is produced by Bedford Insurance Services, Inc.  Bedford receives a commission from a non-affiliated insurance company based on premium written.  Commission in the daily automobile rental insurance program increased 3% as compared to 2007.

Investments and Liquidity
 
The Company generates revenue from its investment portfolio, which consisted of approximately $145.0 million (at amortized cost) as of December 31, 2008, and $147.3 million (at amortized cost) as of December 31, 2007.  Investment income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, decreased $1.0 million (14%) as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.  The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the Company’s annualized yield on average invested assets to 4.0% in 2008 from 4.6% in 2007.  The decrease in the annualized yield on average invested assets is a result of lower yields in the marketplace on both new and reinvested assets.  Due to the current interest rate environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of five years or less and with minimal credit risk.

As of December 31, 2008, the weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments was 2.1 years compared to 2.0 years and 1.3 years as of December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Due to the nature of the Company's business (insurance and insurance services) and whereas Company growth does not normally require material reinvestments of profits into property or equipment, the cash flow generated from operations usually results in improved liquidity for the Company.  Because the Company is a holding company and operates through its subsidiaries, its cash flow is dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distributions of those earnings to the Company.

Cash flow used by operations in the year ended December 31, 2008, was $1,675,603, a decrease in cash flow of $1,561,963 compared to the cash flow for the year ending December 31, 2007.  In 2008 the Company primarily utilized the cash from the maturity of its fixed maturity investments to purchase $63.6 million of fixed maturity securities.

Cash flow used by operations in the year ended December 31, 2007, was $113,640, a decrease in cash flow of $6,411,534 compared to the cash flow for the year ending December 31, 2006.  In 2007 the Company primarily utilized the cash from the maturity of its fixed maturity investments to purchase $69.7 million of fixed maturity securities.

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

Crusader generates a significant amount of cash as a result of its holdings of unearned premium reserves, its reserves for loss payments, and its capital and surplus.  Crusader's loss and loss adjustment expense payments are the most significant cash flow requirement of the Company.  These payments are continually monitored and projected to ensure that the Company has the liquidity to cover these payments without the need to liquidate its investments.  Cash and investments (at amortized cost) at December 31, 2008, were $145,070,097 compared to $147,457,231 at December 31, 2007.  Crusader's cash and investments at December 31, 2008, was 98% of the total held by the Company, compared to 97% of the total held by the Company at December 31, 2007.
 
 
21


The Company's investments are as follows:
 
   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007
   
December 31, 2006
 
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
   
Amount
   
%
 
                                     
Fixed maturities (at amortized cost)
                                   
   Certificates of deposit
  $ 400,000       -     $ 400,000       -     $ 400,000       -  
   U.S. treasury securities
    124,526,227       92       130,211,428       93       127,553,801       91  
   Industrial and miscellaneous (taxable)
    10,614,127       8       9,365,735       7       12,523,393       9  
   State and municipal (tax exempt)
    -       -       15,045       -       15,134       -  
        Total fixed maturity investments
    135,540,354       100       139,992,208       100       140,492,328       100  
                                                 
Short-term cash investments (at cost)
                                               
   Certificates of deposit
    200,000       2       200,000       3       200,000       3  
   Commercial paper
    -       -       3,887,322       53       1,665,000       25  
   Bank money market accounts
    3,312,140       35       444,781       6       210,270       3  
   U.S. government money market fund
    5,585,395       59       2,425,807       33       411,206       6  
   Short-term U.S. treasury bills
    399,953       4       393,768       5       4,322,048       63  
   Bank savings accounts
    4,545       -       4,481       -       11,483       -  
        Total short-term cash investments
    9,502,033       100       7,356,159       100       6,820,007       100  
                                                 
        Total investments
  $ 145,042,387             $ 147,348,367             $ 147,312,335          

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” (SFAS No. 115), the Company is required to classify its investment securities into one of three categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities.  Although all of the Company's investment in fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to economic and market conditions, its investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality investments to maturity.

The Company’s investment guidelines on equity securities limit investments in equity securities to an aggregate maximum of $2,000,000.  The Company’s investment guidelines on fixed maturities limit those investments to high-grade obligations with a maximum term of eight years.  The maximum investment authorized in any one issuer is $2,000,000 and the maximum in any one U.S. government agency or U.S. government sponsored enterprise is $3,000,000.  This dollar limitation excludes bond premiums paid in excess of par value and U.S. government or U.S. government guaranteed issues.  Investments in municipal securities are primarily pre-refunded and secured by U.S. treasury securities.  The short-term investments are either U.S. government obligations, FDIC insured, or are in an institution with a Moody's rating of P2 and/or a Standard & Poor's rating of A1.  All of the Company's fixed maturity securities are rated and readily marketable and could be liquidated without any material adverse financial impact.

The investment marketplace in general, and in certain asset classes specifically, has been impacted by volatility as a result of uncertainty in the credit markets that began in 2007 and continued throughout 2008.  The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio as of December 31, 2008, consisted of 92% U.S. treasury securities and 8% highly rated industrial and miscellaneous taxable issues bonds.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s industrial and miscellaneous taxable bonds were all rated “A” or better by Standard & Poors.

Crusader's statutory capital and surplus as of December 31, 2008, was $64,736,230, an increase of $6,873,896 (12%) from December 31, 2007.  Crusader's statutory capital and surplus as of December 31, 2007, was $57,862,334, an increase of $7,838,566 (16%) from December 31, 2006.

No dividends were declared or paid by Crusader to Unico in 2008, 2007, or 2006.  Based on Crusader’s statutory net income for the year ended December 31, 2008, the maximum dividend that could be made by Crusader to Unico without prior regulatory approval in 2009 is $7,067,715.
 
 
22


In April 2000, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the purchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 315,000 shares of the common stock of the Company.  On August 8, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of an additional 315,000 shares and on September 6, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of another 315,000 shares of the common stock of the Company in the open market from time to time.  On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program to acquire up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market from time to time.  This brought the total shares of the Company’s common stock authorized to be repurchased to 1,445,000 shares since the year 2000 (see Note 16 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”).  The programs have no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 51,092 shares of the Company’s common stock at a cost of $416,583 of which $25,108 was allocated to capital and $391,475 was allocated to retained earnings.  As of December 31, 2008, under the stock repurchase programs previously adopted by the Company, the Company had remaining authority to repurchase up to an aggregate of 515,467 shares of common stock. During the months of January and February 2009, the Company purchased and retired an additional 6,688 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $51,866.  The Company has or will retire all stock purchased.

Although material capital expenditures may also be funded through borrowings, the Company believes that its cash and short-term investments at year end, net of trust restrictions of $236,104, statutory deposits of $700,000, and California insurance company statutory dividend restrictions applicable to Crusader plus the cash to be generated from operations, should be sufficient to meet its operating requirements during the next twelve months without the necessity of borrowing funds.

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

The Company has certain obligations to make future payments under contracts and credit-related financial instruments and commitments.  At December 31, 2008, certain long-term aggregate contractual obligations and credit-related commitments are summarized as follows:

Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Within 1 Year
   
1-3 Years
   
3-5 Years
   
After 5 years
 
                               
Building lease
  $ 3,467,717     $ 1,066,990     $ 2,133,980     $ 266,747       -  
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves*
    78,654,590       25,394,793       31,233,425       12,029,444     $ 9,996,928  
   Total
  $ 82,122,307     $ 26,461,783     $ 33,367,405     $ 12,296,191     $ 9,996,928  

 
* Unlike many other forms of contractual obligations, loss and loss adjustment expense reserves do not have definitive due dates and the ultimate payment dates are subject to a number of variables and uncertainties.  As a result, the total loss and loss adjustment expense reserve payments to be made by period, as shown above, are estimates.
 
Results of Operations
 
General
 
The Company had net income of $5,283,016 for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to net income of $6,712,444 for the year ended December 31, 2007, and net income of $11,925,466 for the year ended December 31, 2006.  Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, was $46,769,444 compared to $50,372,895 for the year ended December 31, 2007, and $54,916,206 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had income before taxes of $7,984,466 compared to income before taxes of $10,073,153 in the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $2,088,687 (21%) in income before taxes.  The decrease in income before taxes was primarily due to a decrease of $1,386,740 in the underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs), and a decrease of $956,385 in investment income.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company had income before taxes of $10,073,153 compared to income before taxes of $18,352,811 in the year ended December 31, 2006, a decrease in income before taxes of $8,279,658 (45%).  The decrease in income before tax was primarily due to a decrease of $9,373,440 in the underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs).

The effect of inflation on the net income of the Company during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was not significant.
 
 
23


The Company derives revenue from various sources as discussed below:

Insurance Company Operation
 
Premium and loss information of Crusader are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Gross written premium
  $ 39,940,270     $ 44,970,399     $ 51,913,967  
Net written premium (net of reinsurance ceded)
  $ 31,175,204     $ 33,412,745     $ 38,166,864  
Earned premium before reinsurance ceded
  $ 42,720,764     $ 48,661,973     $ 56,692,213  
Earned premium (net of reinsurance ceded)
  $ 33,949,695     $ 37,129,665     $ 42,933,789  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 20,592,730     $ 22,182,237     $ 17,826,979  
Gross unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 78,654,590     $ 94,730,711     $ 93,596,117  
Net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 58,839,017     $ 66,305,287     $ 70,076,430  

Crusader’s primary line of business is commercial multiple peril policies.  This line of business represented approximately 98% of Crusader’s total written premium for the year ended December 31, 2008, 96% for the year ended December 31, 2007, and 97% for the year ended December 31, 2006.

As of December 31, 2008, Crusader was licensed as an admitted insurance company in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and is approved as a non-admitted surplus lines writer in other states.

Premiums
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, gross written premium decreased by $5,030,129 (11%) over 2007.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, gross written premium decreased by $6,943,568 (13%) over 2006.  The decrease in written premium in both 2008 and 2007 reflected heightened competition and management’s continued emphasis on rate adequacy and underwriting discipline.  The Company cannot determine how long the existing market condition will continue, nor in which direction it might change.

The insurance marketplace continues to be intensely competitive as more insurers are competing for the same customers.  Many of Crusader’s competitors price their insurance at rates that the Company believes are inadequate to support any profit.  Nonetheless, Crusader believes that it can grow its sales and profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1) product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment of captive and independent retail agents.  During 2008, Crusader began to introduce many product changes such as to its rates, eligibility guidelines, rules and coverage forms.  Improved service to retail brokers is primarily focused upon transacting business through the internet, as well as providing more options to make the brokers’ time more efficiently spent with us (i.e., as opposed to spending time with our competitors). In October 2008, the Company hired a marketing manager, bringing the total number of employees dedicated exclusively to marketing to three.  Those representatives are charged with the responsibility of identifying product development opportunities, promoting the Company and its products to the insurance brokerage community, and with the duty to appoint retail agents so as to introduce the Crusader brand at the consumer’s level of distribution (i.e., retail).  Crusader appointed twelve retail agents as of December 31, 2008, and plans to have approximately twenty-four by the end of year 2009.  Presently it is expected that each such retail agent should be able to reach an annual sales volume of approximately one to two million dollars of Crusader’s products within three to five years of their appointment by the Company.

The Company writes annual policies and, therefore, earns written premium daily over the one-year policy term.  Premium earned before reinsurance decreased $5,941,209 (12%) in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, and decreased $8,030,240 (14%) in the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The decrease in earned premium before reinsurance in both 2008 and 2007 is a direct result of the decrease in written premium in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Earned ceded premium for the 12 months ended December 31, 2008, decreased $2,761,239 (24%) to $8,771,069 compared to $11,532,308 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2007.  Earned ceded premium for the 12 months ended December 31, 2007, decreased $2,226,116 (16%) to $11,532,308 compared to $13,758,424 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2006.  Earned ceded premiums as a percentage of direct earned premiums were 21% in 2008, and 24% for 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
 
24


The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at its inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  As of December 31, 2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.  The earned premium ceded consists of both premium ceded under the Company’s current reinsurance contracts and premium ceded to the Company’s provisionally rated reinsurance contracts.

In 2008 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 20% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty.  In 2007 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 15% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 15% in its property clash treaty.  In 2006 and 2005 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 10% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties. In 2004 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 10% in its 1st layer ($750,000 in excess of $250,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties.  In 2003 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer ($750,000 in excess of $250,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties.

The 2008 and 2007 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission.  Crusader’s 2006 1st layer primary excess of loss treaty provides for a contingent commission equal to 20% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.  The 2005 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission. Crusader’s 2004 and 2003 1st layer primary excess of loss treaties provide for a contingent commission to the Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2004.  For each accounting period as described above, the Company will calculate and report to the reinsurers its net profit (excluding incurred but not reported losses), if any, within 90 days after 36 months following the end of the first accounting period, and within 90 days after the end of each 12 month period thereafter until all losses subject to the agreement have been finally settled.  Any contingent commission payment received is subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses.  In March 2007, the Company received an advance of $1 million from its reinsurer and in February 2008, the Company received an additional $2,419,940 to be applied against future contingent commission earned, if any.  Based on the Company’s ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses (including ceded incurred but not reported losses) as of December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $2,500,211 of these payments as an advance from its reinsurer and it is included in “Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.  Thus, the Company recognized $919,729 of contingent commission, of which $666,174 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2008, and $253,555 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Crusader’s direct earned premium, earned ceded premium, and ceding commission are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Direct earned premium
  $ 42,720,764     $ 48,661,973     $ 56,692,213  
                         
Earned ceded premium
                       
     Excluding provisionally rated ceded premium
    8,850,878       11,560,877       13,825,061  
     Provisionally rated ceded premium
    (79,809 )      (28,569 )      (66,637 )
            Total earned ceded premium
    8,771,069       11,532,308       13,758,424  
Ceding commission
    2,642,665       3,547,595       4,376,474  
            Earned ceded premium, net of ceding commission
  $ 6,128,404     $ 7,984,713     $ 9,381,950  
                         
Ratios to direct earned premium
                       
     Direct ceded premium
    21 %     24 %     24 %
     Earned ceded premium, net of ceding commission
    14 %     16 %     17 %


 
25

 

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses and loss ratio are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Net earned premium
  $ 33,949,695     $ 37,129,665     $ 42,933,789  
                         
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
                       
   Provision for insured events of current year
    24,149,531       26,300,338       29,997,662  
   (Decrease) in provision for events of prior years
    (3,556,801 )     (4,118,101 )     (12,170,683 )
        Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 20,592,730     $ 22,182,237     $ 17,826,979  
                         
Loss ratio
    60.7 %     59.7 %     41.5 %

Expected losses and loss adjustment expenses are determined based on earned premiums.  The portion of the premium dollar expected to pay claims costs is referred to as the expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Accident years 2006 through 2008 had substantially the same expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The Company’s emerging loss and loss adjustment expense ratios for each accident year are reviewed in detail at the end of each quarter as part of the reserve diagnostics testing.

The combined ratio is the sum of (1) the net ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred (including a provision for incurred-but-not-reported losses “IBNR”) to net premiums earned (loss ratio) and (2) the ratio of policy acquisition costs to net premiums earned (expense ratio).  The following table shows the loss ratios, expense ratios, and combined ratios of Crusader as derived from data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Loss ratio
    60.7 %     59.7 %     41.5 %
Expense ratio
    24.3 %     22.8 %     21.5 %
Combined ratio
    85.0 %     82.5 %     63.0 %

As indicated in the above table, the loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2008, increased to 60.7% from 59.7% in 2007 and 41.5% in 2006.  The slight increase in the 2008 loss ratio was primarily due to a slight decrease in the amount of favorable development of prior years’ losses recognized in 2008 as compared to 2007.  During 2008, the Company recognized $3,556,801 of favorable development of prior years’ losses as compared to $4,118,101 of favorable developments of prior years’ losses recognized during 2007.  Generally, if the combined ratio is below 100%, an insurance company has an underwriting profit; if it is above 100%, a company has an underwriting loss.

The Company’s net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008, were $20,592,730.  This amount is comprised of accident year 2008 net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $24,149,531 less favorable development of prior accident years of $3,556,801.  The Company’s net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the calendar year ended December 31, 2007, were $22,182,237.  This amount is comprised of accident year 2007 net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $26,300,338 less favorable development of prior accident years of $4,118,101.  The Company’s net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the calendar year ended December 31, 2006, were $17,826,979.  This amount is comprised of accident year 2006 net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $29,997,662 less favorable development of prior accident years of $12,170,683.
 

 
26

 

The favorable (adverse) development by accident year is as follows:

   
Year ended
 December 31, 2008
   
Year ended
 December 31, 2007
   
Year ended
December 31, 2006
 
                                     
 
Accident Year
 
Favorable
(Adverse) Development
   
% of Total
   
Favorable
(Adverse) Development
   
% of Total
   
Favorable
 Development
   
% of Total
 
                                     
Prior to 2001
  $ 1,409,873       40 %   $ (782,496 )     (19 )%   $ 701,989       6 %
2001
    228,157       6 %     394,667       10 %     754,141       6 %
2002
    (219,217 )     (6 )%     495,521       12 %     819,572       7 %
2003
    106,459       3 %     1,121,647       27 %     1,744,350       14 %
2004
    896,422       25 %     792,070       19 %     7,524,447       62 %
2005
    730,534       21 %     1,202,580       29 %     626,184       5 %
2006
    1,670,003       47 %     894,112       22 %     -       -  
2007
    (1,265,430 )     (36 )%     -        -       -        -  
Total prior accident years
  $ 3,556,801       100 %   $ 4,118,101       100 %   $ 12,170,683       100 %

As reflected in the above table, the amount of favorable development recognized during the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $561,300 (14%) to $3,556,801 from $4,118,101 in 2007.  The amount of favorable development recognized during the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased $8,052,582 (66%) to $4,118,101 from $12,170,683 in 2006 primarily from the accident year 2004.

The favorable development in the above table is not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods.

Any reduction in losses and loss adjustment expenses from redundancies in the Company’s December 31, 2008, reserves over actual future payments, and/or any additional losses and loss adjustment expenses from actual future payments that exceed the Company’s reserves, will be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations of future accounting periods.  The Company’s current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio assumption closely approximates the Company’s historical average loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  A difference between the Company’s current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio assumption and the actual loss and loss adjustment expense ratio for a given accident year will ultimately result in a dollar change (either higher or lower) that is a multiple of the earned premium for that year.  The actual loss and loss adjustment expense ratio has been within five percentage points of the current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in four of the Company’s twenty-four years.  Since the Company’s net earned premium in 2008 was $33,949,695, a difference between the accident year 2008 actual and current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratios of only five percentage points will ultimately impact losses and loss adjustment expenses by $1,697,485.  The actual loss and loss adjustment expense ratio has been within ten percentage points of the current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in nine of the Company’s twenty-four years.  A difference of ten percentage points on accident year 2008 will ultimately impact losses and loss adjustment expenses by $3,394,970.  The actual loss and loss adjustment expense ratio has been within twenty percentage points of the current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in seventeen of the Company’s twenty-four years.  A twenty percentage point difference between the accident year 2008 actual and the current expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratios will ultimately impact losses and loss adjustment expenses by $6,789,939.  In addition, accident years 2008 and prior are still developing.  Future development on those years might either offset or add to any future development that emerges on accident year 2008.

Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 
The Company's liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense (reserves) consists of case reserves and reserves for incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims.  Case reserves are established by claims personnel based on a review of the facts known at the time the claim is reported and are subsequently revised as more information about a claim becomes known.  IBNR is computed using various actuarial methods and techniques and includes (1) reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on claims that have occurred but for which claims have not yet been reported to the Company, and (2) a provision for expected future development on case reserves for information not currently known.
 
 
27

 
The Company’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Direct reserves
                 
     Case reserves
  $ 18,720,695     $ 26,129,055     $ 21,796,117  
     IBNR reserves
    59,933,895       68,601,656       71,800,000  
       Total direct reserves
  $ 78,654,590     $ 94,730,711     $ 93,596,117  
                         
Reserves net of reinsurance
                       
     Case reserves
  $ 17,365,877     $ 21,450,234     $ 18,776,430  
     IBNR reserves
    41,473,140       44,855,053       51,300,000  
       Total net reserves
  $ 58,839,017     $ 66,305,287     $ 70,076,430  

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses before reinsurance for each of Crusader’s lines of business were as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
Line of Business
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                                     
  CMP
  $ 73,339,513       93.2 %   $ 90,126,649       95.1 %   $ 90,604,178       96.8 %
  Other Liability
    5,271,612       6.7 %     4,524,684       4.8 %     2,736,790       2.9 %
  Other
    43,465       0.1 %     79,378       0.1 %     255,149       0.3 %
     Total
  $ 78,654,590       100.0 %   $ 94,730,711       100.0 %   $ 93,596,117       100.0 %

The Company‘s consolidated financial statements include estimated reserves for unpaid losses and related loss adjustment expenses of the insurance company operation.  The Company sets loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at each balance sheet date at management’s best estimate of the ultimate payments that it anticipates will be made to settle all losses incurred and all related loss adjustment expenses incurred as of that date, for both reported and unreported claims.
 
Analysis of the roll forward of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses.
 
The following table provides an analysis of the roll forward of Crusader’s losses and loss adjustment expenses, including a reconciliation of the ending balance sheet liability for the periods indicated:

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  at beginning of year – net of reinsurance
  $ 66,305,287     $ 70,076,430     $ 76,235,467  
                         
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
                       
   Provision for insured events of current year
    24,149,531       26,300,338       29,997,662  
   Decrease in provision for events of prior years
    (3,556,801 )     (4,118,101 )     (12,170,683 )
       Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    20,592,730       22,182,237       17,826,979  
                         
Payments
                       
   Losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to
     insured events of the current year
    7,803,644       7,816,422       6,728,798  
   Losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to
     insured events of prior years
    20,255,356       18,136,958       17,257,218  
       Total payments
    28,059,000       25,953,380       23,986,016  
                         
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
     at end of year – net of reinsurance
    58,839,017       66,305,287       70,076,430  
                         
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss
     adjustment expenses at end of year
    19,815,573       28,425,424       23,519,687  
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at
     end of year per balance sheet, gross of reinsurance *
  $ 78,654,590     $ 94,730,711     $ 93,596,117  

 
28

 
*In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts,” reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are reported for GAAP as assets rather than netted against the corresponding liability for such items on the consolidated balance sheet.
 
The Company’s net loss and loss adjustment expense reserve was $58,839,017 as of December 31, 2008.  Since underwriting profit is a significant part of income, a small percentage change in reserve estimates may result in a substantial effect on future reported earnings.  Such changes might result from a variety of factors, including claims costs emerging in a different pattern than the average historical development patterns.  Considering the continuum of possible development patterns, none of which is necessarily more or less likely than the next, one must consider the varying probabilities that the development pattern is off in varying degrees.  If future development ultimately ends up being five percent different than the Company’s 2008 reserve, approximately $2.9 million would be reflected in future periods as an increase or decrease in the provision for events of prior years and would be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations in future periods.  A variance of five percent of net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is not an unlikely scenario.  Similarly, a variance of ten percent of the Company’s 2008 reserves would be reflected in approximately $5.9 million in future periods as an increase or decrease in the provision for events of prior years and would be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations in future periods.  This is also not an unlikely scenario.  Differences of more than ten percent are also possible, though not quite as likely as differences of ten percent or less.
 
Other Insurance Operations
 

Health Insurance Program
 
Commission income from the health insurance sales is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Commission income
  $ 2,754,293     $ 2,320,161     $ 1,634,438  

AIB markets health insurance in California through non-affiliated insurance companies for individuals and groups.  For these services, AIB receives commission based on the premiums that it writes.  Commission income for the year ended December 31, 2008, increased $434,132 (19%), compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. Commission income for the year ended December 31, 2007, increased $685,723 (42%), compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The increase is primarily due to the increase in sales of small group medical insurance offered through CIGNA HealthCare.  In May 2006, CIGNA HealthCare began offering new small group medical insurance policies in the state of California.  All CIGNA small group medical insurance policyholders are members of AAQHC.  In November 2008, AIB entered into a General Agent Contract with Blue Shield of California who will pay AIB override commissions for all business submitted to them.  In June 2009, CIGNA plans to substantially reduce the medical plans offered to Small Group Employers in the state of California, from sixteen current plans to four.  All new employer groups and existing employer groups, on their anniversary date, will have the option to choose from the four available plans.  AIB will be assisting its CIGNA policyholders in obtaining new coverage in one of the four CIGNA plans or with other contracted carriers.  This reduction in CIGNA medical plans offered to Small Group Employers in the state of California may result in a decrease in AIB commission income and AAQHC fee income.  AAQHC will continue to underwrite and administer all remaining CIGNA business, including dental plans for Individuals and Small Group Employers.

Association Operation
 
Membership and fee income from the association program of AAQHC is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
 Membership and fee income
  $ 300,214     $ 309,712     $ 300,527  

Membership and fee income for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $9,498 (3%), compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  Membership and fee income for the year ended December 31, 2007, increased $9,185 (3%), compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
 
29


Policy Fee Income
 
Unifax sells and services insurance policies for Crusader.  The policy fee charged to the policyholder by Unifax is recognized as income in the consolidated financial statements.  Unifax’s policy fee income is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Policy fee income
  $ 2,239,306     $ 2,482,006     $ 2,837,810  
Policies issued
    12,539       13,536       15,186  

Policy fee income for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $242,700 (10%) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  The 10% decrease in policy fee income is primarily a result of a 997 (7%) decrease in the number of policies issued during 2008 as compared to 2007.

Policy fee income for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased $355,804 (13%) as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The 13% decrease in policy fee income is primarily a result of a 1,650 (11%) decrease in the number of policies issued during 2007 as compared to 2006.


Daily Automobile Rental Insurance Program
 
The daily automobile rental insurance program is produced by Bedford for a non-affiliated insurance company.

Commission and fee income from the daily automobile rental insurance program are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Rental program commission
  $ 345,350     $ 344,120     $ 317,679  
Contingent commission
    58,593       46,539       53,638  
     Total commission
    403,943       390,659       371,317  
Claim administration fee
    -       -       4,035  
     Total commission and fee income
  $ 403,943     $ 390,659     $ 375,352  

The daily automobile rental insurance program commission and fee income for the year ended December 31, 2008, increased $13,284 (3%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, commission and fee income increased $15,307 (4%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The daily automobile rental insurance program commission and fee income excluding claim administration fee and contingent commission increased $1,230 (0%) to $345,350 in 2008, from $344,120 in 2007.  The daily automobile rental insurance program commission and fee income excluding claim administration fee and contingent commission increased $26,441 (8%) to $344,120 in 2007 from $317,679 in 2006.  Premium written in 2008 and 2007 remained comparable to premium written in 2007.  Premium written in 2007 increased 8% compared to premium written in 2006.  The daily automobile rental insurance program is still impacted by the intense price competition in the marketplace during the periods covered by this report.  The Company cannot determine how long the existing market conditions will continue, nor in which direction they might change.  To avoid underwriting losses for the non-affiliated insurance company that it represents, Bedford continues to produce business only at rates that it believes to be adequate.

Primarily due to declining sales, in April 2006 Bedford hired a new general manager who had substantial experience in the daily automobile rental insurance business.  Due to the fact that Bedford’s sales objectives were not achieved, it ended the employment of the general manager in January 2008.  During 2007, the Company negotiated with the non-affiliated insurance company the need to approve and implement various product enhancements that Bedford recommended.  The negotiations did not result in any significant enhancements.
 

 
30

 

Other Commission and Fee Income
 
Other commission and fee income are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Earthquake program commission income
  $ 8,175     $ 13,018     $ 37,914  
Miscellaneous commission and fee income
    140       77       116  
   Total other commission and fee income
  $ 8,315     $ 13,095     $ 38,030  

Unifax began producing commercial earthquake insurance policies in California for non-affiliated insurance companies in 1999.  Unifax receives a commission from these insurance companies based on premium written.  Commission income on the earthquake program for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $4,703 (36%) compared to 2007.  Commission income on the earthquake program for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased $24,896 (66%) compared to 2006.  Effective February 1, 2009, this program was terminated.

The commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany transactions and are not reflected in commission income or commission expense.

Premium Finance Program
 
Premium finance charges and late fees earned from financing policies are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Premium finance charges and fees earned
  $ 460,422     $ 553,997     $ 678,740  
New loans
    2,523       2,835       3,596  

AAC provides premium financing for Crusader policies produced by Unifax in California.  The growth of this program is dependent and directly related to the growth of Crusader's written premium and AAC’s ability to market its competitive rates and service.  Premium finance charges and fees earned decreased $93,575 (17%) in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to 2007 primarily due to the fact that there were 312 (11%) fewer loans financed in the current year.  Premium finance charges and fees earned decreased $124,743 (18%) in the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to 2006 primarily due to the fact that there were 761 (21%) fewer loans financed in the current year.  During 2008, 28% of all Unifax policies were financed and 81% of those policies were financed by AAC.  During 2007, 28% of all Unifax policies were financed and 72% of those policies were financed by AAC.  During 2006, 32% of all Unifax policies were financed and 75% of those policies were financed by AAC.

Investment Income and Net Realized Gains
 
Investment income and net realized gains are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Average invested assets * – at amortized cost
  $ 146,195,377     $ 147,330,351     $ 143,957,963  
                         
Interest income
                       
   Insurance company operations
  $ 5,829,304     $ 6,695,121     $ 5,903,462  
   Other operations
    61,434       152,002       100,955  
Realized gains
    6,306       -       2,617  
      Total investment income and realized gains
  $ 5,897,044     $ 6,847,123     $ 6,007,034  
                         
Yield on average invested assets
    4.03 %     4.65 %     4.17 %
 
* The average is based on the beginning and ending balance of the amortized cost of the invested assets for each respective year.
 

 
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In the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company’s average invested assets (at amortized value) decreased $1,134,974 (1%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  In the year ended December 31, 2008, investment income earned, excluding realized gains, decreased $956,385 (14%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  The yield on average invested assets decreased to 4.03% in 2008 from 4.65% in 2007.  The decrease in the yield on average invested assets is primarily the result of a decrease in the average return on new and reinvested assets in the Company’s investment portfolio.  Due to the current interest rate environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of five years or less and with minimal credit risk.  Thus, the weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments as of December 31, 2008, was 2.1 years compared to 2.0 years as of December 31, 2007.  The Company’s invested assets (at amortized value) as of December 31, 2008, were $145,042,387 as compared to $147,348,367 as of December 31, 2007.

In the year ended December 31, 2007, while the Company’s average invested assets (at amortized value) increased $3,372,388 (2%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, investment income earned, excluding realized gains, increased $842,706 (14%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The yield on average invested assets increased to 4.65% in 2007 from 4.17% in 2006.  The increase in the yield on average invested assets is primarily the result of an increase in the average return on new and reinvested assets in the Company’s investment portfolio.  The weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments as of December 31, 2007, was 2.0 years compared to 1.3 years as of December 31, 2006.  The Company’s invested assets (at amortized value) as of December 31, 2007, were $147,348,367 as compared to $147,312,335 as of December 31, 2006.  However, the average invested assets increased in the year ending December 31, 2007, as compared to 2006, primarily as a result of the significant increase in invested assets during the year ended December 31, 2006.

The par value, amortized cost, estimated market value and weighted average yield of fixed maturity investments at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity are as follows.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

 
Maturities by Calendar Year
 
Par Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Weighted
Average Yield
 
                         
December 31, 2009
  $ 42,700,000     $ 42,875,272     $ 43,496,590       4.14 %
December 31, 2010
    36,200,000       36,266,842       37,107,077       2.46 %
December 31, 2011
    9,250,000       9,340,981       10,182,031       4.15 %
December 31, 2012
    38,000,000       37,965,533       42,318,438       4.43 %
December 31, 2013
    9,100,000       9,091,726       9,867,844       3.26 %
                                 
   Total
  $ 135,250,000     $ 135,540,354     $ 142,971,980       3.71 %

The following table sets forth the composition of the investment portfolio of the Company at the dates indicated:
 
   
(Amounts in Thousands)
 
   
As of December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
Type of Security
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
                                     
Certificates of deposit
  $ 400     $ 400     $ 400     $ 400     $ 400     $ 400  
U.S. treasury securities
    124,526       131,939       130,211       133,014       127,554       127,192  
Industrial and miscellaneous taxable bonds
    10,614       10,633       9,366       9,467       12,523       12,558  
State and municipal tax-exempt bonds
    -       -       15       15       15       15  
     Total fixed maturity investments
    135,540       142,972       139,992       142,896       140,492       140,165  
Short-term cash investments
    9,502       9,502       7,356       7,356       6,820       6,820  
     Total investments
  $ 145,042     $ 152,474     $ 147,348     $ 150,252     $ 147,312     $ 146,985  

 
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The following table summarizes for all fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2008, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those fixed maturities have been continuously in an unrealized loss.  No securities were sold at a loss during 2008, 2007, or 2006.

Year Ended
 
Amortized
         
Gross
 
December 31
 
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
 
                   
2008
                 
0-6 months
  $ 5,590,110     $ 5,524,385     $ 65,725  
7-12 months
    -       -       -  
Over 12 months
    -       -        -  
  Total
  $ 5,590,110     $ 5,524,385     $ 65,725  
2007
                       
0-6 months
  $ 7,080,404     $ 7,071,870     $ 8,534  
7-12 months
    -       -       -  
Over 12 months
    2,917,362       2,909,775        7,587  
  Total
  $ 9,997,766     $ 9,981,645     $ 16,121  

At December 31, 2008, the fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss for continuous periods of 0 to 6 months consisted of three investment grade industrial securities.

At December 31, 2007, the fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss for continuous periods of 0 to 6 months consisted of U.S. treasury securities.  The fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss position for a continuous period over 12 months consisted of U.S. treasury securities, investment grade industrial securities, and pre-refunded municipal bonds.

The Company monitors its investments closely.  If an unrealized loss is determined to be other than temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time to maturity and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments.  The Company has the ability and intent to hold its fixed maturity investments for a period of time sufficient to allow the Company to recover its costs.  The Company has concluded that the gross unrealized losses of $65,725 at December 31, 2008, were temporary in nature.  However, facts and circumstances may change which could result in a decline in fair value considered to be other than temporary.  The Company sold one fixed maturity investment in the year ended December 31, 2008, with net realized gain in the amount of $6,306.  The Company did not sell any fixed maturity investments in the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Policy Acquisition Costs are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Policy acquisition costs
  $ 8,261,324     $ 8,465,047     $ 9,250,989  
Ratio to net earned premium (GAAP ratio)
    24 %     23 %     22 %

Policy acquisition costs consist of commissions, premium taxes, inspection fees, and certain other underwriting costs that are directly related to and vary with the production of Crusader insurance policies.  These costs include both Crusader expenses and allocated expenses of other Unico subsidiaries.  On certain reinsurance treaties, Crusader receives a ceding commission from its reinsurer that represents a reimbursement of the acquisition costs related to the premium ceded.  No ceding commission is received on facultative, catastrophe, or provisionally rated ceded premium.  Policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commission, are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned.  No significant change in the ratio of policy acquisition cost to net earned premium were noted in the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 

 
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Salaries and Employee Benefits are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Total salaries and employee benefits incurred
  $ 9,625,571     $ 9,785,770     $ 9,913,740  
  Less:  charged to losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (1,418,031 )     (1,409,391 )     (1,320,508 )
  Less:  capitalized to policy acquisition costs
    (2,576,512 )     (2,666,816 )     (2,731,683 )
     Net amount charged to operating expenses
  $ 5,631,028     $ 5,709,563     $ 5,861,549  

Total salaries and employee benefits incurred for the year ended December 31, 2008, decreased $160,199 (2%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  The decrease in total salaries and employee benefits incurred is primarily a result of a lower number of employees as compared to the prior year offset by general salary increases and increases in employee benefits costs.

Total salaries and employee benefits incurred for the year ended December 31, 2007, decreased $127,970 (1%) compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The decrease in total salaries and employee benefits incurred is primarily a result of a lower number of employees as compared to the prior year offset by general salary increases and increases in employee benefits costs.
 
Commissions to Agents/Brokers are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Commission to agents/brokers
  $ 1,279,821     $ 1,002,771     $ 611,200  

Commissions to agents/brokers (not including commissions on Crusader policies that are reflected in policy acquisition costs) are generally related to gross commission income from the health insurance program, the daily automobile rental insurance program, and the earthquake program.  Commissions to agents and brokers increased $277,050 (28%) for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  The increase is primarily the result of the increase in written premium in the health insurance program and is related to the increase in commission income from that program.
Commissions to agents and brokers increased $391,571 (64%) for the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.  The increase is primarily the result of the increase in written premium in the health insurance program and is related to the increase in commission income from that program.
Other Operating Expenses are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Other operating expenses
  $ 3,020,075     $ 2,940,124     $ 3,012,678  
 
Other operating expenses generally do not change significantly with changes in production.  This is true for both increases and decreases in production.  Other operating expenses increased $79,951 (3%) for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.  Other operating expenses decreased $72,554 (2%) for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2008, was $2,701,450 compared to an income tax expense of $3,360,709 for the year ended December 31, 2007.  The effective combined income tax rates for 2008 and 2007 were 34% and 33%, respectively.  The pre-tax income decreased $2,088,687 (21%) for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007, which resulted in a decreased income tax expense in 2008.
 
 
34


The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2007, was $3,360,709 compared to an income tax expense of $6,427,345 for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The effective combined income tax rates for 2007 and 2006 were 33% and 35%, respectively.  The pre-tax income decreased $8,279,658 for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to the year ended December 31, 2006, which resulted in a decreased income tax expense in 2007.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162).  SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP (GAAP hierarchy).  The current GAAP hierarchy, as set forth in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement on Auditing Standards No. 69, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” has been criticized because (1) it is directed to the auditor rather than the entity, (2) it is complex, and (3) it ranks FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts, which are subject to the same level of due process as FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, below industry practices that are widely recognized as generally accepted but that are not subject to due process. SFAS No. 162 shall be effective 60 days following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to U.S. Auditing Standards Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS No. 162 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements,” (SFAS No. 157) for financial assets and liabilities.  In December 2007, the FASB provided a one-year deferral of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, at least annually.  SFAS No. 157 redefines fair values as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Specifically, SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the nature of the inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability.  SFAS No. 157 applies where other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements.  In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3 “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (FSP FAS 157-3), which clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active.  Such considerations include inputs to broker quotes, assumptions regarding future cash flows and use of risk-adjusted discount rates.  The adoption of FSP FAS No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.”  SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value.  The main objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by allowing entities to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by the measurement of related assets and liabilities using different attributes, without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  Entities that elect the fair value option will report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the entity’s election on its earnings but does not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting standards.  SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments.  SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 as of the beginning of 2008 by not electing the fair value option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.

In December 2007, FASB Statements No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R) was issued.  SFAS No. 141R replaces FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations.”  SFAS No. 141R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose additional information regarding the nature and financial effect of the business combination.  The Company will adopt SFAS No. 141R for any business combinations initiated after December 31, 2008.
 
 
35


There were no other accounting standards issued during 2008 that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  While every effort is made to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results could differ.

Management believes the Company’s current critical accounting policies comprise the following:

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 
The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires judgments and estimates.  The most significant is the estimate of loss reserves as required by SFAS No. 60, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5 (SFAS No. 5), “Accounting for Contingencies.”

Management makes its best estimate of the liability for unpaid claims costs as of the end of each fiscal quarter.  Due to the inherent uncertainties in estimating the Company’s unpaid claims costs, actual loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all claims.  Variability is inherent in establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, especially for a small insurer like the Company.  For any given line of insurance, accident year, or other group of claims, there is a continuum of possible reserve estimates, each having its own unique degree of propriety or reasonableness.  Due to the complexity and nature of the insurance claims process, there are potentially an infinite number of reasonably likely scenarios.  The Company does not specifically identify reasonably likely scenarios other than utilizing management’s best estimate.  In addition to applying the various standard methods to the data, an extensive series of diagnostic tests of the resultant reserve estimates are applied to determine management’s best estimate of the unpaid claims liability.  Among the statistics reviewed for each accident year are loss and loss adjustment expense development patterns, frequencies (expected claim counts), severities (average cost per claim), loss and loss adjustment expense ratios to premium, and loss adjustment expense ratios to loss.  When there is clear evidence that the actual claims costs emerged are different than expected for any prior accident year, the claims cost estimates for that year are revised accordingly.

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

The Company underwrites four statutory annual statement lines of business:  (1) commercial multiple peril, (2) liability other than automobile and products, (3) fire, and (4) allied lines.  Commercial multiple peril policies comprised 98% and 96% of the Company’s 2008 and 2007 premium volume, respectively.  Commercial multiple peril policies include both property and liability coverages.  For all of the Company’s coverages and lines of business, the Company’s actuarial loss and loss adjustment expense reserving methods require assumptions that can be grouped into two key categories: (1) expected loss and loss adjustment expense, required by the expected loss ratio and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods, and (2) expected development patterns, required by the loss development and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods.

The Company also segregates most of its business into smaller homogeneous categories primarily for management’s internal detailed business review and analysis.  These homogeneous categories used by the Company include various combinations and special groupings of its lines of business, programs types, states, and coverages.  Some categories exclude certain items and/or others include certain items.  Not all categories are defined in the same way.  This analysis includes the tracking of historical claims costs and development patterns separately for each of these uniquely designed categories.  Generally, neither the liability development patterns nor the property development patterns vary significantly by category.
 
 
36


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

At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company’s reserves are re-evaluated for each accident year (i.e., for all claims incurred within each year) by a committee consisting of the Company’s executive vice president, the Company’s chief financial officer, and an independent consulting actuary.  The Company uses the loss ratio method to estimate ultimate claims costs for the current accident year.  The current accident year IBNR reserves are initially determined by multiplying earned premiums for the year by the expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, then subtracting the current accident year’s cumulative incurred (paid plus case reserves) to date.  This method is subject to adjustment based upon actual results incurred during the reporting period.  This initial IBNR reserve is adjusted as subsequent development of that accident year takes place.

The Company also applies several additional standard actuarial methods to the historical claims costs data to estimate its unpaid claims liability for each accident year.  The additional standard methods include loss development methods and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods, both of which can be applied to paid loss and loss adjustment expense (claims costs), reported incurred (paid plus case reserve) claims costs, and/or claim counts.  These methodologies do not vary by tail length; however, certain parameters do vary.  In particular, loss development factors for short-tail property claims are different than for long-tail liability claims.

Development patterns generally do not tend to change materially over time.  Generally, the Company has very little property claim development subsequent to the end of an accident year.  Although liability claims may take ten or more years to fully develop, most of the development occurs in the first five to six years subsequent to the end of the accident year.  However, liability claims are substantially developed by two years subsequent to the end of the accident year.  Other than the change in the expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio assumption discussed above, the Company’s reserving methodology assumptions have not changed in the years presented and the only significant effect on the Company’s financial statements has resulted from estimated costs being adjusted as actual costs emerge.

The Company’s actuarially based loss and loss adjustment expense reserve methodology does not include an implicit or explicit provision for uncertainty.  Insurance claims costs are inherently uncertain.  There is not a precise means of quantifying a provision for uncertainty when determining an appropriate liability for unpaid claims costs.  Rather, the potential for claims costs being less than estimated and the potential for claims costs being more than estimated are considered when selecting the parameters to be used in the application of the actuarial methods and when testing the estimates for reasonableness.  Management believes that its recorded loss and loss adjustment expense reserve makes reasonable provision for its liability for unpaid claims costs.

The information that management uses to arrive at its best reserve estimate comes from many sources within the Company, including its accounting, legal, claims, and underwriting departments.  Informed managerial judgment is applied throughout the reserving process.  In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of the claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be.  Accordingly, short-tail claims, such as property damage claims, tend to be more reasonably predictable than long-tail liability claims.  The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is based upon the accumulation of individual case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period plus estimates based on experience and industry data for development of case estimates and for unreported losses and loss adjustment expenses.  Since the emergence and disposition of claims are subject to uncertainties, the net amounts that will ultimately be paid to settle claims may vary significantly from the estimated amounts provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Any adjustments to reserves are reflected in the operating results of the periods in which they are made.  Management believes that the aggregate reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reasonable and adequate to cover the cost of claims, both reported and unreported.
 
 
37

 
The Company must estimate its ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses using a very small claim population size.  At the beginning of 2008, the Company had 739 open claim files.  During 2008, 995 new claim files were opened and 1,077 claim files were closed, leaving 657 open claim files at the end of 2008.  Due to the small size of the Company and the related small population of claims, the Company’s losses and loss adjustment expenses for any accident year can vary significantly from the initial expectations.  Due to the small number of claims, changes in claim frequency and/or severity can materially affect the Company’s reserve estimate.  The potential variability from management’s best estimate cannot be measured from any meaningful statistical basis due to the numerous uncertainties in the claims reserving process and the small population of claims.

At each quarterly review, actual claims costs that emerge are compared with the claims costs that were expected to emerge during that development period.  Sometimes the previous claims costs estimates prove to have been too high; sometimes they prove to have been too low.  In the case of the Company, the estimates proved to be too high in each of the past three years.  The favorable development in 2006 through 2008 underscores the inherent uncertainty in insurance claims costs, especially for a very small insurer.

   
Calendar year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of year
  $ 66,305,287     $ 70,076,430     $ 76,235,467  
Net (decrease) in provision for events of prior years
  $ (3,556,801 )   $ (4,118,101 )   $ (12,170,683 )
Percent of development to beginning reserves
    (5.4 %)     (5.9 %)     (16.0 %)

The differences between actual and expected claims costs are typically not due to one specific factor, but a combination of many factors such as the period of time between the initial occurrence and the final settlement of the claim, current and perceived social and economic inflation, and many other economic, legal, political, and social factors.  Because of these and other factors, actual loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all claims.  Any adjustments to reserves are reflected in the operating results of the periods in which they are made.  Management believes that the aggregate reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reasonable and adequate to cover the cost of claims, both reported and unreported.

Reinsurance
 
The Company’s recoverable from reinsurers represents an estimate of the amount of future loss and loss adjustment expense payments that will be recoverable from the Company’s reinsurers.  These estimates are based upon estimates of the ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses that the Company expects to incur and the portion of those losses that are expected to be allocable to reinsurers based upon the terms of the reinsurance agreements.  Given the uncertainty of the ultimate amounts of losses and loss adjustment expenses, the estimates may vary significantly from the eventual outcome.  The Company’s estimate of the amounts recoverable from reinsurers is regularly reviewed and updated by management as new data becomes available.  The Company’s assessment of the collectibility of the recorded amounts recoverable from reinsurers is based primarily upon public financial statements and rating agency data.  Any adjustments necessary are reflected in the current operations.  The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at their inception to determine if there is sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  At December 31, 2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.
 

 
38

 
 
The following tables provide the effect of reinsurance on the Company’s financial statements:
 
The effect of ceded reinsurance on financial position is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Ceded loss and loss adjustment expense incurred on excess of loss treaties *
                 
                   
 Ceded paid loss and loss adjustment expense
  $ 7,268,387     $ 3,287,750     $ 5,148,736  
 Change in ceded case loss reserves
    (3,324,003 )     1,659,134       (959,394 )
 Change in ceded IBNR reserves
    (5,285,848 )     3,246,603       (1,200,000 )
            Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expense incurred
  $ (1,341,464 )   $ 8,193,487     $ 2,989,342  
                         
Ceded loss and loss adjustment expense recoverable on excess of loss treaties
                       
                         
Ceded case loss and loss adjustment expense reserves recoverable
  $ 1,354,818     $ 4,678,821     $ 3,019,687  
Ceded IBNR reserves recoverable
    18,460,755       23,746,603       20,500,000  
Total ceded loss and loss adjustment expense reserves recoverable
  $ 19,815,573     $ 28,425,424     $ 23,519,687  

*There were no catastrophe losses incurred during the period covered by this table.

The effect of ceded reinsurance on results of operations is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Direct earned premium
  $ 42,720,764     $ 48,661,973     $ 56,692,213  
                         
Earned ceded premium
                       
     Excluding provisionally rated ceded premium
    8,850,878       11,560,877       13,825,061  
     Provisionally rated ceded premium
    (79,809 )      (28,569 )      (66,637 )
            Total earned ceded premium
    8,771,069       11,532,308       13,758,424  
Ceding commission
    2,642,665       3,547,595       4,376,474  
            Earned ceded premium, net of ceding commission
  $ 6,128,404     $ 7,984,713     $ 9,381,950  
                         
Ratios to direct earned premium
                       
     Direct ceded premium
    21 %     24 %     24 %
     Earned ceded premium, net of ceding commission
    14 %     16 %     17 %

The effect of ceded reinsurance on cash flow is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Changes in reinsurance recoverable from statements of cash flows
  $ 8,813,303     $ (4,955,568 )   $ 3,602,749  

The Company’s reinsurance strategy is to reduce volatility in its expected loss and loss adjustment expense results by protecting the Company against liabilities in excess of certain retentions, including major or catastrophic losses that may occur from any one or more of the property and/or casualty risks which it insures.  On an annual basis, or sooner if warranted, the Company evaluates whether any changes to its retention, participation, or retained limits are necessary.

The Company currently only writes business in the state of California.  The types of businesses and the coverage limits written by the Company are not considered difficult lines for obtaining reinsurance.  In addition, because the major catastrophe exposure is primarily from riots and fire following earthquakes, the Company does not anticipate significant limitations on its ability to cede future losses on a basis consistent with its historical results.
 
 
39


Investments
 
In accordance with SFAS No. 115, the Company is required to classify its investments in debt and equity securities into one of three categories: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading securities.

The Company’s fixed maturity investments are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at market value.  Although all of the Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale and the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to economic and market conditions, its investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality investments to maturity.  Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value.  Investments in equity securities are carried at market value.  The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities and equity securities are reported as “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.  When a decline in value of a fixed maturity or equity security is considered other than temporary, a loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Realized gains and losses are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the specific identification method.

Related Party Transactions
 
The Company presently occupies a 46,000 square foot office building located at 23251 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, California, under a master lease expiring March 31, 2012.  Erwin Cheldin, the Company's president, chairman, and principal stockholder, is the owner of the building.  The Company signed an extension to the lease with a 4% increase in rent effective April 1, 2007.  The lease provides for an annual gross rent of $1,025,952 through March 31, 2007, and $1,066,990 from April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2012.  In addition, the lease extension provides for two, five-year options with a rent increase of 5% for each option period.  The Company believes that at the inception of the lease agreement and at each subsequent extension, the terms of the lease were at least as favorable to the Company as could have been obtained from non-affiliated third parties.  The Company utilizes for its own operations approximately 100% of the space it leases.

Forward Looking Statements
 
Certain statements contained herein, including the sections entitled “Business,” “Legal Proceedings” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are not historical facts are forward looking.  These statements, which may be identified by forward looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” plan,” “should,” and “would” involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.  Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward looking statements.  Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include those described under Item 1 – “Business - Competition” and Item 1A – “Risk Factors”; premium rate adequacy relating to competition or regulation; actual versus estimated claim experience; the outcome of rate change filings with regulatory authorities; acceptance by insureds of rate changes; adequacy of rate changes; changes in Crusader’s A.M. Best rating; regulatory changes or developments; the outcome of regulatory proceedings; unforeseen calamities; general market conditions; and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
The Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes a substantial amount of invested assets whose fair values are subject to various market risk exposures including interest rate risk and equity price risk.

The Company’s invested assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007, consisted of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Fixed maturity bonds (at amortized cost)
  $ 135,140,354     $ 139,592,208  
Short-term cash investments (at cost)
    9,502,033       7,356,159  
Certificates of deposit - over 1 year (at cost)
    400,000       400,000  
     Total invested assets
  $ 145,042,387     $ 147,348,367  

 
40

 
The Company’s interest rate risk is primarily in its fixed maturity bond portfolio.  As market interest rates decrease, the value of the portfolio increases with the opposite holding true in rising interest rate environments.  In addition, the longer the maturity, the more sensitive the asset is to market interest rate fluctuations.  The Company limits this risk by investing in securities with maturities no greater than eight years.  In addition, although fixed maturity bonds are classified as available-for-sale, the Company’s investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality bonds to maturity.  Because fixed maturity bonds are primarily held to maturity, the change in the market value of these bonds resulting from interest rate movements is unrealized and no gains or losses are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Unrealized gains and losses are reported as separate components of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s unrealized gains (net of unrealized losses) before income taxes on its fixed maturity bond portfolio were $7,431,626 compared to unrealized gains (net of unrealized losses) before income taxes of $2,903,264 as of December 31, 2007.  Given a hypothetical parallel increase of 100 basis points in interest rates, the fair value of the fixed maturity bond portfolio as of December 31, 2008, would decrease by approximately $4,052,000.  This decrease would not be reflected in the statements of operations except to the extent that the securities were sold or the decrease was deemed to be other than temporary.

The Company’s short-term investments and certificates of deposit have only minimal interest rate risk.


 
41

 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 


INDEX TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Page
 
Number
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
43
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008, and 2007
44
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
45
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2008,
 2007, and 2006
46
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31,
 2008, 2007, and 2006
47
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
48
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
49
 
 
 
42

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Unico American Corporation:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Unico American Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Unico American Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
KPMG LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 30, 2009

 
43

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



   
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
 
Investments
           
   Available for sale:
           
     Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost:  December 31, 2008  $135,540,354; December 31, 2007  $139,992,208)
  $ 142,971,980     $ 142,895,472  
   Short-term investments, at cost
    9,502,033       7,356,159  
      Total Investments
    152,474,013       150,251,631  
Cash
    27,710       108,864  
Accrued investment income
    1,301,238       1,554,741  
Premiums and notes receivable, net
    4,680,779       5,066,646  
Reinsurance recoverable:
               
   Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    114,734       318,186  
   Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    19,815,573       28,425,424  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    5,219,892       5,722,847  
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)
    359,553       557,234  
Deferred income taxes
    -       686,910  
Other assets
     609,484        1,083,378  
        Total Assets
  $ 184,602,976     $ 193,775,861  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
   
LIABILITIES
               
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 78,654,590     $ 94,730,711  
Unearned premiums
    19,962,118       22,742,612  
Advance premium and premium deposits
    1,192,553       2,159,290  
Income taxes payable
    558,604       -  
Deferred income taxes
    795,088       -  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    6,481,768       5,040,145  
        Total Liabilities
  $ 107,644,721     $ 124,672,758  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY
               
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding shares 5,574,315 at December 31, 2008, and 5,625,308 at December 31, 2007
  $ 3,569,099     $ 3,594,207  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    4,904,873       1,916,154  
Retained earnings
    68,484,283       63,592,742  
        Total Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 76,958,255     $ 69,103,103  
                 
        Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 184,602,976     $ 193,775,861  

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


 
44

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,



   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
REVENUES
                 
Insurance Company Revenues
                 
   Premium earned
  $ 42,720,764     $ 48,661,973     $ 56,692,213  
   Premium (ceded)
    (8,771,069 )     (11,532,308 )     (13,758,424 )
     Net premium earned
    33,949,695       37,129,665       42,933,789  
   Investment income
    5,829,304       6,695,121       5,903,462  
Realized investment gains
    6,306       -       2,617  
   Other income
    742,683       312,427       102,700  
        Total Insurance Company Revenues
    40,527,988       44,137,213       48,942,568  
                         
Other Revenues from Insurance Operations
                       
     Gross commissions and fees
    5,706,071       5,515,633       5,186,157  
     Investment income
    61,434       152,002       100,955  
     Finance charges and fees earned
    460,422       553,997       678,740  
     Other income
    13,529       14,050       7,786  
          Total Revenues
    46,769,444       50,372,895       54,916,206  
                         
EXPENSES
                       
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    20,592,730       22,182,237       17,826,979  
Policy acquisition costs
    8,261,324       8,465,047       9,250,989  
Salaries and employee benefits
    5,631,028       5,709,563       5,861,549  
Commissions to agents/brokers
    1,279,821       1,002,771       611,200  
Other operating expenses
    3,020,075       2,940,124       3,012,678  
         Total Expenses
    38,784,978       40,299,742       36,563,395  
                         
Income Before Taxes
    7,984,466       10,073,153       18,352,811  
                         
Income Tax Expense
    2,701,450       3,360,709       6,427,345  
                         
         Net Income
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  
                         
                         
PER SHARE DATA:
                       
Basic
                       
   Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.94     $ 1.20     $ 2.14  
   Weighted Average Shares
    5,614,730       5,614,025       5,567,883  
Diluted  Earnings Per Share
                       
   Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.93     $ 1.18     $ 2.11  
   Weighted Average Shares
    5,656,010       5,681,893       5,652,901  
                         
                         
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
45

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,



   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Net income
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  
Other changes in comprehensive income, net of tax:
                       
     Unrealized gains on securities classified as
                       
        available-for-sale arising during the period
    2,988,719       2,132,228       166,150  
            Comprehensive Income
  $ 8,271,735     $ 8,844,672     $ 12,091,616  


 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
46

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006



         
Accumulated
             
         
Other
             
   
Common Shares
   
Comprehensive
             
   
Issued and
         
Income
   
Retained
       
   
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
(Losses)
   
Earnings
   
Total
 
                               
Balance - December 31, 2005
    5,496,315     $ 2,720,487     $ (382,224 )   $ 45,065,433     $ 47,403,696  
                                         
Net shares issued for exercise of stock options
    95,750       313,132       -       -       313,132  
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    -       203,126                       203,126  
Shares canceled or adjusted
    54       -       -       -       -  
Change in comprehensive income,  net of deferred income tax
    -       -       166,150       -       166,150  
Net income
    -       -        -       11,925,466       11,925,466  
Balance - December 31, 2006
    5,592,119     $ 3,236,745     $ (216,074 )   $ 56,990,899     $ 60,011,570  
                                         
Net shares issued for exercise of
  stock options
    42,672       301,336       -       -       301,336  
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    -       60,786       -       -       60,786  
Shares repurchased
    (9,483 )     (4,660 )     -       (110,601 )     (115,261 )
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax
    -       -       2,132,228       -       2,132,228  
Net income
    -       -       -       6,712,444       6,712,444  
Balance - December 31, 2007
    5,625,308     $ 3,594,207     $ 1,916,154     $ 63,592,742     $ 69,103,103  
                                         
Shares canceled or adjusted
    99       -       -       -       -  
Shares repurchased
    (51,092 )     (25,108 )     -       (391,475 )     (416,583 )
Change in comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax
    -       -       2,988,719       -       2,988,719  
Net income
    -       -        -        5,283,016       5,283,016  
Balance - December 31, 2008
    5,574,315     $ 3,569,099     $ 4,904,873     $ 68,484,283     $ 76,958,255  

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 

 
47

 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
   Net income
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations
                       
      Depreciation and amortization
    212,028       238,876       238,834  
      Bond amortization, net
    286,907       (34,171 )     (66,447 )
Net realized gain on sale of fixed maturities
    (6,306 )     -       (2,617 )
   Changes in assets and liabilities
                       
      Premium, notes and investment income receivable
    639,370       982,948       343,736  
      Reinsurance recoverable
    8,813,303       (4,955,568 )     3,602,749  
      Deferred policy acquisition costs
    502,955       707,418       925,914  
      Other assets
    47,984       47,038       (53,261 )
      Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (16,076,121 )     1,134,594       (8,318,431 )
      Unearned premium
    (2,780,494 )     (3,691,575 )     (4,184,860 )
      Advance premium and premium deposits
    (966,737 )     357,047       341,453  
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    1,441,623         245,062         (614,364 )
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    -       (60,786 )     (203,126 )
      Income taxes current/deferred
    926,869       (1,796,967 )     2,362,848  
         Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities
    (1,675,603 )     (113,640 )     6,297,894  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
   Purchase of fixed maturity investments
    (63,594,497 )     (69,740,710 )     (68,914,691 )
   Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments
    67,260,000       70,275,000       63,589,500  
   Proceeds from sale of fixed maturity investments
    505,750       -       1,004,000  
   Net increase in short-term investments
    (2,145,874 )     (536,152 )     (2,318,488 )
   Additions to property and equipment
    (14,347 )     (57,030 )      (153,410 )
         Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities
    2,011,032       (58,892 )     (6,793,089 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Repurchase of common stock
    (416,583 )     (115,261 )     -  
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    -       301,336       313,132  
Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    -       60,786       203,126  
         Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities
    (416,583 )     246,861       516,258  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash
 
    (81,154 )     74,329       21,063  
     Cash at beginning of year
    108,864       34,535       13,472  
        Cash at End of Year
  $ 27,710     $ 108,864     $ 34,535  
                         
Supplemental cash flow information
                       
     Cash paid during the period for:
                       
         Interest
    -       -       -  
         Income taxes
  $ 1,800,240     $ 5,150,701     $ 4,325,651  

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
48

 

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Nature of Business
 
Unico American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, and health insurance through its agency subsidiaries; and provides insurance premium financing and membership association services through its other subsidiaries.  Unico American Corporation is referred to herein as the "Company" or "Unico" and such references include both the corporation and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned, unless otherwise indicated.  Unico was incorporated under the laws of Nevada in 1969.

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

Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  As described in Note 13, the Company's insurance subsidiary also files financial statements with regulatory agencies prepared on a statutory basis of accounting that differs from GAAP.

Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect its reported amounts of assets and liabilities and its disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of its financial statements, as well as its reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  While every effort is made to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results may differ.

Immaterial Correction To Previously Reported Amounts
 
During the first quarter of 2008, the Company identified an error associated with the Company’s policy fee income. The error arose from the recognition of non-refundable policy fee income at policy inception rather than over the policy term in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, Revenue Recognition, and EITF 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.”

The Company made an assessment of the materiality of this item on the Company’s historical financial statements in accordance with SAB No. 99, “Materiality,” and concluded that the error was immaterial to all periods.  The Company also concluded that had the error been adjusted when it was identified within the first quarter of 2008, the impact of such an adjustment would have been material to its first quarter 2008 financial statements and was expected to be material to its full year 2008 financial statements.

Accordingly, in accordance with SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” the prior year’s consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity , and the consolidated statements of cash flows herein have been revised to correct the immaterial error and to reflect the corrected balances as of that date.

The line items in the financial statements that are impacted by this error are detailed in the tables below.

   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
For the year ended December 31, 2007
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                   
Deferred income taxes
  $ 295,026     $ 391,884     $ 686,910  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 3,887,546     $ 1,152,599     $ 5,040,145  
Retained earnings
  $ 64,353,457     $ (760,715 )   $ 63,592,742  


 
49

 


   
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2007
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                   
Gross commission and fees
  $ 5,366,031     $ 149,602     $ 5,515,633  
Income tax provision
  $ 3,309,844     $ 50,865     $ 3,360,709  
Net income
  $ 6,613,707     $ 98,737     $ 6,712,444  
   
For the year ended December 31, 2006
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                         
Gross commission and fees
  $ 4,987,332     $ 198,825     $ 5,186,157  
Income tax provision
  $ 6,359,745     $ 67,600     $ 6,427,345  
Net income
  $ 11,794,241     $ 131,225     $ 11,925,466  


   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended December 31, 2007
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                   
Net income
  $ 6,613,707     $ 98,737     $ 6,712,444  
Comprehensive income
  $ 8,745,935     $ 98,737     $ 8,844,672  
   
For the year ended December 31, 2006
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                         
Net income
  $ 11,794,241     $ 131,225     $ 11,925,466  
Comprehensive income
  $ 11,960,391     $ 131,225     $ 12,091,616  


   
Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended December 31, 2007
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                   
Retained Earnings  - Balance as of 12/31/2006
  $ 57,850,351     $ (859,452 )   $ 56,990,899  
Net income
  $ 6,613,707     $ 98,737     $ 6,712,444  
   
For the year ended December 31, 2006
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                         
Retained Earnings  - Balance as of 12/31/2005
  $ 48,394,373     $ (990,677 )   $ 47,403,696  
Net income
  $ 11,794,241     $ 131,225     $ 11,925,466  


 
50

 
 
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2007
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                   
Net income
  $ 6,613,707     $ 98,737     $ 6,712,444  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 394,664     $ (149,602 )   $ 245,062  
Income taxes current/deferred
  $ (1,847,832 )   $ 50,865     $ (1,796,967 )
   
For the year ended December 31, 2006
 
   
As previously reported
   
Correction
   
As corrected
 
                         
Net income
  $ 11,794,241     $ 131,225     $ 11,925,466  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ (415,539 )   $ (198,825 )   $ (614,364 )
Income taxes current/deferred
  $ 2,295,248     $ 67,600     $ 2,362,848  

Investments
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements,” (SFAS No. 157) was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2008.   SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). Financial assets and financial liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on the reliability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1 - Financial assets and financial liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

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

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

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

The Company’s fixed maturities investments are all classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources in active markets for identical assets with reasonable levels of price transparency.  Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs.

All of the Company’s fixed maturity investments are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value.  Although all of the Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale and the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to economic and market conditions, its investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality investments to maturity.  Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.  The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.  When a decline in value of a fixed maturity or equity security is considered other than temporary, a loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Realized gains and losses, if any, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the specific identification method.
 
 
51


The Company had unrealized investment gain, net of deferred taxes of $4,904,873 as of December 31, 2008, and unrealized investment gains, net of deferred taxes of $1,916,154 as of December 31, 2007.

Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed using straight line methods over three to seven years.

Income Taxes
 
The provision for federal income taxes is computed on the basis of income as reported for financial reporting purposes.  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  Income tax expense provisions increase or decrease in the same period in which a change in tax rates is enacted.

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes” (FIN 48).  This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  This interpretation became effective January 1, 2007.  The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and recognized no additional liability or reduction in deferred tax assets as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007.  In addition, the Company had not accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no additional liabilities or reduction in deferred tax asset as a result of the adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007.

The Company and its subsidiaries file federal and state income tax returns.  Management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of any future examinations of open tax years will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.  Tax years that remain subject to examination by major taxing jurisdictions are 2007 through 2008 for federal income taxes and 2004 through 2008 for California state income taxes.  On April 30, 2008, the Company was notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the Company’s consolidated federal income tax return on Form 1120 for the tax year ended December 31, 2006, was selected for examination.  On December 18, 2008, the Company was notified by the Internal Revenue Service that its Form 1120 for the tax year ended December 31, 2006, was accepted with no change.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The Company has used the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value disclosures:

 
·
Investment Securities - Fair values for fixed maturity securities are obtained from a national quotation service.  The fair values for equity securities are based on quoted market prices.

 
·
Cash and Short-Term Investments - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values.

 
·
Premiums and Notes Receivable - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values.

Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share exclude the impact of common share equivalents and are based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share utilize the average market price per share when applying the treasury stock method in determining common share dilution.  When dilutive, outstanding stock options are treated as common share equivalents for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share and represent the difference between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding.  In loss periods, options are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as the inclusion of such options would have an anti-dilutive effect.
 
 
52


Revenue Recognition
 
a.  General Agency Operations
 
Commissions due the Company are recognized as income on the effective date of the insurance policies.  Policy fee income is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies.

b.  Insurance Company Operations
 
Premiums are earned on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies.  Premiums applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force are recorded as unearned premiums.  The Company earns a commission on policies that are ceded to its reinsurers.  This commission is considered earned on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies.

c.  Insurance Premium Financing Operations
 
Premium finance interest is charged to policyholders who choose to finance insurance premiums.  Interest is charged at rates that vary with the amount of premium financed.  Premium finance interest is recognized using a method that approximates the interest (actuarial) method.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 
The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is based upon the accumulation of individual case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period plus estimates based on experience and industry data for development of case estimates and for unreported losses and loss adjustment expenses.

There is a high level of uncertainty inherent in the evaluation of the required loss and loss adjustment expense reserves for the Company.  The long-tailed nature of liability claims and the volatility of jury awards exacerbate that uncertainty.  The Company sets loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at each balance sheet date at management’s best estimate of the ultimate payments that it anticipates will be made to settle all losses incurred and related expenses incurred as of that date for both reported and unreported losses.  The ultimate cost of claims is dependent upon future events, the outcomes of which are affected by many factors.  Company claim reserving procedures and settlement philosophy, current and perceived social and economic inflation, current and future court rulings and jury attitudes, improvements in medical technology, and many other economic, scientific, legal, political, and social factors all can have significant effects on the ultimate costs of claims.  Changes in Company operations and management philosophy also may cause actual developments to vary from the past.  Since the emergence and disposition of claims are subject to uncertainties, the net amounts that will ultimately be paid to settle claims may vary significantly from the estimated amounts provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Any adjustments to reserves are reflected in the operating results of the periods in which they are made.  Management believes that the aggregate reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reasonable and adequate to cover the cost of claims, both reported and unreported.

Restricted Funds
 
Restricted funds are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Premium trust funds (1)
  $ 236,104     $ 1,172,913  
Assigned to state agencies (2)
    700,000       700,000  
     Total restricted funds
  $ 936,104     $ 1,872,913  

 
(1)
As required by law, the Company segregates from its operating accounts the premiums collected from insureds which are payable to insurance companies into separate trust accounts.  These amounts are included in cash and short-term investments.

 
(2)
Included in fixed maturity investments are statutory deposits assigned to and held by the California State Treasurer and the Insurance Commissioner of the State of Nevada.  These deposits are required for writing certain lines of business in California and for admission in states other than California.

 
53

 
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
 
Policy acquisition costs consist of costs associated with the production of insurance policies such as commissions, premium taxes, and certain other underwriting expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the production of the insurance policy.  Policy acquisition costs are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned and are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the related unearned premiums plus investment income less anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses.  Ceding commission applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force is recorded as unearned ceding commission, which is included in deferred policy acquisition costs.

Reinsurance
 
The Company cedes reinsurance to provide for greater diversification of business to allow management to control exposure to potential losses arising from large risks by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure, to reduce the loss that may arise from catastrophes, and to provide additional capacity for growth.  Prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance receivables are reported as assets and represent ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance recoverable on both paid and unpaid losses, respectively.  Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at their inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  As of December 31, 2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.

Segment Reporting
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” establishes standards for the way information about operating segments is reported in financial statements.  The Company has identified its insurance company operation as its primary reporting segment.  Revenues from this segment comprised 87% of consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008, 88% of consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007, and 89% for the year ended December 31, 2006.  The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually insignificant to consolidated revenues.

The insurance company operation is conducted through the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Crusader Insurance Company (Crusader), which as of December 31, 2008, was licensed as an admitted insurance carrier in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.  Crusader is a multiple-line property and casualty insurance company, which began transacting business on January 1, 1985.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, 98% of Crusader’s business was commercial multiple peril (CMP) insurance policies.  CMP policies provide a combination of property and liability coverage for businesses.  Commercial property coverages insure against loss or damage to buildings, inventory and equipment from natural disasters, including hurricanes, windstorms, hail, water, explosions, severe winter weather, and other events such as theft and vandalism, fires and storms and financial loss due to business interruption resulting from covered property damage.  However, Crusader does not write earthquake coverage.  Commercial liability coverages insure against third party liability from accidents occurring on the insured’s premises or arising out of its operations, such as injuries sustained from products sold or the operation of the insured premises.  In addition to commercial multiple peril policies, Crusader also writes separate policies to insure commercial property and commercial liability risks on a mono-line basis.

 
 
54

 

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

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Revenues
                 
Insurance company operation
  $ 40,527,988     $ 44,137,213     $ 48,942,568  
                         
Other insurance operations
    17,315,124       18,673,945       20,294,473  
Intersegment elimination (1)
    (11,073,668 )     (12,438,263 )     (14,320,835 )
     Total other insurance operations
    6,241,456       6,235,682       5,973,638  
                         
     Total revenues
  $ 46,769,444     $ 50,372,895     $ 54,916,206  
                         
Income before income taxes
                       
Insurance company operation
  $ 10,369,791     $ 11,865,603     $ 19,589,474  
Other insurance operations
    (2,385,325 )     (1,792,450 )     (1,236,663 )
     Total income before income taxes
  $ 7,984,466     $ 10,073,153     $ 18,352,811  
                         
Assets
                       
Insurance company operation
  $ 171,700,199     $ 177,278,243     $ 167,475,047  
Intersegment eliminations (2)
    (1,658,771 )     (1,537,590 )     (1,711,026 )
     Total insurance company operation
    170,041,428       175,740,653       165,764,021  
Other insurance operations
    14,561,548       18,035,208       22,480,563  
     Total assets
  $ 184,602,976     $ 193,775,861     $ 188,244,584  

(1)  Intersegment revenue eliminations reflect commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax.
 
(2)  Intersegment asset eliminations reflect the elimination of Crusader receivables and Unifax payables.
 
Concentration of Risks
 
In 2008 and 2007, 100% of Crusader’s gross premium written was derived from California.  In 2008 approximately 82% of the $2,754,293 commission and fee income from the Company’s health insurance program was from CIGNA HealthCare medical and dental plan programs.  In 2007 approximately 79% of the $2,320,161 commission and fee income from the Company’s health insurance program was from CIGNA HealthCare medical and dental plan programs.

At December 31, 2008, the Company’s reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of $19,930,307 were as follows:

 
Name of Reinsurer
 
A.M. Best
Rating
   
Amount
Recoverable
 
             
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
    A     $ 10,883,579  
Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
    A       5,600,417  
Partners Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
    A +     2,526,231  
General Reinsurance Corporation
    A ++     488,671  
QBE Reinsurance Corporation
    A       431,409  
     Total
          $ 19,930,307  

 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R), using the modified prospective transition method and, therefore, has not restated results from prior periods.  Under this transition method, share-based compensation expense for 2006 includes compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards granted but not vested prior to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Share-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted or modified on or after January 1, 2006, is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.
 
 
55


Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company applied the intrinsic-value based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations including FASB Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation,” an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25, to account for its fixed-plan stock options.  Under this method, compensation expense was recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price.  FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (SFAS 123), and FASB Statement No. 148, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” an amendment of SFAS 123, established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair-value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans.  As permitted by existing accounting standards, the Company elected to continue to apply the intrinsic-value based method of accounting described above and has adopted only the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123, as amended for applicable periods prior to 2006.  In December 2004, FASB Statement No. 123R (SFAS 123R) which revised SFAS 123 was issued and was adopted by the Company in 2006 (see Note 14).

On December 30, 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting of all of its outstanding stock-based compensation awards granted under the Company’s 1999 Omnibus Stock Plan.  All accelerated options were “in the money.” The number of shares covered by the options accelerated totaled 67,500 of which 37,500 were originally scheduled to vest on January 1, 2006, and 30,000 were originally scheduled to vest on January 1, 2007.  The Company accelerated vesting of the options in order to minimize the compensation costs associated with the adoption of SFAS 123R.  All accelerated options were granted to long-term management employees who were not expected to leave the Company prior to the originally scheduled vesting date.  The estimated compensation cost which would be excluded from future periods as a result of the acceleration of the vesting of the options was approximately $89,100.  There were no options granted during 2008 and 2007 and there were no unvested options as of January 1, 2006, on adoption of SFAS 123R; as a result, there were no compensation expenses recorded for the years ended December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2008.

Reinsurance
 
The Company cedes reinsurance to provide for greater diversification of business, to allow management to control exposure to potential losses arising from large risks by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure, to reduce the loss that may arise from catastrophes, and to provide additional capacity for growth. The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at its inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  As of December 31, 2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.  Prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance receivables are reported as assets and represent ceded unearned premiums and reinsurance recoverable on both paid and unpaid losses, respectively.  Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS No. 162).  SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with GAAP (GAAP hierarchy).  The current GAAP hierarchy, as set forth in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement on Auditing Standards No. 69, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” has been criticized because (1) it is directed to the auditor rather than the entity, (2) it is complex, and (3) it ranks FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts, which are subject to the same level of due process as FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, below industry practices that are widely recognized as generally accepted but that are not subject to due process. SFAS No. 162 shall be effective 60 days following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to U.S. Auditing Standards Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS No. 162 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 
 
56

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities.  In December 2007, the FASB provided a one-year deferral of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, at least annually.  SFAS No. 157 redefines fair values as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Specifically, SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the nature of the inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability.  SFAS No. 157 applies where other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements.  In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-3 “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (FSP FAS 157-3), which clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active.  Such considerations include inputs to broker quotes, assumptions regarding future cash flows and use of risk-adjusted discount rates.  The adoption of FSP FAS No. 157-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.”  SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value.  The main objective of SFAS No. 159 is to improve financial reporting by allowing entities to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by the measurement of related assets and liabilities using different attributes, without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions.  Entities that elect the fair value option will report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the entity’s election on its earnings, but does not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting standards.  SFAS No. 159 is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments.  SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.  The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 as of the beginning of 2008 by not electing the fair value option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.

In December 2007, FASB Statements No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R) was issued.  SFAS No. 141R replaces FASB Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations.”  SFAS No. 141R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose additional information regarding the nature and financial effect of the business combination.  The Company will adopt SFAS No. 141R for any business combinations initiated after December 31, 2008.

There were no other accounting standards issued during 2008 that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – ADVANCE PREMIUM AND PREMIUM DEPOSITS
 
The insurance company operation records a liability for advance premium that represents the written premium on policies that have been submitted to the Company and are bound, billed, and recorded prior to their effective date of coverage.  These advance premiums are not included in written premium or in the liability for unearned premium.

Some of the Company’s health and life programs require payments of premium prior to the effective date of coverage; and, accordingly, invoices are sent out as early as two months prior to the coverage effective date.  Insurance premiums received for coverage months effective after the balance sheet date are recorded as advance premiums.  The Company received deposits to guarantee the payment of premiums for past coverage months on its daily automobile rental program.  These deposits are required when information such as gross receipts or number of rental cars is required to compute the actual premium due but is not available until after the coverage month.

 
 
57

 

NOTE 3 -  INVESTMENTS
The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in fixed maturities by categories are as follows:
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
December 31, 2008
                       
Available for sale:
                       
  Fixed maturities
                       
  Certificates of deposit
  $ 400,000       -       -     $ 400,000  
  U.S. treasury securities
    124,526,227     $ 7,412,273       -       131,938,500  
  Industrial and miscellaneous taxable bonds
    10,614,127       85,078     $ 65,725       10,633,480  
     Total fixed maturities
  $ 135,540,354     $ 7,497,351     $ 65,725     $ 142,971,980  
                                 
December 31, 2007
                               
Available for sale:
                               
  Fixed maturities
                               
  Certificates of deposit
  $ 400,000       -       -     $ 400,000  
  U.S. treasury securities
    130,211,428     $ 2,811,090     $ 8,591       133,013,927  
  State and municipal tax-exempt bonds
    15,045       -       5       15,040  
  Industrial and miscellaneous taxable bonds
    9,365,735       108,295        7,525       9,466,505  
     Total fixed maturities
  $ 139,992,208     $ 2,919,385     $ 16,121     $ 142,895,472  

A summary of the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments carried at fair value and the applicable deferred federal income taxes are shown below:

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Gross unrealized appreciation of fixed maturities:
  $ 7,497,351     $ 2,919,385     $ 147,107  
Gross unrealized (depreciation) of fixed maturities:
    (65,725 )     (16,121 )     (474,493 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    7,431,626       2,903,264       (327,386 )
Deferred federal tax income (expense)
    (2,526,753 )     (987,110 )     111,312  
   Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of deferred income taxes
  $ 4,904,873     $ 1,916,154     $ (216,074 )

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity investments at December 31, 2008, by contractual maturity are as follows.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

   
Amortized
   
Estimated
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
             
Due in one year or less
  $ 42,875,272     $ 43,496,590  
Due after one year through five years
    92,665,082       99,475,390  
Due after five years through ten years
    -       -  
   Total fixed maturities
  $ 135,540,354     $ 142,971,980  


 
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The following table illustrates the gross unrealized losses included in the Company’s investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities, aggregated by investment category.  The table also illustrates the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007.

Year Ended
 
Amortized
         
Gross
 
December 31
 
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized Loss
 
                   
2008
                 
0-6 months
  $ 5,590,110     $ 5,524,385     $ 65,725  
7-12 months
    -       -       -  
Over 12 months
    -       -        -  
  Total
  $ 5,590,110     $ 5,524,385     $ 65,725  
2007
                       
0-6 months
  $ 7,080,404     $ 7,071,870     $ 8,534  
7-12 months
    -       -       -  
Over 12 months
    2,917,362       2,909,775        7,587  
  Total
  $ 9,997,766     $ 9,981,645     $ 16,121  

At December 31, 2008, the fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss for continuous periods of 0 to 6 months consisted of three investment grade industrial securities.

At December 31, 2007, the fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss for continuous periods of 0 to 6 months consisted of U.S. treasury securities.  The fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss position for a continuous period over 12 months consisted of U.S. treasury securities, investment grade industrial securities, and pre-refunded municipal bonds.

The Company monitors its investments closely.  If an unrealized loss is determined to be other than temporary, it is written off as a realized loss through the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time to maturity and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments.  The Company has the ability and intent to hold its fixed maturity investments for a period of time sufficient to allow the Company to recover its costs.  The Company has concluded that the gross unrealized losses of $65,725 at December 31, 2008, were temporary in nature.  However, facts and circumstances may change, which could result in a decline in fair value considered to be other than temporary.  The Company sold one fixed maturity investment in the year ended December 31, 2008, with net realized gain in the amount of $6,306.  The Company did not sell any fixed maturity investment in the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Short-term investments have an initial maturity of one year or less and consist of the following:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
U.S. government money market fund
  $ 5,585,395     $ 2,425,807  
Commercial paper
    -       3,887,322  
Short-term U.S. treasury bills
    399,953       393,768  
Bank money market accounts
    3,312,140       444,781  
Certificates of deposit
    200,000       200,000  
Bank savings accounts
    4,545       4,481  
   Total short-term investments
  $ 9,502,033     $ 7,356,159  

The Company manages its own investment portfolio.  A summary of net investment and related income is as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Fixed maturities
  $ 5,730,182     $ 6,448,349     $ 5,824,510  
Realized gains on fixed maturities
    6,306       -       2,617  
Short-term investments
    160,556       398,774       179,907  
     Total investment income
  $ 5,897,044     $ 6,847,123     $ 6,007,034  

 
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NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION)
 
Property and equipment consist of the following:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Furniture, fixtures, computer, and office equipment
  $ 2,142,902     $ 2,407,480  
Accumulated depreciation
    1,783,349       1,850,246  
   Net property and equipment
  $ 359,553     $ 557,234  

Depreciation is computed using straight line methods over 3 to 7 years.

NOTE 5 - PREMIUMS, COMMISSIONS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE, NET
 
Premiums, commissions and notes receivable, net, are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Premiums and commission receivable
  $ 2,278,608     $ 2,118,434  
Premium finance notes receivable
    2,407,568       2,957,604  
   Total premiums and notes receivable
    4,686,176       5,076,038  
Less allowance for doubtful accounts
    5,397       9,392  
   Net premiums and notes receivable
  $ 4,680,779     $ 5,066,646  

Premiums and notes receivable are substantially secured by unearned premiums and funds held as security for performance.

Bad debt expense for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the year ended December 31, 2007, were $6,439 and $15,253, respectively.  Premium finance notes receivable represent the balance due to the Company's premium finance subsidiary from policyholders who elected to finance their premiums over the policy term.  These notes are net of unearned finance charges.

NOTE 6 - UNPAID LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
 
The Company’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Direct reserves
                 
     Case reserves
  $ 18,720,695     $ 26,129,055     $ 21,796,117  
     IBNR reserves
    59,933,895       68,601,656       71,800,000  
       Total direct reserves
  $ 78,654,590     $ 94,730,711     $ 93,596,117  
                         
Reserves net of reinsurance
                       
     Case reserves
  $ 17,365,877     $ 21,450,234     $ 18,776,430  
     IBNR reserves
    41,473,140       44,855,053       51,300,000  
       Total net reserves
  $ 58,839,017     $ 66,305,287     $ 70,076,430  

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses before reinsurance for each of Crusader’s lines of business were as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
Line of Business
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
  CMP
  $ 73,339,513       93.2 %   $ 90,126,649       95.1 %   $ 90,604,178       96.8 %
  Other Liability
    5,271,612       6.7 %     4,524,684       4.8 %     2,736,790       2.9 %
  Other
    43,465       0.1 %     79,378       0.1 %     255,149       0.3 %
     Total
  $ 78,654,590       100.0 %   $ 94,730,711       100.0 %   $ 93,596,117       100.0 %


60

 
The Company‘s consolidated financial statements include estimated reserves for unpaid losses and related loss adjustment expenses of the insurance company operation.  The Company sets loss and loss adjustment expense reserves at each balance sheet date at management’s best estimate of the ultimate payments that it anticipates will be made to settle all losses incurred and all related loss adjustment expenses incurred as of that date, for both reported and unreported claims.

The following table provides an analysis of the roll forward of Crusader’s losses and loss adjustment expenses, including a reconciliation of the ending balance sheet liability for the periods indicated:

   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of year – net of reinsurance
  $ 66,305,287     $ 70,076,430     $ 76,235,467  
                         
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
                       
   Provision for insured events of current year
    24,149,531       26,300,338       29,997,662  
   Decrease in provision for events of prior years
    (3,556,801 )     (4,118,101 )     (12,170,683 )
       Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
    20,592,730       22,182,237       17,826,979  
                         
Payments
                       
   Losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of the current year
    7,803,644       7,816,422       6,728,798  
   Losses and loss adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years
    20,255,356       18,136,958       17,257,218  
       Total payments
    28,059,000       25,953,380       23,986,016  
                         
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of year – net of reinsurance
    58,839,017       66,305,287       70,076,430  
                         
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of year
    19,815,573       28,425,424       23,519,687  
Reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of year per balance sheet, gross of reinsurance *
  $ 78,654,590     $ 94,730,711     $ 93,596,117  

* In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts,” reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are reported for GAAP as assets rather than netted against the corresponding liability for such items on the consolidated balance sheet.
 
The Company’s net loss and loss adjustment expense reserve was $58,839,017 as of December 31, 2008.  Since underwriting profit is a significant part of income, a small percentage of change in reserve estimates may result in a substantial effect on future reported earnings.  Such changes might result from a variety of factors, including claims costs emerging in a different pattern than the average historical development patterns.  Considering the continuum of possible development patterns, none of which is necessarily more or less likely than the next, one must consider the varying probabilities that the development pattern is off in varying degrees.  If future development ultimately ends up being five percent different than the Company’s 2008 reserve, approximately $2.9 million would be reflected in future periods as an increase or decrease in the provision for events of prior years and would be recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations in future periods.  A variance of five percent of net loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is not an unlikely scenario.  Similarly, a variance of ten percent of the Company’s 2008 reserves would be reflected in approximately $5.9 million in future periods as an increase or decrease in the provision for events of prior years and would be recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in future periods.  This is also not an unlikely scenario.  Differences of more than ten percent are also possible, though not quite as likely as differences of ten percent or less.
 
 
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NOTE 7 - DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
 
The following table provides an analysis of the roll forward of Crusader’s deferred policy acquisition costs:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Deferred policy acquisition costs at beginning of year
  $ 5,722,847     $ 6,430,265     $ 7,356,179  
Policy acquisition costs incurred during year
    7,758,369       7,757,629       8,325,075  
Policy acquisition costs amortized during year
    (8,261,324 )     (8,465,047 )     (9,250,989 )
   Deferred policy acquisition costs at end of year
  $ 5,219,892     $ 5,722,847     $ 6,430,265  

Deferred policy acquisition costs consist of commissions (net of ceding commission), premium taxes, inspection fees, and certain other underwriting costs, which are related to and vary with the production of Crusader policies.  Policy acquisition costs are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned.  Deferred acquisition costs are reviewed to determine if they are recoverable from future income, including investment income.

NOTE 8 - LEASE COMMITMENT TO RELATED PARTY
 
The lease commitment provides for the following minimum annual rental commitments:
 
Year ending
     
December 31, 2009
  $ 1,066,990  
December 31, 2010
    1,066,990  
December 31, 2011
    1,066,990  
December 31, 2012 (through March 31, 2012)
    266,747  
     Total minimum payments
  $ 3,467,717  

The Company presently occupies an office building located at 23251 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, California, under a master lease expiring March 31, 2012.  Erwin Cheldin, the Company's president, chairman, and principal stockholder, is the owner of the building.  The Company signed an extension to the lease with a 4% increase in rent effective April 1, 2007.  The lease provides for an annual gross rent of $1,066,990 from April 1, 2007, through March 31, 2012.  In addition, the lease extension provides for two, five-year options with a rent increase of 5% for each option period.  The Company believes that at the inception of the lease agreement and at each subsequent extension, the terms of the lease were at least as favorable to the Company as could have been obtained from non-affiliated third parties.  The Company utilizes for its own operations approximately 100% of the space it leases.  The total rent expense under this lease agreement was $1,066,990 for the year ended December 31, 2008, $1,056,730 for the year ended December 31, 2007, and $1,025,952 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

NOTE 9 - ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Premium payable
  $ 1,547,471     $ 1,757,368  
Unearned contingent commission on reinsurance treaty
    2,500,211       746,445  
Unearned policy fee income
    1,067,973       1,152,599  
Profit sharing plan contributions
    680,171       702,000  
Accrued salaries
    447,820       430,165  
Commission payable
    131,656       160,104  
Other
    106,466       91,464  
     Total accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 6,481,768     $ 5,040,145  



NOTE 10 - COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company, by virtue of the nature of the business conducted by it, becomes involved in numerous legal proceedings as either plaintiff or defendant.  The Company is also required to resort to legal proceedings from time to time in order to enforce collection of premiums, commissions, or fees for the services rendered to customers or to their agents.  These routine items of litigation do not materially affect the Company and are handled on a routine basis by the Company through its general counsel.
 
 
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Likewise, the Company is sometimes named as a cross-defendant in litigation, which is principally directed against an insurer who was issued a policy of insurance directly or indirectly through the Company.  Incidental actions are sometimes brought by customers or others, which relate to disputes concerning the issuance or non-issuance of individual policies.  These items are also handled on a routine basis by the Company's general counsel, and they do not materially affect the operations of the Company.  Management is confident that the ultimate outcome of pending litigation should not have an adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

NOTE 11 - REINSURANCE
 
A reinsurance transaction occurs when an insurance company transfers (cedes) a portion of its exposure on policies written by it to a reinsurer that assumes that risk for a premium (ceded premium).  Reinsurance does not legally discharge the Company from primary liability under its policies.  If the reinsurer fails to meet its obligations, the Company must nonetheless pay its policy obligations.

Crusader’s primary excess of loss reinsurance agreements since January 1, 1998, are as follows:
 
 
 
Loss Year(s)
 
 
 
Reinsurer(s)
 
A.M. Best Rating
   
 
Retention
   
Annual Aggregate Deductible
 
                       
 
2005 – 2008
 
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
 & Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
 
A
A
    $ 300,000     $ 500,000  
                             
 
2004
 
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
 & Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
 
A
A
    $ 250,000     $ 500,000  
                             
 
2003
 
Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc.
 & Hannover Ruckversicherungs AG
 & QBE Reinsurance Corporation
 
A
A
A
    $ 250,000     $ 500,000  
                             
 
2002
 
Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
    A +   $ 250,000     $ 675,000  
                               
 
2000 - 2001
 
Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S.
    A +   $ 250,000     $ 500,000  
                               
 
1998 - 1999
 
General Reinsurance Corporation
    A ++   $ 250,000     $ 750,000  
 
Prior to January 1, 1998, National Reinsurance Corporation (acquired by General Reinsurance Corporation in 1996) charged a provisional rate on exposures up to $500,000 that was subject to adjustment and was based on the amount of losses ceded, limited by a maximum percentage that could be charged.  That provisionally rated treaty was cancelled on a runoff basis and replaced by a flat rated treaty on January 1, 1998.

In 2008 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 20% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty.  In 2007 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 15% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 15% in its property clash treaty.  In 2006 and 2005 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 10% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties. In 2004 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 10% in its 1st layer ($750,000 in excess of $250,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties.  In 2003 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 5% in its 1st layer ($750,000 in excess of $250,000), 10% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 30% in its property and casualty clash treaties.
 
 
63


The 2008 and 2007 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission.  Crusader’s 2006 1st layer primary excess of loss treaty provides for a contingent commission equal to 20% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.  The 2005 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission. Crusader’s 2004 and 2003 1st layer primary excess of loss treaties provide for a contingent commission to the Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2004.  For each accounting period as described above, the Company will calculate and report to the reinsurers its net profit (excluding incurred but not reported losses), if any, within 90 days after 36 months following the end of the first accounting period, and within 90 days after the end of each 12 month period thereafter until all losses subject to the agreement have been settled.  Any contingent commission payment received is subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses.  In March 2007, the Company received an advance of $1 million from its reinsurer; and in February 2008 the Company received an additional $2,419,940 to be applied against future contingent commission earned, if any.  Based on the Company’s ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses (including ceded incurred but not reported losses) as of December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $2,500,211 of these payments as an advance from its reinsurer and it is included in “Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company recognized $919,729 of contingent commission, of which $666,174 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2008, and $253,555 was recognized in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Crusader also has catastrophe reinsurance from various highly rated California authorized and unauthorized reinsurance companies.  These reinsurance agreements help protect Crusader against liabilities in excess of certain retentions, including major or catastrophic losses that may occur from any one or more of the property and/or casualty risks which Crusader insures.  The Company has no reinsurance recoverable balances in dispute.

The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at its inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  As of December 31, 2008, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.

The aggregate amount of earned premium ceded to the reinsurers was $8,771,069 for the year ended December 31, 2008; $11,532,308 for the year ended December 31, 2007; and $13,758,424 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

On most of the premium that Crusader cedes to the reinsurer, the reinsurer pays a commission to Crusader that includes a reimbursement of the cost of acquiring the portion of the premium that is ceded.  Crusader does not currently assume any reinsurance.  The Company intends to continue obtaining reinsurance although the availability and cost may vary from time to time.  The unpaid losses ceded to the reinsurer are recorded as an asset on the balance sheet.

 
The effect of reinsurance on premiums written, premiums earned, and incurred losses are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Premiums written:
                 
   Direct business
  $ 39,940,270     $ 44,970,399     $ 51,913,967  
   Reinsurance assumed
    -       -       -  
   Reinsurance ceded
    (8,765,066 )     (11,557,654 )     (13,747,103 )
      Net premiums written
  $ 31,175,204     $ 33,412,745     $ 38,166,864  
                         
Premiums earned:
                       
   Direct business
  $ 42,720,764     $ 48,661,973     $ 56,692,213  
   Reinsurance assumed
    -       -       -  
   Reinsurance ceded
    (8,771,069 )     (11,532,308 )     (13,758,424 )
      Net premiums earned
  $ 33,949,695     $ 37,129,665     $ 42,933,789  
                         
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses:
                       
   Direct
  $ 19,251,266     $ 30,375,724     $ 20,816,321  
   Assumed
    -       -       -  
   Ceded
     1,341,464       (8,193,487 )     (2,989,342 )
      Net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 20,592,730     $ 22,182,237     $ 17,826,979  

Earned reinsurance ceded premium as a percentage of direct earned premium was 21% in 2008, 24% in 2007 and 24% in 2006.


64

 
NOTE 12 - RETIREMENT PLANS
 
Profit Sharing Plan
 
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1986, the Company adopted the Unico American Corporation Profit Sharing Plan.  Company employees who are at least 21 years of age and have been employed by the Company for at least two years are participants in this plan.  Pursuant to the terms of this plan, the Company annually contributes to the account of each participant an amount equal to a percentage of the participant's eligible compensation as determined by the Board of Directors.  Participants must be employed by the Company on the last day of the plan year to be eligible for contribution.  Participants are entitled to receive distribution of benefits under this plan upon retirement, termination of employment, death, or disability.

Money Purchase Plan
 
During the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company adopted the Unico American Corporation Money Purchase Plan.  This plan covers the present executive officers of the Company.  Pursuant to the terms of this plan, the Company annually contributes to the account of each participant an amount equal to a percentage of the participant's eligible compensation as determined by the Board of Directors.  However, amounts contributed to the Unico American Corporation Profit Sharing Plan will be considered first in determining the actual amount available under the Internal Revenue Service maximum contribution limits.  Participants must be employed by the Company on the last day of the plan year to be eligible for contribution.  Participants are entitled to receive distribution of benefits under this plan upon retirement, termination of employment, death, or disability.

Retirement plan expenses were as follows:

Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 852,305  
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 901,742  
Year ended December 31, 2006
  $ 896,063  

NOTE 13 - STATUTORY CAPITAL AND SURPLUS
 
Crusader is required to file an annual statement with insurance regulatory authorities prepared on an accounting basis prescribed or permitted by such authorities (statutory).  Statutory accounting practices differ in certain respects from GAAP.  The more significant of these differences for statutory accounting are (a) premium income is taken into earnings over the periods covered by the policies, whereas the related acquisition and commission costs are expensed when incurred; (b) fixed maturity securities are reported at amortized cost, or the lower of amortized cost or fair value, depending on the quality of the security as specified by the NAIC; (c) equity securities are valued by the NAIC as required by Statutory Accounting Principles; d) non-admitted assets are charged directly against surplus; (e) loss reserves and unearned premium reserves are stated net of reinsurance; and (f) federal income taxes are recorded when payable and deferred taxes, subject to limitations, are recognized but only to the extent that they do not exceed 10% of statutory surplus; changes in deferred taxes are recorded directly to surplus as regards policyholders.  Additionally, the cash flow presentation is not consistent with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and reconciliation from net income to cash provided by operations is not presented.  Comprehensive income is not presented under statutory accounting.

Crusader Insurance Company statutory capital and surplus are as follows:
 
As of December 31, 2008
  $ 64,736,230  
As of December 31, 2007
  $ 57,862,334  

Crusader Insurance Company statutory net income is as follows:
 
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 7,067,715  
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 8,194,562  
Year ended December 31, 2006
  $ 13,396,732  

The California Department of Insurance (the Insurance Department) conducts periodic financial examinations of Crusader.  The Insurance Department has completed a financial examination of Crusader’s December 31, 2004, statutory financial statements.  A final report on the examination was issued by the Insurance Department on May 10, 2006.  No significant issues were reflected in the final report.

 
65

 
The Company believes that Crusader's statutory capital and surplus were sufficient to support the insurance premiums written based on guidelines established by the NAIC.

Crusader is restricted in the amount of dividends it may pay to its parent in any twelve (12) month period without prior approval of the California Department of Insurance.  Presently, without prior approval, Crusader may pay a dividend in any twelve (12) month period to its parent equal to the greater of (a) 10% of Crusader's statutory policyholders' surplus or (b) Crusader's statutory net income for the preceding calendar year.  Based on Crusader’s statutory net income for the year ended December 31, 2008, the maximum dividend that could be made by Crusader to Unico without prior regulatory approval in 2009 is $7,067,715.  There were no dividends paid by Crusader to Unico in 2008, 2007, or in 2006.

In December 1993, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) adopted a Risk-Based Capital (RBC) Model Law for property and casualty companies.  The RBC Model Law is intended to provide standards for calculating a variable regulatory capital requirement related to a company's current operations and its risk exposures (asset risk, underwriting risk, credit risk, and off-balance sheet risk).  These standards are intended to serve as a diagnostic solvency tool for regulators that establishes uniform capital levels and specific authority levels for regulatory intervention when an insurer falls below minimum capital levels.  The RBC Model Law specifies four distinct action levels at which a regulator can intervene with increasing degrees of authority over a domestic insurer if its RBC is equal to or less than 200% of its computed authorized control level RBC.  A company's RBC is required to be disclosed in its statutory annual statement.  The RBC is not intended to be used as a rating or ranking tool nor is it to be used in premium rate making or approval.  Crusader’s adjusted capital at December 31, 2008, was 849% of authorized control level risk-based capital.

Insurance Regulatory Information System (IRIS) was developed by a committee of state insurance regulators primarily to assist state insurance departments in executing their statutory mandate to oversee the financial condition of insurance companies.  IRIS helps those companies that merit highest priority in the allocation of the regulators’ resources on the basis of 13 financial ratios that are calculated annually.  The analytical phase is a review of annual statements and the financial ratios.  The ratios and trends are valuable in pointing to companies likely to experience financial difficulties but are not themselves indicative of adverse financial condition.  The ratio and benchmark comparisons are mechanically produced and are not intended to replace the state insurance department’s own in-depth financial analysis or on-site examinations.

An unusual range of ratio results has been established from studies of the ratios of companies that have become insolvent or have experienced financial difficulties.  In the analytical phase, companies that receive four or more financial ratio values outside the usual range are analyzed in order to identify those companies that appear to require immediate regulatory action.  Subsequently, a more comprehensive review of the ratio results and the insurer’s annual statement is performed to confirm that an insurer’s situation calls for increased or close regulatory attention.  In 2008, the Company was not outside the usual values on any of the thirteen IRIS ratio tests.

NOTE 14 - STOCK PLANS
 
The Company’s 1999 Omnibus Stock Plan that covers 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (subject to adjustment in the case of stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, etc.) was approved by shareholders on June 4, 1999.  On August 26, 1999, the Company granted 135,000 incentive stock options.  As of December 31, 2008, 60,000 of those options were outstanding and exercisable, 30,000 options had been exercised, and 45,000 options had been terminated.  These options expire 10 years from the date of the grant.

On December 18, 2002, the Company granted 182,000 incentive stock options under the Company’s 1999 Omnibus Stock Plan.  On December 30, 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting of 37,500 options that were originally scheduled to vest on January 1, 2006, and 30,000 options that were originally scheduled to vest on January 1, 2007 (see Note 1).  As of December 31, 2008, 64,650 of those options were outstanding and exercisable, 114,850 options had been exercised, and 2,500 options had been terminated.  These options expire 10 years from the date of the grant.


66

 
The changes in the number of common shares under option are summarized as follows:
 
   
 Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
    268,000     $ 5.286  
   Options granted
    -       -  
   Options exercised
    (95,750 )     3.270  
   Options terminated
    -       -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
    172,250       6.407  
   Options granted
    -       -  
   Options exercised
    (42,600 )     6.331  
   Options terminated
     (5,000 )          9.250  
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    124,650       6.065  
   Options granted
    -       -  
   Options exercised
    -       -  
   Options terminated
     -       -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    124,650     $ 6.065  

Options exercisable were 124,650 at December 31, 2008, at a weighted average exercise price of $6.065; 124,650 at December 31, 2007, at a weighted average exercise price of $6.065; 172,250 at December 31, 2006, at a weighted average exercise price of $6.407.  Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding and currently exercisable options at December 31, 2008, was $266,069.

The following table summarizes information regarding the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008:
 
 
 
Exercise
Price
   
 
Number of Options Outstanding
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options
   
 
Number of Options Exercisable
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price of Exercisable Options
 
                                 
$ 9.25       60,000       0.65     $ 9.25       60,000     $ 9.25  
$ 3.11       64,650       3.96     $ 3.11       64,650     $ 3.11  

NOTE 15 - TAXES ON INCOME
 
The provision for taxes on income consists of the following:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Current provision:
                 
   Federal
  $ 2,750,054     $ 3,221,567     $ 6,137,538  
   State
    9,040       8,701       11,537  
     Total federal and state
    2,759,094       3,230,268       6,149,075  
Deferred
    (57,644 )     130,441       278,270  
     Provision for taxes
  $ 2,701,450     $ 3,360,709     $ 6,427,345  
 
The income tax provision reflected in the consolidated statements of operations is different than the expected federal income tax on income as shown in the following table:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Computed income tax expense
  $ 2,714,718     $ 3,424,872     $ 6,239,956  
Tax effect of:
                       
   State tax, net of federal tax benefit
    (40,524 )     (40,339 )     90,623  
Federal tax in excess of 34%
    -       -       173,196  
   Tax exempt income
    (132 )     (265 )     (3,184 )
   Other
    27,388       (23,559 )     (73,246 )
     Income tax per financial statements
  $ 2,701,450     $ 3,360,709     $ 6,427,345  
 
 
67

 
The deferred income tax expense related to the unrealized gains on securities classified as available-for-sale was $1,539,643 for the year ended December 31, 2008, $1,098,420 for the year ended December 31, 2007 and $85,592 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
The components of the net federal income tax asset included in the financial statements as required by the assets and liability method are as follows:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
   Discount on loss reserves
  $ 2,000,939     $ 1,989,844  
   Unearned premiums
    1,382,477       1,562,626  
Unearned policy fee income
    363,111       391,884  
   State income tax deductible in future periods
    228,879       185,701  
   Other
    134,655       348,101  
     Total deferred tax assets
  $ 4,110,061     $ 4,478,156  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
   Deferred acquisition costs
  $ 1,774,763     $ 1,945,768  
   Unrealized gain on investments
    2,526,753       987,110  
   State tax on undistributed insurance company earnings
    515,692       659,821  
   Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation
    86,592       129,540  
   Other
    1,349       69,007  
     Total deferred tax liabilities
  $ 4,905,149     $ 3,791,246  
                 
     Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
  $ (795,088 )   $ 686,910  

Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.  The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state income tax returns.  Pursuant to the tax allocation agreement, Crusader Insurance Company and American Acceptance Corporation are allocated taxes, or in the case of losses tax credits, at current corporate rates based on their own taxable income or loss.  The Company files income tax returns under U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examination by tax authorities for years before 2007 and state income tax examination for years before 2004.  There are no ongoing examinations of income tax returns by federal or state tax authorities.

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

NOTE 16 – REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK - EFFECT ON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
In April 2000, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the purchase in the open market from time to time of up to an aggregate of 315,000 shares of the common stock of the Company.  On August 8, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of an additional 315,000 shares and on September 6, 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the purchase of another 315,000 shares of the common stock of the Company in the open market from time to time.  On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program to acquire up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market from time to time.  This brought the total shares of the Company’s common stock authorized to be repurchased to 1,445,000 shares since the year 2000.  The programs have no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 51,092 shares of the Company’s common stock at a cost of $416,583 of which $25,108 was allocated to capital and $391,475 was allocated to retained earnings.  As of December 31, 2008, under the stock repurchase programs previously adopted by the Company, the Company had remaining authority to repurchase up to an aggregate of 515,467 shares of common stock. During the months of January and February 2009, the Company purchased and retired an additional 6,688 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $51,866.  The Company has or will retire all stock purchased.

 
68

NOTE 17 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation is presented below:
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
                 
 Net income numerator
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  
 Weighted average shares outstanding denominator
    5,614,730       5,614,025       5,567,883  
                         
 Per share amount
  $ 0.94     $ 1.20     $ 2.14  
                         
Diluted Earnings Per Share
                       
 Net income numerator
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  
                         
 Weighted average shares outstanding
    5,614,730       5,614,025       5,567,883  
 Effect of diluted securities
     41,280        67,868        85,018  
 Diluted shares outstanding denominator
    5,656,010       5,681,893       5,652,901  
                         
 Per share amount
  $ 0.93     $ 1.18     $ 2.11  

 
NOTE 18 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data for each of the calendar years 2008 and 2007 is as follows.
 
   
Comparable Period by Quarter Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
Calendar Year 2008
                       
Total revenues
  $ 12,268,120     $ 11,822,394     $ 11,529,132     $ 11,149,798  
Income before taxes
  $ 1,446,301     $ 1,166,186     $ 2,192,290     $ 3,179,689  
Net income
  $ 959,990     $ 780,960     $ 1,445,340     $ 2,096,726  
Earnings per share:Basic
  $ 0.17     $ 0.14     $ 0.26     $ 0.38  
Diluted
  $ 0.17     $ 0.14     $ 0.26     $ 0.37  
                                 
Calendar Year 2007
                               
Total revenues originally reported
  $ 12,845,975     $ 12,638,966     $ 12,480,249     $ 12,258,103  
Immaterial error correction *
    51,077       60,072       18,467       19,986  
Total revenue, as adjusted
  $ 12,897,052     $ 12,699,038     $ 12,498,716     $ 12,278,089  
                                 
Income before taxes originally reported
  $ 2,525,361     $ 2,451,914     $ 2,172,297     $ 2,773,979  
Immaterial error correction *
    51,077       60,072       18,467       19,986  
Income before taxes, as adjusted
  $ 2,576,438     $ 2,511,986     $ 2,190,764     $ 2,793,965  
                                 
Net income originally reported
  $ 1,688,588     $ 1,626,324     $ 1,534,251     $ 1,764,544  
Immaterial error correction *
    33,711       39,648       12,188       13,190  
Net income, as adjusted
  $ 1,722,299     $ 1,665,972     $ 1,546,439     $ 1,777,734  
                                 
Earnings per share:Basic
                               
Earnings per share originally reported
  $ 0.30     $ 0.29     $ 0.27     $ 0.32  
Earnings per share: Basic, as adjusted
  $ 0.31     $ 0.30     $ 0.27     $ 0.32  
                                 
Earnings per share:   Diluted
                               
Earnings per share originally reported
  $ 0.30     $ 0.29     $ 0.27     $ 0.31  
Earnings per share: Diluted, as adjusted
  $ 0.30     $ 0.29     $ 0.27     $ 0.31  

*  See Note 1
 
 
69

 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None

Item 9A(T).  Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and therefore management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
 
As required by Securities and Exchange Commission Rules, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Company’s process for evaluating controls and procedures is continuous and encompasses constant improvement of the design and effectiveness of established controls and procedures and the remediation of any deficiencies that may be identified during this process.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
 
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.  In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework.”  Based upon its assessment, the Company’s management believes that, as of December 31, 2008, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on these criteria.  This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.  Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
 
 
70

 
Item 9B.  Other Information.
 
None


PART III
 
Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
 
Information in response to Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K.

 
Item 11.  Executive Compensation.
 
Information in response to Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K.
 
 
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
 
Information in response to Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K.

 
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
 
Information in response to Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K.
 
 
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
Information in response to Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K.
 
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
 (a)  Financial Statements, Schedules and Exhibits:
 
1.  Financial statements:
 
The consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, are contained herein as listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 42.

2.  Financial schedules:
 
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms’ Report on Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule II      - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Schedule III     - Supplemental Insurance Information

Schedules other than those listed above are omitted, since they are not applicable, not required, or the information required being set forth is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes.
 
 
71

 
3.  Exhibits:
 

 
  3.1
Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, as amended.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1984.)
 
  3.2
By-Laws of Registrant, as amended effective April 1, 2009.
 
10.1
Unico American Corporation Profit Sharing Plan & Trust.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1985.)*
 
10.2
The Lease dated July 31, 1986, between Unico American Corporation and Cheldin Management Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1987.)
 
10.3
The Lease Amendment #1 dated February 22, 1995, between Unico American Corporation and Cheldin Management Company amending the lease dated July 31, 1986.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995.)
 
10.4
The Lease Amendment #2 dated March,23, 2007, between Unico American Corporation and Cheldin Management Company amending the lease dated July 31, 1986.
 
10.5
1999 Omnibus Stock Plan of Unico American Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held June 4, 2000.)*
 
10.6
Employment Agreement effective December 15, 2007, by and between the Registrant and Cary L. Cheldin. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2008)*
 
10.7
Employment Agreement effective May 15, 2006, by and between the Registrant and George C. Gilpatrick. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2006.)*
 
10.8
Employment Agreement effective December 15, 2007, by and between the Registrant and Lester A. Aaron. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 21, 2008)*
 
21
Subsidiaries of Registrant.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 22 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1984.)
 
23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - KPMG LLP.
 
31.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
 
72

 

SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  March 26, 2009
UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION


                          By:     /s/ Erwin Cheldin
 
                Erwin Cheldin
                Chairman of the Board



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
Title
Date
     
/s/ Erwin Cheldin
Erwin Cheldin
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, (Principal Executive Officer)
March 26, 2009
     
/s/ Lester A. Aaron
Lester A. Aaron
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Accounting and Principal Financial Officer)
March 26, 2009
     
/s/ Cary L. Cheldin
Cary L. Cheldin
Executive Vice President and Director
March 26, 2009
     
/s/ Terry L. Kinigstein
Terry L. Kinigstein
Vice President, Secretary and Director
March 26, 2009
     
/s/ George C. Gilpatrick
Director
March 26, 2009
George C. Gilpatrick
   
     
/s/ Jon P. Kocourek
Director
March 26, 2009
Jon P. Kocourek
   
     
/s/ David A. Lewis
Director
March 26, 2009
David A. Lewis
   
     
/s/ Warren D. Orloff
Director
March 26, 2009
Warren D. Orloff
   
     
/s/ Donald B. Urfrig
Director
March 26, 2009
Donald B. Urfrig
   


 
73

 


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Unico American Corporation:

Under date of March 30, 2009, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of Unico American Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, as contained in the 2008 annual report to stockholders. These consolidated financial statements and our report thereon are incorporated by reference in the annual report on Form 10-K for the year 2008. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related financial statement schedules as listed under Item 15(a)2. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits.
 
In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
 
KPMG LLP


Los Angeles, California
March 30, 2009
 
 
74

 

 SCHEDULE II
 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

BALANCE SHEETS - PARENT COMPANY ONLY
 
 
 
   
December 31
   
December 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
   
ASSETS
 
             
Investments
           
 Short-term investments
  $ 2,786     $ 2,725  
     Total investments
    2,786       2,725  
Cash
    12,982       5,743  
Investments in subsidiaries
    86,551,577       83,407,324  
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)
    359,553       557,234  
Other assets
    153,916       509,170  
     Total Assets
  $ 87,080,814     $ 84,482,196  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                 
LIABILITIES
               
                 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 86,969     $ 123,646  
Payables to subsidiaries (net of receivables) (1)
    9,476,986       15,255,447  
Income taxes payable
    558,604       -  
     Total Liabilities
  $ 10,122,559     $ 15,379,093  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
Common stock
  $ 3,569,099     $ 3,594,207  
Accumulated other comprehensive
    4,904,873       1,916,154  
Retained earnings
    68,484,283       63,592,742  
     Total Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 76,958,255     $ 69,103,103  
                 
     Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 87,080,814     $ 84,482,196  

 
(1) The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file consolidated federal and combined California income tax returns.  Pursuant to a tax allocation agreement, Crusader Insurance Company and American Acceptance Corporation are allocated taxes, or in the case of losses, tax credits at current corporate rates based on their own taxable income or loss.  The payable to subsidiaries includes their income tax receivable or liability included in the consolidated return.



The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes.  See accompanying report of independent registered accounting firm.
 

 
 
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SCHEDULE II (continued)

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - PARENT COMPANY ONLY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
REVENUES
                 
                   
Net investment income
  $ 729     $ 1,735     $ 529  
Other income
    13,100       14,078       7,663  
     Total Revenue
    13,829       15,813       8,192  
                         
EXPENSES
                       
                         
General and administrative expenses
    3,333       8,552       1,818  
Income before equity in net income of subsidiaries
    10,496       7,261       6,374  
Equity in net income of subsidiaries
    5,272,520       6,705,183       11,919,092  
     Net Income
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.

Unico received cash dividends from American Acceptance Corporation of $1,000,000 and $400,000 in the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Unico was reimbursed certain expenses by its subsidiaries.  These expenses included depreciation and amortization of $212,028, $238,876, and $238,833 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.



The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes.  See accompanying report of independent registered accounting firm.
 

 
 
76

 

SCHEDULE II (continued)
 

 
UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - PARENT COMPANY ONLY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
   Net income
  $ 5,283,016     $ 6,712,444     $ 11,925,466  
                         
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    from operations
                       
      Undistributed equity in net income of subsidiaries
    (5,272,520 )     (6,705,183 )     (11,919,092 )
      Depreciation and amortization
    212,028       238,876       238,833  
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (36,677 )     (41,974 )     9,268  
      Accrued investment and other income
    -       5,000       7,902  
      Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    -       (60,785 )     (203,126 )
      Other assets
    355,254       (319,826 )     281,098  
         Net cash provided (used) from operations
    541,101       (171,448 )     340,349  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
   Decrease (increase) in short-term investments
    (61 )     7,016       (383 )
   Additions to property and equipment
    (14,347 )     (57,030 )     (153,409 )
         Net cash used by investing activities
    (14,408 )     (50,014 )     (153,792 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    -       301,336       313,132  
   Tax benefit from disqualified incentive stock options
    -       60,785       203,126  
Repurchase of common stock
    (416,583 )     (115,261 )     -  
   Net change in payables and receivables from subsidiaries
    (102,871 )     (25,470 )     (704,017 )
         Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (519,454 )     221,390       (187,759 )
                         
Net (decrease) in cash
    7,239       (72 )     (1,202 )
                         
Cash at beginning of year
    5,743       5,815       7,017  
                         
Cash at end of year
  $ 12,982     $ 5,743     $ 5,815  



The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes.  See accompanying report of independent registered accounting firm.


 
77

 
 
SCHEDULE III
 
UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
 
 
 
         
Future
                                           
         
Benefits,
                     
Benefits,
   
Amortization
             
   
Deferred
   
Losses,
                     
Claims,
   
of Deferred
             
   
Policy
   
and Loss
               
Net
   
Losses and
   
Policy
   
Other
   
Net
 
   
Acquisition
   
Adjustment
   
Unearned
   
Premium
   
Investment
   
Settlement
   
Acquisition
   
Operating
   
Premium
 
   
Cost
   
Expenses
   
Premiums
   
Revenue
   
Income
   
Expenses
   
Costs
   
Costs
   
Written
 
                                                       
                                                       
Year Ended
                                                     
December 31, 2008
 
 
                                                     
Property &
                                                     
Casualty
  $ 5,219,892     $ 78,654,590     $ 19,962,118     $ 33,949,695     $ 5,829,304     $ 20,592,730     $ 8,261,324     $ 586,556     $ 31,175,204  
                                                                         
Year Ended
                                                                       
December 31, 2007
 
 
                                                                       
Property &
                                                                       
Casualty
  $ 5,722,847     $ 94,730,711     $ 22,742,612     $ 37,129,665     $ 6,695,121     $ 22,182,237     $ 8,465,047     $ 1,032,591     $ 33,412,745  
                                                                         
Year Ended
                                                                       
December 31, 2006
 
 
                                                                       
Property &
                                                                       
Casualty
  $ 6,430,265     $ 93,596,117     $ 26,434,187     $ 42,933,789     $ 5,906,079     $ 17,826,979     $ 9,250,989     $ 1,691,629     $ 38,166,864  
 

 
 
78