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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.knslexhibit322section906ce.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.knslexhibit321section906ce.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.knslexhibit312section302ce.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.knslexhibit311section302ce.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number: 001-37848
 
 
 
 
KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 
98-0664337
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
2221 Edward Holland Drive, Suite 600
Richmond, VA 23230

 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
(804) 289-1300
 
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
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  ☒   No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act .☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).


Yes  
     No  ☒
Number of shares of the registrant's common shares outstanding at May 1, 2017: 20,968,707



KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item IA.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





1


PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets
 
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $399,331 in 2017; $413,526 in 2016)
 
$
397,757

 
$
411,223

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $17,465 in 2017; $14,350 in 2016)
 
22,410

 
18,374

Total investments
 
420,167

 
429,597

Cash and cash equivalents
 
75,556

 
50,752

Investment income due and accrued
 
2,500

 
2,293

Premiums receivable, net
 
18,696

 
16,984

Receivable from reinsurers
 

 
8,567

Reinsurance recoverables
 
40,649

 
70,317

Ceded unearned premiums
 
14,183

 
13,512

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commissions
 
10,501

 
10,150

Intangible assets
 
3,538

 
3,538

Deferred income tax asset, net
 
6,653

 
6,605

Other assets
 
2,012

 
2,074

Total assets
 
$
594,455

 
$
614,389

 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
$
273,001

 
$
264,801

Unearned premiums
 
93,744

 
89,344

Payable to reinsurers
 
3,316

 
4,090

Funds held for reinsurers
 

 
36,497

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
3,399

 
8,752

Other liabilities
 
4,524

 
691

Total liabilities
 
377,984

 
404,175

 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized, 20,968,707 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

 
210

 
210

Additional paid-in capital
 
153,514

 
153,353

Retained earnings
 
58,663

 
53,640

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
4,084

 
3,011

Stockholders’ equity
 
216,471

 
210,214

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
594,455

 
$
614,389


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2


KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Gross written premiums
 
$
52,862

 
$
43,082

Ceded written premiums
 
(8,700
)
 
4,713

Net written premiums
 
44,162

 
47,795

Change in unearned premiums
 
(3,729
)
 
(17,198
)
Net earned premiums
 
40,433

 
30,597

Net investment income
 
2,286

 
1,676

Net realized investment (losses) gains
 
(32
)
 
387

Other income
 

 
58

Total revenues
 
42,687

 
32,718

 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
22,107

 
18,121

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
11,294

 
6,248

Other expenses
 

 
460

Total expenses
 
33,401

 
24,829

Income before income taxes
 
9,286

 
7,889

Total income tax expense
 
3,005

 
2,632

Net income
 
6,281

 
5,257

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized gains, net of taxes of $577 in 2017 and $1,145 in 2016
 
1,073

 
2,126

Total comprehensive income
 
$
7,354

 
$
7,383

Earnings per share - basic:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
0.30

 
$

Common stock - Class A
 
$

 
$
0.37

Common stock - Class B
 
$

 
$
0.07

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share - diluted:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
0.29

 
$

Common stock - Class A
 
$

 
$
0.37

Common stock - Class B
 
$

 
$
0.07

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
20,969

 

Common stock - Class A
 

 
13,803

Common stock - Class B
 

 
1,531

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
21,389

 

Common stock - Class A
 

 
13,803

Common stock - Class B
 

 
1,538


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
 
 
Shares of Class A Common Stock
 
Shares of Class B Common Stock
 
Shares of Common Stock
 
Class A Common Stock
 
Class B Common Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumu-
lated
 Other
Compre-
hensive
Income
 
Total
Stock-
holders' Equity
 
 
(in thousands)
Balance at
December 31, 2015
 
13,803

 
1,514

 

 
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$
80,229

 
$
29,570

 
$
3,651

 
$
113,451

Stock-based compensation
 

 
21

 

 

 

 

 
7

 

 

 
7

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,126

 
2,126

Net income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
5,257

 

 
5,257

Balance at
March 31, 2016
 
13,803

 
1,535

 

 
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$
80,236

 
$
34,827

 
$
5,777

 
$
120,841

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
December 31, 2016
 

 

 
20,969

 
$

 
$

 
$
210

 
$
153,353

 
$
53,640

 
$
3,011

 
$
210,214

Stock-based compensation
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
161

 

 

 
161

Dividends
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,258
)
 

 
(1,258
)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,073

 
1,073

Net income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
6,281

 

 
6,281

Balance at
March 31, 2017
 

 

 
20,969

 
$

 
$

 
$
210

 
$
153,514

 
$
58,663

 
$
4,084

 
$
216,471



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


4


KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
15,447

 
$
16,169

 
 
 
 
 
Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchase of property and equipment
 
(31
)
 
(122
)
Change in short-term investments, net
 

 
(7,684
)
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Purchases – fixed maturity securities
 
(6,147
)
 
(24,039
)
Purchases – equity securities
 
(3,114
)
 
(2,084
)
Sales – fixed maturity securities
 
718

 
9,328

Maturities and calls – fixed maturity securities
 
19,198

 
9,901

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
10,624

 
(14,700
)
 
 
 
 
 
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Dividends paid
 
(1,258
)
 

Payments on capital lease
 
(9
)
 
(33
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(1,267
)
 
(33
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
24,804

 
1,436

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
50,752

 
24,544

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
75,556

 
$
25,980



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1.    Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies, these condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 2016 audited consolidated financial statements of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the "Company") included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the full year.
Use of estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management periodically reviews its estimates and assumptions.
Prospective accounting pronouncements
ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements, which may introduce additional volatility in the Company's results of operations.
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" to improve the financial reporting of leasing transactions. Under this ASU, lessees will recognize a right-of-use asset and corresponding liability on the balance sheet for all leases, except for leases covering a period of fewer than 12 months. The liability is to be initially measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments taking into account renewal options if applicable plus initial incremental direct costs such as commissions. The minimum payments are discounted using the rate implicit in the lease or, if not known, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate at the inception of the lease. The lessee’s income statement treatment for leases will vary depending on the nature of what is being leased. A

6


financing type lease is present when, among other matters, the asset is being leased for a substantial portion of its economic life or has an end-of-term title transfer or a bargain purchase option as in today’s practice. The payment of the liability set up for such leases will be apportioned between interest and principal; the right-of use asset will be generally amortized on a straight-line basis. If the lease does not qualify as a financing type lease, it will be accounted for on the income statement as rent on a straight-line basis. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)
On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)" to provide more useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments. Current GAAP delays the recognition of credit losses until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The update will require a financial asset measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by means of an allowance for credit losses that runs through net income. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. However, the amendments would limit the amount of the allowance to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. The measurement of credit losses on available-for-sale securities is similar under current GAAP, but the update requires the use of the allowance account through which amounts can be reversed, rather than through an irreversible write-down. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted beginning after December 15, 2018. Upon adoption, the update will be applied using the modified-retrospective approach, by which a cumulative-effect adjustment will be made to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
On March 30, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, "Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities," which shortens the amortization period of the premium for certain callable debt securities, from the contractual maturity date to the earliest call date. This ASU is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. Upon adoption, the update will applied on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
There are no other prospective accounting standards which, upon their effective date, would have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.



7


2.     Investments
Available-for-sale investments
The following tables summarize the Company’s available-for-sale investments at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
12,106

 
$
6

 
$
(22
)
 
$
12,090

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
128,662

 
1,756

 
(2,574
)
 
127,844

Corporate and other securities
 
107,713

 
560

 
(154
)
 
108,119

Asset-backed securities
 
68,965

 
241

 
(218
)
 
68,988

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
81,885

 
554

 
(1,723
)
 
80,716

Total fixed maturities
 
399,331

 
3,117

 
(4,691
)
 
397,757

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
17,465

 
4,952

 
(7
)
 
22,410

Total available-for-sale investments
 
$
416,796

 
$
8,069

 
$
(4,698
)
 
$
420,167

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
12,106

 
$
8

 
$
(16
)
 
$
12,098

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
124,728

 
1,470

 
(2,960
)
 
123,238

Corporate and other securities
 
118,473

 
550

 
(233
)
 
118,790

Asset-backed securities
 
73,317

 
241

 
(264
)
 
73,294

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
84,902

 
585

 
(1,684
)
 
83,803

Total fixed maturities
 
413,526

 
2,854

 
(5,157
)
 
411,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
14,350

 
4,026

 
(2
)
 
18,374

Total available-for-sale investments
 
$
427,876

 
$
6,880

 
$
(5,159
)
 
$
429,597

Available-for-sale securities in a loss position
The Company regularly reviews all securities with unrealized losses to assess whether the decline in the securities’ fair value is deemed to be an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). The Company considers a number of

8


factors in completing its OTTI review, including the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost and the financial condition of an issuer. In addition to specific issuer information, the Company also evaluates the current market and interest rate environment. Generally, a change in a security’s value caused by a change in the market or interest rate environment does not constitute an OTTI, but rather a temporary decline in market value.
For fixed maturities, the Company considers whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the credit quality of the issuer and the ability to recover all amounts outstanding when contractually due. When assessing whether it intends to sell a fixed maturity or if it is likely to be required to sell a fixed maturity before recovery of its amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances including, but not limited to, decisions to reposition the investment portfolio, potential sales of investments to meet cash flow needs and potential sales of investments to capitalize on favorable pricing. For equity securities, the Company considers the near-term prospects of an issuer and its ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery.
For fixed maturities where a decline in fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary and the Company intends to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, an impairment is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. If the decline in fair value of a fixed maturity security below its amortized cost is considered to be other-than-temporary based upon other considerations, the Company compares the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. The extent to which the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security represents the credit-related portion of the OTTI, which is recognized in net income, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. Any remaining decline in fair value represents the noncredit portion of the OTTI, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). For equity securities, a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security.

9


The following tables summarize gross unrealized losses and fair value for available-for-sale securities by length of time that the securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
 
(in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
11,975

 
$
(22
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
11,975

 
$
(22
)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
63,280

 
(2,517
)
 
3,214

 
(57
)
 
66,494

 
(2,574
)
Corporate and other securities
 
41,345

 
(114
)
 
6,962

 
(40
)
 
48,307

 
(154
)
Asset-backed securities
 
13,408

 
(194
)
 
7,267

 
(24
)
 
20,675

 
(218
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
63,050

 
(1,443
)
 
7,279

 
(280
)
 
70,329

 
(1,723
)
Total fixed maturities
 
193,058

 
(4,290
)
 
24,722

 
(401
)
 
217,780

 
(4,691
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
1,013

 
(7
)
 

 

 
1,013

 
(7
)
Total
 
$
194,071

 
$
(4,297
)
 
$
24,722

 
$
(401
)
 
$
218,793

 
$
(4,698
)
At March 31, 2017, the Company held 210 fixed maturity securities with a total estimated fair value of $217.8 million and gross unrealized losses of $4.7 million. Of these securities, 21 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than one year. As discussed above, the Company regularly reviews all securities within its investment portfolio to determine whether any impairment has occurred. Unrealized losses were caused by interest rate changes or other market factors and were not credit specific issues. At March 31, 2017, 92.1% of the Company’s fixed maturity securities were rated "A-" or better and made expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. At March 31, 2017, the Company held three exchange traded funds ("ETFs") in its equity portfolio with a total estimated fair value of $1.0 million and gross unrealized losses of $7 thousand. None of these securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than one year. Management concluded that there were no other-than-temporary impairments from fixed maturity or equity securities with unrealized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

10


 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Longer
 
Total
 
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses
 
 
(in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
8,980

 
$
(16
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
8,980

 
$
(16
)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
70,727

 
(2,960
)
 

 

 
70,727

 
(2,960
)
Corporate and other securities
 
50,274

 
(145
)
 
12,375

 
(88
)
 
62,649

 
(233
)
Asset-backed securities
 
14,750

 
(232
)
 
9,961

 
(32
)
 
24,711

 
(264
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
65,439

 
(1,403
)
 
7,186

 
(281
)
 
72,625

 
(1,684
)
Total fixed maturities
 
210,170

 
(4,756
)
 
29,522

 
(401
)
 
239,692

 
(5,157
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
388

 
(2
)
 

 

 
388

 
(2
)
Total
 
$
210,558

 
$
(4,758
)
 
$
29,522

 
$
(401
)
 
$
240,080

 
$
(5,159
)
At December 31, 2016, the Company held 231 fixed maturity securities with a total estimated fair value of $239.7 million and gross unrealized losses of $5.2 million. Of those securities, 24 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for greater than one year. Unrealized losses were caused by interest rate changes or other market factors and were not credit specific issues. At December 31, 2016, 92.6% of the Company’s fixed maturity securities were rated "A-" or better and made expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. Based on its review, the Company concluded that none of the fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss at December 31, 2016 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment.
Within its equity portfolio, the Company holds an ETF with exposure across developed and emerging non-U.S. equity markets around the world. This ETF had been in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year and, management concluded based upon its review, it was other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company recognized an impairment loss of $0.3 million on this fund for the year ended December 31, 2016.

11


Contractual maturities of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2017 are summarized, by contractual maturity, as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
 
Amortized
 
Estimated
 
 
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year or less
 
$
67,053

 
$
67,053

Due after one year through five years
 
56,664

 
57,157

Due after five years through ten years
 
24,556

 
25,124

Due after ten years
 
100,208

 
98,719

Asset-backed securities
 
68,965

 
68,988

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
81,885

 
80,716

Total fixed maturities
 
$
399,331

 
$
397,757

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties, and the lenders may have the right to put the securities back to the borrower.
Net investment income
The following table presents the components of net investment income:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Interest:
 
 
 
 
Taxable bonds
 
$
1,537

 
$
1,389

Municipal bonds (tax exempt)
 
794

 
406

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments
 
87

 
8

Dividends on equity securities
 
110

 
84

Gross investment income
 
2,528

 
1,887

Investment expenses
 
(242
)
 
(211
)
Net investment income
 
$
2,286

 
$
1,676



12


Realized investment gains and losses
The following table presents realized investment gains and losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Realized gains:
 
 
 
 
Sales of fixed maturities
 
$

 
$
387

Total realized gains
 

 
387

 
 
 
 
 
Realized losses:
 
 
 
 
Sales of fixed maturities
 
(32
)
 

Total realized losses
 
(32
)
 

Net investment (losses) gains
 
$
(32
)
 
$
387

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
The following table presents the change in available-for-sale net unrealized gains (losses) by investment type for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
729

 
$
2,930

Equity securities
 
921

 
341

Net increase
 
$
1,650

 
$
3,271

Insurance – statutory deposits
The Company had invested assets with a carrying value of $7.0 million on deposit with state regulatory authorities at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Payable for investments purchased
The Company recorded a payable for investments purchased, not yet settled, of $0.8 million at March 31, 2017 and $0.6 million at December 31, 2016. The payable balances were included in the "other liabilities" line item of the balance sheet and treated as a non-cash transaction for purposes of cash flow presentation. 


13


3.     Fair value measurements
Fair value was estimated for each class of financial instrument for which it was practical to estimate fair value. Fair value is defined as the price in the principal market that would be received for an asset to facilitate an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, able and willing to transact an exchange and not acting under duress. Fair value hierarchy disclosures are based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Adjustments to transaction prices or quoted market prices may be required in illiquid or disorderly markets in order to estimate fair value.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
Level 2 - Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.
Level 3 - Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement.
Fair values of the Company's investment portfolio are estimated using unadjusted prices obtained by its investment manager from third party pricing services, where available. For securities where the Company is unable to obtain fair values from a pricing service or broker, fair values are estimated using information obtained from the Company's investment manager. Management performs several procedures to ascertain the reasonableness of investment values included in the condensed consolidated financial statements including 1) obtaining and reviewing internal control reports from the Company's investment manager that obtain fair values from third party pricing services, 2) discussing with the Company's investment manager its process for reviewing and validating pricing obtained from outside pricing services and 3) reviewing the security pricing received from the Company's investment manager and monitoring changes in unrealized gains and losses. The Company has evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs.

14


The following tables present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, by level within the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
12,090

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,090

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 

 
127,844

 

 
127,844

Corporate and other securities
 

 
108,119

 

 
108,119

Asset-backed securities
 

 
68,988

 

 
68,988

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 

 
80,716

 

 
80,716

Total fixed maturities
 
12,090

 
385,667

 

 
397,757

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
22,410

 

 

 
22,410

Total
 
$
34,500

 
$
385,667

 
$

 
$
420,167

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
12,098

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,098

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 

 
123,238

 

 
123,238

Corporate and other securities
 

 
118,790

 

 
118,790

Asset-backed securities
 

 
73,294

 

 
73,294

Residential mortgage-backed securities
 

 
83,803

 

 
83,803

Total fixed maturities
 
12,098

 
399,125

 

 
411,223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
18,374

 

 

 
18,374

Total
 
$
30,472

 
$
399,125

 
$

 
$
429,597

There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2017. There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Due to the relatively short-term nature of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables, their carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of fair value.


15


4.     Deferred policy acquisition costs
The following table presents the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
10,150

 
$
(1,696
)
Policy acquisition costs deferred:
 
 
 
 
Direct commissions
 
7,880

 
6,400

Ceding commissions
 
(2,591
)
 
2,791

Other underwriting and policy acquisition costs
 
761

 
726

Policy acquisition costs deferred
 
6,050

 
9,917

Amortization of net policy acquisition costs
 
(5,699
)
 
(2,916
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
10,501

 
$
5,305

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the deferred ceding commissions were affected by the change in the ceding percentage under the Company's multi-line quota share reinsurance treaty ("MLQS"). See Note 8 for further details regarding the MLQS.

5.     Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 consist of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses incurred:
 
 
 
 
Gross commissions
 
$
7,149

 
$
6,406

Ceding commissions
 
(2,346
)
 
(5,408
)
Other operating expenses
 
6,491

 
5,250

Total
 
$
11,294

 
$
6,248

Other operating expenses within underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses include salaries, bonus and employee benefits expenses of $5.0 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

16


6.    Earnings per share
The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations contained in the consolidated financial statements:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Earnings allocable to common stockholders
 
$
6,281

 
$

Earnings allocable to Class A stockholders
 
$

 
$
5,154

Earnings allocable to Class B stockholders
 
$

 
$
103

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
0.30

 
$

Class A common stock
 
$

 
$
0.37

Class B common stock
 
$

 
$
0.07

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
$
0.29

 
$

Class A common stock
 
$

 
$
0.37

Class B common stock
 
$

 
$
0.07

 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
20,969

 

Class A common stock
 

 
13,803

Class B common stock
 

 
1,531

 
 
 
 
 
Dilutive effect of shares issued under stock compensation arrangements:
 
 
 
 
Common stock - stock options
 
420

 

Class B common stock - unvested restricted stock grants
 

 
7

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Common stock
 
21,389

 

Class A common stock
 

 
13,803

Class B common stock
 

 
1,538

Prior to the reclassification of common stock on July 28, 2016, all of the earnings of the Company were allocated to Class A and Class B common stock and earnings per share was calculated using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, earnings attributable to Class A and Class B common stockholders were determined by allocating undistributed earnings to each class of stock. The undistributed earnings attributable to common stockholders were allocated based on the contractual participation rights of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock as if those earnings for the period had been distributed. Earnings attributable to Class A common stockholders equaled the sum of dividends at the rate per annum of 12% compounding annually during the period ("Accruing Dividends") plus seventy-five percent of any remaining assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders in the

17


event of a liquidation, dissolution, winding up or sale of the Company after payment of the Accruing Dividends ("Residual Proceeds"). Earnings attributable to Class B common stockholders equaled twenty-five percent of the Residual Proceeds. After the reclassification of common stock on July 28, 2016, all of the earnings of the Company were attributable to the single class of common stock.
Basic earnings per share for each class of common stock was computed by dividing the earnings attributable to the common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of each respective class of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to each class of common stock was computed by dividing earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding for each respective class of common stock outstanding during the period, including potentially dilutive shares of common stock for the period determined using the treasury stock method. There were no potentially dilutive shares attributable to Class A common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For purposes of the diluted earnings per share attributable to Class B common stockholders calculation, unvested restricted grants of common stock were considered to be potentially dilutive shares of common stock. There were no material anti-dilutive Class B shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
There were no anti-dilutive stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

7.     Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
The following table presents a reconciliation of consolidated beginning and ending reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses:
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, beginning of year
 
$
194,602

 
$
124,126

Commutation of MLQS
 
27,929

 
24,296

Adjusted net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, beginning of year
 
222,531

 
148,422

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
27,211

 
20,844

Prior years
 
(5,104
)
 
(2,723
)
Total net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
 
22,107

 
18,121

 
 
 
 
 
Payments:
 
 
 
 
Current year
 
333

 
290

Prior years
 
11,566

 
5,133

Total payments
 
11,899

 
5,423

Net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, end of period
 
232,739

 
161,120

Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
 
40,262

 
74,157

Gross reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, end of period
 
$
273,001

 
$
235,277


18


During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2016 developed favorably by $5.1 million. The favorable development was primarily attributable to the 2016 accident year of $3.3 million and the 2015 accident year of $2.5 million, which were due to reported losses emerging at a lower level than expected. The favorable development was offset in part by adverse development of $0.9 million for the 2013 accident year.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2015 developed favorably by $2.7 million. The favorable development was attributable primarily to the 2015 accident year of $1.7 million and the 2014 accident year of $0.8 million, which were due to reported losses emerging at a lower level than expected.
See Note 8 for further details regarding the commutation of the MLQS.

8.     Reinsurance
The following table summarizes the effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Written:
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
52,862

 
$
42,990

Assumed
 

 
92

Ceded
 
(8,700
)
 
4,713

Net written
 
$
44,162

 
$
47,795

 
 
 
 
 
Earned:
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
48,462

 
$
43,093

Assumed
 

 
32

Ceded
 
(8,029
)
 
(12,528
)
Net earned
 
$
40,433

 
$
30,597

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance (ceded incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses) of $2.4 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At March 31, 2017, reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses were $0.3 million and $40.3 million, respectively. At December 31, 2016, reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses were and $0.1 million and $70.2 million, respectively.
Multi-line quota share reinsurance
Historically, the Company participated in a MLQS treaty that transferred a proportion of the risk related to certain lines of business written by its subsidiary, Kinsale Insurance Company, an Arkansas insurance company ("Kinsale Insurance"), to third-party reinsurers in exchange for a proportion of the direct written premiums on that business. The MLQS was subject to annual renewal and, in accordance with the terms of the MLQS, the Company could adjust the amount of business ceded on a quarterly basis. Under the terms of the MLQS covering the period January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 (the "2016 MLQS"), Kinsale Insurance received a provisional ceding commission

19


equal to 41% of ceded written premiums and paid a reinsurance margin equal to 4% of ceded written premium. The 2016 MLQS included a sliding scale commission provision that adjusted the ceding commissions within a range of 25% to 41% based on the loss experience of the business ceded. Effective January 1, 2016, the Company reduced the ceding percentage from 40% as of December 31, 2015 to 15%. The change in the ceding percentage reduced ceded written premiums by $17.0 million at January 1, 2016, with a corresponding reduction to ceded unearned premiums. As a result of the successful completion of the initial public offering ("IPO") in August 2016, the Company terminated and commuted the 2016 MLQS on October 1, 2016.
Effective January 1, 2016, the Company commuted the MLQS covering the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (the "2014 MLQS"). The commutation reduced reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and receivable from reinsurers by $34.2 million at January 1, 2016, with a corresponding reduction to funds held for reinsurers. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company commuted the MLQS covering the period January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 (the "2015 MLQS"). The commutation reduced reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and receivable from reinsurers by approximately $36.5 million, with a corresponding reduction to funds held for reinsurers. The Company did not renew the MLQS for the 2017 calendar year and there are no remaining MLQS balances outstanding as of January 1, 2017. The commutations did not have any effect on the Company's results of operations or cash flows for the applicable periods.
9.     Other comprehensive income
The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Unrealized gains arising during the period, before income taxes
 
$
1,618

 
$
3,658

Income taxes
 
(566
)
 
(1,280
)
Unrealized gains arising during the period, net of income taxes
 
1,052

 
2,378

Less reclassification adjustment:
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
(32
)
 
387

Income taxes
 
11

 
(135
)
Reclassification adjustment included in net income
 
(21
)
 
252

Other comprehensive income
 
$
1,073

 
$
2,126

The sale of an available-for-sale security results in amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to realized gains or losses in current period earnings. The related tax effect of the reclassification adjustment is recorded in income tax expense in current period earnings. See Note 2 for additional information.

20


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The discussion and analysis below includes certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors described in "Risk Factors" in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ended December 31, 2017, or for any other future period. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, and in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
References to the "Company," "Kinsale," "we," "us," and "our" are to Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Overview
Founded in 2009, Kinsale is an established and growing specialty insurance company. Kinsale focuses exclusively on the excess and surplus lines ("E&S") market in the U.S., where we can use our underwriting expertise to write coverages for hard-to-place small business risks and personal lines risks. We market and sell these insurance products in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, primarily through a network of independent insurance brokers.
We have one reportable segment, our Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance segment, which offers property and casualty ("P&C") insurance products through the E&S market. For the first three months of 2017, the percentage breakdown of our gross written premiums was 93.7% casualty and 6.3% property. Our commercial lines offerings include construction, small business, general casualty, energy, excess casualty, professional liability, life sciences, product liability, allied health, health care, commercial property, environmental, management liability, inland marine, public entity and commercial insurance. We also write a small amount of homeowners insurance in the personal lines market, which in aggregate represented 3.6% of our gross written premiums in the first three months of 2017.
Factors affecting our results of operations
The MLQS
Historically, a significant amount of our business had been reinsured through our MLQS with third-party reinsurers. This agreement allowed us to cede a portion of the risk related to certain lines of business that we underwrite in exchange for a portion of our direct written premiums on that business, less a ceding commission. The MLQS was subject to annual renewal; however, we retained the rights to adjust the amount of business we ceded on a quarterly basis in accordance with the terms of the MLQS. We continually monitored the ceding percentage under the MLQS and adjusted this percentage based on our projected direct written premiums. We adjusted the ceding percentage under the MLQS for future periods depending on future business conditions in our industry. Generally, we increased the ceding percentage when gross written premiums were growing more strongly relative to the growth rate of Kinsale Insurance’s capital position, and decreased the ceding percentage when Kinsale Insurance’s capital position was growing more strongly relative to the growth rate of gross written premiums. In periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity (known as a hard market), the E&S market may grow significantly more rapidly than the standard insurance market as business may shift from the standard market to the E&S market dramatically.
Effective January 1, 2016, we reduced the ceding percentage from 40% to 15%, while the provisional ceding commission rate remained at 41%. As a result of the successful completion of our IPO in August 2016, we terminated and commuted the 2016 MLQS contract on October 1, 2016. Effective January 1, 2017, the remaining MLQS was commuted, which covered the 2015 calendar year. We did not renew the MLQS for the 2017 calendar year and there are no remaining MLQS balances outstanding as of January 1, 2017.

21


The effect of the MLQS on our results of operations was primarily reflected in our ceded written premiums, losses and loss adjustment expenses, as well as our underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. The following table summarizes the effect of the MLQS on our underwriting income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
($ in thousands)
 
Including
Quota Share
 
Effect of
Quota Share
 
Excluding Quota Share
 
Including
Quota Share
 
Effect of
Quota Share
 
Excluding Quota Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross written premiums
 
$
52,862

 
$

 
$
52,862

 
$
43,082

 
$

 
$
43,082

Ceded written premiums
 
(8,700
)
 

 
(8,700
)
 
4,713

 
11,589

 
(6,876
)
Net written premiums
 
$
44,162

 
$

 
$
44,162

 
$
47,795

 
$
11,589

 
$
36,206

Net retention (1)
 
83.5
%
 
 
 
83.5
%
 
110.9
%
 
 
 
84.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
 
$
40,433

 
$

 
$
40,433

 
$
30,597

 
$
(5,432
)
 
$
36,029

Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
(22,107
)
 

 
(22,107
)
 
(18,121
)
 
1,810

 
(19,931
)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

 
(11,294
)
 

 
(11,294
)
 
(6,248
)
 
3,405

 
(9,653
)
Underwriting income (2)
 
$
7,032

 
$

 
$
7,032

 
$
6,228

 
$
(217
)
 
$
6,445

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
 
54.7
%
 
%
 

 
59.2
%
 
33.3
%
 

Expense ratio
 
27.9
%
 
%
 

 
20.4
%
 
62.7
%
 

Combined ratio
 
82.6
%
 
%
 

 
79.6
%
 
96.0
%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted loss ratio (3)
 

 

 
54.7
%
 

 

 
55.3
%
Adjusted expense ratio (3)
 

 

 
27.9
%
 

 

 
26.8
%
Adjusted combined ratio (3)
 

 

 
82.6
%
 

 

 
82.1
%
(1) The ratio of net written premiums to gross written premiums.
(2) Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "— Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures" for a reconciliation of net income to underwriting income in accordance with GAAP.
(3) Our adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio are non-GAAP financial measures. We define our adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio as each of our loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio, respectively, excluding the effects of the MLQS. We use these adjusted ratios as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe they give our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Our adjusted loss ratio, adjusted expense ratio and adjusted combined ratio should not be viewed as substitutes for our loss ratio, expense ratio and combined ratio, respectively, which are presented in accordance with GAAP.
Our results of operations may be difficult to compare from year to year as we made periodic adjustments to the amount of business we ceded under the terms of the MLQS, may have changed the negotiated terms of the MLQS upon renewal, may have increased or decreased the ceding commission under the MLQS based on the loss experience of the business ceded and may have commuted and terminated the MLQS in a given period. In light of the impact of the MLQS on our results of operations, we internally evaluated our financial performance both including and excluding the effects of the MLQS.

22


Components of our results of operations
Gross written premiums
Gross written premiums are the amount received or to be received for insurance policies written or assumed by us during a specific period of time without reduction for policy acquisition costs, reinsurance costs or other deductions. The volume of our gross written premiums in any given period is generally influenced by:
New business submissions;
Binding of new business submissions into policies;
Renewals of existing policies; and
Average size and premium rate of new and existing policies.
We earn insurance premiums on a pro rata basis over the term of a policy. Our insurance policies generally have a term of one year. Net earned premiums represent the earned portion of our gross written premiums, less that portion of our gross written premiums that is ceded to third-party reinsurers under our reinsurance agreements.
Ceded written premiums
Ceded written premiums are the amount of gross written premiums ceded to reinsurers. We enter into reinsurance contracts to limit our exposure to potential large losses as well as to provide additional capacity for growth. Ceded written premiums are earned over the reinsurance contract period in proportion to the period of risk covered. The volume of our ceded written premiums is impacted by the level of our gross written premiums and any decision we make to increase or decrease retention levels.
Net investment income
Net investment income is an important component of our results of operations. We earn investment income on our portfolio of cash and invested assets. Our cash and invested assets are primarily comprised of fixed maturity securities, and may also include cash and cash equivalents, equity securities and short-term investments. The principal factors that influence net investment income are the size of our investment portfolio and the yield on that portfolio. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of our investment portfolio is mainly a function of our invested equity capital along with premiums we receive from our insureds less payments on policyholder claims.
Net investment gains (losses)
Net investment gains (losses) are a function of the difference between the amount received by us on the sale of a security and the security's amortized cost, as well as any "other-than-temporary" impairments recognized in earnings.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses are a function of the amount and type of insurance contracts we write and the loss experience associated with the underlying coverage. In general, our losses and loss adjustment expenses are affected by:
Frequency of claims associated with the particular types of insurance contracts that we write;
Trends in the average size of losses incurred on a particular type of business;
Mix of business written by us;
Changes in the legal or regulatory environment related to the business we write;
Trends in legal defense costs;
Wage inflation; and
Inflation in medical costs.

23


Losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on an actuarial analysis of the estimated losses, including losses incurred during the period and changes in estimates from prior periods. Losses and loss adjustment expenses may be paid out over a period of years.
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses include policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses. Policy acquisition costs are principally comprised of the commissions we pay our brokers, net of ceding commissions we receive on business ceded under certain reinsurance contracts. Policy acquisition costs that are directly related to the successful acquisition of those policies are deferred. The amortization of such policy acquisition costs is charged to expense in proportion to premium earned over the policy life. Other underwriting expenses represent the general and administrative expenses of our insurance business including employment costs, telecommunication and technology costs, the costs of our lease, and legal and auditing fees.
Income tax expense
Currently all of our income tax expense relates to federal income taxes. Kinsale Insurance is generally not subject to income taxes in the states in which it operates; however, our non-insurance subsidiaries are subject to state income taxes. The amount of income tax expense or benefit recorded in future periods will depend on the jurisdictions in which we operate and the tax laws and regulations in effect.
Key metrics
We discuss certain key metrics, described below, which provide useful information about our business and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.
Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define underwriting income as pre-tax income, excluding net investment income, net investment gains and losses, and other income and expenses. See "—Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures" for a reconciliation of net income to underwriting income in accordance with GAAP.
Loss ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums, net of the effects of reinsurance.
Expense ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to net earned premiums.
Combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% generally indicates an underwriting loss.
Adjusted loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted loss ratio as the loss ratio, excluding the effects of the MLQS. For additional detail on the impact of the MLQS on our results of operations, see "—Factors affecting our results of operations — The MLQS."
Adjusted expense ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted expense ratio as the expense ratio, excluding the effects of the MLQS. For additional detail on the impact of the MLQS on our results of operations, see "—Factors affecting our results of operations — The MLQS."
Adjusted combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted combined ratio as the loss ratio, excluding the effects of the MLQS. For additional detail on the impact of the MLQS on our results of operations, see "—Factors affecting our results of operations — The MLQS."
Return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period. Our overall financial goal is to produce a return on equity in the mid-teens over the long-term.

24


Results of operations
Three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to three months ended March 31, 2016
The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
Percent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross written premiums
 
$
52,862

 
$
43,082

 
$
9,780

 
22.7
 %
Ceded written premiums
 
(8,700
)
 
4,713

 
(13,413
)
 
(284.6
)%
Net written premiums
 
$
44,162

 
$
47,795

 
$
(3,633
)
 
(7.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
 
$
40,433

 
$
30,597

 
$
9,836

 
32.1
 %
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
22,107

 
18,121

 
3,986

 
22.0
 %
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses
 
11,294

 
6,248

 
5,046

 
80.8
 %
Underwriting income (1)
 
7,032

 
6,228

 
804

 
12.9
 %
Other expenses, net
 

 
(402
)
 
402

 
(100.0
)%
Net investment income
 
2,286

 
1,676

 
610

 
36.4
 %
Net investment gains
 
(32
)
 
387

 
(419
)
 
(108.3
)%
Income before taxes
 
9,286

 
7,889

 
1,397

 
17.7
 %
Income tax expense
 
3,005

 
2,632

 
373

 
14.2

Net income
 
$
6,281

 
$
5,257

 
$
1,024

 
19.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on equity
 
11.8
%
 
18.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio
 
54.7
%
 
59.2
%
 
 
 
 
Expense ratio
 
27.9
%
 
20.4
%
 
 
 
 
Combined ratio
 
82.6
%
 
79.6
%
 
 
 
 
(1) Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "—Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures" for a reconciliation of net income to underwriting income in accordance with GAAP.
Net income was $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of 19.5%. Underwriting income increased by $0.8 million, or 12.9%, to $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in our underwriting income during the period was due to an increase in premium volume and higher favorable development on prior accident years, offset in part by higher employee compensation and public company operating costs.
Underwriting income, excluding the effect of the 2016 MLQS, was $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $0.6 million, or 9.1%. The corresponding adjusted combined ratio was 82.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 82.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

25


Premiums
Our gross written premiums were $52.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $43.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $9.8 million, or 22.7%. Premium growth in the first quarter of 2017 was principally due to a greater number of policies written from higher broker submissions, offset in part by a decrease in the average premium per policy. The average premium on a policy written was approximately $8,600 in the first quarter of 2017 compared to approximately $8,900 in the first quarter of 2016. Gross written premiums increased across most lines of business and was most notable in the construction, small business, energy and product liability divisions.
On January 1, 2016, we renewed the MLQS (the "2016 MLQS") and reduced the ceding percentage to 15% from 40%, which decreased ceded written premiums by $17.0 million at January 1, 2016, with a corresponding reduction to ceded unearned premiums. The provisional ceding commission rate for the 2016 MLQS was 41% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Due to the successful completion of our initial public offering in the third quarter of 2016, we did not renew the MLQS for the 2017 calendar year.
Net written premiums decreased by $3.6 million, or 7.6%, to $44.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $47.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in net written premiums was primarily due to the accounting for the change in the ceding percentage on the 2016 MLQS, as discussed above. The net retention ratio was 83.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 110.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Excluding the effect of the 2016 MLQS, our net retention ratio was 83.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 84.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Net earned premiums increased by $9.8 million, or 32.1%, to $40.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $30.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Excluding the effect of the MLQS, net earned premiums were $40.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $36.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, or an increase of 12.2%, due to higher net written premiums in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016.
Loss ratio
The loss ratio was 54.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 59.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our adjusted loss ratio was 55.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This decrease in the loss ratio for the first quarter of 2017 was due primarily to higher favorable development on prior accident years during the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
The following tables summarize the effect of the factors indicated above on the loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
% of Earned Premiums
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
% of Earned Premiums
Loss ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current accident year
 
$
27,211

 
67.3
 %
 
$
20,844

 
68.1
 %
Effect of prior year development
 
(5,104
)
 
(12.6
)
 
(2,723
)
 
(8.9
)
 
 
$
22,107

 
54.7
 %
 
$
18,121

 
59.2
 %

26


 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
% of Earned Premiums
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
 
% of Earned Premiums
Adjusted loss ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current accident year
 
$
27,211

 
67.3
 %
 
$
24,060

 
66.8
 %
Effect of prior year development
 
(5,104
)
 
(12.6
)
 
(4,129
)
 
(11.5
)
 
 
$
22,107

 
54.7
 %
 
$
19,931

 
55.3
 %
Expense ratio
The expense ratio was 27.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 20.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the first three months ended March 31, 2016, the expense ratio was relatively low due to the effect of the MLQS. The following table summarizes the effect of the factors indicated above on the expense ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
($ in thousands)
 
Underwriting Expenses
 
% of Earned Premiums
 
Underwriting Expenses
 
% of Earned Premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions incurred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct
 
$
7,149

 
17.7
 %
 
$
6,406

 
20.9
 %
Ceding - MLQS
 

 
 %
 
(3,405
)
 
(11.1
)%
Ceding - other
 
(2,346
)
 
(5.8
)%
 
(2,003
)
 
(6.5
)%
Net commissions incurred
 
4,803

 
11.9
 %
 
998

 
3.3
 %
Other underwriting expenses
 
6,491

 
16.0
 %
 
5,250

 
17.1
 %
Underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses
 
$
11,294

 
27.9
 %
 
$
6,248

 
20.4
 %
The increase in the expense ratio in the first quarter of 2017 over the first quarter of 2016 was due primarily to the decrease in ceding commissions from non-renewal of the MLQS for the 2017 calendar year. Other underwriting expenses were $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $1.2 million, or 23.6%. This increase was primarily due to higher employee compensation and public company operating costs in the first quarter of 2017 relative to the first quarter of 2016. Direct commissions paid as a percent of gross written premiums was 14.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 14.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Excluding the effect of the MLQS, the adjusted expense ratio was 27.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 26.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Combined ratio
Our combined ratio was 82.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 79.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Excluding the effects of the MLQS, the adjusted combined ratio was 82.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 82.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

27


Investing results
Our net investment income increased by 36.4% to $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to the increase in our investment portfolio resulting from the proceeds received from the IPO in second half of 2016 and additional premiums collected since the first quarter of 2016.
The following table summarizes net investment income and net capital gains for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
 
Change
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest from fixed-maturity securities
 
$
2,331

 
1,795

 
$
536

 
29.9
 %
Dividends on equity securities
 
110

 
84

 
26

 
31.0

Other
 
87

 
8

 
79

 
987.5

Gross investment income
 
2,528

 
1,887

 
641

 
34.0

Investment expenses
 
(242
)
 
(211
)
 
(31
)
 
14.7

Net investment income
 
2,286

 
1,676

 
610

 
36.4
 %
Net capital (losses) gains
 
(32
)
 
387

 
(419
)
 
(108.3
)%
Total
 
$
2,254

 
$
2,063

 
$
191

 
9.3
 %
Our investment portfolio had an annualized gross investment return of 2.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to 2.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
We perform quarterly reviews of all securities within our investment portfolio to determine whether any other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. Management concluded that there were no other-than-temporary impairments from fixed maturity or equity securities with unrealized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
Other expenses, net
Other expenses were $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were comprised principally of interest expense related to our credit facility, which was repaid in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Income tax expense
Our income tax expense was $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our effective tax rate was approximately 32.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 33.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate primarily as a result of favorable tax treatment on certain municipal bond interest income and dividends received from our equity investments.
Return on equity
Our annualized return on equity was 11.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 18.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Annualized return on equity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflected the increase in our stockholders' equity from the net proceeds received from the IPO during 2016.


28


Liquidity and capital resources
Sources and uses of funds
We are organized as a Delaware holding company with our operations primarily conducted by our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Kinsale Insurance, which is domiciled in Arkansas. Accordingly, Kinsale may receive cash through (1) loans from banks and other third parties, (2) issuance of equity and debt securities, (3) corporate service fees from our insurance subsidiary, (4) payments from our subsidiaries pursuant to our consolidated tax allocation agreement and other transactions, and (5) dividends from our insurance subsidiary. We may use the proceeds from these sources to contribute funds to Kinsale Insurance in order to support premium growth, reduce our reliance on reinsurance, pay dividends and taxes and for other business purposes.
We also receive corporate service fees from Kinsale Insurance to reimburse us for most of the operating expenses that we incur. Reimbursement of expenses through corporate service fees is based on the actual costs that we expect to incur with no mark-up above our expected costs.
Management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity available both in Kinsale and in its insurance subsidiary, Kinsale Insurance, as well as in its other operating subsidiaries, to meet its operating cash needs and obligations and committed capital expenditures for the next 12 months.
Cash flows
Our most significant source of cash is from premiums received from our insureds, which, for most policies, we receive at the beginning of the coverage period. Our most significant cash outflow is for claims that arise when a policyholder incurs an insured loss. Because the payment of claims occurs after the receipt of the premium, often years later, we invest the cash in various investment securities that earn interest and dividends. We also use cash to pay commissions to brokers, as well as to pay for ongoing operating expenses such as salaries, rent and taxes. As described under "—Reinsurance" below, we use reinsurance to manage the risk that we take on our policies. We cede, or pay out, part of the premiums we receive to our reinsurers and collect cash back when losses subject to our reinsurance coverage are paid.
The timing of our cash flows from operating activities can vary among periods due to the timing by which payments are made or received. Some of our payments and receipts, including loss settlements and subsequent reinsurance receipts, can be significant, so their timing can influence cash flows from operating activities in any given period. Management believes that cash receipts from premiums, proceeds from investment sales and redemptions and investment income are sufficient to cover cash outflows in the foreseeable future.
Our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
 
$
15,447

 
$
16,169

Investing activities
 
10,624

 
(14,700
)
Financing activities
 
(1,267
)
 
(33
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
24,804

 
$
1,436


29


Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $15.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with $16.2 million for the same period in 2016. This decrease was largely driven by the timing of claim payments, reinsurance recoveries and changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $10.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with net cash used in investing activities of $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Cash provided by investing activities during the first quarter of 2017 reflected reinvestment of maturing fixed income securities into cash equivalents of $19.2 million, offset in part by selective purchases of fixed income securities, principally municipal bonds of $5.9 million. In addition, we purchased $3.1 million of equity securities during the first quarter of 2017. Cash used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2016, resulted from investment of cash from operating activities and maturing fixed income securities into fixed income securities and short term investments of $21.8 million. Sales of fixed income securities of $9.3 million primarily reflected opportunistic sales of certain municipal bonds to take advantage of favorable market conditions. We purchased $2.1 million of equity securities during the first quarter of 2016.
The cash used in financing activities primarily reflects dividends paid on March 15, 2017 to all stockholders of record on February 15, 2017 of $1.3 million. There were no significant cash flows related to financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Reinsurance
We enter into reinsurance contracts to limit our exposure to potential large losses as well as to provide additional capacity for growth. Our reinsurance is primarily contracted under quota-share reinsurance contracts and excess of loss contracts. In quota share reinsurance, the reinsurer agrees to assume a specified percentage of the ceding company's losses arising out of a defined class of business in exchange for a corresponding percentage of premiums, net of a ceding commission. In excess of loss reinsurance, the reinsurer agrees to assume all or a portion of the ceding company's losses, in excess of a specified amount. In excess of loss reinsurance, the premium payable to the reinsurer is negotiated by the parties based on their assessment of the amount of risk being ceded to the reinsurer because the reinsurer does not share proportionately in the ceding company's losses.
Historically, we ceded risks through our MLQS. The MLQS transferred a portion of the risk related to certain lines of business written by us to reinsurers in exchange for a proportion of the gross written premiums on that business. Transferring risk to the reinsurers also reduced the amount of capital required to support our insurance operations. Under the terms of the MLQS contract covering the 2016 calendar year ("2016 MLQS"), we received a provisional ceding commission equal to 41% of ceded written premiums and paid a reinsurance margin equal to 4% of ceded written premium. The MLQS included a sliding scale commission provision that reduced the ceding commission to 25% or increased the ceding commission to 41% based on the loss experience of the business ceded. Additionally, we were entitled to an additional contingent profit commission up to an amount equal to all of the reinsurers’ profits above the margin based on the underwriting results of the business ceded, upon commutation of the contract. The contract had a loss ratio cap of 110%, which means that we could not cede any losses in excess of a 110% loss ratio to the reinsurers. As a result of the successful completion of our IPO in August 2016, we terminated and commuted the 2016 MLQS contract on October 1, 2016. Effective January 1, 2017, we commuted the remaining outstanding MLQS contract, which covered the period January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. For a discussion regarding the effects of the MLQS contract on our results, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Overview."

30


In addition to the MLQS described above, the following is a summary of our other significant reinsurance programs as of March 31, 2017:
Line of Business Covered
 
Company Policy Limit
 
Reinsurance Coverage
 
Company Retention
Property
 
Up to $5.0 million per risk
 
$4.0 million excess of $1.0 million
 
$1.0 million per risk
Property - catastrophe (1)
 
Up to $5.0 million per occurrence
 
$40.0 million excess of $5.0 million
 
$5.0 million per occurrence
Excess casualty (2)
 
Up to $5.0 million per occurrence

 
Variable quota share
 
$750,000 per occurrence except as described in note (2) below
(1)
Our property catastrophe reinsurance reduces the financial impact of a catastrophe event involving multiple claims and policyholders. Our property catastrophe reinsurance includes a reinstatement provision which requires us to pay reinstatement premiums after a loss has occurred in order to preserve coverage. Including the reinstatement provision, the maximum aggregate loss recovery limit is $80 million and is in addition to the per-occurrence coverage provided by our facultative and other treaty coverages. 
(2)
Reinsurance is not applicable to any individual policy with a per occurrence limit of less than $1.0 million. For policies with a per occurrence limit of $1.0 million or higher, the quota share ceding percentage varies such that the retention is always $750,000. For example, for a $1.0 million limit excess policy, our retention would be 75%, whereas for a $5.0 million limit excess policy, our retention would be 15%. For policies for which we also write an underlying primary limit, the retention on the combined primary and excess policy would not exceed $1,175,000.
At each renewal, we consider any plans to change the underlying insurance coverage we offer, as well as updated loss activity, the level of our capital and surplus, changes in our risk appetite and the cost and availability of reinsurance treaties. In the last renewal cycle, we maintained similar retentions on most lines of business.
Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our obligations to policyholders. Failure of the reinsurer to honor its obligations could result in losses to us, and therefore, we establish allowances for amounts considered uncollectible. In formulating our reinsurance programs, we are selective in our choice of reinsurers and we consider numerous factors, the most important of which are the financial stability of the reinsurer, its history of responding to claims and its overall reputation. In an effort to minimize our exposure to the insolvency of our reinsurers, we review the financial condition of each reinsurer annually. In addition, we continually monitor for rating downgrades involving any of our reinsurers. At March 31, 2017, all reinsurance contracts that our insurance subsidiary was party to were either with companies with A.M. Best ratings of "A" (Excellent) or better. As of March 31, 2017, we have never had an allowance for uncollectible reinsurance.
Ratings
Kinsale Insurance has a financial strength rating of "A-" (Excellent) from A.M. Best. A.M. Best assigns 16 ratings to insurance companies, which currently range from "A++" (Superior) to "F" (In Liquidation). "A-" (Excellent) is the fourth highest rating issued by A.M. Best. The "A-" (Excellent) rating is assigned to insurers that have, in A.M. Best's opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. This rating is intended to provide an independent opinion of an insurer's ability to meet its obligation to policyholders and is not an evaluation directed at investors.

31


The financial strength ratings assigned by A.M. Best have an impact on the ability of the insurance companies to attract and retain agents and brokers and on the risk profiles of the submissions for insurance that the insurance companies receive. The "A-" (Excellent) rating obtained by Kinsale Insurance is consistent with our business plan and allows us to actively pursue relationships with the agents and brokers identified in our marketing plan.
Financial condition
Stockholders' equity
As of March 31, 2017, total stockholders' equity was $216.5 million and tangible stockholders' equity was $214.2 million, compared to $210.2 million total stockholders' equity and $207.9 million tangible stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2016. The increases in both total and tangible stockholders' equity over the prior year end balances were primarily due to net income and an increase in unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, offset in part by payment of dividends.
Tangible stockholders’ equity is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define tangible stockholders’ equity as stockholders’ equity less intangible assets, net of deferred taxes. Our definition of tangible stockholders’ equity may not be comparable to that of other companies, and it should not be viewed as a substitute for stockholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use tangible stockholders' equity internally to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure.
Stockholders' equity at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, reconciles to tangible stockholders' equity as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
Stockholders' equity
 
$
216,471

 
$
210,214

Less: intangible assets, net of deferred taxes
 
2,300

 
2,300

Tangible stockholders' equity
 
$
214,171

 
$
207,914

Investment portfolio
At March 31, 2017, our cash and invested assets of $495.7 million consisted of fixed maturity securities, cash and cash equivalents and equity securities. At March 31, 2017, the majority of the investment portfolio was comprised of fixed maturity securities of $397.8 million that were classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses on these securities, net of applicable taxes, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Also included in our investments were $75.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $22.4 million of equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Our fixed maturity securities, including cash equivalents, had a weighted average duration of 3.6 years at March 31, 2017 compared to 3.7 years at December 31, 2016. Our investment portfolio had an average rating of "AA" at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Our investment portfolio had an annualized gross investment return of 2.3% as of March 31, 2017, compared to 2.2% as of March 31, 2016.

32


At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the amortized cost and fair value on available-for-sale securities were as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total Fair Value
 
Amortized Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies
 
$
12,106

 
$
12,090

 
2.9
%
 
$
12,106

 
$
12,098

 
2.8
%
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
 
128,662

 
127,844

 
30.4
%
 
124,728

 
123,238

 
28.7
%
Corporate and other securities
 
107,713

 
108,119

 
25.8
%
 
118,473

 
118,790

 
27.6
%
Asset-backed securities
 
68,965

 
68,988

 
16.4
%
 
73,317

 
73,294

 
17.1
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
81,885

 
80,716

 
19.2
%
 
84,902

 
83,803

 
19.5
%
Total fixed maturities
 
399,331

 
397,757

 
94.7
%
 
413,526

 
411,223

 
95.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange traded funds
 
17,465

 
22,410

 
5.3
%
 
14,350

 
18,374

 
4.3
%
Total investments available for sale
 
$
416,796

 
$
420,167

 
100.0
%
 
$
427,876

 
$
429,597

 
100.0
%
The table below summarizes the credit quality of our fixed-maturity securities at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, as rated by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC ("Standard & Poor's"):
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Standard & Poor’s or Equivalent Designation
 
Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Total
 
(in thousands)
AAA
 
$
72,117

 
18.1
%
 
$
77,192

 
18.8
%
AA
 
171,163

 
43.1
%
 
169,864

 
41.3
%
A
 
122,984

 
30.9
%
 
133,587

 
32.5
%
BBB
 
24,595

 
6.2
%
 
25,143

 
6.1
%
Below BBB and unrated
 
6,898

 
1.7
%
 
5,437

 
1.3
%
Total
 
$
397,757

 
100.0
%
 
$
411,223

 
100.0
%


33


The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities summarized by contractual maturity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
% of Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
Due in one year or less
 
$
67,053

 
$
67,053

 
16.9
%
 
$
54,222

 
$
54,232

 
13.2
%
Due after one year through five years
 
56,664

 
57,157

 
14.4
%
 
77,714

 
77,928

 
18.9
%
Due after five years through ten years
 
24,556

 
25,124

 
6.3
%
 
24,881

 
25,435

 
6.2
%
Due after ten years
 
100,208

 
98,719

 
24.8
%
 
98,490

 
96,531

 
23.5
%
Asset-backed securities
 
68,965

 
68,988

 
17.3
%
 
73,317

 
73,294

 
17.8
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 
81,885

 
80,716

 
20.3
%
 
84,902

 
83,803

 
20.4
%
Total fixed maturities
 
$
399,331

 
$
397,757

 
100.0
%
 
$
413,526

 
$
411,223

 
100.0
%
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Restricted investments
In order to conduct business in certain states, we are required to maintain letters of credit or assets on deposit to support state-mandated insurance regulatory requirements and to comply with certain third-party agreements. Assets held on deposit or in trust accounts are primarily in the form of high-grade securities. The fair value of our restricted assets was $7.0 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

34


Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures
Reconciliation of underwriting income
Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure that is useful in evaluating our underwriting performance without regard to investment income. Underwriting income represents the pre-tax profitability of our insurance operations and is derived by subtracting losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses from net earned premiums. We use underwriting income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives us and users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Underwriting income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and other companies may define underwriting income differently.
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, reconciles to underwriting income as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
6,281

 
$
5,257

Income tax expense
 
3,005

 
2,632

Other expenses
 

 
460

Net investment income
 
(2,286
)
 
(1,676
)
Net realized investment losses (gains)
 
32

 
(387
)
Other income
 

 
(58
)
Underwriting income
 
$
7,032

 
$
6,228


Critical accounting estimates
We identified the accounting estimates which are critical to the understanding of our financial position and results of operations. Critical accounting estimates are defined as those estimates that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require us to exercise significant judgment. We use significant judgment concerning future results and developments in applying these critical accounting estimates and in preparing our consolidated financial statements. These judgments and estimates affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of our material contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements. We evaluate our estimates regularly using information that we believe to be relevant. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in our annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in interest rates, equity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our primary market risks have been equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities and interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities. We do not have any material exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity risk.
There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

36


Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Effective February 1, 2017, we implemented a new proprietary technology module for policy processing resulting in a material change in internal controls over financial reporting. The new module replaces licensed off-the-shelf software. Reviews and testing were conducted by management to ensure that internal controls surrounding the implementation process, the integrity of financial data, and the monthly financial close process are properly designed to prevent material financial statement errors. Such procedures included the review of required documents, user acceptance testing, change management procedures, assessment of access controls, data migration processes and month-end reconciliations. In addition to normal account reconciliation and validation procedures completed during our monthly close process, we also performed additional substantive procedures and analytical assessments during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 to validate the accuracy of financial information.
Other than the changes related to the new software module, no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
The effectiveness of any system of controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that our controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be attained.



37


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are party to legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. We believe that the outcome of such matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed as part of this report.


38


Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
KINSALE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Michael P. Kehoe
 
 
Michael P. Kehoe
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Bryan P. Petrucelli
 
 
Bryan P. Petrucelli
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


39


Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
31.1
 
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101.INS**
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
* This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
** Furnished with this Quarterly Report. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and are deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



40