form10q0310.htm

 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 (Mark One)

[X]    Quarterly Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010 or

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

Commission File No. 0-3978
 

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Nevada
95-2583928
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 (I.R.S. Employee
 Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
 
 
 23251 Mulholland Drive,  Woodland Hills, California  91364
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)
 
(818) 591-9800
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

No Change
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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

Indicate by check mark 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, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerator filer and large accelerator in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

       Large accelerated filer __                                                               Accelerated filer __

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
Outstanding at May 14, 2010
Common Stock, $0 Par value per share
5,306,204

 
 
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 PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
March 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Investments
           
   Available for sale:
           
      Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost:  March 31,
           
         2010 $121,226,729; December 31, 2009 $128,440,695)
  $ 125,178,792     $ 132,595,483  
   Short-term investments, at cost
    15,760,668       9,157,832  
Total Investments
    140,939,460       141,753,315  
Cash
    7,616       118,512  
Accrued investment income
    755,239       763,840  
Premium and notes receivable, net
    4,483,121       4,364,747  
Reinsurance recoverable:
               
   Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    303,171       453,314  
   Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    15,487,084       16,175,863  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    4,846,693       4,955,636  
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation)
    178,316       221,255  
Deferred income taxes
    721,200       633,191  
Other assets
    542,083        668,979  
Total Assets
  $ 168,263,983     $ 170,108,652  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
LIABILITIES
               
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 69,537,404     $ 71,585,408  
Unearned premium
    17,891,216       18,811,415  
Advance premium and premium deposits
    1,364,510       1,034,052  
Income taxes payable
    94,651       -  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    5,695,468       5,362,437  
Total Liabilities
  $ 94,583,249     $ 96,793,312  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS'  EQUITY
               
Common stock, no par – authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
               
   shares 5,306,204 at March 31, 2010, and 5,306,204 at December 31, 2009
  $ 3,437,343     $ 3,437,343  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    2,608,361       2,742,160  
Retained earnings
    67,635,030       67,135,837  
Total Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 73,680,734     $ 73,315,340  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 168,263,983     $ 170,108,652  



See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.


 
 
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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
REVENUES
           
Insurance Company Revenues
           
     Premium earned
  $ 9,389,158     $ 9,874,147  
     Premium ceded
    1,946,931       2,254,988  
          Net premium earned
    7,442,227       7,619,159  
     Net investment income
    938,258       1,223,860  
     Other income
    180,126       204,310  
          Total Insurance Company Revenues
    8,560,611       9,047,329  
                 
Other Revenues from Insurance Operations
               
     Gross commissions and fees
    1,249,138       1,439,854  
     Investment income
    1,060       267  
     Finance charges and fees earned
    85,782       98,875  
     Other income
    1,222       2,102  
          Total Revenues
    9,897,813       10,588,427  
                 
EXPENSES
               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    5,308,149       4,634,653  
Policy acquisition costs
    1,886,826       1,953,859  
Salaries and employee benefits
    888,989       1,428,949  
Commissions to agents/brokers
    191,978       313,791  
Other operating expenses
    857,440       709,596  
     Total Expenses
    9,133,382       9,040,848  
                 
Income Before Taxes
    764,431       1,547,579  
Income Tax Expense
    265,238       518,335  
     Net Income
  $ 499,193     $ 1,029,244  
                 
                 
                 
PER SHARE DATA
               
Basic
               
  Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.18  
  Weighted Average Shares
    5,306,204       5,569,256  
                 
Diluted
               
  Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.18  
  Weighted Average Shares
    5,349,923       5,607,071  



See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)


   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net Income
  $ 499,193     $ 1,029,244  
Other changes in comprehensive income, net of tax:
               
     Unrealized (losses) on securities classified
               
        as available-for-sale arising during the period
    (133,799 )     (706,975 )
            Comprehensive Income
  $ 365,394     $ 322,269  

 
 
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)


   
Three Months Ended March 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
   Net income
  $ 499,193     $ 1,029,244  
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations
               
      Depreciation
    30,607       48,917  
      Bond amortization, net
    10,965       84,747  
   Changes in assets and liabilities
               
      Premium, notes and investment income receivable
    (109,773 )     (864,018 )
      Reinsurance recoverable
    838,922       108,218  
      Deferred policy acquisition costs
    108,943       (145,476 )
      Other assets
    (64,531 )     (9,345 )
      Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
    (2,048,004 )     (3,209,920 )
      Unearned premium
    (920,199 )     742,862  
      Advance premium and premium deposits
    330,458       438,173  
      Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    333,031       (8,364 )
Income taxes current/deferred
    266,996        (129,472 )
      Net Cash (Used) by Operating Activities
    (723,392 )     (1,914,434 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
   Purchase of fixed maturity investments
    (1,297,000 )     (2,195,999 )
   Proceeds from maturity of fixed maturity investments
    8,500,000       7,200,000  
   Net (increase) in short-term investments
    (6,602,836 )     (2,983,612 )
   Write-offs (additions) to property and equipment
    12,332       (49,054 )
         Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
    612,496       1,971,335  
                 
Financing Activities
               
Repurchase of common stock
    -       (51,866 )
Net Cash (Used) by Financing Activities
    -       (51,866 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash
    (110,896 )     5,035  
Cash at beginning of period
    118,512       27,710  
Cash at End of Period
  $ 7,616     $ 32,745  
                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Income taxes
    -     $ 650,000  
 


See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
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UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
 AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2010

 

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

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

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.  Quarterly financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect its reported amounts of assets and liabilities and its disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the date of its financial statements, as well as its reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The most significant assumptions in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements relate to losses and loss adjustment expenses.  While every effort is made to ensure the integrity of such estimates, actual results may differ.
 
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The Company has used the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value disclosures:

·  
Fixed maturities:

1.  
Investment Securities excluding long-term certificates of deposit – Fair values are obtained from a national quotation service.
 
 
2.  
Long-term certificates of deposit – The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for these instruments approximate their fair values.

·  
Cash and short-term Investments – The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate their fair values given the short-term nature of these instruments.

·  
Premium and notes receivable – The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet approximate their fair values given the short-term nature of these instruments.
 
 
 
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NOTE 2 – EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 
The salaries and employee benefits reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is different than the expected expense as shown in the following table:
 
   
Three Months Ended MonthsEnded
   
Year Ended
 
   
March 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
                   
 Expected expense for salaries and employee benefits
    1,138,161     $ 1,428,949       4,950,955  
 Adjustment to profit sharing plan contribution
    (249,172 )     -       249,172  
 Salaries and benefits per Consolidated Statements of Operations
  $ 888,989     $ 1,428,949     $ 5,200,127  

In the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded an adjustment to correct for an error that originated in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The effect of the adjustment on the quarter ended March 31, 2010, was a reduction to salaries and employee benefit expense of approximately $249,000 and an increase to net income, of approximately $164,000.  The correction was the result of a decision in March 2010 to reduce the Company’s annual contribution to the employee profit sharing plan for the plan year ending March 31, 2010.  Had this accrual adjustment been properly reflected in the fourth quarter of 2009, total stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2009, and net income for the year ended December 31, 2009 would have increased approximately $164,000.  The Company made an assessment of the materiality of this item on the Company’s historical financial statements in accordance with SAB No. 99, “Materiality,” and concluded that the error was immaterial to all periods. 

NOTE 3 – REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK – EFFECTS ON STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire from time to time up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  This program has no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 247,356 shares of its common stock.  The 2008 program is the only program under which there is remaining authority to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company has retired all stock repurchased.

NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The following table represents the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the Company's basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share computations reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
           
Net income numerator
  $ 499,193     $ 1,029,244  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding denominator
    5,306,204       5,569,256  
                 
     Basic Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.18  

Diluted Earnings Per Share
           
Net income numerator
  $ 499,193     $ 1,029,244  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding
    5,306,204       5,569,256  
Effect of diluted securities
    43,719       37,815  
Diluted shares outstanding denominator
    5,349,923       5,607,071  
                 
     Diluted Earnings Per Share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.18  
 
NOTE 5 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
Accounting Guidance Adopted
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued a new standard related to fair value measurements and disclosures, which amends the earlier FASB standard to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements.  The new standard also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value.  The Company adopted the new accounting standard which became effective for the interim reporting period ended March 31, 2010, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

There have been no other accounting standards issued during 2010 that are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
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NOTE 6 – ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES
 
The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file consolidated federal and state income tax returns.  Pursuant to the tax allocation agreement, Crusader and American Acceptance Corporation are allocated taxes or tax credits in the case of losses, at current corporate rates based on their own taxable income or loss.  The Company files income tax returns under U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions.  The Company is subject to examination by U.S. federal income tax authorities for years 2007 through 2009 and California state income tax authorities for years 2005 through 2009.  There are no ongoing examinations of income tax returns by federal or state tax authorities.

ASC 740, which became effective January 1, 2007, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  Since adoption of ASC 740 and as of March 31, 2010, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no additional liabilities or reduction in deferred tax asset.  In addition, the Company had not accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.  However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.

NOTE 7 – SEGMENT REPORTING
 
ASC 280 establishes standards for the way information about operating segments are reported in financial statements.  The Company has identified its insurance company operation as its primary reporting segment.  Revenues from this segment comprised 86% of consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 85% of consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually insignificant to consolidated revenues.

Revenues, income before income taxes, and assets by segment are as follows:
       
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues
           
Insurance company operation
  $ 8,560,611     $ 9,047,329  
 
               
Other insurance operations
    3,659,299       4,653,297  
Intersegment elimination (1)
    (2,322,097 )     (3,112,199 )
   Total other insurance operations
    1,337,202       1,541,098  
                 
   Total Revenues
  $ 9,897,813     $ 10,588,427  
 
               
Income Before Income Taxes
               
Insurance company operation
  $ 1,231,813     $ 1,846,956  
Other insurance operations
    (467,382 )     (299,377 )
     Total Income Before Income Taxes
  $ 764,431     $ 1,547,579  

 
 
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As of
 
   
March 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
           
Insurance company operation
  $ 155,464,864     $ 157,271,019  
Intersegment eliminations (2)
    (1,244,608 )     (824,887 )
     Total insurance company operation
 
    154,220,256       156,446,132  
Other insurance operations
    14,043,727       13,662,520  
     Total Assets
  $ 168,263,983     $ 170,108,652  

(1)  Intersegment revenue eliminations reflect commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc. (Unifax)
(2)  Intersegment asset eliminations reflect the elimination of Crusader receivables and Unifax payables.
 
NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE ON FIXED MATURITY INVESTMENTS
 
ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2008.  The accounting standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price).  Financial assets and financial liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value are categorized based on the reliability of inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:
 

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

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

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

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

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

All of the Company’s fixed maturity investments are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value.  Although all of the Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale and the Company may sell investment securities from time to time in response to economic and market conditions, its investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality investments to maturity.  Short-term investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.  The unrealized gains or losses from fixed maturities are reported as “accumulated other comprehensive income,” which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any deferred tax effect.  For fixed maturity investments that the Company does not intend to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company would not be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the Company separates the credit loss component of the impairment, if any, from the amount related to all other factors and reports the credit loss component in net realized investment gains (losses).  There was no credit loss component for any of the periods presented in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.  The impairment related to all other factors is reported in “accumulated other comprehensive income.”  Realized gains and losses, if any, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the specific identification method.
The Company had unrealized investment gains, net of deferred taxes of $2,608,361 as of March 31, 2010, and unrealized investment gains, net of deferred taxes of $2,742,160 as of December 31, 2009.
 
 
 
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NOTE 9 – INVESTMENTS
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments in fixed maturities by categories are as follows:
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
   
Estimated
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
March 31, 2010
                       
Available for sale:
                       
  Fixed maturities
                       
  Certificates of deposit
  $ 22,331,997       -       -     $ 22,331,997  
  U.S. treasury securities
    94,862,045     $ 3,891,785     $ 1,955       98,751,875  
  Industrial and miscellaneous taxable bonds
    4,032,687       62,233       -       4,094,920  
     Total fixed maturities
  $ 121,226,729     $ 3,954,018     $ 1,955     $ 125,178,792  
                                 
December 31, 2009
                               
Available for sale:
                               
  Fixed maturities
                               
  Certificates of deposit
  $ 21,034,997       -       -     $ 21,034,997  
  U.S. treasury securities
    103,361,652     $ 4,057,614       -       107,419,266  
  Industrial and miscellaneous taxable bonds
    4,044,046       97,174       -       4,141,220  
     Total fixed maturities
  $ 128,440,695     $ 4,154,788       -     $ 132,595,483  

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

   
March 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Gross unrealized gains of fixed maturities
  $ 3,954,018     $ 4,154,788  
Gross unrealized (losses) of fixed maturities
    (1,955 )     -  
Net unrealized gains on investments
    3,952,063       4,154,788  
Deferred federal tax (expense)
    (1,343,702 )     (1,412,628 )
   Net unrealized gains,  net of deferred income taxes
  $ 2,608,361     $ 2,742,160  

The Company had one fixed maturity investment grade U.S. treasury security with a gross unrealized loss of $1,955, for continuous periods of 0 to 6 months.  At December 31, 2009, the Company had no fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss.

The Company did not sell any fixed maturity investment in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Short-term investments have an initial maturity of one year or less and consist of the following:
   
March 31
   
December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
U.S. government money market fund
  $ 6,116,175     $ 2,562,100  
Bank money market accounts
    8,394,633       3,348,973  
Certificates of deposit
    1,248,000       3,245,000  
Bank savings accounts
    1,860       1,759  
   Total short-term investments
  $ 15,760,668     $ 9,157,832  

The Company manages its own investment portfolio.  A summary of net investment and related income is as follows:
   
Three Months Ended March 31
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
Fixed maturities
  $ 930,102     $ 1,212,143  
Short-term investments
    9,216       11,984  
     Total investment income
  $ 939,318     $ 1,224,127  

 
 
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NOTE 10 – CONTINGENCIES
 
One of the Company’s agents that was appointed in 2008 to help the Company get one of its programs started failed to pay the net premium and policy fees due Unifax, the exclusive general agent for Crusader.  The agent was initially late in paying its February 2009 production that was due to Unifax on April 15, 2009.  In May 2009, as a result of the agent’s failure to timely pay its balance due to Unifax, the Company terminated its agency agreement and assumed ownership and control of that agent’s policy expirations written with the Company.  The agent has not paid any subsequent premium to Unifax.  The Company subsequently commenced legal proceedings against the agent and the agent’s guarantors for recovery of the balance due and any related recovery costs incurred.  All related recovery costs have been expensed as incurred.  As of March 31, 2010, the agent’s balance due to Unifax was $1,493,360.  Based on the limited information presently available, the Company increased the bad debt reserve previously established by $150,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Thus, the bad debt reserve for this agent as of March 31, 2010, is $803,713, which represents approximately 54% of the current balance due to Unifax.  The Company’s bad debt reserve is subject to change as more information becomes available.

ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Overview
 
General
 
Unico American Corporation is an insurance holding company that underwrites property and casualty insurance through its insurance company subsidiary; provides property, casualty, health and life insurance through its agency subsidiaries; insurance premium financing; and membership association services.

The Company had a net income of $499,193 for the three months ending March 31, 2010, compared to net income of $1,029,244 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, a decrease in net income of $530,051 (51%).  This overview discusses some of the relevant factors that management considers in evaluating the Company's performance, prospects, and risks.  It is not all-inclusive and is meant to be read in conjunction with the entirety of the management discussion and analysis, the Company's financial statements and notes thereto, and all other items contained within the report on this Form 10-Q.

Revenue and Income Generation
 
The Company receives its revenue primarily from earned premium derived from the insurance company operations, commission and fee income generated from the insurance agency operations, finance charges and fee income from the premium finance operations, and investment income from cash generated primarily from the insurance company operation.  The insurance company operation generated approximately 86% and 85% of consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The Company’s remaining operations constitute a variety of specialty insurance services, each with unique characteristics and individually not material to consolidated revenues.

Insurance Company Operation
 
The property and casualty insurance industry is highly competitive and includes many insurers, ranging from large companies offering a wide variety of products worldwide to smaller, specialized companies in a single state or region offering only a single product.  Many of the Company's existing or potential competitors have considerably greater financial and other resources, have a higher rating assigned by independent rating organizations such as A.M. Best Company, have greater experience in the insurance industry and offer a broader line of insurance products than the Company.  As of March 31, 2010, Crusader was licensed as an admitted insurance carrier in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.  Since 2004, all of Crusader’s business was written in the state of California.

Effective January 27, 2009, A.M. Best Company upgraded Crusader’s financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from B++ (Good), and revised Crusader’s rating outlook to “stable” from “positive.”  In addition, Crusader’s Issuer Credit Rating was upgraded to a- (Excellent) from bbb+ (Good).  These ratings were reaffirmed by A.M. Best as of January 18, 2010.

Premium written (before reinsurance) is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined, under statutory accounting, as the contractually determined amount charged by the Company to the policyholder for the effective period of the contract based on the expectation of risk, policy benefits, and expenses associated with the coverage provided by the terms of the policies.  Premium earned, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, represents the portion of premiums written that is recognized as income in the financial statements for the period presented and earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the policies.  Direct written premium reported on the Company’s statutory statement decreased $2,148,050 (20%) to $8,468,959 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $10,617,009 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
 
 
 
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Crusader’s underwriting profit (before income taxes) is as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
   
 
2010
   
 
2009
   
Increase (Decrease)
 
                   
Net premium earned
  $ 7,442,227     $ 7,619,159     $ (176,932 )
                         
Less:
                       
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    5,308,149       4,634,653       673,496  
Policy acquisition costs
    1,886,826       1,953,859       (67,033 )
     Total
    7,194,975       6,588,512       606,463  
                         
Underwriting profit (before income taxes)
  $ 247,252     $ 1,030,647     $ (783,395 )

The decrease in underwriting profit (before income tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the prior year period, as shown in the above table, is primarily the result of a an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses, in addition to a decrease in net premium earned.  Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 71% of net premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to 61% of net premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

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

   
Three Months Ended March 31
 
                   
   
2010
   
2009
   
Increase (Decrease)
 
                   
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
                 
  Current accident year
  $ 7,315,970     $ 5,341,295     $ 1,974,675  
  Favorable  development of all  prior accident years
    2,007,821       706,642       1,301,179  
     Total losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 5,308,149     $ 4,634,653     $ 673,496  

The increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an increase in current accident year losses incurred offset in part by an increase in favorable development of prior accident years’ losses and loss adjustment expenses.

Other Operations
 
The Company’s other revenues from insurance operations consist of commissions, fees, finance charges, and investment and other income.  Excluding investment and other income, these operations accounted for approximately 13% of total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2010, and approximately 15% of total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2009.

Investments and Liquidity
The Company generates revenue from its investment portfolio, which consisted of approximately $137.0 million (at amortized cost) at March 31, 2010, compared to $137.6 million (at amortized cost) at December 31, 2009.  Investment income decreased $284,809 (23%) to $939,318 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $1,224,127 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in investment income is primarily a result of a decrease in invested assets and a decrease in the Company’s annualized weighted average investment yield on its fixed maturity obligations to 2.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from 3.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Due to the current interest rate environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of five years or less and with minimal credit risk.
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Crusader generates a significant amount of cash as a result of its holdings of unearned premium reserves, reserves for loss payments, and its capital and surplus.  Crusader's loss and loss adjustment expense payments are the most significant cash flow requirement of the Company.  These payments are continually monitored and projected to ensure that the Company has the liquidity to cover these payments without the need to liquidate its investments.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had cash and investments of $136,995,013 (at amortized cost) of which $134,236,797 (98%) were investments of Crusader.

 
 
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As of March 31, 2010, the Company had invested $121,226,729 (at amortized cost) or 88% of its invested assets in fixed maturity obligations.  All of the Company's investments in fixed maturity and short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax.  Although all of the Company's investments are classified as available-for-sale, the Company's investment guidelines place primary emphasis on buying and holding high-quality investments until maturity.

The Company's investments in fixed maturity obligations of $121,226,729 (at amortized cost) includes $94,862,045 (78%) of U.S. treasury securities, $4,032,687 (3%) of industrial and miscellaneous securities, and $22,331,997 (19%) of long-term certificates of deposit.

The remaining balance of the Company's investments is in short-term investments that include bank money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and a short-term treasury money market fund.

The Company’s investment guidelines on equity securities limit investments in equity securities to an aggregate maximum of $2,000,000.  The Company’s investment guidelines on fixed maturities limit those investments to high-grade obligations with a maximum term of eight years.  The maximum investment authorized in any one issuer is $2,000,000.  This dollar limitation excludes bond premiums paid in excess of par value and U.S. government or U.S. government guaranteed issues.  When the Company invests in fixed maturity municipal securities, preference is given to issues that are pre-refunded and secured by U.S. treasury securities.  The short-term investments are either U.S. government obligations, FDIC insured, or are in an institution with a Moody's rating of P2 and/or a Standard & Poor's rating of A1.  All of the Company's fixed maturity investment securities are rated, readily marketable, and could be liquidated without any materially adverse financial impact.
 
 
On December 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire from time to time up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  This program has no expiration date and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.  During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company did not repurchase any stock under this program and the previously adopted programs.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 247,356 shares of its common stock.  The 2008 program is the only program under which there is remaining authority to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock.  The Company has or will retire all stock repurchased.

The net cash used by operating activities for both the three months ended March 31, 2010 and the three months ended March 31, 2009 was primarily due to declining written premium and declining commission and fee income. This decline is primarily due to the competitive insurance market place.  The Company believes that rate adequacy is more important than premium growth and that underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs) is its primary goal.  The decline in net cash from operating activities was also attributable to decreased investment income resulting from the lower yields in the marketplace on both new and reinvested assets.  In addition, cash flows can change from period to period depending largely on the amount and the timing of claims payments.  The variability of the Company’s losses and loss adjustment expenses is primarily due to its small population of claims which may result in greater fluctuations in claim frequency and/or severity.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company had only 632 open claims.  Although the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows continues to reflect net cash used by operating activities, the Company continues to be profitable, well capitalized, adequately reserved and does not anticipate future liquidity problems.  As of March 31, 2010, all of the Company’s investments are in US treasury securities, investment grade bonds, certificates of deposit and money market funds which are readily marketable.  The weighted average maturity of the Company’s investments is approximately 1.6 years.

Although material capital expenditures may also be funded through borrowings, the Company believes that its cash and short-term investments at March 31, 2010, net of statutory deposits of $700,000, and California insurance company statutory dividend restrictions applicable to Crusader should be sufficient to meet its operating requirements during the next twelve months without the necessity of borrowing funds.  There were no trust restrictions on cash and short-term investments at March 31, 2010.
 
 
 
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Results of Operations
 
All comparisons made in this discussion are comparing the three months ended March 31, 2010, to the three months ended March 31, 2009, unless otherwise indicated.

The Company had net income of $499,193 for the three months ending March 31, 2010, compared to net income of $1,029,244 for the three months ended March 31, 2009, a decrease in net income of $530,051 (51%).  Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2010, decreased $690,614 (7%) to $9,897,813, compared to total revenue of $10,588,427 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

Premium written (before reinsurance) is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined, under statutory accounting, as the contractually determined amount charged by the Company to the policyholder for the effective period of the contract based on the expectation of risk, policy benefits, and expenses associated with the coverage provided by the terms of the policies.  Premium earned, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, represents the portion of premiums written that is recognized as income in the financial statements for the period presented and earned on a pro-rata basis over the term of the policies.  Direct written premium reported on the Company’s statutory statement decreased $2,148,050 (20%) to $8,468,959 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $10,617,009 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  In addition to the increased competition in the property and casualty marketplace, the Company took action on two of its programs that it believed was necessary due to higher than expected losses.  The corrective actions took place in 2009 after the first quarter of 2009, and included a rate increase on one of the programs, the termination of certain brokers and the non-renewal of policies associated with those brokers on the other program.  These two programs accounted for approximately 63% of the $2,148,050 decrease in written premium before reinsurance for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the prior year period   The Company believes that rate adequacy is more important than premium growth and that underwriting profit (net earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs) is its primary goal.
 
The property and casualty insurance industry is characterized by periods of soft market conditions, in which premium rates are stable or falling and insurance is readily available, and by periods of hard market conditions, in which premium rates rise, coverage may be more difficult to find, and insurers’ profits increase.  The Company believes that the California property and casualty insurance market continues to be a “soft market.”  The Company cannot determine how long the existing market conditions will continue nor in which direction they might change.  Despite the increased competition in the property and casualty marketplace, the Company believes that it can grow its sales and profitability by continuing to focus upon three key areas of its operations: (1) product development, (2) improved service to retail brokers, and (3) appointment of captive and independent retail agents.

Premium earned before reinsurance decreased $484,989 (5%) to $9,389,158 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $9,874,147 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The Company writes annual policies and, therefore, earns written premium over the one-year policy term.  The decrease in earned premium before reinsurance is a direct result of the decrease in written premium during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2010, as compared to premium written during the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2009.

Earned ceded premium decreased $308,057 (14%) to $1,946,931 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $2,254,988 in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in earned ceded premium is primarily a result of a decrease in direct premium earned and changes in the rates charged by Crusader’s reinsurers.  The Company evaluates each of its ceded reinsurance contracts at their inception to determine if there is a sufficient risk transfer to allow the contract to be accounted for as reinsurance under current accounting literature.  As of March 31, 2010, all such ceded contracts are accounted for as risk transfer reinsurance.  Direct earned premium, earned ceded premium, and ceding commission are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended March 31
 
   
 2010
   
 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                   
Direct earned premium
  $ 9,389,158     $ 9,874,147     $ (484,989 )
                         
Earned ceded premium
    1,946,931       2,254,988       (308,057 )
Ceding commission
    (578,097 )     (668,594 )     90,497  
    Earned ceded premium, net of ceding commission
  $ 1,368,834     $ 1,586,394     $ (217,560 )

Total earned ceded premium was 21% of direct earned premium in the three months ended March 31, 2010, and 23% of direct earned premium in the three months ended March 31, 2009.  There was no significant change in the ceding commission rate.

 
 
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In 2009 and 2010 Crusader retained a participation in its excess of loss reinsurance treaties of 20% in its 1st layer ($700,000 in excess of $300,000), 15% in its 2nd layer ($1,000,000 in excess of $1,000,000), and 0% in its property and casualty clash treaty.

The 2007 through 2010 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission.  Crusader’s 2006 1st layer primary excess of loss treaty provides for a contingent commission equal to 20% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006.  The 2005 excess of loss treaties do not provide for a contingent commission.  Crusader’s 2003 and 2004 1st layer primary excess of loss treaties provide for a contingent commission to the Company equal to 45% of the net profit, if any, accruing to the reinsurer.  The first accounting period for the contingent commission covers the period from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2004.  For each accounting period as described above, the Company will calculate and report to the reinsurers its net profit (excluding incurred but not reported losses), if any, within 90 days after 36 months following the end of the first accounting period, and within 90 days after the end of each twelve-month period thereafter until all losses subject to the agreement have been finally settled.  Any contingent commission received is subject to return based on future development of ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses.  As of March 31, 2010, the Company has received a total net contingent commission of $3,668,198 for the years subject to contingent commission.  Of this amount, the Company has recognized $1,847,658 of contingent commission income, of which $161,278 was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The remaining balance of the net payments received of $1,820,540 is currently unearned and included in “Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.  The unearned contingent commission may be subsequently earned or returned to the reinsurer depending on the future development of the ceded IBNR for the years subject to contingent commission.
 
Investment income decreased $284,809 (23%) to $939,318 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to investment income of $1,224,127 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The Company had no realized gains or losses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  The decrease in investment income in the current period as compared to the prior year period is primarily a result of a decrease in invested assets and a decrease in the Company’s annualized weighted average yield to 2.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from 3.4% in the prior year period.  The decrease in the annualized yield on average invested assets is a result of lower yields in the marketplace on both new and reinvested assets.

The average annualized yields on the Company’s average invested assets are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 March 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Average Invested Assets*
  $ 137,292,962     $ 143,989,819  
Total Investment Income
  $ 939,318     $ 1,224,127  
Annualized Yield on Average Invested Assets
    2.7 %     3.4 %

 
* The average is based on the beginning and ending balance of the amortized cost of the invested assets.

The par value, amortized cost, estimated market value and weighted average yield of fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2010, by contractual maturity are as follows.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

    Maturities by
   Calendar Year
 
Par
 Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Weighted
Average Yield
 
                         
December 31, 2010
    29,048,999       29,079,447       29,283,450       2.6 %
December 31, 2011
    43,288,998       43,331,771       43,859,311       2.0 %
December 31, 2012
    39,744,000       39,721,584       42,504,000       4.3 %
December 31, 2013
    9,100,000       9,093,927       9,532,031       3.3 %
   Total
  $ 121,181,997     $ 121,226,729     $ 125,178,792       3.0 %

The weighted average maturity of the Company’s fixed maturity investments was 1.6 years as of March 31, 2010, and 1.9 years as of March 31, 2009.  Due to the current interest rate environment, management believes it is prudent to purchase fixed maturity investments with maturities of 5 years or less and with minimal credit risk.

 
 
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As of March 31, 2010, the Company held fixed maturity investments with unrealized gain of $3,954,018 and one fixed maturity investment with unrealized loss of $1,955.  The Company monitors its investments closely.  If an unrealized loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, the amount related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings and the amount related to other factors is recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).  The Company’s methodology of assessing other-than-temporary impairments is based on security-specific analysis as of the balance sheet date and considers various factors including the length of time to maturity and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the issuer, and whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments.  The Company has concluded that the gross unrealized losses of $1,955 as of March 31, 2010, were temporary in nature.  However, facts and circumstances may change which could result in a decline in fair value considered to be other-than-temporary.  The Company does not have the intent to sell its fixed maturity investments and it is not likely that the Company would be required to sell any of its fixed maturity investments prior to recovery of its amortized costs.  The Company did not sell any fixed maturity investments in the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  The following table summarizes all fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2010, and the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those fixed maturities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position:

   
Fair
   
Gross
 
   
Value
   
Unrealized Loss
 
             
0-6 months
  $ 4,993,750     $ 1,955  
7-12 months
    -       -  
Over 12 months
    -       -  
  Total
  $ 4,993,750     $ 1,955  

As of March 31, 2010, the fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss for a continuous period of 0 to 6 months consisted of a single U.S. treasury bond.  There were no fixed maturity investments with a gross unrealized loss position for a continuous period of over 7 months.

Gross commission and fee income decreased $190,716 (13%) to $1,249,138 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to commission and fee income of $1,439,854 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

The decreases in gross commission and fee income for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, are as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
       
   
March 31
   
Increase
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
(Decrease)
 
                   
Policy fee income
  $ 511,046     $ 532,691     $ (21,645 )
Health insurance program
    530,228       686,942       (156,714 )
Membership and fee income
    57,386       71,407       (14,021 )
Other commission and fee income
    85       582       (497 )
Daily automobile rental insurance program:
                       
   Commission income (excluding contingent commission)
    82,520       82,718       (198 )
   Contingent commission
    67,873       65,514       2,359  
           Total
  $ 1,249,138     $ 1,439,854     $ (190,716 )

Unifax primarily sells and services insurance policies for Crusader.  The commissions paid by Crusader to Unifax are eliminated as intercompany transactions and are not reflected as income in the financial statements.  Unifax also receives non-refundable policy fee income that is directly related to the Crusader policies it sells.  For financial reporting purposes policy fees are earned ratably over the life of the related insurance policy.  The unearned portion of the policy fee is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet under Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities.  Policy fee income decreased $21,645 (4%) in the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in policy fee income is directly related to a decrease in the number of policies issued in the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 
 
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American Insurance Brokers, Inc. (AIB), a subsidiary of the Company, markets health insurance in California through non-affiliated insurance companies for individuals and groups.  For these services, AIB receives commission based on the premiums that it writes.  Commission income for the three months ended March 31, 2010, decreased $156,714 (23%), as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease is primarily due to the fact that beginning in September 2009, CIGNA substantially reduced the medical plans offered to small group employers in the state of California from nineteen plans to four.  All new employer groups and existing employer groups on their anniversary date have the option to choose from the four available plans.  AIB is assisting its CIGNA policyholders in obtaining new coverage in one of the four CIGNA plans or with other contracted carriers.  This reduction in CIGNA medical plans offered to small group employers in the state of California has resulted in a decrease in AIB commission income and AAQHC fee income.  AAQHC will continue to underwrite and administer the remaining four CIGNA medical plans and CIGNA dental plans for individuals and small group employers.

The Company's subsidiary Insurance Club, Inc., dba AAQHC An Administrator (AAQHC), is an administrator for CIGNA HealthCare and is a membership association that provides various consumer benefits to its members, including participation in group health care insurance policies that AAQHC negotiates for the association.  For these services, AAQHC receives membership and fee income from its members.  Membership and fee income decreased $14,021 (20%) for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This decrease was primarily a result of the reduction in CIGNA medical plans offered to small group employers in the state of California as discussed above.

The daily automobile rental insurance program is produced by Bedford Insurance Services, Inc. (Bedford), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  Bedford receives a commission from a non-affiliated insurance company based on premium written.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses were 71% of net premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to 61% of net premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

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

   
Three Months Ended March 31
 
                   
   
2010
   
2009
   
Increase (Decrease)
 
 Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
                 
   Current accident year
  $ 7,315,970     $ 5,341,295     $ 1,974,675  
   Less: favorable  development of all  prior accident years
    2,007,821       706,642       1,301,179  
     Total
  $ 5,308,149     $ 4,634,653     $ 673,496  

The increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010, to $5,308,149 (71% of net earned premium) from $4,634,653 (61% of net earned premium) for the three months ended March 31, 2009 is the result of an increase in current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred offset in part by an increase in favorable development of prior accident years’ losses and loss adjustment expenses.  The increase in current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses is primarily due to an increase in the number of property claims on one of the Company’s relatively new programs.  The Company’s sales in that program, which includes both property and liability coverages, began in July 2008.  In April 2009, the Company recognized problems with that program and took immediate corrective action.  The corrective action included the non-renewal of a substantial number of the policies originally written in that program and is reflected in the reduction of premium written during the first quarter of 2010.  The action taken is expected to ultimately improve the Company’s loss ratio for that program.  Furthermore, the Company plans to increase the rate on the property component of that program’s rating manual, subject to prior approval by the State of California Department of Insurance.

 
 
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The Company’s consolidated financial statements include estimated reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses of the insurance company operation.  Management makes its best estimate of the liability for unpaid claims costs as of the end of each fiscal quarter.  Due to the inherent uncertainties in estimating the Company’s unpaid claims costs, actual loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all claims.  Variability is inherent in establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, especially for a small insurer like the Company.  For any given line of insurance, accident year, or other group of claims, there is a continuum of possible reserve estimates, each having its own unique degree of propriety or reasonableness.  Due to the complexity and nature of the insurance claims process, there are potentially an infinite number of reasonably likely scenarios.  The Company does not specifically identify reasonably likely scenarios other than utilizing management’s best estimate.  In addition to applying the various standard methods to the data, an extensive series of diagnostic tests of the resultant reserve estimates are applied to determine management’s best estimate of the unpaid claims liability.  Among the statistics reviewed for each accident year are loss and loss adjustment expense development patterns, frequencies (expected claim counts), severities (average cost per claim), loss and loss adjustment expense ratios to premium, and loss adjustment expense ratios to loss.  When there is clear evidence that the actual claims costs emerged are different than expected for any prior accident year, the claims cost estimates for that year are revised accordingly.  The accurate establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves is a difficult process, as there are many factors that can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the reserve that is needed.  Estimates are based on a variety of industry data and on the Company’s current and historical accident year claims data, including but not limited to reported claim counts, open claim counts, closed claim counts, closed claim counts with payments, paid losses, paid loss adjustment expenses, case loss reserves, case loss adjustment expense reserves, earned premiums and policy exposures, salvage and subrogation, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses paid.  Many other factors, including changes in reinsurance, changes in pricing, changes in policy forms and coverage, changes in underwriting and risk selection, legislative changes, results of litigation and inflation are also taken into account.  At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company’s reserves are re-evaluated for each accident year (i.e., for all claims incurred within each year) by a committee consisting of the Company’s chief executive officer, the Company’s chief financial officer, and an independent consulting actuary.  The Company uses the loss ratio method to estimate ultimate claims costs on the current accident year.  The current accident year IBNR reserves are initially determined by multiplying earned premiums for the year by the expected loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, then subtracting the current accident year’s cumulative incurred (paid plus case reserves) to date.  This method is subject to adjustment based upon actual results incurred during the reporting period.  This initial IBNR reserve is adjusted as subsequent development of that accident year takes place.  The differences between actual and expected claims costs are typically not due to one specific factor, but to a combination of many factors such as the period of time between the initial occurrence and the final settlement of the claim, current and perceived social and economic inflation, and many other economic, legal, political, and social factors.  Because of these and other factors, actual loss and loss adjustment expense payments should be expected to vary, perhaps significantly, from any estimate made prior to the settling of all claims.  Any adjustments to reserves are reflected in the operating results of the periods in which they are made.  Management believes that the aggregate reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reasonable and adequate to cover the cost of claims, both reported and unreported.

Policy acquisition costs consist of commissions, premium taxes, inspection fees, and certain other underwriting costs, which are related to the production of Crusader insurance policies.  These costs include both Crusader expenses and allocated expenses of other Unico subsidiaries.  Crusader's reinsurers pay Crusader a ceding commission, which is primarily a reimbursement of the acquisition cost related to the ceded premium.  Policy acquisition costs, net of ceding commission, are deferred and amortized as the related premiums are earned.  These costs were approximately 25% of net premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and 26% of net premium earned for the three months ended March 31, 2009.   
 
Salaries and employee benefits decreased $539,960 (38%) to $888,989 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to salary and employee benefits of $1,428,949 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in salaries and employee benefits incurred is primarily a result of a decrease in employee benefits costs, the retirement of the former chief executive of the Company on April 1, 2009, and a decrease in the number of employees as compared to the prior year period.

In the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded an adjustment to correct for an error that originated in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The effect of the adjustment on the quarter ended March 31, 2010, was a reduction to salaries and employee benefit expense of approximately $249,000 and an increase to net income, of approximately $164,000.  The correction was the result of a decision in March 2010 to reduce the Company’s annual contribution to the employee profit sharing plan for the plan year ending March 31, 2010.

Commissions to agents/brokers decreased $121,813 (39%) to $191,978 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to commission expense of $313,791 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in commission to agents/brokers is primarily the result of a decrease in commission expense on the health insurance program in the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the prior year period.
 
 
 
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Other operating expenses increased $147,844 (21%) to $857,440 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $709,596 for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The increase in other operating expenses is primarily due to an increase in the Company’s reserve for bad debts.  The Company’s bad debt expense increased $149,249 for the three months ended March 31, 2010, as compared to the prior year period.  The increase in bad debt expense was primarily due to a single agent’s failure to remit premiums due Unifax.  See “Note 10, Contingencies.”
 
Income tax provision was an expense of $265,238 (35% of pre-tax income) for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to an income tax expense of $518,335 (33% of pre-tax income) for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The decrease in tax expense was primarily due to a decrease in pre-tax income to $764,431 in the three months ended March 31, 2010, from pre-tax income of $1,547,579 in the three months ended March 31, 2009.
The effect of inflation on net income of the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the three months ended March 31, 2009, was not significant.
 
Forward Looking StatementsCertain statements contained herein, including the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are not historical facts are forward-looking.  These statements, which may be identified by forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” and “would” involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.  Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include underwriting or marketing actions not being effective, rate increases for coverages not being sufficient, premium rate adequacy relating to competition or regulation, actual versus estimated claim experience, regulatory changes or developments, unforeseen calamities, general market conditions, and the Company’s ability to introduce new profitable products.


ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The Company’s consolidated balance sheet includes a substantial amount of invested assets whose fair values are subject to various market risk exposures including interest rate risk and equity price risk.
The Company’s invested assets consist of the following:
 
   
March 31
 2010
   
December 31
 2009
   
Increase
(Decrease)
 
                   
Fixed maturity bonds (at amortized value)
  $ 98,894,732     $ 107,405,698     $ (8,510,966 )
Short-term cash investments (at cost)
    15,760,668       9,157,832       6,602,836  
Certificates of deposit (over 1 year, at cost)
    22,331,997       21,034,997       1,297,000  
     Total invested assets
  $ 136,987,397     $ 137,598,527     $ (611,130 )

There have been no material changes in the composition of the Company’s invested assets or market risk exposures since the end of the preceding fiscal year end.
 
 
ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
An evaluation was carried out by the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010 (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

During the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 
ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS
 
There were no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, in response to Item 1A to Part I of Form 10-K.


ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS
 
 
10.1
Amendment to Employee Agreement effective January 1, 2010 between Registrant and Cary L.  Cheldin.
 
10.2
Amendment to Employee Agreement effective January 1, 2010 between Registrant and Lester A. Aaron.
 
10.3
Amendment to Employee Agreement effective January 1, 2010 between Registrant and Terry L. Kinigstein.
 
31.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.




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.
 
 
                                                              UNICO AMERICAN CORPORATION
Date:   May 14, 2010     By:                /s/ CARY CHELDIN
                                                              Cary Cheldin
                                                              Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                                                              Executive Officer, (Principal Executive Officer)


Date:   May 14, 2010     By:                /s/ LESTER A. AARON
                                                              Lester A. Aaron
                                                             Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, (Principal
                                                             Accounting and Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.    Description
 
 
10.1
Amendment to Employee Agreement effective January 1, 2010 between Registrant and Cary L.  Cheldin.
 
10.2
Amendment to Employee Agreement effective January 1, 2010 between Registrant and Lester A. Aaron.
 
10.3
Amendment to Employee Agreement effective January 1, 2010 between Registrant and Terry L. Kinigstein.
 
31.1
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.