AMERISAFE
Annual Report 2020

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2020 ANNUAL REPORT Executive Officers Directors G. JANELLE FROST President, Chief Executive Officer and Director NEAL A. FULLER Executive Vice President and VINCENT J. GAGLIANO Executive Vice President and ANDREW B. McCRAY Executive Vice President and KATHRYN H. SHIRLEY Executive Vice President, Chief Chief Financial Officer Chief Risk Officer Chief Underwriting Officer Administrative Officer and Secretary Jared A. Morris (1)(2)(3)(4) Michael J. Brown (1)(2)(4) Teri G. Fontenot (1)(3)(4) G. Janelle Frost (4) Philip A. Garcia (1)(2)(4) Millard E. Morris (4) Randall E. Roach (2)(3)(4) Sean M. Traynor (2)(3)(4) Securities Traded NASDAQ Global Select Market Symbol: AMSF Corporate Headquarters 2301 Highway 190 West DeRidder, LA 70634 (337) 463-9052 www.amerisafe.com Independent Accountants Ernst & Young LLP (1) (2) (3) (4) Audit Committee member Compensation Committee member Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee member Risk Committee member Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting will be held on June 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at AMERISAFE’s corporate headquarters. A proxy statement will be sent to shareholders on or about May 4, 2021. Registrar and Transfer Agent Computershare P.O. Box 505000 Louisville, KY 40233-5000 (800) 962-4284 26 FROM OUR President and Chief Executive Officer Dear Shareholders, What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were in the early stages of a global pandemic. We were learning and adjusting to health and safety protocols and transforming to virtual environments. While the pandemic is not over, we are currently optimistic that Vvaccinations will aid in returning to more normalized interactions and that the economy will recover to its pre-pandemic strength. The enclosed financial and operational information provides insight AMERISAFE's on return on average equity of 19.9%, a net combined ratio of 76.3% and an 1.8% growth in book value after paying dividends of $4.58/share. performance in 2020. We are pleased to report a More importantly, our team served our customers by rising above the personal challenges of a global pandemic and surviving and rebuilding after our home office community was in the path of two major hurricanes within a 45-day period. Our employees’ resilience is to be applauded. Combine the physical and mental obstacles of the pandemic, natural disasters, a competitive workers’ compensation market, and declining pricing, 2020 was a unique year, to say the least. Yet, our performance remained strong and provided value to our shareholders. One highlight of the past year for the country was the value of relationships. Isolation resulting from public health concerns brought to the forefront the need for interaction with loved ones, peers, and customers. For AMERISAFE, the importance of interaction is core to our operations. AMERISAFE’s operating model was founded on establishing relationships with our agents, their clients, and injured workers. Our methods of underwriting, delivering safety services, and extensively managing claims hinge on customer interactions. Our strong performance was achieved as a team serving one another, our communities, and our customers through building and sustaining relationships. There is a saying about never waste a crisis. Rest assured the lessons learned in 2020 will make us an even stronger company and corporate citizen in the years to come. Stay well and thank you for your investment in AMERISAFE. Most sincerely, G. Janelle Frost President and Chief Executive Officer V UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 10-K ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 or ☐ 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: 001-12251 AMERISAFE, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Texas (State of Incorporation) 2301 Highway 190 West, DeRidder, Louisiana (Address of Principal Executive Offices) 75-2069407 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 70634 (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (337) 463-9052 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Trading Symbol(s) AMSF Name of each exchange on which registered NASDAQ Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒ 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 Non-accelerated filer ☒ ☐ Accelerated filer 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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2020 the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $1,170.9 million, based upon the closing price of the shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date. As of February 16, 2021, there were 19,331,059 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this report. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I Forward-Looking Statements ...................................................................................................................................... Item 1 Business ....................................................................................................................................................................... Item 1A Risk Factors ................................................................................................................................................................. Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments ........................................................................................................................................ Item 2 Properties ..................................................................................................................................................................... Item 3 Legal Proceedings........................................................................................................................................................ Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures .............................................................................................................................................. PART II Item 5 Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities ...... Item 6 Selected Financial Data ............................................................................................................................................... Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...................................... Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ..................................................................................... Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ............................................................................................................ Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ...................................... Item 9A Controls and Procedures .............................................................................................................................................. Page No. 1 2 25 33 33 34 34 35 36 38 52 54 99 99 Item 9B Other Information ........................................................................................................................................................ 100 PART III Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ........................................................................................... Item 11 Executive Compensation ............................................................................................................................................. Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters .................... Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ............................................................. Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services ...................................................................................................................... 101 101 101 101 101 PART IV Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ............................................................................................................... 102 Item 16 Form 10-K Summary ................................................................................................................................................... 104 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. These forward-looking statements include statements that reflect the current views of our senior management with respect to our financial performance and future events with respect to our business and the insurance industry in general. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:                   the cyclical nature of the workers’ compensation insurance industry; the impact of COVID-19 on the business operations of our insurance subsidiaries and policyholders, the value of our investments, and our revenues, results of operations and cash flows; increased competition on the basis of types of insurance offered, premium rates, coverage availability, payment terms, claims management, safety services, policy terms, overall financial strength, financial ratings and reputation; changes in relationships with independent agencies (including retail and wholesale brokers and agents); general economic conditions, including recession, inflation, performance of financial markets, interest rates, unemployment rates and fluctuating asset values; developments in capital markets that adversely affect the performance of our investments; technology breaches or failures, including those resulting from a malicious cyber attack on the Company or its policyholders and medical providers; decreased level of business activity of our policyholders caused by decreased business activity generally, and in particular in the industries we target; greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate based on historical experience or industry data; adverse developments in economic, competitive, judicial or regulatory conditions within the workers’ compensation insurance industry; loss of the services of any of our senior management or other key employees; changes in regulations, laws, rates, rating factors, or taxes applicable to the Company, its policyholders or the agencies that sell its insurance; changes in current accounting standards or new accounting standards; changes in legal theories of liability under our insurance policies; changes in rating agency policies, practices or ratings; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance and the failure of our reinsurers to pay claims in a timely manner or at all; the effects of U.S. involvement in hostilities with other countries and large-scale acts of terrorism, or the threat of hostilities or terrorist acts; and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements in this report, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. 1 Item 1. Business. Overview PART I We are a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas. Since commencing operations in 1986, we have gained significant experience underwriting the complex workers’ compensation exposures inherent in these industries. We provide coverage to employers under state and federal workers’ compensation laws. These laws prescribe wage replacement and medical care benefits that employers are obligated to provide to their employees who are injured in the course and scope of their employment. Our workers’ compensation insurance policies provide benefits to injured employees for, among other things, temporary or permanent disability, death and medical and hospital expenses. The benefits payable and the duration of those benefits are set by state or federal law. The benefits vary by jurisdiction, the nature and severity of the injury and the wages of the employee. The employer, who is the policyholder, pays the premiums for coverage. Hazardous industry employers tend to have less frequent but more severe claims as compared to employers in other industries due to the nature of their businesses. Injuries that occur are often severe in nature including death, dismemberment, paraplegia and quadriplegia. As a result, employers engaged in hazardous industries pay substantially higher than average rates for workers’ compensation insurance compared to employers in other industries, as measured per payroll dollar. The higher premium rates are due to the nature of the work performed and the inherent workplace danger of our target policyholders. For example, our construction employers on average paid premium rates equal to $4.95 per $100 of payroll to obtain workers’ compensation coverage for all of their employees in 2020. We employ a proactive, disciplined approach to underwriting employers and providing comprehensive services intended to lessen the overall incidence and cost of workplace injuries. We provide safety services at employers’ workplaces as a vital component of our underwriting process and to promote safer workplaces. We utilize intensive claims management practices that we believe permit us to reduce the overall cost of our claims. In addition, our premium audit services ensure that our policyholders pay the appropriate premiums required under the terms of their policies and enable us to monitor payroll patterns that cause underwriting, safety or fraud concerns. We believe that the higher premiums typically paid by our policyholders, together with our disciplined underwriting and safety, claims and audit services, provide us with the opportunity to earn attractive returns on equity. AMERISAFE, Inc. is an insurance holding company, incorporated in Texas in 1985. We began operations in 1986 by focusing on workers’ compensation insurance for logging contractors in the southeast United States. Beginning in 1994, we expanded our focus to include the other hazardous industries we serve today. Two of our three insurance subsidiaries, American Interstate Insurance Company (“AIIC”) and Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. (“SOCI”), are domiciled in Nebraska. Our other insurance subsidiary, American Interstate Insurance Company of Texas (“AIICTX”), is domiciled in Texas. All three insurance subsidiaries carry an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent). Competitive Advantages We believe we have the following competitive advantages: Focus on Hazardous Industries. We have extensive experience insuring employers engaged in hazardous industries and have a history of profitably underwriting these industries. Our specialized knowledge of these hazardous industries helps us better serve our policyholders, which leads to greater employer loyalty and policy retention. Our policy renewal rate on voluntary business that we elected to quote for renewal was 94.4% in 2020. Focus on Small to Mid-Sized Employers. We believe large insurance companies generally do not target small to mid-sized employers in hazardous industries due to their smaller premium sizes, types of operations, mobile workforces and extensive service needs. We provide these employers enhanced services, including premium payment plans to better match premium payments with our policyholders’ payroll costs and cash flow. Knowledgeable, Dedicated Employees. We deliver an exceptional product with integrity through professional, knowledgeable and dedicated employees. Service is a distinguishing factor for the Company and the level of that service is dependent on the expertise and caring culture of our employees. 2 Specialized Underwriting Expertise. Based on our 35-year history of insuring employers engaged in hazardous industries, we have developed industry specific risk analysis and rating tools that support our underwriters in risk selection and pricing. We are highly disciplined when quoting and binding new and renewal business. We do not delegate underwriting authority to agencies, marketers or to any other third parties that sell our insurance. Comprehensive Safety Services. We provide proactive safety reviews of employers’ worksites, which are often located in rural areas. These safety reviews are a vital component of our underwriting process and also assist our policyholders in loss prevention, and encourage safer workplaces by deploying experienced field safety professionals, or FSPs, to our policyholders’ worksites. In 2020, 92.5% of our new voluntary business policyholders were subject to pre-quotation safety inspections. Additionally, we perform periodic on-site safety surveys for our voluntary business policyholders. Proactive Claims Management. Our employees manage substantially all of our open claims in-house, utilizing intensive claims management practices that emphasize a personalized approach, as well as quality, cost-effective medical treatment. As of December 31, 2020, open indemnity claims per field case manager, or FCM, averaged 47 claims, which we believe is significantly less than the industry average. We also believe our claims management practices allow us to achieve a more favorable claim outcome, accelerate an employee’s return to work, lessen the likelihood of litigation and more rapidly close claims, all of which ultimately lead to lower overall claim costs. Efficient Operating Platform. Through extensive cost management initiatives, we maintain one of the most efficient operations in the workers’ compensation industry. In 2020, our expense ratio was 23.6%. We believe that our expense ratio is substantially lower than that of our competitors, which gives us a greater opportunity to generate an underwriting profit. Strategy We intend to produce favorable returns on equity and increase our book value per share adjusted for dividends paid to shareholders using the following strategies: Focus on Underwriting Profitability. We intend to maintain our underwriting discipline throughout market cycles with the objective of remaining profitable. Our strategy is to focus on underwriting workers’ compensation insurance in hazardous industries and to maintain adequate rate levels commensurate with the risks we underwrite. We will also continue to strive for improved risk selection and pricing, as well as reduced frequency and severity of claims through comprehensive workplace safety reviews, effective medical cost containment measures and rapid closing of claims through personal, direct contact with our policyholders and their employees. Increase Market Penetration. Based on data received from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the NAIC, we do not have more than 4.5% of the market share in any state we serve. As a result, we believe we have the opportunity to increase market penetration in each of the states in which we currently operate. Competition in our target markets is fragmented by state, employer size and industry. We believe that our specialized underwriting expertise, use of data, and safety, claims and audit services position us to profitably increase our market share in our existing principal markets, with minimal increase in field service employees. Prudent and Opportunistic Geographic Expansion. While we actively market our insurance in 27 states, 49.7% of our voluntary in-force premiums were generated in the six states where we derived 5.0% or more of our gross premiums written in 2020. We are licensed in an additional 20 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our existing licenses and rate filings will expedite our ability to write policies in these markets when we decide it is prudent to do so. Capitalize on Development of Information Technology Systems. We believe our underwriting and agency management system, GEAUX, along with our customized operational system, ICAMS, and the analytical data warehouse that ICAMS feeds, significantly enhance our ability to select risk, write profitable business and cost-effectively administer our billing, claims and audit functions. Maintain Capital Strength. We plan to manage our capital to achieve our profitability goals while striving for optimal operating leverage for our insurance company subsidiaries. To accomplish this objective, we intend to maintain underwriting profitability throughout market cycles, optimize our use of reinsurance, deploy appropriate capital management tools, including paying dividends to shareholders, and produce an appropriate risk adjusted return on our investment portfolio. Industry Overview. Workers’ compensation is a statutory system under which an employer is required to pay for its employees’ medical, disability, vocational rehabilitation and death benefit costs for work-related injuries or illnesses. Most employers satisfy this 3 requirement by purchasing workers’ compensation insurance. The principal concept underlying workers’ compensation laws is that employees injured in the course and scope of their employment have only the legal remedies available under workers’ compensation laws and do not have any other recourse against their employer. An employer’s obligation to pay workers’ compensation does not depend on any negligence or wrongdoing on the part of the employer and exists even for injuries that result from the negligence or fault of another person, a co-employee, or, in most instances, the injured employee. Workers’ compensation insurance policies generally provide that the insurance carrier will pay all benefits that the insured employer may become obligated to pay under applicable workers’ compensation laws. Each state has a regulatory and adjudicatory system that quantifies the level of wage replacement to be paid, determines the level of medical care required to be provided and the cost of temporary or permanent impairment and specifies the options in selecting medical providers available to the injured employee or the employer. These state laws generally require two types of benefits for injured employees: (1) medical benefits, which include expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of the injury, as well as any required rehabilitation, and (2) indemnity payments, which consist of temporary wage replacement, permanent disability payments and death benefits to surviving family members. To fulfill these mandated financial obligations, virtually all employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance or, if permitted by state law or approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, to self-insure. The employers may purchase workers’ compensation insurance from a private insurance carrier, a state-sanctioned assigned risk pool, or a self-insurance fund, which is an entity that allows employers to obtain workers’ compensation coverage on a pooled basis, typically subjecting each employer to joint and several liability for the entire fund. Workers’ compensation was the fourth-largest property and casualty insurance line in the United States in 2019, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc., the NCCI. Direct premiums written in 2019 for the workers’ compensation insurance industry were $56 billion, and direct premiums written for the property and casualty industry as a whole were $712 billion. According to the most recent market data reported by the NCCI, which is the official rating bureau in the majority of states in which we are licensed, total premiums reported for the specific occupational class codes for which we underwrite business were $19.2 billion. Policyholders As of December 31, 2020, we had more than 8,000 voluntary business policyholders with an average annual workers’ compensation policy written premium of $33,000. As of December 31, 2020, our ten largest voluntary business policyholders accounted for 2.0% of our in-force premiums. Our policy renewal rate on voluntary business that we elected to quote for renewal was 94.4% in 2020, 93.1% in 2019, and 93.6% in 2018. In addition to our voluntary workers’ compensation business, we underwrite workers’ compensation policies for employers assigned to us and assume reinsurance premiums from mandatory pooling arrangements, in each case to fulfill our obligations under residual market programs implemented by the states in which we operate. Our assigned risk business fulfills our statutory obligation to participate in residual market plans in four states. See “—Regulation—Residual Market Programs” below. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our assigned risk business accounted for 0.7% of our gross premiums written, and our assumed premiums from mandatory pooling arrangements accounted for 2.6% of our gross premiums written. Targeted Industries We provide workers’ compensation insurance primarily to employers in the following targeted hazardous industries: Construction. Includes a broad range of operations such as highway and bridge construction, building and maintenance of pipeline and powerline networks, excavation, commercial construction, roofing, iron and steel erection, tower erection and numerous other specialized construction operations. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within the construction industry was $34,278, or $4.95 per $100 of payroll. Trucking. Includes a broad spectrum of diverse operations including contract haulers, regional and local freight carriers, special equipment transporters and other trucking companies that conduct a variety of short- and long-haul operations. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within the trucking industry was $34,659, or $6.60 per $100 of payroll. Logging and Lumber. Includes tree harvesting, tree trimming, sawmills, and other operations associated with lumber and wood products. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within logging and lumber was $20,260, or $9.18 per $100 of payroll. 4 Manufacturing. Includes a diverse group of businesses such as the production of goods for use or sale using labor and machines, tools, chemical and biological processing or formulation. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within the manufacturing industry was $29,792, or $3.31 per $100 of payroll. Agriculture. Includes crop maintenance and harvesting, grain and produce operations, nursery operations, meat processing, and livestock feed and transportation. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within the agriculture industry was $29,088, or $4.74 per $100 of payroll. Maritime. Includes ship building and repair, pier and marine construction, inter-coastal construction, and stevedoring. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within the maritime industry was $36,454, or $4.85 per $100 of payroll. Oil and Gas. Includes various oil and gas activities including gathering, transportation, processing, production, and field service operations. In 2020, our average policy premium for voluntary workers’ compensation within the oil and gas industry was $33,433, or $2.70 per $100 of payroll. Other. Includes a wide variety of high-hazard businesses such as cell phone tower service and repair, window washers, metal and scrap iron dealers, and other businesses. Our gross premiums are derived from:    Voluntary Business. Includes direct premiums from workers’ compensation insurance policies that we issue to employers who seek to purchase insurance directly from us and who we voluntarily agree to insure. Assigned Risk Business. Includes direct premiums from workers’ compensation insurance policies that we issue to employers assigned to us under residual market programs implemented by some of the states in which we operate. Assumed Premiums. Includes premiums from our participation in mandatory pooling arrangements under residual market programs implemented by some of the states in which we operate. Gross premiums written during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and the allocation of those premiums among the hazardous industries we target are presented in the table below. Percentage of Gross Premiums Written 2019 2020 2018 45.3 % 16.5 % 9.3 % 5.4 % 5.1 % 2.4 % 1.5 % 11.2 % 96.7 % 0.7 % 2.6 % 100.0 % 44.2% 17.7% 7.8% 5.2% 4.7% 2.4% 2.0% 12.8% 96.8% 0.9% 2.3% 100.0% 44.6% 17.1% 8.8% 5.2% 4.5% 2.3% 1.8% 12.5% 96.8% 1.0% 2.2% 100.0% 2020 Gross Premiums Written 2019 (in thousands) 2018 Voluntary business: Construction Trucking Logging and Lumber Manufacturing Agriculture Maritime Oil and Gas Other Total voluntary business Assigned risk business Assumed premiums Total 58,845 26,083 17,432 15,668 7,906 6,516 42,722 50,148 28,253 16,413 15,399 7,252 4,460 34,066 $ 137,317 $ 147,453 $ 156,964 60,192 30,991 18,239 15,948 7,908 6,220 43,829 293,308 322,625 340,291 3,546 7,859 $ 303,090 $ 333,460 $ 351,696 3,081 7,754 2,054 7,728 5 Geographic Distribution We are licensed to provide workers’ compensation insurance in 47 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We operate on a geographically diverse basis with 12.6% or less of our gross premiums written in 2020 derived from any one state. The table below identifies, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the states in which the percentage of our gross premiums written exceeded 3.0% for any of the three years presented. State Georgia Florida Pennsylvania Louisiana North Carolina Illinois Virginia Wisconsin Minnesota South Carolina Alaska Total Percentage of Gross Premiums Written Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2020 12.6% 11.0% 8.0% 7.3% 5.8% 4.9% 4.5% 4.2% 3.7% 3.6% 3.1% 68.7% 11.5 % 12.2 % 8.0 % 7.4 % 5.7 % 4.9 % 4.7 % 4.0 % 4.2 % 3.7 % 3.1 % 69.4 % 11.2% 11.4% 8.9% 7.4% 5.5% 5.4% 4.3% 4.2% 3.9% 4.0% 2.9% 69.1% Sales and Marketing We sell our workers’ compensation insurance through independent agencies (including retail and wholesale brokers and agents). As of December 31, 2020, our insurance was sold through more than 2,400 independent agencies and our wholly-owned insurance agency subsidiary, Amerisafe General Agency, which is licensed in 29 states. We are selective in establishing and maintaining relationships with independent agencies. We seek to do business with those agencies that provide quality application flow from companies operating in our target industries and classes that are reasonably likely to accept our quotes. We compensate these agencies by paying a commission based on the premium collected from the policyholder. Our average commission rate for our independent agencies was 7.8% for the year ended December 31, 2020. We pay our insurance agency subsidiary an average commission rate of 8.1%. Neither our independent agencies nor our insurance agency subsidiary has authority to underwrite or bind coverage. We do not pay contingent commissions. As of December 31, 2020, independent agencies accounted for 96.5% of our voluntary in-force premiums. No single independent agency accounted for more than 1.2% of our voluntary in-force premiums at that date. Underwriting Our underwriting strategy is to focus on employers in certain hazardous industries that operate in those states where our underwriting efforts are the most profitable and efficient. We analyze each prospective policyholder on its own merits relative to known industry trends and statistical data. Our underwriting guidelines specify that we do not write workers’ compensation insurance for certain hazardous activities, including sub-surface mining and manufacturing of ammunition or fireworks. Underwriting is a multi-step process that begins with the receipt of an application from one of our agencies. We initially review the application to confirm that the prospective policyholder meets certain established criteria, including that the prospective policyholder is engaged in one of our targeted hazardous industries and industry classes and operates in the states we target. If the application satisfies these criteria, the application is forwarded to our underwriting department for further review. Our underwriting department reviews the application to determine if the application meets our underwriting criteria and whether all required information has been provided. If additional information is required, the underwriting department requests additional information from the agency submitting the application. Once this initial review process is complete, our underwriting department requests that a pre-quotation safety inspection be performed in most cases. In 2020, 92.5% of our new voluntary business policyholders were inspected prior to our offering a premium quote. 6 After the pre-quotation safety inspection has been completed, our underwriting professionals review the results of the inspection to determine if a quote should be made and, if so, prepare the quote. The quote must be reviewed and approved by our underwriting department before the quote is delivered to the agency. Pricing In the majority of states, workers’ compensation insurance rates are based upon published “loss costs.” Loss costs are derived from wage and loss data reported by insurers to the state’s statistical agent, which in most states is the NCCI. The state agent then promulgates loss costs for specific job descriptions or class codes. Insurers file requests for adoption of a loss cost multiplier, or LCM, to be applied to the loss costs to support operating expenses and profit margins. In addition, most states allow pricing flexibility above and below the filed LCM, within certain limits. We obtain approval of our rates, including our LCMs, from state regulatory authorities. To maintain rates at profitable levels, we regularly monitor and adjust our LCMs. The effective LCM for our voluntary business was 1.58 for policy year 2020, 1.60 for policy year 2019, and 1.64 for policy year 2018. If we are unable to charge rates in a particular state or industry to produce satisfactory results, we seek to control and reduce our premium volume in that state or industry and redeploy our capital in other states or industries that offer greater opportunity to earn an underwriting profit. Safety Our safety inspection process begins with a request from our underwriting department to perform a pre-quotation safety inspection. Our safety inspections focus on a prospective policyholder’s operations, loss exposures and existing safety controls to prevent potential losses. The factors considered in our inspection include employee experience, turnover, training, previous loss history and corrective actions, and workplace conditions, including equipment condition and, where appropriate, use of fall protection, respiratory protection or other safety devices. Our FSPs typically travel to employers’ worksites to perform these safety inspections. These initial inspections allow our underwriting professionals to make decisions on both insurability and pricing. In certain circumstances, we will agree to provide workers’ compensation insurance only if the employer agrees to implement and maintain the safety management practices that we recommend. In 2020, 92.5% of our new voluntary business policyholders were inspected prior to our offering a premium quote. The remaining voluntary business policies were not pre-quote inspected for a variety of reasons, including instances where the prospective policyholder was previously insured by us or previously inspected by us. After an employer becomes a policyholder, we continue to emphasize workplace safety through periodic workplace visits, assisting the policyholder in designing and implementing enhanced safety management programs, providing safety-related information and conducting rigorous post-accident management. Generally, we may cancel or decline to renew an insurance policy if the policyholder does not implement or maintain reasonable safety management practices that we recommend. Claims We have structured our claims operation to provide immediate, intensive and personal management of claims to guide injured employees through medical treatment, rehabilitation and recovery, with the primary goal of returning the injured employee to work as promptly as practicable and at maximum medical improvement. We seek to limit the number of claim disputes with injured employees through early intervention in the claims process. Where possible, we purchase annuities on longer life claims to close these claims, while still providing an appropriate level of benefits to injured employees. While we seek to promptly settle valid claims, we also aggressively defend against claims we consider to be non-meritorious. Our FCMs are located in the geographic areas where our policyholders are based. We believe the presence of our FCMs in the field enhances our ability to guide an injured employee to the appropriate conclusion in a friendly, dignified and supportive manner. Our FCMs have broad authority to manage claims from occurrence of a workplace injury through resolution, including authority to retain many different medical providers at our expense. Such providers comprise not only our recommended medical providers, but also nurse case managers, independent medical examiners, vocational specialists, rehabilitation specialists and other specialty providers of medical services necessary to achieve a quality outcome. 7 Following notification of a workplace injury, an FCM will contact the policyholder, the injured employee and/or the treating physician to determine the nature and severity of the injury. If a serious injury occurs, the FCM will promptly visit the injured employee or the employee’s family members to discuss the benefits provided. The FCM will also visit the treating physician to discuss the proposed treatment plan. Our FCM assists the injured employee in receiving appropriate medical treatment and encourages the use of our recommended medical providers and facilities. For example, our FCM may suggest that a treating physician refer an injured worker to another physician or treatment facility that we believe has had positive outcomes for other workers with similar injuries. We actively monitor the number of open cases handled by a single FCM in order to maintain focus on each specific injured employee. As of December 31, 2020, we averaged 47 open indemnity claims per FCM, which we believe is significantly less than the industry average. Locating our FCMs in the field also allows us to build professional relationships with local medical providers. In selecting medical providers, we rely, in part, on the recommendations of our FCMs who have developed professional relationships within their geographic areas. We also seek input from our policyholders and other contacts in the markets that we serve. While cost factors are considered in selecting medical providers, we consider the most important factor in the selection process to be the medical provider’s ability to achieve a quality outcome. We define quality outcome as the injured worker’s rapid, conclusive recovery and return to sustained, full capacity employment. Premium Audits We conduct premium audits on all of our voluntary business policyholders annually upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore, have paid us the premium required under the terms of their policies. In addition to annual audits, we selectively perform interim audits on new business and on certain classes of business if significant or unusual claims are filed or if the monthly reports submitted by a policyholder reflect a payroll pattern or other aberrations that cause underwriting, safety or fraud concerns. We also mitigate potential losses from under-reporting of premium or delinquent premium payment by collecting a deposit from the policyholder at the inception of the policy, typically representing 15% of the total estimated annual premium, which deposit can be utilized to offset losses from non-payment of premium. Loss Reserves We record reserves for estimated losses under insurance policies that we write and for loss adjustment expenses related to the investigation and settlement of policy claims. Our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated cost of all reported and unreported loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred and unpaid as of a given point in time. In establishing our reserves, we review the results of analyses using actuarial methodologies that utilize historical loss data from our more than 35 years of underwriting workers’ compensation insurance. In evaluating the results of those analyses, our management also uses substantial judgment in considering other factors that are not considered in these actuarial analyses. These actuarial methodologies and subjective factors are described in more detail below. Our process and methodology for estimating reserves applies to both our voluntary and assigned risk business, but does not include our reserves for mandatory pooling arrangements. We record reserves for mandatory pooling arrangements as those reserves are reported to us by the pool administrators. We do not use loss discounting when we determine our reserves, which would involve recognizing the time value of money and offsetting estimates of future payments by future expected investment income. When a claim is reported, we establish an initial case reserve for the estimated amount of our loss based on our estimate of the most likely outcome of the claim at that time. Generally, that case reserve is established within 14 days after the claim is reported and consists of anticipated medical costs, indemnity costs and specific adjustment expenses, which we refer to as defense and cost containment expenses, or DCC expenses. The most complex claims, involving severe injuries, may take a considerable period of time for us to establish a more precise estimate of the most likely outcome of the claim. At any point in time, the amount paid on a claim, plus the reserve for future amounts to be paid, represents the estimated total cost of the claim, or the case incurred amount. The estimated amount of loss for a reported claim is based upon various factors, including:      type of loss; severity of the injury or damage; age and occupation of the injured employee; estimated length of temporary disability; anticipated permanent disability; 8      expected medical procedures, costs and duration; our knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the claim; insurance policy provisions related to the claim, including coverage; jurisdiction of the occurrence; and other benefits defined by applicable statute. The case incurred amount varies over time due to uncertainties with respect to medical treatment and outcome, length and degree of disability, recurrence of injury, employment availability and wage levels and judicial determinations. As changes occur, the case incurred amount is adjusted. The initial estimate of the case incurred amount can vary significantly from the amount ultimately paid, especially in circumstances involving severe injuries with comprehensive medical treatment. Changes in case incurred amounts is an important component of our historical claim data. In addition to case reserves, we establish reserves on an aggregate basis for loss and DCC expenses that have been incurred but not reported, or IBNR. Our IBNR reserves are also intended to provide for aggregate changes in case incurred amounts as well as the unpaid cost of recently reported claims for which an initial case reserve has not been established. The third component of our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses is our adjusting and other reserve, or AO reserve. Our AO reserve covers primarily the estimated cost of administering claims and is established for the costs of future unallocated loss adjustment expenses for all reported and unreported claims. The final component of our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses is the reserve for mandatory pooling arrangements. The mandatory pooling arrangement reserve includes the amount reported to us by the pool administrators. In establishing reserves, we rely on the analysis of the more than 227,000 claims in our 35-year history. Using statistical analyses and actuarial methods, we estimate reserves based on historical patterns of case development, payment patterns, mix of business, premium rates charged, case reserving adequacy, operational changes, adjustment philosophy and severity and duration trends. We review our reserves by accident year and state on a quarterly basis. Individual open claims are reviewed more frequently and adjustments to case incurred amounts are made based on expected outcomes. The number of claims reported or occurring during a period, combined with a calculation of average case incurred amounts, and measured over time, provide the foundation for our reserve estimates. In establishing our reserve estimates, we use historical trends in claim reporting timeliness, frequency of claims in relation to earned premium or covered payroll, premium rate levels charged and case development patterns. However, the number of variables and judgments involved in establishing reserve estimates, combined with some random variation in loss development patterns, results in uncertainty regarding projected ultimate losses. As a result, our ultimate liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses may be more or less than our reserve estimate. Our analysis of our historical data provides the factors we use in our statistical and actuarial analysis in estimating our loss and DCC expense reserve. These factors are primarily measures over time of claims reported, average case incurred amounts, case development, duration, severity and payment patterns. However, these factors cannot be solely used as these factors do not take into consideration changes in business mix, claims management, regulatory issues, medical trends, medical inflation, employment and wage patterns, and other subjective factors. We use this combination of factors and subjective assumptions and the use of six well- accepted actuarial methods, as follows:    Paid Development Method—uses historical, cumulative paid loss patterns to derive estimated ultimate losses by accident year based upon the assumption that each accident year will develop to estimated ultimate cost in a manner that is analogous to prior years. Paid Weighted Severity Method—multiplies estimated ultimate claims for each accident year by a weighted average, trended and developed severity. The ultimate claims estimate is based on paid claim count development. The selected severity for a given accident year is derived by giving some weight to all of the accident years in the experience history rather than treating each accident year independently. Paid Loss Ratio Cape Cod Method—similar to the paid weighted severity method, except that on-level premiums replace estimated ultimate claims, based upon paid claim count development, and loss ratios replace selected severities. The selected ultimate loss ratio for a given accident year is derived by giving some weight to all of the accident years in the experience history rather than treating each accident year independently. 9    Incurred Development Method—uses historical, cumulative incurred loss patterns to derive estimated ultimate losses by accident year based upon the assumption that each accident year will develop to estimated ultimate cost in a manner that is analogous to prior years. Incurred Weighted Severity Method—multiplies estimated ultimate claims for each accident year by a weighted average, trended and developed severity. The ultimate claims estimate is based on incurred claim count development. The selected severity for a given accident year is derived by giving some weight to all of the accident years in the experience history rather than treating each accident year independently. Incurred Loss Ratio Cape Cod Method—similar to the incurred weighted severity method, except that on-level premiums replace estimated ultimate claims, based upon incurred claim count development, and loss ratios replace selected severities. The selected ultimate loss ratio for a given accident year is derived by giving some weight to all of the accident years in the experience history rather than treating each accident year independently. These six methods are applied to both gross and net claims data. We then analyze the results and may emphasize or de- emphasize some or all of the outcomes to reflect our judgment of reasonableness in relation to supplementary information and operational and industry changes. These outcomes are then aggregated to produce a single weighted average point estimate that is the base estimate for loss and DCC expense reserves. In determining the level of emphasis that may be placed on some or all of the methods, we review statistical information as to which methods are most appropriate, whether adjustments are appropriate within the particular methods, and if results produced by each method include inherent bias reflecting operational and industry changes. This supplementary information may include:        open and closed claim counts; statistics related to open and closed claim count percentages; claim closure rates; changes in average case reserves and average loss and DCC expenses incurred on open claims; reported and ultimate average case incurred changes; reported and projected ultimate loss ratios; and loss payment patterns. In establishing our AO reserves, we review our past adjustment expenses in relation to paid claims as well as estimated future costs based on expected claims activity and duration. The sum of our net loss and DCC expense reserve, our AO reserve and our reserve for mandatory pooling arrangements is our total net reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses. As of December 31, 2020, our best estimate of our ultimate liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of amounts recoverable from reinsurers, was $654.9 million, which includes $14.3 million in reserves for mandatory pooling arrangements as reported by the pool administrators. The estimate of our ultimate liability was derived from the process and methodology described above, which relies on substantial judgment. There is inherent uncertainty in estimating our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses. It is possible that our actual loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred may vary significantly from our estimates. We view our estimate of loss and DCC expenses as the most significant component of our reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses. Additional information regarding our reserve for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) as of December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 is set forth below: Gross case loss and DCC reserves AO reserves Gross IBNR reserves Gross unpaid loss, DCC and AO reserves Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid loss and LAE Net unpaid loss, DCC and AO reserves 2020 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 610,255 $ 22,426 127,880 760,561 (105,707) 654,854 $ 614,556 $ 22,387 135,944 772,887 (95,343 ) 677,544 $ 616,012 21,782 160,615 798,409 (107,216) 691,193 10 We performed sensitivity analyses to show how our net loss and DCC expense reserve, including IBNR, would be impacted by changes in certain critical assumptions. For our paid and incurred development methods, we varied both the cumulative paid and incurred loss development factors (LDFs) by an increase and decrease of 30%, both individually and in combination with one another. The results of this sensitivity analysis, using December 31, 2020 data, are summarized below. Change in Paid LDFs Change in Incurred LDFs 30% increase 30% increase 30% increase No change No change 30% decrease 30% decrease 30% decrease 30% increase No change 30% decrease 30% increase 30% decrease 30% increase No change 30% decrease Resultant Change in Net Loss and DCC Reserve Amount ($) (in thousands) Percentage 44,969 — (44,585 ) 44,969 (44,585 ) 44,969 — (44,585 ) 7.3% (—)% (7.2)% 7.3% (7.2)% 7.3% (—)% (7.2)% For our paid and incurred weighted severity methods, we varied our year-end selected trend factor (for medical costs, defense costs, wage inflation, etc.) by an increase and decrease of 300 basis points. The results of this sensitivity analysis, using December 31, 2020 data, are summarized below. Change in Severity Trend 300 basis point increase 300 basis point decrease Reconciliation of Loss Reserves Resultant Change in Net Loss and DCC Reserve Amount ($) Percentage (in thousands) (1,152) 965 (0.2 )% 0.2 % The table below shows the reconciliation of loss reserves on a gross and net basis for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, reflecting changes in losses incurred and paid losses. Balance, beginning of period Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses Net balance, beginning of period Add incurred related to: Current accident year Prior accident years Total incurred Less paid related to: Current accident year Prior accident years Total paid Net balance, end of period Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses Balance, end of period 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ 772,887 $ 798,409 $ 771,845 95,343 677,544 107,216 691,193 84,889 686,956 220,710 (63,484) 157,226 241,344 (65,002 ) 176,342 250,487 (45,596) 204,891 50,113 129,803 179,916 654,854 58,883 131,108 189,991 677,544 62,061 138,593 200,654 691,193 105,707 760,561 $ 95,343 772,887 $ 107,216 798,409 $ Our gross reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses of $760.6 million as of December 31, 2020 are expected to cover all unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses as of that date. As of December 31, 2020, we had 4,758 open claims, with an average of $159,849 in unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses per open claim. During the year ended December 31, 2020, 4,452 new claims were reported, and 4,747 claims were closed. 11 In 2020, our gross reserves decreased to $760.6 million from $772.9 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease in reserves was attributable primarily to favorable development from prior accident years. In 2020, we recognized $63.5 million of favorable development for prior accident years. As of December 31, 2019, we had 5,053 open claims, with an average of $152,956 in unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses per open claim. During the year ended December 31, 2019, 5,452 new claims were reported, and 5,589 claims were closed. In 2019, our gross reserves decreased to $772.9 million from $798.4 million at December 31, 2018. The decrease in reserves was attributable primarily to the 2018 accident year. In 2019, there was also $65.0 million of favorable development for prior accident years. As of December 31, 2018, we had 5,190 open claims, with an average of $153,836 in unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses per open claim. During the year ended December 31, 2018, 5,440 new claims were reported, and 5,232 claims were closed. Loss Development The table below shows the net loss development for business written each year from 2010 through 2020. The table reflects the changes in our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves in subsequent years from the prior loss estimates based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year on a generally accepted accounting principles basis, or GAAP basis. The first line of the table shows, for the years indicated, our liability including the incurred but not reported loss and loss adjustment expenses as originally estimated, net of amounts recoverable from reinsurers. For example, as of December 31, 2010, it was estimated that $466.7 million would be sufficient to settle all claims not already settled that had occurred on or prior to December 31, 2010, whether reported or unreported. The next section of the table sets forth the re-estimates in later years of incurred losses, including payments, for the years indicated. The next section of the table shows, by year, the cumulative amounts of loss and loss adjustment expense payments, net of amounts recoverable from reinsurers, as of the end of each succeeding year. For example, with respect to the net loss reserves of $466.7 million as of December 31, 2010, by December 31, 2020 (ten years later) $307.8 million had actually been paid in settlement of the claims that relate to liabilities as of December 31, 2010. The “gross cumulative redundancy (deficiency)” represents, as of December 31, 2020, the difference between the latest re- estimated liability and the amounts as originally estimated. A redundancy means that the original estimate was higher than the current estimate. A deficiency means that the current estimate is higher than the original estimate. 12 Analysis of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserve Development 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) 2017 2018 2019 2020 460,105 474,787 502,648 542,141 580,454 601,868 629,750 641,360 626,192 614,060 454,479 462,650 478,931 494,327 529,149 567,098 584,149 576,358 562,709 442,700 448,269 439,272 462,770 504,437 530,582 528,659 527,722 429,269 427,835 420,913 452,097 484,964 498,494 494,513 411,785 418,528 415,996 440,750 467,382 473,137 404,753 415,213 408,762 431,715 451,232 403,299 410,452 401,130 421,534 400,337 404,621 392,829 395,608 397,359 388,308 $ 78,360 $ 79,918 $122,431 $144,324 $177,036 $180,038 $170,007 $ 159,234 $ 128,484 $ 63,484 Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance recoverables $ 466,668 $ 477,277 $515,260 $565,858 $628,268 $653,175 $664,520 $ 686,956 $ 691,193 $677,544 $654,854 Net reserve estimated as of: One year later Two years later Three years later Four years later Five years later Six years later Seven years later Eight years later Nine years later Ten years later Net cumulative redundancy (deficiency) Cumulative amount of reserve paid, net of reserve recoveries, through: One year later Two years later Three years later Four years later Five years later Six years later Seven years later Eight years later Nine years later Ten years later Net reserve— December 31 Reinsurance recoverables Gross reserve—December 31 125,884 131,497 127,205 129,658 135,711 135,601 129,937 138,593 131,108 129,803 199,682 201,814 188,752 198,610 203,855 202,063 202,928 205,705 199,284 240,196 237,170 226,907 233,254 240,098 247,751 241,165 247,609 262,415 259,823 245,860 253,081 267,143 272,144 268,049 277,396 273,383 259,202 269,179 279,944 289,001 286,629 284,071 270,055 276,534 293,197 295,527 292,324 274,520 284,522 301,543 295,582 280,657 304,010 300,145 307,775 $ 466,668 $ 477,277 $515,260 $565,858 $628,268 $653,175 $664,520 $ 686,956 $ 691,193 $677,544 $654,854 65,536 60,937 55,190 48,699 59,334 64,858 78,256 84,889 107,216 95,343 105,707 $ 532,204 $ 538,214 $570,450 $614,557 $687,602 $718,033 $742,776 $ 771,845 $ 798,409 $772,887 $760,561 Net re-estimated reserve Re-estimated reinsurance recoverables Gross re-estimated reserve $ 388,308 $ 397,359 $392,829 $421,534 $451,232 $473,137 $494,513 $ 527,722 $ 562,709 $614,060 46,199 43,740 39,119 41,684 48,824 49,377 57,016 66,806 71,625 89,077 $ 434,507 $ 441,099 $431,948 $463,218 $500,056 $522,514 $551,529 $ 594,528 $ 634,334 $703,137 Gross cumulative redundancy (deficiency) $ 97,697 $ 97,115 $138,502 $151,339 $187,546 $195,519 $191,247 $ 177,317 $ 164,075 $ 69,750 Investments We derive net investment income from our invested assets. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of our investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.2 billion and the fair value of the portfolio was $1.2 billion. Our Board of Directors has established an investment policy governing our investments, which is reviewed at least annually. The principal objectives of our investment portfolio are to preserve capital and surplus and to maintain appropriate liquidity for corporate requirements. Additional objectives are to support our A.M. Best rating and to maximize after-tax income and total return. Our investment policy establishes limitations and guidelines relating to, for example, asset allocation, diversification, credit ratings and duration. We periodically review our investment portfolio with the risk committee of our Board of Directors for compliance with the policy. Our investment portfolio is managed internally. We classify the majority of our fixed maturity securities as “held-to-maturity.” We do not reflect any changes in non-credit related unrecognized gains and losses until realized. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), management is required to estimate expected credit related losses for these securities and recognize a credit loss allowance on the balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. Subsequent adjustments to the estimated expected credit related losses are recognized through earnings within the category “provision for investment related credit loss expense (benefit)”, and adjustments to the credit loss allowance. The remainder of our fixed maturity securities are classified as “available-for-sale.” These investments are valued at fair value at the end of each period, with changes in fair value flowing through other comprehensive income. Equity securities are valued at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized in net income. We generally seek to limit our holdings in equity securities to the lesser of 10% of the investment portfolio or 30% of shareholders’ equity, on a fair value basis. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Investment Portfolio” for further information on the composition and results of our investment portfolio. 13 The table below shows the carrying values of various categories of securities held in our investment portfolio, the percentage of the total carrying value of our investment portfolio represented by each category and the effective interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 based on the carrying value of each category as of December 31, 2020: Carrying Value (in thousands) Percentage of Portfolio Effective Interest Rate Fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity: State and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies Asset-backed securities Total fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale: State and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies Total fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale Equity securities Short-term investments Cash and cash equivalents Total investments, including cash and cash equivalents $ 494,332 69,756 7,261 13,626 155 585,130 276,542 88,899 19,052 29,786 414,279 43,437 45,898 61,757 $ 1,150,501 43.0 % 6.1 % 0.6 % 1.2 % 0.0 % 50.9 % 24.0 % 7.7 % 1.7 % 2.6 % 36.0 % 3.7 % 4.0 % 5.4 % 100.0 % 2.7% 3.1% 3.9% 1.2% 2.0% 2.7% 3.0% 3.1% 2.2% 1.8% 2.9% 2.6% 0.2% 0.1% 2.5% As of December 31, 2020, our fixed maturity securities had a carrying value of $999.4 million, which represented 86.9% of the carrying value of our investments, including cash and cash equivalents. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, the pre-tax investment yield of our investment portfolio was 2.5% per annum. The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of, our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows: Cost or Amortized Cost Allowance for Credit Losses Cost or Amortized Cost Net of Allowance for Credit Losses Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale Equity securities Totals $ 585,404 $ 387,665 35,787 $1,008,856 $ (274) $ 585,130 $ 36,524 $ 387,665 26,619 7,650 35,787 (274) $1,008,582 $ 70,793 $ — — — $ 621,654 414,279 (5) 43,437 — (5) $1,079,370 (in thousands) 14 As of December 31, 2020, municipal bonds with maturities greater than one year made up 67.0% of our investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents. The investments in Louisiana result from companies being allowed an investment credit against Louisiana premium taxes for varying levels of Louisiana assets. The table below summarizes the top five geographic exposures as of December 31, 2020. Texas Louisiana Arkansas Florida Washington Other Carrying Value Percentage of Municipal Portfolio Percentage of Total Portfolio (in thousands) 112,967 $ 77,907 73,652 50,573 42,240 413,535 770,874 $ 14.7 % 10.1 % 9.5 % 6.6 % 5.5 % 53.6 % 100.0 % 9.8% 6.8% 6.4% 4.4% 3.7% 35.9% 67.0% The table below summarizes the credit quality of our investment portfolio, excluding our equity holdings, as of December 31, 2020, as determined by the middle rating of Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch. Credit Rating “AAA” “AA” “A” “BBB” “BB and below” “Unrated securities” Total Percentage of Total Carrying Value 31.1 % 48.3 % 12.2 % 8.4 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 100.0 % As of December 31, 2020, the average composite rating of our investment portfolio, excluding our equity holdings, was “AA.” The table below shows the composition of our fixed maturity securities by remaining time to maturity as of December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020 Carrying Value Percentage (in thousands) 124,254 281,535 165,176 401,976 26,313 155 999,409 $ $ 12.5 % 28.2 % 16.5 % 40.2 % 2.6 % 0.0 % 100.0 % Maturity: Within one year After one year through five years After five years through ten years After ten years U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities Asset-backed securities Total 15 Reinsurance We purchase reinsurance to reduce our net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Reinsurance involves an insurance company transferring to, or ceding, a portion of the exposure on a risk to a reinsurer. The reinsurer assumes the exposure in return for a portion of our premium. The cost and limits of reinsurance we purchase can vary from year to year based upon the availability of quality reinsurance at an acceptable price and our desired level of retention. Retention refers to the amount of risk that we retain for our own account. Under excess of loss reinsurance, covered losses in excess of the retention level up to the limit of the program are paid by the reinsurer. Our excess of loss reinsurance is written in layers, in which our reinsurers accept a band of coverage up to a specified amount. Any liability exceeding the limit of the program reverts to us as the ceding company. Reinsurance does not legally discharge us from primary liability for the full amount due under our policies. However, our reinsurers are obligated to indemnify us to the extent of the coverage provided in our reinsurance agreements. We believe reinsurance is critical to our business. Our reinsurance purchasing strategy is to protect against unforeseen and/or catastrophic loss activity that would adversely impact our income and capital base. We generally select financially strong reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “A–” (Excellent) or better at the time we enter into a reinsurance contract. In addition, to minimize our exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies, we evaluate the financial condition of our reinsurers and monitor concentrations of credit risk on a continual basis. 2021 Excess of Loss Reinsurance Treaty Program Effective January 1, 2020, we renewed our excess of loss reinsurance treaty program related to our voluntary and assigned risk business. The program consists of two layers of coverage. The first layer is a multi-year treaty that applies to losses incurred through December 31, 2022. The second layer must be renewed annually. Our reinsurance treaty program provides us with reinsurance coverage for each loss occurrence up to $70.0 million, subject to applicable limitations, deductibles, retentions and aggregate limits. In a multi-claimant loss occurrence, the reinsurance coverage for any one individual claimant is limited to a maximum of $10.0 million, subject to applicable deductibles, retentions and aggregate limits. We have 15 reinsurers participating in our reinsurance treaty program in 2021. Under certain circumstances, including a downgrade of a reinsurer’s A.M. Best rating to “B++” (Very Good) or below, such reinsurer may be required to provide us with security for amounts due under the terms of our reinsurance program. This security may take the form of, among other things, cash advances or letters of credit. If security is required because of a ratings downgrade, the form of security must be mutually agreed to between the reinsurer and us. In 2021, our first layer of reinsurance provides coverage for losses up to $10.0 million for each loss occurrence in excess of $2.0 million. This layer provides coverage in two parts. Before our reinsurers are obligated to reimburse us under this layer, we are subject to an annual aggregate deductible of 3.0% of subject earned premium under the first part of this coverage and 9.0% of subject earned premium under the second part of this coverage. The limit under the first part of this coverage is 6.0% of subject earned premium in any one year and 4.0% of subject earned premium in the aggregate for all three years covered by this layer. The limit under the second part of this coverage is 3.0% of subject earned premium for any one year and 1.0% of subject earned premium in the aggregate for all three years covered by this layer. At our option, we have the right to commute the reinsurers’ obligations under the agreement at any time after the end of the applicable term of the agreement. If we commute the reinsurers’ obligations, we are entitled to receive a portion of the premiums that were paid to the reinsurers prior to the effective dates of the applicable commutations, subject to certain adjustments provided in the agreement. Our second layer of reinsurance (catastrophe reinsurance) provides $60.0 million in coverage for each loss occurrence in excess of $10.0 million. This layer includes coverage for terrorism including the use and/or dispersal of nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological agents with an annual aggregate limit of $60.0 million. The aggregate limit for all claims under this layer is $120.0 million. This layer provides coverage through December 31, 2021. 16 The table below sets forth the reinsurers participating in our 2021 reinsurance program: Reinsurer Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd. Arch Reinsurance Company Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited Houston Casualty Company Lloyd’s Syndicate 0623 AFB Lloyd’s Syndicate 1414 ACS Lloyd’s Syndicate 1955 BAR Lloyd’s Syndicate 2623 AFB Lloyd’s Syndicate 2987 BRT Lloyd’s Syndicate 3000 MKL Lloyd’s Syndicate 4472 LIB Lloyd’s Syndicate 609 Markel Global Reinsurance Company Minnesota Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. A.M. Best Rating A A+ A+ A++ A A A A A A A A A NR A+ Due to the nature of reinsurance, we have recoverables from reinsurers that apply to prior accident years. The Company generally secures large reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including funds withheld accounts, irrevocable letters of credit and secured trusts. The table below summarizes our amounts recoverable from reinsurers as of December 31, 2020. Reinsurer Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (1) Allianz Risk Transfer AG (Bermuda) Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation Minnesota Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association (1) Arch Reinsurance Company (1) Clearwater Insurance (2) Finial Reinsurance SCOR Reinsurance Tokio Millennium Re Limited St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company Other reinsurers Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers Allowance for credit losses Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers net of allowance for credit losses Funds withheld and letters of credit related to the above recoverables Total unsecured amounts recoverable from reinsurers (1) Current participant in our 2021 reinsurance program. (2) Subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. A.M. Best Rating Amounts Recoverable as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) A+ A+ A NR A+ NR A- A+ A+ A++ — $ $ 56,753 12,050 8,688 6,367 5,210 3,646 3,476 3,185 1,677 1,315 3,888 106,255 (452) 105,803 (71,986) 33,817 In December 2019, the Company commuted reinsurance agreements with Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (“Hannover”) covering portions of accident years 2009 through 2011. The Company received an $8.5 million payment effectuated solely through offset against the balance of the funds withheld and recoverable from reinsurers accounts under the reinsurance agreements in exchange for releasing Hannover from their reinsurance obligations under the commuted agreements. Hannover remains obligated to the subsidiaries of the Company under other reinsurance agreements. There was no effect on the Company’s net income in the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the commutation. 17 Terrorism Reinsurance The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (the “2002 Act”) was enacted in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The 2002 Act has been extended periodically, most recently by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 (the “2019 Act”). This legislation was designed to ensure the availability of insurance coverage for losses resulting from certain acts of terrorism in the United States. The 2019 Act reauthorized a federal program until 2027 that provides federal reimbursement to insurance companies for a portion of their losses arising from certain acts of terrorism and requires insurance companies to offer coverage for these acts. The program applies to insured losses arising out of acts that are certified as “acts of terrorism” by the Secretary of the Treasury in concurrence with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General of the United States. In addition, the program does not provide any reimbursement for any portion of aggregate industry-wide insured losses from certified acts of terrorism that exceed $100.0 billion in any one year and is subject to certain other limitations and restrictions. For insured losses in 2021, each insurance group is responsible for a statutory deductible under the 2019 Act that is equal to 20% of its direct earned property and casualty insurance premiums. For losses occurring in 2021, the U.S. federal government will reimburse 80% of an insurance group’s covered losses over the statutory deductible. In addition, no federal reimbursement is available unless the aggregate insurance industry-wide losses from a certified act of terrorism exceeds $200.0 million for any act of terrorism. However, there is no relief from the requirement under the 2019 Act that insurance companies offer coverage for certified acts of terrorism if those acts do not cause losses exceeding these threshold amounts and thus do not result in any federal reimbursement payments. Under the 2019 Act, insurance companies must offer coverage for losses due to certified acts of terrorism in their workers’ compensation policies. Moreover, the workers’ compensation laws of the various states generally do not permit the exclusion of coverage for losses arising from acts of terrorism, including terrorism that involves the use of nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological agents. In addition, state law prohibits us from limiting our workers’ compensation insurance losses arising from any one catastrophe or any one claimant. We have reinsurance protection in our current reinsurance treaty program that provides coverage of up to $70 million for losses arising from acts of terrorism. This coverage is effective through December 31, 2021. The Company’s 2021 catastrophe excess of loss layer for loss occurrences greater than $10 million includes coverage for losses caused by nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological attacks, subject to the deductibles, retentions, definitions and aggregate limits. Technology We view our information systems as an integral part of our operations. We make substantial investments in improving our systems on an ongoing basis. We provide our field premium auditors, field safety professionals and field case managers with computer and communication equipment to efficiently complete services. We deploy technology and equipment to enable remote work when needed and to ensure continuity of home office and field operations. We also deploy online solutions for our policyholders to enable timely and efficient premium payments and for our agents to improve collaboration and exchange of data in the underwriting process. Our information technology employees perform end-user support, systems development, and infrastructure operation and maintenance with limited assistance from outside vendors. Competition The insurance industry, in general, is highly competitive and there is significant competition in the workers’ compensation segment of the industry. Competition in the insurance business is based on many factors, including premium rates, policy terms, coverage availability, claims management, safety services, payment terms, types of insurance offered, overall financial strength and financial ratings assigned by independent rating organizations, such as A.M. Best. Some of the insurers with which we compete have significantly greater financial, marketing and management resources than we do. We may also compete with new market entrants in the future. We believe the workers’ compensation market for the hazardous industries we target is more fragmented and to some degree less competitive than other segments of the workers’ compensation market. Our competitors include other insurance companies, state insurance pools and self-insurance funds. Overall, we estimate that more than 300 insurance companies participate in the workers’ compensation market. The insurance companies with which we compete vary by state and by the industries we target. Market conditions are also impacted by lower estimated loss costs adopted by a number of states in which we do business. Our competitive advantages include our underwriting expertise, safety services and claims management practices, our A.M. Best rating and our ability to reduce claims through implementation of our work safety programs. In addition, we believe that our insurance is competitively priced and our premium rates are typically lower than those for policyholders assigned to the state insurance pools, allowing us to provide a viable alternative for policyholders in those pools. 18 Human Capital Throughout our 35-year history, the retention, growth and development of our employees has been critical to our success. In order to continue to deliver on our mission of providing quality insurance services to our customers, it is crucial that we continue to attract and retain talented employees that are aligned with our mission. As part of these efforts, we strive to offer a competitive compensation and benefits program that is aligned with our shareholders’ interests. Our underwriting professionals participate in an incentive compensation program under which bonuses are paid quarterly based upon achieving premium underwriting volume and profitable loss ratio targets. The determination of whether targets have been satisfied is made 30 months after the beginning of the relevant incentive compensation period. Our field safety professionals participate in an incentive compensation program under which bonuses are paid semi-annually based upon an FSP’s production and their policyholders’ aggregate profitable loss ratios. The results are measured 33 months after the inception of the subject policy period. In addition, employee bonus programs in other areas of the company help ensure our employees’ performance is appropriately rewarded when the company performs well. We are committed to the health, safety and wellness of our employees as the success of our business is fundamentally connected to the well-being of our people. Our benefit offerings are designed to meet the varied and evolving needs of a diverse workforce. In additional to health care and 401k retirement programs, we offer wellness initiatives and time off for annual wellness exams, reimbursements of health club memberships, and confidential counseling services to promote a culture of wellness. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in February 2020, we began the process of health and safety notifications to our employees and preparation of resources to move to a remote workforce while servicing our policyholders. In March 2020, the Company took steps to eliminate non-essential travel and implemented safety and health measures for all home office and field employees which resulted in most of our home office employees set up to work-from home. Additionally, in March, the Company suspended all in-person visits with our customers, which represent insureds, agents and claimants. During the second quarter of 2020, AMERISAFE began gradually returning employees to our home office, with protocols in place to protect the health and safety of our employees. Many employees continue to work from home, assisting agents and policyholders with their workers compensation insurance, on a rotational basis. AMERISAFE also began returning our Safety and Claims professionals to the field, where these professionals inspect job sites and meet with injured workers, all following local, state and federal health and safety guidelines. To assist employees in need, beginning in 2016, the Company partnered with the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana to provide tax-free assistance to employees that have experienced a catastrophic event through an employee assistance fund. In addition to funding from the Company, this fund also allows employees to make a monetary donation to assist their fellow employees. Two catastrophic hurricanes significantly impacted the home office DeRidder area in Southwest Louisiana in August and October 2020. Hurricane Laura (category 4) with winds of 150 miles per hour at landfall and Hurricane Delta (category 2) with winds of 100 miles per hour at landfall caused widespread damage to homes, trees, and the power infrastructure of the area. Our dedicated employees were able to continue to serve our customers without significant disruption to business operations, despite their personal circumstances through both storms. Throughout 2020, the employee assistance fund was available for employees impacted by these storms or other disasters. We actively engage and support local communities through numerous charitable and social organizations in the communities in which we operate. We believe that this commitment helps in our efforts to attract and retain employees. To encourage a culture of giving back to the communities in which we operate, all Company employees may take advantage of paid time off for volunteer activities. The Company has also established an endowment to provide scholarships to dependents of our employees and members of the community in which we do business, recognizing the importance of educating future generations. With the support of our Board of Directors, we are focused on our diversity and inclusion strengths and opportunities and executing on a strategy to support further progress. We strive to promote inclusion through our Company values and behaviors. As of December 31, 2020, we had 393 full-time employees and two part-time employees. Approximately 63% of our current workforce is female, 37% male. Our average employee tenure is 10.5 years. Women represent 45% of AMERISAFE’s leadership (defined as vice president level and above), including our CEO. Two women serve as members of our seven member Board of Directors. 19 None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Due to COVID-19 impacts and the changing environment in which we are operating, the Company did not furlough employees nor has it sought a reduction in staff. The Company has generated efficiencies in its staffing by limiting hiring to critical business roles during 2020. We invest in the professional development of our employees. This includes various insurance certification programs and other professional development education, training and certifications. We also work with our employees to provide training in leadership development, professional development, project management skills and interpersonal skills development. Information About our Executive Officers The table below sets forth information about our executive officers and key employees as of February 26, 2021. Name Executive Officers G. Janelle Frost Neal A. Fuller Vincent J. Gagliano Andrew B. McCray Kathryn H. Shirley Key Employees Kelly R. Goins Leon J. Lagneaux Henry O. Lestage, IV Garrett S. Little Barbra E. McCrary Angela W. Pearson Age Position 50 58 48 59 55 55 69 60 50 46 48 President and Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary Senior Vice President, Staff Underwriting Senior Vice President, Recruitment and Development Senior Vice President, Claims Operations Senior Vice President, Safety Operations Senior Vice President, Policyholder Services Senior Vice President, Controller G. Janelle Frost has served as our Chief Executive Officer since April 2015 and President since September 2013. She has served as a Director of the Company since April 2016. Prior to becoming our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Frost served as Chief Operating Officer from May 2013 to April 2015. She served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from November 2008 to April 2013, our Controller from May 2004 to November 2008 and Vice President from May 2006 to November 2008. She has been employed with our company since 1992. Ms. Frost currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s New Orleans Branch. Neal A. Fuller has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2015. Mr. Fuller served in multiple leadership positions with Safeco Corporation from 1988 to 2009, ending as Senior Vice President – Finance and Treasurer. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Fuller served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ICW Group from 2010 to 2011 and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of SeaBright Holdings, Inc. from 2011 to 2013. Vincent J. Gagliano has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer since March 2016. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer from January 2013 until February 2016, and Senior Vice President of Information Technology from September 2009 to January 2013. He has been employed with our company since 2001. Andrew B. McCray has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer since May 2019. Prior to joining the company, he was Senior Director – Global P&C Strategy and Product Innovation for Assurant from January 2017 through April 2019. From 2015 through 2017, he served as business leader for commercial lines for Utica National Insurance Group and from 2011 through 2015 served as vice president and director of regional underwriting operations for Utica National Insurance Group. Kathryn H. Shirley has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary since February 2020. She previously served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from February 2016 until February 2020 and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from May 2012 until February 2016. She has been employed with our company since 2012. Prior to joining our company, she practiced law from 2009 through May 2012 at Christian & Small LLP. From 2000 until 2008 she was employed as an Insurance Regulatory Compliance Manager with United Investors Life Insurance Company and Liberty National Life Insurance Company, subsidiaries of Torchmark Corporation. Kelly R. Goins has served as our Senior Vice President, Staff Underwriting since February 2020. She previously served as Senior Vice President, Underwriting Operations from March 2005 until February 2020. She has been employed with our company since 1986. 20 Leon J. Lagneaux has served as our Senior Vice President, Recruitment & Development since July 2019. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Safety Operations from March 2005 until June 2019. He has been employed with our company since 1994. Henry O. Lestage, IV has served as our Senior Vice President, Claims Operations since September 2000. He has been employed with our company since 1987. Garrett S. Little has served as our Senior Vice President, Safety Operations since July 2019 and previously served as Vice President, Field Safety from April 2001 until June 2019. He has been employed with our company since 1995. Barbra E. McCrary, has served as our Senior Vice President, Policyholder Services since November 2017 and served as Vice President, Premium Audit from 2010 until 2017. She has been employed with our company since 1997. Angela W. Pearson has served as our Senior Vice President and Controller since October 2019 and previously served as Vice President and Controller from 2012 until October 2019. She has been employed with our company since 1996. Regulation Holding Company Regulation Nearly all states have enacted legislation that regulates insurance holding company systems. Each insurance company in a holding company system is required to register with the insurance supervisory agency of its state of domicile and furnish information concerning the operations of companies within the holding company system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the insurers within the system. Under these laws, the respective state insurance departments may examine us at any time, require disclosure of material transactions and require prior notice of or approval for certain transactions. All transactions within a holding company system affecting an insurer must have fair and reasonable terms and are subject to other standards and requirements established by law and regulation. Change of Control The insurance holding company laws of nearly all states require advance approval by the respective state insurance departments of any change of control of an insurer. “Control” is generally presumed to exist through the direct or indirect ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a domestic insurance company or any entity that controls a domestic insurance company. In addition, insurance laws in many states contain provisions that require pre-notification to the insurance commissioners of a change of control of a non-domestic insurance company licensed in those states. Any future transactions that would constitute a change of control of AIIC, SOCI or AIICTX, including a change of control of AMERISAFE, would generally require the party acquiring control to obtain the prior approval of the department of insurance in the state in which the insurance company being acquired is incorporated and may require pre-notification in the states where pre-notification provisions have been adopted. Obtaining these approvals may result in the material delay of, or deter, any such transaction. These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control of AMERISAFE, including through transactions, and in particular unsolicited transactions, that some or all of the shareholders of AMERISAFE might consider to be desirable. State Insurance Regulation Insurance companies are subject to regulation and supervision by the department of insurance in the state in which they are domiciled and, to a lesser extent, other states in which they conduct business. AIIC and SOCI are primarily subject to regulation and supervision by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. AIICTX is primarily subject to regulation and supervision by the Texas Department of Insurance and Workers’ Compensation Commission. These state agencies have broad regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers, including the power to grant and revoke licenses to transact business, license agencies, set the standards of solvency to be met and maintained, determine the nature of, and limitations on, investments and dividends, approve policy forms and rates in some states, periodically examine financial statements, determine the form and content of required financial statements and periodically examine market conduct. Detailed annual and quarterly financial statements and other reports are required to be filed with the state insurance departments in all states in which we are licensed to transact business. The financial statements of AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX are subject to periodic examination by the department of insurance in each state in which they are licensed to do business. 21 In addition, many states have laws and regulations that limit an insurer’s ability to withdraw from a particular market. For example, states may limit an insurer’s ability to cancel or not renew policies. Furthermore, certain states prohibit an insurer from withdrawing one or more lines of business from the state, except pursuant to a plan that is approved by the state insurance department. The state insurance department may disapprove a plan that may lead to market disruption. Laws and regulations that limit cancellation and non-renewal and that subject program withdrawals to prior approval requirements may restrict our ability to exit unprofitable markets. Insurance agencies are also subject to regulation and supervision by the state insurance departments in the states in which they are licensed. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Amerisafe General Agency, Inc., is licensed as an insurance agent in 29 states. Amerisafe General Agency is domiciled in Louisiana and is primarily subject to regulation and supervision by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, which regulates the solicitation of insurance and the qualification and licensing of agents and agencies that may desire to conduct business in Louisiana. State Insurance Department Examinations We are subject to periodic examinations by the Nebraska and Texas insurance departments. AIIC and SOCI underwent an examination by the Nebraska Department of Insurance in 2018 which covered calendar years 2014 through 2017. AIICTX underwent an examination by the Texas Department of Insurance in 2018 which covered calendar years 2014 through 2017. Guaranty Fund Assessments In most of the states where we are licensed to transact business, there is a requirement that property and casualty insurers doing business in that state participate in a guaranty association, which is organized to pay contractual benefits owed under insurance policies issued by impaired, insolvent or failed insurers. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular state on the basis of the proportionate share of the premium written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer is engaged. Some states permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets. Property and casualty insurance company insolvencies or failures may result in us paying assessments at some future date. At this time, we are unable to determine the impact, if any, such assessments may have on our financial position or results of operations. We have established liabilities for potential state guaranty fund assessments with respect to insurers becoming insolvent. Residual Market Programs Many of the states in which we conduct business or intend to conduct business require that all licensed insurers participate in a program to provide workers’ compensation insurance to those employers who have not or cannot obtain coverage from a carrier on a negotiated basis. The level of required participation in such programs is generally determined by calculating the volume of our voluntary business in that state as a percentage of all voluntary business in that state by all insurers. The resulting factor is the proportion of premium we must accept as a percentage of all of premiums in policies included in that state’s residual market program. Companies generally can fulfill their residual market obligations by either issuing insurance policies to employers assigned to them, or participating in a reinsurance pool where the results of all policies provided through the pool are shared by the participating companies. We utilize both methods, depending on management’s evaluation of the most cost-efficient method to adopt in each state that allows a choice of assigned risk or participation in a pooling arrangement. In 2020, we had assigned risks in three states: Alabama, Alaska, and North Carolina. Second Injury Funds A number of states operate trust funds that reimburse insurers and employers for claims paid to injured employees for aggravation of prior conditions or injuries. The state-managed trust funds are funded through assessments against insurers and self- insurers providing workers’ compensation coverage in the applicable state. Our recoveries from state-managed trust funds for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $4.5 million, $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively. Our cash paid for assessments to state-managed trust funds for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $0.6 million, $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. We accrue for second injury funds relative to historical paid amounts. 22 Dividend Limitations Under Nebraska law, without the prior approval of the Nebraska Director of Insurance, AIIC and SOCI cannot pay dividends to their shareholder that exceed the greater of (a) 10% of statutory surplus as of the previous year end or (b) or statutory net income, excluding realized investment gains, for the preceding 12-month period. However, net income from the previous two calendar years may be carried forward to the extent that it has not already been paid out as dividends. Further, under Texas law, without the prior approval of the Texas Commissioner of Insurance, AIICTX cannot pay dividends to its shareholder in excess of the greater of 10% of statutory surplus, or statutory net income, for the preceding 12-month period. Federal Law and Regulations For the year ended December 31, 2020, we derived 2.4% of our voluntary in-force premiums from employers engaged in the maritime industry. As a provider of workers’ compensation insurance for employers engaged in the maritime industry, we are subject to the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or the USL&H Act, and the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, or Jones Act. We are also subject to regulations related to the USL&H Act and the Jones Act. The USL&H Act, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, generally covers exposures on the navigable waters of the United States and in adjoining waterfront areas, including exposures resulting from stevedoring. The USL&H Act requires employers to provide medical benefits, compensation for lost wages, and rehabilitation services to longshoremen, harbor workers and other maritime workers who may suffer injury, disability or death during the course and scope of their employment. The Department of Labor has the authority to require us to make deposits to serve as collateral for losses incurred under the USL&H Act. The Jones Act is a federal law, the maritime employer provisions of which provide injured offshore workers, or seamen, with a remedy against their employers for injuries arising from negligent acts of the employer or co-workers during the course of employment on a ship or vessel. Privacy Regulations In 1999, Congress enacted the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which, among other things, protects consumers from the unauthorized dissemination of certain personal information. Subsequently, a majority of states have implemented additional regulations to address privacy issues. These laws and regulations apply to all financial institutions, including insurance companies, and require us to maintain appropriate policies and procedures for managing and protecting certain personal information of our policyholders and to fully disclose our privacy practices to our policyholders. We may also be exposed to future privacy laws and regulations, which could impose additional costs and impact our results of operations or financial condition. In 2000, the NAIC adopted the Privacy of Consumer Financial and Health Information Model Regulation, which assisted states in promulgating regulations to comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. In 2002, to further facilitate the implementation of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the NAIC adopted the Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information Model Regulation. Several states have now adopted similar provisions regarding the safeguarding of policyholder information. We have established policies and procedures intended to ensure that we are in compliance with the privacy requirement of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Information Security Standards In 2017, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners adopted the Insurance Data Security Model Law creating rules for insurers, agents and other licensed entities covering data security, investigation and notification of breach. This includes maintaining an information security program based on ongoing risk assessment, overseeing third-party service providers, investigating data breaches and notifying regulators of a cybersecurity event. Some states have adopted similar versions of the Insurance Data Security Model Law. Our policies and procedures regarding information security are intended to ensure that we are in compliance with the model law. Federal and State Legislative and Regulatory Changes From time to time, various regulatory and legislative changes have been proposed in the insurance industry. Among the proposals that have in the past been, or are at present, being considered are the possible introduction of federal regulation in addition to, or in lieu of, the current system of state regulation of insurers and proposals in various state legislatures (some of which proposals have been enacted) to conform portions of their insurance laws and regulations to various model acts adopted by the NAIC. We are unable to predict whether any of these laws and regulations will be adopted, the form in which any such laws and regulations would be adopted or the effect, if any, these developments would have on our operations and financial condition. For information on the Terrorism Risk Act, see “—Reinsurance—Terrorism Reinsurance.” 23 The National Association of Insurance Commissioners The NAIC is a group formed by state insurance commissioners to discuss issues and formulate policy with respect to regulation, reporting and accounting of insurance companies. Although the NAIC has no legislative authority and insurance companies are at all times subject to the laws of their respective domiciliary states and, to a lesser extent, other states in which they conduct business, the NAIC is influential in determining the form in which such laws are enacted. Model insurance laws, regulations and guidelines, which we refer to as the Model Laws, have been promulgated by the NAIC as a minimum standard by which state regulatory systems and regulations are measured. Adoption of state laws that provide for substantially similar regulations to those described in the Model Laws is a requirement for accreditation by the NAIC. The NAIC provides authoritative guidance to insurance regulators on statutory accounting issues by promulgating and updating a codified set of statutory accounting practices in its Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual. The Nebraska and Texas legislatures have adopted these codified statutory accounting practices. Under Nebraska law, AIIC and SOCI are each required to maintain minimum capital and surplus of $2.0 million. Under Texas law, AIICTX is required to maintain minimum capital and surplus of $5.0 million. Property and casualty insurance companies are also subject to certain risk-based capital requirements by the NAIC. Under those requirements, the amount of capital and surplus maintained by a property and casualty insurance company is determined based on the various risk factors related to it. As of December 31, 2020, AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX exceeded the minimum risk-based capital requirements. The key financial ratios of the NAIC’s Insurance Regulatory Information System, or IRIS, which ratios were developed to assist insurance departments in overseeing the financial condition of insurance companies, are reviewed by experienced financial examiners of the NAIC and state insurance departments to select those companies that merit highest priority in the allocation of the regulators’ resources. IRIS identifies 13 industry ratios and specifies “usual values” for each ratio. Departure from the usual values on four or more of the ratios can lead to inquiries from individual state insurance commissioners as to certain aspects of an insurer’s business. The 2020 IRIS results for AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX were within expected values for all 13 industry ratios. Statutory Accounting Principles Statutory accounting principles, or SAP, are a basis of accounting developed to assist insurance regulators in monitoring and regulating the solvency of insurance companies. SAP is primarily concerned with measuring an insurer’s surplus as regards to policyholders. Accordingly, statutory accounting focuses on valuing assets and liabilities of insurers at financial reporting dates in accordance with appropriate insurance law and regulatory provisions applicable in each insurer’s domiciliary state. Generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, are concerned with a company’s solvency, but are also concerned with other financial measurements, principally income and cash flows. Accordingly, GAAP gives more consideration to appropriate matching of revenue and expenses and accounting for management’s stewardship of assets than does SAP. As a direct result, different assets and liabilities and different amounts of assets and liabilities will be reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP as compared to SAP. Statutory accounting principles established by the NAIC and adopted in part by Nebraska and Texas insurance regulators, determine, among other things, the amount of statutory surplus and statutory net income of AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX and thus determine, in part, the amount of funds that are available to pay dividends to AMERISAFE. Website Information Our corporate website is located at www.amerisafe.com. Our annual report to shareholders, annual proxy statement and related proxy card will be made available on our website at the same time they are mailed to shareholders. Our quarterly reports on Form 10- Q, periodic reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports that we file or furnish pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available through our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Our website also provides access to reports filed by our directors, executive officers and certain significant shareholders pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Policy Regarding Communications with the Board of Directors, Policy Regarding Shareholder Recommended Director Candidates, Majority Voting and Director Resignation Policy, and charters for the standing committees of our Board of Directors are available on our website as well as other shareholder communications. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this report. In addition, the SEC maintains a website, www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC. 24 Item 1A. Risk Factors. In evaluating our Company, the factors described below should be considered carefully. The occurrence of one or more of these events could significantly and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Risks Related to Our Business The workers’ compensation insurance industry is cyclical in nature, which may affect our overall financial performance. The financial performance of the workers’ compensation insurance industry has historically fluctuated with periods of lower premium rates and excess underwriting capacity resulting from increased competition followed by periods of higher premium rates and reduced underwriting capacity resulting from decreased competition. Although the financial performance of an individual insurance company is dependent on its own specific business characteristics, the profitability of most workers’ compensation insurance companies generally tends to follow this cyclical market pattern. Because this market cyclicality is due in large part to the actions of our competitors and general economic factors, we cannot predict the timing or duration of changes in the market cycle. We expect these cyclical patterns will cause our revenues and net income to fluctuate, which may cause the price of our common stock to be more volatile. The impact of COVID-19 could materially affect the business operations of our insurance subsidiaries and may adversely affect our revenues, results of operations, and cash flows. Beginning in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the global economy creating disruptions in economic activity impacting our business and results of operations, as well as those of our policy holders. It is uncertain the ultimate impact that the economic and financial disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business. We have identified ongoing risks related to the pandemic which include a decline in demand for insurance products, a reduction in hours worked by our policyholders, an inability to collect premium balances due, potential declines in the market value of our investments and the decline in interest rates on new investments. Additional risks include legislative, judicial and regulatory actions suspending cancellation of policies for non-payment of premiums, extension of grace periods for payment of premium balances, expansion of coverage to pay for losses not contemplated by our insurance policies, and an increase in frequency and severity related to COVID-19 compensable claims. Additional risks include an increase in costs due to delays in medical treatment and the financial burden of the pandemic on the healthcare industry. We operate in a highly competitive industry and may lack the financial resources to compete effectively. There is significant competition in the workers’ compensation insurance industry. We believe that our competition in the hazardous industries we target is fragmented and not dominated by one or more competitors. We compete with other insurance companies, state insurance pools and self-insurance funds. Many of our existing and potential competitors are significantly larger and possess greater financial, marketing and management resources than we do. Moreover, a number of these competitors offer other types of insurance in addition to workers’ compensation and can provide insurance nationwide. We only offer workers’ compensation insurance. We have no current plans to focus our efforts on offering other types of insurance. As a result, negative developments in the economic, competitive or regulatory conditions affecting the workers’ compensation insurance industry could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Negative developments in the workers’ compensation insurance industry could have a greater impact on our company because we do not sell other types of insurance. We compete on the basis of many factors, including coverage availability, claims management, safety services, payment terms, premium rates, policy terms, types of insurance offered, overall financial strength, financial ratings and reputation. If any of our competitors offer premium rates, policy terms or types of insurance that are more competitive than ours, we could lose market share. No assurance can be given that we will maintain our current competitive position in the markets in which we currently operate or that we will establish a competitive position in new markets into which we may expand. 25 If we do not appropriately establish our premium rates, our results of operations will be adversely affected. In general, the premium rates for our insurance policies are established when coverage is initiated and, therefore, before all of the underlying costs are known. Like other workers’ compensation insurance companies, we rely on estimates and assumptions in setting our premium rates. Establishing adequate rates is necessary to generate sufficient revenue to offset losses, loss adjustment expenses and other underwriting expenses, and to earn an underwriting profit. If we fail to accurately assess the risks that we assume, we may fail to charge adequate premium rates to cover our losses and expenses, which could reduce our net income and cause us to become unprofitable. For example, when initiating coverage on a policyholder, we estimate future claims expense based, in part, on prior claims information provided by the policyholder’s previous insurance carriers. If this prior claims information is not accurate, we may underprice our policy by using claims estimates that are too low. As a result, our actual costs for providing insurance coverage to our policyholders may be significantly higher than our premiums. In order to set premium rates appropriately, we must:     collect and properly analyze a substantial volume of data; develop, test and apply appropriate rating formulae; closely monitor and timely recognize changes in trends; and project both frequency and severity of losses with reasonable accuracy. We must also implement our pricing accurately in accordance with our assumptions. Our ability to undertake these efforts successfully, and as a result set premium rates accurately, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, principally:        insufficient reliable data; incorrect or incomplete analysis of available data; uncertainties generally inherent in estimates and assumptions; the complexity inherent in implementing appropriate rating formulae or other pricing methodologies; costs of ongoing medical treatment; uncertainties inherent in accurately estimating retention, investment yields, and the duration of our liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses; and unanticipated court decisions, legislation or regulatory action. Consequently, we could set our premium rates too low, which would negatively affect our results of operations and our profitability, or we could set our premium rates too high, which could reduce our competitiveness and lead to lower revenues. If we cannot sustain our relationships with independent agencies, we may be unable to operate profitably. We market a substantial portion of our workers’ compensation insurance through independent agencies. As of December 31, 2020, independent agencies produced 96.5% of our voluntary in-force premiums. No independent agency accounted for more than 1.2% of our voluntary in-force premiums at that date. Independent agencies are not obligated to promote our insurance and may sell insurance offered by our competitors. As a result, our continued profitability depends, in part, on the marketing efforts of our independent agencies and on our ability to offer workers’ compensation insurance and maintain financial strength ratings that meet the requirements of our independent agencies and their policyholders. An inability to effectively manage our operations could make it difficult for us to compete and could affect our ability to operate profitably. Our continuing strategic options include expanding in our existing markets, entering new geographic markets and further developing our agency relationships. Our strategy is subject to various risks, including risks associated with our ability to:      profitably increase our business in existing markets; identify profitable new geographic markets for entry; attract and retain qualified personnel for expanded operations; identify, recruit and integrate new independent agencies; and augment our internal operations and systems as we expand our business. 26 Economic conditions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Negative trends in business investment, consumer confidence and spending, significant declines and volatility of the capital markets, and availability of credit and the rate of unemployment can adversely affect our business. Although we continue to closely monitor market conditions, we cannot predict future conditions or their impact on our premium volume, the value of our investment portfolio and our financial performance. As a result of economic conditions, we could experience future decreases in business activity and incur realized and unrealized losses in our investment portfolio, both of which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to realize our investment objectives, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Investment income is an important component of our net income. As of December 31, 2020, our investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, had a carrying value of $1.2 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2020 we had $29.4 million of net investment income. Our investment portfolio is managed under investment guidelines approved by our Board of Directors, and is made up predominately of fixed maturity securities and cash and cash equivalents. Although our investment guidelines emphasize capital preservation and liquidity, our investments are subject to a variety of risks, including risks related to general economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, market illiquidity and market volatility. General economic conditions may be adversely affected by global health pandemics, U.S. involvement in hostilities with other countries and large-scale acts of terrorism, or the threat of hostilities or terrorist acts. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political conditions. Increased interest rates could have an adverse effect on the value of our investment portfolio. Low interest rates could continue to have an adverse effect on our investment income. Additionally, changes in interest rates can expose us to prepayment risks on mortgage-backed securities included in our investment portfolio. Similarly, during periods of market disruption, including periods of rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, the fair values of certain of our fixed maturity securities could be deemed to have a credit related loss for which the Company could be obligated to recognize an allowance for credit losses. Further, rapidly changing equity market conditions could materially impact the valuation of the equity securities as reported within our consolidated financial statements and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. These and other factors affect the capital markets and, consequently, the value of our investment portfolio and our future investment income. Any significant decline in our investment income would adversely affect our revenues and net income. Technology breaches or failures, including those resulting from a malicious cyber attack on us, or our policyholders or medical providers, could disrupt or otherwise negatively impact our business. We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit, store and protect the electronic information, financial data and proprietary models that are critical to our business. Furthermore, a significant portion of the communications between our employees, our policyholders and medical providers depend on information technology and electronic information exchange. Like all companies, our information technology systems are vulnerable to data breaches, interruptions or failures due to events that may be beyond our control, including natural disasters, theft, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, hackers and general technology failures. We have established and implemented security measures, controls and procedures in an effort to safeguard our information technology systems and to prevent unauthorized access to these systems and any data processed and/or stored in these systems. We evaluate the adequacy of our third-party service providers’ cybersecurity measures through periodic due diligence and contractual obligations. Despite these safeguards, disruptions to and breaches of our information technology systems or providers’ are possible and may negatively impact our business. Although we have experienced no known cases involving unauthorized access to our information technology systems and data or unauthorized appropriation of such data to date, we have no assurance that such technology breaches will not occur in the future. 27 A decline in the level of business activity of our policyholders, particularly those engaged in the construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas industries, could negatively affect our earnings and profitability. In 2020, 85.5% of our gross premiums written were derived from policyholders in the construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas industries. Because premium rates are calculated, in general, as a percentage of a policyholder’s payroll expense, premiums fluctuate depending upon the level of business activity and number of employees of our policyholders. As a result, our gross premiums written are primarily dependent upon economic conditions in these industries and upon economic conditions generally. Our loss reserves are based on estimates and may be inadequate to cover our actual losses. We record reserves for estimated losses under insurance policies we write and for loss adjustment expenses related to the investigation and settlement of claims. Our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated cost of all reported and unreported loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred and unpaid at any given point in time based on known facts and circumstances. Reserves are based on estimates of the most likely ultimate cost of individual claims. These estimates are inherently uncertain. Our pre-tax income for any period is impacted by establishing reserves for new claims as well as changes in estimates for previously reported losses. Our focus on writing workers’ compensation insurance for employers engaged in hazardous industries results in our experiencing fewer, but more severe, claims. The ultimate cost of resolving severe claims is difficult to predict, particularly in the period shortly after the injury occurs. Substantial judgment is required to determine the relevance of our historical experience and industry information under current facts and circumstances. The interpretation of this historical data can be impacted by external forces, principally frequency and severity of unreported claims, length of time to achieve ultimate settlement of claims, inflation in medical costs and wages, insurance policy coverage interpretations, jury determinations, and legislative changes. Accordingly, our reserves may prove to be inadequate to cover our actual losses. If there are unfavorable changes affecting our assumptions, our reserves may need to be increased. When a reserve estimate is increased, the change decreases pre-tax income by a corresponding amount. The effects of emerging claims and coverage issues on our business are uncertain. As industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage may emerge. These issues may adversely affect our business by either extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or by increasing the number or size of claims. In some instances, these changes may not become apparent until after we have issued insurance policies that are affected by the changes. As a result, the full extent of our liability under an insurance policy may not be known until many years after the policy is issued. For example, medical costs associated with permanent and partial disabilities may increase more rapidly or be higher than we currently expect. Changes of this nature may expose us to higher claims than we anticipated when we wrote the underlying policy. The expertise, wellbeing and resiliency of our workforce is necessary to maintain our competitive advantages in the high hazard workers’ compensation industry. Our success is dependent on the expertise, wellbeing and resiliency of our employees and our ongoing leadership development activities to attract and retain key employees that are knowledgeable about our business. Succession planning and employee education and development for key positions is essential. If we are unable to attract and retain key employees and provide them with opportunities to learn and grow, our operations may be adversely impacted. Our business is dependent on the efforts of our executive officers because of their industry expertise, knowledge of our markets and relationships with the independent agencies that sell our insurance. Our success is dependent on the efforts of our executive officers because of their industry expertise, knowledge of our markets and relationships with our independent agencies. We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Should any of our executive officers cease working for us, we may be unable to find acceptable replacements with comparable skills and experience in the workers’ compensation insurance industry and the hazardous industries that we target. As a result, our operations may be disrupted and our business may be adversely affected. We do not currently maintain life insurance policies with respect to our executive officers. 28 Because we are subject to extensive state and federal regulation, legislative changes may negatively impact our business. We are subject to extensive regulation by the Nebraska and Texas Departments of Insurance and the insurance regulatory agencies of other states in which we are licensed and, to a lesser extent, federal regulation. State agencies have broad regulatory powers designed primarily to protect policyholders and their employees, and not our shareholders. Regulations vary from state to state, but typically address:            standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements; restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of our investments; restrictions on the terms of the insurance policies we offer; restrictions on the way our premium rates are established and the premium rates we may charge; required reserves for unearned premiums and loss and loss adjustment expenses; standards for appointing general agencies; limitations on transactions with affiliates; restrictions on mergers and acquisitions; restrictions on the ability of our insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends to AMERISAFE; certain required methods of accounting; and potential assessments for state guaranty funds, second injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements. We may be unable to comply fully with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations that are continually undergoing revision. In addition, we follow practices based on our interpretations of laws and regulations that we believe are generally followed by our industry. These practices may be different from interpretations of insurance regulatory agencies. As a result, insurance regulatory agencies could preclude us from conducting some or all of our activities or otherwise penalize us. For example, in order to enforce applicable laws and regulations or to protect policyholders, insurance regulatory agencies have relatively broad discretion to impose a variety of sanctions, including examinations, corrective orders, suspension, revocation or denial of licenses, and the takeover of one or more of our insurance subsidiaries. The extensive regulation of our business may increase the cost of our insurance and may limit our ability to obtain premium rate increases or to take other actions to increase our profitability. The workers’ compensation system is largely regulated by state regulation. However in recent years, certain federal agencies and regulatory bodies have increased interest in more federal workers’ compensation oversight. Increased federal involvement has the potential to change the workers’ compensation structure impacting workers’ benefits and the method of administration. As a result, potential changes in the level of oversight to the workers’ compensation industry could adversely affect our operations. Changes in accounting standards or new standards, as well as assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting issues could have a material adverse effect on our capital levels and our results of operations. Changes in GAAP accounting standards, guidelines and interpretations have the ability to impact our financial results especially as it relates to our significant accounting policies which are described in Note 1 of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Changes in these standards, issued and promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, could impact the recognition of revenues, expenses, taxes, investments, loss reserves and other aspects of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Such changes could significantly impact our reported earnings or financial condition. AMERISAFE is a holding company whose insurance subsidiaries are governed by SAP determined and promulgated by the NAIC and state departments of insurance. New standards or changes in SAP accounting standards or interpretations, especially as it relates to our significant revenues, assets, liabilities, statutory surplus, risk-based capital, or RBC, ratios and dividend paying ability could have a material impact on our statutory earnings, dividend paying ability or financial condition. Legal or other administrative proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our operations or results of operations. In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in various legal and other administrative proceedings involving claims arising from our insurance operations. These claims involve issues such as eligibility for workers' compensation insurance coverage or benefits, the extent of injuries, wage determinations, disability ratings, and bad faith and extra-contractual liability. We defend these claims. A significant adverse result, or multiple adverse results involving similar issues, could require us to pay significant amounts or to change the manner in which we administer claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations or results of operations. 29 As an insurance holding company, AMERISAFE is dependent on the results of operations of its insurance subsidiaries, and our Company’s ability to pay dividends depends on the regulatory and financial capacity of its subsidiaries to pay dividends to AMERISAFE. AMERISAFE is a holding company that transacts business through its operating subsidiaries, including AIIC. AMERISAFE’s primary assets are the capital stock of these operating subsidiaries. The ability of AMERISAFE to pay dividends to our shareholders depends upon the surplus and earnings of our subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends to AMERISAFE. Payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is restricted by state insurance laws, including laws establishing minimum solvency and liquidity thresholds, and could be subject to contractual restrictions in the future, including those imposed by indebtedness we may incur in the future. As a result, AMERISAFE may not be able to receive dividends from its insurance subsidiaries and may not receive dividends in amounts necessary to pay dividends on our capital stock. A downgrade in our A.M. Best rating would likely reduce the amount of business we are able to write. Rating agencies evaluate insurance companies based on their ability to pay claims. We are currently assigned a group letter rating of “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best, which is the rating agency that we believe has the most influence on our business. This rating is assigned to companies that, in the opinion of A.M. Best, have demonstrated an excellent overall performance when compared to industry standards. A.M. Best considers “A” rated companies to have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. The ratings of A.M. Best are subject to periodic review using, among other things, proprietary capital adequacy models, and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time. A.M. Best ratings are directed toward the concerns of policyholders and insurance agencies and are not intended for the protection of investors or as a recommendation to buy, hold or sell securities. Our competitive position relative to other companies is determined in part by our A.M. Best rating. Any downgrade in our rating would likely adversely affect our business through the loss of certain existing and potential policyholders and the loss of relationships with certain independent agencies. A downgrade in the A.M. Best rating of one or more of our significant reinsurers could adversely affect our financial condition. Our financial condition could be adversely affected if the A.M. Best rating of one or more of our significant reinsurers is downgraded. For example, our A.M. Best rating may be downgraded if our amounts recoverable from a reinsurer are significant and the A.M. Best rating of that reinsurer is downgraded. If one of our reinsurers suffers a rating downgrade, we may consider various options to lessen the impact on our financial condition, including commutation, novation and the use of letters of credit to secure amounts recoverable from reinsurers. However, these options may result in losses to our company, and there can be no assurance that we could implement any of these options. If we are unable to obtain reinsurance on favorable terms, our ability to write policies could be adversely affected. We purchase reinsurance to reduce our net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Reinsurance is an arrangement in which an insurance company, called the ceding company, transfers insurance risk by sharing premiums with another insurance company, called the reinsurer. Conversely, the reinsurer receives or assumes reinsurance from the ceding company. Our 2021 reinsurance program provides us with reinsurance coverage for each loss occurrence up to $70.0 million, subject to applicable limitations, deductibles, retentions and aggregate limits. However, for any loss occurrence involving only one claimant, our reinsurance coverage is limited to $10.0 million, subject to applicable deductibles, retentions and aggregate limits. Our retention is $2.0 million for each loss occurrence. Losses in the layer between $2.0 million and $10.0 million are ceded to a multi-year reinsurance treaty with an aggregate annual deductible of approximately $9.1 million and an aggregate limit of coverage of approximately $27.3 million for 2021. The availability, amount, and cost of reinsurance are subject to market conditions and our experience with insured losses. As a result, any material changes in market conditions or our loss experience could adversely affect our financial performance. If any of our current reinsurers were to terminate participation in our reinsurance treaty program, we could be exposed to an increased risk of loss. When our reinsurance treaty program is terminated and we enter into a new program, any decrease in the amount of reinsurance at the time we enter into a new program, whether caused by the existence of more restrictive terms and conditions or decreased availability, will also increase our risk of loss and, as a result, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We currently have 15 reinsurers participating in our reinsurance treaty program, and we believe that this is a sufficient number of reinsurers to provide us with the reinsurance coverage we require. However, it is possible that one or more of our current reinsurers could terminate participation in our program. In addition, we may terminate the participation of one or more of our reinsurers under certain circumstances as permitted by the terms of our reinsurance agreements. In any of these events, if our reinsurance broker is unable to reallocate the terminated reinsurance among the remaining reinsurers in the program, it could take a significant period of time to identify and negotiate agreements with one or more replacement reinsurers. During this period, we would be exposed to an increased risk of loss, the extent of which would depend on the coverage previously provided by the terminated reinsurance. 30 We may not be able to recover amounts due from our reinsurers, which would adversely affect our financial condition. Reinsurance does not discharge our obligations under the insurance policies we write. We remain liable to our policyholders even if we are unable to make recoveries that we are entitled to receive under our reinsurance contracts. As a result, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. Losses are recovered from our reinsurers as claims are paid. In long-term workers’ compensation claims, the creditworthiness of our reinsurers may change before we recover amounts to which we are entitled. Therefore, if a reinsurer is unable to meet any of its obligations to us, we would be responsible for all claims and claim settlement expenses for which we would have otherwise received payment from the reinsurer. As of December 31, 2020, we had $105.8 million of recoverables from reinsurers. Of this amount, $33.8 million was unsecured. As of December 31, 2020, our largest recoverable from reinsurers included $56.8 million from Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited, $12.1 million from Allianz Risk Transfer AG and $8.7 million from Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation. Each of these reinsurers have an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) or better. Reinsurance recoverable amounts over 90 days old at December 31, 2020 were immaterial. If we are unable to collect amounts recoverable from our reinsurers, our financial condition would be adversely impacted. Assessments and premium surcharges for state guaranty funds, second injury funds and other mandatory pooling arrangements may reduce our profitability. Most states require insurance companies licensed to do business in their state to participate in guaranty funds, which require the insurance companies to bear a portion of the unfunded obligations of impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies. These obligations are funded by assessments, most of which are expected to continue in the future. State guaranty associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurance companies in the state based on their proportionate share of premiums written in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies are engaged. See “Business— Regulation” in Item 1 of this report. Accordingly, the assessments levied on us may increase as we increase our written premium. Some states also have laws that establish second injury funds to reimburse insurers and employers for claims paid to injured employees for aggravation of prior conditions or injuries. These funds are supported by either assessments or premium surcharges based on case incurred losses. In addition, as a condition to conducting business in some states, insurance companies are required to participate in residual market programs to provide insurance to those employers who cannot procure coverage from an insurance carrier on a negotiated basis. Insurance companies generally can fulfill their residual market obligations by, among other things, participating in a reinsurance pool where the results of all policies provided through the pool are shared by the participating insurance companies. Although we price our insurance to account for obligations we may have under these pooling arrangements, we may not be successful in estimating our liability for these obligations. Accordingly, mandatory pooling arrangements may cause a decrease in our profits. At December 31, 2020, we participated in mandatory pooling arrangements in 22 states and the District of Columbia. As we write policies in new states that have mandatory pooling arrangements, we will be required to participate in additional pooling arrangements. Further, the impairment, insolvency or failure of other insurance companies in these pooling arrangements would likely increase the liability for other members in the pool. The effect of assessments and premium surcharges or changes in them could reduce our profitability in any given period or limit our ability to grow our business. We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us or may be available only on unfavorable terms. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including state regulatory requirements, the financial stability of our reinsurers and our ability to write new business and establish premium rates sufficient to cover our estimated claims. We may need to raise additional capital or curtail our growth if the capital of our insurance subsidiaries is insufficient to support future operating requirements and/or cover claims. If we had to raise additional capital, equity or debt financing might not be available to us or might be available only on terms that are not favorable. Future equity offerings could be dilutive to our shareholders and the equity securities issued in any offering may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to our common stock. If we cannot obtain adequate capital on favorable terms or at all, we may be unable to support future growth or operating requirements and, as a result, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. 31 We may have exposure to losses from terrorism for which we are required by law to provide coverage. When writing workers’ compensation insurance policies, we are required by law to provide workers’ compensation benefits for losses arising from acts of terrorism. The impact of any terrorist act is unpredictable, and the ultimate impact on us would depend upon the nature, extent, location and timing of such an act. Our 2021 reinsurance treaty program affords limited coverage for up to $70.0 million for losses arising from terrorism, subject to applicable deductibles, retentions, definitions and aggregate limits. Notwithstanding the protection provided by reinsurance and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2019 (TRIPRA of 2019), the risk of severe losses to us from acts of terrorism has not been eliminated because our reinsurance treaty program includes various sub-limits and exclusions limiting our reinsurers’ obligation to cover losses caused by acts of terrorism. Accordingly, events constituting acts of terrorism may not be covered by, or may exceed the capacity of, our reinsurance and could adversely affect our business and financial condition. Risks Related to Our Common Stock Our revenues and results of operations may fluctuate as a result of factors beyond our control, which fluctuation may cause the price of our common stock to be volatile. The revenues and results of operations of our insurance subsidiaries historically have been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. Our profitability can be affected significantly by:        rising levels of claims costs, including medical and prescription drug costs, that we cannot anticipate at the time we establish our premium rates; fluctuations in interest rates, inflationary or deflationary pressures and other changes in the investment environment that affect returns on our invested assets; changes in the frequency or severity of claims; the financial stability of our reinsurers and changes in the level of reinsurance capacity and our capital capacity; new types of claims and new or changing judicial interpretations relating to the scope of liabilities of insurance companies; volatile and unpredictable developments, including man-made, weather-related and other natural catastrophes or terrorist attacks; and price competition. If our revenues and results of operations fluctuate as a result of one or more of these factors, the price of our common stock may become more volatile. Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and the laws of the states of Texas and Nebraska could impede an attempt to replace or remove our directors or otherwise effect a change of control of our company, which could diminish the value of our common stock. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make it more difficult for shareholders to replace or remove directors even if the shareholders consider it beneficial to do so. In addition, these provisions could delay or prevent a change of control of our company that shareholders might consider favorable. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain the following provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect:     election of our directors is classified, meaning that the members of only one of three classes of our directors are elected each year; shareholders have limited ability to call shareholder meetings and to bring business before a meeting of shareholders; shareholders may not act by written consent, unless the consent is unanimous; and our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with such rights, preferences and privileges as the Board deems appropriate. These provisions may make it difficult for shareholders to replace management and could have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt that is not approved by our Board of Directors, but which individual shareholders might consider favorable. 32 We are incorporated in Texas. Under the Texas Business Organizations Code, our ability to enter into a business combination with an affiliated shareholder is limited. In addition, two of our three insurance company subsidiaries, AIIC and SOCI, are incorporated in Nebraska and the other, AIICTX, is incorporated in Texas. Under Nebraska and Texas insurance law, advance approval by the state insurance department is required for any change of control of an insurer. “Control” is presumed to exist through the direct or indirect ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of a domestic insurance company or any entity that controls a domestic insurance company. Obtaining these approvals may result in the material delay of, or deter, any transaction that would result in a change of control. The trading price of our common stock may decline. The trading price of our common stock may decline for many reasons, some of which are beyond our control, including, among others:         our results of operations; changes in expectations as to our future results of operations, including financial estimates and projections by securities analysts and investors; results of operations that vary from those expected by securities analysts and investors; developments in the insurance or healthcare industries; current and expected economic conditions; changes in laws and regulations; announcements of claims against us by third parties; and future issuances or sales of our common stock. In addition, the stock market experiences significant volatility from time to time that is often unrelated to the operating performance of companies whose shares are traded. These market fluctuations could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. Securities analysts may discontinue coverage of our common stock or may issue negative reports, which may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. There is no assurance that securities analysts will continue to cover our company. If securities analysts do not cover our company, this lack of coverage may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. The trading market for our common stock relies in part on the research and reports that securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrades our common stock, the trading price of our common stock may decline rapidly. If one or more of these analysts ceases to cover our company, we could lose visibility in the market, which, in turn, could also cause the trading price of our common stock to decline. Future sales of our common stock may affect the trading price of our common stock. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our common stock, or the availability of shares for future sale, will have on the trading price of our common stock. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for you to sell your shares at a time and price that you determine appropriate. As of February 16, 2021, there were 19,331,059 shares of our common stock outstanding. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments. None. Item 2. Properties. We own our principal business office which has approximately 60,000 square feet of office space together with a 3,200 square foot warehouse facility located in DeRidder, Louisiana. AIIC and SOCI lease their corporate headquarters which has approximately 3,500 square feet of office space located in Omaha, Nebraska. The Company leases space at other locations for certain of our service and claims representatives, none of which are material. 33 Item 3. Legal Proceedings. In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in the adjudication of claims resulting from workplace injuries. We are not involved presently in any legal or administrative proceedings that we believe are likely to have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures None. 34 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Market Information and Holders Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “AMSF.” As of February 16, 2021, there were 20 holders of record of our common stock. Dividend Policy In 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company paid regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.27, $0.25, and $0.22 per share, respectively. In addition, the Company paid extraordinary cash dividends of $3.50 in each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. On February 23, 2021 the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share payable on March 26, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2021. The Board intends to continue to consider the payment of a regular cash dividend each calendar quarter. On an annualized basis, the cash dividend is expected to be $1.16 per share in 2021. AMERISAFE is a holding company and has no direct operations. Our ability to pay dividends in the future depends on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. Our insurance company subsidiaries are regulated insurance companies and therefore are subject to significant regulatory restrictions limiting their ability to declare and pay dividends. See “Business— Regulation—Dividend Limitations” in Item 1 of this report. Our existing revolving credit agreement contains covenants that restrict our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. For more information on our credit agreement, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this report. Description of Capital Stock AMERISAFE is authorized to issue 60,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of:   10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; and 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of February 16, 2021, 19,331,059 shares of common stock were outstanding. As of that date, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Share Repurchases The Company’s Board of Directors initiated a share repurchase program in February 2010. In October 2016, the Board reauthorized this program with a limit of $25.0 million with no expiration date. There were no shares repurchased under this program in 2020, 2019 or 2018. Since the beginning of this plan, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,258,250 shares for $22.4 million, or an average price of $17.78, including commissions. The purchases may be affected from time to time depending upon market conditions and subject to applicable regulatory considerations. It is anticipated that any future purchases will be funded from available capital. 35 Item 6. Selected Financial Data. The following tables summarize certain selected financial data that should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and accompanying notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in this report and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Income Statement Data Gross premiums written Ceded premiums written Net premiums written Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) on investments Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities (1) Fee and other income Total revenues $ $ $ Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred Underwriting and certain other operating costs (2) Commissions Salaries and benefits Policyholder dividends Provision for investment related credit loss benefit (3) Total expenses Income before taxes Income tax expense (4) Net income Diluted earnings per common share equivalent Weighted average common shares Restricted stock and stock options Diluted weighted average of common share equivalents outstanding Selected Insurance Ratios Current accident year loss ratio (5) Prior accident year loss ratio (6) Net loss ratio Net underwriting expense ratio (7) Net dividend ratio (8) Net combined ratio (9) $ $ $ 2020 303,090 (10,276) 292,814 304,427 29,364 1,132 4,204 350 339,477 157,226 20,834 23,147 27,925 3,453 Year Ended December 31, 2018 (in thousands, except share and per share data) 2019 2017 $ $ $ $ $ $ 333,460 (8,995) 324,465 332,888 32,483 (80) 4,758 321 370,370 176,342 22,221 25,010 27,120 4,160 351,696 (9,344) 342,352 350,326 30,452 (1,536) (2,088) 599 377,753 204,891 28,981 26,160 25,992 4,148 $ $ $ 350,267 (8,869) 341,398 346,156 29,281 (647) — 418 375,208 209,324 28,333 24,812 25,631 4,868 2016 373,055 (10,307) 362,748 368,704 28,106 (494) — 346 396,662 199,031 29,470 26,243 24,881 4,216 (27) 232,558 106,919 20,317 $ 86,602 4.47 $ 19,288,996 74,813 — 254,853 115,517 22,827 $ 92,690 4.80 $ 19,248,657 80,581 — 290,172 87,581 15,949 $ 71,632 3.71 $ 19,208,978 84,104 — 292,968 82,240 36,009 $ 46,231 2.40 $ 19,165,489 80,377 — 283,841 112,821 34,956 $ 77,865 4.05 $ 19,105,806 97,844 19,363,809 19,329,238 19,293,082 19,245,866 19,203,650 72.5% (20.9)% 51.6% 23.6% 1.1% 76.3% 72.5% (19.5)% 53.0% 22.3% 1.3% 76.6% 71.5% (13.0)% 58.5% 23.2% 1.2% 82.9% 70.5% (10.0)% 60.5% 22.8% 1.4% 84.7% 67.9% (13.9)% 54.0% 21.9% 1.1% 77.0% 36 Balance Sheet Data Cash and cash equivalents Investments Amounts recoverable from reinsurers Premiums receivable, net Deferred income taxes Deferred policy acquisition costs Total assets (10) Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses Unearned premiums Insurance-related assessments Shareholders’ equity 2020 2019 As of December 31, 2018 (in thousands) 2017 2016 61,757 $ 43,813 $ 55,559 $ 40,344 $ 105,803 156,760 13,665 17,810 95,913 157,953 17,513 19,048 $ 58,936 1,088,744 1,125,018 1,125,490 1,130,314 1,084,474 83,666 183,005 33,811 19,300 1,470,855 1,492,906 1,515,931 1,518,236 1,518,856 742,776 162,028 31,742 456,150 798,409 149,296 28,258 409,762 112,006 162,478 21,852 19,734 771,845 157,270 28,246 425,423 772,887 140,873 22,967 430,215 760,561 129,260 17,995 438,816 90,133 174,234 19,262 20,251 (1) We adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) in the first quarter of 2018. Prior to adoption of this change in accounting standards, unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities were recognized in other comprehensive income. Includes policy acquisition expenses and other general and administrative expenses, excluding commissions and salaries and benefits, related to insurance operations and corporate operating expenses. (2) (3) We adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), in the first quarter of 2020. We elected the modified retrospective approach. Therefore, prior comparative periods are not adjusted. (4) On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. As a result, we recorded $12.6 million as additional income tax expense related to our net deferred tax assets revalued at the new lower rate of 21% in the fourth quarter of 2017, the period in which the legislation was enacted. (5) The current accident year loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the current accident year by the current year’s net premiums earned. (6) The prior accident year loss ratio is calculated by dividing the change in loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred for prior accident years by the current year’s net premiums earned. (7) The net underwriting expense ratio is calculated by dividing underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions and salaries, and benefits by the current year’s net premiums earned. (8) The net dividend ratio is calculated by dividing policyholder dividends by the current year’s net premiums earned. (9) The net combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio, the net underwriting expense ratio and the net dividend ratio. (10) We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), in the first quarter of 2019. We elected the new transition method under the transition guidance within the new standard. Therefore, prior comparative periods are not adjusted. 37 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8 of this report. This discussion includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors described in Item 1A of this report. These factors could cause our actual results in 2021 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, those forward-looking statements. Overview AMERISAFE is a holding company that markets and underwrites workers’ compensation insurance through its insurance subsidiaries. Workers’ compensation insurance covers statutorily prescribed benefits that employers are obligated to provide to their employees who are injured in the course and scope of their employment. Our business strategy is focused on providing this coverage to small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas. Employers engaged in hazardous industries pay substantially higher than average rates for workers’ compensation insurance compared to employers in other industries, as measured per payroll dollar. The higher premium rates are due to the nature of the work performed and the inherent workplace danger of our target employers. Hazardous industry employers also tend to have less frequent but more severe claims as compared to employers in other industries due to the nature of their businesses. We provide proactive safety reviews of employers’ workplaces. These safety reviews are a vital component of our underwriting process and also promote safer workplaces. We utilize intensive claims management practices that we believe permit us to reduce the overall cost of our claims. In addition, our audit services ensure that our policyholders pay the appropriate premiums required under the terms of their policies and enable us to monitor payroll patterns that cause underwriting, safety or fraud concerns. We believe that the higher premiums typically paid by our policyholders, together with our disciplined underwriting and safety, claims and audit services, provide us with the opportunity to earn attractive returns for our shareholders. We actively market our insurance in 27 states through independent agencies, as well as through our wholly owned insurance agency subsidiary. We are also licensed in an additional 20 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Two of the key financial measures that we use to evaluate our performance are return on average equity and growth in book value per share adjusted for dividends paid to shareholders. We calculate return on average equity by dividing annual net income by the average of annual shareholders’ equity. Our return on average equity was 19.9% in 2020, 22.1% in 2019 and 17.2% in 2018. We calculate book value per share by dividing ending shareholders’ equity by the number of common shares outstanding. Our book value per share was $22.70 at December 31, 2020, $22.29 at December 31, 2019 and $21.26 at December 31, 2018. We paid cash dividends of $4.58 per share in 2020, $4.50 per share in 2019 and $4.38 per share in 2018. Investment income is an important element of our net income. Because the period of time between our receipt of premiums and the ultimate settlement of claims is often several years or longer, we are able to invest cash from premiums for significant periods of time. As a result, we are able to generate more investment income from our premiums as compared to insurance companies that operate in other lines of business that pay claims more quickly. At December 31, 2020, our investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $1.2 billion and produced net investment income of $29.4 million in 2020, $32.5 million in 2019 and $30.5 million in 2018. The use of reinsurance is an important component of our business strategy. We purchase reinsurance to reduce our net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Our reinsurance program for 2021 includes 15 reinsurers that provide coverage to us in excess of a certain specified loss amount, or retention level. Our 2021 reinsurance program provides us with reinsurance coverage for each loss occurrence up to $70.0 million, subject to applicable limitations, deductibles, retentions and aggregate limits. However, for any loss occurrence involving only one claimant, our reinsurance coverage is limited to $10.0 million, subject to applicable deductibles, retentions and aggregate limits. Losses in the layer between $2.0 million and $10.0 million are ceded to a multi-year reinsurance treaty with an aggregate annual deductible of approximately $9.1 million and an aggregate limit of coverage of approximately $27.3 million for 2021. As losses are incurred and recorded, we record amounts recoverable from reinsurers for the portion of the losses ceded to our reinsurers. Our most significant balance sheet liability is our reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses. We record reserves for estimated losses under insurance policies that we write and for loss adjustment expenses related to the investigation and settlement of claims. Our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated cost of all reported and unreported loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred and unpaid at any given point in time based on known facts and circumstances. Reserves are based on estimates of the most likely ultimate cost of individual claims. These estimates are inherently uncertain. In addition, there are no policy limits on the liability for workers’ compensation claims as there are for other forms of insurance. Therefore, estimating reserves for workers’ compensation claims may be more uncertain than estimating reserves for other types of insurance claims with shorter or more definite periods between occurrence of the claim and final determination of the loss and with policy limits on liability for claim amounts. 38 Our focus on providing workers’ compensation insurance to employers engaged in hazardous industries results in our receiving relatively fewer but more severe claims than many other workers’ compensation insurance companies. Severe claims, which we define as claims having an estimated ultimate cost of more than $1.0 million, usually have a material effect on each accident year’s loss reserves (and our reported results of operations) as a result of both the number of severe claims reported in any year and the timing of claims in the year. As a result of our focus on higher severity, lower frequency business, our reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses may have greater volatility than other workers’ compensation insurance companies. For example, for the five-year period ended December 31, 2020 we had recorded 77 severe claims, or an average of 15 severe claims per year for accident years 2016 through 2020. The number of severe claims in any one accident year in this five-year period ranged from a low of 13 in 2016 to a high of 18 in 2020. The average reported case severity for these claims ranged from $2.3 million for the 2018 accident year to $3.1 million for the 2019 accident year. For the five accident years, the case incurred for these severe claims accounted for an average of 13.0 percentage points of our overall loss and loss adjustment expense, or LAE, ratio, measured at December 31, 2020. Further, the ultimate cost of severe claims is more difficult to estimate, principally due to uncertainties as to medical treatment and outcome and the length and degree of disability. Because of these uncertainties, the estimate of the ultimate cost of severe claims can vary significantly as more information becomes available. As a result, at year end, the case reserve for a severe claim reported early in the year may be more accurate than the case reserve established for a severe claim reported late in the year. A key assumption used by management in establishing loss reserves is that average per claim case incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses will increase year over year. We believe this increase primarily reflects medical and wage inflation and utilization. However, changes in per average claim case incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses can also be affected by frequency of severe claims in the applicable accident years. As more fully described in “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report, the estimate for loss and loss adjustment expenses is established based upon management’s analysis of historical data, and factors and trends derived from that data, including claims reported, average claim amount incurred, case development, duration, severity and payment patterns, as well as subjective assumptions. This analysis includes reviews of case reserves for individual open severe claims in the current and prior years. Management reviews the outcomes from actuarial analyses to confirm the reasonableness of its reserve estimate. Substantial judgment is required to determine the relevance of our historical experience and industry information under current facts and circumstances. The interpretation of this historical and industry data can be impacted by external forces, principally frequency and severity of unreported claims, length of time to achieve ultimate settlement of claims, utilization, inflation in medical costs and wages, insurance policy coverage interpretations, jury determinations and legislative changes. Accordingly, our reserves may prove to be inadequate to cover our actual losses. If we change our estimates, these changes would be reflected in our results of operations during the period in which the changes occurred, with increases in our reserves resulting in decreases in our earnings. Additional information regarding our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses and the actuarial methods and other factors used in establishing these reserves can be found under the caption “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. Our gross reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $760.6 million, $772.9 million and $798.4 million, respectively. As a percentage of gross reserves at year end, IBNR represented 16.8% in 2020, 17.6% in 2019 and 20.1% in 2018. In 2020, we decreased our estimates for prior year loss reserves by $63.5 million. In 2019, we decreased our estimates for prior year loss reserves by $65.0 million. In 2018, we decreased our estimates for prior year loss reserves by $45.6 million. The workers’ compensation insurance industry is cyclical in nature and influenced by many factors, including price competition, medical cost increases, natural and man-made disasters, changes in interest rates, changes in state laws and regulations, and general economic conditions. A hard market in our industry is characterized by decreased competition that results in higher premium rates, more restrictive policy coverage terms, and lower commissions paid to agencies. In contrast, a soft market is characterized by increased competition that results in lower premium rates, expanded policy coverage terms, and higher commissions paid to agencies. Our strategy is to focus on maintaining underwriting profitability throughout the cycle. For additional information regarding our loss reserves and the analyses and methodologies used by management to establish these reserves, see the information under the caption “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. 39 Principal Revenue and Expense Items Our revenues consist primarily of the following: Net Premiums Earned. Net premiums earned is the earned portion of our net premiums written. Net premiums written is equal to gross premiums written less premiums ceded to reinsurers. Gross premiums written includes the estimated annual premiums from each insurance policy we write in our voluntary and assigned risk businesses during a reporting period based on the policy effective date or the date the policy is bound, whichever is later. Premiums are earned on a daily pro rata basis over the term of the policy. At the end of each reporting period, premiums written that are not earned are classified as unearned premiums and are earned in subsequent periods over the remaining term of the policy. Our insurance policies typically have a term of one year. Thus, for a one-year policy written on July 1, 2020 for an employer with constant payroll during the term of the policy, we would earn half of the premiums in 2020 and the other half in 2021. On a monthly basis, we also recognize net premiums earned from mandatory pooling arrangements. We estimate the annual premiums to be paid by our policyholders when we issue the policies and record those amounts on our balance sheet as premiums receivable. We conduct premium audits on all of our voluntary business policyholders annually, upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore have paid us the premium required under the terms of the policies. The difference between the estimated premium and the ultimate premium is referred to as “earned but unbilled” premium, or EBUB premium. EBUB premium is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease earned premium based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. Due to the timing of audits and other adjustments, the ultimate premium earned is generally not determined for several months after the expiration of the policy. We review the estimate of EBUB premiums on a quarterly basis using historical data and applying various assumptions based on the current market and economic conditions, and we record an adjustment to premium, related losses, and expenses as warranted. Net Investment Income and Net Realized Gains and Losses on Investments. We invest our statutory surplus funds and the funds supporting our insurance liabilities in fixed maturity securities, equity securities and alternative investments. In addition, a portion of these funds are held in cash and cash equivalents to pay current claims. Our net investment income includes interest and dividends earned on our invested assets and amortization of premiums and discounts on our fixed maturity securities. We assess the performance of our investment portfolio using a standard tax equivalent yield metric. Investment income that is tax-exempt is increased by our marginal federal tax rate to express yield on tax-exempt securities on the same basis as taxable securities. Net realized gains and losses on our investments are reported separately from our net investment income. Net realized gains occur when our investment securities are sold for more than their cost or amortized cost, as applicable. Net realized losses occur when our investment securities are sold for less than their cost or amortized cost, as applicable, or are written down as a result of other-than-temporary impairment. We classify the majority of our fixed maturity securities as held-to-maturity. The remainder of our fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale. Net unrealized gains or losses on our securities classified as available-for-sale are reported separately within accumulated other comprehensive income on our balance sheet. Changes in net unrealized gains or losses on our equity securities are recognized in net income. Fee and Other Income. We recognize commission income earned on policies issued by other carriers that are sold by our wholly owned insurance agency subsidiary as the related services are performed. We also recognize a small portion of interest income from mandatory pooling arrangements in which we participate. Our expenses consist primarily of the following: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Incurred. Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred represents our largest expense item and, for any given reporting period, includes estimates of future claim payments, changes in those estimates from prior reporting periods and costs associated with investigating, defending, and administering claims. These expenses fluctuate based on the amount and types of risks we insure. We record loss and loss adjustment expenses related to estimates of future claim payments based on case- by-case valuations and statistical analyses. We seek to establish all reserves at the most likely ultimate exposure based on our historical claims experience. It is typical for our more serious claims to take several years to settle and we revise our estimates as we receive additional information about the condition of the injured employees. Our ability to estimate loss and loss adjustment expenses accurately at the time of pricing our insurance policies is a critical factor in our profitability. Additional information regarding our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses and the actuarial methods and other factors used in establishing these reserves can be found under the caption “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. 40 Underwriting and Certain Other Operating Costs. Underwriting and certain other operating costs are those expenses that we incur to underwrite and maintain the insurance policies we issue. These expenses include state and local premium taxes and fees and other operating costs, offset by commissions we receive from reinsurers under our reinsurance treaty programs. We pay state and local taxes, licenses and fees, assessments, and contributions to state workers’ compensation security funds based on premiums. In addition, other operating costs include general and administrative expenses, excluding commissions and salaries and benefits, incurred at both the insurance company and corporate level. Commissions. We pay commissions to our subsidiary insurance agency and to the independent agencies that sell our insurance based on premiums collected from policyholders. Salaries and Benefits. We pay salaries and provide benefits to our employees. Policyholder Dividends. In limited circumstances, we pay dividends to policyholders in particular states as an underwriting incentive. Income Tax Expense. We incur federal, state, and local income tax expense. Critical Accounting Policies Understanding our accounting policies is key to understanding our financial statements. Management considers some of these policies to be very important to the presentation of our financial results because they require us to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures. Some of the estimates result from judgments that can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results in future periods might differ from these estimates. Management believes that the most critical accounting policies relate to the reporting of reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses, including losses that have occurred but have not been reported prior to the reporting date, amounts recoverable from reinsurers, premiums receivable, assessments, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes, credit losses on investment securities and share-based compensation. The following is a description of our critical accounting policies. Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses. We record reserves for estimated losses under insurance policies that we write and for loss adjustment expenses, which include defense and cost containment, or DCC, and adjusting and other, or AO expenses, related to the investigation and settlement of policy claims. Our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated cost of all reported and unreported loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred and unpaid at any given point in time based on known facts and circumstances. Our reserves for loss and DCC expenses are estimated using case-by-case valuations based on our estimate of the most likely outcome of the claim at that time. In addition to these case reserves, we establish reserves on an aggregate basis that have been incurred but not reported, or IBNR. Our IBNR reserves are also intended to provide for aggregate changes in case incurred amounts as well as for recently reported claims which an initial case reserve has not been established. The third component of our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses is our AO reserve. Our AO reserve is established for those future claims administration costs that cannot be allocated directly to individual claims. The final component of our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses is the reserve for mandatory pooling arrangements. In establishing our reserves, we review the results of analyses using actuarial methods that utilize historical loss data from our more than 35 years of underwriting workers’ compensation insurance. The actuarial analysis of our historical data provides the factors we use in estimating our loss reserves. These factors are primarily measures over time of the number of claims paid and reported, average paid and incurred claim amounts, claim closure rates and claim payment patterns. In evaluating the results of our analyses, management also uses substantial judgment in considering other factors that are not considered in these actuarial analyses, including changes in business mix, claims management, regulatory issues, medical trends, employment and wage patterns, insurance policy coverage interpretations, judicial determinations and other subjective factors. Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with these estimates, and the cost of incurred but unreported claims, our actual liabilities may vary significantly from our original estimates. 41 On a quarterly basis, we review our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses to determine whether adjustments are required. Any resulting adjustments are included in the results for the current period. In establishing our reserves, we do not use loss discounting, which would involve recognizing the time value of money and offsetting estimates of future payments by future expected investment income. Additional information regarding our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses and the actuarial methods and other factors used in establishing these reserves can be found under the caption “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers represent the portion of our paid and unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses that are assumed by reinsurers and related commissions due from reinsurers. These amounts are separately reported on our balance sheet as assets net of an allowance for credit losses and do not reduce our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses because reinsurance does not relieve us of liability to our policyholders. We are required to pay claims even if a reinsurer fails to pay us under the terms of a reinsurance contract. We calculate amounts recoverable from reinsurers based on our estimates of the underlying loss and loss adjustment expenses, as well as the terms and conditions of our reinsurance contracts, which could be subject to interpretation. In addition, we bear credit risk with respect to our reinsurers, which can be significant because some of the unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses for which we have reinsurance coverage remain outstanding for extended periods of time. Premiums Receivable. Premiums receivable represents premium-related balances due from our policyholders based on annual premiums for policies written, including surcharges and deposits and adjustments for premium audits, endorsements, cancellations, cash transactions and charge offs. The balance is shown net of an allowance for credit losses and includes an estimate for EBUB. The EBUB estimate is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease premiums receivable and earned premiums based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. EBUB assumptions include historical development factors, current economic outlook and current trends in particular sectors of our business. Assessments. We are subject to various assessments and premium surcharges related to our insurance activities, including assessments and premium surcharges for state guaranty funds and second injury funds. Our accrual is based on historical assessments as well as updated assessment rates. Assessments based on premiums are recorded as an expense as premiums are earned and generally paid one year after the calendar year in which the policies are written. Assessments based on losses are recorded as an expense as losses are incurred and are generally paid within one year of the calendar year in which the claims are paid by us. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight agencies to pay claims of policyholders of impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies and the operating expenses of those agencies. Second injury funds are used by states to reimburse insurers and employers for claims paid to injured employees for aggravation of prior conditions or injuries. In some states, these assessments and premium surcharges may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs. We defer commission expenses, premium taxes and certain marketing, sales, underwriting and safety costs that vary with and primarily relate to the successful acquisition of insurance policies. These acquisition costs are capitalized and charged to expense ratably as premiums are earned. In calculating deferred policy acquisition costs, these costs are limited to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premiums to be earned, anticipated losses and settlement expenses and certain other costs we expect to incur as the premiums are earned, less related net investment income. Judgments as to the ultimate recoverability of these deferred policy acquisition costs are highly dependent upon estimated future profitability of unearned premiums. If the unearned premiums were less than our expected claims and expenses after considering investment income, we would reduce the deferred costs. Deferred Income Taxes. We use the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from a tax rate change impacts our net income or loss in the reporting period that includes the enactment date of the tax rate change. In assessing whether our deferred tax assets will be realized, management considers whether it is more likely than not that we will generate future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. If necessary, we establish a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amounts that are more likely than not to be realized. 42 Credit Losses on Investment Securities. Investment securities are recorded on the balance sheet as assets net of an allowance for credit losses. For held-to-maturity fixed income securities, the allowance is based on historical default and recovery rates as published by Moody’s analytics for corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and other types of fixed income securities. For available-for-sale fixed income securities, a credit allowance is established if the expected discounted future cash flows no longer exceed the book value of the security. In determining the amount of the credit loss to establish, the Company considers the following factors:      The extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis Adverse conditions in the security, industry, or geography, including: • Changes in technology • Discontinuation of a segment of business that may affect future earnings • Changes in the quality of the credit enhancement, if any Changes in the payment structure of debt security Failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments Any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency Share-Based Compensation. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, we recognize compensation costs for restricted stock, performance-based stock and stock option awards over the applicable vesting periods. 43 Results of Operations The table below summarizes certain operating results and key measures we use in monitoring and evaluating our operations. 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 Income Statement Data Gross premiums written Ceded premiums written Net premiums written Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) on investments Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities Fee and other income Total revenues Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred Underwriting and certain other operating costs (1) Commissions Salaries and benefits Policyholder dividends Provision for investment related credit loss benefit (2) Total expenses Income before taxes Income tax expense Net income Selected Insurance Ratios Current accident year loss ratio (3) Prior accident year loss ratio (4) Net loss ratio Net underwriting expense ratio (5) Net dividend ratio (6) Net combined ratio (7) Balance Sheet Data Cash and cash equivalents Investments Amounts recoverable from reinsurers Premiums receivable, net Deferred income taxes Deferred policy acquisition costs Total assets (8) Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses Unearned premiums Insurance-related assessments Shareholders’ equity (10,276) $ 303,090 $ 333,460 (8,995 ) $ 292,814 $ 324,465 $ 304,427 $ 332,888 32,483 (80 ) 4,758 321 370,370 176,342 22,221 25,010 27,120 4,160 — 254,853 115,517 22,827 92,690 29,364 1,132 4,204 350 339,477 157,226 20,834 23,147 27,925 3,453 (27) 232,558 106,919 20,317 86,602 $ $ $ 351,696 (9,344) $ 342,352 $ 350,326 30,452 (1,536) (2,088) 599 377,753 204,891 28,981 26,160 25,992 4,148 — 290,172 87,581 15,949 71,632 $ 72.5% (20.9)% 51.6% 23.6% 1.1% 76.3% 72.5 % (19.5 )% 53.0 % 22.3 % 1.3 % 76.6 % 71.5% (13.0)% 58.5% 23.2% 1.2% 82.9% 2020 As of December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 61,757 $ 43,813 $ 105,803 156,760 13,665 17,810 95,913 157,953 17,513 19,048 40,344 $ 1,088,744 1,125,018 1,125,490 112,006 162,478 21,852 19,734 1,470,855 1,492,906 1,515,931 798,409 149,296 28,258 409,762 772,887 140,873 22,967 430,215 760,561 129,260 17,995 438,816 (1) Includes policy acquisition expenses, and other general and administrative expenses, excluding commissions and salaries and benefits, related to insurance operations and corporate operating expenses. (2) We adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), in the first quarter of 2020. We elected the modified retrospective approach. Therefore, prior comparative periods are not adjusted 44 (3) The current accident year loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the current accident year by the current year’s net premiums earned. (4) The prior accident year loss ratio is calculated by dividing the change in loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred for prior accident years by the current year’s net premiums earned. (5) The net underwriting expense ratio is calculated by dividing underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions and salaries, and benefits by the current year’s net premiums earned. (6) The net dividend ratio is calculated by dividing policyholder dividends by the current year’s net premiums earned. (7) The net combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio, the net underwriting expense ratio and the net dividend ratio. (8) We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), in the first quarter of 2019. We elected the new transition method under the transition guidance within the new standard. Therefore, prior comparative periods are not adjusted. Overview of Operating Results Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019 Gross Premiums Written. Gross premiums written for 2020 were $303.1 million, compared to $333.5 million for 2019, a decrease of 9.1%. The decrease was attributable to a $23.6 million decrease in annual premiums on voluntary policies written during the period, a $5.9 million decrease in premiums resulting from payroll audits and related premium adjustments for policies written in previous periods, and a $0.9 million decrease in annual premiums on assigned risk policies written during the period. Related premium adjustments in 2020 include a $2.2 million decrease in “earned but unbilled”, or EBUB, premium. Net Premiums Written. Net premiums written for 2020 were $292.8 million, compared to $324.5 million for 2019, a decrease of 9.8%. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in gross premiums written. As a percentage of gross premiums earned, ceded premiums were 3.3% for 2020 compared to 2.6% for 2019. The increase in ceded premiums as a percentage of gross premiums earned is due to increased pricing for our 2020 reinsurance program. For additional information, see Item 1, “Business— Reinsurance”. Net Premiums Earned. Net premiums earned for 2020 were $304.4 million, compared to $332.9 million for 2019, a decrease of 8.5%. The decrease was attributable to the decrease in net premiums written during the period. Net Investment Income. Net investment income in 2020 was $29.4 million, a decrease of 9.6% from the $32.5 million reported in 2019. The decrease was due to lower interest rates on fixed income securities in 2020 compared with 2019. The pre-tax investment yield on our investment portfolio was 2.5% per annum for 2020 versus 2.8% per annum for 2019. The tax-equivalent yield on our investment portfolio was 2.9% per annum for 2020, compared to 3.1% per annum for 2019. The tax-equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate. Average invested assets, including cash and cash equivalents, decreased 0.7%, from an average of $1,200.6 million for 2019 to an average of $1,191.7 million for 2020. Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments. Net realized gains on investments in 2020 totaled $1.1 million, compared to losses of $0.1 million in 2019. In 2020, net realized gains of $1.0 million resulted from the sale of fixed maturity securities classified as available- for-sale and $0.1 million from redemptions of fixed maturity securities. In 2019, net realized losses of $0.2 million resulted from redemptions of fixed maturity securities offset by $0.1 million of realized gains on the sale of fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale. Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Equity Securities. Net unrealized gains on equity securities in 2020 were $4.2 million compared to net unrealized gains of $4.8 million in 2019. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Incurred. Loss and LAE incurred totaled $157.2 million for 2020, compared to $176.3 million for 2019, a decrease of $19.1 million, or 10.8%. The current accident year losses and LAE incurred were $220.7 million, or 72.5% of net premiums earned, compared to $241.3 million, or 72.5% of net premiums earned for 2019. We recorded favorable prior accident year development of $63.5 million in 2020, compared to $65.0 million in 2019. This is discussed in more detail below in “Prior Year Development.” Our net loss ratio was 51.6% for 2020 and 53.0% for 2019. Underwriting and Certain Other Operating Costs, Commissions and Salaries and Benefits. Underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions and salaries and benefits for 2020 were $71.9 million, compared to $74.4 million for 2019, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 3.3%. This decrease was primarily due to a $1.9 million decrease in commission expense, a $1.1 million decrease in travel and travel related items due to the pandemic, and a $0.7 million decrease in insurance related assessments. The decrease in insurance related assessments included a benefit of $5.7 million from the elimination of a state assessment for a second injury trust fund in 2020 compared to a benefit of $3.5 million from the elimination of a state assessment for a multiple injury fund in 2019. The 45 decreases above were partially offset by an increase of $0.8 million in compensation expense due to changes in variable share price based incentive compensation and an increase of $0.7 million in accounts receivable write-offs. Our underwriting expense ratio increased to 23.6% in 2020 from 22.3% in 2019. Income tax expense. Income tax expense for 2020 was $20.3 million, compared to $22.8 million for 2019. The effective tax rate also decreased to 19.0% for 2020, compared to 19.8% for 2019. This decrease in the effective tax rate is due to a higher proportion of tax-exempt income to underwriting income in 2020 relative to 2019. Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018 Gross Premiums Written. Gross premiums written for 2019 were $333.5 million, compared to $351.7 million for 2018, a decrease of 5.2%. The decrease was attributable to a $22.9 million decrease in annual premiums on voluntary policies written during the period which was offset by a $5.0 million increase in premiums resulting from payroll audits and related premium adjustments for policies written in previous quarters. Related premium adjustments in 2019 include a $1.0 million increase in “earned but unbilled”, or EBUB, premium. Net Premiums Written. Net premiums written for 2019 were $324.5 million, compared to $342.4 million for 2018, a decrease of 5.2%. The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease in gross premiums written. As a percentage of gross premiums earned, ceded premiums were 2.6% for 2019 and 2018. Net Premiums Earned. Net premiums earned for 2019 were $332.9 million, compared to $350.3 million for 2018, a decrease of 5.0%. The decrease was attributable to the decrease in net premiums written during the period. Net Investment Income. Net investment income in 2019 was $32.5 million, an increase of 6.7% from the $30.5 million reported in 2018. The pre-tax investment yield on our investment portfolio was 2.8% per annum for 2019 versus 2.6% per annum for 2018. The tax-equivalent yield on our investment portfolio was 3.1% per annum for 2019, compared to 3.2% per annum for 2018. The tax- equivalent yield is calculated using the effective interest rate and the appropriate marginal tax rate. Average invested assets, including cash and cash equivalents, increased 0.5%, from an average of $1,195.1 million for 2018 to an average of $1,200.6 million for 2019. Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments. Net realized losses on investments in 2019 totaled $0.1 million, compared to losses of $1.5 million in 2018. In 2019, net realized losses of $0.2 million resulted from redemptions of fixed maturity securities offset by $0.1 million of realized gains on the sale of fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale. In 2018, net realized losses of $1.1 million resulted from the sale of equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Incurred. Loss and LAE incurred totaled $176.3 million for 2019, compared to $204.9 million for 2018, a decrease of $28.5 million, or 13.9%. The current accident year losses and LAE incurred were $241.3 million, or 72.5% of net premiums earned, compared to $250.5 million, or 71.5% of net premiums earned for 2018. We recorded favorable prior accident year development of $65.0 million in 2019, compared to $45.6 million in 2018. This is discussed in more detail below in “Prior Year Development.” Our net loss ratio was 53.0% for 2019 and 58.5% for 2018. Underwriting and Certain Other Operating Costs, Commissions and Salaries and Benefits. Underwriting and certain other operating costs, commissions and salaries and benefits for 2019 were $74.4 million, compared to $81.1 million for 2018, a decrease of $6.8 million, or 8.4%. This decrease was primarily due to a $6.8 million decrease in insurance related assessments, a $1.2 million decrease in commission expense, and a $0.6 million decrease in premium taxes. The decrease in insurance related assessments included a benefit of $3.5 million from the elimination of a state assessment for a multiple injury fund. The decreases above were partially offset by an increase of $1.1 million in compensation expense and an increase of $0.4 million in accounts receivable write- offs. Our underwriting expense ratio decreased to 22.3% in 2019 from 23.2% in 2018. Income tax expense. Income tax expense for 2019 was $22.8 million, compared to $15.9 million for 2018. The effective tax rate also increased to 19.8% for 2019, compared to 18.2% for 2018. This increase in the effective tax rate is due to a lower proportion of tax-exempt income to underwriting income in 2019 relative to 2018. 46 Prior Year Development The Company recorded favorable prior accident year loss and loss adjustment expense development of $63.5 million in calendar year 2020, $65.0 million in calendar year 2019 and $45.6 million in calendar year 2018. The table below sets forth the favorable development for accident years 2015 through 2019 and, collectively, all accident years prior to 2015. Favorable/(Unfavorable) Development for Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in millions) 2020 2018 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Prior to 2015 Total net development $ $ — $ 14.8 14.5 8.8 9.2 16.2 63.5 $ — $ — 9.5 23.4 14.5 17.6 65.0 $ — — — 9.1 17.0 19.5 45.6 The table below sets forth the number of open claims as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, and the numbers of claims reported and closed during the years then ended. Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2020 Open claims at beginning of period Claims reported Claims closed Open claims at end of period 5,053 4,452 (4,747) 4,758 5,190 5,452 (5,589 ) 5,053 4,982 5,440 (5,232) 5,190 At December 31, 2020, our incurred amounts for certain accident years, particularly 2014 through 2018, developed more favorably than management previously expected. Multiple factors can cause loss development both unfavorable and favorable. The favorable loss development we experienced across accident years was largely due to two factors: (1) lower than expected severity of injuries in these accident years compared to our original and revised estimates; and (2) favorable case reserve development from closed claims and claims where the worker had reached maximum medical improvement. We believe the favorable case reserve development resulted primarily from an intensive claims management focus with the Company actively seeking to settle claims, leading to favorable development. The assumptions we used in establishing our reserves for these accident years were based on our historical claims data. However, as of December 31, 2020, actual results for these accident years have been better than our assumptions would have predicted. We do not presently intend to modify our assumptions for establishing reserves in light of recent results. However, if actual results for current and future accident years are consistent with, or different than, our results in these recent accident years, our historical claims data will reflect this change and, over time, will impact the reserves we establish for future claims. Our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are inherently uncertain and our focus on providing workers’ compensation insurance to employers engaged in hazardous industries results in our receiving relatively fewer but more severe claims than many other workers’ compensation insurance companies. As a result of this focus on higher severity, lower frequency business, our reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses may have greater volatility than other workers’ compensation insurance companies. Additional information regarding our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses and the actuarial methods and other factors used in establishing these reserves can be found under the caption “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our principal sources of operating funds are premiums, investment income, and proceeds from maturities of investments. Our primary uses of operating funds include payments for claims and operating expenses. We pay claims, operating expenses and shareholder dividends using cash flow from operations and invest our excess cash in fixed maturity and equity securities. We expect that our projected cash flow from operations will provide us sufficient liquidity to fund future operations, including payment of claims and operating expenses and other holding company expenses, for at least the next 18 months. We forecast claim payments based on our historical trends. We seek to manage the funding of claim payments by actively managing available cash and forecasting cash flows on a short- and long-term basis. Cash payments, net of reinsurance, for claims 47 were $179.9 million in 2020, $190.0 million in 2019 and $200.7 million in 2018. We fund claim payments out of cash flow from operations, principally premiums, net of amounts ceded to our reinsurers, and net investment income. Our investment portfolio at December 31, 2020 was $1.2 billion. As discussed above under “Overview,” We purchase reinsurance to reduce our net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Based on our estimates of future claims, we believe we are sufficiently capitalized to satisfy the deductibles and retentions in our 2021 reinsurance program. We reevaluate our reinsurance program at least annually, taking into consideration a number of factors, including cost of reinsurance, our liquidity requirements, operating leverage and coverage terms. Even if we maintain our existing retention levels, if the cost of reinsurance increases, our cash flow from operations would decrease as we would cede a greater portion of our written premiums to our reinsurers. Conversely, our cash flow from operations would increase if the cost of reinsurance declined relative to our retention. In December 2019, the Company commuted reinsurance agreements with Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (“Hannover”) covering portions of accident years 2009 through 2011. The Company received an $8.5 million payment effectuated solely through offset against the balance of the funds withheld and recoverable from reinsurers accounts under the reinsurance agreements in exchange for releasing Hannover from their reinsurance obligations under the commuted agreements. Hannover remains obligated to the subsidiaries of the Company under other reinsurance agreements. There was no effect on the Company’s net income in the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the commutation. Net cash provided by operating activities was $63.4 million in 2020, as compared to $78.8 million in 2019, and $98.3 million in 2018. The decline in operating cash flow has been primarily due to lower premiums collected as loss cost rates have declined in most states over the past several years. Major components of cash provided by operating activities in 2020 were net premiums collected of $294.4 million, investment income collected of $38.0 million, and a $7.9 million decrease in amounts held by others. These increases were offset in-part by claim payments of $179.1 million, $69.4 million of operating expenditures, federal taxes paid of $20.6 million, and dividends to policyholders paid of $4.9 million. Major components of cash provided by operating activities in 2019 were net premiums collected of $329.0 million and investment income collected of $41.6 million. These increases were offset in-part by claim payments of $189.8 million, $75.9 million of operating expenditures, federal taxes paid of $20.9 million, and dividends to policyholders paid of $3.5 million. Major components of cash provided by operating activities in 2018 were net premiums collected of $354.0 million and investment income collected of $41.7 million. These increases were offset in-part by claim payments of $200.5 million, $74.2 million of operating expenditures, federal taxes paid of $11.2 million, a $7.9 million increase in amounts held by others, and dividends to policyholders paid of $2.9 million. Net cash provided by investing activities was $43.4 million in 2020, as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $11.7 million in 2019 net cash used in investing activities of $29.1 million in 2018. In 2020, major components of net cash provided by investing activities included proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $365.2 million, offset by investment purchases of $320.9 million. In 2019, major components of net cash provided by investing activities included proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $358.6 million, offset by investment purchases of $345.9 million. In 2018, major components of net cash used in investing activities included investment purchases of $368.3 million and net purchases of furniture, fixtures and equipment of $1.1 million, offset by proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $340.2 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $88.8 million in 2020, as compared to $87.0 million in 2019 and $84.4 million in 2018. Major components of cash used in financing activities in 2020 included cash used for dividends paid to shareholders of $88.8 million. Major components of cash used in financing activities in 2019 and 2018 included cash used for dividends paid to shareholders of $87.0 million and $84.5 million, respectively. The Company has a line of credit agreement with Frost Bank for borrowings up to a maximum of $20.0 million. Under the agreement, advances may be made either in the form of loans or letters of credit. Borrowings under the agreement accrue at interest rates based upon prime rate or LIBOR (or equivalent) and are unsecured. Under the agreement, the Company pays a fee of 0.25% on 48 the unused portion of the loan in arrears quarterly, for a fee of $50,000 annually. At December 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings. Unless renewed, the agreement will expire in December 2022. The Board of Directors initially authorized the Company’s share repurchase program in February 2010. In October 2016, the Board reauthorized this program with no expiration date. As of December 31, 2020, we had repurchased a total of 1,258,250 shares of our outstanding common stock for $22.4 million. The Company had $25.0 million available for future purchases at December 31, 2020 under this program. There were no share repurchases in 2020, 2019 or 2018. The purchases may be effected from time to time depending upon market conditions and subject to applicable regulatory considerations. It is anticipated that future purchases will be funded from available capital. AMERISAFE is a holding company that transacts business through its operating subsidiaries, including AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX. AMERISAFE’s primary assets are the capital stock of these insurance subsidiaries. The ability of AMERISAFE to fund its operations depends upon the surplus and earnings of its subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends to AMERISAFE. Payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is restricted by state insurance laws, including laws establishing minimum solvency and liquidity thresholds. Based upon the prescribed calculation, the insurance subsidiaries could pay to AMERISAFE dividends of up to $83.4 million in 2021 without seeking regulatory approval. See “Business—Regulation—Dividend Limitations” in Item 1 of this report. The Company paid regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.27, $0.25, $0.22 per share in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, the Company paid extraordinary cash dividends of $3.50 per share in 2020, 2019, and 2018. On February 23, 2021, the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share payable on March 26, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2021. The Board intends to continue to consider the payment of a regular cash dividend each calendar quarter. On an annualized basis, the cash dividend is expected to be $1.16 per share in 2021. Investment Portfolio The principal objectives of our investment portfolio are to preserve capital and surplus and to maintain appropriate liquidity for corporate requirements. Additional objectives are to support our A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) and to maximize after-tax income and total return. We presently expect to maintain sufficient liquidity from funds generated by operations to meet our anticipated insurance obligations and operating and capital expenditure needs. Excess funds from operations will be invested in accordance with our investment policy and statutory requirements. We allocate our portfolio into four categories: cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity securities and equity securities. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit, money market funds and municipal securities, corporate securities and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of less than 90 days. Short-term investments include municipal securities, corporate securities and certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than 90 days but less than one year. Our fixed maturity securities include obligations of the U.S. Treasury or U.S. agencies, obligations of states and their subdivisions, U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations of the U.S. or Canadian corporations, U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Under Nebraska and Texas law, as applicable, each of AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX is required to invest only in securities that are either interest-bearing, interest-accruing or eligible for dividends, and must limit its investment in the securities of any single issuer, other than direct obligations of the United States, to five percent of the insurance company’s assets. As of December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with these requirements. We employ diversification policies and balance investment credit risk and related underwriting risks to minimize our total potential exposure to any one business sector or security. As of December 31, 2020, our investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, totaled $1.2 billion, a decrease of 1.6% from December 31, 2019. The majority of our fixed maturity securities are classified as held-to-maturity, as defined by FASB ASC Topic 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities. As such, the reported book value of those securities is equal to their amortized cost net of allowance for credit losses and does not fluctuate based on changing interest rates. The remainder of our fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair market value, less an allowance for credit losses, if any. Investments in equity securities are reported at fair market value. We follow FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. As disclosed in Note 18 of the financial statements, our securities available-for-sale are classified using Level 1, 49 2 and 3 inputs. We did not elect the fair value option prescribed under FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, for any financial assets in 2019 or 2020. The composition of our investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, as of December 31, 2020 is shown in the following table. Carrying Value Percentage of Portfolio Effective Interest Rate (in thousands) Fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity: State and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies Asset-backed securities Total fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale: State and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies Total fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale Equity securities Short-term investments Cash and cash equivalents Total Investments, including cash and cash equivalents $ 494,332 69,756 7,261 13,626 155 585,130 276,542 88,899 19,052 29,786 414,279 43,437 45,898 61,757 $ 1,150,501 43.0 % 6.1 % 0.6 % 1.2 % 0.0 % 50.9 % 24.0 % 7.7 % 1.7 % 2.6 % 36.0 % 3.7 % 4.0 % 5.4 % 100.0 % 2.7% 3.1% 3.9% 1.2% 2.0% 2.7% 3.0% 3.1% 2.2% 1.8% 2.9% 2.6% 0.2% 0.1% 2.5% The following table summarizes the gross unrealized losses and fair value of fixed income securities by the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. December 31, 2020: Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale December 31, 2019: Fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale Less Than Twelve Months Unrealized Losses Fair Value Twelve Months or Longer Fair Value Unrealized Losses (in thousands) $ $ 4,648 $ (5) $ — $ 21,074 $ 23,573 (193) $ (122) 3,311 $ 18,220 — (13) (43) During 2020 and 2019, the Company had no impairment losses recognized for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of our investments. The pre-tax investment yield on our investment portfolio was 2.5% and 2.8% per annum during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Contractual Obligations and Commitments We manage risk on certain long-duration claims by settling these claims through the purchase of annuities from unaffiliated life insurance companies. In the event these companies are unable to meet their obligations under these annuity contracts, we could be liable to the claimants, but our reinsurers remain obligated to indemnify us for all or part of these obligations in accordance with the terms of our reinsurance contracts. As of December 31, 2020, the present value of these annuities was $99.3 million, as estimated by our annuity providers. Substantially all of the annuities are issued or guaranteed by life insurance companies that have an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) or better. For additional information, see Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report. 50 The Company has operating and finance leases for office space and equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one month to 60 months, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to five years. The Company, in determining the present value of lease payments, utilizes either the rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily determinable or the Company’s incremental secured borrowing rate commensurate with the term of the underlying lease. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows: Operating leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 314 $ 430 Other assets December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Classification (in thousands) Operating lease liabilities Finance leases: Finance lease right-of-use assets Finance lease accumulated amortization right-of-use assets $ $ Property and equipment, net $ 314 $ 365 $ (185) 180 $ Finance lease liabilities $ 185 $ Accounts payable and other liabilities 430 185 (179) 6 Property and equipment, net Accounts payable and other liabilities 54 Future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2020, were as follows: Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total lease payments Less imputed interest Total Operating Leases Finance Leases $ $ (in thousands) 136 $ 120 75 6 — 337 23 314 $ 44 39 39 39 39 200 15 185 Rental expense was $0.2 million in each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. The table below provides information with respect to our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020. Contractual Obligations Loss and loss adjustment expenses (1) Loss-based insurance assessments (2) Operating lease obligations Finance lease obligations Purchase obligations Total Payment Due By Period Total Less Than 1 Year 1-3 Years (in thousands) 3-5 Years More Than 5 Years $ $ 760,561 $ 9,344 314 185 4,747 775,151 $ 227,096 $ 2,790 123 39 2,449 232,497 $ 285,849 $ 3,512 191 108 2,259 291,919 $ 83,304 $ 1,023 — 38 39 84,404 $ 164,312 2,019 — — — 166,331 (1) The loss and loss adjustment expense payments due by period in the table above are based upon the loss and loss adjustment expense estimates as of December 31, 2020 and actuarial estimates of expected payout patterns and are not contractual liabilities as to a time certain. Our contractual liability is to provide benefits under the policy. As a result, our calculation of loss and loss adjustment expense payments due by period is subject to the same uncertainties associated with determining the level of loss and loss adjustment expenses generally and to the additional uncertainties arising from the difficulty of predicting when claims 51 (including claims that have not yet been reported to us) will be paid. For a discussion of our loss and loss adjustment expense process, see “Business—Loss Reserves” in Item 1 of this report. Actual payments of loss and loss adjustment expenses by period will vary, perhaps materially, from the amounts shown in the table above to the extent that current estimates of loss and loss adjustment expenses vary from actual ultimate claims amounts and as a result of variations between expected and actual payout patterns. See “Risk Factors— Risks Related to Our Business—Our loss reserves are based on estimates and may be inadequate to cover our actual losses” in Item 1A of this report for a discussion of the uncertainties associated with estimating loss and loss adjustment expenses. (2) We are subject to various annual assessments imposed by certain of the states in which we write insurance policies. These assessments are generally based upon the amount of premiums written or losses paid during the applicable year. Assessments based on premiums are generally paid within one year after the calendar year in which the policies are written, while assessments based on losses are generally paid within one year after calendar year in which the loss is paid. When we establish a reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses for a reported claim, we accrue our obligation to pay any applicable assessments. If settlement of the claim is to be paid out over more than one year, our obligation to pay any related loss-based assessments extends for the same period of time. Because our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are based on estimates, our accruals for loss-based insurance assessments are also based on estimates. Actual payments of loss and loss adjustment expenses may differ, perhaps materially, from our reserves. Accordingly, our actual loss-based insurance assessments may vary, perhaps materially, from our accruals. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. Market risk is the risk of potential economic loss principally arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. The major components of market risk affecting us are credit risk, interest rate risk, and equity price risk. We currently have no exposure to foreign currency risk. Credit Risk Credit risk is the potential loss arising principally from adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuers of our fixed maturity securities and the financial condition of our reinsurers. We address the credit risk related to the issuers of our fixed maturity securities by primarily investing in fixed maturity securities that are rated as investment grade by one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch. We also independently monitor the financial condition of all issuers of our fixed maturity securities. To limit our risk exposure, we employ diversification policies that limit our credit exposure to any single issuer or business sector. We are also subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. Although our reinsurers are obligated to reimburse us to the extent we cede risk to them, we are ultimately liable to our policyholders on all risks we have reinsured. As a result, reinsurance contracts do not limit our ultimate obligations to pay claims and, in some cases, we might not be able to collect amounts recoverable from our reinsurers. We address this credit risk by initially selecting reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” (Excellent) or better and by performing, along with our reinsurance broker, periodic credit reviews of our reinsurers. If one of our reinsurers suffers a credit downgrade, we may consider various options to lessen the risk of asset impairment, including commutation, novation or letters of credit. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of this report. Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that we may incur losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. As of December 31, 2020, we had fixed maturity securities with a fair value of $1,035.9 million and a carrying value of $999.4 million. These securities are all subject to interest rate risk, but because we classify the majority of our fixed maturity securities as held-to-maturity, changes in interest rates have a smaller effect on the carrying value of our portfolio. We manage our exposure to interest rate risk by investing in a portfolio of securities with moderate effective duration. At December 31, 2020, the effective duration of the total investment portfolio, including cash and short term investments, was 4.0 years. Given the current interest rate environment, the risk to the market value of the portfolio from higher rates exceeds the potential benefit to the market value of the portfolio from lower rates. Should we experience a significant increase in interest rates, the effect on the carrying value of our portfolio could be substantial. 52 The table below summarizes the interest rate risk associated with our fixed maturity securities by illustrating the sensitivity of the fair value and carrying value of our fixed maturity securities as of December 31, 2020 to selected hypothetical changes in interest rates, and the associated impact on our shareholders’ equity. The change in carrying value is less than the change in fair value due to our held-to-maturity portfolio. $ Fair Value 944,947 $ 992,587 1,035,933 1,077,551 1,120,835 Estimated Change in Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Change in Carrying Value (90,986) $ (43,346) — 41,618 84,902 964,147 $ 982,711 999,409 1,015,676 1,032,662 (35,262 ) (16,698 ) — 16,267 33,253 Hypothetical Percentage Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders’ Equity (8.0)% (3.8)% 0.0% 3.7% 7.6% Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates 200 basis point increase 100 basis point increase No change 100 basis point decrease 200 basis point decrease Equity Price Risk Equity price risk is the risk that we may incur losses due to adverse changes in the market prices of the equity securities we hold in our investment portfolio. Equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded within net income in 2020, 2019 and 2018. Accordingly, adverse changes in the market prices of our equity securities result in a decrease in the value of our total assets, shareholders’ equity, and net income. In order to minimize our exposure to equity price risk, we independently monitor the financial condition of our equity securities, and diversify our investments. In addition, we limit the percentage of equity securities held in our investment portfolio to the lesser of 10% of the investment portfolio or 30% of shareholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2020, the equity securities in our investment portfolio had a fair value of $43.4 million, representing less than 9.9% of shareholders’ equity on that date. 53 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Audited Financial Statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ........................................................................................................... Consolidated Balance Sheets .......................................................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Income ................................................................................................................................................ Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income ...................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity ....................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ......................................................................................................................................... Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ................................................................................................................................... Financial Statement Schedules: Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant ......................................................................................................... Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations ..................................................... Schedules I, III, IV and V are not applicable and have been omitted 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 95 98 Page 54 To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of AMERISAFE, Inc. and subsidiaries Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AMERISAFE, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates. 55 Description of the Matter Valuation of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense reserves At December 31, 2020, the Company’s reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) was $761 million, which includes Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) reserves of $128 million. As discussed in Notes 1 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the reserve for loss and LAE represents the estimated ultimate costs of all reported and unreported losses incurred and unpaid as of the reporting date. There is significant uncertainty inherent in determining the ultimate loss and LAE costs which are estimated using individual case-base valuations and statistical and actuarial analysis based upon experience for previously unreported claims and their ultimate loss and LAE costs. In particular, the estimates are sensitive to loss severity and frequency trends, changes in customers, products mix, claims management, regulatory factors, medical trends, employment and wage patterns, insurance policy coverage interpretations, and judicial determinations, among other factors. Auditing management’s IBNR reserve estimate required the involvement of our actuarial specialists and was complex and highly judgmental due to the nature of significant assumptions used in the valuation process. The IBNR reserve estimate was sensitive to the selection of actuarial methods and assumptions, including the adjustment of historical loss severity experience for changes in products, policies, and customer base. How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process for estimating loss and LAE reserves, including, among others controls over the review and approval processes that the Company has in place for the methods and assumptions used in estimating IBNR reserves. To test the recorded IBNR reserves, with the assistance of our actuarial specialists, we evaluated the Company’s selection of methods and assumptions, including loss severity, against those used in prior periods and used in the industry for similar types of insurance. We also considered changes to employment and wage patterns and the Company’s customers, product mix, and claims management. We involved our actuarial specialist to independently calculated a range of reasonable loss and LAE reserve estimates and compared this range to the Company’s recorded loss and LAE reserve. We also performed a review of the development of prior years’ reserve estimates. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1993. Philadelphia, PA February 26, 2021 56 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data) Assets Investments: Fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity, at amortized cost net of allowance for credit losses of $274 and $0 in 2020 and 2019, respectively, (fair value $621,654 and $621,343 in 2020 and 2019, respectively) Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $387,665, allowance for credit losses of $0 in 2020 and amortized cost $425,698, allowance for credit losses of $0 in 2019) Equity securities, at fair value (cost $35,787 and $24,457 in 2020 and 2019, respectively) Short-term investments Total investments Cash and cash equivalents Amounts recoverable from reinsurers (net of allowance for credit losses of $452 and $0 in 2020 and 2019, respectively) Premiums receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of $4,791 and $5,112 in 2020 and 2019, respectively) Deferred income taxes Accrued interest receivable Property and equipment, net Deferred policy acquisition costs Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities: Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses Unearned premiums Amounts held for others Policyholder deposits Insurance-related assessments Federal income tax payable Accounts payable and other liabilities Total liabilities Shareholders’ equity: Common stock: voting—$0.01 par value authorized shares—50,000,000 in 2020 and 2019; 20,589,309 and 20,560,833 shares issued and 19,331,059 and 19,302,583 shares outstanding in 2020 and 2019, respectively Additional paid-in capital Treasury stock, at cost (1,258,250 shares in 2020 and 2019) Accumulated earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income, net Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity See accompanying notes. December 31, 2020 2019 $ 585,130 $ 599,421 414,279 441,146 43,437 45,898 1,088,744 61,757 27,903 56,548 1,125,018 43,813 105,803 95,913 156,760 13,665 9,274 6,182 17,810 10,860 1,470,855 $ 760,561 $ 129,260 43,402 41,524 17,995 417 38,880 1,032,039 206 215,316 (22,370 ) 224,645 21,019 438,816 1,470,855 $ 157,953 17,513 9,730 6,331 19,048 17,587 1,492,906 772,887 140,873 37,937 44,718 22,967 3,220 40,089 1,062,691 205 213,004 (22,370) 227,165 12,211 430,215 1,492,906 $ $ $ 57 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands, except share data) Revenues Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) on investments Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities Fee and other income Total revenues Expenses Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred Underwriting and certain other operating costs Commissions Salaries and benefits Policyholder dividends Provision for investment related credit loss benefit Total expenses Income before income taxes Income tax expense Net income Earnings per share Basic Diluted Shares used in computing earnings per share Basic Diluted Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share Cash dividends declared per common share 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 304,427 $ 29,364 1,132 4,204 350 339,477 157,226 20,834 23,147 27,925 3,453 (27) 232,558 106,919 20,317 86,602 $ 332,888 $ 32,483 (80) 4,758 321 370,370 176,342 22,221 25,010 27,120 4,160 — 254,853 115,517 22,827 92,690 $ 350,326 30,452 (1,536) (2,088) 599 377,753 204,891 28,981 26,160 25,992 4,148 — 290,172 87,581 15,949 71,632 4.49 $ 4.47 $ 4.82 $ 4.80 $ 3.73 3.71 19,288,996 19,363,809 3.50 $ 1.08 $ 19,248,657 19,329,238 3.50 $ 1.00 $ 19,208,978 19,293,082 3.50 0.88 $ $ $ $ $ $ See accompanying notes. 58 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands) Net income Other comprehensive income: 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 $ 86,602 $ 92,690 $ 71,632 Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities, net of tax Comprehensive income $ 8,808 95,410 $ 13,043 105,733 $ (4,243) 67,389 See accompanying notes. 59 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (in thousands, except share data) Balance at December 31, 2017 Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01 Impact of adoption of ASU 2018-02 Comprehensive income: Net income Other comprehensive income: Change in unrealized gains, net of tax Comprehensive income Common stock issued upon exercise of options Common stock issued Share-based compensation Dividends to shareholders Balance at December 31, 2018 Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 Comprehensive income: Net income Other comprehensive income: Change in unrealized losses, net of tax Comprehensive income Common stock issued upon exercise of options Common stock issued Share-based compensation Dividends to shareholders Balance at December 31, 2019 Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 Comprehensive income: Net income Other comprehensive income: Change in unrealized gains, net of tax Comprehensive income Common stock issued upon exercise of options Common stock issued Share-based compensation Dividends to shareholders Balance at December 31, 2020 Common Stock Treasury Stock Shares Amount Additional Paid-In Capital Shares Amounts Accumulated Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total 20,504,165 $ 204 $ 210,081 (1,258,250) $ (22,370) $ 233,896 $ 3,612 425,423 — — — — — 615 (615) — — — — — (414 ) 414 — — — — — — — 71,632 — 71,632 — — — — — — — — — — — — (4,243) — (4,243) 67,389 15,000 9,065 — — 20,528,230 $ — — — 1 — — — — 205 $ 211,431 (1,258,250) $ (22,370) $ 67 195 1,088 — — — — — — — — (84,401 ) 221,328 $ — — — — 67 196 1,088 (84,401) (832) $ 409,762 — — — — — (1 ) — (1) — — — — — 92,690 — 92,690 — — — — — — — — — — — — 13,043 13,043 — 105,733 5,000 27,603 — — 20,560,833 $ — — — — — — — — 205 $ 213,004 (1,258,250) $ (22,370) $ 20 560 993 — — — — — — — — (86,852 ) 227,165 $ — — — — 20 560 993 (86,852) 12,211 $ 430,215 — — — — — (594 ) — (594) — — — — — 86,602 — 86,602 — — — — — — — — — — — — 8,808 — 8,808 95,410 — 28,476 — — 20,589,309 $ — — — 1 — — — — 206 $ 215,316 (1,258,250) $ (22,370) $ — 1,359 953 — — — — — — — — (88,528 ) 224,645 $ — — — — — 1,360 953 (88,528) 21,019 $ 438,816 See accompanying notes. 60 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Operating activities Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 $ 86,602 $ 92,690 $ 71,632 Depreciation Net amortization of investments Change in investment related allowance for credit losses Deferred income taxes Net realized (gains) losses on investments Net unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities Net realized losses on disposal of assets Share-based compensation Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Premiums receivable, net Accrued interest receivable Deferred policy acquisition costs Amounts held by others Other assets Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses Unearned premiums Reinsurance balances Amounts held for others and policyholder deposits Federal income taxes payable Accounts payable and other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Purchases of investments held-to-maturity Purchases of investments available-for-sale Purchases of equity securities Purchases of short-term investments Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments available-for-sale Proceeds from sales of equity securities Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments Proceeds from redemptions of other investments Purchases of property and equipment Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Financing activities Proceeds from stock option exercises Finance lease purchases Dividends to shareholders Net cash used in financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Income taxes paid $ $ See accompanying notes. 61 1,012 8,177 (27) 1,657 (1,132) (4,204) 58 3,296 1,193 456 1,238 7,856 (1,230) (12,326) (11,613) (10,333) 2,271 (2,803) (6,750) 63,398 (96,452) (73,923) (11,330) (139,242) 104,564 110,700 — 149,975 — (921) 43,371 — (50) (88,775) (88,825) 17,944 43,813 61,757 $ 942 8,659 — 872 80 (4,758) 3 2,351 4,525 467 686 — 710 (25,522) (8,423) 16,093 (5,528) (192) (4,831) 78,824 (152,133) (63,513) (4,495) (125,763) 159,702 114,869 — 84,039 — (1,018) 11,688 20 (47) (87,016) (87,043) 3,469 40,344 43,813 $ 996 10,787 — (1,462) 1,536 2,088 — 2,065 11,756 438 517 (7,855) 1,873 26,564 (7,974) (21,873) 2,911 5,173 (904) 98,268 (99,330) (124,128) (11,459) (133,355) 99,984 100,357 3 139,865 130 (1,126) (29,059) 67 — (84,491) (84,424) (15,215) 55,559 40,344 20,562 $ 20,850 $ 11,235 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization AMERISAFE, Inc. is an insurance holding company incorporated in the state of Texas. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMERISAFE and its subsidiaries: American Interstate Insurance Company (“AIIC”) and its insurance subsidiaries, Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. (“SOCI”) and American Interstate Insurance Company of Texas (“AIICTX”), Amerisafe Risk Services, Inc. (“RISK”) and Amerisafe General Agency, Inc. (“AGAI”). AIIC and SOCI are property and casualty insurance companies organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska. AIICTX is a property and casualty insurance company organized under the laws of the state of Texas. RISK, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a claims and safety service company currently servicing only affiliated insurance companies. AGAI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a general agent for the Company. AGAI sells insurance, which is underwritten by AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX, as well as by nonaffiliated insurance carriers. The assets and operations of AGAI are not significant to that of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The terms “AMERISAFE,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to AMERISAFE, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires. The Company provides workers’ compensation insurance for small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas. Assets and revenues of AIIC and its subsidiaries represent at least 95% of comparable consolidated amounts of the Company for each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Adopted Accounting Guidance In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance requires fair value measurement for equity investments (not including those that result in consolidation of the investee or use the equity method of accounting) and the recognition of changes in fair value to be presented as a component of net income. The guidance also revises the disclosure requirements related to fair value changes of liabilities presented in comprehensive income, eliminates disclosure related to the methods and assumptions underlying fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, and simplifies impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The adoption of this new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 resulted in an immaterial decrease in net income of $390 thousand or a $0.02 decrease to our diluted earnings per common share. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a right of use asset for all leases extending beyond twelve months. This standard was effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2019. We elected the new transition method under the transition guidance within the new standard. Therefore, prior comparative periods were not adjusted. We also elected the package of practical expedients, which among other things, allows us to carryforward the historical lease classification. We made an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for short-term operating leases. Adoption of the new guidance resulted in the Company recognizing right-of-use assets of $0.4 million and lease liabilities of $0.3 million. The cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings was minimal. Adoption of this new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company does not have any significant leases. 62 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses (“CECL”). The prior guidance delays the recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has occurred. The new guidance requires credit losses for securities measured at amortized cost to be determined using current expected credit loss estimates. These estimates are derived from historical, current and reasonable supporting forecasts, including prepayments and estimates, and are recorded through a valuation account. The same method is used for available-for-sale securities, but the valuation account is limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost. The Company implemented the new standard using the modified retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented under the new guidance while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded a net decrease to Retained Earnings of $594 thousand as of January 1, 2020, for the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-13. The transition adjustment includes a $243 thousand impact to establish a credit loss allowance for held-to-maturity securities. The remaining $351 thousand of the transition adjustment was due to the creation of the reinsurance recoverable credit allowance. The Company believes that under the standard there is no current expected credit allowance necessary for U.S. Government Securities in its judgment as: 1) Treasury securities typically are the most highly rated securities among rating agencies; 2) Treasury securities have a long history of no credit losses; 3) Treasury securities are guaranteed by a sovereign entity (the U.S. Government) that can print its own money and whose currency (the U.S. dollar) is the reserve currency. The Company believes that under the standard there is no current expected credit allowance necessary for GNMA Securities in its judgment as: 1) GNMA securities typically are the most highly rated securities among rating agencies; 2) GNMA securities have a long history of no credit losses and payments are explicitly guaranteed by the United States; 3) Underlying mortgage loans for GNMA securities are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs; 4) the U.S. Government can print its own money to retire GNMA obligations. The Company believes that under the standard there is no current expected credit allowance necessary for FNMA or Freddie Mac (FHLMC) Securities in its judgment as: 1) These securities typically are among the most highly rated securities among rating agencies; 2) There is a long history of no credit losses; 3) Principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the issuing agency; 4) There is an explicit guarantee by the U.S. Government that can print its own money and whose currency (the U.S. dollar) is the reserve currency. The Company researched various options and methodologies and has chosen to use Moody’s default rates and recovery rates for our held-to-maturity fixed income securities based on the current credit rating of the security and the time period to the stated maturity date. This is a probability of default (PD) and loss given default (LGD) methodology. The credit rating used for held-to-maturity fixed income securities is the rating for each security as published by Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch to determine the probability of default. If there are two ratings, the lower rating is used. If there are three ratings, the median rating is used. If there is one rating, that rating is used. This methodology provides additional conservatism in determining the credit loss allowance needed. For corporate fixed income securities, the probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of Corporate Bond defaults published each February. This study also contains the average recovery rates based on the historical defaults in the Moody’s study. We have chosen to use the 1983-2019 data as more reflective of the current historical pattern of defaults (the study goes back to 1920). The maximum maturity using the default rate is 20 years (any maturity greater than 20 years will use the 20-year rate). For municipal fixed income securities the probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of Municipal Bond defaults published each July/August. This study also contains the average recovery rates based on the historical defaults in the Moody’s study. This study covers 1970-2019 data, which we believe is reflective of the current historical pattern of defaults. The maximum maturity using the default rate is 20 years (any maturity greater than 20 years will use the 20-year rate). The Company did not record a credit allowance for available-for-sale securities. The available-for-sale portfolio is composed of highly rated securities, which carry a low risk of default. The Company’s concentrations in municipal bonds have helped lower default risk, as the historical default rates and recovery rates for municipal bonds has been much better than corporate bonds rated at the same level. The Company creates a watch list of available-for-sale securities that are below book value at the end of each quarter. This watch list excludes US Treasury securities, GNMA Securities, and government agency securities (FNMA, etc.) as none of those securities will have an expected credit loss. The watch list will also exclude those securities that are trading at least at $95 or above 63 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 (par value $100) as the Company believes any slight difference between $95 and par likely reflect interest rate changes and liquidity only and are not a sign of credit impairment or market expectations for any current expected credit loss. The list is reviewed by the Management Investment Committee to evaluate any security where the discounted cash flows expected no longer exceed the book value of the security. If the Company intends to sell the security (or more likely than not be required to sell the security before recovery of the loss) the Company will write down the security to fair value through earnings. If the Company intends to hold the security, the Company will establish a credit loss allowance for the security through earnings, and adjust the allowance each quarter through earnings, as the security changes in value. In determining the amount of the credit loss allowance, the Company will consider all of the following factors: 1. The extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis 2. Adverse conditions in the security, industry, or geography, including: a.) Changes in technology b.) Discontinuation of a segment of business that may affect future earnings c.) Changes in the quality of the credit enhancement, if any 3. Changes in the payment structure of the debt security 4. Failure of the issuer to make scheduled interest or principal payments 5. Any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency The calculation of the credit loss allowance will not take into account the amount of time the security has been below book value or when the security might be expected to recover in value. The Company has researched various options and methodologies and has chosen to use Moody’s default rates and recovery rates for our unsecured reinsurance recoverables based on the current credit rating of the reinsurer and a time period of ten years. This is a probability of default (PD) and loss given default (LGD) methodology. The ten-year period is consistent with our current working layer reinsurance treaty where we have a three-year treaty, which must be commuted by the end of the tenth year. We believe this is an appropriate approach to our reinsurance recoverables. The credit rating used for reinsurance recoverables uses the average rating for each reinsurer as published by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch and A.M. Best to determine the probability of default. The median rating is used if there are three ratings. The probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of Corporate Bond defaults published each February. This study also contains the average recovery rates based on the historical defaults in the Moody’s study. We have chosen to use the 1983-2019 data as more reflective of the current historical pattern of defaults (the study goes back to 1920). The Company does not hold any debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized. Additionally, the Company does not hold any financial assets purchased with credit deterioration. The Company’s internal working group evaluated the existing allowance for doubtful accounts reserving methodology for premiums receivable and determined the calculation was consistent with the new credit loss guidance. There was no impact to the premiums receivable balance as a result of the adoption of the new standard. The Company has elected not to establish a credit allowance for investment interest receivable. The Company plans to continue use of the current policy for writing off investment related interest receivable balances over ninety days old. 64 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Prospective Accounting Guidance All other issued but not yet effective accounting and reporting standards as of December 31, 2020 are either not applicable to the Company or are not expected to have a material impact on the Company. Investments The Company has the ability and positive intent to hold certain investments until maturity. Therefore, fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost net of the allowance for credit losses. Fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value. Temporary changes in the fair value of these securities are reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Changes in the fair value of equity securities are recorded in net income. Investment income is recognized as it is earned. The discount or premium on fixed maturity securities is amortized using the “constant yield” method. Anticipated prepayments, where applicable, are considered when determining the amortization of premiums or discounts. Realized investment gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents include short-term money market funds with an original maturity of 90 days or less. Short-Term Investments Short-term investments include municipal securities and corporate bonds with an original maturity greater than 90 days but less than one year. Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The Company considers premiums receivable as past due based on the payment terms of the underlying policy. The balance is shown net of the allowance for credit losses. Receivables due from insureds are charged off when a determination has been made by management that a specific balance will not be collected. An estimate of amounts that are likely to be charged off is established as an allowance for credit losses as of the balance sheet date. The estimate is primarily comprised of specific balances that are considered probable to be charged off after all collection efforts have ceased, as well as historical trends and an analysis of the aging of the receivables. Property and Equipment The Company’s property and equipment, including certain costs incurred to develop or obtain software for internal use, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally 39 years for buildings and three to seven years for all other fixed assets. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs The direct costs of successfully acquiring and renewing business are capitalized to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned. These capitalized costs consist mainly of sales commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting costs. The Company evaluates deferred policy acquisition costs for recoverability by comparing the unearned premiums to the estimated total expected claim costs and related expenses, offset by anticipated investment income. The Company would reduce the deferred costs if the unearned premiums were less than expected claims and expenses after considering investment income, and report any adjustments in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. There were no adjustments necessary in 2020, 2019 or 2018. 65 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through December 31. The Company does not discount loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. In establishing our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses, we review the results of analyses using individual case-base valuations and statistical and actuarial methods that utilize historical loss data from our more than 35 years of underwriting workers’ compensation insurance. The actuarial analysis of our historical data provides the factors we use in estimating our loss reserves. These factors are primarily measures over time of the number of claims paid and reported, average paid and incurred claim amounts, claim closure rates and claim payment patterns. In evaluating the results of our analyses, management also uses substantial judgment in considering other factors that are not considered in these actuarial analyses, including changes in business mix, claims management, regulatory issues, medical trends, employment and wage patterns, insurance policy coverage interpretations, judicial determinations and other subjective factors. Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with these estimates, and the cost of incurred but unreported claims, our actual liabilities may vary significantly from our original estimates. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in income from current operations. Subrogation recoverables, as well as deductible recoverables from policyholders, are estimated using individual case-basis valuations and aggregate estimates. Deductibles that are recoverable from policyholders and other recoverables from state funds decrease the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses. The Company funds its obligations under certain settled claims where the payment pattern and ultimate cost are fixed and determinable on an individual claim basis through the purchase of annuities. These annuities are purchased from unaffiliated carriers and name the claimant as payee. The cost of purchasing the annuity is recorded as paid loss and loss adjustment expenses. To the extent the annuity funds estimated future claims, reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense are reduced. Premium Revenue Premiums on workers’ compensation insurance are based on actual payroll costs or production during the policy term and are normally billed monthly in arrears or annually. However, the Company generally requires a deposit at the inception of a policy. Premium revenue is earned on a pro rata basis over periods covered by the policies. The reserve for unearned premiums on these policies is computed on a daily pro rata basis. The Company estimates the annual premiums to be paid by its policyholders when the Company issues the policies and records those amounts on the balance sheet as premiums receivable. The Company conducts premium audits on all of its voluntary business policyholders annually, upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore have paid the Company the premium required under the terms of the policies. The difference between the estimated premium and the ultimate premium is referred to as “earned but unbilled” premium, or EBUB premium. EBUB premium can be higher or lower than the estimated premium. EBUB premium is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease earned premium based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. Due to the timing of audits and other adjustments, ultimate premium earned is generally not determined for several months after the expiration of the policy. The Company estimates EBUB premiums on a quarterly basis using historical data and applying various assumptions based on the current market and economic conditions, and records an adjustment to premium, related losses, and expenses as warranted. Reinsurance Reinsurance premiums, losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers include balances currently owed to the Company for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses that have been paid to policyholders, amounts that are currently reserved for and will be recoverable once the related expense has been paid and experience-rated commissions recoverable upon commutation. 66 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Upon management’s determination that an amount due from a reinsurer is uncollectible due to the reinsurer’s insolvency or other matters, the amount is written off. Ceding commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies and are intended to reimburse the Company for policy acquisition costs related to those premiums ceded to the reinsurers. Ceding commission income is recognized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned and is reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs. Experience-rated commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies based on the financial results of the applicable risks ceded to the reinsurers. These commission revenues on reinsurance contracts are recognized during the related reinsurance treaty period and are based on the same assumptions used for recording loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses. These commissions are reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs and are adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in income from current operations. Experience-rated commissions had no impact on underwriting and certain other operating costs in 2020 and 2019 and increased underwriting and certain other operating costs by $0.2 million in 2018. In December 2019, the Company commuted reinsurance agreements with Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (“Hannover”) covering portions of accident years 2009 through 2011. The Company received an $8.5 million payment effectuated solely through offset against the balance of the funds withheld and recoverable from reinsurers accounts under the reinsurance agreements in exchange for releasing Hannover from their reinsurance obligations under the commuted agreements. Hannover remains obligated to the subsidiaries of the Company under other reinsurance agreements. There was no effect on the Company’s net income in the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the commutation. Fee and Other Income The Company recognizes income related to commissions earned by AGAI as the related services are performed. Advertising All advertising expenditures incurred by the Company are charged to expense in the period to which they relate and are included in underwriting and certain other operating costs in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising expenses incurred were $0.2 million in 2020, $0.4 million in 2019, and $0.5 million in 2018. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. The provision for income taxes has two components, amounts currently payable or receivable and deferred amounts. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company considers deferred tax assets to be recoverable if it is probable that the related tax losses can be offset by future taxable income. The Company includes reversal of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies available and future operating income in this assessment. To the extent the deferred tax assets exceed the amount expected to be recovered in future years, the Company records a valuation allowance for the amount determined unrecoverable. Insurance-Related Assessments Insurance-related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments related to insurance commerce, including those by state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second-injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight agencies to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. Assessments based on premiums are generally paid one year after the calendar year in which the premium is written, while assessments based on losses are generally paid within one year of the calendar year in which the loss is paid. 67 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Policyholder Dividends The Company writes certain policies for which the policyholder may participate in favorable claims experience through a dividend. An estimated provision for workers’ compensation policyholders’ dividends is accrued as the related premiums are earned. Dividends do not become a fixed liability unless and until declared by the respective Boards of Directors of AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries. The dividend to which a policyholder may be entitled is set forth in the policy and is related to the amount of losses sustained under the policy. Dividends are calculated after the policy expiration. The Company is able to estimate the policyholder dividend liability because the Company has information regarding the underlying loss experience of the policies written with dividend provisions and can estimate future dividend payments from the policy terms. Earnings Per Share The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. The Company applies the treasury stock method in computing basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The diluted EPS calculation includes potential common shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options or warrants were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested. Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes the impact of its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation- Stock Compensation. All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. The target value of long-term incentive awards are recognized as compensation over the performance period. 2. Investments Short-term investments held at December 31, 2020 include $30.7 million of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, $9.1 million of obligations of states and political subdivisions and $6.1 million of corporate bonds. Short-term investments held at December 31, 2019 include $54.6 million of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies and $1.9 million of obligations of states and political subdivisions. The gross unrecognized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost, allowance for credit losses, carrying amount, and fair value of, those investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies Asset-backed securities Totals Amortized Cost Allowance for Credit Losses Carrying Amount Gross Unrecognized Gains Gross Unrecognized Losses Fair Value $ 494,374 $ 69,981 (42) $ 494,332 $ 69,756 (225) 32,489 $ 3,144 — $ 526,821 72,900 — (in thousands) 7,261 — 7,261 645 — 7,906 13,626 162 $ 585,404 $ — (7) 13,626 155 (274) $ 585,130 $ 239 7 36,524 $ 13,865 — — 162 — $ 621,654 68 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as available-for- sale at December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies Totals $ $ Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) Fair Value Allowance for Credit Losses 256,492 $ 83,646 18,654 20,050 $ 5,256 400 — $ 276,542 $ 88,899 (3) 19,052 (2) 28,873 387,665 $ 913 26,619 $ — 29,786 (5) $ 414,279 $ — — — — — The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost of equity securities at December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows: Equity securities: Domestic common stock Total equity securities Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) Fair Value $ $ 35,787 $ 35,787 $ 7,650 $ 7,650 $ — $ — $ 43,437 43,437 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as held-to- maturity at December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies Asset-backed securities Totals Amortized Cost $ $ 466,270 $ 109,241 10,967 12,723 220 599,421 $ Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) 19,570 $ 1,684 544 330 — 22,128 $ (193 ) $ — — (12 ) (1 ) (206 ) $ Fair Value 485,647 110,925 11,511 13,041 219 621,343 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as available-for- sale at December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies Totals Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value $ 225,895 $ 130,453 29,499 (in thousands) 11,906 $ 3,326 64 (26 ) $ (1 ) (96 ) 237,775 133,778 29,467 39,851 425,698 $ 317 15,613 $ $ (42 ) (165 ) $ 40,126 441,146 69 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost of equity securities at December 31, 2019 are summarized as follows: Equity securities: Domestic common stock Total equity securities Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) Fair Value $ $ 24,457 $ 24,457 $ 3,446 $ 3,446 $ — $ — $ 27,903 27,903 A summary of the carrying amounts and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity by contractual maturity is as follows: December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year After one year through five years After five years through ten years After ten years U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities Asset-backed securities Totals $ $ 54,316 $ 195,706 107,347 220,345 7,261 155 585,130 $ 54,794 $ 204,289 113,643 240,860 7,906 162 621,654 $ 49,967 $ 198,025 110,460 229,782 10,967 220 599,421 $ 50,348 202,109 113,877 243,279 11,511 219 621,343 A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale by contractual maturity is as follows: December 31, 2020 Fair Value Amortized Cost December 31, 2019 Fair Value Amortized Cost (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year After one year through five years After five years through ten years After ten years U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities Totals $ 69,177 $ 80,593 53,835 27,160 $ 27,194 69,938 $ 85,829 144,142 146,469 49,419 57,829 165,406 181,631 177,722 188,597 47,175 18,654 29,467 $ 387,665 $ 414,279 $ 425,698 $ 441,146 29,499 19,052 Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. At December 31, 2020, there were $19.9 million of held-to-maturity investments on deposit with regulatory agencies of states in which the Company does business. 70 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 A summary of the Company’s realized gains and losses on sales, calls or redemptions of investments for 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows: Fixed Maturity Securities Available-for- Sale Equity Securities Other Total (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2020 Proceeds from sales Gross realized investment gains Gross realized investment losses Net realized investment gains Other, including gains (losses) on calls and redemptions $ Net realized gains on investments $ $ Year ended December 31, 2019 Proceeds from sales Gross realized investment gains Gross realized investment losses Net realized investment gains Other, including gains (losses) on calls and redemptions $ Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ $ Year ended December 31, 2018 Proceeds from sales Gross realized investment gains Gross realized investment losses Net realized investment gains (losses) Other, including losses on calls and redemptions Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ $ $ 25,436 $ 711 $ (14) 697 (43) 654 $ 33,113 $ 140 $ (68) 72 (196) (124) $ 15,025 $ 238 $ (1,354) (1,116) (144) (1,260) $ — $ — $ — — — — $ — $ — $ — — — — $ 3 $ 1 $ — 1 — 1 $ 46,959 $ 306 $ (4 ) 302 176 478 $ 21,977 $ 36 $ — 36 8 44 $ — $ — $ — — (277 ) (277 ) $ 72,395 1,017 (18) 999 133 1,132 55,090 176 (68) 108 (188) (80) 15,028 239 (1,354) (1,115) (421) (1,536) Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows: Gross investment income: Fixed maturity securities Equity securities Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents Total gross investment income Investment expenses Net investment income 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 28,414 $ 1,006 897 30,317 (953) 29,364 $ 30,343 $ 628 2,478 33,449 (966 ) 32,483 $ 28,762 448 2,208 31,418 (966) 30,452 71 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities, aggregated by major investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position: December 31, 2020 Available-for-Sale Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities Total available-for-sale securities December 31, 2019 Held-to-Maturity States and political subdivisions U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies Asset-backed securities Total held-to-maturity securities Available-for-Sale States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies Total available-for-sale securities Total $ $ Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) Gross Unrealized Losses $ $ 2,515 $ 2,133 4,648 $ 3 $ 2 5 $ — $ — — $ — $ — — $ 2,515 $ 2,133 4,648 $ 3 2 5 $ 21,074 $ 193 $ — $ — $ 21,074 $ 193 —   — 21,074 4,140 $ 6,426 13,007 —   23,573 44,647 $ —   — 193 3,243   68 3,311 12    1    13    3,243   68 24,385 26 $ 1 95 — $ — 1,152 — $ —    1    4,140 $ 6,426 14,159 —   122 315 $ 17,068   18,220 21,531 $ 42    43    56 $ 17,068   41,793 66,178 $ 12 1 206 26 1 96 42 165 371 At December 31, 2020, the Company held 2 individual fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which none were in a continuous unrealized loss position for longer than 12 months. The following table illustrates the changes in the allowance for credit losses by major security type of the investments classified as held-to-maturity for the year ended December 31, 2020. U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies U.S. Agency- Based Mortgage- Backed Securities States and Political Subdivisions Corporate Bonds Asset-Backed Securities Totals Balance at January 1, 2020 Provision for credit loss benefit Balance at December 31, 2020 $ $ 45 $ (3) 42 $ 245 $ (20) 225 $ (in thousands) — $ — — $ — — — $ $ 11 $ (4) 7 $ 301 (27) 274 72              AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The Company has established an allowance for credit losses on 424 held-to-maturity securities totaling $0.3 million as of December 31, 2020. The majority of those securities were states and political subdivisions and corporate bonds at 393 and 28, respectively. The Company has no allowance for credit losses on investments classified as available-for-sale as of December 31, 2020. During 2019, the Company had no impairment losses recognized for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of our investments. The credit rating used for held-to-maturity fixed income securities is the rating for each security as published by Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch to determine the probability of default. If there are two ratings, the lower rating is used. If there are three ratings, the median rating is used. If there is one rating, that rating is used. For corporate fixed income securities the probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of corporate bond defaults published each February. The maximum maturity using the default rate is 20 years (any maturity greater than 20 years will use the 20-year rate). For municipal fixed income securities the probability of default (given a rating) comes from Moody’s annual study of municipal bond defaults published each July/August. The calculation of the credit loss allowance takes the amortized cost of the fixed income security and assumes default and recovery based on the average recovery rates from the Moody’s default studies. The amortized cost of the security, minus the amount recovered, is the estimated full amount the Company could lose in a default scenario. Then this amount is multiplied by the probability of default to determine the allowance for credit loss. The lower the security is rated, the higher likelihood of default, and therefore a higher allowance for credit loss. The longer to the maturity date of a security, the higher the default risk. The table below presents the amortized cost of held-to-maturity securities aggregated by credit quality indicator as of December 31, 2020. U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies U.S. Agency- Based Mortgage- Backed Securities States and Political Subdivisions Corporate Bonds Asset-Backed Securities Totals $ 490,311 $ 4,063 — $ 494,374 $ 29,890 $ 40,091 — 69,981 $ Amortized cost (in thousands) 7,261 $ — — 7,261 $ 13,626 — — 13,626 $ $ 111 $ 18 33 162 $ 541,199 44,172 33 585,404 AAA/AA/A ratings Baa/BBB ratings B ratings Total 3. Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The balance is shown net of the allowance for credit losses. The components of premiums receivable are shown below: Premiums receivable Allowance for credit losses Premiums receivable, net December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) $ $ 161,551 $ (4,791) 156,760 $ 163,065 (5,112 ) 157,953 73 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for credit losses: Balance, beginning of year Provision for credit loss expense Write-offs Balance, end of year December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) 5,112 $ 1,278 (1,599) 4,791 $ 5,390 723 (1,001 ) 5,112 $ $ Included in premiums receivable at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is the Company’s estimate for EBUB premium of $6.3 million, $8.5 million and $7.5 million, respectively. 4. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred policy acquisition costs represent those costs that are incremental and directly related to the successful acquisition of new or the renewal of existing insurance policies. We defer incremental costs that result directly from, and are essential to, the acquisition or renewal of an insurance policy. We also defer a portion of employee total compensation costs directly related to time spent performing specific acquisition or renewal activities. These costs are deferred and expensed over the life of the related policies. Major categories of the Company’s deferred policy acquisition costs are summarized as follows: Agents’ commissions Premium taxes Deferred underwriting expenses Total deferred policy acquisition costs December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) $ $ 13,244 $ 2,806 1,760 17,810 $ 14,290 2,960 1,798 19,048 The following summarizes the activity in the deferred policy acquisition costs: Balance, beginning of year Policy acquisition costs deferred Amortization expense during the year Balance, end of year 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 19,048 $ 40,345 (41,583) 17,810 $ 19,734 $ 43,872 (44,558 ) 19,048 $ 20,251 45,252 (45,769) 19,734 74 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 5. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following: Land and office building Furniture and equipment Software Automobiles Finance lease right-of-use assets Total original cost Accumulated depreciation and amortization Property and equipment, net December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) 7,919 $ 5,438 7,916 74 365 21,712 (15,530) 6,182 $ 7,819 6,097 7,366 74 185 21,541 (15,210 ) 6,331 $ $ Accumulated depreciation and amortization includes $0.2 million that is related to equipment held under finance leases at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and is included in the underwriting and certain other operating costs line item on the income statement. The lease liabilities related to these properties are included in accounts payable and other liabilities. 6. Reinsurance The Company cedes certain premiums and losses to various reinsurers under excess-of-loss treaties. These reinsurance arrangements provide for greater diversification of business, allow management to control exposure to potential losses arising from large risks, and provide additional capacity for growth. Ceded reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The Company remains liable to its policyholders for the portion reinsured to the extent that any reinsurer does not meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance agreements. To minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities, or economic characteristics of the reinsurers on a continual basis. The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows: 2020 Premiums 2019 Premiums 2018 Premiums Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned Gross Ceded Net premiums (in thousands) $ 303,090 $314,703 $333,460 $341,883 $351,696 $ 359,670 (10,276) (10,276) (9,344 ) $ 292,814 $304,427 $324,465 $332,888 $342,352 $ 350,326 (9,344 ) (8,995) (8,995) The amounts recoverable from reinsurers consist of the following: Unpaid losses recoverable: Case basis Incurred but not reported Paid losses recoverable Allowance for credit losses Total December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) $ $ 88,622 $ 17,085 548 (452) 105,803 $ 82,252 13,090 571 — 95,913 Amounts recoverable from reinsurers consists of ceded case reserves, ceded incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, and paid losses recoverable. Ceded case and ceded IBNR reserves represent the portion of gross loss and loss adjustment expense liabilities that are recoverable under reinsurance agreements, but are not yet due from reinsurers. Paid losses recoverable are receivables currently due from reinsurers for ceded paid losses. The Company considers paid losses recoverable outstanding for more than 90 days to be past due. At December 31, 2020, paid losses recoverable past due were immaterial. 75 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The Company received reinsurance recoveries of $4.4 million in 2020, $2.0 million in 2019 and $1.3 million in 2018. The Company generally secures large reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including funds withheld accounts, irrevocable letters of credit and secured trusts. At December 31, 2020, reinsurance recoverables from reinsurers that exceeded 1.5% of statutory surplus of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are shown below. Reinsurer Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (1) Allianz Risk Transfer AG (Bermuda) Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation Minnesota Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association (1) Other reinsurers Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers Allowance for credit losses Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers net of allowance for credit losses Funds withheld and letters of credit related to the above recoverables Total unsecured amounts recoverable from reinsurers (1) Current participant in our 2021 reinsurance program. A.M. Best Rating Amounts Recoverable as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) $ A+ A+ A NR $ 56,753 12,050 8,688 6,367 22,397 106,255 (452) 105,803 (71,986) 33,817 The table below presents the change in the allowance for credit losses on amounts recoverable from reinsurers for the year ended December 31, 2020. Balance, beginning of period Provision for credit loss benefit Balance, end of period Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands) 444 $ 8 452 $ 76       AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 7. Income Taxes The Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: Deferred income tax assets: Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses Unearned premiums Accrued expenses and other State income tax Accrued policyholder dividends Capital loss carryforward Accrued insurance-related assessments Total deferred tax assets Less: Valuation allowance Net deferred tax assets Deferred income tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs Callable bond amortization Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale Property and equipment and other Salvage and subrogation Loss reserves adjustment due to the Tax Act Total deferred income tax liabilities Net deferred income taxes December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) 19,297 $ 6,984 2,947 2,212 2,020 — 1,963 35,423 (2,169) 33,254 (4,547) — (7,194) (260) (516) (7,072) (19,589) 13,665 $ 19,985 7,638 2,612 2,484 2,330 20 2,672 37,741 (2,025 ) 35,716 (4,838 ) (2 ) (3,970 ) (271 ) (636 ) (8,486 ) (18,203 ) 17,513 $ $ The components of consolidated income tax expense (benefit) are as follows: Current: Federal State Deferred: Federal State Total 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 17,760 $ 900 18,660 1,403 254 1,657 20,317 $ 20,658 $ 1,297 21,955 732 140 872 22,827 $ 16,407 1,004 17,411 (1,389) (73) (1,462) 15,949 As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a valuation allowance against its deferred income tax benefits of $2.2 and $2.0 million, respectively. During 2018, there was no valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities. 77 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Income tax expense from operations is different from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax statutory rate of 21% to income before income taxes as follows: Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate Tax-exempt interest, net State income tax Dividends received deduction Other 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 22,453 $ (3,226) 1,080 (89) 99 20,317 $ 24,258 $ (2,999 ) 1,178 (59 ) 449 22,827 $ 18,392 (2,965) 720 (44) (154) 15,949 In December 2018, the IRS released its guidance for determining the Tax Act transition adjustment related to the discounting of loss reserves. During the period ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an increase in its deferred tax assets and a corresponding increase in its deferred tax liabilities as a result of the transition adjustment, which had no impact on tax expense recognized in 2018. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill intended to bolster the U.S. economy, among other things, and provide emergency assistance to qualifying businesses and individuals. The Company was able to take advantage of a provision in the Act delaying payment of certain payroll taxes until 2021 and 2022. The CARES Act had no material impact on the Company’s financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There were no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Tax years 2017 through 2020 are subject to examination by the federal and state taxing authorities. 8. Line of Credit The Company has an agreement providing for a line of credit in the maximum amount of $20.0 million with Frost Bank. The agreement expires in December 2022. Under the agreement, advances may be made either in the form of loans or letters of credit. Borrowings under the agreement accrue at interest rates based upon prime rate, LIBOR or equivalent. Under the agreement, the Company pays a fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the loan in arrears quarterly, or a fee of $50,000 annually, assuming the line of credit is not used during the calendar year. The line of credit is unsecured. No borrowings or letters of credit were outstanding under the line of credit arrangement at December 31, 2020 or 2019. 78 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 9. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses The following development tables provide the incurred and paid losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance, for workers’ compensation and general liability for accident years 2011 through 2020. The incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses and claims frequency is included for each accident year presented. Incurred Losses and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) As of December 31, 2020 Total IBNR Plus Accident Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2011 2012 2013 2014 Unaudited (1) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $ 196,384 $ 199,522 $ 199,163 $ 198,213 $ 195,262 $192,988 $191,126 $189,327 $ 188,226 $ 188,264 $ — 222,549 222,075 212,738 193,515 184,460 182,859 180,387 178,586 177,547 — 241,810 241,811 233,656 220,457 214,701 210,588 209,184 207,304 — — 268,846 268,846 249,097 235,058 226,933 218,386 212,417 — — — 262,573 262,573 252,514 235,471 220,965 211,758 — — — — 250,491 250,491 241,406 218,005 209,214 — — — — — 244,094 244,098 234,587 220,096 — — — — — — 250,487 250,487 235,641 — — — — — — — 241,344 241,344 — — — — — — — — 220,710 — — — — — — — — Total $ 2,124,295 $ Expected Cumulative Development Number of on Reported Claims Claims Reported 6,044 5,749 5,766 5,839 5,516 5,393 5,211 5,467 5,199 4,170 5,198 6,419 7,762 5,468 6,717 6,843 8,066 16,057 16,609 8,491 87,630 Cumulative Paid Losses and Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) Accident Unaudited (1) Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 — 50,579 107,467 133,658 149,161 154,553 157,207 159,807 — 51,396 119,507 150,304 165,994 172,479 177,724 — — 53,060 119,820 153,320 169,736 180,683 — — — 54,141 121,599 151,818 170,461 — — — — 52,238 115,713 143,016 — — — — — 56,951 122,552 — — — — — — 62,061 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 2015 $ 53,329 $ 111,029 $ 140,831 $ 153,968 $161,639 $165,967 $167,757 $169,994 $ 170,785 161,014 180,614 186,129 182,053 156,861 151,427 126,057 58,883 — Total All outstanding liabilities before 2011, net of reinsurance Liabilities for loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance Claim Frequency (2) 22.82 18.73 16.55 14.99 14.25 14.23 14.68 15.20 15.21 13.25 2020 $ 171,583 162,588 182,465 191,394 185,657 166,887 166,448 152,328 120,512 50,113 1,549,975 80,533 654,854 (1) Data presented for these calendar years is required supplementary information, which is unaudited. (2) Frequency, as calculated above, refers to reported claims divided by gross premium earned. The average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance, for workers’ compensation and general liability as of December 31, 2020 is summarized below. Since workers’ compensation has long payout periods, the table below shows less than 100% in the years disclosed. This is required supplementary information, which is unaudited. Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Losses by Age, Net of Reinsurance (Unaudited) Year 1 25.6% Year 2 30.2% Year 3 14.1% Year 4 7.6% Year 5 4.3% Year 6 2.1% Year 7 1.6% Year 8 0.9% Year 9 0.7% Year 10 0.4% 79 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances, net of related amounts recoverable from reinsurers, for 2020, 2019 and 2018: Balance, beginning of period Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses Net balance, beginning of period Add incurred related to: Current accident year Prior accident years Total incurred Less paid related to: Current accident year Prior accident years Total paid Net balance, end of period Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses Balance, end of period 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ 772,887 $ 798,409 $ 771,845 95,343 677,544 107,216 691,193 84,889 686,956 220,710 (63,484) 157,226 241,344 (65,002 ) 176,342 250,487 (45,596) 204,891 50,113 129,803 179,916 654,854 58,883 131,108 189,991 677,544 62,061 138,593 200,654 691,193 105,707 760,561 $ 95,343 772,887 $ 107,216 798,409 $ The final resolution of the estimated loss reserve liability may be different from that anticipated at the reporting date because of the inherent uncertainty in loss reserve estimates, including, but not limited to, the future settlement environment. Consequently, actual paid losses in the future may result in a significantly different amount than currently reserved, favorable or unfavorable. The difference between currently estimated losses and losses estimated for a prior period at a prior valuation date is known as development. Development is unfavorable when the losses ultimately settle for more than they were reserved for or future estimates suggest that reserves should be increased on unresolved claims. Development is favorable when the losses ultimately settle for less than they were reserved for or future estimates suggest that reserves should be decreased on unresolved claims. Favorable or unfavorable development of loss reserves are reflected in our results of operations in the period the estimates are changed. The foregoing reconciliation reflects favorable development of the net reserves at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The favorable development reduced loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred by $63.5 million in 2020, driven primarily by accident years 2018 and 2017 of $14.8 million and $14.5 million, respectively. In 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded favorable development of $65.0 million and $45.6 million, respectively. The revisions to the Company’s reserves reflect new information gained by claims adjusters in the normal course of adjusting claims and is reflected in the financial statements when the information becomes available. It is typical for more serious claims to take several years or longer to settle and the Company continually revises estimates as more information about claimants’ medical conditions and potential disability becomes known and the claims get closer to being settled. Multiple factors can cause loss development both unfavorable and favorable. The favorable loss development we experienced across accident years was largely due to favorable case reserve development and continued favorable severity trends compared to those originally estimated. Reserves established for workers’ compensation insurance includes the exposure to occupational disease or accidents related to asbestos or environmental claims. The exposure to asbestos claims emanate from the direct sale of workers’ compensation insurance. These claims resulted from industry workers who were exposed to tremolite asbestos dust and electricians and carpenters who were exposed to products that contained asbestos. There has been no known exposure to asbestos claims arising from assumed business. The emergence of these claims is slow and highly unpredictable. The Company estimates full impact of the asbestos exposure by establishing full case basis reserves on all known losses. Reserves for losses incurred but not reported (IBNR) include a provision for development of reserves on reported losses. Reserves are established for loss adjustment expenses (LAE) associated with these case and IBNR loss reserves. 80 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following table details our exposures to various asbestos related claims: Reserves for loss and LAE at beginning of year Incurred losses and LAE during the current year Loss and LAE payments Reserves for loss and LAE at end of year 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 1,323 $ (936) (69) 318 $ 1,555 $ (183 ) (49 ) 1,323 $ 1,748 108 (301) 1,555 The Company has historically written general liability coverages that are reported in other liability lines of business. These coverages may be associated with the property and casualty industry’s exposure to environmental claims. However, the Company has not been notified by any insured for which exposure exists due to these types of claims. Company management believes potential exposure to environmental claims to be remote. Therefore, the Company has no loss or loss adjustment expense reserves for such liabilities. The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for loss and loss adjustment expenses. In establishing our reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses, we review the results of analyses using individual case-base valuations and statistical and actuarial methods that utilize historical loss data from our more than 35 years of underwriting workers’ compensation insurance. The actuarial analysis of our historical data provides some of the factors we use in estimating our loss reserves. These factors are primarily measures over time of the number of claims paid and reported, average paid and incurred claim amounts, claim closure rates and claim payment patterns. In evaluating the results of our analyses, management also uses substantial judgment in considering other factors that are not considered in these actuarial analyses, including changes in business mix, claims management, regulatory issues, medical trends, employment and wage patterns, insurance policy coverage interpretations, judicial determinations and other subjective factors. Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with these estimates, and the cost of incurred but unreported claims, our actual liabilities may vary significantly from our original estimates. These anticipated trends are monitored based on actual development and are modified if necessary. 10. Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements The Company’s insurance subsidiaries file financial statements prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the insurance regulatory authorities of the states in which the subsidiaries are domiciled. Statutory-basis shareholders’ capital and surplus at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 of the directly owned insurance subsidiary, AIIC, and the combined statutory-basis net income and realized investment gains for all AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, were as follows: Capital and surplus Net income Net realized gains (losses) on investments 2020 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ 365,524 $ 82,390 1,075 359,952 $ 92,301 (80 ) 383,575 72,979 (1,536) Property and casualty insurance companies are subject to certain risk-based capital requirements, or RBC requirements, specified by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Under these requirements, a target minimum amount of capital and surplus maintained by a property/casualty insurance company is determined based on the various risk factors related to it. At December 31, 2020, the capital and surplus of AIIC and its subsidiaries exceeded the minimum RBC requirements. Pursuant to regulatory requirements, AIIC cannot pay dividends to the Company in excess of the greater of 10% of statutory surplus, or statutory net income, excluding realized investment gains, for the preceding 12-month period, without the prior approval of the Nebraska Director of Insurance. However, for purposes of this dividend calculation, net income from the previous two calendar years may be carried forward to the extent that it has not already been paid out as dividends. AIIC paid $88.6 million in dividends to the Company in 2020, $115.9 million in 2019 and $65.4 million in 2018. Based upon the dividend limitation described above, AIIC could pay to the Company dividends of up to $83.4 million in 2021 without seeking regulatory approval. 81 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 11. Capital Stock Common Stock The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2020, there were 20,589,309 shares of common stock issued and 19,331,059 shares outstanding. Preferred Stock The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2020, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding. 12. Restricted Stock and Stock Options 2005 Incentive Plan The AMERISAFE 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Incentive Plan”) is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and was designed to provide incentive compensation to executive officers and other key management personnel. The 2005 Incentive Plan permitted awards in the form of incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares of common stock and restricted stock units. In connection with the approval of the 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan by the Company’s shareholders, no further grants were made under the 2005 Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2020, there are no outstanding options or restricted stock awards under the 2005 Incentive Plan. Stock options granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan were exercisable, subject to vesting requirements determined by the Compensation Committee, for periods of up to ten years from the date of grant. Stock options generally expire 90 days after the cessation of an optionee’s service as an employee. However, in the case of an optionee’s death or disability, the unexercised portion of a stock option remains exercisable for up to one year after the optionee’s death or disability. Stock options that were granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan are not transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Company used the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option on the date of grant. The expected terms of options were developed by considering the Company’s historical attrition rate for those employees at the officer level, who were eligible to receive options. Further, the Company aggregated individual awards into homogenous groups based upon grant date. Expected volatility was estimated using daily historical volatility for six companies within the property and casualty insurance sector. The Company believes that historical volatility of this peer group was the best estimate of expected volatility of the market price of the Company’s common shares. The dividend yield was assumed to be zero as the Company did not pay cash dividends until 2013. The risk-free interest rate is the yield on the grant date of U.S. Treasury zero coupon securities with a maturity comparable to the expected term of the options. 82 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following table summarizes information about the stock option activity under the 2005 Incentive Plan: Outstanding at January 1, 2018 Granted Exercised Canceled, forfeited, or expired Outstanding at December 31, 2018 Exercisable at December 31, 2018 Outstanding at January 1, 2019 Granted Exercised Canceled, forfeited, or expired Outstanding at December 31, 2019 Exercisable at December 31, 2019 Outstanding at January 1, 2020 Granted Exercised Canceled, forfeited, or expired Outstanding at December 31, 2020 Exercisable at December 31, 2020 20,000 — (15,000) — 5,000 5,000 5,000 — (5,000) — — — — — — — — — Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 2.1 — 0.9 — 1.9 1.9 1.9 — 0.9 — — — — — — — — — 5.21 — 4.46 — 3.95 3.95 3.95 — 3.95 — — — — — — — — — Cash received from option exercises Total intrinsic value of options exercised Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding $ — $ — — 20 $ 287 — 67 766 264 2020 2019 (in thousands) 2018 The Company recognized no compensation expense in 2020 and 2019 and $12,000 in 2018, related to awards made under the 2005 Incentive Plan. 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan In 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the AMERISAFE 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2012 Incentive Plan”). The 2012 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and is designed to attract, retain and motivate non-employee directors, officers, key employees and consultants by providing incentives for superior performance. The 2012 Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of equity-based compensation in the form of option rights, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, cash incentive awards, performance shares and units, and other types of awards. A maximum of 500,000 shares of common stock may be issued or transferred upon the exercise of option rights or appreciation rights, as restricted shares and released from substantial risk of forfeiture, in payment of restricted stock units, in payment of performance shares or performance units that have been earned, as awards of shares of common stock, as other awards granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, or in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under the plan subject to adjustment in the event of a merger, stock dividend, stock split or similar event, which may be original issue shares or treasury shares or a combination of the two. In 2020, 23,207 shares of common stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan. In 2019, 9,391 shares of common stock and 13,322 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, which will vest through 2024. At December 31, 2020, there were 297,227 shares of common stock available for future awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan. 83 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following table summarizes information about the common and restricted stock activity under the 2012 Incentive Plan: Nonvested balance at January 1, 2018 Granted Vested Forfeited Nonvested balance at December 31, 2018 Granted Vested Forfeited Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019 Granted Vested Forfeited Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Shares 60,879 3,304 (24,608) — 39,575 22,713 (29,760) — 32,528 23,207 (40,421) — 15,314 45.71 59.16 44.31 — 48.93 61.08 51.86 — 54.02 58.62 54.31 — 60.23 The Company recognized compensation expense of $605,000, $676,000 and $726,000 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to share-based grants. The Company recognized compensation expense of $2,341,000, $1,359,000 and $976,000 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to long-term incentive awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan. The long-term incentive award is a liability award. Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan The AMERISAFE Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan (the “Restricted Stock Plan”) is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and provides for the automatic grant of restricted stock awards to non-employee directors of the Company. Awards to non-employee directors are generally subject to terms including non-transferability, immediate vesting upon death or total disability of a director, forfeiture of unvested shares upon termination of service by a director and acceleration of vesting upon a change of control of the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to restricted stock awards under the Restricted Stock Plan is 150,000 shares, subject to the authority of the Board to adjust this amount in the event of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or similar transaction affecting the common stock. At December 31, 2020, there were 47,748 shares of common stock available for future awards under the Restricted Stock Plan. Under the Restricted Stock Plan, each non-employee director is automatically granted a restricted stock award for a number of shares equal to $50,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders at which the non-employee director is elected or is continuing as a member of the Board. Each restricted stock award vests on the date of the next annual meeting of shareholders following the date of grant, subject to the continued service of the non- employee director. Under the terms of the Restricted Stock Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors may increase the dollar amount of the annual award to an amount up to $75,000 without further shareholder approval. As of December 31, 2020, there were 5,068 shares of restricted stock outstanding under the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan, all of which will vest on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders in 2021. 84 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock activity under the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan: Nonvested balance at January 1, 2018 Granted Vested Forfeited Nonvested balance at December 31, 2018 Granted Vested Forfeited Nonvested balance at December 31, 2019 Granted Vested Forfeited Nonvested balance at December 31, 2020 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Shares 6,454 5,761 (6,454) — 5,761 4,890 (5,761) — 4,890 5,269 (5,091) — 5,068 54.20 60.75 54.20 — 60.75 61.34 60.75 — 61.34 68.88 61.49 — 69.03 The Company recognized compensation expense of $349,000 in 2020, $317,000 in 2019 and $351,000 in 2018 related to the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. 13. Earnings Per Share The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. The Company has no participating unvested common shares which contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and applies the treasury stock method in computing basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The diluted EPS calculation includes potential common shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested. The calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are presented below. For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands, except earnings per share amounts) 2020 2018 Basic EPS: Net income – basic Basic weighted average common shares Basic earnings per share Diluted EPS: Net income – diluted Diluted weighted average common shares: Weighted average common shares Restricted stock and stock options Diluted weighted average common shares Diluted earnings per common share $ $ $ $ 86,602 $ 19,289 4.49 $ 92,690 $ 19,249 4.82 $ 71,632 19,209 3.73 86,602 $ 92,690 $ 71,632 19,289 75 19,364 4.47 $ 19,249 80 19,329 4.80 $ 19,209 84 19,293 3.71 85 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The table below sets forth the reconciliation of the weighted average shares used for the basic and diluted EPS calculation. Basic weighted average common shares Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends: Restricted stock and stock options Diluted weighted average common shares Years Ended 2019 19,288,996 19,248,657 19,208,978 2020 2018 74,813 84,104 19,363,809 19,329,238 19,293,082 80,581 14. Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes net income plus unrealized gains/losses on our available-for-sale investment securities, net of tax. The following table illustrates the changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for each period presented in the financial statements. Balance, beginning of period Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01 Impact of adoption of ASU 2018-02 Adjusted beginning balance Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) Balance, end of period 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ 12,211 $ — — 12,211 (832 ) $ — — (832 ) 3,612 (615) 414 3,411 9,538 12,379 (4,551) (730) 8,808 21,019 $ 664 13,043 12,211 $ 308 (4,243) (832) $ The sale or other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of an available-for-sale security results in amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to current period net income. The effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income are presented in the following table. Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for- sale securities $ $ 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 Affected line item in the statement of income 925 $ 925 (195) 730 $ (841) $ (841) 177 (664) $ Net realized gains (losses) on investments (390) (390) Income before income taxes 82 Income tax expense (308) Net income 86             AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020 Unrealized gain on securities: Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income Net unrealized gain Other comprehensive income December 31, 2019 Unrealized gain on securities: Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income Net unrealized gain Other comprehensive income December 31, 2018 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income Net unrealized loss Other comprehensive loss Pre-Tax Amount Tax Expense (Benefit) (in thousands) Net-of-Tax Amount $ 12,074 $ 2,536 $ 9,538 (925) 11,149 11,149 $ (195 ) 2,341 2,341 $ (730) 8,808 8,808 $ $ 15,670 $ 3,291 $ 12,379 841 16,511 16,511 $ 177 3,468 3,468 $ 664 13,043 13,043 $ $ (5,760) $ (1,209 ) $ (4,551) 390 (5,370) (5,370) $ 82 (1,127 ) (1,127 ) $ 308 (4,243) (4,243) $ 15. Employee Benefit Plan The Company’s 401(k) benefit plan is available to all employees. The Company matches 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of compensation for participating employees, subject to certain limitations. Employees are fully vested in employer contributions to this plan after five years. Company contributions to this plan were $0.7 million in each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. 16. Commitments and Contingencies The Company is a party to various legal actions arising principally from claims made under insurance policies and contracts. Those actions are considered by the Company in estimating reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company provides workers’ compensation insurance in several states that maintain second-injury funds. Incurred losses on qualifying claims that exceed certain amounts may be recovered from these state funds. There is no assurance that the applicable states will continue to provide funding under these programs. The Company manages risk on certain long-duration claims by settling these claims through the purchase of annuities from unaffiliated carriers. In the event these carriers are unable to meet their obligations under these contracts, the Company could be liable 87 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 to the claimants. The following table summarizes the fair value of the annuities at December 31, 2020, that the Company has purchased to satisfy its obligations. Life Insurance Company Pacific Life & Annuity Company American General Life Insurance Company Travelers Life and Annuity Insurance Company New York Life Insurance Company Metropolitan Life Insurance Company John Hancock Life Insurance Company United of Omaha Insurance Company Athene Annuity and Life Company Pacific Life Insurance Company Lincoln Life Assurance Company of Boston Other A.M. Best Rating Statement Value of Annuities Exceeding 1% of Statutory Surplus (in thousands) A+ A A A++ A+ A+ A+ A A+ A+ $ $ 16,489 14,462 9,758 9,120 6,701 6,536 5,141 4,363 4,010 3,698 18,997 99,275 Substantially all of the annuities are issued or guaranteed by life insurance companies that have an A.M. Best Company rating of “A” (Excellent) or better. The Company has operating and finance leases for office space and equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one month to 60 months, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to five years. The components of lease expense were as follows: Operating lease cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets Interest on lease liabilities Total finance lease cost Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows: Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases Operating cash flows from finance leases Financing cash flows from finance leases $ $ $ Year Ended December 31, 2019 2020 (in thousands) 160 $ 6 2 8 $ 164 62 4 66 Year Ended December 31, 2019 2020 (in thousands) (116) $ 4 50 430 46 47 Right-of-use assets obtained in the exchange for the lease obligations were as follows: Operating leases Finance leases December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) 56 $ 180 369 — $ 88 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: Operating leases: Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 314 $ 430 Other assets December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Classification (in thousands) Operating lease liabilities Finance leases: Finance lease right-of-use assets Finance lease accumulated amortization right-of-use assets $ $ Property and equipment, net $ 314 $ Accounts payable and other liabilities 430 365 $ 185 (185) 180 $ (179) 6 Property and equipment, net Finance lease liabilities $ 185 $ Accounts payable and other liabilities 54 Weighted average remaining lease term: Operating leases Finance leases Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases Finance leases December 31, 2020 2019 2.7 years 4.9 years 3.6 years 1.1 years 5.24% 3.30% 5.25 % 5.21 % The following is a maturity analysis of the annual undiscounted cash flows of the operating and finance lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total lease payments Less imputed interest Total $ Operating Leases Finance Leases (in thousands) 136 $ 120 75 6 — 337 23 314 $ 44 39 39 39 39 200 15 185 $ Rental expense was $0.2 million in each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. 17. Concentration of Operations The Company derives its premium revenues from its operations in the workers’ compensation insurance line of business. 89 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Net premiums earned during 2020, 2019 and 2018 for the top ten states in 2020 and all others are shown below: Georgia Florida Pennsylvania Louisiana North Carolina Illinois Virginia Wisconsin South Carolina Minnesota All others Total net premiums earned 2020 2019 2018 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent $ 37,926 34,617 24,340 22,668 17,338 14,802 14,041 12,263 11,270 11,057 104,105 $304,427 (Dollars in thousands) 12.5% $ 38,090 11.4% 39,936 8.0% 27,519 7.4% 24,782 5.7% 18,800 4.9% 16,929 4.6% 15,249 4.0% 13,388 3.7% 13,020 3.6% 13,399 34.2% 111,776 100.0% $332,888 11.4 % $ 40,351 12.0 % 39,672 8.3 % 31,708 7.4 % 25,810 5.7 % 19,537 5.1 % 19,710 4.6 % 15,228 4.0 % 14,101 3.9 % 13,924 4.0 % 12,900 33.6 % 117,385 100.0 % $ 350,326 11.5% 11.3% 9.1% 7.4% 5.6% 5.6% 4.3% 4.0% 4.0% 3.7% 33.5% 100.0% 18. Fair Values of Financial Instruments The Company determines fair value amounts for financial instruments using available third-party market information. When such information is not available, the Company determines the fair value amounts using appropriate valuation methodologies. Nonfinancial instruments such as real estate, property and equipment, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are excluded from the fair value disclosure. Cash and Cash Equivalents—The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values. Investments—The Company’s fixed maturity securities are priced by an independent pricing service. The prices provided by the independent pricing service are estimated based on observable market data in active markets utilizing pricing models and processes, which may include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, benchmark securities, bids, offers, sector groupings, matrix pricing and reference data. The Company reviews the prices provided by pricing services for reasonableness and compares them to prices provided by the Company’s custodian which uses different pricing services. Short Term Investments—The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair value. The following table summarizes the carrying or reported values and corresponding fair values for financial instruments: December 31, 2020 2019 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale Equity securities Short-term investments Cash and cash equivalents $ 585,130 $ 414,279 43,437 45,898 61,757 621,654 $ 599,421 $ 441,146 414,279 27,903 43,437 56,548 45,898 43,813 61,757 621,343 441,146 27,903 56,548 43,813 The Company carries available-for-sale securities and equity securities at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and determines fair value measurements and disclosure in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. 90 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard defines fair value, describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined in ASC Topic 820 as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability and, therefore, represents an exit price, not an entry price. Fair value is the exit price in the principal market (or, if lacking a principal market, the most advantageous market) in which the reporting entity would transact. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and, as such, is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The exit price objective of a fair value measurement applies regardless of the reporting entity’s intent and/or ability to sell the asset or transfer the liability at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present value amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset, also known as current replacement cost. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value are to be consistently applied. In ASC Topic 820, inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value (such as a pricing model) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable:   Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value are intended to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three levels:    Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs 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, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are to be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. The fair values of the Company’s investments are based upon prices provided by an independent pricing service. The Company has reviewed these prices for reasonableness and has not adjusted any prices received from the independent provider. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs represent assets whose fair value is determined based upon observable unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets. Level 2 securities represent assets whose fair value is determined using observable market information such as previous day trade prices, quotes from less active markets or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2020. 91 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Securities available-for-sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities Total securities available-for-sale—fixed maturity Equity securities: Domestic common stock Total Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Securities available-for-sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities Total securities available-for-sale—fixed maturity Equity securities: Domestic common stock Total December 31, 2020 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) $ — $ — — 29,786 29,786 276,542 $ 88,899 19,052 — 384,493 — $ — — — — 276,542 88,899 19,052 29,786 414,279 43,437 73,223 $ — 384,493 $ $ — — $ 43,437 457,716 December 31, 2019 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) $ — $ — — 40,126 40,126 237,775 $ 133,778 29,467 — 401,020 — $ — — — — 237,775 133,778 29,467 40,126 441,146 27,903 68,029 $ — 401,020 $ $ — — $ 27,903 469,049 Assets measured at amortized cost as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities Asset-backed securities Total held-to-maturity December 31, 2020 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) $ $ — $ — — 13,865 — 13,865 $ 526,821 $ 72,900 7,906 — 162 607,789 $ — $ — — — — — $ 526,821 72,900 7,906 13,865 162 621,654 92 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions Corporate bonds U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities U.S. Treasury securities Obligations of U.S. government agencies Asset-backed securities Total held-to-maturity December 31, 2019 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) $ $ — $ — — 7,873 — — 7,873 $ 485,647 $ 110,925 11,511 — 5,168 219 613,470 $ — $ — — — — — — $ 485,647 110,925 11,511 7,873 5,168 219 621,343 At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not hold any securities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis due to impairment. 19. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following table represents unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) on investments Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities Total revenues Income before income taxes Net income Earnings per share: Basic Diluted Comprehensive income Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share Cash dividends declared per common share 2019 Net premiums earned Net investment income Net realized gains (losses) on investments Net unrealized gains on equity securities Total revenues Income before income taxes Net income Earnings per share: Basic Diluted Comprehensive income Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share Cash dividends declared per common share $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 93 78,990 $ 7,749 992 (8,763) 79,169 13,241 10,800 0.56 $ 0.56 $ 12,284 — $ 0.27 $ 84,948 $ 8,015 59 2,158 95,190 23,809 19,400 1.01 $ 1.01 $ 25,193 — $ 0.25 $ 75,964 $ 7,324 163 5,570 89,082 29,391 23,948 1.24 $ 1.24 $ 29,431 — $ 0.27 $ 82,951 $ 8,169 (82) 642 91,753 22,169 17,890 0.93 $ 0.93 $ 23,068 — $ 0.25 $ 74,771 $ 7,063 309 844 83,005 28,669 23,353 1.21 $ 1.21 $ 24,087 — $ 0.27 $ 82,712 $ 8,264 (4 ) 365 91,488 26,613 21,386 1.11 $ 1.11 $ 23,862 — $ 0.25 $ 74,702 7,228 (332) 6,553 88,221 35,618 28,501 1.48 1.47 29,608 3.50 0.27 82,277 8,035 (53) 1,593 91,939 42,926 34,014 1.77 1.76 33,610 3.50 0.25 AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2020 20. Capital Management The Company’s Board of Directors initiated a share repurchase program in February 2010. In October 2016, the Board reauthorized this program with a limit of $25.0 million with no expiration date. There were no shares repurchased under this program in 2020. Since the beginning of this plan, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,258,250 shares for $22.4 million, or an average price of $17.78, including commissions. In 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors initiated a regular quarterly dividend. During 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share compared to $0.25 per share in 2019, and $0.22 per share in 2018. The Company declared extraordinary dividends totaling $3.50 per share in each of 2020, 2019 and 2018. 21. Subsequent Events On February 23, 2021 the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share payable on March 26, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 12, 2021. The Board considers the payment of a regular cash dividend each calendar quarter. 94 December 31, 2020 2019 (in thousands) $ 361 $ — 7,259 11,503 9,676 384,774 413,573 23,562 2,140 1,605 2,705 1,420 445,005 $ 6,095 94 6,189 438,816 445,005 $ 7,216 11,779 17,967 379,001 415,963 10,551 2,781 1,720 2,798 804 434,617 4,230 172 4,402 430,215 434,617 Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS Assets: Investments: Fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity, at amortized cost net of allowance for credit losses of $0 in 2020 and 2019, (fair value $361 and $0, in 2020 and 2019, respectively) Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $7,210 in 2020 and 2019) Equity securities, at fair value (cost $10,007 in 2020 and 2019) Short-term investments Investment in subsidiaries Total investments Cash and cash equivalents Notes receivable from subsidiaries Property and equipment, net Federal income tax recoverable Other assets Total assets Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities: Accounts payable and other liabilities Deferred income taxes Total liabilities $ Shareholders' equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2020 and 2019) Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 95 Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant – (Continued) AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Revenues Net investment income Net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities Fee and other income Total revenues Expenses Other operating costs Total expenses Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries Income tax expense (benefit) Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries Equity in net income of subsidiaries Net income 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ $ 944 $ (276) 9,122 9,790 9,122 9,122 668 259 409 86,193 86,602 $ 915 $ 1,977 5,352 8,244 8,244 8,244 — 376 (376) 93,066 92,690 $ 1,089 (948) 7,389 7,530 7,530 7,530 — (36) 36 71,596 71,632 96 Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant – (Continued) AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Purchases of investments Proceeds from sales of investments Purchases of property and equipment Dividends from subsidiary Net cash provided by investing activities Financing activities Proceeds from stock option exercises Finance lease purchases Dividends to shareholders Net cash used in financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 2020 Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands) 2018 $ 6,012 $ 2,333 $ 2,448 (10,982) 18,970 (764) 88,600 95,824 — (50) (88,775) (88,825) 13,011 10,551 23,562 $ (27,140) 1,987 (995) 115,900 89,752 20 (47) (87,016) (87,043) 5,042 5,509 10,551 $ (47,825) 54,600 (1,041) 65,400 71,134 67 — (84,491) (84,424) (10,842) 16,351 5,509 $ 97 Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property—Casualty Insurance Operations AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Reserves for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Unearned Premium Net Premiums Earned Net Investment Income Loss and LAE Related to Current Period Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Net Premiums Written 2020 2019 2018 $ 17,810 $ 19,048 19,734 760,561 $ 129,260 $ 304,427 $ 772,887 140,873 332,888 798,409 149,296 350,326 (in thousands) 29,364 $ 220,710 $ (63,484) $ 32,483 241,344 (65,002) 30,452 250,487 (45,596) (41,583 ) $ 179,916 $ 292,814 (44,558 ) 189,991 324,465 (45,769 ) 200,654 342,352 98 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. None. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms specified by the SEC. We note that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving the stated goals under all potential future conditions. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management used the criteria described in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on management’s assessment under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has audited the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, as stated in their report included herein. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Limitations on Controls Because of its inherent limitations, management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can only provide reasonable, not absolute assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to errors or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any within the Company, have been detected. 99 To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of AMERISAFE, Inc. and subsidiaries Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited AMERISAFE, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, AMERISAFE, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2020 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Philadelphia, PA February 26, 2021 Item 9B. Other Information. None. 100 Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. The information required by Item 10 with respect to our executive officers is included in Part I of this report. PART III The information required by Item 10 with respect to our directors is incorporated by reference to the information included under the caption “Election of Directors” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. We plan to file our Proxy Statement within 120 days after December 31, 2020, the end of our fiscal year. The information required by Item 10 with respect to our audit committee and our audit committee financial expert is incorporated by reference to the information included under the caption “The Board, Its Committees and Its Compensation—Audit Committee” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The information required by Item 10 with respect to our code of business conduct and ethics for executive and financial officers and directors is posted on our website at www.amerisafe.com in the Investor Relations section under “Corporate Governance— Governance Documents—Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.” We will post information regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, our code of business conduct and ethics on our website in the Investor Relations section under Corporate Governance. Item 11. Executive Compensation. The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to the information included under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “The Board, Its Committees, and Its Compensation—Director Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Committee Report” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the information included under the captions “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Holders” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. The information required by Item 13 with respect to certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated by reference to the information included under the caption “Executive Compensation—Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The information required by Item 13 with respect to director independence is incorporated by reference to the information included under the caption “The Board, Its Committees and Its Compensation—Director Independence” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. The information required by Item 14 with respect to the fees and services of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, and the audit committee’s pre-approved policies and procedures, are incorporated by reference to the information included under the caption “Independent Public Accountants” in our Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 101 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. The following consolidated financial statements and schedules are filed in Item 8 of Part II of this report: Financial Statements: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ........................................................................................................... Consolidated Balance Sheets .......................................................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Income ................................................................................................................................................ Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income ...................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity ....................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ......................................................................................................................................... Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ................................................................................................................................... Financial Statement Schedules: Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant ......................................................................................................... Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations ..................................................... 55 57 58 59 60 61 62 95 98 Page (Schedules I, III, IV and V are not applicable and have been omitted.) 102 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibits: 3.1 3.2 Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of AMERISAFE, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 6, 2010) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2010) 4.1 Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered 10.1* 10.2* 10.3* 10.4* 10.5* 10.6* 10.7* 10.8* 10.9* Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated March 4, 2015 by and between the Company and G. Janelle Frost (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 5, 2015) Employment Agreement, dated January 15, 2013 by and between the Company and Vincent J. Gagliano (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 6, 2013) Employment Agreement effective as of September 15, 2015 by and between the Company and Neal Fuller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 31, 2015) Employment Agreement effective as of March 1, 2016 by and between the Company and Kathryn H. Shirley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed April 29, 2016) Employment Agreement effective as of May 20, 2019 by and between the Company and Andrew McCray (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 3, 2019) AMERISAFE, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-127133), filed October 31, 2005) Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement for the AMERISAFE, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Amendment No. 3 (File No. 333-127133), filed October 31, 2005) AMERISAFE, Inc. 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Company's Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 28, 2017) Form of 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Long-Term Incentive Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 27, 2015) 10.10* AMERISAFE, Inc. 2018 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 27, 2018) 10.11* Form of 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 28, 2014) 10.12* Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2010) 10.13* Form of Annual Incentive Compensation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 26, 2016) 10.14 10.15 10.16 Second Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2012 issued to the Company by the reinsurers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 9, 2012) Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract, effective as of January 1, 2014, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 27, 2015) Casualty Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract, effective as of January 1, 2016, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 26, 2016) 103 Exhibits: 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 21.1 Casualty Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2017, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 24, 2017) Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2017, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 24, 2017) Casualty Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2018, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named herein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 28, 2018) Casualty Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2019, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named herein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 28, 2019) Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2020, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named herein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 25, 2020) Casualty Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2020, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named herein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 25, 2020) Casualty Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract effective as of January 1, 2021, issued to the Company by the reinsurers named herein Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed February 26, 2016) 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP 24.1 Powers of Attorney for our directors and certain executive officers 31.1 Certification of G. Janelle Frost filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 31.2 Certification of Neal A. Fuller filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification of G. Janelle Frost and Neal A. Fuller filed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 101.INS XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) * Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement Item 16. Form 10-K Summary. Not applicable. 104 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on February 26, 2021. SIGNATURES AMERISAFE, INC. By: /s/ G. Janelle Frost G. Janelle Frost President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 26, 2021. /s/ G. Janelle Frost G. Janelle Frost /s/ Neal A. Fuller Neal A. Fuller * Jared A. Morris * Michael J. Brown * Teri G. Fontenot * Philip A. Garcia * Millard E. Morris * Randall Roach * Sean Traynor President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Chairman and Director Director Director Director Director Director Director Kathryn H. Shirley, by signing her name hereto, does hereby sign this Annual Report on Form 10-K on behalf of the above- named directors of AMERISAFE, Inc. on this 26th day of February 2021, pursuant to powers of attorney executed on behalf of such directors and contemporaneously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. *By: /s/ Kathryn H. Shirley Kathryn H. Shirley, Attorney-in-Fact 105 SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on AMERISAFE’s common stock with the S&P Small Cap 600 Index and the S&P Property & Casualty Insurance Index, assuming an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2015, and the reinvestment of all dividends, if any. AMERISAFE, Inc. Total Return Performance AMERISAFE, Inc. S&P SmallCap 600 Index S&P 600 Property & Casualty Insurance Index 200 150 100 l e u a V x e d n I 50 12/31/15 12/31/16 12/31/17 12/31/18 12/31/19 12/31/20 Index 12/31/15 12/31/16 12/31/17 12/31/18 12/31/19 12/31/20 AMERISAFE, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 130.43 138.07 136.44 169.79 159.46 S&P SmallCap 600 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 126.56 143.30 131.15 161.03 179.20 S&P 600 Property & Casualty Insurance Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100.00 115.71 141.61 134.97 169.88 181.70 Period Ending Executive Officers G. JANELLE FROST President, Chief Executive Officer and Director NEAL A. FULLER Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer VINCENT J. GAGLIANO Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer ANDREW B. McCRAY Executive Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer KATHRYN H. SHIRLEY Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Secretary Directors Jared A. Morris (1)(2)(3)(4) Michael J. Brown (1)(2)(4) Teri G. Fontenot (1)(3)(4) G. Janelle Frost (4) Philip A. Garcia (1)(2)(4) Millard E. Morris (4) Randall E. Roach (2)(3)(4) Sean M. Traynor (2)(3)(4) Securities Traded NASDAQ Global Select Market Symbol: AMSF Corporate Headquarters 2301 Highway 190 West DeRidder, LA 70634 (337) 463-9052 www.amerisafe.com Independent Accountants Ernst & Young LLP (1) (2) (3) (4) Audit Committee member Compensation Committee member Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee member Risk Committee member Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting will be held on June 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at AMERISAFE’s corporate headquarters. A proxy statement will be sent to shareholders on or about May 4, 2021. Registrar and Transfer Agent Computershare P.O. Box 505000 Louisville, KY 40233-5000 (800) 962-4284

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