We are subject to risks related to Accession’s business and assumed its insurance policies and other obligations.
Accession’s ownership of one or more captive insurance companies subjects us to underwriting risk through such ownership and/or participation and may also subject us to certain liabilities and expenses, including those subject to the indemnification provisions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Accession, the Company, Encore Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and Kelso RSC (Investor), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, solely in its capacity as the equityholder representative. Accession also manages one or more protected cells in certain captive insurance companies for the purpose of facilitating underwriting capacity for certain of its customers. While Accession’s underwriting risk through any such captive insurance company would generally be limited (absent any regulatory requirement for the contribution of additional capital or contractual obligation to fund any underwriting losses in excess of contributed capital), we may be subject to claims expenses associated with any losses from these customers or programs to the extent not covered by any reinsurance. Our results of operations may be negatively impacted if any such captive insurance company incurs claims expenses.
Relatedly, we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation pending against Accession’s subsidiary, Oxford Risk Management Group LLC, with respect to the 2024 restructuring of the domicile of certain financial guarantee and final judgment preservation policies for segregated captive cells (the “FG Policies”), including remedies, damage awards or adverse results in such litigation, and any similar proceedings could have a material adverse effect on us. Our results of operations would be negatively impacted if the costs of the claims relating to the FG Policies exceed the value of the cash within the captives, as well as the cash and stock held in the indemnity escrow fund pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.
In addition, Accession has an advisory services business that assists certain customers with the establishment of captive insurance companies, for their own purposes, which leverage the benefits of Section 831(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and which are subject to audit and oversight from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS has conducted investigations, and may be conducting investigations, of certain peers of Accession that also provide similar services, with respect to whether or not such third parties are acting as a tax shelter promoter in connection with those operations. If the IRS were to disallow 831(b) elections, modify its guidance around 831(b) elections, or otherwise investigate our business and conclude that we are not in compliance with IRS regulations, whether or not merited, those events could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Furthermore, where our businesses overlap, any risks we face may be intensified due to the Transaction. This may exacerbate the risks we already undertake, as described in this Item 1A.
Risks Related to Our Business