(a) Critical accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions

The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of estimates and judgments 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 year. Although these estimates and judgments are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.

Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Following are the accounting judgments and estimates that are critical in preparation of these financial statements:

i) The ultimate liability arising from claims made under insurance contracts

The estimation of the ultimate liability arising from claims made under insurance contracts is the Company’s most critical accounting estimate. There are several sources of uncertainty that need to be considered in the estimate of the liability that the Company will ultimately pay for such claims. Estimates are made at the end of the reporting year both for the expected ultimate cost of claim reported and for the expected ultimate costs of claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Liabilities for unpaid reported claims are estimated using the input of assessments for individual cases reported to the Company. At the end of each reporting year, prior year claims estimates are reassessed for adequacy and changes are made to the provision.

The provision for claims incurred but not reported (IBNR) is an estimation of claims which are expected to be reported subsequent to the date of statement of financial position, for which the insured event has occurred prior to the date of statement of financial position. The primary technique adopted by management in estimating the cost of notified and IBNR claims, is that of using the past claims settlement trends to predict future claims settlement trends. A range of methods such as Chain Ladder Method, Bornhuetter-Ferguson Method and Expected Loss Ratio Method are used by the actuaries to determine these provisions. Actuary had also used a segmentation approach including analyzing cost per member per year for medical line of business. Underlying these methods are a number of explicit or implicit assumptions relating to the expected settlement amount and settlement patterns of claims.

ii) Impairment of financial assets

The Company determines that financial assets are impaired when there has been a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the financial assets below its cost. The determination of what is significant or prolonged requires judgment. Generally, a period of twelve months or longer is considered to be prolonged and a decline of 30% from original cost is considered significant as per Company policy. In making this judgment, the Company evaluates among other factors, the normal volatility in share price, the financial health of the investee, industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flows.

iii) Impairment of receivables

A provision for impairment of receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and default or delinquency in payments are considered indicators that the receivable is impaired.

iv) Fair value of financial instruments

Fair values of available-for-sale investments are based on quoted prices for marketable securities or estimated fair values. The fair value of commission-bearing items is estimated based on discounted cash flows using commission for items with similar terms and risk characteristics.

(d) Critical accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions (continued)

iv) Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

The fair value of financial instruments where no active market exists or where quoted prices are not otherwise available are determined by using valuation techniques. In these cases the fair values are estimated from observable data in respect of similar financial instruments or using models. Where market observable inputs are not available, they are estimated if required, based on appropriate assumptions. If required to estimate, certain valuation techniques are applied. Where valuation techniques are used to determine fair values, they are validated and periodically reviewed by qualified personnel independent of those that sourced them. All models are certified before they are used, and models are calibrated to ensure that outputs reflect actual data and comparative market prices. To the extent practical, models use only observable data; however, areas such as credit risk (both own credit risk and counterparty risk), volatilities and correlations require management to make estimates.

b) Standards, interpretations and amendments to published standards that will be effective for the years commencing on or after January 1, 2019 and have not been early adopted by the Company (continued)

The Company’s management decided not to choose the early adoption of the following new and amended standards and interpretations issued which will become effective for the year commencing after January 1, 2019;

The implementation of IFRS 9 is expected to result in a significant portion of financial assets currently classified as available-for-sale being re-classified at fair value through profit or loss or fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI). Credit allowances for financial assets carried at amortized cost and debt securities measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in OCI, are expected to increase due to the introduction of the expected credit loss methodology. The Company will avail of the exemptions available to insurers and is considering deferring the implementation of IFRS 9 until a later date, but no later than January 1, 2021. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 on the Company’s financial information will, to a large extent, have to take into account the interaction with the forthcoming insurance contracts standard. At the date of publication of these financial information, it was not practicable to quantify what the potential impact would be on the financial statements once IFRS 9 will be adopted.

IFRS 16 – “Leases”, applicable for the year beginning on or after 1 January 2019. The new standard eliminates the current dual accounting model for lessees under IAS 17, which distinguishes between on-balance sheet finance leases and off-balance sheet operating leases. Instead, IFRS 16 proposes on-balance sheet accounting model. The management believes that the adoption of IFRS 16 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial information.

IFRS 17 ‘Insurance contracts’ was published on May 18, 2017 with the effective date of 1 January 2022. IFRS 17 provides comprehensive guidance on accounting for insurance contracts and investment contracts with discretionary participation features. For non-life and short-term life insurance contracts IFRS 17 introduces mandatory discounting of loss reserves as well as a risk adjustment for non-financial risk, for which confidence level equivalent disclosure will be required. Further, IFRS 17 will change the presentation of insurance contract revenue, as gross premium written will no longer be presented in profit or loss. At the date of publication of these financial information, it was not practicable to quantify what the potential impact would be on the financial information once IFRS 17 will be adopted.

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments effective for annual year on or after January 1, 2019.

Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures (Amendments to IAS 28) effective for annual year on or after January 1, 2019.

Plan Amendments, Curtailment or Settlement (Amendments to IAS 19) effective for annual year on or after January 1, 2019.

Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015–2017 Cycle (Amendments to IFRS 3, IFRS 11, IAS 12 and IAS 23) effective for annual year on or after January 1, 2019.

Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture (Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28) available for early adoption /effective date deferred indefinitely.

Amendment to references to conceptual framework in IFRS standards effective for annual year on or after January 1, 2020.

a) Insurance contracts

The Company issues insurance contracts that transfer insurance risk. Insurance contracts are those contracts where the insurer accepts significant insurance risk from the policyholder by agreeing to compensate the policyholder if a specified uncertain future event adversely affects the policyholder. As a general guideline, the Company determines whether it has significant insurance risk, by comparing benefits paid with benefits payable if the insured event did not occur.

b) Revenue Recognition

Recognition of premium and commission revenue

Premiums and commission are recorded in the statement of income based on 365 days pro rata method except for long term polices (construction and engineering) and marine cargo. Unearned premiums are calculated on a straight line method over the insurance policy coverage except for:

Last three months premium at a reporting date is considered as unearned in respect of marine cargo;

Pre-defined calculation for Engineering class of business for risks undertaken that extend beyond a single year. In accordance with this calculation, lower premiums are earned in the first year which gradually increases towards the end of the tenure of the policy; and

Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written relating to the unexpired period of coverage. The change in the provision for unearned premium is taken to the statement of income in the same order that revenue is recognised over the period of risk.

Reinsurance assumed

The Company also assumes reinsurance risk in the normal course of business. Premiums and claims on assumed reinsurance are recognised as revenue or expenses in the same manner as they would be if the reinsurance were considered direct business, taking into account the product classification of the reinsured business. Reinsurance liabilities represent balances due to insurance companies. Amounts payable are estimated in a manner consistent with the related reinsurance contract. Premiums and claims are presented on a gross basis for both ceded and assumed reinsurance. Reinsurance assets or liabilities are derecognised when the contractual rights are extinguished or expire or when the contract is transferred to another party.

Reinsurance contracts that do not transfer significant insurance risk are accounted for directly through the statement of financial position. These are deposit assets or financial liabilities that are recognised based on the consideration paid or received less any explicit identified premiums or fees to be retained by the reinsured.

Commission income

Commission income on time deposits and held-to-maturity investments is recognized on a time proportion basis using the effective interest rate method.

Dividend income

Dividend income on equity instruments classified under available for sale investments is recognized when the right to receive payment is established.

a) Claims

Claims consist of amounts payable to policyholders and third parties and related loss adjustment expenses, net of salvage and other recoveries.

Gross outstanding claims comprise the gross estimated cost of claims incurred but not settled at the statement of financial position date together with related claims handling costs, whether reported by the insured or not. Provisions for reported claims not paid as of the statement of financial position date are made on the basis of individual case estimates. In addition, a provision based on management’s judgment and the Company’s prior experience is maintained for the cost of settling claims incurred but not reported including related claims handling costs at the statement of financial position date.

The outstanding claims are shown on a gross basis and the related share of the reinsurers is shown separately. Further, the Company does not discount its liability for unpaid claims as substantially all claims are expected to be paid within one year of the statement of financial position date.

b) Salvage and subrogation reimbursement

Some insurance contracts permit the Company to sell (usually damaged) assets acquired in settling a claim (for example, salvage). The Company may also have the right to pursue third parties for payment of some or all costs (for example, subrogation).

Estimates of salvage recoveries are included as an allowance in the measurement of the outstanding claims liability. The allowance is the amount that can reasonably be recovered from the disposal of the asset.

Subrogation reimbursements are also considered as an allowance in the measurement of the outstanding claims liability. The allowance is the assessment of the amount that can be recovered from the third party.

c) Reinsurance contracts held

Reinsurance is distributed between treaty, facultative, stop loss and excess of loss reinsurance contracts. Contracts entered into by the Company with reinsurers under which the Company is compensated for losses on one or more contracts issued by the Company and that meet the classification requirements for insurance contracts in Note 3(c) are classified as reinsurance contracts held. Contracts that do not meet these classification requirements are classified as financial assets. Insurance contracts entered into by the Company under which the contract holder is another insurer (inwards reinsurance) are included with insurance contracts. An asset or liability is recorded in the statement of financial position - insurance operations’ representing payments due from reinsurers, the share of losses recoverable from reinsurers and premiums due to reinsurers. Amounts receivable from reinsurance is estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the insured parties. Reinsurance assets or liabilities are derecognised when the contractual rights are extinguished or expire or when the contract is transferred to another party.

An impairment review is performed at each reporting date or more frequently when an indication of impairment arises during the reporting year. Impairment occurs when objective evidence exists that the Company may not recover outstanding amounts under the terms of the contract and when the impact on the amounts that the Company will receive from the reinsurer can be measured reliably. The impairment loss is recorded in the statement of income as incurred. For details please refer 3(o).

Ceded reinsurance arrangements do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Premiums and claims on assumed reinsurance are recognised as income and expenses in the same manner as they would be if the reinsurance were considered direct business, taking into account the product classification of the reinsured business.

a) Deferred policy acquisition costs

Commissions and other costs directly related to the acquisition and renewal of insurance contracts are deferred and amortized over the terms of the insurance contracts to which they relate, similar to premiums earned. All other acquisition costs are recognized as an expense when incurred. Amortization is recorded in the “Policy acquisition costs” in the statement of income.

Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the amortization period and are treated as a change in accounting estimate.

An impairment review is performed at each reporting date or more frequently when an indication of impairment arises. If the assumptions relating to future profitability of these policies are not realized, the amortization of these costs could be accelerated and this may also require additional impairment write-offs in the statement of income. Deferred policy acquisition costs are also considered in the liability adequacy test at each reporting date.

b) Liability adequacy test

At each statement of financial position date, liability adequacy tests are performed to ensure the adequacy of the insurance contracts liabilities net of related deferred policy acquisition costs. In performing these tests, management uses current best estimates of future contractual cash flows and claims handling and administration expenses. Any deficiency in the carrying amounts is immediately charged to the statement of income by establishing a provision for losses arising from liability adequacy tests accordingly.

c) Receivables

Premiums receivable are stated at gross written premiums receivable from insurance contracts, less an allowance for any uncollectible amounts. Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable are recognised when due and measured on initial recognition at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. The carrying value of receivable is reviewed for impairment and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, the impairment loss is recorded in “Other operating expenses” in the statement of income. Receivable balances are derecognised when the Company no longer controls the contractual rights that comprise the receivable balance, which is normally the case when the receivable balance is sold, settled or all the cash flows attributable to the balance are passed through to an independent third party. Receivables disclosed in note 8 fall under the scope of IFRS 4 “Insurance contracts”.

d) Investments - available for sale

Available-for-sale financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are neither classified as held for trading or held to maturity or loans and receivables, nor are designated at fair value through profit or loss. Such investments are initially recorded at cost, being the fair value of the consideration given including transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of the investment and subsequently measured at fair value. Cumulative changes in fair value of such investments are recognized in other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income under “Net change in fair value – Available for sale investments”. Realized gains or losses on sale of these investments are reported in the related statements of income under “Realized gain / (loss) on investments available for sale investments.”

Dividend, commission income and foreign currency gain/(loss) on available-for-sale investments are recognized in the related statements of income or statement of comprehensive income, as part of the net investment income / loss.

Any significant or prolonged decline in fair value of available-for-sale investments is adjusted for and reported in the statement of income, as an impairment charge.

k) Investments - available for sales (continued)

Fair values of available-for-sale investments are based on quoted prices for marketable securities or estimated fair values. The fair value of commission-bearing items is estimated based on discounted cash flows using commission for items with similar terms and risk characteristics.

For unquoted investments, fair value is determined by reference to the market value of a similar investment or where the fair values cannot be derived from active markets, they are determined using a variety of valuation techniques. The input to these models is taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgment is required in establishing fair values.

Reclassification:

The Company evaluates whether the ability and intention to sell its AFS financial assets in the near term is still appropriate. When, in rare circumstances, the Company is unable to trade these financial assets due to inactive markets, the Company may elect to reclassify these financial assets if management has the ability and intention to hold the assets for the foreseeable future or until maturity. Reclassification to loans and receivables is permitted when the financial asset meets the definition of loans and receivables and management has the intention and ability to hold these assets for the foreseeable future or until maturity. The reclassification to HTM is permitted only when the entity has the ability and intention to hold the financial asset until maturity. For a financial asset reclassified out of the available-for-sale category, the fair value at the date of reclassification becomes its new amortised cost and any previous gain or loss on that asset that has been recognised in equity is amortised to profit or loss over the remaining life of the investment using the EIR. Any difference between the new amortised cost and the maturity amount is also amortised over the remaining life of the asset using the Effective Interest Rate “EIR”. If the asset is subsequently determined to be impaired, then the amount recorded in equity is reclassified to the statement of income.

a) De-recognition of financial instruments

The derecognition of a financial instrument takes place when the Company no longer controls the contractual rights that comprise the financial instrument, which is normally the case when the instrument is sold, or all the cash flows attributable to the instrument are passed through to an independent third party and the Company has also transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.

b) Offsetting

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the statement of financial position only when there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liability simultaneously. Income and expense is not offset in the statement of comprehensive income unless required or permitted by any accounting standard or interpretation.

c) Trade date accounting

All regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized / derecognized on the trade date (i.e. the date that the Company commits to purchase or sell the assets). Regular way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of financial assets that require settlement of assets within the time frame generally established by regulation or convention in the market place.

d) Impairment of financial assets

The Company assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. An impairment exists if one or more events that has occurred since the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred ‘loss event’), has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

o) Impairment of financial assets (continued)

Evidence of impairment may include:

- Significant financial difficulty of the issuer or debtor;

- A breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in payments;

- It becoming probable that the issuer or debtor will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization;

- The disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties; or

- Observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flow from a group of financial assets since the initial recognition of those assets, although the decrease cannot yet be identified with the individual financial assets in the Company, including:

adverse changes in the payment status of issuers or debtors in the Company; or

national or local economic conditions at the country of the issuers that correlate with defaults on the assets.

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on a financial asset exists, the impairment is determined as follows:

- For assets carried at fair value, impairment is the significant or prolong decline in the fair value of the financial asset.

- For assets carried at amortized cost, impairment is based on estimated future cash flows that are discounted at the original effective commission rate.

For available-for-sale financial assets, the Company assesses at each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that an investment or a group of investments is impaired.

For equity investments held as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in fair value below its cost represents objective evidence of impairment. The determination of what is significant or prolonged requires judgment. The impairment loss cannot be reversed through statement of income as long as the asset continues to be recognised i.e. any increase in fair value after impairment has been recorded can only be recognised in other comprehensive income. On derecognition, any cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is included in the statement of income under “Gain / (loss) on available for sale investments.

The determination of what is ‘significant’ or ‘prolonged’ requires judgement. In making this judgement, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the duration or extent to which the fair value of an investment is less than its cost.

a) Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the statement of income during the financial year in which they are incurred. The cost of other items of property and equipment is depreciated on the straight line method to allocate the cost over estimated useful lives, as follows:

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate. The carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment when event or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists and where the carrying values exceed the estimated recoverable amount, the assets are written down to their recoverable amount.

p) Property and equipment (continued)

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are included in “Other income, net” in the statement of income.

a) Intangible assets

Separately acquired intangible assets (Computer software) are shown at historical cost. They have a finite useful life and are subsequent carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. The Company amortises intangible assets with a limited useful life using straight-line method over the period of 4 years.

b) Leases

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the Company as lessee are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to statement of income with in operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

c) Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful life – for example, land – are not subject to depreciation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets that are subject to depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units).

d) Provisions, accrued expenses and other liabilities

Provisions are recognised when the Company has an obligation (legal or constructive) arising from past events, and the costs to settle the obligation are both probable and may be measured reliably. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses. Liabilities are recognised for amounts to be paid in the future for goods or services received, whether billed by the supplier or not.

e) Employees’ end-of-service benefits

The Company operates an end of service benefit plan for its employees based on the prevailing Saudi Labor Laws. Accruals are made at the present value of expected future payments in respect of services provided by the employees up to the end of the reporting period using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and period of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the end of the reporting period of high-quality corporate bonds like dollar denominated KSA Sovereign Bonds with terms and currencies that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows. The benefit payments obligation is discharged as and when it falls due. Re-measurements (actuarial gains/ losses) as a result of experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognised in statement of comprehensive income.

f) Zakat and income tax

The Company is subject to zakat and tax in accordance with the regulations of the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (“GAZT”). Zakat is computed on the Saudi shareholders’ share of equity or net income using the basis defined under the Zakat regulations. Income taxes are computed on the foreign shareholders share of net adjusted income for the year. Additional amounts payable, if any, at the finalization of final assessments are accounted for when such amounts are determined. Zakat and income tax is accrued on a quarterly basis. Effective January 1, 2017, based on the Circular issued by SAMA, the Company amended its accounting policy to charge zakat and tax directly into retained earnings in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity instead of statement of income.