Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies A.Description of Business Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Company”), an insurance holding company, is a Delaware corporation that was organized in 2006. It is a specialty insurance company operating in one segment delivering commercial property and casualty products insurance coverages through its underwriting divisions. The Company has four wholly owned insurance company subsidiaries based in the United States: •Great Midwest Insurance Company (“GMIC”) underwrites insurance on an admitted basis and is a certified surety bond company listed with the U.S. Department of the Treasury. •Houston Specialty Insurance Company (“HSIC”), a subsidiary of GMIC, underwrites insurance on a non-admitted basis. •Imperium Insurance Company (“IIC”), a subsidiary of HSIC, underwrites insurance on an admitted basis. •Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company (“OSIC”), a subsidiary of IIC, underwrites insurance on a non-admitted basis. The Company has a wholly owned captive reinsurance company subsidiary, Skyward Re, that is domiciled in the Cayman Islands and assumed net reserves for certain divisions, related to a retroactive reinsurance contract, from the Company’s insurance companies and retroceded the net reserves to a third-party reinsurer. The Company has three non-risk bearing wholly owned subsidiaries, (i) Skyward Underwriters Agency, Inc. (“SUA”),a managing general insurance agent and reinsurance broker for property and casualty risks in specialty niche markets, (ii) Skyward Service Company an entity which provides various administrative services to the Company’s subsidiaries, and (iii) Skyward Specialty No. 1 Limited, a Lloyd’s corporate member authorized to invest in Lloyd’s syndicates. B. Basis of Presentation The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which differ in some respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the holding company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company’s actual results could differ from those estimates. C. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and fixed maturity securities with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. D. Restricted Cash Cash with a legal restriction on withdrawal or use by the consolidated group is recorded as restricted cash. The carrying value of the Company’s restricted cash approximates fair value. SUA collects premiums from clients, and after deducting commissions and any applicable fees, remits these premiums to the Company’s insurance companies, or to third-party insurance companies. SUA holds unremitted insurance premiums in a fiduciary capacity to third-party insurance companies, as restricted cash. The Company is required by state regulations to maintain assets on deposit with certain states and hold cash as collateral for certain reinsurance balances. Cash held in a depository account for others, or restricted by a state, is recorded as restricted cash. E. Investments Available for Sale Investments in fixed maturities that are classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. For available-for-sale fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first determines whether there is an intent to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery of its cost basis. If either of these criteria are met, the amortized cost of the security is written down to fair value with the losses recognized in net investment gains on the consolidated statements of operations. If neither of the these criteria are met, the Company determines whether unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors. If the unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors, an allowance for credit losses is determined using a present value of cash flows compared to the amortized cost of the security. The allowance for credit losses is limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations. Credit losses that are limited by the fair value of the security are recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Unrealized losses that are not credit-related continue to be recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Held to maturity Investments in fixed maturity securities that are held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate from Moody’s multi-year cumulative loss rates for asset backed securities. The historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations. Equity securities with a readily determinable fair value Equity securities consists of common stock or preferred stock. Mutual funds, including those that invest mostly in debt securities, are classified as equity securities. Investments in equity securities with a readily determinable fair value are carried on the balance sheet at fair value using quoted market prices. Changes in the carrying value of equity securities are included in net investment (losses) gains within the consolidated statements of operations. Mortgage loans Investments in mortgage loans are classified as held for investment and carried on the balance sheet at cost adjusted for unamortized premiums, discounts and loan fees. When an amount is determined to be uncollectible, the Company writes off the uncollectible amount in the period it was determined to be uncollectible. Interest on the loans is recognized as interest receivable which the Company includes in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company elected the fair value option in accounting for mortgage loans effective January 1, 2023 as targeted transition relief from the adoption of ASU 2016-13. Under the fair value option, mortgage loans are measured at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses on mortgage loans are reported in net investment (losses) gains on the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income and amortization continue to be recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations. Equity method investments Equity method investments include investments in equity and equity securities of non-public entities and indirect investments in loans and loan collateral. The Company has equity investments in certain limited partnerships and corporations where it has significant influence but not control. The analysis of entities that are variable interest entities indicated the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and would not have to consolidate these entities. Equity method is used to account for these investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries. Under the equity method, initial investment is recorded at cost and is subsequently adjusted based on its proportionate share of distributions and net income or loss of the equity method investee. The difference between the cost of an investment and its proportionate share of the underlying equity in net assets recorded on the investee’s books is a component of investment income. The Company amortizes the difference as an adjustment to its pro-rata share of equity method income over the useful life which is based on the underlying asset. The Company does not have significant influence in its investments in equity securities of non-public entities. When these securities do not have a readily determinable fair value, the Company carries these investments at cost, minus impairment, if any, and changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Investments in indirect collateralized loans and loan collateral are held through and accounted for as an ownership interest in an unconsolidated subsidiary. The Company’s ownership interests in unconsolidated subsidiaries consists of investments in entities such as partnerships, joint ventures, and special purpose investment vehicles. The Company has significant influence, but not control of these unconsolidated subsidiaries and uses the equity method to account for these investments. Other long-term investments Other long-term investments consist of an investment in a limited partnership held at net asset value (“NAV”) and other long-term investment securities. Short-Term Investments Short-term investments consist primarily of money market funds and are carried at cost which approximates fair value. Net Investment Income and Net Realized Gains and Losses Net investment income consists of interest, dividends and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated subsidiaries net of investment expenses such as investment management expenses. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis, and dividends as earned at the ex-dividend date. Interest income on mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities is recognized using the effective-yield method based on estimated principal repayments. Included in interest income is the amortization of premium and accretion of discounts on debt securities. Net realized gains and losses on investments are recognized in net income based upon the specific identification method. F. Reinsurance Reinsurance Accounting In the normal course of business, the Company purchases prospective reinsurance for certain lines of business on a proportional, excess of loss and facultative basis. Proportional reinsurance requires the Company to share the losses and expenses with the reinsurer in exchange for a share of the premiums. Excess of loss reinsurance shares losses, either a proportion of or in its entirety, above a certain dollar threshold, in exchange for a negotiated cost. Facultative reinsurance covers specific risks and/or policies on either a proportional or excess of loss basis. Ceded unearned premium and reinsurance balances recoverable—on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses—are reported separately as assets, instead of netting them with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to its policyholders. Reinsurance on unpaid losses and settlement expenses represent estimates of the portion of the liabilities recoverable from reinsurers. On the Consolidated Statements of Operations, net earned premiums, losses and loss adjustment expenses, net and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses are presented net of reinsurance ceded. The Company purchases retroactive reinsurance on certain lines of business in the form of loss portfolio transfers (“LPT”) and adverse development covers. These contracts provide indemnification of losses related to past loss events where the reinsurer shares losses, either a proportion of or in its entirety, depending on certain dollar thresholds. Income generated from retroactive reinsurance contracts is deferred and amortized into net income over the settlement period and losses are charged to net income immediately. Subsequent changes in the measurement of the retroactive reinsurance contract are accounted for under a full retrospective method. Deposit Accounting Certain ceded reinsurance contracts, which management determines do not transfer significant insurance risk, are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. The evaluation of the transfer of significant insurance risk involves an assessment of both timing risk and underwriting risk. Management may determine that a reinsurance contract does not transfer significant insurance risk if either underwriting risk or timing risk or both are not deemed to have been transferred. For those contracts that transfer only significant timing risk and do not transfer sufficient underwriting risk, a deposit asset is recorded equal to the initial cash outflow under the contract, which will then be offset by cash inflows received from the reinsurers. To the extent cash outflows are expected to differ from expected cash inflows, an accretion rate is established at inception of the contract based on actuarial estimates whereby the deposit accounting asset is increased/decreased to the estimated amount receivable over the contract term. The accretion of the deposit is based on the expected rate of return implied from the estimated cash inflows and outflows under the contract. Periodically, the Company reassesses the estimated ultimate receivable and the related expected rate of return on the deposit asset. The accretion of the deposit asset, including any changes in accretion resulting from changes in estimated cash flows, are reflected as part of investment income in the Company’s results of operations. Several reinsurance contracts require deposit accounting treatment due to not transferring sufficient underwriting risk. There were no reinsurance contracts that require deposit accounting treatment due to not transferring sufficient timing risk. Reinsurance Recoverables Reinsurance recoverables are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using the A.M. Best impairment rate and rating transition study which provides historical loss data of similarly rated reinsurance companies based on the expected duration of the receivables. The historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and consideration of current economic conditions. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to its policyholders. The Company continuously monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers. As part of its monitoring efforts, the Company reviews the reinsurers’ annual financial statements. The Company also reviews insurance industry developments that may impact the financial condition of its reinsurers. The Company analyzes the credit risk associated with its reinsurance recoverables by monitoring the financial strength rating of its reinsurers from A.M. Best. It also assesses the adequacy of collateral obtained, where applicable. Should its reinsurers fail to fulfill their obligations, the Company has access to collateral from various reinsurers. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, reinsurance collateral from reinsurers was $337.0 million and $257.5 million, respectively. Reinsurance recoverables present potential exposures to individual reinsurers. Everest Reinsurance Co. and eMaxx Captives represented 18.0% and 16.8%, respectively, of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2024, and 20.4% and 20.4%, respectively, at December 31, 2023, and were the only reinsurers that represented 10% or more of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable balances. Everest Reinsurance Co’s financial strength rating from A.M. Best was A+ at December 31, 2024 and 2023 and eMaxx Captives was not rated by A.M. Best at December 31, 2024 and 2023. G. Concentration of Credit Risk Other than reinsurance recoverables, financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, investments and premiums receivable. Cash equivalents and short-term investments include U.S. government securities and money market funds. Investments are diversified throughout many industries and geographic regions. The Company limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution or issuer and believes no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to cash and investments. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, outstanding premiums receivable are generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many different lines of business and geographic regions. Failure by distribution sources to remit premiums could result in premium write-offs and a corresponding loss of income. H. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Policy acquisition costs consist of commissions and premium taxes that vary with and are directly related to the successful production of new or renewal business. The Company defers policy acquisition costs and related ceding commissions and charges or credits them to earnings in proportion with the premium earned over the life of the policy. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected losses, loss adjustment expenses, and unamortized acquisition costs exceed its related unearned premiums. The Company first recognizes a premium deficiency by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If its premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, it accrues a liability for the excess deficiency. Anticipated investment income is considered in the determination of premium deficiencies. Management performed an analysis and determined no premium deficiency existed as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. I. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded as a result of a business combination. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company reviews its purchase price allocation up to one year subsequent to an acquisition and may make adjustments within the one-year period. The Company amortizes identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life over the period that the intangible asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to its future cash flows; however, it does not amortize indefinite lived intangible assets. The Company reviews goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for recoverability annually in the fourth quarter or on an interim basis should events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount may not be recoverable. Based upon this review, the Company did not have any goodwill impairment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. J. Property and Equipment Property and equipment, which is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for financial statement purposes over periods ranging from three to seven years. K. Leases Right-of-use (ROU) assets are included in other assets and lease liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. For operating leases, the Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception and recognizes the operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the commencement date. As the Company does not have the interest rate implicit in its leases, it uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease agreements may include options to extend or terminate. The options are exercised at the Company’s discretion and are included in operating lease liabilities if it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Lease agreements have lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. Operating lease cost for future minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the sublease term. L. Reserves for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) represents the Company’s estimated ultimate cost of all unreported and reported but unpaid insured claims and the cost to adjust the losses that have been incurred as of the balance sheet date. We estimate the reserves using individual case-basis valuations of reported claims and statistical analyses and various actuarial procedures. Those estimates are based on our historical information, industry and peer group information and our estimates of future trends in variable factors such as loss severity, loss frequency and other factors such as inflation. We regularly review our estimates and adjust them as necessary as experience develops or as new information becomes known to us. Additionally, during the loss settlement period, it often becomes necessary to refine and adjust the estimates of liability on a claim either upward or downward. Even after such adjustments, the ultimate liability may exceed or be less than the revised estimates. Accordingly, the ultimate settlement of losses and the related LAE may vary significantly from the estimate included in our financial statements. If actual liabilities do exceed recorded amounts, there will be an adverse effect. Furthermore, we may determine that recorded reserves are more than adequate to cover expected losses, which would lead to a reduction in our reserves. M. Premiums The Company earns and recognizes property and casualty and surety premiums on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies. The Company earns accident and health premiums as billed, based on census data. Gross premiums written are reduced by ceded premiums from proportional, facultative and excess of loss reinsurance costs for prospective reinsurance. Its premiums receivable includes deferred premiums, which represent installment payments the Company is due from insureds under the payment terms of their policies. Premiums receivable are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using historical write-offs and aging of receivables. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and our ability to cancel coverage on a policy after premium is considered past due. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Unearned premiums represent the portion of gross premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of insurance policies or reinsurance contracts in force. Ceded unearned premiums represent the portion of ceded premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of insurance policies or reinsurance contracts in force. These unearned premiums are calculated on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies for direct and ceded amounts. N. Commission and Fee Income SUA commission revenue SUA commission revenue is generated from the placement of insurance policies on reinsurance programs through a reinsurance broker which represents the Company’s single performance obligation. Its transaction price is fixed at contract inception and based on a percentage of premiums placed. The Company recognizes 100% of the transaction price as the associated performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time a policy is placed as it has no constraints on revenue. SUA fee income SUA fee income is generated from the placement of insurance policies with a third-party insurance company. The Company’s single performance obligation consists of the placement of the policy. Its transaction price is variable at contract inception and based on a percentage of premium based on risk factors that vary every month such as employee census data and worker roles. The Company estimates its transaction price over the life of the policy using the expected value method and recognizes revenue at the point in time the policy is placed. When there are changes in the estimate of variable consideration, it recognizes those changes in the month they occur. O. Income Taxes Income tax expense is accrued for the tax effects of transactions reported on the consolidated financial statements, and this provision for income taxes consists of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes resulting from temporary differences between amounts reported for financial statement and income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established for any deferred tax asset not expected to be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded where it is more likely-than-not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authority. Changes in the liability for uncertain tax positions are reflected in income tax expense in the period when a new uncertain tax position arises, judgment changes about the likelihood of an uncertainty, the tax issue is settled, or the statute of limitation expires. Any potential net interest income or expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return in the United States and certain other state tax returns. Its admitted insurance subsidiaries pay premium taxes on gross written premiums in lieu of most state income or franchise taxes. Premium tax expense is recognized within underwriting, acquisition and insurance expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. P. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value is estimated for each class of financial instrument based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. This guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value hierarchy disclosures are based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). As a part of management’s process to determine fair value, the Company utilizes widely recognized, third-party pricing sources to determine the Company’s fair values of financial instruments. The Company has obtained an understanding of the third-party pricing sources’ valuation methodologies and inputs. See Note 4 for further details regarding fair value disclosures. Q. Stock-Based Compensation We expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. We measure compensation cost for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of those awards and recognize compensation expense over the service period that the awards are expected to vest. The tax effects related to share-based payments are made through net earnings. See note 18 for further discussion and related disclosures regarding stock-based compensation. Employee Stock Purchase Plan The Company’s employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”), offers all employees the option to purchase common stock at a discount. The Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the offering period. R. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. Undistributed earnings are allocated to participating securities based on the extent to which each class may share in earnings as if all the earnings for the period have been distributed. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Common shares, when contingencies, such as vesting requirements, exist and have not been satisfied, are excluded from basic earnings per share. The Company’s preferred shares participate in dividends and distributions with common stock on an as-converted basis and represent a participating security. Instruments awarded to employees that provide the holder the right to purchase common stock at a fixed price were included as potential common shares, weighted for the portion of the period they were granted, if dilutive. The Company’s common and preferred shares financed by stock notes are contingently issuable instruments where the holder must return, all or part of, the shares if the stock notes are not paid off. These instruments are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share when the specified conditions are not met presuming the end of the period is the end of the contingency period. The impact of the contingently issuable instruments on diluted earnings per share was calculated using the treasury stock method and included in the reconciliation of the denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the year ended December 31, 2023. All outstanding stock notes were settled during 2024 so there was no impact to the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the year ended December 31, 2024. Instruments that are convertible into common shares are included in diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding on an if-converted basis based on the legal conversion rate for the respective period, if dilutive. Share-based awards to employees with only service conditions are included as potential common shares, weighted for the portion of the period they are unvested, if dilutive. Share-based awards to employees with performance and service or market conditions are included as potential common shares presuming the end of the period is the end of the contingency period, if dilutive. When inclusion of common share adjustments increases the earnings per share or reduces the loss per share, the effect on earnings is anti-dilutive, and the diluted net earnings or net loss per share is computed excluding these common share equivalents. S. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent Accounting Standards Adopted In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (Topic 280). ASU 2023-07 requires segment disclosures for (i) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), (ii) how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profitability in assessing segment performance and resource allocation and (iii) the title and position of the CODM. This update states that entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide full segment disclosures. The guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. This update is applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Company has added additional segment disclosures as required by ASU 2023-07, see Note 12 for the additional disclosures required by this ASU. Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740). ASU 2023-09 requires public companies, on an annual basis, to provide enhanced rate reconciliation disclosures, including disclosures of specific categories and additional information that meets a quantitative threshold. This update also requires public companies to, among other things, disaggregate income taxes paid by federal, state and foreign taxes. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect and currently does not expect the amendments will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, which requires disaggregated disclosure of income statement expenses for public business entities (“PBEs”). The ASU does not change the expense captions an entity presents on the face of the income statement; rather, it requires disaggregation of certain expense captions into specified categories in disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements. ASU 2024-03 require a footnote disclosure about specific expenses by requiring PBEs to disaggregate, in a tabular presentation, each relevant expense caption on the face of the income statement that includes any of the following natural expenses: (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employee compensation, (3) depreciation, (4) intangible asset amortization, and (5) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil- and gas-producing activities or other types of depletion expenses. The tabular disclosure will also include certain other expenses, when applicable. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03 as the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is evaluating the effect of the amendments on its consolidated financial statements.

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (the “Company”), an insurance holding company, is a Delaware corporation that was organized in 2006. It is a specialty insurance company operating in one segment delivering commercial property and casualty products insurance coverages through its underwriting divisions.

The Company has a wholly owned captive reinsurance company subsidiary, Skyward Re, that is domiciled in the Cayman Islands and assumed net reserves for certain divisions, related to a retroactive reinsurance contract, from the Company’s insurance companies and retroceded the net reserves to a third-party reinsurer.

The Company has three non-risk bearing wholly owned subsidiaries, (i) Skyward Underwriters Agency, Inc. (“SUA”),a managing general insurance agent and reinsurance broker for property and casualty risks in specialty niche markets, (ii) Skyward Service Company an entity which provides various administrative services to the Company’s subsidiaries, and (iii) Skyward Specialty No. 1 Limited, a Lloyd’s corporate member authorized to invest in Lloyd’s syndicates.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”), which differ in some respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the holding company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company’s actual results could differ from those estimates.

SUA collects premiums from clients, and after deducting commissions and any applicable fees, remits these premiums to the Company’s insurance companies, or to third-party insurance companies. SUA holds unremitted insurance premiums in a fiduciary capacity to third-party insurance companies, as restricted cash.

Investments in fixed maturities that are classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value. For available-for-sale fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first determines whether there is an intent to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery of its cost basis. If either of these criteria are met, the amortized cost of the security is written down to fair value with the losses recognized in net investment gains on the consolidated statements of operations. If neither of the these criteria are met, the Company determines whether unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors. If the unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors, an allowance for credit losses is determined using a present value of cash flows compared to the amortized cost of the security.

The allowance for credit losses is limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations. Credit losses that are limited by the fair value of the security are recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Unrealized losses that are not credit-related continue to be recognized in stockholders’ equity, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Investments in fixed maturity securities that are held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate from Moody’s multi-year cumulative loss rates for asset backed securities. The historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

Equity securities consists of common stock or preferred stock. Mutual funds, including those that invest mostly in debt securities, are classified as equity securities. Investments in equity securities with a readily determinable fair value are carried on the balance sheet at fair value using quoted market prices. Changes in the carrying value of equity securities are included in net investment (losses) gains within the consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in mortgage loans are classified as held for investment and carried on the balance sheet at cost adjusted for unamortized premiums, discounts and loan fees. When an amount is determined to be uncollectible, the Company writes off the uncollectible amount in the period it was determined to be uncollectible. Interest on the loans is recognized as interest receivable which the Company includes in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company elected the fair value option in accounting for mortgage loans effective January 1, 2023 as targeted transition relief from the adoption of ASU 2016-13. Under the fair value option, mortgage loans are measured at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses on mortgage loans are reported in net investment (losses) gains on the consolidated statements of operations. Interest income and amortization continue to be recognized in net investment income on the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has equity investments in certain limited partnerships and corporations where it has significant influence but not control. The analysis of entities that are variable interest entities indicated the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and would not have to consolidate these entities. Equity method is used to account for these investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries. Under the equity method, initial investment is recorded at cost and is subsequently adjusted based on its proportionate share of distributions and net income or loss of the equity method investee. The difference between the cost of an investment and its proportionate share of the underlying equity in net assets recorded on the investee’s books is a component of investment income. The Company amortizes the difference as an adjustment to its pro-rata share of equity method income over the useful life which is based on the underlying asset.

The Company does not have significant influence in its investments in equity securities of non-public entities. When these securities do not have a readily determinable fair value, the Company carries these investments at cost, minus impairment, if any, and changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer.

Investments in indirect collateralized loans and loan collateral are held through and accounted for as an ownership interest in an unconsolidated subsidiary. The Company’s ownership interests in unconsolidated subsidiaries consists of investments in entities such as partnerships, joint ventures, and special purpose investment vehicles. The Company has significant influence, but not control of these unconsolidated subsidiaries and uses the equity method to account for these investments.

Net investment income consists of interest, dividends and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated subsidiaries net of investment expenses such as investment management expenses. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis, and dividends as earned at the ex-dividend date. Interest income on mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities is recognized using the effective-yield method based on estimated principal repayments. Included in interest income is the amortization of premium and accretion of discounts on debt securities.

In the normal course of business, the Company purchases prospective reinsurance for certain lines of business on a proportional, excess of loss and facultative basis. Proportional reinsurance requires the Company to share the losses and expenses with the reinsurer in exchange for a share of the premiums. Excess of loss reinsurance shares losses, either a proportion of or in its entirety, above a certain dollar threshold, in exchange for a negotiated cost. Facultative reinsurance covers specific risks and/or policies on either a proportional or excess of loss basis.

Ceded unearned premium and reinsurance balances recoverable—on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses—are reported separately as assets, instead of netting them with the related liabilities, since reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to its policyholders. Reinsurance on unpaid losses and settlement expenses represent estimates of the portion of the liabilities recoverable from reinsurers. On the Consolidated Statements of Operations, net earned premiums, losses and loss adjustment expenses, net and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses are presented net of reinsurance ceded.

The Company purchases retroactive reinsurance on certain lines of business in the form of loss portfolio transfers (“LPT”) and adverse development covers. These contracts provide indemnification of losses related to past loss events where the reinsurer shares losses, either a proportion of or in its entirety, depending on certain dollar thresholds. Income generated from retroactive reinsurance contracts is deferred and amortized into net income over the settlement period and losses are charged to net income immediately. Subsequent changes in the measurement of the retroactive reinsurance contract are accounted for under a full retrospective method.

Certain ceded reinsurance contracts, which management determines do not transfer significant insurance risk, are accounted for using the deposit method of accounting. The evaluation of the transfer of significant insurance risk involves an assessment of both timing risk and underwriting risk. Management may determine that a reinsurance contract does not transfer significant insurance risk if either underwriting risk or timing risk or both are not deemed to have been transferred. For those contracts that transfer only significant timing risk and do not transfer sufficient underwriting risk, a deposit asset

is recorded equal to the initial cash outflow under the contract, which will then be offset by cash inflows received from the reinsurers. To the extent cash outflows are expected to differ from expected cash inflows, an accretion rate is established at inception of the contract based on actuarial estimates whereby the deposit accounting asset is increased/decreased to the estimated amount receivable over the contract term. The accretion of the deposit is based on the expected rate of return implied from the estimated cash inflows and outflows under the contract.

Periodically, the Company reassesses the estimated ultimate receivable and the related expected rate of return on the deposit asset. The accretion of the deposit asset, including any changes in accretion resulting from changes in estimated cash flows, are reflected as part of investment income in the Company’s results of operations. Several reinsurance contracts require deposit accounting treatment due to not transferring sufficient underwriting risk. There were no reinsurance contracts that require deposit accounting treatment due to not transferring sufficient timing risk.

Reinsurance recoverables are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using the A.M. Best impairment rate and rating transition study which provides historical loss data of similarly rated reinsurance companies based on the expected duration of the receivables. The historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and consideration of current economic conditions. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Reinsurance does not relieve the Company of its legal liability to its policyholders. The Company continuously monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers. As part of its monitoring efforts, the Company reviews the reinsurers’ annual financial statements. The Company also reviews insurance industry developments that may impact the financial condition of its reinsurers.

The Company analyzes the credit risk associated with its reinsurance recoverables by monitoring the financial strength rating of its reinsurers from A.M. Best. It also assesses the adequacy of collateral obtained, where applicable. Should its reinsurers fail to fulfill their obligations, the Company has access to collateral from various reinsurers. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, reinsurance collateral from reinsurers was $337.0 million and $257.5 million, respectively.

Reinsurance recoverables present potential exposures to individual reinsurers. Everest Reinsurance Co. and eMaxx Captives represented 18.0% and 16.8%, respectively, of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable balances at December 31, 2024, and 20.4% and 20.4%, respectively, at December 31, 2023, and were the only reinsurers that represented 10% or more of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable balances. Everest Reinsurance Co’s financial strength rating from A.M. Best was A+ at December 31, 2024 and 2023 and eMaxx Captives was not rated by A.M. Best at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Cash equivalents and short-term investments include U.S. government securities and money market funds. Investments are diversified throughout many industries and geographic regions. The Company limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution or issuer and believes no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to cash and investments. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, outstanding premiums receivable are generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many different lines of business and geographic regions. Failure by distribution sources to remit premiums could result in premium write-offs and a corresponding loss of income.

Policy acquisition costs consist of commissions and premium taxes that vary with and are directly related to the successful production of new or renewal business. The Company defers policy acquisition costs and related ceding commissions and charges or credits them to earnings in proportion with the premium earned over the life of the policy.

A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected losses, loss adjustment expenses, and unamortized acquisition costs exceed its related unearned premiums. The Company first recognizes a premium deficiency by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If its premium deficiency is

greater than unamortized acquisition costs, it accrues a liability for the excess deficiency. Anticipated investment income is considered in the determination of premium deficiencies. Management performed an analysis and determined no premium deficiency existed as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Goodwill and intangible assets are recorded as a result of a business combination. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company reviews its purchase price allocation up to one year subsequent to an acquisition and may make adjustments within the one-year period. The Company amortizes identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life over the period that the intangible asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to its future cash flows; however, it does not amortize indefinite lived intangible assets.

The Company reviews goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for recoverability annually in the fourth quarter or on an interim basis should events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount may not be recoverable. Based upon this review, the Company did not have any goodwill impairment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Property and equipment, which is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis for financial statement purposes over periods ranging from three to seven years.

Right-of-use (ROU) assets are included in other assets and lease liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. For operating leases, the Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception and recognizes the operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the commencement date. As the Company does not have the interest rate implicit in its leases, it uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments.

Lease agreements may include options to extend or terminate. The options are exercised at the Company’s discretion and are included in operating lease liabilities if it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Lease agreements have lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. Operating lease cost for future minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the sublease term.

The reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) represents the Company’s estimated ultimate cost of all unreported and reported but unpaid insured claims and the cost to adjust the losses that have been incurred as of the balance sheet date. We estimate the reserves using individual case-basis valuations of reported claims and statistical analyses and various actuarial procedures. Those estimates are based on our historical information, industry and peer group information and our estimates of future trends in variable factors such as loss severity, loss frequency and other factors such as inflation. We regularly review our estimates and adjust them as necessary as experience develops or as new information becomes known to us. Additionally, during the loss settlement period, it often becomes necessary to refine and adjust the estimates of liability on a claim either upward or downward. Even after such adjustments, the ultimate liability may exceed or be less than the revised estimates. Accordingly, the ultimate settlement of losses and the related LAE may vary significantly from the estimate included in our financial statements. If actual liabilities do exceed recorded amounts, there will be an adverse effect. Furthermore, we may determine that recorded reserves are more than adequate to cover expected losses, which would lead to a reduction in our reserves.

The Company earns and recognizes property and casualty and surety premiums on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies. The Company earns accident and health premiums as billed, based on census data. Gross premiums written are reduced by ceded premiums from proportional, facultative and excess of loss reinsurance costs for prospective reinsurance. Its premiums receivable includes deferred premiums, which represent installment payments the Company is due from insureds under the payment terms of their policies.

Premiums receivable are carried net of an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses represents the current estimate of expected credit losses. The Company develops a historical loss rate using historical write-offs and aging of receivables. This historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts and our ability to cancel coverage on a policy after premium is considered past due. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Unearned premiums represent the portion of gross premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of insurance policies or reinsurance contracts in force. Ceded unearned premiums represent the portion of ceded premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of insurance policies or reinsurance contracts in force. These unearned premiums are calculated on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies for direct and ceded amounts.

SUA commission revenue is generated from the placement of insurance policies on reinsurance programs through a reinsurance broker which represents the Company’s single performance obligation. Its transaction price is fixed at contract inception and based on a percentage of premiums placed. The Company recognizes 100% of the transaction price as the associated performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time a policy is placed as it has no constraints on revenue.

SUA fee income is generated from the placement of insurance policies with a third-party insurance company. The Company’s single performance obligation consists of the placement of the policy. Its transaction price is variable at contract inception and based on a percentage of premium based on risk factors that vary every month such as employee census data and worker roles. The Company estimates its transaction price over the life of the policy using the expected value method and recognizes revenue at the point in time the policy is placed. When there are changes in the estimate of variable consideration, it recognizes those changes in the month they occur.

Income tax expense is accrued for the tax effects of transactions reported on the consolidated financial statements, and this provision for income taxes consists of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes resulting from temporary differences between amounts reported for financial statement and income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established for any deferred tax asset not expected to be realized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded where it is more likely-than-not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by the appropriate tax authority. Changes in the liability for uncertain tax positions are reflected in income tax expense in the period when a new uncertain tax position arises, judgment changes about the likelihood of an uncertainty, the tax issue is settled, or the statute of limitation expires. Any potential net interest income or expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return in the United States and certain other state tax returns. Its admitted insurance subsidiaries pay premium taxes on gross written premiums in lieu of most state income or franchise taxes. Premium tax expense is recognized within underwriting, acquisition and insurance expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair value is estimated for each class of financial instrument based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. This guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value hierarchy disclosures are based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

As a part of management’s process to determine fair value, the Company utilizes widely recognized, third-party pricing sources to determine the Company’s fair values of financial instruments. The Company has obtained an understanding of the third-party pricing sources’ valuation methodologies and inputs.

We expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options and similar awards. We measure compensation cost for awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of those awards and recognize compensation expense over the service period that the awards are expected to vest. The tax effects related to share-based payments are made through net earnings. See note 18 for further discussion and related disclosures regarding stock-based compensation.

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. Undistributed earnings are allocated to participating securities based on the extent to which each class may share in earnings as if all the earnings for the period have been distributed. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Common shares, when contingencies, such as vesting requirements, exist and have not been satisfied, are excluded from basic earnings per share.

The Company’s preferred shares participate in dividends and distributions with common stock on an as-converted basis and represent a participating security. Instruments awarded to employees that provide the holder the right to purchase common stock at a fixed price were included as potential common shares, weighted for the portion of the period they were granted, if dilutive.

The Company’s common and preferred shares financed by stock notes are contingently issuable instruments where the holder must return, all or part of, the shares if the stock notes are not paid off. These instruments are excluded from basic and diluted earnings per share when the specified conditions are not met presuming the end of the period is the end of the contingency period. The impact of the contingently issuable instruments on diluted earnings per share was calculated using the treasury stock method and included in the reconciliation of the denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the year ended December 31, 2023. All outstanding stock notes were settled during 2024 so there was no impact to the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Instruments that are convertible into common shares are included in diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding on an if-converted basis based on the legal conversion rate for the respective period, if dilutive. Share-based awards to employees with only service conditions are included as potential common shares, weighted for the portion of the period they are unvested, if dilutive. Share-based awards to employees with performance and service or market conditions are included as potential common shares presuming the end of the period is the end of the contingency period, if dilutive.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (Topic 280). ASU 2023-07 requires segment disclosures for (i) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), (ii) how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profitability in assessing segment performance and resource allocation and (iii) the title and position of the CODM. This update states that entities with a single reportable segment are required to provide full segment disclosures. The guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. This update is applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The Company has added additional segment disclosures as required by ASU 2023-07, see Note 12 for the additional disclosures required by this ASU.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (Topic 740). ASU 2023-09 requires public companies, on an annual basis, to provide enhanced rate reconciliation disclosures, including disclosures of specific categories and additional information that meets a quantitative threshold. This update also requires public companies to, among other things, disaggregate income taxes paid by federal, state and foreign taxes. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect and currently does not expect the amendments will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, which requires disaggregated disclosure of income statement expenses for public business entities (“PBEs”). The ASU does not change the expense captions an entity presents on the face of the income statement; rather, it requires disaggregation of certain expense captions into specified categories in disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements. ASU 2024-03 require a footnote disclosure about specific expenses by requiring PBEs to disaggregate, in a tabular presentation, each relevant expense caption on the face of the income statement that includes any of the following natural expenses: (1) purchases of inventory, (2) employee compensation, (3) depreciation, (4) intangible asset amortization, and (5) depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil- and gas-producing activities or other types of depletion expenses. The tabular disclosure will also include certain other expenses, when applicable. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-01 to clarify the effective date of ASU 2024-03 as the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. The Company is evaluating the effect of the amendments on its consolidated financial statements.