UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED:

March 31,

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Commission file number:

1-14527


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware22-3263609

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

22-3263609

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

477 Martinsville Road
Post Office Box 830
Liberty Corner, New Jersey 07938-0830
(908) 604-3000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of registrant’s principal executive office)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES

X

NO


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES

NO


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

477 Martinsville Road

Post Office Box 830

Liberty Corner, New Jersey 07938-0830

(908) 604-3000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,

of registrant’s principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES

X

NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES

NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

X

Smaller reporting company

                 (Do(Do not check if smaller reporting company)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES
NOX

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)

YES

NO

X

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

Number of Shares Outstanding

at May

ClassAt November 1, 2009

Common Stock,Shares, $0.01 par value

1,000

The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H of Form 10-Q.


The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H of Form 10-Q.



Index To

Table of Contents
Form 10-Q

Page

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

2

3

March 31,

4

5

Item 2.

19

25

Item 3.

34

44

Item 4.

34

44

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

34

44

Item 1A.

34

44

Item 2.

35

44

Item 3.

35

44

Item 4.

35

44

Item 5.

35

45

Item 6.

35

45





Part I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except par value per share)

2009

 

2008

 

(unaudited)

 

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value

$         5,636,635

 

$        5,511,856

   (amortized cost: 2009, $5,645,672; 2008, $5,610,483)

 

 

 

Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value

47,391

 

43,090

Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2009, $15; 2008, $15)           

10

 

16

Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value

109,788

 

119,815

Short-term investments

725,824

 

918,712

Other invested assets (cost: 2009, $356,674; 2008, $400,498)

347,124

 

392,589

Other invested assets, at fair value

294,535

 

316,750

Cash

95,608

 

92,264

     Total investments and cash

7,256,915

 

7,395,092

Accrued investment income

77,546

 

82,860

Premiums receivable

700,928

 

714,035

Reinsurance receivables - unaffiliated

653,157

 

637,890

Reinsurance receivables - affiliated

2,508,099

 

2,480,016

Funds held by reinsureds

149,239

 

147,287

Deferred acquisition costs

176,259

 

192,096

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

465,080

 

456,180

Deferred tax asset

463,419

 

518,042

Federal income tax recoverable

96,774

 

70,299

Other assets

167,087

 

172,825

TOTAL ASSETS

$       12,714,503

 

$      12,866,622

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Reserve for losses and adjustment expenses

$         7,342,639

 

$        7,419,993

Unearned premium reserve

1,172,063

 

1,176,834

Funds held under reinsurance treaties

137,841

 

134,698

Losses in the course of payment

28,884

 

35,805

Commission reserves

43,230

 

45,531

Other net payable to reinsurers

408,106

 

378,800

8.75% Senior notes due 3/15/2010

199,857

 

199,821

5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014

249,738

 

249,728

6.6% Long term notes due 05/01/2067

238,346

 

399,643

Junior subordinated debt securities payable

329,897

 

329,897

Accrued interest on debt and borrowings

12,821

 

11,217

Other liabilities

262,707

 

281,687

     Total liabilities

10,426,129

 

10,663,654

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:

 

 

 

Common stock, par value: $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized;

 

 

 

   1,000 shares issued and outstanding (2009 and 2008)

-

 

-

Additional paid-in capital

317,033

 

315,771

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income tax benefit of

 

 

 

   $18.1 million at 2009 and $38.8 million at 2008

(33,583)

 

(72,063)

Retained earnings

2,004,924

 

1,959,260

     Total stockholder's equity

2,288,374

 

2,202,968

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

$       12,714,503

 

$      12,866,622

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

Part I

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                                  

 

 

 

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

 

(unaudited)

REVENUES:

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$              438,445

 

$              500,030

Net investment income

39,659

 

87,977

Net realized capital losses

(68,184)

 

(101,900)

Realized gain on debt repurchase

78,271

 

Other expense

(114)

 

(21,273)

Total revenues

488,077

 

464,834

 

 

 

 

CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

289,195

 

309,705

Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees

88,219

 

109,891

Other underwriting expenses

32,626

 

32,273

Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense

19,633

 

19,742

Total claims and expenses

429,673

 

471,611

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

58,404

 

(6,777)

Income tax expense (benefit)

12,740

 

(11,417)

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

$                45,664

 

$                  4,640

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

38,480

 

(19,682)

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

$                84,144

 

$             (15,042)

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

 

 

 

CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

2009

 

2008

 

(unaudited)

COMMON STOCK (shares outstanding):

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

1,000

 

1,000

Balance, end of period

1,000

 

1,000

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

$            315,771

 

$          310,206

Share-based compensation plans

1,262

 

1,283

Balance, end of period

317,033

 

311,489

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME,              

 

 

 

NET OF DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

(72,063)

 

163,276

Net increase (decrease) during the period

38,480

 

(19,682)

Balance, end of period

(33,583)

 

143,594

 

 

 

 

RETAINED EARNINGS:

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

1,959,260

 

2,094,017

Net income

45,664

 

4,640

Balance, end of period

2,004,924

 

2,098,657

 

 

 

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY, END OF PERIOD

$         2,288,374

 

$       2,553,740

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

ITEM  1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

 

(unaudited)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Net income

$             45,664

 

$              4,640

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    

 

 

 

    Decrease in premiums receivable

11,328

 

47,299

    Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net

506

 

(2,440)

    (Increase) decrease in reinsurance receivables

(52,970)

 

55,595

    Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset

33,904

 

(60,681)

    Decrease in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses

(48,536)

 

(23,254)

    Decrease in unearned premiums

(879)

 

(79,659)

    Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships

34,093

 

6,061

    Change in other assets and liabilities, net

1,107

 

41,945

    Non-cash compensation expense

1,262

 

1,206

    Amortization of bond premium/(accrual of bond discount)

2,271

 

75

    Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes

46

 

43

    Realized gain on debt repurchase

(78,271)

 

-

    Net realized capital losses

68,184

 

101,900

Net cash provided by operating activities

17,709

 

92,730

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value

109,235

 

169,407

Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value

5,570

 

-

Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value

44,778

 

14,711

Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value

3,492

 

-

Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value

1,634

 

229,022

Distributions from other invested assets

12,293

 

10,175

Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value

(261,238)

 

(433,074)

Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value

(13,310)

 

-

Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value

(8,976)

 

(40,958)

Cost of other invested assets acquired

(2,562)

 

(8,342)

Cost of other invested assets acquired, at fair value

-

 

(100,837)

Net change in short-term securities

188,866

 

(32,717)

Net change in unsettled securities transactions

1,646

 

48,662

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

81,428

 

(143,951)

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

-

 

77

Net cost of debt repurchase

(83,026)

 

-

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(83,026)

 

77

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

(12,767)

 

18,341

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

3,344

 

(32,803)

Cash, beginning of period

92,264

 

146,447

Cash, end of period

$             95,608

 

$          113,644

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

Cash transactions:

 

 

 

   Income taxes paid

$               3,146

 

$              4,822

   Interest paid

17,808

 

13,887

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


  September 30, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except par value per share) 2009 2008
  (unaudited)   
ASSETS:      
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value $6,363,908  $5,511,856 
     (amortized cost: 2009, $6,090,136; 2008, $5,610,483)        
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value  52,815   43,090 
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2009, $15; 2008, $15)  12   16 
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value  158,456   119,815 
Short-term investments  645,096   918,712 
Other invested assets (cost: 2009, $365,500; 2008, $400,498)  363,205   392,589 
Other invested assets, at fair value  364,841   316,750 
Cash  125,128   92,264 
         Total investments and cash  8,073,461   7,395,092 
Accrued investment income  79,124   82,860 
Premiums receivable  768,273   714,035 
Reinsurance receivables - unaffiliated  606,226   637,890 
Reinsurance receivables - affiliated  2,526,007   2,480,016 
Funds held by reinsureds  158,366   147,287 
Deferred acquisition costs  186,828   192,096 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums  557,751   456,180 
Deferred tax asset  290,211   518,042 
Federal income tax recoverable  13,992   70,299 
Other assets  121,548   172,825 
TOTAL ASSETS $13,381,787  $12,866,622 
         
LIABILITIES:        
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $7,246,981  $7,419,993 
Unearned premium reserve  1,274,240   1,176,834 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties  155,096   134,698 
Losses in the course of payment  49,051   35,805 
Commission reserves  37,927   45,531 
Other net payable to reinsurers  479,454   378,800 
8.75% Senior notes due 3/15/2010  199,931   199,821 
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014  249,759   249,728 
6.6% Long term notes due 05/01/2067  238,347   399,643 
Junior subordinated debt securities payable  329,897   329,897 
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings  12,821   11,217 
Unsettled securities payable  45,915   1,476 
Other liabilities  231,856   280,211 
         Total liabilities  10,551,275   10,663,654 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)        
         
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:        
Common stock, par value: $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized;        
     1,000 shares issued and outstanding (2009 and 2008)  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  319,887   315,771 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense of        
     $105.7 million at 2009 and tax benefit of $38.8 million at 2008  197,560   (72,063)
Retained earnings  2,313,065   1,959,260 
         Total stockholder's equity  2,830,512   2,202,968 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $13,381,787  $12,866,622 
         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.        


1


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)



  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
  (unaudited) (unaudited)
REVENUES:            
Premiums earned $438,320  $449,892  $1,337,539  $1,421,336 
Net investment income  65,492   97,305   179,667   292,263 
Net realized capital gains (losses):                
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities  -   (63,793)  (5,510)  (67,854)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities                
transferred to other comprehensive income  -   -   -   - 
Other net realized capital gains (losses)  101,394   (44,859)  61,661   (193,493)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)  101,394   (108,652)  56,151   (261,347)
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   -   78,271   - 
Other income (expense)  15,081   7,951   7,801   (16,039)
Total revenues  620,287   446,496   1,659,429   1,436,213 
                 
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  241,992   446,996   777,295   1,115,813 
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  77,259   73,816   252,401   295,270 
Other underwriting expenses  39,864   32,769   109,226   95,794 
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  17,073   19,745   53,779   59,233 
Total claims and expenses  376,188   573,326   1,192,701   1,566,110 
                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  244,099   (126,830)  466,728   (129,897)
Income tax expense (benefit)  79,958   (47,931)  128,423   (69,290)
                 
NET INCOME (LOSS) $164,141  $(78,899) $338,305  $(60,607)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  162,343   (145,996)  285,123   (223,813)
                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $326,484  $(224,895) $623,428  $(284,420)
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                


2


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY


  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) 2009 2008 2009 2008
  (unaudited) (unaudited)
COMMON STOCK (shares outstanding):            
Balance, beginning of period  1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000 
Balance, end of period  1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000 
                 
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:                
Balance, beginning of period $318,492  $312,924  $315,771  $310,206 
Share-based compensation plans  1,395   1,671   4,116   4,389 
Balance, end of period  319,887   314,595   319,887   314,595 
                 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),                
NET OF DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:                
Balance, beginning of period  35,217   85,459   (72,063)  163,276 
Cumulative adjustment of initial adoption(1), net of tax
  -   -   (15,500)  - 
Net increase (decrease) during the period  162,343   (145,996)  285,123   (223,813)
Balance, end of period  197,560   (60,537)  197,560   (60,537)
                 
RETAINED EARNINGS:                
Balance, beginning of period  2,148,924   2,112,309   1,959,260   2,094,017 
Cumulative adjustment of initial adoption(1), net of tax
  -   -   15,500   - 
Net income (loss)  164,141   (78,899)  338,305   (60,607)
Balance, end of period  2,313,065   2,033,410   2,313,065   2,033,410 
                 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY, END OF PERIOD $2,830,512  $2,287,468  $2,830,512  $2,287,468 
                 
(1)   The cumulative adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income taxes and retained earnings represents the effect of initially adopting ASC 320-10-65-1
        
       (FASB Staff Position No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, "Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments").                
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.             


3


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
  (unaudited) (unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:            
Net income (loss) $164,141  $(78,899) $338,305  $(60,607)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
(Increase) decrease in premiums receivable  (1,371)  (3,405)  (51,192)  45,932 
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net  9,624   (221)  9,459   (1,237)
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables  146,809   (48,135)  (6,656)  (118,746)
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset  41,994   61,482   74,970   (30,155)
(Decrease) increase in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses  (35,920)  194,584   (218,365)  154,284 
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums  95,297   7,476   91,611   (134,529)
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships  4,423   6,167   36,548   (9,095)
Change in other assets and liabilities, net  (161,038)  (79,464)  83,477   (12,364)
Non-cash compensation expense  1,384   1,201   4,091   3,834 
Amortization of bond premium  3,824   3,141   8,802   5,809 
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes  48   45   142   133 
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   -   (78,271)  - 
Net realized capital (gains) losses  (101,394)  108,652   (56,151)  261,347 
Net cash provided by operating activities  167,821   172,624   236,770   104,606 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value  130,349   106,558   324,432   370,220 
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value  -   -   5,570   - 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value  34,602   52,180   87,696   138,326 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value  4,010   -   12,012   - 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value  23,028   -   23,028   - 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value  11,310   151,801   23,535   380,856 
Distributions from other invested assets  4,448   30,035   24,573   41,246 
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value  (256,130)  (64,455)  (865,910)  (1,343,983)
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (2,548)  (11,444)  (19,101)  (11,444)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (12,948)  (115,399)  (32,244)  (156,363)
Cost of other invested assets acquired  (9,780)  (35,804)  (26,122)  (55,908)
Cost of other invested assets acquired, at fair value  -   (25,007)  -   (150,745)
Net change in short-term securities  (86,179)  (197,914)  284,738   687,541 
Net change in unsettled securities transactions  18,522   (58,944)  42,856   (64,654)
Net cash used in investing activities  (141,316)  (168,393)  (114,937)  (164,908)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Tax benefit from share-based compensation  11   469   25   554 
Net cost of debt repurchase  -   -   (83,026)  - 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  11   469   (83,001)  554 
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH  3,411   (8,130)  (5,968)  13,772 
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash  29,927   (3,430)  32,864   (45,976)
Cash, beginning of period  95,201   103,901   92,264   146,447 
Cash, end of period $125,128  $100,471  $125,128  $100,471 
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                
Cash transactions:                
Income taxes recovered $(18,847) $(107,359) $(2,488) $(49,014)
Interest paid $13,892  $13,887  $51,464  $52,861 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                


4


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


For the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008


1.  General


As used in this document, “Holdings” means Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Company and direct subsidiary of Everest Reinsurance CompanyUnderwriting Group (Ireland) Limited (“Holdings Ireland”); “Group” means Everest Re Group, Ltd. (Holdings Ireland’s parent); “Bermuda Re” means Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd., a subsidiary of Group; “Everest Re” means Everest Reinsurance Company, a subsidiary of Holdings, and its subsidiaries (unless the context otherwise requires); and the “Company” means Holdings and its subsidiaries.


2. Basis of Presentation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008 include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results on an interim basis.  Certain financial information, which is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), has been omitted since it is not required for interim reporting purposes. The year endDecember 31, 2008 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  The results for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 included in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K filing.

2. New


Financial Accounting PronouncementsStandards Board Launched Accounting Codification

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification

In December 2008,TM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. This guidance establishes the FASB issuedAccounting Standards CodificationTM (“Codification” or “ASC”) as the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative.


Following the Codification, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Position FAS 132(R)-1 “Employers’ DisclosuresPositions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, the FASB will issue Accounting Standards Updates, which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FAS 132(R)-1”). FAS 132(R)-1 requires additional disclosures about plan assets. Additional disclosures include investmentthe guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.

GAAP is not intended to be changed as a result of the FASB’s Codification, but it will change the way the guidance is organized and presented. As a result, these changes will have a significant impact on how companies reference GAAP in their financial statements and in the accounting policies for financial statements issued for interim and strategies, fair value of each major plan asset category, inputs and valuation techniques used to develop fair value and any significant concentrations of risk. This FASB Staff Position is effective for fiscal yearsannual periods ending after DecemberSeptember 15, 2009. The Company will adopt FAS 132(R)-1 for the reporting period ending December 31, 2009.

On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”)


Application of Recently Issued Accounting Standard Changes

Measurement of Fair Value in Inactive Markets. ASC 820-10-65-4 (FSP No. FAS 157-4 “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP FAS 157-4”). FSP FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating reaffirms that fair value in accordance with FAS 157 whenis the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and to identify circumstancesprice that indicate a transaction is not orderly. In addition, FSP FAS 157-4 emphasizes that the objective of the fair value measurement remains the same, to arrive at a pricewould be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. This FSP is effective for interimtransaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. It also reaffirms the need to use judgment in determining if a formerly active market has become inactive and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and is applied prospectively. The Company will adopt this FSP effective April 1, 2009 in conjunction withdetermining fair values when the second quarter reporting period. The Company does not believe that adopting this FSP will have a materialmarket has become inactive. There was no impact onto the Company’s financial results.

On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued statements upon adoption.


5


Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Investment Securities. ASC 320-10-65-1 (FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2”). FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 amends the recognition guidance for other-than-temporary guidance in U.S. GAAP forimpairments of debt securities to makeand expands the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure offinancial statement disclosures for other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities. For available for sale debt securities that the Company has no intent to sell and more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment would be recognized in earnings, while the financial statements. This FSP is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and is applied prospectively with an adjustment to reclassifyrest of the non-credit portion of any other-than-temporary payments previously recorded through earnings tofair value loss would be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The Company will adopt this FSPadopted ASC 320-10-65-1 guidance effective April 1, 2009 in conjunction with2009.  Upon adoption the second quarter reporting period. The Company has not completed its analysisrecognized a $15.5 million cumulative-effect adjustment from retained earnings, net of the impact on the financial statements upon adoption$8.3 million of this FSP.

tax.

5



On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP

Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. ASC 825-10-65-1 (FSP FAS 107-1 and FSP APB 28-1 “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS 107-1) requires quarterly disclosures on the qualitative and APB 28-1”). FSP FAS 107-1quantitative information about the fair value of all financial instruments including methods and APB 28-1 amends FASB Statement No. 107 “Disclosures about significant assumptions used to estimate fair value during the period. These disclosures were previously only done annually. The Company included these disclosures in the second quarter 2009 Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

Subsequent Events Disclosures. ASC 855-10-50 (FAS 165 “Subsequent Events”) requires a disclosure as to the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated as well as whether that date is the date the financial statements were issued. The Company included this disclosure in its second quarter 2009 Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

Future Accounting Standard Changes

Fair Value Disclosures about Pension Plan Assets. ASC 715-20-65-2 (FSP FAS 132(R)-1 “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets”) requires that information about plan assets be disclosed, on an annual basis, based on the fair value disclosure requirements of Financial Instruments” and APB Opinion No. 28 “Interim Financial Reporting” to require complete disclosures in both the interim and annual financial reporting. This FSP is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and is applied prospectively.ASC 820-10. The Company will adopt this FSP effective April 1,be required to separate plan assets into the three fair value hierarchy levels and provide a roll forward of the changes in fair value of plan assets classified as Level 3 in the 2009 in conjunction withannual consolidated financial statements. These disclosures have no effect on the second quarter reporting period. FSP FAS 107-1Company’s accounting for plan benefits and APB 28-1 is for disclosure only and has no financial statement impact.

obligations.




3.  Investments


The amortized cost, market value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of available for sale, market value fixed maturity and equity security investments, carried at market value, are as follows for the periods indicated:

 

At March 31, 2009

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Market

(Dollars in thousands)

Cost

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

Value

Fixed maturities - available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     U.S. government agencies and corporations

$       135,659

 

$         14,954

 

$                (2)

 

$      150,611

  Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions         

3,805,262

 

136,841

 

(103,028)

 

3,839,075

  Corporate securities

547,564

 

17,178

 

(79,449)

 

485,293

  Mortgage-backed securities

331,722

 

9,719

 

(14,408)

 

327,033

  Foreign government securities

432,140

 

29,565

 

(6,248)

 

455,457

  Foreign corporate securities

393,325

 

7,357

 

(21,516)

 

379,166

Total fixed maturities

$    5,645,672

 

$       215,614

 

$     (224,651)

 

$   5,636,635

Equity securities

$                15

 

$                   -

 

$                (5)

 

$               10

At December 31, 2008

 At September 30, 2009 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

Market

 Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market 

(Dollars in thousands)

Cost

 

Appreciation

 

Depreciation

 

Value

 Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value 

Fixed maturities - available for sale

 

Fixed maturity securities - available for sale            

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of

 

            

U.S. government agencies and corporations

$       139,776

 

$          15,456

 

$                   - 

 

$       155,232

 $128,645  $6,000  $(195) $134,450 

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions

3,846,754

 

113,885

 

(164,921)

 

3,795,718

  3,747,780   231,278   (12,632)  3,966,426 

Corporate securities

496,328

 

18,411

 

(69,061)

 

445,678

  605,130   30,468   (19,554)  616,044 
Asset-backed securities  17,646   545   (2,710)  15,481 

Mortgage-backed securities

231,631

 

4,838

 

(19,352)

 

217,117

                
Commercial  23,019   4,737   (114)  27,642 
Agency residential  418,666   12,495   (6)  431,155 
Non-agency residential  61,545   773   (11,465)  50,853 

Foreign government securities

467,935

 

32,538

 

(7,776)

 

492,697

  595,855   32,203   (3,809)  624,249 

Foreign corporate securities

428,059

 

6,602

 

(29,247)

 

405,414

  491,850   18,263   (12,505)  497,608 

Total fixed maturities

$    5,610,483

 

$        191,730

 

$      (290,357)

 

$    5,511,856

Total fixed maturity securities $6,090,136  $336,762  $(62,990) $6,363,908 

Equity securities

$                15

 

$                   1

 

$                   - 

 

$                16

 $15  $-  $(3) $12 

6

  At December 31, 2008 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value 
Fixed maturity securities  - available for sale            
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of            
U.S. government agencies and corporations $139,776  $15,456  $-  $155,232 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  3,846,754   113,885   (164,921)  3,795,718 
Corporate securities  482,533   18,404   (64,620)  436,317 
Asset-backed securities  13,795   7   (4,441)  9,361 
Mortgage-backed securities                
Commercial  6,516   -   (1,067)  5,449 
Agency residential  170,299   4,838   (33)  175,104 
Non-agency residential  54,816   -   (18,252)  36,564 
Foreign government securities  467,935   32,538   (7,776)  492,697 
Foreign corporate securities  428,059   6,602   (29,247)  405,414 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,610,483  $191,730  $(290,357) $5,511,856 
Equity securities $15  $1  $-  $16 
In accordance with ASC 320-10-65-1, the Company reclassified previously other-than-temporary impairments from retained earnings into accumulated other comprehensive income. The pre-tax amount of this reclassification was $23.8 million, all of which were corporate securities. At September 30, 2009, the cumulative unrealized depreciation on these securities had improved and the remaining unrealized depreciation for the corporate securities was $3.3 million.

7


The amortized cost and market value of fixed maturities are shown in the following table by contractual maturity. Mortgage-backed securities generally are more likely to be prepaid than other fixed maturities. As the stated maturity of such securities may not be indicative of actual maturities, the totaltotals for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities isare shown separately.

 

At March 31, 2009

 

Amortized

 

Market

(Dollars in thousands)

Cost

 

Value

Fixed maturities – available for sale                                                 

 

 

 

   Due in one year or less

$               288,798

 

$               293,220

   Due after one year through five years

981,503

 

1,012,635

   Due after five years through ten years

1,154,927

 

1,176,019

   Due after ten years

2,888,722

 

2,827,728

   Mortgage-backed securities

331,722

 

327,033

Total

$            5,645,672

 

$            5,636,635

  At September 30, 2009 
  Amortized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Value 
Fixed maturity securities – available for sale      
Due in one year or less $326,465  $326,275 
Due after one year through five years  1,155,583   1,200,003 
Due after five years through ten years  1,268,070   1,347,261 
Due after ten years  2,819,142   2,965,238 
Asset-backed securities  17,646   15,481 
Mortgage-backed securities        
Commercial  23,019   27,642 
Agency residential  418,666   431,155 
Non-agency residential  61,545   50,853 
Total fixed maturity securities $6,090,136  $6,363,908 
The changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the Company’s investments are derived from the following sources for the periods as indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost of                       

 

 

 

  investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:

 

 

 

     Fixed maturities

$         89,589

 

$      (37,659)

     Equity securities

(6)

 

-

     Other invested assets

(1,641)

 

(1,798)

     Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax

87,942

 

(39,457)

     Deferred tax (expense) benefit

(30,780)

 

13,809

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of deferred

 

 

 

  taxes, included in stockholder's equity

$         57,162

 

$      (25,648)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost            
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:            
Fixed maturity securities $229,219  $(207,213) $396,245  $(326,254)
Fixed maturity securities ASC 320-10-65-1 adjustment  -   -   (23,846)  - 
Equity securities  -   -   (4)  - 
Other invested assets  3,387   (2,232)  5,614   (3,122)
Change in unrealized  appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax  232,606   (209,445)  378,009   (329,376)
Deferred tax (expense) benefit  (81,412)  73,306   (140,649)  115,281 
Deferred tax benefit ASC 320-10-65-1 adjustment  -   -   8,346   - 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation),                
net of deferred taxes, included in stockholder's equity $151,194  $(136,139) $245,706  $(214,095)
The Company frequently reviews its investment portfolio for declines in market value and focuses its attention on securities whose fair value has fallen below 80% of their amortized value at the time of review.  The Company then assesses whether the decline in value is temporary or other-than-temporary.  In making its assessment, the Company evaluates the current market and interest rate environment as well as specific issuer information and the Company’s ability and intent to hold to recovery.information.  Generally, a change in a security’s value caused by a change in the market or interest rate environment does not constitute an other- than-temporaryother-than-temporary impairment, but rather a temporary decline in market value.  Temporary declines in market value are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the Company determines that the decline is other-than-temporary and the Company does not have the intent to sell the security; and it is more likely than not the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the carrying value of the investment is written down to fair value.  The fair value and a realized lossadjustment that is credit related is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The fair value adjustment that is non-credit related is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income, (loss).net of tax, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company’s assessments are based on the issuers current and expected future financial position, timeliness with respect to interest and/or principal payments, speed of repayments and any applicable credit

8


enhancements or breakeven constant default rates on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.


Retrospective adjustments are employed to recalculate the values of asset-backed securities. All of the Company’s asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities have a pass-through structure. Each acquisition lot is reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The recalculated effective yield is used to derive a book value as if the new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding principal factors from the time of acquisition to the adjustment date are used to calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities. Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor histories and weighted average maturities, are used in the calculation of projected and prepayments for pass-through security types.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity securities, by security type and maturity type, in each case subdivided according to the length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:
  Duration by security type of unrealized loss at September 30, 2009 
  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
     Gross     Gross     Gross 
     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale                  
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                  
U.S. government agencies and corporations $4,695  $(195) $-  $-  $4,695  $(195)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  15,698   (736)  254,791   (11,896)  270,489   (12,632)
Corporate securities  59,952   (4,180)  127,849   (15,374)  187,801   (19,554)
Asset-backed securities  2,558   (200)  5,235   (2,510)  7,793   (2,710)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Commercial  -   -   3,274   (114)  3,274   (114)
Agency residential  3,680   (6)  308   -   3,988   (6)
Non-agency residential  1,381   (26)  42,732   (11,439)  44,113   (11,465)
Foreign government securities  55,494   (3,406)  32,621   (403)  88,115   (3,809)
Foreign corporate securities  135,975   (9,059)  33,373   (3,446)  169,348   (12,505)
Total fixed maturity securities $279,433  $(17,808) $500,183  $(45,182) $779,616  $(62,990)

  Duration by maturity of unrealized loss at September 30, 2009 
  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
     Gross     Gross     Gross 
     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities                  
Due in one year or less $73,180  $(7,110) $3,690  $(57) $76,870  $(7,167)
Due in one year through five years  116,675   (7,361)  59,867   (2,139)  176,542   (9,500)
Due in five years through ten years  49,142   (1,249)  52,462   (2,551)  101,604   (3,800)
Due after ten years  32,817   (1,856)  332,615   (26,372)  365,432   (28,228)
Asset-backed securities  2,558   (200)  5,235   (2,510)  7,793   (2,710)
Mortgage-backed securities  5,061   (32)  46,314   (11,553)  51,375   (11,585)
Total fixed maturity securities $279,433  $(17,808) $500,183  $(45,182) $779,616  $(62,990)


The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2009 were $779.6 million and $63.0 million, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single security that exceeded 0.18% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2009.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $17.8 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of highly rated government, municipal, corporate and mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $13.9 million were related to securities that were rated investment grade or better by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $45.2 million of unrealized losses

9


related to securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year also related primarily to highly rated municipal, corporate and mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $34.3 million related to securities that were rated investment grade or better by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses are mainly comprised of non-credit other-than-temporary impaired securities and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.  Unrealized losses have decreased since year end as a result of improved conditions in the overall financial market resulting from increased liquidity and lower interest rates.

The Company, given the size of its investment portfolio and capital position, does not have the intent to sell these securities; and it is more likely than not the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  In addition, all securities currently in an unrealized loss position are current with respect to principal and interest payments.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity securities, by security type and maturity type in each case subdivided according to the length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the period indicated:
  Duration by security type of unrealized loss at December 31, 2008 
  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
     Gross     Gross     Gross 
     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale                  
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                  
U.S. government agencies and corporations $-  $-  $-  $-  $- ��$- 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  1,471,807   (146,292)  176,555   (18,629)  1,648,362   (164,921)
Corporate securities  189,385   (42,278)  97,407   (22,342)  286,792   (64,620)
Asset-backed securities  4,230   (62)  3,983   (4,379)  8,213   (4,441)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Commercial  2,474   (450)  2,974   (617)  5,448   (1,067)
Agency residential  3,291   (29)  466   (4)  3,757   (33)
Non-agency residential  -   -   36,171   (18,252)  36,171   (18,252)
Foreign government securities  79,063   (7,715)  2,759   (61)  81,822   (7,776)
Foreign corporate securities  167,132   (13,702)  67,537   (15,545)  234,669   (29,247)
Total fixed maturity securities $1,917,382  $(210,528) $387,852  $(79,829) $2,305,234  $(290,357)

  Duration by maturity of unrealized loss at December 31, 2008 
  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
     Gross     Gross     Gross 
     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities                  
Due in one year or less $87,124  $(8,412) $22,024  $(1,516) $109,148  $(9,928)
Due in one year through five years  198,004   (10,813)  52,705   (5,676)  250,709   (16,489)
Due in five years through ten years  145,943   (10,767)  85,396   (17,662)  231,339   (28,429)
Due after ten years  1,476,316   (179,995)  184,133   (31,723)  1,660,449   (211,718)
Asset-backed securities  4,230   (62)  3,983   (4,379)  8,213   (4,441)
Mortgage-backed securities  5,765   (479)  39,611   (18,873)  45,376   (19,352)
Total fixed maturity securities $1,917,382  $(210,528) $387,852  $(79,829) $2,305,234  $(290,357)
The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2008 were $2,305.2 million and $290.4 million, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single security that exceeded 0.35% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2008.  In addition, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in

10


any one market sector.  The $210.5 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of highly rated municipal, corporate and mortgage-backed securities with the losses primarily the result of widening credit spreads from the financial markets crisis during the latter part of the year.  Of these unrealized losses, $206.9 million were related to securities that were rated investment grade or better by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $79.8 million of unrealized losses related to securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year also related primarily to highly rated municipal, corporate and mortgage-backed securities and were also the result of widening credit spreads during the latter part of the year.  Of these unrealized losses, $65.2 million related to securities that were rated investment grade or better by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The gross unrealized depreciation greater than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities includes only $0.1 million related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.

The components of net realized capital lossesinvestment income are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Fixed maturity securities, market value:                                               

 

 

 

   Other-than-temporary impairments

$               (560)

 

$               (770)

   Losses from sales

(28,094)

 

(348)

Fixed maturity securities, fair value:

 

 

 

   Gain from sales

96

 

-

   Losses from fair value adjustments

(42)

 

-

Equity securities, fair value:

 

 

 

   Losses from sales

(446)

 

(11,596)

   Losses from fair value adjustments

(16,923)

 

(55,058)

Other invested assets, fair value:

 

 

 

   Losses from fair value adjustments

(22,215)

 

(34,128)

Total net realized capital losses

$          (68,184)

 

$        (101,900)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Fixed maturity securities $70,965  $81,112  $212,903  $233,098 
Equity securities  758   1,793   2,182   4,905 
Short-term investments and cash  277   4,309   3,331   23,773 
Other invested assets                
Limited partnerships  (4,423)  10,148   (36,548)  29,856 
Other  664   2,272   5,693   7,242 
Total gross investment income  68,241   99,634   187,561   298,874 
Interest credited and other expense  (2,749)  (2,329)  (7,894)  (6,611)
Total net investment income $65,492  $97,305  $179,667  $292,263 


The Company reports results from limited partnership investments on the equity basis of accounting with changes in value reported through net investment income. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.  If the Company determines there has been a significant decline in value of a limited partnership during this lag period, a loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company indentifies the decline.

The Company had contractual commitments to invest up to an additional $145.6 million in limited partnerships at September 30, 2009.  These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2014.


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The components of net realized capital gains (losses) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Fixed maturity securities, market value:            
Other-than-temporary impairments $-  $(63,793) $(5,510) $(67,854)
Losses from sales  (4,131)  (12,172)  (32,612)  (13,086)
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:                
Gain from sales  172   -   401   - 
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  5,837   (247)  7,805   (247)
Equity securities, market value:                
Gains from sales  8,041   -   8,041   - 
Equity securities, fair value:                
Gains (losses) from sales  1,299   (1,061)  6,483   (12,630)
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  23,075   (58,817)  23,448   (122,938)
Other invested assets, fair value:                
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  67,103   27,438   48,091   (44,562)
Short-term investment (losses) gains  (2)  -   4   (30)
Total net realized capital gains (losses) $101,394  $(108,652) $56,151  $(261,347)


Proceeds from the sales of fixed maturity securities for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $48.3$38.6 million and $14.7$52.2 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $1.5$2.3 million and $0.9$0.0 million and gross losses of $29.6$6.2 million and $1.2$12.2 million were realized on those fixed maturity securities sales for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of equity security investments, fair value,securities for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $1.6$34.3 million and $229.0$151.8 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $0.2$9.4 million and $2.1$3.8 million and gross losses of $0.7$0.0 million and $13.7$4.8 million were realized on those equity sales for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $99.7 million and $138.3 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $4.6 million and $1.1 million and gross losses of $36.8 million and $14.2 million were realized on those fixed maturity securities sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of equity securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $46.6 million and $380.9 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $15.3 million and $5.9 million and gross losses of $0.7 million and $18.6 million were realized on those equity sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Included in net realized capital lossesgains (losses) was $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and $63.8 million and $67.9 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 andSeptember 30, 2008, was $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, forof write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis.

  There were no write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis for the three months ended September 30, 2009.


At September 30, 2009 the Company had no other-than-temporary impaired securities where the impairment had both a credit and non-credit component.


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4.  Fair Value


The Company records fair value re-measurements as net realized capital gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).  The Company recorded $39.2$96.0 million and $89.2$79.3 million in net realized capital lossesgains due to fair value re-measurementre-measurements on fixed maturity andsecurities, equity securities and other invested assets, at fair value, for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, respectively.  The Company recorded $31.6 million and $167.7 million in net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity securities, equity securities and other invested assets, at fair value, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.


The Company’s fixed maturitiesmaturity and equity securities are managed by third party investment asset managers and market and fair values for these securities are obtained from third party pricing services retained by themanagers.  The investment asset managers. managers obtain prices from nationally recognized pricing services.   These services seek to utilize market data and observations in their evaluation process.  They use pricing applications that vary by asset class and incorporate available market information and when fixed maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis the services will apply available information through processes such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.  In addition, they use model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios for securities that have prepayment features.

In limited instances where prices are not provided by pricing services or in rare instances when a manager may not agree with the pricing service, price quotes on a non-binding basis are obtained from investment brokers.  The investment asset managers do not make any changes to prices received from either the pricing services or the investment brokers.  In addition, the investment asset managers have procedures in place to review the reasonableness of the prices from the service providers and may obtain additional price quotes for verification.request verification of the prices.  In addition, the Company tests the prices on a random basis to an independent pricing source.  In limited situations, where financial markets are inactive or illiquid, the Company may use its own assumptions about future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates to determine fair value.

  The Company made no such adjustments at September 30, 2009.


Fixed maturitiesmaturity securities are generally categorized as Level 2, Significant Other Observable Inputs, since a particular security may not have traded but the pricing services are able to use valuation models with observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves and prices for similar fixed maturitiesmaturity securities in terms of issuer, maturity and seniority. Valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable (including assumptions about risk) are categorized as Level 3, Significant Unobservable Inputs.  These securities include broker priced securities and valuation of less liquid securities such as commercial mortgage-backed securities.

8



Equity securities in U.S. denominated currency are categorized as Level 1, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, since the securities are actively traded on an exchange and prices are based on quoted prices from the exchange.  Equity securities traded on foreign exchanges are categorized as Level 2 due to potential foreign exchange adjustments to fair or market value.


Other invested assets, at fair value, are categorized as Level 1, Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets, since the securities are shares of the Company’s parent, which are actively traded on an exchange and the price is based on a quoted price.



13


The following tables present the fair value measurement levels for all assets and liabilities, which the Company has recorded at fair value as of the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement Using:

 

 

 

 

Quoted Prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in Active

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets for

 

Other

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

Identical

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

(Dollars in thousands)

 

March 31, 2009

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Fixed maturities, market value

 

$          5,636,635

 

$                     -

 

$        5,629,171

 

$                7,464

   Fixed maturities, fair value

 

47,391

 

-

 

47,391

 

-

   Equity securities, market value                                     

 

10

 

10

 

-

 

-

   Equity securities, fair value

 

109,788

 

109,399

 

389

 

-

   Other invested assets, fair value

294,535

 

294,535

 

-

 

-

 

Fair Value Measurement Using:

    Fair Value Measurement Using: 

 

Quoted Prices

 

    Quoted Prices       

 

in Active

 

Significant

 

 

    in Active  Significant    

 

Markets for

 

Other

 

Significant

    Markets for  Other  Significant 

 

Identical

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

    Identical  Observable  Unobservable 

 

 

 

Assets

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

    Assets  Inputs  Inputs 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2008

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 September 30, 2009  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 

Assets:

 

            

Fixed maturities, market value

 

$              5,511,856

 

$                     -

 

$       5,500,889

 

$             10,967

 $6,363,908  $-  $6,351,181  $12,727 

Fixed maturities, fair value

 

43,090

 

-

 

43,090

 

-

  52,815   -   52,815   - 

Equity securities, market value

 

16

 

16

 

-

 

-

  12   12   -   - 

Equity securities, fair value

 

119,815

 

119,092

 

723

 

-

  158,456   157,459   997   - 

Other invested assets, fair value

Other invested assets, fair value

316,750

 

316,750

 

-

 

-

  364,841   364,841   -   - 

9



     Fair Value Measurement Using: 
     Quoted Prices       
     in Active  Significant    
     Markets for  Other  Significant 
     Identical  Observable  Unobservable 
     Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
(Dollars in thousands) December 31, 2008  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:            
Fixed maturities, market value $5,511,856  $-  $5,500,889  $10,967 
Fixed maturities, fair value  43,090   -   43,090   - 
Equity securities, market value  16   16   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  119,815   119,092   723   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  316,750   316,750   -   - 



The following table presents the fixed maturity investments for which fair value was measuredactivity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs for fixed maturity investments, for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Assets:

 

 

 

Beginning balance at January 1

$            10,967

 

$            78,709

  Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)

 

 

 

    Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)

(25)

 

(338)

    Included in other comprehensive income

181

 

(937)

  Purchases, issuances and settlements

2,975

 

(6,043)

  Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3

(6,634)

 

(37,299)

Ending balance at March 31

$              7,464

 

$            34,092

 

 

 

 

The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings

 

 

 

  (or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized

 

 

 

    gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date

$               (131)

 

$               (387)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Assets:            
Balance, beginning of period $11,807  $17,132  $10,967  $78,709 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)  46   (316)  42   (2,630)
Included in other comprehensive income  1,136   (812)  1,692   (1,400)
Purchases, issuances and settlements  (113)  (114)  (192)  (5,318)
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  (149)  36   218   (53,435)
Balance, end of period $12,727  $15,926  $12,727  $15,926 
                 
The amount of total gains or losses for the period included in earnings                
(or changes in net assets) attributable to the change in unrealized                
gains or losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date $-  $1,302  $(131) $(2,759)



14


5.  Capital Transactions


On December 17, 2008, Group and Holdings renewed their shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”),SEC, as a Well Known Seasoned Issuer.  This shelf registration statement can be used by Group to register common shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, share purchase contracts and share purchase units; by Holdings to register debt securities and by Everest Re Capital Trust III (“Capital Trust III”) to register trust preferred securities.


6.  Contingencies


In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine the Company’s rights and obligations under insurance, reinsurance and other contractual agreements.  In some disputes, the Company seeks to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it.  In other matters, the Company is resisting attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. These disputes arise from time to time and are ultimately resolved through both informal and formal means, including negotiated resolution, arbitration and litigation.  In all such matters, the Company believes that its positions are legally and commercially reasonable.  While the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that any of these matters, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.  However, an adverse resolution of one or more of these items in any one quarter or fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in that period.


The Company does not believe that there are any material pending legal proceedings to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their properties are the subject.


The Company continues to receive claims under expired insurance and reinsurance contracts asserting injuries and/or damages relating to or resulting from environmental pollution and hazardous substances, including asbestos.  Environmental claims typically assert liability for (a) the mitigation or remediation of environmental contamination or (b) bodily injury or property damage caused by the release of hazardous substances into the land, air or water.  Asbestos claims typically assert liability for bodily injury from exposure to asbestos or for property damage resulting from asbestos or products containing asbestos.


The Company’s reserves include an estimate of the Company’s ultimate liability for asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) claims.  As of March 31,September 30, 2009, approximately 10%9% of the Company’s gross reserves were an estimate of the Company’s ultimate liability for A&E claims.  The Company’s A&E liabilities emanate from Mt. McKinley Insurance Company’s (“Mt. McKinley”), a direct subsidiary of the Company, direct

10


insurance business and Everest Re’s assumed reinsurance business.  All of the contracts of insurance and reinsurance under which the Company has received claims during the past three years, expired more than 20 years ago.  There are significant uncertainties surrounding the Company’s reserves for its A&E losses.



15


A&E exposures represent a separate exposure group for monitoring and evaluating reserve adequacy. The following table summarizes incurred losses with respect to A&E on both a gross and net of retrocessional basis for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Gross basis:

 

 

 

   Beginning of period reserves

$          786,842

 

$         922,843

   Incurred losses

-

 

-

   Paid losses

(18,081)

 

(21,803)

End of period reserves

$          768,761

 

$         901,040

 

 

 

 

Net basis:

 

 

 

   Beginning of period reserves

$          485,296

 

$         537,549

   Incurred losses

-

 

-

   Paid losses

(10,087)

 

(13,486)

End of period reserves

$          475,209

 

$         524,063

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Gross basis:            
Beginning of period reserves $704,507  $870,998  $786,842  $922,843 
Incurred losses  -   -   -   - 
Paid losses  (52,170)  (16,895)  (134,505)  (68,740)
End of period reserves $652,337  $854,103  $652,337  $854,103 
                 
Net basis:                
Beginning of period reserves $455,379  $513,516  $485,296  $537,549 
Incurred losses  -   -   -   - 
Paid losses  (13,527)  (8,724)  (43,444)  (32,757)
End of period reserves $441,852  $504,792  $441,852  $504,792 


At March 31,September 30, 2009, the gross reserves for A&E losses were comprised of $153.0$141.3 million representing case reserves reported by ceding companies, $151.2$152.1 million representing additional case reserves established by the Company on assumed reinsurance claims, $127.3$66.5 million representing case reserves established by the Company on direct excess insurance claims, including Mt. McKinley and $337.3$292.4 million representing incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves.


With respect to asbestos only, at March 31,September 30, 2009, the Company had gross asbestos loss reserves of $718.7$618.7 million, or 93.5%94.8%, of total A&E reserves, of which $524.4$486.4 million was for assumed business and $194.3$132.3 million was for direct business.


Management believes that these uncertainties and factors continue to render reserves for A&E and particularly asbestos losses significantly less subject to traditional actuarial analysis than reserves for other types of losses.  The Company establishes reserves to the extent that, in the judgment of management, the facts and prevailing law reflect an exposure for the Company or its ceding companies.


Due to the uncertainties, the ultimate losses attributable to A&E, and particularly asbestos, may be subject to more variability than are non-A&E reserves and such variation, depending on coverage under the Company’s various reinsurance arrangements, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.


In 1993 and prior, the Company had a business arrangement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America (“The Prudential”) wherein, for a fee, the Company accepted settled claim payment obligations of certain property and casualty insurers, and, concurrently, became the owner of the annuity or assignee of the annuity proceeds funded by the property and casualty insurers specifically to fulfill these fully settled obligations.  In these circumstances, the Company would be liable if The Prudential, which has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”), was unable to make the annuity payments.  At March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was contingently liable was $152.8$151.8 million and $152.1 million, respectively.


Prior to its 1995 initial public offering, the Company had purchased annuities from an unaffiliated life insurance company with an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from A.M. Best to settle certain claim liabilities of the company.  Should the life insurance company become unable to make the annuity payments,

11


the Company would be liable for those claim liabilities.  At March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the estimated cost to replace such annuities was $23.2$24.1 million and $23.1 million, respectively.



16


7.  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the periods indicated:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2009

 

2008

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities

 

$             87,942

 

$          (39,457)

Tax (expense) benefit

 

(30,780)

 

13,809

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities

 

57,162

 

(25,648)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(28,742)

 

9,178

Tax benefit (expense)

 

10,060

 

(3,212)

Net foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(18,682)

 

5,966

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred taxes               

 

$             38,480

 

$          (19,682)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") of investments (1)
            
URA(D) of investments $232,607  $(209,446) $401,856  $(329,376)
Tax (expense) benefit  (81,413)  73,307   (140,650)  115,281 
URA(D), net of tax  151,194   (136,139)  261,206   (214,095)
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  16,204   (15,469)  33,281   (16,231)
Tax (expense) benefit  (5,672)  5,412   (11,649)  5,679 
Net foreign currency translation adjustments  10,532   (10,057)  21,632   (10,552)
                 
Pension adjustment  949   308   2,849   1,283 
Tax expense  (332)  (108)  (564)  (449)
Net pension adjustment  617   200   2,285   834 
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred taxes $162,343  $(145,996) $285,123  $(223,813)

(1) The following are the components of URA(D) of investments:          
               
    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
    September 30, September 30,
  (Dollars in thousands)  2009  2008  2009  2008
  URA(D) of investments - temporary $228,966  $(209,446) $388,791  $(329,376)
  Tax expense  (80,138)  (73,307)  (136,077)  (115,281)
  Net URA(D) of investments - temporary $148,828  $(136,139) $252,714  $(214,095)
                   
  URA(D) of investments - credit OTTI $(415) $-  $3,411  $- 
  Tax benefit (expense)  145   -   (1,194)  - 
  Net URA(D) of investments - credit OTTI $(270) $-  $2,217  $- 
                   
  URA(D) of investments - non-credit OTTI $4,056  $-  $9,654  $- 
  Tax expense  (1,420)  -   (3,379)  - 
  Net URA(D) of investments - non-credit OTTI $2,636  $-  $6,275  $- 


The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the consolidated balance sheets for the periods indicated:

  September 30, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of deferred taxes      
Temporary $176,405  $(69,248)
Credit, other-than-temporary impairments  2,217   - 
Non-credit, other-than-temporary impairments  (2,164)  - 
Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of deferred taxes  176,458   (69,248)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes  50,538   28,906 
Pension adjustments, net of deferred taxes  (29,436)  (31,721)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $197,560  $(72,063)


17


8.  Credit Line


Effective August 23, 2006, Holdings entered into a five year, $150.0 million senior revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders, referred to as the “Holdings Credit Facility”.  Citibank N.A. is the administrative agent for the Holdings Credit Facility.  The Holdings Credit Facility may be used for liquidity and general corporate purposes.  The Holdings Credit Facility provides for the borrowing of up to $150.0 million with interest at a rate selected by Holdings equal to either, (1) the Base Rate (as defined below) or (2) a periodic fixed rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus an applicable margin.  The Base Rate means a fluctuating interest rate per annum in effect from time to time to be equal to the higher of (a) the rate of interest publicly announced by Citibank as its prime rate or (b) 0.5% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate, in each case plus the applicable margin.  The amount of margin and the fees payable for the Holdings Credit Facility depends upon Holdings’ senior unsecured debt rating.


The Holdings Credit Facility requires Holdings to maintain a debt to capital ratio of not greater than 0.35 to 1 and Everest Re to maintain its statutory surplus at $1.5 billion plus 25% of future aggregate net income and 25% of future aggregate capital contributions after December 31, 2005, which at March 31,September 30, 2009, was $1,837.9$1,889.9 million.  As of March 31,September 30, 2009, Holdings was in compliance with all Holdings Credit Facility covenants.


At March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there were outstanding letters of credit of $28.0 million under the Holdings Credit Facility.


Costs incurred in connection with the Holdings Credit Facility were $26,328$166,083 and $25,791$106,158 for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

12



9.  Letters of Credit


The Citibank Holdings Credit Facility involves a syndicate of lenders (see Note 8), with Citibank acting as administrative agent.  At March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, letters of credit for $28.0 million were issued and outstanding.  The following table summarizes the Company’s letters of credit at March 31,September 30, 2009.

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Bank

Commitment

 

In Use

 

Date of Expiry

Citibank Holdings Credit Facility

$           150,000

 

$             27,959

 

12/31/2009

Total Citibank Holdings Credit Facility                          

$           150,000

 

$             27,959

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)       
Bank Commitment  In Use Date of Expiry
Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $27,959 12/31/2009
Total Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $27,959  
10.  Trust Agreements


A subsidiary of the Company, Everest Re, has established a trust agreement, which effectively uses Everest Re’s investments as collateral, as security for assumed losses payable to a non-affiliated ceding company.  At March 31,September 30, 2009, the total amount on deposit in the trust account was $20.8$24.0 million.


11.  Senior Notes


On October 12, 2004, Holdings completed a public offering of $250.0 million principal amount of 5.40% senior notes due October 15, 2014.  On March 14, 2000, Holdings completed a public offering of $200.0 million principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due March 15, 2010.


Interest expense incurred in connection with these senior notes was $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, and $23.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  Market value, which is based on quoted market price at March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $212.5$247.8 million and $186.2 million, respectively, for the 5.40% senior notes and $201.2$206.3 million and $156.8 million, respectively, for the 8.75% senior notes.


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12.  Long Term Subordinated Notes


On April 26, 2007, Holdings completed a public offering of $400.0 million principal amount of 6.6% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes with a scheduled maturity date of May 15, 2037 and a final maturity date of May 1, 2067.  During the fixed rate interest period from May 3, 2007 through May 14, 2017, interest will be at the annual rate of 6.6%, payable semi-annually in arrears on November 15 and May 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2007, subject to Holdings’ right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  During the floating rate interest period from May 15, 2017 through maturity, interest will be based on the 3 month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, subject to Holdings’ right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  Deferred interest will accumulate interest at the applicable rate compounded semi-annually for periods prior to May 15, 2017, and compounded quarterly for periods from and including May 15, 2017.


Holdings can redeem the long term subordinated notes prior to May 15, 2017, in whole but not in part at the applicable redemption price, which will equal the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount being redeemed and (b) the present value of the principal payment on May 15, 2017 and scheduled payments of interest that would have accrued from the redemption date to May 15, 2017 on the long term subordinated notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at a discount rate equal to the treasury rate plus an applicable spread of either 0.25% or 0.50%, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.  Holdings may redeem the long term subordinated notes on or after May 15, 2017, in whole or in part at 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest; however, redemption on or after the scheduled maturity date and prior to May 1, 2047 is subject to a replacement capital covenant.  This covenant is for the benefit of certain senior note holders and it mandates that Holdings receive proceeds from the sale of another subordinated debt issue, of at least similar size, before it may redeem the subordinated notes.

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On March 19, 2009, Group announced the commencement of a cash tender offer for any and all of the 6.60% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes. Upon expiration of the tender offer, the Company had reduced its outstanding debt by $161.4 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on debt repurchase of $78.3 million.


Interest expense incurred in connection with these long term notes was $6.5$3.9 million and $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $14.4 million and $19.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Market value, which is based on quoted market priceprices at March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $118.1$163.4 million on outstanding 6.6% long term subordinated notes of $238.3$238.6 million and $168.0 million on outstanding 6.6% long term subordinated notes of $399.6 million, respectively.


13. Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Payable


On March 29, 2004, Holdings issued $329.9 million of 6.20% junior subordinated debt securities due March 29, 2034 to Everest Re Capital Trust II (“Capital Trust II”).  Holdings may redeem the junior subordinated debt securities before their maturity at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest as of the date of redemption. The securities may be redeemed in whole or in part, on one or more occasions at any time on or after March 31,30, 2009; or at any time, in whole, but not in part, within 90 days of the occurrence and continuation of a determination that the Trust may become subject to tax or the Investment Company Act.


Fair value, which is primarily based on quoted market price of the related trust preferred securities, at March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $220.7$296.9 million and $222.2 million, respectively, for the 6.20% junior subordinated debt securities.


Interest expense incurred in connection with these junior subordinated notes was $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, and $15.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.


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Capital Trust II is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Holdings.


Holdings considers that the mechanisms and obligations relating to the trust preferred securities, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by Holdings of Capital Trust II’s payment obligations with respect to the trust preferred securities.


Capital Trust II will redeem all of the outstanding trust preferred securities when the junior subordinated debt securities are paid at maturity on March 29, 2034.  The Company may elect to redeem the junior subordinated debt securities, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 31,30, 2009.  If such an early redemption occurs, the outstanding trust preferred securities would also be proportionately redeemed.


There are certain regulatory and contractual restrictions on the ability of the Company’s operating subsidiaries to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.  The insurance laws of the State of Delaware, where the Company’s direct insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, require regulatory approval before those subsidiaries can pay dividends or make loans or advances to the Company that exceed certain statutory thresholds.  In addition, the terms of the Holdings Credit Facility (discussed in Note 8) require Everest Re, the Company’s principal insurance subsidiary, to maintain a certain statutory surplus level as measured at the end of each fiscal year.  At December 31, 2008, $1,745.6 million of the $2,735.2 million in net assets of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries were subject to the foregoing regulatory restrictions.


14.  Segment Results


The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in four segments:  U.S. Reinsurance, U.S. Insurance, Specialty Underwriting and International.  The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies within the U.S.  The U.S. Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance primarily through general agents and surplus lines brokers within the U.S.  The Specialty Underwriting operation writes accident and health (“A&H”), marine, aviation and surety business within the U.S. and

14


worldwide through brokers and directly with ceding companies.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re’s branches in Canada and Singapore and offices in Miami and New Jersey.


These segments are managed in a coordinated fashion with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations.  Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.


Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses.  Underwriting results are measured using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which, respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.


The Company does not maintain separate balance sheet data for its operating segments.  Accordingly, the Company does not review and evaluate the financial results of its operating segments based upon balance sheet data.



20


The following tables present the underwriting results for the operating segments for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

U.S. Reinsurance

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Gross written premiums

$           264,331

 

$           233,719

Net written premiums

139,432

 

147,419

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$           146,333

 

$           198,116

Incurred losses and LAE

90,141

 

121,049

Commission and brokerage

31,919

 

52,740

Other underwriting expenses

7,562

 

8,773

Underwriting gain

$             16,711

 

$             15,554

Three Months Ended

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

U.S. Insurance

March 31,

U.S. Reinsurance September 30, September 30,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

 2009 2008 2009 2008

Gross written premiums

$           204,717

 

$           210,460

 $345,567  $280,467  $876,049  $714,534 

Net written premiums

121,152

 

110,170

  191,666   146,467   487,849   424,982 

 

 

 

                

Premiums earned

$           111,972

 

$           143,096

 $162,037  $167,468  $489,067  $527,475 

Incurred losses and LAE

81,144

 

95,899

  56,158   240,734   232,262   446,013 

Commission and brokerage

12,018

 

20,748

  21,397   27,473   90,525   125,762 

Other underwriting expenses

17,281

 

14,342

  9,665   7,840   25,250   23,500 

Underwriting gain

$               1,529

 

$             12,107

Underwriting gain (loss) $74,817  $(108,579) $141,030  $(67,800)

 

Three Months Ended

Specialty Underwriting

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Gross written premiums

$             58,923

 

$             54,911

Net written premiums

32,605

 

36,921

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$             36,836

 

$             35,550

Incurred losses and LAE

25,383

 

18,215

Commission and brokerage

10,067

 

9,977

Other underwriting expenses

1,845

 

2,411

Underwriting (loss) gain

$                (459)

 

$               4,947


  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
U.S. Insurance September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Gross written premiums $230,491  $194,021  $648,719  $595,458 
Net written premiums  76,400   98,597   301,910   312,949 
                 
Premiums earned $89,237  $107,822  $306,860  $372,032 
Incurred losses and LAE  71,423   78,386   210,329   335,965 
Commission and brokerage  10,512   4,798   32,379   48,438 
Other underwriting expenses  19,982   16,876   56,415   47,118 
Underwriting (loss) gain $(12,680) $7,762  $7,737  $(59,489)

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Specialty Underwriting September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Gross written premiums $67,615  $54,828  $183,726  $193,941 
Net written premiums  38,259   34,564   102,990   128,787 
                 
Premiums earned $39,182  $35,317  $108,513  $126,318 
Incurred losses and LAE  25,197   37,615   73,740   81,747 
Commission and brokerage  10,510   8,660   29,435   30,418 
Other underwriting expenses  2,383   1,937   6,227   6,182 
Underwriting gain (loss) $1,092  $(12,895) $(889) $7,971 

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
International September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Gross written premiums $272,603  $248,821  $797,606  $654,183 
Net written premiums  146,330   144,810   435,650   394,260 
                 
Premiums earned $147,864  $139,285  $433,099  $395,511 
Incurred losses and LAE  89,214   90,261   260,964   252,088 
Commission and brokerage  34,840   32,885   100,062   90,652 
Other underwriting expenses  6,159   4,691   16,463   14,492 
Underwriting gain $17,651  $11,448  $55,610  $38,279 

21


 

Three Months Ended

International

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Gross written premiums

$           250,750

 

$           186,378

Net written premiums

135,356

 

116,286

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$           143,304

 

$           123,268

Incurred losses and LAE

92,527

 

74,542

Commission and brokerage

34,215

 

26,426

Other underwriting expenses

4,620

 

5,054

Underwriting gain

$             11,942

 

$             17,246

The following table reconciles the underwriting results for the operating segments to income before taxes as reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive lossincome (loss) for the periods indicated:


 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

 

2008

Underwriting gain

$           29,723

 

$           49,854

Net investment income

39,659

 

87,977

Net realized capital losses

(68,184)

 

(101,900)

Realized gain on debt repurchase

78,271

 

-

Corporate expense

(1,318)

 

(1,693)

Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense                                

(19,633)

 

(19,742)

Other expense

(114)

 

(21,273)

Income (loss) before taxes

$           58,404

 

$           (6,777)


  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Underwriting gain (loss) $80,880  $(102,264) $203,488  $(81,039)
Net investment income  65,492   97,305   179,667   292,263 
Net realized capital gains (losses)  101,394   (108,652)  56,151   (261,347)
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   -   78,271   - 
Corporate expense  (1,675)  (1,425)  (4,871)  (4,502)
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  (17,073)  (19,745)  (53,779)  (59,233)
Other income (expense)  15,081   7,951   7,801   (16,039)
Income (loss) before taxes $244,099  $(126,830) $466,728  $(129,897)
The Company produces business in the U.S. and internationally.  The net income deriving from and assets residing in the individual foreign countries in which the Company writes business are not identifiable in the Company’s financial records.  Based on gross written premium, other than the U.S., no other country represented more than 5% of the Company’s revenues.


15.  Related-Party Transactions


During the normal course of business, the Company, through its affiliates, engages in reinsurance and brokerage and commission business transactions with companies controlled by or affiliated with one or more of its outside directors.  Such transactions, individually and in the aggregate, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.


The Company engages in reinsurance transactions with Bermuda Re and Everest International Reinsurance, Ltd. (“Everest International”), affiliates, primarily driven by enterprise risk and capital management consideration, under which business is ceded at market rates and terms.  These transactions include:


·  Effective September 19, 2000, Mt. McKinley and Bermuda Re entered into a loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement, whereby Mt. McKinley transferred all of its net insurance exposures and reserves to Bermuda Re.

·  Effective October 1, 2001, Everest Re and Bermuda Re entered into a loss portfolio reinsurance agreement, whereby Everest Re transferred all of its Belgium branch net insurance exposures and reserves to Bermuda Re.

·  For premiums earned and losses incurred for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, Everest Re, Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company entered into an Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement with Bermuda Re, covering workers’ compensation losses occurring on and after January 1, 2002, as respects new, renewal and in force policies effective on that date through December 31, 2002.  Bermuda Re is liable for any loss exceeding $100,000 per occurrence, with its liability not to exceed $150,000 per occurrence.

·  Effective January 1, 2002 for the 2002 underwriting year, Everest Re ceded 20.0% of its net retained liability to Bermuda Re through a quota share reinsurance agreement (“whole account quota share”).

·  Effective January 1, 2003, Everest Re and Bermuda Re amended the whole account quota share, through which Everest Re previously ceded 20.0% of its business to Bermuda Re so that effective January 1, 2003 Everest Re ceded 25.0% to Bermuda Re of the net retained liability on all new and renewal policies underwritten during the term of this agreement.  This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2003.

Effective September 19, 2000, Mt. McKinley and Bermuda Re entered into a loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement, whereby Mt. McKinley transferred all

22


·  Effective January 1, 2003, Everest Re entered into a whole account quota share with Bermuda Re, whereby Everest Re’s Canadian branch ceded to Bermuda Re 50.0% of its net retained liability on all new and renewal property business.  This remained in effect through December 31, 2006.

·  Effective January 1, 2004, Everest Re and Bermuda Re amended the whole account quota share through which Everest Re previously ceded 25.0% of its business to Bermuda Re so that effective January 1, 2004 Everest Re ceded 22.5% to Bermuda Re and 2.5% to Everest International of the net retained liability on all new and renewal covered business written during the term of this agreement.  This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2005.

·  Effective January 1, 2006, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share so that for all new and renewal business recorded on or after January 1, 2006, Everest Re ceded 31.5% and 3.5% of its casualty business to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively, and Everest Re ceded 18.0% and 2.0% of its property business to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively. However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one occurrence on the property business exceed $125.0 million.  The property portion of this amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2006.  The casualty portion remained in effect through December 31, 2007.

·  Effective January 1, 2007, Everest Re and Bermuda Re amended the whole account quota share so that for all new and renewal business recorded on or after January 1, 2007, Everest Re cedes 60.0% of its Canadian branch property business to Bermuda Re.

·  Effective January 1, 2007, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share so that for all new and renewal property business recorded on or after January 1, 2007, Everest Re ceded 22.5% and 2.5% to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively.  However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one occurrence on the property business exceed $130.0 million.  This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2007.

·  Effective January 1, 2008, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share whereby, for all new and renewal casualty and property business recorded on or after January 1, 2008, Everest Re ceded 36.0% and 4.0% to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively.  However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one catastrophe occurrence on the property business exceed $130.0 million or in the aggregate for each underwriting year for all property catastrophes exceed $275.0 million. This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2008.

·  Effective October 1, 2008, Everest Re and Bermuda Re entered into a loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement, whereby Everest Re transferred a percentage of its net loss reserves ($747.0 million) corresponding to all existing open and future liabilities at December 31, 2007, arising from policies, insurance or reinsurance written or renewed by or on behalf of Everest Re during the period of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2007, classified by Everest Re as casualty.

·  Effective January 1, 2009, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share whereby, for all new and renewal casualty and property business recorded on or after January 1, 2009, Everest Re cedes 36% and 8% to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively.  However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one occurrence exceed $150.0 million or in the aggregate for each underwriting year for all occurrences exceed $325.0 million.


Effective October 1, 2001, Everest Re and Bermuda Re entered into a loss portfolio reinsurance agreement, whereby Everest Re transferred all

23


16

For premiums earned and losses incurred for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, Everest Re, Everest National Insurance Company and Everest Security Insurance Company entered into an Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement with Bermuda Re, covering workers’ compensation losses occurring on and after January 1, 2002, as respects new, renewal and in force policies effective on that date through December 31, 2002. Bermuda Re is liable for any loss exceeding $100,000 per occurrence, with its liability not to exceed $150,000 per occurrence.

Effective January 1, 2002 for the 2002 underwriting year, Everest Re ceded 20.0% of its net retained liability to Bermuda Re through a quota share reinsurance agreement (“whole account quota share”).

Effective January 1, 2003, Everest Re and Bermuda Re amended the whole account quota share, through which Everest Re previously ceded 20.0% of its business to Bermuda Re so that effective January 1, 2003 Everest Re ceded 25.0% to Bermuda Re of the net retained liability on all new and renewal policies underwritten during the term of this agreement. This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2003.

Effective January 1, 2003, Everest Re entered into a whole account quota share with Bermuda Re, whereby Everest Re’s Canadian branch ceded to Bermuda Re 50.0% of its net retained liability on all new and renewal property business. This remained in effect through December 31, 2006.

Effective January 1, 2004, Everest Re and Bermuda Re amended the whole account quota share through which Everest Re previously ceded 25.0% of its business to Bermuda Re so that effective January 1, 2004 Everest Re ceded 22.5% to Bermuda Re and 2.5% to Everest International of the net retained liability on all new and renewal covered business written during the term of this agreement. This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2005.

Effective January 1, 2006, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share so that for all new and renewal business recorded on or after January 1, 2006, Everest Re ceded 31.5% and 3.5% of its casualty business to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively, and Everest Re ceded 18.0% and 2.0% of its property business to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively. However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one occurrence on the property business exceed $125.0 million. The property portion of this amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2006. The casualty portion remained in effect through December 31, 2007.

Effective January 1, 2007, Everest Re and Bermuda Re amended the whole account quota share so that for all new and renewal business recorded on or after January 1, 2007, Everest Re cedes 60.0% of its Canadian branch property business to Bermuda Re.

Effective January 1, 2007, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share so that for all new and renewal property business recorded on or after January 1, 2007, Everest Re ceded 22.5% and 2.5% to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively. However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one occurrence on the property business exceed $130.0 million. This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2007.

Effective January 1, 2008, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share whereby, for all new and renewal casualty and property business recorded on or after January 1, 2008, Everest Re ceded 36.0% and 4.0% to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively. However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one catastrophe occurrence on the property business exceed $130.0 million or in the aggregate for each underwriting year for all property catastrophes exceed $275.0 million. This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2008.

17


Effective October 1, 2008, Everest Re and Bermuda Re entered into a loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement, whereby Everest Re transferred a percentage of its net loss reserves ($747.0 million) corresponding to all existing open and future liabilities at December 31, 2007, arising from policies, insurance or reinsurance written or renewed by or on behalf of Everest Re during the period of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2007, classified by Everest Re as casualty.

Effective January 1, 2009, Everest Re, Bermuda Re and Everest International amended the whole account quota share whereby, for all new and renewal casualty and property business recorded on or after January 1, 2009, Everest Re cedes 36% and 8% to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively. However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re and Everest International relating to any one occurrence exceed $150.0 million or in the aggregate for each underwriting year for all occurrences exceed $325.0 million.

The following table summarizestables summarize the premiums and losses ceded by the Company to Bermuda Re and Everest International, respectively, for the periods indicated:

Bermuda Re

Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

2008

Ceded written premiums                                                                         

$                284,766

$                214,139

Ceded earned premiums

274,068

205,958

Ceded losses and LAE (a)

140,867

96,401


Everest International

Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in thousands)

2009

2008

Ceded written premiums                                                                         

$                  38,348

$                  22,184

Ceded earned premiums

34,336

21,155

Ceded losses and LAE

19,400

10,547


  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Bermuda Re September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Ceded written premiums $323,098  $285,039  $879,163  $705,859 
Ceded earned premiums  286,537   243,685   835,673   667,799 
Ceded losses and LAE (a)  196,630   198,505   529,229   409,440 

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Everest International September 30, September 30,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Ceded written premiums $68,937  $30,098  $152,819  $73,798 
Ceded earned premiums  49,381   25,739   121,664   69,517 
Ceded losses and LAE  27,070   21,506   63,625   43,762 
(a) Ceded losses and LAE include the Mt. McKinley loss portfolio transfer that constitutes losses ceded under retroactive reinsurance and therefore, in accordance with FASASC 944-20 (FAS 113, “Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts,”Contracts”), a deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance is reflected in other expenses on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.


Everest Re sold net assets of its UK branch to Bermuda Re and provided Bermuda Re with a reserve indemnity agreement allowing for indemnity payments of up to 90% of £25.0₤25.0 million of the excess of 2002 and prior reserves, provided that any recognition of profit from the reserves for 2002 and prior underwriting years is taken into account.  The limit available under this agreement was fully exhausted at December 31, 2004.


16. Income Taxes


The Company uses a projected annual effective tax rate in accordance with FASB Statement No.ASC 740-10-05 (FAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“FAS 109”), to calculate its quarterly tax expense.  Under this methodology, when an interim quarter’s pre-tax income (loss) varies significantly from a full year’s income (loss) projection, the tax impact resulting from the income (loss) variance is effectively spread between the impacted quarter and the remaining quarters of the year, except for discreet items impacting an individual quarter.


The Company recognizes accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income taxes.  For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, the Company expensed approximately $2.0$1.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively, in interest and penalties.


17. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated known recognized and nonrecognized subsequent events through November 16, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.  The Company does not have any subsequent events to report.

24

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Industry Conditions.

The worldwide reinsurance and insurance businesses are highly competitive, as well as cyclical by product and market.  As a result,such, financial results tend to fluctuate with periods of constrained availability, high rates and strong profits followed by periods of abundant capacity, low rates and constrained profitability.  Competition in the types of reinsurance and insurance business that we underwrite is based on many factors, including the perceived overall financial strength of the reinsurer or insurer, ratings of the reinsurer or insurer by A.M. Best Company and/or Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, underwriting expertise, the jurisdictions where the reinsurer or insurer is licensed or otherwise authorized, capacity and coverages offered, premiums charged, other terms and conditions of the reinsurance and insurance business offered, services offered, speed of claims payment and reputation and experience in lines written. Furthermore, the market impact from these competitive factors related to reinsurance and insurance is generally not consistent across lines of business, domestic and international geographical areas and distribution channels.


We compete in the U.S. and international reinsurance and insurance markets with numerous global competitors.  Our competitors include independent reinsurance and insurance companies, subsidiaries or affiliates of established worldwide insurance companies, reinsurance departments of certain insurance companies and domestic and international underwriting operations, including underwriting syndicates at Lloyd’s.  Some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do and have established long term and continuing business relationships, which can be a significant competitive advantage.  In addition, the lack of strong barriers to entry into the reinsurance business and the potential for securitization of reinsurance and insurance risks through capital markets provide additional sources of potential reinsurance and insurance capacity and competition.


Starting in the latter part of 2007, throughout 2008 and into 2009, there has been a significant slowdown in the global economy.economy, which has negatively impacted the financial resources of the industry.  Excessive availability and use of credit, particularly by individuals, led to increased defaults on sub-prime mortgages in the U.S. and elsewhere, falling values for houses and many commodities and contracting consumer spending.  The significant increase in default rates negatively impacted the value of asset-backed securities held by both foreign and domestic institutions.  The defaults have led to a corresponding increase in foreclosures, which have driven down housing values, resulting in additional losses on the asset-backed securities.  During the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the credit markets deteriorated dramatically, evidenced by widening credit spreads and dramatically reduced availability of credit.  Many financial institutions, including some insurance entities, experienced liquidity crises due to immediate demands for funds for withdrawals or collateral, combined with falling asset values and their inability to sell assets to meet the increased demands.  As a result, several financial institutions have failed or been acquired at distressed prices, while others have received loans from the U.S. government to continue operations.  The liquidity crisis significantly increased the spreads on fixed maturities and, at the same time, had a dramatic and negative impact on the stock markets around the world.  The combination of losses on securities from failed or impaired companies combined with the decline in values of fixed maturitiesmaturity and equity securities has resulted in significant declines in the capital bases of most insurance and reinsurance companies. While there was some slighthas been improvement in the financial markets during the first quarter of 2009, it is too early to predict the timing and extent of impact the capital deterioration and subsequent partial recovery will have on insurance and reinsurance market conditions. There is an expectation that these events will ultimately result in increased rates for insurance and reinsurance in certain segments of the market, but there is no assurance that this will not be the case.

19



Worldwide insurance and reinsurance market conditions continued to be very competitive.  Generally, there was ample insurance and reinsurance capacity relative to demand.  We noted, however, that in many markets and lines, the rates of decline have slowed, pricing in some segments was relatively flat and there was upward movement in some others, particularly property catastrophe coverage.  Competition and its effect on rates, terms and conditions vary widely by market and coverage yet continues to be most prevalent in the U.S. casualty insurance and reinsurance markets. The U.S. insurance markets in which we participate were extremely competitive as well, particularly in the workers’ compensation, public entity and contractor
25

sectors.  While our growth in existing programs has slowed, given the specialty nature of our business and our underwriting discipline, we believe the impact on the profitability of our business will be less pronounced than on the market generally. In addition, we continue to opportunistically add new programs and lines of business to enhance growth and profitability.

Rates in the international markets have generally been more adequate than in the U.S., and we have seen some increases, particularly for catastrophe exposed business. We have grown our business in the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. We are expanding our international reach by opening a new office in Brazil to capitalize on the recently expanded opportunity for professional reinsurers in that market and on the economic growth expected for Brazil in the future.


The reinsurance industry has experienced a period of falling rates and volume. Profit opportunities have become generally less available over time; howevervolume, particularly in the unfavorable trends appear to have abated somewhat.casualty lines of business.  We are now seeing smaller rate declines, pockets of stability and some increases in some markets and for some coverages.  As a result of very significant investment and catastrophe losses incurred by both primary insurers and reinsurers over the past year, but principally in the last sixnine months of 2008, industry-wide capital declined and rating agency scrutiny increased. There is an expectation that given the rate softening that has occurred over the past several quarters, the industry-wide decline in capital combined with volatile and unreceptive markets and a looming recession, will lead to a hardening of insurance and reinsurance marketplace rates, terms and conditions.  It is too early to gauge the extent of hardening, if any, that will occur; however, it appears that much of the redundant capital in the industry has been wrung out of the industry,depleted and the stage is set for firmer markets.

Both January


Rates in the international markets have generally been more adequate than in the U.S., and April,we have seen some increases, particularly for catastrophe exposed business.  We have grown our business in the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.  We are expanding our international reach with the opening of a new office in Brazil to capitalize on the recently expanded opportunity for professional reinsurers in that market and on the economic growth expected for Brazil in the future.

The 2009 renewals rates, particularly for property catastrophescatastrophe and retrocessional covers and in international markets, were generally firmer compared to a year ago.


Overall, we believe that current marketplace conditions offer profit opportunities for us given our strong ratings, distribution system, reputation and expertise.  We continue to employ our strategy of targeting business that offers the greatest profit potential, while maintaining balance and diversification in our overall portfolio.

26


Financial Summary.

We monitor and evaluate our overall performance based upon financial results.  The following table displays a summary of the consolidated net income (loss), ratios and stockholder’s equity for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

Percentage

 

March 31,

 

Increase/

(Dollars in millions)

2009

2008

 

(Decrease)

Gross written premiums

$               778.7

 

$               685.5

 

13.6%

Net written premiums

428.5

 

410.8

 

4.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$               438.4

 

$               500.0

 

-12.3%

Net investment income

39.7

 

88.0

 

-54.9%

Net realized capital losses

(68.2)

 

(101.9)

 

-33.1%

Realized gain on debt repurchase

78.3

 

-

 

NM

Other expense

(0.1)

 

(21.3)

 

-99.5%

Total revenues

488.1

 

464.8

 

5.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses

289.2

 

309.7

 

-6.6%

Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees

88.2

 

109.9

 

-19.7%

Other underwriting expenses

32.6

 

32.3

 

1.1%

Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense

19.6

 

19.7

 

-0.6%

Total claims and expenses

429.7

 

471.6

 

-8.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES

58.4

 

(6.8)

 

NM

Income tax expense (benefit)

12.7

 

(11.4)

 

-211.6%

NET INCOME

$                 45.7

 

$                   4.6

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point

RATIOS:

 

 

 

 

Change

Loss ratio

66.0%

 

61.9%

 

4.1

Commission and brokerage ratio

20.1%

 

22.0%

 

(1.9)

Other underwriting expense ratio

7.4%

 

6.5%

 

0.9

Combined ratio

93.5%

 

90.4%

 

3.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At

 

At

 

Percentage

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

Increase/

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

 

(Decrease)

Balance sheet data:

 

 

 

 

 

   Total investments and cash

$           7,256.9

 

$           7,395.1

 

-1.9%

   Total assets

12,714.5

 

12,866.6

 

-1.2%

   Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

7,342.6

 

7,420.0

 

-1.0%

   Total debt

1,017.8

 

1,179.1

 

-13.7%

   Total liabilities

10,426.1

 

10,663.7

 

-2.2%

   Stockholder's equity

2,288.4

 

2,203.0

 

3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(NM, not meaningful)

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended Percentage Nine Months Ended Percentage
  September 30, Increase/ September 30, Increase/
(Dollars in millions) 2009 2008 (Decrease) 2009 2008 (Decrease)
Gross written premiums $916.3  $778.1   17.8% $2,506.1  $2,158.1   16.1%
Net written premiums  452.7   424.4   6.6%  1,328.4   1,261.0   5.3%
                         
REVENUES:                        
Premiums earned $438.3  $449.9   -2.6% $1,337.5  $1,421.3   -5.9%
Net investment income  65.5   97.3   -32.7%  179.7   292.3   -38.5%
Net realized capital gains (losses)  101.4   (108.7)  -193.3%  56.2   (261.3)  -121.5%
Gain on tender of debt  -   -   -   78.3   -   - 
Other income (expense)  15.1   8.0   89.6%  7.8   (16.0)  -148.6%
Total revenues  620.3   446.5   38.9%  1,659.4   1,436.2   15.5%
                         
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                        
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  242.0   447.0   -45.9%  777.3   1,115.8   -30.3%
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  77.3   73.8   4.7%  252.4   295.3   -14.5%
Other underwriting expenses  39.9   32.8   21.7%  109.2   95.8   14.0%
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  17.1   19.7   -13.5%  53.8   59.2   -9.2%
Total claims and expenses  376.2   573.3   -34.4%  1,192.7   1,566.1   -23.8%
                         
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  244.1   (126.8) NM   466.7   (129.9) NM 
Income tax expense (benefit)  80.0   (47.9) NM   128.4   (69.3) NM 
NET INCOME (LOSS) $164.1  $(78.9) NM  $338.3  $(60.6) NM 
                         
          Point         Point
RATIOS:         Change         Change
Loss ratio  55.2%  99.4%  (44.2)  58.1%  78.5%  (20.4)
Commission and brokerage ratio  17.6%  16.4%  1.2   18.9%  20.8%  (1.9)
Other underwriting expense ratio  9.1%  7.2%  1.9   8.2%  6.7%  1.5 
Combined ratio  81.9%  123.0%  (41.1)  85.2%  106.0%  (20.8)
                         
                         
              At At Percentage
              September 30, December 31, Increase/
(Dollars in millions)              2009   2008  (Decrease)
Balance sheet data:                        
Total investments and cash             $8,073.5  $7,395.1   9.2%
Total assets              13,381.8   12,866.6   4.0%
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves              7,247.0   7,420.0   -2.3%
Total debt              1,017.9   1,179.1   -13.7%
Total liabilities              10,551.3   10,663.7   -1.1%
Stockholder's equity              2,830.5   2,203.0   28.5%
                         
(NM, not meaningful)                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                        
Revenues.
Revenues.

Premiums.Gross written premiums increased by $93.3$138.1 million, or 13.6%17.8%, for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, reflecting an increase of $99.0$101.7 million in our reinsurance business partially offsetand $36.5 million in our insurance business.  Gross written premiums increased by a decline$348.0 million, or 16.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflecting an increase of $5.7$294.7 million in our reinsurance business and $53.3 million in our insurance business. The increase in ourincreased reinsurance business was

27

primarily attributable to increased rates on property business, in both the international and U.S. markets, the new crop hail quota share treaty business, expanded participation on renewal contracts and new writings as ceding companies continue to favor reinsurers such as Everest, with

21


strong financial ratings. The decreaseincrease in insurance premiums were primarily in the resultfinancial institutions directors and officers (“D&O”) and errors and omissions (“E&O”) lines of primary casualtybusiness, which are new offerings for us, as well as additional written property insurance premiums in Florida where rates that were generally down. to exposure remain attractive.


Net written premiums increased by $17.7$28.2 million, or 4.3%6.6%, for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, and $67.4 million, or 5.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The 13.6%increases in net written premiums are primarily due to the increase in gross written premiums, in conjunction with a 27.5%partially offset by the increase in cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement, generated the increase of net written premiums.agreement.  Premiums earned decreased by $61.6$11.6 million, or 12.3%2.6%, for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, and $83.8 million, or 5.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded on the initiation of coverage.


Net Investment Income.Net investment income decreased by 54.9%32.7% for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, compared to the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and by 38.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, due primarily due to net investment incomelosses from our limited partnership investments. The limited partnership investment losses this quarter were primarily from limited partnershipsinvestments that investedprincipally invest in public and non-public securities, both equity and debt, which report to us on a quarter lag.lag, a reduction in invested assets resulting from the October 1, 2008 loss portfolio transfer agreement with Everest Reinsurance (Bermuda), Ltd. (“Bermuda Re”) and lower yields for new long and short term fixed maturity investments.  As such, these specific partnership results reflected the results incurred for the fourth quarter of last year. Neta result, net pre-tax investment income, as a percentage of average invested assets, was 2.1%3.4% for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to 4.1%4.6% for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 3.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 4.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Net Realized Capital Losses.Gains (Losses).  Net realized capital gains were $101.4 million and $56.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  Net realized capital losses were $68.2$108.7 million and $101.9$261.3 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009September 30, 2008, respectively.  The realized gains and 2008, respectively.

Net realized capital losses reflected for the three months ended March 31, 2009 continue to reflect the influenceeach period were primarily a function of the global financial market credit crisis. As such, our equity security portfolio decreased $16.9 million and our other invested assets decreased $22.2 million as a result ofchanges in sales, fair value adjustments. In addition, we recognized $28.5 million of net realized capital losses from the sale of fixed maturityre-measurements and equity securities we owned as we reduced exposure to certain credit risks and our fixed maturity securities decreased $0.6 million due to other-than-temporary impairments. We reportThe largest changes in fair values as realized capital gains or losses in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - including an amendment to FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS 159”), and we report realized capital losses on our fixed maturity securities from other-than-temporary impairments as realized capital losses in accordance with FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments and Its Application to Certain Investments” (“FAS 115-1”).

Net realized capital losses forwere the three months ended March 31, 2008 included $55.1 million from fair value adjustments on our equity securities and $34.1 million of other invested assets as a result of the decreasefair value re-measurements of our investment in worldwidean affiliated entity’s shares and public equity markets.securities portfolio.  During 2008, our public equity securities portfolio was much larger and with the equity markets declining rapidly, fair value re-measurements resulted in realized losses.  Conversely in 2009, the equity markets improved resulting in fair value re-measurement gains. In addition, we recognized $11.9 million of net realized capital losses, principally from sales of equity securities.

other-than-temporary impairments on fixed income securities, decreased period over period due to the improving financial markets.

Realized Gain on Debt Repurchase.On March 19, 2009, we announced the commencement of a cash tender offer for any and all of the 6.60% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes due 2067. Upon expiration of the tender offer, we had reduced our outstanding debt by $161.4 million, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on debt repurchase of $78.3 million.


Other ExpenseIncome (Expense).  We recorded expenseother income of $0.1$15.1 million and $21.3$7.8 million for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, respectively. We recorded other income of $8.0 million and other expense of $16.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, whichrespectively. The variances were primarily due to the deferrals on retroactive reinsurance agreements with affiliates and changechanges in foreign currency exchange rates overfor the corresponding periods.

28


Claims and Expenses.

Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.The following table presentstables present our incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for all segments for the periods indicated.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Current

 

Ratio %/

 

Prior

 

Ratio %/

 

Total

 

Ratio %/

(Dollars in millions)

Year

 

Pt Change

 

Years

 

Pt Change

 

Incurred

 

Pt Change

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional (a)

$       257.4

 

58.7%

 

 

$          20.2

 

4.6%

 

 

$       277.6

 

63.3%

 

Catastrophes

9.1

 

2.1%

 

 

2.5

 

0.6%

 

 

11.6

 

2.7%

 

A&E

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

Total segment

$       266.5

 

60.8%

 

 

$          22.7

 

5.2%

 

 

$       289.2

 

66.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional (a)

$       291.9

 

58.4%

 

 

$            5.5

 

1.1%

 

 

$       297.3

 

59.5%

 

Catastrophes

4.8

 

1.0%

 

 

7.6

 

1.5%

 

 

12.4

 

2.5%

 

A&E

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

Total segment

$       296.7

 

59.3%

 

 

$          13.1

 

2.6%

 

 

$       309.7

 

61.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variance 2009/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional (a)

$      (34.4)

 

0.4

pts

 

$          14.7

 

3.5

pts

 

$       (19.7)

 

3.9

pts

Catastrophes

4.3

 

1.1

pts

 

(5.0)

 

(0.9)

pts

 

(0.8)

 

0.2

pts

A&E

-

 

-

pts

 

-

 

-

pts

 

-

 

-

pts

Total segment

$      (30.1)

 

1.5

pts

 

$            9.6

 

2.6

pts

 

$       (20.5)

 

4.1

pts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and A&E losses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



  Three Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional (a)$ 246.756.3%  $ (19.1) -4.4%  $ 227.6 51.9% 
Catastrophes  11.22.6%    3.2 0.7%    14.4 3.3% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 257.958.8%  $ (15.9) -3.6%  $ 242.0 55.2% 
                 
2008                
Attritional (a)$ 301.767.1%  $ (12.2) -2.7%  $ 289.5 64.4% 
Catastrophes  151.533.7%    6.0 1.3%    157.5 35.0% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 453.2100.7%  $ (6.2) -1.4%  $ 447.0 99.4% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional (a)$ (55.0) (10.8)pts $ (6.9)  (1.6)pts $ (61.9)  (12.4)pts
Catastrophes  (140.3) (31.1)pts   (2.8)  (0.6)pts   (143.1)  (31.7)pts
A&E  - -pts   -  -pts   -  -pts
Total segment$ (195.3) (41.9)pts $ (9.7)  (2.2)pts $ (205.0)  (44.2)pts
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional (a)$ 789.059.0%  $ (36.0) -2.7%  $ 753.0 56.3% 
Catastrophes  20.31.5%    4.0 0.3%    24.3 1.8% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 809.360.5%  $ (32.0) -2.4%  $ 777.3 58.1% 
                 
2008                
Attritional (a)$ 870.361.2%  $ 62.9 4.4%  $ 933.1 65.7% 
Catastrophes  168.311.8%    14.4 1.0%    182.7 12.9% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 1,038.673.1%  $ 77.2 5.4%  $ 1,115.8 78.5% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional (a)$ (81.3) (2.2)pts $ (98.8)  (7.1)pts $ (180.2)  (9.4)pts
Catastrophes  (148.0) (10.3)pts   (10.4)  (0.7)pts   (158.4)  (11.0)pts
A&E  - -pts   -  -pts   -  -pts
Total segment$ (229.3) (12.6)pts $ (109.2)  (7.8)pts $ (338.5)  (20.4)pts
                 
(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and A&E losses.              
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)              
Incurred losses and LAE were lower by $20.5$205.0 million, or 6.6%45.9%, for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. AttritionalCatastrophe losses, were lower by $19.7at $14.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, were $143.1 million lower than the same period in 2008, primarily due to the absence in 2009, of any large catastrophe losses.  Attritional losses incurred decreased $61.9 million (12.4 points) for the third quarter, period over period, due to mix of business and premiums earned, in conjunction with affiliated cessions.

Incurred losses and LAE were lower by $338.5 million, or 30.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.  The primary contributor to the decrease was the result of the reduction in current year catastrophe losses of $148.0 million. The variance in the prior years’ attritional losses was primarily due to the absence, in 2009, of $85.3 million reserve strengthening on an auto loan credit program.
29


Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees.  Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees increased by $3.4 million, or 4.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, which were largely the result of the 12.3% decline in premiums earned, partially offset by larger prior years’ attritional loss reserve development.

Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees.Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees decreased by $21.7$42.9 million, or 19.7%14.5%, for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.  The change in this directly variable expense was influenced by the changechanges in the mix and blend of business decreased premiums earned and increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.


Other Underwriting Expenses.Other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $32.6$39.9 million compared to $32.3$32.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Included inSeptember 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $109.2 million compared to $95.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These increases were the result of expansion as we continue to grow our books of business.  In addition, other underwriting expenses wereincluded corporate expenses, which are expenses that are not allocated to segments, of $1.3$1.7 million and $1.7$1.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $4.9 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


Interest, Fees and Bond Issue Cost Amortization Expense.Interest and other expense was $19.6$17.1 million and $19.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $53.8 million and $59.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease, period over period, was primarily due to the partial repurchase of our long term subordinated notes in March 2009.


Income Tax Expense (Benefit).Our income tax was an expense of $12.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, principally as a result of the realized gain on the repurchase of debt and income from operations, partially offset by net realized capital losses and tax-preferenced investment income. We had an income tax benefitexpense of $11.4$80.0 million and $128.4 million for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, respectively, and an income tax benefit $47.9 million and $69.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.  The period over period variances were primarily due to the increase in pre-tax net income from operations being more than offset byin 2009 versus pre-tax net realized capital losses and tax-preferenced investment income.in 2008.  Our income tax is primarily a function of the statutory tax rate reduced bycoupled with the impact offrom tax-preferenced investment income.

23



Net Income.

Income (Loss).

Our net income was $45.7$164.1 million and $4.6$338.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to a net loss of $78.9 million and $60.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. These changes were the result of the items discussed above.

Ratios.
Our combined ratio decreased by 41.1 points to 81.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase was primarily the result of the gain on debt repurchase and lower net realized losses, partially offset by lower underwriting gain and investment income coupled with higher tax expense in the first quarter ofSeptember 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Ratios.

Our combined ratio increased by 3.1 points to 93.5%123.0% for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, and decreased by 20.8 points to 85.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 90.4%106.0% for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008.   The loss ratio component increased 4.1decreased 44.2 points and 20.4 points for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008,same periods last year, principally due to the higher prior years’ attritional loss reserve development.

significant decrease in catastrophe losses. The commission and brokerage ratio component increased by 1.2 points and decreased by 1.9 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the same periods last year, due to mix of business and increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement, while the other underwriting expense ratio component increased by 1.9 points and 1.5 points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.


Stockholder's Equity.

Stockholder's equity increased by $85.4$627.5 million to $2,288.4$2,830.5 million at March 31,September 30, 2009 from $2,203.0 million at December 31, 2008, due to $57.2principally as a result of $338.3 million of net income, $261.2 million of unrealized appreciation on investments, net of tax, at market value, net income$21.6 million of $45.7 millionforeign currency translation adjustments and $1.3$4.1 million of share-based compensation transactions, partially offset by a loss on foreign currency translation adjustmentstransactions.
30


Consolidated Investment Results


Net Investment Income.

Net investment income decreased 54.9%32.7% to $39.7$65.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $88.0$97.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, and decreased to $179.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $292.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  These decreases were primarily due to losses incurred onfrom our limited partnership investments. The limited partnership investment losses this quarter were primarily from limited partnershipsinvestments that  investedprincipally invest in public and non-public securities, both equity and debt, which reportreported to us on a quarter lag. As such, these specific partnership results reflectedlag, a reduction in invested assets resulting from the results incurredOctober 1, 2008 loss portfolio transfer agreement with Bermuda Re and lower yields for the fourth quarter of last year.

new long and short term fixed maturity investments.


The following table shows the components of net investment income for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

Fixed maturities

$             70.3

 

$             74.1

Equity securities

0.7

 

1.7

Short-term investments and cash

2.2

 

12.9

Other invested assets

 

 

 

   Limited partnerships

(34.1)

 

(1.6)

   Other

2.8

 

2.7

Total gross investment income

41.9

 

89.8

Interest credited and other expense

(2.3)

 

(1.8)

Total net investment income

$              39.7

 

$             88.0

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                                                     

 

 

 

24


  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2009  2008  2009  2008 
Fixed maturity securities $71.0  $81.1  $212.9  $233.1 
Equity securities  0.8   1.8   2.2   4.9 
Short-term investments and cash  0.3   4.3   3.3   23.8 
Other invested assets                
Limited partnerships  (4.4)  10.2   (36.5)  29.9 
Other  0.7   2.4   5.7   7.2 
Total gross investment income  68.2   99.8   187.6   299.0 
Interest credited and other expense  (2.8)  (2.4)  (7.9)  (6.6)
Total net investment income $65.5  $97.3  $179.7  $292.3 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                

The following tables show a comparison of various investment yields for the periods indicated:

 

At

 

At

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

2009

 

2008

Imbedded pre-tax yield of cash and invested assets

4.0%

 

4.3%

Imbedded after-tax yield of cash and invested assets

3.3%

 

3.5%

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

 

2009

2008

Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets

2.1%

4.1%

Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets

2.1%

3.2%

 At September 30, At December 31,
 2009 2008
Imbedded pre-tax yield of cash and invested assets3.8% 4.3%
Imbedded after-tax yield of cash and invested assets3.1% 3.5%

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
 20092008 20092008
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets3.4%4.6% 3.1%4.5%
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets2.9%3.6% 2.7%3.6%
31


Net Realized Capital Losses.

Gains (Losses).

The following table presents the composition of our net realized capital lossesgains (losses) for the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

 

Variance

(Losses) gains from sales:

 

 

 

 

 

   Fixed maturity securities, market value

 

 

 

 

 

      Gains

$              1.5

 

$              0.9

 

$              0.6

      Losses

(29.6)

 

(1.2)

 

(28.4)

   Total

(28.1)

 

(0.3)

 

(27.8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Equity securities, fair value

 

 

 

 

 

      Gains

0.2

 

2.1

 

(1.9)

      Losses

(0.7)

 

(13.7)

 

13.0

   Total

(0.4)

 

(11.6)

 

11.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net realized losses from sales

 

 

 

 

 

      Gains

1.7

 

3.0

 

(1.3)

      Losses

(30.3)

 

(14.9)

 

(15.4)

Total

(28.5)

 

(11.9)

 

(16.6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other than temporary impairments:

(0.6)

 

(0.8)

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Losses) gains from fair value adjustments:                                         

 

 

 

 

 

   Equity securities, fair value

(16.9)

 

(55.1)

 

38.2

   Other invested assets, fair value

(22.2)

 

(34.1)

 

11.9

Total

(39.1)

 

(89.2)

 

50.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net realized losses

$          (68.2)

 

$       (101.9)

 

$            33.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2009  2008  Variance  2009  2008  Variance 
Gains (losses) from sales:                  
Fixed maturity, market value                  
Gains $2.0  $-  $2.0  $4.0  $1.1  $2.9 
Losses  (6.1)  (12.2)  6.1   (36.6)  (14.2)  (22.4)
Total  (4.1)  (12.2)  8.1   (32.6)  (13.1)  (19.5)
                         
Fixed maturity securities, fair value                        
Gains  0.3   -   0.3   0.6   -   0.6 
Losses  (0.1)  -   (0.1)  (0.1)  -   (0.1)
Total  0.2   -   0.2   0.4   -   0.5 
                         
Equity securities, market value                        
Gains  8.0   -   8.0   8.0   -   8.0 
Losses  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total  8.0   -   8.0   8.0   -   8.0 
                         
Equity securities, fair value                        
Gains  1.3   3.8   (2.5)  7.2   5.9   1.3 
Losses  -   (4.8)  4.8   (0.7)  (18.5)  17.8 
Total  1.3   (1.0)  2.3   6.5   (12.6)  19.1 
                         
Total net realized gains (losses) from sales                        
Gains  11.6   3.8   7.8   19.8   7.0   12.8 
Losses  (6.3)  (17.0)  10.7   (37.5)  (32.7)  (4.8)
Total  5.4   (13.2)  18.6   (17.7)  (25.7)  8.0 
                         
Other than temporary impairments:  -   (63.8)  63.8   (5.5)  (67.9)  62.4 
                         
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments:                        
Fixed maturities, fair value  5.8   (0.2)  6.0   7.8   (0.2)  8.0 
Equity securities, fair value  23.1   (58.8)  81.9   23.4   (122.9)  146.3 
Other invested assets, fair value  67.1   27.4   39.7   48.1   (44.6)  92.7 
Total  96.0   (31.6)  127.6   79.3   (167.7)  247.0 
                         
Total net realized gains (losses) $101.4  $(108.7) $210.0  $56.2  $(261.3) $317.5 
                         
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                        
We reported $101.4 million net realized capital gains and $108.7 million net realized capital losses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We recorded $39.1$96.0 million in net realized capital gains and $89.2$31.6 million in net realized capital losses due to fair value re-measurements on equity securities and other invested assets for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This improvement in fair value was primarily due to the healthier financial markets. In addition, we recordeddid not record any other-than-temporary impairments of $0.6 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the $63.8 million recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

We reported $56.2 million net realized capital gains and $261.3 million net realized capital losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. TheseWe recorded $79.3 million in net realized capital gains and $167.7 million in net realized capital losses were influenced bydue to fair value re-measurements for the continuingnine
32


months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Once again, this improvement in fair value was primarily due to the improved financial liquidity crisismarkets. We recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $5.5 million and related global economic downturn. This continues to impact both$67.9 million for the equitynine months ended September 30, 2009 and credit markets. Equities are trading at multiyear lows, spreads on fixed maturity

2008, respectively.

securities have been at unprecedented levels and many securities have been downgraded by rating agencies.

Segment Results.

Through our subsidiaries, we operate in four segments: U.S. Reinsurance, U.S. Insurance, Specialty Underwriting and International.  The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies within the U.S.  The U.S. Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance primarily through general agents and surplus lines brokers within the U.S.  The Specialty Underwriting operation writes accident and health (“A&H”), marine, aviation and surety business within the U.S. and worldwide through brokers and directly with ceding companies.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re’sReinsurance Company’s (“Everest Re”) branches in Canada and Singapore and offices in Miami and New Jersey.


These segments are managed in a coordinated fashion with respect to pricing, risk management, control of aggregate catastrophe exposures, capital, investments and support operations.  Management generally monitors and evaluates the financial performance of these operating segments based upon their underwriting results.


Underwriting results include earned premium less losses and LAE incurred, commission and brokerage expenses and other underwriting expenses.  We measure our underwriting results using ratios, in particular loss, commission and brokerage and other underwriting expense ratios, which respectively, divide incurred losses, commissions and brokerage and other underwriting expenses by premiums earned.


Our loss and LAE reserves are our best estimate of our ultimate liability for unpaid claims.  We re-evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis, including all prior period reserves, taking into consideration all available information and, in particular, recently reported claim experience and trends related to prior periods.  Such re-evaluations are recorded in incurred losses in the period in which the re-evaluation is made.

The following discusses the underwriting results for each of our segments for the periods indicated:


U.S. Reinsurance.

The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

 

Variance

% Change

Gross written premiums

$        264.3

 

$        233.7

 

$           30.6

13.1%

Net written premiums

139.4

 

147.4

 

(8.0)

-5.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$        146. 3

 

$        198.1

 

$        (51.8)

-26.1%

Incurred losses and LAE

90.1

 

121.0

 

(30.9)

-25.5%

Commission and brokerage

31.9

 

52.7

 

(20.8)

-39.5%

Other underwriting expenses

7.6

 

8.8

 

(1.2)

-13.8%

Underwriting gain

$           16.7

 

$          15.6

 

$             1.2

7.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point Chg

Loss ratio

61.6%

 

61.1%

 

 

0.5

Commission and brokerage ratio

21.8%

 

26.6%

 

 

(4.8)

Other underwriting expense ratio                        

5.2%

 

4.4%

 

 

0.8

Combined ratio

88.6%

 

92.1%

 

 

(3.5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)

 

 

 

 

 

 

26


  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2009  2008  Variance  % Change  2009  2008  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $345.6  $280.5  $65.1   23.2% $876.0  $714.5  $161.5   22.6%
Net written premiums  191.7   146.5   45.2   30.9%  487.8   425.0   62.9   14.8%
                                 
Premiums earned $162.0  $167.5  $(5.4)  -3.2% $489.1  $527.5  $(38.4)  -7.3%
Incurred losses and LAE  56.2   240.7   (184.6)  -76.7%  232.3   446.0   (213.8)  -47.9%
Commission and brokerage  21.4   27.5   (6.1)  -22.1%  90.5   125.8   (35.2)  -28.0%
Other underwriting expenses  9.7   7.8   1.8   23.3%  25.3   23.5   1.8   7.4%
Underwriting gain (loss) $74.8  $(108.6) $183.4   -168.9% $141.0  $(67.8) $208.8  NM 
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  34.7%  143.7%      (109.0)  47.5%  84.6%      (37.1)
Commission and brokerage ratio  13.2%  16.4%      (3.2)  18.5%  23.8%      (5.3)
Other underwriting expense ratio  5.9%  4.7%      1.2   5.2%  4.5%      0.7 
Combined ratio  53.8%  164.8%      (111.0)  71.2%  112.9%      (41.7)
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                             

Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 13.1%23.2% to $264.3$345.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $233.7$280.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily due to an $18.0 million (26.1%) increase in treaty casualty volume and $17.3$26.8 million from several new crop hail quota share treaties, partially offset by a $6.1$20.9 million (22.4%(28.6%) decreaseincrease in treaty casualty volume, a $13.4 million (7.0%) increase in treaty property volume and a $4.0 million (22.7%) increase in facultative volume. Our treaty casualty premiums were higher as we are writing more quota share business, which we believein part, is driven by the capital concerns of our ceding company costumerscustomers looking for broader reinsurance support. The crop hail business is a new 2009 line of business for us and we anticipate similar volume in each of the remaining quartersquarter of 2009. Net written premiums decreasedincreased by 5.4%30.9% to $139.4$191.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $147.4$146.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily due to increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.increase in gross written premiums. Premiums earned decreased by 26.1%3.2% to $146.3$162.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $198.1$167.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is primarily the result of timing; premiums, for proportionate contracts, are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded on the initiation of the coverage period. In addition, part of the variance was due to the impact of changes in the affiliated quota share agreement.


Gross written premiums increased by 22.6% to $876.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $714.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to $68.5 million from the new crop hail quota share treaties, a $59.8 million (29.7%) increase in treaty casualty volume, a $31.0 million (7.0%) increase in treaty property volume and a $2.2 million (3.2%) increase in facultative volume. Net written premiums increased by 14.8% to $487.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $425.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to the increase in gross written premiums combined with increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement. Premiums earned decreased by 7.3% to $489.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $527.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Variances for the nine months were reflective of the change in premium volume, timing and cessions under the affiliated quota share reinsurance agreement.
34


Incurred Losses and LAE.The following tables present the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Current

 

Ratio %/

 

Prior

 

Ratio %/

 

Total

 

Ratio %/

(Dollars in millions)

Year

 

Pt Change

 

Years

 

Pt Change

 

Incurred

 

Pt Change

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         73.5

 

50.2%

 

 

$         16.5

 

11.2%

 

 

$         90.0

 

61.5%

 

Catastrophes

-

 

0.0%

 

 

0.2

 

0.1%

 

 

0.2

 

0.1%

 

A&E

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

Total segment

$         73.5

 

50.2%

 

 

$         16.6

 

11.4%

 

 

$         90.1

 

61.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$       112.5

 

56.8%

 

 

$           4.4

 

2.2%

 

 

$       116.9

 

59.0%

 

Catastrophes

-

 

0.0%

 

 

4.1

 

2.1%

 

 

4.1

 

2.1%

 

A&E

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

Total segment

$       112.5

 

56.8%

 

 

$           8.6

 

4.3%

 

 

$       121.0

 

61.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variance 2009/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$      (39.0)

 

(6.5)

pts

 

$         12.0

 

9.0

pts

 

$      (26.9)

 

2.5

pts

Catastrophes

-

 

-

pts

 

(4.0)

 

(2.0)

pts

 

(4.0)

 

(2.0)

pts

A&E

-

 

-

pts

 

-

 

-

pts

 

-

 

-

pts

Total segment

$      (39.0)

 

(6.6)

pts

 

$           8.1

 

7.1

pts

 

$      (30.9)

 

0.5

pts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 72.744.9%  $ (18.4) -11.4%  $ 54.3 33.5% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    1.8 1.1%    1.8 1.1% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 72.744.9%  $ (16.6) -10.2%  $ 56.2 34.7% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 96.957.8%  $ 4.9 2.9%  $ 101.8 60.8% 
Catastrophes  133.479.7%    5.6 3.3%    138.9 83.0% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 230.3137.5%  $ 10.5 6.3%  $ 240.7 143.7% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ (24.1) (13.0)pts $ (23.3)  (14.3)pts $ (47.5)  (27.3)pts
Catastrophes  (133.4) (79.7)pts   (3.7)  (2.2)pts   (137.1)  (81.8)pts
A&E  - -pts   -  -pts   -  -pts
Total segment$ (157.5) (92.6)pts $ (27.1)  (16.5)pts $ (184.6)  (109.0)pts
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 250.251.2%  $ (18.1) -3.7%  $ 232.1 47.5% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    0.1 0.0%    0.1 0.0% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 250.251.2%  $ (18.0) -3.7%  $ 232.3 47.5% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 285.654.2%  $ 9.5 1.8%  $ 295.1 55.9% 
Catastrophes  139.426.4%    11.6 2.2%    150.9 28.6% 
A&E  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 425.080.6%  $ 21.0 4.0%  $ 446.0 84.6% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ (35.4) (3.0)pts $ (27.6)  (5.5)pts $ (62.9)  (8.5)pts
Catastrophes  (139.4) (26.4)pts   (11.4)  (2.2)pts   (150.8)  (28.6)pts
A&E  - -pts   -  -pts   -  -pts
Total segment$ (174.8) (29.4)pts $ (39.0)  (7.7)pts $ (213.8)  (37.1)pts
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)              
Incurred losses were $184.6 million (109.0 points) lower for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared the three months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of a $133.4 million (79.7 points) decrease due to the absence of current year catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. In addition, prior years’ reserves developed favorably in 2009 by $30.9$16.6 million, primarily treaty casualty, compared to unfavorable development in 2008 of $10.5 million, primarily treaty property.

Incurred losses were $213.8 million (37.1 points) lower at $232.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to a $139.4 million (26.4 points) decrease due to absence of current year catastrophe losses in 2009 and $39.0 million (7.7 points) favorable variance, period over period, of prior years’ reserve development.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 22.1% to $21.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to a decrease in current year attritional losses of $39.0 million attributable to the decrease in premiums earned. Partially offsetting the decrease was an increase in prior years attritional losses of $12.0 million (9.0 points).

Segment Expenses.Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 39.5% to $31.9from $27.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 from $52.7September 30, 2008. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 28.0% to $90.5 million for the threenine months ended March 31, 2008,September 30, 2009 from $125.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. These decreases were primarily due to the decreasefluctuation in premiums earned in conjunction with the change in the mix and type of business written and the increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.  Segment other

35

underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased to $7.6were $9.7 million from $8.8and $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, primarily due torespectively. Segment other underwriting expenses for the decrease in allocations of share-based compensation from corporate.

nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $25.3 million and $23.5 million, respectively.

U.S. Insurance.

The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the U.S. Insurance segment for the periods indicated.

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

 

Variance

% Change

Gross written premiums

$        204.7

 

$        210.5

 

$           (5.7)

-2.7%

Net written premiums

121.2

 

110.2

 

11.0

10.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$        112.0

 

$        143.1

 

$         (31.1)

-21.8%

Incurred losses and LAE

81.1

 

95.9

 

(14.8)

-15.4%

Commission and brokerage

12.0

 

20.7

 

(8.7)

-42.1%

Other underwriting expenses

17.3

 

14.3

 

2.9

20.5%

Underwriting gain

$            1.5

 

$          12.1

 

$         (10.6)

-87.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point Chg

Loss ratio

72.5%

 

67.0%

 

 

5.5

Commission and brokerage ratio

10.7%

 

14.5%

 

 

(3.8)

Other underwriting expense ratio                        

15.4%

 

10.0%

 

 

5.4

Combined ratio

98.6%

 

91.5%

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2009  2008  Variance  % Change  2009  2008  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $230.5  $194.0  $36.5   18.8% $648.7  $595.5  $53.3   8.9%
Net written premiums  76.4   98.6   (22.2)  -22.5%  301.9   312.9   (11.0)  -3.5%
                                 
Premiums earned $89.2  $107.8  $(18.6)  -17.2% $306.9  $372.0  $(65.2)  -17.5%
Incurred losses and LAE  71.4   78.4   (7.0)  -8.9%  210.3   336.0   (125.6)  -37.4%
Commission and brokerage  10.5   4.8   5.7   119.1%  32.4   48.4   (16.1)  -33.2%
Other underwriting expenses  20.0   16.9   3.1   18.4%  56.4   47.1   9.3   19.7%
Underwriting (loss) gain $(12.7) $7.8  $(20.4) NM  $7.7  $(59.5) $67.2   -113.0%
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  80.0%  72.7%      7.3   68.5%  90.3%      (21.8)
Commission and brokerage ratio  11.8%  4.4%      7.4   10.6%  13.0%      (2.4)
Other underwriting expense ratio  22.4%  15.7%      6.7   18.4%  12.7%      5.7 
Combined ratio  114.2%  92.8%      21.4   97.5%  116.0%      (18.5)
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                             
Premiums.Gross written premiums decreasedincreased by 2.7%18.8% to $204.7$230.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $210.5$194.0 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. Rates on primary casualty were down between zeroMost of the new premium was derived from our entry into the financial institution D&O and five percentE&O market and the rate increase anticipated at year end for California workers’ compensation have not materialized.additional property insurance written in Florida, where rates to exposure remain attractive.  Net written premiums increaseddecreased by 10.0%22.5% to $121.2$76.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $110.2$98.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. The increasechange in net written premiums was primarily due to the increase in gross written premiums, partially offset by the change in third party reinsurance cessions which vary program by program.cessions. Premiums earned decreased 21.8%17.2% to $112.0$89.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $143.1$107.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008.

Gross written premiums increased by 8.9% to $648.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $595.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Net written premiums decreased by 3.5% to $301.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $312.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Premiums earned decreased 17.5% to $306.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $372.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.period, in addition to the impact of the affiliated quota share agreement.
36

Incurred Losses and LAE.The following tables present the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Insurance segment for the periods indicated.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Current

 

Ratio %/

 

Prior

 

Ratio %/

 

Total

 

Ratio %/

(Dollars in millions)

Year

 

Pt Change

 

Years

 

Pt Change

 

Incurred

 

Pt Change

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         80.0

 

71.5%

 

 

$           1.1

 

1.0%

 

 

$         81.1

 

72.5%

 

Catastrophes

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

Total segment

$         80.0

 

71.5%

 

 

$           1.1

 

1.0%

 

 

$         81.1

 

72.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         89.4

 

62.5%

 

 

$           6.5

 

4.5%

 

 

$         95.9

 

67.0%

 

Catastrophes

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

 

-

 

0.0%

 

Total segment

$         89.4

 

62.5%

 

 

$           6.5

 

4.5%

 

 

$         95.9

 

67.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variance 2009/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$        (9.4)

 

9.0

pts

 

$        (5.3)

 

(3.5)

pts

 

$       (14.8)

 

5.5

pts

Catastrophes

-

 

-

pts

 

-

 

-

pts

 

-

 

-

pts

Total segment

$        (9.4)

 

9.0

pts

 

$        (5.3)

 

(3.5)

pts

 

$       (14.8)

 

5.5

pts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

  Three Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 71.480.0%  $ 0.1 0.1%  $ 71.4 80.0% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 71.480.0%  $ 0.1 0.1%  $ 71.4 80.0% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 80.774.9%  $ (2.4) -2.2%  $ 78.4 72.7% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 80.774.9%  $ (2.4) -2.2%  $ 78.4 72.7% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ (9.4) 5.1pts $ 2.4  2.3pts $ (7.0)  7.3pts
Catastrophes  - -pts   -  -pts   -  -pts
Total segment$ (9.4) 5.1pts $ 2.4  2.3pts $ (7.0)  7.3pts


  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 226.873.9%  $ (16.4) -5.4%  $ 210.3 68.5% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    - 0.0%    - 0.0% 
Total segment$ 226.873.9%  $ (16.4) -5.4%  $ 210.3 68.5% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 261.870.4%  $ 74.4 20.0%  $ 336.2 90.4% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    (0.2) -0.1%    (0.2) -0.1% 
Total segment$ 261.870.4%  $ 74.2 19.9%  $ 336.0 90.3% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ (35.1) 3.5pts $ (90.8)  (25.3)pts $ (125.8)  (21.8)pts
Catastrophes  - -pts   0.2  0.1pts   0.2  0.1pts
Total segment$ (35.1) 3.5pts $ (90.6)  (25.3)pts $ (125.6)  (21.8)pts
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)              
Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 15.4%8.9% to $81.1$71.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $95.9$78.4 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily driven by the 21.8%$9.4 million decrease in current year attritional losses, principally as a result of the 17.2% decrease in premiums earned.
Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 37.4% to $210.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $336.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily driven by the 17.5% decrease in premiums earned and the lowerabsence, in 2009, of $85.3 million of prior yearsyears’ attritional loss development in 2009.

on an auto loan credit program.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses increased to $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased by 42.1%33.2% to $12.0$32.4 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $20.7$48.4 million for the threenine months ended March 31, 2008, principallySeptember 30, 2008. These variances were primarily due to the decrease in premiums earned, in conjunction with the changechanges in the mix of business written.written and the impact from internal quota share agreements whereby other underwriting expenses were ceded through commission and brokerage expense.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased to $17.3were $20.0 million as compared to $14.3and $16.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Segment other underwriting expenses were $56.4 million and $47.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These increases were primarily due to compensation costs associated with increased staff.costs.

37


Specialty Underwriting.

The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Specialty Underwriting segment for the periods indicated.

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

 

Variance

% Change

Gross written premiums

$          58.9

 

$          54.9

 

$              4.0

7.3%

Net written premiums

32.6

 

36.9

 

(4.3)

-11.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$          36.8

 

$          35.6

 

$              1.3

3.6%

Incurred losses and LAE

25.4

 

18.2

 

7.2

39.4%

Commission and brokerage

10.1

 

10.0

 

0.1

0.9%

Other underwriting expenses

1.8

 

2.4

 

(0.6)

-23.5%

Underwriting (loss) gain

$          (0.5)

 

$             4.9

 

$            (5.4)

-109.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point Chg

Loss ratio

68.9%

 

51.2%

 

 

17.7

Commission and brokerage ratio

27.3%

 

28.1%

 

 

(0.8)

Other underwriting expense ratio                        

5.0%

 

6.8%

 

 

(1.8)

Combined ratio

101.2%

 

86.1%

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2009  2008  Variance  % Change  2009  2008  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $67.6  $54.8  $12.8   23.3% $183.7  $193.9  $(10.2)  -5.3%
Net written premiums  38.3   34.6   3.7   10.7%  103.0   128.8   (25.8)  -20.0%
                                 
Premiums earned $39.2  $35.3  $3.9   10.9% $108.5  $126.3  $(17.8)  -14.1%
Incurred losses and LAE  25.2   37.6   (12.4)  -33.0%  73.7   81.7   (8.0)  -9.8%
Commission and brokerage  10.5   8.7   1.9   21.4%  29.4   30.4   (1.0)  -3.2%
Other underwriting expenses  2.4   1.9   0.4   23.0%  6.2   6.2   -   0.7%
Underwriting gain (loss) $1.1  $(12.9) $14.0   -108.5% $(0.9) $8.0  $(8.9)  -111.2%
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  64.3%  106.5%      (42.2)  68.0%  64.7%      3.3 
Commission and brokerage ratio  26.8%  24.5%      2.3   27.1%  24.1%      3.0 
Other underwriting expense ratio  6.1%  5.5%      0.6   5.7%  4.9%      0.8 
Combined ratio  97.2%  136.5%      (39.3)  100.8%  93.7%      7.1 
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                             
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 7.3%23.3% to $58.9$67.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $54.9$54.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily due to a $3.8$9.0 million increase in aviation premiums and a $7.6 million increase in A&H premiums, partially offset by a $4.0 million decrease in surety premiums.  Net written premiums increased by 10.7% to $38.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $34.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as a result of the increase in the aviation and A&H lines.  Premiums earned increased by 10.9% to $39.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $35.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, in line with the change in net written premiums.

Gross written premiums decreased by 5.3% to $183.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $193.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to a $24.1 million decrease in marine premiums, partially offset by a $9.5 million increase in aviation premiums and a $3.6 million increase in A&H premiums.  Net written premiums decreased by 11.7%20.0% to $32.6$103.0 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $36.9$128.8 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, as a result of the decrease in gross writings and increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.  Premiums earned increased by 3.6%decreased to $36.8$108.5 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $35.6from $126.3 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
38

29



Incurred Losses and LAE.The following tables present the incurred losses and LAE for the Specialty Underwriting segment for the periods indicated.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Current

 

Ratio %/

 

Prior

 

Ratio %/

 

Total

 

Ratio %/

(Dollars in millions)

Year

 

Pt Change

 

Years

 

Pt Change

 

Incurred

 

Pt Change

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         22.6

 

61.3%

 

 

$           0.9

 

2.4%

 

 

$         23.5

 

63.7%

 

Catastrophes

-

 

0.0%

 

 

1.9

 

5.2%

 

 

1.9

 

5.2%

 

Total segment

$         22.6

 

61.3%

 

 

$           2.8

 

7.6%

 

 

$         25.4

 

68.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         19.8

 

55.8%

 

 

$         (3.0)

 

-8.4%

 

 

$         16.8

 

47.4%

 

Catastrophes

-

 

0.0%

 

 

1.4

 

3.9%

 

 

1.4

 

3.9%

 

Total segment

$         19.8

 

55.8%

 

 

$         (1.6)

 

-4.6%

 

 

$         18.2

 

51.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variance 2009/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$           2.8

 

5.5

pts

 

$           3.9

 

10.8

pts

 

$           6.6

 

16.4

pts

Catastrophes

-

 

-

pts

 

0.5

 

1.3

pts

 

0.5

 

1.3

pts

Total segment

$           2.8

 

5.5

pts

 

$           4.4

 

12.2

pts

 

$           7.2

 

17.7

pts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 26.266.8%  $ (0.2) -0.4%  $ 26.0 66.4% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    (0.8) -2.1%    (0.8) -2.1% 
Total segment$ 26.266.8%  $ (1.0) -2.5%  $ 25.2 64.3% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 24.669.8%  $ - 0.0%  $ 24.6 69.8% 
Catastrophes  10.529.7%    2.5 7.0%    13.0 36.7% 
Total segment$ 35.199.5%  $ 2.5 7.0%  $ 37.6 106.5% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ 1.5 (3.0)pts $ (0.2)  (0.4)pts $ 1.4  (3.4)pts
Catastrophes  (10.5) (29.7)pts   (3.3)  (9.1)pts   (13.8)  (38.8)pts
Total segment$ (9.0) (32.7)pts $ (3.4)  (9.5)pts $ (12.4)  (42.2)pts
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 77.070.9%  $ (6.0) -5.5%  $ 71.0 65.4% 
Catastrophes  -0.0%    2.8 2.6%    2.8 2.6% 
Total segment$ 77.070.9%  $ (3.2) -3.0%  $ 73.7 68.0% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 75.159.5%  $ (7.7) -6.1%  $ 67.4 53.4% 
Catastrophes  10.58.3%    3.9 3.1%    14.4 11.4% 
Total segment$ 85.667.8%  $ (3.9) -3.1%  $ 81.7 64.7% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ 1.8 11.5pts $ 1.7  0.6pts $ 3.6  12.0pts
Catastrophes  (10.5) (8.3)pts   (1.1)  (0.5)pts   (11.6)  (8.8)pts
Total segment$ (8.7) 3.1pts $ 0.7  0.1pts $ (8.0)  3.3pts
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)              
Incurred losses and LAE increaseddecreased by 39.4%33.0% to $25.4$25.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $18.2$37.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily due to higher attritionalprincipally as a result of favorable variances in current and prior years’ catastrophe losses in 2009 in comparison to 2008.

Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 9.8% to $73.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $81.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of decreased catastrophe losses in 2009 in comparison to 2008.


Segment Expenses.Commission and brokerage expenses increased slightly to $10.1$10.5 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $10.0$8.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased to $29.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $30.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. These fluctuations are primarily the result of fluctuations in premiums earned and the increase in the affiliated quota share agreement. Segment other underwriting expenses decreased to $1.8were $2.4 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $2.4and 2008, respectively.  Segment other underwriting expenses were $6.2 million for the threenine months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the decrease in allocationsSeptember 30, 2009 and 2008.

39


International.

The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the International segment for the periods indicated.

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

(Dollars in millions)

2009

 

2008

 

Variance

% Change

Gross written premiums

$        250.8

 

$        186.4

 

$           64.4

34.5%

Net written premiums

135.4

 

116.3

 

19.1

16.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums earned

$        143.3

 

$        123.3

 

$           20.0

16.3%

Incurred losses and LAE

92.5

 

74.5

 

18.0

24.1%

Commission and brokerage

34.2

 

26.4

 

7.8

29.5%

Other underwriting expenses

4.6

 

5.1

 

(0.4)

-8.6%

Underwriting gain

$          11.9

 

$          17.2

 

$          (5.3)

-30.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point Chg

Loss ratio

64.6%

 

60.5%

 

 

4.1

Commission and brokerage ratio

23.9%

 

21.4%

 

 

2.5

Other underwriting expense ratio                        

3.2%

 

4.1%

 

 

(0.9)

Combined ratio

91.7%

 

86.0%

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2009  2008  Variance  % Change  2009  2008  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $272.6  $248.8  $23.8   9.6% $797.6  $654.2  $143.4   21.9%
Net written premiums  146.3   144.8   1.5   1.0%  435.7   394.3   41.4   10.5%
                                 
Premiums earned $147.9  $139.3  $8.6   6.2% $433.1  $395.5  $37.6   9.5%
Incurred losses and LAE  89.2   90.3   (1.0)  -1.2%  261.0   252.1   8.9   3.5%
Commission and brokerage  34.8   32.9   2.0   5.9%  100.1   90.7   9.4   10.4%
Other underwriting expenses  6.2   4.7   1.5   31.3%  16.5   14.5   2.0   13.6%
Underwriting gain $17.7  $11.4  $6.2   54.2% $55.6  $38.3  $17.3   45.3%
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  60.3%  64.8%      (4.5)  60.3%  63.7%      (3.4)
Commission and brokerage ratio  23.6%  23.6%      -   23.1%  22.9%      0.2 
Other underwriting expense ratio  4.2%  3.4%      0.8   3.8%  3.7%      0.1 
Combined ratio  88.1%  91.8%      (3.7)  87.2%  90.3%      (3.1)
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                             
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 34.5%9.6% to $250.8$272.6 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $186.4$248.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. As a result of our strong financial strength ratings, we continue to see increased participations on treaties in most regions, new

30


business writings and preferential signings, including preferential terms and conditions. In addition, rates, in some markets, also contributed to the increased written premiums. Premiums written through the Brazil, Miami and New Jersey offices increased by $53.7$11.1 million (46.3%(7.0%) and, through the Asian branch increased by $14.4$7.4 million (49.5%(13.8%), while premiums for and through the Canadian branch decreased by $3.6$5.3 million (8.8%(14.0%).  Net written premiums increased by 16.4%1.0% to $135.4$146.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $116.3$144.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily due to the increase in gross written premiums, which were partially offset by increased cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.  Premiums earned increased by 16.3%6.2% to $143.3$147.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $123.3$139.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned notably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.


Gross written premiums increased by 21.9% to $797.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $654.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Premiums written through the Brazil, Miami and New Jersey offices increased by $112.5 million (27.3%) and through the Asian branch by $31.9 million (24.5%), while premiums written through the Canadian branch decreased by $1.0 million (0.9%).  Net written premiums increased by 10.5% to $435.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $394.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  Premiums earned increased by 9.5% to $433.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $395.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, consistentin line with the increase in net written premiums.

  Variance explanations for the nine months were similar to factors discussed above for the three months.

40


Incurred Losses and LAE.The following tables present the incurred losses and LAE for the International segment for the periods indicated.

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Current

 

Ratio %/

 

Prior

 

Ratio %/

 

Total

 

Ratio %/

(Dollars in millions)

Year

 

Pt Change

 

Years

 

Pt Change

 

Incurred

 

Pt Change

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         81.3

 

56.7%

 

 

$            1.7

 

1.2%

 

 

$         83.0

 

57.9%

 

Catastrophes

9.1

 

6.3%

 

 

0.5

 

0.3%

 

 

9.5

 

6.7%

 

Total segment

$         90.4

 

63.1%

 

 

$            2.2

 

1.5%

 

 

$         92.5

 

64.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         70.1

 

56.9%

 

 

$         (2.4)

 

-2.0%

 

 

$         67.7

 

54.9%

 

Catastrophes

4.8

 

3.9%

 

 

2.1

 

1.7%

 

 

6.9

 

5.6%

 

Total segment

$         74.9

 

60.8%

 

 

$         (0.4)

 

-0.3%

 

 

$         74.5

 

60.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variance 2009/2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attritional

$         11.2

 

(0.1)

pts

 

$            4.1

 

3.1

pts

 

$         15.3

 

3.0

pts

Catastrophes

4.3

 

2.4

pts

 

(1.6)

 

(1.4)

pts

 

2.7

 

1.1

pts

Total segment

$         15.5

 

2.3

pts

 

$            2.5

 

1.8

pts

 

$         18.0

 

4.1

pts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 76.451.7%  $ (0.6) -0.4%  $ 75.8 51.3% 
Catastrophes  11.27.6%    2.1 1.5%    13.4 9.0% 
Total segment$ 87.759.3%  $ 1.5 1.0%  $ 89.2 60.3% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 99.471.4%  $ (14.8) -10.6%  $ 84.7 60.8% 
Catastrophes  7.65.5%    (2.0) -1.5%    5.6 4.0% 
Total segment$ 107.076.9%  $ (16.8) -12.0%  $ 90.3 64.8% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ (23.0) (19.7)pts $ 14.2  10.2pts $ (8.8)  (9.5)pts
Catastrophes  3.6 2.1pts   4.2  2.9pts   7.8  5.0pts
Total segment$ (19.4) (17.6)pts $ 18.3  13.0pts $ (1.0)  (4.5)pts
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 CurrentRatio%/ Prior Ratio%/ Total Ratio%/
(Dollars in millions)YearPt Change Years Pt Change Incurred Pt Change
2009                
Attritional$ 235.054.3%  $ 4.5 1.1%  $ 239.5 55.3% 
Catastrophes  20.34.7%    1.1 0.3%    21.4 5.0% 
Total segment$ 255.358.9%  $ 5.7 1.3%  $ 261.0 60.3% 
                 
2008                
Attritional$ 247.762.6%  $ (13.2) -3.3%  $ 234.5 59.3% 
Catastrophes  18.44.7%    (0.8) -0.2%    17.6 4.5% 
Total segment$ 266.167.3%  $ (14.1) -3.6%  $ 252.1 63.7% 
                 
Variance 2009/2008                
Attritional$ (12.7) (8.4)pts $ 17.8  4.4pts $ 5.0  (4.0)pts
Catastrophes  1.9 0.0pts   2.0  0.5pts   3.8  0.5pts
Total segment$ (10.8) (8.4)pts $ 19.7  4.9pts $ 8.9  (3.4)pts
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)              
Incurred losses and LAE increaseddecreased by 24.1%1.2% to $92.5$89.2 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to $74.5$90.3 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008.  The segment loss ratio increaseddecreased by 4.14.5 points for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, primarily due to anthe decreased third quarter 2009 attritional losses (9.5 points), partially offset by the increased catastrophe losses (5.0 points).

Incurred losses and LAE increased by 3.5% to $261.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $252.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of the increase in current year catastrophe losses and increased development on prior years’ loss reserves, period over period.

premium earned.


Segment Expenses.Commission and brokerage expenses increased 29.5%5.9% to $34.2$34.8 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 from $26.4$32.9 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008. The increase was principally dueCommission and brokerage expenses increased 10.4% to $100.1 million for the growthnine months ended September 30, 2009 from $90.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  These changes are primarily the result of the change in premiums earned in conjunction withpremium and the blend of business mix. Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 were $4.6$6.2 million compared to $5.1and $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2009 and 2008, as a resultrespectively.  Segment other underwriting expenses were $16.5 million and $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
41


Market Sensitive Instruments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Financial Reporting Release #48 requires registrants to clarify and expand upon the existing financial statement disclosure requirements for derivative financial instruments, derivative commodity instruments and other financial instruments (collectively, “market sensitive instruments”).  We do not generally enter into market sensitive instruments for trading purposes.


Our current investment strategy seeks to maximize after-tax income through a high quality, diversified, taxable and tax-preferenced fixed maturity portfolio, while maintaining an adequate level of liquidity.  Our mix

31


of taxable and tax-preferenced investments is adjusted periodically, consistent with our current and projected operating results, market conditions and our tax position.  The fixed maturitiesmaturity securities in the investment portfolio are comprised of non-trading available for sale securities.  Additionally, we have invested in equity securities.


Our overall investment strategy considers the scope of present and anticipated Company operations.  In particular, estimates of the financial impact from non-investment asset and liability transactions, together with our capital structure and other factors, are used to develop a net liability analysis.  This analysis includes estimated payout characteristics for which our investments provide liquidity.  This analysis is considered in the development of specific investment strategies for asset allocation, duration and credit quality.  The change in overall market sensitive risk exposure principally reflects the asset changes that took place during the period.


Interest Rate Risk. Our $7.3$8.1 billion investment portfolio at March 31,September 30, 2009 was principally comprised of approximately 78% fixed maturity securities, which are generally subject to interest rate risk and some foreign currency exchange rate risk, and 2%some equity securities, which are subject to price fluctuations and some foreign exchange rate risk. Approximately 11% of the portfolio was represented by cash and short-term investments.  The impact of the foreign exchange risks on the investment portfolio is partially mitigated by changes in the dollar value of foreign currency denominated liabilities and their associated income statement impact.


Interest rate risk is the potential change in value of the fixed maturity securities portfolio, including short-term investments, from a change in market interest rates.  In a declining interest rate environment, it includes prepayment risk on the $327.0$509.7 million of mortgage-backed securities in the $5.7 billion$6,416.7 million fixed maturity securities portfolio.  Prepayment risk results from potential accelerated principal payments that shorten the average life and thus the expected yield of the security.


The table below displays the potential impact of market value fluctuations and after-tax unrealized appreciation on our fixed maturity securities portfolio (including $725.8$645.1 million of short-term investments) for the period indicated based on upward and downward parallel and immediate 100 and 200 basis point shifts in interest rates.  For legal entities with a U.S. dollar functional currency, this modeling was performed on each security individually.  To generate appropriate price estimates on mortgage-backed securities, changes in prepayment expectations under different interest rate environments were taken into account.  For legal entities with a non-U.S. dollar functional currency, the effective duration of the involved portfolio of securities was used as a proxy for the market value change under the various interest rate change scenarios.

 

Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points

 

At March 31, 2009

(Dollars in millions)

-200

 

-100

 

0

 

100

 

200

 

Total Market/Fair Value

$  7,084.7

 

$  6,752.8

 

$ 6,409.9

 

$ 6,078.1

 

$ 5,772.8

 

Market/Fair Value Change from Base (%)       

10.5

%

5.3

%

0.0

%

-5.2

%

-9.9

%

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   After-tax from Base ($)

$     438.7

 

$     222.9

 

$            -

 

$  (215.6)

 

$  (414.1)

 

  Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points 
  At September 30, 2009 
(Dollars in millions)  -200  -100  0  100  200
Total Market/Fair Value $7,665.3  $7,380.6  $7,061.8  $6,697.5  $6,353.4 
Market/Fair Value Change from Base (%)  8.5%  4.5%  0.0%  -5.2%  -10.0%
Change in Unrealized Appreciation                    
After-tax from Base ($) $392.3  $207.2  $-  $(236.8) $(460.5)
We had $7,342.6$7,247.0 million and $7,420.0 million of gross reserves for losses and LAE as of March 31,September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  These amounts are recorded at their nominal value, as opposed to present value, which would reflect a discount adjustment to reflect the time value of money.  Since losses are paid out over a period of time, the present value of the reserves is less than the nominal
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value.  As interest rates rise, the present value of the reserves decreases and, conversely, as interest rates decline, the present value increases.  These movements are the opposite of the interest rate impacts on the fair value of

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investments.  While the difference between present value and nominal value is not reflected in our financial statements, our financial results will include investment income over time from the investment portfolio until the claims are paid.  Our fixed income portfolio has an expected duration that is reasonably consistent with our loss and loss reserve obligations.


Equity Risk.Equity risk is the potential change in fair and/or market value of the common stock and preferred stock portfolios arising from changing equity prices.  Our equity investments consist of a diversified portfolio of individual securities and mutual funds, which invest principally in high quality common and preferred stocks that are traded on major exchanges.  The primary objective of the equity portfolio was to obtain greater total return relative to bonds over time through market appreciation and dividend income.


The table below displays the impact on the fair/market value and the after-tax change in fair/market value of a 10% and 20% change in equity prices up and down for the period indicated.

 

Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values

 

At March 31, 2009

(Dollars in millions)

-20%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

Fair/Market Value of the Equity Portfolio          

$      87.8

 

$        98.8

 

$   109.8

 

$     120.8

 

$     131.8

After-tax Change in Fair/Market Value

$    (14.3)

 

$       (7.1)

 

$           -

 

$         7.1

 

$       14.3

  Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values
  At September 30, 2009
(Dollars in millions)  -20% -10% 0% 10%  20%
Fair/Market Value of the Equity Portfolio $126.8  $142.6  $158.5  $174.3  $190.2 
After-tax Change in Fair/Market Value $(20.6) $(10.3) $-  $10.3  $20.6 
Foreign Currency Risk.Foreign currency risk is the potential change in value, income and cash flow arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates.  Each of our non-U.S. (“foreign”) operations maintains capital in the currency of the country of its geographic location consistent with local regulatory guidelines.  Generally, we prefer to maintain the capital of our operations in U.S. dollar assets, although this varies by regulatory jurisdiction in accordance with market needs.  Each foreign operation may conduct business in its local currency, as well as the currency of other countries in which it operates.  The primary foreign currency exposures for our foreign operations are the Canadian Dollar, the British Pound Sterling and the Euro.  We mitigate foreign exchange exposure by generally matching the currency and duration of our assets to our corresponding operating liabilities.  In accordance with FASASC 830 (Financial Accounting Standards No. 52 “Foreign Currency Translation”), we translate the assets, liabilities and income of non-U.S. dollar functional currency legal entities to the U.S. dollar.  This translation amount is reported as a component of other comprehensive income.  As of March 31,September 30, 2009 there has been no material change in exposure to foreign exchange rates as compared to December 31, 2008.


Safe Harbor Disclosure.

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the federal securities laws.  In some cases, these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “plan”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” and “intend”.  Forward-looking statements contained in this report include information regarding our reserves for losses and LAE, the adequacy of our provision for uncollectible balances, estimates of our catastrophe exposure, the effects of catastrophic events on our financial statements and the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends.  Forward-looking statements only reflect our expectations and are not guarantees of performance.  These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations.  Important factors that could cause our actual events or results to be materially different from our expectations include the uncertainties that surround the impact on our financial statements and liquidity resulting from changes in the global economy and credit markets, the estimating of reserves for losses and LAE, those discussed in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) included in this report and the risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, PART I,


ITEM 1A. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Market Risk Instruments.  See “Market Sensitive Instruments” in PART I – ITEM 2.



ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Principal AccountingChief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal AccountingChief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.  Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Principal AccountingChief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the quarter covered by this report.




PART II


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine our rights and obligations under insurance, reinsurance and other contractual agreements.  In some disputes, we seek to enforce our rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to us. In other matters, we are resisting attempts by others to collect funds or enforce alleged rights. These disputes arise from time to time and are ultimately resolved through both informal and formal means, including negotiated resolution, arbitration and litigation.  In all such matters, we believe that our positions are legally and commercially reasonable.reasonable, and we vigorously seek to preserve, enforce and defend our legal rights under various agreements.  While the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of these matters, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or liquidity. However, an adverse resolution of one or more of these items in any one quarter or fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in that period.



ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS


No material changes.

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ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


None.



ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None.



ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

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ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION


None.



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS


Exhibit Index:


Exhibit No.                      Description

31.1                                  Section 302 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto

31.2                                  Section 302 Certification of Dominic J. Addesso

32.1                                  Section 906 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto and Dominic J. Addesso



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Exhibit No.

Description

31.1

Section 302 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto

31.2

Section 302 Certification of Keith T. Shoemaker

32.1

Section 906 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto and Keith T. Shoemaker

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Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this

report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc.

(Registrant)

/s/ KEITH T. SHOEMAKER

S/ DOMINIC J. ADDESSO

Keith T. Shoemaker

Dominic J. Addesso

Executive Vice President and Comptroller

Principal AccountingChief Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: May 15,November 16, 2009