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, 20102011
 
Commission file number:
1-14527

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.

YESX NO 

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

  Number of Shares Outstanding
Class At May 1, 20102011
Common 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.

 
 

 

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.

Table of Contents
Form 10-Q


 Page
Page
PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     
Item 1. Financial Statements 
     
   
   1
    
   
   2
     
   
   3
     
   
   4
     
  5
     
Item 2.  
   2627
    
Item 3. 41
     
Item 4. 41
     

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

     
Item 1. 4241
     
Item 1A. 4241
    
Item 2. 
42
41
    
Item 3. 
42
41
    
Item 4. 
42
41
    
Item 5. 
42
    
Item 6. 
42


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) 2011 2010
  (unaudited)   
ASSETS:      
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value $5,433,976  $5,599,940 
     (amortized cost: 2011, $5,289,312; 2010, $5,438,359)        
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value  143,708   180,482 
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2011, $15 2010, $15)  13   13 
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value  797,424   683,454 
Short-term investments  368,767   516,885 
Other invested assets (cost: 2011, $385,471; 2010, $405,401)  388,421   406,916 
Other invested assets, at fair value  857,107   788,142 
Cash  169,365   118,092 
         Total investments and cash  8,158,781   8,293,924 
Accrued investment income  66,269   70,874 
Premiums receivable  756,042   643,257 
Reinsurance receivables - unaffiliated  679,975   670,168 
Reinsurance receivables - affiliated  3,010,140   2,708,193 
Funds held by reinsureds  174,535   171,179 
Deferred acquisition costs  176,395   184,247 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums  605,832   629,323 
Deferred tax asset  149,062   183,924 
Federal income taxes recoverable  198,695   142,421 
Other assets  425,438   171,923 
TOTAL ASSETS $14,401,164  $13,869,433 
         
LIABILITIES:        
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $8,143,475  $7,652,303 
Unearned premium reserve  1,266,955   1,287,476 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties  183,728   180,377 
Losses in the course of payment  62,113   13,089 
Commission reserves  36,202   37,796 
Other net payable to reinsurers  520,510   467,486 
Revolving credit borrowings  40,000   50,000 
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014  249,824   249,812 
6.6% Long term notes due 05/01/2067  238,352   238,351 
Junior subordinated debt securities payable  329,897   329,897 
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings  12,103   4,793 
Other liabilities  285,191   230,312 
         Total liabilities  11,368,350   10,741,692 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)        
         
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:        
Common stock, par value: $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized;        
     1,000 shares issued and outstanding (2011 and 2010)  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  329,356   327,767 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense        
     (benefit) of $88,837 at 2011 and $88,289 at 2010  164,983   163,966 
Retained earnings  2,538,475   2,636,008 
         Total stockholder's equity  3,032,814   3,127,741 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $14,401,164  $13,869,433 
         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.        


  March 31,  December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except par value per share) 2010  2009 
  (unaudited)    
ASSETS:      
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value $6,423,902  $6,463,168 
     (amortized cost: 2010, $6,210,288; 2009, $6,255,759)        
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value  65,307   50,528 
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2010, $15; 2009, $15)  12   13 
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value  394,548   380,025 
Short-term investments  250,127   261,438 
Other invested assets (cost: 2010, $398,189; 2009, $387,200)  397,829   386,326 
Other invested assets, at fair value  406,933   382,639 
Cash  107,737   107,480 
         Total investments and cash  8,046,395   8,031,617 
Accrued investment income  79,327   83,705 
Premiums receivable  767,884   769,744 
Reinsurance receivables - unaffiliated  631,814   618,081 
Reinsurance receivables - affiliated  2,686,134   2,492,152 
Funds held by reinsureds  158,154   156,223 
Deferred acquisition costs  181,444   183,498 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums  580,923   562,146 
Deferred tax asset  212,462   210,493 
Federal income tax recoverable  131,045   135,682 
Other assets  166,016   136,234 
TOTAL ASSETS $13,641,598  $13,379,575 
         
LIABILITIES:        
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $7,613,758  $7,300,139 
Unearned premium reserve  1,258,574   1,239,320 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties  179,303   175,257 
Losses in the course of payment  45,416   42,633 
Commission reserves  47,027   50,897 
Other net payable to reinsurers  583,219   444,535 
8.75% Senior notes due 3/15/2010  -   199,970 
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014  249,780   249,769 
6.6% Long term notes due 05/01/2067  238,349   238,348 
Junior subordinated debt securities payable  329,897   329,897 
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings  12,092   9,885 
Other liabilities  257,318   240,151 
         Total liabilities  10,814,733   10,520,801 
         
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)        
         
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:        
Common stock, par value: $0.01; 3,000 shares authorized;        
     1,000 shares issued and outstanding (2010 and 2009)  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  322,459   321,185 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax expense of        
     $96.2 million at 2010 and $89.9 million at 2009  178,724   166,978 
Retained earnings  2,325,682   2,370,611 
         Total stockholder's equity  2,826,865   2,858,774 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $13,641,598  $13,379,575 
         
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.        


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



 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended
 March 31,  March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011 2010
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)
REVENUES:            
Premiums earned $414,134  $438,445  $459,393  $414,134 
Net investment income  85,107   39,659   87,132   85,107 
Net realized capital losses:        
Net realized capital gains (losses):        
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities  -   (574)  (13,611)  - 
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities                
transferred to other comprehensive income  -   - 
Other net realized capital losses  (5,307)  (67,610)
Total net realized capital losses  (5,307)  (68,184)
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   78,271 
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)  -   - 
Other net realized capital gains (losses)  54,087   (5,307)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)  40,476   (5,307)
Other income (expense)  5,112   (114)  32   5,112 
Total revenues  499,046   488,077   587,033   499,046 
                
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  427,004   289,195   553,028   427,004 
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  67,841   88,219   88,512   67,841 
Other underwriting expenses  32,714   31,308   38,217   32,714 
Corporate expenses  2,226   1,318   1,190   2,226 
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  16,340   19,633   12,682   16,340 
Total claims and expenses  546,125   429,673   693,629   546,125 
                
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE TAXES  (47,079)  58,404 
Income tax (benefit) expense  (2,150)  12,740 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  (106,596)  (47,079)
Income tax expense (benefit)  (9,063)  (2,150)
                
NET (LOSS) INCOME $(44,929) $45,664 
NET INCOME (LOSS) $(97,533) $(44,929)
                
Other comprehensive income, net of tax  11,746   38,480 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  1,017   11,746 
                
COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME $(33,183) $84,144 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $(96,516) $(33,183)
                
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  Three Months Ended
 March 31,  March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) 2010  2009  2011 2010
 (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 $321,185  $315,771  $327,767  $321,185 
Share-based compensation plans  1,274   1,262   1,589   1,274 
Balance, end of period  322,459   317,033   329,356   322,459 
                
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),                
NET OF DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:                
Balance, beginning of period  166,978   (72,063)  163,966   166,978 
Net increase during the period  11,746   38,480 
Net increase (decrease) during the period  1,017   11,746 
Balance, end of period  178,724   (33,583)  164,983   178,724 
                
RETAINED EARNINGS:                
Balance, beginning of period  2,370,611   1,959,260   2,636,008   2,370,611 
Net (loss) income  (44,929)  45,664 
Net income (loss)  (97,533)  (44,929)
Balance, end of period  2,325,682   2,004,924   2,538,475   2,325,682 
                
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY, END OF PERIOD $2,826,865  $2,288,374  $3,032,814  $2,826,865 
                
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  Three Months Ended
 March 31,  March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011 2010
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:            
Net (loss) income $(44,929) $45,664 
Net income (loss) $(97,533) $(44,929)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Decrease in premiums receivable  3,330   11,328 
Decrease in funds held by reinsureds, net  2,210   506 
Increase in reinsurance receivables  (209,177)  (52,970)
(Increase) decrease in deferred tax asset  (8,294)  33,904 
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable  (111,328)  3,330 
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net  196   2,210 
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables  (306,071)  (209,177)
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset  34,314   (8,294)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums  23,936   (18,251)
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses  303,114   (48,536)  465,159   303,114 
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums  17,379   (879)  (23,149)  17,379 
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships  (9,414)  34,093   (18,415)  (9,414)
Change in other assets and liabilities, net  107,975   1,107   70,747   126,226 
Non-cash compensation expense  1,195   1,262   1,380   1,195 
Amortization of bond premium  3,546   2,271 
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)  3,492   3,546 
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes  42   46   12   42 
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   (78,271)
Net realized capital losses  5,307   68,184 
Net cash provided by operating activities  172,284   17,709 
Net realized capital (gains) losses  (40,476)  5,307 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  2,264   172,284 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value  172,263   109,235   107,455   172,263 
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value  -   5,570   6,900   - 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value  165,485   44,778   516,721   165,485 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value  2,497   3,492   32,952   2,497 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value  27,096   - 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value  21,342   1,634   52,696   21,342 
Distributions from other invested assets  8,165   12,293   61,359   8,165 
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value  (275,526)  (261,238)  (472,805)  (275,526)
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (14,194)  (13,310)  (8,076)  (14,194)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value  (27,059)  - 
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (20,739)  (8,976)  (126,665)  (20,739)
Cost of other invested assets acquired  (9,740)  (2,562)  (23,014)  (9,740)
Cost of other invested assets acquired, at fair value  (47,032)  -   (37,611)  (47,032)
Cost of businesses acquired  (63,100)  - 
Net change in short-term investments  12,085   188,866   149,303   12,085 
Net change in unsettled securities transactions  16,323   1,646   (143,998)  16,323 
Net cash provided by investing activities  30,929   81,428 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  52,154   30,929 
                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Tax benefit from share-based compensation  79   -   209   79 
Net cost of senior notes maturing  (200,000)  -   -   (200,000)
Net cost of debt repurchase  -   (83,026)
Net cash used in financing activities  (199,921)  (83,026)
Revolving credit borrowings  (10,000)  - 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (9,791)  (199,921)
                
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH  (3,035)  (12,767)  6,646   (3,035)
                
Net increase in cash  257   3,344 
Net increase (decrease) in cash  51,273   257 
Cash, beginning of period  107,480   92,264   118,092   107,480 
Cash, end of period $107,737  $95,608  $169,365  $107,737 
                
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                
Cash transactions:                
Income taxes paid $3,766  $3,146 
Income taxes paid (recovered) $10,792  $3,766 
Interest paid  13,899   17,808   5,203   13,899 
                
Non-cash transaction:        
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business acquisitions  19,130   - 
        
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                

 
4


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 20102011 and 20092010

1.  GENERAL

As used in this document, “Holdings” means Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware company and direct subsidiary of Everest Underwriting 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 and its subsidiaries, a subsidiary of Holdings (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 months ended March 31, 20102011 and 20092010 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 December 31, 20092010 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  The results for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 and 20092010 are not necessarily indicat iveindicative 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, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 included in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K filing.

All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain reclassifications and format changes have been made to prior years’ amounts to conform to the 2010 presentation.

Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Codification

Financial Accounting Standards Board Launched Accounting Codification.  In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance establishing the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“Codification”) as the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by non-governmental 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 no n-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative.

Following the Codification, the FASB will no longer issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions 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 the 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 annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Company’s adoption of this guidance impacts the way the Company references U.S. GAAP accounting standards in the financial statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


Application of Recently Issued Accounting Standard Changes

Financial Accounting Standards Board Launched Accounting Codification.  In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance establishing the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“Codification”) as the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by non-governmental 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 no longer issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions 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 the 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 annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Company’s adoption of this guidance impacts the way the Company references U.S. GAAP accounting standards in the financial statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


Treatment of Insurance Contract Acquisition Costs. In October 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts.  The guidance identifies the incremental direct costs of contract acquisition and costs directly related to acquisition activities that should be capitalized.  This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company will adopt this guidance prospectively, as of January 1, 2012.

Subsequent Events. In May 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for subsequent events, which was later modified in February 2010, that addresses the accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events not addressed in other applicable U.S. GAAP.  The Company implemented the new disclosure requirement beginning with the second quarter of 2009 and included it in the Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.

Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements.  In January 2010, the FASB amended the authoritative guidance for disclosures on fair value measurements.  Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, the guidance requires a new separate disclosure for:  significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 and the reasons for the transfers; and provided clarification on existing disclosures to include:  fair value measurement disclosures by class of assets and liabilities and disclosure on valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3.  The Company implemented this guidance effective January 1, 2010.  Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, the guidance requires another new separate disclosure in regards to Level 3 fair value measurements in that, the period activity will present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements.  Comparative disclosures shall be required only for periods ending after initial adoption.  The Company has implemented the first part of this guidance effective January 1, 2010.

Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments.  In April 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for disclosures about fair value of financial instruments.  This new guidance requires quarterly disclosures on the qualitative and quantitative information about the fair value of all financial instruments including methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value during the period. These disclosures were previously only done annually.  The Company adopted this disclosure beginning with the secondthird quarter of 2009 and included it in the Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.2010.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Investment Securities.  In April 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. This new guidance amends the recognition guidance for other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities and expands the financial 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 rest of the fair value loss would be recognized in accumulated ot herother comprehensive income.income (loss).  The Company adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009.  Upon adoption the Company recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment increase in retained earnings and decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of $15.5 million, net of $8.3 million of tax.as follows:

Measurement of Fair Value in Inactive Markets.  In April 2009, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, which reaffirms that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. It also reaffirms the need to use judgment in determining if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when the market has become inactive. There was no impact to the Company’s financial statements upon adoption.
(Dollars in thousands)   
Cumulative-effect adjustment, gross $23,846 
Tax  (8,346)
Cumulative-effect adjustment, net $15,500 

 
6


3.  INVESTMENTS

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

  At March 31, 2010 
  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 $135,763  $3,515  $(1,972) $137,306 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  3,657,459   168,621   (22,244)  3,803,836 
Corporate securities  644,008   36,228   (7,650)  672,586 
Asset-backed securities  16,612   489   (1,971)  15,130 
Mortgage-backed securities                
Commercial  32,255   6,515   -   38,770 
Agency residential  431,587   12,770   (30)  444,327 
Non-agency residential  60,544   908   (1,763)  59,689 
Foreign government securities  673,814   25,368   (9,389)  689,793 
Foreign corporate securities  558,246   16,967   (12,748)  562,465 
Total fixed maturity securities $6,210,288  $271,381  $(57,767) $6,423,902 
Equity securities $15  $-  $(3) $12 

 At December 31, 2009  At March 31, 2011 
 Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value  Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale            
Fixed maturity securities            
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                        
U.S. government agencies and corporations $132,348  $3,614  $(1,671) $134,291  $83,844  $1,981  $(1,680) $84,145 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  3,694,267   183,848   (24,256)  3,853,859   2,402,356   94,023   (16,195)  2,480,184 
Corporate securities  618,507   30,298   (13,424)  635,381   799,161   40,773   (10,214)  829,720 
Asset-backed securities  16,597   460   (1,909)  15,148   24,453   691   (17)  25,127 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  24,213   4,956   (111)  29,058   31,347   7,601   -   38,948 
Agency residential  556,032   10,366   (1,691)  564,707   334,751   13,084   (241)  347,594 
Non-agency residential  61,098   916   (7,055)  54,959   28,238   655   (79)  28,814 
Foreign government securities  638,204   27,700   (6,687)  659,217   886,467   30,155   (15,202)  901,420 
Foreign corporate securities  514,493   17,184   (15,129)  516,548   698,695   19,736   (20,407)  698,024 
Total fixed maturity securities $6,255,759  $279,342  $(71,933) $6,463,168  $5,289,312  $208,699  $(64,035) $5,433,976 
Equity securities $15  $-  $(2) $13  $15  $-  $(2) $13 
  At December 31, 2010 
  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value 
Fixed maturity securities            
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of            
U.S. government agencies and corporations $153,263  $2,450  $(5,146) $150,567 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  2,809,514   116,920   (24,929)  2,901,505 
Corporate securities  688,938   42,522   (9,775)  721,685 
Asset-backed securities  19,860   705   (14)  20,551 
Mortgage-backed securities                
Commercial  31,887   7,618   -   39,505 
Agency residential  355,928   13,975   (212)  369,691 
Non-agency residential  29,373   912   (317)  29,968 
Foreign government securities  731,930   32,678   (15,567)  749,041 
Foreign corporate securities  617,666   20,939   (21,178)  617,427 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,438,359  $238,719  $(77,138) $5,599,940 
Equity securities $15  $-  $(2) $13 

In accordance with FASB guidance, the Company reclassified the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments from retained earnings into accumulated other comprehensive income in(loss), on April 1, 2009.  At March 31, 2010,The table below presents the pre-tax cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on thesethose corporate securities, was $1.0 million as compared to pre-tax cumulative unrealized depreciation of $2.0 million at December 31, 2009.for the periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands) At March 31, 2011 At December 31, 2010
Pre-tax cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $843 $823

 
7

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

 At March 31, 2010  At December 31, 2009  At March 31, 2011  At December 31, 2010 
 Amortized  Market  Amortized  Market  Amortized  Market  Amortized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value  Cost  Value 
Fixed maturity securities – available for sale                        
Due in one year or less $292,804  $292,765  $334,054  $335,948  $208,892  $207,299  $212,728  $207,739 
Due after one year through five years  1,459,842   1,503,714   1,276,968   1,316,918   1,739,602   1,770,747   1,642,227   1,681,497 
Due after five years through ten years  1,196,303   1,252,804   1,224,457   1,282,470   1,160,884   1,200,473   1,203,497   1,253,609 
Due after ten years  2,720,341   2,816,703   2,762,340   2,863,960   1,761,145   1,814,974   1,942,859   1,997,380 
Asset-backed securities  16,612   15,130   16,597   15,148   24,453   25,127   19,860   20,551 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  32,255   38,770   24,213   29,058   31,347   38,948   31,887   39,505 
Agency residential  431,587   444,327   556,032   564,707   334,751   347,594   355,928   369,691 
Non-agency residential  60,544   59,689   61,098   54,959   28,238   28,814   29,373   29,968 
Total fixed maturity securities $6,210,288  $6,423,902  $6,255,759  $6,463,168  $5,289,312  $5,433,976  $5,438,359  $5,599,940 

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  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Increase during the period between the market value and cost      
Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost      
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:            
Fixed maturity securities $6,205  $89,589  $(16,918) $6,205 
Equity securities  (1)  (6)  -   (1)
Other invested assets  513   (1,641)  1,435   513 
Change in unrealized appreciation, pre-tax  6,717   87,942 
Deferred tax expense  (2,351)  (30,780)
Change in unrealized appreciation,        
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax  (15,483)  6,717 
Deferred tax benefit (expense)  5,419   (2,351)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation),        
net of deferred taxes, included in stockholder's equity $4,366  $57,162  $(10,064) $4,366 

The Company frequently reviews its fixed maturity securities investment portfolio for declines in market value and focuses its attention on securities whose fair value has fallen below 80% of their amortized valuecost 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.  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-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.income (loss).  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 that 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 adjustment that is credit related is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.income (loss). 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 (loss) 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 enhancements or breakeven constant default ra tesrates on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.

 
8


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 tablestable below displaydisplays the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to 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 March 31, 2010 
  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 $45,034  $(1,962) $515  $(10) $45,549  $(1,972)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  556   (6)  406,437   (22,238)  406,993   (22,244)
Corporate securities  36,887   (755)  58,537   (6,895)  95,424   (7,650)
Asset-backed securities  366   (214)  8,243   (1,757)  8,609   (1,971)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Agency residential  17,279   (30)  -   -   17,279   (30)
Non-agency residential  -   -   52,369   (1,763)  52,369   (1,763)
Foreign government securities  281,751   (4,040)  62,240   (5,349)  343,991   (9,389)
Foreign corporate securities  205,585   (6,649)  63,717   (6,099)  269,302   (12,748)
Total fixed maturity securities $587,458  $(13,656) $652,058  $(44,111) $1,239,516  $(57,767)
Equity securities  -   -   12   (3)  12   (3)
Total $587,458  $(13,656) $652,070  $(44,114) $1,239,528  $(57,770)

 Duration by maturity of unrealized loss at March 31, 2010  Duration of Unrealized Loss at March 31, 2011 By Security Type 
 Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total  Less than 12 months  Greater than 12 months  Total 
    Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross     Gross 
    Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands) Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation  Market Value  Depreciation 
Fixed maturity securities                  
Due in one year or less $30,601  $(2,230) $26,790  $(3,602) $57,391  $(5,832)
Due in one year through five years  363,884   (4,798)  72,638   (4,267)  436,522   (9,065)
Due in five years through ten years  120,359   (2,735)  48,247   (3,385)  168,606   (6,120)
Due after ten years  54,969   (3,649)  443,771   (29,337)  498,740   (32,986)
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale                  
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                  
U.S. government agencies and corporations $21,934  $(1,199) $3,366  $(481) $25,300  $(1,680)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  341,191   (16,181)  1,110   (14)  342,301   (16,195)
Corporate securities  145,869   (9,193)  10,667   (1,021)  156,536   (10,214)
Asset-backed securities  366   (214)  8,243   (1,757)  8,609   (1,971)  4,012   (17)  -   -   4,012   (17)
Mortgage-backed securities  17,279   (30)  52,369   (1,763)  69,648   (1,793)                        
Agency residential  21,573   (241)  -   -   21,573   (241)
Non-agency residential  916   (78)  -   (1)  916   (79)
Foreign government securities  265,864   (7,166)  85,984   (8,036)  351,848   (15,202)
Foreign corporate securities  223,740   (9,654)  94,780   (10,753)  318,520   (20,407)
Total fixed maturity securities $587,458  $(13,656) $652,058  $(44,111) $1,239,516  $(57,767) $1,025,099  $(43,729) $195,907  $(20,306) $1,221,006  $(64,035)
Equity securities
 $-  $-  $12  $(3) $12  $(3)  -   -   13   (2)  13   (2)
Total $1,025,099  $(43,729) $195,920  $(20,308) $1,221,019  $(64,037)
  Duration of Unrealized Loss at March 31, 2011 By Maturity 
  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 $34,868  $(814) $23,691  $(4,453) $58,559  $(5,267)
Due in one year through five years  350,545   (14,105)  107,273   (8,167)  457,818   (22,272)
Due in five years through ten years  219,300   (5,770)  53,209   (5,436)  272,509   (11,206)
Due after ten years  393,885   (22,704)  11,734   (2,249)  405,619   (24,953)
Asset-backed securities  4,012   (17)  -   -   4,012   (17)
Mortgage-backed securities  22,489   (319)  -   (1)  22,489   (320)
Total fixed maturity securities $1,025,099  $(43,729) $195,907  $(20,306) $1,221,006  $(64,035)

The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position as ofat March 31, 20102011 were $1,239.5 million$1,221,019 thousand and $57.8 million,$64,037 thousand, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single securityissuer that exceeded 0.06%0.09% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2010.2011.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $13.7 million$43,729 thousand 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, foreign government and domestic and foreign government and corporate securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $13.3 million$39,553 thousand were related to securities that were rated inves tment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $44.1 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity and equity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to highly rated domestic and foreign government and corporate securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $36.9 million

9


related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses arewere mainly comprised of corporate securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation less than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities included $23 thousand related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, projected cash flows were sufficient to recover the full book value of
9


the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.  The $20,306 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to foreign corporate and foreign government securities.  All of these unrealized losses are related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  Unrealized losses at March 31, 2011 are comparable with unrealized losses at December 31, 2010.
The table below displays the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:
  Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2010 By Security Type 
  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 $47,985  $(1,916) $43,264  $(3,230) $91,249  $(5,146)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  336,522   (9,519)  171,812   (15,410)  508,334   (24,929)
Corporate securities  74,389   (2,715)  33,109   (7,060)  107,498   (9,775)
Asset-backed securities  3,900   (14)  -   -   3,900   (14)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Agency residential  20,867   (212)  -   -   20,867   (212)
Non-agency residential  -   -   22,439   (317)  22,439   (317)
Foreign government securities  92,123   (3,776)  124,807   (11,791)  216,930   (15,567)
Foreign corporate securities  120,294   (5,512)  121,304   (15,666)  241,598   (21,178)
Total fixed maturity securities $696,080  $(23,664) $516,735  $(53,474) $1,212,815  $(77,138)
Equity securities  -   -   13   (2)  13   (2)
Total $696,080  $(23,664) $516,748  $(53,476) $1,212,828  $(77,140)
  Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2010 By Maturity 
  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 $5,982  $(319) $48,233  $(8,089) $54,215  $(8,408)
Due in one year through five years  186,524   (9,059)  129,197   (11,559)  315,721   (20,618)
Due in five years through ten years  139,896   (4,356)  92,692   (8,215)  232,588   (12,571)
Due after ten years  338,911   (9,704)  224,174   (25,294)  563,085   (34,998)
Asset-backed securities  3,900   (14)  -   -   3,900   (14)
Mortgage-backed securities  20,867   (212)  22,439   (317)  43,306   (529)
Total fixed maturity securities $696,080  $(23,664) $516,735  $(53,474) $1,212,815  $(77,138)

The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2010 were $1,212,828 thousand and $77,140 thousand, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single issuer that exceeded 0.09% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2010.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $23,664 thousand 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, foreign government and domestic and foreign corporate securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $23,424 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $53,476 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity and equity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year also related primarily to highly rated domestic and foreign corporate, foreign government and municipal securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $48,165 thousand related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The
10

non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses were mainly comprised of corporate securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation greater than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities included $0.2 million$32 thousand related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfallsflows were sufficient to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  Unrealized losses have decreased since December 31, 2009, 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 that 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 and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to 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 December 31, 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 $44,943  $(1,671) $-  $-  $44,943  $(1,671)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  559   (4)  452,018   (24,252)  452,577   (24,256)
Corporate securities  45,045   (1,056)  118,153   (12,368)  163,198   (13,424)
Asset-backed securities  366   (26)  8,233   (1,883)  8,599   (1,909)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Commercial  959   (34)  3,312   (77)  4,271   (111)
Agency residential  213,093   (1,691)  -   -   213,093   (1,691)
Non-agency residential  1,272   (31)  47,202   (7,024)  48,474   (7,055)
Foreign government securities  159,493   (2,158)  69,109   (4,529)  228,602   (6,687)
Foreign corporate securities  124,325   (4,205)  98,772   (10,924)  223,097   (15,129)
Total fixed maturity securities $590,055  $(10,876) $796,799  $(61,057) $1,386,854  $(71,933)
Equity securities  13   (2)  -   -   13   (2)
Total $590,068  $(10,878) $796,799  $(61,057) $1,386,867  $(71,935)

  Duration by maturity of unrealized loss at December 31, 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 $-  $-  $58,010  $(4,887) $58,010  $(4,887)
Due in one year through five years  192,929   (2,975)  140,349   (9,129)  333,278   (12,104)
Due in five years through ten years  137,196   (2,934)  54,279   (3,401)  191,475   (6,335)
Due after ten years  44,240   (3,185)  485,414   (34,656)  529,654   (37,841)
Asset-backed securities  366   (26)  8,233   (1,883)  8,599   (1,909)
Mortgage-backed securities  215,324   (1,756)  50,514   (7,101)  265,838   (8,857)
Total fixed maturity securities $590,055  $(10,876) $796,799  $(61,057) $1,386,854  $(71,933)
Equity securities $13  $(2) $-  $-  $13  $(2)

10

The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2009 were $1,386.9 million and $71.9 million, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single security that exceeded 0.11% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2009.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $10.9 million of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity and equity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of highly rated government, corporate and mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $10.7 million were related to securities that wer e rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $61.1 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.  Of these unrealized losses, $50.5 million related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses are mainly comprised of corporate and commercial mortgage-backed securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation greater than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities included only $0.07 million related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  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 had exce ss credit coverage and were current on interest and principal payments.  Unrealized losses decreased since December 31, 2008, as a result of improved conditions in the overall financial market resulting from increased liquidity and lower interest rates.

The components of net investment income are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Fixed maturity securities $73,555  $70,329  $60,619  $73,555 
Equity securities  2,404   694   5,172   2,404 
Short-term investments and cash  77   2,211   207   77 
Other invested assets                
Limited partnerships  9,414   (34,093)  18,415   9,414 
Dividends from Parent's shares  4,648   1,426 
Other  1,798   2,771   597   372 
Total gross investment income  87,248   41,912   89,658   87,248 
Interest credited and other expense  (2,141)  (2,253)
Interest debited (credited) and other investment expense  (2,526)  (2,141)
Total net investment income $85,107  $39,659  $87,132  $85,107 

The Company reportsrecords results from limited partnership investments on the equity basismethod 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 $132.5 million$121,814 thousand in limited partnerships at March 31, 2010.2011.  These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2014.2016.

 
11

 
The components of net realized capital lossesgains (losses) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:

  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009 
Fixed maturity securities, market value:      
Other-than-temporary impairments $-  $(560)
Losses from sales  (777)  (28,094)
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:        
Gains from sales  83   96 
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  3,000   (42)
Equity securities, fair value:        
Gains (losses) from sales  1,894   (446)
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  13,231   (16,923)
Other invested assets, fair value:        
Losses from fair value adjustments  (22,737)  (22,215)
Short-term investment losses  (1)  - 
Total net realized capital losses $(5,307) $(68,184)

Proceeds from the sales of fixed maturity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $168.0 million and $48.3 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $1.8 million and $1.5 million and gross losses of $2.5 million and $29.6 million were realized on those fixed maturity securities sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $21.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  Gross gains of $2.4 million and $0.2 million and gross losses of $0.5 million and $0.7 million were realized on those equity sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Fixed maturity securities, market value:      
Other-than-temporary impairments $(13,611) $- 
Gains (losses) from sales  (12,310)  (777)
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:        
Gains (losses) from sales  (1,515)  83 
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  (3,483)  3,000 
Equity securities, market value:        
Gains (losses) from sales  37   - 
Equity securities, fair value:        
Gains (losses) from sales  1,872   1,894 
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  38,130   13,231 
Other invested assets, fair value:        
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  31,355   (22,737)
Short-term investment gains (losses)  1   (1)
Total net realized capital gains (losses) $40,476  $(5,307)

The Company records fair value re-measurementsrecorded as net realized capital gains or losses(losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) income.  The Company recorded $6.5 million and $39.2 million in net realized capital losses due toboth fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and equity securities and other invested assets, at fair value, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

At March 31, 2010, the Company had no write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis included in net realized capital losses.  At March 31, 2009, the Company had $0.6 million of write-downsas displayed in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis included in net realized capital losses.table above.  The Company had no other-than-temporary impaired securities where the impairment had both a credit and non-credit component.

The proceeds and split between gross gains and losses, from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities, are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities $549,673  $167,982 
Gross gains from sales  14,266   1,757 
Gross losses from sales  (28,091)  (2,451)
         
Proceeds from sales of equity secuities $79,792  $21,342 
Gross gains from sales  2,380   2,370 
Gross losses from sales  (471)  (476)

4.  FAIR VALUE

The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities are managed by third party investment asset managers.  The investment asset 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.

12

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 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

12


about future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates to determine fair value.  The Company made no such adjustments at March 31, 2010.2011.

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.

Fixed maturity 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 maturity 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.

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.

The following table presents the fair value measurement levels for all assets, which the Company has recorded at fair value (fair and market value) as of the period indicated:

    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) March 31, 2010  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  March 31, 2011  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                        
Fixed maturities, market value                        
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                        
U.S. government agencies and corporations $137,306  $-  $137,306  $-  $84,145  $-  $84,145  $- 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  3,803,836   -   3,803,836   -   2,480,184   -   2,480,184   - 
Corporate securities  672,586   -   665,656   6,930   829,720   -   829,720   - 
Asset-backed securities  15,130   -   8,762   6,368   25,127   -   18,854   6,273 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  38,770   -   38,770   -   38,948   -   38,948   - 
Agency residential  444,327   -   444,327   -   347,594   -   347,594   - 
Non-agency residential  59,689   -   59,233   456   28,814   -   28,366   448 
Foreign government securities  689,793   -   689,793   -   901,420   -   901,420   - 
Foreign corporate securities  562,465   -   562,465   -   698,024   -   697,505   519 
Total fixed maturities, market value  6,423,902   -   6,410,148   13,754   5,433,976   -   5,426,736   7,240 
                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  65,307   -   65,307   -   143,708   -   143,708   - 
Equity securities, market value  12   12   -   -   13   13   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  394,548   393,535   1,013   -   797,424   797,424   -   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  406,933   406,933   -   -   857,107   857,107   -   - 

13

There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.2011.

13

The following table presents the fair value measurement levels for all assets, which the Company has recorded at fair value (fair and market value) as of the period indicated:

    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, 2009  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  December 31, 2010  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                        
Fixed maturities, market value                        
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                        
U.S. government agencies and corporations $134,291  $-  $134,291  $-  $150,567  $-  $150,567  $- 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  3,853,859   -   3,853,859   -   2,901,505   -   2,901,505   - 
Corporate securities  635,381   -   628,451   6,930   721,685   -   721,685   - 
Asset-backed securities  15,148   -   8,890   6,258   20,551   -   19,590   961 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  29,058   -   29,058   -   39,505   -   39,505   - 
Agency residential  564,707   -   564,707   -   369,691   -   369,691   - 
Non-agency residential  54,959   -   54,533   426   29,968   -   29,510   458 
Foreign government securities  659,217   -   659,217   -   749,041   -   749,041   - 
Foreign corporate securities  516,548   -   516,548   -   617,427   -   613,792   3,635 
Total fixed maturities, market value  6,463,168   -   6,449,554   13,614   5,599,940   -   5,594,886   5,054 
                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  50,528   -   50,528   -   180,482   -   180,482   - 
Equity securities, market value  13   13   -   -   13   13   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  380,025   379,058   967   -   683,454   683,454   -   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  382,639   382,639   -   -   788,142   788,142   -   - 

The following tables present the activity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs for fixed maturity investments,by asset type, for the periods indicated:
 
 By Asset  Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 
 Corporate  Asset-backed  Non-agency     Asset-backed Foreign Non-agency    Corporate Asset-backed Non-agency   
(Dollars in thousands) Securities  Securities  RMBS  Total  Securities Corporate RMBS Total Securities Securities RMBS Total
Beginning balance January 1, 2010 $6,930  $6,258  $426  $13,614 
Beginning balance $961  $3,635  $458  $5,054  $6,930  $6,258  $426  $13,614 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                                                
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)  -   -   25   25   -   -   21   21   -   -   25   25 
Included in other comprenhensive income  -   (78)  41   (37)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)  (63)  -   -   (63)  -   (78)  41   (37)
Purchases, issuances and settlements  -   188   (36)  152   138   -   (31)  107   -   188   (36)  152 
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  -   -   -   -   5,237   (3,116)  -   2,121   -   -   -   - 
Ending balance March 31, 2010 $6,930  $6,368  $456  $13,754 
Ending balance $6,273  $519  $448  $7,240  $6,930  $6,368  $456  $13,754 
                                                
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 $-  $-  $-  $- 
The amount of total gains or losses for the period includedThe amount of total gains or losses for the period included                               
in earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to thein earnings (or changes in net assets) attributable to the                               
change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assetschange in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets                               
still held at the reporting datestill held at the reporting date$-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                 

 
14

  Summary 
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009 
Assets:      
Balance, beginning of period $13,614  $10,967 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)        
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)  25   (25)
Included in other comprehensive income  (37)  181 
Purchases, issuances and settlements  152   2,975 
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  -   (6,634)
Balance, end of period $13,754  $7,464 
         
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)

5.  CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

On December 17, 2008, Group and Holdingswe renewed theirour shelf registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the 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 outcom eoutcome 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.

15

The Company’s reserves include an estimate of the Company’s ultimate liability for asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) claims.  As of March 31, 2010,2011, approximately 8%7% 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 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 itsit’s A&E los ses.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 reserves on both a gross and net of retrocessionalreinsurance basis for the periods indicated:

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended
 March 31,  March 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011 2010
Gross basis:            
Beginning of period reserves $638,674  $786,842  $554,790  $638,674 
Incurred losses  -   -   -   - 
Paid losses  (13,466)  (18,081)  (19,026)  (13,466)
End of period reserves $625,208  $768,761  $535,764  $625,208 
                
Net basis:                
Beginning of period reserves $430,421  $485,296  $382,507  $430,421 
Incurred losses  -   -   -   - 
Paid losses  (11,191)  (10,087)  (14,363)  (11,191)
End of period reserves $419,230  $475,209  $368,144  $419,230 

At March 31, 2010,2011, the gross reserves for A&E losses were comprised of $139.0 million$132,467 thousand representing case reserves reported by ceding companies, $142.6 million$113,660 thousand representing additional case reserves established by the Company on assumed reinsurance claims, $61.9 million$37,320 thousand representing case reserves established by the Company on direct excess insurance claims, including Mt. McKinley and $281.7 million$252,316 thousand representing IBNR reserves.

With respect to asbestos only, at March 31, 2010,2011, the Company had gross asbestos loss reserves of $595.8 million,$512,650 thousand, or 95.3%95.7%, of total A&E reserves, of which $465.9 million$409,613 thousand was for assumed business and $129.9 million$103,037 thousand 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, 2010 and December 31, 2009,The table below presents the estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was contingently liable was $152.8 million and $ 152.3 million, respectively.for the periods indicated:
(Dollars in thousands) At March 31, 2011 At December 31, 2010
  $143,087  $150,560 

 
16


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, the Company would be liable for those claim liabilities.  At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009,The table below presents the estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was $24.6 million.contingently liable for the periods indicated:


(Dollars in thousands) At March 31, 2011 At December 31, 2010
  $26,468  $26,542 

7.  OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

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

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period      
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on      
securities arising during the period      
URA(D) of investments - temporary $3,666  $87,942  $(15,503) $3,666 
URA(D) of investments - non-credit OTTI  3,051   -   20   3,051 
Tax expense from URA(D) arising during the period  (2,351)  (30,780)
Tax benefit (expense) from URA(D) arising during the period  5,419   (2,351)
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period, net of tax  4,366   57,162   (10,064)  4,366 
                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  10,726   (28,742)  15,900   10,726 
Tax (expense) benefit from foreign currency translation  (3,754)  10,060 
Tax benefit (expense) from foreign currency translation  (5,565)  (3,754)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments  6,972   (18,682)  10,335   6,972 
                
Pension adjustments  628   -   1,148   628 
Tax expense on pension  (220)  - 
Tax benefit (expense) on pension  (402)  (220)
Net pension adjustments  408   -   746   408 
                
Other comprehensive income, net of tax $11,746  $38,480 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax $1,017  $11,746 

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

 March 31,  December 31,  At March 31,  At December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
URA(D) on securities, net of deferred taxes            
Temporary $137,953  $135,570  $95,398  $104,149 
Non-credit, OTTI  658   (1,325)  548   1,860 
Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of deferred taxes  138,611   134,245   95,946   106,009 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes  63,973   57,001   94,374   84,040 
Pension adjustments, net of deferred taxes  (23,860)  (24,268)  (25,337)  (26,083)
Accumulated other comprehensive income $178,724  $166,978 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $164,983  $163,966 

 
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8.  CREDIT LINEFACILITY

Effective August 23, 2006, Holdings entered into a five year, $150.0 million$150,000 thousand 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$150,000 thousand 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$1,500,000 thousand plus 25% of future aggregate net income and 25% of future aggregate capital contributions after December 31, 2005, which at March 31, 2010,2011, was $1,933.8 million.$1,992,626 thousand.  As of March 31, 2010,2011, Holdings was in compliance with all Holdings Credit Facility covenants.

At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Holdings Credit Facility hadThe following table summarizes outstanding letters of credit of $17.0 million and $28.0 million, respectively.and/or borrowings for the periods indicated:

Costs
(Dollars in thousands) At March 31, 2011 At December 31, 2010
Bank Commitment  In Use Date of LoanMaturity/Expiry Date Commitment  In Use Date of LoanMaturity/Expiry Date
Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $15,000 2/18/20116/16/2011 $150,000  $50,000 12/16/20101/18/2011
       10,000 2/28/20116/28/2011      -   
       15,000 3/02/20116/06/2011      -   
Total revolving credit borrowings      40,000         50,000   
Total letters of credit      9,527  12/31/2011      9,527  12/31/2011
                     
Total Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $49,527    $150,000  $59,527   
The following table presents the costs incurred in connection with the Holdings Credit Facility were $9.3 thousand and $26.3 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Credit facility fees incurred $90  $9 

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, 2010 and December 31, 2009, letters of credit for $17.0 million and $28.0 million, respectively, were issued and outstanding.  The following table summarizes the Company’s letters of credit at March 31, 2010.

(Dollars in thousands)       
Bank Commitment  In Use Date of Expiry
Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $16,951 12/31/2010
Total Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $16,951  

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, 2010,2011, the total amount on deposit in the trust account was $23.7 million.$13,859 thousand.

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.  On March 15, 2010, the $200.0 million principal amount of 8.75% senior notes matured, and was paid in cash.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these senior notes was $7.1 million and $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Market value, which is based on quoted market price at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, was $261.0 million and $256.1 million, respectively, for the 5.40% senior notes and $200.0 million for the 8.75% senior notes at December 31, 2009.

 
18


10. SENIOR NOTES
12.
The table below displays Holdings’ outstanding senior notes.  Market value is based on quoted market prices.
       March 31, 2011 December 31, 2010
       Consolidated Balance   Consolidated Balance  
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Date Due Principal Amounts Sheet Amount Market Value Sheet Amount Market Value
5.40% Senior notes10/12/2004 10/15/2014 $250,000 $249,824 $270,030 $249,812 $267,500
8.75% Senior notes (matured and paid on March 15, 2010)03/14/2000 03/15/2010 $200,000 $- $- $- $-
Interest expense incurred in connection with these senior notes is as follows for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Interest expense incurred $3,386  $7,062 

11. LONG TERM SUBORDINATED NOTES

On April 26, 2007, Holdings completed a public offering of $400.0 million principal amount of 6.6%The table below displays Holdings’ outstanding 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.  notes.  Market value is based on quoted market prices.
     Maturity Date March 31, 2011  December 31, 2010 
   Original     Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance    
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Principal Amount Scheduled Final Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value 
6.6% Long term subordinated notes04/26/2007 $400,000 05/15/2037 05/01/2067 $238,352  $233,789  $238,351  $227,825 

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”)LIBOR plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on Fe bruaryFebruary 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 af terafter 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 6.6%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,$161,441 thousand, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on debt repurchase of $78.3 million.$78,271 thousand.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these long term subordinated notes was $3.9 million and $6.5 millionis as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Market value, which is based on quoted market prices at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, was $204.1 million and $176.5 million on the outstanding 6.6% long term subordinated notes, respectively.periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Interest expense incurred $3,937  $3,937 

13.12. JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES PAYABLE

On March 29, 2004, Holdings issued $329.9 million of 6.20%The following table displays Holdings’ outstanding junior subordinated debt securities due March 29, 2034, to Everest Re Capital Trust II (“Capital Trust II”).  , a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of Holdings.  Fair value is primarily based on the quoted market price of the related trust preferred securities.
       March 31, 2011 December 31, 2010
       Consolidated Balance   Consolidated Balance  
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Date Due Amount Issued Sheet Amount Fair Value Sheet Amount Fair Value
6.20% Junior subordinated debt securities03/29/2004 03/29/2034 $329,897 $329,897 $308,265 $329,897 $294,825
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 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 the quoted market price of the related trust preferred securities was $289.6 million and $272.6 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, for the 6.20% junior subordinated debt securities.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these junior subordinated notes was $5.1 milliondebt securities is as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

19

periods indicated:
 
Capital Trust II is a wholly owned finance subsidiary of Holdings.
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Interest expense incurred $5,113  $5,113 

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 thetheir 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 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’sHoldings’ operating subsidiaries to transfer funds to the CompanyHoldings in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.  The insurance laws of the State of Delaware, where the Company’sHoldings’ direct insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, require regulatory approval before those subsidiaries can pay dividends or make loans or advances to the CompanyHoldings that exceed certain statutory thresholds.  In addition, the terms of the Holdings Credit Facility (discussed in Note 8) require Everest Re, the Company’sHoldings’ principal insurance subsidiary, to maintain a certain statutory surplus level as measured at the end of each fiscal year.  At December 31, 2009, $2,352.0 million2010, $2,293,643 thousand of the $3,271.1 million$2,929,526 thousand in net assets of the Company’ ;sHoldings’ consolidated subsidiaries were subject to the foregoing regulatory restrictions.

14.
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13.  SEGMENT REPORTING

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 primarilydirectly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S.U.S and Canada.  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’s branches in Canada and Singapore and offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey.

These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines 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  Three Months Ended 
U.S. Reinsurance March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Gross written premiums $244,008  $264,331  $253,907  $244,008 
Net written premiums  128,462   139,432   136,551   128,462 
                
Premiums earned $127,001  $146,333  $145,155  $127,001 
Incurred losses and LAE  90,108   90,141   123,427   90,108 
Commission and brokerage  27,218   31,919   37,105   27,218 
Other underwriting expenses  7,806   7,562   7,902   7,806 
Underwriting gain $1,869  $16,711 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(23,279) $1,869 

  Three Months Ended 
U.S. Insurance March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009 
Gross written premiums $228,237  $204,717 
Net written premiums  102,467   121,152 
         
Premiums earned $101,166  $111,972 
Incurred losses and LAE  72,950   81,144 
Commission and brokerage  1,641   12,018 
Other underwriting expenses  16,577   17,281 
Underwriting gain $9,998  $1,529 


  Three Months Ended 
Specialty Underwriting March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009 
Gross written premiums $65,887  $58,923 
Net written premiums  37,239   32,605 
         
Premiums earned $38,898  $36,836 
Incurred losses and LAE  27,461   25,383 
Commission and brokerage  8,535   10,067 
Other underwriting expenses  1,951   1,845 
Underwriting gain (loss) $951  $(459)

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
International March 31, 
Insurance March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Gross written premiums $275,350  $250,750  $254,475  $228,237 
Net written premiums  145,209   135,356   125,026   102,467 
                
Premiums earned $147,069  $143,304  $105,328  $101,166 
Incurred losses and LAE  236,485   92,527   85,518   72,950 
Commission and brokerage  30,447   34,215   6,321   1,641 
Other underwriting expenses  6,380   4,620   21,872   16,577 
Underwriting (loss) gain $(126,243) $11,942 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(8,383) $9,998 

 
21

 
  Three Months Ended 
Specialty Underwriting March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Gross written premiums $69,170  $65,887 
Net written premiums  40,382   37,239 
         
Premiums earned $42,394  $38,898 
Incurred losses and LAE  25,257   27,461 
Commission and brokerage  7,965   8,535 
Other underwriting expenses  2,004   1,951 
Underwriting gain (loss) $7,168  $951 
  Three Months Ended 
International March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Gross written premiums $308,847  $275,350 
Net written premiums  158,124   145,209 
         
Premiums earned $166,516  $147,069 
Incurred losses and LAE  318,826   236,485 
Commission and brokerage  37,121   30,447 
Other underwriting expenses  6,439   6,380 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(195,870) $(126,243)

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

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Underwriting (loss) gain $(113,425) $29,723 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(220,364) $(113,425)
Net investment income  85,107   39,659   87,132   85,107 
Net realized capital losses  (5,307)  (68,184)
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   78,271 
Net realized capital gains (losses)  40,476   (5,307)
Corporate expense  (2,226)  (1,318)  (1,190)  (2,226)
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  (16,340)  (19,633)  (12,682)  (16,340)
Other income (expense)  5,112   (114)  32   5,112 
(Loss) income before taxes $(47,079) $58,404 
Income (loss) before taxes $(106,596) $(47,079)


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, the table below presents the largest country, other than the U.S., noin which the Company writes business, for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Canada $43,952  $35,303 
No other country represented more than 5% of the Company’s revenues.revenue.

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14. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

15.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONSParent

Group’s Board of Directors approved an amended share repurchase program authorizing Group and/or its subsidiary Holdings to purchase Group’s common shares through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or both.  The table below represents the amendments to the share repurchase program for the common shares approved for repurchase.
 Common Shares
 Authorized for
Amendment Date Repurchase
09/21/2004 5,000,000
07/21/2008 5,000,000
02/24/2010 5,000,000
 15,000,000

As of March 31, 2011, Holdings held 9,719,971 common shares of Group, which it had purchased in the open market between February 1, 2007 and March 8, 2011.  The table below represents the total purchase price for these common shares purchased.
(Dollars in thousands)   
Total purchase price $835,371 

Holdings reports these purchases as other invested assets, fair value, in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value re-measurement recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).  The following table presents the dividends received on these common shares that are reported as net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the period indicated.
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Dividends received $4,648  $1,426 
Outside Directors

During the normal course of business, the Company, through its affiliates, engages in reinsuranceinsurance 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 operation and cash flows.

Affiliated Companies

Everest Global Services, Inc. (“Everest Global”), an affiliate of Holdings, provides centralized management and home office services, through a management agreement, to Holdings and other affiliated companies within Holdings’ consolidated structure.  Services provided by Everest Global include executive managerial services, legal services, actuarial services, accounting services, information technology services and others.

The following table presents the expenses incurred by Holdings from services provided by Everest Global for the periods indicated.
  Three Months Ended 
  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Expenses incurred $15,077  $14,901 


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Affiliates

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 considerations 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.
The table below represents affiliated quota share reinsurance agreements ("whole account quota share") for all new and renewal business for the indicated coverage period:

·  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.
(Dollars in thousands)                 
    Percent  Assuming   Single Aggregate
Coverage Period Ceding Company Ceded  Company Type of Business Occurrence Limit Limit
                  
01/01/2002-12/31/2002 Everest Re  20.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business $-   $-  
                     
01/01/2003-12/31/2003 Everest Re  25.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2004-12/31/2005 Everest Re  22.5% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  -    -  
  Everest Re  2.5% Everest International property / casualty business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2006-12/31/2006 Everest Re  18.0% Bermuda Re property business  125,000 (1)  -  
  
Everest Re
  2.0% Everest International property business  -     -  
                     
01/01/2006-12/31/2007 Everest Re  31.5% Bermuda Re casualty business  -    -  
  Everest Re  3.5% Everest International casualty business  -     -  
                     
01/01/2007-12/31/2007 Everest Re  22.5% Bermuda Re property business  130,000 (1)  -  
  Everest Re  2.5% Everest International property business  -    -  
                     
01/01/2008-12/31/2008 Everest Re  36.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  130,000 (1)  275,000 (2)
  Everest Re   4.0% Everest International property / casualty business   -     -  
                     
01/01/2009-12/31/2009 Everest Re  36.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000 (1)  325,000 (2)
  Everest Re   8.0% Everest International property / casualty business   -     -  
                     
01/01/2010-12/31/2010
 Everest Re  44.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000    325,000  
                     
01/01/2011 Everest Re 50.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000    300,000  
                    
01/01/2003-12/31/2006 Everest Re- Canadian Branch 50.0% Bermuda Re property business  -    -  
01/01/2007-12/31/2009 Everest Re- Canadian Branch 60.0% Bermuda Re property business  -    -  
01/01/2010-12/31/2010
 Everest Re- Canadian Branch 60.0% Bermuda Re property business  350,000    -  
01/01/2011 Everest Re- Canadian Branch 60.0 Bermuda Re property business  350,000    -  
                    
(1) The single occurance limit is applied before the loss cessions to either Bermuda Re or Everest International.
  
(2) The aggregate limit is applied before the loss cessions to either Bermuda Re or Everest International.
  

·  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 respect to new, renewal and in force policies effective on that date through December 31, 2002.  The table below represents Bermuda Re's liability limits for any 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 one 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”). This agreement remained in effect through December 31, 2002.
  Liability Limits 
(Dollars in thousands) Exceeding  Not to Exceed 
Losses per one occurrence $100,000  $150,000 

 
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·  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 agreement 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 (20.0% of $625.0 million).  The property portion of this amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2006.  The casualty portion of this amendment 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 ceded 60.0% of its Canadian branch property business to Bermuda Re.  This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2009.

·  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.

23

The table below represents loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreements whereby net insurance exposures and reserves were transferred to an affiliate.
 
·  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 ceded 36.0% and 8.0% 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 occurrence exceed $150.0 million or in the aggregate for each underwriting year for all occurrences exceed $325.0 million.  This amendment remained in effect through December 31, 2009.

·  Effective January 1, 2010, Everest Re entered into a whole account quota share with Bermuda Re, whereby Everest Re’s Canadian branch cedes to Bermuda Re 60.0% of its net retained liability on all new and renewal property business recorded on or after January 1, 2010.  However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re relating to any one occurrence exceed $350.0 million (60% of $583.3 million).

·  Effective January 1, 2010, Everest Re entered into a whole account quota share with Bermuda Re, whereby for all new and renewal business recorded on or after January 1, 2010, Everest Re cedes 44.0% of its net retained liability to Bermuda Re.  However, in no event shall the loss cessions to Bermuda Re relating to any one occurrence exceed $150.0 million or in the aggregate for each underwriting year for all such occurrences exceed $325.0 million.
(Dollars in thousands)        
         
Effective Transferring Assuming % of Business or Covered Period
Date Company Company Amount of Transfer of Transfer
         
09/19/2000 Mt. McKinley Bermuda Re  100%All years
10/01/2001 Everest Re  (Belgium Branch) Bermuda Re  100%All years
10/01/2008 Everest Re Bermuda Re $747,022 01/01/2002-12/31/2007

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

  Three Months Ended 
Bermuda Re March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009 
Ceded written premiums $320,031  $284,766 
Ceded earned premiums  288,158   274,068 
Ceded losses and LAE (a)  288,446   140,867 

 Three Months Ended 
Bermuda Re March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010 
Ceded written premiums $380,808  $320,031 
Ceded earned premiums  380,047   288,158 
Ceded losses and LAE(a)  490,713   288,446 
        
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
Everest International March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2010  2009   2011   2010 
Ceded written premiums $28,312  $38,348  $464  $28,312 
Ceded earned premiums  40,332   34,336   9,605   40,332 
Ceded losses and LAE(a)  24,016   19,400 
Ceded losses and LAE  2,918   24,016 

(a) Ceded losses and LAE include the Mt. McKinley loss portfolio transfer that constitutes losses ceded under retroactive reinsurance and therefore, in accordance with FASB guidance, a deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance is reflected in other expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.income (loss).

Everest Re sold net assets of its U.K.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 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.

15. INCOME TAXES

The Company is domiciled in the United States and has subsidiaries domiciled within the United States with significant branches in Canada and Singapore. The Company’s non-U.S. branches are subject to income taxation at varying rates in their respective domiciles.

The Company generally will use the estimated annual effective tax rate approach for calculating its tax provision for interim periods as prescribed by ASC 740-270, Interim Reporting.  Under the estimated annual effective tax rate approach, the estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to the interim year-to-date pre-tax income to determine the income tax expense or benefit for the year-to-date period.  The tax expense or benefit for a quarter represents the difference between the year-to-date tax expense or benefit for the current year-to-date period less such amount for the immediately preceding year-to-date period. Management considers the estimated impact of all known events in its estimation of the Company’s annual pre-tax income and effective tax rate.

 
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16. INCOME TAXESACQUISITIONS

TheDuring the first quarter of 2011, the Company uses a projected annual effective tax ratemade several acquisitions to calculateexpand its quarterly tax expense in accordance with FASB guidance.  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 quarterdomestic and the remaining quartersCanadian insurance operations.  Below are descriptions of the year, except for discreet items impacting an individual quarter.transactions.

On January 2, 2011, the Company acquired the entire business and operations of Heartland Crop Insurance, Inc. (“Heartland”) of Topeka, Kansas for $55,000 thousand in cash, plus contingent payments in future periods based upon achievement of performance targets. Heartland is a managing general agent specializing in crop insurance.

On January 28, 2011, the Company acquired the entire business and operations of Premiere Underwriting Services (“Premiere”) of Toronto, Canada.  Premiere is a managing general agent specializing in entertainment and sports and leisure risks.  On January 31, 2011, the Company acquired the renewal rights and operations of the financial lines business of Executive Risk Insurance Services, Ltd. (“Executive Risk”) of Toronto, Canada. The financial lines business of Executive Risk mainly underwrites Directors and Officers Liability, Fidelity, and Errors and Omissions Liability.

Overall, the Company recognizes accrued interestrecorded $35,068 thousand of goodwill and $26,903 thousand of intangible assets related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income taxes.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company expensed approximately $1.1 million in interest and penalties.these acquisitions.  All intangible assets recorded as part of these acquisitions will be amortized on a straight line basis over seven years.

17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated known recognized and non-recognized subsequent events.  The Company does not have any subsequent events to report.

 
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Industry Conditions.
The worldwide reinsurance and insurance businesses are highly competitive, as well as cyclical by product and market.  As 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 and/or Standard & Poor’s, 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 source ssources of potential reinsurance and insurance capacity and competition.

Starting in the latter part of 2007 and continuing into 2010 there has been a significant slowdown in the global 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 asset-backed securities.  During the third and fourth quarters of 2008, credit markets det eriorated 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 maturity securities 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 maturity and equity securities resulted in significant declines in the capital bases of most insurance and reinsurance companies. While there was significant improvement in the financial markets during 2009 and into 2010, recent concerns about the ability of some European countries to repay their bonds has hindered financial market recoveries.  It is too early to predict the timing and extent of the impact these financial market fluctuations will have on insurance and reinsurance market conditions.

Worldwide insurance and reinsurance market conditions continued to be very competitive.competitive, particularly in the casualty lines of business.  Generally, there was ample insurance and reinsurance capacity relative to demand.  We noted, however, that in many markets and lines during 2009 and into 2010, 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 continuescontinued to be most prevalent in the U.S. casualty insurance and reinsurance markets.  The U.S. insuranceInsurance markets in which we participate were extremely competitive as well.

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The reinsurance industry has experienced a period of falling rates and volume, particularly in the casualty lines of business.  Profit opportunities have become generally less available over time; however, the unfavorable trends seem to be softening.  We are now seeing smaller rate declines, pockets of stability and some increases in some markets and for some coverages.  DuringHowever, during the first quarter of 2010,2011, the devastating Chileanindustry experienced significant losses from Australian floods, the New Zealand earthquake coupled with severe stormsand the earthquake and tsunami in Europe and Australia resulted in significant catastrophe losses to the industry.Japan.  It is too early to gaugedetermine the market impacts from these losses, but we feel thatimpact on market conditions should improveas a result of these events.  We believe there will be meaningful rate increases for catastrophe coverages, particularly in the geographical regions impacted by these losses.  Whether the magnitude of these losses.

Rates in the international markets have generally been stablelosses is sufficient to increase rates and we have seen some increases, particularlyimprove market conditions for catastrophe exposed business.  We have grown ourother lines of business in the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.  We are expanding our international reach with our new office in Brazilremains to capitalize on the recently expanded opportunity for professional reinsurers in that market and on the economic growth expected for Brazil in the future.be seen.

Overall, we believe that current marketplace conditions, offerparticularly for catastrophe coverages, provide 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.

 
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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) income,, ratios and stockholder’s equity for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended Percentage Three Months Ended Percentage
 March 31, Increase/ March 31, Increase/
(Dollars in millions) 2010 2009 (Decrease) 2011 2010 (Decrease)
Gross written premiums $813.5  $778.7   4.5% $886.4  $813.5   9.0%
Net written premiums  413.4   428.5   -3.5%  460.1   413.4   11.3%
                        
REVENUES:                        
Premiums earned $414.1  $438.4   -5.5% $459.4  $414.1   10.9%
Net investment income  85.1   39.7   114.6%  87.1   85.1   2.4%
Net realized capital losses  (5.3)  (68.2)  -92.2%
Realized gain on debt repurchase  -   78.3  NA
Net realized capital gains (losses)  40.5   (5.3) NM
Other income (expense)  5.1   (0.1) NM  -   5.1   -99.3%
Total revenues  499.0   488.1   2.2%  587.0   499.0   17.6%
                        
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                        
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  427.0   289.2   47.7%  553.0   427.0   29.5%
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  67.8   88.2   -23.1%  88.5   67.8   30.5%
Other underwriting expenses  32.7   31.3   4.5%  38.2   32.7   16.8%
Corporate expense  2.2   1.3   69.0%  1.2   2.2   -46.6%
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  16.3   19.6   -16.8%  12.7   16.3   -22.4%
Total claims and expenses  546.1   429.7   27.1%  693.6   546.1   27.0%
                        
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE TAXES  (47.1)  58.4   -180.6%
Income tax (benefit) expense  (2.2)  12.7   -116.9%
NET (LOSS) INCOME $(44.9) $45.7   -198.4%
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  (106.6)  (47.1)  126.4%
Income tax expense (benefit)  (9.1)  (2.2) NM
NET INCOME (LOSS) $(97.5) $(44.9)  117.1%
                        
RATIOS:         Point Change         Point Change
Loss ratio  103.1%  66.0%  37.1   120.4%  103.1%  17.3 
Commission and brokerage ratio  16.4%  20.1%  (3.7)  19.3%  16.4%  2.9 
Other underwriting expense ratio  7.9%  7.1%  0.8   8.3%  7.9%  0.4 
Combined ratio  127.4%  93.2%  34.2   148.0%  127.4%  20.6 
                        
                        
 At At Percentage At At Percentage
 March 31, December 31, Increase/ March 31, December 31, Increase/
(Dollars in millions)  2010  2009 (Decrease)  2011  2010 (Decrease)
Balance sheet data:                        
Total investments and cash $8,046.4  $8,031.6   0.2% $8,158.8  $8,293.9   -1.6%
Total assets  13,641.6   13,379.6   2.0%  14,401.2   13,869.4   3.8%
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves  7,613.8   7,300.1   4.3%  8,143.5   7,652.3   6.4%
Total debt  818.0   1,018.0   -19.6%  858.1   868.1   -1.2%
Total liabilities  10,814.7   10,520.8   2.8%  11,368.4   10,741.7   5.8%
Stockholder's equity  2,826.9   2,858.8   -1.1%  3,032.8   3,127.7   -3.0%
                        
(NM, not meaningful)                        
(NA, not applicable)            
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        

Revenues.
Premiums.  Gross written premiums increased by $72.9 million, or 9.0%, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010, reflecting an increase of $46.7 million in our reinsurance business and $26.2 million increase in our insurance business.  The increase in reinsurance premiums was due to a combination of increased reinstatement premiums of $4.9 million, quarter over quarter, attributable to higher catastrophe loss activity in the period, and $35.6 million in our international books of business due to higher premium rates, particularly in regions affected by catastrophe losses during 2010, partially offset by non-renewed business.  The increase in insurance premiums was primarily due to the acquisition of Heartland, which provided a $22.3 million increase, as well as improved rates in California workers’ compensation business, partially offset by our reduced participation on a large casualty program.  
 
 
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Revenues.
Premiums.  GrossNet written premiums increased by $34.8$46.7 million, or 4.5%11.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009, reflecting an increase of $23.5 million2010.  The fluctuations in our insurance business and $11.3 millionnet written premiums compared to the fluctuations in our reinsurance business.  The increase in insurancegross written premiums were primarily in the workers’ compensation, Florida property and financial institution D&O and E&O lines of business.  The increase in reinsurance business was primarily attributable to strong growthchanges in U.S. property, South Americacessions under the affiliated quota share agreement and Asian markets, partially offset by decreased writingsfluctuations in the U.S. casualty, crop reinsurance, marine and European markets.  Net written premiums decreased by $15.2cessions for various insurance programs.  Premiums earned increased $45.3 million, or 3.5%10.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This change was primarily due to ceded premiums that generally relate to specific reinsurance purchased by the U.S. Insurance operation and that fluctuate based upon the level of premiums written in the individual reinsured programs.  Premiums earned decreased $24.3 million, or 5.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.2010.  The change in net 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.

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income increased by 114.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared$2.0 million, or 2.4%, to the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to net investment gains from our limited partnerships that invest in public and non-public securities, both equity and debt.  Gains related to these limited partnerships were $9.4$87.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared with lossesnet investment income of $34.1$85.1 million for the comparable period in 2009.  As a result, netthree months ended March 31, 2010.  Net pre-tax investment income, as a percentage of average invested assets, was up at 4.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 2.1%2011 and 2010.

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).  Net realized capital gains were $40.5 million and net realized capital losses were $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

Net Realized Capital Losses.  Net2011 and 2010, respectively.  Of the $40.5 million, there were $66.0 million of gains from fair value re-measurements, which were partially offset by $13.6 million of other-than-temporary impairments on our available for sale fixed maturity securities and $11.9 million of net realized capital losses werefrom sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities.  The net realized capital losses of $5.3 million and $68.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Forwere the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recordedresult of $6.5 million loss due toof losses from fair value re-measurements, which were partially offset by $1.2 million of net realized capital gains from sales.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded $39.1 million loss due to fair value re-measurements, $28.5 million of net realized capital losses from sales and $0.6 million in other-than-temporary impairments on our available for sale fixed maturity securities.

Realized Gain on Debt Repurchase.  On March 19, 2009, we commenced 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.equity securities.

Other Income (Expense).  We recorded other income of $5.1$0.0 million and other expense of $0.1$5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.  The varianceschanges were primarily due to changesfluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and the deferralsamortization of deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance agreements with affiliates and fluctuations in currency exchange rates for the corresponding periods.

Claims and Expenses.
Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.  The following table presents our incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) 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
2011                     
Attritional (a) $256.5   55.9%  $(10.5)  -2.3%  $246.0   53.6% 
Catastrophes (b)  304.3   66.2%   2.7   0.6%   307.0   66.8% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $560.8   122.1%  $(7.8)  -1.7%  $553.0   120.4% 
                            
2010                           
Attritional (a) $268.2   64.8%  $(9.3)  -2.2%  $259.0   62.5% 
Catastrophes (b)  165.2   39.9%   2.8   0.7%   168.0   40.6% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $433.4   104.7%  $(6.4)  -1.6%  $427.0   103.1% 
                            
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional (a) $(11.7)  (8.9)pts $(1.2)  (0.1)pts $(13.0)  (8.9)pts
Catastrophes  139.1   26.3 pts  (0.1)  (0.1)pts  139.0   26.2 pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total $127.4   17.4 pts $(1.4)  (0.1)pts $126.0   17.3 pts
                            
(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and Asbestos and Environmental ("A&E") losses.           
(b) For the March 2011 reporting period, a catastrophe is a property event with expected reported losses of at least $10.0 million. For the March 2010 reporting period,
a catastrophe was a property event with expected reported losses of at least $5.0 million.               
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)               


Claims and Expenses.
Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presents our incurred losses and LAE 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
2010                     
Attritional (a) $268.2   64.8%  $(9.3)  -2.2%  $259.0   62.5% 
Catastrophes  165.2   39.9%   2.8   0.7%   168.0   40.6% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $433.4   104.7%  $(6.4)  -1.6%  $427.0   103.1% 
                            
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 $266.5   60.8%  $22.7   5.2%  $289.2   66.0% 
                            
Variance 2010/2009                           
Attritional (a) $10.8   6.1 pts $(29.5)  (6.8)pts $(18.6)  (0.8)pts
Catastrophes  156.1   37.8 pts  0.3   0.1 pts  156.4   37.9 pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total $166.9   43.9 pts $(29.1)  (6.8)pts $137.8   37.1 pts
                            
(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and A&E losses.                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        
 
Incurred losses and LAE increased by $137.8$126.0 million, or 47.7%29.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Of the $137.8 million increase, current2010.  Current year catastrophe losses increased $156.1$139.1 million corresponding to a loss ratio increase of 37.8 points, period over period,(26.3 points), primarily due to losses from the ChileJapan earthquake, Australian hailstormsNew Zealand earthquake and winterstorm Xynthia.  The $10.8 millionAustralia floods.  Partially offsetting the catastrophe increase, the current year attritional loss ratio was 55.9%, or 8.9 points lower than the prior year, primarily due to reinstatement premiums, which are booked without an additional loss provision, and changes in attritional losses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was the resultmix of an increase in expected loss ratios, which more than offset a decrease in earned premiums.business.

Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees.Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees decreasedincreased by $20.4$20.7 million, or 23.1%30.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared to the same period in 2009.  2010.  The decreaseincrease was primarily the result of lower commission rates on property contractsthe change in conjunction with the increase in reinstatement premiums, which have no brokerage commissionsmix of business and changes in cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.agreements.

Other Underwriting Expenses.  Other underwriting expenses were $38.2 million and $32.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, compared to $31.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.respectively.  The increase was primarily dueattributable to the increase in staff and staff related expenses.acquisition of Heartland Crop Insurance, Inc. during the first quarter of 2011.

Corporate Expenses.  Corporate expenses, which are expenses that are not allocated to segments, were $2.2$1.2 million and $1.3$2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively.  These expenses were previously included as underwriting expenses and therefore included in the other underwriting expense ratio.  Effective January 1, 2010, these expenses were removed from the calculation of the other underwriting expense ratio and prior periods were recalculated to conform.

Interest, Fees and Bond Issue Cost Amortization Expense.  Interest, fees and other bond amortization expense was $16.3$12.7 million and $19.6$16.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 and 2009,2010, respectively.  The decrease was primarily due to the combination of the repurchase of debt in the first quarter of 2009 and maturing of debt in the first quarter of 2010.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Expense..  We had an income tax benefit of $2.2$9.1 million and an income tax expense of $12.7$2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively.  The period over period variance was primarily due to pre-tax losses in 2010 versus pre-tax income in 2009.  Our income tax is primarily a function of the statutory tax raterates coupled with the impact from tax-preferenced investment income.  Variations in our effective tax rate generally result from changes in the relative levels of pre-tax income.  The decrease in taxes year over year was primarily attributable to the previously mentioned catastrophe losses.

Net Income (Loss).
Our net loss was $97.5 million and $44.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The increase in net loss was primarily driven by higher catastrophe losses in 2011, partially offset by the increase in net realized capital gains (losses), in addition to the other components discussed above.

Ratios.
Our combined ratio increased by 20.6 points to 148.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to 127.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The loss ratio component increased 17.3 points for the three months ended March 31, 2011, over the same period last year, principally due to the increase in current year catastrophe losses as a result of the Japan earthquake, New Zealand earthquake and the Australia floods.  The commission and brokerage expense ratio increased by 2.9 points, quarter over quarter, primarily due to increased commission expense resulting from changes in the mix of business.  The other underwriting expense ratio component remained relatively flat over the same period last year.

Stockholder's Equity.
Stockholder's equity decreased by $94.9 million to $3,032.8 million at March 31, 2011 from $3,127.7 million at December 31, 2010, principally as a result of $97.5 million of net loss and $10.1 million of unrealized depreciation on investments, net of tax, partially offset by $10.3 million of foreign currency translation adjustments, $1.6 million of share-based compensation transactions and $0.7 million of pension adjustments.



Net (Loss) Income.
We reported a net loss of $44.9 million and net income of $45.7 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  This change was the result of the items discussed above.

Ratios.
Our combined ratio increased by 34.2 points to 127.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to 93.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  The loss ratio component increased 37.1 points for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period last year, principally due to the 37.8 point increase in current year catastrophe losses as a result of the Chilean earthquake, Australian hailstorms and winterstorm Xynthia. The commission and brokerage ratio component decreased by 3.7 points for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the same period last year, due to lower rates on property contracts, no commission on reinstatement premiums and blend and mix of business, while the other underwriting expense ratio component increased slightly by 0.8 points for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009.

Stockholder's Equity.
Stockholder's equity decreased by $31.9 million to $2,826.9 million at March 31, 2010 from $2,858.8 million at December 31, 2009, principally as a result of $44.9 million of net loss, partially offset by $7.0 million of foreign currency translation adjustments, $4.4 million of unrealized appreciation on investments, net of tax, $1.3 million of share-based compensation transactions and $0.4 million of pension adjustments.

Consolidated Investment Results

Net Investment Income.
Net investment income increased 114.6%2.4% to $87.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $85.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $39.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009,2010.  The increase in 2011, period over period, was primarily due to an increase in recorded gains in 2010 as opposed to recorded losses in 2009income from our limited partnership investments and increased dividend income from owning more shares of our parent’s common shares and increasing our other public equity investments.  The lossesThese increases were partially offset by a decline in 2009income from our fixed maturities reflective of our reduced municipal bond portfolio.  Proceeds from reducing this portfolio were the result of 2008 fourth quarter losses from those limited partnerships that invested in non-public securities and are on a quarter reporting lag.used to expand our equity portfolios.

The following table shows the components of net investment income for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2010  2009  2011  2010 
Fixed maturities $73.6  $70.3  $60.6  $73.6 
Equity securities  2.4   0.7   5.2   2.4 
Short-term investments and cash  0.1   2.2   0.2   0.1 
Other invested assets                
Limited partnerships  9.4   (34.1)  18.4   9.4 
Dividends from Parent's shares  4.6   1.4 
Other  1.8   2.8   0.6   0.4 
Total gross investment income  87.2   41.9   89.7   87.2 
Interest credited and other expense  (2.1)  (2.3)
Interest debited (credited) and other expense  (2.5)  (2.1)
Total net investment income $85.1  $39.7  $87.1  $85.1 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                

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The following tables show a comparison of various investment yields for the periods indicated:
 
At AtAt At
March 31, December 31,March 31, December 31,
2010 20092011 2010
Imbedded pre-tax yield of cash and invested assets3.8% 3.7%3.5% 3.6%
Imbedded after-tax yield of cash and invested assets3.1% 3.1%2.7% 2.8%
 
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
March 31,March 31,
2010 20092011 2010
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets4.4% 2.1%4.4% 4.4%
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets3.5% 2.1%3.4% 3.5%

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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,  Three Months Ended March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2010  2009  Variance  2011  2010  Variance 
Gains (losses) from sales:                  
Fixed maturity securities, market value                  
Gains $1.7  $1.5   0.2  $14.1  $1.7  $12.4 
Losses  (2.5)  (29.6)  27.1   (26.4)  (2.5)  (23.9)
Total  (0.8)  (28.1)  27.3   (12.3)  (0.8)  (11.5)
                        
Fixed maturity securities, fair value                        
Gains  0.2   0.1   0.1 
Losses  (1.7)  -   (1.7)
Total  (1.5)  0.1   (1.6)
            
Equity securities, market value            
Gains  0.1   -   0.1   0.2   -   0.2 
Losses  -   -   0.0   (0.2)  -   (0.2)
Total  0.1   -   0.1   -   -   - 
                        
Equity securities, fair value                        
Gains  2.4   0.2   2.2   2.2   2.4   (0.2)
Losses  (0.5)  (0.7)  0.2   (0.3)  (0.5)  0.2 
Total  1.9   (0.4)  2.3   1.9   1.9   - 
                        
Total net realized gains (losses) from sales                        
Gains  4.2   1.7   2.5   16.7   4.2   12.5 
Losses  (3.0)  (30.3)  27.3   (28.6)  (3.0)  (25.6)
Total  1.2   (28.5)  29.7   (11.9)  1.2   (13.1)
                        
Other-than-temporary impairments:  -   (0.6)  0.6   (13.6)  -   (13.6)
                        
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments:                        
Fixed maturities, fair value  3.0   -   3.0   (3.5)  3.0   (6.5)
Equity securities, fair value  13.2   (16.9)  30.1   38.1   13.2   24.9 
Other invested assets, fair value  (22.7)  (22.2)  (0.5)  31.4   (22.7)  54.1 
Total  (6.5)  (39.1)  32.6   66.0   (6.5)  72.5 
                        
Total net realized capital losses $(5.3) $(68.2) $62.9 
Total net realized capital gains (losses) $40.5  $(5.3) $45.8 
                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        

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Net realized capital lossesgains were $5.3 million and $68.2$40.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared to net realized capital losses of $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recorded $66.0 million of gains due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and 2009, respectively.equity securities and other invested assets, partially offset by $13.6 million of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities and $11.9 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.  The net realized losses included the impact of selling part of our municipal bond portfolio as credit concerns arose in this market sector.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, we recorded a $6.5 million in losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and equity securities and other invested assets, partially offset by $1.2 million of net realized capital gains from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.  For the three months ended March 31, 2009, net realized capital losses included $39.1 million

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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 primarilydirectly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S.U.S and Canada.  The Specialty Underwriting operation writes accident and health (“A&H”),&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’s br anchesbranches in Canada and Singapore and offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey.

These segments are managed independently, but conform with corporate guidelines 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 loss 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.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2010  2009  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $244.0  $264.3  $(20.3)  -7.7% $253.9  $244.0  $9.9   4.1%
Net written premiums  128.5   139.4   (11.0)  -7.9%  136.6   128.5   8.1   6.3%
                                
Premiums earned $127.0  $146.3  $(19.3)  -13.2% $145.2  $127.0  $18.2   14.3%
Incurred losses and LAE  90.1   90.1   -   0.0%  123.4   90.1   33.3   37.0%
Commission and brokerage  27.2   31.9   (4.7)  -14.7%  37.1   27.2   9.9   36.3%
Other underwriting expenses  7.8   7.6   0.2   3.2%  7.9   7.8   0.1   1.2%
Underwriting gain $1.9  $16.7  $(14.8)  -88.8%
Underwriting gain (loss) $(23.3) $1.9  $(25.1) NM
                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  71.0%  61.6%      9.4   85.0%  71.0%      14.0 
Commission and brokerage ratio  21.4%  21.8%      (0.4)  25.6%  21.4%      4.2 
Other underwriting expense ratio  6.1%  5.2%      0.9   5.4%  6.1%      (0.7)
Combined ratio  98.5%  88.6%      9.9   116.0%  98.5%      17.5 
                                
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                
 
Premiums. Gross written premiums decreasedincreased by 7.7%4.1% to $253.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $244.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, from $264.3primarily due to a $6.8 million increase in reinstatement premiums related to current quarter catastrophe loss activity.  Net written premiums increased 6.3% to $136.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to $20.3 million (23.2%) decrease in U.S. treaty casualty volume, a $13.4 million (63.6%) decrease in facultative volume and a $5.3 million (30.5%) decrease in the crop hail quota share treaties, partially offset by an $18.6 million (13.5%) increase in treaty property volume. Net written premiums decreased by 7.9%2011 compared to $128.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, comparedprimarily due to $139.4the increase in gross written premiums for the quarter.  Premiums earned increased 14.3% to $145.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the decrease in gross written premiums.  Premiums earned decreased by 13.2%2011 compared to $127.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $146.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.2010.  The change in
33

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 onat the initiation of the coverage period.

 
34


Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Reinsurance segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $66.5   45.8%  $(1.7)  -1.1%  $64.8   44.7% 
Catastrophes  57.8   39.8%   0.8   0.5%   58.6   40.3% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $124.3   85.6%  $(0.9)  -0.6%  $123.4   85.0% 
                           
2010                                              
Attritional $76.2   60.0%  $(4.2)  -3.3%  $71.9   56.6%  $76.2   60.0%  $(4.2)  -3.3%  $71.9   56.6% 
Catastrophes  15.7   12.3%   2.5   2.0%   18.2   14.3%   15.7   12.3%   2.5   2.0%   18.2   14.3% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $91.9   72.3%  $(1.7)  -1.4%  $90.1   71.0%  $91.9   72.3%  $(1.7)  -1.4%  $90.1   71.0% 
                                                      
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% 
                           
Variance 2010/2009                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $2.7   9.8 pts $(20.7)  (14.5)pts $(18.1)  (4.9)pts $(9.7)  (14.2)pts $2.5   2.2 pts $(7.1)  (11.9)pts
Catastrophes  15.7   12.3 pts  2.3   1.9 pts  18.0   14.2 pts  42.1   27.5 pts  (1.7)  (1.5)pts  40.4   26.0 pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total segment $18.4   22.1 pts $(18.3)  (12.8)pts $-   9.4 pts $32.4   13.3 pts $0.8   0.8 pts $33.3   14.0 pts
                                                      
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                      (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)           

Incurred losses remained flatwere $33.3 million (14.0 points) higher at $123.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $90.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and 2009.  The $18.0primarily as a result of the $42.1 million (14.2(27.5 points) increase in catastrophe losses, largely due to the Japan and New Zealand earthquakes and Australian floods.  The 9.7 point decline in the current year attritional loss ratio was offset byprimarily due to a decreasechange in attritional lossesthe mix of $18.1 million (4.9 points).  The 2010 catastrophe losses consisted of $12.9 million for the Chilean earthquake and $2.8 million for the windstorm Xynthia.business.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 14.7%increased 36.3% to $37.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $27.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, comparedprimarily due to $31.9 millionan increase in earned premium and a shift in the mix of business with varying commission rates.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the decline in premiums2011 increased slightly as a percentage of earned and lower commissions on property business.  Segment other underwriting expenses were $7.8 million and $7.6 million forpremium from the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.2010.

 
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U.S.
Insurance.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the U.S. Insurance segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2010  2009  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $228.2  $204.7  $23.5   11.5% $254.5  $228.2  $26.2   11.5%
Net written premiums  102.5   121.2   (18.7)  -15.4%  125.0   102.5   22.6   22.0%
                                
Premiums earned $101.2  $112.0  $(10.8)  -9.7% $105.3  $101.2  $4.2   4.1%
Incurred losses and LAE  73.0   81.1   (8.2)  -10.1%  85.5   73.0   12.6   17.2%
Commission and brokerage  1.6   12.0   (10.4)  -86.3%  6.3   1.6   4.7  NM
Other underwriting expenses  16.6   17.3   (0.7)  -4.1%  21.9   16.6   5.3   31.9%
Underwriting gain $10.0  $1.5  $8.5  NM
Underwriting gain (loss) $(8.4) $10.0  $(18.4)  -183.8%
                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  72.1%  72.5%      (0.4)  81.2%  72.1%      9.1 
Commission and brokerage ratio  1.6%  10.7%      (9.1)  6.0%  1.6%      4.4 
Other underwriting expense ratio  16.4%  15.4%      1.0   20.8%  16.4%      4.4 
Combined ratio  90.1%  98.6%      (8.5)  108.0%  90.1%      17.9 
                                
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                
 
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 11.5% to $254.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $228.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared2010.  This was primarily due to $204.7the acquisition of Heartland, which provided $22.3 million of premium in the current quarter, partially offset by the reduced participation on a large casualty program.  Net written premiums increased 22.0% to $125.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Growth was derived from the direct specialty operation in New York, additional property insurance written in Florida and the workers’ compensation business.  Net written premiums decreased by 15.4%2011 compared to $102.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, comparedprimarily due to $121.2the increase in gross written premiums and lower premium volume on programs with a higher percentage of reinsurance ceded.  Premiums earned increased 4.1% to $105.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, reflective of the change in business mix and cessions.  Ceded premiums generally relate to the affiliated quota share agreement and third party specific reinsurance purchased for i ndividual reinsured programs.  Premiums earned decreased 9.7%2011 compared to $101.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $112.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.2010.  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.

Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the U.S. Insurance segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $89.7   85.2%  $(4.2)  -4.0%  $85.5   81.2% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $89.7   85.2%  $(4.2)  -4.0%  $85.5   81.2% 
                           
2010                                              
Attritional $74.2   73.4%  $(1.3)  -1.2%  $73.0   72.1%  $74.2   73.4%  $(1.3)  -1.2%  $73.0   72.1% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $74.2   73.4%  $(1.3)  -1.2%  $73.0   72.1%  $74.2   73.4%  $(1.3)  -1.2%  $73.0   72.1% 
                                                      
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% 
                           
Variance 2010/2009                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $(5.8)  1.9 pts $(2.4)  (2.2)pts $(8.1)  (0.4)pts $15.5   11.8 pts $(2.9)  (2.8)pts $12.6   9.1 pts
Catastrophes  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total segment $(5.8)  1.9 pts $(2.4)  (2.2)pts $(8.1)  (0.4)pts $15.5   11.8 pts $(2.9)  (2.8)pts $12.6   9.1 pts
                                                      
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                      (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)           

 
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Incurred losses and LAE decreasedincreased by 10.1%17.2% to $85.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $73.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $81.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.2010.  The decreaseincrease was primarily due to the decrease$15.5 million increase in earned premiumcurrent year attritional losses, due to a change in the mix of business and favorable prior year’s reserve development, partially offset by higher expected attritional loss ratios.ratios on several programs, reflective of current market conditions.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased by 86.3%increased to $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $12.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, which was2010.  The increase is primarily due to the fluctuationimpact of cessionsvariations in reinsurance ceded, particularly under the affiliated quota share agreement.  Segment other underwriting expenses werefor the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased to $21.9 million from $16.6 million and $17.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and 2009, respectively, as a resultprimarily due to the expenses of management’s actions to reduce expenses.newly acquired Heartland.

Specialty Underwriting.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the Specialty Underwriting segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2010  2009  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $65.9  $58.9  $7.0   11.8% $69.2  $65.9  $3.3   5.0%
Net written premiums  37.2   32.6   4.6   14.2%  40.4   37.2   3.1   8.4%
                                
Premiums earned $38.9  $36.8  $2.1   5.6% $42.4  $38.9  $3.5   9.0%
Incurred losses and LAE  27.5   25.4   2.1   8.2%  25.3   27.5   (2.2)  -8.0%
Commission and brokerage  8.5   10.1   (1.5)  -15.2%  8.0   8.5   (0.6)  -6.7%
Other underwriting expenses  2.0   1.8   0.1   5.7%  2.0   2.0   0.1   2.7%
Underwriting gain (loss) $1.0  $(0.5) $1.4  NM $7.2  $1.0  $6.2  NM
                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  70.6%  68.9%      1.7   59.6%  70.6%      (11.0)
Commission and brokerage ratio  21.9%  27.3%      (5.4)  18.8%  21.9%      (3.1)
Other underwriting expense ratio  5.1%  5.0%      0.1   4.7%  5.1%      (0.4)
Combined ratio  97.6%  101.2%      (3.6)  83.1%  97.6%      (14.5)
                                
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                
 
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 11.8%5.0% to $69.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $65.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, comparedprimarily due to $58.9an increase in A&H primary business for medical stop loss insurance and increased writings on special per risk reinsurance programs.  Correspondingly, net written premiums increased 8.4% to $40.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  This was driven by a strong demand in our A&H business, $7.0 million, as more and more employers are self insuring their medical programs leading to more opportunities for us in the medical stop loss business.  Net written premiums increased by 14.2%2011 compared to $37.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared2010.  Premiums earned increased 9.0% to $32.6$42.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of the increase in gross writings combined with the change in business mix.  Premiums earned increas ed2011 compared to $38.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, compared to $36.8 million forrelatively consistent with the three months ended March 31, 2009. The changeincrease 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.premiums.

 
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Incurred Losses and LAE.  The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the Specialty Underwriting segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $26.0   61.4%  $(0.7)  -1.7%  $25.3   59.6% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $26.0   61.4%  $(0.7)  -1.7%  $25.3   59.6% 
                           
2010                                                
Attritional $26.6   68.3%  $(0.3)  -0.7%  $26.3   67.6%  $26.6   68.3%  $(0.3)  -0.7%  $26.3   67.6% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   1.2   3.0%   1.2   3.0%   -   0.0%   1.2   3.0%   1.2   3.0% 
Total segment $26.6   68.3%  $0.9   2.3%  $27.5   70.6%  $26.6   68.3%  $0.9   2.3%  $27.5   70.6% 
                                                      
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% 
                           
Variance 2010/2009                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $4.0   7.0 pts $(1.2)  (3.1)pts $2.8   3.9 pts $(0.6)  (6.9)pts $(0.4)  (1.0)pts $(1.0)  (8.0)pts
Catastrophes  -   - pts  (0.7)  (2.2)pts  (0.7)  (2.2)pts  -   - pts  (1.2)  (3.0)pts  (1.2)  (3.0)pts
Total segment $4.0   7.0 pts $(1.9)  (5.3)pts $2.1   1.7 pts $(0.6)  (6.9)pts $(1.6)  (4.0)pts $(2.2)  (11.0)pts
                                                      
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        

Incurred losses and LAE increaseddecreased by 8.2%8.0% to $25.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $27.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, comparedprimarily due to $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of an increasedecline in expected loss ratios, which increased currentprior years’ development, year attritional losses, 3.9 points, in 2010.over year.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 15.2%6.7% to $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared2010.  The decrease was due to $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 primarily driven bychanges in the mix inof business, as thewith a higher level of primary A&H business, which carries a lower commission business, aviation, has increased while higher commission, marine and surety, business have declined.ratio.  Segment other underwriting expenses increased slightly toremained flat at $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 20102011 compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.same period in 2010.

International.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the International segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31,  Three Months Ended March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2010  2009  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $275.4  $250.8  $24.6   9.8% $308.8  $275.4  $33.5   12.2%
Net written premiums  145.2   135.4   9.9   7.3%  158.1   145.2   12.9   8.9%
                                
Premiums earned $147.1  $143.3  $3.8   2.6% $166.5  $147.1  $19.4   13.2%
Incurred losses and LAE  236.5   92.5   144.0   155.6%  318.8   236.5   82.3   34.8%
Commission and brokerage  30.4   34.2   (3.8)  -11.0%  37.1   30.4   6.7   21.9%
Other underwriting expenses  6.4   4.6   1.8   38.1%  6.4   6.4   0.1   0.9%
Underwriting (loss) gain $(126.2) $11.9  $(138.2) NM
Underwriting gain (loss) $(195.9) $(126.2) $(69.6)  55.2%
                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  160.8%  64.6%      96.2   191.5%  160.8%      30.7 
Commission and brokerage ratio  20.7%  23.9%      (3.2)  22.3%  20.7%      1.6 
Other underwriting expense ratio  4.3%  3.2%      1.1   3.8%  4.3%      (0.5)
Combined ratio  185.8%  91.7%      94.1   217.6%  185.8%      31.8 
                                
(NM, not meaningful)                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                

 
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Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 9.8%12.2% to $308.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $275.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compareddue to $250.8continued strong growth in premiums written through the Brazil, Miami and New Jersey offices, a $13.8 million increase; Asia, an $11.0 million increase; and Canada, an $8.6 million increase; resulting from both new business and rate increases in select areas, in particular those that have been affected by catastrophe loss activity.  Net written premiums increased by 8.9% to $158.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.  Continued strong growth in Brazil, $9.9 million increase, and Asia, $10.3 million increase, were partially offset by lower writings in Canada, $2.3 million decrease.  Asia has the largest growth from both new business and increased participation on contracts in Japan and Taiwan.  Also included, were $7.0 million in reinstatement premiums from the Chilean earthquake.  Net written premiums increased by 7.3%2011 compared to $145.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 comparedprincipally as a result of the increase in gross written premiums.  Premiums earned increased by 13.2% to $135.4 millio n$166.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the increase in gross written premiums coupled with the increase in cessions under the affiliated quota share.  Premiums earned increased by 2.6%2011 compared to $147.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $143.3 millionconsistent with the trend noted for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as a result of the increase in net written premiums.

Incurred Losses and LAE. The following table presents the incurred losses and LAE for the International segment for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, Three Months Ended March 31,
 Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/ Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $74.2   44.6%  $(3.9)  -2.3%  $70.3   42.3% 
Catastrophes  246.5   148.0%   2.0   1.2%   248.5   149.2% 
Total segment $320.7   192.6%  $(1.9)  -1.1%  $318.8   191.5% 
                           
2010                                              
Attritional $91.3   62.1%  $(3.5)  -2.4%  $87.8   59.7%  $91.3   62.1%  $(3.5)  -2.4%  $87.8   59.7% 
Catastrophes  149.5   101.7%   (0.9)  -0.6%   148.7   101.1%   149.5   101.7%   (0.9)  -0.6%   148.7   101.1% 
Total segment $240.8   163.7%  $(4.3)  -2.9%  $236.5   160.8%  $240.8   163.7%  $(4.3)  -2.9%  $236.5   160.8% 
                                                      
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% 
                           
Variance 2010/2009                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $10.0   5.4 pts $(5.2)  (3.6)pts $4.8   1.8 pts $(17.1)  (17.5)pts $(0.4)  0.1 pts $(17.5)  (17.4)pts
Catastrophes  140.4   95.4 pts  (1.4)  (0.9)pts  139.2   94.4 pts  97.0   46.3 pts  2.9   1.8 pts  99.8   48.1 pts
Total segment $150.4   100.6 pts $(6.5)  (4.4)pts $144.0   96.2 pts $79.9   28.9 pts $2.4   1.8 pts $82.3   30.7 pts
                                                      
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                      (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        
 
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 155.6%34.8% to $318.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $236.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  The increase was principally due to a $97.0 million (46.3 points) increase in current year catastrophes related to the Japan earthquake, the New Zealand earthquake and the Australia floods.  The current year attritional loss ratio was down to 44.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from 62.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2010, comparedprimarily due to $92.5a shift in the mix of business with a lower level of quota share business, which generally carries a higher loss ratio.
Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses increased 21.9% to $37.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. The increase was principally due to the $140.4 million increase in current year catastrophe losses due to the Chilean earthquake ($129.9 million) and the Australian hailstorms ($19.6 million).  Current year attritional losses also increased due to an increase in expected loss ratios.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 11.0%2011 compared to $30.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $34.22010.  The increase was primarily in line with the increases in premiums earned.  Segment other underwriting expenses remained flat at $6.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily as a result of lower contingent commissions.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $6.4 million compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, consistent with expectations.2011 and 2010.


Market Sensitive Instruments.
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”)SEC’s 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 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 maturity securities in the investment portfolio are comprised of non-trading available for sale securities.  Additionally, we have invested in equity securities.


The overall investment strategy considers the scope of present and anticipated Company operations.  In particular, estimates of the financial impact resulting 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 $8.0$8.2 billion investment portfolio, at March 31, 2010,2011, is principally comprised of fixed maturity securities, which are generally subject to interest rate risk and some foreign currency exchange rate risk, and some equity securities, which are subject to price fluctuations.fluctuations and some foreign exchange rate risk.  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 $542.8$415.4 million of mortgage-backed securities in the $6,489.2$5,577.7 million fixed maturity 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 portfolio (including $250.1$368.8 million of short-term investments) for the periods 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 for mortgage-backed securities, changes in prepayment expectations under different interest rate environments were taken into account.  For legal entities with 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 Impact of Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points 
 At March 31, 2010 At March 31, 2011 
(Dollars in millions)  -200  -100  0  100  200  -200   -100   0   100   200 
Total Market/Fair Value $7,335.1  $7,061.8  $6,739.3  $6,382.6  $6,045.8  $6,369.7  $6,168.2  $5,946.5  $5,706.1  $5,475.1 
Market/Fair Value Change from Base (%)  8.8%  4.8%  0.0%  -5.3%  -10.3%  7.1%  3.7%  0.0%  -4.0%  -7.9%
Change in Unrealized Appreciation                                        
After-tax from Base ($) $387.2  $209.6  $-  $(231.9) $(450.8) $275.1  $144.2  $-  $(156.3) $(306.4)

We had $7,613.8$8,143.5 million and $7,300.1$7,652.3 million of gross reserves for losses and LAE as of March 31, 20102011 and December 31, 2009,2010, 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 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 inc ludeinclude investment income over time from the investment portfolio until the claims are paid.  Our loss and loss reserve obligations have an expected duration that is reasonably consistent with our fixed income portfolio.

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 is to obtain greater total return relative to bonds over time through market appreciation and income.

40


The table below displays the impact on fair/market value and after-tax appreciation/(depreciation)change in fair/market value of a 10% and 20% change in equity prices up and down for the periods indicated.
 
 Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values Impact of Percentage Change in Equity Fair/Market Values
 At March 31, 2010 At March 31, 2011
(Dollars in millions)  -20%  -10%  0%  10%  20%  -20%  -10%  0%  10%  20%
Fair/Market Value of the Equity Portfolio $315.6  $355.1  $394.6  $434.0  $473.5  $638.0  $717.7  $797.4  $877.2  $956.9 
After-tax Change in Fair/Market Value  (51.3)  (25.6)  -   25.6   51.3   (103.7)  (51.8)  -   51.8   103.7 

Foreign Exchange 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.  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 these foreign operations are the Singapore and Canadian Dollar,Dollars, the British Pound Sterling and the Euro.  We mitigate foreign exchange exposure by generally matching the currency and duration of our assets to our corresp ondingcorresponding operating liabilities.  In accordance with FASB guidance, 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, 2010,2011, there has been no material change in exposure to foreign exchange rates as compared to December 31, 2009.2010.

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 c atastrophecatastrophe 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 risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part 1, ITEM 1A.  We undertake no obligation to update o ror revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


40


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

ITEM 4.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 Chief 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 Chief 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 Of ficerOfficer and Chief 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
41

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.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.  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, 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 o urour 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.ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

No material changes.


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

None.


ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. RESERVED


ITEM 4.  RESERVED
ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.


ITEM 6.EXHIBITSITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index:

Exhibit No.            
Exhibit No.Description

31.1                      Section 302 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto

31.2                      Section 302 Certification of Dominic J. Addesso

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

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.
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/DOMINIC J. ADDESSO 
  Dominic J. Addesso 
  Executive Vice President and 
   Chief Financial Officer 
     
  (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
     
     
Dated: May 13, 2011
Dated: May 17, 2010