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:
June 30, 20112012
 
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).

YESX 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 August 1, 20112012
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
PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     
Item 1. Financial Statements 
     
   
   1
    
   
   2
     
   
   3
     
   
   4
     
  5
     
Item 2.  
   2827
    
Item 3. 4643
     
Item 4. 4643
     

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

     
Item 1. 4643
     
Item 1A. 4743
    
Item 2. 4743
    
Item 3. 4743
    
Item 4. 4743
    
Item 5. 4744
    
Item 6. 4744


Part I

ITEM  1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 

      
 June 30,  December 31,  June 30,  December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except par value per share) 2011  2010  2012  2011 
 (unaudited)     (unaudited)    
ASSETS:            
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at market value $5,299,902  $5,599,940  $5,228,179  $5,107,028 
(amortized cost: 2011, $5,098,886; 2010, $5,438,359)        
(amortized cost: 2012, $4,991,177; 2011, $4,880,654)        
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value  128,337   180,482   62,831   113,606 
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2011, $15 2010, $15)  12   13 
Equity securities - available for sale, at market value (cost: 2012, $15; 2011, $15)  13   10 
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value  972,802   683,454   1,163,570   1,207,053 
Short-term investments  566,111   516,885   580,773   423,663 
Other invested assets (cost: 2011, $393,058; 2010, $405,401)  392,843   406,916 
Other invested assets (cost: 2012, $407,775; 2011, $379,342)  407,775   379,342 
Other invested assets, at fair value  794,608   788,142   1,005,920   817,352 
Cash  288,365   118,092   305,733   348,267 
Total investments and cash  8,442,980   8,293,924   8,754,794   8,396,321 
Accrued investment income  62,790   70,874   56,092   55,849 
Premiums receivable  773,721   643,257   753,963   856,375 
Reinsurance receivables - unaffiliated  685,233   670,168   590,019   570,128 
Reinsurance receivables - affiliated  3,056,730   2,708,193   2,849,363   2,901,174 
Funds held by reinsureds  177,553   171,179   154,861   176,156 
Deferred acquisition costs  167,339   184,247   99,304   166,806 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums  567,466   629,323   529,997   625,391 
Deferred tax asset  150,594   183,924   249,466   366,490 
Federal income taxes recoverable  147,127   142,421 
Income taxes recoverable  34,331   39,014 
Other assets  240,901   171,923   209,531   195,476 
TOTAL ASSETS $14,472,434  $13,869,433  $14,281,721  $14,349,180 
                
LIABILITIES:                
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $8,275,580  $7,652,303  $8,013,731  $8,290,619 
Unearned premium reserve  1,187,555   1,287,476   1,040,278   1,239,705 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties  178,453   180,377   84,305   123,479 
Losses in the course of payment  29,875   13,089   20,810   11,002 
Commission reserves  32,117   37,796   31,423   40,353 
Other net payable to reinsurers  556,127   467,486   663,085   620,659 
Revolving credit borrowings  40,000   50,000 
5.4% Senior notes due 10/15/2014  249,835   249,812   249,882   249,858 
6.6% Long term notes due 05/01/2067  238,352   238,351 
6.6% Long term notes due 5/1/2067  238,355   238,354 
Junior subordinated debt securities payable  329,897   329,897   329,897   329,897 
Accrued interest on debt and borrowings  4,789   4,793   4,781   4,781 
Other liabilities  272,363   230,312   313,694   259,080 
Total liabilities  11,394,943   10,741,692   10,990,241   11,407,787 
                
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)  -   - 
1,000 shares issued and outstanding (2012 and 2011)  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  330,990   327,767   336,813   333,416 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred income tax expense                
(benefit) of $107,272 at 2011 and $88,289 at 2010  199,219   163,966 
(benefit) of $97,517 at 2012 and $94,118 at 2011  181,103   174,790 
Retained earnings  2,547,282   2,636,008   2,773,564   2,433,187 
Total stockholder's equity  3,077,491   3,127,741   3,291,480   2,941,393 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY $14,472,434  $13,869,433  $14,281,721  $14,349,180 
                
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.                

 
1


EVEREST REINSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
REVENUES:                        
Premiums earned $452,050  $442,724  $911,443  $856,858  $438,470  $452,050  $872,181  $911,443 
Net investment income  84,459   89,346   171,591   174,453   74,206   84,459   155,448   171,591 
Net realized capital gains (losses):                                
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities  -   -   (13,611)  -   (467)  -   (6,141)  (13,611)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities                                
transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Other net realized capital gains (losses)  (68,184)  (95,473)  (14,097)  (100,780)  83,056   (68,184)  264,871   (14,097)
Total net realized capital gains (losses)  (68,184)  (95,473)  (27,708)  (100,780)  82,589   (68,184)  258,730   (27,708)
Other income (expense)  (11,568)  8,709   (11,536)  13,821   25,428   (11,568)  19,174   (11,536)
Total revenues  456,757   445,306   1,043,790   944,352   620,693   456,757   1,305,533   1,043,790 
                                
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                                
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  312,809   314,749   865,837   741,753   293,577   312,809   543,974   865,837 
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  80,305   88,197   168,817   156,038   93,365   80,305   180,856   168,817 
Other underwriting expenses  39,223   35,371   77,440   68,085   41,099   39,223   80,613   77,440 
Corporate expenses  1,165   1,463   2,355   3,689   1,732   1,165   3,298   2,355 
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  12,695   12,722   25,377   29,062   12,683   12,695   25,379   25,377 
Total claims and expenses  446,197   452,502   1,139,826   998,627   442,456   446,197   834,120   1,139,826 
                                
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  10,560   (7,196)  (96,036)  (54,275)  178,237   10,560   471,413   (96,036)
Income tax expense (benefit)  1,753   (24,083)  (7,310)  (26,233)  52,584   1,753   131,036   (7,310)
                                
NET INCOME (LOSS) $8,807  $16,887  $(88,726) $(28,042) $125,653  $8,807  $340,377  $(88,726)
                                
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  34,236   24,799   35,253   36,545 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax :                
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period  (936)  30,687   5,475   3,798 
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)  (1,278)  3,885   1,435   20,710 
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period  (2,214)  34,572   6,910   24,508 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (7,861)  (1,082)  (2,564)  9,253 
Pension adjustments  983   746   1,967   1,492 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (9,092)  34,236   6,313   35,253 
                                
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $43,043  $41,686  $(53,473) $8,503  $116,561  $43,043  $346,690  $(53,473)
                                
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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
COMMON STOCK (shares outstanding):                        
Balance, beginning of period  1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000 
Balance, end of period  1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000 
                                
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:                                
Balance, beginning of period $329,356  $322,459  $327,767  $321,185  $335,042  $329,356  $333,416  $327,767 
Share-based compensation plans  1,634   1,697   3,223   2,971   1,771   1,634   3,397   3,223 
Balance, end of period  330,990   324,156   330,990   324,156   336,813   330,990   336,813   330,990 
                                
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),                                
NET OF DEFERRED INCOME TAXES:                                
Balance, beginning of period  164,983   178,724   163,966   166,978   190,195   164,983   174,790   163,966 
Net increase (decrease) during the period  34,236   24,799   35,253   36,545   (9,092)  34,236   6,313   35,253 
Balance, end of period  199,219   203,523   199,219   203,523   181,103   199,219   181,103   199,219 
                                
RETAINED EARNINGS:                                
Balance, beginning of period  2,538,475   2,325,682   2,636,008   2,370,611   2,647,911   2,538,475   2,433,187   2,636,008 
Net income (loss)  8,807   16,887   (88,726)  (28,042)  125,653   8,807   340,377   (88,726)
Balance, end of period  2,547,282   2,342,569   2,547,282   2,342,569   2,773,564   2,547,282   2,773,564   2,547,282 
                                
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY, END OF PERIOD $3,077,491  $2,870,248  $3,077,491  $2,870,248  $3,291,480  $3,077,491  $3,291,480  $3,077,491 
                                
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
 (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited) 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                        
Net income (loss) $8,807  $16,887  $(88,726) $(28,042) $125,653  $8,807  $340,377  $(88,726)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                             
Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable  (17,216)  21,553   (128,544)  24,883   66,341   (17,216)  103,547   (128,544)
Decrease (increase) in funds held by reinsureds, net  (8,008)  (18,472)  (7,812)  (16,262)  22,830   (8,008)  (17,524)  (7,812)
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance receivables  (49,828)  (18,620)  (355,899)  (227,797)  22,823   (49,828)  30,491   (355,899)
Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable  5,526   53,336   4,628   (1,044)
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset  (19,965)  (46,121)  14,349   (54,415)  38,950   (19,965)  113,624   14,349 
Decrease (increase) in prepaid reinsurance premiums  38,227   2,059   62,163   (16,192)  90,785   38,227   95,321   62,163 
Increase (decrease) in reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses  121,207   (12,762)  586,366   290,352   (131,146)  121,207   (297,135)  586,366 
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums  (80,213)  (10,237)  (103,362)  7,142   (190,678)  (80,213)  (201,002)  (103,362)
Increase (decrease) in other net payable to reinsurers  38,445   36,022   42,550   88,804 
Change in equity adjustments in limited partnerships  (13,939)  (8,882)  (32,354)  (18,296)  (8,765)  (13,939)  (20,050)  (32,354)
Change in other assets and liabilities, net  32,717   16,395   103,464   142,621   54,962   (56,641)  99,344   15,704 
Non-cash compensation expense  1,674   1,685   3,054   2,880   1,628   1,674   3,244   3,054 
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)  3,422   1,071   6,914   4,617   5,335   3,422   9,609   6,914 
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes  12   11   24   53   12   12   25   24 
Net realized capital (gains) losses  68,184   95,473   27,708   100,780   (82,589)  68,184   (258,730)  27,708 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  85,081   40,040   87,345   212,324   60,112   85,081   48,319   87,345 
                                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value  156,078   136,606   263,533   308,869   172,534   156,078   374,721   263,533 
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at fair value  5,875   -   12,775   -   -   5,875   -   12,775 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value  270,169   206,078   786,890   371,563   92,165   270,169   176,301   786,890 
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at fair value  17,168   6,115   50,120   8,612   1,862   17,168   61,143   50,120 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at market value  -   -   27,096   -   -   -   -   27,096 
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value  37,000   51,400   89,696   72,742   52,340   37,000   291,880   89,696 
Distributions from other invested assets  28,416   15,715   89,775   23,880   9,522   28,416   15,383   89,775 
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value  (236,991)  (280,050)  (709,796)  (555,576)  (369,223)  (236,991)  (662,071)  (709,796)
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (7,148)  (9,487)  (15,224)  (23,681)  (2,382)  (7,148)  (5,506)  (15,224)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at market value  -   -   (27,059)  -   -   -   -   (27,059)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value  (212,606)  (30,140)  (339,271)  (50,879)  (75,674)  (212,606)  (180,888)  (339,271)
Cost of other invested assets acquired  (22,064)  (8,634)  (45,078)  (18,374)  (12,130)  (22,064)  (23,766)  (45,078)
Cost of other invested assets acquired, at fair value  -   (200,079)  (37,611)  (247,111)  -   -   -   (37,611)
Cost of businesses acquired  -   -   (63,100)  -   -   -   -   (63,100)
Net change in short-term investments  (196,488)  (2,164)  (47,185)  9,921   64,548   (196,488)  (157,589)  (47,185)
Net change in unsettled securities transactions  188,839   (51,843)  44,841   (35,520)  (24,657)  188,839   5,112   44,841 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  28,248   (166,483)  80,402   (135,554)  (91,095)  28,248   (105,280)  80,402 
                                
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                
Tax benefit from share-based compensation  (40)  12   169   91   143   (40)  153   169 
Net cost of senior notes maturing  -   -   -   (200,000)
Revolving credit borrowings  -   133,000   (10,000)  133,000   -   -   -   (10,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (40)  133,012   (9,831)  (66,909)  143   (40)  153   (9,831)
                                
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH  5,711   (7,459)  12,357   (10,494)  (8,174)  5,711   14,274   12,357 
                                
Net increase (decrease) in cash  119,000   (890)  170,273   (633)  (39,014)  119,000   (42,534)  170,273 
Cash, beginning of period  169,365   107,737   118,092   107,480   344,747   169,365   348,267   118,092 
Cash, end of period $288,365  $106,847  $288,365  $106,847  $305,733  $288,365  $305,733  $288,365 
                                
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                                
Cash transactions:                
Income taxes paid (recovered) $(31,557) $(53,156) $(20,765) $(49,390) $4,754  $(31,557) $9,379  $(20,765)
Interest paid  19,838   19,866   25,041   33,765   19,825   19,838   25,042   25,041 
                                
Non-cash transaction:                                
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business acquisitions  -   -   19,130   -   -   -   -   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 and Six Months Ended June 30, 20112012 and 20102011

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 and six months ended June 30, 20112012 and 20102011 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, 20102011 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.  The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 20112012 and 20102011 are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 20082009 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'period amounts to conform to the 2011current period presentation.

Application of Recently Issued Accounting Standard Changes

Financial Accounting Standards Board Launched Accounting Codification.Intangibles-Goodwill or Other.  In June 2009,September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issuedamended the authoritative guidance establishingfor disclosures on Goodwill Impairment.  The amendment allows an entity first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“Codification”)fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis in determining whether it is necessary to perform the single sourcetwo-step goodwill impairment test.  This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company implemented this guidance as 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.January 1, 2012.

FollowingPresentation of Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, FASB issued amendments to existing guidance to provide two alternatives for the Codification,presentation of comprehensive income. Components of net income and comprehensive income can either be presented within a single, continuous financial statement or be presented in two separate but consecutive financial statements.  The Company has chosen to present the FASB will no longer issue new standardscomponents of net income and comprehensive income in the forma single, continuous financial statement.  The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The Company implemented this guidance as 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.January 1, 2012.

Common Fair Value Measurement. In May 2011, FASB issued amendments to existing guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements between GAAP isand International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments change wording used to describe many GAAP fair value measurement requirements and disclosures. FASB does not intendedintend for the amendments to be changed ascause a resultchange in application of the FASB’s Codification, but it will change the way thefair value accounting guidance.  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 policieseffective for financial statements issued for interim and annualreporting periods endingbeginning after SeptemberDecember 15, 2009.2011.  The Company’s adoption ofCompany implemented this guidance impacts the way the Company references U.S. GAAP accounting standards in the financial statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.prospectively as of January 1, 2012.

 
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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 adoptimplemented this guidance prospectively, as of January 1, 2012.

Subsequent Events. In May 2009,2012 and determined that $7,215 thousand of previously deferrable acquisition costs will be expensed during 2012 and 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 secondfirst quarter of 20092013, including $1,958 thousand and included it$3,371 thousand of previously deferrable acquisition costs expensed in the Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements.three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.  If the guidance had been applicable for the prior periods, the Company would have expensed $1,823 thousand and $3,442 thousand of deferrable acquisition costs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements.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 implemented this guidance beginning with the third quarter of 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 other comprehensive 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) as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)   
Cumulative-effect adjustment, gross $23,846 
Tax  (8,346)
Cumulative-effect adjustment, net $15,500 


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 June 30, 2011  At June 30, 2012 
 Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market  Amortized  Unrealized  Unrealized  Market 
(Dollars in thousands) Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value  Cost  Appreciation  Depreciation  Value 
Fixed maturity securities                        
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                        
U.S. government agencies and corporations $84,214  $1,878  $(1,676) $84,416  $77,857  $1,891  $(465) $79,283 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  2,110,206   109,724   (5,985)  2,213,945   1,353,400   93,071   (245)  1,446,226 
Corporate securities  895,793   42,589   (12,572)  925,810   1,304,122   54,302   (8,813)  1,349,611 
Asset-backed securities  40,383   685   (16)  41,052   48,367   1,356   -   49,723 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  41,840   7,787   (727)  48,900   46,126   7,570   (926)  52,770 
Agency residential  321,195   17,596   (17)  338,774   542,268   13,669   (1,347)  554,590 
Non-agency residential  27,404   534   (93)  27,845   2,543   385   (57)  2,871 
Foreign government securities  874,577   43,523   (11,291)  906,809   748,791   53,999   (2,773)  800,017 
Foreign corporate securities  703,274   26,878   (17,801)  712,351   867,703   35,111   (9,726)  893,088 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,098,886  $251,194  $(50,178) $5,299,902  $4,991,177  $261,354  $(24,352) $5,228,179 
Equity securities $15  $-  $(3) $12  $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 
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  At December 31, 2011 
  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 $77,351  $2,475  $(287) $79,539 
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  1,558,615   102,815   (525)  1,660,905 
Corporate securities  1,200,941   45,070   (17,776)  1,228,235 
Asset-backed securities  44,351   758   (6)  45,103 
Mortgage-backed securities                
Commercial  41,953   7,187   (1,266)  47,874 
Agency residential  528,946   16,209   (1,762)  543,393 
Non-agency residential  24,139   470   (320)  24,289 
Foreign government securities  733,814   57,437   (2,602)  788,649 
Foreign corporate securities  670,544   29,421   (10,924)  689,041 
Total fixed maturity securities $4,880,654  $261,842  $(35,468) $5,107,028 
Equity securities $15  $-  $(5) $10 
 
The $800,017 thousand of foreign government securities at June 30, 2012 included $85,358 thousand of European sovereign securities.  Approximately 48.1%, 15.7%, 12.2%, 7.2% and 5.6% of European Sovereign Securities represented securities held in the governments of France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands and Austria, respectively.  No other countries represented more than 5% of the European sovereign securities.  The Company held no sovereign securities of Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece or Spain at June 30, 2012.

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 (loss), on April 1, 2009.  The table below presents the pre-tax cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those corporate securities, for the periods indicated:
 
(Dollars in thousands) At June 30, 2011  At December 31, 2010  At June 30, 2012  At December 31, 2011 
Pre-tax cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) $828  $823  $566  $635 

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 June 30, 2011  At December 31, 2010  At June 30, 2012  At December 31, 2011 
 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 $240,540  $244,567  $212,728  $207,739  $367,937  $366,220  $224,406  $223,507 
Due after one year through five years  1,810,582   1,858,872   1,642,227   1,681,497   2,197,306   2,274,862   2,055,299   2,129,437 
Due after five years through ten years  1,119,257   1,169,942   1,203,497   1,253,609   891,434   944,813   955,253   1,009,893 
Due after ten years  1,497,685   1,569,950   1,942,859   1,997,380   895,196   982,330   1,006,307   1,083,532 
Asset-backed securities  40,383   41,052   19,860   20,551   48,367   49,723   44,351   45,103 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  41,840   48,900   31,887   39,505   46,126   52,770   41,953   47,874 
Agency residential  321,195   338,774   355,928   369,691   542,268   554,590   528,946   543,393 
Non-agency residential  27,404   27,845   29,373   29,968   2,543   2,871   24,139   24,289 
Total fixed maturity securities $5,098,886  $5,299,902  $5,438,359  $5,599,940  $4,991,177  $5,228,179  $4,880,654  $5,107,028 

7


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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost                        
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:                        
Fixed maturity securities $56,368  $46,864  $39,430  $50,017  $(3,358) $56,368  $10,697  $39,430 
Fixed maturity securities, cumulative other-than-temporary impairment adjustment  (15)  (470)  5   2,582 
Fixed maturity securities, other-than-temporary impairment  (49)  (15)  (69)  5 
Equity securities  -   -   -   (1)  1   -   3   - 
Other invested assets  (3,165)  (17)  (1,730)  496   -   (3,165)  -   (1,730)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax  53,188   46,377   37,705   53,094   (3,406)  53,188   10,631   37,705 
Deferred tax benefit (expense)  (18,621)  (16,396)  (13,195)  (17,679)  1,175   (18,621)  (3,745)  (13,195)
Deferred tax benefit (expense), cumulative other-than-temporary impairment adjustment  5   164   (2)  (904)
Deferred tax benefit (expense), other-than-temporary impairment  17   5   24   (2)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation),                                
net of deferred taxes, included in shareholders’ equity $34,572  $30,145  $24,508  $34,511 
net of deferred taxes, included in stockholder's equity $(2,214) $34,572  $6,910  $24,508 
 
The Company frequently reviews all of its fixed maturity, available for sale securities investment portfolio for declines in market value and focuses its attention on securities whose fair value has fallen below 80% of their amortized cost 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 or foreign exchange 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 (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 or foreign exchange related is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 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 rates 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.

8

The tabletables below displaysdisplay 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 June 30, 2011 By Security Type  Duration of Unrealized Loss at June 30, 2012 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 - available for sale                                    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                                    
U.S. government agencies and corporations $19,681  $(1,153) $3,417  $(523) $23,098  $(1,676) $-  $-  $6,145  $(465) $6,145  $(465)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  34,916   (1,152)  55,794   (4,833)  90,710   (5,985)  712   (9)  5,793   (236)  6,505   (245)
Corporate securities  183,948   (5,707)  82,476   (6,865)  266,424   (12,572)  173,355   (1,880)  145,478   (6,933)  318,833   (8,813)
Asset-backed securities  5,089   (16)  -   -   5,089   (16)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Mortgage-backed securities                                                
Commercial  9,716   (727)  -   -   9,716   (727)  -   -   9,750   (926)  9,750   (926)
Agency residential  1,485   (11)  1,258   (6)  2,743   (17)  203,445   (1,342)  220   (5)  203,665   (1,347)
Non-agency residential  -   -   830   (93)  830   (93)  -   -   514   (57)  514   (57)
Foreign government securities  50,741   (1,797)  78,372   (9,494)  129,113   (11,291)  35,704   (307)  35,192   (2,466)  70,896   (2,773)
Foreign corporate securities  116,829   (7,890)  57,756   (9,911)  174,585   (17,801)  105,651   (1,483)  75,124   (8,243)  180,775   (9,726)
Total fixed maturity securities $422,405  $(18,453) $279,903  $(31,725) $702,308  $(50,178) $518,867  $(5,021) $278,216  $(19,331) $797,083  $(24,352)
Equity securities  -   -   12   (3)  12   (3)  -   -   13   (2)  13   (2)
Total $422,405  $(18,453) $279,915  $(31,728) $702,320  $(50,181) $518,867  $(5,021) $278,229  $(19,333) $797,096  $(24,354)
 
 Duration of Unrealized Loss at June 30, 2011 By Maturity  Duration of Unrealized Loss at June 30, 2012 By Maturity 
 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 $7,796  $(549) $16,599  $(3,045) $24,395  $(3,594) $12,341  $(149) $41,659  $(6,368) $54,000  $(6,517)
Due in one year through five years  177,973   (9,464)  127,966   (12,043)  305,939   (21,507)  181,847   (2,011)  153,125   (9,294)  334,972   (11,305)
Due in five years through ten years  177,091   (5,705)  54,976   (5,852)  232,067   (11,557)  114,520   (1,415)  62,411   (2,111)  176,931   (3,526)
Due after ten years  43,255   (1,981)  78,274   (10,686)  121,529   (12,667)  6,714   (104)  10,537   (570)  17,251   (674)
Asset-backed securities  5,089   (16)  -   -   5,089   (16)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Mortgage-backed securities  11,201   (738)  2,088   (99)  13,289   (837)  203,445   (1,342)  10,484   (988)  213,929   (2,330)
Total fixed maturity securities $422,405  $(18,453) $279,903  $(31,725) $702,308  $(50,178) $518,867  $(5,021) $278,216  $(19,331) $797,083  $(24,352)
 
The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 20112012 were $702,320$797,096 thousand and $50,181$24,354 thousand, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single issuer that exceeded 0.1%0.03% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2011.2012.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $18,453$5,021 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, U.S. and foreign government and domestic and foreign corporate securities as well as agency residential mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $16,614$2,909 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The majority of the unrealized losses related to foreign government and foreign corporate securities are due to currency exchange rate movements as opposed to market value movements.  The non-investment grade securities
9

with unrealized losses were mainly comprised of corporate securities.  The $31,725$19,331 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate andsecurities, foreign government securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $27,807$15,971 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The majority of thenon-investment grade securities with unrealized losses related to foreign government and foreignwere mainly comprised of corporate securities, are due to currency exchangewith the majority representing a large number of short duration, floating interest rate movements as opposed to market value movements.bank loan securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation greater than 12 months for mortgage-backed securities included $43$57 thousand related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flows were sufficientflow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.  Unrealized losses at June 30, 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, U.S. government, foreign government and domestic and foreign corporate securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $23,424 thousand were related to securities that
 
 
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were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $53,474 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year also related primarily to highly rated U.S. government, 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 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 $32 thousand related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, projected cash flows were sufficient to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.
 
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 of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2011 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 $-  $-  $3,452  $(287) $3,452  $(287)
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions  -   -   7,518   (525)  7,518   (525)
Corporate securities  342,959   (8,449)  75,998   (9,327)  418,957   (17,776)
Asset-backed securities  819   (6)  -   -   819   (6)
Mortgage-backed securities                        
Commercial  9,292   (1,266)  -   -   9,292   (1,266)
Agency residential  151,951   (1,695)  7,199   (67)  159,150   (1,762)
Non-agency residential  41   -   20,693   (320)  20,734   (320)
Foreign government securities  12,777   (269)  40,743   (2,333)  53,520   (2,602)
Foreign corporate securities  77,458   (2,025)  94,182   (8,899)  171,640   (10,924)
Total fixed maturity securities $595,297  $(13,710) $249,785  $(21,758) $845,082  $(35,468)
Equity securities  -   -   10   (5)  10   (5)
Total $595,297  $(13,710) $249,795  $(21,763) $845,092  $(35,473)
  Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 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 $9,583  $(59) $26,204  $(4,486) $35,787  $(4,545)
Due in one year through five years  213,809   (4,754)  137,972   (9,576)  351,781   (14,330)
Due in five years through ten years  186,061   (5,484)  37,964   (2,391)  224,025   (7,875)
Due after ten years  23,741   (446)  19,753   (4,918)  43,494   (5,364)
Asset-backed securities  819   (6)  -   -   819   (6)
Mortgage-backed securities  161,284   (2,961)  27,892   (387)  189,176   (3,348)
Total fixed maturity securities $595,297  $(13,710) $249,785  $(21,758) $845,082  $(35,468)
The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011 were $845,092 thousand and $35,473 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, 2011.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $13,710 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 domestic and foreign corporate securities as well as commercial and agency residential mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $5,635 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $21,758 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate and foreign government securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $15,880 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-
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investment grade securities with unrealized losses were mainly comprised of corporate securities, with the majority representing a large number of short duration, floating interest rate bank loan securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation for mortgage-backed securities included $56 thousand 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 have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.

Other invested assets, at fair value, is comprised of common shares of the Company’s ultimate parent, Group.  At June 30, 2012, the Company held 9,719,971 shares of Group representing 15.8% of the total outstanding shares.

The components of net investment income are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Fixed maturity securities $59,139  $75,862  $119,758  $149,417  $53,932  $59,139  $108,753  $119,758 
Equity securities  6,468   2,618   11,640   5,022   10,127   6,468   20,432   11,640 
Short-term investments and cash  387   75   594   152   300   387   428   594 
Other invested assets                                
Limited partnerships  13,939   8,882   32,354   18,296   9,232   13,939   20,844   32,354 
Dividends from Parent's shares  4,666   4,127   9,314   5,553   4,665   4,666   9,331   9,314 
Other  4,126   330   4,723   702   (492)  4,126   1,026   4,723 
Total gross investment income  88,725   91,894   178,383   179,142   77,764   88,725   160,814   178,383 
Interest debited (credited) and other investment expense  (4,266)  (2,548)  (6,792)  (4,689)  (3,558)  (4,266)  (5,366)  (6,792)
Total net investment income $84,459  $89,346  $171,591  $174,453  $74,206  $84,459  $155,448  $171,591 
 
The Company records results from limited partnership investments on the equity method 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 $142,091$89,651 thousand in limited partnerships at June 30, 2011.2012.  These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2016.

 
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The components of net realized capital gains (losses) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Fixed maturity securities, market value:                        
Other-than-temporary impairments $-  $-  $(13,611) $-  $(467) $-  $(6,141) $(13,611)
Gains (losses) from sales  (5,978)  1,617   (18,288)  840   2,432   (5,978)  3,933   (18,288)
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:                                
Gains (losses) from sales  565   190   (950)  273 
Gain (losses) from sales  (180)  565   5,027   (950)
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  (40)  (2,518)  (3,523)  482   (1,706)  (40)  1,325   (3,523)
Equity securities, market value:                                
Gains (losses) from sales  -   -   37   -   -   -   -   37 
Equity securities, fair value:                                
Gains (losses) from sales  (206)  (2,893)  1,666   (999)  (2,370)  (206)  19,947   1,666 
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  (23)  (30,017)  38,107   (16,786)  (21,748)  (23)  46,072   38,107 
Other invested assets, fair value:                                
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments  (62,500)  (61,853)  (31,145)  (84,590)  106,628   (62,500)  188,567   (31,145)
Short-term investment gains (losses)  (2)  1   (1)  -   -   (2)  -   (1)
Total net realized capital gains (losses) $(68,184) $(95,473) $(27,708) $(100,780) $82,589  $(68,184) $258,730  $(27,708)

The Company recorded as net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) both fair value re-measurements and write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis as displayed in the 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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities $287,337  $212,193  $837,010  $380,175  $94,027  $287,337  $237,444  $837,010 
Gross gains from sales  3,316   5,545   17,582   7,321   3,679   3,316   12,667   17,582 
Gross losses from sales  (8,729)  (3,738)  (36,820)  (6,208)  (1,427)  (8,729)  (3,707)  (36,820)
                                
Proceeds from sales of equity secuities $37,000  $51,400  $116,792  $72,742  $52,340  $37,000  $291,880  $116,792 
Gross gains from sales  722   1,214   3,102   3,584   975   722   27,801   3,102 
Gross losses from sales  (928)  (4,107)  (1,399)  (4,583)  (3,345)  (928)  (7,854)  (1,399)

 
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4.  FAIR VALUE

The Company’s fixed maturity and equity securities are primarily 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.

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 continually performs analytical reviews of price changes and tests the prices on a random basis to an independent pricing source.   No material variances were noted during these price validation procedures.  In limited situations, where financial markets are inactive or illiquid, the Company may use its own assumptions about future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates to determine fair value.  The Company made no such adjustments at June 30, 20112012 and 2010.December 31, 2011.

The Company internally manages a small public equity portfolio which had a fair value at June 30, 2012 of $42,751 thousand and all prices were obtained from publically published sources.

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.

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, all Level 3 fixed maturity securities, were priced using single non-binding broker quotes since prices for these securities were not provided by normal pricing service companies.  The single broker quotes are provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants in the markets in which they are providing the quotes.  The prices received from brokers are reviewed for reasonableness by our asset managers and management.

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.

 
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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) June 30, 2011  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  June 30, 2012 (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                        
Fixed maturities, market value                        
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of                        
U.S. government agencies and corporations $84,416  $-  $84,416  $-  $79,283  $-  $79,283  $- 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  2,213,945   -   2,213,945   -   1,446,226   -   1,446,226   - 
Corporate securities  925,810   -   925,810   -   1,349,611   -   1,349,611   - 
Asset-backed securities  41,052   -   38,586   2,466   49,723   -   40,727   8,996 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  48,900   -   48,900   -   52,770   -   52,770   - 
Agency residential  338,774   -   338,774   -   554,590   -   554,590   - 
Non-agency residential  27,845   -   27,464   381   2,871   -   2,866   5 
Foreign government securities  906,809   -   906,809   -   800,017   -   800,017   - 
Foreign corporate securities  712,351   -   712,351   -   893,088   -   885,705   7,383 
Total fixed maturities, market value  5,299,902   -   5,297,055   2,847   5,228,179   -   5,211,795   16,384 
                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  128,337   -   128,337   -   62,831   -   62,831   - 
Equity securities, market value  12   12   -   -   13   13   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  972,802   899,146   73,656   -   1,163,570   1,039,029   124,541   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  794,608   794,608   -   -   1,005,920   1,005,920   -   - 
 
There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.2012.


 
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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, 2010  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3)  December 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 $150,567  $-  $150,567  $-  $79,539  $-  $79,539  $- 
Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions  2,901,505   -   2,901,505   -   1,660,905   -   1,660,905   - 
Corporate securities  721,685   -   721,685   -   1,228,235   -   1,228,235   - 
Asset-backed securities  20,551   -   19,590   961   45,103   -   29,057   16,046 
Mortgage-backed securities                                
Commercial  39,505   -   39,505   -   47,874   -   47,874   - 
Agency residential  369,691   -   369,691   -   543,393   -   543,393   - 
Non-agency residential  29,968   -   29,510   458   24,289   -   24,282   7 
Foreign government securities  749,041   -   749,041   -   788,649   -   788,649   - 
Foreign corporate securities  617,427   -   613,792   3,635   689,041   -   686,505   2,536 
Total fixed maturities, market value  5,599,940   -   5,594,886   5,054   5,107,028   -   5,088,439   18,589 
                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  180,482   -   180,482   -   113,606   -   113,606   - 
Equity securities, market value  13   13   -   -   10   10   -   - 
Equity securities, fair value  683,454   683,454   -   -   1,207,053   1,090,959   116,094   - 
Other invested assets, fair value  788,142   788,142   -   -   817,352   817,352   -   - 

The following tables present the activity under Level 3, fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs by asset type, for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2011  Six Months Ended June 30, 2011  Three Months Ended June 30, 2012  Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 
 Asset-backed  Foreign  Non-agency     Asset-backed  Foreign  Non-agency     Asset-backed  Foreign  Non-agency     Asset-backed  Foreign  Non-agency    
(Dollars in thousands) Securities  Corporate  RMBS  Total  Securities  Corporate  RMBS  Total  Securities  Corporate  RMBS  Total  Securities  Corporate  RMBS  Total 
Beginning balance $6,273  $519  $448  $7,240  $961  $3,635  $458  $5,054  $12,756  $5,119  $6  $17,881  $16,046  $2,536  $7  $18,589 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                                                                
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)  64   -   28   92   64   -   49   113   -   (16)  1   (15)  55   (19)  2   38 
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)  (84)  -   (48)  (132)  (147)  -   (48)  (195)  6   (13)  (1)  (8)  338   112   (2)  448 
Purchases, issuances and settlements  (82)  -   (47)  (129)  56   -   (78)  (22)  1,793   4,755   (1)  6,547   4,468   7,216   (2)  11,682 
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  (3,705)  (519)  -   (4,224)  1,532   (3,635)  -   (2,103)  (5,559)  (2,462)  -   (8,021)  (11,911)  (2,462)  -   (14,373)
Ending balance $2,466  $-  $381  $2,847  $2,466  $-  $381  $2,847  $8,996  $7,383  $5  $16,384  $8,996  $7,383  $5  $16,384 
                                                                
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 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
                                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                       (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                     

 
15

 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2010  Six Months Ended June 30, 2010  Three Months Ended June 30, 2011  Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 
 Corporate  Asset-backed  Non-agency     Corporate  Asset-backed  Non-agency     Asset-backed  Foreign  Non-agency     Asset-backed  Foreign  Non-agency    
(Dollars in thousands) Securities  Securities  RMBS  Total  Securities  Securities  RMBS  Total  Securities  Corporate  RMBS  Total  Securities  Corporate  RMBS  Total 
Beginning balance $6,930  $6,368  $456  $13,754  $6,930  $6,258  $426  $13,614  $6,273  $519  $448  $7,240  $961  $3,635  $458  $5,054 
Total gains or (losses) (realized/unrealized)                                                                
Included in earnings (or changes in net assets)  (1)  -   24   23   (1)  -   49   48   64   -   28   92   64   -   49   113 
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)  36   122   51   209   36   44   92   172   (84)  -   (48)  (132)  (147)  -   (48)  (195)
Purchases, issuances and settlements  -   72   (34)  38   -   260   (70)  190   (82)  -   (47)  (129)  56   -   (78)  (22)
Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   (3,705)  (519)  -   (4,224)  1,532   (3,635)  -   (2,103)
Ending balance $6,965  $6,562  $497  $14,024  $6,965  $6,562  $497  $14,024  $2,466  $-  $381  $2,847  $2,466  $-  $381  $2,847 
                                                                
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 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
                                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                     (Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                     

5.  CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

On December 17, 2008, weOctober 14, 2011, the Company renewed ourits 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 contractualreinsurance 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.  The Company considers the statuses of these proceedings are considered when the Company determinesdetermining its reserves for lossesunpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses.  While the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that any of these matters, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.  However, an adverse resolution of one or more of these items in any one quarter or fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in that period.

There are no known significant pending legal issues not involving insurance or reinsurance business activity.

The Company continuesAside from litigation and arbitrations related to receive claims under expiredthese 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.

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The Company’s reserves include an estimate of the Company’s ultimate liability for asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) claims.  As of June 30, 2011, approximately 6% 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, a direct subsidiary ofagreements, 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 it’s A&E losses.is not a party to any other material litigation or arbitration.

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 reinsurance basis for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Gross basis:            
Beginning of period reserves $535,764  $625,208  $554,790  $638,674 
Incurred losses  753   -   753   - 
Paid losses  (9,795)  (11,073)  (28,821)  (24,539)
End of period reserves $526,722  $614,135  $526,722  $614,135 
                 
Net basis:                
Beginning of period reserves $368,144  $419,230  $382,507  $430,421 
Incurred losses  (30)  -   (30)  - 
Paid losses  (7,585)  (6,579)  (21,948)  (17,770)
End of period reserves $360,528  $412,651  $360,528  $412,651 
                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding)                
At June 30, 2011, the gross reserves for A&E losses were comprised of $139,183 thousand representing case reserves reported by ceding companies, $108,765 thousand representing additional case reserves established by the Company on assumed reinsurance claims, $36,881 thousand representing case reserves established by the Company on direct excess insurance claims, including Mt. McKinley and $241,893 thousand representing IBNR reserves.

With respect to asbestos only, at June 30, 2011, the Company had gross asbestos loss reserves of $505,146 thousand, or 95.9%, of total A&E reserves, of which $403,150 thousand was for assumed business and $101,996 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.

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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.  The table below presents the estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was contingently liable for the periods indicated:
 
(Dollars in thousands) At June 30, 2011 At December 31, 2010
  $143,013  $150,560 
(Dollars in thousands) At June 30, 2012  At December 31, 2011 
  $143,735  $143,447 


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Prior to its 1995 initial public offering, the Company 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.  The table below presents the estimated cost to replace all such annuities for which the Company was contingently liable for the periods indicated:
 
(Dollars in thousands) At June 30, 2011 At December 31, 2010
  $26,988  $26,542 
(Dollars in thousands) At June 30, 2012  At December 31, 2011 
  $28,002  $27,634 
 
7.  OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table presents the components of comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on                        
securities arising during the period                        
URA(D) of investments - temporary $53,203  $46,846  $37,700  $50,512  $(3,357) $53,203  $10,700  $37,700 
URA(D) of investments - non-credit OTTI  (15)  (469)  5   2,582   (49)  (15)  (69)  5 
Tax benefit (expense) from URA(D) arising during the period  (18,616)  (16,232)  (13,197)  (18,583)  1,192   (18,616)  (3,721)  (13,197)
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period, net of tax  34,572   30,145   24,508   34,511   (2,214)  34,572   6,910   24,508 
                                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (1,664)  (8,896)  14,236   1,830   (12,093)  (1,664)  (3,944)  14,236 
Tax benefit (expense) from foreign currency translation  582   3,114   (4,983)  (640)  4,232   582   1,380   (4,983)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments  (1,082)  (5,782)  9,253   1,190   (7,861)  (1,082)  (2,564)  9,253 
                                
Pension adjustments  1,147   671   2,295   1,299   1,514   1,147   3,027   2,295 
Tax benefit (expense) on pension  (401)  (235)  (803)  (455)  (531)  (401)  (1,060)  (803)
Net pension adjustments  746   436   1,492   844   983   746   1,967   1,492 
                                
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax $34,236  $24,799  $35,253  $36,545  $(9,092) $34,236  $6,313  $35,253 

 
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The following table presents the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in the consolidated balance sheets for the periods indicated:
 
 At June 30,  At December 31,  At June 30,  At December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2012  2011 
URA(D) on securities, net of deferred taxes            
Temporary $129,980  $105,474  $153,682  $146,727 
Non-credit, OTTI  538   535   368   413 
Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of deferred taxes  130,518   106,009   154,050   147,140 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes  93,292   84,040   80,621   83,185 
Pension adjustments, net of deferred taxes  (24,591)  (26,083)  (53,568)  (55,535)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $199,219  $163,966  $181,103  $174,790 
 
8.  CREDIT FACILITY

Effective August 23, 2006, Holdings15, 2011, the Company entered into a fivenew three year, $150,000 thousand seniorunsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders, replacing the August 23, 2006 five year senior revolving credit facility.  Both the August 15, 2011 and August 23, 2006 revolving credit agreements, which have similar terms, are 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 $150,000 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
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Citibank as its primebase rate, or (b) 0.5% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate or (c) 1% above the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), 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 $1,500,000$1,875,000 thousand plus 25% of future aggregate net income and 25% of future aggregate capital contributions after December 31, 2005,2010, which at June 30, 2011,2012, was $2,005,890$1,965,407 thousand.  As of June 30, 2011, Holdings2012, the Company was in compliance with all Holdings Credit Facility covenants.

The following table summarizes outstanding letters of credit and/or borrowings for the periods indicated:
 
(Dollars in thousands) At June 30, 2011 At December 31, 2010 At June 30, 2012 At December 31, 2011
Bank Commitment  In Use Date of LoanMaturity/Expiry Date Commitment  In Use Date of LoanMaturity/Expiry Date Commitment  In Use Date of LoanMaturity/Expiry Date Commitment  In Use Date of LoanMaturity/Expiry Date
Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $15,000 6/16/20117/18/2011 $150,000  $50,000 12/16/20101/18/2011 $150,000  $-    $150,000  $-   
      10,000 6/28/20117/28/2011      -   
      15,000 6/06/20117/06/2011      -   
Total revolving credit borrowings      40,000         50,000         -         -   
Total letters of credit      9,527  12/31/2011      9,527  12/31/2011      5,020  12/31/2012      5,020  12/31/2012
                                        
Total Citibank Holdings Credit Facility $150,000  $49,527    $150,000  $59,527    $150,000  $5,020    $150,000  $5,020   

Prior to August 23, 2011, the Company plans to enter into a new Holdings Credit Facility with terms similar to the expiring Facility.

The following table presents the costs incurred in connection with the Holdings Credit Facility for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Credit facility fees incurred $89  $141  $179  $150  $138  $89  $305  $179 

 
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9.  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 June 30, 2011,2012, the total amount on deposit in the trust account was $14,268$143,351 thousand.

10.  SENIOR NOTES

The table below displays Holdings’ outstanding senior notes.  Market value is based on quoted market prices.prices, but due to limited trading activity, these senior notes are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
       June 30, 2011  December 31, 2010        June 30, 2012  December 31, 2011 
       Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance           Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance    
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Date Due Principal Amounts  Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value 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  $249,835  $270,570  $249,812  $267,500 10/12/2004 10/15/2014 $250,000  $249,882  $261,950  $249,858  $251,370 
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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Interest expense incurred $3,387  $3,385  $6,773  $10,447  $3,387  $3,387  $6,774  $6,773 

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11.  LONG TERM SUBORDINATED NOTES

The table below displays Holdings’ outstanding fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes.  Market value is based on quoted market prices.prices, but due to limited trading activity, these subordinated notes are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
 
    Maturity Date June 30, 2011  December 31, 2010     Maturity Date June 30, 2012  December 31, 2011 
  Original     Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance      Original     Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance    
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Principal Amount Scheduled Final Sheet Amount  Market Value  Sheet Amount  Market Value 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  $236,031  $238,351  $227,825 04/26/2007 $400,000 05/15/2037 05/01/2067 $238,355  $236,174  $238,354  $210,195 

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 LIBOR plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, subject to Holdings’ right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  Deferred interest will accumulate interest at the applicable rate compounded semi-annually for periods prior to May 15, 2017, and compounded quarterly for periods from and including May 15, 2017.

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

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On March 19, 2009, Group announced the commencement of a cash tender offer for any and all of the 6.60% fixed to floating rate long term subordinated notes.  Upon expiration of the tender offer, the Company had reduced its outstanding debt by $161,441 thousand, which resulted in a pre-tax gain on debt repurchase of $78,271 thousand.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these long term subordinated notes is as follows for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Interest expense incurred $3,937  $3,937  $7,874  $7,874  $3,937  $3,937  $7,874  $7,874 

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12.  JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES PAYABLE

The following table displays Holdings’ outstanding junior subordinated debt securities due to Everest Re Capital Trust II (“Capital Trust II”), a wholly-ownedwholly owned finance subsidiary of Holdings.  Fair value is primarily based on the quoted market price of the related trust preferred securities.securities, and as such, these securities are considered Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.
 
       June 30, 2011  December 31, 2010        June 30, 2012  December 31, 2011 
       Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance           Consolidated Balance     Consolidated Balance    
(Dollars in thousands)Date Issued Date Due Amount Issued  Sheet Amount  Fair Value  Sheet Amount  Fair Value 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  $321,577  $329,897  $294,825 03/29/2004 03/29/2034 $329,897  $329,897  $335,145  $329,897  $326,313 

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.

Interest expense incurred in connection with these junior subordinated debt securities is as follows for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Interest expense incurred $5,114  $5,114  $10,227  $10,227  $5,114  $5,114  $10,227  $10,227 

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 their 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 Holdings’ operating subsidiaries to transfer funds to Holdings in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.  The insurance laws of the State of Delaware, where Holdings’ direct insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, require regulatory approval before those subsidiaries can pay dividends or make loans or advances to Holdings that exceed certain statutory thresholds.  In addition, the terms of Holdings Credit Facility (discussed in Note 8) require Everest Re, Holdings’ principal insurance subsidiary, to maintain a certain statutory surplus level as measured at the end of each fiscal year.  At December 31, 2010, $2,293,6432011, $2,108,692 thousand of the $2,929,526$2,763,171 thousand in net assets of Holdings’ consolidated subsidiaries were subject to the foregoing regulatory restrictions.

 
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13.  SEGMENT REPORTING

During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company realigned its reporting segments to reflect recent changes in the type and volume of business written. The Company through its subsidiaries, operatespreviously reported the results of Marine & Aviation, Surety, Accident and Health (“A&H”) Reinsurance and A&H Primary operations as a separate segment—Specialty Underwriting.  The A&H primary business, which is a relatively new line of business for the Company, has increased significantly, representing approximately 2% of premiums earned and is projected to continue to grow.  The A&H primary business is better aligned with the Insurance reporting segment based on the similarities of this business with those businesses already reflected in four segments:the Insurance segment.  The other operating units included in the Specialty Underwriting segment would have encompassed less than 5% of the Company’s premiums earned and their volume is projected to remain approximately 6%.  As a result of the size of these remaining operating units and their similarity to the business reported within U.S. Reinsurance, Insurance, Specialty Underwriting and International.  they have been reclassified to the U.S. Reinsurance segment.  There has been no change to the International reporting segment.  The Company has restated all segment information for prior years to conform to the new reporting segment structure.

The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including Marine, Aviation, Surety and A&H business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S.  The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance directly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the 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 through offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey.  The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance, including medical stop loss insurance, directly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S. and Canada.

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”)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.

The following tables present the underwriting results for the operating segments for the periods indicated:
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
U.S. Reinsurance June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Gross written premiums $135,469  $280,231  $504,950  $586,322 
Net written premiums  68,162   153,495   255,387   318,564 
                 
Premiums earned $164,146  $168,889  $348,013  $344,574 
Incurred losses and LAE  103,495   131,862   213,244   274,441 
Commission and brokerage  54,651   39,072   99,828   82,825 
Other underwriting expenses  10,021   9,872   20,775   19,778 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(4,021) $(11,917) $14,166  $(32,470)
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
U.S. Reinsurance June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Gross written premiums $230,260  $268,215  $484,167  $512,223 
Net written premiums  123,797   150,462   260,348   278,924 
                 
Premiums earned $141,633  $162,492  $286,788  $289,493 
Incurred losses and LAE  112,650   84,346   236,077   174,454 
Commission and brokerage  32,541   35,854   69,646   63,072 
Other underwriting expenses  7,871   9,377   15,773   17,183 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(11,429) $32,915  $(34,708) $34,784 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Insurance June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Gross written premiums��$226,132  $204,941  $480,607  $433,178 
Net written premiums  109,204   80,812   234,230   183,279 
                 
Premiums earned $114,937  $86,187  $220,265  $187,353 
Incurred losses and LAE  84,404   71,800   169,922   144,750 
Commission and brokerage  7,377   6,098   13,698   7,739 
Other underwriting expenses  22,401   16,279   44,273   32,856 
Underwriting gain (loss) $755  $(7,990) $(7,628) $2,008 

 
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  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Specialty Underwriting June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010 
Gross written premiums $66,367  $65,855  $135,537  $131,742 
Net written premiums  35,500   37,823   75,882   75,062 
                 
Premiums earned $33,057  $39,342  $75,451  $78,240 
Incurred losses and LAE  24,891   34,512   50,148   61,973 
Commission and brokerage  7,439   8,972   15,404   17,507 
Other underwriting expenses  2,001   2,407   4,005   4,358 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(1,274) $(6,549) $5,894  $(5,598)
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
International June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Gross written premiums $288,749  $306,998  $597,596  $582,348  $349,717  $288,749  $630,178  $597,596 
Net written premiums  141,501   166,046   299,625   311,255   160,199   141,501   296,528   299,625 
                                
Premiums earned $162,423  $154,703  $328,939  $301,772  $157,015  $162,423  $304,808  $328,939 
Incurred losses and LAE  90,864   124,091   409,690   360,576   97,888   90,864   162,528   409,690 
Commission and brokerage  32,948   37,273   70,069   67,720   36,978   32,948   68,740   70,069 
Other underwriting expenses  6,950   7,308   13,389   13,688   6,546   6,950   13,286   13,389 
Underwriting gain (loss) $31,661  $(13,969) $(164,209) $(140,212) $15,603  $31,661  $60,254  $(164,209)

  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Insurance June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Gross written premiums $247,693  $242,528  $454,942  $513,989 
Net written premiums  111,071   115,006   214,896   251,896 
                 
Premiums earned $117,309  $120,738  $219,360  $237,930 
Incurred losses and LAE  92,194   90,083   168,202   181,706 
Commission and brokerage  1,736   8,285   12,288   15,923 
Other underwriting expenses  24,532   22,401   46,552   44,273 
Underwriting gain (loss) $(1,153) $(31) $(7,682) $(3,972)
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) for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Underwriting gain (loss) $19,713  $4,407  $(200,651) $(109,018) $10,429  $19,713  $66,738  $(200,651)
Net investment income  84,459   89,346   171,591   174,453   74,206   84,459   155,448   171,591 
Net realized capital gains (losses)  (68,184)  (95,473)  (27,708)  (100,780)  82,589   (68,184)  258,730   (27,708)
Corporate expense  (1,165)  (1,463)  (2,355)  (3,689)  (1,732)  (1,165)  (3,298)  (2,355)
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  (12,695)  (12,722)  (25,377)  (29,062)  (12,683)  (12,695)  (25,379)  (25,377)
Other income (expense)  (11,568)  8,709   (11,536)  13,821   25,428   (11,568)  19,174   (11,536)
Income (loss) before taxes $10,560  $(7,196) $(96,036) $(54,275) $178,237  $10,560  $471,413  $(96,036)


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., in which the Company writes business, for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Canada $39,232  $49,976  $83,184  $85,279  $27,835  $39,232  $75,275  $83,184 
 
No other country represented more than 5% of the Company’s revenue.revenues.

 
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14.  RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Parent

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


�� Common Shares 
  Authorized for 
Amendment Date Repurchase 
(Dollars in thousands)   
09/21/2004 $5,000,000 
07/21/2008  5,000,000 
02/24/2010  5,000,000 
02/22/2012  5,000,000 
  $20,000,000 
As of June 30, 2011,2012, 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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Dividends received $4,666  $4,127  $9,314  $5,553  $4,665  $4,666  $9,331  $9,314 

Outside Directors

During the normal course of business, the Company, through its affiliates, engages in insurance 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

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company sold its subsidiaries, Everest Insurance Company of Canada (“Everest Canada”) and Premiere Insurance Underwriting Services (“Premiere”), to an affiliated company, Holdings Ireland.  Holdings Ireland is a direct subsidiary of Group, the Company’s ultimate parent.  The Company sold the subsidiaries to Holdings Ireland for $61,005 thousand, which was the book value of the subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011.

Everest Global Services, Inc. (“Everest Global”Global Services”), 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.

 
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The following table presents the expenses incurred by Holdings from services provided by Everest Global for the periods indicated.
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Expenses incurred $15,370  $16,566  $30,447  $31,467  $18,239  $15,370  $36,373  $30,447 

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.Affiliates

The table below represents affiliated quota share reinsurance agreements ("whole account quota share") for all new and renewal business for the indicated coverage period:
 
(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.
  
(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  
                     
01/01/2011-12/31/2011 Everest Re  50.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  150,000    300,000  
                     
01/01/2012 Everest Re  50.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  100,000    200,000  
                     
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 (3)  -  
01/01/2011-12/31/2011  Everest Re- Canadian Branch  60.0% Bermuda Re property business  350,000 (3)  -  
01/01/2012  Everest Re- Canadian Branch  75.0% Bermuda Re property / casualty business  206,250 (3)  412,500 (3)
                     
01/01/2012  Everest Canada  80.0% Everest Re- Canadian Branch property business  -    -  
                     
(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.
            
(3) Amounts shown are Canadian dollars.            

 
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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 per one occurrence.
 
  Liability Limits 
(Dollars in thousands) Exceeding  Not to Exceed 
Losses per one occurrence $100,000  $150,000 
 
The table below represents loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreements whereby net insurance exposures and reserves were transferred to an affiliate.

(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, and premiums and losses assumed by the Company from Everest Canada for the periods indicated:
 
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Bermuda Re June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012  2011  2012  2011 
Ceded written premiums $368,614  $325,719  $749,422  $645,750  $341,220  $368,614  $740,288  $749,422 
Ceded earned premiums  380,353   326,072   760,400   614,230   427,461   380,353   825,493   760,400 
Ceded losses and LAE (a)  294,364   194,630   785,077   483,076   211,805   294,364   468,180   785,077 
                
 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Everest International June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2011   2010   2011   2010 
Ceded written premiums $175  $20,629  $639  $48,941 
Ceded earned premiums  4,436   34,172   14,041   74,504 
Ceded losses and LAE  3,995   39,770   6,913   63,786 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Everest International June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Ceded written premiums $439  $175  $694  $639 
Ceded earned premiums  875   4,436   1,967   14,041 
Ceded losses and LAE  523   3,995   (1,576)  6,913 
  Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
Everest Canada June 30,  June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands) 2012  2011  2012  2011 
Assumed written premiums $5,476  $-  $8,643  $- 
Assumed earned premiums  3,514   -   7,366   - 
Assumed losses and LAE  2,109   -   4,420   - 

(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 (loss).

Everest Re sold net assets of its UK branch to Bermuda Re and provided Bermuda Re with a reserve indemnity agreement allowing for indemnity payments of up to 90% of ₤25.0 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.

 
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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.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company identified an understatement in its Deferred tax asset account of $9,257 thousand.  The understatement resulted from differences between filed and recorded amounts that had accumulated over several prior periods.  The Company corrected this understatement in its June 30, 2012 financial statements, resulting in an additional $9,257 thousand income tax benefit included in the income tax expense (benefit) caption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and increased net income for the same amount for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.  The Company also increased its Deferred tax asset in its Consolidated Balance Sheets by the same amount.  The Company recorded a similar adjustment of $12,417 thousand during the first quarter of 2012, for a total six-month adjustment of $21,674 thousand.  The Company believes that the out of period adjustments are immaterial to its June 30, 2012 financial statements and to all prior periods.  As such, the Company has not restated any prior period amounts.

16.  ACQUISITIONS

During the first six monthsquarter of 2011, the Company made several acquisitions to expand its domestic and Canadian insurance operations.  Below are descriptions of the 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 recorded $35,068 thousand of goodwill and $26,903 thousand of intangible assets related to these acquisitions.acquisitions, which are reported as part of other assets within the consolidated balance sheets.  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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ITEM 2.
ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

Industry Conditions.
The worldwide reinsurance and insurance businesses are highly competitive, as well as cyclical by product and market.  As 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 sources of potential reinsurance and insurance capacity and competition.

Worldwide insurance and reinsurance market conditions continued to be very competitive, particularly in the casualty lines of business.  Generally, there was ample insurance and reinsurance capacity relative to demand.  Competition and its effect on rates, terms and conditions vary widely by market and coverage yet continued to be most prevalent in the U.S. casualty insurance and reinsurance markets.

However, during the first half of 2011, the industry experienced significant losses from Australian floods, the New Zealand earthquake, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and spring storms in the U.S.U.S, and the Thailand floods.  It is too early to determine the impact on market conditions as a result of these events.  While there have been meaningful rate increases for catastrophe coverages in some global catastrophe prone regions, particularly areas impacted by these losses, whether the magnitude of these losses is sufficient to increase rates and improve market conditions for other lines of business remains to be seen.

Overall, we believe that current marketplace conditions, particularly 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.

 
2827


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

 Three Months Ended  Percentage  Six Months Ended  Percentage  Three Months Ended Percentage Six Months Ended Percentage
 June 30,  Increase/  June 30,  Increase/  June 30, Increase/ June 30, Increase/
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  (Decrease)  2011  2010  (Decrease)  2012 2011 (Decrease) 2012 2011 (Decrease)
Gross written premiums $811.5  $846.0   -4.1% $1,697.9  $1,659.5   2.3% $732.9  $811.5   -9.7% $1,590.1  $1,697.9   -6.4%
Net written premiums  410.0   435.1   -5.8%  870.1   848.5   2.5%  339.4   410.0   -17.2%  766.8   870.1   -11.9%
                                                
REVENUES:                                                
Premiums earned $452.1  $442.7   2.1% $911.4  $856.9   6.4% $438.5  $452.1   -3.0% $872.2  $911.4   -4.3%
Net investment income  84.5   89.3   -5.5%  171.6   174.5   -1.6%  74.2   84.5   -12.1%  155.4   171.6   -9.4%
Net realized capital gains (losses)  (68.2)  (95.5)  -28.6%  (27.7)  (100.8)  -72.5%  82.6   (68.2)  -221.1%  258.7   (27.7) NM 
Other income (expense)  (11.6)  8.7   -232.8%  (11.5)  13.8   -183.5%  25.4   (11.6) NM   19.2   (11.5) NM 
Total revenues  456.8   445.3   2.6%  1,043.8   944.4   10.5%  620.7   456.8   35.9%  1,305.5   1,043.8   25.1%
                                                
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:                                                
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses  312.8   314.7   -0.6%  865.8   741.8   16.7%  293.6   312.8   -6.1%  544.0   865.8   -37.2%
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees  80.3   88.2   -8.9%  168.8   156.0   8.2%  93.4   80.3   16.3%  180.9   168.8   7.1%
Other underwriting expenses  39.2   35.4   10.9%  77.4   68.1   13.7%  41.1   39.2   4.8%  80.6   77.4   4.1%
Corporate expense  1.2   1.5   -20.3%  2.4   3.7   -36.2%  1.7   1.2   48.6%  3.3   2.4   40.0%
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense  12.7   12.7   -0.2%  25.4   29.1   -12.7%  12.7   12.7   -0.1%  25.4   25.4   0.0%
Total claims and expenses  446.2   452.5   -1.4%  1,139.8   998.6   14.1%  442.5   446.2   -0.8%  834.1   1,139.8   -26.8%
                                                
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES  10.6   (7.2)  -246.8%  (96.0)  (54.3)  76.9%  178.2   10.6  NM   471.4   (96.0) NM 
Income tax expense (benefit)  1.8   (24.1)  -107.3%  (7.3)  (26.2)  -72.1%  52.6   1.8  NM   131.0   (7.3) NM 
NET INCOME (LOSS) $8.8  $16.9   -47.8% $(88.7) $(28.0)  216.4% $125.7  $8.8  NM  $340.4  $(88.7) NM 
                                                
RATIOS:         Point Change          Point Change          Point Change          Point Change 
Loss ratio  69.2%  71.1%  (1.9)  95.0%  86.6%  8.4   67.0%  69.2%  (2.2)  62.4%  95.0%  (32.6)
Commission and brokerage ratio  17.8%  19.9%  (2.1)  18.5%  18.2%  0.3   21.3%  17.8%  3.5   20.7%  18.5%  2.2 
Other underwriting expense ratio  8.6%  8.0%  0.6   8.5%  7.9%  0.6   9.3%  8.6%  0.7   9.2%  8.5%  0.7 
Combined ratio  95.6%  99.0%  (3.4)  122.0%  112.7%  9.3   97.6%  95.6%  2.0   92.3%  122.0%  (29.7)
                                                
                                                
             At  At  Percentage              At At Percentage
             June 30,  December 31,  Increase/              June 30, December 31, Increase/
(Dollars in millions)              2011   2010  (Decrease)               2012  2011 (Decrease)
Balance sheet data:                                                
Total investments and cash             $8,443.0  $8,293.9   1.8%             $8,754.8  $8,396.3   4.3%
Total assets              14,472.4   13,869.4   4.3%              14,281.7   14,349.2   -0.5%
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves              8,275.6   7,652.3   8.1%              8,013.7   8,290.6   -3.3%
Total debt              858.1   868.1   -1.2%              818.1   818.1   0.0%
Total liabilities              11,394.9   10,741.7   6.1%              10,990.2   11,407.8   -3.7%
Stockholder's equity              3,077.5   3,127.7   -1.6%              3,291.5   2,941.4   11.9%
                                                
(NM, not meaningful)                        
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                                

Revenues.
Premiums.  Gross written premiums decreased by $34.5$78.6 million, or 4.1%9.7%, for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2010,2011, reflecting aan $83.8 million decrease of $55.7 million in our reinsurance business, partially offset by a $21.2$5.2 million increase in our insurance business.  Gross written premiums increaseddecreased by $38.4$107.8 million, or 2.3%6.4%, for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2010,2011, reflecting a $47.4$59.0 million increasedecrease in our insurance business partially offset byand a $48.8 million decrease of $9.0 million in our reinsurance business.  The increasedecreases in insurancereinsurance premiums waswere primarily due to the acquisitionportfolio return of Heartland, which provided $77.4 millionpremium on the non-renewal of a large Florida quota share reinsurance contract, partially offset by increases in new crop insurance business and rate increases on renewals, particularly for catastrophe

 
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as well as improved premium rates on our California workers’ compensation business, partially offset by our reduced participation on a large casualty program.exposed contracts.  The decreasefluctuations in reinsuranceinsurance premiums waswere primarily due to the continued reductioncombination of decreases due to the termination and runoff of several large casualty programs and increases from growth in U.S. casualty business as well as the planned reduction of catastrophe exposed business in certain territories, partially offset by higher reinstatement premiums resulting from catastrophe losses, year over year.crop and primary medical stop loss insurance.

Net written premiums decreased by $25.1$70.6 million, or 5.8%17.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2010,2011 and increaseddecreased by $21.6$103.3 million, or 2.5%11.9%, for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  The fluctuationsdecrease in net written premiums relative tois in line with the changedecrease in gross written premiums were due to a combination of a higher percentage of premiums ceded under the affiliated quota share agreement and a lower level of ceded reinsurance in the Insurance segment due to the planned reduction in one casualty program.premiums.  Premiums earned increased $9.3decreased $13.6 million, or 2.1%3.0%, for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 20102011 and increased $54.6decreased $39.2 million, or 6.4%4.3%, for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  The changesmaller declines in premiums earned relativein comparison to net written premiums iswere primarily attributable to the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiationnon-renewal of the coverage period.  large Florida quota share reinsurance contract and increases in new business and rate increases on renewals, particularly for catastrophe exposed contracts.

Net Investment Income.  Net investment income decreased $4.9$10.3 million, or 5.5%12.1%, to $74.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared with net investment income of $84.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, primarily as a result of a $4.7 million decrease in investment income from our limited partnership investments and the impact from lower reinvestment rates on fixed maturities over the past several years. Net investment income decreased $16.2 million, or 9.4%, to $155.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared with net investment income of $89.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Net investment income decreased $2.9 million, or 1.6%, to $171.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared with netprimarily as a result of a $11.5 million decrease in investment income of $174.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.from our limited partnership investments and lower reinvestment rates.  Net pre-tax investment income, as a percentage of average invested assets was 3.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 4.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 4.5%and was 3.8% for the threesix months ended June 30, 2010 and was2012 compared to 4.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 4.4%2011.  The declines in these yields were primarily the result of fluctuations in our limited partnership income and lower reinvestment rates for the six months ended June 30, 2010.   The investment yields are lower primarily due to lower reinvestment rates.fixed income portfolio.

Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).  Net realized capital gains were $82.6 million and net realized capital losses were $68.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $95.52011, respectively.  Of the $82.6 million, there were $83.2 million of gains from fair value re-measurements, partially offset by $0.5 million of other-than-temporary impairments on our available for sale fixed maturity securities and $0.1 million of net realized capital losses from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities.  The net realized capital losses of $68.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Ofwere the $68.2 million, there wereresult of $62.5 million of losses from fair value re-measurements and $5.6 million of net realized capital losses from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities.  The

Net realized capital gains were $258.7 million and net realized capital losses of $95.5were $27.7 million for the threesix months ended June 30, 20102012 and 2011, respectively.  Of the $258.7 million, there were the result of $94.4$236.0 million of lossesgains from fair value re-measurements and $1.1$28.9 million of net realized capital lossesgains from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities, partially offset by $6.1 million of other-than-temporary impairments on our available for sale fixed maturity securities.

Net  The net realized capital losses wereof $27.7 million and $100.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Ofwere the $27.7 million, there wereresult of $17.5 million of net realized capital losses from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities and $13.6 million of other-than-temporary impairments on our available for sale fixed maturity securities, which were partially offset by $3.5 million of gains from fair value re-measurements.  The net realized capital losses of $100.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 were the result of $100.9 million of losses from fair value re-measurements, partially offset by $0.1 million of net realized capital gains from sales on our fixed maturity and equity securities.

Other Income (Expense).  We recorded other income of $25.4 million and $19.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.  We recorded other expense of $11.6 million and $11.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.  We recorded other income of $8.7 million and $13.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.  The changes were primarily the result ofdue to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for the corresponding periods.periods and fluctuations in the amortization of deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance agreements with affiliates.

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

 Three Months Ended June 30, Three Months Ended June 30,
 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
2012                     
Attritional (a) $266.1   60.8%  $14.1   3.2%  $280.2   64.0% 
Catastrophes  15.0   3.4%   (1.7)  -0.4%   13.3   3.0% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $281.1   64.2%  $12.5   2.8%  $293.6   67.0% 
                           
2011                                                
Attritional (a) $251.7   55.8%  $(7.5)  -1.7%  $244.2   54.1%  $251.7   55.8%  $(7.5)  -1.7%  $244.2   54.1% 
Catastrophes  60.8   13.4%   7.9   1.7%   68.7   15.2%   60.8   13.4%   7.9   1.7%   68.7   15.2% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $312.5   69.2%  $0.4   0.0%  $312.8   69.2%  $312.5   69.2%  $0.4   0.0%  $312.8   69.2% 
                                                      
2010                           
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional (a) $265.5   60.0%  $9.7   2.2%  $275.2   62.2%  $14.4   5.0 pts $21.6   4.9 pts $36.0   9.9 pts
Catastrophes  45.9   10.4%   (6.4)  -1.4%   39.5   8.9%   (45.8)  (10.0)pts  (9.6)  (2.1)pts  (55.4)  (12.2)pts
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total $311.4   70.3%  $3.3   0.8%  $314.7   71.1%  $(31.4)  (5.0)pts $12.1   2.8 pts $(19.2)  (2.2)pts
                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional (a) $(13.8)  (4.2)pts $(17.2)  (3.9)pts $(31.0)  (8.1)pts
Catastrophes  14.9   3.0 pts  14.3   3.1 pts  29.2   6.3 pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total $1.1   (1.1)pts $(2.9)  (0.8)pts $(1.9)  (1.9)pts

 Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 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
2012                     
Attritional (a) $501.5   57.6%  $15.9   1.8%  $517.4   59.4% 
Catastrophes  30.0   3.4%   (3.5)  -0.4%   26.5   3.0% 
A&E  -   0.0%   0.1   0.0%   0.1   0.0% 
Total $531.5   61.0%  $12.5   1.4%  $544.0   62.4% 
                           
2011                                                
Attritional (a) $508.1   55.7%  $(18.0)  -2.0%  $490.2   53.8%  $508.1   55.7%  $(18.0)  -2.0%  $490.2   53.8% 
Catastrophes  365.1   40.1%   10.6   1.2%   375.7   41.2%   365.1   40.1%   10.6   1.2%   375.7   41.2% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $873.2   95.8%  $(7.3)  -0.8%  $865.8   95.0%  $873.2   95.8%  $(7.3)  -0.8%  $865.8   95.0% 
                                                      
2010                           
Attritional (a) $533.8   62.3%  $0.4   0.1%  $534.2   62.3% 
Catastrophes  211.1   24.6%   (3.5)  -0.4%   207.5   24.2% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total $744.9   86.9%  $(3.1)  -0.4%  $741.8   86.6% 
                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Variance 2012/2011
                           
Attritional (a) $(25.7)  (6.6)pts $(18.4)  (2.1)pts $(44.0)  (8.5)pts $(6.6)  1.9 pts $33.9   3.8 pts $27.2   5.6 pts
Catastrophes  154.0   15.5 pts  14.1   1.6 pts  168.2   17.0 pts  (335.1)  (36.7)pts  (14.1)  (1.6)pts  (349.2)  (38.2)pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  0.1   - pts  0.1   - pts
Total $128.3   8.9 pts $(4.2)  (0.4)pts $124.0   8.4 pts $(341.7)  (34.8)pts $19.8   2.2 pts $(321.8)  (32.6)pts
                                                      
(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and Asbestos and Environmental ("A&E") losses.(a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and Asbestos and Environmental ("A&E") losses.           (a) Attritional losses exclude catastrophe and Asbestos and Environmental ("A&E") losses.               
(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 decreased by $1.9$19.2 million, or 0.6%,representing 2.2 loss ratio points for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Of the $1.9 million decrease, attritional2011.  Current year catastrophe losses decreased $31.0were lower by $45.8 million, or 8.110.0 points, period over period.  The $15.0 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2012 related to U.S. storm losses.  The $60.8 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2011 related primarily due to lower attritional loss ratios across most segments due, in part, to changes inU.S. storm losses ($24.7 million), the mix of business, but also due to the impact of the change in cessions under the affiliated quota share agreement.2011 New Zealand earthquake ($20.3 million) and Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($9.5 million).  Partially offsetting the decrease in attritionalcurrent year catastrophe losses was an increase in catastropheattritional losses of $29.2$36.0 million, or 9.9 loss ratio points, primarily due to the impact from year over year cessions under our affiliated quota share agreements resulting from movement in foreign exchange rates and changes in ceding percentages.

Incurred losses and LAE decreased by $321.8 million, representing 32.6 loss ratio points for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2011. Current year catastrophe losses were lower by $335.1 million, or 36.7 points, period over period.  The $30.0 million of current year catastrophe losses from thefor 2012 related to U.S. Midwest tornadoes and the first quarter earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan as well as unfavorable priorstorm losses.  The $365.1 million of current year development mainly due to the Chile earthquake.catastrophe

 
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Incurred losses and LAE increased by $124.0 million, or 16.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2011 comparedrelated primarily to the six months ended June 30, 2010.  Current year catastropheJapanese earthquake and tsunami ($192.2 million), the 2011 New Zealand earthquake ($110.0 million), the 2011 Australian floods ($27.5 million) and U.S. Storms ($24.7 million).  Attritional losses increased $154.0$27.2 million, (15.5 points), period over period, primarily due to losses from the Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, Australia floods and the U.S. Midwest tornadoes.  Partially offsetting the catastrophe increase, the current year attritional losses decreased by $25.7 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower attritionalrepresenting 5.6 loss ratios across most segments due, in part, to changes in the mix of business, but alsoratio points, due to the impact of the changeforeign exchange and changes in cessions under theour affiliated quota share agreement.agreements, partially offset by rate increases in catastrophe exposed areas and a shift in mix of business towards property catastrophe and excess of loss business, which generally carry lower attritional losses.

Commission, Brokerage, Taxes and Fees.  Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees decreasedincreased by $7.9$13.1 million, or 8.9%16.3%, for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the same period in 2010.  Commission, brokerage, taxes2011, and fees increased by $12.8$12.0 million, or 8.2%7.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to the same period in 2010.  The variances were2011, due primarily to the resultone-time effect of fluctuationsthe cancelled Florida quota share contract and the adoption of new accounting standards concerning the accounting for acquisition costs, which is increasing expenses in premiums earned, changes2012, partially offset by an increase in mixexcess of loss business which carries a lower commission than pro rata business and a change in the affiliated quota share agreement.better terms.

Other Underwriting Expenses.  Other underwriting expenses wereincreased to $41.1 million from $39.2 million and $35.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 and 2010,2011, respectively, and $77.4increased to $80.6 million and $68.1from $77.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and 2010, respectively.  The increases wererespectively, due primarily attributable to expenses of Heartland, which was acquired in January 2011.higher employee benefit plan expenses.

Corporate Expenses.  Corporate expenses, which are general operating expenses that are not allocated to segments, were $1.2$1.7 million and $1.5$1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 and 2010,2011, respectively, and $2.4$3.3 million and $3.7$2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 and 2010,2011, respectively.

Interest, Fees and Bond Issue Cost Amortization Expense. Interest, fees and other bond amortization expense was $12.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and 2010respectively, and $25.4 million and $29.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and 2010, respectively.  The decrease for the six month period was primarily due to the maturing of debt in March, 2010.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  We had anincome tax expense of $52.6 million and $131.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.  We had income tax expense of $1.8 million and an income tax benefit of $7.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.  We had an income tax benefit of $24.1 million and $26.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.  Our income tax is primarily a function of the statutory tax rates 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 increases in tax expense were mainly due to the improvement in taxable income resulting from lower catastrophe losses in 2012, and also reflect tax benefits of $9.3 million and $21.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, due to corrections of understatements in the deferred tax asset account.

Net Income (Loss).
Our net income was $8.8$125.7 million and $16.9$8.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 and 2010,2011, respectively.  Our net income was $340.4 million and our net loss was $88.7 million and $28.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 and 2010,2011, respectively.  The decreasesincreases were primarily driven by higherthe decline in catastrophe losses in 2011 in addition2012 compared to the other components discussed above.prior period.

Ratios.
Our combined ratio decreasedincreased by 3.42.0 points to 97.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 95.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 comparedand decreased by 29.7 points to 99.0%92.3% for the same period in 2010, and increased by 9.3 pointssix months ended June 30, 2012 compared to 122.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 112.7% for the same period in 2010.2011.  The loss ratio component decreased by 1.92.2 points and increased by 8.432.6 points for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011,2012, respectively, over the same periods last year.  The commission and brokerage expense ratio decreased by 2.1 pointsyear due to 17.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 19.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2010, and increased slightly to 18.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to 18.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2010.lower catastrophe losses.  The other underwriting expense ratio component and the commission and brokerage ratio component both increased slightly for bothover the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 comparedsame period last year due to the same periods last year.increase in expenses explained above.

 
Stockholder's Equity.
Stockholder's equity decreasedincreased by $50.2$350.1 million to $3,077.5$3,291.5 million at June 30, 20112012 from $3,127.7$2,941.4 million at December 31, 2010,2011, principally as a result of $88.7$340.4 million of net loss, partially offset by $24.5income, $6.9 million of unrealized appreciation on investments, net of tax, $9.3$3.4 million of share-based compensation transactions and $2.0 million of net benefit plan obligation adjustments, partially offset by $2.6 million of foreign currency translation adjustments and $3.2 million of share-based compensation transactions.adjustments.

Consolidated Investment Results

Net Investment Income.
Net investment income decreased 5.5%12.1% to $74.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $84.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, comparedand decreased 9.4% to $89.3$155.4 million for the threesix months ended June 30, 2010, and decreased 1.6%2012 compared to $171.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $174.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  The decreases period over period, were primarily due to decreases in income from our limited partnership investments and a decline in income from our fixed maturities reflective of reducing our municipal bond exposure and decliningresulting from lower reinvestment rates.  The declines were partially offset by income from our expanded public equity portfolios and higher income from our limited partnership investments.

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

 Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30, June 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010  2012 2011 2012 2011
Fixed maturities $59.1  $75.8  $119.8  $149.4  $54.0  $59.1  $108.8  $119.8 
Equity securities  6.5   2.6   11.6   5.0   10.1   6.5   20.4   11.6 
Short-term investments and cash  0.4   0.1   0.6   0.2   0.3   0.4   0.4   0.6 
Other invested assets                                
Limited partnerships  13.9   8.9   32.4   18.3   9.2   13.9   20.8   32.4 
Dividends from Parent's shares  4.7   4.1   9.3   5.6   4.6   4.7   9.3   9.3 
Other  4.1   0.4   4.7   0.7   (0.5)  4.1   1.0   4.7 
Total gross investment income  88.7   91.9   178.4   179.2   77.7   88.7   160.8   178.4 
Interest debited (credited) and other expense  (4.3)  (2.6)  (6.8)  (4.7)  (3.6)  (4.3)  (5.4)  (6.8)
Total net investment income $84.5  $89.3  $171.6  $174.5  $74.2  $84.5  $155.4  $171.6 
   
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                

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

At AtAt At
June 30, December 31,June 30, December 31,
2011 20102012 2011
Imbedded pre-tax yield of cash and invested assets3.6% 3.6%3.4% 3.6%
Imbedded after-tax yield of cash and invested assets2.8% 2.8%2.5% 2.7%
 
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, June 30,
 2011 2010 2011 2010
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets4.2% 4.5% 4.3% 4.4%
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets3.2% 3.6% 3.3% 3.6%
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, June 30,
 2012 2011 2012 2011
Annualized pre-tax yield on average cash and invested assets3.6% 4.2% 3.8% 4.3%
Annualized after-tax yield on average cash and invested assets2.7% 3.2% 2.8% 3.3%

 
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Net Realized Capital Gains (Losses).
The following table presents the composition of our net realized capital gains (losses) for the periods indicated:

 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  Variance  2011  2010  Variance  2012 2011 Variance 2012 2011 Variance
Gains (losses) from sales:                                    
Fixed maturity securities, market value                                    
Gains $2.7  $5.4  $(2.7) $16.8  $7.0  $9.8  $3.6  $2.7  $0.9  $7.2  $16.8  $(9.6)
Losses  (8.7)  (3.7)  (5.0)  (35.1)  (6.2)  (28.9)  (1.2)  (8.7)  7.5   (3.3)  (35.1)  31.8 
Total  (6.0)  1.6   (7.6)  (18.3)  0.8   (19.1)  2.4   (6.0)  8.4   3.9   (18.3)  22.2 
                                                
Fixed maturity securities, fair value                                                
Gains  0.6   0.2   0.4   0.8   0.3   0.5   0.1   0.6   (0.5)  5.5   0.8   4.7 
Losses  -   -   -   (1.7)  -   (1.7)  (0.2)  -   (0.2)  (0.4)  (1.7)  1.3 
Total  0.6   0.2   0.4   (0.9)  0.3   (1.2)  (0.2)  0.6   (0.8)  5.0   (0.9)  5.9 
                                                
Equity securities, market value                                                
Gains  -   -   -   0.2   -   0.2   -   -   -   -   0.2   (0.2)
Losses  -   -   -   (0.2)  -   (0.2)  -   -   -   -   (0.2)  0.2 
Total  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
                                                
Equity securities, fair value                                                
Gains  0.7   1.2   (0.5)  2.9   3.6   (0.7)  1.0   0.7   0.3   27.8   2.9   24.9 
Losses  (0.9)  (4.1)  3.2   (1.2)  (4.6)  3.4   (3.4)  (0.9)  (2.5)  (7.9)  (1.2)  (6.7)
Total  (0.2)  (2.9)  2.7   1.7   (1.0)  2.7   (2.4)  (0.2)  (2.2)  19.9   1.7   18.2 
                                                
Total net realized gains (losses) from sales                                                
Gains  4.0   6.8   (2.8)  20.7   10.9   9.8   4.7   4.0   0.7   40.5   20.7   19.8 
Losses  (9.6)  (7.8)  (1.8)  (38.2)  (10.8)  (27.4)  (4.8)  (9.6)  4.8   (11.6)  (38.2)  26.6 
Total  (5.6)  (1.1)  (4.5)  (17.5)  0.1   (17.6)  (0.1)  (5.6)  5.5   28.9   (17.5)  46.4 
                                                
Other-than-temporary impairments:  -   -   -   (13.6)  -   (13.6)  (0.5)  -   (0.5)  (6.1)  (13.6)  7.5 
                                                
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments:                                                
Fixed maturities, fair value  -   (2.5)  2.5   (3.5)  0.5   (4.0)  (1.7)  -   (1.7)  1.3   (3.5)  4.8 
Equity securities, fair value  -   (30.0)  30.0   38.1   (16.8)  54.9   (21.7)  -   (21.7)  46.1   38.1   8.0 
Other invested assets, fair value  (62.5)  (61.9)  (0.6)  (31.1)  (84.6)  53.5   106.7   (62.5)  169.2   188.6   (31.1)  219.7 
Total  (62.5)  (94.4)  31.9   3.5   (100.9)  104.4   83.2   (62.5)  145.7   236.0   3.5   232.5 
                                                
Total net realized capital gains (losses) $(68.2) $(95.5) $27.4  $(27.7) $(100.8) $73.1  $82.6  $(68.2) $150.8  $258.7  $(27.7) $286.4 
                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                             

Net realized capital gains were $82.6 million and net realized capital losses were $68.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, compared to $95.5 million forrespectively.  For the three months ended June 30, 2010.2012, we recorded $83.2 million of gains due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity, equity securities and other invested assets, partially offset by $0.5 million of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities and $0.1 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.  For the three months ended June 30, 2011, we recorded $62.5 million ofin losses due to fair value re-measurements on other invested assets and $5.6 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.  The net realized losses on the sales of fixed maturity securities in 2011 included the impact of selling part of our municipal bond portfolio as credit concerns arose in this market sector.  For the three months ended June 30, 2010, we recorded $94.4 million in losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and equity securities and other invested assets and $1.1 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.

 
3433


Net realized capital gains were $258.7 million and net realized capital losses were $27.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, compared to net realized capital losses of $100.8 million forrespectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2010.2012, we recorded $236.0 million of gains due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity, equity securities and other invested assets and $28.9 million of net realized capital gains from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities, partially offset by $6.1 million of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities.  For the six months ended June 30, 2011, we recorded $17.5 million of net realized capital losses from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities and $13.6 million of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities, partially offset by $3.5 million ofin gains due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturitymaturities and equity securities and other invested assets.  The net realized losses on the sales of fixed maturity securities in 2011 included the impact of selling part of our municipal bond portfolio as credit concerns arose in this market sector.  For the six months ended June 30, 2010, we recorded $100.9 million in losses due to fair value re-measurements on fixed maturity and equity securities and other invested assets and $0.1 million of net realized capital gains from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities.

Segment Results.
ThroughDuring the quarter ended September 30, 2011, we realigned our subsidiaries, we operatereporting segments to reflect recent changes in four segments:the type and volume of business written. We previously reported the results of Marine & Aviation, Surety, A&H Reinsurance and A&H Primary operations as a separate segment—Specialty Underwriting.  The A&H primary business, which is a relatively new line of business for us, has increased significantly, representing approximately 2% of premiums earned and is projected to continue to grow.  The A&H primary business is better aligned with the Insurance reporting segment based on the similarities of this business with those businesses already reflected in the Insurance segment.  The other operating units included in the Specialty Underwriting segment would have encompassed less than 5% of our premiums earned and their volume is projected to remain approximately 6%.  As a result of the size of these remaining operating units and their similarity to the business reported within U.S. Reinsurance, Insurance, Specialty Underwriting and International.  they have been reclassified to the U.S. Reinsurance segment.  There has been no change to the International reporting segment.  We have restated all segment information for prior years to conform to the new reporting segment structure.

The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including Marine, Aviation, Surety and A&H business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S.  The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re’s branches in Canada, Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey.  The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance, including medical stop loss insurance, directly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S and Canada.  The Specialty Underwriting operation writes 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 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.

 
3534


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 June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change  2012 2011 Variance % Change 2012 2011 Variance % Change
Gross written premiums $230.3  $268.2  $(38.0)  -14.2% $484.2  $512.2  $(28.1)  -5.5% $135.5  $280.2  $(144.8)  -51.7% $505.0  $586.3  $(81.4)  -13.9%
Net written premiums  123.8   150.5   (26.7)  -17.7%  260.3   278.9   (18.6)  -6.7%  68.2   153.5   (85.3)  -55.6%  255.4   318.6   (63.2)  -19.8%
                                                                
Premiums earned $141.6  $162.5  $(20.9)  -12.8% $286.8  $289.5  $(2.7)  -0.9% $164.1  $168.9  $(4.7)  -2.8% $348.0  $344.6  $3.4   1.0%
Incurred losses and LAE  112.7   84.3   28.3   33.6%  236.1   174.5   61.6   35.3%  103.5   131.9   (28.4)  -21.5%  213.2   274.4   (61.2)  -22.3%
Commission and brokerage  32.5   35.9   (3.3)  -9.2%  69.6   63.1   6.6   10.4%  54.7   39.1   15.6   39.9%  99.8   82.8   17.0   20.5%
Other underwriting expenses  7.9   9.4   (1.5)  -16.1%  15.8   17.2   (1.4)  -8.2%  10.0   9.9   0.1   1.5%  20.8   19.8   1.0   5.0%
Underwriting gain (loss) $(11.4) $32.9  $(44.3)  -134.7% $(34.7) $34.8  $(69.5)  -199.8% $(4.0) $(11.9) $7.9   -66.3% $14.2  $(32.5) $46.6   -143.6%
                                                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  79.5%  51.9%      27.6   82.3%  60.3%      22.0   63.0%  78.1%      (15.1)  61.3%  79.6%      (18.3)
Commission and brokerage ratio  23.0%  22.1%      0.9   24.3%  21.8%      2.5   33.3%  23.1%      10.2   28.7%  24.0%      4.7 
Other underwriting expense ratio  5.6%  5.7%      (0.1)  5.5%  5.9%      (0.4)  6.1%  5.9%      0.2   5.9%  5.8%      0.1 
Combined ratio  108.1%  79.7%      28.4   112.1%  88.0%      24.1   102.4%  107.1%      (4.7)  95.9%  109.4%      (13.5)
                                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                                                

Premiums. Gross written premiums decreased by 14.2%51.7% to $230.3$135.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 from $280.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, from $268.2primarily due to the non-renewal of a large Florida quota share reinsurance contract, partially offset by increased new business and higher premium rates on renewals, particularly for catastrophe exposed risks.  Net written premiums decreased 55.6% to $68.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due2012 compared to reduced premium volume for treaty casualty and crop reinsurance business due to the non-renewal of several contracts, partially offset by a $2.5 million increase in reinstatement premiums due to current quarter catastrophe loss activity.  Net written premiums decreased 17.7% to $123.8$153.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $150.5 million forwhich is in line with the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to thepercentage decrease in gross written premiums for the quarter.  Premiums earned decreased 12.8%2.8% to $141.6$164.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $162.5$168.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  The change invariance difference between premiums earned is relatively consistent with the decrease inand net written premiums.  premiums was primarily attributable to the non-renewal of the large Florida quota share reinsurance contract partially offset by increases in new business and rate increases on renewals, particularly for catastrophe exposed contracts.

Gross written premiums decreased by 5.5%13.9% to $484.2$505.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 from $586.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, from $512.2primarily due to the non-renewal of a large Florida quota share reinsurance contract, partially offset by increased new business and higher premium rates on renewals, particularly for contracts with catastrophe exposed risks.  Net written premiums decreased 19.8% to $255.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due2012 compared to reduced premium volume for treaty casualty and crop reinsurance business due to the non-renewal of several contracts, partially offset by a $9.2 million increase in reinstatement premiums due to catastrophe loss activity.  Net written premiums decreased 6.7% to $260.3$318.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, comparedwhich is in line with the decrease in gross written premiums.  Premiums earned increased 1.0% to $278.9$348.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due2012 compared to the decrease in gross written premiums for the year.  Premiums earned decreased 0.9% to $286.8$344.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $289.5 million for2011.  As with the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The change inquarter, the variance difference between premiums earned relative toand net written premiums is primarily attributable to the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiationnon-renewal of the coverage period.  large Florida quota share reinsurance contract partially offset by increases in new business and rate increases on renewals, particularly for catastrophe exposed contracts.

 
3635


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

 Three Months Ended June 30, Three Months Ended June 30,
 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
2012                     
Attritional $82.9   50.6%  $8.3   5.0%  $91.2   55.6% 
Catastrophes  15.0   9.1%   (2.7)  -1.7%   12.3   7.4% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $97.9   59.7%  $5.6   3.3%  $103.5   63.0% 
                           
2011                               ��                
Attritional $74.9   52.8%  $1.8   1.3%  $76.7   54.1%  $93.3   55.2%  $1.9   1.1%  $95.2   56.3% 
Catastrophes  26.7   18.8%   9.3   6.6%   36.0   25.4%   28.0   16.6%   8.8   5.2%   36.8   21.8% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $101.6   71.6%  $11.1   7.9%  $112.7   79.5%  $121.3   71.8%  $10.7   6.3%  $131.9   78.1% 
                                                      
2010                           
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional $79.0   48.6%  $9.7   6.0%  $88.7   54.6%  $(10.4)  (4.6)pts $6.4   3.9 pts $(4.0)  (0.7)pts
Catastrophes  (2.8)  -1.7%   (1.6)  -1.0%   (4.4)  -2.7%   (13.0)  (7.5)pts  (11.5)  (6.9)pts  (24.5)  (14.4)pts
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total segment $76.2   46.9%  $8.1   5.0%  $84.3   51.9%  $(23.4)  (12.1)pts $(5.1)  (3.0)pts $(28.4)  (15.1)pts
                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $(4.1)  4.2 pts $(7.9)  (4.7)pts $(12.0)  (0.5)pts
Catastrophes  29.5   20.5 pts  10.9   7.6 pts  40.4   28.1 pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts
Total segment $25.4   24.7 pts $3.0   2.9 pts $28.4   27.6 pts
 
 Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 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
2012                     
Attritional $177.6   51.1%  $12.6   3.6%  $190.2   54.7% 
Catastrophes  30.0   8.6%   (7.1)  -2.0%   22.9   6.6% 
A&E  -   0.0%   0.1   0.0%   0.1   0.0% 
Total segment $207.6   59.7%  $5.6   1.6%  $213.2   61.3% 
                           
2011                                                
Attritional $141.4   49.2%  $0.2   0.1%  $141.6   49.3%  $179.7   52.1%  $(0.5)  -0.2%  $179.2   51.9% 
Catastrophes  84.5   29.5%   10.1   3.5%   94.5   33.0%   85.7   24.9%   9.5   2.8%   95.2   27.7% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $225.9   78.7%  $10.3   3.6%  $236.1   82.3%  $265.4   77.0%  $9.0   2.6%  $274.4   79.6% 
                                                      
2010                           
Attritional $155.2   53.6%  $5.5   1.9%  $160.7   55.5% 
Catastrophes  12.9   4.4%   0.9   0.3%   13.8   4.8% 
A&E  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $168.1   58.1%  $6.4   2.2%  $174.5   60.3% 
                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional $(13.8)  (4.4)pts $(5.3)  (1.8)pts $(19.1)  (6.2)pts $(2.1)  (1.0)pts $13.1   3.8 pts $11.0   2.8 pts
Catastrophes  71.6   25.1 pts  9.2   3.2 pts  80.7   28.2 pts  (55.7)  (16.3)pts  (16.6)  (4.8)pts  (72.3)  (21.1)pts
A&E  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  -   - pts  0.1   - pts  0.1   - pts
Total segment $57.8   20.7 pts $3.9   1.4 pts $61.6   22.0 pts $(57.8)  (17.3)pts $(3.4)  (1.0)pts $(61.2)  (18.3)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 were $28.4 million (27.6(15.1 points) higherlower at $112.7$103.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $131.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $84.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of the $29.5$13.0 million (20.5(7.5 points) increasedecrease in current year catastrophe losses largely due to the U.S. Midwest tornadoes and Australian floods, and the $10.9$10.4 million (7.6 points) increase to prior year catastrophe losses, primarily due to development on the Chile earthquake, partially offset by the $4.1 million (4.2(4.6 points) decrease in current year attritional losses.  The $15.0 million of current year catastrophe losses reflectivefor 2012 related to U.S. storm losses.  The $28.0 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2011 related primarily to U.S. storms ($24.2 million) and Australian floods ($1.4 million).  The decrease in current year attritional losses was primarily due to a shift in the mix of business towards catastrophe excess of loss business, which generally has lower earned premium.attritional losses.

Incurred losses were $61.6$61.2 million (22.0(18.3 points) higherlower at $236.1$213.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $274.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, compared to $174.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily as a result of the $71.6$55.7 million (25.1(16.3 points) increasedecrease in current year catastrophe losses, largely due to the Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, U.S. Midwest tornadoes and Australian floods, and the $9.2losses.  The $30.0 million (3.2 points) increase in priorof current year catastrophe losses largely duefor 2012 related to U.S. storm losses.  The $85.7 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2011 related primarily to the Chile earthquake. Partially offsetting these increases,Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($35.6 million), U.S. storms ($24.2 million), the current year attritional losses decreased $13.8 million (4.4 points), due, in part, to higher reinstatement premiums inNew Zealand earthquake ($22.7 million) and the current year, which are booked without an additional loss provision.Australian floods ($2.4 million).

 
3736


Segment Expenses.  Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 9.2%increased 39.9% to $32.5$54.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $39.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.  Commission and brokerage expenses increased 20.5% to $99.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $82.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.  These variances were primarily due to the one-time effect resulting from commissions of the cancelled Florida quota share contract.

Segment other underwriting expenses increased slightly to $10.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $9.9 million for the same period in 2011 and to $20.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $19.8 million for the same period in 2011.

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

  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2012 2011 Variance % Change 2012 2011 Variance % Change
Gross written premiums $349.7  $288.7  $61.0   21.1% $630.2  $597.6  $32.6   5.5%
Net written premiums  160.2   141.5   18.7   13.2%  296.5   299.6   (3.1)  -1.0%
                                 
Premiums earned $157.0  $162.4  $(5.4)  -3.3% $304.8  $328.9  $(24.1)  -7.3%
Incurred losses and LAE  97.9   90.9   7.0   7.7%  162.5   409.7   (247.2)  -60.3%
Commission and brokerage  37.0   32.9   4.0   12.2%  68.7   70.1   (1.3)  -1.9%
Other underwriting expenses  6.5   7.0   (0.4)  -5.8%  13.3   13.4   (0.1)  -0.8%
Underwriting gain (loss) $15.6  $31.7  $(16.1)  -50.7% $60.3  $(164.2) $224.5   -136.7%
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  62.3%  55.9%      6.4   53.3%  124.5%      (71.2)
Commission and brokerage ratio  23.6%  20.3%      3.3   22.6%  21.3%      1.3 
Other underwriting expense ratio  4.2%  4.3%      (0.1)  4.3%  4.1%      0.2 
Combined ratio  90.1%  80.5%      9.6   80.2%  149.9%      (69.7)
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                

Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 21.1% to $349.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $288.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, comparedprimarily due to $35.9increased premium from the Latin American and Asian regions, with the latter experiencing significant rate increases following the 2011 catastrophe loss events, which was partially offset by a lower premium impact of the shift in this business away from pro rata to excess of loss. Net written premiums increased by 13.2% to $160.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Commission and brokerage expenses2012 compared to $141.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, primarily due to a increase in gross written premiums.  Premiums earned decreased by 3.3% to $157.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $162.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums was the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.

Gross written premiums increased 10.4%by 5.5% to $69.6$630.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $597.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, comparedprimarily due to $63.1increased premium from the Latin American and Asian regions, with the latter experiencing significant rate increases following the 2011 catastrophe loss events, which was partially offset by a lower premium impact of the shift in this business away from pro rata to excess of loss.  Net written premiums decreased by 1.0% to $296.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  These variances were2012 compared to $299.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, primarily due to the impact of changes in our affiliated quota share agreements.  Premiums earned decreased by 7.3% to $304.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $328.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.  The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums was the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
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Incurred Losses and LAE. The following tables present the mix of business with varying commission rates.incurred losses and LAE for the International segment for the periods indicated.

Segment other underwriting expenses decreased
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2012                     
Attritional $93.8   59.7%  $3.1   1.9%  $96.8   61.6% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   1.1   0.7%   1.1   0.7% 
Total segment $93.8   59.7%  $4.2   2.6%  $97.9   62.3% 
                            
2011                           
Attritional $67.3   41.4%  $(8.1)  -5.0%  $59.2   36.4% 
Catastrophes  32.8   20.2%   (1.1)  -0.7%   31.7   19.5% 
Total segment $100.1   61.6%  $(9.2)  -5.7%  $90.9   55.9% 
                            
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional $26.5   18.3 pts $11.2   6.9 pts $37.6   25.2 pts
Catastrophes  (32.8)  (20.2)pts  2.2   1.4 pts  (30.6)  (18.8)pts
Total segment $(6.3)  (1.9)pts $13.4   8.3 pts $7.0   6.4 pts
  Six Months Ended June 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2012                     
Attritional $158.9   52.1%  $-   0.0%  $158.9   52.1% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   3.6   1.2%   3.6   1.2% 
Total segment $158.9   52.1%  $3.6   1.2%  $162.5   53.3% 
                            
2011                           
Attritional $141.5   42.9%  $(12.0)  -3.6%  $129.5   39.3% 
Catastrophes  279.3   84.9%   0.9   0.3%   280.2   85.2% 
Total segment $420.8   127.8%  $(11.1)  -3.3%  $409.7   124.5% 
                            
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional $17.4   9.2 pts $12.0   3.6 pts $29.4   12.8 pts
Catastrophes  (279.3)  (84.9)pts  2.7   0.9 pts  (276.6)  (84.0)pts
Total segment $(261.9)  (75.7)pts $14.7   4.5 pts $(247.2)  (71.2)pts
                            
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                        

Incurred losses and LAE increased 7.7% to $7.9$97.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $90.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, representing 6.4 loss ratio points.  The increase was principally due to a $37.6 million (25.2 points) increase in attritional losses due to the impact from year over year cessions under our affiliated quota share agreements resulting from movement in foreign exchange rates and changes in ceding percentages, partially offset by a decrease in current year catastrophe losses of $32.8 million (20.2 points).  There were no current year catastrophe losses in 2012 compared to $9.4$32.8 million of 2011 current year catastrophes, which primarily related to the New Zealand earthquake ($20.1 million) and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($8.2 million).

Incurred losses and LAE decreased 60.3% to $162.5 million for the same period in 2010.  Segment other underwriting expenses decreasedsix months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $15.8$409.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, representing 71.2 loss ratio points.  The decrease was principally due to a $279.3 million (84.9 points) decrease in current year catastrophe losses.  There were no current year catastrophe losses in 2012 compared to $17.2$279.3 million current year catastrophes in 2011, which primarily related to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($156.6 million), the New Zealand earthquake ($87.3 million) and the Australian flood ($25.1 million).  Attritional losses increased by $29.4 million (12.8 points) primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange and changes in our affiliated quota share agreements.
38

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses increased 12.2% to $37.0 million for the same period in 2010.three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $32.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.  Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 1.9% to $68.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $70.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.  These variances were principally due to reduced operating coststhe impact of changes in our affiliated quota share agreements and a shift in the mix of business.
Segment other underwriting expenses decreased slightly to $6.5 million for the segment.three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and to $13.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $13.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.

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

 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change  2012 2011 Variance % Change 2012 2011 Variance % Change
Gross written premiums $226.1  $204.9  $21.2   10.3% $480.6  $433.2  $47.4   10.9% $247.7  $242.5  $5.2   2.1% $454.9  $514.0  $(59.0)  -11.5%
Net written premiums  109.2   80.8   28.4   35.1%  234.2   183.3   51.0   27.8%  111.1   115.0   (3.9)  -3.4%  214.9   251.9   (37.0)  -14.7%
                                                                
Premiums earned $114.9  $86.2  $28.8   33.4% $220.3  $187.4  $32.9   17.6% $117.3  $120.7  $(3.4)  -2.8% $219.4  $237.9  $(18.6)  -7.8%
Incurred losses and LAE  84.4   71.8   12.6   17.6%  169.9   144.8   25.2   17.4%  92.2   90.1   2.1   2.3%  168.2   181.7   (13.5)  -7.4%
Commission and brokerage  7.4   6.1   1.3   21.0%  13.7   7.7   6.0   77.0%  1.7   8.3   (6.5)  -79.0%  12.3   15.9   (3.6)  -22.8%
Other underwriting expenses  22.4   16.3   6.1   37.6%  44.3   32.9   11.4   34.7%  24.5   22.4   2.1   9.5%  46.6   44.3   2.3   5.1%
Underwriting gain (loss) $0.8  $(8.0) $8.7   -109.4% $(7.6) $2.0  $(9.6) NM $(1.2) $-  $(1.1) NM  $(7.7) $(4.0) $(3.7)  93.4%
                                                                
             Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  73.4%  83.3%      (9.9)  77.1%  77.3%      (0.2)  78.6%  74.6%      4.0   76.7%  76.4%      0.3 
Commission and brokerage ratio  6.4%  7.1%      (0.7)  6.2%  4.1%      2.1   1.5%  6.9%      (5.4)  5.6%  6.7%      (1.1)
Other underwriting expense ratio  19.5%  18.9%      0.6   20.2%  17.5%      2.7   20.9%  18.5%      2.4   21.2%  18.6%      2.6 
Combined ratio  99.3%  109.3%      (10.0)  103.5%  98.9%      4.6   101.0%  100.0%      1.0   103.5%  101.7%      1.8 
                                                                
(NM, not meaningful)                                                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                                                

Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 10.3%2.1% to $226.1$247.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $204.9$242.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  This increase was primarily due to strategic portfolio changes with growththe increase in short-tail business, primarily driven by the acquisition of Heartland, which provided $38.7 million of new crop insurance premium in the current quarter,premiums, partially offset by the planned reductionrun-off of a large casualty program.terminated business.  Net written premiums increased 35.1%decreased 3.4% to $109.2$111.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $80.8$115.0 million for the same period in 20102011 due to higher gross premiums and reduced levelsan increase in the use of ceded reinsurance primarily related to the reduced casualty program.on our crop business.  Premiums earned increased 33.4%decreased 2.8% to $114.9$117.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $86.2$120.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  The change in premiums earned is relatively consistent with the increase in net written premium.

Gross written premiums increased by 10.9% to $480.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $433.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  This was due to strategic portfolio changes with growth in short-tail business, primarily driven by the acquisition of Heartland, which provided $77.4 million of new crop insurance premium in 2011, partially offset by the reduction of a large casualty program.  Net written premiums increased 27.8% to $234.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $183.3 million for the same period in 2010 due to higher gross premiums and reduced levels of ceded reinsurance.  Premiums earned increased 17.6% to $220.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $187.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The change in premiums earned is relatively consistent with the increase in net written premium.

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Incurred Losses and LAE. The following tables present the incurred losses and LAE for the Insurance segment for the periods indicated.
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $85.4   74.3%  $(1.2)  -1.1%  $84.2   73.2% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   0.2   0.2%   0.2   0.2% 
Total segment $85.4   74.3%  $(1.0)  -0.9%  $84.4   73.4% 
                            
2010                           
Attritional $70.6   81.9%  $1.2   1.4%  $71.8   83.3% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $70.6   81.9%  $1.2   1.4%  $71.8   83.3% 
                            
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $14.8   (7.6)pts $(2.4)  (2.5)pts $12.4   (10.1)pts
Catastrophes  -   - pts  0.2   0.2 pts  0.2   0.2 pts
Total segment $14.8   (7.6)pts $(2.2)  (2.3)pts $12.6   (9.9)pts
  Six Months Ended June 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $175.1   79.5%  $(5.4)  -2.5%  $169.7   77.0% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   0.2   0.1%   0.2   0.1% 
Total segment $175.1   79.5%  $(5.2)  -2.4%  $169.9   77.1% 
                            
2010                           
Attritional $144.8   77.3%  $-   0.0%  $144.8   77.3% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $144.8   77.3%  $-   0.0%  $144.8   77.3% 
                            
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $30.3   2.2 pts $(5.4)  (2.5)pts $24.9   (0.3)pts
Catastrophes  -   - pts  0.2   0.1 pts  0.2   0.1 pts
Total segment $30.3   2.2 pts $(5.2)  (2.4)pts $25.1   (0.2)pts
                            
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                  
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 17.6% to $84.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $71.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  The increase was primarily due to higher net premiums earned, partially offset by a decline of 7.6 points in the current year attritional loss ratio, year over year.  The lower current year attritional loss ratio was due to a change in the mix of business with growth in short-tail/package business that has a lower loss ratio.

Incurred losses and LAE increased by 17.4% to $169.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $144.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The increase was due to higher net premiums earned and an increase of 2.2 points in the current year attritional loss ratio, due to higher expected loss ratios on several casualty programs, reflective of current market conditions, partially offset by favorable prior year development.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses increased to $7.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $6.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Commission and brokerage expenses increased to $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  These increases were primarily the result of an increase in net premiums earned and changes in the mix of business.

39

Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased to $22.4 million from $16.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Segment other underwriting expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2011 increased to $44.3 million from $32.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  These increases were primarily duecomparable to the expenses of the 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 June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $66.4  $65.9  $0.5   0.8% $135.5  $131.7  $3.8   2.9%
Net written premiums  35.5   37.8   (2.3)  -6.1%  75.9   75.1   0.8   1.1%
                                 
Premiums earned $33.1  $39.3  $(6.3)  -16.0% $75.5  $78.2  $(2.8)  -3.6%
Incurred losses and LAE  24.9   34.5   (9.6)  -27.9%  50.1   62.0   (11.8)  -19.1%
Commission and brokerage  7.4   9.0   (1.5)  -17.1%  15.4   17.5   (2.1)  -12.0%
Other underwriting expenses  2.0   2.4   (0.4)  -16.9%  4.0   4.4   (0.4)  -8.1%
Underwriting gain (loss) $(1.3) $(6.5) $5.3   -80.5% $5.9  $(5.6) $11.5   -205.3%
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  75.3%  87.7%      (12.4)  66.5%  79.2%      (12.7)
Commission and brokerage ratio  22.5%  22.8%      (0.3)  20.4%  22.4%      (2.0)
Other underwriting expense ratio  6.0%  6.1%      (0.1)  5.3%  5.6%      (0.3)
Combined ratio  103.8%  116.6%      (12.8)  92.2%  107.2%      (15.0)
                                 
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 0.8% to $66.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $65.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to an increase in A&H primary business for medical stop loss insurance offset by reductions in A&H reinsurance, Marine and Surety writings.  Net written premiums decreased 6.1% to $35.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $37.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to a change in the affiliated quota share agreement.  Premiums earned decreased 16.0% to $33.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $39.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, relatively consistent with the decrease in net written premiums.

Gross written premiums increaseddecreased by 2.9%11.5% to $135.5$454.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $131.7$514.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010,2011.  This decrease was primarily due todriven by the termination and runoff of several large casualty programs, partially offset by an increase in crop and A&H primary business for medical stop loss insurance offset by a reduction in A&H reinsurance and Marine business.  Net written premiums increased 1.1%decreased 14.7% to $75.9$214.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $75.1$251.9 million for the same period in 2011 due to the lower gross written premiums.  Premiums earned decreased 7.8% to $219.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The lower increase in net written premiums is primarily due2012 compared to the change in the affiliated quota share agreement.  Premiums earned decreased 3.6% to $75.5$237.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $78.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.2011.  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.

 
4039


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

 Three Months Ended June 30, Three Months Ended June 30,
 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
2012                     
Attritional $89.4   76.2%  $2.8   2.4%  $92.2   78.6% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $89.4   76.2%  $2.8   2.4%  $92.2   78.6% 
                           
2011                                                
Attritional $24.1   72.8%  $-   0.0%  $24.1   72.9%  $91.1   75.4%  $(1.2)  -1.0%  $89.9   74.4% 
Catastrophes  1.3   3.9%   (0.5)  -1.5%   0.8   2.4%   -   0.0%   0.2   0.2%   0.2   0.2% 
Total segment $25.4   76.7%  $(0.5)  -1.4%  $24.9   75.3%  $91.1   75.4%  $(1.0)  -0.8%  $90.1   74.6% 
                                                      
2010                           
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional $32.2   81.9%  $0.7   1.9%  $33.0   83.8%  $(1.7)  0.8 pts $4.0   3.4 pts $2.3   4.2 pts
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   1.6   4.0%   1.6   4.0%   -   - pts  (0.2)  (0.2)pts  (0.2)  (0.2)pts
Total segment $32.2   81.9%  $2.3   5.8%  $34.5   87.7%  $(1.7)  0.8 pts $3.8   3.2 pts $2.1   4.0 pts
                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $(8.1)  (9.1)pts $(0.7)  (1.8)pts $(8.9)  (10.9)pts
Catastrophes  1.3   3.9 pts  (2.1)  (5.5)pts  (0.8)  (1.6)pts
Total segment $(6.8)  (5.2)pts $(2.8)  (7.2)pts $(9.6)  (12.4)pts
 
 Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 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
2012                     
Attritional $164.9   75.2%  $3.3   1.5%  $168.2   76.7% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   -   0.0%   -   0.0% 
Total segment $164.9   75.2%  $3.3   1.5%  $168.2   76.7% 
                           
2011                                                
Attritional $50.1   66.4%  $(0.7)  -0.9%  $49.4   65.5%  $186.9  ��78.6%  $(5.4)  -2.3%  $181.5   76.3% 
Catastrophes  1.3   1.7%   (0.5)  -0.7%   0.7   1.0%   -   0.0%   0.2   0.1%   0.2   0.1% 
Total segment $51.4   68.1%  $(1.2)  -1.6%  $50.1   66.5%  $186.9   78.6%  $(5.2)  -2.2%  $181.7   76.4% 
                                                      
2010                           
Attritional $58.8   75.1%  $0.5   0.6%  $59.2   75.7% 
Catastrophes  -   0.0%   2.7   3.5%   2.7   3.5% 
Total segment $58.8   75.1%  $3.2   4.1%  $62.0   79.2% 
                           
Variance 2011/2010                           
Variance 2012/2011                           
Attritional $(8.7)  (8.7)pts $(1.2)  (1.5)pts $(9.8)  (10.2)pts $(22.0)  (3.4)pts $8.7   3.8 pts $(13.3)  0.4 pts
Catastrophes  1.3   1.7 pts  (3.2)  (4.2)pts  (2.0)  (2.5)pts  -   - pts  (0.2)  (0.1)pts  (0.2)  (0.1)pts
Total segment $(7.4)  (7.0)pts $(4.4)  (5.7)pts $(11.9)  (12.7)pts $(22.0)  (3.4)pts $8.5   3.7 pts $(13.5)  0.3 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 $2.1 million, or 2.3%, to $92.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $90.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011.  This was due primarily to an increase of $2.3 million (4.2 points) in attritional losses driven by the impact of changes in our affiliated quota share agreements.

Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 27.9%$13.5 million, or 7.4%, to $24.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $34.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, due primarily to the Deep Water Horizon rig loss included in the 2010 attritional losses, as well as changes in the mix of business.

Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 19.1% to $50.1$168.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 20112012 compared to $62.0$181.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010,2011.  This was primarily due primarily to the Deep Water Horizon rig losses includeda decrease of $22.0 million (3.4 points) in the 2010current year attritional losses driven by the decline in premiums earned and changesa shift in the mix of business.business towards short-tail business with lower loss ratios.

Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 17.1% to $7.4$1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $8.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and decreased to $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 compared to $9.0$15.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011.  These declines were mainly due to changes in distribution with a higher proportion of business being done on a direct basis, which carries a lower commission expense and changes in our affiliated quota share agreements.

Segment other underwriting expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2012 increased to $24.5 million from $22.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Commission and brokerage2011.  Segment other underwriting expenses decreased 12.0%for the six months ended June 30, 2012 increased to $15.4$46.6 million from $44.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $17.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The decreases2011.  These increases were primarily due to lower premiums earned and the changes in the mix of business, with a higher level of primary A&H business, which carries a lower commission ratio.

Segment other underwriting expenses decreased to $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Segment other underwriting expenses decreased to $4.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.employee benefit plan expenses.

 
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International.
The following table presents the underwriting results and ratios for the International segment for the periods indicated.
 
  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
(Dollars in millions) 2011  2010  Variance  % Change  2011  2010  Variance  % Change 
Gross written premiums $288.7  $307.0  $(18.2)  -5.9% $597.6  $582.3  $15.2   2.6%
Net written premiums  141.5   166.0   (24.5)  -14.8%  299.6   311.3   (11.6)  -3.7%
                                 
Premiums earned $162.4  $154.7  $7.7   5.0% $328.9  $301.8  $27.2   9.0%
Incurred losses and LAE  90.9   124.1   (33.2)  -26.8%  409.7   360.6   49.1   13.6%
Commission and brokerage  32.9   37.3   (4.3)  -11.6%  70.1   67.7   2.3   3.5%
Other underwriting expenses  7.0   7.3   (0.4)  -4.9%  13.4   13.7   (0.3)  -2.2%
Underwriting gain (loss) $31.7  $(14.0) $45.6  NM $(164.2) $(140.2) $(24.0)  17.1%
                                 
              Point Chg              Point Chg 
Loss ratio  55.9%  80.2%      (24.3)  124.5%  119.5%      5.0 
Commission and brokerage ratio  20.3%  24.1%      (3.8)  21.3%  22.4%      (1.1)
Other underwriting expense ratio  4.3%  4.7%      (0.4)  4.1%  4.6%      (0.5)
Combined ratio  80.5%  109.0%      (28.5)  149.9%  146.5%      3.4 
                                 
(NM, not meaningful)                                
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                                

Premiums. Gross written premiums decreased by 5.9% to $288.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $307.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 due to a decrease in premiums written through Asia and Canada, partially offset by a net increase in business written in the Latin America, South America, Middle East, and Africa regions. Non-renewed business in certain catastrophe exposed territories that have not responded to the recent elevation in catastrophe loss activity resulted in the overall decline in writings, partially offset by generally higher rate levels on retained business and favorable foreign exchange impact of $14.2 million.  Net written premiums decreased by 14.8% to $141.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $166.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, principally as a result of the decrease in gross written premiums and change in the affiliated quota share agreement.  Premiums earned increased by 5.0% to $162.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $154.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 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.

Gross written premiums increased by 2.6% to $597.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $582.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 due to a net increase in premiums written in the Latin America, Middle East, and Africa regions and favorable foreign exchange impact of $22.1 million, partially offset by lower premium in Asia and Canada.  Growth from increased rate levels, particularly in regions recently affected by catastrophe losses was partially offset by non-renewed business which did not meet our current pricing targets.  Net written premiums decreased by 3.7% to $299.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $311.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to the change in our affiliated quota share agreement.  Premiums earned increased by 9.0% to $328.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $301.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 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.

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Incurred Losses and LAE. The following tables present the incurred losses and LAE for the International segment for the periods indicated.
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $67.3   41.4%  $(8.1)  -5.0%  $59.2   36.4% 
Catastrophes  32.8   20.2%   (1.1)  -0.7%   31.7   19.5% 
Total segment $100.1   61.6%  $(9.2)  -5.7%  $90.9   55.9% 
                            
2010                           
Attritional $83.8   54.1%  $(2.0)  -1.3%  $81.7   52.8% 
Catastrophes  48.7   31.5%   (6.3)  -4.1%   42.3   27.4% 
Total segment $132.4   85.6%  $(8.3)  -5.4%  $124.1   80.2% 
                            
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $(16.5)  (12.7)pts $(6.1)  (3.7)pts $(22.5)  (16.4)pts
Catastrophes  (15.9)  (11.3)pts  5.2   3.4 pts  (10.6)  (7.9)pts
Total segment $(32.3)  (24.0)pts $(0.9)  (0.3)pts $(33.2)  (24.3)pts
  Six Months Ended June 30,
  Current  Ratio %/ Prior  Ratio %/ Total  Ratio %/
(Dollars in millions) Year  Pt Change Years  Pt Change Incurred  Pt Change
2011                     
Attritional $141.5   42.9%  $(12.0)  -3.6%  $129.5   39.3% 
Catastrophes  279.3   84.9%   0.9   0.3%   280.2   85.2% 
Total segment $420.8   127.8%  $(11.1)  -3.3%  $409.7   124.5% 
                            
2010                           
Attritional $175.1   58.0%  $(5.5)  -1.8%  $169.6   56.2% 
Catastrophes  198.2   65.7%   (7.2)  -2.4%   191.0   63.3% 
Total segment $373.2   123.7%  $(12.7)  -4.2%  $360.6   119.5% 
                            
Variance 2011/2010                           
Attritional $(33.6)  (15.1)pts $(6.5)  (1.8)pts $(40.1)  (16.9)pts
Catastrophes  81.1   19.2 pts  8.1   2.7 pts  89.2   21.9 pts
Total segment $47.6   4.1 pts $1.6   0.9 pts $49.1   5.0 pts
                            
(Some amounts may not reconcile due to rounding.)                    
Incurred losses and LAE decreased 26.8% to $90.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $124.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  The decrease was principally due to a $22.5 million (16.4 points) decrease in attritional losses and lower current year catastrophe losses.  Current year catastrophes decreased $15.9 million (11.3 points) due to Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, and the wildfire loss in Alberta, Canada in 2011, compared to the higher catastrophe losses reported in the second quarter of 2010 (Chile earthquake).

Incurred losses and LAE increased 13.6% to $409.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $360.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  The increase was principally due to a $81.1 million (19.2 points) increase in current year catastrophes related to the Japan and New Zealand earthquakes, the Australia floods, and the wildfire loss in Alberta, Canada, compared to the 2010 reported catastrophe losses (Chile earthquake and Australia hailstorms).  The current year attritional loss ratio decreased to 42.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2011 from 58.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to a shift in the mix of business with a lower level of quota share business, which generally carries a higher loss ratio, in addition to the impact of changes in the affiliated quota share agreement.

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Segment Expenses. Commission and brokerage expenses decreased 11.6% to $32.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $37.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Commission and brokerage expenses increased 3.5% to $70.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $67.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.  These variances were due to the changes in premiums and the mix of business.

Segment other underwriting expenses decreased to $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010.  Segment other underwriting expenses decreased to $13.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to $13.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010.

Market Sensitive Instruments.
The 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 $8.4$8.8 billion investment portfolio, at June 30, 2011,2012, 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 and some foreign exchange rate risk.  The overall economic 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 $415.5$610.2 million of mortgage-backed securities in the $5,428.2$5,291.0 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.

44

The table below displays the potential impact of market value fluctuations and after-tax unrealized appreciation on our fixed maturity portfolio (including $566.1$580.8 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 June 30, 2011  At June 30, 2012
(Dollars in millions)  -200   -100   0   100   200   -200  -100  0  100  200
Total Market/Fair Value $6,353.4  $6,183.6  $5,994.4  $5,780.4  $5,570.7  $6,115.7  $5,995.5  $5,871.8  $5,732.6  $5,589.9 
Market/Fair Value Change from Base (%)  6.0%  3.2%  0.0%  -3.6%  -7.1%  4.2%  2.1%  0.0%  -2.4%  -4.8%
Change in Unrealized Appreciation                                        
After-tax from Base ($) $233.4  $123.0  $-  $(139.1) $(275.4) $158.5  $80.4  $-  $(90.5) $(183.2)

We had $8,275.6$8,013.7 million and $7,652.3$8,290.6 million of gross reserves for losses and LAE as of June 30, 20112012 and December 31, 2010,2011, 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
41

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 investments.  While the difference between present value and nominal value is not reflected in our financial statements, our financial results will include investment income over time from the investment portfolio until the claims are paid.  Our 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 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.

The table below displays the impact on fair/market value and after-tax 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 June 30, 2011  At June 30, 2012
(Dollars in millions)  -20%  -10%  0%  10%  20%  -20%  -10%  0%  10%  20%
Fair/Market Value of the Equity Portfolio $778.3  $875.5  $972.8  $1,070.1  $1,167.4  $930.9  $1,047.2  $1,163.6  $1,279.9  $1,396.3 
After-tax Change in Fair/Market Value  (126.5)  (63.2)  -   63.2   126.5   (151.3)  (75.6)  -   75.6   151.3 

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 Dollars, the British Pound Sterling and the Euro.Dollars.  We mitigate foreign exchange exposure by generally matching the currency and duration of our assets to our corresponding 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 June 30, 2011,2012, there has been no material change in exposure to foreign exchange rates as compared to December 31, 2010.2011.

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SAFE HARBOR DISCLOSURE
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the federal securities laws.  In some cases, these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “plan”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” and “intend”.  Forward-looking statements contained in this report include information regarding our reserves for losses and LAE, the adequacy of our provision for uncollectible balances, estimates of our catastrophe exposure, the effects of catastrophic events on our financial statements and the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends.  Forward-looking statements only reflect our expectations and are not guarantees of performance.  These statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations.  Important factors that could cause our actual events or results to be materially different from our expectations include the uncertainties that surround the impact on our financial statements and liquidity resulting from changes in the global economy and credit markets, the estimating of reserves for losses and LAE, those discussed in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) included in this report and risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part 1, ITEMItem 1A.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 
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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

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

ITEM 4.
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 Officer 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 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 arethe Company is involved in lawsuits, arbitrations and other formal and informal dispute resolution procedures, the outcomes of which will determine ourthe Company’s rights and obligations under insurance and reinsurance andagreements.  In some disputes, the Company seeks to enforce its rights under an agreement or to collect funds owing to it.  In other contractual agreements.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, we believethe Company believes that ourits positions are legally and commercially reasonable, and we vigorously seek to preserve, enforce and defend our legal rights under various agreements.reasonable.  The Company considers the statuses of these proceedings are considered when we determine ourdetermining its reserves for lossesunpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses.  While the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of these matters, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or liquidity.  However, an adverse resolution of one or more of these items in any one quarter or fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in that period.

There are no known significant pending legal issuesAside from litigation and arbitrations related to these insurance and reinsurance agreements, the Company is not involving insurancea party to any other material litigation or reinsurance business activity.arbitration.

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ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

No material changes.


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

None.


ITEM 3.   
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


ITEM 4. RESERVEDITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 
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ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.
ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index:  
   
Exhibit No.Description 
   
 31.1Section 302 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto 
   
 31.2Section 302 Certification of Dominic J. AddessoCraig Howie 
   
 32.1Section 906 Certification of Joseph V. Taranto and Dominic J. AddessoCraig Howie 
   
 101.INSXBRL Instance Document 
   
 101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
   
 101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
   
 101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
   
 101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase 
   
 101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 
   

 
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Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc.
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 /S/ CRAIG HOWIE 
  Dominic J. AddessoCraig Howie 
  Executive Vice President and 
   Chief Financial Officer 
     
  (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)
     
     
     
Dated: August 15, 201114, 2012