Table of Contents


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ýQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or
¨Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-16533
ProAssurance Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware63-1261433
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
100 Brookwood Place, Birmingham, AL35209
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
  
(205) 877-4400 
(Registrant’s Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)
(Former Name, Former Address, and Former
Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    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 (§232.405 of this chapter), during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ý  Accelerated filer ¨
        
Non-accelerated filer ¨(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨
        
Emerging growth company 
¨


     
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of October 31, 2017,April 25, 2019, there were 53,415,23653,742,438 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

Glossary of Terms and Acronyms


When the following terms and acronyms appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
TermMeaning
AOCIAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
ASUAccounting Standards Update
BEATBase erosion anti-abuse tax
BoardBoard of Directors of ProAssurance Corporation
BOLIBusiness owned life insurance
Council of Lloyd'sThe governing body for Lloyd's of London
CODMChief Operating Decision Maker
DDRDeath, disability and retirement
DPACDeferred policy acquisition costs
Eastern ReEastern Re, LTD, S.P.C.
EBUBEarned but unbilled premium
FALFunds at Lloyd's
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
FHLBFederal Home Loan Bank
FHLMCFederal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMAFederal National Mortgage Association
GAAPGenerally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America
GILTIGlobal intangible low-taxed income
GNMAGovernment National Mortgage Association
HCPLHealthcare professional liability
IBNRIncurred but not reported
Inova ReInova Re, LTD, S.P.C.
IRSInternal Revenue Service
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LLCLimited liability company
Lloyd'sLloyd's of London market
LPLimited partnership
LPTLoss portfolio transfer
Medical technology liabilityMedical technology and life sciences products liability
Mortgage LoansTwo ten-year mortgage loans collectively with an original borrowing amount of approximately $40 million, each entered into by a subsidiary of ProAssurance
NAICNational Association of Insurance Commissioners
NAVNet asset value
NOLNet operating loss
NRSRONationally recognized statistical rating organization
NYSENew York Stock Exchange
OCIOther comprehensive income (loss)
OTTIOther-than-temporary impairment
PCAOBPublic Company Accounting Oversight Board
Revolving Credit AgreementProAssurance's $250 million revolving credit agreement
ROEReturn on equity
ROURight-of-use
SAPStatutory accounting principles

TermMeaning
SECSecurities and Exchange Commission
SPASpecial Purpose Arrangement
SPCSegregated portfolio cell
Specialty P&CSpecialty Property and Casualty
Syndicate 1729Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729
Syndicate 6131Lloyd's of London Syndicate 6131, a Special Purpose Arrangement with Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729
Syndicate Credit AgreementUnconditional revolving credit agreement with the Premium Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729
TCJATax Cuts and Jobs Act H.R.1 of 2017
U.K.United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
ULAEUnallocated loss adjustment expense
VIEVariable interest entity

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are specifically identified as forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon our estimates and anticipation of future events and are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the expected results described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "hopeful," "intend," "likely," "may," "optimistic," "possible," "potential," "preliminary," "project," "should," "will" and other analogous expressions. There are numerous factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Thus, sentences and phrases that we use to convey our view of future events and trends are expressly designated as forward-looking statements as are sections of this Form 10-Q that are identified as giving our outlook on future business.
Forward-looking statements relating to our business include among other things: statements concerning future liquidity and capital requirements, investment valuation and performance, return on equity, financial ratios, net income, premiums, losses and loss reserve, premium rates and retention of current business, competition and market conditions, the expansion of product lines, the development or acquisition of business in new geographical areas, the availability of acceptable reinsurance, actions by regulators and rating agencies, court actions, legislative actions, payment or performance of obligations under indebtedness, payment of dividends and other matters.
These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, among other things, the following factors that could affect the actual outcome of future events:
Ÿchanges in general economic conditions, including the impact of inflation or deflation and unemployment;
Ÿour ability to maintain our dividend payments;
Ÿregulatory, legislative and judicial actions or decisions that could affect our business plans or operations;operations, including the impact of Brexit;
Ÿthe enactment or repeal of tort reforms;
Ÿformation or dissolution of state-sponsored insurance entities providing coverages now offered by ProAssurance which could remove or add sizable numbers of insureds from or to the private insurance market;
Ÿchanges in the interest and tax rate environment;
Ÿresolution of uncertain tax matters and changes in tax laws;laws, including the impact of the TCJA;
Ÿchanges in U.S. laws or government regulations regarding financial markets or market activity that may affect the U.S. economy and our business;
Ÿchanges in the ability of the U.S. government to meet its obligations that may affect the U.S. economy and our business;
Ÿperformance of financial markets affecting the fair value of our investments or making it difficult to determine the value of our investments;
Ÿchanges in requirements or accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by our regulatory agencies, the FASB, the SEC, the PCAOB or the NYSE that may affect our business;
Ÿchanges in laws or government regulations affecting the financial services industry, the property and casualty insurance industry or particular insurance lines underwritten by our subsidiaries;
Ÿthe effect on our insureds, particularly the insurance needs of our insureds, and our loss costs, of changes in the healthcare delivery system and/or changes in the U.S. political climate that may affect healthcare policy or our business;
Ÿconsolidation of our insureds into or under larger entities which may be insured by competitors, or may not have a risk profile that meets our underwriting criteria or which may not use external providers for insuring or otherwise managing substantial portions of their liability risk;
Ÿuncertainties inherent in the estimate of our loss and loss adjustment expense reserve and reinsurance recoverable;
Ÿchanges in the availability, cost, quality or collectability of insurance/reinsurance;
Ÿthe results of litigation, including pre- or post-trial motions, trials and/or appeals we undertake;
Ÿeffects on our claims costs from mass tort litigation that are different from that anticipated by us;
Ÿallegations of bad faith which may arise from our handling of any particular claim, including failure to settle;
Ÿloss or consolidation of independent agents, agencies, brokers or brokerage firms;
Ÿchanges in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;

Ÿchanges in the business or competitive environment may limit the effectiveness of our business strategy and impact our revenues;

Ÿour ability to retain and recruit senior management;
Ÿthe availability, integrity and security of our technology infrastructure or that of our third-party providers of technology infrastructure, including any susceptibility to cyber-attacks which might result in a loss of information or operating capability;
Ÿthe impact of a catastrophic event, as it relates to both our operations and our insured risks;
Ÿthe impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war;
Ÿthe effects of terrorism-related insurance legislation and laws;
Ÿguaranty funds and other state assessments;
Ÿour ability to achieve continued growth through expansion into new markets or through acquisitions or business combinations;
Ÿchanges to the ratings assigned by rating agencies to our insurance subsidiaries, individually or as a group;
Ÿprovisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and state insurance laws may impede attempts to replace or remove management or may impede a takeover;
Ÿstate insurance restrictions may prohibit assets held by our insurance subsidiaries, including cash and investment securities, from being used for general corporate purposes;
Ÿtaxing authorities can take exception to our tax positions and cause us to incur significant amounts of legal and accounting costs and, if our defense is not successful, additional tax costs, including interest and penalties; and
Ÿexpected benefits from completed and proposed acquisitions may not be achieved or may be delayed longer than expected due to business disruption; loss of customers, employees or key agents; increased operating costs or inability to achieve cost savings; and assumption of greater than expected liabilities, among other reasons.
Additional risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could arise from our membership in the Lloyd's of London market and our participation in Syndicate 1729Lloyd's Syndicates include, but are not limited to, the following:
Ÿmembers of Lloyd's are subject to levies by the Council of Lloyd's based on a percentage of the member's underwriting capacity, currently a maximum of 3%, but can be increased by Lloyd's;
ŸSyndicate operating results can be affected by decisions made by the Council of Lloyd's which the management of Syndicate 1729 hasand Syndicate 6131 have little ability to control, such as a decision to not approve the business plan of Syndicate 1729 or Syndicate 6131, or a decision to increase the capital required to continue operations, and by our obligation to pay levies to Lloyd's;
ŸLloyd's insurance and reinsurance relationships and distribution channels could be disrupted or Lloyd's trading licenses could be revoked, making it more difficult for a Lloyd's Syndicate 1729 to distribute and market its products;
Ÿrating agencies could downgrade their ratings of Lloyd's as a whole; and
ŸSyndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131 operations are dependent on a small, specialized management team and the loss of their services could adversely affect the Syndicate’s business. The inability to identify, hire and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future could adversely affect the quality and profitability of Syndicate 1729’s or Syndicate 6131's business.
Our results may differ materially from those we expect and discuss in any forward-looking statements. The principal risk factors that may cause these differences are described in "Item 1A, Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K and other documents we file with the SEC, such as our current reports on Form 8-K and our regular reports on Form 10-Q.
We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which are based upon conditions existing only as of the date made, and advise readers that these factors could affect our financial performance and could cause actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. Except as required by law or regulations, we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
   
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
 

ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Assets      
Investments      
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value; amortized cost, $2,429,092 and $2,586,821, respectively$2,468,350
 $2,613,406
Equity securities, trading, at fair value; cost, $376,074 and $353,744, respectively411,796
 387,274
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value; amortized cost, $2,175,109 and $2,116,825, respectively$2,185,798
 $2,093,798
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value; cost, $43,031 and $38,445, respectively42,973
 38,188
Equity investments, at fair value; cost, $451,925 and $450,931, respectively476,324
 442,937
Short-term investments294,379
 442,084
217,788
 308,319
Business owned life insurance61,652
 60,134
64,549
 64,096
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries331,897
 340,906
390,854
 367,757
Other investments, $51,789 and $31,501 at fair value, respectively, otherwise at cost or amortized cost103,764
 81,892
Other investments, $33,441 and $31,344 at fair value, respectively, otherwise at cost or amortized cost36,328
 34,287
Total Investments3,671,838
 3,925,696
3,414,614
 3,349,382
Cash and cash equivalents119,005
 117,347
71,830
 80,471
Premiums receivable262,686
 223,480
289,126
 261,466
Receivable from reinsurers on paid losses and loss adjustment expenses7,408
 5,446
27,956
 11,558
Receivable from reinsurers on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses313,876
 273,475
349,319
 343,820
Prepaid reinsurance premiums47,529
 39,723
45,095
 40,631
Deferred policy acquisition costs51,691
 46,809
56,923
 54,116
Deferred tax asset, net13,957
 10,256
15,685
 29,108
Real estate, net32,305
 31,814
30,688
 31,114
Intangible assets84,496
 84,406
Operating lease ROU assets17,227
 
Intangible assets, net75,267
 76,776
Goodwill210,725
 210,725
210,725
 210,725
Other assets109,638
 96,004
112,653
 111,559
Total Assets$4,925,154
 $5,065,181
$4,717,108
 $4,600,726
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   
Liabilities      
Policy liabilities and accruals      
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses$2,040,698
 $1,993,428
$2,158,995
 $2,119,847
Unearned premiums422,009
 372,563
457,607
 415,211
Reinsurance premiums payable34,769
 30,001
54,692
 55,614
Total Policy Liabilities2,497,476
 2,395,992
2,671,294
 2,590,672
Operating lease liabilities18,036
 
Other liabilities176,328
 422,285
178,395
 199,295
Debt less debt issuance costs400,460
 448,202
287,487
 287,757
Total Liabilities3,074,264
 3,266,479
3,155,212
 3,077,724
Shareholders’ Equity   
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,822,376 and 62,660,234 shares issued, respectively628
 627
Shareholders' Equity   
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 63,093,580 and 62,989,421 shares issued, respectively631
 630
Additional paid-in capital380,595
 376,518
383,494
 384,713
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $13,985 and $9,894, respectively25,459
 17,399
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $2,449 and ($4,355), respectively8,655
 (16,911)
Retained earnings1,864,136
 1,824,088
1,586,393
 1,571,847
Treasury shares, at cost, 9,408,925 shares and 9,408,977 shares, respectively(419,928) (419,930)
Total Shareholders’ Equity1,850,890
 1,798,702
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity$4,925,154
 $5,065,181
Treasury shares, at cost, 9,352,373 shares as of each respective period end(417,277) (417,277)
Total Shareholders' Equity1,561,896
 1,523,002
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$4,717,108
 $4,600,726
See accompanying notes.

ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Capital (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total
Balance at December 31, 2016$627
 $376,518
 $17,399
 $1,824,088
 $(419,930) $1,798,702
Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2016-09 adoption*

 425
 
 (276) 
 149
Common shares reacquired
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018 $630
 $384,713
 $(16,911) $1,571,847
 $(417,277) $1,523,002
Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2018-07 adoption*
 
 
 
 (444) 
 (444)
Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan
 1,873
 
 
 2
 1,875
 
 176
 
 
 
 176
Share-based compensation
 7,110
 
 
 
 7,110
 
 1,237
 
 
 
 1,237
Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued and stock options exercised1
 (5,331) 
 
 
 (5,330)
Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued 1
 (2,632) 
 
 
 (2,631)
Dividends to shareholders
 
 
 (49,598) 
 (49,598) 
 
 
 (16,660) 
 (16,660)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 8,060
 
 
 8,060
 
 
 25,566
 
 
 25,566
Net income
 
 
 89,922
 
 89,922
 
 
 
 31,650
 
 31,650
Balance at September 30, 2017$628
 $380,595
 $25,459
 $1,864,136
 $(419,928) $1,850,890
Balance at March 31, 2019 $631

$383,494

$8,655

$1,586,393

$(417,277)
$1,561,896
                       
Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Total
Balance at December 31, 2015$625
 $365,399
 $23,855
 $1,988,035
 $(419,560) $1,958,354
Common shares reacquired
 
 
 
 (2,106) (2,106)
Balance at December 31, 2017 $628
 $383,077
 $14,911
 $1,614,186
 $(418,007) $1,594,795
Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2016-01 adoption
 
 
 
 8,334
 
 8,334
Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2018-02 adoption
 
 
 3,416
 (3,416) 
 
Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan1
 2,147
 
 
 
 2,148
 
 122
 
 
 (2) 120
Share-based compensation
 7,458
 
 
 
 7,458
 
 902
 
 
 
 902
Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued and stock options exercised1
 (3,011) 
 
 
 (3,010)
Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued 2
 (3,851) 
 
 
 (3,849)
Dividends to shareholders
 
 
 (49,370) 
 (49,370) 
 
 
 (16,616) 
 (16,616)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 32,460
 
 
 32,460
 
 
 (26,373) 
 
 (26,373)
Net income
 
 
 96,233
 
 96,233
 
 
 
 11,856
 
 11,856
Balance at September 30, 2016$627
 $371,993
 $56,315
 $2,034,898
 $(421,666) $2,042,167
           
* See Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of accounting guidance adopted during the period.
Balance at March 31, 2018
$630

$380,250

$(8,046)
$1,614,344

$(418,009)
$1,569,169
* See Note 1 for discussion of accounting guidance adopted during the period.* See Note 1 for discussion of accounting guidance adopted during the period.
See accompanying notes.

ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Revenues          
Net premiums earned$192,303
 $185,275
 $555,559
 $539,587
$208,149
 $187,159
Net investment income23,729
 25,261
 69,592
 75,284
22,818
 22,027
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries4,164
 (3,349) 8,489
 (6,607)(810) 1,640
Net realized investment gains (losses):          
OTTI losses
 (100) (419) (10,834)(136) 
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes
 
 248
 1,068
87
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 (100) (171) (9,766)(49) 
Other net realized investment gains (losses)7,749
 15,837
 18,981
 28,080
36,672
 (12,517)
Total net realized investment gains (losses)7,749
 15,737
 18,810
 18,314
36,623
 (12,517)
Other income510
 1,428
 4,581
 5,963
2,095
 2,723
Total revenues228,455
 224,352
 657,031
 632,541
268,875
 201,032
Expenses          
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses129,356
 118,082
 364,058
 335,936
159,755
 129,786
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses          
Operating expense32,606
 34,060
 102,062
 101,862
33,290
 32,467
DPAC amortization24,505
 21,752
 70,044
 64,873
28,102
 24,893
Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income)2,891
 3,196
 14,076
 5,895
4,787
 1,747
Interest expense4,124
 3,748
 12,402
 11,285
4,330
 3,705
Total expenses193,482
 180,838
 562,642
 519,851
230,264
 192,598
Income before income taxes34,973
 43,514
 94,389
 112,690
38,611
 8,434
Provision for income taxes          
Current expense (benefit)13,690
 13,736
 12,111
 16,407
343
 (1,328)
Deferred expense (benefit)(7,666) (4,056) (7,644) 50
6,618
 (2,094)
Total income tax expense (benefit)6,024
 9,680
 4,467
 16,457
6,961
 (3,422)
Net income28,949
 33,834
 89,922
 96,233
31,650
 11,856
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, net of reclassification adjustments(605) (4,974) 8,060
 32,460
25,566
 (26,373)
Comprehensive income$28,344
 $28,860
 $97,982
 $128,693
Earnings per share:       
Comprehensive income (loss)$57,216
 $(14,517)
Earnings per share   
Basic$0.54
 $0.64
 $1.68
 $1.81
$0.59
 $0.22
Diluted$0.54
 $0.63
 $1.68
 $1.80
$0.59
 $0.22
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:          
Basic53,413
 53,222
 53,377
 53,199
53,683
 53,515
Diluted53,614
 53,456
 53,586
 53,419
53,808
 53,682
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.31
 $0.31
 $0.93
 $0.93
$0.31
 $0.31
See accompanying notes.

ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018
Operating Activities   
Net income$31,650
 $11,856
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion5,036
 6,079
(Increase) decrease in cash surrender value of BOLI(453) (449)
Net realized investment (gains) losses(36,623) 12,517
Share-based compensation1,228
 902
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)6,618
 (2,094)
Policy acquisition costs, net of amortization (net deferral)(2,807) (504)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries810
 (1,640)
Distributed earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries1,938
 7,018
Other1,337
 752
Other changes in assets and liabilities:   
Premiums receivable(27,660) (9,559)
Reinsurance related assets and liabilities(27,283) 9,651
Other assets(1,447) 6,254
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses39,148
 8,420
Unearned premiums42,396
 27,743
Other liabilities504
 (3,592)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities34,392
 73,354
Investing Activities   
Purchases of:   
Fixed maturities, available for sale(179,107) (367,872)
Fixed maturities, trading(4,614) (4,162)
Equity investments(25,016) (67,129)
Other investments(4,602) (7,108)
Funding of qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships(247) 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries(31,150) (21,985)
Proceeds from sales or maturities of:   
Fixed maturities, available for sale119,425
 459,822
Equity investments25,812
 51,085
Other investments4,738
 6,092
Return of invested capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries5,305
 11,783
Net sales or maturities (purchases) of short-term investments90,698
 82,976
Unsettled security transactions, net change5,440
 22,421
Purchases of capital assets(2,572) (1,836)
Repayments (advances) under Syndicate Credit Agreement(212) (17,980)
Other(30) 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities3,868
 146,107
Continued on the following page.   
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2017 2016
Operating Activities   
Net income$89,922
 $96,233
Adjustments to reconcile income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion21,024
 25,509
(Increase) decrease in cash surrender value of BOLI(1,518) (1,537)
Net realized investment (gains) losses(18,810) (18,314)
Share-based compensation7,110
 7,458
Deferred income taxes(7,644) 50
Policy acquisition costs, net of amortization (net deferral)(4,882) (5,221)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries(8,489) 6,607
Other(548) (689)
Other changes in assets and liabilities:   
Premiums receivable(39,206) (23,873)
Reinsurance related assets and liabilities(45,401) (19,049)
Other assets1,188
 16,411
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses47,270
 (7,307)
Unearned premiums49,446
 44,418
Other liabilities8,569
 8,296
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities98,031
 128,992
Investing Activities   
Purchases of:   
Fixed maturities, available for sale(449,717) (540,370)
Equity securities, trading(127,916) (76,838)
Other investments(35,445) (15,832)
Funding of qualified affordable housing tax credit limited partnerships(394) (963)
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries(30,530) (39,051)
Proceeds from sales or maturities of:   
Fixed maturities, available for sale599,374
 582,379
Equity securities, trading116,833
 56,670
Other investments16,479
 10,952
Distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries47,364
 7,720
Net sales or maturities (purchases) of short-term investments141,538
 (135,743)
Unsettled security transactions, net change(10,935) 16,665
Purchases of capital assets(8,620) (7,797)
Purchases of intangible assets(2,984) 
Other(2,745) (1,520)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities252,302
 (143,728)
Continued on following page.   


 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018
Continued from the previous page.   
Financing Activities   
Borrowings (repayments) under Revolving Credit Agreement
 (40,000)
Repayments of Mortgage Loans(362) (349)
Dividends to shareholders(43,338) (266,734)
Capital contribution received from (return of capital to) external segregated portfolio cell participants(562) 251
Other(2,639) (3,877)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities(46,901) (310,709)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(8,641) (91,248)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period80,471
 134,495
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$71,830
 $43,247
Significant Non-Cash Transactions   
Dividends declared and not yet paid$16,660
 $16,616
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2017 2016
Financing Activities   
Repayments under revolving credit agreement(48,000) 
Repurchase of common stock
 (2,106)
Dividends to shareholders(298,704) (102,354)
External capital contribution received for segregated portfolio cells2,989
 9,703
Other(4,960) (2,704)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities(348,675) (97,461)
Increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents1,658
 (112,197)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period117,347
 241,100
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$119,005
 $128,903
Significant non-cash transactions   
Dividends declared and not yet paid$16,558
 $16,462

See accompanying notes.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019




1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ProAssurance Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (ProAssurance, PRA or the Company). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, have been included. ProAssurance’s results for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.2019. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes contained in ProAssurance’s December 31, 20162018 report on Form 10-K. In connection with its preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, ProAssurance evaluated events that occurred subsequent to September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 for recognition or disclosure in its financial statements and notes to financial statements.
Beginning in the third quarter of 2018, ProAssurance operates in fourfive reportable segments as follows: Specialty P&C, Workers' Compensation Insurance, Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance, Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates and Corporate. For more information on the Company's segment reporting, including the nature of products and services provided and for financial information by segment, refer to Note 1113.
Reclassifications
As a result of the third quarter of 2018 segment reorganization, prior period segment information in Note 13 has been recast to conform to the Company's current segment reporting (see Note 13 for further information).
Certain other insignificant prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Accounting Policies
Except as added below, the significant accounting policies followed by ProAssurance in making estimates that materially affect financial reporting are summarized in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements in ProAssurance’s December 31, 2018 report on Form 10-K.
ReclassificationsLeases
InProAssurance is involved in a number of leases primarily for office facilities. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the second quarterinception date of 2017, ProAssurance began presenting separately the components of Underwriting, policy acquisitioncontract and classifies all leases as either financing or operating. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets and operating expense as Operating expense and DPAC amortizationlease liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated StatementsBalance Sheet as of IncomeMarch 31, 2019. The ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset (office space) for the lease term. As of March 31, 2019, ProAssurance has no leases that are classified as financing leases.
Operating ROU assets and Comprehensive Incomeoperating lease liabilities are recognized as of the lease commencement date based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted over the term of the lease using a discount rate determined based on information available as of the commencement date. As the majority of ProAssurance's lessors do not provide an implicit discount rate, the Company uses its collateralized incremental borrowing rate in orderdetermining the present value of remaining lease payments. Due to provide additional detailsthe adoption of ASU 2016-02 (see further discussion that follows), the Company used its collateralized incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 for investors. Theoperating leases that commenced prior to that date. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are considered short-term and are not recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet; lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Additionally, for leases entered into or reassessed after the adoption of ASU 2016-02, ProAssurance accounts for lease and non-lease components of a contract as a single lease component. Operating lease expense is included as a component of operating expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 have been reclassifiedMarch 31, 2019 and 2018.
Operating lease ROU assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a ROU asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to conformresult from the use of the underlying leased asset over the remaining lease term. That assessment is based on the carrying amount of the ROU asset at the date it is tested for recoverability and an impairment loss is measured and recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the ROU asset exceeds its fair value.

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Notes to the current period presentation. Total Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expense as well as Net income for all periods presented was not affected by the change in presentation.Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
(In thousands) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
SPC dividends payable $59,129
 $53,604
Unpaid dividends 16,660
 43,446
All other 102,606
 102,245
Total other liabilities $178,395
 $199,295
(In thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
SPC dividends payable $46,353
 $34,289
Unpaid dividends 16,558
 265,659
All other 113,417
 122,337
Total other liabilities $176,328
 $422,285

SPC dividends payable are the cumulative undistributed earnings contractually payable to the external preferred shareholderscell participants of SPCs operated by ProAssurance's Cayman Islands subsidiary,subsidiaries, Eastern Re and Inova Re.
Unpaid dividends represent common stock dividends declared by ProAssurance's Board of Directors that had not yet been paid.paid as of March 31, 2019. Unpaid dividends at December 31, 2016 reflect2018 included a special dividend declared in late 2016the fourth quarter of 2018 that was paid in January 2017.2019.
Accounting Changes Adopted
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of cash flows, and the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities. Under the new guidance, the difference between the deduction for tax purposes and the compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes is to be recognized as income tax expense in the current period and included with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The threshold for equity classification has also been revised to permit withholdings up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions. The update also provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2017. The primary effects of the adoption on the current period are the following: (1) using a prospective application, ProAssurance recorded unrecognized excess tax benefits of $2.6 million as current tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (unrecognized excess tax benefits were nominal for the 2017 three-month period), (2) using a modified retrospective application, ProAssurance elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and recorded a $0.4 million increase to Additional paid-in capital, and a respective $0.3 million

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

reduction to Retained earnings and a $0.1 million increase to deferred taxes to reflect the incremental share-based compensation expense, net of related tax impacts, that would have been recognized in prior years under the modified guidance and (3) excess tax benefits from share-based compensation of $2.2 million was reclassified from financing activities to operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Interests Held Through Related Parties that are Under Common ControlLeases (ASU 2016-02)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued additional guidance regarding consolidation of legal entities such as LPs/LLCs and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions). The new guidance modifies the criteria used by a reporting entity when determining if it is a primary beneficiary of a VIE when there are entities under common control and the reporting entity has indirect interests in the VIE through related party relationships. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2017. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for retroactive restatement when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. The new guidance provides that the cost of acquiring an additional interest in an investee is to be added to the current basis of an investor’s previously held interest and the equity method of accounting adopted as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting with no retroactive adjustment of the investment. If an available-for-sale equity security qualifies for the equity method of accounting, the unrealized holding gain or loss in AOCI is to be recognized through earnings at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2017. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Clarifying the Definition of a Business
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which provides clarification of the definition of a business, affecting areas such as acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The new guidance intends to assist entities with determining whether a transaction should be accounted for as an acquisition or disposal of assets or a business. The guidance will be applied prospectively to any transaction occurring within the period of adoption. ProAssurance early adopted the guidance during the third quarter of 2017 and adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted
Restricted Cash
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification of restricted cash presented in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. Under the new guidance, entities are required to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts as presented on the statement of cash flows. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. Adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which reduces the complexity in accounting standards related to the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs instead of delaying recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ProAssurance is in the process of evaluating the effect the new guidance would have on its results of operations and financial position and plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments presented in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. Adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 the FASB issued guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method. As the majority of ProAssurance's revenues come from insurance contracts which fall under the scope of other FASB standards, only an insignificant amount of the Company's revenue is subject to the updated guidance. Therefore, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounteda lessee to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective application and elected the transition option provided that allows companies to continue to apply legacy GAAP in comparative periods. Also, ProAssurance elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the equity method of accounting,guidance, which allowed the Company to carryforward its historical lease classification, its assessment on whether a contract is or thosecontains a lease and its initial direct costs for any leases that result in consolidation of the investee)exist prior to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new guidance also specifies that an entity use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes and present financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. Other provisionsadoption of the new guidance include: revised disclosure requirements relatedstandard. Furthermore, ProAssurance elected to combine lease and non-lease components and to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the presentation in comprehensive income of changesCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and recognize the associated lease payments in the fair valueCondensed Consolidated Statements of liabilities; elimination, for public companies,Income and Comprehensive Income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ProAssurance recognized a total ROU asset and total lease liabilities of disclosure requirements relativeapproximately $19 million on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2019 which relate to ProAssurance's real estate operating leases; the method(s) and significant assumptions underlying fair values disclosed forCompany does not consider these leases to be material to its financial instruments measured at amortized cost; and simplified impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. ProAssurance plansposition. Adoption of this guidance had no material impact on ProAssurance's results of operation or cash flows.
ProAssurance's Revolving Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant regarding permitted leverage ratios based upon Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Total Capitalization; however, adoption of this guidance had no material impact on this covenant. ProAssurance’s Mortgage Loans also contain a financial covenant regarding permitted leverage ratios, principally based upon SAP Consolidated Net Worth; however, as the NAIC did not adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018, with the cumulative effect of the adoption made to retained earnings. The majority of ProAssurance's equity investments are either measured at fair value or accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of September 30, 2017, approximately 1% of the Company's total investments would be impacted by the guidance and therefore,principles found in ASU 2016-02, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effecthad no impact on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Modification Accounting for Employee Share-Based Payment Awards
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which reduces the complexity in accounting standards when there is a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The new guidance clarifies that an entity should apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.this covenant.
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (ASU 2017-08)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that will require the premium for certain callable debt securities to be amortized over a shorter period than is currently required. Currently amortization is permitted over the contractual life of the instrument and the guidance shortens the amortization to the earliest call date. The purpose of the guidance is to more closely align the amortization period of premiums to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. ProAssurance plans to adoptadopted the guidance beginningas of January 1, 2019. AdoptionAs ProAssurance amortizes premium on callable debt securities to the earliest call date, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have ahad no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or financial position.cash flows.
LeasesDerivatives and Hedging (ASU 2017-12)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance thatto improve financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the entity's risk management activities in the consolidated financial statements. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires a lessee to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that representsentire change in the lessee's right to use, or control the usefair value of a specified asset forhedging instrument to be presented in the lease term.same income statement line as the hedged item. ProAssurance plans to adoptadopted the guidance beginningas of January 1, 2019. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position as ProAssurance does not have any leases it believes to be material.ProAssurance's derivative


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


instrument at March 31, 2019 is not designated as a hedging instrument; therefore, adoption had no material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2018-07)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which reduces the complexity in accounting for nonemployee share-based payment awards. The new guidance substantially aligns the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment awards with the accounting guidance for employee share-based payment awards with certain exceptions, including the inputs used in estimating the fair value of the nonemployee awards and the period of time and pattern of expense recognition. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective application and recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of approximately $0.4 million to beginning retained earnings in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Capital for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Adoption had no material effect of ProAssurance's results of operations or cash flows.
Derivatives and Hedging - Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes (ASU 2018-16)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB
issued new guidance that permits the use of the Overnight Index Swap Rate based on the Secured Financing Rate as a U.S.
benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2019.
As of March 31, 2019, ProAssurance's derivative instrument is not designated as a hedging instrument; therefore, adoption had no material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted
Improvements to Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology, which delays recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has been incurred, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under the new guidance, credit losses are required to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses account and the income statement reflects the measurement for newly recognized financial assets, as well as increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. Credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities will be required to be presented as an allowance, rather than as a write-down of the asset, limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on ProAssurance's available-for-sale fixed maturity portfolio. In addition, ProAssurance's premiums receivable and receivables from reinsurers are also included in the scope of this new guidance; however, ProAssurance has not historically experienced material credit losses due to the financial condition of an insurer or reinsurer. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020 and is in the process of evaluating the effect the new guidance would have on its results of operations and financial position.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04)
Effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the requirements to test goodwill for impairment for business entities that have goodwill reported in their financial statements. The guidance eliminates the second step of the impairment test which measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount. In addition, the guidance also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020. Adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or financial position.cash flows.
ImprovementsChanges to Financial Instruments - Credit Lossesthe Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology, which delays recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has been incurred, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losseseliminates, modifies and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable informationadds certain disclosure requirements related to inform credit loss estimates. Under thefair value measurements. The new guidance credit losses are requiredeliminates the requirements to be recorded through an allowancedisclose the transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for credit losses accountthe timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and the income statement reflectsvaluation process for Level 3 fair value measurements while it modifies existing disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty and the measurementrequirement to disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee's assets for newly recognized financial assets,investments in certain entities that calculate NAV. The new guidance also adds requirements to disclose changes in unrealized gains and losses included in OCI for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements as well as increasesthe range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. An entity is permitted to early adopt any eliminated or decreasesmodified disclosure requirements and delay adoption of expected credit losses

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

the additional disclosure requirements until the guidance is effective. During the third quarter of 2018, ProAssurance elected to early adopt the provisions that have taken place during the period. ProAssurance is in the processeliminate and modify certain disclosure requirements within Note 2 on a retrospective basis and adoption of evaluating thethese certain provisions had no material effect the new guidance would have on itsProAssurance’s results of operations, and financial position andor cash flows as it affected disclosures only. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidanceadditional disclosure requirements beginning January 1, 2020. Adoption of the guidance2020 and adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (ASU 2018-15)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB amended the new standard regarding accounting for implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements. The amended guidance substantially aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020. Adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position.position or cash flows.

Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for VIEs (ASU 2018-17)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB amended guidance which improves the consistency of the application of the VIE guidance for common control arrangements. The amended guidance requires an entity to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety when determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020. As of March 31, 2019 ProAssurance does not have any material indirect interests held through related parties under common control; therefore, adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Collaborative Arrangements (ASU 2018-18)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies how to assess whether certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for under the revenue from contracts with customers accounting standard when the counterpart is a customer. In addition, the guidance precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020 and adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


2. Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three level hierarchy has been established for valuing assets and liabilities based on how transparent (observable) the inputs are that are used to determine fair value, with the inputs considered most observable categorized as Level 1 and those that are the least observable categorized as Level 3. Hierarchy levels are defined as follows:
 Level 1:quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. For ProAssurance, Level 1 inputs are generally quotes for debt or equity securities actively traded in exchange or over-the-counter markets.
 Level 2:market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs). For ProAssurance, Level 2 inputs generally include quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, and results from pricing models that use observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are generally available at commonly quoted intervals.
 Level 3:the reporting entity'sentity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances (non-observable inputs). For ProAssurance, Level 3 inputs are used in situations where little or no Level 1 or 2 inputs are available or are inappropriate given the particular circumstances. Level 3 inputs include results from pricing models for which some or all of the inputs are not observable, discounted cash flow methodologies, single non-binding broker quotes and adjustments to externally quoted prices that are based on management judgment or estimation.
Fair values of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 are shown in the following tables. Where applicable, the tables also indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine those fair values. For some assets, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. When this is the case, the asset is categorized based on the level of the most significant input to the fair value measurement. Assessments of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement require judgment and consideration of factors specific to the assets being valued.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


September 30, 2017March 31, 2019
Fair Value Measurements Using TotalFair Value Measurements Using Total
(In thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair ValueLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value
Assets:              
Fixed maturities, available for sale              
U.S. Treasury obligations$
 $148,372
 $
 $148,372
$
 $119,590
 $
 $119,590
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
 18,772
 
 18,772

 28,802
 
 28,802
State and municipal bonds
 693,398
 
 693,398

 297,812
 
 297,812
Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs2,406
 1,255,413
 
 1,257,819

 1,256,519
 
 1,256,519
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs
 
 14,963
 14,963

 
 4,296
 4,296
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 201,691
 
 201,691

 189,513
 
 189,513
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
 11,835
 
 11,835

 11,541
 
 11,541
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
 16,190
 
 16,190

 49,620
 1,182
 50,802
Other asset-backed securities
 101,770
 3,540
 105,310

 223,973
 2,950
 226,923
Equity securities      
Fixed maturities, trading
 42,973
 
 42,973
Equity investments      
Financial75,274
 
 
 75,274
73,849
 
 
 73,849
Utilities/Energy53,553
 
 
 53,553
57,712
 
 
 57,712
Consumer oriented53,569
 
 
 53,569
53,592
 
 
 53,592
Industrial51,002
 
 
 51,002
48,334
 
 
 48,334
Bond funds119,155
 
 
 119,155
178,309
 
 
 178,309
All other59,243
 
 
 59,243
43,813
 
 
 43,813
Short-term investments288,796
 5,583
 
 294,379
180,058
 37,730
 
 217,788
Other investments747
 30,614
 428
 31,789

 33,438
 3
 33,441
Other assets
 1,447
 
 1,447
Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy$703,745
 $2,483,638
 $18,931
 3,206,314
$635,667
 $2,292,958
 $8,431
 2,937,056
LP/LLC and investment fund interests carried at NAV which approximates fair value. These interests, reported as a part of Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries and Other investments, respectively, are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.      222,541
Assets carried at NAV, which approximates fair value and which are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy, reported as a part of:       
Equity investments      20,715
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries      291,525
Total assets at fair value      $3,428,855
      $3,249,296


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


 December 31, 2018
 Fair Value Measurements Using Total
(In thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value
Assets:       
Fixed maturities, available for sale       
U.S. Treasury obligations$
 $120,201
 $
 $120,201
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
 35,354
 
 35,354
State and municipal bonds
 293,772
 
 293,772
Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs2,319
 1,216,834
 
 1,219,153
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs
 
 4,322
 4,322
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 181,238
 
 181,238
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
 13,108
 
 13,108
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
 30,993
 
 30,993
Other asset-backed securities
 191,807
 3,850
 195,657
Fixed maturities, trading
 38,188
 
 38,188
Equity investments      
Financial62,344
 
 
 62,344
Utilities/Energy46,533
 
 
 46,533
Consumer oriented47,462
 
 
 47,462
Industrial41,487
 
 
 41,487
Bond funds174,753
 
 
 174,753
All other50,066
 
 
 50,066
Short-term investments265,910
 42,409
 
 308,319
Other investments
 31,341
 3
 31,344
Other assets
 1,884
 
 1,884
Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy$690,874

$2,197,129

$8,175

2,896,178
Assets carried at NAV, which approximates fair value and which are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy, reported as a part of:       
Equity investments      20,292
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries      268,436
Total assets at fair value      $3,184,906
 December 31, 2016
 Fair Value Measurements Using Total
(In thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fair Value
Assets:       
Fixed maturities, available for sale       
U.S. Treasury obligations$
 $146,539
 $
 $146,539
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
 30,235
 
 30,235
State and municipal bonds
 800,463
 
 800,463
Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs2,339
 1,261,842
 
 1,264,181
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs
 
 14,810
 14,810
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 217,906
 
 217,906
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
 12,783
 
 12,783
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
 19,611
 
 19,611
Other asset-backed securities
 103,871
 3,007
 106,878
Equity securities      
Financial81,749
 
 
 81,749
Utilities/Energy52,869
 
 
 52,869
Consumer oriented61,284
 
 
 61,284
Industrial54,265
 
 
 54,265
Bond funds79,843
 10,159
 
 90,002
All other27,181
 19,924
 
 47,105
Short-term investments437,580
 4,504
 
 442,084
Other investments1,956
 29,542
 3
 31,501
Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy$799,066

$2,657,379

$17,820

3,474,265
LP/LLC and investment fund interests carried at NAV which approximates fair value. These interests, reported as a part of Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries and Other investments, respectively, are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.      204,719
Total assets at fair value      $3,678,984

The fair values for securities included in the Level 2 category, with the few exceptions described below, were developed by one of several third party, nationally recognized pricing services, including services that price only certain types of securities. Each service uses complex methodologies to determine values for securities and subject the values they develop to quality control reviews. Management selected a primary source for each type of security in the portfolio and reviewed the values provided for reasonableness by comparing data to alternate pricing services and to available market and trade data. Values that appeared inconsistent were further reviewed for appropriateness. Any value that did not appear reasonable was discussed with the service that provided the value and adjusted, if necessary. There were no material changes to the values supplied by the pricing services during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.March 31, 2019.
Level 2 Valuations
Below is a summary description of the valuation methodologies primarily used by the pricing services for securities in the Level 2 category, by security type:
U.S. Treasury obligations were valued based on quoted prices for identical assets, or, in markets that are not active, quotes for similar assets, taking into consideration adjustments for variations in contractual cash flows and yields to maturity.
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations were valued using pricing models that consider current and historical market data, normal trading conventions, credit ratings, and the particular structure and characteristics of the security being

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

valued, such as yield to maturity, redemption options, and contractual cash flows. Adjustments to model inputs or model results were included in the valuation process when necessary to reflect recent regulatory, government or corporate actions or significant economic, industry or geographic events affecting the security’s fair value.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

State and municipal bonds were valued using a series of matrices that considered credit ratings, the structure of the security, the sector in which the security falls, yields, and contractual cash flows. Valuations were further adjusted, when necessary, to reflect the expected effect on fair value of recent significant economic or geographic events or ratings changes.
Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs consisted primarily of corporate bonds, but also included a small number of bank loans. The methodology used to value Level 2 corporate bonds was the same as the methodology previously described for U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations. Bank loans were valued based on an average of broker quotes for the loans in question, if available. If quotes were not available, the loans were valued based on quoted prices for comparable loans or, if the loan was newly issued, by comparison to similar seasoned issues. Broker quotes were compared to actual trade prices to permit assessment of the reliability of the quotes; unreliable quotes were not considered in quoted averages.
Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities were valued using a pricing matrix which considers the issuer type, coupon rate and longest cash flows outstanding. The matrix used was based on the most recently available market information. Agency and non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations were both valued using models that consider the structure of the security, current and historical information regarding prepayment speeds, ratings and ratings updates, and current and historical interest rate and interest rate spread data.
Other asset-backed securities were valued using models that consider the structure of the security, monthly payment information, current and historical information regarding prepayment speeds, ratings and ratings updates, and current and historical interest rate and interest rate spread data. Spreads and prepayment speeds consider collateral type.
Equity securities were securities not traded on an exchange onFixed maturities, trading, are held by the valuation date. TheLloyd's Syndicates segment and include U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, corporate debt with multiple observable inputs and other asset-backed securities. These securities were valued using the most recently available quotesrespective valuation methodologies discussed above for the securities.each security type.
Short-term investments are were securities maturing within one year, carried at costfair value which approximated the fair valuecost of the securitysecurities due to the short term to maturity.their short-term nature.
Other investments consisted primarily of convertible bonds valued using a pricing model that incorporated selected dealer quotes as well as current market data regarding equity prices and risk free rates. If dealer quotes were unavailable for the security being valued, quotes for securities with similar terms and credit status were used in the pricing model. Dealer quotes selected for use were those considered most accurate based on parameters such as underwriter status and historical reliability.
Other assets consisted of an interest rate cap derivative instrument, which is discussed in Note 9, valued using a model which considers the volatilities from other instruments with similar maturities, strike prices, durations and forward yield curves.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Level 3 Valuations
Below is a summary description of the valuation processes and methodologies used as well as quantitative information regarding securities in the Level 3 category.
Level 3 Valuation Processes
Level 3 securities are pricedcategory, by the Chief Investment Officer.
Level 3 valuations are computed quarterly. Prices are evaluated quarterly against prior period prices and the expected change in prices.
ProAssurance's Level 3 securities are primarily NRSRO rated debt instruments for which comparable market inputs are commonly available for evaluating the securities in question. Valuation of these debt instruments is not overly sensitive to changes in the unobservable inputs used.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

security type:
Level 3 Valuation Methodologies
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs consisted of corporate bonds valued using dealer quotes for similar securities or discounted cash flow models using yields currently available for similar securities. Similar securities are defined as securities of comparable credit quality that have like terms and payment features. Assessments of credit quality were based on NRSRO ratings, if available, or were subjectively determined by management if not available. At September 30, 2017, 73%March 31, 2019, 53% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB+AA-. At December 31, 2016, 84%2018, 54% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB+.
Other commercial mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities consisted of securitizations of receivables valued using dealer quotes for similar securities or discounted cash flow models using yields currently available for similar securities. Similar securities are defined as securities of comparable credit quality that have like terms and payment features. Assessments of credit quality were based on NRSRO ratings, if available, or were subjectively determined by management if not available. At March 31, 2019, 29% of the securities were rated and the average rating was A-. At December 31, 2018, 25% of the securities were rated and the average rating was AAA.
Other investments consisted of convertible securities for which limited observable inputs were available at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and at December 31, 2016.2018. The securities were valued internally based on expected cash flows, including the expected final recovery, discounted at a yield that considered the lack of liquidity and the financial status of the issuer.
Quantitative Information Regarding Level 3 Valuations
  Fair Value at      
($ in thousands) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range
(Weighted Average)
Assets:          
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs $4,296 $4,322 Market Comparable
Securities
 Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
      Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities $1,182  Market Comparable
Securities
 Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
      Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
Other asset-backed securities $2,950 $3,850 Market Comparable
Securities
 Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
      Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
Other investments $3 $3 Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 10% (5%)
  Fair Value at      
(In thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range
(Weighted Average)
Assets:          
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs $14,963 $14,810 Market Comparable
Securities
 Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
      Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
Other asset-backed securities $3,540 $3,007 Market Comparable
Securities
 Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
      Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 5% (2.5%)
Other investments $428 $3 Discounted Cash Flows Comparability Adjustment 0% - 10% (5%)

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the above listed securities were the valuations of comparable securities with similar issuers, credit quality and maturity. Changes in the availability of comparable securities could result in changes in the fair value measurements.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


Fair Value Measurements - Level 3 Assets
The following tables (the Level 3 Tables) present summary information regarding changes in the fair value of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs.
September 30, 2017March 31, 2019
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – AssetsLevel 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)Corporate Debt Asset-backed Securities All other investments TotalCorporate Debt Asset-backed Securities Other investments Total
Balance June 30, 2017$17,849
 $3,005
 $5
 $20,859
Balance December 31, 2018$4,322
 $3,850
 $3
 $8,175
Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:              
Included in earnings, as a part of:              
Net investment income(52) 
 
 (52)2
 (118) 
 (116)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 
 
Included in other comprehensive income(18) (45) 
 (63)3
 157
 
 160
Purchases1
 580
 
 581
1,305
 
 
 1,305
Sales(858) 
 
 (858)(136) (6) 
 (142)
Transfers in989
 
 423
 1,412

 1,200
 
 1,200
Transfers out(2,948) 
 
 (2,948)(1,200) (951) 
 (2,151)
Balance September 30, 2017$14,963
 $3,540
 $428
 $18,931
Balance March 31, 2019$4,296
 $4,132

$3
 $8,431
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end$
 $
 $
 $
$
 $
 $
 $
 March 31, 2018
 Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)Corporate Debt Asset-backed Securities Other investments Total
Balance December 31, 2017$13,703
 $4,986
 $409
 $19,098
Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:       
Included in earnings, as a part of:       
Net investment income(38) 
 
 (38)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 (44) (44)
Included in other comprehensive income(38) (30) 
 (68)
Purchases6,005
 13,453
 
 19,458
Sales(2,905) (27) 
 (2,932)
Transfers in2,069
 
 
 2,069
Transfers out(3,699) (1,059) 
 (4,758)
Balance March 31, 2018$15,097
 $17,323

$365
 $32,785
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end$
 $
 $
 $

 September 30, 2017
 Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)Corporate Debt Asset-backed Securities All other investments Total
Balance December 31, 2016$14,810
 $3,007
 $3
 $17,820
Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:       
Included in earnings, as a part of:       
Net investment income(125) 
 
 (125)
Net realized investment gains (losses)13
 
 (124) (111)
Included in other comprehensive income(296) (47) 140
 (203)
Purchases11,890
 580
 
 12,470
Sales(4,418) 
 (912) (5,330)
Transfers in999
 
 1,321
 2,320
Transfers out(7,910) 
 
 (7,910)
Balance September 30, 2017$14,963
 $3,540

$428
 $18,931
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end$
 $
 $
 $


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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019

 September 30, 2016
 Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)State and Municipal Bonds Corporate Debt Asset-backed Securities All other investments Total
Balance June 30, 2016$
 $17,810
 $755
 $1,556
 $20,121
Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:         
Included in earnings, as a part of:         
Net investment income
 (28) 
 (3) (31)
Included in other comprehensive income
 324
 (2) 8
 330
Purchases
 
 
 193
 193
Sales
 (709) 
 
 (709)
Transfers in900
 
 1,000
 919
 2,819
Transfers out
 (5,110) 
 
 (5,110)
Balance September 30, 2016$900
 $12,287
 $1,753
 $2,673
 $17,613
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end$
 $
 $
 $
 $

 September 30, 2016
 Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)State and Municipal Bonds Corporate Debt Asset-backed Securities All other investments Total
Balance December 31, 2015$
 $14,500
 $757
 $
 $15,257
Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:         
Included in earnings, as a part of:         
Net investment income
 (64) 
 (7) (71)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
 (75) 
 
 (75)
Included in other comprehensive income
 453
 3
 8
 464
Purchases
 5,995
 3,500
 1,753
 11,248
Sales
 (3,406) (702) 
 (4,108)
Transfers in900
 
 1,000
 919
 2,819
Transfers out
 (5,116) (2,805) 
 (7,921)
Balance September 30, 2016$900
 $12,287
 $1,753

$2,673
 $17,613
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end$
 $
 $
 $
 $

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017


Transfers
There were no transfers between the Level 1 and Level 2 categories during the three months ended September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, equity securities of approximately $35.4 million were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, equity securities of approximately $10.2 million were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1.
Transfers shown in the preceding Level 3 tables were as of the end of the quarter in which the transfer occurred. All transfers were to or from Level 2.
All transfers during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 20162018 related to securities held for which the level of market activity for identical or nearly identical securities varies from period to period. The securities were valued using multiple observable inputs when those inputs were available; otherwise the securities were valued using limited observable inputs.
Fair Values Not Categorized
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries at both September 30, 2017At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016 included interests in investment fund2018, certain LPs/LLCs and Other investments at September 30, 2017 included interests in certain investment funds that measure fund assets at fair value on a recurring basis and that provide a NAV for theProAssurance's interest. The carrying value of these interests is based on the NAV provided and was considered to approximate the fair value of the interests. For investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries, ProAssurance recognizes any changes in the NAV of its interests in equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries during the period of change. In accordance with GAAP, the fair value of these investments was not classified within the fair value hierarchy. Additional information regardingThe amount of ProAssurance's unfunded commitments related to these investments isas of March 31, 2019 and fair values of these investments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:
 Unfunded
Commitments
 Fair Value
(In thousands)September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Investments in LPs/LLCs:     
Private debt funds (1)
$12,006 $42,650
 $55,637
Long equity fund (2)
None 7,396
 6,268
Long/short equity funds (3)
None 30,904
 28,926
Non-public equity funds (4)
$86,985 92,887
 89,691
Multi-strategy fund of funds (5)
None 8,966
 8,448
Structured credit fund (6)
None 6,394
 4,273
Long/short commodities fund (7)
None 12,648
 11,476
Strategy focused fund (8)
$4,304 696
 
Other investments:     
Mortgage fund (9)
None 20,000
 
   $222,541
 $204,719
 Unfunded
Commitments
 Fair Value
(In thousands)March 31,
2019
 March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Equity investments:     
Mortgage fund (1)
None $20,715
 $20,292
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries:     
Private debt funds (2)
$19,850 16,474
 18,196
Long equity fund (3)
None 6,811
 6,561
Long/short equity funds (4)
None 28,966
 28,805
Non-public equity funds (5)
$87,594 124,058
 114,811
Multi-strategy fund of funds (6)
None 9,468
 9,322
Credit funds (7)
$4,891 38,668
 29,164
Long/short commodities fund (8)
None 14,276
 12,958
Strategy focused funds (9)
$49,997 52,804
 48,619
   291,525
 268,436
Total investments carried at NAV  $312,240

$288,728
Below is additional information regarding each of the investments listed in the table above as of March 31, 2019.
(1) 
This investment fund is focused on the structured mortgage market. The fund will primarily invest in U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Redemptions are allowed at the end of any calendar quarter with a prior notice requirement of 65 days and are paid within 45 days at the end of the redemption dealing day.
(2)
This investment is comprised of interests in twothree unrelated LP funds that are structured to provide interest distributions primarily through diversified portfolios of private debt instruments. One LP allows redemption by special consent; the other doestwo do not permit redemption. Income and capital are to be periodically distributed at the discretion of the LPs over an anticipated time frame that spans from three to eight years.
(2)(3) 
TheThis fund is a LP that holds long equities of public international companies. Redemptions are allowed at the end of any calendar month with a prior notice requirement of 15 days and are paid within 10 days of the end of the calendar month of the redemption request.
(3)(4) 
TheThis investment is comprised of interests in multiple unrelated LP funds. The funds hold primarily long and short North American equities and target absolute returns using strategies designed to take advantage of market opportunities. The funds generally permit quarterly or semi-annual capital redemptions subject to notice requirements of 30 to 90 days. For some funds, redemptions above specified thresholds (lowest threshold is 90%) may be only partially payable until after a fund audit is completed and are then payable within 30 days.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


(4)(5) 
TheThis investment is comprised of interests in multiple unrelated LP funds, each structured to provide capital appreciation through diversified investments in private equity, which can include investments in buyout, venture capital, debt including senior, second lien and mezzanine, distressed debt, collateralized loan obligations and other private equity-oriented LPs. Two of the LPs allow redemption by terms set forth in the LP agreements; the others do not permit redemption. Income and capital are to be periodically distributed at the discretion of the LP over time frames that are anticipated to span up to nineten years.
(5)(6) 
This fund is a LLC structured to build and manage low volatility, multi-manager portfolios that have little or no correlation to the broader fixed income and equity security markets. Redemptions are not permitted but offers to repurchase units of the LLC may be extended periodically.
(6)(7) 
This fundinvestment is acomprised of four unrelated LP seekingfunds. Two funds seek to obtain superior risk-adjusted absolute returns by acquiring and actively managingthrough a diversified portfolio of debt securities, including bonds, loans and other asset-backed instruments. RedemptionsA third fund focuses on private middle market company mezzanine loans, while the remaining fund seeks event driven opportunities across the corporate credit spectrum. Two funds are allowed redemptions at any quarter-end with a prior notice requirement of 90 days.days, one fund permits redemption at any quarter-end with a prior notice requirement of 180 days and one fund does not allow redemptions.
(7)(8) 
This fund is a LLC invested across a broad range of commodities and focuses primarily on market neutral, relative value strategies, seeking to generate absolute returns with low correlation to broad commodity, equity and fixed income markets. Following an initial one-year lock-up period, redemptions are allowed with a prior notice requirement of 30 days and are payable within 30 days.
(8)
(9) This investment is comprised of multiple unrelated LPs/LLCs funds. One fund is a LLC focused on investing in North American consumer products companies, comprised of equity and equity-related securities, as well as debt instruments. A second fund is focused on aircraft investments, along with components and assets related to aircrafts. For both funds, redemptions are not permitted. Another fund is a LP focused on North American energy infrastructure assets that allows redemption with consent of the General Partner. The remaining funds are real estate focused LPs, one of which allows for redemption with prior notice.
This fund is a LLC focused exclusively on investing in consumer product companies. The fund will invest exclusively in North American companies, comprised of equity and equity-related securities, as well as debt instruments. Redemptions are not permitted.
(9)
This investment fund is focused on the structured mortgage market. The fund will primarily invest in U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Redemptions are allowed at the end of any calendar quarter with a prior notice requirement of 65 days and are paid within 45 days at the end of the redemption dealing day.
ProAssurance may not sell, transfer or assign its interest in any of the above LPs/LLCs without special consent from the LPs/LLCs.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurement
At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, ProAssurance did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
Financial Instruments - Methodologies Other Than Fair Value
The following table provides the estimated fair value of ourthe Company's financial instruments that, in accordance with GAAP for the type of investment, are measured using a methodology other than fair value. All fair values provided primarily fall within the Level 3 fair value category.
 March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
(In thousands)Carrying
Value
 Fair
Value
 Carrying
Value
 Fair
Value
Financial assets:       
BOLI$64,549
 $64,549
 $64,096
 $64,096
Other investments$2,887
 $2,887
 $2,943
 $2,943
Other assets$39,272
 $38,921
 $35,921
 $35,468
Financial liabilities:       
Senior notes due 2023*$250,000
 $267,008
 $250,000
 $264,810
Mortgage Loans*$38,702
 $38,702
 $39,064
 $39,064
Other liabilities$23,928
 $23,928
 $21,300
 $21,300
* Carrying value excludes debt issuance costs.
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
(In thousands)Carrying
Value
 Fair
Value
 Carrying
Value
 Fair
Value
Financial assets:       
BOLI$61,652
 $61,652
 $60,134
 $60,134
Other investments$51,975
 $60,713
 $50,391
 $58,757
Other assets$34,412
 $34,311
 $29,111
 $28,960
Financial liabilities:       
Senior notes due 2023*$250,000
 $273,923
 $250,000
 $270,898
Revolving Credit Agreement*$152,000
 $152,000
 $200,000
 $200,000
Other liabilities$19,858
 $19,858
 $17,033
 $17,011
* Carrying value excludes debt issuance costs.

The fair value of the BOLI was equal to the cash surrender value associated with the policies on the valuation date.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Other investments listed in the table above include interests in certain investment fund LPs/LLCs accounted for using the cost method, investments in FHLB common stock carried at cost and an annuity investment carried at amortized cost. The estimated fair valueTwo of the LP/LLC interests was based on the equity valueProAssurance's insurance subsidiaries are members of the interest provided by the LP/LLC managers for the most recent quarter, which approximates the fair value of the interest.an FHLB. The estimated fair value of the FHLB common stock was based on the amount ProAssurancethe subsidiaries would receive if its membershiptheir memberships were canceled, as the membershipmemberships cannot be sold. The fair value of the annuity represents the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted using a rate available in active markets for similarly structured instruments.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

Other assets and Otherother liabilities primarily consisted of related investment assets and liabilities associated with funded deferred compensation agreements. Fair valuesThe fair value of the funded deferred compensation assets was based upon quoted market prices, which is categorized as a Level 1 valuation, and had a fair value of $23.9 million and $24.1 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The deferred compensation liabilities were based onare adjusted to match the NAVs provided byfair value of the underlying funds.deferred compensation assets. Other assets also included a secured note receivable and unsecured note receivable under two separate line of credit agreements. Fair value of these notes receivable was based on the present value of expected cash flows from the notes receivable, discounted at market rates on the valuation date for receivables with similar credit standings and similar payment structures.
The fair value of the debt was estimated based on the present value of expected future cash outflows, discounted at rates available on the valuation date for similar debt issued by entities with a similar credit standing to ProAssurance.




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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


3. Investments
Available-for-sale securitiesfixed maturities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 included the following:
 March 31, 2019
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale       
U.S. Treasury obligations$119,631
 $679
 $720
 $119,590
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations28,873
 70
 141
 28,802
State and municipal bonds290,791
 7,174
 153
 297,812
Corporate debt1,256,756
 10,680
 6,621
 1,260,815
Residential mortgage-backed securities190,382
 1,216
 2,085
 189,513
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities11,541
 91
 91
 11,541
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities50,527
 500
 225
 50,802
Other asset-backed securities226,608
 817
 502
 226,923
 $2,175,109
 $21,227
 $10,538
 $2,185,798
        
 December 31, 2018
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale       
U.S. Treasury obligations$121,274
 $331
 $1,404
 $120,201
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations35,758
 25
 429
 35,354
State and municipal bonds289,544
 4,877
 649
 293,772
Corporate debt1,244,577
 3,328
 24,430
 1,223,475
Residential mortgage-backed securities184,463
 814
 4,039
 181,238
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities13,296
 12
 200
 13,108
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities31,330
 38
 375
 30,993
Other asset-backed securities196,583
 254
 1,180
 195,657
 $2,116,825
 $9,679
 $32,706
 $2,093,798

 September 30, 2017
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities       
U.S. Treasury obligations$148,194
 $954
 $776
 $148,372
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations18,756
 119
 103
 18,772
State and municipal bonds675,012
 20,086
 1,700
 693,398
Corporate debt1,254,878
 22,427
 4,523
 1,272,782
Residential mortgage-backed securities199,110
 3,401
 820
 201,691
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities11,841
 63
 69
 11,835
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities16,135
 126
 71
 16,190
Other asset-backed securities105,166
 303
 159
 105,310
 $2,429,092
 $47,479
 $8,221
 $2,468,350
        
 December 31, 2016
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities       
U.S. Treasury obligations$146,186
 $1,264
 $911
 $146,539
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations30,038
 388
 191
 30,235
State and municipal bonds790,154
 17,261
 6,952
 800,463
Corporate debt1,264,812
 22,659
 8,480
 1,278,991
Residential mortgage-backed securities216,285
 3,667
 2,046
 217,906
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities12,837
 89
 143
 12,783
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities19,571
 177
 137
 19,611
Other asset-backed securities106,938
 207
 267
 106,878
 $2,586,821
 $45,712
 $19,127
 $2,613,406


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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


The recorded cost basis and estimated fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
 Due in one
year or less
 Due after
one year
through
five years
 Due after
five years
through
ten years
 Due after
ten years
 Total Fair
Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale           
U.S. Treasury obligations$119,631
 $19,650
 $75,723
 $23,806
 $411
 $119,590
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations28,873
 3,583
 7,943
 17,138
 138
 28,802
State and municipal bonds290,791
 9,665
 130,868
 134,130
 23,149
 297,812
Corporate debt1,256,756
 163,168
 776,105
 305,216
 16,326
 1,260,815
Residential mortgage-backed securities190,382
 
 
 
 
 189,513
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities11,541
 
 
 
 
 11,541
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities50,527
 
 
 
 
 50,802
Other asset-backed securities226,608
 
 
 
 
 226,923
 $2,175,109
         $2,185,798

(In thousands)Amortized
Cost
 Due in one
year or less
 Due after
one year
through
five years
 Due after
five years
through
ten years
 Due after
ten years
 Total Fair
Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale           
U.S. Treasury obligations$148,194
 $30,655
 $93,222
 $21,495
 $3,000
 $148,372
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations18,756
 249
 8,362
 10,020
 141
 18,772
State and municipal bonds675,012
 57,500
 233,506
 295,098
 107,294
 693,398
Corporate debt1,254,878
 124,057
 737,639
 390,103
 20,983
 1,272,782
Residential mortgage-backed securities199,110
 
 
 
 
 201,691
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities11,841
 
 
 
 
 11,835
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities16,135
 
 
 
 
 16,190
Other asset-backed securities105,166
 
 
 
 
 105,310
 $2,429,092
         $2,468,350
Excluding obligations of the U.S. Government, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises and a U.S. Government obligations money market fund, no investment in any entity or its affiliates exceeded 10% of Shareholders’shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019.
Cash and securities with a carrying value of $46.647.1 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 were on deposit with various state insurance departments to meet regulatory requirements. ProAssurance also held securities with a carrying value of $189.5 million at September 30, 2017 that are pledged as collateral security for advances under the Revolving Credit Agreement (see Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail on the Revolving Credit Agreement).
As a member of Lloyd's and a capital provider to Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131, ProAssurance is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as FAL. ProAssuranceProAssurance's FAL investments at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 included available-for-sale fixed maturities with a fair value of $98.7137.1 million and short-term investments with a fair value of approximately $0.5$7.4 million on deposit with Lloyd's in order to satisfy these FAL requirements.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Investments Held in a Loss Position
The following tables provide summarized information with respect to investments held in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, including the length of time the investment had been held in a continuous unrealized loss position.
 March 31, 2019
 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer
 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized
(In thousands)Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale           
U.S. Treasury obligations$71,545
 $720
 $4,855
 $39
 $66,690
 $681
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations17,136
 141
 1,962
 38
 15,174
 103
State and municipal bonds19,776
 153
 2,470
 23
 17,306
 130
Corporate debt538,376
 6,621
 112,445
 1,183
 425,931
 5,438
Residential mortgage-backed securities128,567
 2,085
 10,327
 12
 118,240
 2,073
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities7,048
 91
 1,384
 2
 5,664
 89
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities16,560
 225
 850
 
 15,710
 225
Other asset-backed securities119,257
 502
 29,635
 33
 89,622
 469
 $918,265
 $10,538
 $163,928
 $1,330
 $754,337
 $9,208

 December 31, 2018
 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer
 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized
(In thousands)Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale           
U.S. Treasury obligations$97,969
 $1,405
 $20,221
 $119
 $77,748
 $1,286
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations33,677
 429
 20,479
 126
 13,198
 303
State and municipal bonds63,094
 648
 30,924
 143
 32,170
 505
Corporate debt938,651
 24,429
 447,891
 8,804
 490,760
 15,625
Residential mortgage-backed securities157,120
 4,039
 27,311
 209
 129,809
 3,830
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities9,822
 200
 4,566
 22
 5,256
 178
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities22,924
 375
 13,348
 164
 9,576
 211
Other asset-backed securities142,470
 1,181
 70,218
 236
 72,252
 945
 $1,465,727
 $32,706
 $634,958
 $9,823
 $830,769
 $22,883

As of March 31, 2019, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 666 debt securities (31.8% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 412 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were each approximately $0.2 million. The securities were evaluated for OTTI as of March 31, 2019.
As of December 31, 2018, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 1,044 debt securities (50.6% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 550 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The securities were evaluated for OTTI as of December 31, 2018.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Each quarter, ProAssurance performs a detailed analysis for the purpose of assessing whether any of the securities it holds in an unrealized loss position has suffered an OTTI. A detailed discussion of the factors considered in the assessment is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2018 Form 10-K.
Fixed maturity securities held in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2019, excluding asset-backed securities, have paid all scheduled contractual payments and are expected to continue doing so. Expected future cash flows of asset-backed securities, excluding those issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, held in an unrealized loss position were estimated as part of the March 31, 2019 OTTI evaluation using the most recently available six-month historical performance data for the collateral (loans) underlying the security or, if historical data was not available, sector based assumptions, and equaled or exceeded the current amortized cost basis of the security.
Other information regarding sales and purchases of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities is as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
(In millions)2019 2018
Proceeds from sales (exclusive of maturities and paydowns)$31.5
 $379.2
Purchases$179.1
 $367.9

Equity Investments
ProAssurance's equity investments are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income as a component of net realized investment gains (losses) during the period of change. Equity investments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 primarily included stocks, bond funds and investment funds.
Short-term Investments
ProAssurance's short-term investments, which have a maturity at purchase of one year or less, are primarily comprised of investments in U.S. treasury obligations, commercial paper and money market funds. Short-term investments are carried at fair value which approximates the cost of the securities due to their short-term nature.
BOLI
ProAssurance holds BOLI policies that are carried at the current cash surrender value of the policies (original cost $33 million)$33 million). All insured individuals were members of ProAssurance management at the time the policies were acquired. The primary purpose of the program is to offset future employee benefit expenses through earnings on the cash value of the policies. ProAssurance is the owner and beneficiary of these policies.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
26
 Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands)2019 2018
Fixed maturities$17,517
 $17,080
Equities4,823
 4,867
Short-term investments, including Other1,835
 1,308
BOLI453
 449
Investment fees and expenses(1,810) (1,677)
Net investment income$22,818
 $22,027


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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
ProAssurance holds investmentsProAssurance's investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries accounted for under the equity method. The investments include the following:were as follows:
 March 31, 2019 Carrying Value
(In thousands)Percentage
Ownership
 March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnershipsSee below $61,247
 $65,677
Other tax credit partnershipsSee below 3,568
 3,757
All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCsSee below 326,039
 298,323
   $390,854
 $367,757
 Carrying Value
(In thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Investment in LPs/LLCs:   
Qualified affordable housing tax credit partnerships$91,598
 $102,313
Other tax credit partnerships8,355
 11,459
All other LPs/LLCs231,944
 227,134
 $331,897
 $340,906

Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnership interests held by ProAssurance generate investment returns by providing tax benefits to fund investors in the form of tax credits and project operating losses. The carrying value of these investments reflects ProAssurance's total commitments (both funded and unfunded) to the partnerships, less any amortization. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to two of the tax credit partnership interests is almost 100%; these interests had a carrying value of $34.5$23.0 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and $40.2$25.0 million at December 31, 2016.2018. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the remaining tax credit partnership interests is less than 20%; these interests had a carrying value of $57.1$38.2 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and $62.1$40.7 million at December 31, 2016.2018. Since ProAssurance does not havehas the ability to exert controlinfluence over the partnerships;partnerships but does not control them, all are accounted for using the equity method. See further discussion of the entities in which ProAssurance holds passive interests in Note 11.
Other tax credit partnerships are comprised entirely of investments in historic tax credits.credit partnerships. The historic tax creditscredit partnerships generate investment returns by providing benefits to fund investors in the form of tax credits, tax-deductibletax deductible project operating losses and positive cash flows. The carrying value of these investments reflects ProAssurance's total funded commitments less any amortization. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the historic tax credit partnerships is almost 100%. Since ProAssurance does not havehas the ability to exert controlinfluence over the partnerships;partnerships but does not control them, all are accounted for using the equity method.
As discussed See further discussion of the entities in additional detailwhich ProAssurance holds passive interests in Note 2 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, 11.
ProAssurance holds interests in certaininvestment fund LPs/LLCs that are investment funds which measure fund assets at fair value on a recurring basis and the fund managers provide a NAV for the interest. The carrying value of these interests is based on the NAV provided,other equity method investments and is considered to approximate the fair value of the interests; such interests totaled $202.5 million at September 30, 2017 and $204.7 million at December 31, 2016. ProAssurance also holds interests in other LPs/LLCs which are not considered to be investment funds; such interests totaled $29.4 million at September 30, 2017 and $22.4 million at December 31, 2016.funds. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to threetwo of the LPs/LLCs is greater than 25%, which is expected to be reduced as the funds mature and other investors participate in the funds; these investments had a carrying value of $25.4$34.0 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and $18.5$25.9 million at December 31, 2016.2018. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the remaining investments and LPs/LLCs is less than 25%; these interests had a carrying value of $206.5$292.0 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and $208.6$272.4 million at December 31, 2016.2018. ProAssurance does not have the ability to exert control over any of these funds.
Other Investments
Other investments at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were comprised as follows:
(In thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Investments in LPs/LLCs, at cost$48,505
 $46,852
Convertible securities, at fair value31,789
 31,501
Investment funds, at fair value20,000
 
Other, principally FHLB capital stock, at cost3,470
 3,539
 $103,764
 $81,892
Investments in convertible securities are carried at fair value as permitted by the accounting guidance for hybrid financial instruments, with changes in fair value recognized in income as a component of Net realized investment gains (losses) during the period of change.
Investment funds measure fund assets at fair value on a recurring basis and the fund managers provide a NAV for the interest. The carrying value of these interests is based on the NAV provided, and is considered to approximate the fair value of

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

the interests, with changes in fair value recognized in income as a component of Net realized investment gains (losses) during the period of change.
FHLB capital stock is not marketable, but may be liquidated by terminating membership in the FHLB. The liquidation process can take up to five years.
Investments Held in a Loss Position
The following tables provide summarized information with respect to investments held in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, including the length of time the investment had been held in a continuous unrealized loss position.
 September 30, 2017
 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer
 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized
(In thousands)Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale           
U.S. Treasury obligations$93,684
 $776
 $77,679
 $410
 $16,005
 $366
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations9,958
 103
 4,048
 20
 5,910
 83
State and municipal bonds104,279
 1,700
 69,891
 406
 34,388
 1,294
Corporate debt354,309
 4,523
 238,877
 1,286
 115,432
 3,237
Residential mortgage-backed securities65,541
 820
 52,366
 499
 13,175
 321
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities4,515
 69
 4,138
 41
 377
 28
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities8,753
 71
 5,217
 38
 3,536
 33
Other asset-backed securities47,229
 159
 39,552
 110
 7,677
 49
 $688,268
 $8,221
 $491,768
 $2,810
 $196,500
 $5,411

 December 31, 2016
 Total Less than 12 months 12 months or longer
 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized
(In thousands)Value Loss Value Loss Value Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale           
U.S. Treasury obligations$79,833
 $911
 $79,833
 $911
 $
 $
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations11,746
 191
 11,746
 191
 
 
State and municipal bonds224,884
 6,952
 219,276
 6,444
 5,608
 508
Corporate debt469,632
 8,480
 424,721
 5,662
 44,911
 2,818
Residential mortgage-backed securities103,680
 2,046
 100,542
 1,982
 3,138
 64
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities4,579
 143
 4,192
 114
 387
 29
Other commercial mortgage-backed securities9,822
 137
 9,179
 134
 643
 3
Other asset-backed securities44,343
 267
 39,079
 256
 5,264
 11
 $948,519
 $19,127
 $888,568
 $15,694
 $59,951
 $3,433
As of September 30, 2017, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 501 debt securities (20.4% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 335 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The securities were evaluated for OTTI as of September 30, 2017.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

As of December 31, 2016, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 703 debt securities (27.2% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 456 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were each approximately $0.5 million. The securities were evaluated for OTTI as of December 31, 2016.
Each quarter, ProAssurance performs a detailed analysis for the purpose of assessing whether any of the securities it holds in an unrealized loss position have suffered an OTTI. A detailed discussion of the factors considered in the assessment is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2016 Form 10-K.
Fixed maturity securities held in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017, excluding asset-backed securities, have paid all scheduled contractual payments and are expected to continue doing so. Expected future cash flows of asset-backed securities, excluding those issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, held in an unrealized loss position were estimated as part of the September 30, 2017 OTTI evaluation using the most recently available six-month historical performance data for the collateral (loans) underlying the security or, if historical data was not available, sector based assumptions, and equaled or exceeded the current amortized cost basis of the security.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Fixed maturities$18,924
 $21,024
 $57,885
 $64,808
Equities4,495
 3,779
 12,437
 10,983
Short-term and Other investments1,147
 1,466
 2,926
 2,550
BOLI620
 639
 1,517
 1,537
Investment fees and expenses(1,457) (1,647) (5,173) (4,594)
Net investment income$23,729
 $25,261
 $69,592
 $75,284
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries included losses from qualified affordable housing project tax credit investmentspartnerships and historic tax credit investments. The lossespartnerships. Losses recorded reflect ProAssurance's allocable portion of partnership operating losses. Losses from qualified affordable housing project tax credit investments were $3.4 million and $10.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $6.7 million and $14.9 million for the same respective periods of 2016. Tax credits recognized related to these investments totaled $4.6 million and $13.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $4.6 million and $13.9 million for the same respective periods of 2016. Losses from historic tax credit investments were $0.6 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1.6 million and $2.0 million for the same respective periods of 2016. Tax credits recognized related to these investments totaled $1.4 million and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $2.7 million and $6.9 million for the same respective periods of 2016. Tax credits recognized reducedreduce income tax expense in the respective periods.period they are recognized. Losses recorded and tax credits recognized related to ProAssurance's tax credit partnership investments were as follows:

 Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands)2019 2018
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships   
Losses recorded$4,430
 $4,100
Tax credits recognized$4,531
 $4,612
    
Historic tax credit partnerships   
Losses recorded$189
 $1,876
Tax credits recognized$103
 $663


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on the first-in, first-out basis. The following table provides detailed information regarding Netnet realized investment gains (losses):
 Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands)2019 2018
Total OTTI losses:   
Corporate debt$(136) $
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes:   
Corporate debt87
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings(49) 
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale fixed maturities367
 4,464
Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale fixed maturities(336) (2,047)
Net realized gains (losses), trading fixed maturities(28) 
Net realized gains (losses), equity investments1,790
 9,219
Net realized gains (losses), other investments379
 688
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading fixed maturities210
 (49)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), equity investments32,394
 (23,845)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value1,895
 (954)
Other1
 7
Net realized investment gains (losses)$36,623
 $(12,517)

 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Total OTTI losses:       
State and municipal bonds$
 $(100) $
 $(100)
Corporate debt
 
 (419) (7,604)
Other investments
 
 
 (3,130)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes:       
Corporate debt
 
 248
 1,068
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings

(100)
(171) (9,766)
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale securities1,724
 3,898
 4,323
 8,969
Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale securities(262) (370) (1,730) (5,628)
Net realized gains (losses), Short-term investments(1) 
 (1) 18
Net realized gains (losses), trading securities3,603
 1,276
 10,958
 5,244
Net realized gains (losses), Other investments478
 335
 2,197
 833
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading securities2,182
 9,816
 2,606
 17,663
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), Other investments, carried at fair value23
 880
 621
 976
Other2
 2
 7
 5
Net realized investment gains (losses)$7,749

$15,737

$18,810
 $18,314
ProAssurance did not recognize OTTI duringFor the third quarter of 2017. During the 2017 nine-month2019 three-month period, ProAssurance recognized a nominal amount of both credit related OTTI in earnings of $0.2 million and $0.2 million in non-credit OTTI in OCI, both of which related to a corporate bonds.
bond. ProAssurance recognizeddid not recognize any OTTI in earnings of $0.1 million and $9.8 million during the 2016 three- and nine-month periods, respectively. ProAssurance recognized OTTI in earnings during the 2016 nine-month period of $6.5 million related to corporate bonds, including credit-related OTTI of $5.5 million related to debt instruments from ten issuers in the energy sector. The fair value of the bonds and the credit quality of the issuers had declined and ProAssurance recognized credit-related OTTI to reduce the amortized cost basis of the bonds to the present value of future cash flows expected to be received from the bonds. ProAssurance also recognized non-credit OTTI in OCI during the 2016 nine-month period of $0.9 million related to certain of these same bonds, as the fair value of the bonds was less than the present value of the expected future cash flows from the securities.
ProAssurance also recognized a $3.1 million OTTI in earnings during the 2016 nine-month period related to an investment fund that is accounted for using the cost method (classified as Other investments). The fund is focused on the energy sector and securities held by the fund declined in value during the first quarter of 2016. An OTTI was recognized to reduce ProAssurance's carrying value of the investment to the NAV reported by the fund.



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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

2018 three-month period.
The following table presents a roll forward of cumulative credit losses recorded in earnings related to impaired debt securities for which a portion of the OTTI was recorded in OCI.
 Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands)2019 2018
Balance beginning of period$93
 $1,313
Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:   
No OTTI has been previously recognized49
 
Balance March 31$142
 $1,313


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Balance beginning of period$1,313
 $3,319
 $1,158
 $5,751
Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:       
No OTTI has been previously recognized
 
 171
 2,398
OTTI has been previously recognized
 
 
 2,154
Reductions due to:       
Securities sold during the period (realized)
 (1,799) (16) (8,783)
Balance September 30$1,313
 $1,520
 $1,313
 $1,520
Other information regarding sales and purchases of available-for-sale securities is as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
(In millions)2017 2016 2017 2016
Proceeds from sales (exclusive of maturities and paydowns)$74.1
 $114.9
 $309.6
 $306.8
Purchases$90.6
 $167.2
 $449.7
 $540.4

4. Income Taxes
ProAssurance estimates its annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly reporting period and uses this estimated rate as well as the tax effect of discrete items to record the provision for income taxes in the interim financial statements. The provision for income taxes is different from that which would be obtained by applying the statutory Federalfederal income tax rate to income before income taxes primarily because a portion of ProAssurance’s investment income is tax-exempt, and because ProAssurance utilizes tax credit benefits transferred from tax credit partnership investments.
ProAssurance had a liabilityreceivable for Federalfederal and U.K. income taxes of $3.3 million at September 30, 2017 and $5.1 million at December 31, 2016, both carried as a part of Other liabilities.other assets of $3.3 million at March 31, 2019 and $3.5 million at December 31, 2018. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which is included in the total receivable for federal and U.K. income taxes, was $8.5$4.4 million at September 30, 2017 and $8.4$4.2 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.2018, respectively, which included an accrued liability for interest of approximately $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
ProAssurance recognized a nominal amount of tax expense related to the GILTI provision of the TCJA during the three months ended March 31, 2019. ProAssurance has not recognized any incremental tax expense related to the BEAT provision of the TCJA during the three months ended March 31, 2019. For additional information regarding ProAssurance's accounting for certain provisions of the TCJA, in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's December 31, 2018 Form 10-K.
5. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The reserve for losses is established based on estimates of individual claims and actuarially determined estimates of future losses based on ProAssurance’s past loss experience, available industry data and projections as to future claims frequency, severity, inflationary trends and settlement patterns. Estimating the reserve, particularly the reserve appropriate for liability exposures, is a complex process. ClaimsFor a high proportion of the risks insured or reinsured by ProAssurance, claims may be resolved over an extended period of time, often five years or more, and may be subject to litigation. Estimating losses requires ProAssurance to make and revise judgments and assessments regarding multiple uncertainties over an extended period of time. As a result, the reserve estimate may vary considerably from the eventual outcome. The assumptions used in establishing ProAssurance’s reserve are regularly reviewed and updated by management as new data becomes available. Changes to estimates of previously established reserves are included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is changed.
ProAssurance believes that the methods it uses to establish reserves are reasonable and appropriate. Each year, ProAssurance uses internal actuaries to review the reserve for losses of each insurance subsidiary. ProAssurance also engages consulting actuaries to review ProAssurance claims data and provide observations regarding cost trends, rate adequacy and ultimate loss costs. ProAssurance considers the views of the actuaries as well as other factors, such as known, anticipated or estimated changes in frequency and severity of claims, loss retention levels and premium rates, in establishing the amount of its reserve for losses. The statutory filings of each insurance company with the insurance regulators must be accompanied by a consulting actuary's certification as to their respective reserves.
ProAssurance partitions its reserve by accident year, which is the year in which the claim becomes its liability. As claims are incurred (reported) and claim payments are made, they are aggregated by accident year for analysis purposes. ProAssurance

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

also partitions its reserve by reserve type: case reserves and IBNR reserves. Case reserves are established by the claims department based upon the particular circumstances of each reported claim and represent ProAssurance’s estimate of the future loss costs (often referred to as expected losses) that will be paid on reported claims. Case reserves are decremented as claim payments are made and are periodically adjusted upward or downward as estimates regarding the amount of future losses are revised; a reported loss for an individual claim equates to the case reserve at any point in time plus the claim payments that have been made to date. IBNR reserves represent an estimate, in the aggregate, of future development on losses that have been reported to ProAssurance plus an estimate of losses that have been incurred but not reported.
Development of Prior Accident Years
In addition to setting the initial reserve for the current accident year, each period ProAssurance reassesses the amount of reserve required for prior accident years. The foundation of ProAssurance’s reserve re-estimation process is an actuarial analysis that is performed by both the internal and consulting actuaries. This detailed analysis projects ultimate losses based on apartitions which include line of business, geographic,geography, coverage layer and accident year basis.year. The procedure uses the most representative data for each partition, capturing its unique patterns of development and trends. In all, there are 219over 200 different partitions of ProAssurance's business for purposes of this analysis. ProAssurance believes that the use of consulting actuaries provides an independent view of the loss data as well as a broader perspective on industry loss trends.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Activity in the Reservereserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:
(In thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Year Ended December 31, 2018
Balance, beginning of year$2,119,847
 $2,048,381
 $2,048,381
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses343,820
 335,585
 335,585
Net balance, beginning of year1,776,027
 1,712,796
 1,712,796
Net losses:     
Current year*170,032
 152,572
 685,326
Favorable development of reserves established in prior years, net(10,277) (22,786) (92,116)
Total159,755
 129,786
 593,210
Paid related to:     
Current year(17,027) (14,243) (117,268)
Prior years(109,079) (101,078) (412,711)
Total paid(126,106) (115,321) (529,979)
Net balance, end of period1,809,676
 1,727,261
 1,776,027
Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses349,319
 329,540
 343,820
Balance, end of period$2,158,995
 $2,056,801
 $2,119,847
* Current year net losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 included incurred losses of $25.4 million related to a loss portfolio transfer entered into during 2018. For additional information regarding the loss portfolio transfer, see Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2018 Form 10-K.

(In thousands)Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Year Ended December 31, 2016
Balance, beginning of year$1,993,428
 $2,005,326
 $2,005,326
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses273,475
 249,350
 249,350
Net balance, beginning of year1,719,953
 1,755,976
 1,755,976
Net losses:     
Current year454,121
 430,422
 587,007
Favorable development of reserves established in prior years, net(90,063) (94,486) (143,778)
Total364,058
 335,936
 443,229
Paid related to:     
Current year(63,667) (55,349) (96,190)
Prior years(293,522) (293,321) (383,062)
Total paid(357,189) (348,670) (479,252)
Net balance, end of period1,726,822
 1,743,242
 1,719,953
Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses313,876
 254,777
 273,475
Balance, end of period$2,040,698
 $1,998,019
 $1,993,428
The favorable loss development of $90.1 million recognized in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend (i.e., the average size of a claim) for accident years 20102012 through 20142015. The favorable loss development of $94.5 million recognized in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2018 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend for accident years 20092011 through 2013.2015. The favorable loss development of $143.8 million recognized in the twelve months ended December 31, 20162018 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend for accident years 20082011 through 2014.
For additional information regarding ProAssurance's reserve for losses, see Note 1 and Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 20162018 Form 10-K.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017

6. Commitments and Contingencies
ProAssurance is involved in various legal actions related to insurance policies and claims handling including, but not limited to, claims asserted by policyholders. These types of legal actions arise in the Company's ordinary course of business and, in accordance with GAAP for insurance entities, are considered as a part of the Company's loss reserving process, which is described in detail under the heading "Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses" in the Accounting Policies section in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's 2016December 31, 2018 Form 10-K.
As a member of Lloyd's, ProAssurance is required to provide capital to support Syndicate 1729its Lloyd's Syndicates through 20222019 of up to $200 million, referred to as FAL. The Board, through a non-binding resolution, extended this commitment through 2022. At September 30, 2017, ProAssurance is satisfying theMarch 31, 2019, ProAssurance's FAL requirement withwas comprised of investment securities on deposit with Lloyd's with a carrying value of $99.2$144.5 million (see Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)3).
ProAssurance has issued an unconditional revolving credit agreement to the Premium Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729 for the purpose of providing working capital. Permittedcapital with permitted borrowings are £20.0 million under an amendedof £30.0 million. In January 2019, the Syndicate Credit Agreement executed in April 2016.was amended to extend the current maturity to December 31, 2020 and to implement an annual auto-renewal feature which allows for ProAssurance to elect to non-renew if notice is given at least 30 days prior to the next auto-renewal date, which is one year prior to the maturity date. Under the amended Syndicate Credit Agreement, advances bear interest at 3.8% annually and may be repaid at any time but are repayable upon demand after December 31, 2019.2020, subject to extension through the auto-renewal feature. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the unused commitment under the Syndicate Credit Agreement approximated £11.0£6.5 million (approximately $14.7$8.5 million).

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

On occasion, ProAssurance has entered into financial instrument transactions that may present off-balance sheet credit risk or market risk. These transactions include a short-term loan commitment and commitments to provide funding to non-public investment entities. Under the short-term loan commitment, ProAssurance has agreed to advance funds on a 30 day basis to a counterparty provided there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. As of March 31, 2019, ProAssurance had total funding commitments of approximately $274.7 million which primarily represented funding commitments related to non-public investment entities as of September 30, 2017).well as the short-term loan commitment which included the amount at risk if the full short-term loan is extended and the counterparties default. However, the credit risk associated with the short-term loan commitment is minimal as the counterparties to the contract are highly rated commercial institutions and to-date have been performing in accordance with their contractual obligations.
In conjunction with a strategic business partnershipOctober 2018, ProAssurance entered into duringan agreement with a company to provide data analytics services for certain product lines within the thirdCompany's HCPL book of business. The agreement contains a minimum two year commitment with optional extension features for an annual fee of approximately $4.8 million per year with additional variable quarterly incentive fees based on service utilization metrics prescribed in the contract. ProAssurance incurred operating expense associated with this agreement of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2016, ProAssurance issued a line2019 and as of credit of up to $9.0 million forMarch 31, 2019, the purpose of funding the entity's operations. The line of credit is non-interest bearing and may be settled upon the entity's achievement of certain milestones which is expected to occur within the next six months. As of September 30, 2017, the unusedremaining commitment under the line of credit approximated $1.6this agreement was approximately $7.6 million.
7. Leases
ProAssurance is involved in a number of operating leases primarily for office facilities. Office facility leases have remaining lease terms ranging from one year to thirteen years; some of which include options to extend the leases for up to ten years, and some of which include an option to terminate the lease within one year. ProAssurance subleases certain office facilities to third parties and classifies these leases as operating leases.
The following table provides a summary of the components of lease expense as well as the reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
(In thousands)Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive IncomeThree Months Ended
March 31, 2019
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2018
Operating lease expense (1)
Operating expense$774
$1,254
Sublease income (2)
Other income(38)(38)
Net lease expense $736
$1,216
(1) Includes short-term lease costs and variable lease costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, no short-term lease costs were recognized and variable lease costs were nominal in amount. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, short-term lease costs and variable lease costs were each nominal in amount.
(2) Sublease income excludes rental income from owned properties of $0.6 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 which is included in other income. See “Item 2. Properties” in ProAssurance's December 31, 2018 report on Form 10-K for a listing of currently owned properties.
The following table provides supplemental lease information for operating leases on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019.
($ in thousands)March 31, 2019
Operating lease ROU assets$17,227
Operating lease liabilities$18,036
Weighted-average remaining lease term8.57 years
Weighted-average discount rate3.26%

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

The following table provides supplemental lease information for the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
 Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)20192018
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:  
Operating cash flows from operating leases$809
$118

The following table is a schedule of remaining future minimum lease payments for operating leases that had an initial or remaining non-cancellable lease term in excess of one year as of March 31, 2019. Operating lease payments exclude $4.4 million of future minimum lease payments for a lease signed but not yet commenced as of March 31, 2019. This lease will commence in the second quarter of 2019 with a lease term of eleven years.
(In thousands) 
2019$3,049
20203,443
20213,078
20222,184
20231,479
Thereafter7,461
Total future minimum lease payments$20,694
Less: Imputed interest2,658
Total operating lease liabilities$18,036

8. Debt
ProAssurance’s outstanding debt consisted of the following:
(In thousands)March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Senior Notes due 2023, unsecured, interest at 5.3% annually$250,000
 $250,000
Revolving Credit Agreement, outstanding borrowings are not permitted to exceed $250 million aggregately; Revolving Credit Agreement expires in 2020. The interest rate on borrowings is set at the time the borrowing is initiated or renewed.
 
Mortgage Loans, outstanding borrowings are secured by first priority liens on two office buildings, and bear an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.325% (3.93% and 4.10%, respectively) determined on a quarterly basis.38,702
 39,064
Total principal288,702
 289,064
Less debt issuance costs1,215
 1,307
Debt less debt issuance costs$287,487
 $287,757
(In thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Senior notes due 2023, unsecured, interest at 5.3% annually$250,000
 $250,000
Revolving Credit Agreement, outstanding borrowings are fully secured, see Note 3, and carried at a weighted average interest rate of 1.73% and 1.35%, respectively. Outstanding borrowings are not permitted to exceed $250 million aggregately; Revolving Credit Agreement expires in 2020. The interest rate on the borrowings is set at the time the respective borrowing is initiated or renewed. The current borrowings can be repaid or renewed in the fourth quarter 2017. If renewed, the interest rate will be reset.152,000
 200,000
Total principal402,000
 450,000
Less debt issuance costs1,540
 1,798
Debt less debt issuance costs$400,460
 $448,202

Covenant Compliance
There are no financial covenants associated with the Senior Notes due 2023.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events constituting default, and remedies for default. The Revolving Credit Agreement also defines financial covenants regarding permitted leverage ratios. ProAssurance is currently in compliance with all covenants of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The Mortgage Loans contain customary representations, covenants and events constituting default, and remedies for default. The Mortgage Loans also define a financial covenant regarding a permitted leverage ratio for each of the two ProAssurance subsidiaries that entered into the Mortgage Loans. ProAssurance's subsidiaries are currently in compliance with the financial covenant of the Mortgage Loans.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

Additional Information
For additional information regarding ProAssurance's debt, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 20162018 Form 10-K.

9. Derivatives
ProAssurance is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business and investment activities. ProAssurance utilizes derivative instruments as part of its risk management strategy to reduce the market risk related to fluctuations in future interest rates associated with a portion of its variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2019, ProAssurance has not designated any derivative instruments as hedging instruments and does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.
ProAssurance utilizes an interest rate cap agreement with the objective of reducing the Company's exposure to interest rate risk related to its variable-rate Mortgage Loans. Additional information regarding the Company's Mortgage Loans is provided in Note 8. Under the terms of the interest rate cap agreement, ProAssurance paid a premium of $2 million for the right to receive cash payments based upon a notional amount of $35 million if and when the three-month LIBOR rises above 2.35%. The Company's variable-rate Mortgage Loans bear an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.325%. Therefore, this derivative instrument is effectively ensuring the interest rate related to the Mortgage Loans is capped at a maximum of 3.675% until expiration of the interest rate cap agreement in October 2027. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, ProAssurance received a nominal cash payment associated with this agreement as a result of the three-month LIBOR rising above 2.35%, which was recorded as a reduction to interest expense. ProAssurance has designated the interest rate cap as an economic hedge (non-hedging instrument) of interest rate exposure and any change in fair value of the derivative is immediately recognized in earnings during the period of change.
The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value position of the interest rate cap as well as the reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
33
($ in thousands)March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation in the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetsNumber of Instruments
Notional Amount (1)
Estimated Fair Value (2)
 Number of Instruments
Notional Amount (1)
Estimated Fair Value (2)
Interest Rate CapOther assets1$35,000
$1,447
 1$35,000
$1,884
(1) Volume is represented by the derivative instrument's notional amount.
(2) Additional information regarding the fair value of the Company's interest rate cap is provided in Note 2.
The following table presents the pre-tax impact of the change in the fair value of the interest rate cap and the reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
Gains (Losses) Recognized in
Income on Derivatives
(In thousands)Three Months Ended March 31
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income2019 2018
Interest Rate CapInterest expense$(437) $575

As a result of this derivative instrument, ProAssurance is exposed to risk that the counterparty will fail to meet its contractual obligations. To mitigate this counterparty credit risk, ProAssurance only enters into derivative contracts with carefully selected major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and monitors their creditworthiness. As of March 31, 2019, the counterparty had an investment grade rating of BBB- and has performed in accordance with their contractual obligations.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


8.10. Shareholders’ Equity
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018, ProAssurance had 100 million shares of authorized common stock and 50 million shares of authorized preferred stock. The Board has the authority to determine provisions for the issuance of preferred shares, including the number of shares to be issued, the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such shares. To date, the Board has not approved the issuance of preferred stock.
ProAssurance declared cash dividends of $0.31 per share during each of the first three quarters of 2017,both 2019 and 2018, totaling $49.6 million. ProAssurance declared cash dividends of $0.31 per share during each of the first three quarters of 2016, totaling $49.4 million.$16.7 million and $16.6 million, respectively.
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, Board authorizations for the repurchase of common shares or the retirement of outstanding debt of $109.6 million remained available for use. ProAssurance did not repurchase any common shares during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and repurchased approximately 44,500 shares at a cost of $2.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2018.
Share-based compensation expense and related tax benefits were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2019 2018
Share-based compensation expense$1,228
 $902
Related tax benefits$258
 $190
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Share-based compensation expense$1,018
 $1,645
 $7,110
 $7,458
Related tax benefits$356
 $576
 $2,489
 $2,610

ProAssurance awarded approximately 84,600109,000 restricted share units and 48,00025,000 base performance share units to employees in February 2017.2019. The fair value of each unit awarded was estimated at $58.35,$40.18, equal to the market value of a ProAssurance common share on the date of grant less the estimated present value of dividends during the vesting period. AllThe majority of awards are charged to expense as an increase to additional paid-in capital over the service period (generally the vesting period) associated with the award. However, a nominal amount of awards are recorded as a liability as they are structured to be settled in cash. Restricted share units and performance share units vest in their entirety at the end of a three-year period following the grant date based on a continuous service requirement and, for performance share units, achievement of a performance objective. Partial vesting is permitted for retirees. AFor equity classified awards, a ProAssurance common share is issued for each unit once vesting requirements are met, except that units sufficient to satisfy required tax withholdings are paid in cash. The number of common shares issued for performance share units varies from 50% to 200% of base awards depending upon the degree to which stated performance objectives are achieved. ProAssurance issued approximately 29,30064,500 and 99,50034,300 common shares to employees in February 20172019 related to restricted share units and performance share units, respectively, granted in 2014.2016. Performance share units for the 20142016 award were issued at levels ranging from 117% to 125%a level of 95%. Liability classified awards, which are nominal in amount, are settled in cash at the end of the vesting period.
ProAssurance issued approximately 9,0002,000 common shares to employees in February 20172019 as bonus compensation, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The shares issued were valued at fair value (the market price of a ProAssurance common share on the date of award).
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, OCI was primarilyalmost entirely comprised of unrealized gains and losses, including non-credit impairment losses, arising during the period related to fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, less reclassification adjustments, as shown in the table that follows, net of tax. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2019 and 2018, OCI included a gain of $0.6 million, net of tax,changes related to changes from the reestimation of twothe defined benefit plansplan liability assumed in the Eastern acquisition one of which was terminated latewere nominal in 2016.amount. The remainingdefined benefit plan is frozen as to the earnings of additional benefits butand the unrecognizedbenefit plan benefit liability is reestimated annually.
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018, AOCI was primarilyalmost entirely comprised of accumulated unrealized gains and losses from fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, including accumulated non-credit impairments recognized inthrough OCI of $0.50.2 million and $0.3$0.1 million, respectively, net of tax. During 2016, as discussed above, one of the defined benefit plans assumed in the Eastern acquisition was terminated and the related unrecognized losses were reclassified from AOCI to earnings. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016, unrecognized2018, accumulated changes in the remaining defined benefit plan liability not yet recognized in earnings were nominal in amount. AllDue to the adoption of accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2018 related to certain impacts of the TCJA, ProAssurance increased AOCI by approximately $3.4 million with a corresponding decrease to retained earnings of the same amount as of the beginning of 2018. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, tax effects were computed using a 35%the enacted federal corporate tax rate of 21% with the exception of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities held at ourthe Company's U.K. and Cayman IslandIslands entities which in both periods were immaterial in amount.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


Amounts reclassified from AOCI to Netnet income and the amounts of deferred tax expense (benefit) included in OCI were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2019 2018
Reclassifications from AOCI to net income:   
Realized investment gains (losses)$(17) $2,417
Tax effect, calculated using the 21% federal statutory tax rate4
 (508)
Net reclassification adjustments$(13) $1,909
    
Deferred tax expense (benefit) included in OCI$6,804
 $(7,060)
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Reclassifications from AOCI to Net income:       
Realized investment gains (losses)$1,462
 $3,852
 $2,425
 $145
Non-credit impairment losses reclassified to earnings, due to sale of securities or reclassification as a credit loss
 (423) (3) (3,441)
Total amounts reclassified, before tax effect1,462
 3,429
 2,422
 (3,296)
Tax effect (at 35%)(512) (1,200) (848) 1,154
Net reclassification adjustments$950
 $2,229
 $1,574
 $(2,142)
        
Deferred tax expense (benefit) included in OCI$(373) $(2,687) $4,091
 $17,114

9.11. Variable Interest Entities
ProAssurance holds passive interests in a number of entities that are considered to be VIEs under GAAP guidance. ProAssurance's VIE interests principally consist of interests in LPs/LLCs formed for the purpose of achieving diversified equity and debt returns. ProAssurance's VIE interests, carried as a part of Other investments totaled $27.4 million at September 30, 2017 and $26.9 million at December 31, 2016. ProAssurance's VIE interests carried as a part of Investmentinvestment in unconsolidated subsidiaries, totaled $269.6$308.3 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and $282.3$285.8 million at December 31, 2016.2018.
ProAssurance does not have power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs and thus is not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, ProAssurance has not consolidated these VIEs. ProAssurance’s involvement with each entityVIE is limited to its direct ownership interest in the entity.VIE. Except asfor the funding commitments disclosed in Note 6, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, ProAssurance has no arrangements with any of the entitiesVIEs to provide other financial support to or on behalf of the entity.VIE. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, ProAssurance’s maximum loss exposure relative to these investments was limited to the carrying value of ProAssurance’s investment in the VIE.
10.12. Earnings Per Share
Diluted weighted average shares is calculated as basic weighted average shares plus the effect, calculated using the treasury stock method, of assuming that restricted share units, performance share units and purchase match units have vested. The following table provides the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the calculation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings per share:
(In thousands, except per share data)Three Months Ended March 31
2019 2018
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic53,683
 53,515
Dilutive effect of securities:   
Restricted Share Units82
 82
Performance Share Units29
 66
Purchase Match Units14
 19
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted53,808
 53,682
Effect of dilutive shares on earnings per share$
 $

(In thousands, except per share data)Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
2017 2016 2017 2016
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic53,413
 53,222
 53,377
 53,199
Dilutive effect of securities:       
Restricted Share Units87
 75
 81
 71
Performance Share Units88
 132
 105
 124
Purchase Match Units26
 27
 23
 25
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted
53,614
 53,456
 53,586
 53,419
Effect of dilutive shares on earnings per share$
 $(0.01) $
 $(0.01)
All dilutive common share equivalents are reflected in the earnings per share calculation while antidilutive common share equivalents are not reflected in the earnings per share calculation. The diluted weighted average number ofThere were no antidilutive common shares outstandingshare equivalents for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 excludes approximately 28,000 and 9,000 common share equivalents, respectively, issuable under the Company's stock compensation plans, as their effect would be antidilutive. There were no common share equivalents that were antidilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019 or 2018.


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019


11.13. Segment Information
ProAssurance's segments are based on the Company's internal management reporting structure for which financial results are regularly evaluated by the Company's CODM to determine resource allocation and assess operating performance. The Company continually assesses its internal management reporting structure and information evaluated by the CODM to determine whether any changes have occurred that would impact its segment reporting structure.
Segment Reorganization
During the third quarter of 2018, ProAssurance operates in fouraltered its internal management reporting structure and the financial results evaluated by its CODM; therefore, ProAssurance changed its operating segments that are organized aroundto align with how the natureCODM currently oversees the business, allocates resources and evaluates operating performance. As a result of the productssegment reorganization, ProAssurance added an operating and services provided:reportable segment: Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance.
The Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment provides the operating results of SPCs that assume workers’ compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a combination of the two. The underwriting results of the SPCs that assume workers’ compensation business and healthcare professional liability business were previously reported in the Company's Workers’ Compensation and Specialty P&C segments, respectively, and the results of investment assets solely allocated to SPC operations, previously reported in the Company's Corporate segment, are now reported in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. The Workers' Compensation Lloyd's Syndicate,segment has also been renamed "Workers' Compensation Insurance." All prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation. The segment reorganization had no impact on previously reported consolidated financial results.
Descriptions of ProAssurance's five operating and Corporate. A description of each segment follows.reportable segments are as follows:
Specialty P&C is primarily focused on professional liability insurance and medical technology liability insurance. Professional liability insurance is primarily offered to healthcare providers and institutions and to attorneys and their firms. Medical technology liability insurance is offered to medical technology and life sciences companies that manufacture or distribute products including entities conducting human clinical trials. ThePrior to 2018, the Specialty P&C segment cedesceded certain premium to the Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment under a quota share agreement with Syndicate 1729.1729; however, this agreement was not renewed on January 1, 2018. As discussed below, Syndicate 1729 operatingthe Lloyd's Syndicates segment results are typically reported on a quarter delay. For consistency purposes, results from this ceding arrangement, other than cash receipts or disbursements, have beenare reported within the Specialty P&C segment on the same one-quarter delay. Additionally, the Specialty P&C segment cedes healthcare professional liability business to certain SPCs in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment.
Workers' CompensationInsurance provides workers' compensation products primarily to employers with 1,000 or fewer employees. The segment also offerssegment's products include guaranteed cost, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible polices and alternative market solutions whereby policies writtensolutions. Alternative market products include program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, SPC rental, asset management and SPC management services. Alternative market premiums are 100% ceded to either SPCs in the Company's Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment or, to a limited extent, to a captive insurersinsurer unaffiliated with ProAssuranceProAssurance.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance reflects the operating results (underwriting profit or toloss, plus investment results) of SPCs operated byat Eastern Re and Inova Re, the Company's Cayman Islands SPC operations. The majority of SPCs assume workers' compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a wholly owned subsidiarycombination of the two from the Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. During the first quarter of 2019, one SPC at Eastern Re assumed an errors and omissions liability policy from a captive insurer unaffiliated with ProAssurance. Each SPC is owned, fully or in part, by an agency, group or association. Operatingassociation and the operating results (underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results reported in the Corporate segment) of the SPCs are due to the ownersparticipants of that cell. ProAssurance participates to a varying degree in the results of selected SPCs. SPC operating results due to external cell participants are reflected as a SPC dividend expense in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment and in ProAssurance's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. In addition, the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment includes the SPC investment results as the investments are solely for the benefit of the cell participants and investment results due to external cell participants are reflected in the SPC dividend expense. The segment operating results reflects ProAssurance's share of the underwriting and investment results of the SPCs in which ProAssurance participates.
Lloyd'sSyndicateSyndicates includes operating results from ProAssurance's 58% participation in Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131, which is an SPA that underwrites on a quota share basis with Syndicate 1729. The results of this segment are normally reported on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. Furthermore, investment results associated with the majority of investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate operations and certain U.S. paid administrative expenses are reported concurrently as that information is available on an earlier time frame. For the 2019 underwriting year, ProAssurance slightly decreased its participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 62% to 61%; however, due to the quarter delay these changes will not be reflected in the Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2019

second quarter of 2019. Furthermore, ProAssurance's 100% participation in Syndicate 6131 was not reflected in the Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2018 as Syndicate 6131 began writing business effective January 1, 2018. Syndicate 1729 underwrites risks over a wide range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines in both the U.S. and international markets. The results of this segment are reportedSyndicate 6131 focuses on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material tocontingency and specialty property business, also within the current period. Furthermore, investment results associated with investment assets solely allocated to Syndicate 1729 operationsU.S. and certain U.S. paid administrative expenses are reported concurrently as that information is available on an earlier time frame.international markets.
Corporate includes ProAssurance's investment operations, other than those reported in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance and Lloyd's Syndicates segments, interest expense and U.S. income taxes, all of which are managed at the corporate level with the exception of investment assets solely allocated to Syndicate 1729 as discussed above.taxes. The segment also includes non-premium revenues generated outside of ourthe Company's insurance entities and corporate expenses.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance’s December 31, 20162018 report on Form 10-K and Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.herein. ProAssurance evaluates the performance of its Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation Insurance segments based on before tax underwriting profit or loss, which excludes investment performance. ProAssurance evaluates the performance of its Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment based on before tax operating profit or loss, which includes the investment performance of assets solely allocated to SPC operations. Performance of the Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment is evaluated based on underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results of investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate 1729 operations, net of U.K. income tax expense. Performance of the Corporate segment is evaluated based on the contribution made to consolidated after taxafter-tax results. ProAssurance accounts for inter-segment transactions as if the transactions were to third parties at current market prices. Assets are not allocated to segments because investments, other than the investments discussed above that are solely allocated to the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance and Lloyd's Syndicates segments, and other assets are not managed at the segment level.

Financial results by segment were as follows:
36
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(In thousands)Specialty P&C Workers' Compensation Insurance Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance Lloyd's Syndicates Corporate Inter-segment Eliminations Consolidated
Net premiums earned$124,067
 $45,939
 $19,502
 $18,641
 $
 $
 $208,149
Net investment income
 
 448
 1,006
 21,364
 
 22,818
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 
 (810) 
 (810)
Net realized gains (losses)
 
 2,141
 178
 34,304
 
 36,623
Other income (expense)*1,209
 729
 87
 (146) 905
 (689) 2,095
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(107,658) (30,443) (10,745) (10,909) 
 
 (159,755)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses*(29,615) (14,192) (5,235) (8,469) (4,570) 689
 (61,392)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income
 
 (4,787) 
 
 
 (4,787)
Interest expense
 
 
 
 (4,330) 
 (4,330)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 
 (304) (6,657) 
 (6,961)
Segment operating results$(11,997) $2,033
 $1,411
 $(3) $40,206
 $
 $31,650
Significant non-cash items:             
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion$1,736
 $977
 $46
 $(3) $2,280
 $
 $5,036


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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019

Financial results by segment were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(In thousands)Specialty P&C Workers' Compensation Insurance Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance Lloyd's Syndicates Corporate Inter-segment Eliminations Consolidated
Net premiums earned$114,947
 $42,700
 $17,036
 $12,476
 $
 $
 $187,159
Net investment income
 
 356
 751
 20,920
 
 22,027
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 
 1,640
 
 1,640
Net realized gains (losses)
 
 (473) (54) (11,990) 
 (12,517)
Other income (expense)*1,256
 851
 30
 331
 943
 (688) 2,723
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(83,522) (27,825) (9,953) (8,486) 
 
 (129,786)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses*(27,980) (13,030) (5,114) (7,246) (4,678) 688
 (57,360)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income
 
 (1,747) 
 
 
 (1,747)
Interest expense
 
 
 
 (3,705) 
 (3,705)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 
 (6) 3,428
 
 3,422
Segment operating results$4,701
 $2,696
 $135
 $(2,234) $6,558
 $
 $11,856
Significant non-cash items:             
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion$1,867
 $956
 $165
 $(1) $3,092
 $
 $6,079
* As a result of the third quarter 2018 segment reorganization, certain fees for services provided to the SPCs at Eastern Re and Inova Re are recorded as expenses within the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment and as other income within the Workers' Compensation Insurance segment. These fees are eliminated between segments in consolidation. These services primarily include SPC rental fees and were previously eliminated within the Company's Workers' Compensation segment.

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)Specialty P&C
Workers' Compensation
Lloyd's Syndicate
Corporate
Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Net premiums earned$118,331
 $57,654
 $16,318
 $
 $
 $192,303
Net investment income
 
 412
 23,317
 
 23,729
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 4,164
 
 4,164
Net realized gains (losses)
 
 31
 7,718
 
 7,749
Other income (expense)1,276
 164
 (1,881) 1,023
 (72) 510
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(73,831) (35,081) (20,444) 
 
 (129,356)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(27,037) (18,434) (6,723) (4,989) 72
 (57,111)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
65
 (1,722) 
 (1,234) 
 (2,891)
Interest expense
 
 
 (4,124) 
 (4,124)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 (61) (5,963) 
 (6,024)
Segment operating results$18,804
 $2,581
 $(12,348) $19,912
 $
 $28,949
Significant non-cash items:           
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion$1,933
 $848
 $(6) $4,300
 $
 $7,075


 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands)Specialty P&C
Workers' Compensation
Lloyd's Syndicate
Corporate
Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Net premiums earned$340,394
 $169,791

$45,374

$

$
 $555,559
Net investment income
 

1,194

68,398


 69,592
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
 



8,489


 8,489
Net realized gains (losses)
 

105

18,705


 18,810
Other income (expense)3,943
 519

(1,641)
1,974

(214) 4,581
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(220,123) (103,217)
(40,718)



 (364,058)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(79,252) (52,220)
(19,786)
(21,062)
214
 (172,106)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)(2)
(5,026) (5,593) 
 (3,457) 
 (14,076)
Interest expense
 
 
 (12,402) 
 (12,402)
Income tax benefit (expense)(2)

 
 495
 (4,962) 
 (4,467)
Segment operating results$39,936
 $9,280
 $(14,977) $55,683
 $
 $89,922
Significant non-cash items:           
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion$5,350
 $2,516
 $(14) $13,172
 $
 $21,024



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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2019

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
(In thousands)Specialty P&C
Workers' Compensation
Lloyd's Syndicate
Corporate
Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Net premiums earned$116,199
 $54,498
 $14,578
 $
 $
 $185,275
Net investment income
 
 351
 24,910
 
 25,261
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 (3,349) 
 (3,349)
Net realized gains (losses)
 
 50
 15,687
 
 15,737
Other income (expense)1,012
 86
 734
 15
 (419) 1,428
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(72,311) (34,472) (11,299) 
 
 (118,082)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(26,563) (18,331) (6,251) (5,086) 419
 (55,812)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(94) (1,449) 
 (1,653) 
 (3,196)
Interest expense
 
 
 (3,748) 
 (3,748)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 (1,352) (8,328) 
 (9,680)
Segment operating results$18,243
 $332
 $(3,189) $18,448
 $
 $33,834
Significant non-cash items:           
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion$1,979
 $1,396
 $23
 $5,140
 $
 $8,538
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(In thousands)Specialty P&C
Workers' Compensation
Lloyd's Syndicate
Corporate
Inter-segment Eliminations
Consolidated
Net premiums earned$335,080
 $163,974
 $40,533
 $
 $
 $539,587
Net investment income
 
 1,004
 74,280
 
 75,284
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 (6,607) 
 (6,607)
Net realized gains (losses)
 
 59
 18,255
 
 18,314
Other income (expense)4,021
 696
 1,174
 758
 (686) 5,963
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(205,787) (104,160) (25,989) 
 
 (335,936)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(77,519) (52,494) (16,660) (20,748) 686
 (166,735)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(94) (3,440) 
 (2,361) 
 (5,895)
Interest expense
 
 
 (11,285) 
 (11,285)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 (2,248) (14,209) 
 (16,457)
Segment operating results$55,701
 $4,576
 $(2,127) $38,083
 $
 $96,233
Significant non-cash items:           
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion$5,475
 $4,193
 $132
 $15,709
 $
 $25,509
(1) During the first quarter of 2017, ProAssurance began reporting in the Corporate segment the portion of the SPC dividend (expense) income that is attributable to the investment results of the SPCs, all of which are reported in the Corporate segment, to better align the expense with the related investment results of the SPCs. For comparative purposes, ProAssurance has reflected the SPC dividend expense for 2016 in the same manner.
(2) During the second quarter of 2017, ProAssurance recognized a $5.2 million pre-tax expense related to previously unrecognized SPC dividend expense for the cumulative earnings of unrelated parties that have owned segregated portfolio cells at various periods since 2003 in a Bermuda captive insurance operation managed by the Company's HCPL line of business within the Specialty P&C segment. The expense recorded in the second quarter of 2017 related to periods prior to the current period and is unrelated to the captive operations of the Company's Eastern Re subsidiary. The $1.8 million tax impact of the expense recognized in the second quarter of 2017 is included in the Corporate segment's income tax benefit (expense) for the 2017 nine-month period.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017


The following table provides detailed information regarding ProAssurance's gross premiums earned by product as well as a reconciliation to net premiums earned. All gross premiums earned are from external customers except as noted. ProAssurance's insured risks are primarily within the U.S.
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Specialty P&C Segment          
Gross premiums earned:          
Healthcare professional liability$125,377
 $119,833
 $358,209
 $345,520
$128,021
 $118,685
Legal professional liability6,483
 6,492
 19,217
 19,599
6,560
 6,391
Medical technology liability8,459
 8,756
 25,160
 25,549
8,302
 8,512
Other108
 140
 311
 562
136
 110
Ceded premiums earned(22,096) (19,022) (62,503) (56,150)(18,952) (18,751)
Segment net premiums earned118,331
 116,199
 340,394
 335,080
124,067
 114,947
          
Workers' Compensation Segment       
Workers' Compensation Insurance Segment   
Gross premiums earned:          
Traditional business43,492
 42,582
 127,761
 127,426
49,285
 46,233
Alternative market business20,200
 18,502
 59,855
 55,601
20,991
 19,381
Ceded premiums earned(6,038) (6,586) (17,825) (19,053)(24,337) (22,914)
Segment net premiums earned57,654
 54,498
 169,791
 163,974
45,939
 42,700
          
Lloyd's Syndicate Segment       
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance Segment   
Gross premiums earned:          
Property and casualty*18,790
 16,387
 52,935
 43,619
Workers' compensation(1)
20,496
 17,839
Healthcare professional liability(2)
1,323
 1,329
Other120
 
Ceded premiums earned(2,472) (1,809) (7,561) (3,086)(2,437) (2,132)
Segment net premiums earned16,318
 14,578
 45,374
 40,533
19,502
 17,036

 
 
 
   
Consolidated Net premiums earned$192,303
 $185,275
 $555,559
 $539,587
Lloyd's Syndicates Segment   
Gross premiums earned:   
Property and casualty(3)
23,828
 17,967
Ceded premiums earned(5,187) (5,491)
Segment net premiums earned18,641
 12,476

 
Consolidated net premiums earned$208,149
 $187,159
*(1) Premium for all periods is assumed from the Workers' Compensation Insurance segment.
(2) Premium for all periods is assumed from the Specialty P&C segment.
(3)Includes premium assumed from the Specialty P&C segment of $2.9$0.1 million and $9.5$1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2019 and $3.4 million and $10.4 million for the same respective periods of 2016.
12. Subsequent Events
In October 2017, ProAssurance repaid $18 million of the balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Agreement (see Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement).2018, respectively.


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to those statements which accompany this report. Throughout the discussion we use certain terms and abbreviations, which can be found in the Glossary of Terms and Acronyms at the beginning of this report. In addition, a glossary of insurance terms and phrases is available on the investor section of our website. Throughout the discussion, references to "ProAssurance," "PRA," "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to ProAssurance Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The discussion contains certain forward-looking information that involves significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties. As discussed under the heading "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," our actual financial condition and operating results could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements.
ProAssurance Overview
We report our results in four segments based on the operational focus of the segment. Our Specialty P&C segment includes our professional liability business and our medical technology liability business. Our Workers' Compensation segment includes workers' compensation insuranceProAssurance Corporation is a holding company for employers, groups and associations. Our Lloyd's Syndicate segment reflects operating results from our 58% participation in Syndicate 1729, which underwrites risks over a wide range of property and casualty insurance companies. Our wholly owned insurance subsidiaries provide professional liability insurance for healthcare professionals and reinsurance linesfacilities, professional liability insurance for attorneys and their firms, liability insurance for medical technology and life sciences risks and workers' compensation insurance. We are also the majority capital provider for Syndicate 1729 and the sole capital provider for Syndicate 6131 at Lloyd's of London.
We operate in bothfive segments which are based on our internal management reporting structure for which financial results are regularly evaluated by our CODM to determine resource allocation and assess operating performance. During the U.S.third quarter of 2018, we reorganized our segment reporting and international markets. Information regarding Lloyd's operations derivedas a result, the number of our segments increased from U.K. based entitiesfour to five, described as follows:
Specialty P&C - This segment includes our professional liability business and medical technology liability business. Professional liability insurance is primarily offered to healthcare providers and institutions and, to a lesser extent, to attorneys and their firms. Medical technology liability insurance is offered to medical technology and life sciences companies that manufacture or distribute products including entities conducting human clinical trials. The underwriting results of SPCs that assume healthcare professional liability business were previously reported in this segment and are now reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment.
Workers' Compensation Insurance - This segment includes our workers' compensation insurance business which is provided primarily to employers with 1,000 or fewer employees. Our workers' compensation products include guaranteed cost, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible policies and alternative market solutions. The underwriting results of SPCs that assume workers’ compensation business were previously reported in this segment and are now reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance - This segment reflects the operating results (underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results) of SPCs at Eastern Re and Inova Re, our Cayman Islands SPC operations. The majority of SPCs only assume workers' compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a combination of the two from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. During the first quarter of 2019, one SPC at Eastern Re assumed an errors and omissions liability policy from a captive insurer unaffiliated with ProAssurance.
Lloyd's Syndicates - This segment includes the operating results from our participation in Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 and our 100% participation in Syndicate 6131, which is an SPA that underwrites on a quota share basis with Syndicate 1729. The results of this segment are normally reported on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. For the 2019 underwriting year, we slightly decreased our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 62% to 61%; however, due to the quarter delay these changes will not be reflected in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2019. Furthermore, our participation in Syndicate 6131 was not reflected in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2018 as Syndicate 6131 began writing business effective January 1, 2018. Syndicate 1729 underwrites risks over a wide range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines in both the U.S. and international markets while Syndicate 6131 focuses on contingency and specialty property business, also within the U.S. and international markets.
Corporate - This segment includes our investment operations, other than those reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance and Lloyd's Syndicates segments, interest expense and U.S. income taxes. The results of investment assets solely allocated to SPC operations were previously reported in this segment and are now reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. This segment also includes non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities and corporate expenses.
All prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period. Investment results associated with our FAL investments areperiod presentation and the segment reorganization had no impact on previously reported concurrently as those results are available on an earlier time frame. Our Corporate segment includes our investment operations, which are managed at the corporate level (except results associated with investment assets solely allocated to Syndicate 1729 operations), non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities, corporate expenses, interest and U.S. income taxes.consolidated financial results. Additional information regarding our

segments is included in Note 1113 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and in Part I of our 2016 Form 10-K.the Segment Operating Results sections that follow.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts we report on those statements. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis based on current and historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to our estimates and assumptions; reported results of operations may be materially affected by changes in these estimates and assumptions.
Management considers the following accounting estimates to be critical because they involve significant judgment by management and those judgments could result in a material effect on our financial statements.
Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The largest component of our liabilities is our reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("reserve for losses" or "reserve"), and the largest component of expense for our operations is incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (also referred to as “losses and loss adjustment expenses,” “incurred losses,” “losses incurred,”incurred” and “losses”). Incurred losses reported in any period reflect our estimate of losses incurred related to the premiums earned in that period as well as any changes to our previous estimate of the reserve required for prior periods.
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our reserve is comprised almost entirely of long-tail exposures. The estimation of long-tailed losses is inherently difficult and is subject to significant judgment on the part of management. Due to the nature of our claims, our loss costs, even for claims with similar characteristics, can vary significantly depending upon many factors, including but not limited to the specific characteristics of the claim and the manner in which the claim is resolved. Long-tailed insurance is characterized by the extended period of time typically required both to assess the viability of a claim and potential damages, if any, and to then reach a resolution of the claim. The claims resolution process may extend to more than five years. The combination of continually changing conditions and the extended time required for claim resolution results in a loss cost estimation process that requires actuarial skill and the application of significant judgment, and such estimates require periodic modification.
Our reserve is established by management after taking into consideration a variety of factors including premium rates, claims frequency and severity, historical paid and incurred loss development trends, the expected effect of inflation, general economic trends, the legal and political environment and the conclusions reached by our internal and consulting actuaries. We update and review the data underlying the estimation of our reserve for losses each reporting period and make adjustments to loss estimation assumptions that we believe best reflect emerging data. Both our internal and consulting actuaries perform an in-

depthin-depth review of our reserve for losses on at least a semi-annual basis using the loss and exposure data of our insurance subsidiaries.
Our reserving process can be broadly grouped into three areas: the establishment of the reserve for the current accident year (the initial reserve), the re-estimation of the reserve for prior accident years (development of prior accident years) and the establishment of the initial reserve for risks assumed in business combinations, applicable only in periods in which acquisitions occur (the acquired reserve).
Current Accident Year - Initial Reserve
Considerable judgment is required in establishing our initial reserve for any current accident year period, as there is limited data available upon which to base our estimate. Our process for setting an initial reserve considers the unique characteristics of each product, but in general we rely heavily on the loss assumptions that were used to price business, as our pricing reflects our analysis of loss costs that we expect to incur relative to the insurance product being priced.
Specialty P&C Segment. Loss costs within this segment are impacted by many factors including but not limited to the nature of the claim, including whether or not the claim is an individual or a mass tort claim, the personal situation of the claimant or the claimant's family, the outcome of jury trials, the legislative and judicial climate where any potential litigation may occur, general economic conditions and, for claims involving bodily injury, the trend of healthcare costs. Within our Specialty P&C segment, for our HCPL business (77%(75% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2018), we set an initial reserve using the average loss ratio used in our pricing, plus an additional provision in consideration of the historical loss volatility we and others in the industry have experienced. The current accident year reserve also includes provisions for any loss portfolio transfers we enter into during the current period. For our HCPL business our target loss ratio during recent accident years has ranged from 77%79% to 78%82% and the provision for loss volatility has ranged from 8 to 10 percentage points, producing an overall average initial loss ratio for our HCPL business ranging from 87% to 92%; however, we have recently trended towards the higher end of approximately 87%.the range. Changes in observed claim frequency and/or

severity can result in variations from these levels. The reasons for the highervariability in loss provisions vary from period to period and have included additional loss activity within our excess and surplus lines business, provisions for losses in excess of policy limits, adjustments to unallocated loss adjustment expenses,ULAE, adjustment to the reserve for the death, disability and retirementDDR provisions in our policies and additional losses recorded for particular exposures, such as mass torts. These specific adjustments are made if we believe the results for a given accident year are likely to exceedvary from those anticipated by our pricing. We believe use of a provision for volatility appropriately considers the inherent risks and limitations of our rate development process and the historic volatility of professional liability losses (the industry has experienced accident year loss ratios as high as 163%138% and as low as 53%54% over the past 30 years) and produces a reasonable best estimate of the reserve required to cover actual ultimate unpaid losses. A similar practice is followed for our legal professional liability business (3% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2018).
The risks insured in our medical technology liability business (4% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016).
The risks insured in our medical technology liability business (6% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2018) are more varied, and policies are individually priced based on the risk characteristics of the policy and the account. These policies often have significant deductibles or self-insured retentions and theThe insured risks range from startup operations to large multinational entities.entities and the larger entities often have significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. Reserves are established using our most recently developed actuarial estimates of losses expected to be incurred based on factors which include results from prior analysis of similar business, industry indications, observed trends and judgment. Claims in this line of business primarily involve bodily injury to individuals and are affected by factors similar to those of our HCPL line of business. For the medical technology liability business, we also establish an initial reserve using a loss ratio approach, including a provision in consideration of historical loss volatility that this line of business has exhibited.
Workers' Compensation Insurance Segment. Many factors affect the ultimate losses incurred for our workers' compensation coverages (12%(11% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2018) including but not limited to the type and severity of the injury, the age and occupation of the injured worker, the estimated length of disability, medical treatment and related costs, and the jurisdiction and workers' compensation laws of the state of the injury occurrence. We use various actuarial methodologies in developing our workers’ compensation reserve, combined with a review of the exposure base generally based upon payroll of the insured. For the current accident year, given the lack of seasoned information, the different actuarial methodologies produce results with significant variability. Therefore,variability; therefore, more emphasis is placed on supplementing results from the actuarial methodologies with trends in exposure base, medical expense inflation, general inflation, severity, and claim counts, among other things, to select an expected loss ratio.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance Segment. The factors that affect the ultimate losses incurred for the workers' compensation and healthcare professional liability coverages assumed by the SPCs at Eastern Re and Inova Re (3% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2018) are consistent with that of our Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments, respectively.
Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates Segment. Due to the relatively short history of Syndicate 1729 (inception date January(January 1, 2014) we are influenced by historical claims experience of the Lloyd's market for similar risks in estimating the appropriate initial reserves for our Lloyd's Syndicate segment. Loss assumptions by risk category were incorporated into the business plan submitted to Lloyd'sSyndicates segment (4% of our consolidated gross reserve for Syndicate 1729 with consideration given tolosses and loss experience incurred to date.adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2018). We expect loss ratios to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 1729 writes more business and the book begins to mature. Loss ratios can also fluctuate due to the timing of earned premium adjustments. Such adjustments may be the result of premiums for certain policies and assumed reinsurance contracts being reported subsequent to the coverage period and may be subject to adjustment based on loss experience. Premium and exposure for some of Syndicate 1729's insurance policies and reinsurance contracts are initially

estimated and subsequently recorded over an extended period of time as reports are received under bindingdelegated underwriting authority programs. When reports are received, the premium, exposure and corresponding loss estimates are revised accordingly. Changes in loss estimates due to premium or exposure fluctuations are incurred in the accident year in which the premium is earned.
For significant property catastrophe exposures, Syndicate 1729 accumulatesuses third-party catastrophe models to accumulate a listing of potentially affected policies through employing the use of third-party catastrophe models.policies. Each identified policy is given an estimate of loss severity based upon a combination of factors including the probable maximum loss of each policy, market share analytics, underwriting judgment, client/broker estimates and historical loss trends for similar events. These models are inherently uncertain, reliant upon key assumptions and management judgment and are not always a representation of actual events and ensuing potential loss exposure. Determination of actual losses may take an extended period of time until claims are reported and resolved, including coverage litigation.
Syndicate 6131 follows a process similar to Syndicate 1729 for the establishment of initial reserves. Loss assumptions by risk category incorporated into the 2018 business plan submitted to Lloyd's were influenced by historical claims experience of the Lloyd's market for similar risks. We expect the loss ratios of Syndicate 6131 to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 6131 assumes more business from Syndicate 1729 and the book begins to mature.

Development of Prior Accident Years
In addition to setting the initial reserve for the current accident year, each period we reassess the amount of reserve required for prior accident years.
The foundation of ourOur reserve re-estimation process is anbased upon the most recently completed actuarial analysis based on our most recently available claims data andsupplemented by any new analysis, information or trends that have emerged since the date of that study. We also take into account currently available industry trend information. Changes to previously established reserve estimates are recognized in the current period if management’s best estimate of ultimate losses differs from the estimate previously established. While management considers a variety of variables in determining its best estimate, in general, as claims age, our methodologies give more weight to actual loss costs which, for the majority of our reserves, continue to indicate that ultimate loss costs will be lower than our previous estimates. The discussion in our Critical Accounting Estimates section in Item 7 of our 20162018 Form 10-K includes additional information regarding the methodologies used to evaluate our reserve.
Any change in our estimate of net ultimate losses for prior years is reflected in net income in the period in which such changes are made. In recent years such changes have reduced our estimate of net ultimate losses, resulting in a reduction of reported losses for the period and a corresponding increase in pre-tax income.
Due to the size of our consolidated reserve for losses and the large number of claims outstanding at any point in time, even a small percentage adjustment to our total reserve estimate could have a material effect on our results of operations for the period in which the adjustment is made.
Use of Judgment
Even though the actuarial process is highly technical, it is also highly judgmental, both as to the selection of the data used in the various actuarial methodologies (e.g., initial expected loss ratios and loss development factors) and in the interpretation of the output of the various methods used. Each actuarial method generally returns a different value and for the more recent accident years the variations among the various methodologies can be significant. For each partition of our reserves, we evaluate the results of the various methods, along with the supplementary statistical data regarding such factors as closed with and without indemnity ratios, claim severity trends, the expected duration of such trends, and changes in the legal and legislative environment and the current economic environment to develop a point estimate based upon management's judgment and past experience. The series of selected point estimates is then combined to produce an overall point estimate for ultimate losses.
Given the potential for unanticipated volatility for long-tailed lines of business, we are cautious in giving full credibility to emerging trends that, when more fully mature, may lead to the recognition of either favorable or adverse development of our losses. There may be trends, both positive and negative, reflected in the numerical data both within our own information and in the broader marketplace that mitigate or reverse as time progresses and additional data becomes available. This is particularly true for our HCPL business which has historically exhibited significant volatility as previously discussed.
HCPL. Over the past several years the most influential factor affecting the analysis of our HCPL reserves and the related development recognized has been an observed increase in claim severity for the change, or lack thereof, in the severity ofbroader HCPL industry as well as higher initial loss expectations on incurred claims. The severity trend is an explicit component of our pricing models, whereas in our reserving process the severity trend's impact is implicit. Our estimate of this trend and our expectations about changes in this trend impact a variety of factors, from the selection of expected loss ratios to the ultimate point estimates established by management.
Because of the implicit and wide-ranging nature of severity trend assumptions on the loss reserving process, it is not practical to specifically isolate the impact of changing severity trends. However, because severity is an explicit component of our HCPL pricing process we can better isolate the impact that changing severity can have on our loss costs and loss ratios in regards to our pricing models for this business component. Our current HCPL pricing models assume a severity trend of 2% toapproximately 3% forin most states and products. We have observed potentially higher severity trends in our case reserve estimates but these have not yet been confirmed by actual claim payments. If the severity trend were to be higher by 1 percentage point, the impact would be an increase in our expected loss ratio for this business of 3.2 percentage points, based on current claim disposition patterns. An increase in the severity trend of 3 percentage points would result in a 10.1 percentage point increase in our expected loss ratio. Due to the

long-tailed nature of our claims and the previously discussed historical volatility of loss costs, selection of a severity trend assumption is a subjective process that is inherently likely to prove inaccurate over time. Given the long tail and volatility, we are generally cautious in making changes to the severity assumptions within our pricing models. All open claims and accident years are generally impacted by a change in the severity trend, which compounds the effect of such a change.
ForAlthough the 2004 to 2009 accident years, both our internalfuture degree and consulting actuaries observed an unprecedented reduction in the frequencyimpact of HCPL claims (or number of claims per exposure unit) that cannot be attributed to any single factor. Since 2009, claim frequency has been relatively constant, at a lower level than had historically existed. For a number of years, we believed that much of the reduction in claim frequency was the result of a decline in the filing of non-meritorious lawsuits that had historically been dismissed or otherwise resulted in no payment of indemnity on behalf of our insureds. With fewer non-meritorious claims being filed we expected that the claims that were filed had the potential for greater average losses, or greater severity. To date, however, this effect has not materialized to the extent we anticipated. The uncertainty as to the impact this decline in frequency might ultimately have on the average cost of claims complicated the selection of an appropriate severity trend for our pricing model for these lines, and factoring severity into the various actuarial methodologies we use to evaluate our reserve has been increasingly challenging. Based on the weighted average of payments, typically 92% of our HCPL claims are resolved after eight years for a given accident year.
Although we remain uncertain regarding the ultimate severity trend to project into the futureremains uncertain due to the long-tailed nature of our business, we have given consideration to observed loss costs in setting our rates. For our HCPL business this practice hashad generally resulted in rate reductions in recent years.as claim frequency declined and remained at historically low levels. For example, on average, excluding our podiatry business acquired in 2009, we havehad gradually reduced the premium rates we chargecharged on our

standard physician renewal business (our largest HCPL line) by approximately 16%17% from the beginning of 2006 to September 30,December 31, 2016. However, from the beginning of 2017. to March 31, 2019, the average charged premium rates on our standard physician renewal business have increased by approximately 3% per annum and we anticipate further rate increases due to indications of increasing loss severity. Loss ratios for the currentrecent accident years have thus remained fairly constant because expected loss reductionschanges have been reflected in our rates.rates; however, we have recognized a higher current accident year net loss ratio during 2019 due to those recent severity indications.
Workers' Compensation.Compensation. The projection of changes in claim severity trend has not historically been an influential factor affecting our analysis of workers' compensation analysis of reserves, as claims are typically resolved more quickly than the industry norm. As previously mentioned, the determination and calculation of loss development factors, in particular, the selection of tail factors which are used to extend the projection of losses beyond historical data, requires considerable judgment. These factors are determined in the absence of direct loss development history and thus require reliance upon industry data which may not be representative of the Company’s data and experience.
Loss Development
We recognized net favorable reserve development of $32.3$10.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, of which favorable development of $30.1$7.9 million related to our Specialty P&C segment, and$0.9 million related to our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment, $2.3 million related to our Workers' CompensationSegregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment, slightly offset by unfavorable development of $0.1$0.8 million related to our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment. We recognized net favorable reserve development of $90.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, of which $81.9 million related to our Specialty P&C segment, $7.6 million related to our Workers' Compensation segment and $0.6 million related to our Lloyd's Syndicate segment.
Net favorable development recognized within theour Specialty P&C segment principally related to accident years 2012 through 2015 and was primarily attributable to the favorable resolution of HCPL claims during the period and an evaluation of established case reserves and paid claims data that indicated that the actualreserves. While we are observing an increase in claim severity trend associated with the remaining HCPL claims is less than we had previously estimated.
Net favorable development recognized within the Workers' Compensation segment included amortization of the purchase accounting fair value adjustment within the traditional business of $0.4 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively; the remaining net favorable development of $1.9 million and $6.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, was attributable to our SPCs which are evaluated at the cell level. Because a relatively small number of claims are open per cell, the closing of claims can affect the actuarial projections for the remaining open claims in the cell to an extent that indicates development should be recognizedbroader HCPL industry, this severity is modestly more favorable than the cautious expectations we have established for the cell.our reserves for prior periods.
Net favorable development recognized within our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns primarily in the 2016 accident year.
Net favorable development recognized within our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment primarily reflected better than expected claim trends in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 accident years. The improved claim trends reflected lower frequency and severity than anticipated at the time the reserves were established.
Net unfavorable development recognized within our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was attributable to actual loss experience proving to have been betterdriven by higher than the Lloyd's market historical averages for similar risksexpected losses and development on certain large claims which were used to establish initial reserves and more than offset the netresulted in unfavorable development recognized during the third quarterwith respect to a previous year of 2017.account. See further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates section that follows.

Investment Valuations
We record the majority of our investments at fair value as shown in the table below. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 the distribution of our investments based on GAAP fair value hierarchies (levels) was as follows:
Distribution by GAAP Fair Value Hierarchy Distribution by GAAP Fair Value Hierarchy 
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Not Categorized Total
Investments
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Not Categorized Total
Investments
Investments recorded at:  
Fair value19% 68% 1% 5% 93%19% 66% 1% 9% 95%
Other valuations 7% 5%
Total Investments 100% 100%
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. All of our fixed maturity and equity security investments are carried at fair value. OurThe fair value of our short-term securities are carried at amortizedapproximates the cost which approximates fair value.of the securities due to their short-term nature.
Because of the number of securities we own and the complexity of developing accurate fair values, we utilize multiple independent pricing services to assist us in establishing the fair value of individual securities. The pricing services provide fair values based on exchange-traded prices, if available. If an exchange-traded price is not available, the pricing services, if possible, provide a fair value that is based on multiple broker/dealer quotes or that has been developed using pricing models. Pricing models vary by asset class and utilize currently available market data for securities comparable to ours to estimate a fair value for our securities. The pricing services scrutinize market data for consistency with other relevant market information before including the data in the pricing models. The pricing services disclose the types of pricing models used and the inputs used for each asset class. Determining fair values using these pricing models requires the use of judgment to identify appropriate comparable securities and to choose a valuation methodology that is appropriate for the asset class and available data.

The pricing services provide a single value per instrument quoted. We review the values provided for reasonableness each quarter by comparing market yields generated by the supplied value versus market yields observed in the marketplace. We also compare yields indicated by the provided values to appropriate benchmark yields and review for values that are unchanged or that reflect an unanticipated variation as compared to prior period values. We utilize a primary pricing service for each security type and compare provided information for consistency with alternate pricing services, known market data and information from our own trades, considering both values and valuation trends. We also review weekly trades versus the prices supplied by the services. If a supplied value appears unreasonable, we discuss the valuation in question with the pricing service and make adjustments if deemed necessary. Historically our review has not resulted in any material changes to the values supplied by the pricing services. The pricing services do not provide a fair value unless an exchange-traded price or multiple observable inputs are available. As a result, the pricing services may provide a fair value for a security in some periods but not others, depending upon the level of recent market activity for the security or comparable securities.
Level 1 Investments
Fair values for a majority of our equity securities and portions of our corporate debt, short-term and convertible securities are determined using exchange-traded prices. There is little judgment involved when fair value is determined using an exchange-traded price. In accordance with GAAP, for disclosure purposes we classify securities valued using an exchange-traded price as Level 1 securities.
Level 2 Investments
Most fixed income securities do not trade daily,daily; and thus, exchange-traded prices are generally not available for these securities. However, market information (often referred to as observable inputs or market data, including but not limited to, last reported trade, non-binding broker quotes, bids, benchmark yield curves, issuer spreads, two sidedtwo-sided markets, benchmark securities, offers and recent data regarding assumed prepayment speeds, cash flow and loan performance data) is available for most of our fixed income securities. We determine fair value for a large portion of our fixed income securities using available market information. In accordance with GAAP, for disclosure purposes we classify securities valued based on multiple market observable inputs as Level 2 securities.

Level 3 Investments
When a pricing service does not provide a value for one of our fixed maturity securities, management estimates fair value using either a single non-binding broker quote or pricing models that utilize market based assumptions which have limited observable inputs. The process involves significant judgment in selecting the appropriate data and modeling techniques to use in the valuation process. For disclosure purposes,In accordance with GAAP, we classify securities valued using limited observable inputs as Level 3 securities.
Fair Values Not Categorized
We hold interests in certain investment funds, primarily LPs/LLCs, which measure fund assets at fair value on a recurring basis and provide us with a NAV for our interest. As a practical expedient, we consider the NAV provided to approximate the fair value of the interest. In accordance with GAAP, we do not categorize these investments within the fair value hierarchy.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
We measure the fair value of certain assets on a nonrecurring basis when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. These assets include investments carried principally at cost, investments in tax credit partnerships and equity method investments that do not provide a NAV, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets.

Investments - Other Valuation Methodologies
Certain of our investments, in accordance with GAAP for the type of investment, are measured using methodologies other than fair value. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, these investments represented approximately 7%5% of total investments, and are detailed in the following table. Additional information about these investments is provided in Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(In millions)Carrying Value GAAP Measurement MethodCarrying Value GAAP Measurement Method
Other investments:    
Investments in LPs$48.5
 Cost
Other, principally FHLB capital stock3.5
 Principally Cost$2.9
 Principally Cost
52.0
 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries:    
Investments in tax credit partnerships100.0
 Equity64.8
 Equity
Equity method LPs/LLCs29.4
 Equity
Equity method investments, primarily LPs/LLCs34.5
 Equity
129.4
 99.3
 
BOLI61.7
 Cash surrender value64.5
 Cash surrender value
Total investments - Other valuation methodologies$243.1
 $166.7
 
Other-than-temporary Impairments
We evaluate our available-for-sale investment securities on at least a quarterly basis for the purpose of determining whether declines in fair value below recorded cost basis represent OTTI. We consider an OTTI to have occurred:
if there is intent to sell the security;
if it is more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before full recovery of its amortized cost basis; andor
if the entire amortized basis of the security is not expected to be recovered.
The assessment of whether the amortized cost basis of a security, particularly an asset-backed debt security, is expected to be recovered requires management to make assumptions regarding various matters affecting future cash flows. The choice of assumptions is subjective and requires the use of judgment. Actual credit losses experienced in future periods may differ from management’s estimates of those credit losses. Methodologies used to estimate the present value of expected cash flows are:
For non-structured fixed maturities (obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions and corporate debt) the estimate of expected cash flows is determined by projecting a recovery value and a recovery time frame and assessing whether further principal and interest will be received. We consider various factors in projecting recovery values and recovery time frames, including the following:
third-party research and credit rating reports;
the current credit standing of the issuer, including credit rating downgrades, whether before or after the balance sheet date;
the extent to which the decline in fair value is attributable to credit risk specifically associated with the security or its issuer;
internal assessments and the assessments of external portfolio managers regarding specific circumstances surrounding an investment, which indicate the investment is more or less likely to recover its amortized cost than other investments with a similar structure;

for asset-backed securities, the origination date of the underlying loans, the remaining average life, the probability that credit performance of the underlying loans will deteriorate in the future, and our assessment of the quality of the collateral underlying the loan;
failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency; and
recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.
For structured securities (primarily asset-backed securities), management estimates the present value of the security’s cash flows using the effective yield of the security at the date of acquisition (or the most recent implied rate used to accrete the security if the implied rate has changed as a result of a previous impairment or changes in expected cash flows). We consider the most recently available six month averages of the levels of delinquencies, defaults, severities, and prepayments for the collateral (loans) underlying the securitization or, if historical data is not available, sector based assumptions to estimate expected future cash flows of these securities.

Exclusive of securities where there is an intent to sell or where it is not more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before recovery of its amortized cost basis, OTTI for debt securities is separated into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component of an OTTI is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows, while the non-credit component is the remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of expected future cash flows. The credit component of the OTTI is recognized in earnings while the non-credit component is recognized in OCI.
Investments in tax credit partnerships are evaluated for OTTI by considering both qualitative and quantitative factors. These factors which include:include, but are not limited to:
our ability and intent to hold the investment until the recovery of its carrying value; and
in situations where there was not a previous OTTI for the investment, whether the current expected cash flows from the investment, primarily tax benefits, are less than those expected at the time the investment was acquired and our ability and intentdue to holdvarious factors, such as a change in the statutory tax rate; or
in situations where there was a previous OTTI for the investment, untilwhether the recoveryexpected cash flows from the investment at the time of the OTTI, primarily tax benefits, are less than its current carrying value.
Investments in LPs/LLCs, which are not accounted for under the equity method are evaluated for impairment by comparing ourwhenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value to the NAV of our interest as reported by the LP/LLC. Additionally, management considers the performance of the LP/LLC relativeinvestment might not be recoverable. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, the market and its stated objectives, cash flows expected from the interest and the audited financial statementsevidence of the LP/LLC, if available.inability to recover the carrying value of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying value of the investment or the current fair value of the investment is less than the carrying value.
We recognize OTTI, exclusive of non-credit OTTI, in earnings as a part of net realized investment gains (losses). In subsequent periods, any measurement of gain, loss or impairment is based on the revised amortized basis of the security. Non-credit OTTI on debt securities and declines in fair value of available-for-sale securities not considered to be other-than-temporary are recognized in OCI.
Asset-backed debt securities that have been impaired due to credit reasons or are below investment grade quality are accounted for under the effective yield method. Under the effective yield method, estimates of cash flows expected over the life of asset-backed securities are then used to recognize income on the investment balance for subsequent accounting periods.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Policy acquisition costs (primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting salaries) which are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal premiums are capitalized as DPAC and charged to expense, net of ceding commissions earned, as the related premium revenue is recognized. We evaluate the recoverability of our DPAC at the segment level each reporting period, and any amounts estimated to be unrecoverable are charged to expense in the current period. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 we have not determined that any amounts are unrecoverable.
Estimation of Taxes / Tax Credits
For interim periods, we determine our provision (benefit) for income taxes based on ourthe current estimate of our annual effective tax rate. Items which are unusual, infrequent, or that cannot be reliably estimated are considered in the effective tax rate in the period in which the item is included in income, and are referred to as discrete items. In calculating our estimated annual effective tax rate, we include the estimated benefit of tax credits for the annual period based on the most recently available information provided by the tax credit partnership;partnerships; the actual amounts of credits provided by the tax credit partnerships may prove to be different than our estimates. The effect of such differencesa difference is recognized in the period identified.
Deferred Taxes
Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Our temporary differences principally relate to our loss reserve, unearned premiums, DPAC, unrealized investment gains (losses) and basis differences on fixed assets and investment assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates

expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We review our deferred tax assets quarterly for impairment. If we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make certain judgments and assumptions about our future operations based on historical experience and information as of the measurement period regarding reversal of existing temporary differences, carryback capacity, future taxable income (including its capital and operating characteristics) and tax planning strategies.
Due to losses recognized in our Lloyd's Syndicate segment during
A valuation allowance has been established against the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, management evaluated the realizabilityfull value of the deferred tax assetsasset related to the NOL carryforwards for the U.K. jurisdiction recorded at the segment andoperations as management concluded that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax assets wouldasset will not be realized. Therefore,In 2018, management also established a valuation allowance against the full valuedeferred tax assets of certain SPCs at our recently formed wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Inova Re. Due to the limited operations of these recently formed SPCs as of December 31, 2018, management concluded that a valuation allowance was required. As of March 31, 2019, management concluded a valuation allowance was still required against the deferred tax assets related to the NOL carryforwards for the U.K. operations and against the deferred tax assets at Inova Re. See further discussion in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our U.K. operations.December 31, 2018 Form 10-K.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The TCJA introduced a minimum tax on payments made to related foreign entities referred to as the BEAT. The BEAT is imposed by adding back into the U.S. tax base any base erosion payment made by the U.S. taxpayer to a related foreign entity and applying a minimum tax rate to this newly calculated modified taxable income. Base erosion payments represent any amount paid or accrued by the U.S. taxpayer to a related foreign entity for which a deduction is allowed. Premiums we cede to the SPCs at our newly formed wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Inova Re, do not fall within the scope of base erosion payments as the SPCs at Inova Re intend to elect to be taxed as U.S. taxpayers. However, premiums that we cede to any active SPC at our other wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Eastern Re, fall within the scope of base erosion payments and therefore could be significantly impacted by the BEAT. We have evaluated our exposure to the BEAT and have concluded that our expected outbound deductible payments to related foreign entities are below the threshold for application of the BEAT; therefore, we have not recognized any incremental tax expense for the BEAT provision of the TCJA for the three months ended March 31, 2019. See further discussion on our new subsidiary, Inova Re, and our Cayman Islands SPC operations in the Segment Operating Results - Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance section that follows. See further discussion in Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The TCJA also requires a U.S. shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation to include its GILTI in U.S. taxable income. The GILTI amount is based on the U.S. shareholder’s aggregate share of the gross income of the controlled foreign corporation reduced by certain exceptions and a net deemed tangible income return. The net deemed tangible income return is based on the controlled foreign corporation’s basis in the tangible depreciable business property. Cell rental fee income earned by Inova Re and Eastern Re fall within the scope of the GILTI provisions of the TCJA. We have evaluated the new GILTI provisions of the TCJA and we have made an accounting policy election to treat the taxes due on inclusions of GILTI in U.S. taxable income as a current period expense when incurred. We recognized a nominal amount of tax expense for the GILTI provision of the TCJA during the three months ended March 31, 2019. See further discussion in Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We evaluate tax positions taken on tax returns and recognize positions in our financial statements when it is more likely than not that we will sustain the position upon resolution with a taxing authority. If recognized, the benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% probability of being realized. We review uncertain tax positions each period, considering changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law, and make adjustments as we consider necessary. Adjustments to our unrecognized tax benefits may affect our income tax expense, and settlement of uncertain tax positions may require the use of cash. Other than differences related to timing, no significant adjustments were considered necessary during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or 2016.2018. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits approximated $8.5$3.7 million.
Goodwill
We review goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amountImpairment of goodwill may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. Our reporting units arelevel, which is consistent with theour reportable segments identified in Note 1113 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Of the fourfive reporting units, twothree have goodwill - Specialty P&C, Workers' Compensation Insurance and Workers' Compensation.Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance. We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1, upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate the fair value of goodwill may be impaired, and immediately before and after a reorganization that affects the composition of one or more of our reporting units. As of the most recent evaluation date on October 1, 2016,2018, we performedelected to perform a qualitativequantitative goodwill impairment assessment for our Specialty P&C, segment and a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for our Workers' Compensation segment. At the valuationInsurance and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance reporting units. As of that evaluation date, management concluded that the fair valuesvalue of both the Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensationeach of our three reporting units exceededthat have goodwill were greater than their respective carrying values,value; therefore, goodwill was not impaired and no goodwillfurther impairment testing was recorded.required. There have been no events or changes in circumstances since that evaluation date that would indicate the carrying amount of goodwill is not recoverable. Additional information regarding our goodwill assessment at the reporting unit level is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 20162018 Form 10-K.

Intangible AssetsIntangibles
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. Amortizable intangible assets primarily consist of agency and policyholder relationships, renewal rights and trade names. Intangible assets with an indefinite life, primarily state licenses, are not amortized. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis.basis or upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate the fair value of the asset may be impaired. Additional information regarding intangible assets is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 20162018 Form 10-K.
Leases
During the first quarter of 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02, which requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions in applying the requirements of this new guidance. We are involved in a number of leases, primarily for office facilities. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at the inception date of the contract and classify all leases as either financing or operating. As of March 31, 2019, all of our leases were classified as operating. Operating ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized as of the lease commencement date based on the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted over the term of the lease using a discount rate determined based on information available as of the commencement date. The ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset (office space) for the lease term. As the majority of our lessors do not provide an implicit discount rate, we use our collateralized incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of remaining lease payments. For leases entered into or reassessed after the adoption of ASU 2016-02, we account for lease and non-lease components of a contract as a single lease component.
We evaluate our operating lease ROU assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a ROU asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the underlying leased asset over the remaining lease term. That assessment is based on the carrying amount of the ROU asset at the date it is tested for recoverability and an impairment loss is measured and recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the ROU asset exceeds its fair value. Additional information regarding our leases is included in Note 1 and Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Audit Premium
Workers’ compensation premiums are determined based upon the payroll of the insured, applicablerespective premium rates and, where applicable, an experience basedexperience-based modification factor, where applicable.factor. An audit of the policyholders’ records is conducted after policy expiration to make a final determination of applicable premiums. Audit premium due from or due to a policyholder as a result of an audit is reflected in net premiums written and earned when billed. We track, by policy, the amount of additional premium billed in final audit invoices as a percentage of payroll exposure and use this information to estimate the probable additional amount of EBUB premium as of the balance sheet date. We include changes to the EBUB premium estimate in net premiums written and earned in the period recognized.
Lloyd’s Premium Estimates
For certain insurance policies and reinsurance contracts written in our Lloyd’s Syndicates segment, premiums are initially recognized based upon estimates of ultimate premium. Estimated ultimate premium consists primarily of premium written under delegated underwriting authority arrangements, which consist primarily of binding authorities, and certain assumed reinsurance agreements. These estimates of ultimate premium are judgmental and are dependent upon certain assumptions, including historical premium trends for similar agreements. As reports are received from programs, ultimate premium estimates are revised, if necessary, with changes reflected in current operations.
Accounting Changes
We did not have any change in accounting estimate or policy that had a material effect on our results of operations or financial position during the three months ended March 31, 2019. We are not aware of any accounting changes not yet adopted as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 that would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position. Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements provides additional detail regarding accounting changes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources and Financial Condition
Overview
ProAssurance Corporation is a holding company and is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. As a holding company our principal sourcessource of external revenue areis our investment revenues, andrevenues. In addition, dividends from our operating subsidiaries represent a significant source of funds for our obligations, including debt service and shareholder dividends. We also charge our operating subsidiaries within our Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation Insurance segments a management fee based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of gross premium written by the subsidiary. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, we held cash and liquid investments of approximately $264$192 million outside our insurance subsidiaries that were available for use without regulatory approval or other restriction. As of October 31, 2017, our holding companyWe also has an additional $66have $200 million in permitted borrowings under itsour Revolving Credit Agreement which includes $18 million of the outstanding balance that was repaid in October 2017. Additionally, we have availableand an accordion feature available which, if subscribed successfully, would allow another $50 million in available funds as discussed in this sectionfunds. As of April 25, 2019, no borrowings were outstanding under the heading "Debt."our Revolving Credit Agreement.
To date, during 2017,2019, our insuranceoperating subsidiaries have paiddid not pay us any dividends and, in the aggregate, are permitted to uspay dividends of approximately $359$128 million including $184 million that was paid in October 2017. Dividends paid in October have not been included in our cash and liquid investments held outside of our insurance subsidiaries at September 30, 2017. Of the total dividends paid, $200 million were extraordinary dividends. In the aggregate, our domestic insurance subsidiaries do not intend to pay dividends over the remainder of 2017. The2019 without the prior approval of state insurance regulators. However, the payment of any dividend requires prior notice to the insurance regulator in the state of domicile, and the regulator may reduce or prevent the dividend if, in its judgment, payment of the dividend would have an adverse effect on the surplus of the insurance subsidiary. We make the decision to pay dividends from an insurance subsidiary based on the capital needs of that subsidiary, and may pay less than the permitted dividend or may also request permission to pay an additional amount (an extraordinary dividend).
Cash Flows
Cash flows between periods compare as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2017 vs 2016 2016 vs 20152019 2018 Change
Increase (decrease) in net cash provided (used) by:   
Net cash provided (used) by:     
Operating activities$(30,961) $23,469
$34,392
 $73,354
 $(38,962)
Investing activities396,030
 (314,046)3,868
 146,107
 (142,239)
Financing activities(251,214) 174,078
(46,901) (310,709) 263,808
Increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents$113,855
 $(116,499)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$(8,641) $(91,248) $82,607
 Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2018 2017 Change
Net cash provided (used) by:     
Operating activities$73,354
 $69,372
 $3,982
Investing activities146,107
 185,681
 (39,574)
Financing activities(310,709) (270,482) (40,227)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$(91,248) $(15,429) $(75,819)
The principal components of our operating cash flows are the excess of premiums collected and net investment income over losses paid and operating costs, including income taxes. Timing delays exist between the collection of premiums and the payment of losses associated with the premiums. Premiums are generally collected within the twelve-month period after the policy is written, while our claim payments are generally paid over a more extended period of time. Likewise, timing delays exist between the payment of claims and the collection of any associated reinsurance recoveries.
The decrease in operating cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 as compared to ninethe three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2018 of $39.0 million was primarily driven by an increasedue to the timing of the cash settlement of the 2017 and 2016 calendar year quota share reinsurance arrangements between our Specialty P&C segment and Syndicate 1729. The 2017 and 2016 calendar year quota share reinsurance arrangements were commuted in tax paymentsDecember of $27.12018 and 2017, respectively, and the cash settlements typically occur in the first quarter of the following year. The commutation of the 2016 calendar year quota share reinsurance arrangement resulted in a net cash receipt of $14.5 million andin the first quarter of 2018. We received the cash settlement for the commutation of the 2017 calendar year quota share reinsurance arrangement in the second quarter of 2019 which is causing a $14.5 million decrease in operating cash flows as compared to the first quarter of 2018. Additionally, the decrease in operating cash flows reflected a decrease in cash received from investment income of $7.7$9.4 million, a decrease in net premium receipts of $5.2 million, an increase in cash paid for operating expenses of $5.2 million and an increase in paid losses

of $4.9 million. The decrease in cash received from investment income was primarily due to a decline in distributed earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries. The increase in tax paymentscash paid for operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in operating expenses in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment primarily due to the effectgrowth in Syndicate 1729 operations and the addition of Syndicate 6131 and, to a $15.0 million tax refund receivedlesser extent, an increase in 2016operating expenses in our Specialty P&C segment primarily due to a data analytics services agreement entered into during the fourth quarter of 2018. The decrease in net premium receipts was primarily due to an increase in cash paid to reinsurers in our Specialty P&C segment as a result of unfavorable prior year development on ceded losses over the past year, partially offset by an increase in premium receipts due to the growth of written premium. The increase in paid losses was driven by our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments primarily due to the timing of loss payments between periods.
The increase in operating cash flows for the 2015 tax yearthree months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in net premium receipts of $10.6 million, driven by our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment, and a $12.1decrease in cash paid for operating expenses of $2.8 million, increasedriven by a decrease in 2017 estimated tax payments.compensation related costs in our Corporate segment. These decreasesincreases in operating cash flows were partially offset by an increase in premium receiptspaid losses of $5.1$6.5 million, driven by our Workers' Compensation segment.
The increase in operating cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015 wasLloyd's Syndicates segment primarily due to a decrease in net tax payments driven by a $25.5 million reduction in estimated tax paymentslosses related to 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and the receipt of the aforementioned $15.0 million tax refund received in 2016. These increases in operating cash flows were partially offset byMaria, and a $12.0 million decrease in cash received from investment income.income of $2.3 million due to a decline in distributed earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries.
We manage our investing cash flows to ensure that we will have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations, taking into consideration the timing of cash flows from our investments, including interest payments, dividends and principal payments, as well as the expected cash flows to be generated by our operations as discussed in this section under the heading "Investing Activities and Related Cash Flows."
Our financing cash flows are primarily composed of dividend payments repurchases of common stock, and borrowings and repayments under our Revolving Credit Agreement. See further discussion of our financing activities in this section under "Financing Activities and Related Cash Flows."


Operating Activities and Related Cash Flows
Reinsurance
Within our Specialty P&C segment, we use insurance and reinsurance (collectively, “reinsurance”) to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability, to provide reimbursement for losses incurred under the higher limit coverages we offer and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. We also have a quota share arrangement with Syndicate 1729 established to provide an initial premium base for Syndicate 1729. Within our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment, we use reinsurance to reduce our net liability on individual risks, to mitigate the effect of significant loss occurrences (including catastrophic events), to stabilize underwriting results, and to increase underwriting capacity by decreasing leverage. In both theour Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation Insurance segments, we use reinsurance in risk sharing arrangements to align our objectives with those of our strategic business partners and to provide custom insurance solutions for large customer groups. The purchase of reinsurance does not relieve us from the ultimate risk on our policies, butpolicies; however, it does provide reimbursement for certain losses we pay. We pay our reinsurers a premium in exchange for reinsurance of the risk. In the majority of our excess of loss arrangements, the premium due to the reinsurer is determined by the loss experience of the business reinsured, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts. Until all loss amounts are known, we estimate the premium due to the reinsurer. Changes to the estimate of premium owed under reinsurance agreements related to prior periods are recorded in the period in which the change in estimate occurs and can have a significant effect on Netnet premiums earned.
We generally reinsure risks under treaties (our excess of lossoffer alternative market solutions whereby we cede certain premiums from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments to either the SPCs at Eastern Re or Inova Re, our Cayman Islands reinsurance arrangements) pursuant tosubsidiaries which the reinsurers agree to assume allare reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment, or, a portion of all risks that we insure above our individual risk retention levels, up to the maximum individual limits offered. These arrangements are negotiated and renewed annually. Renewal dates for our healthcare professional liability, medical technology liability and workers' compensation treaties are October 1, January 1 and May 1, respectively. There were no significant changes in the cost or structure of our professional liability treaty which renewed October 1, 2017. Our participation was reduced upon the latest renewal of our medical technology liability treaty on January 1, 2017 to better reflect our current risk appetite. Our workers' compensation treaty renewed May 1, 2017 at a slightly higher rate than the previous agreement. The significant coverages provided by our current excess of loss reinsurance arrangements are detailed in the following table.
Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements
reinchart18.jpg
Professional LiabilityMedical Technology & Life Sciences Products
Workers'
Compensation - Traditional
(1) Historically, retention has ranged from 5% to 32.5%.
(2) Historically, retention has been as high as $2M.

Large professional liability risks that are above the limits of our basic reinsurance treaties are reinsured on a facultative basis, whereby the reinsurer agrees to insure a particular risk up to a designated limit. We also have in place a number of risk sharing arrangements that apply to the first $1.0 million of losses for certain large healthcare systems and other insurance entities and with certain insurance agencies that produce business for us.
limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019 and 2018, we wrote workers' compensation and healthcare professional liability policies in ourtotal alternative market business generating premium of approximately $16.4$38.3 million and $62.0$35.7 million, respectively. TheseThe majority of these policies ($35.9 million and $32.3 million of premium for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively) are reinsured to the SPCs of our wholly owned subsidiary,at Eastern Re domiciled in the Cayman Islands,or Inova Re, net of a ceding commission. Each SPC at Eastern Re and Inova Re is owned, fully or in part, by an agency, group or association and the operating results of the SPCs are due to the participants of that cell. We participate to a varying degree in the results of selected SPCs and, for the SPCs in which we participate, our participation interest is as low as 25% and as high as 85%. SPC operating results due to external cell participants are reflected as a SPC dividend expense in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. See further discussion on our SPC operations in the Segment Operating Results - Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance section that follows. The alternative market workers' compensation policies are ceded from our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment to the SPCs under 100% quota share reinsurance agreements and then further reinsured under an excess of loss reinsurance arrangement.agreements. The alternative market professional liability policies are ceded from our Specialty P&C segment to the SPCs under either excess of loss or quota share reinsurance agreements, depending on the structure of the individual program, and the portion of the risk that is not ceded to an SPC may also be reinsured under our standard healthcare professional liability reinsurance program depending on the policy

limits provided. The remaining premium written in our alternative market business of $1.1$2.3 million and $6.0$3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is 100% ceded to an unaffiliated captive insurers.
Each SPC has preferred shareholders and the underwriting profit or loss of each cell accrues fully to these preferred shareholders. We participate as a preferred shareholder in certain SPCs. Our ownership interest in the SPCs for which we participate is as low as 25% and as high as 100%.
As discussed above, for the workers' compensation business ceded to Eastern Re each SPC has in place its own reinsurance arrangements, which are illustrated in the following table.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance
spcreinchart18.jpg
Per Occurrence CoverageAggregate Coverage
(1) ProAssurance assumes 100% of aggregate losses in excess of an aggregate attachment point with a maximum loss limit of $100K.
(2) The attachment point is based on a percentage of premium (average is 89%) and varies by cell.
Each SPC maintains a loss fund initially equal to the difference between premium assumed by the cell and the ceding commission. The external owners of each cell provide a letter of credit to us that is initially equal to the difference between the loss fund of the SPC (amount of funds available to pay losses after deduction of ceding commission) and the aggregate attachment point of the reinsurance. Over time, an SPC's retained profits are considered in the determination of the collateral amount required to be provided by the cell's external owners.

Within our Lloyd's Syndicate segment, Syndicate 1729 utilizes reinsurance to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability on individual risks, to provide protection against catastrophic loss and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. The level of reinsurance that the Syndicate purchases is dependent on a number of factors, including its underwriting risk appetite for catastrophic exposure, the specific risks inherent in each line or class of business written and the pricing, coverage and terms and conditions available from the reinsurance market. Reinsurance protection by line of business is as follows:
Reinsurance is utilized on a per risk basis for the property insurance and casualty coverages in order to mitigate risk volatility.
Catastrophic protection is utilized on both our property insurance and casualty coverages to protect against losses in excess of policy limits as well as natural catastrophes.
Both quota share reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance are utilized to manage the net loss exposure on our property reinsurance coverages.
Property umbrella excess of loss reinsurance is utilized for peak catastrophe and frequency of catastrophe exposures.
The Syndicate may still be exposed to losses that exceed the level of reinsurance purchased as well as to reinstatement premiums triggered by losses exceeding specific levels. Cash demands on the Syndicate can vary significantly depending on the nature and intensity of a loss event. For significant reinsured catastrophe losses, the inability or unwillingness of the reinsurer to make timely payments under the terms of the reinsurance agreement could have an adverse effect on the Syndicate's liquidity as the Syndicate remains liable to the insured.insurer.
For all of our segments, we make a determination of the amount of insurance risk we choose to retain based upon numerous factors, including our risk tolerance and the capital we have to support it, the price and availability of reinsurance, the volume of business, our level of experience with a particular set of claims and our analysis of the potential underwriting results. We purchase excess of loss reinsurance to limit the amount of risk we retain and we do so from a number of companies to mitigate concentrations of credit risk. We utilize reinsurance brokers to assist us in the placement of these reinsurance programs and in the analysis of the credit quality of our reinsurers. The determination of which reinsurers we choose to do business with is based upon an evaluation of their then-currentthen current financial strength, rating and stability. However, the financial strength of our reinsurers and their corresponding ability to pay us may change in the future due to forces or events we cannot control or anticipate.
Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements
We generally reinsure risks under treaties (our excess of loss reinsurance agreements) pursuant to which the reinsurers agree to assume all or a portion of all risks that we insure above our individual risk retention levels, up to the maximum individual limits offered. These agreements are negotiated and renewed annually. Renewal dates for our healthcare professional liability, medical technology liability and workers' compensation treaties are October 1, January 1 and May 1, respectively. There were no significant changes in the cost or structure of our professional liability and medical technology liability treaties which renewed October 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019, respectively. Our workers' compensation treaty renewed May 1, 2018 at a higher rate than the previous agreement. The significant coverages provided by our current excess of loss reinsurance agreements are detailed in the following table.
Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements
capturea02.jpg
Healthcare Professional LiabilityMedical Technology & Life Sciences Products
Workers'
Compensation - Traditional
(1) Historically, retention has ranged from 5% to 32.5%.
(2) Historically, retention has been as high as $2M.
Large professional liability risks that are above the limits of our basic reinsurance treaties are reinsured on a facultative basis, whereby the reinsurer agrees to insure a particular risk up to a designated limit. We also have in place a number of risk sharing arrangements that apply to the first $1 million of losses for certain large healthcare systems and other insurance entities and with certain insurance agencies that produce business for us.

Other Reinsurance Arrangements
For the workers' compensation business ceded to Eastern Re and Inova Re, each SPC has in place its own reinsurance arrangements; which are illustrated in the following table.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance
capture.jpg
Per Occurrence Coverage
Aggregate Coverage (1)
(1) Prior to May 1, 2018, ProAssurance assumed 100% of aggregate losses in excess of an aggregate attachment point with a maximum loss limit of $100K. Effective May 1, 2018, ProAssurance no longer participates in the aggregate reinsurance coverage.
(2) The attachment point is based on a percentage of written premium (average is 89%) and varies by cell.
Each SPC has participants and the profit or loss of each cell accrues fully to these cell participants. We participate in certain SPCs and as of March 31, 2019, our ownership interest in the SPCs in which we participate is as low as 25% and as high as 85%. Each SPC maintains a loss fund initially equal to the difference between premium assumed by the cell and the ceding commission. The external participants of each cell provide a letter of credit to us that is initially equal to the difference between the loss fund of the SPC (amount of funds available to pay losses after deduction of ceding commission) and the aggregate attachment point of the reinsurance. Over time, a SPC's retained profits are considered in the determination of the collateral amount required to be provided by the cell's external participants.
Within our Lloyd's Syndicates segment, Syndicate 1729 utilizes reinsurance to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability on individual risks, to provide protection against catastrophic loss and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. The level of reinsurance that Syndicate 1729 purchases is dependent on a number of factors, including its underwriting risk appetite for catastrophic exposure, the specific risks inherent in each line or class of business written and the pricing, coverage and terms and conditions available from the reinsurance market. Reinsurance protection by line of business is as follows:
Reinsurance is utilized on a per risk basis for the property insurance and casualty coverages in order to mitigate risk volatility.
Catastrophic protection is utilized on both our property insurance and casualty coverages to protect against losses in excess of policy limits as well as natural catastrophes.
Both quota share reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance are utilized to manage the net loss exposure on our property reinsurance coverages.

Property umbrella excess of loss reinsurance is utilized for peak catastrophe and frequency of catastrophe exposures.
External excess of loss reinsurance is utilized by Syndicate 1729 to manage the net loss exposure on the specialty property and contingency coverages ceded to Syndicate 6131 (see further discussion in Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicates section that follows).
Syndicate 1729 may still be exposed to losses that exceed the level of reinsurance purchased as well as to reinstatement premiums triggered by losses exceeding specified levels. Cash demands on Syndicate 1729 can vary significantly depending on the nature and intensity of a loss event. For significant reinsured catastrophe losses, the inability or unwillingness of the reinsurer to make timely payments under the terms of the reinsurance agreement could have an adverse effect on Syndicate 1729's liquidity.
Litigation
We are involved in various legal actions related to insurance policies and claims handling including, but not limited to, claims asserted against us by policyholders. These types of legal actions arise in the ordinary course of business and, in accordance with GAAP for insurance entities, are generally considered as a part of our loss reserving process, which is described in detail in our Critical Accounting Estimates section under the heading "Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses." We also have other direct actions against the Company unrelated to our claims activity which we evaluate and account for as a part of our other liabilities. For these corporate legal actions, we evaluate each case separately and establish what we believe is an appropriate reserve based on GAAP guidance related to contingent liabilities. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 there were no material reserves established for corporate legal actions.

Investing Activities and Related Cash Flows
Our investments at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 are comprised as follows:
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
($ in thousands)Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment Carrying
Value
% of Total InvestmentCarrying
Value
% of Total Investment Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale     
Fixed maturities, available for sale     
U.S. Treasury obligations$148,372
4% $146,539
4%$119,590
4% $120,201
4%
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations18,772
1% 30,235
1%28,802
1% 35,354
1%
State and municipal bonds693,398
19% 800,463
20%297,812
9% 293,772
9%
Corporate debt1,272,782
34% 1,278,991
33%1,260,815
37% 1,223,475
37%
Residential mortgage-backed securities201,691
5% 217,906
5%189,513
6% 181,238
5%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities28,025
1% 32,394
1%62,343
2% 44,101
1%
Other asset-backed securities105,310
3% 106,878
3%226,923
6% 195,657
6%
Total fixed maturities securities, available for sale2,468,350
67% 2,613,406
67%
Total fixed maturities, available for sale2,185,798
65% 2,093,798
63%
Fixed maturities, trading42,973
1% 38,188
1%
Total fixed maturities2,228,771
66% 2,131,986
64%
      
   
Equity securities, trading411,796
11% 387,274
10%
Equity investments476,324
14% 442,937
13%
Short-term investments294,379
8% 442,084
11%217,788
6% 308,319
9%
BOLI61,652
2% 60,134
1%64,549
2% 64,096
1%
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries331,897
9% 340,906
9%390,854
11% 367,757
11%
Other investments103,764
3% 81,892
2%36,328
1% 34,287
2%
Total Investments$3,671,838
100% $3,925,696
100%
Total investments$3,414,614
100% $3,349,382
100%


The distribution of our investments in fixed-maturityavailable-for-sale fixed maturity securities by rating were as follows:
March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
($ in thousands)September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment
Rating*Carrying
Value
% of Fixed Maturities Carrying
Value
% of Fixed Maturities     
AAA$630,286
26% $676,815
26%$677,646
31% $645,300
31%
AA+199,761
8% 213,892
8%100,756
5% 101,328
5%
AA188,781
8% 227,076
9%121,195
6% 120,801
6%
AA-225,674
9% 243,562
9%161,543
7% 155,352
7%
A+283,201
11% 271,534
10%196,165
9% 190,595
9%
A303,659
12% 282,530
11%316,004
14% 311,036
15%
A-196,333
8% 221,139
9%157,007
7% 146,721
7%
BBB+123,972
5% 132,705
5%157,785
7% 133,199
6%
BBB112,461
5% 115,867
4%123,191
6% 118,864
6%
BBB-47,709
2% 54,366
2%54,035
2% 50,466
2%
Below investment grade124,605
5% 146,071
6%105,721
5% 100,447
5%
Not rated31,908
1% 27,849
1%14,750
1% 19,689
1%
Total$2,468,350
100% $2,613,406
100%$2,185,798
100% $2,093,798
100%
*Average of three NRSRO sources, presented as an S&P equivalent. Source: S&P, Copyright ©2017, S&P Global Market Intelligence
*Average of three NRSRO sources, presented as an S&P equivalent. Source: S&P, Copyright ©2019, S&P Global Market Intelligence*Average of three NRSRO sources, presented as an S&P equivalent. Source: S&P, Copyright ©2019, S&P Global Market Intelligence

A detailed listing of our investment holdings as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 is located under the Financial Information heading on the Investor Relations page of our website which can be reached directly at www.proassurance.com/investmentholdings or through links from the Investor Relations section of our website, Investor.Proassurance.com.investor.proassurance.com.
We manage our investments to ensure that we will have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations, taking into consideration the timing of cash flows from our investments, including interest payments, dividends and principal payments, as well as the expected cash flows to be generated by our operations. In addition to the interest and dividends we will receive, we

anticipate that between $50$40 million and $90$70 million of our investments will mature (or be paid down) each quarter over the next twelve months and become available, if needed, to meet our cash flow requirements. The primary outflow of cash at our insurance subsidiaries is related to paid losses and operating costs, including income taxes. The payment of individual claims cannot be predicted with certainty; therefore, we rely upon the history of paid claims in estimating the timing of future claims payments. To the extent that we may have an unanticipated shortfall in cash, we may either liquidate securities or borrow funds under existing borrowing arrangements through our credit facilityRevolving Credit Agreement and the FHLB system. As of October 31, 2017, $116April 25, 2019, $250 million could be made available for use through our credit facility,Revolving Credit Agreement, as discussed in this section under the heading "Debt." Given the duration of our investments, we do not foresee a shortfall that would require us to meet operating cash needs through additional borrowings. Additional information regarding the credit facilityour Revolving Credit Agreement is detailed in Note 78 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
As discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, our fixed maturity and short-term investments include securities deposited with Lloyd's in order to meet our FAL requirement. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, securities on deposit with Lloyd's included fixed maturities having a fair value of $98.7$137.1 million and short-term investments with a fair value of $0.5$7.4 million.
Our investment portfolio continues to be primarily composed of high quality fixed income securities with approximately 94% of our fixed maturities being investment grade securities as determined by national rating agencies. The weighted average effective duration of our fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was 3.412.88 years; the weighted average effective duration of our fixed maturity securities combined with our short-term securities was 3.042.62 years.
The carrying value and unfunded commitments for certain of our investments are the following:were as follows:
Carrying Value September 30, 2017Carrying Value March 31, 2019
($ in thousands, except expected funding period)September 30, 2017December 31, 2016 Unfunded CommitmentExpected funding period in yearsMarch 31, 2019December 31, 2018 Unfunded CommitmentExpected funding period in years
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships (1)
$91,598
$102,313
 $1,325
6$61,247
$65,677
 $960
6
Historic tax credit partnerships (2)
8,355
11,459
 3,642
23,568
3,757
 276
1
Investment fund LPs/LLCs (2)
280,449
273,986
 165,947
6
All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs326,039
298,323
 198,420
5
Total$380,402
$387,758
 $170,914
 $390,854
$367,757
 $199,656
 
(1) The carrying value reflects our total commitments (both funded and unfunded) to the partnerships, less any amortization, since our initial investment. We fund these investments based on funding schedules maintained by the partnerships.
(1) The carrying value reflects our total commitments (both funded and unfunded) to the partnerships, less any amortization, since our initial investment. We fund these investments based on funding schedules maintained by the partnerships.
(1) The carrying value reflects our total commitments (both funded and unfunded) to the partnerships, less any amortization, since our initial investment. We fund these investments based on funding schedules maintained by the partnerships.
(2) The carrying value reflects our funded commitments less any amortization.
(2) The carrying value reflects our funded commitments less any amortization.
(2) The carrying value reflects our funded commitments less any amortization.
Investment fund LPs/LLCs are by nature less liquid and may involve more risk than other investments. We manage our risk through diversification of asset class and geographic location. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had investments in 2939 separate investment funds with a total carrying value, as shown in the table above, which represented 8%approximately 10% of our Total Investments.total investments. We review and monitor the performance of these investments on a quarterly basis.

Financing Activities and Related Cash Flows
Treasury Shares
During 2017the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we havedid not repurchasedrepurchase any common shares and, as of October 31, 2017,April 25, 2019, our remaining Board authorization was approximately $109.6$110 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 we repurchased approximately 44,500 common shares, having a total cost of approximately $2.1 million (we did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended September 30, 2016).
ProAssurance Shareholder Dividends
Our Board declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.31 per share during each of the first three quarters of both 20172019 and 20162018, each of which was paid in the following quarter. Dividends paid in the first nine monthsquarters of 20172019 and 20162018 included special dividends of $4.69$0.50 and $1.00$4.69 per share, respectively, declared in the fourth quarters of 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively. Any decision to pay future cash dividends is subject to the Board’s final determination after a comprehensive review of financial performance, future expectations and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

Debt
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 our debt included $250 million of outstanding unsecured senior notes. The notes bear interest at 5.3% annually and are due in 2023 although they may be redeemed in whole or part prior to maturity. There are no financial covenants associated with these notes.
We have a Revolving Credit Agreement, which expires in June 2020, that may be used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, short-term working capital, share repurchases as authorized by the Board and support for other activities. Our Revolving Credit Agreement permits borrowings of up to $200 million, and has available a $50 million accordion feature, which, if successfully subscribed, would expand permitted borrowings up to $250 million. During the third quarter of 2017, we repaid $26 million of the balanceAt March 31, 2019, there were no outstanding borrowings on theour Revolving Credit Agreement and at September 30, 2017, we had outstanding borrowings of $152 million, on a fully secured basis. In October 2017, we repaid $18 million of the balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Agreement, and all remaining outstanding borrowings are repayable or renewable in the fourth quarter of 2017. Repayment can be deferred until expiration of the Revolving Credit Agreement in June 2020. We are in compliance with the financial covenants of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
We have Mortgage Loans with one lender in connection with the recapitalization of two office buildings, which mature in December 2027. The Mortgage Loans accrue interest at three-month LIBOR plus 1.325% with principal and interest payable on a quarterly basis. At March 31, 2019, the outstanding balance of the Mortgage Loans was approximately $39 million and we are in compliance with the financial covenant of the Mortgage Loans.
Additional information regarding our debt is provided in Note 78 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
We utilize an interest rate cap agreement with a notional amount of $35 million to manage our exposure to increases in LIBOR on our Mortgage Loans. Per the interest rate cap agreement, we are a memberentitled to receive cash payments if and when the three-month LIBOR exceeds 2.35%. Additional information on our interest rate cap agreement is provided in Note 9 of two FHLBs.the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Two of our insurance subsidiaries are members of an FHLB. Through membership, wethose subsidiaries have access to secured cash advances which can be used for liquidity purposes or other operational needs. In order for us to use FHLB proceeds, regulatory approvals may be required depending on the nature of the transaction. To date, wethose subsidiaries have not materially utilized ourtheir membership for borrowing purposes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. See more information on our off-balance sheet arrangements in Note 6 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results of Operations – Three and Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2017March 31, 2019 Compared to Three and Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2016March 31, 2018
Selected consolidated financial data for each period is summarized in the table below.
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands, except per share data)20172016Change 20172016Change 20192018Change
Revenues:      
Net premiums written$216,706
$205,775
$10,931
 $596,584
$573,071
$23,513
 $245,742
$215,132
$30,610
 
Net premiums earned$192,303
$185,275
$7,028
 $555,559
$539,587
$15,972
 $208,149
$187,159
$20,990
 
Net investment result27,893
21,912
5,981
 78,081
68,677
9,404
 22,008
23,667
(1,659) 
Net realized investment gains (losses)7,749
15,737
(7,988) 18,810
18,314
496
 36,623
(12,517)49,140
 
Other income510
1,428
(918) 4,581
5,963
(1,382) 2,095
2,723
(628) 
Total revenues228,455
224,352
4,103
 657,031
632,541
24,490
 268,875
201,032
67,843
 
  
Expenses:      
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses129,356
118,082
11,274
 364,058
335,936
28,122
 159,755
129,786
29,969
 
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses57,111
55,812
1,299
 172,106
166,735
5,371
 61,392
57,360
4,032
 
Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income)2,891
3,196
(305) 14,076
5,895
8,181
 4,787
1,747
3,040
 
Interest expense4,124
3,748
376
 12,402
11,285
1,117
 4,330
3,705
625
 
Total expenses193,482
180,838
12,644
 562,642
519,851
42,791
 230,264
192,598
37,666
 
Income before income taxes34,973
43,514
(8,541) 94,389
112,690
(18,301) 38,611
8,434
30,177
 
Income tax expense (benefit)6,024
9,680
(3,656) 4,467
16,457
(11,990) 6,961
(3,422)10,383
 
Net income$28,949
$33,834
$(4,885) $89,922
$96,233
$(6,311) $31,650
$11,856
$19,794
 
Operating income$24,263
$24,437
$(174) $79,020
$85,398
$(6,378) 
Non-GAAP operating income$4,163
$21,487
$(17,324) 
Earnings per share:      
Basic$0.54
$0.64
$(0.10) $1.68
$1.81
$(0.13) $0.59
$0.22
$0.37
 
Diluted$0.54
$0.63
$(0.09) $1.68
$1.80
$(0.12) $0.59
$0.22
$0.37
 
Operating earnings per share:    
Non-GAAP operating earnings per share:  
Basic$0.45
$0.46
$(0.01) $1.48
$1.61
$(0.13) $0.08
$0.40
$(0.32) 
Diluted$0.45
$0.46
$(0.01) $1.47
$1.60
$(0.13) $0.08
$0.40
$(0.32) 
Net loss ratio67.3%63.7%3.6
pts65.5%62.3%3.2
pts76.8%69.3%7.5
pts
Underwriting expense ratio29.7%30.1%(0.4)pts31.0%30.9%0.1
pts29.5%30.6%(1.1)pts
Combined ratio97.0%93.8%3.2
pts96.5%93.2%3.3
pts106.3%99.9%6.4
pts
Operating ratio84.7%80.2%4.5
pts84.0%79.2%4.8
pts95.3%88.1%7.2
pts
Effective tax rate17.2%22.2%(5.0)pts4.7%14.6%(9.9)pts18.0%(40.6%)58.6
pts
Return on equity*6.3%6.6%(0.3)pts6.6%6.4%0.2
pts8.2%3.0%5.2
pts
      
*Annualized
* Annualized* Annualized
In all tables that follow, the abbreviation "nm" indicates that the information or the percentage change is not meaningful.

In all tables that follow, the abbreviation "nm" indicates that the information or the percentage change is not meaningful.

In all tables that follow, the abbreviation "nm" indicates that the information or the percentage change is not meaningful.







Executive Summary of Operations
As previously discussed under the heading "ProAssurance Overview," we reorganized our segment reporting in the third quarter of 2018 to include a new segment: Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance. The Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment reflects the operating results (underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results) of SPCs which assume workers’ compensation, healthcare professional liability or a combination of the two from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. The underwriting results of the SPCs that assume workers’ compensation business and healthcare professional liability business were previously reported in our Workers’ Compensation and Specialty P&C segments, respectively, and the results of investment assets solely allocated to SPC operations were previously reported in our Corporate segment, are now reported in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. The Workers' Compensation segment has also been renamed "Workers' Compensation Insurance." All prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation and the segment reorganization had no impact on previously reported consolidated financial results. See further information regarding the segment reorganization in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following sections provide an overview of our consolidated and segment results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. See the Segment Operating Results sections that follow for additional information regarding each segment's operating results.

Revenues
The following table shows our consolidated and segment Netnet premiums earned:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Net premiums earned                      
Specialty P&C$118,331
 $116,199
 $2,132
 1.8% $340,394
 $335,080
 $5,314
 1.6%$124,067
 $114,947
 $9,120
 7.9%
Workers' Compensation57,654
 54,498
 3,156
 5.8% 169,791
 163,974
 5,817
 3.5%
Lloyd's Syndicate16,318
 14,578
 1,740
 11.9% 45,374
 40,533
 4,841
 11.9%
Workers' Compensation Insurance45,939
 42,700
 3,239
 7.6%
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance19,502
 17,036
 2,466
 14.5%
Lloyd's Syndicates18,641
 12,476
 6,165
 49.4%
Consolidated total$192,303
 $185,275
 $7,028
 3.8% $555,559
 $539,587
 $15,972
 3.0%$208,149
 $187,159
 $20,990
 11.2%
All of our operating segments contributed to the increase in Netconsolidated net premiums earned during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019 as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016.2018. The increase in gross premiums earned in our Specialty P&C segment reflected the pro rata effect of higher premiums written during the preceding twelve months, predominantly in our healthcare facilities and physicians lines of business. For our Lloyd's Syndicates segment, the increase in net premiums earned was primarily due to shifts in the mix of premiums written over the preceding twelve months, the increase in our participation in Syndicate 1729 from 58% to 62% for the 2018 underwriting year and the establishment of Syndicate 6131 at the beginning of 2018. The increase in net premiums earned in both our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments primarily reflected the pro rata effect of higher net premiums written during the preceding twelve months.
The following table shows our consolidated Netnet investment result:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Net investment income$23,729
 $25,261
 $(1,532) (6.1%) $69,592
 $75,284
 $(5,692) (7.6%)$22,818
 $22,027
 $791
 3.6%
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries4,164
 (3,349) 7,513
 224.3% 8,489
 (6,607) 15,096
 228.5%(810) 1,640
 (2,450) (149.4%)
Net investment result$27,893
 $21,912
 $5,981
 27.3% $78,081
 $68,677
 $9,404
 13.7%$22,008
 $23,667
 $(1,659) (7.0%)
The increasedecrease in our Netconsolidated net investment result for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to an increasea decrease in earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries, of $7.5 million and $15.1 million, respectively,partially offset by an increase in net investment income due to higher reported earnings from our investments in LPs/LLCsshort-term investment holdings due to higher interest rates and, the effect ofto a smallerlesser extent, an increase in the estimate of partnership operating losses related to our tax credit partnerships in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods as compared to the same periods of 2016. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in earningsincome from our fixed income portfolio of $2.1 million and $6.9 million, respectively, which reflected both lowermaturity securities due to higher yields and lower averagefrom all asset classes within that portfolio.

The following table shows our total consolidated net realized investment balances.gains (losses):
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings$(49) $
 $(49) nm
Other net realized investment gains (losses)36,672
 (12,517) 49,189
 393.0%
Net realized investment gains (losses)$36,623
 $(12,517) $49,140
 392.6%
During the 2017 three-2019 three-month period, we recognized a nominal amount of both credit related OTTI in earnings and nine-month periods,non-credit OTTI in OCI, both of which related to a corporate bond. During the 2018 three-month period, we had Net realized investment gains of $7.7 million and $18.8 million, respectively, as compared to $15.7 million and $18.3 million for the same respective periods of 2016. We did not recognize any OTTI in earningsearnings.
Other net realized investment gains and losses during the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to $0.1 million duringMarch 31, 2019 and 2018 primarily reflected changes in the same respective periodvalue of 2016. OTTI recognizedour equity trading portfolio. See further discussion in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $0.2 million as compared to $9.8 million for the same respective period of 2016.our Segment Operating Results - Corporate section that follows.

Expenses
The following table shows our consolidated and segment net loss ratios and net loss development:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in millions)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Current accident year net loss ratio                  
Consolidated ratio84.1% 79.4% 4.7
pts 81.7% 79.8% 1.9
pts81.7% 81.5% 0.2
pts
Specialty P&C87.8% 88.1% (0.3)pts 88.7% 88.3% 0.4
pts93.1% 90.6% 2.5
pts
Workers' Compensation64.8% 66.6% (1.8)pts 65.3% 65.9% (0.6)pts
Lloyd's Syndicate124.6% 58.1% 66.5
pts 91.0% 65.0% 26.0
pts
Workers' Compensation Insurance68.2% 66.1% 2.1
pts
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance66.7% 67.2% (0.5)pts
Lloyd's Syndicates54.5% 70.7% (16.2)pts
                  
Calendar year net loss ratio                  
Consolidated ratio67.3% 63.7% 3.6
pts 65.5% 62.3% 3.2
pts76.8% 69.3% 7.5
pts
Specialty P&C62.4% 62.2% 0.2
pts 64.7% 61.4% 3.3
pts86.8% 72.7% 14.1
pts
Workers' Compensation60.8% 63.3% (2.5)pts 60.8% 63.5% (2.7)pts
Lloyd's Syndicate125.3% 77.5% 47.8
pts 89.7% 64.1% 25.6
pts
Workers' Compensation Insurance66.3% 65.2% 1.1
pts
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance55.1% 58.4% (3.3)pts
Lloyd's Syndicates58.5% 68.0% (9.5)pts
                  
Favorable (unfavorable) net loss development, prior accident years                  
Consolidated$32.3
 $29.0
 $3.3
 $90.1
 $94.5
 $(4.4) $10.3
 $22.8
 $(12.5) 
Specialty P&C$30.1
 $30.0
 $0.1
 $81.9
 $90.2
 $(8.3) $7.9
 $20.6
 $(12.7) 
Workers' Compensation$2.3
 $1.8
 $0.5
 $7.6
 $3.9
 $3.7
 
Lloyd's Syndicate$(0.1) $(2.8) $2.7
 $0.6
 $0.4
 $0.2
 
Workers' Compensation Insurance$0.9
 $0.4
 $0.5
 
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance$2.3
 $1.5
 $0.8
 
Lloyd's Syndicates$(0.8) $0.3
 $(1.1) 
Our consolidated current accident year net loss ratio increased 4.7 and 1.9 percentage points for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2016. The slight increase in both periods was due to losses, somewhat offset by reinstatement premiums, related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria during the third quarter of 2017 in our Lloyd's Syndicate segment which resulted in a 4.0 and 1.4 percentage point increase to our consolidated current accident year net loss ratio during the 2019 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2018 was primarily due to a higher current accident year net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment, largely offset by a lower current accident year net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment. The current accident year net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment is higher due to our continued concern around potential loss trends in the broader HCPL industry including large, more complex risks. Additionally, as compared to the 2018 three-month period, the current accident year net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment was higher due to the effect of a reduction during the first quarter of 2018 to ceded premiums owed under reinsurance agreements for 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively. Seeprior accident years which increased net premiums earned during the 2018 three-month period; however, no such adjustments were made during the 2019 three-month period (see further discussion in theour Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's SyndicateSpecialty P&C section that follows.follows under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written"). Furthermore, the increase in the current accident year net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment was due to changes in the mix of business including a higher volume of earned premium in our excess and surplus lines of business. The
Our
lower current accident year net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment was driven by the effect of higher net premiums earned during the 2019 three-month period.
In both the 2019 and 2018 three-month periods, our consolidated calendar year net loss ratios for both 2017 and 2016 periods wereratio was lower than our consolidated current accident year net loss ratiosratio due to the recognition of net favorable lossprior year reserve development, as shown in the previous table. Net favorable prior year reserve development recognized in the 2019 three-month period was lower as compared to same respective period of 2018 due to the observed increase in claim severity in the broader HCPL industry.
Our consolidated and segment underwriting expense ratios were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Underwriting Expense Ratio                  
Consolidated29.7% 30.1% (0.4)pts 31.0% 30.9% 0.1
pts29.5% 30.6% (1.1)pts
Specialty P&C22.8% 22.9% (0.1)pts 23.3% 23.1% 0.2
pts23.9% 24.3% (0.4)pts
Workers' Compensation32.0% 33.6% (1.6)pts 30.8% 32.0% (1.2)pts
Lloyd's Syndicate41.2% 42.9% (1.7)pts 43.6% 41.1% 2.5
pts
Workers' Compensation Insurance30.9% 30.5% 0.4
pts
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance26.8% 30.0% (3.2)pts
Lloyd's Syndicates45.4% 58.1% (12.7)pts
Corporate*2.6% 2.7% (0.1)pts 3.8% 3.8% 
pts2.2% 2.5% (0.3)pts
* There are no Net premiums earned associated with the Corporate segment. Ratio shown is the contribution of the Corporate segment to the consolidated ratio (Corporate operating expenses divided by consolidated Net premium earned).
*There are no net premiums earned associated with the Corporate segment. Ratios shown are the contribution of the Corporate segment to the consolidated ratio (Corporate operating expenses divided by consolidated net premium earned).*There are no net premiums earned associated with the Corporate segment. Ratios shown are the contribution of the Corporate segment to the consolidated ratio (Corporate operating expenses divided by consolidated net premium earned).
Our consolidated underwriting expense ratio decreased 0.4 percentage points for the 20172019 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2016 primarily due to the effect of higher Net2018 driven by an increase in net premiums earned fromacross all of our operating segments and a decrease in operating expenses, driven by our Specialty P&C segment, offset almost entirely by anwhich outpaced the increase in consolidated DPAC amortization. For the 2017 nine-month period, the effect of higher Net premiums earned on the consolidated underwriting expense ratio was offset entirely by the effect of an increase in DPAC amortization, driven by our Specialty P&C segment.

Taxes
Our projected effective tax rates for the 2017three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2016 nine-month periods2018 were 9.8%as follows:
 Three Months Ended
March 31
 2019 2018
Projected annual effective tax rate(13.1%) (2.4%)
Tax effect of discrete items31.1% (38.2%)
Total effective tax rate18.0% (40.6%)
Our projected annual effective tax rates were benefits of 13.1% and 11.7%,2.4% as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, before discrete items were considered. For the 2019 and 2018 three-month periods, the most significant discrete item that affected our effective tax rate was the treatment of net realized investment gains and losses. This treatment of net realized investment gains of $34.3 million in our Corporate segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 accounted for 30.3% of the 31.1% increase in the projected annual effective tax rate due to discrete items. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, this treatment of net realized investment losses of $12.0 million in our Corporate segment accounted for 34.7% of the 38.2% reduction in the projected annual effective tax rate due to discrete items.
Our projected annual effective tax rates for both the 2017as of March 31, 2019 and 2016 nine-month periods2018 were different from the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to a portion of our investment income being tax-exempt and the utilization of tax credits transferred to us from our tax credit partnership investments. Discrete items reduced our projected effective tax rate for the 2017 nine-month period by 5.1% and increased our projected effective tax rate by 2.9% for the 2016 nine-month period. Notable discrete items during 2017 included the application of new guidance related to the improvement in accounting for share-based payments and the application of an exception under accounting guidance related to interim period taxes for entities subject to multiple tax jurisdictions (see further discussion under the heading "Taxes" within our Segment Operating Results - Corporate section that follows).
Operating Ratio and ROE
Our operating ratio (calculated as our combined ratio, less our investment income ratio) increased by 4.5 and 4.8 percentage points in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The increase in the 2017 three-month period primarily reflected a higher net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicate segment driven by estimated losses recognized during the third quarter of 2017 related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria (seeSee further discussion in the Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's SyndicateCorporate section that follows). follows under the heading "Taxes."

Operating Ratio
Our operating ratio is our combined ratio, less our investment income ratio. This ratio provides the combined effect of underwriting profitability and investment income. Our operating ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
 20192018Change
Operating ratio95.3%88.1%7.2pts
The increase in our operating ratio for the 2017 nine-month2019 three-month period primarily reflectedwas driven by a higher net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment due to an increase in current accident year net losses primarily due to changes in the in mix of premiums earned and a lower amount of prior year favorable development. The increase in our operating ratio was partially offset by a lower net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment driven by an increase in net premiums earned.
ROE
ROE is calculated as annualized net income for the period divided by the average of beginning and ending shareholders’ equity. This ratio measures our overall after-tax profitability and shows how efficiently capital is being used. ROE for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
 20192018Change
ROE8.2%3.0%5.2pts
The increase in our ROE in the 2019 three-month period was primarily due to an increase in net income driven by the change in the fair value of our equity trading portfolio, partially offset by higher current accident year net losses and a lower amount of prior year favorable development and Lloyd's Syndicate segment, due to the recognition of the aforementioned estimated storm-related losses.
ROE was 6.3% and 6.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 6.6% and 6.4% for the same respective periods of 2016. The decrease for the 2017 three-month period was primarily due to a decrease in Net income, partially offset by a lower average equity base (the denominator of the ROE ratio) as compared to the prior year period. The increase for the 2017 nine-month period was primarily due to a lower average equity base, partially offset by a decrease in Net income. The lower average equity base in 2017 as compared to 2016 was primarily due to larger dividend declarations.our Specialty P&C segment.
Book Value per Share
We believe the payment of dividends is currently our most effective tool for the deployment of excess capital even though, in the short-term, dividend declarations dampen growth in bookBook value per share.share is calculated as total shareholders’ equity at the balance sheet date divided by the total number of common shares outstanding. This ratio measures the net worth of the Company to shareholders on a per-share basis. Our book value per share at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 as compared to December 31, 20162018 is shown in the following table.
 Book Value Per Share
Book Value Per Share at December 31, 2016$33.78
Increase (decrease) to book value per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 attributable to: 
Dividends declared(0.93)
Net income1.68
Increase in AOCI0.15
Other(0.03)
Book Value Per Share at September 30, 2017$34.65
 Book Value Per Share
Book Value Per Share at December 31, 2018$28.39
Increase (decrease) to book value per share during the three months ended March 31, 2019 attributable to: 
Dividends declared(0.31)
Net income0.59
OCI0.48
Other *(0.09)
Book Value Per Share at March 31, 2019$29.06
* Includes the impact of cumulative effect adjustments related to ASUs adopted during 2019.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
OperatingNon-GAAP operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure that is widely used to evaluate performance within the insurance sector. In calculating Non-GAAP operating income, we have excluded the after-tax effects of the items listed in the following table that do not reflect normal operating results. We believe Non-GAAP operating income presents a useful view of the performance of our insurance operations, buthowever it should be considered in conjunction with Netnet income computed in accordance with GAAP.
The following table is a reconciliation of Netnet income to OperatingNon-GAAP operating income:
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands, except per share data)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Net income$28,949
 $33,834
 $89,922
 $96,233
$31,650
 $11,856
Items excluded in the calculation of operating income:       
Items excluded in the calculation of Non-GAAP operating income:   
Net realized investment (gains) losses(7,749) (15,737) (18,810) (18,314)(36,623) 12,517
Net realized gains (losses) attributable to SPCs which no profit/loss is retained (1)
764
 1,189
 2,191
 1,502
1,741
 (410)
Guaranty fund assessments (recoupments)(225) 91
 (154) 143
88
 84
Pre-tax effect of exclusions(7,210) (14,457) (16,773) (16,669)(34,794) 12,191
Tax effect, at 35% (2)
2,524
 5,060
 5,871
 5,834
Operating income$24,263
 $24,437
 $79,020
 $85,398
Tax effect, at 21% (2)
7,307
 (2,560)
After-tax effect of exclusions(27,487) 9,631
Non-GAAP operating income$4,163
 $21,487
Per diluted common share:          
Net income$0.54
 $0.63
 $1.68
 $1.80
$0.59
 $0.22
Effect of exclusions(0.09) (0.17) (0.21) (0.20)(0.51) 0.18
Operating income per diluted common share$0.45
 $0.46
 $1.47
 $1.60
(1) Net realized investment gains (losses) on investments related to our SPCs are recognized in the earnings of our Corporate segment and the portion of earnings related to the gain or loss, net of our participation, is distributed back to the cells through our SPC dividend expense (income). To be consistent with our exclusion of Net realized investment gains (losses) recognized in earnings, we are excluding the portion of Net realized investment gains (losses) that is included in SPC dividend expense (income).
(2) The 35% rate above is the annual expected incremental tax rate associated with the taxable or tax deductible items listed. We record the provision for income taxes in our interim financial statements based upon our estimated annual effective tax rate. The effective tax rate for the period was applied to these items in calculating Net income. See previous discussion in this section under the heading "Taxes."
Non-GAAP operating income per diluted common share$0.08
 $0.40
(1) Net realized investment gains (losses) on investments related to SPCs are recognized in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment and the portion of operating earnings, including the gain or loss, net of our participation, is due to the external cell participants through the SPC dividend expense (income). To be consistent with our exclusion of net realized investment gains (losses) recognized in earnings, we are excluding the portion of net realized investment gains (losses) that is included in the SPC dividend expense (income) which is due to the external cell participants.
(2) The 21% rate is the annual expected statutory tax rate associated with the taxable or tax deductible items listed above. Excluding net realized investment (gains) losses, which are discrete items and are tax effected at the annual expected statutory tax rate in the period they are included in net income, our effective tax rate for the respective periods was applied to these items in calculating net income. See previous discussion in this section under the heading "Taxes."

Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty
As previously discussed under the heading "ProAssurance Overview," we reorganized our segment reporting in the third quarter of 2018 which resulted in the creation of a new segment: Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance. The underwriting results of the SPCs that assume healthcare professional liability business were previously reported in our Specialty P&C segment and are now reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. All prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation. See further information regarding our segments in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our Specialty P&C segment focuses on professional liability insurance and medical technology liability insurance as discussed in Note 11 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Specialty P&C segmentinsurance. Segment operating results reflectreflected pre-tax underwriting profit or loss from these insurance lines, exclusive of investment results, which are included in our Corporate segment. Segment operating results included the following:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change20192018Change
Net premiums written$143,286
$134,989
$8,297
 6.1% $367,112
$354,510
$12,602
 3.6%$140,657
$118,848
$21,809
 18.4%
          
Net premiums earned$118,331
$116,199
$2,132
 1.8% $340,394
$335,080
$5,314
 1.6%$124,067
$114,947
$9,120
 7.9%
Other income1,276
1,012
264
 26.1% 3,943
4,021
(78)
(1.9%)1,209
1,256
(47)
(3.7%)
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(73,831)(72,311)(1,520) 2.1% (220,123)(205,787)(14,336) 7.0%(107,658)(83,522)(24,136) 28.9%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(27,037)(26,563)(474) 1.8% (79,252)(77,519)(1,733) 2.2%(29,615)(27,980)(1,635) 5.8%
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income65
(94)159

(169.1%) (5,026)(94)(4,932)
5,246.8%
Segment operating results$18,804
$18,243
$561

3.1% $39,936
$55,701
$(15,765)
(28.3%)$(11,997)$4,701
$(16,698)
(355.2%)
          
Net loss ratio62.4%62.2%0.2
pts64.7%61.4%3.3
pts86.8%72.7%14.1
pts
Underwriting expense ratio22.8%22.9%(0.1)pts23.3%23.1%0.2
pts23.9%24.3%(0.4)pts
Premiums Written
Changes in our premium volume within our Specialty P&C segment are driven by four primary factors: (1) the amount of new business, (2) our retention of existing business, (3) the premium charged for business that is renewed, which is affected by rates charged and by the amount and type of coverage an insured chooses to purchase and (4) the timing of premium written through multi-period policies. In addition, premium volume may periodically be affected by shifts in the timing of renewals between periods. The healthcare professional liability market, which accounts for a majority of the revenues in this segment, remains challenging as physicians continue joining hospitals or larger group practices and are thus no longer purchasing individual or group policies in the standard market. In addition, some competitors have chosen to compete primarily on price; both factors may impact our ability to write new business and retain existing business.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Gross premiums written$166,284
 $155,838
 $10,446
 6.7% $428,032
 $410,201
 $17,831
 4.3%$166,431
 $140,520
 $25,911
 18.4%
Less: Ceded premiums written22,998
 20,849
 2,149
 10.3% 60,920
 55,691
 5,229
 9.4%25,774
 21,672
 4,102
 18.9%
Net premiums written$143,286
 $134,989
 $8,297
 6.1% $367,112
 $354,510
 $12,602
 3.6%$140,657
 $118,848
 $21,809
 18.4%

Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written by component were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Professional liability                      
Physicians (7)(1)
                      
Twelve month term$112,980
 $105,524
 $7,456
 7.1% $277,975
 $268,401
 $9,574
 3.6%$107,788
 $87,845
 $19,943
 22.7%
Twenty-four month term8,229
 5,561
 2,668
 48.0% 23,726
 18,665
 5,061
 27.1%6,605
 8,249
 (1,644) (19.9%)
Total Physicians121,209
 111,085
 10,124
 9.1% 301,701
 287,066
 14,635
 5.1%114,393
 96,094
 18,299
 19.0%
Healthcare facilities (2)(7)
11,213
 13,056
 (1,843) (14.1%) 36,821
 36,827
 (6) %22,220
 15,083
 7,137
 47.3%
Other healthcare providers (3)
9,844
 9,686
 158
 1.6% 25,416
 25,033
 383
 1.5%9,951
 8,991
 960
 10.7%
Legal professionals (4)
6,381
 6,402
 (21) (0.3%) 20,787
 20,824
 (37) (0.2%)8,070
 7,799
 271
 3.5%
Tail coverages (5)
9,434
 6,845
 2,589
 37.8% 17,600
 14,722
 2,878
 19.5%4,429
 4,349
 80
 1.8%
Total professional liability158,081
 147,074
 11,007
 7.5% 402,325
 384,472
 17,853
 4.6%159,063
 132,316
 26,747
 20.2%
Medical technology liability (6)
8,082
 8,625
 (543) (6.3%) 25,401
 25,358
 43
 0.2%7,203
 8,098
 (895) (11.1%)
Other121
 139
 (18) (12.9%) 306
 371
 (65) (17.5%)165
 106
 59
 55.7%
Total$166,284
 $155,838
 $10,446
 6.7% $428,032
 $410,201
 $17,831
 4.3%$166,431
 $140,520
 $25,911
 18.4%
(1) 
Physician policies were our greatest source of premium revenues in both 20172019 and 2016.2018. The increase in twelve month term policies during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was driven by2019 three-month period reflected timing differences of $6.8 million primarily related to the renewal of a few large policies duringthat shifted their 2018 renewal dates to the current quarter. After removingfirst quarter of 2019. Excluding the impacteffect of those renewalthese timing differences, gross premiums written were slightly down for the 2017 three-month period and higher for the 2017 nine-month periodtwelve month term policies increased $13.1 million as compared to the same respective periodsfirst quarter of 2016. The remaining2018. This increase in the 2017 nine-month period was primarily due to new business written, andincluding the growthaddition of two large policies, an increase in exposure of one large insured during the first quarter of 2017, largely offset by retention losses. In addition, written premium assumed in both periods reflectedwhich we participate on a quota share basis and an increase in renewal pricing, drivenpartially offset by anretention losses. The increase in exposures for a few large policies.renewal pricing is reflective of our concern about potential increases in loss severity as well as more moderate marketplace price competition. We also offer twenty-four month term policies to our physician insureds in one selected jurisdiction. The increasedecrease in twenty-four month premium,term policies during the 2019 three-month period, as compared to 2016,the same respective period in 2018, primarily reflected the normal cycle of renewals (policies subject to renewal in 20172019 were previously written in 20152017 rather than in 2016)2018).
(2) 
Our healthcare facilities premium (which includes hospitals, surgery centers and other similar facilities) forincreased during the 20172019 three-month period was increaseddriven by new business written, somewhat offset by retention losses. However, gross premiums written declined slightly for the 2017 three-month period due to the impact of timing differences related to when new business was recorded in 2016 related to more complex policies. The slight decline during the 2017 nine-month period was primarily due to the addition of two large policies, timing difference fordifferences of $1.6 million related to the renewal of one large policy. After removingcertain policies and, to a lesser extent, an increase in exposure related to a few alternative market policies (see further discussion in footnote 7 that follows). The increase in the impact of this2019 three-month period also reflected an increase in renewal timing difference, gross premiums written was higher for the 2017 nine-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2016. The remaining increase waspricing primarily due to new business written, including one large policy during the second quarter of 2017, largely offset by retention losses. Renewal pricing increased during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods due to changes in the loss experience related toof a few large policies. Additionally, given the loss environment and initial loss indications we are seeing in the healthcare facilities space, we are seeking rate increases where we believe appropriate. The increase in healthcare facilities premium in the 2019 three-month period was partially offset by retention losses, driven by the loss of one large policy due to price competition.
(3) 
Our other healthcare providers are primarily dentists, chiropractors and allied health professionals.
(4) 
Our legal professionals policies are primarily individual and small group policies in select areas of practice. The slight declineincrease during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2019 three-month period was primarily due to retention losses, offset by new business written and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the rate charged for certain renewed policies. Retention lossespolicies in both periods are primarily drivenselect states due to rate filings, largely offset by competitive market conditions.retention losses.
(5) 
We offer extended reporting endorsement or "tail" coverage to insureds who discontinue or otherwise modify aspects of their claims-made coverage with us.us, and we also periodically offer tail coverage through custom policies. The amount of tail coverage premium written can vary widelysignificantly from period to period. The increase during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was driven by the purchase of tail coverage for a few large claims-made policies in one jurisdiction that were rewritten to occurrence coverage during the current quarter. These policies are a part of one of our shared risk arrangements and therefore, a large portion of the premium written was ceded during the current quarter (see further discussion in the Ceded Premiums Written section that follows).
(6) 
Our medical technology liability business is marketed throughout the U.S.; coverage is typically offered on a primary basis, within specified limits, to manufacturers and distributors of medical technology and life sciences products including entities conducting human clinical trials. In addition to the previously listed factors that affect our premium volume, our medical technology liability premium volume is impacted by the sales volume of insureds. The decrease during the 2019 three-month period was primarily due to retention losses, partially offset by new business written and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the renewal pricing for certain policies as a result of an increase in the sales volume of the

technology liability premium volume is impacted by the sales volume of insureds. The decline during the 2017 three-month period was primarily due to retention losses, partially offset by new business written. The slight increase during the 2017 nine-month period primarily reflected new business written, offset by retention losses, including the loss of one large policy in the first quarter of 2017. Retention losses in both periodsthe 2019 three-month period are largely attributable to pricean increase in competition on terms and merger activity within the industry.pricing.
(7) 
During 2016, we expandedCertain components of our gross premiums written include alternative market solutions by writing new healthcarepremiums. We cede either all or a portion of the alternative market premium, innet of reinsurance, to certain SPCs atof our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, Eastern Re. We wrote approximately $1.2 million of healthcare professional liability premiumRe and Inova Re, which are reported in our physicians line of businessSegregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment (see further discussion in each of the 2017Ceded Premiums Written section that follows). The portion not ceded to the SPCs is retained within our Specialty P&C segment. For the 2019 and 2016 nine-month periods. We2018 three-month periods, we wrote healthcare professional liability premiumalternative market gross premiums written only in our healthcare facilities line of business of approximately $0.4 million and $3.0 million in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively, and approximately $0.4 million and $2.3 million in the 2016 three- and nine-month periods, respectively. All or a portion of the premium written was ceded to the SPCs at our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Eastern Re. Under the SPC structure, the operating results of each cell, net of any participation we have taken in the SPCs, accrue to the benefit of the external owners of that cell. Our Specialty P&C segment does not currently participate in the cells that write HCPL premium, and therefore retains no underwriting profit or loss. Additional information regarding the SPCs is included in the Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expense section that follows.as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in millions)2019 2018 Change
Healthcare facilities$3.7
 $3.2
 $0.5
 15.6%
The increase in our alternative market healthcare facilities premium during the 2019 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2018 was primarily due to new business written and an increase in renewal pricing driven by increases in exposure related to a few policies, partially offset by retention losses.
New business written by component on a direct basis was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
(In millions)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Physicians$7.0
 $6.9
 $17.9
 $23.6
$14.4
 $5.0
Healthcare facilities1.9
 0.9
 5.0
 9.1
4.3
 2.1
Other healthcare providers0.7
 0.6
 1.8
 1.9
0.4
 1.4
Legal professionals1.0
 0.9
 2.8
 3.3
0.9
 0.8
Medical technology liability0.8
 0.8
 3.5
 3.8
0.9
 0.9
Total$11.4
 $10.1
 $31.0
 $41.7
$20.9
 $10.2
For our Specialty P&C segment, we calculate our retention rate as annualized renewed premium divided by all annualized premium subject to renewal. Retention rates are affected by a number of factors. We may lose insureds to competitors or to alternative insurance mechanisms such as risk retention groups or self-insurance entities (often when physicians join hospitals or large group practices) or due to pricing or other issues. We may choose not to renew an insured as a result of our underwriting evaluation. Insureds may also terminate coverage because they have left the practice of medicine for various reasons, principally for retirement, death or disability, but also for personal reasons.
Retention by component was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Physicians(1)90% 89% 90% 89%91% 91%
Healthcare facilities(2)82% 77% 87% 80%71% 86%
Other healthcare providers(1)83% 85% 85% 86%89% 87%
Legal professionals*82% 87% 83% 78%
Medical technology liability*86% 90% 85% 87%
* See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of retention decline in 2017.
Legal professionals89% 82%
Medical technology liability(2)
80% 87%
(1) Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis.
(1) Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis.
(2) See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of retention decline in 2019.
(2) See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of retention decline in 2019.
TheWe are committed to a rate structure that will allow us to fulfill our obligations to our insureds, while generating competitive returns for our shareholders. Our pricing continues to be based on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data and available industry loss data. In recent years, this practice has resulted in gradual rate increases and we anticipate further rate increases due to indications of increasing loss severity. Additionally, the pricing of our business includes the effects of filed rates, surcharges and discounts. Renewal pricing also reflects changes in our exposure base, deductibles, self-insurance retention limits and other policy terms. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data and available industry loss data. We are committed to a rate structure that will allow us to fulfill our obligations to our insureds, while generating competitive returns for our shareholders.items.

Changes in renewal pricing by component was as follows:
 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2017 2017
Physicians*2% 2%
Healthcare facilities*16% 9%
Other healthcare providers3% 2%
Legal professionals2% 3%
Medical technology liability1% 1%
* See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of renewal pricing increase in 2017.
Three Months Ended March 31
2019
Physicians (1)(2)
4%
Healthcare facilities (1)(2)
13%
Other healthcare providers (1)
4%
Legal professionals (2)
3%
Medical technology liability2%
(1) Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis.
(2) See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of renewal pricing increase.
Ceded Premiums Written
Ceded premiums represent the amounts owed to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. Through our current excess of loss reinsurance arrangements we generally retain the first $1 million in risk insured by us and cede coverages in excess of this amount. For our healthcare professional liability coverages, we also retain from 3% - 12.5% of the next $25 million of risk for coverages in excess of $1 million. For our medical technology liability coverages, we also retain 10% of the next $9 million of risk for coverages in excess of $1 million. We pay our reinsurers a ceding premium in exchange for their accepting the risk, the ultimate amount of which is determined by the loss experience of the business ceded, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts.
Ceded premiums written were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change20192018Change
Excess of loss reinsurance arrangements (1)
$8,805
$8,557
$248
2.9% $25,845
$23,881
$1,964
8.2%$9,321
$8,923
$398
4.5%
Premium ceded to Syndicate 1729 (2)
2,416
4,656
(2,240)(48.1%) 8,906
13,767
(4,861)(35.3%)
2,105
(2,105)nm
Other shared risk arrangements (3)
13,258
9,393
3,865
41.1% 27,923
23,956
3,967
16.6%11,718
8,513
3,205
37.6%
Premium ceded to SPCs (4)
3,738
3,118
620
19.9%
Other ceded premiums written1,039
938
101
10.8% 2,726
1,612
1,114
69.1%997
938
59
6.3%
Adjustment to premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years, net (4)
(2,520)(2,695)175
(6.5%) (4,480)(7,525)3,045
40.5%
Adjustment to premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years, net (5)

(1,925)1,925
nm
Total ceded premiums written$22,998
$20,849
$2,149
10.3% $60,920
$55,691
$5,229
9.4%$25,774
$21,672
$4,102
18.9%
(1) 
We generally reinsure risks under our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements pursuant to which the reinsurers agree to assume all or a portion of all risks that we insure above our individual risk retention levels, up to the maximum individual limits offered. In the majority of our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements, the premium due to the reinsurer is determined by the loss experience of thethat business reinsured, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts. The increase in ceded premiums written under our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2019 three-month period primarily reflected adjustments toan increase in the premiums we expect to owe our reinsurers based upon adjustmentsincreases to our estimates of losses that are attributable torecoverable from our reinsurance partners. For the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, we increased our estimate of premiums we expect to owe our reinsurers whereas in the 2016 three- and nine-month periods we decreased this estimate.
(2) 
As previously discussed, we arePrior to January 1, 2018, our Specialty P&C segment ceded premiums to Syndicate 1729 under a 58% participantquota share reinsurance agreement. We record our participation in Syndicate 1729 and record our pro rata share of its operating results in our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment on a quarter delay.delay, except when information is material to the current period. We also recordrecorded the cession to the Lloyd's Syndicate segment1729 from our Specialty P&C segment on athe same quarter delay as the amounts arewere not material and this permitsthat permitted the cession to be reported by both theour Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment and theour Specialty P&C segment in the same reporting period. The decrease in premiums ceded premiums to Syndicate 1729 foris due to the 2017 three- and nine-month periods reflectednon-renewal of the revised contract terms effectivequota share reinsurance agreement with Syndicate 1729 on January 1, 20172018; the impact of which reducedwas not reflected in ceded premiums written until the premiums ceded by essentially half.second quarter of 2018 due to the previously mentioned quarter delay. See the Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicate segment results Syndicates section for further discussion on revisions to the quota share agreement as of the most recent renewal date. As our premiums are earned, we recognize the related ceding commission income which reduces underwriting expense by offsetting DPAC amortization. For the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods the related ceding commission income was approximately 27% of ceded premiums written. For our consolidated results, eliminations of the inter-segment portion (58% of the Specialty P&C cession) of the transactions are also recorded on a quarter delay.
agreement.

(3) 
We have entered into various shared risk arrangements, including quota share, fronting, and captive arrangements, with certain large healthcare systems and other insurance entities. These arrangements include our Ascension Health and CAPAssurance programs. While we cede a large portion of the premium written under these arrangements, they provide us an opportunity to grow net premium through strategic partnerships. The increase in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2019 three-month period was primarily driven by a few large tail endorsements that were written, and substantially ceded, during the current quarter related to one of these shared risk arrangements, as previously discussed. The remaining increase in both periods was due to growth in our Ascension Health and CAPAssurance programs.program.
(4) 
As previously discussed, as a part of our alternative market solutions, all or a portion of certain healthcare premium written is ceded to the SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment under either excess of loss or quota share reinsurance agreements, depending on the structure of the individual program. See the Segment Operating Results - Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance section for further discussion on the cession to the SPCs from our Specialty P&C segment. The increase in premiums ceded to the SPCs during the 2019 three-month period was primarily driven by new business written and an increase in renewal pricing (see discussion in footnote 7 under the heading "Gross Premiums Written").
(5)
Given the length of time that it takes to resolve our claims, many years may elapse before all losses recoverable under a reinsurance arrangement are known. As a part of the process of estimating our loss reserve we also make estimates regarding the amounts recoverable under our reinsurance arrangements. As previously discussed, the premiums ultimately ceded under certain of our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements are subject to the losses ceded under the arrangements. As part of the review of our reserves during the first quarter of 2019, we concluded that our current estimate of expected losses and associated recoveries for prior year ceded losses was reasonable; therefore, we did not adjust our estimate of ceded premiums owed to reinsurers during the 2019 three-month period. For the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods,2018 three-month period, we reduced our estimate of expected losses and associated recoveries for prior year ceded losses, as well as our estimate of ceded premiums owed to reinsurers. The change in the adjustment to ceded premiums owed to reinsurers for the 2017 nine-month period as compared to the same period of 2016 was due to the overall change in expected loss recoveries attributable to one large claim during the second quarter of 2017. We do not believe this isolated claim indicates a change in overall loss trends for us or the industry. Changes to estimates of premiums ceded related to prior accident years are fully earned in the period the changes in estimates occur.
Ceded Premiums Ratio
As shown in the table below, our ceded premiums ratio was affected in both 20172019 and 20162018 by revisions to our estimate of premiums owed to reinsurers related to coverages provided in prior accident years.
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 2016Change 2017 2016Change2019 2018Change
Ceded premiums ratio, as reported13.8% 13.4%0.4pts 14.2% 13.6%0.6
pts15.5% 15.4%0.1
pts
Less the effect of adjustments in premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years (as previously discussed)(1.5%) (1.7%)0.2pts (1.0%) (1.8%)0.8
pts% (1.4%)1.4
pts
Ratio, current accident year15.3% 15.1%0.2pts 15.2% 15.4%(0.2)pts15.5% 16.8%(1.3)pts
The increasedecrease in the current accident year ceded premiums ratio for the 20172019 three-month period was primarily attributable to an increase in premium ceded under our shared risk arrangements, somewhat offsetdriven by a decrease in premium ceded to Syndicate 1729. The decline in the current accident year ceded premium ratio foreffect of the 2017 nine-month period was due to a decrease in premium ceded tonon-renewal of the quota share reinsurance agreement with Syndicate 1729, partially offset by an increase in premiumpremiums ceded under our other shared risk arrangements (seearrangements. See discussion above under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written").Written."

Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned were as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Gross premiums earned$140,427
 $135,221
 $5,206
 3.8% $402,897
 $391,230
 $11,667
 3.0%
Less: Ceded premiums earned22,096
 19,022
 3,074
 16.2% 62,503
 56,150
 6,353
 11.3%
Net premiums earned$118,331
 $116,199
 $2,132
 1.8% $340,394
 $335,080
 $5,314
 1.6%
Net premiums earned consist of gross premiums earned less the portion of earned premiums that we cede to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. Because premiums are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of premiums written. Generally, our policies carry a term of one year, butyear; however, as discussed above, we write certain policies with a twenty-four month term, and a few of our medical technology liability policies carryhave a multi-year term. Tail coverage premiums are generally 100% earned in the period written because the policies insure only incidents that occurred in prior periods and are not cancellable. Retroactive coverage premiums are 100% earned at the inception of the contract, as all of the underlying loss events occurred in the past. Additionally, ceded premium changes due to changes to estimates of premiums owed under reinsurance agreements for prior accident years are fully earned in the period of change.

Net premiums earned were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Gross premiums earned$143,019
 $133,698
 $9,321
 7.0%
Less: Ceded premiums earned18,952
 18,751
 201
 1.1%
Net premiums earned$124,067
 $114,947
 $9,120
 7.9%
The increase in gross premiums earned during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods primarily reflected2019 three-month period included the pro rata effect of higher premiums written during the preceding twelve months, predominantly in our healthcare facilities lineand physicians lines of business, and a few large tail policies written andbusiness.
The slight increase in ceded premiums earned during the third2019 three-month period was driven by the effect of an adjustment made during the first quarter of 2017. For the 2017 three- and nine-month periods,2018 to ceded premiums owed under reinsurance agreements related to prior accident year ceded premiums reductions were $0.2 million and $3.0 million lower than forlosses; no adjustment was made during the 2016 three- and nine-month periods, respectivelyfirst quarter of 2019 (see previous discussion in this sectionfootnote 5 under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written"). After removing the effect of the prior accident year ceded premium adjustment from the 2018 three-month period, ceded premiums earned decreased primarily due to the non-renewal of the quota share reinsurance agreement with Syndicate 1729, partially offset by the pro rata effect of an increase in premiums ceded under our shared risk arrangements during the preceding twelve months, predominately in our CAPAssurance program.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The determination of calendar year losses involves the actuarial evaluation of incurred losses for the current accident year and the actuarial re-evaluation of incurred losses for prior accident years, including an evaluation of the reserve amounts required for losses in excess of policy limits.
Accident year refers to the accounting period in which the insured event becomes a liability of the insurer. For claims-made policies, which represent over 90%the majority of the premiums written in our Specialty P&C segment, the insured event generally becomes a liability when the event is first reported to the insurer.us. For occurrence policies, the insured event becomes a liability when the event takes place. For retroactive coverages, the insured event becomes a liability at inception of the underlying contract. We believe that measuring losses on an accident year basis is the best measure of the underlying profitability of the premiums earned in that period, since it associates policy premiums earned with the estimate of the losses incurred related to those policy premiums.
The following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Additionally, the table shows our current accident year net loss ratio was affected by revisions to our estimate of premiums owed to reinsurers related to coverages provided in prior accident years. Net loss ratios for the period were as follows:
Net Loss Ratios (1)
Net Loss Ratios (1)
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Calendar year net loss ratio62.4% 62.2% 0.2
pts 64.7% 61.4% 3.3
pts86.8% 72.7% 14.1pts
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio(25.4%) (25.9%) 0.5
pts (24.0%) (26.9%) 2.9
pts(6.3%) (17.9%) 11.6pts
Current accident year net loss ratio87.8% 88.1% (0.3)pts 88.7% 88.3% 0.4
pts93.1% 90.6% 2.5pts
Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:                
Ceded premium adjustments, prior accident years (2)
(1.9%) (2.1%) 0.2
pts (1.2%) (2.0%) 0.8
pts% (1.5%) 1.5pts
Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of prior year ceded premium (3)
89.7% 90.2% (0.5)pts 89.9% 90.3% (0.4)pts93.1% 92.1% 1.0pts
(1) 
Net losses, as specified, divided by net premiums earned.
(2) 
Reductions to premiums owed under reinsurance agreements for prior accident years increased Netnet premiums earned (the denominator of the current accident year ratio) for the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods.2018 three-month period. No such adjustments were made during the 2019 three-month period. See the discussion in the Premiums section for our Specialty P&C segment under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written" for additional information.
(3) 
The declinecurrent accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of prior year ceded premium adjustments, is higher due to our continued concern around potential loss trends in the broader HCPL industry including large, more complex risks. Furthermore, the increase in the current accident year net loss ratio for the 2017 three-month period primarily reflectedwas due to changes in the mix of business. For the 2017 nine-month period, the decline reflected an increasebusiness including a higher volume of earned premium in our estimateexcess and surplus lines of losses ultimately recoverable from our reinsurance partners and changes in expected loss costs related to mass tort litigation. While we increased our reserves related to mass tort litigation in both the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods, the increase was substantially less in the 2017 nine-month period and resulted in an 0.3 percentage point decrease to the current accident year net loss ratio in the 2017 nine-month period.business.
We recognized net favorable loss development related to our previously established reserves of $30.1 million and $81.9$7.9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, March 31, 2019 and $30.0 million and $90.2$20.6 million during the same respective periodsperiod of 2016.2018. We re-evaluate our previously established reserve each quarter based on ourupon the most recently available claims data andcompleted actuarial analysis supplemented by any new analysis, information or trends that have emerged since the date of that study. We also take into account currently available industry trend information. Development recognized during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 March 31, 2019 principally related to accident years 20102012 through 2014.2015. Development recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 March 31, 2018 principally related to accident years 20092011 through 2013.2015. While our reserves continue to develop favorably, net favorable prior year reserve development recognized in the 2019 three-month period was lower as compared to same respective period of 2018 due to the observed increase in claim severity in the broader HCPL industry.
A detailed discussion of factors influencing our recognition of loss development is included in our Critical Accounting Estimates section under the heading "Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses" and in our 20162018 Form 10-K under the

same heading. Assumptions used in establishing our reserve are regularly reviewed and updated by management as new data becomes available. Any adjustments necessary are reflected in the then current operations. Due to the size of our reserve, even a small percentage adjustment to the assumptions can have a material effect on our results of operations for the period in which the change is made, as was the case in both 20172019 and 20162018.

Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Our Specialty P&C segment underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were comprised as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Specialty P&C segment:               
DPAC amortization$12,405
 $10,901
 $1,504
 13.8% $35,350
 $32,854
 $2,496
 7.6%$14,091
 $12,738
 $1,353
 10.6%
Management fees2,004
 1,832
 172
 9.4% 5,156
 4,928
 228
 4.6%1,966
 1,697
 269
 15.9%
Other underwriting and operating expenses12,628
 13,830
 (1,202) (8.7%) 38,746
 39,737
 (991) (2.5%)13,558
 13,545
 13
 0.1%
Total$27,037
 $26,563
 $474
 1.8% $79,252
 $77,519
 $1,733
 2.2%$29,615
 $27,980
 $1,635
 5.8%
DPAC amortization increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016 primarily2018 driven by the effect of higher grossincrease net premiums earned in 2017 and, to a lesser extent, an increase in commission and brokerage expenses and a slight decrease in ceding commission income, which is an offset to expense.expense, due to a reduction in premiums ceded to Syndicate 1729.
Management fees are charged pursuant to a management agreement by the Corporate segment to the operating subsidiaries within our Specialty P&C segment for services provided, based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of premium written by the subsidiary. While the terms of the management agreement were consistent between 20162018 and 2017,2019, fluctuations in the amount of premium written by each subsidiary can result in corresponding variations in the management fee charged to each subsidiary during a particular period.
Other underwriting and operating expenses decreasedwas relatively flat during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2019 three-month period as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016 primarily driven by non-recurring costs in 2016, including state assessments2018 due to offsetting factors. Other underwriting and operating expenses for the 2019 three-month period included $1.0 million associated with a donationdata analytics services agreement entered into during the fourth quarter of 2018 (see Note 6 of the Notes to a scholarship programCondensed Consolidated Financial Statements for which we received a wholly offsetting tax credit during 2016. The decrease in both periods was partiallyfurther information), offset by an increasea decrease in compensation related expenses and costs associated withas a result of lower bonuses as compared to the amortizationsame period of new software that was put into service during the first quarter of 2017.2018.
Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
Our expense ratio for the Specialty P&C segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, was as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Underwriting expense ratio23.9% 24.3% (0.4)pts
The slight decrease in the underwriting expense ratio for our Specialty P&C segment remained relatively flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172019 three-month period was due to the effect of an increase in net premiums earned, almost entirely offset by the increase in DPAC amortization, as previously discussed, as compared to the same periodsperiod of 2016, as shown below:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Underwriting expense ratio22.8% 22.9% (0.1)pts 23.3% 23.1% 0.2pts

Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend Expense (Income)
During 2016, we expanded our alternative market solutions by writing HCPL premium in three SPCs at Eastern Re. Consistent with the SPC structure discussed in the Workers' Compensation segment section that follows, the net operating results of each cell, net of any participation we have taken in the SPCs, are due to the external owners of that cell. Our Specialty P&C segment does not currently participate in the cells that write HCPL premium, and therefore retains no profit or loss. SPC dividend (expense) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
(In thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
SPC dividend (expense) income$65
 $(94) $159
 $(5,026) $(94) $(4,932)
The SPC dividend expense for the 2017 nine-month period reflected a $5.2 million pre-tax expense recognized during the second quarter of 2017 related to previously unrecognized SPC dividend expense for the cumulative earnings of unrelated parties that have owned SPCs at various times since 2003 within a Bermuda captive insurance operation. Historically, within our HCPL business, we have written a limited number of segregated cell captive programs through this Bermuda captive arrangement and the use of this facility has declined as the HCPL insurance market has softened. The SPC dividend expense attributable to those cells was unrelated to the captive operations of our Eastern Re subsidiary. See the Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expense section in our Workers' Compensation segment results for more information on our SPCs.2018.

Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation Insurance
OurAs previously discussed under the heading "ProAssurance Overview," we reorganized our segment reporting in the third quarter of 2018 which resulted in the creation of a new segment: Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance. The underwriting results of the SPCs at Eastern Re and Inova Re that assume workers’ compensation business were previously reported in our Workers’ Compensation segment and are now reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. The traditional workers' compensation business remains in the Workers' Compensation segment provides traditional workers' compensation insurance products and alternative market solutions for workers' compensation riskswhich has been renamed to employers with 1,000 or fewer employees, as discussed"Workers' Compensation Insurance." All prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation. See further information regarding our segments in Note 1113 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Segment
Our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment provides workers' compensation products to employers generally with 1,000 or fewer employees. Workers' compensation products offered include guaranteed cost policies, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible policies and alternative market solutions. Alternative market products include program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, SPC rental, asset management and SPC management services. Alternative market premiums are 100% ceded to either the SPCs within our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment or, to a limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer. Our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment operating results reflectreflected pre-tax underwriting profit or loss which includes SPC dividend expense (income). Investmentfrom these workers' compensation products, exclusive of investment results, which includes the SPC investment results, are included in our Corporate segment. Segment operating results included the following:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change20192018Change
Net premiums written$54,647
$54,444
$203
0.4% $184,917
$175,986
$8,931
5.1%$51,407
$55,481
$(4,074)(7.3%)
       
Net premiums earned$57,654
$54,498
$3,156
5.8% $169,791
$163,974
$5,817
3.5%$45,939
$42,700
$3,239
7.6%
Other income164
86
78
90.7% 519
696
(177)(25.4%)729
851
(122)(14.3%)
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(35,081)(34,472)(609)1.8% (103,217)(104,160)943
(0.9%)(30,443)(27,825)(2,618)9.4%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(18,434)(18,331)(103)0.6% (52,220)(52,494)274
(0.5%)(14,192)(13,030)(1,162)8.9%
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(1,722)(1,449)(273)18.8% (5,593)(3,440)(2,153)62.6%
Segment operating results$2,581
$332
$2,249
677.4% $9,280
$4,576
$4,704
102.8%$2,033
$2,696
$(663)(24.6%)
       
Net loss ratio     66.3%65.2%1.1
pts
Traditional business65.2%66.5%(1.3)pts 65.0%66.5%(1.5)pts
Alternative market business49.7%54.3%(4.6)pts 49.8%55.0%(5.2)pts
Segment results60.8%63.3%(2.5)pts 60.8%63.5%(2.7)pts
     
Underwriting expense ratio     30.9%30.5%0.4
pts
Traditional business32.5%34.6%(2.1)pts 30.8%32.4%(1.6)pts
Alternative market business30.6%31.0%(0.4)pts 30.7%31.0%(0.3)pts
Segment results32.0%33.6%(1.6)pts 30.8%32.0%(1.2)pts
(1) Represents the underwriting profit (loss) attributable to the alternative market business ceded to the SPCs at Eastern Re, net of our participation.
On September 18, 2017, Eastern Alliance Insurance Group completed its acquisition of Great Falls Insurance Company’s (“Great Falls”) book of workers’ compensation insurance business for consideration of $4.2 million. Eastern paid $2.85 million at closing, and the remaining $1.35 million is contingent upon Eastern renewing at least 75% of the acquired renewal book of business. In the event Eastern renews less than 75% but greater than 50% of the acquired renewal book of business, the contingent consideration will be reduced on a pro-rated basis. Great Falls is a monoline workers’ compensation insurance company domiciled in Maine and is licensed to write business in Maine and New Hampshire. Great Falls' direct premiums written was approximately $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition to the renewal book of business, Eastern assumed Great Falls' contracts with agency partners and all Great Falls' employees became our employees. The acquisition of the renewal rights will expand Eastern’s operations into Maine and New Hampshire and ultimately other New England states, providing geographic diversification and the ability to expand our specialty workers’ compensation products and services in the New England marketplace. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition and resulted in the recognition of intangible assets totaling $4.3 million, including transaction-related costs.

Premiums Written
Our workers’ compensation premium volume is driven by fourfive primary factors: (1) the amount of new business written, (2) audit premium, (3) retention of our existing book of business, and (4) premium rates charged on our renewal book of business.business and (5) changes in payroll exposure.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change
Gross premiums written         
Traditional business*$42,592
$43,225
$(633)(1.5%) $139,614
$136,407
$3,207
2.4%
Alternative market business17,091
16,685
406
2.4% 63,623
58,013
5,610
9.7%
Segment results59,683
59,910
(227)(0.4%) 203,237
194,420
8,817
4.5%
Less: Ceded premiums written        
Traditional business2,193
2,851
(658)(23.1%) 5,956
7,174
(1,218)(17.0%)
Alternative market business*2,843
2,615
228
8.7% 12,364
11,260
1,104
9.8%
Segment results5,036
5,466
(430)(7.9%) 18,320
18,434
(114)(0.6%)
Net premiums written     

 



Traditional business40,399
40,374
25
0.1% 133,658
129,233
4,425
3.4%
Alternative market business14,248
14,070
178
1.3% 51,259
46,753
4,506
9.6%
Segment results$54,647
$54,444
$203
0.4% $184,917
$175,986
$8,931
5.1%
* Traditional gross premiums written and alternative market ceded premiums written are reported net of alternative market premiums assumed by our traditional business totaling $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the same respective periods of 2016.
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Gross premiums written$89,354
$91,667
$(2,313)(2.5%)
Less: Ceded premiums written37,947
36,186
1,761
4.9%
Net premiums written$51,407
$55,481
$(4,074)(7.3%)
Our traditional workers’ compensation insurance products include guaranteed cost, dividend, deductible and retrospectively-rated policies. Our alternative market business is 100% ceded to either the SPCs at our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Eastern Re, or to unaffiliated captive insurers. As of September 30, 2017, there were 24 (21 active) SPCs at Eastern Re and 3 active alternative market programs with unaffiliated captive insurers.
Additional information regarding the structure of the SPCs is included in the Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expense section that follows.
Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written in our traditional and alternative market business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are reflected in the table above. The increase in gross premiums written for the nine months ended September 30, 2017by product were as compared to the same period of 2016, primarily reflected new business written and an improved retention rate, partially offset by a reduction in audit premium and declines in renewal pricing. follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Traditional business:       
Guaranteed cost$42,737
 $43,484
 $(747) (1.7%)
Policyholder dividend7,186
 8,330
 (1,144) (13.7%)
Deductible2,246
 3,086
 (840) (27.2%)
Retrospective763
 2,007
 (1,244) (62.0%)
Other1,827
 2,155
 (328) (15.2%)
Alternative market business34,595
 32,605
 1,990
 6.1%
Total$89,354
 $91,667
 $(2,313) (2.5%)
Gross premiums written in our traditional business declineddecreased during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same respective period of 2018, which primarily reflected a decrease in new business, a decrease in audit premium and renewal pricing declines of 2%, partially offset by a one-point increase in the renewal retention rate to 87%. The renewal pricing declines and decrease in new business reflect the very competitive workers' compensation marketplace. New business written for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily dueMarch 31, 2018 also included approximately $3.7 million of premiums written related to the changesacquisition of the Great Falls renewal book of business. Retrospective policy premiums written include an estimate for retrospective premium adjustments, which decreased premiums written by $0.3 million in estimatedthe 2019 three-month period, compared to adjustments that increased premiums under retrospectively rated policies. written by $0.5 million in the 2018 three-month period.
The underlying loss experience ongrowth in our alternative market business for the retrospectively rated policies resulted in a reduction of written premium in 2017, as compared tothree months ended March 31, 2019 primarily reflected an increase in written premiumthe renewal retention rate and an increase in 2016.payroll exposure, partially offset by renewal pricing declines of 2% and a decrease in new business written. We retained 16all 9 of the available workers' compensation alternative market programs up for renewal forduring the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, including one program in the third quarter of 2017. During the third quarter of 2017, we added one new alternative market program at Eastern Re that will write business previously ceded to two unaffiliated captive programs. One of the unaffiliated programs was non-renewed during the third quarter of 2017 and the other program will be non-renewed in the fourth quarter of 2017.

March 31, 2019.
New business, audit premium, retention and renewal price changes for both the traditional business and the alternative market business for 2017 and 2016 are shown in the table below:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2017 2016
($ in millions)Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
New business$7.1
$2.1
$9.2
 $5.3
$1.5
$6.8
Audit premium (including EBUB)$0.4
$0.3
$0.7
 $1.5
$
$1.5
Retention rate (1)
85%92%87% 81 %88 %83 %
Change in renewal pricing (2)
(5%)(4%)(5%) (4%)(2%)(3%)

Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 20162019 2018
($ in millions)Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
New business$24.2
$8.5
$32.7

$15.1
$7.7
$22.8
$6.4
$1.1
$7.5
 $13.7
$2.9
$16.6
Audit premium (including EBUB)$2.1
$0.7
$2.8

$4.2
$0.4
$4.6
$0.2
$0.5
$0.7
 $1.2
$0.1
$1.3
Retention rate (1)
86%94%88%
83%88%84%82%97%87% 83%91%86%
Change in renewal pricing (2)
(4%)(4%)(4%)
(2%)(1%)(1%)(3%)(2%)(2%) (4%)(1%)(3%)
      
(1) We calculate our workers' compensation retention rate as annualized expiring renewed premium divided by all annualized expiring premium subject to renewal. Our retention rate can be impacted by various factors, including price or other competitive issues, insureds being acquired, or a decision not to renew based on our underwriting evaluation.
(1) We calculate our workers' compensation retention rate as annualized expiring renewed premium divided by all annualized expiring premium subject to renewal. Our retention rate can be impacted by various factors, including price or other competitive issues, insureds being acquired, or a decision not to renew based on our underwriting evaluation.
(1) We calculate our workers' compensation retention rate as annualized expiring renewed premium divided by all annualized expiring premium subject to renewal. Our retention rate can be impacted by various factors, including price or other competitive issues, insureds being acquired, or a decision not to renew based on our underwriting evaluation.
(2) The pricing of our business includes an assessment of the underlying policy exposure and the effects of current market conditions. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data. The renewal rate decreases reflected the competitive workers’ compensation environment and the impact of loss cost reductions due to declining frequency trends in certain states in which we do business.
(2) The pricing of our business includes an assessment of the underlying policy exposure and the effects of current market conditions. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data.
(2) The pricing of our business includes an assessment of the underlying policy exposure and the effects of current market conditions. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data.

Ceded Premiums Written
Ceded premiums written reflected our external reinsurance programs and alternative market business ceded to unaffiliated captive insurance companies.
Ceded premiums written were as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change
Premiums ceded to external reinsurers         
Traditional business$2,573
$2,896
$(323)(11.2%) $6,928
$7,498
$(570)(7.6%)
Alternative market business1,783
1,725
58
3.4% 6,401
5,606
795
14.2%
Segment results4,356
4,621
(265)(5.7%) 13,329
13,104
225
1.7%
Change in return premium estimate under external reinsurance        

Traditional business(380)(45)(335)744.4% (972)(324)(648)(200.0%)
Alternative market business


nm
 


nm
Segment results(380)(45)(335)744.4% (972)(324)(648)(200.0%)
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers        

Traditional business


nm
 


nm
Alternative market business1,060
890
170
19.1% 5,963
5,654
309
5.5%
Segment results1,060
890
170
19.1% 5,963
5,654
309
5.5%
Total ceded premiums written     







Traditional business2,193
2,851
(658)(23.1%) 5,956
7,174
(1,218)(17.0%)
Alternative market business2,843
2,615
228
8.7% 12,364
11,260
1,104
9.8%
Segment results$5,036
$5,466
$(430)(7.9%) $18,320
$18,434
$(114)(0.6%)
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Premiums ceded to SPCs$32,146
 $29,222
 $2,924
 10.0%
Premiums ceded to external reinsurers3,442
 2,907
 535
 18.4%
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers2,449
 3,383
 (934)
(27.6%)
Change in return premium estimate under external reinsurance(90) 674
 (764) (113.4%)
Total ceded premiums written$37,947
 $36,186
 $1,761
 4.9%
WeOur Workers' Compensation Insurance segment cedes alternative market business under a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement, net of a ceding commission, to SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. The ceding commission consists of an amount for fronting fees, cell rental fees, commissions, premium taxes, claims administration fees and risk management fees. The fronting fees, commissions, premium taxes and risk management fees are recorded as an offset to underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses (see discussion that follows under the heading "Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses"). Cell rental fees are recorded as a component of other income and claims administration fees are recorded as ceded ULAE. The increase in premiums ceded to SPCs during the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflected growth in our alternative market premium, as previously discussed.
Under our external reinsurance agreement, we retain the first $0.5 million in risk insured by us on our traditional business and cede losses in excess of this amount on each loss occurrence under our primary external reinsurance contract. Per our reinsurance agreements, we cede premiums related to our traditional business on an earned premium basis. The traditional external reinsurance contract contains a return premium provision under which we estimate return premium based on the underlying loss experience of policies covered under the contract. In our alternative market business, the risk retention for each loss occurrence ranges from $0.3 million to $0.35 million based on the alternative market program. We cede 100% ofincrease in premiums written under four alternative market programs to unaffiliated captive insurers.
Premiums ceded to external reinsurers in our traditional business decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decline in traditional ceded premiums primarily reflected an increase in revenue sharing with our reinsurance broker, partially offsetMarch 31, 2019 was driven by an increase in earned premium and an increase in reinsurance rates.rates effective May 1, 2018.
Changes in the return premium estimate reflected the loss experience under the reinsurance contract for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016.2018. The increasechange in theestimated return premium estimate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarilyMarch 31, 2019 reflected improvedfavorable loss experience indevelopment on prior year reinsured claims as compared to unfavorable loss development on prior year reinsured claims for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 contract years.

same respective period of 2018.
Ceded Premiums Ratio
Ceded premiums ratio was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30
2017 2016 ChangeThree Months Ended March 31
Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
2019 2018 Change
Ceded premiums ratio, as reported5.1%16.6%8.4% 6.6%15.7%9.1% (1.5)0.9(0.7)34.6% 34.9% (0.3)pts
Less the effect of: 
    

 
Premiums ceded to SPCs (100%)26.9% 24.3% 2.6
pts
Retrospective premium adjustments% 0.1% (0.1)pts
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%)0.9% 3.0% (2.1)pts
Return premium estimated under external reinsurance(0.9%)—%(0.6%) (0.1%)—%(0.1%) (0.8)(0.5)(0.2%) 1.5% (1.7)pts
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%)—%5.5%1.7% —%4.8%1.4% 0.70.3
Assumed premiums earned (not ceded to external reinsurers)(0.3%) (0.3%) 
pts
Ceded premiums ratio, less the effects of above6.0%11.1%7.3%
6.7%10.9%7.8% (0.7)0.2(0.5)7.3%
6.3% 1.0
pts

Nine Months Ended September 30

2017 2016 Change

Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
Ceded premiums ratio, as reported4.3%19.4%9.0%
5.3%19.4%9.5% (1.0)(0.5)
Less the effect of:






    
Return premium estimated under external reinsurance(0.7%)—%(0.5%)
(0.2%)—%(0.2%) (0.5)(0.3)
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%)—%8.3%2.8%
—%8.7%2.7% (0.4)0.1
Ceded premiums ratio, less the effects of above5.0%11.1%6.7%
5.5%10.7%7.0% (0.5)0.4(0.3)
Per our reinsurance agreements,The above table reflects ceded premiums earned as a percent of gross premiums earned. As discussed above, we cede premiums related to our traditional business to external reinsurers on an earned premium basis, whereas alternative market premiums are ceded on a written premium basis. The decreaseincrease in the traditional ceded premiumpremiums ratio reflectsfor the impactthree months ended March 31, 2019 when compared to the same respective period of the revenue sharing noted above, partially offset by the2018 primarily reflected an increase in reinsurance rates. The alternative markets ceded premium ratio, less the effect of premiums ceded to the unaffiliated captive insurers, reflected premiums ceded to our external reinsurers related to the SPCs at Eastern Re. The reinsurance rate for our alternative market business varies by program.

Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned were as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change
Gross premiums earned       

 
Traditional business*$43,492
$42,582
$910
2.1% $127,761
$127,426
$335
0.3%
Alternative market business20,200
18,502
1,698
9.2% 59,855
55,601
4,254
7.7%
Segment results63,692
61,084
2,608
4.3% 187,616
183,027
4,589
2.5%
Less: Ceded premiums earned       



Traditional business2,193
2,850
(657)(23.1%) 5,956
7,174
(1,218)(17.0%)
Alternative market business*3,845
3,736
109
2.9% 11,869
11,879
(10)(0.1%)
Segment results6,038
6,586
(548)(8.3%) 17,825
19,053
(1,228)(6.4%)
Net premiums earned     







Traditional business41,299
39,732
1,567
3.9% 121,805
120,252
1,553
1.3%
Alternative market business16,355
14,766
1,589
10.8% 47,986
43,722
4,264
9.8%
Segment results$57,654
$54,498
$3,156
5.8% $169,791
$163,974
$5,817
3.5%
* Traditional gross premiums earned and alternative market ceded premiums earned are reported net of alternative market premiums assumed by our traditional business totaling $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the same respective periods of 2016.
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Gross premiums earned$70,276
$65,614
$4,662
7.1%
Less: Ceded premiums earned24,337
22,914
1,423
6.2%
Net premiums earned$45,939
$42,700
$3,239
7.6%
Net premiums earned consist of gross premiums earned less the portion of earned premiums that we cede to SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment, external reinsurers for their assumptionor to any unaffiliated captive insurers. Because premiums are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of a portion of our losses.premiums written. Our workers’ compensation policies are twelve-monthtwelve month term policies and premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over the policy period. Net premiums earned also include premium adjustments related to the audit of our insureds' payrolls. Payroll audits are conducted subsequent to the end of the policy period and any related adjustments are recorded as fully earned in the current period. In addition, we record an estimate for EBUB and evaluate the estimate on a quarterly basis. We did not adjust the EBUB estimate during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.March 31, 2019 or 2018. The increase in net premiums earned primarily reflected the pro rata effect of higher net premiums written during the preceding twelve months.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Calendar year and current accident year net loss ratios by component were as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2017 2016 Change
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
Calendar year net loss ratio*65.2%49.7%60.8% 66.5%54.3%63.3% (1.3)(4.6)(2.5)
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio(0.9%)(11.7%)(4.0%) (1.0%)(9.7%)(3.3%) 0.1
(2.0)(0.7)
Current accident year net loss ratio66.1%61.4%64.8%
67.5%64.0%66.6% (1.4)(2.6)(1.8)
Less impact of audit premium on loss ratio%(0.9%)(0.3%) %0.2%% 
(1.1)(0.3)
Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of audit premium66.1%62.3%65.1%
67.5%63.8%66.6%
(1.4)(1.5)(1.5)


Nine Months Ended September 30

2017
2016 Change

Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results

Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
Calendar year net loss ratio*65.0%49.8%60.8%
66.5%55.0%63.5%
(1.5)(5.2)(2.7)
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio(1.0%)(13.5%)(4.5%)
(1.0%)(6.4%)(2.4%)

(7.1)(2.1)
Current accident year net loss ratio66.0%63.3%65.3%
67.5%61.4%65.9%
(1.5)1.9
(0.6)
Less impact of audit premium on loss ratio%(1.0%)(0.3%)
%(0.6%)(0.2%)

(0.4)(0.1)
Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of audit premium66.0%64.3%65.6%
67.5%62.0%66.1%
(1.5)2.3
(0.5)
* The net loss ratios for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods in the above tables are calculated before the impact of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the same respective periods of 2016 of premiums earned that is assumed by and ceded from the traditional and alternative markets business.
The current accident year net loss ratio in our traditional business decreased during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods which primarily reflected more favorable trends in claim closing results in 2017 as compared to 2016, which reduced loss indications for the 2017 accident year. The accident year loss ratio for the alternative market business reflected the aggregate loss ratio for all programs. Loss reserves are estimated for each program on a quarterly basis. Due to the size of some of the programs, quarterly claim activity can cause the accident year loss ratio to fluctuate significantly period to period.
Calendar year incurred losses ceded to our external reinsurers in both our traditional and alternative market business totaled $8.0 million and $20.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to ceded incurred losses of $1.5 million and $20.1 million for the same respective periods of 2016. The increase in ceded incurred losses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily reflected one large claim with ceded losses of $5.5 million.
We recognized net favorable prior year development related to our previously established reserve of $2.3 million and $7.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1.8 million and $3.9 million for the same respective periods of 2016. The net favorable prior year development included $0.4 million and $1.2 million related to amortization of the purchase accounting fair value adjustment for our traditional business for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. It also included net favorable prior year development for our alternative market business of $1.9 million and $6.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1.4 million and $2.7 million for the same respective periods of 2016. The prior year favorable development reflected better than expected claims trends in the 2015 and 2016 accident years.
Within our alternative market business, audit premium from insureds results in a decrease in the net loss ratio, whereas audit premium returned to insureds results in an increase in the net loss ratio. We recognized audit premium of $0.3 million and $0.7 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $0.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 including a nominal amount during the 2016 three-month period, the effect of which is reflected in the tables above.
In our traditional business, we estimate our current accident year loss and loss adjustment expenses based on an expected loss ratio. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses are determined by applying the expected loss ratio to net premiums earned, which includes audit premium, for the respective period. In our alternative market business, we estimate our current accidentThe following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses and loss adjustment expenses based on the underlying actuarial methodologies without consideration of audit premium. As a result, we removed the effects of audit premium in the above table for purposes of evaluatingbetween the current accident year and all prior accident years. Calendar year and current accident year net loss ratio.ratios by component were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Calendar year net loss ratio66.3% 65.2% 1.1
pts
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio(1.9%) (0.9%) (1.0)pts
Current accident year net loss ratio68.2% 66.1% 2.1
pts
The current accident year net loss ratio for the 2019 three-month period was 68.2% as compared to 66.1% for the same respective period of 2018. The increase in the current accident year net loss ratio primarily reflected the effect of the continuation of intense price competition and the resulting renewal rate decreases.
Calendar year incurred losses (excluding IBNR) ceded to our external reinsurers totaled $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to ceded incurred losses of $3.7 million for the same respective period of 2018. Ceded incurred losses reflected unfavorable development on prior year reinsured claims. There were no current accident year ceded incurred losses reported in the 2019 or 2018 three-month periods.
We recognized net favorable prior year development related to our previously established reserve of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to $0.4 million for the same respective period of 2018. The net favorable prior year development for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns, primarily in the 2016 accident year. For both the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the net favorable prior year development included $0.4 million related to the amortization of the purchase accounting fair value adjustment.

Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses includes the amortization of commissions, premium taxes and underwriting salaries, which are capitalized and deferred over the related workers’ compensation policy period, net of external ceding commissions earned. The capitalization of underwriting salaries can vary as they are subject to the success rate of our contract acquisition efforts. These expenses also include a management fee charged by theour Corporate segment, which represents intercompany charges pursuant to a management agreement, and the amortization of intangible assets, primarily related to the acquisition of Eastern by ProAssurance. The management fee is based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of premium written by the subsidiary.

The table below provides a comparison of underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change
Traditional business$13,508
$13,821
$(313)(2.3%) $37,632
$39,136
$(1,504)(3.8%)
Alternative market business4,926
4,510
416
9.2 % 14,588
13,358
1,230
9.2 %
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses$18,434
$18,331
$103
0.6 % $52,220
$52,494
$(274)(0.5%)
The decrease inOur Workers' Compensation Insurance segment underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses were comprised as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
DPAC amortization$8,450
 $7,503
 $947
 12.6%
Management fees670
 685
 (15) (2.2%)
Other underwriting and operating expenses9,385
 9,037
 348
 3.9%
SPC ceding commission offset(4,313) (4,195) (118) 2.8%
Total$14,192
 $13,030
 $1,162
 8.9%
The increase in our traditional line of businessDPAC amortization for the 2017 three- and nine-month periodsthree months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016 was driven by2018 primarily reflected the decreaseincrease in intangible asset amortization of $0.6 millionnet premiums earned and $1.7 million, respectively. In addition, the decrease in the 2017 nine-month period included the effect of a $0.6 million pension settlement charge relatedan increase in capitalized underwriting salaries during 2018. Other underwriting and operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were relatively flat as compared to the terminationsame respective period of 2018.
As previously discussed, alternative market premiums written through our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment's alternative market business unit are 100% ceded, less a legacy Eastern pension plan recordedceding commission, to either the SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment or, to a limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer. SPC ceding commission income includes fronting fees, commissions, premium taxes and risk management fees, and is reported as an offset to underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses. The increase in SPC ceding commissions earned for three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same respective period of 2018 was due to growth in the first quarter of 2016.alternative market business over the preceding twelve months.
Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
The underwriting expense ratio for the Workers' Compensation segment included the impact of the following:
 Three Months Ended September 30
 2017 2016 Change
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
Underwriting expense ratio, as reported*32.5%30.6%32.0% 34.6%31.0%33.6% (2.1)(0.4)(1.6)
Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:           
Amortization of intangible assets1.8%%1.3% 3.3%%2.4% (1.5)
(1.1)
Management fee1.1%%0.8% 1.1%%0.8% 


Impact of audit premium(0.3%)(0.5%)(0.3%) (1.2%)0.1%(0.9%) 0.9
(0.6)0.6
Impact of return premium estimate(0.3%)%(0.2%) %%% (0.3)
(0.2)
Underwriting expense ratio, less listed effects30.2%31.1%30.4% 31.4%30.9%31.3% (1.2)0.2
(0.9)

Nine Months Ended September 30

2017 2016 Change

Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
 Traditional BusinessAlternative Market BusinessSegment
Results
Underwriting expense ratio, as reported*30.8%30.7%30.8%
32.4%31.0%32.0%
(1.6)(0.3)(1.2)
Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:



















Non-recurring/unusual expenses%%%
0.5%%0.4%
(0.5)
(0.4)
Amortization of intangible assets1.8%%1.3%
3.2%%2.4%
(1.4)
(1.1)
Management fee1.2%%0.9%
1.2%%0.9%



Impact of audit premium(0.5%)(0.5%)(0.5%)
(1.0%)(0.3%)(0.8%)
0.5
(0.2)0.3
Impact of return premium estimate(0.2%)%(0.2%)
(0.1%)%(0.1%)
(0.1)
(0.1)
Underwriting expense ratio, less listed effects28.5%31.2%29.3%
28.6%31.3%29.2%
(0.1)(0.1)0.1
* The underwriting expense ratios for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods in the above tables are calculated before the impact of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the same respective periods of 2016 of premiums earned that is assumed by and ceded from the traditional and alternative markets business, respectively.

 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Underwriting expense ratio, as reported30.9% 30.5% 0.4
pts
Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:      
Impact of ceding commissions received from SPCs3.2% 2.8% 0.4
pts
Amortization of intangible assets1.3% 1.4% (0.1)pts
Management fees1.0% 1.1% (0.1)pts
Impact of audit premium(0.1%) (0.5%) 0.4
pts
Underwriting expense ratio, less listed effects25.5% 25.7% (0.2)pts
The decrease in the traditional expense ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, exclusive of the items noted in the tables,table, primarily reflected the increase in net premiums earned.earned, partially offset by the increase in DPAC amortization, as previously discussed. There were no other individually significant variances by expense category that contributed to the increaseremaining decrease in the expense ratio. The change in the alternative market expense ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily reflected ceding commissions, which vary by program.
Non-recurring expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 in the above table reflected a pension settlement charge, as discussed above.
Segment Operating Results - Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend Expense (Income)Reinsurance
Our Workers' CompensationAs previously discussed under the heading "ProAssurance Overview," we reorganized our segment provides turn-key workers' compensation alternative market solutions that include program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, SPC rental, asset management and SPC management services. reporting during the third quarter of 2018 which resulted in the creation of the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. See further information regarding our segments in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The asset management and SPC management services are outsourced to a third party. Alternative market customers include individual companies, groups and associations. SPC dividend expense (income) for each period representsSegregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment reflects the operating results (underwriting profit or loss, attributable to the alternative market business ceded to theplus investment results) of SPCs ofat Eastern Re netand Inova Re, our Cayman Islands SPC operations. As of any participation we have taken inMarch 31, 2019, there were 26 (22 active) SPCs. The majority of SPCs only assume workers' compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a combination of the SPCs.
Thetwo from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. During the first quarter of 2019, one SPC at Eastern Re assumed an errors and omissions liability policy from a captive insurer unaffiliated with ProAssurance. SPCs are segregated pools of assets and liabilities that provide an insurance facility for a defined set of risks. Assets of each SPC are solely for the benefit of that individual cell and each SPC is solely responsible for the liabilities of that individual cell. Assets of one SPC are statutorily protected from the creditors of the others. Each SPC is owned, fully or in part, by an agency, group or association and the operating results of the SPCs are due to the participants of that cell. We participate to a varying degree in the results of selected SPCs. Our ownership interest inSPCs and, for the SPCs in which we participate, our participation interest is as low as 25% and as high as 100%85%. UnderSPC operating results due to external cell participants are reflected as a SPC dividend expense in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. In addition, our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment includes the SPC structure,investment results as the netinvestments are solely for the benefit of the cell participants and investment results due to external cell participants are reflected in the SPC dividend expense. Segment operating results reflects our share of each cell,the underwriting and investment results of the SPCs in which we participate, and included the following:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Net premiums written$32,682
$28,962
$3,720
12.8%
     
Net premiums earned$19,502
$17,036
$2,466
14.5%
Net investment income448
356
92
25.8%
Net realized gains (losses)2,141
(473)2,614
552.6%
Other income87
30
57
190.0%
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(10,745)(9,953)(792)8.0%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(5,235)(5,114)(121)2.4%
SPC net operating results6,198
1,882
4,316
229.3%
SPC dividend (expense) income (1)
(4,787)(1,747)(3,040)174.0%
Segment operating results (2)
$1,411
$135
$1,276
945.2%
     
Net loss ratio55.1%58.4%(3.3)pts
Underwriting expense ratio26.8%30.0%(3.2)pts
(1) Represents the operating (profit) loss due to external cell participants.
(2) Represents our share of the operating profit (loss) of the SPCs in which we participate.
Premiums Written
The majority of premiums in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment are assumed from either our Workers' Compensation Insurance or Specialty P&C segments. Premium volume is driven by five primary factors: (1) the amount of new business written, (2) retention of the existing book of business, (3) premium rates charged on the renewal book of business and, for workers' compensation business, (4) audit premium and (5) changes in payroll exposure.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Gross premiums written$36,365
 $32,340
 $4,025
 12.4%
Less: Ceded premiums written3,683
 3,378
 305
 9.0%
Net premiums written$32,682
 $28,962
 $3,720
 12.8%

Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written reflected reinsurance premiums assumed by component as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Workers' compensation$32,146
 $29,222
 $2,924
 10.0%
Healthcare professional liability3,738
 3,118
 620
 19.9%
Other481
 
 481
 nm
Gross Premiums Written$36,365
 $32,340
 $4,025
 12.4%
Gross premiums written for the 2019 and 2018 three-month periods was primarily comprised of workers' compensation coverages assumed from our participation, are dueWorkers' Compensation Insurance segment. Gross premiums written increased during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the external ownerssame respective period of 2018, which primarily reflected an increase in the renewal retention rate and an increase in payroll exposure, partially offset by a decline in renewal pricing and a decrease in new business written. We retained all 10 of the available alternative market programs, including 9 workers' compensation programs and 1 healthcare professional liability program up for renewal during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
During the first quarter of 2019, one SPC at Eastern Re assumed an errors and omissions liability policy that cell.provides coverage for losses up to a lifetime maximum of $10 million from a captive insurer unaffiliated with ProAssurance. The assumed premium related to this policy was $0.5 million. We do not participate in the SPC that assumed this policy; therefore, the underwriting results of this policy will be reflected in the SPC dividend expense in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment.
The SPC financial results are includedNew business, audit premium, retention and renewal price changes for the assumed workers' compensation premium is shown in the table below.below:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in millions)2019 2018
New business$1.1
 $2.9
Audit premium (including EBUB)$0.5
 $0.1
Retention rate (1)
97% 91%
Change in renewal pricing (2)
(2%) (1%)
(1) We calculate our workers' compensation retention rate as annualized expiring renewed premium divided by all annualized expiring premium subject to renewal. Our retention rate can be impacted by various factors, including price or other competitive issues, insureds being acquired, or a decision not to renew based on our underwriting evaluation.
(2) The pricing of our business includes an assessment of the underlying policy exposure and the effects of current market conditions. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data.

Ceded Premiums Written
Ceded premiums written were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Ceded premiums written$3,683
$3,378
$305
9.0%
For the workers' compensation business, each SPC has in place its own external reinsurance arrangements. The SPC dividend expense (income) representshealthcare professional liability business is assumed net of reinsurance from our Specialty P&C segment; therefore, there are no ceded premiums related to the operating results of each cellhealthcare professional liability business reflected in the aggregate.table above. The risk retention for each loss occurrence ranges from $0.3 million to $0.35 million based on the program, with limits up to $119.7 million. In addition, each program has aggregate reinsurance coverage between $1.1 million and $2.1 million on a program year basis. Per the SPC external reinsurance agreements, premiums are ceded on a written premium basis and the slight increase in premiums ceded to external reinsurers during the three months ended March 31, 2019 primarily reflected an increase in written premium. External reinsurance rates vary based on the alternative market program.
SPC dividend expense (income)Ceded Premiums Ratio
Ceded premiums ratio was as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Net premiums earned$16,113
 $14,539
 $1,574
 10.8% $47,544
 $43,026
 $4,518
 10.5%
Other income34
 3
 31
 1,033.3% 83
 10
 73
 730.0%
Less: Net losses and loss adjustment expenses8,016
 7,888
 128
 1.6% 23,698
 23,683
 15
 0.1%
Less: Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses4,926
 4,510
 416
 9.2% 14,587
 13,358
 1,229
 9.2%
SPC net operating results - profit/(loss)3,205
 2,144
 1,061
 49.5% 9,342

5,995

3,347
 55.8%
Less: Eastern participation - profit/(loss)1,483
 695
 788
 113.4% 3,749
 2,555
 1,194
 46.7%
SPC dividend expense (income)$1,722
 $1,449
 $273
 18.8% $5,593
 $3,440
 $2,153
 62.6%
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Ceded premiums ratio11.5% 11.6% (0.1)pts
The increase in SPC dividend expenseabove table reflects ceded premiums as a percent of gross premiums written for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods,workers' compensation business only; healthcare professional liability business is assumed net of reinsurance, as discussed above. The ceded premiums ratio remained relatively unchanged for the 2019 three-month period as compared to the same periodsrespective period of 2016, was due to an increase in 2018.
Net Premiums Earned
Gross, ceded and net premiums earned were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Gross premiums earned$21,939
$19,168
$2,771
14.5%
Less: Ceded premiums earned2,437
2,132
305
14.3%
Net premiums earned$19,502
$17,036
$2,466
14.5%
Net premiums earned which droveconsist of gross premiums earned less the improvementportion of earned premiums that the SPCs cede to external reinsurers. Because premiums are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of premiums written. Policies ceded to the SPCs are twelve month term policies and premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over the policy period. Net premiums earned also include premium adjustments related to the audit of workers' compensation insureds' payrolls. Payroll audits are conducted subsequent to the end of the policy period and any related adjustments are recorded as fully earned in the current period. The increase in net premiums earned primarily reflected the pro rata effect of higher net premiums written during the preceding twelve months.
Net Investment Income and Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Net investment income for the 2019 and 2018 three-month periods was primarily attributable to interest earned on available-for-sale fixed maturity investments, which primarily includes investment-grade corporate debt securities. Net realized investment losses during the 2019 and 2018 three-month periods primarily reflected changes in the value of the SPCs' equity portfolio.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table summarizes the calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Calendar year and current accident year net loss ratios were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Calendar year net loss ratio55.1% 58.4% (3.3)pts
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio(11.6%) (8.8%) (2.8)pts
Current accident year net loss ratio66.7% 67.2% (0.5)pts
The current accident year net loss ratio reflected the aggregate loss ratio for all programs. Loss reserves are estimated for each program on a quarterly basis. Due to the size of some of the programs, quarterly claims activity can cause the current accident year net loss ratio to fluctuate significantly from period to period. The decrease in the current accident year net loss ratio primarily reflected a decline in severity-related claim activity, partially offset by the effect of the continuation of intense price competition and the resulting renewal rate decreases.
Calendar year incurred losses ceded to our external reinsurers totaled $2.6 million and $2.3 million for the 2019 and 2018 three-month periods, respectively, which primarily reflected unfavorable development on prior year reinsured claims. There were no current accident year ceded incurred losses reported in the 2019 three-month period. Current accident year ceded incurred losses reported in the 2018 three-month period were $1.3 million.
We recognized net favorable prior year development of $2.3 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which primarily reflected better than expected claim trends in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 accident years. The improved claim trends reflected lower frequency and severity than anticipated at the time the reserves were established.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses were comprised as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
DPAC amortization$5,150
 $4,970
 $180
 3.6%
Other underwriting and operating expenses85
 144
 (59) (41.0%)
Total$5,235
 $5,114
 $121
 2.4%
DPAC amortization primarily represented ceding commissions, which vary by program and are paid to our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments for premiums assumed. Ceding commissions include an amount for fronting fees, commissions, premium taxes and risk management fees, which are reported as an offset to underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses within our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. In addition, ceding commissions paid to our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment include cell rental fees which are recorded as other income within our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment.
Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
The underwriting expense ratiosratio included the impact of the following:
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Underwriting expense ratio, as reported26.8% 30.0% (3.2)pts
Less impact of audit premium on expense ratio(0.6%) (0.1%) (0.5)pts
Underwriting expense ratio, excluding the effect of audit premium27.4% 30.1% (2.7)pts
The underwriting expense ratio primarily reflects the weighted average ceding commission percentage of all SPC programs. The decrease in both periods.the underwriting expense ratio also reflected a reduction in other underwriting and operating expenses, primarily related to changes in incurred policyholder dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same respective period in 2018.

Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates
Through a wholly owned and consolidated subsidiary, we are a corporate member ofOur Lloyd's Syndicates segment includes operating results from our participation in certain Syndicates at Lloyd's of London and have provided the majority (58%) of the capital to Syndicate 1729 which writes and reinsures property and casualty business. The remaining capital for Syndicate 1729 is provided by unrelated third parties, including private names and other corporate members.
Syndicate 1729 covers a range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines, and has a maximum underwriting capacity of £100.0 million for the 2017 underwriting year, of which £57.6 million ($77.2 million based on September 30, 2017 exchange rates) is our allocated underwriting capacity.London. We have committeda total capital commitment to provide capital (alsosupport our Lloyd's Syndicate operations through 2019 of up to $200 million, referred to as FAL) of up to $200.0 millionFAL. The Board, through 2022 to support oura non-binding resolution, extended this commitment through 2022. For the 2019 underwriting capacity and are meetingyear, our FAL requirement withwas comprised of investment securities helddeposited with Lloyd's which at Lloyd's. Our FAL securitiesMarch 31, 2019 had a fair value of $99.2approximately $144.5 million, at September 30, 2017, as discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our Lloyd's Syndicate segment results include both our 58% participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 and 100% of the operating results of our wholly owned subsidiaries that support Syndicate 1729 and were composed as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)20172016Change 20172016Change
Gross premiums written$20,972
$18,956
$2,016
10.6% $56,995
$50,870
$6,125
12.0%
Net premiums written$18,773
$16,342
$2,431
14.9% $44,555
$42,575
$1,980
4.7%
          
Net premiums earned$16,318
$14,578
$1,740
11.9% $45,374
$40,533
$4,841
11.9%
Net investment income412
351
61
17.4% 1,194
1,004
190
18.9%
Net realized gains (losses)31
50
(19)(38.0%) 105
59
46
78.0%
Other income(1,881)734
(2,615)(356.3%) (1,641)1,174
(2,815)(239.8%)
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(20,444)(11,299)(9,145)80.9% (40,718)(25,989)(14,729)56.7%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(6,723)(6,251)(472)7.6% (19,786)(16,660)(3,126)18.8%
Income tax benefit (expense)(61)(1,352)1,291
(95.5%) 495
(2,248)2,743
(122.0%)
Segment operating results$(12,348)$(3,189)$(9,159)287.2% $(14,977)$(2,127)$(12,850)604.1%
          
Net loss ratio125.3%77.5%47.8
pts 89.7%64.1%25.6
pts
Underwriting expense ratio41.2%42.9%(1.7)pts 43.6%41.1%2.5
pts
We normally report results from our Syndicate 1729 involvement in Lloyd's Syndicates on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period (see discussion that follows under the heading "Property and Natural Catastrophe Losses"). Furthermore, the investment results associated with our FAL investments and certain U.S. paid administrative expenses are reported concurrently as that information is available on an earlier time frame. However,
Lloyd's Syndicate 1729. We are the majority capital provider to Syndicate 1729, which covers a range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines. For the 2019 underwriting year, we slightly decreased our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 62% to 61% which, due to the quarter delay, will not be reflected in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2019. The remaining capital for Syndicate 1729 is provided by unrelated third parties, including private names and other corporate members. Syndicate 1729 has a maximum underwriting capacity of £128 million for the 2019 underwriting year, of which £78 million (approximately $101.7 million based on March 31, 2019 exchange rates) is our allocated underwriting capacity.
Lloyd's Syndicate 6131. We are the sole (100%) capital provider to an SPA, Syndicate 6131, which focuses on contingency and specialty property business. As an SPA, Syndicate 6131 is only allowed to underwrite one quota share reinsurance contract with Syndicate 1729. Due to the quarter delay, our participation in Syndicate 6131 was not reflected in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2018 as Syndicate 6131 began writing business effective January 1, 2018. For the 2019 underwriting year, Syndicate 6131 has a maximum underwriting capacity of £12 million (approximately $15.6 million based on March 31, 2019 exchange rates).
In addition to the results of our participation in Lloyd's Syndicates, as discussed above, our Lloyd's Syndicates segment also includes 100% of the operating results of our wholly owned subsidiaries that support our operations at Lloyd's. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the results of our Lloyd's Syndicates segment were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Gross premiums written$23,588
$12,361
$11,227
90.8%
Ceded premiums written(2,592)(520)(2,072)398.5%
Net premiums written$20,996
$11,841
$9,155
77.3%
     
Net premiums earned$18,641
$12,476
$6,165
49.4%
Net investment income1,006
751
255
34.0%
Net realized gains (losses)178
(54)232
429.6%
Other income (loss)(146)331
(477)(144.1%)
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(10,909)(8,486)(2,423)28.6%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(8,469)(7,246)(1,223)16.9%
Income tax benefit (expense)(304)(6)(298)4,966.7%
Segment operating results$(3)$(2,234)$2,231
(99.9%)
     
Net loss ratio58.5%68.0%(9.5)pts
Underwriting expense ratio45.4%58.1%(12.7)pts
Property and Natural Catastrophe Losses
As previously mentioned, we normally report results from our involvement in Lloyd's Syndicates on a quarter delay; however, during the thirdfourth quarter of 2017, Syndicate 1729 reported preliminary loss estimates2018, we accelerated our reporting of approximately $6.8 million, net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, of storm-related losses in connection with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria,Hurricane Michael, which affected Texas, several statesthe northwest portion of Florida during October 2018. These losses would have normally been reported in the southeastern United States and islands infirst quarter of 2019 due to the Caribbean. Dueaforementioned quarter delay. However, due to the availability and significance of these estimates, we have accelerated our reporting of these storm-related losses into the thirdfourth quarter of 2017. We estimate2018, which is consistent with our share (58%)policy of disclosing significant losses in the net pre-tax losses from these stormsperiod in which they become known to be approximately $7.5 million net of reinsurance and reinstatement premiums, which are written and earnedus. No such adjustments were made during the period. The pre-tax impact of the recognition of these losses on the segment's operating results above for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was as follows:
(In thousands)Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Gross premiums written$1,391
Net premiums written$1,391
Net premiums earned$1,391
Gross losses(36,492)
Reinsurance recoveries27,626
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses(8,866)
Segment operating results, before tax$(7,475)
three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018.

Gross Premiums Written
Changes in our premium volume within our Lloyd's Syndicates segment are driven by four primary factors: (1) the amount of new business and the channels in which the business is written, (2) our retention of existing business, (3) the premium charged for business that is renewed, which is affected by rates charged and by the amount and type of coverage an insured chooses to purchase and (4) the timing of premium written through multi-period policies.
Gross premiums written in 2017during the three months ended March 31, 2019 consisted of casualtyproperty insurance coverages (40%(50% of total gross premiums written), casualty coverages (37%), specialty property coverages (8%), property reinsurance coverages (3%) and catastrophe reinsurance coverages (2%). Gross premiums written premium),during the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflects our increased participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 58% to 62% and our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 6131. The increase in gross premiums written during the 2019 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2018 was primarily driven by new business written, primarily property insurance coverages, (35%), catastrophe reinsurance coverages (19%) and, property reinsurance coverages (6%). For the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, net premiums written increased primarily due to new business written anda lesser extent, volume increases on renewal business. In addition, the increase in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods reflected the effect of reinstatement premiums recorded during the third quarter of 2017 which represents the additional premium payable to the Syndicate to restore coverage limits that have been exhausted as a result of reinsured storm-related losses under certain excess of loss reinsurance treaties. The increase in net premiums written in both periods was partially offset by revisions to contract terms related to the quota share agreement with our Specialty P&C segment, as discussed below, and, for the 2017 nine-month period, the effect of revised terms on our reinsurance arrangements.
As discussed in our Specialty P&C segment operating results, prior to January 1, 2018 Syndicate 1729 servesserved as a reinsurer on a quota share basis for a wholly owned insurance subsidiary in our Specialty P&C segment. For premiumPremiums assumed we include in written premium an estimate of all premiums to be earned over the entire period covered by the reinsurance agreement, generally one year, in the quarter in which the reinsurance agreement becomes effective. The quota share agreement withfrom our Specialty P&C segment renewed effective January 1,were approximately $1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The 2017 and reflected revised contract terms which reduced premium assumed by Syndicate 1729 by essentially half. Currently, there are no plans to renew the quota share agreement on the next renewal date on January 1, 2018. Results from this ceding arrangement are reported in the Specialty P&C segment on the same quarter delay in order to be consistent with the Lloyd's Syndicate segment as the effect of doing so is not material and thus gross premiums written for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods reflected the change to the reinsurance terms described above.
The 2015 and 20142016 calendar year quota share arrangements with our Specialty P&C segment were commuted in December 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively. Due to the reportingquarter delay, the effecteffects of the 20152017 and 2014 commutation was2016 commutations were reported byin both segments insegments' results during the first quarters of 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, and is reflected in the nineLloyd's Syndicates segment results for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. The commutations did not differ significantly from previously recorded amounts.
Ceded Premiums Written
Syndicate 1729 utilizes reinsurance to provide the capacity to write larger limits of liability on individual risks, to provide protection against catastrophic loss and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. Ceded premiums written increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 primarily due to the increased utilization of reinsurance on new business written directly by Syndicate 1729 to replace the business previously assumed through the quota share agreement with our Specialty P&C segment.
Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned consist of gross premiums earned less the portion of earned premiums that we cede to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. PoliciesPremiums written to date primarily carry a term of one year. Because premiumsthrough open-market channels are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, which is predominately twelve months, whereas premiums written through delegated underwriting authority arrangements are earned over twenty-four months. Therefore, net premiums earned is affected by shifts in the mix of policies written between the open-market and delegated underwriting authority arrangements. Additionally, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of premiums written. Additionally, premiumsPremiums for certain policies and assumed reinsurance contracts are reported subsequent to the coverage period and/or may be subject to adjustment based on loss experience. These premium adjustments are earned when reported, which can result in further fluctuation in earned premium.
The increase in net premiums earned during the 2019 three-month period primarily reflected the pro rata effect of shifts in the mix of premiums written during the preceding twelve months; a larger proportion of premiums were written through the open-market, as compared to previous years, which are predominately earned over twelve months. The increase in the 2019 three-month period also reflected the increase in our participation in Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131 at the beginning of 2018. Net premiums earned for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2018 included premium assumed from our Specialty P&C segment of approximately $2.9$0.1 million and $9.5$1.9 million, respectively, and approximately $3.4 million and $10.4 million for the same respective periods of 2016. In addition, net premiums earned in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods included reinstatement premiums associated with the storm-related losses, as previously discussed.respectively.
Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses for the period were primarily recorded using the loss assumptions by risk category incorporated into the business plan submitted to Lloyd's for Syndicate 1729 with consideration given to loss experience incurred to date. The assumptions used in the business plan were consistent with loss results reflected in Lloyd's historical data for similar risks. Syndicate 6131follows a process similar to Syndicate 1729 for the establishment of initial reserves. We expect loss ratios to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 1729 writes more business and the book begins to mature. We also expect loss ratios of Syndicate 6131 to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 6131 assumes more business from Syndicate 1729. The loss ratios will also fluctuate due to the timing of earned premium adjustments (see discussion in this section under the heading "Net Premiums Earned"). Premium and exposure for some of Syndicate 1729's insurance policies and reinsurance contracts are initially estimated and subsequently adjusted over an extended period of time as underlying premium reports are received under binding authority programs.from cedants and insureds. When reports are received, the premium, exposure and corresponding loss estimates are revised

accordingly. Changes in loss estimates due to premium or exposure fluctuations are incurred in the accident year in which the premium is earned.
The following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Net loss ratios for the period were as follows:
 Net Loss Ratios
 Three Months Ended March 31
 2019 2018 Change
Calendar year net loss ratio58.5% 68.0% (9.5)pts
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio4.0% (2.7%) 6.7
pts
Current accident year net loss ratio54.5% 70.7% (16.2)pts
The current accident year net loss ratio increaseddecreased by 47.8% and 25.6%16.2 percentage points during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period of 2018 driven by the effect of higher net premiums earned.
We recognized $0.8 million of unfavorable prior year development for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, driven by the estimated storm-related losses and reinstatement premiums recognized during the third quarter of 2017,March 31, 2019, as previously discussed, which increased the net loss ratio by approximately 47.7% and 17.3%, respectively. The net loss ratio in the 2016 three-month period was lower than in prior periods and reflected the reversal of approximately $2.8compared to $0.3 million of net favorable prior year development duringfor the third quartersame respective period of 2016 which was a result of a change in methodology related to recording2018. The unfavorable prior year development. Additionally, the net loss ratiodevelopment for the first ninethree months ended March 31, 2019 was driven by higher than expected losses and development on certain large claims which resulted in unfavorable development with respect to a previous year of 2016 was lower than in prior periods and reflected reductions attributable to shifts in the mix of business as well as increased reliance on the actual loss experience on the book of business written by Syndicate 1729.

account.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses increased by $0.5 million and $3.1$1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2019 as compared to the same periodsrespective period in 2016 and2018. The increase was primarily reflecteddue to the anticipated growth in Syndicate 1729 operations. As operations, have matured, the total amount of underwriting salaries has increased alongan increase in DPAC amortization primarily due to an increase in net premiums earned and broker commissions, and, to a lesser extent, increases in various operational expenses associated with the number of policies successfully written. Underwriting compensation is capitalized as DPAC only when efforts are successful. establishing Syndicate 6131.
The decrease in the underwriting expense ratio for the 2017 three-month periodthree months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily due to the increase in net premiums earned, premium drivenpartially offset by reinstatement premiums recordedan increase in broker commissions and earned as a result of the storm-related losses in the third quarter of 2017,operating expenses, as previously discussed. The increase in the expense ratio for the 2017 nine-month period was primarily due to the timing of certain expenses relative to the increase in earned premiums.
Net Investment IncomeInvestments
Net investment income for the 20172019 and 2016 three- and nine-month2018 three-month periods was primarily attributable to interest earned on the FAL investments. Ourour FAL investments, arewhich primarily short-term investments andincludes investment-grade corporate debt securities. Syndicate 1729's fixed maturities portfolio includes certain debt securities classified as trading securities. Investment results associated with these fixed maturity trading securities are reported on the same quarter delay.
Taxes
Operating results of this segment are subject to U.K. income tax law. Tax expense incurred in 2016 reflected the use of prior year Syndicate 1729 operating losses to offset current period Syndicate 1729 operating results.

Segment Operating Results - Corporate
Our CorporateAs previously discussed under the heading "ProAssurance Overview," we reorganized our segment reporting in the third quarter of 2018 which resulted in the creation of a new segment: Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance. The Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment includes investment operations, interest expense and U.S. income taxes, all of which are managed at the corporate level with the exceptionresults of investment assets solely allocated to Syndicate 1729 as discussedSPC operations at our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, Eastern Re and Inova Re, which were previously reported in our Corporate segment. All prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period presentation. See further information regarding our segments in Note 1113 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our Corporate segment operating resultsincludes investment operations, other than those reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance and Lloyd's Syndicates segments, interest expense and U.S. income taxes. Our Corporate segment also reflectincludes non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities and corporate expenses. Segment operating results for our Corporate segment were net earnings of $40.2 million and $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and included the following:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Net investment income$23,317
 $24,910
 $(1,593) (6.4%) $68,398
 $74,280
 $(5,882) (7.9%)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries4,164
 (3,349) 7,513
 224.3% 8,489
 (6,607) 15,096
 228.5%
Net realized gains (losses)7,718
 15,687
 (7,969) (50.8%) 18,705
 18,255
 450
 2.5%
Other income1,023
 15
 1,008

6,720.0% 1,974
 758
 1,216

160.4%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(4,989) (5,086) 97
 (1.9%) (21,062) (20,748) (314) 1.5%
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(1,234) (1,653) 419
 (25.3%) (3,457) (2,361) (1,096) 46.4%
Interest expense(4,124) (3,748) (376) 10.0% (12,402) (11,285) (1,117) 9.9%
Income tax benefit (expense)(5,963) (8,328) 2,365
 (28.4%) (4,962) (14,209) 9,247
 (65.1%)
Segment operating results$19,912
 $18,448
 $1,464
 7.9% $55,683
 $38,083
 $17,600
 46.2%
(1) Represents the investment results attributable to the SPCs at Eastern Re
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)20192018Change
Net investment income$21,364
$20,920
$444
2.1%
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries$(810)$1,640
$(2,450)(149.4%)
Net realized gains (losses)$34,304
$(11,990)$46,294
386.1%
Operating expense$4,570
$4,678
$(108)(2.3%)
Interest expense$4,330
$3,705
$625
16.9%
Income tax expense (benefit)$6,657
$(3,428)$10,085
294.2%
Net Investment Income, Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is primarily derived from the income earned by our fixed maturity securities and also includes dividend income from equity securities, income from our short-term and cash equivalent investments, earnings from other investments and increases in the cash surrender value of BOLI contracts. Investment fees and expenses are deducted from net investment income.
Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Fixed maturities$18,503
 $20,660
 $(2,157) (10.4%) $56,655
 $63,759
 $(7,104) (11.1%)$16,151
 $15,981
 $170
 1.1%
Equities4,495
 3,779
 716
 18.9% 12,437
 10,983
 1,454
 13.2%4,823
 4,867
 (44) (0.9%)
Short-term and Other investments1,131
 1,456
 (325) (22.3%) 2,867
 2,524
 343
 13.6%
Short-term investments, including Other1,667
 1,209
 458
 37.9%
BOLI620
 639
 (19) (3.0%) 1,517
 1,537
 (20) (1.3%)453
 449
 4
 0.9%
Investment fees and expenses(1,432) (1,624) 192
 (11.8%) (5,078) (4,523) (555) 12.3%(1,730) (1,586) (144) 9.1%
Net investment income$23,317
 $24,910
 $(1,593) (6.4%) $68,398
 $74,280
 $(5,882) (7.9%)$21,364
 $20,920
 $444
 2.1%
Fixed Maturities
The decrease in our income from fixed maturity securities for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was due to lower yields and lower average investment balances. We reduced the size of our fixed portfolio over the last year in order to pay dividends and invest in other asset classes. OnWhile on an overall basis, our average investment in fixed maturity securities was approximately 8% and 6%2% lower for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively,2019 three-month period as compared to the same periodsrespective period of 2016.2018, investment income from fixed maturity securities increased for the 2019 three-month period as compared to the 2018 three-month period primarily due to higher yields from all asset classes in our fixed maturity portfolio.
Average yields for our fixed maturity portfolio were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Average income yield3.1% 3.3% 3.1% 3.3%3.3% 3.2%
Average tax equivalent income yield3.5% 3.7% 3.5% 3.8%3.4% 3.4%

Equities
Income from our equity portfolio increaseddecreased slightly during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2019 three-month period as compared to the same periods in 2016respective period of 2018 which reflected an increase toa decrease in our allocation to this asset category as well as a different mix of equities owned.
Investment FeesOther Investments and ExpensesShort-term Investments
Investment feesShort-term investments, which have a maturity at purchase of one year or less are carried at fair value, which approximates their cost basis, and expenses decreasedare primarily composed of investments in U.S. treasury obligations, commercial paper and money market funds. Income from our other investments and short-term investments increased during the 20172019 three-month period as compared to the same respective period in 2016of 2018 primarily attributable to higher earnings from our short-term investment holdings due to a decrease in subsequenthigher interest expense on our LP subscriptions. Investment fees and expenses increased during the 2017 nine-month period as compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to an increase in subsequent interest expense on our LP subscriptions and incentive fees on our convertible bond portfolio. Subsequent interest expense on some of our LPs is paid on subscriptions that occur later in the fund-raising process and incentive fees for returns that exceed a high water mark on our convertible bond portfolio reflected an increase in the fair value of the portfolio.rates.
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries is derived from our investment interests accounted for under the equity method. Results werewas as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Investment LPs/LLCs$8,227
 $4,998
 $3,229
 64.6% $22,590
 $10,341
 $12,249
 118.5%
All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs$3,809
 $7,616
 $(3,807) (50.0%)
Tax credit partnerships(4,063) (8,347) 4,284
 (51.3%) (14,101) (16,948) 2,847
 (16.8%)(4,619) (5,976) 1,357
 (22.7%)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries$4,164
 $(3,349) $7,513
 224.3% $8,489
 $(6,607) $15,096
 228.5%$(810) $1,640
 $(2,450) (149.4%)
We hold interests in certain LPs/LLCs that generate earnings from trading portfolios, secured debt, debt securities, multi-strategy funds and private equity investments. The performance of the LPsLPs/LLCs is affected by the volatility of equity and credit markets. For our investments in LPs/LLCs, we record our allocable portion of the partnership operating income or loss as the results of the LPs/LLCs become available. Our investment results from our portfolio of investments in LPs/LLCs resultsdecreased for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods were affected primarily by higher2019 three-month period as compared to the 2018 three-month period due to a net decrease in the reported earnings from several LPs.

our LP/LLC investment portfolio.
Our tax credit partnership investments are designed to generate returns in the form of tax credits and tax-deductible project operating losses and are comprised of qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnership interestspartnerships and historic tax credit interests.partnerships. We account for our tax credit partnership investments under the equity method and record our allocable portion of the operating losses of the underlying properties based on estimates provided by the partnerships. For our qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnership interestspartnerships, we adjust our estimates of our allocable portion of operating losses periodically as actual operating results of the underlying properties become available. Our historic tax credit investmentspartnerships are short-term in nature and remaining operating losses are expected to be recognized primarily during 2017. Based on operatingin 2019. The results received, we increasedfrom our estimate oftax credit partnership investments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflected lower partnership operating losses by $0.1 million and $2.2 million in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods as compared to $5.1 million and $8.1 million in the same respective periods in 2016, predominantly related to our qualified affordable housing tax credit partnership interests.period of 2018.
The tax benefits received from our tax credit partnerships, which are not reflected in our investment results above, reduced our tax expensesexpense in 20172019 and 20162018 as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
(In millions)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Tax credits recognized during the period$6.0
 $7.3
 $17.8
 $20.8
$4.6
 $5.3
Tax benefit of tax credit partnership operating losses$1.4
 $2.9
 $4.9
 $5.9
$1.0
 $1.3
Tax credits provided by the underlying projects of the historic tax credit partnerships are typically available in the tax year in which the project is put into active service, whereas the tax credits provided by qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships are provided over approximately a ten year period. The decrease in tax credits recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to our historic tax credit partnership investments.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Tax Equivalent Investment Result
We believe that to fully understand our investment returns it is important to consider the current tax benefits associated with certain investments as the tax benefit received represents a portion of the return provided by our tax-exempt bonds, BOLI, common and preferred stocks, and tax credit partnership investments (our(collectively, our tax-preferred investments). We impute a pro forma tax-equivalent result by estimating the amount of fully-taxable income needed to achieve the same after-tax result as is currently provided by our tax-preferred investments. We believe this better reflects the economics behind our decision to invest in certain asset classes that are either taxed at lower rates and/or result in reductions to our current federal income tax expense. Our pro forma tax-equivalent investment result is shown in the table that follows as iswell as a reconciliation of our GAAP net investment result to our tax equivalent result.
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
GAAP net investment result:          
Net investment income$23,317
 $24,910
 $68,398
 $74,280
$21,364
 $20,920
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries4,164
 (3,349) 8,489
 (6,607)(810) 1,640
GAAP net investment result$27,481
 $21,561
 $76,887
 $67,673
$20,554
 $22,560
          
Pro forma tax-equivalent investment result$39,644
 $36,215
 $113,824
 $110,784
$26,928
 $30,393
          
Reconciliation of pro forma and GAAP tax-equivalent investment result:          
GAAP net investment result$27,481
 $21,561
 $76,887
 $67,673
$20,554
 $22,560
Taxable equivalent adjustments, calculated using the 35% federal statutory tax rate:       
Taxable equivalent adjustments, calculated using the 21% federal statutory tax rate   
State and municipal bonds2,219
 2,855
 7,080
 8,959
247
 698
BOLI334
 344
 817
 828
120
 119
Dividends received441
 338
 1,642
 1,396
141
 339
Tax credit partnerships9,169
 11,117
 27,398
 31,928
5,866
 6,677
Pro forma tax-equivalent investment result$39,644
 $36,215
 $113,824
 $110,784
$26,928
 $30,393


Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
The following table provides detailed information regarding our Netnet realized investment gains (losses).
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
OTTI losses, total:          
State and municipal bonds$
 $(100) $
 $(100)
Corporate debt
 
 (419) (7,604)$(136) $
Other investments
 
 
 (3,130)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes:          
Corporate debt
 
 248
 1,068
87
 
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
 (100) (171) (9,766)(49) 
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale securities1,721
 3,853
 4,294
 8,920
Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale securities(260) (369) (1,726) (5,620)
Net realized gains (losses), trading securities3,602
 1,277
 10,957
 5,243
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale fixed maturities259
 4,464
Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale fixed maturities(308) (2,035)
Net realized gains (losses), equity investments1,790
 9,101
Net realized gains (losses), other investments478
 335
 2,197
 833
379
 688
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading securities2,152
 9,809
 2,526
 17,646
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value as a part of Other investments23
 880
 621
 976
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), equity investments30,337
 (23,261)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value as a part of other investments1,895
 (954)
Other2
 2
 7
 23
1
 7
Net realized investment gains (losses)$7,718
 $15,687
 $18,705
 $18,255
$34,304
 $(11,990)
For the 2019 three-month period, we recognized a nominal amount of both credit related OTTI in earnings and non-credit OTTI in OCI, both of which related to a corporate bond. We did not recognize any OTTI during the 20172018 three-month period. During the 2017 nine-month period, we recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.2 million and $0.2 million in non-credit impairments in OCI, both of which related to corporate bonds.

We recognized a nominal amount$34.3 million of OTTI in earningsnet realized investment gains during 2019 three-month period, primarily driven by unrealized holding gains on our equity trading portfolio of $30.3 million. The primary driver of these unrealized holding gains was the 2016 three-month period. During the 2016 nine-month period, we recognized OTTI in earnings of $6.5 million related to corporate bonds, including credit-related OTTI of $5.5 million related to debt instruments from ten issuersimprovement in the energy sector. The fair value of these bonds declined inmarket during the first quarter of 2016 as did2019, which caused our equity securities to increase in value. The most significant sectors that benefited were the credit quality of the issuersfinancial and we recognized credit-related OTTI to reduce the amortized cost basis of the bonds to the present value of future cash flows we expected to receive from the bonds. During the 2016 nine-month period, we also recognized non-credit impairments of $0.9 million in OCI relative to the bonds of these issuers, as the fair value of the bonds was less than the present value of the expected future cash flows from the securities.
We also recognized a $3.1 million OTTI in earnings during the 2016 nine-month period related to an investment fund that is accounted for using the cost method (classified as Other investments). The fund is focused on the energy sector and securities held by the fund declined in value during 2016. An OTTI was recognized to reduce our carrying value of the investment to the NAV reported by the fund.sectors, although all sectors improved.
Operating Expenses
Corporate segment operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were comprised as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Operating expenses$9,333
 $9,086
 $247
 2.7% $32,546
 $31,713
 $833
 2.6%$9,172
 $8,637
 $535
 6.2%
Management fee offset(4,344) (4,000) (344) 8.6% (11,484) (10,965) (519) 4.7%(4,602) (3,959) (643) 16.2%
Segment Total$4,989
 $5,086
 $(97) (1.9%) $21,062
 $20,748
 $314
 1.5%$4,570
 $4,678
 $(108) (2.3%)
The increase in operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in staffing costs. The increase in operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was primarily driven by an increase in share-based compensation expenses and other compensation related costs and, to a lesser extent, an increase in professional fees partially offset byas compared to the same respective period of 2018. The increase in share-based compensation expense in the 2019 three-month period was attributable to the effect of costs incurredan adjustment made during the first three quartersquarter of 2016 related2018 to a pre-acquisition liability from a discontinued operation.

particular year's award as the value of the projected award decreased based upon the decline of one of the associated performance metrics.
Operating subsidiaries within our Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation Insurance segments are charged a management fee by the Corporate segment for services provided to these subsidiaries. The management fee is based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of gross premium written by the subsidiary. Under the arrangement, the expenses associated with such services are reported as expenses of the Corporate segment, and the management fees charged are reported as an offset to Corporate operating expenses. While the terms of the management arrangement were consistent between 20162018 and 2017,2019, fluctuations in the amount of gross premium written by each subsidiary can result in corresponding variations in the management fee charged to each subsidiary during a particular period.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend
Interest Expense (Income)
DuringConsolidated interest expense for three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was comprised as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31
($ in thousands)2019 2018 Change
Senior Notes due 2023$3,357
 $3,357
 $
 %
Revolving Credit Agreement (including fees and amortization)141
 607
 (466) (76.8%)
Mortgage Loans (including amortization)395
 306
 89
 29.1%
(Gain)/loss on interest rate cap437
 (575) 1,012
 (176.0%)
Other
 10
 (10) (100.0%)
Interest expense$4,330
 $3,705
 $625
 16.9%
Consolidated interest expense increased during the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same three-month period of 2018 driven by the change in fair value of our interest rate cap. The interest rate cap is designated as an economic hedge of interest rate risk associated with our variable rate Mortgage Loans. Excluding the impact of the change in fair value of our interest rate cap, consolidated interest expense decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease was due to lower interest expense on our Revolving Credit Agreement as we did not have any outstanding borrowings during the first quarter of 2017, we began reporting in the Corporate segment the portion of the SPC dividend expense (income) that is attributable to the investment results of the SPCs, all of which are reported in the Corporate segment, to better align the expense with the related investment results of the SPCs. For comparative purposes, we have reflected the SPC dividend expense for the prior periods in the same manner. SPC dividend expense was $1.2 million and $3.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as2019 compared to $1.7 million and $2.4 million for the same respective periods of 2016. See the Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expense section in our Workers' Compensation segment results for more information on our SPCs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 driven primarily by an increase in our weighted average outstanding debt, which was $408borrowings of $103 million and $432 million forduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to $350 million for the same respective periodsfirst quarter of 2016, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the average interest rate2018. Interest expense on the outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement.
Interest expenseAgreement for threethe first quarter of 2019 primarily reflected unused commitment fees. See further discussion of our outstanding debt in Note 8 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is providedfurther discussion of our interest rate cap agreement in Note 9 of the following table:
 Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30
($ in thousands)2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Senior notes due 2023$3,357
 $3,357
 $
 % $10,071
 $10,071
 $
 %
Revolving credit agreement (including fees and amortization)757
 381
 376
 98.7% 2,302
 1,185
 1,117
 94.3%
Other10
 10
 
 % 29
 29
 
 %
 $4,124
 $3,748
 $376
 10.0% $12,402
 $11,285
 $1,117
 9.9%
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Taxes
Tax expense allocated to our Corporate segment includes U.S. tax only, which would include U.S. tax expense incurred from our corporate membership in Lloyd's of London.London and tax expense incurred from SPCs at Inova Re, one of our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, which intend to elect to be taxed as U.S. taxpayers. The U.K. tax expense incurred by the U.K. based subsidiaries of our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment is allocated to that segment. Consolidated tax expense reflects tax expense of both segments, as shown in the table below:
Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
Three Months Ended
March 31
(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Corporate segment income tax expense (benefit)$5,963
 $8,328
 $4,962
 $14,209
$6,657
 $(3,428)
Lloyd's Syndicate segment income tax expense (benefit)61
 1,352
 (495) 2,248
Lloyd's Syndicates segment income tax expense (benefit)304
 6
Consolidated income tax expense (benefit)$6,024
 $9,680
 $4,467
 $16,457
$6,961
 $(3,422)
Factors affecting our consolidated effective tax rate include the following:
 Three Months Ended
September 30
 Nine Months Ended
September 30
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Statutory rate35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Tax-exempt income*(5.6%) (3.8%) (6.8%) (5.7%)
Tax credits(17.0%) (13.1%) (18.9%) (16.9%)
U.K. operating results15.3% 0.5% 6.1% 0.1%
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation% % (2.8%) %
Other(10.5%) 3.6% (7.9%) 2.1%
Effective tax rate17.2% 22.2% 4.7% 14.6%
* Includes tax-exempt interest, dividends received deduction and change in cash surrender value of BOLI.
Our effective tax rates for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods were 17.2% and 4.7%, respectively, and differ from the projected effective tax rate due to certain discrete items. These discrete items increased our projected effective tax rate by 7.4% and reduced our projected effective tax rate by 5.1% for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively. Our effective tax rates for the 2016 three- and nine-month periods were 22.2% and 14.6%, respectively, and differ from the projected effective tax rate due to certain discrete items. These discrete items increased our projected effective tax rate by 10.5% and 2.9% for the 2016 three- and nine-month periods, respectively. The effect of these discrete items on the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods resulted in our effective tax rates as shown in the table above.
 Three Months Ended
March 31
 2019 2018
Statutory rate21.0% 21.0%
Tax-exempt income (1)
(1.1%) (11.8%)
Tax credits(12.0%) (62.5%)
Non-U.S. operating results0.4% 5.5%
Tax deficiency (excess tax benefit) on share-based compensation0.4% (0.5%)
Other9.3% 7.7%
Total effective tax rate18.0% (40.6%)
(1) Includes tax-exempt interest, dividends received deduction and change in cash surrender value of BOLI.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate for the 2017 three-2019 and nine-month2018 three-month periods are determined based upon our current estimate of anour annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly reporting period (the projected annual effective tax rate) plus the impact of certain discrete items that are not included in the projected annual effective tax rate. Our projected annual effective tax rates for the 20172019 and 2016 nine-month periods2018 were 9.8%benefits of 13.1% and 11.7%,2.4% at March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, before those certainconsideration of discrete items were considered.items. Our projected annual effective tax rates for both the 20172019 and 2016 nine-month2018 three-month periods were different from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to a portion of our investment income being tax-exempt and the utilization of tax credits transferred to us from our tax credit partnership investments. Tax credits utilized were $4.6 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. While projected tax credits for 20172019 are less than 2016,2018, they continue to have a reducing effectsignificant impact on the effective tax rate for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods. Tax credits were $6.0 million and $17.8 million2019 three-month period.
Our effective tax rates for the three2019 and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018 three-month periods were an expense of 18.0% and a benefit of 40.6%, respectively, as comparedand differs from the projected annual effective tax rates due to $7.3 millioncertain discrete items. These discrete items increased our projected annual effective tax rate by 31.1% and $20.8 millionreduced our projected annual effective tax rate by 38.2% for the same respective2019 and 2018 three-month periods, in 2016.respectively.
For the 2017 nine-month period, one notable2019 and 2018 three-month periods, the most significant discrete item that decreasedaffected our effective tax rate was the excess tax benefit on share-based compensation that resulted from the applicationtreatment of revised accounting guidance, which was effective January 1, 2017. Under the revised guidance, the difference between the deduction for tax purposes, which is based upon the fair market value of share-based awardsnet realized investment gains and the time of vesting,losses. Net realized investment gains and the compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes, which is based upon the fair market value of the share-based awards on the date of grant, is to be recognizedlosses are treated as income tax expense (benefit)discrete items and reflected in the current period rather than an adjustment to OCI as was required under prior guidance. See Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on the adoption of the guidance. Another discrete item that increased our effective tax rate wasin the exclusionperiod in which they are included in income. This treatment of a tax benefit for U.K. lossesnet realized investment gains of $34.3 million in our Lloyd's SyndicateCorporate segment that resulted fromfor the applicationthree months ended March 31, 2019 accounted for an increase of accounting guidance related to interim period taxes for entities subject to multiple tax jurisdictions. Under this accounting guidance, an entity anticipating an ordinary loss30.3% in a jurisdiction for which no tax benefit can be recognized must exclude the loss and related tax benefit from the overall calculations of the estimatedprojected annual effective tax rate and interim period tax.rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, this treatment of net realized investment losses of $12.0 million in our Corporate segment accounted for a decrease of 34.7% in the projected annual effective tax rate.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We believe that we are principally exposed to three types of market risk related to our investment operations. These risks are interest rate risk, credit risk and equity price risk. We are also exposed to interest rate risk related to our variable rate Mortgage Loans and Revolving Credit Agreement. We have limited exposure to foreign currency risk as we issue few insurance contracts denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and we have few monetary assets or obligations denominated in foreign currencies.
Interest Rate Risk
Investments
Our fixed maturitymaturities portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities. As interest rates rise, market values of fixed income portfolios fall and vice versa. Certain of the securities are held in an unrealized loss position; we do not intend to sell and believe we will not be required to sell any of the debt securities held in an unrealized loss position before its anticipated recovery.
The following table summarizestables summarize estimated changes in the fair value of our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities for specific hypothetical changes in interest rates by asset class at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018. There are principally two factors that determine interest rates on a given security: market interest rateschanges in the level of yield curves and credit spreads. As different asset classes can be affected in different ways by movements in those two factors, we have broken outseparated our portfolio by asset class in the following table.tables.
Interest Rate Shift in Basis PointsInterest Rate Shift in Basis Points
September 30, 2017March 31, 2019
($ in millions)(200) (100) Current 100 200(200) (100) Current 100 200
Fair Value:                  
Fixed maturities, available for sale:         
U.S. Treasury obligations$157
 $153
 $148
 $144
 $140
$127
 $123
 $119
 $116
 $113
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations20
 19
 19
 18
 17
29
 29
 29
 28
 27
State and municipal bonds748
 720
 693
 667
 642
319
 308
 298
 287
 278
Corporate debt1,362
 1,316
 1,273
 1,230
 1,189
1,339
 1,299
 1,261
 1,224
 1,188
Asset-backed securities349
 344
 335
 323
 310
511
 490
 479
 466
 441
All fixed maturity securities$2,636
 $2,552
 $2,468
 $2,382
 $2,298
Total fixed maturities, available for sale$2,325
 $2,249
 $2,186
 $2,121
 $2,047
                  
Duration:                  
Fixed maturities, available for sale:         
U.S. Treasury obligations3.03
 2.95
 2.86
 2.78
 2.71
3.06
 2.98
 2.90
 2.82
 2.74
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations1.70
 1.67
 3.36
 4.54
 4.81
0.68
 0.69
 2.03
 3.32
 3.77
State and municipal bonds3.77
 3.74
 3.75
 3.79
 3.82
3.50
 3.46
 3.45
 3.48
 3.54
Corporate debt3.36
 3.33
 3.36
 3.36
 3.32
2.92
 2.89
 2.89
 2.87
 2.83
Asset-backed securities1.77
 2.12
 3.10
 3.85
 4.17
1.95
 2.17
 2.54
 2.82
 2.93
All fixed maturity securities3.23
 3.24
 3.41
 3.52
 3.55
($ in millions)December 31, 2016
Fair Value:         
U.S. Treasury obligations$155
 $151
 $147
 $142
 $138
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations31
 31
 30
 29
 29
State and municipal bonds865
 832
 800
 770
 740
Corporate debt1,365
 1,321
 1,279
 1,238
 1,198
Asset-backed securities373
 368
 357
 344
 331
All fixed maturity securities$2,789
 $2,703
 $2,613
 $2,523
 $2,436
         
Duration:         
U.S. Treasury obligations3.00
 2.93
 2.85
 2.78
 2.72
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations1.55
 1.70
 2.39
 2.67
 2.70
State and municipal bonds3.85
 3.82
 3.83
 3.87
 3.91
Corporate debt3.21
 3.20
 3.22
 3.22
 3.18
Asset-backed securities1.75
 2.48
 3.38
 3.86
 4.10
All fixed maturity securities3.18
 3.26
 3.40
 3.47
 3.49
Total fixed maturities, available for sale2.77
 2.79
 2.88
 2.94
 2.96


 Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points
 December 31, 2018
($ in millions)(200) (100) Current 100 200
Fair Value:         
Fixed maturities, available for sale:         
U.S. Treasury obligations$127
 $124
 $120
 $117
 $114
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations36
 36
 35
 34
 33
State and municipal bonds316
 305
 294
 283
 273
Corporate debt1,300
 1,261
 1,224
 1,187
 1,153
Asset-backed securities443
 432
 421
 409
 396
Total fixed maturities, available for sale$2,222
 $2,158
 $2,094
 $2,030
 $1,969
          
Duration:         
Fixed maturities, available for sale:         
U.S. Treasury obligations2.77
 2.70
 2.63
 2.57
 2.50
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations0.66
 0.98
 2.65
 3.77
 4.18
State and municipal bonds3.61
 3.58
 3.59
 3.64
 3.73
Corporate debt2.98
 2.97
 2.93
 2.89
 2.83
Asset-backed securities2.18
 2.46
 2.86
 3.11
 3.23
Total fixed maturities, available for sale2.86
 2.91
 2.99
 3.04
 3.04
Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of fixed income security assets, and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of the fair value of fixed rate instruments. Actual values may differ from the projections presented should market conditions vary from assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value of individual securities, including non-parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates and changing individual issuer credit spreads.
At March 31, 2019, our fixed maturities portfolio includes fixed maturities classified as trading securities which do not have a significant amount of exposure to market interest rates or credit spreads.
Our cash and short-term investment portfolio at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was carried on aat fair value which approximates their cost basis which approximates its fair value.due to their short-term nature. Our cash and short-term investments portfolio lacks significant interest rate sensitivity due to its short duration.
Debt
Our variable interest rate Mortgage Loans are exposed to interest rate risk. However, a 1% change in LIBOR will not materially impact our annualized interest expense. Additionally, we have economically hedged the risk of a change in interest rates in excess of 1% on the Mortgage Loans through the purchase of an interest rate cap derivative instrument, which effectively caps our annual interest rate on the Mortgage Loans at a maximum of 3.675% (see Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). The fair value of the interest rate cap is not materially impacted by a 1% change in LIBOR; however, the carrying value of the interest rate cap is impacted by future expectations for LIBOR as well as estimations of volatility in the future yield curve.
Our Revolving Credit Agreement is exposed to interest rate risk as it is LIBOR based and a 1% change in LIBOR will impact annual interest expense only to the extent that there is an outstanding balance. For every $100 million drawn on our Revolving Credit Agreement, a 1% change in interest rates will change our annual interest expense by $1 million. Any outstanding balances on the Revolving Credit Agreement can be repaid on each maturity date, which has typically ranged from one to three months. As of March 31, 2019, no borrowings were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Agreement.

Credit Risk
We have exposure to credit risk primarily as a holder of fixed income securities. We control this exposure by emphasizing investment grade credit quality in the fixed income securities we purchase.
As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, 94% of our fixed maturity securities were rated investment grade as determined by NRSROs, such as Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. We believe that this concentration in investment grade securities reduces our exposure to credit risk on our fixed income investments to an acceptable level. However, investment grade securities, in spite of their rating, can rapidly deteriorate and result in significant losses. Ratings published by the NRSROs are one of the tools used to evaluate the creditworthiness of our securities. The ratings reflect the subjective opinion of the rating agencies as to the creditworthiness of the securities, andsecurities; therefore, we may be subject to additional credit exposure should the ratingratings prove to be unreliable.
We also have exposure to credit risk related to our receivables from reinsurers. Our receivables from reinsurers (with regard to both paid and unpaid losses) approximated $321377 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and $279355 million at December 31, 20162018. We monitor the credit risk associated with our reinsurers using publicly available financial and rating agency data.
Equity Price Risk
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2019, the fair value of our equity investments, excluding our equity investments in bond investment funds as discussed in the following paragraph, was $293277 million. These equity securities are subject to equity price risk, which is defined as the potential for loss in fair value due to a decline in equity prices. The weighted average beta of this group of securities was 10.9. Beta measures the price sensitivity of an equity security or group of equity securities to a change in the broader equity market, in this case the S&P 500 Index. If the value of the S&P 500 Index increased by 10%, the fair value of these securities would be expected to increase by 10.0%9.0% to $322302 million. Conversely, a 10% decrease in the S&P 500 Index would imply a decrease of 10.0%9.0% in the fair value of these securities to $264252 million. The selected hypothetical changes of plus or minus 10% do not reflect what could be considered the best or worst case scenarios and are used for illustrative purposes only.
Our equity investments include equity investments in certain bond investment funds which are not significantly subject to significant equity price risk, and thus we have excluded these investments from the above analysis.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
The Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive officer and Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer of the Company participated in management’s evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019. ProAssurance’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive officer and Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, those controls during the quarter.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
See Note 6 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
There are no changes to the "Risk Factors" in Part 1, Item 1A of the 2016December 31, 2018 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
(a)Not applicable.
(b)Not applicable.
(c)Information required by Item 703 of Regulation S-K.
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs* (In thousands)
JulyJanuary 1 - 31, 20172019 

 N/A 

 $109,643
AugustFebruary 1 - 31, 201728, 2019 

 N/A 

 $109,643
SeptemberMarch 1 - 30, 201731, 2019 

 N/A 

 $109,643
Total 

 $— 

  
*Under its current plan begun in November 2010, the ProAssurance Board of Directors has authorized $600 million for the repurchase of common shares or the retirement of outstanding debt. This is ProAssurance’s only plan for the repurchase of common shares, and the plan has no expiration date.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description
   
Amendment to Facility Agreement dated November 15, 2013 and the Amendments to the Facility Agreement dated April 6, 2016 and Mary 22, 2018, effective March 13, 2019 between ProAssurance and the Premiums Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729.
 Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC rule 13a-14(a).
  
 Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC rule 13a-14(a).
  
 Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as amended (18 U.S.C. 1350).
  
 Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as amended (18 U.S.C. 1350).
  
 XBRL Instance Document
  
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
  
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURE
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.
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
November 6, 2017May 1, 2019
/s/    Edward L. Rand, Jr.Dana S. Hendricks
Edward L. Rand, Jr.Dana S. Hendricks
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)


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