UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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ý☒ | Quarterly report pursuant to SectionQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 orOR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 or
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¨☐ | Transition report pursuant to SectionTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 orOR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act ofOF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number File Number: 0-16533
ProAssurance Corporation
(Exact Namename of Registrantregistrant as Specifiedspecified in Its Charter)
its charter)
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| | | | | | | | | |
| Delaware | | | 63-1261433 |
(State or Other Jurisdictionother jurisdiction of Incorporationincorporation or Organization)organization)
| | | (IRSI.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| 100 Brookwood Place, | Birmingham, | AL | | | | | | 35209 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)principal executive offices) | | | (Zip Code) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| (205) | 877-4400 | | | |
(Registrant’s Telephone Number,telephone number, Including Area Code)including area code)
| | | (Former Name, Former Address,name, former address and Formerformer Fiscal Year,fiscal year, if Changed Since Last Report)changed since last report)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| | |
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | PRA | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: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):
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| | | | | | | |
| 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,May 1, 2020, there were 53,415,23653,844,495 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.
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| Term | Meaning |
| AAD | Annual aggregate deductible |
| AOCI | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
| ASU | Accounting Standards Update |
| BEAT | Base erosion anti-abuse tax |
| Board | Board of Directors of ProAssurance Corporation |
| BOLI | Business owned life insurance |
| CARES Act | Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act |
| Council of Lloyd's | The governing body for Lloyd's of London |
| CODM | Chief Operating Decision Maker |
| Commutation | An agreement between a ceding insurer and the reinsurer that provides for the valuation, payment, and complete discharge of all obligations between the parties under a particular reinsurance contract |
| COVID-19 | Coronavirus Disease 2019 |
| DPAC | Deferred policy acquisition costs |
| Eastern Re | Eastern Re, LTD, S.P.C. |
| EBUB | Earned but unbilled premium |
| ECO/XPL | Extra-contractual obligations /excess of policy limit claims |
| FAL | Funds at Lloyd's |
| FASB | Financial Accounting Standards Board |
| FHLB | Federal Home Loan Bank |
| FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation |
| FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association |
| GAAP | Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America |
| GILTI | Global intangible low-taxed income |
| GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association |
| HCPL | Healthcare professional liability |
| IBNR | Incurred but not reported |
| Inova Re | Inova Re, LTD, S.P.C. |
| IRS | Internal Revenue Service |
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| LLC | Limited liability company |
| Lloyd's | Lloyd's of London market |
| LP | Limited partnership |
| Medical technology liability | Medical technology and life sciences products liability |
| Mortgage Loans | Two ten-year mortgage loans collectively with an original borrowing amount of approximately $40 million, each entered into by a subsidiary of ProAssurance |
| NAV | Net asset value |
| NOL | Net operating loss |
| NORCAL | NORCAL Group |
| NORCAL Mutual | NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company |
| NRSRO | Nationally recognized statistical rating organization |
| NYSE | New York Stock Exchange |
| OCI | Other comprehensive income (loss) |
OTTI | Other-than-temporary impairment |
| PCAOB | Public Company Accounting Oversight Board |
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| |
| Term | Meaning |
| PDR | Premium deficiency reserve |
| PREP Act | The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act |
| Revolving Credit Agreement | ProAssurance's $250 million revolving credit agreement |
| ROE | Return on equity |
| ROU | Right-of-use |
| SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission |
| SPA | Special Purpose Arrangement |
| SPC | Segregated portfolio cell |
| Specialty P&C | Specialty Property and Casualty |
| Syndicate 1729 | Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 |
| Syndicate 6131 | Lloyd's of London Syndicate 6131, a Special Purpose Arrangement with Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 |
| Syndicate Credit Agreement | Unconditional revolving credit agreement with the Premium Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729 |
| TCJA | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act H.R.1 of 2017 |
| U.K. | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| ULAE | Unallocated loss adjustment expense |
| VIE | Variable 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 pricing or 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:
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| Ÿ | changes in general economic conditions, including the impact of inflation or deflation and unemployment; |
| Ÿ | our ability to maintain our dividend payments; |
| Ÿ | regulatory, legislative and judicial actions or decisions that could affect our business plans or operations;operations, including the impact of Brexit and the impact of changes in interpretations of certain coverages as a result of COVID-19; |
| Ÿ | the enactment or repeal of tort reforms; |
| Ÿ | formation 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; |
| Ÿ | changes in the interest and tax rate environment; |
| Ÿ | resolution of uncertain tax matters and changes in tax laws;laws, including the impact of the TCJA; |
| Ÿ | changes in U.S. laws or government regulations regarding financial markets or market activity that may affect the U.S. economy and our business; |
| Ÿ | changes in the ability of the U.S. government to meet its obligations that may affect the U.S. economy and our business; |
| Ÿ | performance of financial markets affecting the fair value of our investments or making it difficult to determine the value of our investments; |
| Ÿ | changes 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; |
| Ÿ | changes in laws or government regulations affecting the financial services industry, the property and casualty insurance industry or particular insurance lines underwritten by our subsidiaries; |
| Ÿ | the 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; |
| Ÿ | consolidation 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; |
| Ÿ | the effect of cyclical insurance industry trends on our underwriting, including demand and pricing in the
insurance and reinsurance markets in which we operate; |
| Ÿ | uncertainties inherent in the estimate of our loss and loss adjustment expense reserve and reinsurance recoverable; |
| Ÿ | changes in the availability, cost, quality or collectability of insurance/reinsurance; |
| Ÿ | the results of litigation, including pre- or post-trial motions, trials and/or appeals we undertake; |
| Ÿ | effects on our claims costs from mass tort litigation that are different from that anticipated by us; |
| Ÿ | allegations of bad faith which may arise from our handling of any particular claim, including failure to settle; |
| Ÿ | loss or consolidation of independent agents, agencies, brokers or brokerage firms; |
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| Ÿ | changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans; |
| Ÿ | changes in the business or competitive environment may limit the effectiveness of our business strategy and impact our revenues; |
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| Ÿ | our ability to retain and recruit senior management;management and other qualified personnel; |
| Ÿ | the 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; |
| Ÿ | the impact of a catastrophic event, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, as it relates to both our operations, investment results, Lloyd's Syndicates and our insured risks; |
| Ÿ | the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; |
| Ÿ | the effects of terrorism-related insurance legislation and laws; |
| Ÿ | guaranty funds and other state assessments; |
| Ÿ | our ability to achieve continued growth through expansion into new markets or through acquisitions or business combinations; |
| Ÿ | our ability to complete our planned acquisition of NORCAL due to regulatory approval or inability to fund the transaction, or inability to successfully integrate NORCAL and achieve expected synergies; |
| Ÿ | changes to the ratings assigned by rating agencies to our insurance subsidiaries, individually or as a group; |
| Ÿ | provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and state insurance laws may impede attempts to replace or remove management or may impede a takeover; |
| Ÿ | state insurance restrictions may prohibit assets held by our insurance subsidiaries, including cash and investment securities, from being used for general corporate purposes; |
| Ÿ | taxing 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 |
| Ÿ | expected 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;savings and synergies; 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: |
| Ÿ | members 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; |
| Ÿ | Syndicate 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; |
| Ÿ | Lloyd'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; |
| Ÿ | rating agencies could downgrade their ratings of Lloyd's as a whole; and |
| Ÿ | Syndicate 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 December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K, in "Item 1A, Risk Factors" included in this report 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | September 30,
2017 | | December 31,
2016 | March 31,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 |
| 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, respectively | 411,796 |
| | 387,274 |
| |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost, $2,287,956 and $2,241,304, respectively; allowance for expected credit losses, $1,163 as of current period end) | | $ | 2,281,664 |
| | $ | 2,288,785 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value (cost, $47,282 and $46,772, respectively) | | 47,680 |
| | 47,284 |
|
| Equity investments, at fair value (cost, $108,548 and $227,873, respectively) | | 92,750 |
| | 250,552 |
|
| Short-term investments | 294,379 |
| | 442,084 |
| 347,340 |
| | 339,907 |
|
| Business owned life insurance | 61,652 |
| | 60,134 |
| 66,569 |
| | 66,112 |
|
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries | 331,897 |
| | 340,906 |
| 371,372 |
| | 358,820 |
|
| Other investments, $51,789 and $31,501 at fair value, respectively, otherwise at cost or amortized cost | 103,764 |
| | 81,892 |
| |
| Other investments (at fair value, $30,871 and $36,018, respectively, otherwise at cost or amortized cost) | | 33,778 |
| | 38,949 |
|
| Total Investments | 3,671,838 |
| | 3,925,696 |
| 3,241,153 |
| | 3,390,409 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents | 119,005 |
| | 117,347 |
| 217,169 |
| | 175,369 |
|
| Premiums receivable | 262,686 |
| | 223,480 |
| |
| Premiums receivable, net | | 266,822 |
| | 249,540 |
|
| Receivable from reinsurers on paid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 7,408 |
| | 5,446 |
| 16,375 |
| | 12,739 |
|
| Receivable from reinsurers on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 313,876 |
| | 273,475 |
| 389,792 |
| | 390,708 |
|
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 47,529 |
| | 39,723 |
| 44,120 |
| | 42,796 |
|
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | 51,691 |
| | 46,809 |
| 56,166 |
| | 55,567 |
|
| Deferred tax asset, net | 13,957 |
| | 10,256 |
| 66,710 |
| | 44,387 |
|
| Real estate, net | 32,305 |
| | 31,814 |
| 31,122 |
| | 30,410 |
|
| Intangible assets | 84,496 |
| | 84,406 |
| |
| Operating lease ROU assets | | 19,722 |
| | 21,074 |
|
| Intangible assets, net | | 70,167 |
| | 70,757 |
|
| Goodwill | 210,725 |
| | 210,725 |
| 210,725 |
| | 210,725 |
|
| Other assets | 109,638 |
| | 96,004 |
| 100,807 |
| | 111,118 |
|
| Total Assets | $ | 4,925,154 |
| | $ | 5,065,181 |
| $ | 4,730,850 |
|
| $ | 4,805,599 |
|
| 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 |
| $ | 2,331,048 |
| | $ | 2,346,526 |
|
| Unearned premiums | 422,009 |
| | 372,563 |
| 443,288 |
| | 413,086 |
|
| Reinsurance premiums payable | 34,769 |
| | 30,001 |
| 52,367 |
| | 52,946 |
|
| Total Policy Liabilities | 2,497,476 |
| | 2,395,992 |
| 2,826,703 |
| | 2,812,558 |
|
| Operating lease liabilities | | 21,311 |
| | 22,051 |
|
| Other liabilities | 176,328 |
| | 422,285 |
| 169,783 |
| | 173,256 |
|
| Debt less debt issuance costs | 400,460 |
| | 448,202 |
| |
| Debt less unamortized debt issuance costs | | 285,544 |
| | 285,821 |
|
| Total Liabilities | 3,074,264 |
| | 3,266,479 |
| 3,303,341 |
| | 3,293,686 |
|
| Shareholders’ Equity | | | | |
| Common shares, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,822,376 and 62,660,234 shares issued, respectively | 628 |
| | 627 |
| |
| Shareholders' Equity | | | | |
| Common shares (par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 63,165,667 and 63,117,235 shares issued, respectively) | | 632 |
| | 631 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital | 380,595 |
| | 376,518 |
| 384,732 |
| | 384,551 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of $13,985 and $9,894, respectively | 25,459 |
| | 17,399 |
| |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of ($1,162) and $9,795, respectively) | | (4,910 | ) | | 36,955 |
|
| Retained earnings | 1,864,136 |
| | 1,824,088 |
| 1,463,017 |
| | 1,505,738 |
|
| Treasury shares, at cost, 9,408,925 shares and 9,408,977 shares, respectively | (419,928 | ) | | (419,930 | ) | |
| Total Shareholders’ Equity | 1,850,890 |
| | 1,798,702 |
| |
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 4,925,154 |
| | $ | 5,065,181 |
| |
| Treasury shares, at cost (9,325,180 shares as of each respective period end) | | (415,962 | ) | | (415,962 | ) |
| Total Shareholders' Equity | | 1,427,509 |
|
| 1,511,913 |
|
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | | $ | 4,730,850 |
| | $ | 4,805,599 |
|
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 |
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | | $ | 631 |
| | $ | 384,551 |
| | $ | 36,955 |
| | $ | 1,505,738 |
| | $ | (415,962 | ) | | $ | 1,511,913 |
|
Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2016-13 adoption* | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (4,076 | ) | | — |
| | (4,076 | ) |
| Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan | | — |
| | 33 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 33 |
|
| Share-based compensation | | — |
| | 1,017 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,017 |
|
| Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued | | 1 |
| | (869 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (868 | ) |
| Dividends to shareholders | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (16,691 | ) | | — |
| | (16,691 | ) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — |
| | — |
| | (41,865 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (41,865 | ) |
| Net income (loss) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (21,954 | ) | | — |
| | (21,954 | ) |
| Balance at March 31, 2020 | | $ | 632 |
|
| $ | 384,732 |
|
| $ | (4,910 | ) |
| $ | 1,463,017 |
|
| $ | (415,962 | ) |
| $ | 1,427,509 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Common Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Retained Earnings | | Treasury Stock | | Total |
| 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 | | — |
| | 176 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 176 |
|
| Share-based compensation | | — |
| | 1,237 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,237 |
|
| Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued | | 1 |
| | (2,632 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (2,631 | ) |
| Dividends to shareholders | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (16,660 | ) | | — |
| | (16,660 | ) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — |
| | — |
| | 25,566 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 25,566 |
|
| Net income | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 31,650 |
| | — |
| | 31,650 |
|
| Balance at March 31, 2019 | | $ | 631 |
| | $ | 383,494 |
| | $ | 8,655 |
| | $ | 1,586,393 |
| | $ | (417,277 | ) | | $ | 1,561,896 |
|
| * See Note 1 for discussion of accounting guidance adopted during the period. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan | — |
| | 1,873 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | 1,875 |
|
| Share-based compensation | — |
| | 7,110 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,110 |
|
| Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued and stock options exercised | 1 |
| | (5,331 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (5,330 | ) |
| Dividends to shareholders | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (49,598 | ) | | — |
| | (49,598 | ) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | — |
| | — |
| | 8,060 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 8,060 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 89,922 |
| | — |
| | 89,922 |
|
| Balance at September 30, 2017 | $ | 628 |
| | $ | 380,595 |
| | $ | 25,459 |
| | $ | 1,864,136 |
| | $ | (419,928 | ) | | $ | 1,850,890 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 | ) |
| Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan | 1 |
| | 2,147 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,148 |
|
| Share-based compensation | — |
| | 7,458 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7,458 |
|
| Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued and stock options exercised | 1 |
| | (3,011 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,010 | ) |
| Dividends to shareholders | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (49,370 | ) | | — |
| | (49,370 | ) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | — |
| | — |
| | 32,460 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 32,460 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 96,233 |
| | — |
| | 96,233 |
|
| 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. |
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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Revenues | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 192,303 |
| | $ | 185,275 |
| | $ | 555,559 |
| | $ | 539,587 |
| $ | 203,855 |
| | $ | 208,149 |
|
| Net investment income | 23,729 |
| | 25,261 |
| | 69,592 |
| | 75,284 |
| 20,830 |
| | 22,818 |
|
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | 4,164 |
| | (3,349 | ) | | 8,489 |
| | (6,607 | ) | (1,562 | ) | | (810 | ) |
| Net realized investment gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | |
| OTTI losses | — |
| | (100 | ) | | (419 | ) | | (10,834 | ) | |
| Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes | — |
| | — |
| | 248 |
| | 1,068 |
| |
| Impairment losses | | (1,817 | ) | | (136 | ) |
| Portion of impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes | | 654 |
| | 87 |
|
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | — |
| | (100 | ) | | (171 | ) | | (9,766 | ) | (1,163 | ) | | (49 | ) |
| Other net realized investment gains (losses) | 7,749 |
| | 15,837 |
| | 18,981 |
| | 28,080 |
| (27,510 | ) | | 36,672 |
|
| Total net realized investment gains (losses) | 7,749 |
| | 15,737 |
| | 18,810 |
| | 18,314 |
| (28,673 | ) | | 36,623 |
|
| Other income | 510 |
| | 1,428 |
| | 4,581 |
| | 5,963 |
| 2,251 |
| | 2,095 |
|
| Total revenues | 228,455 |
| | 224,352 |
| | 657,031 |
| | 632,541 |
| 196,701 |
| | 268,875 |
|
| Expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 129,356 |
| | 118,082 |
| | 364,058 |
| | 335,936 |
| 164,832 |
| | 159,755 |
|
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses: | | | | |
| Operating expense | 32,606 |
| | 34,060 |
| | 102,062 |
| | 101,862 |
| 34,773 |
| | 33,290 |
|
| DPAC amortization | 24,505 |
| | 21,752 |
| | 70,044 |
| | 64,873 |
| 27,283 |
| | 28,102 |
|
| Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income) | 2,891 |
| | 3,196 |
| | 14,076 |
| | 5,895 |
| |
| SPC U.S. federal income tax expense | | 222 |
| | — |
|
| SPC dividend expense (income) | | (508 | ) | | 4,787 |
|
| Interest expense | 4,124 |
| | 3,748 |
| | 12,402 |
| | 11,285 |
| 4,129 |
| | 4,330 |
|
| Total expenses | 193,482 |
| | 180,838 |
| | 562,642 |
| | 519,851 |
| 230,731 |
| | 230,264 |
|
| Income before income taxes | 34,973 |
| | 43,514 |
| | 94,389 |
| | 112,690 |
| |
| Provision for income taxes | | | | | | | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | | (34,030 | ) | | 38,611 |
|
| Provision for income taxes: | | | | |
| Current expense (benefit) | 13,690 |
| | 13,736 |
| | 12,111 |
| | 16,407 |
| (1,852 | ) | | 343 |
|
| Deferred expense (benefit) | (7,666 | ) | | (4,056 | ) | | (7,644 | ) | | 50 |
| (10,224 | ) | | 6,618 |
|
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | 6,024 |
| | 9,680 |
| | 4,467 |
| | 16,457 |
| (12,076 | ) | | 6,961 |
|
| Net income | 28,949 |
| | 33,834 |
| | 89,922 |
| | 96,233 |
| |
| Net income (loss) | | (21,954 | ) | | 31,650 |
|
| Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, net of reclassification adjustments | (605 | ) | | (4,974 | ) | | 8,060 |
| | 32,460 |
| (41,865 | ) | | 25,566 |
|
| Comprehensive income | $ | 28,344 |
| | $ | 28,860 |
| | $ | 97,982 |
| | $ | 128,693 |
| |
| Earnings per share: | | | | | | | | |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | | $ | (63,819 | ) | | $ | 57,216 |
|
| Earnings (loss) per share | | | | |
| Basic | $ | 0.54 |
| | $ | 0.64 |
| | $ | 1.68 |
| | $ | 1.81 |
| $ | (0.41 | ) | | $ | 0.59 |
|
| Diluted | $ | 0.54 |
| | $ | 0.63 |
| | $ | 1.68 |
| | $ | 1.80 |
| $ | (0.41 | ) | | $ | 0.59 |
|
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | 53,413 |
| | 53,222 |
| | 53,377 |
| | 53,199 |
| 53,808 |
| | 53,683 |
|
| Diluted | 53,614 |
| | 53,456 |
| | 53,586 |
| | 53,419 |
| 53,885 |
| | 53,808 |
|
| 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 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Operating Activities | | | |
| Net income | $ | (21,954 | ) | | $ | 31,650 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion | 4,734 |
| | 5,036 |
|
| (Increase) decrease in cash surrender value of BOLI | (457 | ) | | (453 | ) |
| Net realized investment (gains) losses | 28,673 |
| | (36,623 | ) |
| Share-based compensation | 1,011 |
| | 1,228 |
|
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | (10,224 | ) | | 6,618 |
|
| Policy acquisition costs, net of amortization (net deferral) | (599 | ) | | (2,807 | ) |
| Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries | 1,562 |
| | 810 |
|
| Distributed earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries | 1,585 |
| | 1,938 |
|
| Other | (703 | ) | | 1,337 |
|
| Other changes in assets and liabilities: | | | |
| Premiums receivable | (22,442 | ) | | (27,660 | ) |
| Reinsurance related assets and liabilities | (4,623 | ) | | (27,283 | ) |
| Other assets | 14,268 |
| | (1,447 | ) |
| Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses | (15,478 | ) | | 39,148 |
|
| Unearned premiums | 30,202 |
| | 42,396 |
|
| Other liabilities | (17,604 | ) | | 504 |
|
| Net cash provided (used) by operating activities | (12,049 | ) | | 34,392 |
|
| Investing Activities | | | |
| Purchases of: | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | (227,503 | ) | | (179,107 | ) |
| Fixed maturities, trading | (407 | ) | | (4,614 | ) |
| Equity investments | (23,136 | ) | | (25,016 | ) |
| Other investments | (6,065 | ) | | (4,602 | ) |
| Funding of qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships | (281 | ) | | (247 | ) |
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries | (17,180 | ) | | (31,150 | ) |
| Proceeds from sales or maturities of: | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | 180,698 |
| | 119,425 |
|
| Equity investments | 157,652 |
| | 25,812 |
|
| Other investments | 6,026 |
| | 4,738 |
|
| Return of invested capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries | 1,481 |
| | 5,305 |
|
| Net sales or maturities (purchases) of short-term investments | (7,441 | ) | | 90,698 |
|
| Unsettled security transactions, net change | 12,937 |
| | 5,440 |
|
| Purchases of capital assets | (2,750 | ) | | (2,572 | ) |
| Other | (2,206 | ) | | (242 | ) |
| Net cash provided (used) by investing activities | 71,825 |
| | 3,868 |
|
| 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 accretion | 21,024 |
| | 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 compensation | 7,110 |
| | 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 assets | 1,188 |
| | 16,411 |
|
| Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses | 47,270 |
| | (7,307 | ) |
| Unearned premiums | 49,446 |
| | 44,418 |
|
| Other liabilities | 8,569 |
| | 8,296 |
|
| Net cash provided (used) by operating activities | 98,031 |
| | 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 sale | 599,374 |
| | 582,379 |
|
| Equity securities, trading | 116,833 |
| | 56,670 |
|
| Other investments | 16,479 |
| | 10,952 |
|
| Distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries | 47,364 |
| | 7,720 |
|
| Net sales or maturities (purchases) of short-term investments | 141,538 |
| | (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 activities | 252,302 |
| | (143,728 | ) |
| Continued on following page. | | | |
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Continued from the previous page. | | | |
| Financing Activities | | | |
| Proceeds (repayments) of Mortgage Loans | (376 | ) | | (362 | ) |
| Dividends to shareholders | (16,714 | ) | | (43,338 | ) |
| Capital contribution received from (return of capital to) external segregated portfolio cell participants | 204 |
| | (562 | ) |
| Other | (1,090 | ) | | (2,639 | ) |
| Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | (17,976 | ) | | (46,901 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 41,800 |
| | (8,641 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 175,369 |
| | 80,471 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 217,169 |
| | $ | 71,830 |
|
| Significant Non-Cash Transactions | | | |
| Dividends declared and not yet paid | $ | 16,691 |
| | $ | 16,660 |
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| | 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 cells | 2,989 |
| | 9,703 |
|
| Other | (4,960 | ) | | (2,704 | ) |
| Net cash provided (used) by financing activities | (348,675 | ) | | (97,461 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents | 1,658 |
| | (112,197 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 117,347 |
| | 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017.2020. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes contained in ProAssurance’s December 31, 20162019 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, 2017 for recognition or disclosure in its financial statements and notes to financial statements.
ProAssurance operates in four5 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 11 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Reclassifications
In the second quarter of 2017, ProAssurance began presenting separately the components of Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expense as Operating expense and DPAC amortization on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income in order to provide additional details for investors. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 have been reclassified to conform 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.12.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | | March 31, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
| SPC dividends payable | | $ | 55,669 |
| | $ | 55,763 |
|
| Unpaid shareholder dividends | | 16,691 |
| | 16,676 |
|
| All other | | 97,423 |
| | 100,817 |
|
| Total other liabilities | | $ | 169,783 |
| | $ | 173,256 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| (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 arerepresents the cumulative undistributed earningsequity contractually payable to the external preferred shareholderscell participants of SPCs operated by ProAssurance's Cayman Islands subsidiary,subsidiaries, Inova Re and Eastern Re.
Unpaid shareholder dividends represent common stock dividends declared by ProAssurance's Board of Directors that had not yet been paid. Unpaid dividends at Decemberpaid as of March 31, 2016 reflect a special dividend declared in late 2016 that was paid in January 2017.2020.
Accounting Changes AdoptedPolicies
ImprovementsThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016make estimates and interim periods within those fiscal years,assumptions that affect the FASB issued guidance that simplifies several aspectsreported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosures related to these amounts at the date of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, includingfinancial statements. The Company evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis based on current and historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that 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 isCompany believes to be recognizedreasonable under the circumstances. The Company can make no assurance that actual results will conform to its estimates and assumptions; reported results of operations may be materially affected by changes in these estimates and assumptions.
While the Company did not incur significant operational or financial disruptions during the three months ended March 31, 2020, as incomea result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company may reevaluate certain of these estimates and assumptions in future periods which could result in material changes to its results of operations including, but not limited to, higher losses and loss adjustment expenses, lower premium volume, asset impairment charges, declines in investment valuations, reductions in audit premium estimates, deferred tax expensevaluation allowances and increases in the current periodallowance for expected credit losses related to available-for-sale securities, premiums receivable and included with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity.reinsurance receivables. The threshold for equity classification has also been revisedextent to permit withholdings upwhich the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. These factors include, but are not limited to, the maximum statutory tax rates induration, spread, severity, reemergence or mutation of the applicable jurisdictions. The update also provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. ProAssurance adoptedCOVID-19 pandemic, the guidance as of January 1, 2017. The primary effects of the adoptionCOVID-19 pandemic on the current periodCompany's insureds, the loss environment, the healthcare industry, the labor market and Lloyd's, the actions and stimulus measures taken by governments and governmental agencies, and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, the Company may experience an impact to its business as a result of any economic recession that has occurred or may occur in the future. Please see Note 13 for additional information.
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 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 electedNotes to recognize forfeitures as they occur and recorded a $0.4 million increase to Additional paid-in capital, and a respective $0.3 millionConsolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance’s December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
reductionDue to Retained earningsthe adoption of ASU 2016-13 at the beginning of 2020, ProAssurance began following the accounting policies described below:
Credit Losses
ProAssurance's premiums receivable and reinsurance receivables are exposed to credit losses but to-date have not experienced any significant amount of credit losses. ProAssurance measures expected credit losses on its premiums receivables and reinsurance receivables on a $0.1 million increasecollective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist, and the Company will reassess its pools each reporting period to deferred taxesensure all receivables within the pool continue to reflectshare similar risk characteristics. If the incremental share-based compensation expense,Company determines that a receivable does not share risk characteristics with its other receivables within a pool, it will evaluate that receivable for expected credit losses on an individual basis. ProAssurance measures expected credit losses associated with its premium receivables at the segment level as each segment’s premium receivables share similar risk characteristics including term, type of financial asset and similar historical and expected credit loss patterns. ProAssurance measures expected credit losses associated with its reinsurance receivables (related to both paid and unpaid losses) at the consolidated level as its reinsurance receivables share similar risk characteristics including type of financial asset, type of industry and similar historical and expected credit loss patterns.
ProAssurance measures expected credit losses over the contractual term of each pool utilizing a loss rate method. Historical internal credit loss experience for each pool is the basis for the Company’s assessment of expected credit losses; however, the Company may also consider historical credit loss information from external sources. In addition to historical credit loss data, the Company also considers reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions in its estimate of expected credit losses by utilizing industry and macroeconomic factors that it believes most relevant to the collectability of each pool.
ProAssurance’s premiums receivable on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 is reported net of the related tax impacts, that would have been recognizedallowance for expected credit losses of $6.2 million. The following table presents a roll forward of the allowance for expected credit losses related to the Company's premiums receivable for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
|
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | Premiums Receivable, Net | | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses |
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | 249,540 |
| | $ | 1,590 |
|
| Cumulative-effect adjustment on January 1, 2020, before tax - ASU 2016-13 adoption | | | 5,160 |
|
| Provision for expected credit losses | | | 88 |
|
| Write offs charged against the allowance | | | (689 | ) |
| Recoveries of amounts previously written off | | | 48 |
|
| Balance, March 31, 2020 | $ | 266,822 |
| | $ | 6,197 |
|
ProAssurance’s expected credit losses associated with its reinsurance receivables (related to both paid and unpaid losses) were nominal in prior years under the modified guidanceamount as of March 31, 2020. ProAssurance has other financial assets 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 Partiesoff-balance-sheet commitments that are Under Common Controlexposed to credit losses; however, expected credit losses associated with these assets and commitments were nominal in amount as of March 31, 2020.
EffectiveInvestments
Impairments
ProAssurance evaluates its available-for-sale investment securities, which at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted entirely of fixed maturity securities, on at least a quarterly basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued additional guidance regarding consolidationpurpose of legal entities such as LPs/LLCs and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions).determining whether declines in fair value below recorded cost basis represent impairment. The new guidance modifiesCompany considers an impairment to have occurred:
if there is intent to sell the criteria used by a reporting entity when determining security;
if it is a primary beneficiarymore likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before full recovery of a VIE when there are entities under common control andits amortized cost basis; or
if the reporting entity has indirect interests in the VIE through related party relationships. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2017. Adoptionentire amortized basis 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 havebe recovered.
The assessment of whether the amortized cost basis of 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. ProAssurancesecurity 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 resultsbe recovered requires management to make assumptions regarding various matters affecting future cash flows. The choice of operations or financial position.
Classificationassumptions is subjective and requires the use of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interimjudgment. Actual credit losses experienced in future periods withinmay differ from management’s estimates of those fiscal years,credit losses. Methodologies used to estimate the FASB issued guidance related to the classificationpresent value of certain cash receipts and cash payments presented in the statement ofexpected 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.are:
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
RevenueThe 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. ProAssurance considers 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 ProAssurance's 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;
recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date;
adverse legal or regulatory events;
significant deterioration in the market environment that may affect the value of collateral (e.g. decline in real estate prices);
significant deterioration in economic conditions; and
disruption in the business model resulting from Contractschanges in technology or new entrants to the industry.
If deemed appropriate and necessary, a discounted cash flow analysis is performed to confirm whether a credit loss exists and, if so, the amount of the credit loss. ProAssurance uses the single best estimate approach for available-for-sale debt securities and considers all reasonably available data points, including industry analyses, credit ratings, expected defaults and the remaining payment terms of the debt security. For fixed rate available-for-sale debt securities, cash flows are discounted at the security's effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. If the available-for-sale debt security’s contractual interest rate varies based on subsequent changes in an independent factor, such as an index or rate, for example, the prime rate, the LIBOR, or the U.S. Treasury bill weekly average, that security’s effective interest rate is calculated based on the factor as it changes over the life of the security.
If ProAssurance intends to sell a debt security or believes it will more likely than not be required to sell a debt security before the amortized cost basis is recovered, any existing allowance will be written off against the security's amortized cost basis, with Customersany remaining difference between the debt security's amortized cost basis and fair value recognized as an impairment loss in earnings.
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, impairment for debt securities is separated into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component of an impairment 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. An allowance for expected credit losses will be recorded for the expected credit losses through income and the non-credit component is recognized in OCI. The amount of impairment recognized is limited to the excess of the amortized cost over the fair value of the available-for-sale debt security.
Accounting Changes Adopted
Improvements to Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13)
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, 20172019 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 equity investments (except those accounted for underconsideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Included in the equity methodscope of accounting, or those that result in consolidation ofthis guidance are the investee) 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 purposesCompany's available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and presentits financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. Other provisions ofheld at amortized cost. Under the new guidance, include: revised disclosure requirements relatedcredit losses are required to be recorded through an allowance for expected credit losses account and the income statement will reflect the initial recognition of lifetime expected credit losses for any 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 are required to be presented as an allowance, rather than as a write-down of the asset, limited to the presentation in comprehensive income of changes in the fair value of liabilities; elimination, for public companies, of disclosure requirements relative to the method(s) and significant assumptions underlying fair values disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost; and simplified impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. ProAssurance plans to 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 impactedamount by the guidance and therefore, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.which
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.
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
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 adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2019. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.
Leases
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that 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 represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning 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 Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
the fair value is below amortized cost. ProAssurance adopted this guidance beginning January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective application for the portion of the new guidance that relates to its premiums and reinsurance receivables and a prospective application for the portion of the new guidance that relates to its available-for-sale fixed maturity securities. ProAssurance recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $4.1 million, net of related tax impacts, to beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2020 to increase its consolidated allowance for expected credit losses related to its premiums receivable. ProAssurance determined that estimated expected credit losses associated with the Company's other financial assets held at amortized cost included in the scope of this new guidance was nominal as of January 1, 2020. Adoption of this guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
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.amount which is expected to reduce the complexity and cost of future tests of goodwill for impairment. 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 adoptadopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2020. Adoption is not expected to have a2020, and adoption had no 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 that have taken place during the period.additional disclosure requirements until the guidance is effective. During the third quarter of 2018, ProAssurance is in the process of evaluating the effect the new guidance would have on its results of operations and financial position and planselected to early adopt the guidanceprovisions that eliminate and modify certain disclosure requirements within Note 2 on a retrospective basis, and adopted the additional disclosure requirements beginning January 1, 2020. Adoption of thethis guidance is not expected to have ahad no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows as it affected disclosures only.
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 adopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2020, and adoption had no 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 adopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2020. ProAssurance does not have any material indirect interests held through related parties under common control; therefore, adoption had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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 adopted the guidance beginning January 1, 2020, and adoption had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Reference Rate Reform (ASU 2020-04)
The FASB issued guidance intended to assist stakeholders during the market-wide reference rate transition period and is effective for a limited period between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate that is expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ProAssurance has exposure to LIBOR-based financial instruments through its variable rate Mortgage Loans and Revolving Credit Agreement; however, these agreements include provisions for an alternative benchmark rate if LIBOR ceases to exist, which do not materially change the liability exposure. Additionally, ProAssurance has exposure to LIBOR in its available-for-sale fixed maturities portfolio which represented approximately 6% of total investments, or $185 million, as of March 31, 2020; 25% of these investments with exposure to LIBOR were issued during 2020 or 2019 and include provisions for an alternative benchmark rate. Optional expedients for contract modifications include a prospective adjustment that does not require contract remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination; therefore, the modified contract is accounted for as a continuation of the existing contract. ProAssurance adopted the guidance beginning March 12, 2020, and adoption had no material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued new guidance which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. In addition, it removes certain exceptions to the general principles in the income tax guidance in the codification and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2021, and adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Clarifying the Interactions between Investments - Equity Securities, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures, and Derivatives and Hedging (ASU 2020-01)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB amended guidance that clarifies the accounting for the transition into and out of the equity method and measuring certain purchased options and forward contracts to acquire investments. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2021, and adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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, 2020 and December 31, 20162019 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
| | | | September 30, 2017 | March 31, 2020 |
| | Fair Value Measurements Using | | Total | Fair Value Measurements Using | | Total |
| (In thousands) | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Fair Value | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Fair Value |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available for sale | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | $ | — |
| | $ | 148,372 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 148,372 |
| $ | — |
| | $ | 129,260 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 129,260 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | — |
| | 18,772 |
| | — |
| | 18,772 |
| — |
| | 12,410 |
| | — |
| | 12,410 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | — |
| | 693,398 |
| | — |
| | 693,398 |
| — |
| | 291,667 |
| | — |
| | 291,667 |
|
| Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs | 2,406 |
| | 1,255,413 |
| | — |
| | 1,257,819 |
| — |
| | 1,285,278 |
| | — |
| | 1,285,278 |
|
| Corporate debt, limited observable inputs | — |
| | — |
| | 14,963 |
| | 14,963 |
| — |
| | — |
| | 3,440 |
| | 3,440 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | — |
| | 201,691 |
| | — |
| | 201,691 |
| — |
| | 229,905 |
| | 693 |
| | 230,598 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | — |
| | 11,835 |
| | — |
| | 11,835 |
| — |
| | 13,363 |
| | — |
| | 13,363 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | — |
| | 16,190 |
| | — |
| | 16,190 |
| — |
| | 78,519 |
| | 605 |
| | 79,124 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | — |
| | 101,770 |
| | 3,540 |
| | 105,310 |
| — |
| | 230,925 |
| | 5,599 |
| | 236,524 |
|
| Equity securities | | | | | | |
| |
| Fixed maturities, trading | | — |
| | 47,680 |
| | — |
| | 47,680 |
|
| Equity investments | | | | | | | |
|
| Financial | 75,274 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 75,274 |
| 14,953 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 14,953 |
|
| Utilities/Energy | 53,553 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 53,553 |
| 447 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 447 |
|
| Consumer oriented | 53,569 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 53,569 |
| 1,067 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,067 |
|
| Industrial | 51,002 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 51,002 |
| 1,286 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,286 |
|
| Bond funds | 119,155 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 119,155 |
| 34,923 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 34,923 |
|
| All other | 59,243 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 59,243 |
| 17,135 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 17,135 |
|
| Short-term investments | 288,796 |
| | 5,583 |
| | — |
| | 294,379 |
| 336,426 |
| | 10,914 |
| | — |
| | 347,340 |
|
| Other investments | 747 |
| | 30,614 |
| | 428 |
| | 31,789 |
| 380 |
| | 29,153 |
| | 1,338 |
| | 30,871 |
|
| Other assets | | — |
| | 465 |
| | — |
| | 465 |
|
| Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy | $ | 703,745 |
| | $ | 2,483,638 |
| | $ | 18,931 |
| | 3,206,314 |
| $ | 406,617 |
| | $ | 2,359,539 |
| | $ | 11,675 |
| | 2,777,831 |
|
| 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 | | | | | | | | 22,939 |
|
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries | | | | | | | | 280,842 |
|
| Total assets at fair value | | | | | | | $ | 3,428,855 |
| | | | | | | $ | 3,081,612 |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2019 |
| | 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 | $ | — |
| | $ | 110,467 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 110,467 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | — |
| | 17,340 |
| | — |
| | 17,340 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | — |
| | 296,093 |
| | — |
| | 296,093 |
|
| Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs | — |
| | 1,335,285 |
| | — |
| | 1,335,285 |
|
| Corporate debt, limited observable inputs | — |
| | — |
| | 5,079 |
| | 5,079 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | — |
| | 208,408 |
| | — |
| | 208,408 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | — |
| | 8,221 |
| | — |
| | 8,221 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | — |
| | 71,868 |
| | — |
| | 71,868 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | — |
| | 233,032 |
| | 2,992 |
| | 236,024 |
|
| Fixed maturities, trading | — |
| | 47,284 |
| | — |
| | 47,284 |
|
| Equity investments | | | | | | |
|
| Financial | 40,294 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 40,294 |
|
| Utilities/Energy | 21,195 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 21,195 |
|
| Consumer oriented | 29,288 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 29,288 |
|
| Industrial | 26,440 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 26,440 |
|
| Bond funds | 58,346 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 58,346 |
|
| All other | 52,512 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 52,512 |
|
| Short-term investments | 317,313 |
| | 22,594 |
| | — |
| | 339,907 |
|
| Other investments | 219 |
| | 32,713 |
| | 3,086 |
| | 36,018 |
|
| Other assets | — |
| | 760 |
| | — |
| | 760 |
|
| Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy | $ | 545,607 |
|
| $ | 2,384,065 |
|
| $ | 11,157 |
|
| 2,940,829 |
|
| 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 | | | | | | | 22,477 |
|
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries | | | | | | | 270,524 |
|
| Total assets at fair value | | | | | | | $ | 3,233,830 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 inputs | 2,339 |
| | 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 | | | | | | |
|
| Financial | 81,749 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 81,749 |
|
| Utilities/Energy | 52,869 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 52,869 |
|
| Consumer oriented | 61,284 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 61,284 |
|
| Industrial | 54,265 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 54,265 |
|
| Bond funds | 79,843 |
| | 10,159 |
| | — |
| | 90,002 |
|
| All other | 27,181 |
| | 19,924 |
| | — |
| | 47,105 |
|
| Short-term investments | 437,580 |
| | 4,504 |
| | — |
| | 442,084 |
|
| Other investments | 1,956 |
| | 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 threeas of March 31, 2020 and nine months ended September 30, 2017December 31, 2019.
ProAssurance Corporation and 2016.Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
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, corporate debt with multiple observable inputs and residential mortgage-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, valued using a model which considers the volatilities from other instruments with similar maturities, strike prices, durations and forward yield curves. 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%. For additional information regarding the interest rate cap agreement, see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
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 determined by management if not available. At March 31, 2020, 100% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BB+. At December 31, 2019, 66% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB-.
Residential mortgage-backed, 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 September 30, 2017, 73%March 31, 2020, 75% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB+.AA-. At December 31, 2016, 84%2019, 100% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB+.AA.
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.
Other investments consisted of convertible securities for which limited observable inputs were available at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and at December 31, 2016.2019. 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, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 | | Valuation Technique | | Unobservable Input | | Range
(Weighted Average) |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Corporate debt, limited observable inputs | | $3,440 | | $5,079 | | Market Comparable
Securities | | Comparability Adjustment | | 0% - 5% (2.5%) |
| | | | | | | Discounted Cash Flows | | Comparability Adjustment | | 0% - 5% (2.5%) |
| Residential mortgage-backed and other commercial mortgage-backed securities | | $1,298 | | — | | Market Comparable
Securities | | Comparability Adjustment | | 0% - 5% (2.5%) |
| | | | | | | Discounted Cash Flows | | Comparability Adjustment | | 0% - 5% (2.5%) |
| Other asset-backed securities | | $5,599 | | $2,992 | | Market Comparable
Securities | | Comparability Adjustment | | 0% - 5% (2.5%) |
| | | | | | | Discounted Cash Flows | | Comparability Adjustment | | 0% - 5% (2.5%) |
| Other investments | | $1,338 | | 3,086 | | 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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, 2017 | March 31, 2020 |
| | Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets | Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets |
| (In thousands) | Corporate Debt | | Asset-backed Securities | | All other investments | | Total | Corporate Debt | | Asset-backed Securities | | Other investments | | Total |
| Balance June 30, 2017 | $ | 17,849 |
| | $ | 3,005 |
| | $ | 5 |
| | $ | 20,859 |
| |
| Balance December 31, 2019 | | $ | 5,079 |
| | $ | 2,992 |
| | $ | 3,086 |
| | $ | 11,157 |
|
| Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Included in earnings, as a part of: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net investment income | (52 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (52 | ) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | | — |
| | — |
| | (222 | ) | | (222 | ) |
| Included in other comprehensive income | (18 | ) | | (45 | ) | | — |
| | (63 | ) | (83 | ) | | (122 | ) | | — |
| | (205 | ) |
| Purchases | 1 |
| | 580 |
| | — |
| | 581 |
| — |
| | 3,422 |
| | — |
| | 3,422 |
|
| Sales | (858 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (858 | ) | (1,707 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (1,707 | ) |
| Transfers in | 989 |
| | — |
| | 423 |
| | 1,412 |
| 945 |
| | 605 |
| | — |
| | 1,550 |
|
| Transfers out | (2,948 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (2,948 | ) | (794 | ) | | — |
| | (1,526 | ) | | (2,320 | ) |
| Balance September 30, 2017 | $ | 14,963 |
| | $ | 3,540 |
| | $ | 428 |
| | $ | 18,931 |
| |
| Balance March 31, 2020 | | $ | 3,440 |
| | $ | 6,897 |
| | $ | 1,338 |
| | $ | 11,675 |
|
| Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (222 | ) | | $ | (222 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2019 |
| | Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets |
| (In thousands) | Corporate Debt | | Asset-backed Securities | | Other investments | | Total |
| 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 | 2 |
| | (118 | ) | | — |
| | (116 | ) |
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Included in other comprehensive income | 3 |
| | 157 |
| | — |
| | 160 |
|
| Purchases | 1,305 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,305 |
|
| Sales | (136 | ) | | (6 | ) | | — |
| | (142 | ) |
| Transfers in | — |
| | 1,200 |
| | — |
| | 1,200 |
|
| Transfers out | (1,200 | ) | | (951 | ) | | — |
| | (2,151 | ) |
| 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 | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 | ) |
| Purchases | 11,890 |
| | 580 |
| | — |
| | 12,470 |
|
| Sales | (4,418 | ) | | — |
| | (912 | ) | | (5,330 | ) |
| Transfers in | 999 |
| | — |
| | 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 | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 in | 900 |
| | — |
| | 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 in | 900 |
| | — |
| | 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 | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
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 in and out of Level 3 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 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, 2020 and December 31, 2016 included interests in investment fund2019, 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, 2020 and fair values of these investments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were 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,
2020 | | March 31,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 |
| Equity investments: | | | | | |
Mortgage fund (1) | $ | — |
| | $ | 22,939 |
| | $ | 22,477 |
|
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries: | | | | | |
Private debt funds (2) | $12,040 | | 19,275 |
| | 19,011 |
|
Long equity fund (3) | NaN | | 4,863 |
| | 5,293 |
|
Long/short equity funds (4) | NaN | | 29,107 |
| | 30,542 |
|
Non-public equity funds (5) | $62,272 | | 131,238 |
| | 120,343 |
|
Multi-strategy fund of funds (6) | NaN | | 1,993 |
| | 1,951 |
|
Credit funds (7) | $2,048 | | 42,959 |
| | 42,415 |
|
Long/short commodities fund (8) | NaN | | 14,409 |
| | 14,519 |
|
Strategy focused funds (9) | $42,991 | | 36,998 |
| | 36,450 |
|
| | | | 280,842 |
| | 270,524 |
|
| Total investments carried at NAV | | | $ | 303,781 |
|
| $ | 293,001 |
|
Below is additional information regarding each of the investments listed in the table above as of March 31, 2020.
| |
(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 two3 unrelated LP funds that are structured to provide interest distributions primarily through diversified portfolios of private debt instruments. OneNaN LP allows redemption by special consent; the other does2 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. |
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
| |
(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. For the fund that does not allow redemptions, income and capital are to be periodically distributed at the discretion of the LP over time frames that are anticipated to span up to twelve years. |
| |
(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, 2020 and December 31, 2019, ProAssurance did 0t have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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 fairFair values provided primarily fall within the Level 3 fair value category.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
| (In thousands) | Carrying
Value | | Fair
Value | | Carrying
Value | | Fair
Value |
| Financial assets: | | | | | | | |
| BOLI | $ | 66,569 |
| | $ | 66,569 |
| | $ | 66,112 |
| | $ | 66,112 |
|
| Other investments | $ | 2,907 |
| | $ | 2,907 |
| | $ | 2,931 |
| | $ | 2,931 |
|
| Other assets | $ | 23,353 |
| | $ | 23,361 |
| | $ | 28,645 |
| | $ | 28,650 |
|
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| Senior notes due 2023* | $ | 250,000 |
| | $ | 255,235 |
| | $ | 250,000 |
| | $ | 273,865 |
|
| Mortgage Loans* | $ | 37,240 |
| | $ | 37,240 |
| | $ | 37,617 |
| | $ | 37,617 |
|
| Other liabilities | $ | 22,495 |
| | $ | 22,495 |
| | $ | 27,953 |
| | $ | 27,953 |
|
| * Carrying value excludes unamortized 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.
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.
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 $22.6 million and $26.9 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 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 andan unsecured note receivable under twoa separate line of credit agreements.agreement. Fair value of these notesthe note receivable was based on the present value of expected cash flows from the notesnote 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
3. Investments
Available-for-sale securitiesfixed maturities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 20162019 included the following:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2020 |
| (In thousands) | Amortized
Cost | | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Estimated Fair Value |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | $ | 123,840 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 5,420 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 129,260 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 12,205 |
| | — |
| | 205 |
| | — |
| | 12,410 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 282,451 |
| | — |
| | 9,795 |
| | 579 |
| | 291,667 |
|
| Corporate debt | 1,302,979 |
| | 1,163 |
| | 20,157 |
| | 33,255 |
| | 1,288,718 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 228,584 |
| | — |
| | 7,174 |
| | 5,160 |
| | 230,598 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 12,901 |
| | — |
| | 464 |
| | 2 |
| | 13,363 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 80,470 |
| | — |
| | 1,446 |
| | 2,792 |
| | 79,124 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 244,526 |
| | — |
| | 1,130 |
| | 9,132 |
| | 236,524 |
|
| | $ | 2,287,956 |
| | $ | 1,163 |
| | $ | 45,791 |
| | $ | 50,920 |
| | $ | 2,281,664 |
|
| | | | September 30, 2017 | December 31, 2019 |
| (In thousands) | Amortized
Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Estimated Fair Value | Amortized
Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Estimated Fair Value |
| Fixed maturities | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | $ | 148,194 |
| | $ | 954 |
| | $ | 776 |
| | $ | 148,372 |
| $ | 109,060 |
| | $ | 1,533 |
| | $ | 126 |
| | $ | 110,467 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 18,756 |
| | 119 |
| | 103 |
| | 18,772 |
| 17,215 |
| | 125 |
| | — |
| | 17,340 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 675,012 |
| | 20,086 |
| | 1,700 |
| | 693,398 |
| 287,658 |
| | 9,110 |
| | 675 |
| | 296,093 |
|
| Corporate debt | 1,254,878 |
| | 22,427 |
| | 4,523 |
| | 1,272,782 |
| 1,308,889 |
| | 33,050 |
| | 1,575 |
| | 1,340,364 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 199,110 |
| | 3,401 |
| | 820 |
| | 201,691 |
| 205,588 |
| | 3,139 |
| | 319 |
| | 208,408 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 11,841 |
| | 63 |
| | 69 |
| | 11,835 |
| 8,054 |
| | 182 |
| | 15 |
| | 8,221 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 16,135 |
| | 126 |
| | 71 |
| | 16,190 |
| 70,621 |
| | 1,468 |
| | 221 |
| | 71,868 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 105,166 |
| | 303 |
| | 159 |
| | 105,310 |
| 234,219 |
| | 1,958 |
| | 153 |
| | 236,024 |
|
| | $ | 2,429,092 |
| | $ | 47,479 |
| | $ | 8,221 |
| | $ | 2,468,350 |
| $ | 2,241,304 |
|
| $ | 50,565 |
|
| $ | 3,084 |
| | $ | 2,288,785 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 obligations | 30,038 |
| | 388 |
| | 191 |
| | 30,235 |
| |
| State and municipal bonds | 790,154 |
| | 17,261 |
| | 6,952 |
| | 800,463 |
| |
| Corporate debt | 1,264,812 |
| | 22,659 |
| | 8,480 |
| | 1,278,991 |
| |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 216,285 |
| | 3,667 |
| | 2,046 |
| | 217,906 |
| |
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 12,837 |
| | 89 |
| | 143 |
| | 12,783 |
| |
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 19,571 |
| | 177 |
| | 137 |
| | 19,611 |
| |
| Other asset-backed securities | 106,938 |
| | 207 |
| | 267 |
| | 106,878 |
| |
| | $ | 2,586,821 |
| | $ | 45,712 |
| | $ | 19,127 |
| | $ | 2,613,406 |
| |
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
The recorded cost basis and estimated fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, 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 | $ | 123,840 |
| | $ | 28,290 |
| | $ | 79,453 |
| | $ | 21,059 |
| | $ | 458 |
| | $ | 129,260 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 12,205 |
| | 2,001 |
| | 5,057 |
| | 5,197 |
| | 155 |
| | 12,410 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 282,451 |
| | 22,973 |
| | 113,255 |
| | 123,840 |
| | 31,599 |
| | 291,667 |
|
| Corporate debt | 1,302,979 |
| | 130,833 |
| | 762,741 |
| | 371,657 |
| | 23,487 |
| | 1,288,718 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 228,584 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 230,598 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 12,901 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 13,363 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 80,470 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 79,124 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 244,526 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 236,524 |
|
| | $ | 2,287,956 |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 2,281,664 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (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 obligations | 18,756 |
| | 249 |
| | 8,362 |
| | 10,020 |
| | 141 |
| | 18,772 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 675,012 |
| | 57,500 |
| | 233,506 |
| | 295,098 |
| | 107,294 |
| | 693,398 |
|
| Corporate debt | 1,254,878 |
| | 124,057 |
| | 737,639 |
| | 390,103 |
| | 20,983 |
| | 1,272,782 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 199,110 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 201,691 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 11,841 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 11,835 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 16,135 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 16,190 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 105,166 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 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, no0 investment in any entity or its affiliates exceeded 10% of Shareholders’shareholders’ equity at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020.
Cash and securities with a carrying value of $46.644.0 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 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, ProAssurance is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as FAL. ProAssuranceFAL, to support underwriting by Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131. At March 31, 2020, ProAssurance's FAL investments at September 30, 2017 includedwere comprised of available-for-sale fixed maturities with a fair value of $98.7123.7 million and short-term investments with a fair valuecash and cash equivalents of approximately $0.5$12.5 million on deposit with Lloyd's in order to satisfy these FAL requirements.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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, 2020 and December 31, 2019, including the length of time the investment had been held in a continuous unrealized loss position.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2020 |
| | 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 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| State and municipal bonds | $ | 26,636 |
| | $ | 579 |
| | $ | 26,636 |
| | $ | 579 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
| Corporate debt | 532,748 |
| | 33,255 |
| | 510,054 |
| | 30,631 |
| | 22,694 |
| | 2,624 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 66,200 |
| | 5,160 |
| | 62,274 |
| | 5,143 |
| | 3,926 |
| | 17 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 311 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 311 |
| | 2 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 36,679 |
| | 2,792 |
| | 36,059 |
| | 2,771 |
| | 620 |
| | 21 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 159,054 |
| | 9,132 |
| | 157,064 |
| | 9,116 |
| | 1,990 |
| | 16 |
|
| | $ | 821,628 |
| | $ | 50,920 |
| | $ | 792,087 |
| | $ | 48,240 |
| | $ | 29,541 |
| | $ | 2,680 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 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 | $ | 25,959 |
| | $ | 126 |
| | $ | 15,305 |
| | $ | 103 |
| | $ | 10,654 |
| | $ | 23 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 36,565 |
| | 675 |
| | 35,621 |
| | 674 |
| | 944 |
| | 1 |
|
| Corporate debt | 128,254 |
| | 1,575 |
| | 88,582 |
| | 932 |
| | 39,672 |
| | 643 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 59,291 |
| | 319 |
| | 28,048 |
| | 63 |
| | 31,243 |
| | 256 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 459 |
| | 15 |
| | 158 |
| | — |
| | 301 |
| | 15 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 18,339 |
| | 221 |
| | 16,924 |
| | 206 |
| | 1,415 |
| | 15 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 48,912 |
| | 153 |
| | 37,322 |
| | 145 |
| | 11,590 |
| | 8 |
|
| | $ | 317,779 |
| | $ | 3,084 |
| | $ | 221,960 |
| | $ | 2,123 |
| | $ | 95,819 |
| | $ | 961 |
|
As of March 31, 2020, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 932 debt securities (39.4% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 547 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were approximately $2.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The securities were evaluated for impairment as of March 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 263 debt securities (12.1% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 204 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The securities were evaluated for impairment as of December 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 impairment due to credit or non-credit factors. A detailed discussion of the factors considered in the assessment is included in Note 1.
Fixed maturity securities held in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2020, excluding asset-backed securities, have paid all scheduled contractual payments and are expected to continue doing so. Expected future cash flows of asset-backed
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
securities, excluding those issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, held in an unrealized loss position were estimated as part of the March 31, 2020 impairment 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.
The following table presents a roll forward of the allowance for expected credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturities for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
|
| | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | Corporate Debt | Total |
| Balance December 31, 2019 | $ | — |
| $ | — |
|
| Additional credit losses related to securities for which: | |
|
|
| No allowance for credit losses has been previously recognized | 1,163 |
| 1,163 |
|
| Balance March 31, 2020 | $ | 1,163 |
| $ | 1,163 |
|
Other information regarding sales and purchases of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| (In millions) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Proceeds from sales (exclusive of maturities and paydowns) | $ | 64.9 |
| | $ | 31.5 |
|
| Purchases | $ | 227.5 |
| | $ | 179.1 |
|
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, 2020 and December 31, 2019 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) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Fixed maturities | $ | 18,285 |
| | $ | 17,517 |
|
| Equities | 1,909 |
| | 4,823 |
|
| Short-term investments, including Other | 1,472 |
| | 1,835 |
|
| BOLI | 456 |
| | 453 |
|
| Investment fees and expenses | (1,292 | ) | | (1,810 | ) |
| Net investment income | $ | 20,830 |
| | $ | 22,818 |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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, 2020 | | Carrying Value |
| (In thousands) | Percentage
Ownership | | March 31,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 |
| Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships | See below | | $ | 42,079 |
| | $ | 46,421 |
|
| Other tax credit partnerships | See below | | 1,763 |
| | 2,085 |
|
| All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs | See below | | 327,530 |
| | 310,314 |
|
| | | | $ | 371,372 |
| | $ | 358,820 |
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| | 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 partnerships | 8,355 |
| | 11,459 |
|
| All other LPs/LLCs | 231,944 |
| | 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 two2 of the tax credit partnership interests is almost 100%; these interests had a carrying value of $34.5$15.2 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and $40.2$17.2 million at December 31, 2016.2019. 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$26.9 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and $62.1$29.2 million at December 31, 2016.2019. 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 10.
Other tax credit partnerships are comprised entirely of an investment in a historic tax credits.credit partnership. The historic tax credits generatecredit partnership generates 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 investmentsthis investment reflects ProAssurance's total funded commitmentscommitment less any amortization. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the historic tax credit partnershipspartnership is almost 100%. Since ProAssurance does not havehas the ability to exert controlinfluence over the partnerships; all arepartnership but does not control it, it is 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, 10.
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 three3 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$41.0 million at September 30, 2017both March 31, 2020 and $18.5 million at December 31, 2016.2019. 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$286.5 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and $208.6$269.3 million at December 31, 2016.2019. 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 value | 31,789 |
| | 31,501 |
|
| Investment funds, at fair value | 20,000 |
| | — |
|
| Other, principally FHLB capital stock, at cost | 3,470 |
| | 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
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 obligations | 9,958 |
| | 103 |
| | 4,048 |
| | 20 |
| | 5,910 |
| | 83 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 104,279 |
| | 1,700 |
| | 69,891 |
| | 406 |
| | 34,388 |
| | 1,294 |
|
| Corporate debt | 354,309 |
| | 4,523 |
| | 238,877 |
| | 1,286 |
| | 115,432 |
| | 3,237 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 65,541 |
| | 820 |
| | 52,366 |
| | 499 |
| | 13,175 |
| | 321 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 4,515 |
| | 69 |
| | 4,138 |
| | 41 |
| | 377 |
| | 28 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 8,753 |
| | 71 |
| | 5,217 |
| | 38 |
| | 3,536 |
| | 33 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 47,229 |
| | 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 obligations | 11,746 |
| | 191 |
| | 11,746 |
| | 191 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 224,884 |
| | 6,952 |
| | 219,276 |
| | 6,444 |
| | 5,608 |
| | 508 |
|
| Corporate debt | 469,632 |
| | 8,480 |
| | 424,721 |
| | 5,662 |
| | 44,911 |
| | 2,818 |
|
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 103,680 |
| | 2,046 |
| | 100,542 |
| | 1,982 |
| | 3,138 |
| | 64 |
|
| Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities | 4,579 |
| | 143 |
| | 4,192 |
| | 114 |
| | 387 |
| | 29 |
|
| Other commercial mortgage-backed securities | 9,822 |
| | 137 |
| | 9,179 |
| | 134 |
| | 643 |
| | 3 |
|
| Other asset-backed securities | 44,343 |
| | 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.
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 |
|
| Equities | 4,495 |
| | 3,779 |
| | 12,437 |
| | 10,983 |
|
| Short-term and Other investments | 1,147 |
| | 1,466 |
| | 2,926 |
| | 2,550 |
|
| BOLI | 620 |
| | 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 a historic tax credit investments. The lossespartnership. 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:
29 |
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships | | | |
| Losses recorded | $ | 4,342 |
| | $ | 4,430 |
|
| Tax credits recognized | $ | 4,369 |
| | $ | 4,531 |
|
| | | | |
| Historic tax credit partnership | | | |
| Losses recorded | $ | 323 |
| | $ | 189 |
|
| Tax credits recognized | $ | 103 |
| | $ | 103 |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
Due to the consolidated loss before income taxes recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2020, the tax credits generated in the first quarter of 2020 from tax credit partnership investments of $4.5 million were deferred and are expected to be utilized in future periods.
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) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Total impairment losses: | | | |
| Corporate debt | $ | (1,817 | ) | | $ | (136 | ) |
| Portion of impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes: | | | |
| Corporate debt | 654 |
| | 87 |
|
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | (1,163 | ) | | (49 | ) |
| Gross realized gains, available-for-sale fixed maturities | 2,427 |
| | 367 |
|
| Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale fixed maturities | (1,403 | ) | | (336 | ) |
| Net realized gains (losses), trading fixed maturities | 103 |
| | (28 | ) |
| Net realized gains (losses), equity investments | 15,190 |
| | 1,790 |
|
| Net realized gains (losses), other investments | 48 |
| | 379 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading fixed maturities | (118 | ) | | 210 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), equity investments | (38,477 | ) | | 32,394 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value | (5,273 | ) | | 1,895 |
|
| Other | (7 | ) | | 1 |
|
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | (28,673 | ) | | $ | 36,623 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 securities | 1,724 |
| | 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 securities | 3,603 |
| | 1,276 |
| | 10,958 |
| | 5,244 |
|
| Net realized gains (losses), Other investments | 478 |
| | 335 |
| | 2,197 |
| | 833 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading securities | 2,182 |
| | 9,816 |
| | 2,606 |
| | 17,663 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), Other investments, carried at fair value | 23 |
| | 880 |
| | 621 |
| | 976 |
|
| Other | 2 |
| | 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-month period,three months ended March 31, 2020, ProAssurance recognized OTTIcredit-related impairment losses in earnings of $0.2approximately $1.2 million and $0.2 millionnon-credit impairment losses in OCI of approximately $0.7 million. The credit-related impairment losses related to four corporate bonds in the energy, consumer and entertainment sectors. The non-credit OTTIrelated impairment losses related related to three corporate bonds in the energy and consumer sectors. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, ProAssurance recognized a nominal amount of both credit related impairment losses in earnings and non-credit impairment losses in OCI, both of which related to a corporate bonds.bond.
ProAssurance recognized OTTI$28.7 million of net realized investment losses during the 2020 three-month period driven by the impact of decreases in earningsfair value on its equity portfolio of $0.1$38.5 million and $9.8convertible securities of $5.3 million duringattributable to the 2016 three- and nine-month periods, respectively.recent disruptions in global financial markets related to COVID-19. During the 2019 three-month period, ProAssurance recognized OTTI$36.6 million of net realized investment gains driven by increases 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 on its equity portfolio of $32.4 million due to the improvement 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 valuemarket 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
2019.
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 OTTIimpairment was recorded in OCI.
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Balance beginning of period | $ | 470 |
| | $ | 93 |
|
| Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which: | | | |
| No impairment has been previously recognized | 1,064 |
| | 49 |
|
| Balance March 31 | $ | 1,534 |
| | $ | 142 |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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
For interim periods, ProAssurance estimatesgenerally utilizes the estimated annual effective tax rate method under which the Company determines its provision (benefit) for income taxes based on the current estimate of its annual effective tax rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, ProAssurance adopted the discrete effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly reporting period and uses this estimated ratemethod to record theits provision for income taxes after the estimated annual effective tax rate method produced an unusually low estimated annual tax rate. The discrete effective tax rate method is applied when the application of the estimated annual effective tax rate method is impractical because it is not possible to reliably estimate the annual effective tax rate. The Company believes the use of the discrete effective tax rate method is more appropriate for the current period than the annual effective tax rate method, as minor changes in the interim financial statements.Company's estimated ordinary income would have a significant effect on the estimated annual effective tax rate and would result in sizeable variations in the customary relationship between income tax expense (benefit) and pretax accounting income (loss). ProAssurance will reevaluate its use of this method each quarter until the Company believes a return to the estimated annual effective tax rate method is deemed appropriate. The provision for income taxes is different from that which would be obtained by applying the statutory Federalfederal income tax rate to income (loss) before income taxes primarily because a portion of ProAssurance’s investment income is tax-exempt, and because ProAssurance utilizesdue to the tax credit benefitsbenefit recognized from tax credits 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 $3.8 million at March 31, 2020 and $8.0 million at December 31, 2019. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which is included in the total receivable for federal and U.K. income taxes, was $8.5$11.0 million at September 30, 2017 and $8.4$5.7 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2016.2019, respectively, which included an accrued liability for interest of approximately $0.6 million at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
ProAssurance recognized a nominal amount of tax expense related to the GILTI provision of the TCJA during each of the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, ProAssurance did not recognize any incremental tax expense related to the BEAT provision of the TCJA. For additional information regarding ProAssurance's accounting for certain provisions of the TCJA, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
In response to COVID-19, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and contains several provisions for corporations and eases certain deduction limitations originally imposed by the TCJA. The CARES Act, among other things, includes temporary changes regarding the prior and future utilization of NOLs, temporary changes to the prior and future limitations on interest deductions, temporary suspension of certain payment requirements for the employer portion of Social Security taxes and the creation of certain refundable employee retention credits. ProAssurance has an NOL of approximately $34.4 million from the 2019 tax year that will be carried back to the 2014 tax year and is expected to generate a tax refund of approximately $12.0 million. ProAssurance is currently evaluating the other provisions of the CARES Act and how certain elections may impact its financial position and results of operations, if elected.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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 inpremium rates, claims frequency and severity, historical paid and incurred loss development trends, the expected effect of claims, loss retention levelsinflation, general economic and premium rates,social trends and the legal and political environment 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. For claims-made policies, the insured event generally becomes a liability when the event is first reported to the Company. 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. As claims are incurred (reported) and claim payments are made, they are aggregated by accident year for analysis purposes. ProAssurance
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
Activity in the Reservereserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 | | Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 2,346,526 |
| | $ | 2,119,847 |
| | $ | 2,119,847 |
|
| Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 390,708 |
| | 343,820 |
| | 343,820 |
|
| Net balance, beginning of year | 1,955,818 |
| | 1,776,027 |
| | 1,776,027 |
|
| Net losses: | | | | | |
Current year(1) | 170,874 |
| | 170,032 |
| | 765,698 |
|
| Favorable development of reserves established in prior years, net | (6,042 | ) | | (10,277 | ) | | (11,783 | ) |
| Total | 164,832 |
| | 159,755 |
| | 753,915 |
|
| Paid related to: | | | | | |
| Current year | (15,876 | ) | | (17,027 | ) | | (115,133 | ) |
| Prior years | (163,518 | ) | | (109,079 | ) | | (458,991 | ) |
| Total paid | (179,394 | ) | | (126,106 | ) | | (574,124 | ) |
| Net balance, end of period | 1,941,256 |
| | 1,809,676 |
| | 1,955,818 |
|
| Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 389,792 |
| | 349,319 |
| | 390,708 |
|
| Balance, end of period | $ | 2,331,048 |
| | $ | 2,158,995 |
| | $ | 2,346,526 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (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 expenses | 273,475 |
| | 249,350 |
| | 249,350 |
|
| Net balance, beginning of year | 1,719,953 |
| | 1,755,976 |
| | 1,755,976 |
|
| Net losses: | | | | | |
| Current year | 454,121 |
| | 430,422 |
| | 587,007 |
|
| Favorable development of reserves established in prior years, net | (90,063 | ) | | (94,486 | ) | | (143,778 | ) |
| Total | 364,058 |
| | 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 period | 1,726,822 |
| | 1,743,242 |
| | 1,719,953 |
|
| Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses | 313,876 |
| | 254,777 |
| | 273,475 |
|
| Balance, end of period | $ | 2,040,698 |
| | $ | 1,998,019 |
| | $ | 1,993,428 |
|
The net favorable loss development of $90.1 million recognized in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 primarily reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance and Workers' Compensation Insurance segments as well as a reduction in the reserve for potential ECO/XPL claims in the Specialty P&C segment. The net favorable loss development recognized in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment primarily related to the 2016 through 2018 accident years and the net favorable loss development recognized in the Workers' Compensation Insurance segment primarily related to the 2015 and 2016 accident years. The net favorable loss development recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2019 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend (i.e., the average size of a claim) for accident years 20102012 through 2014.2015 in the Specialty P&C segment. The net favorable loss development of $94.5 million recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend for accident years 2009 through 2013. The favorable loss development of $143.8 million recognized in the twelve months ended December 31, 20162019 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend foroverall favorable trends in claim closing patterns in the Workers' Compensation Insurance and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments, largely offset by net unfavorable loss development recognized in the Specialty P&C segment. The net favorable loss development recognized in the Workers' Compensation Insurance segment primarily related to the 2015 and 2016 accident years 2008and the net favorable loss development recognized in the Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment primarily related to the 2015 through 2014.2018 accident years. The net unfavorable loss development recognized in the Specialty P&C segment primarily related to accident years 2012 through 2015.
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, 20162019 report on Form 10-K.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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, 2019 Form 10-K.
As a member of Lloyd's, ProAssurance is requiredhas obligations to provide capital to support Syndicate 1729 through 2022 of up to $200 million, referred to as FAL. At September 30, 2017, ProAssuranceand Syndicate 6131 including a Syndicate Credit Agreement and FAL requirements. The Syndicate Credit Agreement is satisfying the FAL requirement with investment securities on deposit with Lloyd's with a carrying value of $99.2 million (see Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
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 maximum permitted borrowings are £20.0of £30.0 million under an amended(approximately $37.3 million as of March 31, 2020). The Syndicate Credit Agreement executed in April 2016.has a maturity date of December 31, 2021 and contains 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, 2019.2021, subject to extension through the auto-renewal feature. As of September 30, 2017, the unused commitmentMarch 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Syndicate Credit Agreement approximated £11.0Agreement. ProAssurance provides FAL to support underwriting by Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131 which is comprised of investment securities and cash and cash equivalents deposited with Lloyd's with a total fair value of approximately $136.2 million (approximately $14.7at March 31, 2020 (see Note 3).
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, 2020, ProAssurance had total funding commitments related to non-public investment entities as well as the short-term loan commitment of approximately $223.5 million 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. ProAssurance’s expected credit losses associated with this short-term loan commitment were nominal in amount as of September 30, 2017).March 31, 2020.
In conjunction with a strategic business partnership ProAssurance entered into duringan agreement with a company to provide data analytics services for certain product lines within the third quarterCompany's HCPL book of 2016,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 issuedincurred operating expenses associated with this agreement of $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and as of March 31, 2020, the remaining commitment under this agreement was between $2.4 million and $3.2 million.
ProAssurance has entered into a linedefinitive agreement to acquire NORCAL, an underwriter of creditmedical professional liability insurance, subject to the demutualization of NORCAL Mutual, NORCAL's ultimate controlling party. ProAssurance will pay base consideration of $450 million and is expected to be funded with cash and debt; with a contingent consideration of up to $9.0$150 million should NORCAL reserves as of the acquisition date develop favorably to estimates made by ProAssurance. The demutualization and the definitive agreement are mutually contingent, and are subject to customary conditions, including approval by NORCAL Mutual policyholders and appropriate state and federal regulators. The companies are targeting to close the transaction either by the end of 2020 or early 2021.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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 twelve 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 net lease expense as well as the reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the purposethree months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
|
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| 2020 | 2019 |
Operating lease expense (1) | Operating expense | $ | 1,625 |
| $ | 774 |
|
Sublease income (2) | Other income | (38 | ) | (38 | ) |
| Net lease expense | | $ | 1,587 |
| $ | 736 |
|
(1) Includes short-term lease costs and variable lease costs, if applicable. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, no short-term lease costs were recognized and variable lease costs were nominal in amount.
(2) Sublease income excludes rental income from owned properties of funding$0.6 million during each of the entity's operations. The line of credit is non-interest bearingthree months ended March 31, 2020 and may be settled upon the entity's achievement of certain milestones2019 which is expectedincluded in other income. See “Item 2. Properties” in ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K for a listing of currently owned properties.
The following table provides supplemental lease information for operating leases on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
|
| | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
| Operating lease ROU assets | $ | 19,722 |
| $ | 21,074 |
|
| Operating lease liabilities | $ | 21,311 |
| $ | 22,051 |
|
| Weighted-average remaining lease term | 8.67 years |
| 8.74 years |
|
| Weighted-average discount rate | 3.08 | % | 3.08 | % |
The following table provides supplemental lease information for the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
|
| | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | | |
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | 613 |
| $ | 809 |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to occur withinCondensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
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, 2020. Operating lease payments exclude $0.5 million of future minimum lease payments for 1 lease signed but not yet commenced as of March 31, 2020. This lease will commence in the next six months. Asfirst quarter of September 30, 2017, the unused commitment under the line2021 with a lease term of credit approximated $1.6 million.approximately seven years.
|
| | | |
| (In thousands) | |
| 2020 | $ | 3,139 |
|
| 2021 | 3,951 |
|
| 2022 | 3,064 |
|
| 2023 | 2,361 |
|
| 2024 | 1,773 |
|
| Thereafter | 10,047 |
|
| Total future minimum lease payments | 24,335 |
|
| Less: Imputed interest | 3,024 |
|
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | 21,311 |
|
7.8. Debt
ProAssurance’s outstanding debt consisted of the following:
|
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | March 31,
2020 | | December 31,
2019 |
| Senior Notes due 2023, unsecured, interest at 5.3% annually | $ | 250,000 |
| | $ | 250,000 |
|
| 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% (2.14% and 3.21%, respectively) determined on a quarterly basis. | 37,240 |
| | 37,617 |
|
| Total principal | 287,240 |
| | 287,617 |
|
| Less unamortized debt issuance costs | 1,696 |
| | 1,796 |
|
| Debt less unamortized debt issuance costs | $ | 285,544 |
| | $ | 285,821 |
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| (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 principal | 402,000 |
| | 450,000 |
|
| Less debt issuance costs | 1,540 |
| | 1,798 |
|
| Debt less debt issuance costs | $ | 400,460 |
| | $ | 448,202 |
|
ProAssurance has a Revolving Credit Agreement, which expires November 2024, 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. ProAssurance's Revolving Credit Agreement permits borrowings up to $250 million, and has available a $50 million accordion feature which, if successfully subscribed, would expand the permitted borrowings to a maximum of $300 million. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Agreement.
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.
Additional Information
For additional information regarding ProAssurance's debt, see Note 1011 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 20162019 report on Form 10-K.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
8.9. Shareholders’ Equity
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 20162019, 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 quartersquarter of 2017,both 2020 and 2019, totaling $49.6 million. ProAssurance declared cash dividends of $0.31 per share$16.7 million during each of the first three quarters of 2016, totaling $49.4 million.period.
At September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, Board authorizations for the repurchase of common shares or the retirement of outstanding debt of $109.6110 million remained available for use. ProAssurance did not0t repurchase any common shares during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and repurchased approximately 44,500 shares at a cost of $2.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2019.
Share-based compensation expense and related tax benefits were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Share-based compensation expense | $ | 1,011 |
| | $ | 1,228 |
|
| Related tax benefits | $ | 212 |
| | $ | 258 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 84,600112,000 restricted share units and 48,00039,000 base performance share units to employees in February 2017.2020. The fair value of each unit awarded was estimated at $58.35,$29.18, equal to the market value of a ProAssurance common share on the date of grant less the estimated present value of expected 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 29,300 and 99,50047,000 common shares to employees in February 20172020 related to restricted share units and performance share units, respectively, granted in 2014. Performance share units for2017. Liability classified awards, which are nominal in amount, are settled in cash at the 2014 award were issued at levels ranging from 117% to 125%.
ProAssurance issued approximately 9,000 common shares to employees in February 2017 as bonus compensation, as approved by the Compensation Committeeend of the Board. The shares issued were valued at fair value (the market price of a ProAssurance common share on the date of award).vesting period.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, OCI was primarily comprised of unrealized gains and losses, including non-credit impairment losses, arising during the period related to available-for-sale securities, less reclassification adjustments, as shown in the table that follows, net of tax. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, OCI includedThe following tables provide a gain of $0.6 million, net of tax, related to changes from the reestimation of two defined benefit plans assumed in the Eastern acquisition, one of which was terminated late in 2016. The remaining plan is frozen as to the earnings of additional benefits, but the unrecognized plan benefit liability is reestimated annually.
At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, AOCI was primarily comprised of unrealized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities, including non-credit impairments recognized in OCI of $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, net of tax. During 2016, as discussed above, onedetailed breakout of the defined benefit plans assumed in the Eastern acquisition was terminatedcomponents of AOCI and the related unrecognized losses wereamounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unrecognized changesnet income (loss). The tax effects of all amounts in the remaining defined benefit plan liability were nominal in amount. All tax effects were computed using a 35% rate, with the exceptiontable below, except for an immaterial amount of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities held at ourthe Company's U.K. subsidiary, were computed using the enacted U.S. federal corporate tax rate of 21%. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and Cayman Island entities which2019, OCI included a deferred tax benefit of $11.0 million and a deferred tax expense of $6.8 million, respectively.
The changes in the balance of each component of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were immaterial in amount.
as follows:
34 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) | | Non-credit Impairments | | Unrecognized Change in Defined Benefit Plan Liabilities* | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
| Balance December 31, 2019 | $ | 36,577 |
| | $ | 300 |
| | $ | 78 |
| | $ | 36,955 |
|
| OCI, before reclassifications, net of tax | $ | (42,497 | ) | | $ | 517 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (41,980 | ) |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax | 115 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 115 |
|
| Net OCI, current period | $ | (42,382 | ) | | $ | 517 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (41,865 | ) |
| Balance March 31, 2020 | $ | (5,805 | ) |
| $ | 817 |
|
| $ | 78 |
| | $ | (4,910 | ) |
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to Net income and the amounts of deferred tax expense (benefit) included in OCI were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (In thousands) | Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) | | Non-credit Impairments | | Unrecognized Change in Defined Benefit Plan Liabilities* | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
| Balance December 31, 2018 | $ | (17,089 | ) | | $ | 121 |
| | $ | 57 |
| | $ | (16,911 | ) |
| OCI, before reclassifications, net of tax | $ | 25,477 |
| | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 7 |
| | $ | 25,553 |
|
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax | 13 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 13 |
|
| Net OCI, current period | $ | 25,490 |
| | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 7 |
| | $ | 25,566 |
|
| Balance March 31, 2019 | $ | 8,401 |
| | $ | 190 |
| | $ | 64 |
| | $ | 8,655 |
|
| * Represents the reestimation of the defined benefit plan liability assumed in the Eastern acquisition. The defined benefit plan is frozen as to the earnings of additional benefits and the benefit plan liability is reestimated annually. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 effect | 1,462 |
| | 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 |
|
9.10. 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$322.7 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and $282.3$309.0 million at December 31, 2016.2019.
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. Investments in entities where ProAssurance holds a greater than minor interest but does not hold a controlling interest are accounted for using the equity method. 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, 2020, ProAssurance’s maximum loss exposure relative to these investments was limited to the carrying value of ProAssurance’s investment in the VIE.
10.11. Earnings (Loss) 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 (loss) per share:
|
| | | | | | | |
| (In thousands, except per share data) | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| 2020 | | 2019 |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic | 53,808 |
| | 53,683 |
|
| Dilutive effect of securities: | | | |
| Restricted Share Units | 74 |
| | 82 |
|
| Performance Share Units | 3 |
| | 29 |
|
| Purchase Match Units | — |
| | 14 |
|
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted | 53,885 |
| | 53,808 |
|
| Effect of dilutive shares on earnings (loss) 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, basic | 53,413 |
| | 53,222 |
| | 53,377 |
| | 53,199 |
|
| Dilutive effect of securities: | | | | | | | |
| Restricted Share Units | 87 |
| | 75 |
| | 81 |
| | 71 |
|
| Performance Share Units | 88 |
| | 132 |
| | 105 |
| | 124 |
|
| Purchase Match Units | 26 |
| | 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 dilutiveDilutive common share equivalents are reflected in the earnings (loss) per share calculation while antidilutive common share equivalents are not reflected in the earnings (loss) per share calculation. TheFor the three months ended March 31, 2020, all incremental common share equivalents were not included in the computation of diluted weighted average number ofearnings (loss) per share because to do so would have been antidilutive for the period. There were 0 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.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
11.12. Segment Information
ProAssuranceProAssurance'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 its CODM to determine whether any changes have occurred that would impact its segment reporting structure. The Company operates in four5 segments that are organized around the nature of the products and services provided: Specialty P&C, Workers' Compensation Insurance, Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance, Lloyd's Syndicate,Syndicates and Corporate. A description of each segmentof ProAssurance's 5 operating and reportable segments follows.
Specialty P&C is primarily focused on includes professional liability insurance and medical technology liability insurance. 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. TheIn addition, the Specialty P&C segment also offers custom alternative risk solutions including loss portfolio transfers and captive cell programs for healthcare professional liability insureds. For the alternative market captive cell programs, the Specialty P&C segment cedes certaineither all or a portion of the premium to certain SPCs in the Lloyd's Syndicate segment under a quota share agreement with Syndicate 1729. As discussed below, Syndicate 1729 operating results are reported on a quarter delay. For consistency purposes, results from this ceding arrangement, other than cash receipts or disbursements, have been reported within the Specialty P&C segment on the same one-quarter delay.Company's Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment.
Workers' Compensation providesInsurance includes workers' compensation products primarilyprovided to employers with 1,000 or fewer employees. The segment also offerssegment's products include guaranteed cost policies, 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 program 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 net operating results (underwriting profit or toloss, plus investment results, net of U.S. federal income taxes) of SPCs operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of ProAssurance.at Inova Re and Eastern Re, the Company's Cayman Islands SPC operations. 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 attributable to external cell participants are reflected as SPC dividend expense (income) 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 attributable to external cell participants are reflected in the SPC dividend expense (income). The SPCs assume workers' compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a combination of the two from the Company's Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments.
Lloyd'sSyndicateSyndicates includes operating results from ProAssurance's 58% participation in Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 and its 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 lag, 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 2020 underwriting year, ProAssurance decreased its participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 to 29% from 61% ; however, due to the quarter lag these changes will not be reflected in the Company's results until the second quarter of 2020. 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 Company's 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, 20162019 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. PerformanceProAssurance evaluates the performance of the Lloyd's Syndicateits Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment is evaluated based on underwritingoperating profit or loss, pluswhich includes investment results of investment assets solely allocated to SPC operations, net of U.S. federal income taxes. Performance of the Lloyd's Syndicates segment is evaluated based on operating profit or loss, which includes 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 and other assets are not managed at the segment level.
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
| (In thousands) | Specialty P&C | | Workers' Compensation Insurance | | Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance | | Lloyd's Syndicates | | Corporate | | Inter-segment Eliminations | | Consolidated |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 120,359 |
| | $ | 44,515 |
| | $ | 16,980 |
| | $ | 22,001 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 203,855 |
|
| Net investment income | — |
| | — |
| | 254 |
| | 1,159 |
| | 19,417 |
| | — |
| | 20,830 |
|
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,562 | ) | | — |
| | (1,562 | ) |
| Net realized gains (losses) | — |
| | — |
| | (3,207 | ) | | 81 |
| | (25,547 | ) | | — |
| | (28,673 | ) |
Other income (expense)(1) | 1,698 |
| | 757 |
| | 136 |
| | (232 | ) | | 633 |
| | (741 | ) | | 2,251 |
|
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | (110,931 | ) | | (29,769 | ) | | (9,352 | ) | | (14,780 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (164,832 | ) |
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses(1) | (29,585 | ) | | (14,164 | ) | | (5,079 | ) | | (9,142 | ) | | (4,827 | ) | | 741 |
| | (62,056 | ) |
SPC U.S. federal income tax expense(2) | — |
| | — |
| | (222 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (222 | ) |
| SPC dividend (expense) income | — |
| | — |
| | 508 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 508 |
|
| Interest expense | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (4,129 | ) | | — |
| | (4,129 | ) |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 29 |
| | 12,047 |
| | — |
| | 12,076 |
|
| Segment operating results | $ | (18,459 | ) | | $ | 1,339 |
| | $ | 18 |
| | $ | (884 | ) | | $ | (3,968 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (21,954 | ) |
| Significant non-cash items: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion | $ | 1,580 |
| | $ | 926 |
| | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 2,150 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 4,734 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 |
|
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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) | 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(1) | (29,615 | ) | | (14,192 | ) | | (5,235 | ) | | (8,469 | ) | | (4,570 | ) | | 689 |
| | (61,392 | ) |
SPC U.S. federal income tax expense(2) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| SPC 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 |
|
(1) Certain fees for services provided to the SPCs at Inova Re and Eastern 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 primarily SPC rental fees and are eliminated between segments in consolidation. |
(2) Represents the provision for U.S. federal income taxes for SPCs at Inova Re, which have elected to be taxed as a U.S. corporation under Section 953(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. U.S. federal income taxes are included in the total SPC net operating results and are paid by the individual SPCs. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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. |
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
March 31, 2020
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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Specialty P&C Segment | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross premiums earned: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Healthcare professional liability | $ | 125,377 |
| | $ | 119,833 |
| | $ | 358,209 |
| | $ | 345,520 |
| $ | 123,366 |
| | $ | 128,021 |
|
| Legal professional liability | 6,483 |
| | 6,492 |
| | 19,217 |
| | 19,599 |
| 6,751 |
| | 6,560 |
|
| Medical technology liability | 8,459 |
| | 8,756 |
| | 25,160 |
| | 25,549 |
| 8,529 |
| | 8,302 |
|
| Other | 108 |
| | 140 |
| | 311 |
| | 562 |
| 377 |
| | 136 |
|
| Ceded premiums earned | (22,096 | ) | | (19,022 | ) | | (62,503 | ) | | (56,150 | ) | (18,664 | ) | | (18,952 | ) |
| Segment net premiums earned | 118,331 |
| | 116,199 |
| | 340,394 |
| | 335,080 |
| 120,359 |
| | 124,067 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Workers' Compensation Segment | | | | | | | | |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance Segment | | | | |
| Gross premiums earned: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Traditional business | 43,492 |
| | 42,582 |
| | 127,761 |
| | 127,426 |
| 47,485 |
| | 49,285 |
|
| Alternative market business | 20,200 |
| | 18,502 |
| | 59,855 |
| | 55,601 |
| 18,128 |
| | 20,991 |
|
| Ceded premiums earned | (6,038 | ) | | (6,586 | ) | | (17,825 | ) | | (19,053 | ) | (21,098 | ) | | (24,337 | ) |
| Segment net premiums earned | 57,654 |
| | 54,498 |
| | 169,791 |
| | 163,974 |
| 44,515 |
| | 45,939 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 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) | | 17,513 |
| | 20,496 |
|
Healthcare professional liability(2) | | 1,677 |
| | 1,323 |
|
| Other | | — |
| | 120 |
|
| Ceded premiums earned | (2,472 | ) | | (1,809 | ) | | (7,561 | ) | | (3,086 | ) | (2,210 | ) | | (2,437 | ) |
| Segment net premiums earned | 16,318 |
| | 14,578 |
| | 45,374 |
| | 40,533 |
| 16,980 |
| | 19,502 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | |
| Consolidated Net premiums earned | $ | 192,303 |
| | $ | 185,275 |
| | $ | 555,559 |
| | $ | 539,587 |
| |
| Lloyd's Syndicates Segment | | | | |
| Gross premiums earned: | | | | |
Property and casualty(3) | | 28,196 |
| | 23,828 |
|
| Ceded premiums earned | | (6,195 | ) | | (5,187 | ) |
| Segment net premiums earned | | 22,001 |
| | 18,641 |
|
| | |
| |
|
| Consolidated net premiums earned | | $ | 203,855 |
| | $ | 208,149 |
|
*(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 a nominal amount of premium assumed from the Specialty P&C segment of $2.9 million and $9.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $3.4 million and $10.4 million for the same respective periods of 2016.March 31, 2019.
12. Subsequent EventsIn October 2017, ProAssurance repaid $18 million of the balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Agreement (see Note 7 of the Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
March 31, 2020
13. Subsequent Events
In connection with its preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, ProAssurance evaluated events that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2020 for further discussionrecognition or disclosure in its financial statements and notes to financial statements.
Large National Healthcare Account
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company increased reserve estimates for a large national healthcare account in its Specialty P&C segment that exceeded the assumptions the Company made when originally underwriting the account. The policy term for this account expires towards the end of the second quarter of 2020. Based on underwriting negotiations with the insured to-date, the Company believes it is more likely than not that the account will not renew on terms offered by ProAssurance and the insured will exercise its option to purchase the extended reporting endorsement or "tail" coverage. Based on preliminary projected exposure data provided to the Company, if the account exercises its option to purchase tail coverage, a net loss of up to approximately $50 million could be recognized in the second quarter of 2020; if the insured chooses to exercise this tail policy all premium and corresponding losses will be fully recognized in the same period the tail policy is written.
COVID-19
The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and geographies, including how it will impact its insureds, the loss environment, the healthcare industry, the labor market and Lloyd's. While the Company did not incur significant operational or financial disruptions during the three months ended March 31, 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unable to predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties.
Subsequent to March 31, 2020, the Company has started granting certain premium relief requests as a result of COVID-19, most often in the form of premium credits or deferrals. These premium relief efforts are intended for insureds adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to adjust for changes in exposures given payroll reductions, suspension of elective medical procedures and general reduction in non-COVID-19 healthcare consumption. The Company is evaluating each request on an individual basis, considering a number of factors; however, it is unable to predict the impact that premium relief efforts will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In response to COVID-19, the federal government and a number of states have started enacting legislative changes. The PREP Act was amended on March 27, 2020 to extend liability immunity for activities related to medical countermeasures against COVID-19, except for claims involving "willful misconduct" as defined in the PREP Act. Certain states have started enacting legislative changes designed to effectively expand workers’ compensation coverage by potentially incorporating a presumption of compensability for certain types of workers. Other states are considering similar measures. Depending on the number of states that institute such changes and the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement).changes, as well as the impact of the amendment to the PREP Act and any related legal challenges, the Company may experience increases in claims frequency and severity for its healthcare professional liability and workers’ compensation books of business, which could have an effect on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Furthermore, the Company is closely monitoring the impact of potential legislation or court decisions that could retroactively require insurers to extend certain insurance to cover COVID-19 claims, even if the original contract excluded the cover of communicable diseases as is typical in certain policies. These actions could result in a significant increase in claim frequency and severity due to an unintended increase in exposure for Syndicate 1729 and 6131 which could have an effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows given its participation in those Syndicates.
Capital Management
Given the Company’s current earnings profile, the effects that underlying conditions in the broader insurance marketplace continue to have on the Company’s results, and the uncertainties introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, as described above, the Board has made the decision to reduce the quarterly cash dividend from $0.31 per share to $0.05 per share, beginning with the dividend declared for the second quarter of 2020 on May 7, 2020. 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.
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 lines in both the U.S.facilities, professional liability insurance for attorneys and international markets. Information regarding Lloyd's operations derived from U.K. based entities is normally reported on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. Investment results associated with our FAL investments are 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 allocatedtheir firms, liability insurance for medical technology and life sciences risks and workers' compensation insurance. We also provide capital to Syndicate 1729 operations), non-premium revenues generated outsideand are the sole (100%) capital provider for Syndicate 6131 at Lloyd's of London.
We operate in five segments which are based on our insurance entities, corporate expenses,internal management reporting structure for which financial results are regularly evaluated by our CODM to determine resource allocation and assess operating performance. Descriptions of ProAssurance's five operating and reportable segments are as follows:
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| • | 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. We also offer custom alternative risk solutions including loss portfolio transfers, assumed reinsurance and captive cell programs for healthcare professional liability insureds. For our alternative market captive cell programs, we cede either all or a portion of the premium to certain SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. |
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| • | 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 policies, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible policies and alternative market solutions. Alternative market program premiums are 100% ceded to either SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment or, to a limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer. |
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| • | Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance - This segment includes the operating results (underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results, net of U.S. federal income taxes) of SPCs at Inova Re and Eastern Re, our Cayman Islands SPC operations. 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 and, for the SPCs in which we participate, our participation interest ranges from a low of 20% to a high of 85%. SPC operating results attributable to external cell participants are reflected as an SPC dividend expense (income) in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. The SPCs assume workers' compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a combination of the two from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. |
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| • | Lloyd'sSyndicates - 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 lag, except when information is available that is material to the current period. To reduce our exposure and the associated earnings volatility, we decreased our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 for the 2020 underwriting year to 29% from 61%; however, due to the quarter lag, these changes will not be reflected in our results until the second quarter of 2020. 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. |
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| • | 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. This segment also includes non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities and corporate expenses. |
Additional information regarding our segments is included in Note 1112 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. ThereWe can bemake 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.
While we did not incur significant operational or financial disruptions during the three months ended March 31, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may reevaluate certain of these estimates and assumptions in future periods which could result in material changes to our results of operations including, but not limited to, higher losses and loss adjustment expenses, lower premium volume, asset impairment charges, declines in investment valuations, reductions in audit premium estimates, deferred tax valuation allowances and increases in the allowance for expected credit losses related to available-for-sale securities, premiums receivable and reinsurance receivables. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. These factors include, but are not limited to, the duration, spread, severity, reemergence or mutation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our insureds, the loss environment, the healthcare industry, the labor market and Lloyd's, the actions and stimulus measures taken by governments and governmental agencies, and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may experience an impact to our business as a result of any economic recession that has occurred or may occur in the future. Please see Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
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, 2020, 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 and social 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 conditionsand social trends and, for claims involving bodily injury, the trend of healthcare costs. Within our Specialty P&C segment, for our HCPL business (77%(76% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2019), we set an initial reserve using the average loss ratio used inbased upon our pricing, plus an additional provision in considerationevaluation of the historicalcurrent loss volatility weenvironment including frequency, severity, economic inflation, social inflation and others in the industry have experienced. For our HCPL business our target loss ratio during recent accident years has ranged from 77% to 78% and the provision for loss volatility has ranged from 8 to 10 percentage points, producing an overall averagelegal trends. The initial loss ratio for our HCPL business of approximatelyhas ranged from 87%. The reasons for to 106% in recent years. We have recently trended towards the higher end of this range due to increases in loss provisions vary from period to periodseverity in the broader HCPL industry, including our excess and have included additional loss activity within our surplus lines of business provisions for losses in excess of policy limits, adjustments to unallocated loss adjustment expenses, adjustment to the reserve for the death, disability and retirement provisions(see further discussion in our policies and additional lossesSegment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty section that follows under the heading "Losses"). This range also reflects the higher than average current accident year net loss ratio recorded in 2019 due to increased reserve estimates for particular exposures, such as mass torts. These specific adjustments area large national healthcare account that exceeded the assumptions we made ifwhen originally underwriting the account. The policy term for this account expires towards the end of the second quarter of 2020. Based on underwriting negotiations with the insured to-date, we believe it is more likely than not that the results for a given accident year are likely to exceed those anticipatedaccount will not renew on terms offered by our pricing. We believe use of a provision for volatility appropriately considers the inherent risks and limitations of our rate development processus and the historic volatilityinsured will exercise its option to purchase the extended reporting endorsement or "tail" coverage. Based on preliminary projected exposure data provided, if the account exercises its option to purchase tail coverage, a net loss of professional liabilityup to approximately $50 million could be recognized in the second quarter of 2020; if the insured chooses to exercise this tail policy all premium and corresponding losses (the industry has experienced accident year loss ratios as high as 163% and as low as 53% overwill be fully recognized in the past 30 years) and produces a reasonable best estimate ofsame period the reserve requiredtail policy is written.
A practice similar to cover actual ultimate unpaid losses. A similar practiceour HCPL business is followed for our legal professional liability business (4%(3% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2019).
The risks insured in our medical technology liability business (6%(3% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2019) 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%(10% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2016)2019) including but not limited to the type and severity of the injury, the age, health 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. Recently, legislative and regulatory bodies in certain states have changed or are attempting to change compensability requirements and presumptions for certain types of workers related to COVID-19 claims and, if successful, could result in an increase in clams frequency and severity for the current accident year. See Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
We use various actuarial methodologies in developing our workers’ compensation reserve, combined with a review of the payroll exposure base generally based upon payroll of the insured.base. 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 Inova Re and Eastern Re (4% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2019) 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 ofInitial reserves for Syndicate 1729 (inception date January 1, 2014) weand Syndicate 6131 are influenced by historical claims experience ofprimarily recorded using the Lloyd's market for similar risks in estimating the appropriate initial reserves for our Lloyd's Syndicate segment. Lossloss assumptions by risk category were incorporated into theeach Syndicate's business plan submitted to Lloyd's for Syndicate 1729 with consideration given to loss experience incurred to date. We expectdate (4% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2019). The assumptions used in each business plan are consistent with loss results reflected in Lloyd's historical
data for similar risks. The loss ratios to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 1729 writes more business and the book begins to mature. Loss ratios canmay 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.
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 2016December 31, 2019 report on 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 accident years is reflected in net income (loss) in the period in which such changes are made. In recent years such changes have reduced our estimate of consolidated 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 actuarialThe process of estimating reserves involves a high degree of judgment and is highly technical, it is also highly judgmental,subject to a number of variables. These variables can be affected by both views of internal and external events, such as to the selectionchanges in views of the data usedeconomic inflation, legal trends and legislative changes, as well as differentiating views of individuals involved in the reserve estimation process, among others. We continually refine our estimates in a regular, ongoing process as historical loss experience develops and additional claims are reported and settled. Our objective is to consider all significant facts and circumstances known at the time.
Changes in economic conditions and steps taken by the federal government and the Federal Reserve in response to COVID-19 could lead to inflation trends that are different from those we had anticipated when establishing our reserves, which could in turn lead to an increase or decrease in our loss costs and the need to strengthen or reduce reserves. These impacts of inflation on loss costs and reserves could be more pronounced for our HCPL line of business as that business generally requires a longer period of time to settle claims for a given accident year and, accordingly, is relatively more inflation sensitive.
We use various actuarial methodologies (e.g., initial expected loss ratios and loss development factors) andmethods in the interpretationprocess of the output of the various methods used.setting reserves. Each actuarial method generally returns a different value, and for the more recent accident years the variations among the various methodologies can be significant. In order to project ultimate losses, we partition our reserves for analysis such as by line of business, geography, coverage layer or accident year; in all, there are over 200 different partitions of our business used for actuarial evaluation. 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 trendtrends in the range of 2% to 3% for most states5% depending on state, territory and products. specialty. In some portions of our HCPL business we have observed and reflected higher severity trends in our estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses.
If the severity trend were to be higher by 1 percentage point, the impact would be an increase in our initial 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 initial 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 early 2017. Loss ratios for to March 31, 2020, the current accident yearsaverage charged premium rates on our standard physician renewal business have thus remained fairly constant because expectedincreased by approximately 7% per annum, and we anticipate further rate increases due to increasing loss reductions have been reflected in our rates.severity.
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 - Prior Accident Years
We recognized net favorable reserve development of $32.3$6.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 of which favorable development of $30.1$2.4 million related to our Specialty P&C segment, and $2.3$1.8 million related to our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment, $1.5 million related to our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment slightly offset by unfavorable development of $0.1and $0.3 million related to our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment. We recognized net
Net favorable reserve development of $90.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, of which $81.9 million related torecognized within our Specialty P&C segment $7.6 millionreflected a reduction in our reserve for potential ECO/XPL claims. As previously discussed, we continue to see elevated loss severity in the broader HCPL industry, including our excess and surplus lines of business, and are observing early indications of these increased severity trends in our paid loss data. Furthermore, there are uncertainties around the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on variables such as premium volume, claims frequency and severity, historical paid and incurred loss trends, general economic and social trends, inflation and the legal and political environment. Given these factors and uncertainties as well as a lack of sufficient and reliable related data, we have taken no action to change our Workers' Compensation segment and $0.6 million related to our Lloyd's Syndicate segment.
Net favorable development recognized within the Specialty P&C segment was primarily attributable to the favorable resolution of HCPL claimspreviously established reserve estimates during the period and an evaluationfirst quarter of established case reserves and paid claims data that indicated that the actual 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 amortization2020 outside of the purchase accounting fair value adjustment within the traditional business of $0.4 million and $1.2 millionreduction in our reserve 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 recognized for the cell.potential ECO/XPL claims.
Net favorable development recognized within our Lloyd's SyndicateSegregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment forincluded $1.0 million related to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was attributablehealthcare professional liability business and $0.8 million related to actual loss experience proving to have been better thanworkers' compensation business, which primarily reflected the Lloyd's market historical averages for similar risks which were used to establish initial reserves and more than offset the net unfavorableoverall favorable trends in claim closing patterns.
Net favorable development recognized duringwithin our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns, primarily in the third quarter2015 and 2016 accident years. As it relates to both our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments, the current economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have introduced significant risk of 2017. See further discussiona prolonged recession, which could have an adverse impact on our return to wellness efforts and the ability of injured workers to return to work, resulting in our Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicate section that follows.a potential reduction in favorable claim trends in future periods.
Investment Valuations
We record the majority of our investments at fair value as shown in the table below. At September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, 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 value | 19% | | 68% | | 1% | | 5% | | 93% | 13% | | 72% | | 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, anddaily; 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, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. These assets would also include any equity method investments that do not provide a NAV.
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, 2020, 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 Method | Carrying Value | | GAAP Measurement Method |
| Other investments: | | | | |
| Investments in LPs | $ | 48.5 |
| | Cost | |
| Other, principally FHLB capital stock | 3.5 |
| | Principally Cost | $ | 2.9 |
| | Principally Cost |
| | 52.0 |
| | |
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries: | | | | |
| Investments in tax credit partnerships | 100.0 |
| | Equity | 43.8 |
| | Equity |
| Equity method LPs/LLCs | 29.4 |
| | Equity | |
| Equity method investments, primarily LPs/LLCs | | 46.7 |
| | Equity |
| | 129.4 |
| | 90.5 |
| |
| BOLI | 61.7 |
| | Cash surrender value | 66.6 |
| | Cash surrender value |
| Total investments - Other valuation methodologies | $ | 243.1 |
| | $ | 160.0 |
| |
Other-than-temporary Impairments
We evaluate our available-for-sale investment securities, which at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted entirely of fixed maturity securities, on at least a quarterly basis for the purpose of determining whether declines in fair value below recorded cost basis represent OTTI.impairment. We consider an OTTIimpairment 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) theThe 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.date;
For structured securities (primarily asset-backed securities), management estimatesadverse legal or regulatory events;
significant deterioration in the presentmarket environment that may affect the value of collateral (e.g. decline in real estate prices);
significant deterioration in economic conditions; and
disruption in the security’sbusiness model resulting from changes in technology or new entrants to the industry.
If deemed appropriate and necessary, a discounted cash flow analysis is performed to confirm whether a credit loss exists and, if so, the amount of the credit loss. We use the single best estimate approach for available-for-sale debt securities and consider all reasonably available data points, including industry analyses, credit ratings, expected defaults and the remaining payment terms of the debt security. For fixed rate available-for-sale debt securities, cash flows usingare discounted at the security's effective yield ofinterest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition (oracquisition. If the most recent impliedavailable-for-sale debt security’s contractual interest rate used to accrete the security if the implied rate has changed as a result of a previous impairment orvaries based on subsequent changes in expected cash flows). We consideran independent factor, such as an index or rate, for example, the most recently available six month averagesprime rate, the LIBOR, or the U.S. Treasury bill weekly average, that security’s effective interest rate is calculated based on the factor as it changes over the life of the levels of delinquencies, defaults, severities,security. If we intend to sell a debt security or believe we will more likely than not be required to sell a debt security before the amortized cost basis is recovered, any existing allowance will be written off against the security's amortized cost basis, with any remaining difference between the debt security's amortized cost basis 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.fair value recognized as an impairment loss in earnings.
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, OTTIimpairment for debt securities is separated into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component of an OTTIimpairment 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. TheAn allowance for expected credit component oflosses will be recorded for the OTTI is recognized in earnings whileexpected credit losses through income and the non-credit component is recognized in OCI.
Investments in tax credit partnerships are evaluated for OTTI by considering both qualitative and quantitative factors which include: 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 intent to hold the investment until the recovery The amount of its carrying value.
Investments in LPs/LLCs, which are not accounted for under the equity method, are evaluated for impairment by comparing our carrying valuerecognized is limited to the NAV of our interest as reported by the LP/LLC. Additionally, management considers the performanceexcess of the LP/LLC relative toamortized cost over the market and its stated objectives, cash flows expected from the interest and the audited financial statements of the LP/LLC, if available.
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 the 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 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.security.
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 typically at the segment level each reporting period and anyor in a manner that is consistent with the way we manage our business. Any amounts estimated to be unrecoverable are charged to expense in the current period.
As part of September 30, 2017our evaluation of the recoverability of DPAC, we havealso evaluate our unearned premiums for premium deficiencies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses, unamortized DPAC and maintenance costs, net of anticipated investment income, exceeds the related unearned premium. If a premium deficiency is identified, the associated DPAC is written off, and a PDR is recorded for the excess deficiency as a component of net losses and loss adjustment expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income and as a component of the reserve for losses on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 we did not determined thatdetermine any amounts areDPAC to be unrecoverable.
Estimation of Taxes / Tax Credits
For interim periods, we generally utilize the estimated annual effective tax rate method under which 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 inFor the three months ended March 31, 2020, we adopted the discrete effective tax rate method for recording income taxes in the period in whichperiod. The discrete method is applied when the item is included in income, and are referred to as discrete items. In calculating ourapplication of the estimated annual effective tax rate method is impractical and does not provide a reliable estimate of the annual effective tax rate. We believe the use of the discrete effective tax rate method is more appropriate than the annual effective tax rate method as minor changes in our estimated ordinary income would have a significant effect on the estimated annual effective tax rate and would result in sizeable variations in the customary relationship between income tax
expense (benefit) and pretax accounting income (loss). We will reevaluate our use of this method each quarter until we believe a return to the estimated annual effective tax rate method is deemed appropriate. In calculating our year-to-date income tax expense (benefit), we include the estimated benefit of tax credits for the annualyear-to-date 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,reserves, unearned and advanced premiums, DPAC, compensation related items, unrealized investment gains (losses) and basis differences on fixed assets, intangible assets and investment assets.operating leases. 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 recognizedA valuation allowance was established in our Lloyd's Syndicate segment during the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, management evaluated the realizability ofa prior year against 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, managementWe also established a valuation allowance in a prior year against the full valuedeferred tax assets of certain SPCs at our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Inova Re. Due to the limited operations of these SPCs, management concluded that a valuation allowance was required. As of March 31, 2020, management concluded that 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 of certain SPCs at Inova Re. See further discussion in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our U.K. operations.December 31, 2019 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 Inova Re, one of our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, do not fall within the scope of base erosion payments as the SPCs at Inova Re have elected 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 during the three months ended March 31, 2020 or 2019. See further discussion on 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 each of the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. See further discussion in Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
In response to COVID-19, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and contains several provisions for corporations and eases certain deduction limitations originally imposed by the TCJA. The CARES Act, among other things, includes temporary changes regarding the prior and future utilization of NOLs, temporary changes to the prior and future limitations on interest deductions, temporary suspension of certain payment requirements for the employer portion of Social Security taxes and the creation of certain refundable employee retention credits. We anticipate the temporary changes regarding
NOL carryback provisions will have a favorable impact on our liquidity (see discussion that follows in the Liquidity and Capital Resources and Financial Condition section under the heading "Taxes"). We are currently evaluating the other provisions of the CARES Act and how certain elections may impact our financial position and results of operations if elected. See 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, 2020 or 2016.2019. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits approximated $8.5$10.4 million.
Goodwill / Intangibles
We reviewtest goodwill and intangible assets for impairment annually on October 1 and whenever eventsan annual basis, in the fourth quarter, or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amounton an interim basis if there is an indicator of impairment. Impairment 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 1112 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Of the fourfive reporting units, twothree have goodwill - Specialty P&C, and Workers' Compensation. As of October 1, 2016, we performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for our Specialty P&C segment and a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for our Workers' Compensation segment.Insurance and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance. At the valuationlast evaluation date, management concludeddetermined that it was more likely than not that the fair valuesvalue of botheach reporting unit with goodwill and the Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation reporting units exceededfair value of our intangible assets was greater than their respective carrying values,amounts. As of March 31, 2020, we considered various estimates and nosensitivities utilized in the previous impairment testing in light of information that was reasonably available to us at that time and determined that an interim impairment assessment was not necessary. While we do not believe that our operating results and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have triggered the need to perform an impairment test on goodwill, impairment was recorded. There have been no events or changes in circumstances sincewe will continue to assess the impact on our business plans throughout 2020. As additional information becomes available to us, our future assessments of estimates, including our expectations at that evaluation date that would indicate the carrying amount of goodwill is not recoverable.time could change. 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, 2016 Form 10-K.
Intangible Assets
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. Additional information regarding intangible assets is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 20162019 report on Form 10-K.
Leases
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, 2020, all of our leases were classified as operating. Operating lease 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 on January 1, 2019, 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 at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of an asset group, which includes the operating lease ROU asset and the related operating lease liability, is not recoverable if the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset group over the life of the primary asset in the asset group. That assessment is based on the carrying amount of the asset group, including the operating lease ROU asset and the related operating lease liability, 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 asset group exceeds its fair value. Any impairment loss is allocated to each asset in the asset group, including the operating ROU asset.
When a lease of an office facility is to be abandoned and will not be subleased, we first evaluate whether or not the operating lease ROU asset’s inclusion in an existing asset group continues to be appropriate and if the commitment to abandon the lease constitutes a change in circumstances requiring the operating lease ROU asset, or the larger asset group, to be tested for impairment. If an impairment test is required, it is performed in the same manner as discussed above. Any remaining carrying value of the operating lease ROU asset is amortized from the date we commit to a plan to abandon the lease to the expected date that we will cease to use the leased property. Leases to be abandoned in which we have the intent or practical ability to sublease continue to be accounted for under a held and use model, with no change to the amortization period of the operating lease ROU asset, and are evaluated for impairment as a separate asset group at the date the sublease is executed.
Additional information regarding our leases is included in Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein and Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K.
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. Subsequent to the first quarter of 2020 and as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19, we expect insured payroll exposure to decrease which could result in significant reductions in our EBUB premium estimate; however, the length and magnitude of such changes depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. See Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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, 2020. We are not aware of any accounting changes not yet adopted as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 that would have a material effect on our results of operationsoperation, financial position or financial position.cash flows. Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements provides additional detail regarding accounting changes.changes not yet adopted.
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 significantanother 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, 2020, we held cash and liquid investments of approximately $264$242 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 $250 million in permitted borrowings available under itsour Revolving Credit Agreement which includes $18 millionas well as the possibility of the outstanding balance that was repaid in October 2017. Additionally, we have available an accordion feature which, if subscribed successfully, would allow anothera $50 million in available fundsaccordion feature; however, the potential subscription of this feature as discussedof May 1, 2020 is uncertain due to recent COVID-19 related events (see further discussion in this section under the heading "Debt.""Debt"). As of May 1, 2020, no borrowings were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Agreement.
To date, during 2017,2020, our insuranceoperating subsidiaries have paid dividends to us of approximately $359 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$1 million. Our insurance subsidiaries, at September 30, 2017. Of the total dividends paid, $200 million were extraordinary dividends. Inin the aggregate, our domestic insurance subsidiaries do not intendare permitted to pay additional dividends of approximately $88 million over the remainder of 2017. The2020 without 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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2017 vs 2016 | | 2016 vs 2015 | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Increase (decrease) in net cash provided (used) by: | | | | |
| Net cash provided (used) by: | | | | | | |
| Operating activities | $ | (30,961 | ) | | $ | 23,469 |
| $ | (12,049 | ) | | $ | 34,392 |
| | $ | (46,441 | ) |
| Investing activities | 396,030 |
| | (314,046 | ) | 71,825 |
| | 3,868 |
| | 67,957 |
|
| Financing activities | (251,214 | ) | | 174,078 |
| (17,976 | ) | | (46,901 | ) | | 28,925 |
|
| Increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 113,855 |
| | $ | (116,499 | ) | |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 41,800 |
| | $ | (8,641 | ) | | $ | 50,441 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2019 | | 2018 | | Change |
| Net cash provided (used) by: | | | | | |
| Operating activities | $ | 34,392 |
| | $ | 73,354 |
| | $ | (38,962 | ) |
| Investing activities | 3,868 |
| | 146,107 |
| | (142,239 | ) |
| Financing activities | (46,901 | ) | | (310,709 | ) | | 263,808 |
|
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (8,641 | ) | | $ | (91,248 | ) | | $ | 82,607 |
|
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, 2020 as compared to ninethe three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019 of $46.4 million was primarily driven bydue to an increase in paid losses of $54.2 million and a decrease in net premium receipts of $9.3 million. The increase in paid losses was driven by our Specialty P&C and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments. The increase in paid losses in our Specialty P&C segment was primarily due to higher average claim payments and we believe is an early indication that the higher severity trends that we are experiencing in our HCPL case reserve estimates are starting to emerge in actual claim payments. The increase in paid losses in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment reflected the payment of a $10 million claim by an SPC at Eastern Re in which we do not participate. The payment related to a reserve established by the SPC in 2019 related to an errors and omissions liability policy. The decrease in net premium receipts was primarily due to a decline in written premium in our Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation
Insurance segments. The decrease in operating cash flows was somewhat offset by a decrease in 2020 tax payments as compared to 2019 of $27.1$6.4 million and a decrease in paid bonuses of $3.0 million. The decrease in tax payments was primarily due to refunds received during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The remaining variance in operating cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 was comprised of individually insignificant components.
The decrease in operating cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $39.0 million was primarily due 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 December of 2018 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 in 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 caused 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 received in 2016 for the 2015 tax year and a $12.1 millionlesser extent, an increase in 2017 estimated tax payments. These decreasesoperating expenses in operatingour 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 flows werepaid 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 $5.1 millionwritten premium. The increase in paid losses was 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 wasInsurance and Specialty P&C segments primarily due to a decrease in net taxthe timing of loss payments driven by a $25.5 million reduction in estimated tax payments and the receipt of the aforementioned $15.0 million tax refund received in 2016. These increases in operating cash flows were partially offset by a $12.0 million decrease in cash received from investment income.between periods.
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 majoritycertain 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 offer alternative market solutions whereby we cede certain premiums from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments to either the SPCs at Inova Re or Eastern Re, our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries which are reported in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment, or, to a limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer for one program. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we wrote total alternative market premium of approximately $29.8 million and $38.3 million, respectively. The majority of these policies ($27.1 million and $35.9 million of premium for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) are reinsured to the SPCs at Inova Re or Eastern Re, net of a ceding commission. Each SPC at Inova Re and Eastern 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 ranges from a low of 20% to a high of 85%. SPC operating results attributable to external cell participants are reflected as an SPC dividend expense (income) 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. The alternative market healthcare 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. The nominal portion of the risk that is not ceded to an SPC is retained in our Specialty P&C segment and 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 $2.6 million and $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to one program that was 100% ceded to an unaffiliated captive 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 exposures 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 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 circumstances or events we cannot control or anticipate.
Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements
We generally reinsure risks under treaties (our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements)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 arrangementsagreements 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 ourOur healthcare professional liability treaty which renewed October 1, 2017.2019 at a higher rate than the previous agreement, partially offset by a lower intermediary compensation rate. Our participation was reduced upon the latest renewal of our medical technology liability treaty onrenewed January 1, 2017 to better reflect our current risk appetite.2020 at a lower rate than the previous agreement. Our traditional workers' compensation treaty renewed May 1, 20172020 at a slightly higher rate than the previous agreement, with an increase in the AAD from $3.9 million to $6.0 million and an increase in the percentage of subject premium from 2.1% to 3.2%; all other material treaty terms were consistent with the expiring agreement. The significant coverages provided by our current excess of loss reinsurance arrangementsagreements are detailed in the following table.
Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements
|
| | | | | |
| | Healthcare Professional Liability | | Medical 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.
(3) Includes an AAD where retention is the greater of $3.9M or 2.1% of subject premium (2019 treaty)/$6.0M or 3.2% of subject premium (2020 treaty) in annual losses otherwise recoverable in excess of the $500k retention per loss occurrence.
Large healthcare 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$1 million of losses for certain large healthcare systems and other insurance entities, andas well as with certain insurance agencies that produce business for us.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we wrote workers' compensation and healthcare professional liability policies in our alternative market business generating premium of approximately $16.4 million and $62.0 million, respectively. These policies are reinsured to the SPCs of our wholly owned subsidiary, Eastern Re, domiciled in the Cayman Islands, net of a ceding commission. The alternative market workers' compensation policies are ceded to the SPCs under 100% quota share reinsurance agreements and then further reinsured under an excess of loss reinsurance arrangement. The alternative market professional liability policies are ceded 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 million and $6.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, is 100% ceded to 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%.Other Reinsurance Arrangements
As discussed above, forFor the workers' compensation business ceded to Inova Re and Eastern Re, each SPC has in place its own reinsurance arrangements,arrangements; which are illustrated in the following table.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance
|
| | |
| Per Occurrence Coverage | | Aggregate 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 written premium within individual cells (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. As previously discussed, we participate in certain SPCs to a varying degree. Each SPC maintains a loss fund initially equal to the difference between premium assumed by the cell and the ceding commission. The external ownersparticipants of each cell provide collateral to us, typically in the form of 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.
participants.
Within our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates 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 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.
The
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 specificspecified levels. Cash demands on the 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 the Syndicate's liquidity as the Syndicate remains liable1729's liquidity.
Taxes
We are subject to the insured.
For all of our segments, we make a determinationtax laws and regulations of the amountU.S. and U.K. We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return that includes the holding company and its U.S. subsidiaries. Our filing obligations include a requirement to make quarterly payments of insurance risk we chooseestimated taxes to retain based upon numerous factors, including our risk tolerance and the capital we have to support it,IRS using the price and availability of reinsurance,corporate tax rate effective for the volume of business, our level of experience with a particular set of claims and our analysistax year. We did not make any quarterly estimated tax payments during either of the potential underwriting results.three months ended March 31, 2020 or 2019.
As a result of the CARES Act that was signed into law on March 27, 2020, as previously discussed, we now have the ability to carryback NOLs generated in tax years 2018, 2019, and 2020 for up to five years. We purchase excesshave an NOL of loss reinsuranceapproximately $34.4 million from the 2019 tax year that will be carried back to limit the amount2014 tax year and is expected to generate a tax refund of risk we retain and we do so from a numberapproximately $12.0 million. Furthermore, our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was affected by the tax rate differential on the carryback of companiesthe 2019 NOL to mitigate concentrationsthe 2014 tax year when the federal statutory tax rate was 35% as compared to the current tax rate of credit risk. We utilize reinsurance brokers to assist us21%. See further discussion on our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 in the placement of these reinsurance programs and inSegment Operating Results - Corporate section that follows under the analysisheading "Taxes." We are currently evaluating the other provisions of the credit qualityCARES Act and how certain elections may impact our liquidity, financial position and results of our reinsurers. The determinationoperations if elected. See further discussion in Note 4 of which reinsurers we choosethe Notes to do business with is based upon an evaluation of their then-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.Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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, 2020 there were no material reserves established for corporate legal actions.
Investing Activities and Related Cash Flows
Our investments at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 20162019 are comprised as follows:
| | | | September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 | March 31, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
| ($ in thousands) | Carrying
Value | % of Total Investment | | Carrying
Value | % of Total Investment | Carrying
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 | % | $ | 129,260 |
| 4 | % | | $ | 110,467 |
| 3 | % |
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 18,772 |
| 1 | % | | 30,235 |
| 1 | % | 12,410 |
| 1 | % | | 17,340 |
| 1 | % |
| State and municipal bonds | 693,398 |
| 19 | % | | 800,463 |
| 20 | % | 291,667 |
| 9 | % | | 296,093 |
| 9 | % |
| Corporate debt | 1,272,782 |
| 34 | % | | 1,278,991 |
| 33 | % | 1,288,718 |
| 40 | % | | 1,340,364 |
| 40 | % |
| Residential mortgage-backed securities | 201,691 |
| 5 | % | | 217,906 |
| 5 | % | 230,598 |
| 7 | % | | 208,408 |
| 6 | % |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 28,025 |
| 1 | % | | 32,394 |
| 1 | % | 92,487 |
| 3 | % | | 80,089 |
| 2 | % |
| Other asset-backed securities | 105,310 |
| 3 | % | | 106,878 |
| 3 | % | 236,524 |
| 6 | % | | 236,024 |
| 7 | % |
| Total fixed maturities securities, available for sale | 2,468,350 |
| 67 | % | | 2,613,406 |
| 67 | % | |
| Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | 2,281,664 |
| 70 | % | | 2,288,785 |
| 68 | % |
| Fixed maturities, trading | | 47,680 |
| 1 | % | | 47,284 |
| 1 | % |
| Total fixed maturities | | 2,329,344 |
| 71 | % | | 2,336,069 |
| 69 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| | | |
| Equity securities, trading | 411,796 |
| 11 | % | | 387,274 |
| 10 | % | |
| Equity investments | | 92,750 |
| 3 | % | | 250,552 |
| 7 | % |
| Short-term investments | 294,379 |
| 8 | % | | 442,084 |
| 11 | % | 347,340 |
| 11 | % | | 339,907 |
| 10 | % |
| BOLI | 61,652 |
| 2 | % | | 60,134 |
| 1 | % | 66,569 |
| 2 | % | | 66,112 |
| 2 | % |
| Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries | 331,897 |
| 9 | % | | 340,906 |
| 9 | % | 371,372 |
| 12 | % | | 358,820 |
| 11 | % |
| Other investments | 103,764 |
| 3 | % | | 81,892 |
| 2 | % | 33,778 |
| 1 | % | | 38,949 |
| 1 | % |
| Total Investments | $ | 3,671,838 |
| 100 | % | | $ | 3,925,696 |
| 100 | % | |
| Total investments | | $ | 3,241,153 |
| 100 | % | | $ | 3,390,409 |
| 100 | % |
At March 31, 2020, 99% of our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities were rated and the average rating was A+. The distribution of our investments in fixed-maturityavailable-for-sale fixed maturity securities by rating were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | March 31, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
| ($ in thousands) | September 30, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 | Carrying
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 | % | $ | 689,388 |
| 30 | % | | $ | 677,554 |
| 30 | % |
| AA+ | 199,761 |
| 8 | % | | 213,892 |
| 8 | % | 87,194 |
| 3 | % | | 84,991 |
| 3 | % |
| AA | 188,781 |
| 8 | % | | 227,076 |
| 9 | % | 147,652 |
| 6 | % | | 152,118 |
| 7 | % |
| AA- | 225,674 |
| 9 | % | | 243,562 |
| 9 | % | 130,468 |
| 6 | % | | 153,377 |
| 7 | % |
| A+ | 283,201 |
| 11 | % | | 271,534 |
| 10 | % | 197,781 |
| 9 | % | | 182,966 |
| 8 | % |
| A | 303,659 |
| 12 | % | | 282,530 |
| 11 | % | 359,992 |
| 16 | % | | 338,697 |
| 15 | % |
| A- | 196,333 |
| 8 | % | | 221,139 |
| 9 | % | 172,052 |
| 8 | % | | 171,553 |
| 7 | % |
| BBB+ | 123,972 |
| 5 | % | | 132,705 |
| 5 | % | 178,510 |
| 8 | % | | 182,041 |
| 8 | % |
| BBB | 112,461 |
| 5 | % | | 115,867 |
| 4 | % | 151,120 |
| 7 | % | | 155,935 |
| 7 | % |
| BBB- | 47,709 |
| 2 | % | | 54,366 |
| 2 | % | 41,269 |
| 2 | % | | 52,523 |
| 2 | % |
| Below investment grade | 124,605 |
| 5 | % | | 146,071 |
| 6 | % | 119,271 |
| 4 | % | | 130,929 |
| 5 | % |
| Not rated | 31,908 |
| 1 | % | | 27,849 |
| 1 | % | 6,967 |
| 1 | % | | 6,101 |
| 1 | % |
| Total | $ | 2,468,350 |
| 100 | % | | $ | 2,613,406 |
| 100 | % | $ | 2,281,664 |
| 100 | % | | $ | 2,288,785 |
| 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 ©2020, S&P Global Market Intelligence | | *Average of three NRSRO sources, presented as an S&P equivalent. Source: S&P, Copyright ©2020, S&P Global Market Intelligence |
A detailed listing of our investment holdings as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 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. After the end of the first quarter of 2020, we have received and granted requests for premium relief for certain insureds that have been adversely impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic in the form of either premium credits or premium deferrals which could have an impact on our cash flows to be generated from our operations in future quarters and could result in an increase to our allowance for expected credit losses related to our premiums receivable. In addition to the interest and dividends we will receive from our investments, we
anticipate that between $50$40 million and $90$80 million of our investmentsportfolio will mature (or be paid down) each quarter over the next twelve months and become available, if needed, to meet our cash flow requirements. In response to COVID-19, we have restricted the reinvestment of these cash flows in order to maximize cash availability. 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.payments with consideration to current and anticipated industry trends and macroeconomic conditions, including the impacts of COVID-19. 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. AsPermitted borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement are $250 million with the possibility of October 31, 2017, $116an additional $50 million could be made available for use through our credit facility,accordion feature; however, the potential subscription of this feature as of May 1, 2020 is uncertain due to recent COVID-19 related events, 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 discussedAt March 31, 2020, our FAL was comprised of fixed maturity securities with a fair value of $123.7 million and cash and cash equivalents of $12.5 million deposited with Lloyd's. See further discussion in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,Statements. We expect to receive a return of approximately $33.0 million of FAL in the second quarter of 2020 given our fixed maturity and short-term investments include securities deposited with Lloyd'sreduced participation in orderthe operating results of Syndicate 1729 for the 2020 underwriting year to meet our FAL requirement. At September 30, 2017 securities on deposit with Lloyd's included fixed maturities having a fair value of $98.7 million and short-term investments with a fair value of $0.5 million.29% from 61%.
Our investment portfolio continues to be primarily composed of high quality fixed income securities with approximately 94%95% of our fixed maturities being investment grade securities as determined by national rating agencies. The weighted average effective duration of our fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was 3.412.97 years; the weighted average effective duration of our fixed maturity securities combined with our short-term securities was 3.042.57 years.
The carrying value and unfunded commitments for certain of our investments are the following:were as follows:
| | | | Carrying Value | | September 30, 2017 | Carrying Value | | March 31, 2020 |
| ($ in thousands, except expected funding period) | September 30, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | | Unfunded Commitment | Expected funding period in years | March 31, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | | Unfunded Commitment | Expected funding period in years |
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships (1) | $ | 91,598 |
| $ | 102,313 |
| | $ | 1,325 |
| 6 | $ | 42,079 |
| $ | 46,421 |
| | $ | 847 |
| 6 |
Historic tax credit partnerships (2) | 8,355 |
| 11,459 |
| | 3,642 |
| 2 | |
Investment fund LPs/LLCs (2) | 280,449 |
| 273,986 |
| | 165,947 |
| 6 | |
Historic tax credit partnership (2) | | 1,763 |
| 2,085 |
| | 276 |
| 1 |
| All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs | | 327,530 |
| 310,314 |
| | 147,384 |
| 4 |
| Total | $ | 380,402 |
| $ | 387,758 |
| | $ | 170,914 |
| | $ | 371,372 |
| $ | 358,820 |
| | $ | 148,507 |
| |
(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, 2020, we had investments in 2937 separate investment funds with a total carrying value as shown in the table above,of $327.5 million which represented 8%approximately 10% of our Total Investments. We reviewtotal investments. Our investment fund LPs/LLCs generate earnings from trading portfolios, secured debt, debt securities, multi-strategy funds and monitorprivate equity investments, and the performance of these LPs/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, typically following the end of a reporting period. Due to this lack of availability, the impact of the recent disruption in global financial markets due to COVID-19 on these investments was not fully reflected in our results for the first quarter of 2020.
Acquisitions
We have entered into a quarterly basis.definitive agreement to acquire NORCAL, an underwriter of medical professional liability insurance, subject to the demutualization of NORCAL Mutual, NORCAL's ultimate controlling party. We are targeting to close the transaction either by the end of 2020 or early 2021. We will pay base consideration of $450 million with a contingent consideration of up to $150 million should NORCAL reserves as of the acquisition date develop favorably to our estimates. We plan to utilize our Revolving Credit Agreement to partially finance the acquisition (see further discussion on our Revolving Credit Agreement in this section under the heading "Debt"). The COVID-19 pandemic’s potential disruption to our business operations may require us to access our Revolving Credit Agreement for other purposes including working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate requirements. If needed, we may be required to obtain additional financing and our ability to arrange such financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. As a result, we may be compelled to take additional measures to preserve our cash flow, including the reduction of operating expenses or reduction or suspension of dividend payments, at least until the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic improve. We believe that funds available under the Revolving Credit Agreement, along with cash generated from our operations and investment portfolio, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity needs, including the planned acquisition of NORCAL.
Financing Activities and Related Cash Flows
Treasury Shares
During 2017the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we havedid not repurchasedrepurchase any common shares and, as of October 31, 2017,May 1, 2020, 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 20172020 and 20162019, each of which was paid in the following quarter. Dividends paid in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017 and 20162019 included a special dividendsdividend of $4.69 and $1.00$0.50 per share respectively, declared in the fourth quartersquarter of 20162018. Given our current earnings profile, the effects that underlying conditions in the broader insurance marketplace continue to have on or results and 2015, respectively.the uncertainties introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, our Board has made the decision to reduce our quarterly cash dividend from $0.31 per share to $0.05 per share, beginning with the dividend declared for the second quarter of 2020 on May 7, 2020. 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, 2020 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 November 2024, 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.activities, such as the planned acquisition of NORCAL, as previously discussed under the heading "Acquisitions." Our Revolving Credit Agreement permits borrowings of up to $200$250 million and has availableas well as the possibility of a $50 million accordion feature; however, the subscription of this feature which, if successfully subscribed, would expand permittedas of May 1, 2020 is uncertain due to recent COVID-19 related events. At March 31, 2020, there were no outstanding borrowings up to $250 million. During the third quarter of 2017, we repaid $26 million of the balance outstanding on theour Revolving Credit Agreement, and at September 30, 2017,Agreement; 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, 2020, the outstanding balance of the Mortgage Loans was approximately $37 million; 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 $35 million to manage our exposure to increases in LIBOR on our Mortgage Loans. Per the interest rate cap agreement, we are a memberentitled to receive cash payments if and when the three-month LIBOR exceeds 2.35%. Additional information on our interest rate cap agreement is provided in Note 12 of two FHLBs.the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K.
Two of our insurance subsidiaries are members of an FHLB. Through membership, wethose subsidiaries have access to secured cash advances which can be used for liquidity purposes or other operational needs. In order for us to use FHLB proceeds, regulatory approvals may be required depending on the nature of the transaction. To date, wethose subsidiaries have not materially utilized ourtheir membership for borrowing purposes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no significant off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. See more information on our off-balance sheet arrangements in Note 6 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results of Operations – Three and Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2017March 31, 2020 Compared to Three and Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2016March 31, 2019
Selected consolidated financial data for each period is summarized in the table below.
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Revenues: | | | | | |
| Net premiums written | $ | 216,706 |
| $ | 205,775 |
| $ | 10,931 |
| | $ | 596,584 |
| $ | 573,071 |
| $ | 23,513 |
| | $ | 232,217 |
| $ | 245,742 |
| $ | (13,525 | ) |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 192,303 |
| $ | 185,275 |
| $ | 7,028 |
| | $ | 555,559 |
| $ | 539,587 |
| $ | 15,972 |
| | $ | 203,855 |
| $ | 208,149 |
| $ | (4,294 | ) |
| Net investment result | 27,893 |
| 21,912 |
| 5,981 |
| | 78,081 |
| 68,677 |
| 9,404 |
| | 19,268 |
| 22,008 |
| (2,740 | ) |
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | 7,749 |
| 15,737 |
| (7,988 | ) | | 18,810 |
| 18,314 |
| 496 |
| | (28,673 | ) | 36,623 |
| (65,296 | ) |
| Other income | 510 |
| 1,428 |
| (918 | ) | | 4,581 |
| 5,963 |
| (1,382 | ) | | 2,251 |
| 2,095 |
| 156 |
|
| Total revenues | 228,455 |
| 224,352 |
| 4,103 |
| | 657,031 |
| 632,541 |
| 24,490 |
| | 196,701 |
| 268,875 |
| (72,174 | ) |
| | | |
| Expenses: | | | | | |
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 129,356 |
| 118,082 |
| 11,274 |
| | 364,058 |
| 335,936 |
| 28,122 |
| | 164,832 |
| 159,755 |
| 5,077 |
|
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | 57,111 |
| 55,812 |
| 1,299 |
| | 172,106 |
| 166,735 |
| 5,371 |
| | 62,056 |
| 61,392 |
| 664 |
|
| Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income) | 2,891 |
| 3,196 |
| (305 | ) | | 14,076 |
| 5,895 |
| 8,181 |
| | |
| SPC U.S. federal income tax expense | | 222 |
| — |
| 222 |
|
| Segregated portfolio cell dividend expense (income) | | (508 | ) | 4,787 |
| (5,295 | ) |
| Interest expense | 4,124 |
| 3,748 |
| 376 |
| | 12,402 |
| 11,285 |
| 1,117 |
| | 4,129 |
| 4,330 |
| (201 | ) |
| Total expenses | 193,482 |
| 180,838 |
| 12,644 |
| | 562,642 |
| 519,851 |
| 42,791 |
| | 230,731 |
| 230,264 |
| 467 |
|
| Income before income taxes | 34,973 |
| 43,514 |
| (8,541 | ) | | 94,389 |
| 112,690 |
| (18,301 | ) | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | | (34,030 | ) | 38,611 |
| (72,641 | ) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 6,024 |
| 9,680 |
| (3,656 | ) | | 4,467 |
| 16,457 |
| (11,990 | ) | | (12,076 | ) | 6,961 |
| (19,037 | ) |
| Net income | $ | 28,949 |
| $ | 33,834 |
| $ | (4,885 | ) | | $ | 89,922 |
| $ | 96,233 |
| $ | (6,311 | ) | | |
| Operating income | $ | 24,263 |
| $ | 24,437 |
| $ | (174 | ) | | $ | 79,020 |
| $ | 85,398 |
| $ | (6,378 | ) | | |
| Earnings per share: | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | (21,954 | ) | $ | 31,650 |
| $ | (53,604 | ) |
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) | | $ | (1,146 | ) | $ | 4,163 |
| $ | (5,309 | ) |
| Earnings (loss) per share: | | |
| Basic | $ | 0.54 |
| $ | 0.64 |
| $ | (0.10 | ) | | $ | 1.68 |
| $ | 1.81 |
| $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | 0.59 |
| $ | (1.00 | ) |
| Diluted | $ | 0.54 |
| $ | 0.63 |
| $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | 1.68 |
| $ | 1.80 |
| $ | (0.12 | ) | | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | 0.59 |
| $ | (1.00 | ) |
| Operating earnings per share: | | | | | |
| Non-GAAP operating earnings (loss) per share: | | |
| Basic | $ | 0.45 |
| $ | 0.46 |
| $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | 1.48 |
| $ | 1.61 |
| $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.08 |
| $ | (0.10 | ) |
| Diluted | $ | 0.45 |
| $ | 0.46 |
| $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | 1.47 |
| $ | 1.60 |
| $ | (0.13 | ) | | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.08 |
| $ | (0.10 | ) |
| Net loss ratio | 67.3 | % | 63.7 | % | 3.6 |
| pts | 65.5 | % | 62.3 | % | 3.2 |
| pts | 80.9 | % | 76.8 | % | 4.1 | pts |
| Underwriting expense ratio | 29.7 | % | 30.1 | % | (0.4 | ) | pts | 31.0 | % | 30.9 | % | 0.1 |
| pts | 30.4 | % | 29.5 | % | 0.9 | pts |
| Combined ratio | 97.0 | % | 93.8 | % | 3.2 |
| pts | 96.5 | % | 93.2 | % | 3.3 |
| pts | 111.3 | % | 106.3 | % | 5.0 | pts |
| Operating ratio | 84.7 | % | 80.2 | % | 4.5 |
| pts | 84.0 | % | 79.2 | % | 4.8 |
| pts | 101.1 | % | 95.3 | % | 5.8 | pts |
| Effective tax rate | 17.2 | % | 22.2 | % | (5.0 | ) | pts | 4.7 | % | 14.6 | % | (9.9 | ) | pts | 35.5 | % | 18.0 | % | 17.5 | pts |
| Return on equity* | 6.3 | % | 6.6 | % | (0.3 | ) | pts | 6.6 | % | 6.4 | % | 0.2 |
| pts | (6.0 | %) | 8.2 | % | (14.2 | 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
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, 2020 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019. 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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Net premiums earned | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Specialty P&C | $ | 118,331 |
| | $ | 116,199 |
| | $ | 2,132 |
| | 1.8 | % | | $ | 340,394 |
| | $ | 335,080 |
| | $ | 5,314 |
| | 1.6 | % | $ | 120,359 |
| | $ | 124,067 |
| | $ | (3,708 | ) | | (3.0 | %) |
| Workers' Compensation | 57,654 |
| | 54,498 |
| | 3,156 |
| | 5.8 | % | | 169,791 |
| | 163,974 |
| | 5,817 |
| | 3.5 | % | |
| Lloyd's Syndicate | 16,318 |
| | 14,578 |
| | 1,740 |
| | 11.9 | % | | 45,374 |
| | 40,533 |
| | 4,841 |
| | 11.9 | % | |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance | | 44,515 |
| | 45,939 |
| | (1,424 | ) | | (3.1 | %) |
| Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance | | 16,980 |
| | 19,502 |
| | (2,522 | ) | | (12.9 | %) |
| Lloyd's Syndicates | | 22,001 |
| | 18,641 |
| | 3,360 |
| | 18.0 | % |
| Consolidated total | $ | 192,303 |
| | $ | 185,275 |
| | $ | 7,028 |
| | 3.8 | % | | $ | 555,559 |
| | $ | 539,587 |
| | $ | 15,972 |
| | 3.0 | % | $ | 203,855 |
| | $ | 208,149 |
| | $ | (4,294 | ) | | (2.1 | %) |
All of our operating segments contributed to the increase in NetConsolidated net premiums earned decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016.2019 driven by decreases in net premiums earned in our Specialty P&C, Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance and Workers' Compensation Insurance segments, partially offset by an increase in net premiums earned in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment. The decrease in net premiums earned in our Specialty P&C segment was primarily due to our focus on underwriting discipline as we continue to emphasize careful risk selection, rate adequacy and a willingness to walk away from business that does not fit our goal of achieving a long-term underwriting profit (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty P&C section that follows). For our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment, the decrease in net premiums earned reflected the reduction in premium funding for a large workers' compensation alternative market program and the competitive workers' compensation market conditions (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance section that follows). The decrease in net premiums earned in our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment also reflected the competitive workers' compensation market conditions as well as a reduction in our EBUB premium estimate. The increase in net premiums earned in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment was driven by the pro rata effect of higher premiums written during the preceding twelve months, primarily property insurance coverages.
The following table shows our consolidated Netnet investment result:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Net investment income | $ | 23,729 |
| | $ | 25,261 |
| | $ | (1,532 | ) | | (6.1 | %) | | $ | 69,592 |
| | $ | 75,284 |
| | $ | (5,692 | ) | | (7.6 | %) | $ | 20,830 |
| | $ | 22,818 |
| | $ | (1,988 | ) | | (8.7 | %) |
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | 4,164 |
| | (3,349 | ) | | 7,513 |
| | 224.3 | % | | 8,489 |
| | (6,607 | ) | | 15,096 |
| | 228.5 | % | (1,562 | ) | | (810 | ) | | (752 | ) | | (92.8 | %) |
| Net investment result | $ | 27,893 |
| | $ | 21,912 |
| | $ | 5,981 |
| | 27.3 | % | | $ | 78,081 |
| | $ | 68,677 |
| | $ | 9,404 |
| | 13.7 | % | $ | 19,268 |
| | $ | 22,008 |
| | $ | (2,740 | ) | | (12.5 | %) |
The increasedecrease in our Netconsolidated net investment result for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was attributable to an increase in earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries of $7.5 million and $15.1 million, respectively, due to higher reported earnings from our investments in LPs/LLCs and the effect of a smaller increase in the estimate of partnership operating losses related to our tax credit partnerships in the 2017 three- and nine-month periodsMarch 31, 2020 as compared to the same periodsperiod of 2016. These increases were partially offset by2019 primarily reflected a reductiondecrease in our allocation to equities and partial reinvestment in fixed maturities, as well as lower overall investment balances as compared to the prior year period. Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries includes our share of the operating results of interests we hold in certain LPs/LLCs as well as operating losses associated with our tax credit partnership investments, which are designed to generate returns in the form of tax credits and tax-deductible project operating losses. For both the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the earnings generated from our fixed income portfolioLPs/LLCs did not exceed the tax-deductible operating losses recorded from our tax credit partnership investments resulting in an overall loss from our investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries. The increase in our loss of $2.1unconsolidated subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 was primarily due to lower reported earnings from two LPs reflecting the market environment during the early part of the first quarter of 2020.
The following table shows our total consolidated net realized investment gains (losses):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | $ | (1,163 | ) | | $ | (49 | ) | | $ | (1,114 | ) | | 2,273.5 | % |
| Other net realized investment gains (losses) | (27,510 | ) | | 36,672 |
| | (64,182 | ) | | (175.0 | %) |
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | (28,673 | ) | | $ | 36,623 |
| | $ | (65,296 | ) | | (178.3 | %) |
For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized credit-related impairment losses in earnings of $1.2 million and $6.9non-credit impairment losses in OCI of $0.7 million. The credit-related impairment losses related to four corporate bonds in the energy, consumer and entertainment sectors. The non-credit impairment losses related to three corporate bonds in the energy and consumer sectors.
For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized other net realized investment losses of $27.5 million respectively, which reflected both lower yieldswas driven by the impact of decreases in fair value on our equity portfolio and lower average investment balances.
Duringconvertible securities attributable to the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, we had Netrecent disruptions in the global financial markets related to COVID-19. Other net realized investment gains of $7.7$36.7 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 earningsrecognized during the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to $0.1 millionMarch 31, 2019 reflected the improvement in the market during the same respective periodfirst quarter of 2016. OTTI recognized2019, which caused our equity portfolio to increase in earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $0.2 million as compared to $9.8 million for the same respective period of 2016.value. See further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Corporate section that follows.
Expenses
The following table shows our consolidated and segment net loss ratios and net loss development:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in millions) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Current accident year net loss ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated ratio | 84.1 | % | | 79.4 | % | | 4.7 |
| pts | | 81.7 | % | | 79.8 | % | | 1.9 |
| pts | 83.8 | % | | 81.7 | % | | 2.1 | pts |
| Specialty P&C | 87.8 | % | | 88.1 | % | | (0.3 | ) | pts | | 88.7 | % | | 88.3 | % | | 0.4 |
| pts | 94.2 | % | | 93.1 | % | | 1.1 | pts |
| Workers' Compensation | 64.8 | % | | 66.6 | % | | (1.8 | ) | pts | | 65.3 | % | | 65.9 | % | | (0.6 | ) | pts | |
| Lloyd's Syndicate | 124.6 | % | | 58.1 | % | | 66.5 |
| pts | | 91.0 | % | | 65.0 | % | | 26.0 |
| pts | |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance | | 70.2 | % | | 68.2 | % | | 2.0 | pts |
| Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance | | 65.7 | % | | 66.7 | % | | (1.0 | pts) |
| Lloyd's Syndicates | | 68.7 | % | | 54.5 | % | | 14.2 | pts |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Calendar year net loss ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated ratio | 67.3 | % | | 63.7 | % | | 3.6 |
| pts | | 65.5 | % | | 62.3 | % | | 3.2 |
| pts | 80.9 | % | | 76.8 | % | | 4.1 | pts |
| Specialty P&C | 62.4 | % | | 62.2 | % | | 0.2 |
| pts | | 64.7 | % | | 61.4 | % | | 3.3 |
| pts | 92.2 | % | | 86.8 | % | | 5.4 | pts |
| Workers' Compensation | 60.8 | % | | 63.3 | % | | (2.5 | ) | pts | | 60.8 | % | | 63.5 | % | | (2.7 | ) | pts | |
| Lloyd's Syndicate | 125.3 | % | | 77.5 | % | | 47.8 |
| pts | | 89.7 | % | | 64.1 | % | | 25.6 |
| pts | |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance | | 66.9 | % | | 66.3 | % | | 0.6 | pts |
| Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance | | 55.1 | % | | 55.1 | % | | — |
|
| Lloyd's Syndicates | | 67.2 | % | | 58.5 | % | | 8.7 | pts |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Favorable (unfavorable) net loss development, prior accident years | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated | $ | 32.3 |
| | $ | 29.0 |
| | $ | 3.3 |
| | $ | 90.1 |
| | $ | 94.5 |
| | $ | (4.4 | ) | | $ | 6.0 |
| | $ | 10.3 |
| | $ | (4.3 | ) |
| Specialty P&C | $ | 30.1 |
| | $ | 30.0 |
| | $ | 0.1 |
| | $ | 81.9 |
| | $ | 90.2 |
| | $ | (8.3 | ) | | $ | 2.4 |
| | $ | 7.9 |
| | $ | (5.5 | ) |
| 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 | | $ | 1.5 |
| | $ | 0.9 |
| | $ | 0.6 |
|
| Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance | | $ | 1.8 |
| | $ | 2.3 |
| | $ | (0.5 | ) |
| Lloyd's Syndicates | | $ | 0.3 |
| | $ | (0.8 | ) | | $ | 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 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 for 2017 three-during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019 was primarily due to a higher current accident year net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates, Workers' Compensation Insurance and nine-month periods, respectively. SeeSpecialty P&C segments. The higher current accident year net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment was driven by a decrease in estimated reinsurance recoveries as Syndicate 1729 experienced fewer significant storm-related property and catastrophe related losses as compared to the prior year period; therefore, fewer losses in the current period breached the reinsurance retention limits. In addition, the higher current accident year net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment reflected certain large losses incurred by Syndicate 6131 during the first quarter of 2020. For our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment, the higher current accident year net loss ratio was driven by the continuation of intense price
competition and the resulting renewal rate decreases, as well as the effect of lower net premiums earned during the 2020 three-month period (see previous discussion in this section under the heading "Net Premiums Earned" and further discussion in theour Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's SyndicateWorkers' Compensation Insurance section that follows.follows). The higher current accident year net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment was driven by higher severity trends in our HCPL book of business, particularly in our healthcare facilities and excess and surplus lines (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty P&C section that follows).
OurIn both the 2020 and 2019 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 2020 three-month period was lower as compared to the same respective period of 2019 driven by our Specialty P&C segment given our concerns around elevated loss severity in the broader HCPL industry, including our excess and surplus lines of business, and uncertainties around the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on variables such as premium volume, claims frequency and severity, historical paid and incurred loss trends, general economic and social trends, inflation and the legal and political environment. Given these factors and uncertainties as well as a lack of sufficient and reliable related data, we have taken no action to change our previously established reserve estimates in our Specialty P&C segment outside of the $2.4 million reduction in our reserve for potential ECO/XPL claims. As it relates to both our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments, the current economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have introduced significant risk of a prolonged recession, which could have an adverse impact on our return to wellness efforts and the ability of injured workers to return to work, resulting in a potential reduction in favorable claim trends in future periods. See Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Our consolidated and segment underwriting expense ratios were as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Underwriting Expense Ratio | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consolidated | 29.7 | % | | 30.1 | % | | (0.4 | ) | pts | | 31.0 | % | | 30.9 | % | | 0.1 |
| pts | 30.4 | % | | 29.5 | % | | 0.9 | pts |
| Specialty P&C | 22.8 | % | | 22.9 | % | | (0.1 | ) | pts | | 23.3 | % | | 23.1 | % | | 0.2 |
| pts | 24.6 | % | | 23.9 | % | | 0.7 | pts |
| Workers' Compensation | 32.0 | % | | 33.6 | % | | (1.6 | ) | pts | | 30.8 | % | | 32.0 | % | | (1.2 | ) | pts | |
| Lloyd's Syndicate | 41.2 | % | | 42.9 | % | | (1.7 | ) | pts | | 43.6 | % | | 41.1 | % | | 2.5 |
| pts | |
| Workers' Compensation Insurance | | 31.8 | % | | 30.9 | % | | 0.9 | pts |
| Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance | | 29.9 | % | | 26.8 | % | | 3.1 | pts |
| Lloyd's Syndicates | | 41.6 | % | | 45.4 | % | | (3.8 | pts) |
| Corporate* | 2.6 | % | | 2.7 | % | | (0.1 | ) | pts | | 3.8 | % | | 3.8 | % | | — |
| pts | 2.4 | % | | 2.2 | % | | 0.2 | 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 pointsincreased for the 20172020 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 20162019 primarily due to the effect of higher Net premiums earned from all of our operating segments and a decrease in operating expenses,consolidated net premiums earned driven by our Specialty P&C segment, offset almost entirely by anand Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments (see previous discussion in this section under the heading "Net Premiums Earned"). Additionally, the increase in DPAC amortization. For the 2017 nine-month period, the effect of higher Net premiums earned on theour consolidated underwriting expense ratio was offset entirely by the effect ofreflected an increase in DPAC amortization, driven byoperating expenses in our Specialty P&C segment.segment driven by $1.4 million of one-time expenses primarily related to the restructuring of our HCPL field office organization (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty P&C section that follows). Furthermore, the increase in our consolidated underwriting expense ratio reflected an increase in operating expenses in our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment primarily due to compensation-related expenses and costs related to the implementation of a new policy administration and claims system (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation Insurance section that follows).
Taxes
Our projectedprovision for income taxes and effective tax rates for the 2017three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2016 nine-month periods2019 were 9.8% and 11.7%, respectively, before discrete items were considered. Our projectedas follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ($ in thousands) | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (34,030 | ) | | $ | 38,611 |
| | $ | (72,641 | ) | (188.1 | %) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (12,076 | ) | | 6,961 |
| | (19,037 | ) | (273.5 | %) |
| Net income (loss) | $ | (21,954 | ) | | $ | 31,650 |
| | $ | (53,604 | ) | (169.4 | %) |
| Effective tax rate | 35.5 | % | | 18.0 | % | | 17.5 pts | |
We recognized an income tax benefit of $12.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to income tax expense of $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019; however, the comparability of our effective tax rates for bothis impacted by the 2017pre-tax loss recognized during the 2020 three-month period as compared to pre-tax income recognized in the 2019 three-month period. Our effective tax rates as of March 31, 2020 and 2016 nine-month periods2019 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 ofbenefit recognized from the 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). The increase infollows under the 2017 nine-monthheading "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, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Combined ratio | 111.3 | % | | 106.3 | % | | 5.0 | pts |
| Less: investment income ratio | 10.2 | % | | 11.0 | % | | (0.8 | pts) |
| Operating ratio | 101.1 | % | | 95.3 | % | | 5.8 | pts |
Our operating ratio for the 2020 three-month period primarily reflectedas compared to the same period of 2019 increased by approximately 5.8 percentage points driven by a higher net losscombined ratio in our Specialty P&C segment. The combined ratio in our Specialty P&C segment due to 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)higher as compared to the prior year period. The increaseperiod driven by our continued concern with elevated loss severity in the broader HCPL industry, including our excess and surplus lines of business, which influenced our current accident year net loss ratio and resulted in a lower amount of prior accident year favorable development. See further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty section that follows under the heading "Losses."
ROE
ROE is calculated as annualized net income (loss) for the 2017 nine-month 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, 2020 and 2019 was primarilyas follows:
|
| | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| ROE | (6.0 | %) | 8.2 | % | (14.2 | pts) |
The decrease in our ROE was driven by the change in market conditions during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter of 2019 and the corresponding impact on the fair value on our equity portfolio. During the first quarter of 2020, global financial markets experienced disruptions due to a lower average equity base, partially offset byCOVID-19 which resulted in a decrease in Net income. The lower averagefair value on our equity base in 2017portfolio of $38.5 million. In contrast, the fair value of our equity portfolio increased $32.4 million during the first quarter of 2019 as compared to 2016 was primarily due to larger dividend declarations.a result of the market recovering from the volatility experienced at the end of 2018.
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, 2020 as compared to December 31, 20162019 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 income | 1.68 |
|
| Increase in AOCI | 0.15 |
|
| Other | (0.03 | ) |
| Book Value Per Share at September 30, 2017 | $ | 34.65 |
|
|
| | | |
| | Book Value Per Share |
| Book Value Per Share at December 31, 2019 | $ | 28.11 |
|
| Increase (decrease) to book value per share during the three months ended March 31, 2020 attributable to: | |
| Dividends declared | (0.31 | ) |
| Net income (loss) | (0.41 | ) |
| OCI | (0.78 | ) |
| Other * | (0.10 | ) |
| Book Value Per Share at March 31, 2020 | $ | 26.51 |
|
| * Includes the impact of cumulative effect adjustments related to ASUs adopted during 2020 and the impact of share-based compensation. |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
OperatingNon-GAAP operating income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure that is widely used to evaluate performance within the insurance sector. In calculating Non-GAAP operating income (loss), 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 (loss) presents a useful view of the performance of our insurance operations, buthowever it should be considered in conjunction with Netnet income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP.
The following table is a reconciliation of Netnet income (loss) to Operating income:Non-GAAP operating income (loss):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
September 30 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30 |
| (In thousands, except per share data) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Net income | $ | 28,949 |
| | $ | 33,834 |
| | $ | 89,922 |
| | $ | 96,233 |
|
| Items excluded in the calculation of operating income: | | | | | | | |
| Net realized investment (gains) losses | (7,749 | ) | | (15,737 | ) | | (18,810 | ) | | (18,314 | ) |
Net realized gains (losses) attributable to SPCs which no profit/loss is retained (1) | 764 |
| | 1,189 |
| | 2,191 |
| | 1,502 |
|
| Guaranty fund assessments (recoupments) | (225 | ) | | 91 |
| | (154 | ) | | 143 |
|
| Pre-tax effect of exclusions | (7,210 | ) | | (14,457 | ) | | (16,773 | ) | | (16,669 | ) |
Tax effect, at 35% (2) | 2,524 |
| | 5,060 |
| | 5,871 |
| | 5,834 |
|
| Operating income | $ | 24,263 |
| | $ | 24,437 |
| | $ | 79,020 |
| | $ | 85,398 |
|
| Per diluted common share: | | | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 0.54 |
| | $ | 0.63 |
| | $ | 1.68 |
| | $ | 1.80 |
|
| Effect of exclusions | (0.09 | ) | | (0.17 | ) | | (0.21 | ) | | (0.20 | ) |
| 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." |
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| (In thousands, except per share data) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Net income (loss) | $ | (21,954 | ) | | $ | 31,650 |
|
| Items excluded in the calculation of Non-GAAP operating income (loss): | | | |
| Net realized investment (gains) losses | 28,673 |
| | (36,623 | ) |
Net realized gains (losses) attributable to SPCs which no profit/loss is retained (1) | (2,498 | ) | | 1,741 |
|
| Guaranty fund assessments (recoupments) | (2 | ) | | 88 |
|
| Pre-tax effect of exclusions | 26,173 |
| | (34,794 | ) |
Tax effect, at 21% (2) | (5,365 | ) | | 7,307 |
|
| After-tax effect of exclusions | 20,808 |
| | (27,487 | ) |
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) | $ | (1,146 | ) | | $ | 4,163 |
|
| Per diluted common share: | | | |
| Net income (loss) | $ | (0.41 | ) | | $ | 0.59 |
|
| Effect of exclusions | 0.39 |
| | (0.51 | ) |
| Non-GAAP operating income (loss) per diluted common share | $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | 0.08 |
|
(1) Net realized investment gains (losses) on investments related to SPCs are recognized in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. SPC operating results, including any realized gain or loss, that are attributable to external cell participants are reflected in 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 attributable 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. Our effective tax rate for the respective periods was applied to these items in calculating net income (loss), excluding net realized investment gains (losses) and related adjustments. Net realized investment gains (losses) in our Corporate segment are discrete items and are tax affected at the annual expected statutory tax rate (21%) in the period they are included in our consolidated tax provision and net income (loss). See previous discussion in this section under the heading "Taxes." The taxes associated with the net realized investment gains (losses) related to SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment are paid by the individual SPCs and are not included in our consolidated tax provision or net income (loss); therefore, both the net realized investment gains (losses) from our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment and the adjustment to exclude the portion of net realized investment gains (losses) included in the SPC dividend expense (income) in the table above are not tax effected. |
Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty
Our Specialty P&C segment focuses on professional liability insurance and medical technology liability insurance as discussed in Note 1112 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Specialty P&C segmentSegment 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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Net premiums written | $ | 143,286 |
| $ | 134,989 |
| $ | 8,297 |
| | 6.1 | % | | $ | 367,112 |
| $ | 354,510 |
| $ | 12,602 |
| | 3.6 | % | $ | 131,255 |
| $ | 140,657 |
| $ | (9,402 | ) | | (6.7 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 118,331 |
| $ | 116,199 |
| $ | 2,132 |
| | 1.8 | % | | $ | 340,394 |
| $ | 335,080 |
| $ | 5,314 |
| | 1.6 | % | $ | 120,359 |
| $ | 124,067 |
| $ | (3,708 | ) | | (3.0 | %) |
| Other income | 1,276 |
| 1,012 |
| 264 |
| | 26.1 | % | | 3,943 |
| 4,021 |
| (78 | ) |
| (1.9 | %) | 1,698 |
| 1,209 |
| 489 |
|
| 40.4 | % |
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | (73,831 | ) | (72,311 | ) | (1,520 | ) | | 2.1 | % | | (220,123 | ) | (205,787 | ) | (14,336 | ) | | 7.0 | % | (110,931 | ) | (107,658 | ) | (3,273 | ) | | 3.0 | % |
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | (27,037 | ) | (26,563 | ) | (474 | ) | | 1.8 | % | | (79,252 | ) | (77,519 | ) | (1,733 | ) | | 2.2 | % | (29,585 | ) | (29,615 | ) | 30 |
| | (0.1 | %) |
| Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income | 65 |
| (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 | %) | $ | (18,459 | ) | $ | (11,997 | ) | $ | (6,462 | ) |
| (53.9 | %) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net loss ratio | 62.4% | 62.2% | 0.2 |
| pts | 64.7% | 61.4% | 3.3 |
| pts | 92.2% | 86.8% | 5.4 |
| pts |
| Underwriting expense ratio | 22.8% | 22.9% | (0.1 | ) | pts | 23.3% | 23.1% | 0.2 |
| pts | 24.6% | 23.9% | 0.7 |
| 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. Furthermore, the insurance and reinsurance markets have historically been cyclical, characterized by extended periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity as well as periods when shortages of capacity permitted more favorable premium levels. Changes in the frequency and severity of losses may affect the cycles of the insurance and reinsurance markets significantly. During soft markets, it could be very difficult for us to grow or maintain premium volume levels without sacrificing underwriting profits. Conversely, during hard markets, rising prices may pressure retention levels. Subsequent to the first quarter of 2020 and as a result of the impact of COVID-19, we expect downward pressure in future quarters on our premium volume resulting from new business disruptions and reductions in exposure due to suspension of elective medical procedures and general reduction in non-COVID-19 healthcare consumption; however, the length and magnitude of such changes depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. See Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Gross premiums written | $ | 166,284 |
| | $ | 155,838 |
| | $ | 10,446 |
| | 6.7 | % | | $ | 428,032 |
| | $ | 410,201 |
| | $ | 17,831 |
| | 4.3 | % | $ | 155,381 |
| | $ | 166,431 |
| | $ | (11,050 | ) | | (6.6 | %) |
| Less: Ceded premiums written | 22,998 |
| | 20,849 |
| | 2,149 |
| | 10.3 | % | | 60,920 |
| | 55,691 |
| | 5,229 |
| | 9.4 | % | 24,126 |
| | 25,774 |
| | (1,648 | ) | | (6.4 | %) |
| Net premiums written | $ | 143,286 |
| | $ | 134,989 |
| | $ | 8,297 |
| | 6.1 | % | | $ | 367,112 |
| | $ | 354,510 |
| | $ | 12,602 |
| | 3.6 | % | $ | 131,255 |
| | $ | 140,657 |
| | $ | (9,402 | ) | | (6.7 | %) |
Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written by component were as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | 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 | % | $ | 100,489 |
| | $ | 107,788 |
| | $ | (7,299 | ) | | (6.8 | %) |
| Twenty-four month term | 8,229 |
| | 5,561 |
| | 2,668 |
| | 48.0 | % | | 23,726 |
| | 18,665 |
| | 5,061 |
| | 27.1 | % | 7,366 |
| | 6,605 |
| | 761 |
| | 11.5 | % |
| Total Physicians | 121,209 |
| | 111,085 |
| | 10,124 |
| | 9.1 | % | | 301,701 |
| | 287,066 |
| | 14,635 |
| | 5.1 | % | 107,855 |
| | 114,393 |
| | (6,538 | ) | | (5.7 | %) |
Healthcare facilities (2)(7) | 11,213 |
| | 13,056 |
| | (1,843 | ) | | (14.1 | %) | | 36,821 |
| | 36,827 |
| | (6 | ) | | — | % | 17,822 |
| | 22,220 |
| | (4,398 | ) | | (19.8 | %) |
Other healthcare providers (3) | 9,844 |
| | 9,686 |
| | 158 |
| | 1.6 | % | | 25,416 |
| | 25,033 |
| | 383 |
| | 1.5 | % | 8,500 |
| | 9,951 |
| | (1,451 | ) | | (14.6 | %) |
Legal professionals (4) | 6,381 |
| | 6,402 |
| | (21 | ) | | (0.3 | %) | | 20,787 |
| | 20,824 |
| | (37 | ) | | (0.2 | %) | 8,438 |
| | 8,070 |
| | 368 |
| | 4.6 | % |
Tail coverages (5) | 9,434 |
| | 6,845 |
| | 2,589 |
| | 37.8 | % | | 17,600 |
| | 14,722 |
| | 2,878 |
| | 19.5 | % | 6,189 |
| | 4,429 |
| | 1,760 |
| | 39.7 | % |
| Total professional liability | 158,081 |
| | 147,074 |
| | 11,007 |
| | 7.5 | % | | 402,325 |
| | 384,472 |
| | 17,853 |
| | 4.6 | % | 148,804 |
| | 159,063 |
| | (10,259 | ) | | (6.4 | %) |
Medical technology liability (6) | 8,082 |
| | 8,625 |
| | (543 | ) | | (6.3 | %) | | 25,401 |
| | 25,358 |
| | 43 |
| | 0.2 | % | 6,219 |
| | 7,203 |
| | (984 | ) | | (13.7 | %) |
Other | 121 |
| | 139 |
| | (18 | ) | | (12.9 | %) | | 306 |
| | 371 |
| | (65 | ) | | (17.5 | %) | 358 |
| | 165 |
| | 193 |
| | 117.0 | % |
| Total | $ | 166,284 |
| | $ | 155,838 |
| | $ | 10,446 |
| | 6.7 | % | | $ | 428,032 |
| | $ | 410,201 |
| | $ | 17,831 |
| | 4.3 | % | $ | 155,381 |
| | $ | 166,431 |
| | $ | (11,050 | ) | | (6.6 | %) |
| |
(1) | Physician policies were our greatest source of premium revenues in both 20172020 and 2016.2019. The increasedecrease in twelve month term policies during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was driven by2020 three-month period included the effect of timing differences of $2.0 million related to the prior year renewal of a few large policies duringcertain policies. Excluding the current quarter. After removing the impacteffect of those renewalthese timing differences, grosstwelve month term premiums written were slightly down for the 2017 three-month period and higher for the 2017 nine-month perioddecreased $5.3 million as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016. The remaining increase in the 2017 nine-month period2019. This decrease was primarily due to new business written and the growth in exposure of one large insured during the first quarter of 2017, largely offsetdriven by retention losses. In addition,losses and our non-renewal of two large policies written premium in both periods reflectedon an excess and surplus lines basis totaling $2.6 million, partially offset by an increase in renewal pricing driven by an increaseand, to a lesser extent, new business written. Renewal pricing increases in exposures2020 are reflective of the rising loss cost environment. The lower retention for the 2020 three-month period is largely attributable to our focus on underwriting discipline as we continue to emphasize careful risk selection, rate adequacy and a few large policies.willingness to walk away from business that does not fit our goal of achieving a long-term underwriting profit. We anticipate a lower than average level of retention to persist as we continue to reevaluate certain books of business and set our rates to reflect our observations of higher severity trends. We also offer twenty-four month term policiespremiums to our physician insureds in one selected jurisdiction. The increase in twenty-four month premium,term premiums during the 2020 three-month period, as compared to 2016,the same respective period in 2019, primarily reflected the normal cycle of renewals (policies subject to renewal in 20172020 were previously written in 20152018 rather than in 2016)2019). |
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(2) | Our healthcare facilities premium (which includes hospitals, surgery centers and other similar facilities) decreased for the 20172020 three-month period was increased 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 timing difference for the renewal of one large policy. After removing the impact of this 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 was2019 primarily due to retention losses, partially offset by an increase in renewal pricing and, to a lesser extent, new business written. Retention losses in 2020 were driven by our decision not to renew certain products written includingon an excess and surplus lines basis after our underwriting evaluation and, to a lesser extent, the loss of one large policy during the second quartertotaling $1.4 million due to price competition. As we continue to reevaluate certain books of 2017, largely offset bybusiness, we anticipate our retention losses.to remain at a lower than historic level. Renewal pricing increased duringincreases in 2020 reflect rate increases where we believe appropriate given the 2017 three-loss environment and nine-month periods due to changesloss indications we are seeing in loss experience related to a few large policies.the healthcare facilities space. |
| |
(3) | Our other healthcare providers are primarily dentists, chiropractors and allied health professionals. The decrease for the 2020 three-month period is primarily driven by retention losses, including the loss of one large policy totaling $1.1 million due to price competition. |
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(4) | Our legal professionals policies are primarily individual and small group policies in select areas of practice. The slight decline duringOur legal professionals premium remained relatively unchanged in the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was primarily due2020 three-month period as compared to retention losses, offset bythe same period of 2019 as new business written and to a lesser extent,renewal pricing increases were largely offset by retention losses. The increase in renewal pricing was primarily the result of an increase in the rate charged for certain renewed policies. Retention lossespolicies in both periods are primarily driven by competitive market conditions.select states due to rate filings. |
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(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. 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. 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). |
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(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 is impacted by the sales volume of insureds. The decrease during the 2020 three-month period was primarily due to retention losses and, to a lesser extent, renewal pricing decreases, partially offset by new business written. Retention losses in the 2020 three-month period are primarily attributable to an increase in competition on terms and pricing. Renewal pricing decreases during the 2020 three-month period are primarily due to changes in exposure on several renewing policies as well as changes in the sales volume of certain insureds. |
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 periods are largely attributable to price competition and merger activity within the industry.
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(7) | During 2016, we expandedCertain components of our gross premiums written include alternative market solutions by writing new healthcarepremiums. We currently cede either all or a portion of the alternative market premium, in certainnet of reinsurance, to three SPCs atof our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, Inova Re and Eastern Re. We wrote approximately $1.2 million of healthcare professional liability premiumRe, which are reported in our physicians lineSegregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment (see further discussion in the Ceded Premiums Written section that follows). The portion not ceded to the SPCs is retained within our Specialty P&C segment. During the 2020 and 2019 three-month periods, we wrote alternative market premiums of business in each of the 2017$3.8 million and 2016 nine-month periods. We wrote healthcare professional liability premium$3.7 million, respectively, in our healthcare facilities line of businessbusiness. |
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(8) | This component 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 premiumgross premiums written was ceded to the SPCs atincludes all other product lines within 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.Specialty P&C segment. |
We are committed to a rate structure that will allow us to fulfill our obligations to our insureds, while generating competitive long-term 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 items.
The change in renewal pricing for our Specialty P&C segment, including by major component, was as follows:
|
| | |
| Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| 2020 |
Specialty P&C segment does(1) | 11 | % |
Physicians (1)(2) | 13 | % |
Healthcare facilities (1)(2) | 20 | % |
Other healthcare providers (1) | 4 | % |
Legal professionals (2) | 5 | % |
Medical technology liability (2) | (3 | %) |
(1) Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis as the terms and conditions of these policies are not currently participateconsistent between periods. |
(2) See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of changes 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.renewal pricing. |
New business written by major component on a direct basis was as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| (In millions) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Physicians | $ | 7.0 |
| | $ | 6.9 |
| | $ | 17.9 |
| | $ | 23.6 |
| $ | 2.1 |
| | $ | 14.4 |
|
| Healthcare facilities | 1.9 |
| | 0.9 |
| | 5.0 |
| | 9.1 |
| 0.5 |
| | 4.3 |
|
| Other healthcare providers | 0.7 |
| | 0.6 |
| | 1.8 |
| | 1.9 |
| 0.2 |
| | 0.4 |
|
| Legal professionals | 1.0 |
| | 0.9 |
| | 2.8 |
| | 3.3 |
| 0.9 |
| | 0.9 |
|
| Medical technology liability | 0.8 |
| | 0.8 |
| | 3.5 |
| | 3.8 |
| 0.7 |
| | 0.9 |
|
| Total | $ | 11.4 |
| | $ | 10.1 |
| | $ | 31.0 |
| | $ | 41.7 |
| $ | 4.4 |
| | $ | 20.9 |
|
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 areis 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 for our Specialty P&C segment, including by major component, was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Physicians | 90 | % | | 89 | % | | 90 | % | | 89 | % |
| Healthcare facilities | 82 | % | | 77 | % | | 87 | % | | 80 | % |
| Other healthcare providers | 83 | % | | 85 | % | | 85 | % | | 86 | % |
| 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. |
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.
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 providers | 3 | % | | 2 | % |
| Legal professionals | 2 | % | | 3 | % |
| Medical technology liability | 1 | % | | 1 | % |
| * See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of renewal pricing increase in 2017. |
|
| | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 |
Specialty P&C segment (1) | 81 | % | | 89 | % |
Physicians (1)(2) | 84 | % | | 91 | % |
Healthcare facilities (1)(2) | 54 | % | | 71 | % |
Other healthcare providers (1)(2) | 67 | % | | 89 | % |
| Legal professionals | 88 | % | | 89 | % |
Medical technology liability (2) | 78 | % | | 80 | % |
(1) Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis as the terms and conditions of these policies are not consistent between periods. |
(2) See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of retention decline in 2020. |
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 4% to 9% 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 $1 million. We pay our reinsurers a ceding premium in exchange for their accepting the risk, and in certain of our excess of loss arrangements, the ultimate amount of which is determined by the loss experience of the business ceded, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts.
Ceded premiums written were as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
Excess of loss reinsurance arrangements (1) | $ | 8,805 |
| $ | 8,557 |
| $ | 248 |
| 2.9 | % | | $ | 25,845 |
| $ | 23,881 |
| $ | 1,964 |
| 8.2 | % | $ | 8,617 |
| $ | 9,321 |
| $ | (704 | ) | (7.6 | %) |
Premium ceded to Syndicate 1729 (2) | 2,416 |
| 4,656 |
| (2,240 | ) | (48.1 | %) | | 8,906 |
| 13,767 |
| (4,861 | ) | (35.3 | %) | |
Other shared risk arrangements (3) | 13,258 |
| 9,393 |
| 3,865 |
| 41.1 | % | | 27,923 |
| 23,956 |
| 3,967 |
| 16.6 | % | |
Other shared risk arrangements (2) | | 10,864 |
| 11,718 |
| (854 | ) | (7.3 | %) |
Premium ceded to SPCs (3) | | 3,784 |
| 3,738 |
| 46 |
| 1.2 | % |
| Other ceded premiums written | 1,039 |
| 938 |
| 101 |
| 10.8 | % | | 2,726 |
| 1,612 |
| 1,114 |
| 69.1 | % | 861 |
| 997 |
| (136 | ) | (13.6 | %) |
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 | % | — |
| — |
| — |
| nm |
|
| Total ceded premiums written | $ | 22,998 |
| $ | 20,849 |
| $ | 2,149 |
| 10.3 | % | | $ | 60,920 |
| $ | 55,691 |
| $ | 5,229 |
| 9.4 | % | $ | 24,126 |
| $ | 25,774 |
| $ | (1,648 | ) | (6.4 | %) |
| |
(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. Premium due to reinsurers also fluctuates with the volume of written premium subject to cession under the arrangement. In the majoritycertain 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. Premium due to reinsurers also fluctuates with the volume of written premium subject to cession under the arrangement. The increasedecrease in ceded premiums written under our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements forduring the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019 primarily reflected adjustments to the premiums we expect to owe our reinsurers based upon adjustments to our estimates of losses that are attributable to our reinsurance partners. For the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, we increased our estimate of premiums we expect to owe our reinsurers whereasa decrease in the 2016 three- and nine-month periods we decreased this estimate.overall volume of gross premiums written subject to cession. |
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(2) | As previously discussed, we are a 58% participant in Syndicate 1729 and record our pro rata share of its operating results in our Lloyd's Syndicate segment on a quarter delay. We also record the cession to the Lloyd's Syndicate segment from our Specialty P&C segment on a quarter delay as the amounts are not material and this permits the cession to be reported by both the Lloyd's Syndicate segment and the Specialty P&C segment in the same reporting period. The decrease in ceded premiums to Syndicate 1729 for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods reflected the revised contract terms effective January 1, 2017 which reduced the premiums ceded by essentially half. See Lloyd's Syndicate segment results 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.
|
| |
(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 increasedecrease in ceded premiums written under our |
shared risk arrangements during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019 reflected a timing difference of $0.9 million related to the prior year renewal of a policy in our CAPAssurance program. Excluding the effect of this timing difference, ceded premiums written under our shared risk arrangements remained relatively unchanged.
| |
(3) | As previously discussed, as a part of our alternative market solutions, all or a portion of certain healthcare premium written is ceded to SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment under either excess of loss or quota share reinsurance agreements, depending on the 2017 three- and nine-month periods was primarily driven by a few large tail endorsements that were written, and substantiallystructure 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. Premiums ceded to SPCs during the current quarter related2020 three-month period remained relatively unchanged as compared to onethe same period 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.2019. |
| |
(4) | 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. ForAs part of the 2017review of our reserves during both the 2020 and 2016 three- and nine-month2019 three-month periods, we reducedconcluded that our current estimate of expected losses and associated recoveries for prior year ceded losses as well aswas reasonable; therefore, we did not adjust 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, ourThe ceded premiums ratios were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | Change |
| Ceded premiums ratio, as reported | 15.5 | % | | 15.5 | % | — | pts |
| Less the effect of adjustments in premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years (as previously discussed) | — | % | | — | % | — | pts |
| Ratio, current accident year | 15.5 | % | | 15.5 | % | — | pts |
The ceded premiums ratio was affected in both 2017 and 2016 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 30 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | Change |
| Ceded premiums ratio, as reported | 13.8 | % | | 13.4 | % | 0.4 | pts | | 14.2 | % | | 13.6 | % | 0.6 |
| pts |
| Less the effect of adjustments in premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years (as previously discussed) | (1.5 | %) | | (1.7 | %) | 0.2 | pts | | (1.0 | %) | | (1.8 | %) | 0.8 |
| pts |
| Ratio, current accident year | 15.3 | % | | 15.1 | % | 0.2 | pts | | 15.2 | % | | 15.4 | % | (0.2 | ) | pts |
The increase induring the current accident year ceded premiums ratio for the 20172020 three-month period was primarily attributableunchanged as compared to anthe same period of 2019 as the increase in premium ceded to the SPCs in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment was offset by the decrease in premium ceded under our shared risk arrangements, somewhat offset by a decrease in premium ceded to Syndicate 1729. The decline in the current accident year ceded premium ratio for the 2017 nine-month period was due to a decrease in premium ceded to Syndicate 1729, partially offset by an increase in premium ceded under our shared risk arrangements (see discussion under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written").excess of loss reinsurance arrangements.
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 earned | 22,096 |
| | 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) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Gross premiums earned | $ | 139,023 |
| | $ | 143,019 |
| | $ | (3,996 | ) | | (2.8 | %) |
| Less: Ceded premiums earned | 18,664 |
| | 18,952 |
| | (288 | ) | | (1.5 | %) |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 120,359 |
| | $ | 124,067 |
| | $ | (3,708 | ) | | (3.0 | %) |
The increasedecrease in gross premiums earned during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods primarily2020 three-month period reflected the pro rata effect of higher premiumsa decrease in the volume of written premium during the preceding twelve months, predominantly in our healthcare facilities line of business and a few large tail policies written and earned during the third quarter of 2017. For the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, prior accident year ceded premiums reductions were $0.2 million and $3.0 million lower than for the 2016 three- and nine-month periods, respectivelydue to our focus on underwriting discipline (see previous discussion in this sectionfootnote 2 under the heading "Ceded"Gross Premiums Written").
Ceded premiums earned remained relatively unchanged during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019.
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.ECO/XPL losses.
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 yearThe 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 periodour Specialty P&C segment were as follows:
| | | | Net Loss Ratios (1) | Net Loss Ratios (1) |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Calendar year net loss ratio | 62.4 | % | | 62.2 | % | | 0.2 |
| pts | | 64.7 | % | | 61.4 | % | | 3.3 |
| pts | 92.2 | % | | 86.8 | % | | 5.4 |
| 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 | (2.0 | %) | | (6.3 | %) | | 4.3 |
| Current accident year net loss ratio | 87.8 | % | | 88.1 | % | | (0.3 | ) | pts | | 88.7 | % | | 88.3 | % | | 0.4 |
| pts | 94.2 | % | | 93.1 | % | | 1.1 |
| 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 | — | % | | — | % | | — |
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 | ) | pts | 94.2 | % | | 93.1 | % | | 1.1 |
| |
(1) | Net losses, as specified, divided by net premiums earned. |
| |
(2) | Reductions toAs part of the review of our reserves during both the 2020 and 2019 three-month periods, 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 under reinsurance agreements for prior accident years increased Net premiums earned (the denominator of the current accident year ratio) for the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods.to reinsurers. 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 was higher during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 driven by higher severity trends in our HCPL book of business, particularly in our healthcare facilities and excess and surplus lines. We reflected higher severity trends in our estimates of losses at the end of 2019; however, the current accident year net loss ratio for the 2017 three-month period primarily reflected changes in the mixfirst quarter of business. For the 2017 nine-month period, the decline reflected an increase in our estimate 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 decrease2020 is slightly improved as compared to the current accident year net loss ratio infor the 2017 nine-month period.full year 2019 due to our re-underwriting efforts and focus on rate adequacy. |
We recognized net favorable loss development related to our previously established reserves of $30.1$2.4 million and $81.9$7.9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, March 31, 2020 and $30.0 million and $90.2 million2019, respectively. Net favorable loss development recognized during the same respective periods of 2016.three months ended March 31, 2020 was due to a reduction in our reserve for potential ECO/XPL claims. 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 recognizedWe continue to see elevated loss severity in the broader HCPL industry, including our excess and surplus lines of business, and are observing early indications of these increased severity trends in our paid loss data. Furthermore, there are uncertainties around the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on variables such as premium volume, claims frequency and severity, historical paid and incurred loss trends, general economic and social trends, inflation and the legal and political environment. Given these factors and uncertainties as well as a lack of sufficient and reliable related data, we have taken no action to change our previously established reserve estimates during the three and nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 principally related to accident years 2010 through 2014. Development recognized duringfirst quarter of 2020 outside of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 principally related to accident years 2009 through 2013.reduction in our reserve for potential ECO/XPL claims.
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 2016December 31, 2019 report on 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 20172020 and 2016.2019.
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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Specialty P&C segment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| DPAC amortization | $ | 12,405 |
| | $ | 10,901 |
| | $ | 1,504 |
| | 13.8 | % | | $ | 35,350 |
| | $ | 32,854 |
| | $ | 2,496 |
| | 7.6 | % | $ | 13,916 |
| | $ | 14,091 |
| | $ | (175 | ) | | (1.2 | %) |
| Management fees | 2,004 |
| | 1,832 |
| | 172 |
| | 9.4 | % | | 5,156 |
| | 4,928 |
| | 228 |
| | 4.6 | % | 1,832 |
| | 1,966 |
| | (134 | ) | | (6.8 | %) |
| Other underwriting and operating expenses | 12,628 |
| | 13,830 |
| | (1,202 | ) | | (8.7 | %) | | 38,746 |
| | 39,737 |
| | (991 | ) | | (2.5 | %) | 13,837 |
| | 13,558 |
| | 279 |
| | 2.1 | % |
| Total | $ | 27,037 |
| | $ | 26,563 |
| | $ | 474 |
| | 1.8 | % | | $ | 79,252 |
| | $ | 77,519 |
| | $ | 1,733 |
| | 2.2 | % | $ | 29,585 |
| | $ | 29,615 |
| | $ | (30 | ) | | (0.1 | %) |
DPAC amortization increaseddecreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016 primarily2019 driven by a decrease in earned premium. In addition, the effectdecrease in DPAC amortization reflected a decrease in brokerage expenses due to our non-renewal of higher gross premiums earnedcertain products written on an excess and surplus lines basis in 2017 and, to a lesser extent, a slightour healthcare facilities business (see discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written"), partially offset by an increase in medical costs associated with employee health plans. Furthermore, the decrease in DPAC amortization reflected an increase in ceding commission income, which is an offset to expense.expense, from certain of our shared risk arrangements.
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 20162020 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 decreasedincreased during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods2020 three-month period as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 20162019 primarily driven by non-recurring costs in 2016, including state assessmentsdue to $1.4 million of one-time expenses primarily related to the restructuring of our HCPL field office organization and, a donation to a scholarship program for which we received a wholly offsetting tax credit during 2016. The decrease in both periods was partially offset bylesser extent, an increase in compensation relatedthe allocation of facilities costs charged by our Corporate segment. One-time restructuring expenses were comprised of lease exit costs due to a reduction in physical office locations and costs associated with the amortization of new software that was put into service during the first quarter of 2017.employee severance charges.
Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
Our expense ratio for the Specialty P&C segment for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Underwriting expense ratio | 24.6 | % | | 23.9 | % | | 0.7 |
The increase in the underwriting expense ratio for our Specialty P&C segment remained relatively flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 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 ratio | 22.8 | % | | 22.9 | % | | (0.1 | ) | pts | | 23.3 | % | | 23.1 | % | | 0.2 | pts |
Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend Expense (Income)
During 2016, we expanded our alternative market solutions2019 was driven by writing HCPL premiuma decrease 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,premiums earned 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 2017one-time expenses 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 andfield office reorganization, as previously discussed, which increased the use of this facility has declined as the HCPL insurance market has softened. The SPC dividendunderwriting 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.ratio approximately 1.2 percentage points.
Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation Insurance
Our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment provides traditionalincludes workers' compensation insurance products and alternative market solutions for workers' compensation risksprovided to employers generally with 1,000 or fewer employees, as discussed in Note 1112 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. SegmentWorkers' compensation products offered include guaranteed cost policies, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively-rated policies, deductible policies and alternative market programs. Alternative market programs include program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, SPC rental, asset management and SPC management services. Alternative market program premiums are 100% ceded to either the SPCs within our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment or, to a limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer for one program. 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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Net premiums written | $ | 54,647 |
| $ | 54,444 |
| $ | 203 |
| 0.4 | % | | $ | 184,917 |
| $ | 175,986 |
| $ | 8,931 |
| 5.1 | % | $ | 50,312 |
| $ | 51,407 |
| $ | (1,095 | ) | (2.1 | %) |
| | | | | | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 57,654 |
| $ | 54,498 |
| $ | 3,156 |
| 5.8 | % | | $ | 169,791 |
| $ | 163,974 |
| $ | 5,817 |
| 3.5 | % | $ | 44,515 |
| $ | 45,939 |
| $ | (1,424 | ) | (3.1 | %) |
| Other income | 164 |
| 86 |
| 78 |
| 90.7 | % | | 519 |
| 696 |
| (177 | ) | (25.4 | %) | 757 |
| 729 |
| 28 |
| 3.8 | % |
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | (35,081 | ) | (34,472 | ) | (609 | ) | 1.8 | % | | (103,217 | ) | (104,160 | ) | 943 |
| (0.9 | %) | (29,769 | ) | (30,443 | ) | 674 |
| (2.2 | %) |
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | (18,434 | ) | (18,331 | ) | (103 | ) | 0.6 | % | | (52,220 | ) | (52,494 | ) | 274 |
| (0.5 | %) | (14,164 | ) | (14,192 | ) | 28 |
| (0.2 | %) |
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 | % | $ | 1,339 |
| $ | 2,033 |
| $ | (694 | ) | (34.1 | %) |
| | | | | | | | |
| Net loss ratio | | | | | | 66.9 | % | 66.3 | % | 0.6 |
| pts |
| Traditional business | 65.2% | 66.5% | (1.3 | ) | pts | | 65.0% | 66.5% | (1.5 | ) | pts | |
| Alternative market business | 49.7% | 54.3% | (4.6 | ) | pts | | 49.8% | 55.0% | (5.2 | ) | pts | |
| Segment results | 60.8% | 63.3% | (2.5 | ) | pts | | 60.8% | 63.5% | (2.7 | ) | pts | |
| | | | | | | |
| Underwriting expense ratio | | | | | | 31.8 | % | 30.9 | % | 0.9 |
| pts |
| Traditional business | 32.5% | 34.6% | (2.1 | ) | pts | | 30.8% | 32.4% | (1.6 | ) | pts | |
| Alternative market business | 30.6% | 31.0% | (0.4 | ) | pts | | 30.7% | 31.0% | (0.3 | ) | pts | |
| Segment results | 32.0% | 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 $4.3 million, including transaction-related costs.
Premiums Written
Our workers’ compensation premium volume is driven by fourfive primary factors: (1) the amount of new business written, (2) audit premium, (3) retention of our existing book of business, and (4)(3) premium rates charged on our renewal book of business.business, (4) changes in payroll exposure and (5) audit premium.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change |
| Gross premiums written | | | | | | | | | |
| Traditional business* | $ | 42,592 |
| $ | 43,225 |
| $ | (633 | ) | (1.5 | %) | | $ | 139,614 |
| $ | 136,407 |
| $ | 3,207 |
| 2.4 | % |
| Alternative market business | 17,091 |
| 16,685 |
| 406 |
| 2.4 | % | | 63,623 |
| 58,013 |
| 5,610 |
| 9.7 | % |
| Segment results | 59,683 |
| 59,910 |
| (227 | ) | (0.4 | %) | | 203,237 |
| 194,420 |
| 8,817 |
| 4.5 | % |
| Less: Ceded premiums written | | | | | | | | |
|
| Traditional business | 2,193 |
| 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 results | 5,036 |
| 5,466 |
| (430 | ) | (7.9 | %) | | 18,320 |
| 18,434 |
| (114 | ) | (0.6 | %) |
| Net premiums written | | | | | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Traditional business | 40,399 |
| 40,374 |
| 25 |
| 0.1 | % | | 133,658 |
| 129,233 |
| 4,425 |
| 3.4 | % |
| Alternative market business | 14,248 |
| 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) | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Gross premiums written | $ | 79,243 |
| $ | 89,354 |
| $ | (10,111 | ) | (11.3 | %) |
| Less: Ceded premiums written | 28,931 |
| 37,947 |
| (9,016 | ) | (23.8 | %) |
| Net premiums written | $ | 50,312 |
| $ | 51,407 |
| $ | (1,095 | ) | (2.1 | %) |
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 by product were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Traditional business: | | | | | | | |
| Guaranteed cost | $ | 42,062 |
| | $ | 42,737 |
| | $ | (675 | ) | | (1.6 | %) |
| Policyholder dividend | 8,031 |
| | 7,186 |
| | 845 |
| | 11.8 | % |
| Deductible | 1,926 |
| | 2,246 |
| | (320 | ) | | (14.2 | %) |
| Retrospective* | 344 |
| | 763 |
| | (419 | ) | | (54.9 | %) |
| Other | 1,781 |
| | 1,827 |
| | (46 | ) | | (2.5 | %) |
| Alternative market business | 25,959 |
| | 34,595 |
| | (8,636 | ) | | (25.0 | %) |
| Change in EBUB estimate | (860 | ) | | — |
| | (860 | ) | | nm |
|
| Total | $ | 79,243 |
| | $ | 89,354 |
| | $ | (10,111 | ) | | (11.3 | %) |
*The change in our traditionalretrospective-related policies included premium adjustments of $0.2 million and alternative market business$0.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016 are reflected in the table above. The increase in gross2019, respectively.
Gross premiums written fordecreased during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2016,2019, primarily reflectedreflecting the continuation of intense price competition, a decrease in renewal retention and a reduction in our EBUB premium estimate. Renewal rate decreases were 4% during the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to 2% for the same period in 2019. Renewal retention was 83% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Retention was impacted by the reduction in premium funding for a large alternative market program (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance section that follows). Retention in our traditional business was 85% and 82% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
In our traditional business, gross premiums written decreased slightly from 2019 to 2020, primarily reflecting renewal rate decreases of 4%, partially offset by new business written and an improvedincrease in audit premium. The increase in our policyholder dividend premium primarily reflected new business written. The decrease in our deductible premium primarily reflected retention rate, partially offset by alosses, while the decrease in our retrospective-rated premium primarily reflected estimated premium adjustments and retention losses.
In our alternative market business, the decrease in gross premiums written during the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily reflected the reduction in audit premium funding for one of our large alternative market programs and declines in renewal pricing. Gross premiums written in our traditional business declinedthe continuation of intense price competition, as discussed above. Renewal rate decreases were 6% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the changes in estimated premiums under retrospectively rated policies. The underlying loss experience on the retrospectively rated policies resulted in a reduction of written premium in 2017,March 31, 2020, as compared to an increase2% for the same period in written premium in 2016.2019. Renewal rate decreases and retention losses were partially offset by new business of $1.1 million. We retained 16100% of the available9 alternative market programs up for renewal forduring the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, including one program inMarch 31, 2020.
Subsequent to the thirdfirst quarter of 2017. During the third quarter of 2017, we added one new alternative market program at Eastern Re that will write business previously ceded to two unaffiliated captive programs. One2020 and as a result of the unaffiliated programs was non-renewed duringeconomic impact of COVID-19, we expect downward pressure in future quarters on our workers' compensation premium resulting from reductions in insured payroll exposure; however, the third quarterlength and magnitude of 2017such changes depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. See Note 13 of the other program will be non-renewed in the fourth quarter of 2017.Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
New business, audit premium, retention and renewal price changes for both the traditional business and the alternative market business for 2017 and 2016 are shown in the table below:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
| ($ in millions) | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
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 30 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
| ($ in millions) | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results |
| New business | $ | 24.2 |
| $ | 8.5 |
| $ | 32.7 |
|
| $ | 15.1 |
| $ | 7.7 |
| $ | 22.8 |
|
| Audit premium (including EBUB) | $ | 2.1 |
| $ | 0.7 |
| $ | 2.8 |
|
| $ | 4.2 |
| $ | 0.4 |
| $ | 4.6 |
|
Retention rate (1) | 86 | % | 94 | % | 88 | % |
| 83 | % | 88 | % | 84 | % |
Change in renewal pricing (2) | (4 | %) | (4 | %) | (4 | %) |
| (2 | %) | (1 | %) | (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. 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. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 |
| ($ in millions) | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results |
| New business | $ | 8.0 |
| $ | 1.1 |
| $ | 9.1 |
| | $ | 6.4 |
| $ | 1.1 |
| $ | 7.5 |
|
| Audit premium (including EBUB) | $ | 1.2 |
| $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | 0.9 |
| | $ | 0.2 |
| $ | 0.5 |
| $ | 0.7 |
|
Retention rate (1) | 85 | % | 78 | % | 83 | % | | 82 | % | 97 | % | 87 | % |
Change in renewal pricing (2) | (4 | %) | (6 | %) | (4 | %) | | (3 | %) | (2 | %) | (2 | %) |
| | | | | | | | |
(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 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) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change |
| Premiums ceded to external reinsurers | | | | | | | | | |
| Traditional business | $ | 2,573 |
| $ | 2,896 |
| $ | (323 | ) | (11.2 | %) | | $ | 6,928 |
| $ | 7,498 |
| $ | (570 | ) | (7.6 | %) |
| Alternative market business | 1,783 |
| 1,725 |
| 58 |
| 3.4 | % | | 6,401 |
| 5,606 |
| 795 |
| 14.2 | % |
| Segment results | 4,356 |
| 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 business | 1,060 |
| 890 |
| 170 |
| 19.1 | % | | 5,963 |
| 5,654 |
| 309 |
| 5.5 | % |
| Segment results | 1,060 |
| 890 |
| 170 |
| 19.1 | % | | 5,963 |
| 5,654 |
| 309 |
| 5.5 | % |
| Total ceded premiums written | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Traditional business | 2,193 |
| 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 results | $ | 5,036 |
| $ | 5,466 |
| $ | (430 | ) | (7.9 | %) | | $ | 18,320 |
| $ | 18,434 |
| $ | (114 | ) | (0.6 | %) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Premiums ceded to SPCs | $ | 23,356 |
| | $ | 32,146 |
| | $ | (8,790 | ) | | (27.3 | %) |
| Premiums ceded to external reinsurers | 2,941 |
| | 3,442 |
| | (501 | ) | | (14.6 | %) |
| Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers | 2,603 |
| | 2,449 |
| | 154 |
|
| 6.3 | % |
| Change in return premium estimate under external reinsurance | 31 |
| | (90 | ) | | 121 |
| | 134.4 | % |
| Total ceded premiums written | $ | 28,931 |
| | $ | 37,947 |
| | $ | (9,016 | ) | | (23.8 | %) |
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 and, to a limited extent, to an unaffiliated captive insurer. The decrease in premiums ceded to SPCs during the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflects the reduction in alternative market gross premiums written as discussed above under the heading "Gross Premiums Written".
Under our external reinsurance agreement for traditional business, 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 treaty. Effective May 1, 2019, our primary reinsurance layer was renewed with an AAD equal to the greater of $3.9 million or 2.1% of subject premium, in excess of the $0.5 million retention per loss occurrence, and the elimination of the return premium component of the contract. The traditional externaladdition of the AAD was partially offset by a reduction in the reinsurance contract containsrates under our renewed treaty. Effective May 1, 2020, our primary reinsurance layer was renewed at a higher rate than the expiring year, with an increase in the AAD to $6.0 million or 3.2% of subject premium, in excess of the $0.5 million retention per loss occurrence, and the elimination of the return premium provision under which we estimate return premium based on the underlying loss experiencecomponent of policies covered under the contract. InPer our alternative marketreinsurance agreements, we cede premiums related to our traditional 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% ofan earned premium basis. The decrease 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 declineMarch 31, 2020 primarily reflected the decrease in traditional ceded premiums primarily reflected an increase in revenue sharing with ourearned premium and the impact of lower reinsurance broker, partially offset by an increase in reinsurance rates.rates for the treaty year effective May 1, 2019.
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, 2020 and 2016.2019. The increasechange in theestimated return premium estimate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarilyMarch 31, 2020 reflected improvedprior year loss experience in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 contract years.development on previously reported reinsured claims.
Ceded Premiums Ratio
Ceded premiums ratio was as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Ceded premiums ratio, as reported | 5.1% | 16.6% | 8.4% | | 6.6% | 15.7% | 9.1% | | (1.5) | 0.9 | (0.7) | 32.2 | % | | 34.6 | % | | (2.4 | pts) |
| Less the effect of: | |
| | | | |
|
|
| Premiums ceded to SPCs (100%) | | 24.7 | % | | 26.9 | % | | (2.2 | pts) |
| Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%) | | 1.2 | % | | 0.9 | % | | 0.3 | pts |
| Change in EBUB | | 0.1 | % | | — | % | | 0.1 | pts |
| Return premium estimated under external reinsurance | (0.9%) | —% | (0.6%) | | (0.1%) | —% | (0.1%) | | (0.8) | — | (0.5) | 0.1 | % | | (0.2 | %) | | 0.3 | pts |
| Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%) | —% | 5.5% | 1.7% | | —% | 4.8% | 1.4% | | — | 0.7 | 0.3 | |
| Ceded premiums ratio, less the effects of above | 6.0% | 11.1% | 7.3% |
| 6.7% | 10.9% | 7.8% | | (0.7) | 0.2 | (0.5) | |
| Assumed premiums earned (not ceded to external reinsurers) | | (0.2 | %) | | (0.3 | %) | | 0.1 | pts |
| Ceded premiums ratio (related to external reinsurance), less the effects of above | | 6.3 | % |
| 7.3 | % | | (1.0 | pts) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results |
| Ceded premiums ratio, as reported | 4.3% | 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 above | 5.0% | 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 marketbasis. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the ceded premiums are ceded on a written premium basis. The decreaseratio, excluding the effects in the traditional ceded premium ratio reflectstable above, decreased as compared to the same period in 2019, which primarily reflected the impact of lower reinsurance rates for the revenue sharing noted above, partially offset by the 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.
treaty year effective May 1, 2019.
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 | | | | | | | |
|
| |
| Traditional business* | $ | 43,492 |
| $ | 42,582 |
| $ | 910 |
| 2.1 | % | | $ | 127,761 |
| $ | 127,426 |
| $ | 335 |
| 0.3 | % |
| Alternative market business | 20,200 |
| 18,502 |
| 1,698 |
| 9.2 | % | | 59,855 |
| 55,601 |
| 4,254 |
| 7.7 | % |
| Segment results | 63,692 |
| 61,084 |
| 2,608 |
| 4.3 | % | | 187,616 |
| 183,027 |
| 4,589 |
| 2.5 | % |
| Less: Ceded premiums earned | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| Traditional business | 2,193 |
| 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 results | 6,038 |
| 6,586 |
| (548 | ) | (8.3 | %) | | 17,825 |
| 19,053 |
| (1,228 | ) | (6.4 | %) |
| Net premiums earned | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Traditional business | 41,299 |
| 39,732 |
| 1,567 |
| 3.9 | % | | 121,805 |
| 120,252 |
| 1,553 |
| 1.3 | % |
| Alternative market business | 16,355 |
| 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) | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Gross premiums earned | $ | 65,613 |
| $ | 70,276 |
| $ | (4,663 | ) | (6.6 | %) |
| Less: Ceded premiums earned | 21,098 |
| 24,337 |
| (3,239 | ) | (13.3 | %) |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 44,515 |
| $ | 45,939 |
| $ | (1,424 | ) | (3.1 | %) |
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.payrolls, changes in our EBUB premium estimate and premium adjustments related to retrospectively-rated policies. 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 premium and evaluate the estimate on a quarterly basis. We did not adjustreduced our EBUB premium estimate by $0.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily reflecting a reduction in earned payroll exposure. There was no adjustment to our EBUB premium estimate during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019. Premium adjustments related to retrospectively-rated policies totaled $0.2 million and 2016.$0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in net premiums earned during the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily reflected the pro rata effect of a reduction in net premiums written during the preceding twelve months and the reduction in our EBUB premium estimate.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
We estimate our current accident year loss and loss adjustment expenses based on an expected loss ratio. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current accident year are determined by applying the expected loss ratio to net premiums earned for the respective period. 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 Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
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 ratio | 66.1 | % | 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 premium | 66.1 | % | 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 Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results |
| Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
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 ratio | 66.0 | % | 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 premium | 66.0 | % | 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. |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Calendar year net loss ratio | 66.9 | % | | 66.3 | % | | 0.6 | pts |
| Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio | (3.3 | %) | | (1.9 | %) | | (1.4 | pts) |
| Current accident year net loss ratio | 70.2 | % | | 68.2 | % | | 2.0 | pts |
The increase in the current accident year loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily reflected the continuation of intense price competition and the resulting renewal rate decreases, as well as the effect of lower net premiums earned driven by a reduction in our EBUB premium estimate. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, legislative and regulatory bodies in certain states have changed or are attempting to change compensability requirements and presumptions for certain types of workers related to COVID-19 claims. If successful, these endeavors could result in an increase in claims frequency and severity which may result in a higher 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.future quarters.
Calendar year incurred losses (excluding IBNR) ceded to our external reinsurers in both our traditional and alternative market business totaled $8.0 million and $20.6$0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2020, compared to ceded incurred losses of $1.5 million and $20.1$1.0 million for the same respective periodsperiod of 2016. The increase in2019. There were no current accident year ceded incurred losses forduring the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily reflected one large claim with ceded losses of $5.5 million.March 31, 2020 or 2019.
We recognized net favorable prior year development related to our previously established reserve of $2.3$1.5 million and $7.6$0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2020 and $1.8 million and $3.9 million for the same respective periods of 2016.2019, respectively. 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 yearMarch 31, 2020 reflected overall favorable development reflected better than expected claims trends in claim closing patterns, primarily in the 2015 and 2016 accident years.
Within Net favorable development for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included $0.4 million related to the amortization of purchase accounting adjustments, which were fully amortized at December 31, 2019. The current economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have introduced significant risk of a prolonged recession, which could have an adverse impact on our alternative market business, audit premium from insureds resultsreturn to wellness efforts and the ability of injured workers to return to work, resulting in a decreasepotential reduction in the net loss ratio, whereas audit premium returned to insureds resultsfavorable claim trends 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 $0.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 including a nominal amount during the 2016 three-month period, the effect of which is reflected in the tables above.
In our traditional business, we estimate our current accident year loss and loss adjustment expenses based on an expected loss ratio. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses are determined by applying the expected loss ratio to net premiums earned, which includes audit premium, for the respective period. In our alternative market business, we estimate our current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses based on the underlying actuarial methodologies without consideration of audit premium. As a result, we removed the effects of audit premium in the above table for purposes of evaluating the current accident year loss ratio.future periods.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses includes the amortization of commissions, premium taxes and underwriting salaries, which are capitalized and deferred over the related workers’ compensation policy period, net of external ceding commissions earned. The capitalization of underwriting salaries can vary as they are subject to the success rate of our contract acquisition efforts. These expenses also include a management fee charged by theour Corporate segment, which represents intercompany charges pursuant to a management agreement, and the amortization of intangible assets, primarily related to the acquisition of Eastern by ProAssurance. The management fee is based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of premium written by the subsidiary.
The table below provides a comparison of underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change |
| Traditional business | $ | 13,508 |
| $ | 13,821 |
| $ | (313 | ) | (2.3 | %) | | $ | 37,632 |
| $ | 39,136 |
| $ | (1,504 | ) | (3.8 | %) |
| Alternative market business | 4,926 |
| 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) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| DPAC amortization | $ | 7,850 |
| | $ | 8,450 |
| | $ | (600 | ) | | (7.1 | %) |
| Management fees | 601 |
| | 670 |
| | (69 | ) | | (10.3 | %) |
| Other underwriting and operating expenses | 10,032 |
| | 9,385 |
| | 647 |
| | 6.9 | % |
| SPC ceding commission offset | (4,319 | ) | | (4,313 | ) | | (6 | ) | | 0.1 | % |
| Total | $ | 14,164 |
| | $ | 14,192 |
| | $ | (28 | ) | | (0.2 | %) |
The decrease in DPAC amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period in 2019, primarily reflects the decrease in net premiums earned. The increase in other underwriting and operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily reflects higher compensation-related expenses due to an increase in headcount as we have secured talent for most of the positions that were open during the first quarter of 2019. In addition, the increase in other underwriting and operating expenses reflected costs related to the implementation of a new policy administration and claims system.
As previously discussed, alternative market premiums written through our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment's alternative market business unit are 100% ceded, less a ceding commission, to either the SPCs in our traditional lineSegregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment or, to a limited extent, an unaffiliated captive insurer. The ceding commission consists of businessan amount for the 2017 three-fronting fees, cell rental fees, commissions, premium taxes and nine-month periodsrisk management fees. The fronting fees, commissions, premium taxes and risk management fees are recorded as an offset to 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. SPC ceding commissions earned were relatively unchanged for three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same respective periodsperiod of 2016 was driven by the decrease in intangible asset amortization of $0.6 million 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 related to the termination of a legacy Eastern pension plan recorded in the first quarter of 2016.2019.
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 Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
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 assets | 1.8 | % | — | % | 1.3 | % | | 3.3 | % | — | % | 2.4 | % | | (1.5 | ) | — |
| (1.1 | ) |
| Management fee | 1.1 | % | — | % | 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 effects | 30.2 | % | 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 Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
Results | | Traditional Business | Alternative Market Business | Segment
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 assets | 1.8 | % | — | % | 1.3 | % |
| 3.2 | % | — | % | 2.4 | % |
| (1.4 | ) | — |
| (1.1 | ) |
| Management fee | 1.2 | % | — | % | 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 effects | 28.5 | % | 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 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Underwriting expense ratio, as reported | 31.8 | % | | 30.9 | % | | 0.9 | pts |
| Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to: | | | | | |
| Impact of ceding commissions received from SPCs | 2.3 | % | | 3.2 | % | | (0.9 | pts) |
| Retrospective premium adjustment | 0.1 | % | | 0.1 | % | | — |
|
| Impact of audit premium | (0.2 | %) | | (0.1 | %) | | (0.1 | pts) |
| Underwriting expense ratio, less listed effects | 29.6 | % | | 27.7 | % | | 1.9 | pts |
The decreaseincrease in the traditional expense ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2017, exclusive ofMarch 31, 2020, excluding the items noted in the tables,table, primarily reflected the increasedecrease in net premiums earned. There were no other individually significant variances by expense category that contributedearned, including the adjustment to our EBUB premium estimate, and the increase in underwriting and operating expenses, as previously discussed, partially offset by the expense ratio. The changedecrease in the alternative market expense ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily reflected ceding commissions, which vary by program.DPAC amortization.
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' CompensationThe Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance 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. 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 representsreflects the operating results (underwriting profit or loss, attributable to the alternative market business ceded to theplus investment results, net of U.S. federal income taxes) of SPCs ofat Inova Re and Eastern Re, netour Cayman Islands SPC operations, as discussed in Note 12 of any participation we have taken in the SPCs.
TheNotes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 attributable 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 ranges from a low of 20% to a high of 85%. SPC operating results attributable to external cell participants are reflected as SPC dividend (expense) income in our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment. In addition, our 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 attributable to external cell participants are reflected in the SPC dividend (expense) income. As of March 31, 2020, there were 26 (23 active) SPCs. The SPCs assume workers' compensation insurance, healthcare professional liability insurance or a combination of the two from our Workers' Compensation Insurance and Specialty P&C segments. As of March 31, 2020, there were two SPCs that assumed both workers' compensation insurance and healthcare professional liability insurance and one SPC that assumed only healthcare professional liability insurance.
Segment operating results reflects our share of the underwriting and investment results of the SPCs in which we participate, and included the following:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Net premiums written | $ | 23,990 |
| $ | 32,682 |
| $ | (8,692 | ) | (26.6 | %) |
| | | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 16,980 |
| $ | 19,502 |
| $ | (2,522 | ) | (12.9 | %) |
| Net investment income | 254 |
| 448 |
| (194 | ) | (43.3 | %) |
| Net realized gains (losses) | (3,207 | ) | 2,141 |
| (5,348 | ) | (249.8 | %) |
| Other income | 136 |
| 87 |
| 49 |
| 56.3 | % |
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | (9,352 | ) | (10,745 | ) | 1,393 |
| (13.0 | %) |
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | (5,079 | ) | (5,235 | ) | 156 |
| (3.0 | %) |
SPC U.S. federal income tax expense(1) | (222 | ) | — |
| (222 | ) | nm |
|
| SPC net operating results | (490 | ) | 6,198 |
| (6,688 | ) | (107.9 | %) |
SPC dividend (expense) income (2) | 508 |
| (4,787 | ) | 5,295 |
| (110.6 | %) |
Segment operating results (3) | $ | 18 |
| $ | 1,411 |
| $ | (1,393 | ) | (98.7 | %) |
| | | | | |
| Net loss ratio | 55.1 | % | 55.1 | % | — |
| |
| Underwriting expense ratio | 29.9 | % | 26.8 | % | 3.1 | pts | |
(1) Represents the provision for U.S. federal income taxes for SPCs at Inova Re, which have elected to be taxed as a U.S. corporation under Section 953(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. U.S. federal income taxes are included in the total SPC net operating results and are paid by the individual SPCs. |
(2) Represents the net operating (profit) loss due to external cell participants. |
(3) Represents our share of the net 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) changes in payroll exposure and (5) audit premium.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as lowfollows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Gross premiums written | $ | 27,140 |
| | $ | 36,365 |
| | $ | (9,225 | ) | | (25.4 | %) |
| Less: Ceded premiums written | 3,150 |
| | 3,683 |
| | (533 | ) | | (14.5 | %) |
| Net premiums written | $ | 23,990 |
| | $ | 32,682 |
| | $ | (8,692 | ) | | (26.6 | %) |
Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written reflected reinsurance premiums assumed by component as 25%follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Workers' compensation | $ | 23,356 |
| | $ | 32,146 |
| | $ | (8,790 | ) | | (27.3 | %) |
| Healthcare professional liability | 3,784 |
| | 3,738 |
| | 46 |
| | 1.2 | % |
| Other | — |
| | 481 |
| | (481 | ) | | nm |
|
| Gross Premiums Written | $ | 27,140 |
| | $ | 36,365 |
| | $ | (9,225 | ) | | (25.4 | %) |
Gross premiums written for the 2020 and 2019 three-month period were primarily comprised of workers' compensation coverages assumed from our Workers' Compensation Insurance segment. The decrease in gross premiums written and the renewal retention rate during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019 was primarily driven by a reduction in premium funding for a large workers' compensation alternative market program. We do not participate in this program; therefore, the reduction in premium funding has no effect on our share of the segment operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The reduction in premiums also reflected the competitive workers' compensation market conditions and the resulting renewal rate decreases of 6% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Healthcare professional liability gross premiums written remained relatively unchanged during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019. We retained 100% of the 9 workers' compensation programs and 1 healthcare professional liability program up for renewal during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Subsequent to the first quarter of 2020 and as high as 100%. Undera result of the SPC structure,economic impact of COVID-19, we expect downward pressure in future quarters on premium in certain SPCs, primarily those related to more economically sensitive business, resulting from reductions in insured payroll estimates and healthcare professional liability exposures; however, the net operating resultslength and magnitude of each cell, netsuch changes depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. See Note 13 of our participation, are duethe Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
New business, audit premium, retention and renewal price changes for the external owners of that cell.
The SPC financial results are includedassumed workers' compensation premium is shown in the table below.below:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| New business | $ | 1.1 |
| | $ | 1.1 |
|
| Audit premium (including EBUB) | $ | (0.3 | ) | | $ | 0.5 |
|
Retention rate (1) | 78 | % | | 97 | % |
Change in renewal pricing (2) | (6 | %) | | (2 | %) |
(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 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) | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Ceded premiums written | $ | 3,150 |
| $ | 3,683 |
| $ | (533 | ) | (14.5 | %) |
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 for the workers' compensation business 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 $2.1 million on a program year basis. Per the SPC external reinsurance agreements, premiums are ceded on a written premium basis and changes in ceded premiums written during the 2020 three-month period primarily reflected changes in workers' compensation gross premiums written, as compared to the same respective period in 2019. External reinsurance rates vary based on the alternative market program.
SPC dividend expense (income)Ceded Premiums Ratio
Ceded premiums ratio was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| ($ 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 income | 34 |
| | 3 |
| | 31 |
| | 1,033.3 | % | | 83 |
| | 10 |
| | 73 |
| | 730.0 | % |
| Less: Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | 8,016 |
| | 7,888 |
| | 128 |
| | 1.6 | % | | 23,698 |
| | 23,683 |
| | 15 |
| | 0.1 | % |
| Less: Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | 4,926 |
| | 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 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Ceded premiums ratio | 13.5% | | 11.5% | | 2.0 |
The above table reflects ceded premiums as a percent of gross premiums written for the workers' compensation business only; healthcare professional liability business is assumed net of reinsurance, as discussed above. The ceded premiums ratio reflects the weighted average reinsurance rates of all SPC programs. The increase in SPC dividend expensethe ceded premiums ratio for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods,2020 three-month period as compared to the same periodsrespective period of 2016, was due to2019 primarily reflected the reduction in premium funding for a large workers' compensation alternative market program (see previous discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written"). The reinsurance costs associated with this program are fixed, which resulted in an increase in the ceded ratio.
Net Premiums Earned
Gross, ceded and net premiums earned were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Gross premiums earned | $ | 19,190 |
| $ | 21,939 |
| $ | (2,749 | ) | (12.5 | %) |
| Less: Ceded premiums earned | 2,210 |
| 2,437 |
| (227 | ) | (9.3 | %) |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 16,980 |
| $ | 19,502 |
| $ | (2,522 | ) | (12.9 | %) |
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 decrease in net premiums earned during the 2020 three-month period primarily reflected the reduction in premium funding for a large workers' compensation alternative market program compensation alternative market program and the pro rata effect of a reduction in net premiums written during the preceding twelve months (see previous discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written").
Net Investment Income and Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Net investment income for the 2020 and 2019 three-month period was primarily attributable to interest earned on available-for-sale fixed maturity investments, which primarily includes investment-grade corporate debt securities. We recognized $3.2 million of net realized investment losses during the 2020 three-month period driven by the impact of decreases in fair value on our equity portfolio attributable to the recent disruptions in global financial markets related to COVID-19. We recognized $2.1 million of net realized investment gains during the 2019 three-month period driven by changes in the fair value of the SPCs' equity securities portfolio as a result of the market volatility experienced at the end of 2018.
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. 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 loss results can create volatility in the current accident year net loss ratio to fluctuate significantly from period to period.
Calendar year and current accident year net loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Calendar year net loss ratio | 55.1 | % | | 55.1 | % | | — |
|
| Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio | (10.6 | %) | | (11.6 | %) | | 1.0 | pts |
| Current accident year net loss ratio | 65.7 | % | | 66.7 | % | | (1.0 | pts) |
The decrease in the current accident year net loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same respective period of 2019 primarily reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns, partially offset by the effect of the continuation of intense price competition and the resulting renewal rate decreases. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, legislative and regulatory bodies in certain states have changed or are attempting to change compensability requirements and presumptions for certain types of workers related to COVID-19 claims. If successful, these endeavors could result in an increase in claims frequency and severity which may result in a higher current accident year net loss ratio in future quarters.
Calendar year ceded incurred losses ceded to our external reinsurers decreased $2.0 million for the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019. Current accident year ceded incurred losses increased $0.6 million for the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2019. Current accident year ceded incurred losses for the 2020 three-month period primarily related to healthcare professional liability business.
We recognized net favorable prior year development of $1.8 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The net favorable prior year reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included $0.8 million related to the workers’ compensation business and $1.0 million related to the healthcare professional liability business, which primarily reflected the overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns. The current economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have introduced significant risk of a prolonged recession, which could have an adverse impact on our return to wellness efforts and the ability of injured workers to return to work, resulting in a potential reduction in favorable claim trends in future periods.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Our Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segment underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses were comprised as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| DPAC amortization | $ | 5,135 |
| | $ | 5,150 |
| | $ | (15 | ) | | (0.3 | %) |
| Other underwriting and operating expenses | (56 | ) | | 85 |
| | (141 | ) | | (165.9 | %) |
| Total | $ | 5,079 |
| | $ | 5,235 |
| | $ | (156 | ) | | (3.0 | %) |
DPAC amortization primarily represents 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.
Other underwriting and operating expenses primarily include bank fees, professional fees and recoveries of premiums receivables previously written off. The decrease in other underwriting and operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 primarily reflected recoveries of premiums receivables previously written off, resulting in an adjustment to our allowance for expected credit losses.
Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
The underwriting expense ratiosratio included the impact of the following:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Underwriting expense ratio, as reported | 29.9 | % | | 26.8 | % | | 3.1 |
| Less | | | | | |
| Impact of audit premium on expense ratio | 0.6 | % | | (0.6 | %) | | 1.2 |
| Underwriting expense ratio, excluding the effect of audit premium | 29.3 | % | | 27.4 | % | | 1.9 |
Excluding the effect of audit premium, the underwriting expense ratio primarily reflected the weighted average ceding commission percentage of all SPC programs. The increase in both periods.the expense ratio during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019 primarily reflected the impact of the reduction in premium funding for a large workers' compensation alternative market program as the ceding commissions associated with this program are fixed and do not vary directly with changes in premium (see previous discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written").
SPC U.S. Federal Income Tax Expense
The SPCs at Inova Re have made a 953(d) election under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and are subject to U.S. federal income tax. U.S. federal income taxes incurred totaled $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. There was no provision for U.S. federal income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019. U.S. federal income taxes are included in the total SPC net operating results and are paid by the individual SPCs.
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 andLondon. In addition to our participation in Syndicate operating results, we 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 namesinvestments in and other corporate members.
obligations to our Lloyd's Syndicates consisting of a Syndicate 1729 covers a range of propertyCredit Agreement and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines, and has a maximum underwriting capacity of £100.0 million forFAL requirements. For the 20172020 underwriting year, of which £57.6 million ($77.2 million based on September 30, 2017 exchange rates) is our allocated underwriting capacity. We have committed to provide capital (also referred to as FAL) of up to $200.0 million through 2022 to support our underwriting capacity and are meeting our FAL requirement withwas comprised of investment securities heldand cash and cash equivalents deposited with Lloyd's which at Lloyd's. Our FAL securitiesMarch 31, 2020 had a fair value of $99.2approximately $136.2 million, at September 30, 2017, as discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our Lloyd's Syndicate segment results include both our 58% participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 and 100% of the operating results of our wholly owned subsidiaries that support Syndicate 1729 and were composed as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | 2016 | Change | | 2017 | 2016 | Change |
| 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 income | 412 |
| 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 ratio | 125.3% | 77.5% | 47.8 |
| pts | | 89.7% | 64.1% | 25.6 |
| pts |
| Underwriting expense ratio | 41.2% | 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,lag, except when information is available that is material to the current period. 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, during
Lloyd's Syndicate 1729. We provide capital to Syndicate 1729, which covers a range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines in both the U.S. and international markets. The remaining capital for Syndicate 1729 is provided by unrelated third parties, including private names and other corporate members. To reduce our exposure and the associated earnings volatility, we decreased our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 for the 2020 underwriting year to 29% from 61% which, due to the quarter lag, will not be reflected in our results until the second quarter of 2017,2020. Syndicate 1729's maximum underwriting capacity for the 2020 underwriting year is £135 million (approximately $168 million based on March 31, 2020 exchange rates), of which £39 million (approximately $48 million based on March 31, 2020 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 in both the U.S. and international markets. As an SPA, Syndicate 6131 is only allowed to underwrite one quota share reinsurance contract with Syndicate 1729. For the 2020 underwriting year, Syndicate 6131 has a maximum underwriting capacity of £12 million (approximately $15 million based on March 31, 2020 exchange rates).
We have exposures to potential COVID-19 claims through our participation in Syndicate 1729 reported preliminary loss estimates in connection with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which affected Texas, several states in the southeastern United States and islands in the Caribbean. Due6131. As of May 1, 2020, we anticipate losses related to the availability and significanceCOVID-19 of these estimates, we have accelerated our reporting of these storm-related losses into the third quarter of 2017. We estimate our share (58%) of the net pre-tax losses from these storms to be approximately $7.5$1.5 million, net of reinsurance, will be reflected in our results for the second quarter of 2020, due to the quarter lag. The largest risk the Syndicates have identified to-date is related to Syndicate 6131's contingency book of business, and reinstatement premiums, whichwe estimate that additional potential exposure to be approximately $2.5 million, net of reinsurance. Furthermore, we are written and earned duringclosely monitoring the period. The pre-tax impact of potential legislation or court decisions that could retroactively require Syndicate 1729 and 6131 to extend certain insurance to cover COVID-19 claims, even if the recognitionoriginal contract excluded the cover of these lossescommunicable diseases as is typical in certain policies the Syndicates write. These actions could result in a significant increase in claim frequency and severity due to an unintended increase in exposure for Syndicate 1729 and 6131 which could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows given our participation in the segment'sSyndicates.
In addition to the results of our participation in Lloyd's Syndicates, as discussed above, our Lloyd's Syndicates segment also includes 100% of the operating results above forof our wholly owned subsidiaries that support our operations at Lloyd's. For the 2017 three-three months ended March 31, 2020 and nine-month periods was2019, the results of our Lloyd's Syndicates segment were as follows:
| | | (In thousands) | Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Gross premiums written | $ | 1,391 |
| $ | 27,861 |
| $ | 23,588 |
| $ | 4,273 |
| | 18.1 | % |
| Ceded premiums written | | (1,201 | ) | (2,592 | ) | 1,391 |
| | (53.7 | %) |
| Net premiums written | $ | 1,391 |
| $ | 26,660 |
| $ | 20,996 |
| $ | 5,664 |
| | 27.0 | % |
| | | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 1,391 |
| $ | 22,001 |
| $ | 18,641 |
| $ | 3,360 |
| | 18.0 | % |
| Gross losses | (36,492 | ) | |
| Reinsurance recoveries | 27,626 |
| |
| Net investment income | | 1,159 |
| 1,006 |
| 153 |
| | 15.2 | % |
| Net realized gains (losses) | | 81 |
| 178 |
| (97 | ) | | (54.5 | %) |
| Other income (loss) | | (232 | ) | (146 | ) | (86 | ) | | 58.9 | % |
| Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | (8,866 | ) | (14,780 | ) | (10,909 | ) | (3,871 | ) | | 35.5 | % |
| Segment operating results, before tax | $ | (7,475 | ) | |
| Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | | (9,142 | ) | (8,469 | ) | (673 | ) | | 7.9 | % |
| Income tax benefit (expense) | | 29 |
| (304 | ) | 333 |
| | 109.5 | % |
| Segment operating results | | $ | (884 | ) | $ | (3 | ) | $ | (881 | ) | | (29,366.7 | %) |
| | | | | |
| Net loss ratio | | 67.2 | % | 58.5 | % | 8.7 | pts | | |
| Underwriting expense ratio | | 41.6 | % | 45.4 | % | (3.8 | pts) | | |
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, 2020 consisted of casualtyproperty insurance coverages (40%(45% of total gross written premium)premiums written), property insurancecasualty coverages (35%), specialty property coverages (9%), contingency coverages (5%), catastrophe reinsurance coverages (19%(4%) and property reinsurance coverages (6%(2%). For the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, netThe increase in gross premiums written increasedduring the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same respective period of 2019 was primarily due to new business written anddriven by volume increases on renewal business. In addition,business and renewal pricing increases, primarily property insurance coverages, as well as new business written, primarily casualty coverages.
Ceded Premiums Written
Syndicate 1729 utilizes reinsurance to provide the increasecapacity 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 decreased for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods reflectedthree months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 primarily due to the effect of reinstatementa revision to our estimates of premiums recordeddue to reinsurers 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, Syndicate 1729 serves as a reinsurer on a quota share basis for a wholly owned insurance subsidiary in our Specialty P&C segment. For premium 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 with our Specialty P&C segment renewed effective January 1, 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 2014 calendar year quota share arrangements with our Specialty P&C segment were commuted in December 2016 and 2015, respectively. Due to the reporting delay, the effect of the 2015 and 2014 commutation was reported by both segments in results during the first quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and is reflected in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The commutations did not differ significantly from previously recorded amounts.March 31, 2019.
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. Net premiums earned for the three
Gross, ceded and nine months ended September 30, 2017 included premium assumed from our Specialty P&C segment of approximately $2.9 million and $9.5 million, respectively, and approximately $3.4 million and $10.4 million for the same respective periods of 2016. In addition, net premiums earned were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Gross premiums earned | $ | 28,196 |
| | $ | 23,828 |
| | $ | 4,368 |
| 18.3 | % |
| Less: Ceded premiums earned | 6,195 |
| | 5,187 |
| | 1,008 |
| 19.4 | % |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 22,001 |
| | $ | 18,641 |
| | $ | 3,360 |
| 18.0 | % |
The increase in gross premiums earned during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods included reinstatementthree months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 was driven by the pro rata effect of higher premiums associated withwritten during the storm-related losses,preceding twelve months, primarily property insurance coverages.
The increase in ceded premiums earned during the 2020 three-month period was driven by the pro rata effect of an increase in premiums ceded under reinsurance arrangements during the preceding twelve months due to the increase in gross premiums earned, as previously discussed.
Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses for the period were primarily recorded using the loss assumptions by risk category incorporated into the business planplans submitted to Lloyd's for Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131 with consideration given to loss experience incurred to date. The assumptions used in theeach business plan were consistent with loss results reflected in Lloyd's historical data for similar risks. We expect loss ratios to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 1729 writes more business and the book begins to mature. The loss ratios will alsomay 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 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Calendar year net loss ratio | 67.2 | % | | 58.5 | % | | 8.7 | pts |
| Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio | (1.5 | %) | | 4.0 | % | | (5.5 | pts) |
| Current accident year net loss ratio | 68.7 | % | | 54.5 | % | | 14.2 | pts |
The current accident year net loss ratio increased by 47.8% and 25.6% forduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 driven by a decrease in estimated reinsurance recoveries related to property and catastrophe related losses. A larger portion of property and catastrophe related losses exceeded the estimated storm-related losses and reinstatement premiums recognizedreinsurance retention limits during the third quarter2019 three-month period whereas Syndicate 1729 retained more of 2017, as previously discussed, which increasedthese losses during the 2020 three-month period due to fewer significant storm-related catastrophes. Additionally, the higher current accident year net loss ratio by approximately 47.7% and 17.3%, respectively. The net loss ratio inreflected certain large contingency losses incurred during the 2016 three-month period was lower than in prior periods and reflected the reversalfirst quarter of approximately $2.82020.
We recognized $0.3 million of net favorable prior year development duringfor the third quarterthree months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $0.8 million of 2016 which was a result of a change in methodology related to recordingunfavorable prior year development. Additionally, the net loss ratiodevelopment for the first ninesame respective period of 2019. The unfavorable prior year development for the three 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$0.7 million and $3.1 million forduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2020 as compared to the same periodsrespective period of 2019 primarily due to an increase in 2016 and primarily reflectedDPAC amortization driven by an increase in net premiums earned, partially offset by the anticipated growth ineffect of higher operational expenses incurred associated with establishing Syndicate 1729 operations. As operations have matured,6131 during the total amount of2019 three-month period.
The underwriting salaries has increased along with the number of policies successfully written. Underwriting compensation is capitalized as DPAC only when efforts are successful. The decrease in the expense ratio fordecreased during the 20172020 three-month period wasas compared to the prior year period primarily due to the increase inincreased volume of earned premium driven by reinstatement premiums recorded and earned as a result of the storm-related losses ingrowth of the third quarter of 2017,Syndicates, 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.discussed above.
Net Investment IncomeInvestments
Net investment income forincreased during the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods was primarily attributablethree months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same period of 2019 due to an increase in interest earned on our FAL due to a higher average FAL balance for the FAL investments.2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019. Our FAL investments are 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 lag; therefore, any impact from the recent disruption in global financial markets due to COVID-19 on these investments will not be reported in our results until the second quarter of 2020.
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 Corporate 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 all of which are managed at the corporate level with the exception of investment assets solely allocated to Syndicate 1729 as discussed in Note 1112 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Corporate segment operating results also reflectincludes non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities and corporate expenses. Segment operating results for our Corporate segment was a net loss of $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to net earnings of $40.2 million for the same respective period of 2019 and included the following:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | 2019 | Change |
| Net investment income | $ | 23,317 |
| | $ | 24,910 |
| | $ | (1,593 | ) | | (6.4 | %) | | $ | 68,398 |
| | $ | 74,280 |
| | $ | (5,882 | ) | | (7.9 | %) | $ | 19,417 |
| $ | 21,364 |
| $ | (1,947 | ) | (9.1 | %) |
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | 4,164 |
| | (3,349 | ) | | 7,513 |
| | 224.3 | % | | 8,489 |
| | (6,607 | ) | | 15,096 |
| | 228.5 | % | $ | (1,562 | ) | $ | (810 | ) | $ | (752 | ) | (92.8 | %) |
| Net realized gains (losses) | 7,718 |
| | 15,687 |
| | (7,969 | ) | | (50.8 | %) | | 18,705 |
| | 18,255 |
| | 450 |
| | 2.5 | % | $ | (25,547 | ) | $ | 34,304 |
| $ | (59,851 | ) | (174.5 | %) |
| Other income | 1,023 |
| | 15 |
| | 1,008 |
|
| 6,720.0 | % | | 1,974 |
| | 758 |
| | 1,216 |
|
| 160.4 | % | $ | 633 |
| $ | 905 |
| $ | (272 | ) | (30.1 | %) |
| 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 | % | |
| Operating expense | | $ | 4,827 |
| $ | 4,570 |
| $ | 257 |
| 5.6 | % |
| Interest expense | (4,124 | ) | | (3,748 | ) | | (376 | ) | | 10.0 | % | | (12,402 | ) | | (11,285 | ) | | (1,117 | ) | | 9.9 | % | $ | 4,129 |
| $ | 4,330 |
| $ | (201 | ) | (4.6 | %) |
| 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 | |
| Income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | (12,047 | ) | $ | 6,657 |
| $ | (18,704 | ) | (281.0 | %) |
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. Investmentcontracts, net of investment fees and expenses are deducted from investment income.expenses.
Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Fixed maturities | $ | 18,503 |
| | $ | 20,660 |
| | $ | (2,157 | ) | | (10.4 | %) | | $ | 56,655 |
| | $ | 63,759 |
| | $ | (7,104 | ) | | (11.1 | %) | $ | 16,931 |
| | $ | 16,151 |
| | $ | 780 |
| | 4.8 | % |
| Equities | 4,495 |
| | 3,779 |
| | 716 |
| | 18.9 | % | | 12,437 |
| | 10,983 |
| | 1,454 |
| | 13.2 | % | 1,909 |
| | 4,823 |
| | (2,914 | ) | | (60.4 | %) |
| Short-term and Other investments | 1,131 |
| | 1,456 |
| | (325 | ) | | (22.3 | %) | | 2,867 |
| | 2,524 |
| | 343 |
| | 13.6 | % | |
| Short-term investments, including Other | | 1,342 |
| | 1,667 |
| | (325 | ) | | (19.5 | %) |
| BOLI | 620 |
| | 639 |
| | (19 | ) | | (3.0 | %) | | 1,517 |
| | 1,537 |
| | (20 | ) | | (1.3 | %) | 456 |
| | 453 |
| | 3 |
| | 0.7 | % |
| Investment fees and expenses | (1,432 | ) | | (1,624 | ) | | 192 |
| | (11.8 | %) | | (5,078 | ) | | (4,523 | ) | | (555 | ) | | 12.3 | % | (1,221 | ) | | (1,730 | ) | | 509 |
| | (29.4 | %) |
| Net investment income | $ | 23,317 |
| | $ | 24,910 |
| | $ | (1,593 | ) | | (6.4 | %) | | $ | 68,398 |
| | $ | 74,280 |
| | $ | (5,882 | ) | | (7.9 | %) | $ | 19,417 |
| | $ | 21,364 |
| | $ | (1,947 | ) | | (9.1 | %) |
Fixed Maturities
The decreaseincrease in income from our fixed maturities during the 2020 three-month period was primarily due to higher yields from certain asset classes 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. Onportfolio. In addition, on an overall basis, our average investment in fixed maturity securities was approximately 8% and 6% lower7% higher for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively,2020 three-month period as compared to the same periodsrespective period of 2016.2019.
Average yields for our fixed maturity portfolio were as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Average income yield | 3.1% | | 3.3% | | 3.1% | | 3.3% | 3.4% | | 3.3% |
| Average tax equivalent income yield | 3.5% | | 3.7% | | 3.5% | | 3.8% | 3.4% | | 3.4% |
Equities
Income from our equity portfolio increased during the 2017 three- and nine-month periods as compared to the same periods in 2016 which reflected an increase to our allocation to this asset category as well as a different mix of equities owned.
Investment Fees and Expenses
Investment fees and expenses decreased during the 20172020 three-month period as compared to the same respective period in 2016 primarily due toof 2019 which reflected a decrease in subsequent interest expense on our LP subscriptions. Investment feesallocation to this asset category.
Short-term Investments and expenses increasedOther Investments
Short-term investments, which have a maturity at purchase of one year or less are carried at fair value, which approximates their cost basis, and are primarily composed of investments in U.S. treasury obligations, commercial paper and money market funds. Income from our short-term and other investments decreased during the 2017 nine-month2020 three-month period primarily attributable to lower yields as compared to the same respective 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.2019.
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 comprised as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | 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 | | $ | 3,103 |
| | $ | 3,809 |
| | $ | (706 | ) | | (18.5 | %) |
| Tax credit partnerships | (4,063 | ) | | (8,347 | ) | | 4,284 |
| | (51.3 | %) | | (14,101 | ) | | (16,948 | ) | | 2,847 |
| | (16.8 | %) | (4,665 | ) | | (4,619 | ) | | (46 | ) | | 1.0 | % |
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | $ | 4,164 |
| | $ | (3,349 | ) | | $ | 7,513 |
| | 224.3 | % | | $ | 8,489 |
| | $ | (6,607 | ) | | $ | 15,096 |
| | 228.5 | % | $ | (1,562 | ) | | $ | (810 | ) | | $ | (752 | ) | | 92.8 | % |
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. Our investmentFor 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, typically following the end of a reporting period. Due to this lack of availability, the impact of the recent disruption in global financial markets due to COVID-19 on these investments was not fully reflected in our results for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods were affectedfirst quarter of 2020. Our investment results from our portfolio of investments in LPs/LLCs decreased for the 2020 three-month period as compared to the 2019 three-month period primarily by higherdue to lower reported earnings from several LPs.
two LPs reflecting the market environment during the early part of the first quarter of 2020.
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 a historic tax credit interests.partnership. 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 investments arepartnership is short-term in nature and the majority of the remaining operating losses are expected to be recognized primarily during 2017. Based on operatingin 2020. The results received, we increasedfrom our estimate oftax credit partnership operating losses by $0.1 million and $2.2 million ininvestments were relatively unchanged for the 2017 three- and nine-month periodsthree months ended March 31, 2020 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 2019.
The tax benefits received from our tax credit partnerships, which are not reflected in our investment results above, reduced our tax expensesexpense in 20172020 and 20162019 as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In millions) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Tax credits recognized during the period | $ | 6.0 |
| | $ | 7.3 |
| | $ | 17.8 |
| | $ | 20.8 |
| $ | 4.5 |
| | $ | 4.6 |
|
| Tax benefit of tax credit partnership operating losses | $ | 1.4 |
| | $ | 2.9 |
| | $ | 4.9 |
| | $ | 5.9 |
| $ | 1.0 |
| | $ | 1.0 |
|
Tax credits provided by the underlying projects of theour historic tax credit partnershipspartnership 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, 2017 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 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| GAAP net investment result: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net investment income | $ | 23,317 |
| | $ | 24,910 |
| | $ | 68,398 |
| | $ | 74,280 |
| $ | 19,417 |
| | $ | 21,364 |
|
| Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | 4,164 |
| | (3,349 | ) | | 8,489 |
| | (6,607 | ) | (1,562 | ) | | (810 | ) |
| GAAP net investment result | $ | 27,481 |
| | $ | 21,561 |
| | $ | 76,887 |
| | $ | 67,673 |
| $ | 17,855 |
| | $ | 20,554 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pro forma tax-equivalent investment result | $ | 39,644 |
| | $ | 36,215 |
| | $ | 113,824 |
| | $ | 110,784 |
| $ | 23,871 |
| | $ | 26,928 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Reconciliation of pro forma and GAAP tax-equivalent investment result: | | | | | | | | | | |
| GAAP net investment result | $ | 27,481 |
| | $ | 21,561 |
| | $ | 76,887 |
| | $ | 67,673 |
| $ | 17,855 |
| | $ | 20,554 |
|
| 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 bonds | 2,219 |
| | 2,855 |
| | 7,080 |
| | 8,959 |
| 161 |
| | 247 |
|
| BOLI | 334 |
| | 344 |
| | 817 |
| | 828 |
| 121 |
| | 120 |
|
| Dividends received | 441 |
| | 338 |
| | 1,642 |
| | 1,396 |
| 73 |
| | 141 |
|
| Tax credit partnerships | 9,169 |
| | 11,117 |
| | 27,398 |
| | 31,928 |
| 5,661 |
| | 5,866 |
|
| Pro forma tax-equivalent investment result | $ | 39,644 |
| | $ | 36,215 |
| | $ | 113,824 |
| | $ | 110,784 |
| $ | 23,871 |
| | $ | 26,928 |
|
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 30 |
| (In thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| OTTI losses, total: | | | | | | | |
| 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 securities | 1,721 |
| | 3,853 |
| | 4,294 |
| | 8,920 |
|
| Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale securities | (260 | ) | | (369 | ) | | (1,726 | ) | | (5,620 | ) |
| Net realized gains (losses), trading securities | 3,602 |
| | 1,277 |
| | 10,957 |
| | 5,243 |
|
| Net realized gains (losses), other investments | 478 |
| | 335 |
| | 2,197 |
| | 833 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading securities | 2,152 |
| | 9,809 |
| | 2,526 |
| | 17,646 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value as a part of Other investments | 23 |
| | 880 |
| | 621 |
| | 976 |
|
| Other | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 7 |
| | 23 |
|
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | 7,718 |
| | $ | 15,687 |
| | $ | 18,705 |
| | $ | 18,255 |
|
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| (In thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Total impairment losses | | | |
| Corporate debt | $ | (1,817 | ) | | $ | (136 | ) |
| Portion of impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes: | | | |
| Corporate debt | 654 |
| | 87 |
|
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | (1,163 | ) | | (49 | ) |
| Gross realized gains, available-for-sale fixed maturities | 2,279 |
| | 259 |
|
| Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale fixed maturities | (1,403 | ) | | (308 | ) |
| Net realized gains (losses), equity investments | 15,197 |
| | 1,790 |
|
| Net realized gains (losses), other investments | 48 |
| | 379 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), equity investments | (35,225 | ) | | 30,337 |
|
| Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value as a part of other investments | (5,273 | ) | | 1,895 |
|
| Other | (7 | ) | | 1 |
|
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | (25,547 | ) | | $ | 34,304 |
|
We did not recognize any OTTI duringFor the 2017three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized credit-related impairment losses in earnings of $1.2 million and non-credit impairment losses in OCI of $0.7 million. The credit-related impairment losses related to four corporate bonds in the energy, consumer and entertainment sectors. The non-credit related impairment losses related to three corporate bonds in the energy and consumer sectors. For the 2019 three-month period. During the 2017 nine-month period, we recognized OTTIa nominal amount of both credit-related impairment losses in earnings of $0.2 million and $0.2 million in non-credit impairmentsimpairment losses in OCI, both of which related to a corporate bonds.bond.
We recognized a nominal amount$25.5 million of OTTI in earningsnet realized investment losses during the 20162020 three-month period.period driven by the impact of decreases in fair value on our equity portfolio of $35.2 million and convertible securities of $5.3 million attributable to the recent disruptions in global financial markets related to COVID-19. During the 2016 nine-month2019 three-month period, we recognized OTTI$34.3 million of net realized investment gains driven by increases in earnings 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 on our equity portfolio of these bonds declined in$30.3 million due to the improvement of the market during the first quarter of 2016 as did the credit quality of the issuers 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 $3.1 million OTTI in earnings during the 2016 nine-month period related to an investment fund that is accounted for using the cost method (classified as Other investments). The fund is focused on the energy sector and securities held by the fund declined in value during 2016. An OTTI was recognized to reduce our carrying value of the investment to the NAV reported by the fund.2019.
Operating Expenses
Corporate segment operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were comprised as follows:
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Operating expenses | $ | 9,333 |
| | $ | 9,086 |
| | $ | 247 |
| | 2.7 | % | | $ | 32,546 |
| | $ | 31,713 |
| | $ | 833 |
| | 2.6 | % | $ | 9,093 |
| | $ | 9,172 |
| | $ | (79 | ) | | (0.9 | %) |
| Management fee offset | (4,344 | ) | | (4,000 | ) | | (344 | ) | | 8.6 | % | | (11,484 | ) | | (10,965 | ) | | (519 | ) | | 4.7 | % | (4,266 | ) | | (4,602 | ) | | 336 |
| | (7.3 | %) |
| Segment Total | $ | 4,989 |
| | $ | 5,086 |
| | $ | (97 | ) | | (1.9 | %) | | $ | 21,062 |
| | $ | 20,748 |
| | $ | 314 |
| | 1.5 | % | $ | 4,827 |
| | $ | 4,570 |
| | $ | 257 |
| | 5.6 | % |
TheOperating expenses decreased during the 2020 three-month period as compared to the same period of 2019 primarily due to a decrease in facilities expenses partially offset by an increase in operatingprofessional fees. The decrease in facilities expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in staffing costs.the allocation of facilities costs to the operating subsidiaries within our Specialty P&C segment from our Corporate segment. The increase in operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017professional fees was primarily driven by an increase in compensation relatedtransaction-related costs and professional fees, partially offset byassociated with our planned acquisition of NORCAL (see Note 6 of the effect of costs incurred during the first three quarters of 2016 relatedNotes to a pre-acquisition liability from a discontinued operation.
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
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 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 20162019 and 2017,2020, 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.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend
Interest Expense (Income)
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 dividendConsolidated interest expense for the prior periodsthree months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was comprised as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| ($ in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | Change |
| Senior Notes due 2023 | $ | 3,357 |
| | $ | 3,357 |
| | $ | — |
| | — | % |
| Revolving Credit Agreement (including fees and amortization) | 184 |
| | 141 |
| | 43 |
| | 30.5 | % |
| Mortgage Loans (including amortization)* | 293 |
| | 395 |
| | (102 | ) | | (25.8 | %) |
| (Gain)/loss on interest rate cap | 295 |
| | 437 |
| | (142 | ) | | (32.5 | %) |
| Interest expense | $ | 4,129 |
| | $ | 4,330 |
| | $ | (201 | ) | | (4.6 | %) |
| * During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we received a nominal cash payment associated with our interest rate cap which was recorded as a reduction to interest expense associated with our Mortgage Loans. |
Consolidated interest expense decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the same respective period of 2019 driven by the change in the same manner. SPC dividendfair value of our interest rate cap and lower interest expense on our Mortgage Loans. The interest rate cap is designated as an economic hedge of interest rate risk associated with our variable rate Mortgage Loans. Our Mortgage Loans accrue interest at three month LIBOR plus 1.325%, and the decrease in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the prior year period was $1.2 million and $3.5 millionprimarily due to a decrease in the average three-month LIBOR. Interest expense on our Revolving Credit Agreement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2020 and 2019 primarily reflected unused commitment fees as comparedthere were no outstanding borrowings during either period. See further discussion of our outstanding debt in Note 8 of the Notes to $1.7 millionCondensed Consolidated Financial Statements and $2.4 million forfurther discussion of our interest rate cap agreement in Note 12 of the same respective periods of 2016. See the Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expense sectionNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Workers' Compensation segment results for more informationProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on our SPCs.Form 10-K.
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 $408 million and $432 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to $350 million for the same respective periods of 2016, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement.
Interest expense for three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is provided in the following table:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30 | | Nine Months Ended September 30 |
| ($ 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 | % |
| Other | 10 |
| | 10 |
| | — |
| | — | % | | 29 |
| | 29 |
| | — |
| | — | % |
| | $ | 4,124 |
| | $ | 3,748 |
| | $ | 376 |
| | 10.0 | % | | $ | 12,402 |
| | $ | 11,285 |
| | $ | 1,117 |
| | 9.9 | % |
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. The U.K. tax expense incurred by the U.K. based subsidiaries of our Lloyd's SyndicateSyndicates segment is allocated to that segment. The SPCs at Inova Re, one of our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, have made a 953(d) election under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and are subject to U.S. federal income tax; therefore, tax expense allocated to our Corporate segment also includes tax expense incurred from any SPC at Inova Re in which we have a participation interest of 80% or greater as those SPCs are required to be included in our consolidated tax return. Consolidated tax expense reflects the 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 | | 2016 | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Corporate segment income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 5,963 |
| | $ | 8,328 |
| | $ | 4,962 |
| | $ | 14,209 |
| $ | (12,047 | ) | | $ | 6,657 |
|
| Lloyd's Syndicate segment income tax expense (benefit) | 61 |
| | 1,352 |
| | (495 | ) | | 2,248 |
| |
| Lloyd's Syndicates segment income tax expense (benefit) | | (29 | ) | | 304 |
|
| Consolidated income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 6,024 |
| | $ | 9,680 |
| | $ | 4,467 |
| | $ | 16,457 |
| $ | (12,076 | ) | | $ | 6,961 |
|
Factors
Listed below are the primary factors affecting our consolidated effective tax rate for three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The comparability of each factor's impact on our effective tax rate is affected by the consolidated pre-tax loss recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to the consolidated pre-tax income recognized during the same period of 2019. Factors that have the same directional impact on income tax expense in each period have an opposite impact on our effective tax rate due to the effective tax rate being calculated based upon on a pre-tax loss during the three months ended March 31, 2020 versus pre-tax income during the same period of 2019. These factors include the following:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended
September 30 | | Nine Months Ended
September 30 |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Statutory rate | 35.0 | % | | 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 results | 15.3 | % | | 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 rate | 17.2 | % | | 22.2 | % | | 4.7 | % | | 14.6 | % |
| * Includes tax-exempt interest, dividends received deduction and change in cash surrender value of BOLI. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31 |
| | 2020 | | 2019 |
| ($ in thousands) | Income tax (benefit) expense | Rate Impact | | Income tax (benefit) expense | Rate Impact |
| Computed "expected" tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate | $ | (7,146 | ) | 21.0 | % | | $ | 8,108 |
| 21.0 | % |
| Tax-exempt income* | (280 | ) | 0.9 | % | | (433 | ) | (1.1 | %) |
| Tax credits | (4,471 | ) | 13.1 | % | | (4,634 | ) | (12.0 | %) |
| Non-U.S. operating results | 186 |
| (0.5 | %) | | 132 |
| 0.4 | % |
| Tax deficiency (excess tax benefit) on share-based compensation | 405 |
| (1.2 | %) | | 137 |
| 0.4 | % |
| Tax rate differential on loss carryback | (1,424 | ) | 4.2 | % | | — |
| — | % |
| Change in uncertain tax positions | 712 |
| (2.1 | %) | | 156 |
| 0.4 | % |
| Other | (58 | ) | 0.1 | % | | 3,495 |
| 8.9 | % |
| Total income tax expense (benefit) | $ | (12,076 | ) | 35.5 | % | | $ | 6,961 |
| 18.0 | % |
| *Includes tax-exempt interest, dividends received deduction and change in cash surrender value of BOLI. |
Our effective tax rates forFor the 2017 three- and nine-month periods were 17.2% and 4.7%, respectively, and differ fromthree months ended March 31, 2020, we adopted the projecteddiscrete effective tax rate due to certain discrete items. These discrete items increased our projected effectivemethod for recording the provision (benefit) for income taxes which treats the income tax rate by 7.4% and reduced our projected effective tax rate by 5.1%expense (benefit) for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods, respectively. Our effectivequarter as if it were the income tax ratesexpense (benefit) for the 2016 three-full year and nine-month periods were 22.2% and 14.6%, respectively, and differ fromdetermines the projected effectiveincome 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 itemsexpense (benefit) on the 2017 and 2016 three- and nine-month periods resulted in our effective tax rates as shownthat basis (see further discussion on this new method in the table above.
TheCritical Accounting Estimates section under the heading "Estimation of Taxes/Tax Credits"). For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate forwere determined utilizing the 2017 three- and nine-month periods are determinedestimated annual effective tax rate method which is based upon our current estimate of anour annual effective tax rate at the end of eachthe 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 effective tax rates for the 2017 and 2016 nine-month periods were 9.8% and 11.7%, respectively, before those certain discrete items were considered. Our projected effective tax rates for both the 20172020 and 2016 nine-month2019 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 ofbenefit recognized from the tax credits transferred to us from our tax credit partnership investments. While projectedFor the 2020 three-month period, our effective tax credits for 2017 are less than 2016, they continuerate was also affected by the additional tax rate differential of 14% on the carryback of our 2019 NOL to havethe 2014 tax year as a reducing effect onresult of changes made by the CARES Act to the NOL provisions of the tax law.
Our effective tax rate for the 2017 three- and nine-month periods. Tax credits were $6.0 million and $17.8 million for2019 three-month period, as shown in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to $7.3 million and $20.8 million fortable above, differed from the same respective periods in 2016.
For the 2017 nine-month period, one notable discrete item that decreased ourprojected annual effective tax rate was the excess taxof a benefit on share-based compensation that resulted from the application 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 awards and the time of vesting, and the compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes, which is based upon the fair market value13.1% as of the share-based awards on the datefirst quarter of grant, is2019 due to be recognized as income tax expense (benefit) 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. Anothercertain discrete item thatitems. These discrete items increased our effective tax rate wasby 31.1% for the exclusion2019 three-month period mainly due to the treatment of a tax benefit for U.K. losses in our Lloyd's Syndicate segment that resulted fromnet realized investment gains. When we utilize the application of accounting guidance related to interim period taxes for entities subject to multiple tax jurisdictions. Under this accounting guidance, an entity anticipating an ordinary loss 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 estimated annual effective tax rate method, net realized investment gains or losses are treated as discrete items and interimreflected in the effective tax rate in the period tax.in which they are included in income. 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 an increase of 30.3% in the 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 arerisk; interest rate risk, credit risk and equity price risk. 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. Future market interest rates are particularly uncertain at this time given the abrupt interest rate cuts recently made by the Federal Reserve in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 securitiessecurity 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, 2020 and December 31, 20162019. 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 Points | Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points |
| | September 30, 2017 | March 31, 2020 |
| ($ 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 |
| $ | 137 |
| | $ | 133 |
| | $ | 129 |
| | $ | 126 |
| | $ | 122 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 20 |
| | 19 |
| | 19 |
| | 18 |
| | 17 |
| 13 |
| | 13 |
| | 12 |
| | 12 |
| | 12 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 748 |
| | 720 |
| | 693 |
| | 667 |
| | 642 |
| 315 |
| | 303 |
| | 292 |
| | 281 |
| | 270 |
|
| Corporate debt | 1,362 |
| | 1,316 |
| | 1,273 |
| | 1,230 |
| | 1,189 |
| 1,379 |
| | 1,332 |
| | 1,289 |
| | 1,247 |
| | 1,209 |
|
| Asset-backed securities | 349 |
| | 344 |
| | 335 |
| | 323 |
| | 310 |
| 583 |
| | 571 |
| | 560 |
| | 547 |
| | 533 |
|
| All fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,636 |
| | $ | 2,552 |
| | $ | 2,468 |
| | $ | 2,382 |
| | $ | 2,298 |
| |
| Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | $ | 2,427 |
| | $ | 2,352 |
| | $ | 2,282 |
| | $ | 2,213 |
| | $ | 2,146 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Duration: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | 3.03 |
| | 2.95 |
| | 2.86 |
| | 2.78 |
| | 2.71 |
| 3.11 |
| | 3.03 |
| | 2.95 |
| | 2.87 |
| | 2.80 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 1.70 |
| | 1.67 |
| | 3.36 |
| | 4.54 |
| | 4.81 |
| 0.88 |
| | 0.86 |
| | 1.06 |
| | 2.68 |
| | 3.63 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 3.77 |
| | 3.74 |
| | 3.75 |
| | 3.79 |
| | 3.82 |
| 3.86 |
| | 3.79 |
| | 3.75 |
| | 3.73 |
| | 3.73 |
|
| Corporate debt | 3.36 |
| | 3.33 |
| | 3.36 |
| | 3.36 |
| | 3.32 |
| 3.19 |
| | 3.17 |
| | 3.12 |
| | 3.17 |
| | 3.00 |
|
| Asset-backed securities | 1.77 |
| | 2.12 |
| | 3.10 |
| | 3.85 |
| | 4.17 |
| 2.17 |
| | 2.14 |
| | 2.25 |
| | 2.61 |
| | 2.89 |
|
| All fixed maturity securities | 3.23 |
| | 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 obligations | 31 |
| | 31 |
| | 30 |
| | 29 |
| | 29 |
| |
| State and municipal bonds | 865 |
| | 832 |
| | 800 |
| | 770 |
| | 740 |
| |
| Corporate debt | 1,365 |
| | 1,321 |
| | 1,279 |
| | 1,238 |
| | 1,198 |
| |
| Asset-backed securities | 373 |
| | 368 |
| | 357 |
| | 344 |
| | 331 |
| |
| All fixed maturity securities | $ | 2,789 |
| | $ | 2,703 |
| | $ | 2,613 |
| | $ | 2,523 |
| | $ | 2,436 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Duration: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | 3.00 |
| | 2.93 |
| | 2.85 |
| | 2.78 |
| | 2.72 |
| |
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 1.55 |
| | 1.70 |
| | 2.39 |
| | 2.67 |
| | 2.70 |
| |
| State and municipal bonds | 3.85 |
| | 3.82 |
| | 3.83 |
| | 3.87 |
| | 3.91 |
| |
| Corporate debt | 3.21 |
| | 3.20 |
| | 3.22 |
| | 3.22 |
| | 3.18 |
| |
| Asset-backed securities | 1.75 |
| | 2.48 |
| | 3.38 |
| | 3.86 |
| | 4.10 |
| |
| All fixed maturity securities | 3.18 |
| | 3.26 |
| | 3.40 |
| | 3.47 |
| | 3.49 |
| |
| Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale | | 3.02 |
| | 2.98 |
| | 2.97 |
| | 3.08 |
| | 3.06 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points |
| | December 31, 2019 |
| ($ in millions) | (200) | | (100) | | Current | | 100 | | 200 |
| Fair Value: | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | $ | 117 |
| | $ | 113 |
| | $ | 111 |
| | $ | 108 |
| | $ | 105 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 18 |
| | 17 |
| | 17 |
| | 17 |
| | 16 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 320 |
| | 308 |
| | 296 |
| | 285 |
| | 274 |
|
| Corporate debt | 1,425 |
| | 1,382 |
| | 1,340 |
| | 1,300 |
| | 1,261 |
|
| Asset-backed securities | 548 |
| | 537 |
| | 525 |
| | 511 |
| | 497 |
|
| Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale | $ | 2,428 |
| | $ | 2,357 |
| | $ | 2,289 |
| | $ | 2,221 |
| | $ | 2,153 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Duration: | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed maturities, available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury obligations | 2.78 |
| | 2.71 |
| | 2.64 |
| | 2.58 |
| | 2.52 |
|
| U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations | 0.75 |
| | 0.71 |
| | 0.98 |
| | 3.07 |
| | 3.87 |
|
| State and municipal bonds | 3.91 |
| | 3.84 |
| | 3.82 |
| | 3.89 |
| | 3.93 |
|
| Corporate debt | 3.10 |
| | 3.04 |
| | 3.02 |
| | 3.01 |
| | 2.99 |
|
| Asset-backed securities | 2.12 |
| | 2.21 |
| | 2.46 |
| | 2.73 |
| | 2.87 |
|
| Total fixed maturities, available-for-sale | 2.95 |
| | 2.92 |
| | 2.96 |
| | 3.04 |
| | 3.07 |
|
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, 2020, 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 portfolioinvestments at September 30, 2017 wasMarch 31, 2020 were carried on aat fair value which approximates their cost basis which approximates its fair value.due to their short-term nature. Our portfolio lackscash and short-term investments lack significant interest rate sensitivity due to itstheir short duration.
Debt
Our Mortgage Loans are exposed to interest rate risk as they accrue interest at three-month LIBOR plus 1.325%. 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 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K 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, 2020, 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, 2020, 94%95% 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 premiums receivable and receivables from reinsurers.reinsurers; however, to-date we have not experienced any significant amount of credit losses. At March 31, 2020, our premiums receivable was approximately $267 million, net of an allowance for expected credit losses of approximately $6 million. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our allowance for expected credit losses related to our premiums receivable. Our receivables from reinsurers (with regard to both paid and unpaid losses) approximated $321406 million at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and $279403 million at December 31, 20162019. We monitor the credit risk associated with our reinsurers using publicly available financial and rating agency data. We have not historically experienced material credit losses due to the financial condition of a reinsurer, and as of March 31, 2020 our expected credit losses associated with our receivables from reinsurers were nominal in amount. After the end of the first quarter of 2020, we started to grant premium relief requests for certain insureds that have been adversely impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic in the form of either premium credits or premium deferrals. These efforts, along with the recent economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, may result in future increases in our allowance for expected credit losses associated with our premiums and reinsurance receivables.
Equity Price Risk
At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the fair value of our equity investments, excluding our equity investments in bond investment funds as discussed in the following paragraph, was $293 million.$35 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. Recent disruptions in global financial markets related to COVID-19 have resulted in volatility in the fair value of our equity securities as of the end of the first quarter of 2020. We cannot predict the level of market disruption and subsequent declines in fair value that may occur should the COVID-19 pandemic and its related macro-economic impacts continue for an extended period of time. The weighted average beta of this group of securities was 1.1.15. 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%11.5% to $32239 million. Conversely, a 10% decrease in the S&P 500 Index would imply a decrease of 10.0%11.5% in the fair value of these securities to $26431 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, 2020. 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.
ThereOur 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 December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K and other documents we file with the SEC, such as our current reports on Form 8-K. Other than as described below, there have been no material changes to the "Risk Factors" disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of the 2016ProAssurance's December 31, 2019 report on Form 10-K.
The Company's results of operations could be adversely impacted by catastrophes, both natural and man-made, pandemics, severe weather conditions, climate change or closely related series of events. Catastrophes can be caused by unpredictable natural events such as hurricanes, windstorms, severe storms, tornadoes, floods, hailstorms, severe winter weather, earthquakes, explosions and fire, and by other natural and man-made events, such as terrorist attacks, as well as pandemics and other similar outbreaks in many parts of the world, including the recent outbreak of a coronavirus referred to as “COVID-19”. These events may have a material adverse effect on our workforce and business operations as well as the workforce and operations of our insureds and independent agents. Some of the assets in our investment portfolio may be adversely affected by declines in the equity markets, changes in interest rates, reduced liquidity and economic activity caused by large-scale catastrophes, pandemics, terrorist attacks or similar events which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
The Company's disaster preparedness encompasses our Business Continuity Plan, Disaster Recovery Plan, Operations Plan and Pandemic Response Plan. Our disaster preparedness is focused on maintaining the continuity of the Company's data processing and network and telecommunications system as well as the use of alternate and temporary facilities in the event of a natural disaster or medical event. The Company's plans are externally reviewed during the insurance department examinations of the statutory insurance companies. While the Company has plans in place to respond to both short- and long-term disaster scenarios, the loss of certain key operating facilities or data processing capabilities could have a significant impact on Company operations.
There are numerous risks and uncertainties around the Company's planned acquisition of NORCAL
We have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NORCAL, an underwriter of medical professional liability insurance, subject to the demutualization of NORCAL Mutual, NORCAL's ultimate controlling party. See Note 6 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. If consummated, the transaction will provide strategic and financial benefits including additional scale and geographic diversification in the physician professional liability market and is expected to be accretive to earnings over time; nevertheless, there are numerous risks and uncertainties around transaction. The completion of our planned acquisition of NORCAL is subject to a number of conditions, including required regulatory approvals. The failure to satisfy all the required conditions could prevent the acquisition from occurring. In addition, regulators could impose additional requirements or obligations as conditions for their approval. We can provide no assurance that we will obtain the necessary approvals within the estimated timeframe or at all, or that any such requirements that are imposed by regulators would not result in the termination of the transaction. Investors’ reactions to a failure to complete the acquisition of NORCAL, including possible speculation about alternative uses of capital, may cause volatility in our stock
price. A failure to complete a proposed transaction of this nature could also result in litigation by stockholders and other affected parties.
In addition, even if we complete the proposed NORCAL acquisition, we may not be able to successfully integrate NORCAL into our business and therefore may not be able to achieve the synergies we would expect as a result of the acquisition. The process of integrating an acquired company or business can be complex and costly and may create unforeseen operating difficulties including ineffective integration of underwriting, risk management, claims handling, finance, information technology and actuarial practices and the design and operation of internal controls over financial reporting. Difficulties integrating an acquired business may also result in the acquired business performing differently than we expected including the loss of customers or in our failure to realize anticipated growth or expense-related efficiencies. We could be adversely affected by the acquisition due to unanticipated performance issues and additional expense, unforeseen or adverse changes in liabilities, including liabilities arising from events prior to the acquisition or that were unknown to us at the time of the acquisition, transaction-related charges, diversion of management time and resources to integration challenges, loss of key employees, regulatory requirements, exposure to tax liabilities, exposure to pension liabilities, amortization of expenses related to intangibles, and charges for impairment of assets or goodwill. Furthermore, the significant disruptions on global financial markets as of result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic could impact the future operating performance of NORCAL negatively, as well as negatively impact the fair value of its assets and liabilities. Therefore, our liquidity may be adversely impacted should NORCAL's operating performance deteriorate, requiring our holding company to infuse capital into NORCAL or preventing the ability to distribute capital from NORCAL to our holding company due to regulatory restrictions or other reasons.
In late 2020 or early 2021, we plan to utilize debt financing to partially fund our acquisition of NORCAL. The COVID-19 pandemic’s potential disruption to our business operations may require us to access our Revolving Credit Agreement which we have anticipated utilizing to partially fund the NORCAL transaction. Thus, we may be required to raise substantial additional financing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements. Our ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, our financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond our control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing or refinancing, if needed, on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we are not able to access capital on acceptable terms, we may encounter difficulty funding the transaction, our business requirements, including debt repayments when they become due, or both. In addition, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we could experience loss of revenue and profits due to delayed payments or insolvency of insureds facing liquidity issues as well as lower yields on our investment portfolio. As a result, we may be compelled to take additional measures to preserve our cash flow, including the reduction of operating expenses or reduction or suspension of dividend payments, at least until the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic improve.
Increased levels of indebtedness associated with the NORCAL transaction or due to meeting our operational needs could make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic, regulatory and industry conditions in a period of uncertainty and volatility. This indebtedness could have the effect, among other things, of reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and increasing interest expense. The increased levels of indebtedness following completion of the acquisition could also reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes and may create competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels. If we do not achieve the expected benefits and cost savings from the NORCAL acquisition, or if the financial performance of the combined company does not meet current expectations, our ability to service our indebtedness may be adversely impacted.
Any of these events could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and stock price.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
| |
| (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, 20172020 | | — |
| | N/A | | — |
| | $109,643 |
AugustFebruary 1 - 31, 201729, 2020 | | — |
| | N/A | | — |
| | $109,643 |
SeptemberMarch 1 - 30, 201731, 2020 | | — |
| | 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 |
| | | |
| | |
| | Agreement and Plan of Acquisition by and among ProAssurance Corporation, PRA Professional Liability Group, Inc. and NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company dated as of February 20, 2020 filed as an exhibit herein. |
| | |
| | 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.
November 6, 2017May 7, 2020
|
|
/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) |
