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| The Progressive Corporation | | | Company Contact: |
| 6300 Wilson Mills Road | | | Julia Hornack |
| Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143 | | | (440) 395-2164 |
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PROGRESSIVE REPORTS SEPTEMBER RESULTS
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO -- October 13, 2016 -- The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) today reported the following results for September 2016 and the third quarter of 2016:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September | Quarter |
| (millions, except per share amounts and ratios; unaudited) | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Net premiums written | $ | 1,861.9 |
| | $ | 1,723.0 |
| | 8 | % | $ | 6,049.0 |
| | $ | 5,412.6 |
| | 12 | % |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 1,783.0 |
| | $ | 1,575.8 |
| | 13 | % | $ | 5,723.4 |
| | $ | 5,070.6 |
| | 13 | % |
| Net income attributable to Progressive | $ | 75.6 |
| | $ | 72.3 |
| | 5 | % | $ | 198.7 |
| | $ | 278.3 |
| | (29) | % |
| Per share | $ | 0.13 |
| | $ | 0.12 |
| | 5 | % | $ | 0.34 |
| | $ | 0.47 |
| | (28) | % |
| Total pretax net realized gains (losses) on securities | | | | | | | | | | |
| (including net impairment losses) | $ | (14.7 | ) | | $ | (24.3 | ) | | (40) | % | $ | (20.7 | ) | | $ | (15.8 | ) | | 31 | % |
| Combined ratio | 94.3 |
| | 93.1 |
| | 1.2 pts. |
| 96.6 |
| | 92.8 |
| | 3.8 pts. |
|
| Average diluted equivalent shares | 584.2 |
| | 587.8 |
| | (1) | % | 584.6 |
| | 589.1 |
| | (1) | % |
|
| | | | | | |
| (thousands; unaudited) | September | | September | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | Change |
| Policies in Force | | | | | |
| Vehicle businesses: | | | | | |
| Agency – auto | 4,980.1 | | 4,739.9 |
| | 5 % |
| Direct – auto | 5,324.0 | | 4,830.8 |
| | 10 % |
| Total personal auto | 10,304.1 | | 9,570.7 |
| | 8 % |
| Total special lines | 4,291.1 | | 4,150.0 |
| | 3 % |
| Total Personal Lines | 14,595.2 | | 13,720.7 |
| | 6 % |
| Total Commercial Lines | 612.7 | | 549.5 |
| | 12 % |
| Property business | 1,184.7 | | 1,070.2 |
| | 11 % |
| | | | | | |
Progressive offers insurance to personal and commercial auto drivers throughout the United States. Our Personal Lines business writes insurance for personal autos and recreational vehicles. Our Commercial Lines business writes primary liability, physical damage, and other auto-related insurance for autos and trucks owned and/or operated predominantly by small businesses. Our Property business writes personal property insurance for homeowners, other property owners, and renters.
See the “Comprehensive Income Statements” and “Supplemental Information” for further month and year-to-date information and
the "Monthly Commentary" at the end of this release for additional discussion.
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENT
September 2016
(millions)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | |
| | Current Month | | Comments on Monthly Results1 |
| Net premiums written | $ | 1,861.9 |
| | |
| Revenues: | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 1,783.0 |
| | |
| Investment income | 39.2 |
| | |
| Net realized gains (losses) on securities: | | | |
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | (26.8 | ) | | Reflects write-downs primarily in our preferred stock portfolio; see further discussion on our OTTI process in our annual and quarterly reports.
|
| Net realized gains (losses) on securities | 12.1 |
| | |
| Total net realized gains (losses) on securities | (14.7 | ) | | |
| Fees and other revenues | 29.1 |
| | |
| Service revenues | 8.2 |
| | |
| Total revenues | 1,844.8 |
| | |
| | | | |
| Expenses: | | | |
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,329.9 |
| | |
| Policy acquisition costs | 149.3 |
| | |
| Other underwriting expenses | 231.1 |
| | |
| Investment expenses | 1.4 |
| | |
| Service expenses | 7.0 |
| | |
| Interest expense | 12.4 |
| | |
| Total expenses | 1,731.1 |
| | |
| Income before income taxes | 113.7 |
| | |
| Provision for income taxes | 32.5 |
| | |
| Net income | 81.2 |
| | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI), net of tax | 5.6 |
| | |
| Net income attributable to Progressive | 75.6 |
| | |
| | | | |
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | | | |
| Changes in: | | | |
| Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | 2.0 |
| | |
| Net unrealized losses on forecasted transactions | (0.1 | ) | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | 0 |
| | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1.9 |
| | |
| Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to NCI | 0.5 |
| | |
| Total comprehensive income attributable to Progressive | $ | 78.0 |
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1See the Monthly Commentary at the end of this release for additional discussion. For a description of our financial reporting and accounting policies, see Note 1 to our 2015 audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2015 Shareholders’ Report, which can be found at www.progressive.com/annualreport.
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENTS
September 2016
(millions)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Year-to-Date | | |
| | 2016 | | 20151 | | % Change |
| Net premiums written | $ | 17,802.0 |
| | $ | 15,725.5 |
| | 13 |
| | | | | | |
| Revenues: | | | | | |
| Net premiums earned | $ | 16,602.6 |
| | $ | 14,732.7 |
| | 13 |
| Investment income | 352.7 |
| | 335.9 |
| | 5 |
| Net realized gains (losses) on securities: | | | | | |
| Net impairment losses recognized in earnings | (61.8 | ) | | (23.2 | ) | | 166 |
| Net realized gains (losses) on securities | 90.8 |
| | 116.4 |
| | (22) |
| Total net realized gains (losses) on securities | 29.0 |
| | 93.2 |
| | (69) |
| Fees and other revenues | 248.2 |
| | 227.9 |
| | 9 |
| Service revenues | 77.7 |
| | 63.6 |
| | 22 |
| Gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt | 1.6 |
| | (0.9 | ) | | (278) |
| Total revenues | 17,311.8 |
| | 15,452.4 |
| | 12 |
| | | | | | |
| Expenses: | | | | | |
| Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 12,554.6 |
| | 10,640.1 |
| | 18 |
| Policy acquisition costs | 1,374.6 |
| | 1,219.9 |
| | 13 |
| Other underwriting expenses | 2,262.2 |
| | 2,020.3 |
| | 12 |
| Investment expenses | 14.9 |
| | 15.9 |
| | (6) |
| Service expenses | 68.5 |
| | 56.8 |
| | 21 |
| Interest expense | 103.8 |
| | 101.9 |
| | 2 |
| Total expenses | 16,378.6 |
| | 14,054.9 |
| | 17 |
| | | | | | |
| Income before income taxes | 933.2 |
| | 1,397.5 |
| | (33) |
| Provision for income taxes | 274.1 |
| | 446.9 |
| | (39) |
| Net income | 659.1 |
| | 950.6 |
| | (31) |
| Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (NCI), net of tax | 11.3 |
| | 13.4 |
| | (16) |
| Net income attributable to Progressive | 647.8 |
| | 937.2 |
| | (31) |
| | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | | | |
| Changes in: | | | | | |
| Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities | 248.2 |
| | (244.5 | ) | | (202) |
| Net unrealized losses on forecasted transactions | (0.9 | ) | | (9.4 | ) | | (90) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | 0.7 |
| | (1.2 | ) | | (158) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 248.0 |
| | (255.1 | ) | | (197) |
| Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to NCI | (2.3 | ) | | 1.2 |
| | (292) |
| Total comprehensive income attributable to Progressive | $ | 893.5 |
| | $ | 683.3 |
| | 31 |
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1Includes results of ARX Holding Corp. and subsidiaries (ARX) since April 1, 2015, the date The Progressive Corporation acquired a controlling interest in ARX.
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME PER SHARE
&
INVESTMENT RESULTS
September 2016
(millions – except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| The following table sets forth the computation of per share results: | |
| | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Year-to-Date | |
| | Month | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Net income attributable to Progressive | $ | 75.6 |
| | $ | 647.8 |
| | $ | 937.2 |
| |
| Per share: | | | | | | |
| Basic | $ | 0.13 |
| | $ | 1.11 |
| | $ | 1.60 |
| |
| Diluted | $ | 0.13 |
| | $ | 1.11 |
| | $ | 1.59 |
| |
| | | | | | | |
| Comprehensive income attributable to Progressive | $ | 78.0 |
| | $ | 893.5 |
| | $ | 683.3 |
| |
| Per share: | | | | | | |
| Diluted | $ | 0.13 |
| | $ | 1.53 |
| | $ | 1.16 |
| |
| | | | | | | |
| Average shares outstanding - Basic | 581.2 |
| | 582.4 |
| | 586.1 |
| |
| Net effect of dilutive stock-based compensation | 3.0 |
| | 3.2 |
| | 3.7 |
| |
| Total equivalent shares - Diluted | 584.2 |
| | 585.6 |
| | 589.8 |
| |
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|
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| The following table sets forth the investment results for the period: | | | | | |
| | | Current | | Year-to-Date | |
| | | Month | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | Fully taxable equivalent (FTE) total return: | | | | | | |
| | Fixed-income securities | 0.1% | | 3.3% | | 1.5 % | |
| | Common stocks | 0.2% | | 8.4 % | | (5.3) % | |
| | Total portfolio | 0.1% | | 4.0 % | | 0.6 % | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Pretax annualized investment income book yield | 2.2 % | | 2.3 % | | 2.4 % | |
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THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
September 2016
($ in millions)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current Month |
| | Vehicles | | |
| | | | | Commercial | | |
| | Personal Lines Business | Lines | Property | Companywide |
| | Agency | Direct | Total | Business | Business | Total1 |
| Net Premiums Written | $ | 802.9 |
| $ | 775.4 |
| $ | 1,578.3 |
| $ | 205.5 |
| $ | 78.1 |
| $ | 1,861.9 |
|
| % Growth in NPW | 6 | % | 7 | % | 7 | % | 18 | % | 10 | % | 8 | % |
| Net Premiums Earned | $ | 768.0 |
| $ | 742.3 |
| $ | 1,510.3 |
| $ | 197.8 |
| $ | 74.9 |
| $ | 1,783.0 |
|
| % Growth in NPE | 9 | % | 15 | % | 12 | % | 24 | % | 10 | % | 13 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| GAAP Ratios | | | | | | |
| Loss/LAE ratio | 75.4 |
| 77.1 |
| 76.2 |
| 75.3 |
| 39.6 |
| 74.6 |
|
| Expense ratio | 19.6 |
| 18.0 |
| 18.8 |
| 21.5 |
| 32.62 |
| 19.7 |
|
| Combined ratio | 95.0 |
| 95.1 |
| 95.0 |
| 96.8 |
| 72.22 |
| 94.3 |
|
| | | | | | | |
Actuarial Adjustments3 | | | | | | |
| Reserve Decrease/(Increase) | | | | | | |
| Prior accident years | | | | | | $ | 10.2 |
|
| Current accident year | | | | | | (3.3 | ) |
| Calendar year actuarial adjustment | $ | (0.7 | ) | $ | 3.0 |
| $ | 2.3 |
| $ | (2.9 | ) | $ | 7.5 |
| $ | 6.9 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Prior Accident Years Development | | | | | | |
| Favorable/(Unfavorable) | | | | | | |
| Actuarial adjustment | | | | | | $ | 10.2 |
|
| All other development | | | | | | 1.8 |
|
| Total development | | | | | | $ | 12.0 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Calendar year loss/LAE ratio | | | | | | 74.6 |
|
| Accident year loss/LAE ratio | | | | | | 75.3 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
1 Includes results for all of our run-off businesses, including our professional liability group. For the month, our run-off businesses generated a $0.1 million underwriting loss.
2 Included in both the expense ratio and combined ratio is 6.9 points of amortization expense primarily associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX. Excluding these additional expenses, the Property business would have reported an expense ratio of 25.7 and a combined ratio of 65.3 for September 2016.
3 Represents adjustments solely based on our actuarial reviews.
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
September 2016
($ in millions)
(unaudited)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year-to-Date |
| | Vehicles | | |
| | | | | Commercial | | |
| | Personal Lines Business | Lines | Property | Companywide |
| | Agency | Direct | Total | Business | Business | Total1 |
| Net Premiums Written | $ | 7,628.4 |
| $ | 7,401.6 |
| $ | 15,030.0 |
| $ | 2,055.5 |
| $ | 716.5 |
| $ | 17,802.0 |
|
| % Growth in NPW | 8 | % | 14 | % | 11 | % | 24 | % | NM |
| 13 | % |
| Net Premiums Earned | $ | 7,245.5 |
| $ | 6,946.7 |
| $ | 14,192.2 |
| $ | 1,772.4 |
| $ | 638.0 |
| $ | 16,602.6 |
|
| % Growth in NPE | 6 | % | 15 | % | 10 | % | 21 | % | NM |
| 13 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| GAAP Ratios | | | | | | |
| Loss/LAE ratio | 75.5 |
| 77.0 |
| 76.2 |
| 72.4 |
| 70.7 |
| 75.6 |
|
| Expense ratio | 19.6 |
| 19.6 |
| 19.6 |
| 22.1 |
| 33.62 |
| 20.4 |
|
| Combined ratio | 95.1 |
| 96.6 |
| 95.8 |
| 94.5 |
| 104.32 |
| 96.0 |
|
| | | | | | | |
Actuarial Adjustments3 | | | | | | |
| Reserve Decrease/(Increase) | | | | | | |
| Prior accident years | | | | | | $ | 75.0 |
|
| Current accident year | | | | | | (22.6 | ) |
| Calendar year actuarial adjustment | $ | 16.2 |
| $ | 19.4 |
| $ | 35.6 |
| $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | 18.8 |
| $ | 52.4 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Prior Accident Years Development | | | | | | |
| Favorable/(Unfavorable) | | | | | | |
| Actuarial adjustment | | | | | | $ | 75.0 |
|
| All other development | | | | | | (52.1 | ) |
| Total development | | | | | | $ | 22.9 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Calendar year loss/LAE ratio | | | | | | 75.6 |
|
| Accident year loss/LAE ratio | | | | | | 75.7 |
|
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| | | | | | | |
NM=Not meaningful; Property business written by Progressive prior to April 2015 was negligible.
1 Includes results for all of our run-off businesses, including our professional liability group. On a year-to-date basis, our run-off businesses generated a $1.6 million underwriting loss.
2 Included in both the expense ratio and combined ratio is 7.3 points of amortization expense primarily associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in ARX. Excluding these additional expenses, the Property business would have reported an year-to-date expense ratio of 26.3 and a combined ratio of 97.0.
3 Represents adjustments solely based on our actuarial reviews.
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
BALANCE SHEET AND OTHER INFORMATION
(millions - except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
|
| | | |
| | September |
| | 2016 |
| CONDENSED GAAP BALANCE SHEET: | |
| Investments – Available-for-sale, at fair value: | |
Fixed maturities1 (amortized cost: $13,708.0) | $ | 13,916.9 |
|
| Equity securities: | |
Nonredeemable preferred stocks1 (cost: $726.6) | 860.1 |
|
| Common equities (cost: $1,576.1) | 2,868.0 |
|
| Short-term investments (amortized cost: $5,876.2) | 5,876.2 |
|
Total investments2,3 | 23,521.2 |
|
| Net premiums receivable | 4,743.6 |
|
| Deferred acquisition costs | 675.4 |
|
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 897.7 |
|
Other assets4 | 3,782.9 |
|
| Total assets | $ | 33,620.8 |
|
| | |
| Unearned premiums | $ | 7,792.4 |
|
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves4 | 11,228.2 |
|
Other liabilities2 | 2,879.1 |
|
| Debt | 3,153.9 |
|
| Total liabilities | 25,053.6 |
|
| Redeemable noncontrolling interest (NCI) | 472.5 |
|
| Shareholders' equity | 8,094.7 |
|
| Total liabilities, NCI, and shareholders' equity | $ | 33,620.8 |
|
| | |
| | |
| Common shares outstanding | 580.8 |
|
| Shares repurchased - September | 1.2 |
|
| Average cost per share | $ | 31.34 |
|
| Book value per share | $ | 13.94 |
|
| Trailing 12-month return on average shareholders' equity | |
| Net income available to Progressive | 12.8 | % |
| Comprehensive income available to Progressive | 16.4 | % |
| Net unrealized pretax gains (losses) on investments | $ | 1,630.3 |
|
| Increase (decrease) from August 2016 | $ | 3.1 |
|
| Increase (decrease) from December 2015 | $ | 382.5 |
|
Debt-to-total capital ratio5 | 28.0 | % |
| Fixed-income portfolio duration | 1.8 |
|
| Weighted average credit quality | A+ |
|
Year-to-date Gainshare factor6 | 1.54 |
|
1As of September 30, 2016, we held certain hybrid securities and recognized a change in fair value of $4.0 million as a realized gain during the period we held these securities.
2 At September 30, 2016, we had $185.3 million of net unsettled security transactions, including collateral on open derivative positions.
3 Includes $1.0 billion, net of unsettled security transactions, of investments in a consolidated, non-insurance subsidiary of the holding company.
4 Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are stated gross of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses of $1,834.2 million, which are included in "other assets."
5 Ratio reflects debt as a percent of debt plus shareholders' equity; redeemable noncontrolling interest is not part of this calculation.
6 The Gainshare factor excludes the results of our Property business.
Monthly Commentary
| |
| • | Disclosure of monthly results often shows more variability in written premium growth rates than disclosure on a quarterly basis. The lower written premium growth rates in fiscal September 2016 reflect, in part, that the first two days of October, which are historically higher volume days, will be reported in fiscal October 2016, compared to fiscal September 2015. Adjusting for these days, September's written premium growth would be more in line with the other months of the third quarter. |
| |
| • | During September, we incurred about $35 million, or 1.9 loss ratio points, of catastrophe losses, compared to about $7 million, or 0.4 loss ratio points, last year. Almost all of this month's losses were in our vehicle businesses, with nearly half due to unfavorable development from August's Louisiana floods and the balance primarily due to Hurricane Hermine in Florida and storms in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Year-to-date total catastrophe losses were $478 million, or 2.9 points, compared to $202 million, or 1.4 points, last year. Catastrophe losses for the Property business are included in our results beginning in April 2015. |
Events
Due to the recency of our investor relations meeting, we will not be holding a conference call after filing our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the SEC.
We plan to release October results on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, before the market opens.
About Progressive
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy to understand, buy and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach us whenever, wherever and however it's most convenient-online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on a mobile device or in-person with a local agent.
Progressive provides insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes. Home insurance is underwritten by select carriers, including American Strategic Insurance Corp. and subsidiaries (ASI), our majority owned subsidiaries.
Progressive is the fourth largest auto insurer in the country; a leading seller of motorcycle and commercial auto insurance; and through ASI, one of the top 20 homeowners carriers. Progressive also offers car insurance online in Australia at
http://www.progressiveonline.com.au.
Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot® and Service Centers.
The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE:PGR.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this report not based upon historical fact are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements often use words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning, or are tied to future periods, in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events, and are subject to certain risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions, and projections generally; inflation and changes in general economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); the possible failure of one or more governmental, corporate, or other entities to make scheduled debt payments or satisfy other obligations; the potential or actual downgrading by one or more rating agencies of our securities or governmental, corporate, or other securities we hold; the financial condition of, and other issues relating to the strength of and liquidity available to, issuers of securities held in our investment portfolios and other companies with which we have ongoing business relationships, including reinsurers and other counterparties to certain financial transactions; the accuracy and adequacy of our pricing, loss reserving, and claims methodologies; the competitiveness of our pricing and the effectiveness of our initiatives to attract and retain more customers; initiatives by competitors and the effectiveness of our response; our ability to obtain regulatory approval for the introduction of products to new jurisdictions, for requested rate changes and the timing thereof and for any proposed acquisitions; the effectiveness of our brand strategy and advertising campaigns relative to those of competitors; legislative and regulatory developments at the state and federal levels, including, but not limited to, matters relating to vehicle and homeowners insurance, health care reform and tax law changes; the outcome of disputes relating to intellectual property rights; the outcome of litigation or governmental investigations that may be pending or filed against us; severe weather conditions and other catastrophe events; the effectiveness of our reinsurance programs; changes in vehicle usage and driving patterns, which may be influenced by oil and gas prices; changes in residential occupancy patterns and the effects of the emerging "sharing economy"; advancements in vehicle or home technology or safety features, such as accident and loss prevention technologies or the development of autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles; our ability to accurately recognize and appropriately respond in a timely manner to changes in loss frequency and severity trends; technological advances; acts of war and terrorist activities; our ability to maintain the uninterrupted operation of our facilities, systems (including information technology systems), and business functions, and safeguard personal and sensitive information in our possession; our continued access to and functionality of third-party systems that are critical to our business; restrictions on our subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to The Progressive Corporation; possible impairment of our goodwill or intangible assets if future results do not adequately support either, or both, of these items; court decisions, new theories of insurer liability or interpretations of insurance policy provisions and other trends in litigation; changes in health care and auto and property repair costs; and other matters described from time to time in our releases and publications, and in our periodic reports and other documents filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for one or more contingencies. Also, our regular reserve reviews may result in adjustments of varying magnitude as additional information regarding claims activity becomes known. Reported results, therefore, may be volatile in certain accounting periods.
