Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

 

or

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to            

 


 

Commission file number: 001-10898

 


 

The Travelers Companies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Minnesota

 

41-0518860

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

485 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(917) 778-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

 

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 x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at April 15, 2011 was 418,872,308.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

The Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2011

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

Part I — Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) — Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet — March 31, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010

4

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) — Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) — Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

35

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

63

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

63

 

 

 

 

Part II — Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

64

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

64

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

64

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

65

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

65

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

65

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

66

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

2011

 

20l0

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

5,371

 

$

5,230

 

Net investment income

 

779

 

753

 

Fee income

 

74

 

79

 

Net realized investment gains

 

20

 

25

 

Other revenues

 

34

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

6,278

 

6,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

3,382

 

3,388

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

948

 

929

 

General and administrative expenses

 

883

 

847

 

Interest expense

 

96

 

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

5,309

 

5,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

969

 

857

 

Income tax expense

 

130

 

210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.94

 

$

1.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

1.92

 

$

1.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

428.2

 

508.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

434.4

 

515.1

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)

 

$

2

 

$

(1

)

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(6

)

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(4

)

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other net realized investment gains

 

24

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

20

 

$

25

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

3



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in millions)

 

 

 

March 31,
2011

 

December  31,
2010 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (including $164 and $186 subject to securities lending) (amortized cost $59,720 and $60,170)

 

$

62,276

 

$

62,820

 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $421 and $372)

 

583

 

519

 

Real estate

 

866

 

838

 

Short-term securities

 

5,652

 

5,616

 

Other investments

 

3,014

 

2,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

72,391

 

72,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

239

 

200

 

Investment income accrued

 

736

 

791

 

Premiums receivable

 

5,668

 

5,497

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

11,786

 

11,994

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

911

 

813

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,801

 

1,782

 

Deferred tax asset

 

357

 

493

 

Contractholder receivables

 

5,271

 

5,343

 

Goodwill

 

3,365

 

3,365

 

Other intangible assets

 

482

 

502

 

Other assets

 

2,245

 

2,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

105,252

 

$

105,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

51,440

 

$

51,606

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

11,116

 

10,921

 

Contractholder payables

 

5,271

 

5,343

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

513

 

407

 

Debt

 

6,611

 

6,611

 

Other liabilities

 

5,058

 

5,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

80,009

 

80,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock Savings Plan—convertible preferred stock (0.2 shares issued and outstanding)

 

66

 

68

 

Common stock (1,748.6 shares authorized; 420.3 and 434.6 shares issued and outstanding)

 

20,370

 

20,162

 

Retained earnings

 

19,538

 

18,847

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

1,272

 

1,255

 

Treasury stock, at cost (316.3 and 296.6 shares)

 

(16,003

)

(14,857

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

25,243

 

25,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

105,252

 

$

105,656

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

4



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Convertible preferred stock—savings plan

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

68

 

$

79

 

Redemptions during period

 

(2

)

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

66

 

77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

20,162

 

19,593

 

Employee share-based compensation

 

156

 

119

 

Compensation amortization under share-based plans and other changes

 

52

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

20,370

 

19,762

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

18,847

 

16,315

 

Net income

 

839

 

647

 

Dividends

 

(156

)

(169

)

Other

 

8

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

19,538

 

16,792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

1,255

 

1,219

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

(60

)

54

 

Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

18

 

23

 

Net change in unrealized foreign currency translation and other changes

 

59

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

1,272

 

1,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock (at cost)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

(14,857

)

(9,791

)

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

(1,100

)

(1,400

)

Net shares acquired related to employee share-based compensation plans

 

(46

)

(40

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

(16,003

)

(11,231

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

25,177

 

26,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

$

25,243

 

$

26,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

434.6

 

520.3

 

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

(18.9

)

(27.0

)

Net shares issued under employee share-based compensation plans

 

4.6

 

3.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

420.3

 

497.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

Other changes in equity from nonowner sources, net of tax

 

17

 

52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

$

856

 

$

699

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

5



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

(20

)

(25

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

208

 

216

 

Deferred federal income tax expense

 

153

 

76

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

948

 

929

 

Equity in income from other investments

 

(122

)

(45

)

Premiums receivable

 

(167

)

(97

)

Reinsurance recoverables

 

218

 

86

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

(964

)

(939

)

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

(251

)

(224

)

Unearned premium reserves

 

175

 

86

 

Other

 

(384

)

(179

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

633

 

531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

1,849

 

1,229

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

490

 

1,646

 

Equity securities

 

8

 

19

 

Real estate

 

 

9

 

Other investments

 

161

 

114

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(1,824

)

(2,175

)

Equity securities

 

(51

)

(5

)

Real estate

 

(30

)

(3

)

Other investments

 

(107

)

(104

)

Net (purchases) sales of short-term securities

 

(31

)

202

 

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

134

 

95

 

Other

 

(69

)

(75

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

530

 

952

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(155

)

(168

)

Issuance of common stock — employee share options

 

168

 

123

 

Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

(1,104

)

(1,407

)

Treasury stock acquired — net employee share-based compensation

 

(44

)

(38

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

7

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,128

)

(1,486

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

4

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

39

 

(4

)

Cash at beginning of year

 

200

 

255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

239

 

$

251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

112

 

$

44

 

Interest paid

 

$

35

 

$

63

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

6



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

1.                       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company). These financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are unaudited.  In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected.  Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, but that is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been omitted.  All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2010 consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to the 2011 presentation.  The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The preparation of the interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and claims and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Adoption of Accounting Standards Updates

 

Intangibles — Goodwill and Other

 

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance that modifies the goodwill impairment test.   Under the updated guidance, goodwill is tested for impairment using a two-step process.  The first step is to identify potential impairments by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill.  If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment, if any.   The second step is to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, measured in the same manner as goodwill is recognized in a business combination, and compare the implied fair value with the carrying amount of the goodwill.   If the carrying amount exceeds the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

 

The updated guidance requires that, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit becomes zero or negative, the second step of the impairment test must be performed when it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment loss exists.  In considering whether it is more likely than not that an impairment loss exists, a company is required to evaluate qualitative factors, including the factors presented in existing guidance that trigger an interim impairment test of goodwill (e.g., a significant adverse change in business climate or an anticipated sale of a reporting unit).  The provisions of the guidance were effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance in January 2011 did not have any effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

 

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts

 

In October 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance to address diversity in practice for the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred.  If application of this guidance would result in the capitalization of acquisition costs that had not previously been capitalized by a reporting entity, the entity may elect not to capitalize those costs.

 

The updated guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

1.                       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Unaudited), Continued

 

Creditors’ Evaluation of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance to clarify whether a modification or restructuring of a receivable is considered a troubled debt restructuring, i.e., whether the creditor has granted a concession and whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  A modification or restructuring that is considered a troubled debt restructuring will result in the creditor having to account for the receivable as being impaired and will also result in additional disclosure of the creditors’ troubled debt restructuring activities.  The updated guidance is effective for the first interim period beginning on or after June 15, 2011 and is to be applied on a retrospective basis to the beginning of the annual period of adoption.

 

The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Nature of Operations

 

The Company is organized into three reportable business segments: Business Insurance; Financial, Professional & International Insurance; and Personal Insurance.  These segments reflect the manner in which the Company’s businesses are currently managed and represent an aggregation of products and services based on type of customer, how the business is marketed and the manner in which risks are underwritten.  The specific business segments are as follows:

 

Business Insurance

 

The Business Insurance segment offers a broad array of property and casualty insurance and insurance-related services to its clients primarily in the United States. Business Insurance is organized into the following six groups, which collectively comprise Business Insurance Core operations: Select Accounts; Commercial Accounts; National Accounts; Industry-Focused Underwriting; Target Risk Underwriting; and Specialized Distribution.

 

Business Insurance also includes the Special Liability Group (which manages the Company’s asbestos and environmental liabilities) and the assumed reinsurance and certain international and other runoff operations, which collectively are referred to as Business Insurance Other.

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

The Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment includes surety and financial liability coverages, which primarily use credit-based underwriting processes, as well as property and casualty products that are primarily marketed on a domestic basis in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland, and on an international basis through Lloyd’s.  The segment includes Bond & Financial Products as well as International.

 

On November 3, 2010, an indirect subsidiary of the Company entered into a definitive agreement to commence a joint venture with J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A, a Brazilian company (“J. Malucelli”), through the acquisition of approximately 43% of J. Malucelli’s common stock.  J. Malucelli is currently the market leader in surety in Brazil based on market share.  The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of 2011.

 

Personal Insurance

 

The Personal Insurance segment writes virtually all types of property and casualty insurance covering personal risks. The primary coverages in Personal Insurance are automobile and homeowners insurance sold to individuals.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

2.             SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s revenues, operating income and total assets by reportable business segments:

 

(for the three months
ended March 31,
in millions)

 

Business
Insurance

 

Financial,
Professional &
International
Insurance

 

Personal
Insurance

 

Total
Reportable
Segments

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

2,745

 

$

773

 

$

1,853

 

$

5,371

 

Net investment income

 

556

 

106

 

117

 

779

 

Fee income

 

74

 

 

 

74

 

Other revenues

 

9

 

7

 

18

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

 

$

3,384

 

$

886

 

$

1,988

 

$

6,258

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

 

$

604

 

$

120

 

$

170

 

$

894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

2,628

 

$

824

 

$

1,778

 

$

5,230

 

Net investment income

 

528

 

111

 

114

 

753

 

Fee income

 

79

 

 

 

79

 

Other revenues

 

6

 

6

 

20

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

 

$

3,241

 

$

941

 

$

1,912

 

$

6,094

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

 

$

567

 

$

86

 

$

59

 

$

712

 

 


(1)                   Operating revenues for reportable business segments exclude net realized investment gains (losses). Operating income for reportable business segments equals net income excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains (losses).

 

9



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

2.                       SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued

 

Business Segment Reconciliations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenue reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

Workers’ compensation

 

$

680

 

$

600

 

Commercial automobile

 

473

 

471

 

Property

 

401

 

423

 

General liability

 

428

 

425

 

Commercial multi-peril

 

762

 

710

 

Other

 

1

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Business Insurance

 

2,745

 

2,628

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

Fidelity and surety

 

234

 

247

 

General liability

 

208

 

226

 

International

 

298

 

318

 

Other

 

33

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

773

 

824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile

 

915

 

904

 

Homeowners and other

 

938

 

874

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Personal Insurance

 

1,853

 

1,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total earned premiums

 

5,371

 

5,230

 

Net investment income

 

779

 

753

 

Fee income

 

74

 

79

 

Other revenues

 

34

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues for reportable segments

 

6,258

 

6,094

 

Net realized investment gains

 

20

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated revenues

 

$

6,278

 

$

6,119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income reconciliation, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income for reportable segments

 

$

894

 

$

712

 

Interest Expense and Other (1)

 

(68

)

(81

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

826

 

631

 

Net realized investment gains

 

13

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated net income

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

 


(1)   The primary component of Interest Expense and Other is after-tax interest expense of $62 million and $64 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

2.                       SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued

 

(in millions)

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Asset reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance

 

$

77,687

 

$

78,165

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

13,702

 

13,461

 

Personal Insurance

 

13,271

 

13,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets for reportable segments

 

104,660

 

105,049

 

Other assets (1)

 

592

 

607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated assets

 

$

105,252

 

$

105,656

 

 


(1)                   The primary components of other assets at both dates were other intangible assets and deferred tax assets.

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS

 

Fixed Maturities

 

The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities classified as available for sale were as follows:

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at March 31, 2011, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

2,112

 

$

82

 

$

 

$

2,194

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-refunded

 

6,678

 

490

 

1

 

7,167

 

All other

 

30,831

 

1,079

 

129

 

31,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

37,509

 

1,569

 

130

 

38,948

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,013

 

42

 

6

 

2,049

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

3,701

 

240

 

12

 

3,929

 

All other corporate bonds

 

14,352

 

822

 

54

 

15,120

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

33

 

3

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

59,720

 

$

2,758

 

$

202

 

$

62,276

 

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

1,914

 

$

94

 

$

 

$

2,008

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-refunded

 

6,787

 

505

 

1

 

7,291

 

All other

 

31,277

 

1,121

 

154

 

32,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

38,064

 

1,626

 

155

 

39,535

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,156

 

50

 

4

 

2,202

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

3,952

 

248

 

36

 

4,164

 

All other corporate bonds

 

14,051

 

876

 

51

 

14,876

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

33

 

2

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

60,170

 

$

2,896

 

$

246

 

$

62,820

 

 

11



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

Pre-refunded bonds of $7.17 billion and $7.29 billion at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, were bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest.

 

Equity Securities

 

The cost and fair value of investments in equity securities were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at March 31, 2011, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Common stock

 

$

247

 

$

116

 

$

 

$

363

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

174

 

49

 

3

 

220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

421

 

$

165

 

$

3

 

$

583

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Common stock

 

$

198

 

$

106

 

$

 

$

304

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

174

 

46

 

5

 

215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

372

 

$

152

 

$

5

 

$

519

 

 

Unrealized Investment Losses

 

The following tables summarize, for all investments in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized losses by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position.

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

(at March 31, 2011, in millions)

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

473

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

473

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

5,359

 

122

 

141

 

8

 

5,500

 

130

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

444

 

6

 

6

 

 

450

 

6

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

149

 

1

 

196

 

11

 

345

 

12

 

All other corporate bonds

 

1,678

 

37

 

111

 

17

 

1,789

 

54

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

8,103

 

166

 

454

 

36

 

8,557

 

202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

33

 

 

1

 

 

34

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

21

 

 

48

 

3

 

69

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

54

 

 

49

 

3

 

103

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

8,157

 

$

166

 

$

503

 

$

39

 

$

8,660

 

$

205

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

155

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

155

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

5,854

 

149

 

139

 

6

 

5,993

 

155

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

419

 

4

 

13

 

 

432

 

4

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

77

 

1

 

420

 

35

 

497

 

36

 

All other corporate bonds

 

1,255

 

32

 

185

 

19

 

1,440

 

51

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

7,760

 

186

 

760

 

60

 

8,520

 

246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

6

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

45

 

1

 

49

 

4

 

94

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

48

 

1

 

52

 

4

 

100

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

7,808

 

$

187

 

$

812

 

$

64

 

$

8,620

 

$

251

 

 

The following table summarizes, for all fixed maturities and equity securities reported at fair value for which fair value is less than 80% of amortized cost at March 31, 2011, the gross unrealized investment loss by length of time those securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position of greater than 20% of amortized cost:

 

 

 

Period For Which Fair Value Is Less Than 80% of Amortized Cost

 

(in millions)

 

3 Months
or Less

 

Greater Than 3
Months, 6 Months
or Less

 

Greater Than 6
Months, 12 Months
or Less

 

Greater Than
12 Months

 

Total

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other

 

3

 

 

 

10

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

3

 

 

 

10

 

13

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

 

$

10

 

$

13

 

 

13



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

Impairment Charges

 

Impairment charges included in net realized investment gains in the consolidated statement of income were as follows:

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

 

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

2

 

1

 

All other corporate bonds

 

2

 

5

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

4

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

1

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

4

 

$

10

 

 

The following tables present a roll-forward of the credit component of other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) on fixed maturities recognized in the consolidated statement of income for which a portion of the OTTI was recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources:

 

(for the three months ended March 31, 2011, in
millions)

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities
Held,
Beginning of
Year

 

Additions for
OTTI Securities
Where No
Credit Losses
Were Previously
Recognized

 

Additions for
OTTI
Securities
Where Credit
Losses Have
Been
Previously
Recognized

 

Reductions
Due to
Sales/Defaults
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities

 

Adjustments
to Book Value
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities due
to Changes in
Cash Flows

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities Still
Held, End of
Period

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

47

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

 

$

 

$

49

 

All other corporate bonds

 

88

 

1

 

1

 

(1

)

1

 

90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

$

135

 

$

1

 

$

3

 

$

(1

)

$

1

 

$

139

 

 

14



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

(for the three months ended March 31, 2010, in
millions)

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities
Held,
Beginning of
Year

 

Additions for
OTTI Securities
Where No
Credit Losses
Were Previously
Recognized

 

Additions for
OTTI
Securities
Where Credit
Losses Have
Been
Previously
Recognized

 

Reductions
Due to
Sales/Defaults
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities

 

Adjustments
to Book Value
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities due
to Changes in
Cash Flows

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities Still
Held, End of
Period

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

46

 

$

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

 

$

47

 

All other corporate bonds

 

93

 

 

2

 

(4

)

1

 

92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

$

139

 

$

 

$

3

 

$

(4

)

$

1

 

$

139

 

 

4.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company’s estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance.  The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets, and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available.  The disclosure of fair value estimates in the fair value accounting guidance hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable.  In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions.  The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

 

·                  Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

 

·                  Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

·                  Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable.  The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use.

 

Valuation of Investments Reported at Fair Value in Financial Statements

 

The fair value of a financial instrument is the estimated amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated, willing parties, i.e., not in a forced transaction.  The estimated fair value of a financial instrument may differ from the amount that could be realized if the security was sold in an immediate sale, e.g., a forced transaction.  Additionally, the valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid due to the lack of market based inputs, which may increase the potential that the estimated fair value of an investment is not reflective of the price at which an actual transaction would occur.

 

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy.  The Company receives the quoted market prices from a third party, nationally recognized pricing service (pricing service).  When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Company utilizes a pricing service to determine an estimate of fair value, which is mainly used for its fixed maturity investments.  The fair value estimates provided from this pricing service are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  If quoted market prices and an estimate from a pricing service are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques, which, depending on the level of observable market inputs, will render the fair value estimate as Level 2 or Level 3.  The Company bases all of its estimates of fair value for assets on the bid price as it represents what a third-party market participant would be willing to pay in an arm’s length transaction.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

Fixed Maturities

 

The Company utilizes a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 99% of its fixed maturities.  The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets.  Since fixed maturities other than U.S. Treasury securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications, which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.  Additionally, the pricing service uses an Option Adjusted Spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios.

 

The pricing service evaluates each asset class based on relevant market information, relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news.  The market inputs utilized in the pricing evaluation, listed in the approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic events.  The extent of the use of each market input depends on the asset class and the market conditions.  Depending on the security, the priority of the use of inputs may change or some market inputs may not be relevant.  For some securities, additional inputs may be necessary.

 

The pricing service utilized by the Company has indicated that they will only produce an estimate of fair value if there is objectively verifiable information to produce a valuation.  If the pricing service discontinues pricing an investment, the Company would be required to produce an estimate of fair value using some of the same methodologies as the pricing service but would have to make assumptions for market-based inputs that are unavailable due to market conditions.

 

The fair value estimates of most fixed maturity investments are based on observable market information rather than market quotes.  Accordingly, the estimates of fair value for such fixed maturities, other than U.S. Treasury securities, provided by the pricing service are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  The estimated fair value of U.S. Treasury securities is included in the amount disclosed in Level 1 as the estimates are based on unadjusted market prices.

 

The Company holds privately placed corporate bonds and estimates the fair value of these bonds using an internal matrix that is based on market information regarding interest rates, credit spreads and liquidity.  The underlying source data for calculating the matrix of credit spreads relative to the U.S. Treasury curve are the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Index and the BofA Merrill Lynch High Yield BB Rated Index.  The Company includes the fair value estimates of these corporate bonds in Level 2, since all significant inputs are market observable.

 

While the vast majority of the Company’s municipal bonds are included in Level 2, the Company holds a small number of municipal bonds which are not valued by the pricing service and estimates the fair value of these bonds using an internal pricing matrix with some unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation.  Due to the limited amount of observable market information, the Company includes the fair value estimates for these particular bonds in Level 3.  Additionally, the Company holds a small amount of fixed maturities that have characteristics that make them unsuitable for matrix pricing.  For these fixed maturities, the Company obtains a quote from a broker (typically a market maker).  Due to the disclaimers on the quotes that indicate that the price is indicative only, the Company includes these fair value estimates in Level 3.

 

Equities — Public Common and Preferred

 

For public common and preferred stocks, the Company receives prices from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and includes these estimates in the amount disclosed in Level 1.  Infrequently, current market quotes in active markets are unavailable for certain non-redeemable preferred stocks held by the Company.  In these instances, the Company receives an estimate of fair value from the pricing service that provides fair value estimates for the Company’s fixed maturities. The service utilizes some of the same methodologies to price the non-redeemable preferred stocks as it does for the fixed maturities. The Company includes the fair value estimate for these non-redeemable preferred stocks in the amount disclosed in Level 2.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

Other Investments

 

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held investments in non-public common and preferred equity securities, with fair value estimates of $63 million and $57 million, respectively, reported in other investments, where the fair value estimate is determined either internally or by an external fund manager based on recent filings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth and other business and market sector fundamentals.  Due to the significant unobservable inputs in these valuations, the Company includes the total fair value estimate for all of these investments at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 in the amount disclosed in Level 3. The Company holds investments in various publicly-traded securities which are reported in other investments.  The $43 million and $42 million fair value of these investments at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, was disclosed in Level 1.  These investments include securities in the Company’s trading portfolio, mutual funds and other small holdings.

 

Derivatives

 

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held $31 million and $37 million, respectively, of convertible bonds containing embedded conversion options that are valued separately from the host bond contract in the amount disclosed in Level 2 — fixed maturities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The following tables present the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are measured on a recurring basis at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(at March 31, 2011, in millions)

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

2,194

 

$

2,182

 

$

12

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

38,948

 

 

38,926

 

22

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,049

 

 

2,049

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

3,929

 

 

3,928

 

1

 

All other corporate bonds

 

15,120

 

 

14,973

 

147

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

36

 

35

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

62,276

 

2,217

 

59,889

 

170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

363

 

340

 

23

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

220

 

133

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

583

 

473

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

106

 

43

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

62,965

 

$

2,733

 

$

59,999

 

$

233

 

 

The Company did not have significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

 

17



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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

2,008

 

$

1,991

 

$

17

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

39,535

 

 

39,433

 

102

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,202

 

 

2,202

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

4,164

 

 

4,163

 

1

 

All other corporate bonds

 

14,876

 

 

14,749

 

127

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

35

 

34

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

62,820

 

2,025

 

60,565

 

230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

304

 

281

 

23

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

215

 

131

 

84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

519

 

412

 

107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

99

 

42

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

63,438

 

$

2,479

 

$

60,672

 

$

287

 

 

The Company did not have significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

18



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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

The following tables present the changes in the Level 3 fair value category during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

 

(in millions)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Other
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

230

 

$

57

 

$

287

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in realized investment gains (losses) (1)

 

 

3

 

3

 

Included in increases (decreases) in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

 

5

 

5

 

Purchases, sales and settlements/maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

35

 

2

 

37

 

Sales

 

 

(4

)

(4

)

Settlements/maturities

 

(16

)

 

(16

)

Gross transfers into Level 3

 

8

 

 

8

 

Gross transfers out of Level 3 (2)

 

(87

)

 

(87

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2011

 

$

170

 

$

63

 

$

233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of total realized investment gains (losses) for the period included in the consolidated statement of income attributable to changes in the fair value of assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


(1)                  Includes impairments on investments held at the end of the period as well as amortization on fixed maturities.

 

(2)                  During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, approximately $81 million of municipal fixed maturity securities were valued using observable market data which resulted in a transfer out of Level 3 into Level 2.  In prior periods, these securities were valued internally using unobservable inputs.

 

(in millions)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Other
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

$

240

 

$

154

 

$

394

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in realized investment gains (losses) (1)

 

5

 

2

 

7

 

Included in increases (decreases) in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

10

 

11

 

21

 

Purchases, sales and settlements/maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

44

 

3

 

47

 

Sales

 

(9

)

(113

)

(122

)

Settlements/maturities

 

(41

)

 

(41

)

Gross transfers into Level 3

 

13

 

 

13

 

Gross transfers out of Level 3

 

(32

)

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

230

 

$

57

 

$

287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of total realized investment gains (losses) for the period included in the consolidated statement of income attributable to changes in the fair value of assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


(1)     Includes impairments on investments held at the end of the period as well as amortization on fixed maturities.

 

The Company had no financial assets or financial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2011 or twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.     FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value

 

The Company uses various financial instruments in the normal course of its business. The Company’s insurance contracts are excluded from fair value of financial instruments accounting guidance and, therefore, are not included in the amounts discussed below.

 

The carrying values of cash, short-term securities and investment income accrued approximated their fair values.

 

The carrying values of $609 million and $647 million of financial instruments classified as other assets approximated their fair values at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The carrying values of $3.55 billion and $3.75 billion of financial instruments classified as other liabilities at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, also approximated their fair values. Fair value is determined using various methods including discounted cash flows, as appropriate for the various financial instruments.

 

The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt at March 31, 2011 was $6.61 billion and $7.07 billion, respectively. The respective totals at December 31, 2010 were $6.61 billion and $7.21 billion.  The Company utilized a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 96% and 94% of its debt, other than commercial paper, at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The pricing service utilizes market quotations for debt that have quoted prices in active markets.  For the small amount of the Company’s debt securities for which a pricing service is not used, the Company utilizes pricing estimates from a nationally recognized broker/dealer to estimate fair value.  If estimates of fair value are unavailable from the pricing service or the broker/dealer, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques which are based on a discounted cash flow methodology and incorporates all available relevant observable market inputs.

 

The fair value of commercial paper included in debt outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 approximated its book value because of its short-term nature.

 

5.                       GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Goodwill

 

The following table presents the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill by segment at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(in millions)

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Business Insurance

 

$

2,168

 

$

2,168

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

557

 

557

 

Personal Insurance

 

613

 

613

 

Other

 

27

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

3,365

 

$

3,365

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

5.                       GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Continued

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

The following presents a summary of the Company’s other intangible assets by major asset class at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(at March 31, 2011, in millions)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Intangibles subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

935

 

$

797

 

$

138

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables (1)

 

191

 

63

 

128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

 

1,126

 

860

 

266

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

216

 

 

216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other intangible assets

 

$

1,342

 

$

860

 

$

482

 

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Intangibles subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

935

 

$

783

 

$

152

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables (1)

 

191

 

57

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

 

1,126

 

840

 

286

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

216

 

 

216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other intangible assets

 

$

1,342

 

$

840

 

$

502

 

 


(1)          The time value of money and the risk margin (cost of capital) components of the intangible asset run off at different rates, and, as such, the amount recognized in income may be a net benefit in some periods and a net expense in other periods.

 

The following presents a summary of the Company’s amortization expense for other intangible assets by major asset class:

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Customer-related

 

$

14

 

$

17

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables

 

6

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amortization expense

 

$

20

 

$

24

 

 

Intangible asset amortization expense is estimated to be $49 million for the remainder of 2011, $52 million in 2012, $45 million in 2013, $43 million in 2014 and $23 million in 2015.

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

6.             SHARE REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATION

 

The Company’s board of directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise.  The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date.  The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, catastrophe losses, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors. In January 2011, the board of directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5 billion of repurchase capacity to the $1.51 billion of capacity remaining at December 31, 2010.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company repurchased 18.9 million shares under its share repurchase authorization, for a total cost of approximately $1.10 billion.  The average cost per share repurchased was $58.23.  At March 31, 2011, the Company had $5.41 billion of capacity remaining under the share repurchase authorization.

 

7.                       CHANGES IN EQUITY FROM NONOWNER SOURCES

 

The Company’s total changes in equity from nonowner sources were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions, after-tax)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

(60

)

54

 

Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

18

 

23

 

Other changes

 

59

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

$

856

 

$

699

 

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

8.                       EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, as reported

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

(1

)

(1

)

Participating share-based awards — allocated income

 

(7

)

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders — basic

 

$

831

 

$

641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

831

 

$

641

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders — diluted

 

$

832

 

$

642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

428.2

 

508.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

428.2

 

508.4

 

Weighted average effects of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options and performance shares

 

4.6

 

4.8

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

1.6

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

434.4

 

515.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.94

 

$

1.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

1.92

 

$

1.25

 

 

9.             SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following presents information for fully vested stock option awards at March 31, 2011:

 

Stock Options 

 

Number

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Contractual
Life
Remaining

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

($ in millions)

 

Vested at end of period (1)

 

15,159,159

 

$

46.34

 

4.5 years

 

$

199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

11,648,399

 

$

45.54

 

3.4 years

 

$

162

 

 


(1) Represents awards for which the requisite service has been rendered, including those that are retirement eligible.

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

9.                           SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION, Continued

 

The total compensation cost for all share-based incentive compensation awards recognized in earnings was $37 million and $42 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The related tax benefits recognized in earnings was $13 million and $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested share-based incentive compensation awards at March 31, 2011 was $189 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested share-based incentive compensation awards at December 31, 2010 was $112 million, which was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

 

10.                PENSION PLANS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SAVINGS PLANS

 

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans recognized in the consolidated statement of income.

 

 

 

Pension Plans

 

Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

25

 

$

24

 

$

 

$

 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

 

34

 

32

 

3

 

4

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(46

)

(46

)

 

 

Amortization of unrecognized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

(1

)

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

19

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit expense

 

$

32

 

$

24

 

$

3

 

$

4

 

 

11.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES

 

Contingencies

 

The following section describes the major pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the Company’s properties is subject.

 

Asbestos- and Environmental-Related Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of its insurance business, the Company receives claims for insurance arising under policies issued by the Company asserting alleged injuries and damages from asbestos- and environmental-related exposures that are the subject of related coverage litigation, including, among others, the litigation described below.  The Company continues to be subject to aggressive asbestos-related litigation.  The Company is defending asbestos- and environmental-related litigation vigorously and believes that it has meritorious defenses; however, the outcomes of these disputes are uncertain.  In this regard, the Company employs dedicated specialists and aggressive resolution strategies to manage asbestos and environmental loss exposure, including settling litigation under appropriate circumstances.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

Asbestos Direct Action Litigation — In October 2001 and April 2002, two purported class action suits (Wise v. Travelers and Meninger v. Travelers) were filed against Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (TPC) and other insurers (not including The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (SPC)) in state court in West Virginia. These and other cases subsequently filed in West Virginia were consolidated into a single proceeding in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia. The plaintiffs allege that the insurer defendants engaged in unfair trade practices in violation of state statutes by inappropriately handling and settling asbestos claims. The plaintiffs seek to reopen large numbers of settled asbestos claims and to impose liability for damages, including punitive damages, directly on insurers.  Similar lawsuits alleging inappropriate handling and settling of asbestos claims were filed in Massachusetts and Hawaii state courts.  These suits are collectively referred to as the Statutory and Hawaii Actions.

 

In March 2002, the plaintiffs in consolidated asbestos actions pending before a mass tort panel of judges in West Virginia state court amended their complaint to include TPC as a defendant, alleging that TPC and other insurers breached alleged duties to certain users of asbestos products.  The plaintiffs seek damages, including punitive damages. Lawsuits seeking similar relief and raising similar allegations, primarily violations of purported common law duties to third parties, have also been asserted in various state courts against TPC and SPC. The claims asserted in these suits are collectively referred to as the Common Law Claims.

 

The federal bankruptcy court that had presided over the bankruptcy of TPC’s former policyholder Johns-Manville Corporation issued a temporary injunction prohibiting the prosecution of the Statutory Actions (but not the Hawaii Actions), the Common Law Claims and an additional set of cases filed in various state courts in Texas and Ohio, and enjoining certain attorneys from filing any further lawsuits against TPC based on similar allegations. Notwithstanding the injunction, additional common law claims were filed against TPC.

 

In November 2003, the parties reached a settlement of the Statutory and Hawaii Actions.  This settlement includes a lump-sum payment of up to $412 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies. In May 2004, the parties reached a settlement resolving substantially all pending and similar future Common Law Claims against TPC.  This settlement requires a payment of up to $90 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies.  Among the contingencies for each of these settlements is a final order of the bankruptcy court clarifying that all of these claims, and similar future asbestos-related claims against TPC, are barred by prior orders entered by the bankruptcy court (“the 1986 Orders”).

 

On August 17, 2004, the bankruptcy court entered an order approving the settlements and clarifying that the 1986 Orders barred the pending Statutory and Hawaii Actions and substantially all Common Law Claims pending against TPC (“the Clarifying Order”). The Clarifying Order also applies to similar direct action claims that may be filed in the future.

 

On March 29, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York substantially affirmed the Clarifying Order while vacating that portion of the order that required all future direct actions against TPC to first be approved by the bankruptcy court before proceeding in state or federal court.

 

Various parties appealed the district court’s March 29, 2006 ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  On February 15, 2008, the Second Circuit issued an opinion vacating on jurisdictional grounds the District Court’s approval of the Clarifying Order.  On February 29, 2008, TPC and certain other parties to the appeals filed petitions for rehearing and/or rehearing en banc, requesting reinstatement of the district court’s judgment, which were denied.  TPC and certain other parties filed Petitions for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s decision, and on December 12, 2008, the Petitions were granted.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

On June 18, 2009, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of TPC, reversing the Second Circuit’s February 15, 2008 decision, finding, among other things, that the 1986 Orders are final and generally bar the Statutory and Hawaii actions and substantially all Common Law Claims against TPC.  Further, the Supreme Court ruled that the bankruptcy court had jurisdiction to issue the Clarifying Order.  However, since the Second Circuit had not ruled on certain additional issues, principally related to procedural matters and the adequacy of notice provided to certain parties, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Second Circuit for further proceedings on those specific issues.  On October 21, 2009, all but one of the objectors to the Clarifying Order requested that the Second Circuit dismiss their appeal of the order approving the settlement, and that request was granted.

 

On March 22, 2010, the Second Circuit issued an opinion in which it found that the notice of the 1986 Orders provided to the remaining objector was insufficient to bar contribution claims by that objector against TPC. On April 5, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc with the Second Circuit, requesting further review of its March 22, 2010 opinion, which was denied on May 25, 2010.  On August 18, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion, and a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus seeking an order from the Supreme Court requiring the Second Circuit to comply with the Supreme Court’s June 18, 2009 ruling in TPC’s favor. The Supreme Court denied the Petitions on November 29, 2010.

 

The plaintiffs in the Statutory and Hawaii actions and the Common Law Claims actions filed Motions to Compel with the bankruptcy court on September 2, 2010 and September 3, 2010, respectively, arguing that all conditions precedent to the settlements have been met and seeking to require TPC to pay the settlement amounts.  On September 30, 2010, TPC filed an Opposition to the plaintiffs’ Motions to Compel on the grounds that the conditions precedent to the settlements, principally the requirement that all contribution claims be barred, have not been met in light of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion.  On December 16, 2010, the bankruptcy court granted the plaintiffs’ motions and ruled that TPC was required to fund the settlements.  On January 20, 2011, the bankruptcy court entered judgment in accordance with its December 16, 2010 ruling and ordered TPC to pay the settlement amounts plus prejudgment interest. On January 21, 2011, TPC filed an appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment.  On January 24, 2011, certain of the plaintiffs in the Common Law Claims actions appealed that portion of the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment that denied their request for an order of contempt and for sanctions.  The appeals are pending.

 

SPC, which is not covered by the Manville bankruptcy court rulings or the settlements described above, is a party to pending direct action cases in Texas state court asserting common law claims.  All such cases that are still pending and in which SPC has been served are currently on the inactive docket in Texas state court.  If any of those cases becomes active, SPC intends to litigate those cases vigorously.  SPC was previously a defendant in similar direct actions in Ohio state court. Those actions have all been dismissed following favorable rulings by Ohio trial and appellate courts.  From time to time, SPC and/or its subsidiaries have been named in individual direct actions in other jurisdictions.

 

Outcome and Impact of Asbestos and Environmental Claims and Litigation.  Currently, it is not possible to predict legal outcomes and their impact on the future development of claims and litigation relating to asbestos and environmental claims. Any such development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as changes in applicable legislation. Because of these uncertainties, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves. In addition, the Company’s estimate of ultimate claims and claim adjustment expenses may change. These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s results of operations in future periods.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

Other Proceedings

 

Broker Anti-Trust Litigation In 2005, four putative class action lawsuits were brought against a number of insurance brokers and insurers, including the Company, by plaintiffs who allegedly purchased insurance products through one or more of the defendant brokers.  The plaintiffs alleged that various insurance brokers conspired with each other and with various insurers, including the Company, to artificially inflate premiums, allocate brokerage customers and rig bids for insurance products offered to those customers. To the extent they were not originally filed there, the federal class actions were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings with other class actions under the caption In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation. On August 1, 2005, various plaintiffs, including the four named plaintiffs in the above-referenced class actions, filed an amended consolidated class action complaint naming various brokers and insurers, including the Company, on behalf of a putative nationwide class of policyholders. The complaint included causes of action under the Sherman Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), state common law and the laws of the various states prohibiting antitrust violations. The complaint sought monetary damages, including punitive damages and trebled damages, permanent injunctive relief, restitution, including disgorgement of profits, interest and costs, including attorneys’ fees.  All defendants moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim.  After giving plaintiffs multiple opportunities to replead, the court dismissed the Sherman Act claims on August 31, 2007 and the RICO claims on September 28, 2007, both with prejudice, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The plaintiffs appealed the district court’s decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On August 16, 2010, the Third Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of all Sherman Act and RICO claims against certain defendants, including the Company, except for Sherman Act and RICO claims involving the sale of excess casualty insurance through one defendant broker, as well as all state law claims, which they remanded to the district court for further proceedings. On October 1, 2010, defendants, including the Company, filed renewed motions to dismiss the remanded claims.  On March 18, 2011, the Company and certain other defendants entered into an agreement with the plaintiffs to settle the lawsuit. The settlement, under which the Company has agreed to pay $6.75 million, is subject to court approval.

 

Additional individual actions have been brought in state and federal courts against the Company involving allegations similar to those in In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation, and further actions may be brought. The Company believes that all of these lawsuits have no merit and intends to defend vigorously.

 

Other — In addition to those described above, the Company is involved in numerous lawsuits, not involving asbestos and environmental claims, arising mostly in the ordinary course of business operations, either as a liability insurer defending third-party claims brought against policyholders or as an insurer defending claims brought against it relating to coverage or the Company’s business practices. In addition, from time to time, the Company is involved in proceedings addressing disputes with its reinsurers regarding the collection of amounts due under the Company’s reinsurance agreements.  While the ultimate resolution of these legal proceedings could be material to the Company’s results of operations in a future period, in the opinion of the Company’s management, none would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.

 

Gain Contingency

 

On August 20, 2010, in a reinsurance dispute in New York state court captioned United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company v. American Re-Insurance Company, et al., the trial court granted summary judgment for the Company, and on October 25, 2010, entered judgment awarding the Company $251 million plus pre-judgment interest in the amount of $169 million.  United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company is a subsidiary of the Company.  The $251 million awarded by the court represents the amount owed to the Company under the terms of the reinsurance agreements and is reported as part of reinsurance recoverables in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The interest awarded by the Court is treated for accounting purposes as a gain contingency in accordance with FASB Topic 450, Contingencies, and accordingly has not been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Post-judgment interest continues to accrue at the rate of 9 percent (without compounding) on the total judgment of $420 million.  The judgment, including the award of interest, has been appealed, and oral argument is scheduled for May 10, 2011.  The Company intends to vigorously pursue collection of the judgment.

 

27



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

Other Commitments and Guarantees

 

Commitments

 

Investment Commitments — The Company has unfunded commitments to private equity limited partnerships and real estate partnerships in which it invests.  These commitments totaled $1.23 billion and $1.26 billion at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Additionally, in November 2010, an indirect subsidiary of the Company entered into a definitive agreement to commence a joint venture with J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A, a Brazilian company (“J. Malucelli”), through the acquisition of approximately 43% of J. Malucelli’s common stock.  J. Malucelli is currently the market leader in surety in Brazil based on market share.  The purchase price for this acquisition will be R$625 million Brazilian Reais, plus an additional amount calculated based on a Brazilian inter-bank lending rate (CDI) from January 1, 2011 through the closing date of the transaction.  At March 31, 2011, that additional amount, which will continue to accrue until the anticipated closing date in the second quarter of 2011, totaled R$17 million Brazilian Reais.  The U.S. dollar equivalent of the purchase price will depend on the exchange rate at closing.  At March 31, 2011, the total of R$642 million Brazilian Reais was equivalent to approximately $393 million in U.S. dollars.  The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

 

Guarantees

 

The Company has contingent obligations for guarantees related to letters of credit, issuance of debt securities, certain investments, third-party loans related to certain investments and various indemnifications, including those related to the sale of business entities.  The Company also provides standard indemnifications to service providers in the normal course of business.  The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms.  Certain of these guarantees and indemnifications have no stated or notional amounts or limitation to the maximum potential future payments, and, accordingly, the Company is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential payments for such arrangements.  At March 31, 2011, the maximum amount of the Company’s obligation for guarantees of certain investments and third-party loans related to certain investments that are quantifiable was $84 million, approximately $40 million of which would be recoverable from a third party.

 

In the ordinary course of selling business entities to third parties, the Company has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representations and warranties with respect to the business entities being sold, covenants and obligations of the Company and/or its subsidiaries following the closing, and in certain cases obligations arising from undisclosed liabilities, adverse reserve development, imposition of additional taxes due to either a change in the tax law or an adverse interpretation of the tax law, or certain named litigation.  Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from two years following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitations, although, in some cases, there may be other agreed upon term limitations or no term limitations.  Certain of these contingent obligations are subject to deductibles which have to be incurred by the obligee before the Company is obligated to make payments.  The maximum amount of the Company’s contingent obligation for indemnifications related to the sale of business entities that are quantifiable was $1.35 billion at March 31, 2011, of which $9 million was recognized on the balance sheet at that date.

 

12.                                 CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The following consolidating financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. These consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed certain debt obligations of TPC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, which totaled $1.20 billion at March 31, 2011.

 

Prior to the merger of TPC and SPC in 2004, TPC fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of all principal, premiums, if any, and interest on certain debt obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (TIGHI). The Travelers Companies, Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed such guarantee obligations of TPC. TPC is deemed to have no assets or operations independent of TIGHI.  Consolidating financial information for TIGHI has not been presented herein because such financial information would be substantially the same as the financial information provided for TPC.

 

28



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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

12.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the three months ended March 31, 2011

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

3,625

 

$

1,746

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,371

 

Net investment income

 

532

 

244

 

3

 

 

779

 

Fee income

 

74

 

 

 

 

74

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

9

 

12

 

(1

)

 

20

 

Other revenues

 

30

 

4

 

 

 

34

 

Total revenues

 

4,270

 

2,006

 

2

 

 

6,278

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

2,234

 

1,148

 

 

 

3,382

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

626

 

322

 

 

 

948

 

General and administrative expenses

 

596

 

290

 

(3

)

 

883

 

Interest expense

 

18

 

 

78

 

 

96

 

Total claims and expenses

 

3,474

 

1,760

 

75

 

 

5,309

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

796

 

246

 

(73

)

 

969

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

196

 

57

 

(123

)

 

130

 

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

789

 

(789

)

 

Net income

 

$

600

 

$

189

 

$

839

 

$

(789

)

$

839

 

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains

 

$

2

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

2

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(5

)

(1

)

 

 

(6

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(3

)

(1

)

 

 

(4

)

Other net realized investment gains (losses)

 

12

 

13

 

(1

)

 

24

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

$

9

 

$

12

 

$

(1

)

$

 

$

20

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

29



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  THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

12.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the three months ended March 31, 2010

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

3,523

 

$

1,707

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,230

 

Net investment income

 

519

 

231

 

3

 

 

753

 

Fee income

 

79

 

 

 

 

79

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

21

 

14

 

(10

)

 

25

 

Other revenues

 

28

 

4

 

 

 

32

 

Total revenues

 

4,170

 

1,956

 

(7

)

 

6,119

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

2,225

 

1,163

 

 

 

3,388

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

616

 

313

 

 

 

929

 

General and administrative expenses

 

574

 

267

 

6

 

 

847

 

Interest expense

 

18

 

 

80

 

 

98

 

Total claims and expenses

 

3,433

 

1,743

 

86

 

 

5,262

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

737

 

213

 

(93

)

 

857

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

171

 

49

 

(10

)

 

210

 

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

730

 

(730

)

 

Net income

 

$

566

 

$

164

 

$

647

 

$

(730

)

$

647

 

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)

 

$

3

 

$

(4

)

$

 

$

 

$

(1

)

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(6

)

(3

)

 

 

(9

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(3

)

(7

)

 

 

(10

)

Other net realized investment gains (losses)

 

24

 

21

 

(10

)

 

35

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

$

21

 

$

14

 

$

(10

)

$

 

$

25

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

30



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

12.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

At March 31, 2011

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (including $164 subject to securities lending) (amortized cost $59,720)

 

$

42,167

 

$

20,088

 

$

21

 

$

 

$

62,276

 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $421)

 

197

 

288

 

98

 

 

583

 

Real estate

 

33

 

833

 

 

 

866

 

Short-term securities

 

1,980

 

859

 

2,813

 

 

5,652

 

Other investments

 

2,044

 

969

 

1

 

 

3,014

 

Total investments

 

46,421

 

23,037

 

2,933

 

 

72,391

 

Cash

 

123

 

112

 

4

 

 

239

 

Investment income accrued

 

503

 

233

 

 

 

736

 

Premiums receivable

 

3,834

 

1,834

 

 

 

5,668

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

7,821

 

3,965

 

 

 

11,786

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

693

 

218

 

 

 

911

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,531

 

270

 

 

 

1,801

 

Deferred tax asset

 

198

 

137

 

22

 

 

357

 

Contractholder receivables

 

4,042

 

1,229

 

 

 

5,271

 

Goodwill

 

2,411

 

954

 

 

 

3,365

 

Other intangible assets

 

320

 

162

 

 

 

482

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

 

27,861

 

(27,861

)

 

Other assets

 

1,947

 

285

 

61

 

(48

)

2,245

 

Total assets

 

$

69,844

 

$

32,436

 

$

30,881

 

$

(27,909

)

$

105,252

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

33,679

 

$

17,761

 

$

 

$

 

$

51,440

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

7,594

 

3,522

 

 

 

11,116

 

Contractholder payables

 

4,042

 

1,229

 

 

 

5,271

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

292

 

221

 

 

 

513

 

Debt

 

1,189

 

9

 

5,461

 

(48

)

6,611

 

Other liabilities

 

3,919

 

952

 

187

 

 

5,058

 

Total liabilities

 

50,715

 

23,694

 

5,648

 

(48

)

80,009

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock Savings Plan—convertible preferred stock (0.2 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

 

66

 

 

66

 

Common stock (1,748.6 shares authorized; 420.3 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

390

 

20,370

 

(390

)

20,370

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

11,135

 

7,016

 

 

(18,151

)

 

Retained earnings

 

6,744

 

765

 

19,528

 

(7,499

)

19,538

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

1,250

 

571

 

1,272

 

(1,821

)

1,272

 

Treasury stock, at cost (316.3 shares)

 

 

 

(16,003

)

 

(16,003

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

19,129

 

8,742

 

25,233

 

(27,861

)

25,243

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

69,844

 

$

32,436

 

$

30,881

 

$

(27,909

)

$

105,252

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

31



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

12.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

At December 31, 2010

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (including $186 subject to securities lending) (amortized cost $60,170)

 

$

42,415

 

$

20,385

 

$

20

 

$

 

$

62,820

 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $372)

 

190

 

263

 

66

 

 

519

 

Real estate

 

1

 

837

 

 

 

838

 

Short-term securities

 

1,596

 

436

 

3,584

 

 

5,616

 

Other investments

 

1,982

 

946

 

1

 

 

2,929

 

Total investments

 

46,184

 

22,867

 

3,671

 

 

72,722

 

Cash

 

86

 

110

 

4

 

 

200

 

Investment income accrued

 

532

 

259

 

 

 

791

 

Premiums receivable

 

3,691

 

1,806

 

 

 

5,497

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

7,868

 

4,126

 

 

 

11,994

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

648

 

165

 

 

 

813

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,511

 

271

 

 

 

1,782

 

Deferred tax asset

 

294

 

125

 

74

 

 

493

 

Contractholder receivables

 

4,050

 

1,293

 

 

 

5,343

 

Goodwill

 

2,411

 

954

 

 

 

3,365

 

Other intangible assets

 

326

 

176

 

 

 

502

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

 

27,422

 

(27,422

)

 

Other assets

 

1,904

 

237

 

60

 

(47

)

2,154

 

Total assets

 

$

69,505

 

$

32,389

 

$

31,231

 

$

(27,469

)

$

105,656

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

33,770

 

$

17,836

 

$

 

$

 

$

51,606

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

7,478

 

3,443

 

 

 

10,921

 

Contractholder payables

 

4,050

 

1,293

 

 

 

5,343

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

214

 

193

 

 

 

407

 

Debt

 

1,189

 

9

 

5,460

 

(47

)

6,611

 

Other liabilities

 

3,906

 

1,089

 

298

 

 

5,293

 

Total liabilities

 

50,607

 

23,863

 

5,758

 

(47

)

80,181

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock Savings Plan—convertible preferred stock (0.2 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

 

68

 

 

68

 

Common stock (1,748.6 shares authorized; 434.6 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

390

 

20,162

 

(390

)

20,162

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

11,135

 

7,016

 

 

(18,151

)

 

Retained earnings

 

6,489

 

576

 

18,845

 

(7,063

)

18,847

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

1,274

 

544

 

1,255

 

(1,818

)

1,255

 

Treasury stock, at cost (296.6 shares)

 

 

 

(14,857

)

 

(14,857

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

18,898

 

8,526

 

25,473

 

(27,422

)

25,475

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

69,505

 

$

32,389

 

$

31,231

 

$

(27,469

)

$

105,656

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

32



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

12.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

For the three months ended March 31, 2011

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

600

 

$

189

 

$

839

 

$

(789

)

$

839

 

Net adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

(3

)

(186

)

(453

)

436

 

(206

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

597

 

3

 

386

 

(353

)

633

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

1,132

 

717

 

 

 

1,849

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

230

 

259

 

1

 

 

490

 

Equity securities

 

1

 

7

 

 

 

8

 

Other investments

 

102

 

59

 

 

 

161

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(1,210

)

(612

)

(2

)

 

(1,824

)

Equity securities

 

 

(23

)

(28

)

 

(51

)

Real estate

 

(24

)

(6

)

 

 

(30

)

Other investments

 

(65

)

(42

)

 

 

(107

)

Net sales (purchases) of short-term securities

 

(384

)

(418

)

771

 

 

(31

)

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

79

 

55

 

 

 

134

 

Other

 

(68

)

(1

)

 

 

(69

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(207

)

(5

)

742

 

 

530

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

 

(155

)

 

(155

)

Issuance of common stock — employee share options

 

 

 

168

 

 

168

 

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

 

 

(1,104

)

 

(1,104

)

Treasury shares acquired — net employee share-based compensation

 

 

 

(44

)

 

(44

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

 

 

7

 

 

7

 

Dividends paid to parent company

 

(353

)

 

 

353

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(353

)

 

(1,128

)

353

 

(1,128

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Net increase in cash

 

37

 

2

 

 

 

39

 

Cash at beginning of year

 

86

 

110

 

4

 

 

200

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

123

 

$

112

 

$

4

 

$

 

$

239

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

75

 

$

36

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

112

 

Interest paid

 

$

28

 

$

 

$

7

 

$

 

$

35

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

33



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

12.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

For the three months ended March 31, 2010

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

566

 

$

164

 

$

647

 

$

(730

)

$

647

 

Net adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

(103

)

(372

)

2,004

 

(1,645

)

(116

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

463

 

(208

)

2,651

 

(2,375

)

531

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

740

 

479

 

10

 

 

1,229

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

1,199

 

447

 

 

 

1,646

 

Equity securities

 

15

 

4

 

 

 

19

 

Real estate

 

 

9

 

 

 

9

 

Other investments

 

86

 

28

 

 

 

114

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(1,265

)

(910

)

 

 

(2,175

)

Equity securities

 

(4

)

(1

)

 

 

(5

)

Real estate

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

Other investments

 

(63

)

(41

)

 

 

(104

)

Net sales of short-term securities

 

1,178

 

191

 

(1,167

)

 

202

 

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

79

 

16

 

 

 

95

 

Other

 

(73

)

(2

)

 

 

(75

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,892

 

217

 

(1,157

)

 

952

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

 

(168

)

 

(168

)

Issuance of common stock — employee share options

 

 

 

123

 

 

123

 

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

 

 

(1,407

)

 

(1,407

)

Treasury shares acquired — net employee share-based compensation

 

 

 

(38

)

 

(38

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

 

 

4

 

 

4

 

Dividends paid to parent company

 

(2,375

)

 

 

2,375

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(2,375

)

 

(1,486

)

2,375

 

(1,486

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

(20

)

8

 

8

 

 

(4

)

Cash at beginning of year

 

132

 

122

 

1

 

 

255

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

112

 

$

130

 

$

9

 

$

 

$

251

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

13

 

$

8

 

$

23

 

$

 

$

44

 

Interest paid

 

$

29

 

$

 

$

34

 

$

 

$

63

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2.             MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company).

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

2011 First Quarter Consolidated Results of Operations

 

·                   Net income of $839 million, or $1.94 per share basic and $1.92 per share diluted

·                   Net earned premiums of $5.37 billion

·                   Catastrophe losses of $186 million ($122 million after-tax)

·                   Net favorable prior year reserve development of $237 million ($155 million after-tax)

·                   GAAP combined ratio of 94.7%

·                   Net investment income of $779 million ($622 million after-tax)

·                   Net realized investment gains of $20 million ($13 million after-tax)

·                   Benefit from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters of $104 million

 

2011 First Quarter Consolidated Financial Condition

 

·                   Total investments of $72.39 billion; fixed maturities and short-term securities comprise 94% of total investments

·                   Total assets of $105.25 billion

·                   Total debt of $6.61 billion, resulting in a debt-to-total capital ratio of 20.8% (22.0% excluding net unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax)

·                   Repurchased 18.9 million common shares for total cost of $1.10 billion under share repurchase authorization

·                   Shareholders’ equity of $25.24 billion; book value per common share of $59.91, up 12% from March 31, 2010

·                   Holding company liquidity of $2.86 billion

 

CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions except ratio and per share amounts)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

5,371

 

$

5,230

 

Net investment income

 

779

 

753

 

Fee income

 

74

 

79

 

Net realized investment gains

 

20

 

25

 

Other revenues

 

34

 

32

 

Total revenues

 

6,278

 

6,119

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

3,382

 

3,388

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

948

 

929

 

General and administrative expenses

 

883

 

847

 

Interest expense

 

96

 

98

 

Total claims and expenses

 

5,309

 

5,262

 

Income before income taxes

 

969

 

857

 

Income tax expense

 

130

 

210

 

Net income

 

$

839

 

$

647

 

Net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.94

 

$

1.26

 

Diluted

 

$

1.92

 

$

1.25

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

62.1

%

64.0

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

32.6

 

32.4

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

94.7

%

96.4

%

Incremental impact of direct to consumer initiative on GAAP combined ratio

 

0.9

%

0.6

%

 

35



Table of Contents

 

The Company’s discussions of net income and segment operating income included in the following discussion are presented on an after-tax basis. Discussions of the components of net income and segment operating income are presented on a pretax basis, unless otherwise noted. Discussions of net income per common share are presented on a diluted basis.

 

Overview

 

Diluted net income per share of $1.92 in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 54% over the same period of 2010, whereas net income of $839 million increased 30% over the same period of 2010. The greater rate of growth in diluted net income per share reflected the impact of common share repurchases over the previous twelve months. The increase in net income primarily reflected the impact of a significant decrease in catastrophe losses and a modest increase in net investment income, partially offset by modest declines in underwriting margins excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development (“underlying underwriting margins”) which included the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, and lower net favorable prior year reserve development. In addition, net income in the first quarter of 2011 reflected a $104 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters.

 

Revenues

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $5.37 billion, an increase of $141 million, or 3%, over the same period of 2010. In the Business Insurance segment, earned premiums in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 4% over the same period of 2010. In the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, earned premiums in the first quarter of 2011 decreased by 6% from the same 2010 period. In the Personal Insurance segment, earned premiums in the first quarter of 2011 increased 4% over the same period of 2010. Factors contributing to the changes in earned premiums in each segment are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

 

Net Investment Income

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s investments.

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)  

 

2011

 

2010

 

Average investments (a)

 

$

70,771

 

$

72,659

 

Pretax net investment income

 

779

 

753

 

After-tax net investment income

 

622

 

610

 

Average pretax yield (b)

 

4.4

%

4.1

%

Average after-tax yield (b)

 

3.5

%

3.4

%

 


(a)                   Excludes net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of tax, and reflects cash, receivables for investment sales, payables on investment purchases and accrued investment income.

(b)                  Excludes net realized investment gains and losses and net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of tax.

 

Net investment income of $779 million in the first quarter of 2011 was $26 million, or 3%, higher than in the same period of 2010 despite lower average investments. Non-fixed maturity investments generated net investment income of $140 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $66 million in the same period of 2010, due to improved investment market conditions. Net investment income from fixed maturity investments in the first quarter of 2011 declined $49 million compared with the same period of 2010, primarily resulting from lower average levels of long-term fixed maturity invested assets that reflected the impact of the Company’s common share repurchases, as well as lower long-term reinvestment yields available in the market. The average pretax yield on the total investment portfolio was 4.4% for the first quarter of 2011, compared with 4.1% for the same period of 2010, reflecting the improvement in non-fixed maturity net investment income.

 

Fee Income

 

The National Accounts market in the Business Insurance segment is the primary source of the Company’s fee-based business. The $5 million decrease in fee income in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010 is described in the Business Insurance segment discussion that follows.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s net realized investment gains (losses).

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)

 

$

2

 

$

(1

)

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(6

)

(9

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(4

)

(10

)

Other net realized investment gains

 

24

 

35

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

20

 

$

25

 

 

Other Revenues

 

Other revenues in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 primarily consisted of premium installment charges.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses of $3.38 billion in the first quarter of 2011 were $6 million lower than the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the significant decline in catastrophe losses, largely offset by the impact of increased loss costs excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development (“underlying loss costs”) including the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, and a modest decline in net favorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $186 million and $471 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $237 million and $294 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 primarily resulted from several winter storms in the United States. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2010 primarily resulted from several severe winter, wind and hail storms in the eastern United States, as well as an earthquake in Chile.

 

The Company’s three business segments each experienced net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of both 2011 and 2010. In the Business Insurance segment, net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $143 million, compared with $242 million in the same period of 2010. In the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $39 million, compared with $34 million in the same period of 2010. In the Personal Insurance segment, net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $55 million, compared with $18 million in the same period of 2010. Factors contributing to net favorable prior year reserve development in each segment during these periods are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs totaled $948 million in the first quarter of 2011, $19 million, or 2%, higher than the same period of 2010, consistent with the increase in earned premiums.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses totaled $883 million in the first quarter of 2011, an increase of $36 million, or 4%, over the same period of 2010. The increase was concentrated in the Personal Insurance segment, resulting from the Company’s direct to consumer initiative, and in the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, due to employee- and technology-related costs in International to enhance operations and support future business growth.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense of $96 million in the first quarter of 2011 was $2 million lower than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting a slightly lower weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding, partially offset by a modest increase in the weighted average level of debt outstanding in the first quarter of 2011.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The consolidated GAAP combined ratio of 94.7% in the first quarter of 2011 was 1.7 points lower than in the same period of 2010.

 

The consolidated loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 62.1% in the first quarter of 2011 was 1.9 points lower than the same period of 2010. Catastrophe losses accounted for 3.4 points and 9.0 points of the 2011 and 2010 first quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratios, respectively. The 2011 and 2010 first quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratios included 4.4 point and 5.6 point benefits from net favorable prior year reserve development, respectively. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2011 was 2.5 points higher than the 2010 first quarter ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impact of reduced underlying underwriting margins in the Personal Insurance segment due to an increase in non-catastrophe weather-related losses and reduced underlying underwriting margins related to earned pricing and underlying loss costs in the Business Insurance segment.

 

The consolidated underwriting expense ratio of 32.6% for the first quarter of 2011 was 0.2 points higher than the same period of 2010, reflecting the increase in general and administrative expenses described above.

 

Written Premiums

 

Consolidated gross and net written premiums were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance

 

$

3,306

 

$

3,118

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

810

 

898

 

Personal Insurance

 

1,845

 

1,787

 

Total

 

$

5,961

 

$

5,803

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance

 

$

3,020

 

$

2,834

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

624

 

681

 

Personal Insurance

 

1,793

 

1,736

 

Total

 

$

5,437

 

$

5,251

 

 

Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 increased 3% and 4%, respectively, over the same period of 2010. Factors contributing to the changes in gross and net written premiums in each segment are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

 

The Company is organized into three reportable business segments: Business Insurance; Financial, Professional & International Insurance; and Personal Insurance. These segments reflect the manner in which the Company’s businesses are currently managed and represent an aggregation of products and services based on type of customer, how the business is marketed and the manner in which risks are underwritten.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Business Insurance

 

The Business Insurance segment offers a broad array of property and casualty insurance and insurance-related services to its clients primarily in the United States. Business Insurance is organized into the following six groups, which collectively comprise Business Insurance Core operations: Select Accounts, Commercial Accounts, National Accounts, Industry-Focused Underwriting, Target Risk Underwriting and Specialized Distribution.

 

Business Insurance also includes the Special Liability Group (which manages the Company’s asbestos and environmental liabilities) and the assumed reinsurance and certain international and other runoff operations, which collectively are referred to as Business Insurance Other.

 

Results of the Company’s Business Insurance segment were as follows:

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

2,745

 

$

2,628

 

Net investment income

 

556

 

528

 

Fee income

 

74

 

79

 

Other revenues

 

9

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,384

 

$

3,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

2,690

 

$

2,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

604

 

$

567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

63.1

%

58.7

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

31.8

 

32.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

94.9

%

91.4

%

 

Overview

 

Operating income of $604 million in the first quarter of 2011 was $37 million, or 7%, higher than operating income of $567 million in the same period of 2010.  The increase reflected a $76 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters, growth in earned premiums related to increased net written premiums over the preceding twelve months and modestly positive audit premium adjustments, a decline in catastrophe losses, an increase in net investment income and lower general and administrative expenses.  These factors were partially offset by a decline in net favorable prior year reserve development and reduced underlying underwriting margins related to earned pricing and underlying loss costs, including an increase in non-catastrophe weather-related losses.  Net favorable prior year reserve development totaled $143 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $242 million in the same 2010 period.  Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $112 million, compared with $135 million in the same period of 2010.

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums of $2.75 billion in the first quarter of 2011 increased by $117 million, or 4%, over the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the impact of an increase in net written premiums over the preceding twelve months.  Earned premiums also benefited from positive audit premium adjustments in the first quarter of 2011 related to increased insured exposures for existing policyholders, compared with negative audit premium adjustments in the same period of 2010 related to decreased insured exposures for existing policyholders.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income in this segment in the first quarter of 2011 increased by $28 million over the same 2010 period.  Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the increase in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010.  In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Fee Income

 

National Accounts is the primary source of fee income due to its service businesses, which include claim and loss prevention services to large companies that choose to self-insure a portion of their insurance risks, as well as claims and policy management services to workers’ compensation residual market pools.  Fee income in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $74 million, $5 million lower than in the same period of 2010.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claim and Claims Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2011 were $1.77 billion, $190 million, or 12%, higher than in the same 2010 period.  The increase primarily reflected a decline in net favorable prior year reserve development, the impact of underlying loss costs and an increase in business volume, partially offset by a decline in catastrophe losses.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $143 million and $242 million, respectively.  The 2011 total was driven by better than expected loss development in the general liability and property product lines, partially offset by worse than expected loss development in the commercial auto product line.  The general liability product line improvement was concentrated in excess coverages for accident years 2008 and prior and reflected what the Company believes are favorable legal and judicial environments.  The improvement in the property product line primarily reflected better than expected loss development for the 2010 accident year in the Inland Marine business unit in Target Risk Underwriting.  The net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the commercial auto product line was concentrated in National Accounts, primarily for accident years 2002 and prior.

 

Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2010 was driven by better than expected loss results primarily concentrated in the general liability, property and commercial multi-peril product lines for recent accident years. In the general liability product line, better than expected loss results for umbrella and excess casualty coverages reflected what the Company believes are favorable legal and judicial environments.  The improvement in the commercial multi-peril product line also reflected what the Company believes to be improved legal and judicial environments, as well as enhanced risk control, underwriting and claim processes.  The property product line improvement primarily occurred in the 2009 accident year as a result of better than expected claim emergence trends in the inland marine and ocean marine lines of business.

 

Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $112 million and $135 million, respectively.  Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 primarily resulted from several winter storms in the United States.  Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2010 primarily resulted from several severe winter, wind and hail storms throughout the United States.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs totaled $444 million in the first quarter of 2011, 4% higher than in the same period of 2010, consistent with the increase in earned premiums.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $473 million, $8 million, or 2%, lower than in the same period of 2010.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The GAAP combined ratio of 94.9% in the first quarter of 2011 was 3.5 points higher than in the same period of 2010.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the first quarter of 2011 of 63.1% was 4.4 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 4.1 points and 5.1 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.   Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 provided 5.2 point and 9.2 point benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 first quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 1.4 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, reflecting the impact of reduced underwriting margins related to earned pricing and underlying loss costs.

 

The underwriting expense ratio of 31.8% for the first quarter of 2011 was 0.9 points lower than in the same period of 2010, reflecting the impact of higher earned premiums and the decline in general and administrative expenses.

 

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Written Premiums

 

The Business Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums by market were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Accounts

 

$

738

 

$

710

 

Commercial Accounts

 

867

 

750

 

National Accounts

 

316

 

327

 

Industry-Focused Underwriting

 

666

 

615

 

Target Risk Underwriting

 

505

 

501

 

Specialized Distribution

 

209

 

216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Business Insurance Core

 

3,301

 

3,119

 

Business Insurance Other

 

5

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Business Insurance

 

$

3,306

 

$

3,118

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Accounts

 

$

732

 

$

702

 

Commercial Accounts

 

822

 

706

 

National Accounts

 

211

 

226

 

Industry-Focused Underwriting

 

628

 

569

 

Target Risk Underwriting

 

413

 

412

 

Specialized Distribution

 

209

 

215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Business Insurance Core

 

3,015

 

2,830

 

Business Insurance Other

 

5

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Business Insurance

 

$

3,020

 

$

2,834

 

 

In Business Insurance Core, gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 6% and 7%, respectively, over the same period of 2010.  The increases in gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 were concentrated in Commercial Accounts, Industry-Focused Underwriting and Select Accounts.  Gross and net written premiums were also favorably impacted by positive audit premium adjustments in the first quarter of 2011 (compared with negative adjustments in the same period of 2010).  Overall business retention rates remained strong and increased over the first quarter of 2010.  Both components of renewal premium changes - renewal rate changes and insured exposure growth - were positive in the first quarter of 2011 and improved over the same period of 2010.  New business levels declined modestly from the first quarter of 2010.

 

Select Accounts.  Net written premiums of $732 million in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 4% over the same period of 2010.  Business retention rates remained strong and increased over the first quarter of 2010.  Renewal premium changes, including both renewal rate changes and insured exposure growth, remained positive in the first quarter of 2011 but declined from the same period of 2010.  New business volume in the first quarter of 2011 increased over the same period of 2010.

 

Commercial Accounts.  Net written premiums of $822 million in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 16% over the same period of 2010.  Business retention rates remained strong and increased over the first quarter of 2010.  Renewal premium changes, including both renewal rate changes and insured exposure growth, were positive in the first quarter of 2011 and increased over the same period of 2010.  Additionally, net written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 were favorably impacted by a decrease in negative audit premium adjustments.  New business volume in the first quarter of 2011 also increased over the same period of 2010.

 

National Accounts. Net written premiums of $211 million in the first quarter of 2011 decreased by 7% from the same 2010 period, primarily reflecting lower prior year retrospective premium adjustments.  Business retention rates remained high in the first quarter of 2011, while new business volume declined when compared with the first quarter of 2010.

 

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Industry-Focused Underwriting.  Net written premiums of $628 million in the first quarter of 2011 increased 10% over the same period of 2010.  Premium growth in 2011 was concentrated in the Construction, Oil & Gas and Technology business units.   In the Construction business unit, business retention rates remained strong and increased over the first quarter of 2010.  Net written premium growth in the Oil & Gas business unit in the first quarter of 2011 was driven by the timing of premiums ceded under certain reinsurance treaties and favorable audit premium adjustments.  In the Technology business unit, premium growth in the first quarter of 2011 was driven by higher business retention rates and renewal premium changes.

 

Target Risk Underwriting.  Net written premiums of $413 million in the first quarter of 2011 were level with the same period of 2010.

 

Specialized Distribution. Net written premiums of $209 million in the first quarter of 2011 decreased 3% from the same period of 2010.  The decline was concentrated in the Northland business unit, driven by declines in business retention rates and new business volume.

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

The Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment includes surety and financial liability coverages, which primarily use credit-based underwriting processes, as well as property and casualty products that are primarily marketed on a domestic basis in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland, and on an international basis through Lloyd’s.  The segment includes Bond & Financial Products as well as International.

 

Results of the Company’s Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment were as follows:

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

773

 

$

824

 

Net investment income

 

106

 

111

 

Other revenues

 

7

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

886

 

$

941

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

740

 

$

818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

120

 

$

86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

55.6

%

62.3

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

39.7

 

36.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

95.3

%

98.9

%

 

Overview

 

Operating income of $120 million in the first quarter of 2011 was $34 million, or 40%, higher than operating income in the same 2010 period, primarily driven by a decline in catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower business volume, higher general and administrative expenses and higher underlying loss costs due to several large losses, including losses related to an earthquake in New Zealand that did not meet the Company’s threshold for classification as catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $21 million and $86 million, respectively.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $39 million and $34 million, respectively.  In addition, operating income in the first quarter of 2011 reflected a $14 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters.

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums of $773 million in the first quarter of 2011 decreased by 6% from the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the impact of lower net written premiums over the preceding twelve months due to lower construction surety volume, and intentional underwriting actions taken and competitive market conditions in the Company’s operations at Lloyd’s.

 

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Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income in the first quarter of 2011 decreased by $5 million from the same period of 2010.  Included in the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment are certain legal entities whose invested assets and related net investment income are reported exclusively in this segment and not allocated among all business segments.  As a result, reported net investment income in the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment reflects a significantly smaller proportion of allocated net investment income, including that from the Company’s non-fixed maturity investments that experienced an increase in investment income in the first quarter of 2011.  Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of “Consolidated Results of Operations” herein for a discussion of the change in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the first quarter of 2011 as compared with the same period of 2010.  In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $433 million, a decrease of $83 million, or 16%, from the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting a decline in catastrophe losses and lower business volume, partially offset by higher underlying loss costs.  Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $21 million and $86 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2011 resulted from an earthquake in Japan, while catastrophe losses in the same period of 2010 resulted from an earthquake in Chile.  Net favorable prior year reserve development totaled $39 million and $34 million in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in 2011 was concentrated in Bond & Financial Products and primarily reflected better than expected results for accident years 2004 and prior for fidelity and surety coverages, including favorable loss development related to one large commercial surety claim.  The majority of net favorable prior year reserve development in 2010 occurred in Bond & Financial Products and was related to better than expected results for recent accident years for the directors’ and officers’ line of business for public companies and favorable loss experience in the surety line of business.  Several lines of business at Lloyd’s also experienced net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2010.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Expenses

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs totaled $147 million in the first quarter of 2011, 4% lower than in the same period of 2010, consistent with the decline in earned premiums.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $160 million, 7% higher than in the same period of 2010.  The increase primarily reflected increases in employee- and technology-related costs in International to enhance operations and support future business growth.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The GAAP combined ratio of 95.3% in the first quarter of 2011 was 3.6 points lower than in the same period of 2010.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 55.6% in the first quarter of 2011 was 6.7 points lower than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 2.7 points and 10.4 points of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, respectively.  The 2011 and 2010 first quarter ratios included 5.1 point and 4.2 point benefits, respectively, from net favorable prior year reserve development.  The 2011 first quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 1.9 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impact of higher underlying loss costs.

 

The underwriting expense ratio of 39.7% in the first quarter of 2011 was 3.1 points higher than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the increase in general and administrative expenses discussed above and the impact of lower business volume in International and construction surety.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Written Premiums

 

The Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums by market were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bond & Financial Products

 

$

508

 

$

529

 

International

 

302

 

369

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

$

810

 

$

898

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bond & Financial Products

 

$

369

 

$

362

 

International

 

255

 

319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

$

624

 

$

681

 

 

The Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment’s gross written premiums of $810 million in the first quarter of 2011 decreased by 10% from the same period of 2010, whereas net written premiums of $624 million decreased 8% from the first quarter of 2010.

 

Net written premiums in Bond & Financial Products of $369 million in the first quarter of 2011 were $7 million, or 2%, higher than in the same period of 2010, primarily driven by changes in the structure and cost of certain reinsurance treaties, partially offset by lower construction surety premium volume due to the continued slowdown in construction spending and disciplined underwriting. Excluding the surety line of business, for which the following are not relevant measures, business retention rates in the first quarter of 2011 remained strong and were higher than in the same period of 2010.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2011 were slightly negative, reflecting negative renewal rate changes (compared with positive renewal rate changes in the first quarter of 2010), largely offset by growth in insured exposures (compared with a decline in insured exposures in the first quarter of 2010).  New business volume in the first quarter of 2011 increased over the same period of 2010.

 

Net written premiums in International of $255 million in the first quarter of 2011 were $64 million, or 20%, lower than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting intentional underwriting actions taken at the company’s operations at Lloyd’s intended to improve risk and reward (particularly in the catastrophe–exposed lines of business), timing related to policies written in the first quarter of 2010 with terms longer than twelve months that will be available for renewal later in 2011 and the termination of an exclusive broker relationship in Ireland in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Excluding the surety line of business, business retention rates in the first quarter of 2011 declined from the same period of 2010, primarily as a result of the termination of the broker relationship in Ireland.  New business volume in International also declined from the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the termination of the broker relationship in Ireland and intentional underwriting actions in the Company’s operations at Lloyd’s.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2011 were negative, primarily due to reduced insured exposures (compared with an increase in insured exposures in the first quarter of 2010), as renewal rate changes were slightly positive and consistent with the first quarter of 2010.

 

Personal Insurance

 

The Personal Insurance segment writes virtually all types of property and casualty insurance covering personal risks. The primary coverages in Personal Insurance are automobile and homeowners insurance sold to individuals.  Personal Insurance writes almost all of its insurance coverage through agents, brokers and other intermediaries, which collectively comprise its Agency book of business.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of the Company’s Personal Insurance segment were as follows:

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

1,853

 

$

1,778

 

Net investment income

 

117

 

114

 

Other revenues

 

18

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,988

 

$

1,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

1,768

 

$

1,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

170

 

$

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

63.4

%

72.5

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

30.8

 

30.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

94.2

%

102.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incremental impact of direct to consumer initiative on GAAP combined ratio

 

2.8

%

1.7

%

 

Overview

 

Operating income of $170 million in the first quarter of 2011 was $111 million, or 188%, higher than in the same period of 2010. The increase in 2011 primarily reflected a significant decline in catastrophe losses, an increase in net favorable prior year development, the favorable impact of earned rate increases and an increase in business volume, partially offset by higher underlying loss costs due to an increase in non-catastrophe weather-related losses and an increase in expenses related to the Company’s direct to consumer initiative. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $53 million and $250 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $55 million and $18 million, respectively. In addition, operating income in the first quarter of 2011 reflected a benefit of $10 million resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters.

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums of $1.85 billion in the first quarter of 2011 were $75 million, or 4%, higher than in the same period of 2010. The increase reflected continued strong business retention rates, renewal price increases and growth in new business volume over the preceding twelve months.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income in the first quarter of 2011 increased by $3 million over the same period of 2010. Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the increase in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the first quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2011 totaled $1.18 billion, a decrease of $113 million, or 9%, from the same period of 2010. The decrease primarily reflected the significant decline in catastrophe losses and the increase in net favorable prior year reserve development, partially offset by higher underlying loss costs and higher business volume. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $53 million and $250 million, respectively. The 2011 total primarily resulted from winter storms in the United States. The 2010 total was driven by several severe winter, wind and hail storms in the eastern United States. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 totaled $55 million and $18 million, respectively. The 2011 total was driven by better than expected loss development related to catastrophe losses incurred in 2010, as well as favorable loss development in the 2006 — 2008 accident years for the umbrella line of business in the Homeowners and Other product line.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs totaled $357 million in the first quarter of 2011, 2% higher than in the same period of 2010, consistent with the increase in earned premiums.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses of $235 million in the first quarter of 2011 were $28 million, or 14%, higher than in the same period of 2010, primarily driven by advertising and other costs associated with the Company’s direct to consumer initiative.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The GAAP combined ratio of 94.2% in the first quarter of 2011 was 8.4 points lower than in the same period of 2010.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 63.4% in the first quarter of 2011 was 9.1 points lower than in the same period of 2010. Catastrophe losses accounted for 2.8 points and 14.0 points of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratios in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio for the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 included 3.0 point and 1.0 point benefits, respectively, from net favorable prior year reserve development. The 2011 first quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 4.1 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impact of higher underlying loss costs, partially offset by the favorable impact of earned rate increases.

 

The underwriting expense ratio of 30.8% in the first quarter of 2011 was 0.7 points higher than in the same period of 2010, reflecting the increase in general and administrative expenses discussed above.

 

Agency Written Premiums

 

Personal Insurance’s gross and net written premiums by product line were as follows for its Agency business, which comprises business written through agents, brokers and other intermediaries and represents almost all of the Personal Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency Automobile

 

$

923

 

$

917

 

Agency Homeowners and Other

 

891

 

849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Agency Personal Insurance

 

$

1,814

 

$

1,766

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency Automobile

 

$

918

 

$

913

 

Agency Homeowners and Other

 

845

 

803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Agency Personal Insurance

 

$

1,763

 

$

1,716

 

 

Gross and net agency written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 both increased 3% over the respective totals in the same period of 2010.

 

In the Agency Automobile line of business, net written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 were slightly higher than in the same period of 2010. Business retention rates remained strong, and new business levels remained consistent with the first quarter of 2010. Renewal premium changes remained positive in the first quarter of 2011 and were slightly higher than in the same period of 2010.

 

In the Agency Homeowners and Other line of business, net written premiums in the first quarter of 2011 increased by 5% over the same period of 2010. Business retention rates remained strong, while new business levels were lower than the first quarter of 2010. Renewal premium changes remained positive and increased over the same period of 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

For its Agency business, the Personal Insurance segment had approximately 7.6 million and 7.4 million active policies at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In the Agency Automobile line of business, active policies at March 31, 2011 increased by 2% from the same date in 2010. Active policies in the Agency Homeowners and Other line of business at March 31, 2011 grew by 3% over the same date in 2010.

 

Interest Expense and Other

 

(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Operating loss

 

$

(68

)

$

(81

)

 

The operating loss for Interest Expense and Other in the first quarter of 2011 was $13 million lower than in the same period of 2010. The 2010 total included a $12 million increase in tax expense related to federal health care legislation enacted in 2010. The 2011 total included a $4 million reduction in income tax expense due to the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters. After-tax interest expense was $62 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $64 million in the same period of 2010.

 

ASBESTOS CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

 

The Company believes that the property and casualty insurance industry has suffered from court decisions and other trends that have attempted to expand insurance coverage for asbestos claims far beyond the intent of insurers and policyholders. While the Company has experienced a decrease in new asbestos claims over the past several years, the Company continues to receive a significant number of asbestos claims from the Company’s policyholders (which includes others seeking coverage under a policy), including claims against the Company’s policyholders by individuals who do not appear to be impaired by asbestos exposure.  Factors underlying these claim filings include intensive advertising by lawyers seeking asbestos claimants and the focus by plaintiffs on previously peripheral defendants.  The focus on these defendants is primarily the result of the number of traditional asbestos defendants who have sought bankruptcy protection in previous years.  In addition to contributing to the overall number of claims, bankruptcy proceedings may increase the volatility of asbestos-related losses by initially delaying the reporting of claims and later by significantly accelerating and increasing loss payments by insurers, including the Company. The bankruptcy of many traditional defendants has also caused increased settlement demands against those policyholders who are not in bankruptcy but that remain in the tort system. Currently, in many jurisdictions, those who allege very serious injury and who can present credible medical evidence of their injuries are receiving priority trial settings in the courts, while those who have not shown any credible disease manifestation are having their hearing dates delayed or placed on an inactive docket. This trend of prioritizing claims involving credible evidence of injuries, along with the focus on previously peripheral defendants, contributes to the claims and claim adjustment expense payments experienced by the Company.  The Company’s asbestos-related claims and claim adjustment expense experience also has been impacted by the unavailability of other insurance sources potentially available to policyholders, whether through exhaustion of policy limits or through the insolvency of other participating insurers.

 

The Company continues to be involved in coverage litigation concerning a number of policyholders, some of whom have filed for bankruptcy, who in some instances have asserted that all or a portion of their asbestos-related claims are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. In these instances, policyholders also may assert that each individual bodily injury claim should be treated as a separate occurrence under the policy. It is difficult to predict whether these policyholders will be successful on both issues. To the extent both issues are resolved in a policyholder’s favor and other Company defenses are not successful, the Company’s coverage obligations under the policies at issue would be materially increased and bounded only by the applicable per-occurrence limits and the number of asbestos bodily injury claims against the policyholders.   Accordingly, although the Company has seen a moderation in the overall risk associated with these lawsuits, it remains difficult to predict the ultimate cost of these claims.

 

Many coverage disputes with policyholders are only resolved through settlement agreements. Because many policyholders make exaggerated demands, it is difficult to predict the outcome of settlement negotiations. Settlements involving bankrupt policyholders may include extensive releases which are favorable to the Company but which could result in settlements for larger amounts than originally anticipated. There also may be instances where a court may not approve a proposed settlement, which may result in additional litigation and potentially less beneficial outcomes for the Company. As in the past, the Company will continue to pursue settlement opportunities.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In addition to claims against policyholders, proceedings have been launched directly against insurers, including the Company, by individuals challenging insurers’ conduct with respect to the handling of past asbestos claims and by individuals seeking damages arising from alleged asbestos-related bodily injuries.  The Company anticipates the filing of other direct actions against insurers, including the Company, in the future. It is difficult to predict the outcome of these proceedings, including whether the plaintiffs will be able to sustain these actions against insurers based on novel legal theories of liability. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and has received favorable rulings in certain jurisdictions.

 

Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (TPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, had entered into settlement agreements, which are subject to a number of contingencies, in connection with a number of these direct action claims.  These settlement agreements had been approved by the court in connection with proceedings initiated by TPC in the Johns Manville bankruptcy court.  On March 29, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York substantially affirmed the bankruptcy court’s orders, while vacating that portion of the bankruptcy court’s orders which required all future direct actions against TPC to first be approved by the bankruptcy court before proceeding in state or federal court. Various parties appealed the district court’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  On February 15, 2008, the Second Circuit issued an opinion vacating on jurisdictional grounds the district court’s approval of the bankruptcy court’s order that barred the filing of certain direct action claims against TPC in the future. TPC and certain other parties filed Petitions for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s decision. Those petitions were granted and on June 18, 2009, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Company, reversing the Second Circuit’s decision. However, since the Second Circuit had not ruled on several additional issues principally related to procedural matters and the adequacy of notice provided to certain parties, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Second Circuit for further proceedings on those specific issues.  On March 22, 2010, the Second Circuit issued an opinion in which it found that the notice of the 1986 Orders provided to the remaining objector was insufficient to bar contribution claims by that objector against TPC. On April 5, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc with the Second Circuit, requesting further review of its March 22, 2010 opinion, which was denied on May 25, 2010. On August 18, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion, and a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus seeking an order from the Supreme Court requiring the Second Circuit to comply with the Supreme Court’s June 18, 2009 ruling in TPC’s favor. The Supreme Court denied the Petitions on November 29, 2010. The plaintiffs in the Statutory and Hawaii actions and the Common Law Claims actions (as defined in note 11 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements) filed Motions to Compel with the bankruptcy court on September 2, 2010 and September 3, 2010, respectively, arguing that all conditions precedent to the settlements have been met and seeking to require TPC to pay the settlement amounts. On September 30, 2010, TPC filed an Opposition to the plaintiffs’ Motions to Compel on the grounds that the conditions precedent to the settlements, principally the requirement that all contribution claims be barred, have not been met in light of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion. On December 16, 2010, the bankruptcy court granted the plaintiffs’ motions and ruled that TPC was required to fund the settlements. On January 20, 2011, the bankruptcy court entered judgment in accordance with its December 16, 2010 ruling and ordered TPC to pay the settlement amounts plus prejudgment interest. On January 21, 2011, TPC filed an appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment. On January 24, 2011, certain of the plaintiffs in the Common Law Claims actions appealed that portion of the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment that denied their request for an order of contempt and for sanctions. The appeals are pending.  (For a description of these matters, see note 11 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements).

 

Because each policyholder presents different liability and coverage issues, the Company generally reviews the exposure presented by each policyholder at least annually.  Among the factors which the Company may consider in the course of this review are: available insurance coverage, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; limits and deductibles; an analysis of the policyholder’s potential liability; the jurisdictions involved; past and anticipated future claim activity and loss development on pending claims; past settlement values of similar claims; allocated claim adjustment expense; potential role of other insurance; the role, if any, of non-asbestos claims or potential non-asbestos claims in any resolution process; and applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including the determination as to whether or not an asbestos claim is a products/completed operation claim subject to an aggregate limit and the available coverage, if any, for that claim.

 

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The Company’s quarterly asbestos reserve review includes an analysis of exposure and claim payment patterns by policyholder category, as well as recent settlements, policyholder bankruptcies, judicial rulings and legislative actions. The Company also analyzes developing payment patterns among policyholders in the Home Office, Field Office and Assumed Reinsurance and Other categories as well as projected reinsurance billings and recoveries. In addition, the Company reviews its historical gross and net loss and expense paid experience, year-by-year, to assess any emerging trends, fluctuations, or characteristics suggested by the aggregate paid activity.  Conventional actuarial methods are not utilized to establish asbestos reserves nor have the Company’s evaluations resulted in any way of determining a meaningful average asbestos defense or indemnity payment.

 

Net asbestos paid losses in the first three months of 2011 were $46 million, compared with $74 million in the same period of 2010. Net asbestos reserves totaled $2.50 billion at March 31, 2011, compared with $2.68 billion at March 31, 2010.

 

The following table displays activity for asbestos losses and loss expenses and reserves:

 

(at and for the three months ended March 31, in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

Beginning reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

2,941

 

$

3,097

 

Ceded

 

(393

)

(339

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

2,548

 

2,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Ceded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses paid:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

65

 

93

 

Ceded

 

(19

)

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

46

 

74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

2,876

 

3,004

 

Ceded

 

(374

)

(320

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

$

2,502

 

$

2,684

 

 

See “—Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

 

The Company continues to receive claims from policyholders who allege that they are liable for injury or damage arising out of their alleged disposition of toxic substances. Mostly, these claims are due to various legislative as well as regulatory efforts aimed at environmental remediation. For instance, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980 and later modified, enables private parties as well as federal and state governments to take action with respect to releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances. This federal statute permits the recovery of response costs from some liable parties and may require liable parties to undertake their own remedial action. Liability under CERCLA may be joint and several with other responsible parties.

 

The Company has been, and continues to be, involved in litigation involving insurance coverage issues pertaining to environmental claims. The Company believes that some court decisions have interpreted the insurance coverage to be broader than the original intent of the insurers and policyholders. These decisions often pertain to insurance policies that were issued by the Company prior to the mid-1980s. These decisions continue to be inconsistent and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Environmental claims when submitted rarely indicate the monetary amount being sought by the claimant from the policyholder, and the Company does not keep track of the monetary amount being sought in those few claims which indicate a monetary amount.

 

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The resolution of environmental exposures by the Company generally occurs by settlement on a policyholder-by-policyholder basis as opposed to a claim-by-claim basis.  Generally, the Company strives to extinguish any obligations it may have under any policy issued to the policyholder for past, present and future environmental liabilities and extinguish any pending coverage litigation dispute with the policyholder.  This form of settlement is commonly referred to as a “buy-back” of policies for future environmental liability. In addition, many of the agreements have also extinguished any insurance obligation which the Company may have for other claims, including but not limited to asbestos and other cumulative injury claims.  The Company and its policyholders may also agree to settlements which extinguish any liability arising from known specified sites or claims.  Where appropriate, these agreements also include indemnities and hold harmless provisions to protect the Company.  The Company’s general purpose in executing these agreements is to reduce the Company’s potential environmental exposure and eliminate the risks presented by coverage litigation with the policyholder and related costs.

 

In establishing environmental reserves, the Company evaluates the exposure presented by each policyholder and the anticipated cost of resolution, if any. In the course of this analysis, the Company generally considers the probable liability, available coverage, relevant judicial interpretations and historical value of similar exposures. In addition, the Company considers the many variables presented, such as: the nature of the alleged activities of the policyholder at each site; the allegations of environmental harm at each site; the number of sites; the total number of potentially responsible parties at each site; the nature of environmental harm and the corresponding remedy at each site; the nature of government enforcement activities at each site; the ownership and general use of each site; the overall nature of the insurance relationship between the Company and the policyholder, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; the involvement of other insurers; the potential for other available coverage, including the number of years of coverage; the role, if any, of non-environmental claims or potential non-environmental claims in any resolution process; and the applicable law in each jurisdiction. Conventional actuarial techniques are not used to estimate these reserves.

 

In its review of environmental reserves, the Company considers: past settlement payments; changing judicial and legislative trends; its reserves for the costs of litigating environmental coverage matters; the potential for policyholders with smaller exposures to be named in new clean-up actions for both on- and off-site waste disposal activities; the potential for adverse development; the potential for additional new claims beyond previous expectations; and the potential higher costs for new settlements.

 

The duration of the Company’s investigation and review of these claims and the extent of time necessary to determine an appropriate estimate, if any, of the value of the claim to the Company vary significantly and are dependent upon a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the cooperation of the policyholder in providing claim information, the pace of underlying litigation or claim processes, the pace of coverage litigation between the policyholder and the Company and the willingness of the policyholder and the Company to negotiate, if appropriate, a resolution of any dispute pertaining to these claims. Because these factors vary from claim-to-claim and policyholder-by-policyholder, the Company cannot provide a meaningful average of the duration of an environmental claim. However, based upon the Company’s experience in resolving these claims, the duration may vary from months to several years.

 

The Company continues to receive notices from policyholders tendering claims for the first time. These policyholders continue to present smaller exposures, have fewer sites and are lower tier defendants.  Further, in many instances, clean-up costs have been reduced because regulatory agencies are willing to accept risk-based site analyses and more efficient clean-up technologies. However, in recent years, the Company has experienced modest upward development in the expected defense and settlement costs for certain of its pending policyholders.

 

Net environmental paid losses in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 were $15 million and $16 million, respectively. At March 31, 2011, approximately 93% of the net environmental reserve (approximately $311 million) was carried in a bulk reserve and included unresolved environmental claims, incurred but not reported environmental claims and the anticipated cost of coverage litigation disputes relating to these claims. The bulk reserve the Company carries is established and adjusted based upon the aggregate volume of in-process environmental claims and the Company’s experience in resolving those claims. The balance, approximately 7% of the net environmental reserve (approximately $25 million), consists of case reserves.

 

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The following table displays activity for environmental losses and loss expenses and reserves:

 

(at and for the three months ended March 31, in millions)  

 

2011

 

2010

 

Beginning reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

354

 

$

389

 

Ceded

 

(3

)

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

351

 

393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

 

 

Ceded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses paid:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

15

 

16

 

Ceded

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

15

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

339

 

373

 

Ceded

 

(3

)

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

$

336

 

$

377

 

 

UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ADEQUACY OF ASBESTOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES

 

As a result of the processes and procedures described above, management believes that the reserves carried for asbestos and environmental claims at March 31, 2011 are appropriately established based upon known facts, current law and management’s judgment. However, the uncertainties surrounding the final resolution of these claims continue, and it is difficult to determine the ultimate exposure for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation. As a result, these reserves are subject to revision as new information becomes available and as claims develop. The continuing uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks and lack of predictability inherent in complex litigation, any impact from the bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants, a further increase or decrease in the cost to resolve, and/or the number of, asbestos and environmental claims beyond that which is anticipated, the role of any umbrella or excess policies the Company has issued, the resolution or adjudication of disputes pertaining to the amount of available coverage for asbestos and environmental claims in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s previous assessment of these claims, the number and outcome of direct actions against the Company, future developments pertaining to the Company’s ability to recover reinsurance for asbestos and environmental claims and the unavailability of other insurance sources potentially available to policyholders, whether through exhaustion of policy limits or through the insolvency of other participating insurers. In addition, uncertainties arise from the insolvency or bankruptcy of policyholders and other defendants. It is also not possible to predict changes in the legal, regulatory and legislative environment and their impact on the future development of asbestos and environmental claims.  This development will be affected by future court and regulatory decisions and interpretations, including the outcome of legal challenges to legislative and/or judicial reforms establishing medical criteria for the pursuit of asbestos claims, as well as changes in applicable legislation.  It is also difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of complex coverage disputes until settlement negotiations near completion and significant legal questions are resolved or, failing settlement, until the dispute is adjudicated. This is particularly the case with policyholders in bankruptcy where negotiations often involve a large number of claimants and other parties and require court approval to be effective. As part of its continuing analysis of asbestos and environmental reserves, the Company continues to study the implications of these and other developments.  (Also see note 11 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements).

 

Because of the uncertainties set forth above, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves.  In addition, the Company’s estimate of claims and claim adjustment expenses may change.  These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s operating results in future periods.

 

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INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

 

The Company’s invested assets at March 31, 2011 totaled $72.39 billion, of which 94% was invested in fixed maturity and short-term investments, 1% in equity securities, 1% in real estate and 4% in other investments.  Because the primary purpose of the investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, the Company employs a conservative investment philosophy.  A significant majority of funds available for investment are deployed in a widely diversified portfolio of high quality, liquid taxable U.S. government, tax-exempt U.S. municipal and taxable corporate and U.S. agency mortgage-backed bonds.

 

The carrying value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at March 31, 2011 totaled $62.28 billion.  The Company closely monitors the duration of its fixed maturity investments, and investment purchases and sales are executed with the objective of having adequate funds available to satisfy the Company’s insurance and debt obligations.  The weighted average credit quality of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio, both including and excluding U.S. Treasury securities, was “Aa2” at both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  Below investment grade securities represented 3.0% of the total fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  The average effective duration of fixed maturities and short-term securities was 3.6 (3.9 excluding short-term securities) at both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

Obligations of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions

 

The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 included $38.95 billion and $39.54 billion, respectively, of securities which are obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions (collectively referred to as the municipal bond portfolio).  The municipal bond portfolio is diversified across the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and includes general obligation and revenue bonds issued by states, cities, counties, school districts and similar issuers.  Included in the municipal bond portfolio at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $7.17 billion and $7.29 billion, respectively, of advance refunded or escrowed-to-maturity bonds (collectively referred to as pre-refunded bonds), which are bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest.  Such escrow accounts are verified as to their sufficiency by an external auditor and are almost exclusively comprised of U.S. Treasury securities.  Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a negative outlook to municipal securities issued by local governments within the United States.

 

The Company bases its investment decision on the credit characteristics of the municipal security; however, its municipal bond portfolio includes a number of securities that were enhanced by third-party insurance for the payment of principal and interest in the event of an issuer default.  The downgrade during 2008 and 2009 of credit ratings of insurers of these securities resulted in a corresponding downgrade in the ratings of many such securities to the underlying rating of the respective security.  Of the insured municipal securities in the Company’s investment portfolio at March 31, 2011, approximately 98% were rated at A3 or above, and approximately 90% were rated at Aa3 or above, without the benefit of insurance.  The Company believes that a loss of the benefit of insurance would not result in a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity, due to the underlying credit strength of the issuers of the securities, as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities.  The average credit rating of the underlying issuers of these securities was “Aa2” at March 31, 2011.  The average credit rating of the entire municipal bond portfolio was “Aa1” at March 31, 2011 with and without the enhancement provided by third-party insurance.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through Securities

 

The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 included $3.93 billion and $4.16 billion, respectively, of residential mortgage-backed securities including pass-through-securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), all of which are subject to prepayment risk (either shortening or lengthening of duration). While prepayment risk for both guaranteed and non-guaranteed securities and its effect on income cannot be fully controlled, particularly when interest rates move dramatically, the Company’s investment strategy generally favors securities that control this risk within expected interest rate ranges.  Included in the totals at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $2.00 billion and $2.09 billion, respectively, of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC (excluding FHA project loans) guaranteed residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities classified as available for sale.  Also included in those totals were residential CMOs classified as available for sale with a fair value of $1.93 billion and $2.07 billion at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Approximately 38% of the Company’s CMO holdings were guaranteed by or fully collateralized by securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  The average credit rating of all of the above securities was “Aa2” and “Aa1” at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

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The Company makes investments in residential CMOs that are either guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, or if not guaranteed, are senior or super-senior positions within their respective securitizations.  Both guaranteed and non-guaranteed residential CMOs allocate the distribution of payments from the underlying mortgages among different classes of bondholders.  In addition, non-guaranteed residential CMOs provide structures that allocate the impact of credit losses to different classes of bondholders.  Senior and super-senior CMOs are protected, to varying degrees, from credit losses as those losses are initially allocated to subordinated bondholders.  The Company’s investment strategy is to purchase CMO tranches that are expected to offer the most favorable return given the Company’s assessment of associated risks.  The Company does not purchase residual interests in CMOs.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities and Project Loans

 

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held commercial mortgage-backed securities (including FHA project loans) of $480 million and $549 million, respectively.  The Company does not believe this portfolio exposes it to a material adverse impact on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity, due to the portfolio’s relatively small size and the underlying credit strength of these securities.

 

Alternative Documentation Mortgages and Sub-Prime Mortgages

 

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio included collateralized mortgage obligations backed by alternative documentation mortgages and asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages with a collective fair value of $290 million and $297 million, respectively (comprising approximately 0.5% of the Company’s total fixed maturity investments at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010).  The disruption in secondary investment markets for mortgage-backed securities provided the Company with the opportunity to selectively acquire additional such securities at discounted prices.  The Company purchased $5 million and $31 million of such securities in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.  The Company defines sub-prime mortgage-backed securities as investments in which the underlying loans primarily exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: low FICO scores, above-prime interest rates, high loan-to-value ratios or high debt-to-income ratios.  Alternative documentation securitizations are those in which the underlying loans primarily meet the government-sponsored entities’ requirements for credit score but do not meet the government-sponsored entities’ guidelines for documentation, property type, debt and loan-to-value ratios.  The average credit rating on these securities and obligations held by the Company was “Baa3” and “Baa2” at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Other Investments

 

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying value of the Company’s other investments was $3.01 billion and $2.93 billion, respectively.  The Company’s other investments are primarily comprised of private equity limited partnerships, hedge funds, real estate partnerships, joint ventures, mortgage loans, venture capital (through direct ownership and limited partnerships) and trading securities, which are subject to more volatility than the Company’s fixed maturity investments.  These asset classes have historically provided a higher return than fixed maturities but are subject to more volatility.  Net investment income provided by these asset classes totaled $125 million and $51 million in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

Equity Securities Available for Sale, Real Estate and Short-Term Investments

 

See note 1 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for further information about these invested asset classes.

 

CATASTROPHE MODELING

 

The Company uses various analyses and methods, including computer modeling techniques, to analyze catastrophic events and the risks associated with them.  The Company uses these analyses and methods to make underwriting and reinsurance decisions designed to manage its exposure to catastrophic events.

 

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In making underwriting and reinsurance decisions for hurricane and earthquake exposures, the Company uses third-party proprietary computer models to assist in its process of estimating the likelihood that the loss from a single event will equal or exceed a particular amount.  The tables below set forth the probabilities that estimated losses from a single event occurring in a one-year timeframe will equal or exceed the indicated loss amounts (expressed in dollars and as a percentage of the Company’s common equity).  For example, on the basis described below the tables, the Company estimates that there is a one percent chance that the Company’s loss from a single U.S. hurricane in a one-year timeframe would equal or exceed $1.1 billion, or 5% of the Company’s common equity at December 31, 2010.

 

 

 

Dollars (in billions)

 

Likelihood of Exceedance (1)

 

Single U.S.
Hurricane

 

Single U.S. and
Canadian
Earthquake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0% (1-in-50)

 

$

0.9

 

$

0.5

 

1.0% (1-in-100)

 

$

1.1

 

$

0.6

 

0.4% (1-in-250)

 

$

2.0

 

$

0.9

 

0.1% (1-in-1,000)

 

$

4.3

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

 

Percentage of Common Equity (2)

 

Likelihood of Exceedance

 

Single U.S.
Hurricane

 

Single U.S. and
Canadian
Earthquake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0% (1-in-50)

 

4

%

2

%

1.0% (1-in-100)

 

5

%

3

%

0.4% (1-in-250)

 

9

%

4

%

0.1% (1-in-1,000)

 

18

%

8

%

 


(1)          An event that has, for example, a 2% likelihood of exceedance is sometimes described as a “1-in-50 year event.”  As noted above, however, the probabilities in the table represent the likelihood of losses from a single event equaling or exceeding the indicated threshold loss amount in a one-year timeframe, not over a multi-year timeframe.  Also, because the probabilities relate to a single event, the probabilities do not address the likelihood of more than one event occurring in a particular period, and, therefore, the amounts do not address potential aggregate catastrophe losses occurring in a one-year timeframe.

 

(2)          The percentage of common equity is calculated by dividing (a) indicated loss amounts in dollars by (b) total common equity excluding net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of taxes.  Net unrealized investment gains and losses can be significantly impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and are not necessarily indicative of operating trends.  Accordingly, the Company’s management uses the percentage of common equity calculated on this basis as a metric to evaluate the potential impact of a single hurricane or single earthquake on the Company’s financial position for purposes of making underwriting and reinsurance decisions.

 

During the first quarter of 2011, a new version of a third-party proprietary computer model utilized by the Company and others in the insurance industry, to estimate potential aggregate hurricane losses was released.  Although it is still too early to determine the impact that the changes included in the new version of this hurricane model may have on the Company’s estimates of the likelihood of exceedance disclosed above, the Company’s estimates could significantly increase as a result of those changes, and the changes could impact the Company’s underwriting strategy and capital management.

 

The threshold loss amounts in the tables above, which are based on the Company’s in-force portfolio and catastrophic reinsurance program at December 31, 2010, are net of reinsurance, after-tax and exclude most loss adjustment expenses, which historically have been less than 10% of loss estimates.  The amounts for hurricanes reflect U.S. exposures and include property exposures, property residual market exposures and an adjustment for certain non-property exposures.  The amounts for earthquakes reflect U.S. and Canadian exposures and include property exposures and workers’ compensation exposures. The Company does not believe that the inclusion of hurricane or earthquake losses arising from other geographical areas or other exposures would materially change the estimated threshold loss amounts. 

 

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Catastrophe modeling relies upon inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history.  These inputs reflect a significant amount of judgment and are subject to changes which may result in volatility in the modeled output.  Catastrophe modeling output may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseeable.  Catastrophe modeling assumptions include, among others, the portion of purchased reinsurance that is collectible after a catastrophic event, which may prove to be materially incorrect.  Consequently, catastrophe modeling estimates are subject to significant uncertainty.  In the tables above, the uncertainty associated with the estimated threshold loss amounts increases significantly as the likelihood of exceedance decreases.  In other words, in the case of a relatively more remote event (e.g., 1-in-1,000), the estimated threshold loss amount is relatively less reliable.  Actual losses from an event could materially exceed the indicated threshold loss amount.  In addition, more than one such event could occur in any period.

 

Moreover, the Company is exposed to the risk of material losses from other than property and workers’ compensation coverages arising out of hurricanes and earthquakes, and it is exposed to catastrophe losses from perils other than hurricanes and earthquakes, such as windstorms, hail, wildfires, severe winter weather, floods, volcanic eruptions and acts of terrorism.

 

There are no industry-standard methodologies or assumptions for projecting catastrophe exposure.  Accordingly, catastrophe estimates provided by different insurers may not be comparable.

 

For more information about the Company’s exposure to catastrophe losses, see “Item 1ARisk FactorsCatastrophe losses could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, our financial position and/or liquidity, and could adversely impact our ratings, our ability to raise capital and the availability and cost of reinsurance” and “Item 1ARisk FactorsWe may be adversely affected if our pricing and capital models are inaccurate” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES

 

For a description of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables, refer to Reinsurance Recoverables in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable assets:

 

(in millions)

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Gross reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

$

6,739

 

$

6,934

 

Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

 

(362

)

(363

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net reinsurance recoverables

 

6,377

 

6,571

 

Structured settlements (1)

 

3,353

 

3,380

 

Mandatory pools and associations (2)

 

2,056

 

2,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total reinsurance recoverables

 

$

11,786

 

$

11,994

 

 


(1) Included in the Company’s reinsurance recoverables are certain structured settlement annuities issued by a subsidiary of Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings, Inc. for which the Company is contingently liable.  In April 2011, Old Mutual plc, a U.K. company, completed the sale of Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings, Inc., its U.S. life insurance subsidiary, to Harbinger Group Inc.

 

(2) Includes impact from certain reclassifications made to 2010 amounts to conform to 2011 presentation.

 

The $194 million decline in net reinsurance recoverables since December 31, 2010 primarily reflected cash collections and the impact of net favorable prior year reserve development.

 

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OUTLOOK

 

The following discussion provides outlook information for certain key drivers of the Company’s results of operations and capital position.

 

Premiums.  The Company’s earned premiums are a function of net written premium volume.  Net written premiums comprise both renewal business and new business and are recognized as earned premium over the life of the underlying policies. When business renews, the amount of net written premiums associated with that business may increase or decrease (renewal premium change) as a result of increases or decreases in rate and/or insured exposures, which the Company considers as a measure of units of exposure.  Net written premiums from both renewal and new business, and therefore earned premiums, are impacted by competitive market conditions as well as general economic conditions, which, particularly in the case of the Business Insurance segment, affect audit premium adjustments, policy endorsements and mid-term cancellations.  Net written premiums are also impacted by the structure of reinsurance programs and related costs.

 

The Company expects retention levels (the amount of expiring premium that renews, before the impact of renewal premium changes) will remain strong, generally consistent with recent periods.  In the Business Insurance segment, the Company expects a slightly improving trend in renewal premium changes, including improving trends in both of its components of rate changes and insured exposures, during the remainder of 2011 compared with 2010.   In the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, the Company expects that renewal premium changes, including both if its components of rate changes and insured exposures, will not meaningfully change during the remainder of 2011 compared with 2010.  In the Personal Insurance segment, the Company expects that Agency Automobile renewal premium changes during the remainder of 2011 will remain positive, but decrease slightly to levels consistent with 2010.  For its Agency Homeowners’ and Other business, the Company expects renewal premium changes during the remainder of 2011 will remain generally consistent with the first quarter of 2011, which will be modestly higher than 2010.

 

The pricing environment for new business generally has less of an impact on underwriting profitability than renewal rate changes, given the volume of new business relative to renewal business.  While property and casualty insurance market conditions are expected to remain competitive in the remainder of 2011 for new business, the Company believes it is well-positioned to capitalize on new business opportunities as agents, brokers and customers seek to place business with high-quality carriers.  In addition, the Company launched a new distribution channel in 2009 that markets personal insurance products directly to consumers, which is expected to generate modest growth in premium volume for Personal Insurance during the remainder of 2011.

 

While economic conditions have recently improved, uncertainty remains, and the trend may not continue.  Further, if growth continues, it may be at a slow rate for an extended period of time.  In addition, other economic conditions, such as the commercial and residential real estate environment and employment rates, may continue to be weak.  If weak economic conditions persist or deteriorate, low levels of economic activity could impact exposure changes at renewal and our ability to write business at acceptable rates.  Additionally, such low levels of economic activity could adversely impact audit premium adjustments, policy endorsements and mid-term cancellations after policies are written.  All of the foregoing, in turn, could adversely impact net written premiums in the remainder of 2011.  Since earned premiums lag net written premiums, earned premiums could be adversely impacted in the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.

 

Underwriting Gain/Loss.  In Business Insurance, the anticipated impact of competitive market conditions and general economic conditions on the Company’s earned premiums, as discussed above, coupled with an expected modest increase in loss costs, will likely result in modestly reduced underwriting profitability during the remainder of 2011, as compared with 2010.  In Financial, Professional & International Insurance, the anticipated impact of a decline in earned premiums resulting from lower levels of written premiums in 2010, combined with higher employee- and technology-related costs to enhance operations and support future business growth, will likely result in modestly reduced underwriting profitability during the remainder of 2011 as compared with 2010.  In Personal Insurance, the anticipated impact of continued positive renewal premium changes on the Company’s earned premiums, as discussed above, combined with an expected modest increase in loss costs, will likely result in modestly increased underwriting profitability during the remainder of 2011, as compared with 2010.  Also in Personal Insurance, the Company’s direct to consumer initiative, as discussed above, while intended to enhance the Company’s long-term ability to compete successfully in a consumer-driven marketplace, is expected to remain unprofitable for a number of years as this book of business grows and matures.  The earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 may cause a disruption in the availability of replacement parts for certain makes and models of automobiles, which may result in a temporary increase in loss costs for automobile coverages.

 

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In recent periods, the Company has experienced net favorable prior year reserve development, driven by better than expected loss experience in all of the Company’s segments in most accident years prior to and including 2009.  Better than expected loss experience and other favorable circumstances may continue at higher, lower or the same levels as compared to recent periods, may not continue or may reverse, causing the Company to recognize higher, lower or the same levels of favorable prior year reserve development, no favorable prior year reserve development or unfavorable prior year reserve development in future periods.  In addition, the ongoing review of prior year claim and claim adjustment expense reserves, or other changes in current period circumstances, may result in the Company revising current year loss estimates upward or downward in future periods.

 

Catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable from year to year, and the Company’s results of operations would be adversely impacted by significant catastrophe losses in the remainder of 2011. See “Catastrophe Modeling” above for a discussion of changes to a third-party catastrophe model and their uncertain impact.

 

Investment Portfolio.  The Company expects to continue to focus its investment strategy on maintaining a high-quality investment portfolio and a relatively low average effective duration.

 

Net investment income is a material contributor to the Company’s results of operations.  While interest rates have recently risen above the historic lows experienced in the second half of 2010, the Company expects investment returns for its fixed maturity investment portfolio to be slightly lower in the remainder of 2011 than in recent periods due to lower reinvestment yields available for maturing long-term fixed maturity investments. Short-term interest rates are expected to remain at or near historically low levels.  The Company expects investment income in its non-fixed maturity investment portfolio in the remainder of 2011 to be generally consistent with 2010.  However, if general economic conditions and/or investment market conditions deteriorate in the remainder of 2011, the Company could also experience a reduction in net investment income and/or significant realized investment losses, including impairments.  The Company expects its fixed maturity assets, including its municipal portfolio, to provide adequate risk-adjusted returns and support its insurance operations over the long-term.  For further discussion of the Company’s investment portfolio, see “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Investment Portfolio” in this report.

 

Capital Position.  The Company believes it has a strong capital position and expects to continue its common share repurchase program in the remainder of 2011 as part of its continuing efforts to create shareholder value.  The Company expects the total dollar amount of share repurchases in 2011 will exceed its operating income for the year, as it did in 2010, but the total dollar amount of share repurchases is expected to be lower than in 2010.  The actual amount of share repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s earnings, corporate and regulatory requirements, share price, catastrophe losses, strategic initiatives and other market conditions.  There is no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to repurchase shares in excess of its operating income in future years.

 

The Company had a net after-tax unrealized investment gain of $1.68 billion in its fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2011.  While the Company does not attempt to predict future interest rate movements, a rising interest rate environment would reduce the market value of fixed maturity investments and, therefore, reduce shareholders’ equity, and a declining interest rate environment would have the opposite effects.

 

Many of the statements in this “Outlook” section are forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control.  Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.   Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them.  See “—Forward Looking Statements.”  For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position, see “Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” in this report.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short- and long-term cash requirements of its business operations.  The liquidity requirements of the Company’s business have been met primarily by funds generated from operations, asset maturities and income received on investments.  Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for claims and claim adjustment expense payments and operating expenses, and in recent years, for common share repurchases.  The timing and amount of catastrophe claims are inherently unpredictable.  Such claims increase liquidity requirements.  The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.  Additionally, the variability of asbestos-related claim payments, as well as the volatility of potential judgments and settlements arising out of litigation, may also result in increased liquidity requirements.  It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the Company’s future liquidity needs will be adequately met from all of the above sources.

 

At March 31, 2011, total cash and short-term invested assets aggregating $2.86 billion and having a weighted average maturity of 56 days were held at the holding company.  The assets held at the holding company are sufficient to meet the holding company’s current liquidity requirements and are more than two times the Company’s target level.  These liquidity requirements primarily include shareholder dividends and debt service.  The Company has a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which permits it to issue securities from time to time.  The Company also has a $1.0 billion line of credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions that expires in 2013.  This line of credit also supports the Company’s $800 million commercial paper program, of which $100 million was outstanding at March 31, 2011.  The Company is not reliant on its commercial paper program to meet its operating cash flow needs.

 

The Company currently utilizes uncollateralized letters of credit issued by major banks with an aggregate limit of approximately $545 million to provide much of the capital needed to support its obligations at Lloyd’s.  If uncollateralized letters of credit are not available at a reasonable price or at all in the future, the Company can collateralize these letters of credit or may have to seek alternative means of supporting its obligations at Lloyd’s, which could include utilizing holding company funds on hand.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2011 and 2010 totaled $633 million and $531 million, respectively.  Cash flows in the first quarter of 2011 reflected a higher level of collected premiums, a lower level of paid operating expenses and a lower level of paid losses related to asbestos and environmental claims, as well as operations in runoff.  These factors were partially offset by an increase in losses paid on ongoing business (including the impact of increased loss costs), lower receipts related to net investment income and higher income taxes paid.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash flows provided by investing activities in the first three months of 2011 and 2010 totaled $530 million and $952 million, respectively.  The Company’s consolidated total investments at March 31, 2011 decreased by $331 million from year-end 2010, driven by the net sales and maturities of fixed maturity investments.  The decrease in total investments primarily reflected the impact of the Company’s common share repurchases of $1.10 billion under its share repurchase authorization in the first quarter of 2011, partially offset by operating cash flows of $633 million.  Net pretax unrealized appreciation of investments of $1.82 billion at March 31, 2011 was slightly lower than at year-end 2010.

 

In the second quarter of 2011, the Company expects to fund its investment in J. Malucelli with cash provided internally from an operating subsidiary of the Company.  See note 11 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report for further information regarding this investment.

 

The primary goals of the Company’s asset - liability management process are to satisfy the insurance liabilities and maintain sufficient liquidity to cover fluctuations in projected liability cash flows.  Generally, the expected principal and interest payments produced by the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio adequately fund the estimated runoff of the Company’s insurance reserves.  Although this is not an exact cash flow match in each period, the substantial degree by which the market value of the fixed maturity portfolio exceeds the expected present value of the net insurance liabilities, as well as the positive cash flow from newly sold policies and the large amount of high quality liquid bonds, contributes to the Company’s ability to fund claim payments without having to sell illiquid assets or access credit facilities.

 

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Financing Activities

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities in the first three months of 2011 and 2010 totaled $1.13 billion and $1.49 billion, respectively.  The totals in both periods primarily reflected common share repurchases and dividends to shareholders, partially offset by the proceeds from employee stock option exercises.

 

Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $155 million and $168 million in the first three months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors.  Dividends would be paid by the Company only if declared by its board of directors out of funds legally available, subject to any other restrictions that may be applicable to the Company.  On April 21, 2011, the Company announced that it increased its regular quarterly dividend from $0.36 per share to $0.41 per share, a 14% increase.  The increased dividend is payable June 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on June 10, 2011.

 

The Company’s board of directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise.  The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date.  The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, catastrophe losses, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.  In January 2011, the board of directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5 billion of repurchase capacity to the $1.51 billion of capacity remaining at December 31, 2010.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company repurchased 18.9 million shares under its share repurchase authorization for a total cost of approximately $1.10 billion.  The average cost per share repurchased was $58.23.  At March 31, 2011, the Company had $5.41 billion of capacity remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

 

The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s capital structure at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(in millions)

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

$

109

 

$

109

 

Long-term

 

6,519

 

6,519

 

Net unamortized fair value adjustments and debt issuance costs

 

(17

)

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

6,611

 

6,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shareholders’ equity

 

66

 

68

 

Common shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock and retained earnings, less treasury stock

 

23,905

 

24,152

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

1,272

 

1,255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

25,243

 

25,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization

 

$

31,854

 

$

32,086

 

 

The $232 million decrease in total capitalization from December 31, 2010 primarily reflected the impact of common share repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase authorization totaling $1.10 billion and shareholder dividends of $155 million in the first quarter of 2011, mostly offset by net income of $839 million.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of total capitalization excluding net unrealized gain on investments to total capitalization presented in the foregoing table.

 

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(dollars in millions)

 

March 31,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization excluding net unrealized gain on investments

 

$

30,038

 

$

30,228

 

Net unrealized gain on investments, net of taxes

 

1,816

 

1,858

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization

 

$

31,854

 

$

32,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt-to-total capital ratio

 

20.8

%

20.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gain on investments

 

22.0

%

21.9

%

 

The debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gains on investments is calculated by dividing (a) debt by (b) total capitalization excluding net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes.  Net unrealized gains and losses on investments can be significantly impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and are not necessarily indicative of operating trends.  Accordingly, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the debt-to-total capital ratio calculated on this basis provides another useful metric for investors to understand the Company’s financial leverage position.  The Company’s debt-to-total capital ratio of 22.0% at March 31, 2011 calculated on this basis was within the Company’s target range.

 

Catastrophe Reinsurance Coverage

 

The Company utilizes a general catastrophe reinsurance treaty with unaffiliated reinsurers to help manage its exposure to losses resulting from catastrophes.  In addition to the coverage provided under this treaty, the Company also utilizes a catastrophe bond program to protect against certain hurricane events in the northeastern United States, as well as a Northeast catastrophe reinsurance treaty to protect against losses arising from hurricanes, earthquakes and winter storm or freeze losses from Virginia to Maine in the Northeastern United States.  The Company has also entered into an earthquake excess-of-loss treaty that provides certain coverage for earthquake losses incurred under policies written by the National Property business unit in the Company’s Business Insurance segment.  The Company’s catastrophe reinsurance coverage is described in more detail in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

RATINGS

 

Ratings are an important factor in assessing the Company’s competitive position in the insurance industry.  The Company receives ratings from the following major rating agencies: A.M. Best Company (A.M. Best), Fitch Ratings (Fitch), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s Corp. (S&P).  There were no rating agency actions taken with respect to the Company since February 17, 2011, the date on which the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  For additional discussion of ratings and the potential impacts of a downgrade in such ratings, see the “Ratings” section of “Part I — Item 1 — Business” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

For a description of the Company’s critical accounting estimates, refer to “Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The Company considers its most significant accounting estimates to be those applied to claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance recoverables, investment valuation and impairments, and goodwill impairments. Except as discussed below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2010.

 

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Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

 

The table below displays the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line. A portion of the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves (totaling $3.22 billion at March 31, 2011) are for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation. While the ongoing review of asbestos and environmental claims and associated liabilities considers the inconsistencies of court decisions as to coverage, plaintiffs’ expanded theories of liability and the risks inherent in complex litigation and other uncertainties, in the opinion of the Company’s management, it is possible that the outcome of the continued uncertainties regarding these claims could result in liability in future periods that differs from current reserves by an amount that could be material to the Company’s future operating results. See the preceding discussion of “Asbestos Claims and Litigation” and “Environmental Claims and Litigation.”

 

Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line were as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

(in millions)

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

Total

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

Total

 

General liability

 

$

5,694

 

$

10,323

 

$

16,017

 

$

5,809

 

$

10,449

 

$

16,258

 

Property

 

895

 

640

 

1,535

 

945

 

627

 

1,572

 

Commercial multi-peril

 

1,972

 

1,703

 

3,675

 

1,897

 

1,766

 

3,663

 

Commercial automobile (1)

 

2,327

 

1,035

 

3,362

 

2,302

 

1,060

 

3,362

 

Workers’ compensation

 

9,488

 

7,136

 

16,624

 

9,447

 

7,082

 

16,529

 

Fidelity and surety

 

529

 

1,170

 

1,699

 

542

 

1,124

 

1,666

 

Personal automobile (1)

 

1,841

 

863

 

2,704

 

1,863

 

935

 

2,798

 

Homeowners and personal—other

 

675

 

698

 

1,373

 

653

 

769

 

1,422

 

International and other

 

2,375

 

2,008

 

4,383

 

2,353

 

1,914

 

4,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property-casualty

 

25,796

 

25,576

 

51,372

 

25,811

 

25,726

 

51,537

 

Accident and health

 

60

 

8

 

68

 

61

 

8

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

25,856

 

$

25,584

 

$

51,440

 

$

25,872

 

$

25,734

 

$

51,606

 

 


(1) Includes impact from certain reclassifications made to 2010 amounts to conform to 2011 presentation.

 

The $166 million decline in gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves since December 31, 2010 primarily reflected net favorable prior year reserve development and payments related to asbestos and environmental claims, as well as operations in runoff.

 

Asbestos and environmental reserves are included in the General liability, Commercial multi-peril and International and other lines in the summary table above.  Asbestos and environmental reserves are discussed separately; see “Asbestos Claims and Litigation”, “Environmental Claims and Litigation” and “Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

FUTURE APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

See note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains, and management may make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements.  Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Specifically, statements about the Company’s share repurchase plans and statements about the potential impact of investment markets and other economic conditions on the Company’s investment portfolio and underwriting results, among others, are forward looking, and the Company may also make forward-looking statements about, among other things:

 

·                  its results of operations and financial condition (including, among other things, premium volume, premium rates, net and operating income, investment income and performance, return on equity, and expected current returns and combined ratios);

·                  the sufficiency of the Company’s asbestos and other reserves (including, among other things, asbestos claim payment patterns);

·                  the impact of emerging claims issues;

·                  the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage;

·                  catastrophe losses;

·                  the impact of investment, economic and underwriting market conditions; and

·                  strategic initiatives.

 

The Company cautions investors that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.

 

Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·                  catastrophe losses could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, its financial position and/or liquidity, and could adversely impact the Company’s ratings, the Company’s ability to raise capital and the availability and cost of reinsurance;

·                  during or following a period of financial market disruption or economic downturn, the Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected;

·                  if actual claims exceed the Company’s loss reserves, or if changes in the estimated level of loss reserves are necessary, the Company’s financial results could be materially and adversely affected;

·                  the Company’s investment portfolio may suffer reduced returns or material realized or unrealized losses;

·                  the Company’s business could be harmed because of its potential exposure to asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation;

·                  the Company is exposed to, and may face adverse developments involving, mass tort claims such as those relating to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances;

·                  the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on the Company’s business are uncertain;

·                  the intense competition that the Company faces could harm its ability to maintain or increase its business volumes and profitability;

·                  the Company may not be able to collect all amounts due to it from reinsurers and reinsurance coverage may not be available to the Company in the future at commercially reasonable rates or at all;

·                  the Company is exposed to credit risk in certain of its business operations;

·                  the Company’s businesses are heavily regulated and changes in regulation may reduce the Company’s profitability and limit its growth;

·                  a downgrade in the Company’s claims-paying and financial strength ratings could adversely impact the Company’s business volumes, adversely impact the Company’s ability to access the capital markets and increase the Company’s borrowing costs;

·                  the inability of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company’s holding company in sufficient amounts would harm the Company’s ability to meet its obligations, pay future shareholder dividends or make future share repurchases;

·                  disruptions to the Company’s relationships with its independent agents and brokers could adversely affect the Company;

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, Continued

 

·                  the Company’s efforts to develop new products or expand in targeted markets may not be successful and may create enhanced risks;

·                  the Company’s net deferred tax assets could be adversely affected by a reduction in the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate;

·                  the Company may be adversely affected if its pricing and capital models are inaccurate;

·                  the Company is subject to a number of risks associated with its business outside the United States;

·                  the Company’s business success and profitability depend, in part, on effective information technology systems and on continuing to develop and implement improvements in technology;

·                  if the Company experiences difficulties with technology, data security and/or outsourcing relationships the Company’s ability to conduct its business could be negatively impacted;

·                  acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses may result in operating difficulties and other unintended consequences;

·                  the Company could be adversely affected if its controls to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards are not effective;

·                  the Company’s businesses may be adversely affected if it is unable to hire and retain qualified employees;

·                  loss of or significant restriction on the use of credit scoring in the pricing and underwriting of Personal Insurance products could reduce the Company’s future profitability; and

·                  the Company’s repurchase plans depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, catastrophe losses, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.

 

The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.  For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein and in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

For the Company’s disclosures about market risk, please see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Other than as may be described below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s disclosures about market risk in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

At March 31, 2011, the Company had a definitive agreement to commence a joint venture with J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A, a Brazilian company (J. Malucelli), through the acquisition of approximately 43% of J. Malucelli’s common stock.  The purchase price for this acquisition will be R$625 million Brazilian Reais, plus an additional amount calculated based on a Brazilian inter-bank lending rate (CDI) from January 1, 2011 through the closing date of the transaction.  At March 31, 2011, that additional amount, which will continue to accrue until the anticipated closing date in the second quarter of 2011, totaled R$17 million Brazilian Reais.  The U.S. dollar equivalent of the purchase price will depend on the exchange rate at closing.  At March 31, 2011, the total of R$642 million Brazilian Reais was equivalent to approximately $393 million in U.S. dollars. In order to reduce its exposure to a significant strengthening of the Brazilian Reais prior to the closing of the transaction, the Company had entered into a foreign currency option contract on February 7, 2011 in the notional amount of R$635 million Brazilian Reais that expired on March 31, 2011.  The Company allowed that contract to expire as scheduled.  On April 19, 2011, the Company entered into a zero-cost collar in the notional amount of R$647 million Brazilian Reais (R$625 million Brazilian Reais plus estimated interest at closing) to hedge the risk of foreign currency fluctuations from the date of the collar until the earlier of the expiration of the collar or the closing of the investment in J. Malucelli. The collar was created by the purchase of a U.S. dollar put option in combination with the sale of a U.S. dollar call option that together created a floor and a ceiling of U.S. dollar exchange rates for Brazilian Reais. Upon expiration of the collar (April 29, 2011), the collar would have no impact on the Company's financial results (no cost and no benefit) if the exchange rates are within the floor and ceiling of the collar or the collar would have (i) a realized gain (if the value of the U.S. dollar decreased relative to the Brazilian Reais below the floor) or (ii) a realized loss (if the value of the U.S. dollar increased relative to the Brazilian Reais above the ceiling).  If the Company chooses to close the collar prior to its expiration, any resulting gain or loss would be recognized at that time.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.  Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  The Company’s

 

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management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011.  Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.

 

In addition, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The information required with respect to this item can be found under “Contingencies” in note 11 of notes to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

 

Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

For a discussion of the Company’s potential risks or uncertainties, please see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In addition, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Outlook” and “— Critical Accounting Estimates” herein and in the 2010 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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

 

The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases by the Company of its common stock during the periods indicated.

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period Beginning

 

Period Ending

 

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

 

January 1, 2011

 

January 31, 2011

 

3,487,660

 

$

55.44

 

3,486,600

 

$

6,316,101,247

 

February 1, 2011

 

February 28, 2011

 

8,037,179

 

58.81

 

7,274,350

 

5,888,434,804

 

March 1, 2011

 

March 31, 2011

 

8,131,291

 

58.92

 

8,130,788

 

5,409,371,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

19,656,130

 

$

58.26

 

18,891,738

 

$

5,409,371,075

 

 

The Company’s board of directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise.  The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date.  The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, catastrophe losses, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.  In January 2011, the board of directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5 billion of repurchase capacity to the $1.51 billion of capacity remaining at December 31, 2010.

 

The Company repurchased 764,392 shares during the three months ended March 31, 2011 that were not part of the publicly announced share repurchase authorization.  These shares were repurchased to cover payroll withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and exercises of stock options, and shares used by employees to cover the exercise price of certain stock options that were exercised.

 

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Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

All of the Company’s executive officers hold equity in the Company in excess of the required level under the Company’s executive stock ownership policy.  For a summary of this policy as currently in effect, see “Stock Ownership Guidelines” under “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 12, 2011.  From time to time, some of the Company’s executives may determine that it is advisable to diversify their investments for personal financial planning reasons, or may seek liquidity for other reasons, and may sell shares of common stock of the Company in the open market, in private transactions or to the Company.  To effect such sales, some of the Company’s executives have entered into, and may in the future enter into, trading plans designed to comply with the Company’s Securities Trading Policy and the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The trading plans will not reduce any of the executives’ ownership of the Company’s shares below the applicable executive stock ownership guidelines.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to report Rule 10b5-1 plans that may be adopted by any employee or director of the Company in the future, or to report any modifications or termination of any publicly announced plan.

 

As of the date of this report, Jay S. Benet, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, was the only “named executive officer” (i.e., an executive officer named in the compensation disclosures in the Company’s proxy statement) that has entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that remains in effect. The trading plan extends up to approximately eleven months from the date of this report. Under the Company’s stock ownership guidelines, Mr. Benet has a target ownership level established as the lesser of 30,000 shares or the equivalent value of 300% of base salary (as such amounts are calculated for purposes of the stock ownership guidelines). See “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Stock Ownership Guidelines” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 12, 2011.

 

Item 6.    EXHIBITS

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The Travelers Companies, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date: April 21, 2011

 

By

/S/ MATTHEW S. FURMAN

 

 

 

Matthew S. Furman
Senior Vice President
(Authorized Signatory)

 

 

 

 

Date: April 21, 2011

 

By

/S/ DOUGLAS K. RUSSELL

 

 

 

Douglas K. Russell
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (the Company), effective as of May 1, 2007, were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective as of February 18, 2009, were filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

 

12.1

 

Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Jay S. Benet, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Jay S. Benet, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

101.1

 

The following financial information from The Travelers Companies, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010; (iv) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


                           Filed herewith.

 

Copies of any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished to security holders who make written request therefor to The Travelers Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

The total amount of securities authorized pursuant to any instrument defining rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Therefore, the Company is not filing any instruments evidencing long-term debt.  However, the Company will furnish copies of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

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