Edgar Filing: UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY CO

(State of Incorporation)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

UFCS-2011.9.30-10Q3

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________

FORM 10-Q

_______________________

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

Commission File Number 001-34257

____________________________

UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

____________________________

118 Second Avenue, S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52407

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (319) 399-5700

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 R 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 R 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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer R	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES o NO R

As of October 31, 2011, 25,502,667 shares of common stock were outstanding.

United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries

Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

September 30, 2011



	Page
Forward-Looking Information	1

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010	2

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	3

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011	4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010	5

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	6

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	40

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	41

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	57

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	58

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	58

Item 1A. Risk Factors	58

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	59

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	59

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)	59

Item 5. Other Information	59

Item 6. Exhibits	60

Signatures and Certifications	61

Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32.1
Exhibit 32.2

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from those projected in our forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets



(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data and Number of Shares)	September 30, 2011		December 31, 2010
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $5,380 in 2011 and $6,422 in 2010)	$	5,330	$	6,364
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,541,736 in 2011 and $2,178,666 in 2010)	2,670,784		2,278,429
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $69,833 in 2011 and $54,139 in 2010)	144,483		149,706
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $14,079 in 2011 and $12,322 in 2010)	13,916		12,886
Mortgage loans	4,876		6,497
Policy loans	7,191		7,875
Other long-term investments	19,342		20,041
Short-term investments	1,500		1,100
	$	2,867,422	$	2,482,898

Cash and cash equivalents	$	154,477	$	180,057
Accrued investment income	31,819		28,977
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $976 in 2011 and $1,001 in 2010)	185,987		124,459
Deferred policy acquisition costs	109,940		87,524
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $34,147 in 2011 and $33,397 in 2010)	45,044		21,554
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	126,559		46,731
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	7,301		1,586
Income taxes receivable	26,904		17,772
Goodwill and intangible assets	31,531		—
Other assets	17,761		15,881
TOTAL ASSETS	$	3,604,745	$	3,007,439

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
Property and casualty insurance	$	952,476	$	603,090
Life insurance	1,459,838		1,389,331
Unearned premiums	300,291		200,341
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	129,773		78,439
Deferred income taxes	8,288		19,814
Debt	53,000		—
Trust preferred securities	15,622		—
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$	2,919,288	$	2,291,015
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $3.33 1/3 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,502,667 and 26,195,552 shares issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010, respectively	$	85,009	$	87,318
Additional paid-in capital	127,589		136,147
Retained earnings	387,419		415,981
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	85,440		76,978
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	685,457	$	716,424
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	3,604,745	$	3,007,439

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)



(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
and Number of Shares)	2011			2010			2011			2010

Revenues
Net premiums earned	$	158,704		119,158			$	425,118		$	350,548
Investment income, net of investment expenses	26,926			27,084			81,730			83,343
Net realized investment gains
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—			—			—			(459		)
All other net realized gains	1,219			1,322			4,996			6,853
Total net realized investment gains	1,219			1,322			4,996			6,394
Other income	725			340			1,610			758
	$	187,574		$	147,904		$	513,454		$	441,043

Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	$	120,861		$	89,312		$	332,854		$	230,432
Future policy benefits	9,167			7,218			25,229			20,983
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	43,022			28,491			112,800			82,929
Other underwriting expenses	14,101			10,468			44,878			30,654
Interest on policyholders’ accounts	10,897			10,923			32,224			32,371
	$	198,048		$	146,412		$	547,985		$	397,369

Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(10,474	)	$	1,492		$	(34,531	)	$	43,674
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	(5,698		)	(1,431		)	(17,651		)	7,707
Net Income (Loss)	$	(4,776	)	$	2,923		$	(16,880	)	$	35,967

Weighted average common shares outstanding	25,722,572			26,279,382			26,004,923			26,356,431
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	(0.19		)	0.11			(0.65		)	1.36
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	(0.19		)	0.11			(0.65		)	1.36
Cash dividends declared per common share	0.15			0.15			0.45			0.45

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)



(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

Common stock
Balance, beginning of year	$	87,318
Shares repurchased (701,140 shares)	(2,336		)
Shares issued for stock-based awards (8,255 shares)	27
Balance, end of period	$	85,009

Additional paid-in capital
Balance, beginning of year	$	136,147
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants	1,390
Shares repurchased	(10,060		)
Shares issued for stock-based awards	112
Balance, end of period	$	127,589

Retained earnings
Balance, beginning of year	$	415,981
Net loss	(16,880		)
Dividends on common stock ($0.45 per share)	(11,682		)
Balance, end of period	$	387,419

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Balance, beginning of year	$	76,978
Change in net unrealized appreciation ⁽¹⁾	7,208
Change in underfunded status of employee benefit plans	1,254
Balance, end of period	$	85,440

Summary of changes
Balance, beginning of year	$	716,424
Net loss	(16,880		)
All other changes in stockholders’ equity accounts	(14,087		)
Balance, end of period	$	685,457

(1) The change in net unrealized appreciation is net of reclassification adjustments.

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)



(In Thousands)	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$	(16,880	)	$	35,967
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Net accretion of bond premium	7,710			3,500
Depreciation and amortization	2,559			2,163
Stock-based compensation expense	1,384			1,295
Net realized investment gains	(4,996		)	(6,394		)
Net cash flows from trading investments	(1,604		)	(835		)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(11,901		)	2,424
Changes in:
Accrued investment income	899			(824		)
Premiums receivable	(25,706		)	(10,202		)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(2,239		)	(2,572		)
Reinsurance receivables	(7,527		)	(12,061		)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	574			(4		)
Income taxes receivable	(6,471		)	7,772
Other assets	(1,162		)	3,729
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	68,139			31,014
Unearned premiums	27,701			10,552
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	21,795			(6,174		)
Deferred income taxes	158			(3,119		)
Other, net	2,153			110
Total adjustments	$	71,466		$	20,374
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	54,586		$	56,341
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	$	21,871		$	3,402
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	1,050			2,553
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	438,472			323,859
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	4,583			4,385
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(432,892		)	(439,755		)
Purchase of short-term and other investments	(2,907		)	(4,708		)
Change in securities lending collateral	—			(77,845		)
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	(6,766		)	(1,509		)
Acquisition of property and casualty company, net of cash acquired	(171,394		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(147,983	)	$	(189,618	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Policyholders’ account balances
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts	$	128,257		$	111,621
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts	(86,507		)	(81,936		)
Borrowings of short-term debt	79,900			—
Repayment of short-term debt	(29,900		)	—
Change in securities lending payable	—			77,845
Payment of cash dividends	(11,682		)	(11,845		)
Repurchase of common stock	(12,396		)	(5,507		)
Issuance of common stock	139			54
Tax benefit from issuance of common stock	6			5
Net cash provided by financing activities	$	67,817		$	90,237
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	(25,580	)	$	(43,040	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	180,057			190,852
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	154,477		$	147,812

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire & Casualty Company and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

The terms “United Fire,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to United Fire & Casualty Company or United Fire & Casualty Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and its affiliate, as the context requires. We are engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance and life insurance and selling annuities through a network of independent agencies. We report our operations in two business segments: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. We are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 43 states plus the District of Columbia and as a life insurer in 29 states.

Basis of Presentation

We maintain our records in conformity with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance departments of the states in which we are domiciled. To the extent that certain of these practices differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we have made adjustments to present the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP. Certain financial information that is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including certain financial statement footnote disclosures, are not required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial reporting and have been condensed or omitted.

The preparation of 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The financial statement categories that are most dependent on management estimates and assumptions include: investments; deferred policy acquisition costs; reinsurance receivables and recoverables (for net realizable value); goodwill and intangible assets (for recoverability); and future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses.

In the preparation of the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, we have evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure therein.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

In the opinion of the management of United Fire, the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results reported for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The review report of Ernst & Young LLP as of and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, accompanies the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 “Financial Statements.”

Acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group

On March 28, 2011, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Mercer Insurance Group for $191.5 million, which was funded through a combination of cash and $79.9 million of short-term debt. Accordingly, the results of operations for Mercer Insurance Group have been included in the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements from that date forward. After the acquisition, we market our products through over 1,200 independent property and casualty agencies. In addition, the acquisition allows us to diversify our

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exposure to weather and other catastrophe risks across our geographic markets.

This transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method using Mercer Insurance Group historical financial information and applying fair value estimates to the acquired assets, liabilities and commitments as of the acquisition date. For additional information related to this acquisition, see Note 10 “Business Combinations.”

In connection with this acquisition, we incurred $5.5 million of expense in the first quarter of 2011 related to change in control payments made to the former executive officers of Mercer Insurance Group.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we made payments for income taxes of $0.6 million and $14.1 million, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we received no tax refunds compared to tax refunds of $13.5 million for the same period of 2010, that were received due to the overpayment of prior year tax and operating loss carrybacks.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we made interest payments totaling $1.3 million, compared to no payments for interest for the same period of 2010, other than for interest credited to policyholders’ accounts.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The expenses associated with issuing insurance policies – primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs – are deferred and amortized over the terms of the underlying policies. The table below shows the reconciliation of the components of our deferred policy acquisition costs asset, including the related amortization recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011.



(In Thousands)	Property & Casualty			Life Insurance			Total
Deferred policy acquisition costs at December 31, 2010	$	44,681		$	42,843		$	87,524
Value of business acquired (see Note 10)	27,436			—			27,436
Amortization of value of business acquired	(21,702		)	—			(21,702		)
Current deferred costs	98,802			6,451			105,253
Current amortization	(83,961		)	(7,137		)	(91,098		)
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	$	65,256		$	42,157		$	107,413
Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	—			2,527			2,527
Recorded deferred policy acquisition costs at September 30, 2011	$	65,256		$	44,684		$	109,940

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established based on differences between the financial statement bases of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those same assets and liabilities, using the currently enacted statutory tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the year-to-year change in the net deferred tax asset or liability, except for certain changes in deferred tax amounts that affect stockholders’ equity and do not impact federal income tax expense.

We reported a federal income tax benefit of $17.7 million and a federal income tax expense of $7.7 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Our effective tax rate is different than the federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.

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We have recognized no liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010, or at any time during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011. In addition, we have not accrued for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We also file income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to federal or state income tax examination for years before 2006. There are ongoing examinations of income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service of the 2008 tax year, by the State of Illinois of the 2007 and 2008 tax years and by the State of Florida of the 2008 through 2010 tax years.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adopted Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued revised accounting guidance that clarifies and provides additional disclosure requirements related to recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements. The guidance requires separate disclosures for the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, along with an explanation for the transfers. Additionally, a separate disclosure is required for purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance also provides additional clarification for both the level of disaggregation reported for each class of assets or liabilities and disclosures of inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements for assets and liabilities categorized as Level 2 or Level 3.

The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. Refer to Note 3 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for the information required to be disclosed upon our adoption of the guidance, effective January 1, 2011.

Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards

Policy Acquisition Costs

In October 2010, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance to address the 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 incremental and directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred. Acquisition costs that are not eligible for deferral are to be charged to expense in the period incurred. 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 interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We are currently evaluating the impact that our adoption of the guidance, effective January 1, 2012, will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Measurements

In May 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance that changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The guidance also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (i.e., Level 3) inputs. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact that our adoption of the guidance, effective January 1, 2013, will have on the information disclosed in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Comprehensive Income

In June 2011, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance that eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders' equity. Instead, comprehensive income must be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance will be effective for public companies for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. This new guidance is to be applied retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact that our adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2012, will have on the presentation of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill Impairment

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance that is intended to reduce complexity and costs by allowing an entity the option to make a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. The updated guidance also improves previous guidance by expanding upon the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider between annual impairment tests in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. In addition, the updated guidance improves the examples of events and circumstances that an entity having a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount should consider in determining whether to measure an impairment loss, if any, under the second step of the goodwill impairment test. The updated guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that our adoption of the guidance, effective January 1, 2012, will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS

Fair Value of Investments

A reconciliation of the amortized cost (cost for equity securities) to fair value of investments in held-to-maturity and available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, is as follows:

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September 30, 2011	(Dollars in Thousands)
Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Appreciation		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities
Bonds
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations	$	734	$	8	$	—	$	742
Special revenue
Midwest
North central - East	353		16		—		369
North central - West	218		14		—		232
Northeast	230		2		—		232
South	632		2		66		568
West	2,737		36		—		2,773
Collaterialized mortgage obligations	56		2		—		58
Mortgage-backed securities	370		36		—		406
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	5,330	$	116	$	66	$	5,380
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises
U.S. Treasury	$	39,628	$	1,494	$	—	$	41,122
Agency	98,928		585		11		99,502
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations
Midwest
North central - East	123,825		9,970		11		133,784
North central - West	76,991		6,577		—		83,568
Northeast	37,502		2,982		—		40,484
South	103,670		9,702		—		113,372
West	67,550		5,362		—		72,912
Special revenue
Midwest
North central - East	69,649		4,458		3		74,104
North central - West	50,718		3,795		—		54,513
Northeast	13,844		744		—		14,588
South	97,058		6,534		—		103,592
West	53,824		4,209		—		58,033
Foreign bonds
Canadian	69,233		3,577		171		72,639
Other foreign	138,084		5,465		668		142,881
Public utilities
Electric	226,302		13,043		313		239,032
Gas distribution	17,606		1,538		58		19,086
Other	10,115		820		—		10,935
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	194,730		7,625		440		201,915
Chemicals	55,333		2,980		—		58,313
Basic resources	24,485		244		645		24,084
Construction and materials	20,381		405		172		20,614
Industrial goods and services	173,176		7,824		186		180,814

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Auto and parts	16,640		790		345		17,085
Food and beverage	64,834		2,664		177		67,321
Personal and household goods	67,130		2,987		302		69,815
Health care	101,002		7,038		—		108,040
Retail	51,865		2,571		—		54,436
Media	40,430		1,636		214		41,852
Travel and leisure	2,859		—		87		2,772
Telecommunications	45,562		1,890		—		47,452
Banks	130,510		4,254		1,367		133,397
Insurance	28,902		794		10		29,686
Real estate	20,848		2,468		224		23,092
Financial services	97,909		2,790		1,054		99,645
Technology	29,811		1,499		55		31,255
Collaterialized mortgage obligations
Government	36,791		3,028		22		39,797
Other	278		—		36		242
Mortgage-backed securities	36,973		1,046		12		38,007
Asset-backed securities	6,355		528		286		6,597
Redeemable preferred stocks	405		1		—		406
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,541,736	$	135,917	$	6,869	$	2,670,784
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities
Electric	$	6,229	$	4,981	$	86	$	11,124
Gas distribution	90		632		—		722
Other	76		9		—		85
Corporate
Oil and gas	5,932		6,563		14		12,481
Chemicals	2,734		1,184		—		3,918
Industrial good and services	9,427		10,570		454		19,543
Auto and parts	269		310		4		575
Food and beverage	2,124		3,579		15		5,688
Personal and household goods	6,030		3,011		—		9,041
Health care	8,212		6,708		322		14,598
Retail	2,836		356		292		2,900
Media	147		—		37		110
Telecommunications	2,399		3,364		14		5,749
Banks	12,970		25,967		388		38,549
Insurance	3,209		8,452		136		11,525
Real estate	393		646		70		969
Financial services	300		131		45		386
Technology	2,822		692		184		3,330
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	3,634		32		476		3,190
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	69,833	$	77,187	$	2,537	$	144,483
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,611,569	$	213,104	$	9,406	$	2,815,267

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December 31, 2010	(Dollars in Thousands)
Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Appreciation		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities
Bonds
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations	731		10		—		741
Special revenue
Midwest
North central - East	364		27		—		391
North central - West	488		23		—		511
Northeast	230		12		—		242
South	1,067		4		108		963
West	2,957		36		—		2,993
Collateralized mortgage obligations	83		4		—		87
Mortgage-backed securities	444		50		—		494
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	6,364	$	166	$	108	$	6,422
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises
U.S. Treasury	38,133		943		—		39,076
Agency	104,049		96		1,014		103,131
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations
Midwest
North central - East	121,273		6,634		137		127,770
North central - West	76,699		4,491		58		81,132
Northeast	27,861		1,664		—		29,525
South	92,795		6,555		53		99,297
West	53,160		2,983		90		56,053
Special revenue
Midwest
North central - East	59,063		2,205		175		61,093
North central - West	38,827		1,744		266		40,305
Northeast	4,505		247		9		4,743
South	71,486		3,405		144		74,747
West	42,363		2,182		—		44,545
Foreign bonds
Canadian	69,209		3,908		194		72,923
Other foreign	85,434		4,588		268		89,754
Public utilities
Electric	213,636		12,207		519		225,324
Gas distribution	21,131		1,124		70		22,185
Other	21,029		551		—		21,580
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	177,973		7,890		427		185,436
Chemicals	52,561		2,445		35		54,971
Basic resources	6,971		456		—		7,427
Construction and materials	19,385		873		—		20,258
Industrial goods and services	148,212		7,208		362		155,058

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Auto and parts	17,500		1,003		119		18,384
Food and beverage	70,613		3,531		111		74,033
Personal and household goods	66,597		3,079		289		69,387
Health care	78,595		4,933		186		83,342
Retail	42,150		2,139		329		43,960
Media	31,702		1,552		—		33,254
Travel and leisure	5,882		61		77		5,866
Telecommunications	34,706		2,329		51		36,984
Banks	117,506		5,817		1,689		121,634
Insurance	25,682		799		14		26,467
Real estate	20,903		1,101		267		21,737
Financial services	80,803		3,635		983		83,455
Technology	15,952		1,070		334		16,688
Collateralized mortgage obligations	17,564		2,013		—		19,577
Mortgage-backed securities	2		—		—		2
Asset-backed securities	6,754		572		—		7,326
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,178,666	$	108,033	$	8,270	$	2,278,429
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities
Electric	$	6,229	$	4,164	$	3	$	10,390
Gas distribution	90		586		—		676
Corporate
Oil and gas	5,740		7,394		—		13,134
Chemicals	2,734		3,345		—		6,079
Industrial goods and services	8,112		15,185		—		23,297
Auto and parts	257		537		—		794
Food and beverage	682		3,792		—		4,474
Personal and household goods	5,233		3,370		—		8,603
Health care	6,367		6,367		186		12,548
Retail	380		348		—		728
Travel and leisure	1		—		—		1
Telecommunications	2,376		3,438		—		5,814
Banks	9,498		34,363		101		43,760
Insurance	3,129		11,320		41		14,408
Real estate	393		667		40		1,020
Financial services	300		274		15		559
Technology	1,157		874		—		2,031
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,461		3		74		1,390
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	54,139	$	96,027	$	460	$	149,706
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,232,805	$	204,060	$	8,730	$	2,428,135

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Maturities

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading securities at September 30, 2011, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.



(In Thousands)	Held-To-Maturity				Available-For-Sale				Trading
September 30, 2011	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	245	$	247	$	274,007	$	279,734	$	2,626	$	2,905
Due after one year through five years	4,659		4,669		1,119,740		1,176,492		4,563		4,274
Due after five years through 10 years	—		—		971,535		1,030,764		496		452
Due after 10 years	—		—		96,057		99,151		6,394		6,285
Asset-backed securities	—		—		6,355		6,597		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	370		406		36,973		38,007		—		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	56		58		37,069		40,039		—		—
	$	5,330	$	5,380	$	2,541,736	$	2,670,784	$	14,079	$	13,916

Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

Net realized gains (losses) on disposition of investments are computed using the specific identification method and are included in the computation of net income. A summary of net realized investment gains resulting from investment sales, calls and other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charges is as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed maturities	$	813		$	897		$	3,247		$	1,759
Equity securities	792			121			2,126			5,030
Trading securities	(457		)	665			(179		)	(19		)
Mortgage loans	—			(361		)	—			(361		)
Other long-term investments	(78		)	—			(347		)	(15		)
Mark-to-market valuation gain for interest rate swaps	149			—			149			—
Total net realized investment gains	$	1,219		$	1,322		$	4,996		$	6,394

The proceeds and gross realized gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Proceeds from sales	$	830	$	—	$	21,871	$	3,402
Gross realized gains	793		—		1,144		1,915
Gross realized losses	—		—		688		—

There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Our investment portfolio includes trading securities with embedded derivatives. These securities, which are primarily convertible redeemable preferred debt securities, are recorded at fair value. Income or loss, including the change in the fair value of these trading securities, is recognized currently in earnings as a component of net realized investment gains and losses. Our portfolio of trading securities had a fair value of $13.9 million and $12.9 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

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The realized gains and losses attributable to the change in fair value during the reporting period of trading securities held at September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010		2011		2010
Trading
Realized gains	$	(3	)	$	681	$	28	$	—
Realized losses	455			—		755		215

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership holdings, we are contractually committed to make capital contributions up to $15.0 million, upon request by the partnership, through December 31, 2017. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $9.6 million at September 30, 2011.

Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation

A summary of changes in net unrealized investment appreciation during the reporting period is as follows:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
Available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities	$	8,368		$	67,113
Deferred policy acquisition costs	2,527			(19,133		)
Income tax effect	(3,687		)	(16,793		)
Total change in net unrealized appreciation, net of tax	$	7,208		$	31,187

In the above table, changes in deferred policy acquisition costs for our life insurance segment are affected by fluctuations that may occur in the interest rate environment from time to time.

We continually monitor the difference between our cost basis and the estimated fair value of our investments. Our accounting policy for impairment recognition requires OTTI charges to be recorded when we determine that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the fixed maturity security or that the anticipated recovery in fair value of the equity security will not occur in a reasonable amount of time. Impairment charges on investments are recorded based on the fair value of the investments at the measurement date. Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; our intention to hold the investment; and the likelihood that we will be required to sell the investment.

The tables on the following pages summarize our fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The securities are presented by the length of time they have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. It is possible that we could recognize OTTI charges in future periods on securities held at September 30, 2011, if future events or information cause us to determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary.

We believe the unrealized depreciation in value of securities in our fixed maturity portfolio is primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates and not the credit quality of the issuer. We have no intent to sell and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities until such time as the fair value recovers to at least equal our cost basis or the securities mature.

We have evaluated the unrealized losses reported for all of our equity securities at September 30, 2011, and have concluded that the duration and severity of these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at September 30, 2011. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at September 30, 2011 was $0.2 million. We have no intention to sell any of these securities prior to a recovery in value, but will continue to monitor the fair value reported for these securities as part of our overall process to evaluate investments for OTTI recognition.

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(In Thousands)
September 30, 2011	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
Type of Investment	Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities
Bonds
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
Special revenue
South	1	$	467	$	66	—	$	—	$	—	$	467	$	66
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	1	$	467	$	66	—	$	—	$	—	$	467	$	66
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises
Agency	1	4,996		4		1	4,993		7		9,989		11
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations
Midwest	4	2,438		11		—	—		—		2,438		11
Special revenue							—
Midwest	3	1,557		3		—	—		—		1,557		3
Foreign bonds
Canadian	3	8,657		171		—	—		—		8,657		171
Other foreign	19	15,802		358		4	10,749		310		26,551		668
Public utilities
Electric	4	7,413		272		3	7,265		41		14,678		313
Gas distribution	1	1,984		58		—	—		—		1,984		58
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	7	16,251		440		—	—		—		16,251		440
Basic resources	5	16,008		645		—	—		—		16,008		645
Construction and materials	2	9,900		172		—	—		—		9,900		172
Industrial goods and services	8	19,519		186		—	—		—		19,519		186
Auto and parts	1	2,655		345		—	—		—		2,655		345
Food and beverage	6	4,942		177		—	—		—		4,942		177
Personal and household goods	2	5,061		297		1	2,546		5		7,607		302
Media	1	4,725		190		1	2,186		24		6,911		214
Travel and leisure	3	2,771		87		—	—		—		2,771		87
Banks	27	30,081		1,367		—	—		—		30,081		1,367
Insurance	2	506		10		—	—		—		506		10
Real estate	4	7,084		224		—	—		—		7,084		224
Financial services	21	12,110		1,054		—	—		—		12,110		1,054
Technology	1	2,160		55		—	—		—		2,160		55
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Government	7	1,430		22		—	—		—		1,430		22
Other	1	241		36		—	—		—		241		36
Mortgage-backed securities	7	908		12		—	—		—		908		12
Asset-backed securities	3	585		286		—	—		—		585		286
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities	143	$	179,784	$	6,482	10	$	27,739	$	387	$	207,523	$	6,869
Equity securities

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Common stocks
Public utilities	7	$	223	$	86	—	$	—	$	—	$	223	$	86
Corporate
Oil and gas	1	177		14		—	—		—		177		14
Industrial goods and services	14	1,618		454		—	—		—		1,618		454
Autos and parts	3	8		4		—	—		—		8		4
Food and beverage	3	509		15		—	—		—		509		15
Health care	8	961		160		1	332		162		1,293		322
Retail	11	1,189		292		—	—		—		1,189		292
Media	1	111		37		—	—		—		111		37
Telecommunications	4	61		7		1	12		7		73		14
Banks	10	975		212		1	380		176		1,355		388
Insurance	8	1,198		127		1	48		9		1,246		136
Real estate	—	—		—		3	207		70		207		70
Financial services	1	237		45		—	—		—		237		45
Technology	4	628		184		—	—		—		628		184
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	6	2,380		476		—	—		—		2,380		476
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	81	$	10,275	$	2,113	7	$	979	$	424	$	11,254	$	2,537
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	224	$	190,059	$	8,595	17	$	28,718	$	811	$	218,777	$	9,406
Total	225	$	190,526	$	8,661	17	$	28,718	$	811	$	219,244	$	9,472

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(In Thousands)
December 31, 2010	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
Type of Investment	Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities
Bonds
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
Special revenue	—	$	—	$	—	2	$	590	$	108	$	590	$	108
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	—	$	—	$	—	2	$	590	$	108	$	590	$	108
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises
Agency	12	$	41,374	$	626	7	$	30,661	$	388	$	72,035	$	1,014
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations
Midwest
North central - East	3	2,346		105		1	497		32		2,843		137
North central - West	1	860		58		—	—		—		860		58
South	2	947		53		—	—		—		947		53
West	3	2,723		90		—	—		—		2,723		90
Special revenue
Midwest
North central - East	7	8,275		96		2	2,553		79		10,828		175
North central - West	2	3,092		102		2	2,555		164		5,647		266
Northeast	—	—		—		1	771		9		771		9
South	3	3,964		144		—	—		—		3,964		144
Foreign bonds
Canadian	1	5,687		194		—	—		—		5,687		194
Other foreign	2	6,634		235		2	2,873		33		9,507		268
Public utilities
Electric	3	4,490		100		3	10,003		419		14,493		519
Gas distribution	—	—		—		1	1,420		70		1,420		70
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	—	—		—		4	10,168		427		10,168		427
Chemicals	3	3,366		19		1	4,939		16		8,305		35
Industrial goods and services	5	13,642		171		2	5,821		191		19,463		362
Auto and parts	—	—		—		1	3,928		119		3,928		119
Food and beverage	1	2,006		12		2	4,491		99		6,497		111
Personal and household goods	3	9,233		241		2	3,039		48		12,272		289
Health care	4	14,416		186		—	—		—		14,416		186
Retail	4	9,370		321		1	2,308		8		11,678		329
Travel and leisure	1	2,013		69		2	792		8		2,805		77
Telecommunications	2	2,696		51		—	—		—		2,696		51
Banks	1	2,920		18		15	28,887		1,671		31,807		1,689
Insurance	1	2,169		14		—	—		—		2,169		14
Real estate	1	4,539		177		1	2,256		90		6,795		267
Financial services	3	11,660		236		15	5,270		747		16,930		983
Technology	—	—		—		3	8,628		334		8,628		334

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Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities	68	$	158,422	$	3,318	68	$	131,860	$	4,952	$	290,282	$	8,270
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	3	$	306	$	2	4	$	—	$	1	$	306	$	3
Corporate
Health care	2	1,437		62		1	371		124		1,808		186
Banks	2	614		33		1	488		68		1,102		101
Insurance	1	260		28		1	43		13		303		41
Real estate	1	79		10		2	158		30		237		40
Financial services	1	267		15		—	—		—		267		15
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	—	—		—		2	1,158		74		1,158		74
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	10	$	2,963	$	150	11	$	2,218	$	310	$	5,181	$	460
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	78	$	161,385	$	3,468	79	$	134,078	$	5,262	$	295,463	$	8,730
Total	78	$	161,385	$	3,468	81	$	134,668	$	5,370	$	296,053	$	8,838

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NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments based on relevant market information or by discounting estimated future cash flows at estimated current market discount rates appropriate to the specific asset or liability.

In most cases, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of fixed maturities, equity securities, trading securities and short-term investments. When quoted market prices do not exist, we base fair values on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.

We base the estimated fair value of mortgage loans on discounted cash flows, utilizing the market rate of interest for similar loans in effect at the valuation date.

The estimated fair value of policy loans is equivalent to carrying value. We do not make policy loans for amounts in excess of the cash surrender value of the related policy. In all instances, the policy loans are fully collateralized by the related liability for future policy benefits for traditional insurance policies or by the policyholders’ account balance for non-traditional policies.

Our other long-term investments consist primarily of holdings in limited liability partnership funds that are valued by the various fund managers and are recorded on the equity method of accounting. In management’s opinion, these values represent fair value.

For cash and cash equivalents and accrued investment income, carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

We calculate the fair value of the liabilities for all of our annuity products based upon the estimated value of the business, using current market rates and forecast assumptions and risk-adjusted discount rates, when relevant observable market data does not exist.

A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is as follows:



	September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
(In Thousands)	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Assets
Investments
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities	$	5,380	$	5,330	$	6,422	$	6,364
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	2,670,784		2,670,784		2,278,429		2,278,429
Equity securities	144,483		144,483		149,706		149,706
Trading securities	13,916		13,916		12,886		12,886
Mortgage loans	5,321		4,876		7,658		6,497
Policy loans	7,191		7,191		7,875		7,875
Other long-term investments	19,342		19,342		20,041		20,041
Short-term investments	1,500		1,500		1,100		1,100
Cash and cash equivalents	154,477		154,477		180,057		180,057
Accrued investment income	31,819		31,819		28,977		28,977
Liabilities
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations) ⁽¹⁾	$	1,074,161	$	990,516	$	965,932	$	948,920
Annuity (benefit payments)	118,484		93,714		102,511		86,874

(1) Annuity accumulations represent deferred annuity contracts which are currently earning interest.

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Current accounting guidance on fair value measurements includes the application of a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Our financial instruments that are recorded at fair value are categorized into a three-level hierarchy, which is based upon the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (i.e., Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the financial instrument.

Financial instruments recorded at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy as follows:


•	Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments that we have the ability to access.


•	Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar financial instruments, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, in markets that are not active or on inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the full term of the financial instrument.


•	Level 3: Valuations are based on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.

Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period.

To determine the fair value of the majority of our investments, we utilize prices obtained from independent, nationally recognized pricing services. We obtain one price for each security. When the pricing services cannot provide a determination of fair value for a specific security, we obtain non-binding price quotes from broker-dealers with whom we have had several years experience and who have demonstrated knowledge of the subject security. We request and utilize one broker quote per security.

We validate the prices obtained from pricing services and brokers prior to their use for reporting purposes by evaluating their reasonableness on a monthly basis. Our validation process includes a review for unusual fluctuations. In our opinion, the pricing obtained at September 30, 2011 was reasonable.

In order to determine the proper classification in the fair value hierarchy for each security where the price is obtained from an independent pricing service, we obtain and evaluate the vendors’ pricing procedures and inputs used to price the security, which include unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities, such as a New York Stock Exchange closing price and quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active. For fixed maturity securities, an evaluation of interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risks and default rates may also be performed. We have determined that these processes and inputs result in fair values and classifications consistent with the applicable current accounting guidance on fair value measurements.

We review our fair value hierarchy categorizations on a quarterly basis at which time the classification of certain financial instruments may change if the input observations have changed.

The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

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(In Thousands)			Fair Value Measurements
Description	September 30, 2011		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises
U.S. Treasury	$	41,122	$	—	$	41,122	$	—
Agency	99,502		—		99,502		—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations
North central - East	133,784		—		133,784		—
North central - West	83,568		—		83,568		—
Northeast	40,484		—		40,484		—
South	113,372		—		113,372		—
West	72,912		—		72,912		—
Special revenue
North central - East	74,104		—		73,164		940
North central - West	54,513		—		54,513		—
Northeast	14,588		—		14,588		—
South	103,592		—		103,592		—
West	58,033		—		58,033		—
Foreign bonds
Canadian	72,639		—		72,639		—
Other foreign	142,881		—		141,766		1,115
Public utilities
Electric	239,032		—		239,032		—
Gas distribution	19,086		—		19,086		—
Other	10,935		—		10,935		—
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	201,915		—		201,915		—
Chemicals	58,313		—		58,313		—
Basic resources	24,084		—		24,084		—
Construction and materials	20,614		—		20,614		—
Industrial goods and services	180,814		—		177,917		2,897
Auto and parts	17,085		—		17,085		—
Food and beverage	67,321		—		65,889		1,432
Personal and household goods	69,815		—		67,366		2,449
Health care	108,040		—		108,040		—
Retail	54,436		—		54,436		—
Media	41,852		—		41,852		—
Travel and leisure	2,772		—		2,772		—
Telecommunications	47,452		—		47,452		—
Banks	133,397		—		126,166		7,231
Insurance	29,686		—		29,686		—
Real estate	23,092		—		15,266		7,826
Financial services	99,645		—		98,682		963
Technology	31,255		—		31,255		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Government	39,797		—		39,797		—
Other	242		—		242		—
Mortgage-backed securities	38,007		—		38,007		—

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Asset-backed securities	6,597		—		6,282		315
Redeemable preferred stocks	406		405		1		—
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,670,784	$	405	$	2,645,211	$	25,168
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities
Electric	$	11,124	$	11,124	$	—	$	—
Gas distribution	722		722		—		—
Other	85		85		—		—
Corporate
Oil and gas	12,481		12,481		—		—
Chemicals	3,918		3,918		—		—
Industrial goods and services	19,543		19,543		—		—
Autos and parts	575		575		—		—
Food and beverage	5,688		5,688		—		—
Personal and household goods	9,041		9,041		—		—
Health care	14,598		14,598		—		—
Retail	2,900		2,900		—		—
Media	110		110		—		—
Telecommunications	5,749		5,749		—		—
Banks	38,549		33,742		—		4,807
Insurance	11,525		11,525		—		—
Real estate	969		969		—		—
Financial services	386		386		—		—
Technology	3,330		3,330		—		—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	3,190		2,933		257		—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	144,483	$	139,419	$	257	$	4,807
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,815,267	$	139,824	$	2,645,468	$	29,975
TRADING
Fixed maturities
Bonds
Foreign bonds
Canadian	1,555		—		1,555		—
Other foreign	1,357		—		1,357		—
Corporate
Basic resources	1,519		—		1,519		—
Food and beverage	1,051		—		1,051		—
Health care	1,429		—		1,429		—
Banks	2,187		—		2,187		—
Insurance	451		—		451		—
Financial services	385		—		385		—
Technology	1,419		—		1,419		—
Redeemable preferred stocks	2,563		1,177		1,386		—
Total Trading Securities	$	13,916	$	1,177	$	12,739	$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	1,500	$	1,500	$	—	$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	69,433	$	69,433	$	—	$	—
Total	$	2,900,116	$	211,934	$	2,658,207	$	29,975

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(In Thousands)			Fair Value Measurements
Description	December 31, 2010		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises
U.S. Treasury	$	39,076	$	—	$	39,076	$	—
Agency	103,131		—		103,131		—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
General obligations
North central - East	127,770		—		127,770		—
North central - West	81,132		—		81,132		—
Northeast	29,525		—		29,525		—
South	99,297		—		99,297		—
West	56,053		—		56,053		—
Special revenue
North central - East	61,093		—		60,092		1,001
North central - West	40,305		—		40,305		—
Northeast	4,743		—		4,743		—
South	74,747		—		74,747		—
West	44,545		—		44,545		—
Foreign bonds
Canadian	72,923		—		72,923		—
Other foreign	89,754		—		88,639		1,115
Public utilities
Electric	225,324		—		225,289		35
Gas distribution	22,185		—		22,185		—
Other	21,580		—		21,580		—
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	185,436		—		185,436		—
Chemicals	54,971		—		54,971		—
Basic resources	7,427		—		7,427		—
Construction and materials	20,258		—		20,258		—
Industrial goods and services	155,058		—		152,161		2,897
Auto and parts	18,384		—		18,384		—
Food and beverage	74,033		—		72,551		1,482
Personal and household goods	69,387		—		66,884		2,503
Health care	83,342		—		83,342		—
Retail	43,960		—		43,960		—
Media	33,254		—		33,254		—
Travel and leisure	5,866		—		5,866		—
Telecommunications	36,984		—		36,984		—
Banks	121,634		—		114,111		7,523
Insurance	26,467		—		26,467		—
Real estate	21,737		—		13,764		7,973
Financial services	83,455		—		82,354		1,101
Technology	16,688		—		16,688		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	19,577		—		19,577		—
Mortgage-backed securities	2		—		2		—
Asset-backed securities	7,326		—		7,326		—
Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,278,429	$	—	$	2,252,799	$	25,630

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Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities
Electric	$	10,390	$	10,390	$	—	$	—
Gas distribution	676		676		—		—
Corporate
Oil and gas	13,134		13,134		—		—
Chemicals	6,079		6,079		—		—
Industrial goods and services	23,297		23,297		—		—
Auto and parts	794		794		—		—
Food and beverage	4,474		4,474		—		—
Personal and household goods	8,603		8,603		—		—
Health care	12,548		12,548		—		—
Retail	728		728		—		—
Travel and leisure	1		1		—		—
Telecommunications	5,814		5,783		31		—
Banks	43,760		42,225		—		1,535
Insurance	14,408		14,408		—		—
Real estate	1,020		1,020		—		—
Financial services	559		559		—		—
Technology	2,031		2,031		—		—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,390		1,158		232		—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	149,706	$	147,908	$	263	$	1,535
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,428,135	$	147,908	$	2,253,062	$	27,165
TRADING
Fixed maturities
Bonds
Foreign bonds	$	2,283	$	—	$	2,283	$	—
Corporate bonds
Oil and gas	2,843		—		2,843		—
Health care	1,917		—		1,917		—
Banks	1,198		—		1,198		—
Financial services	384		—		384		—
Technology	1,394		—		1,394		—
Redeemable preferred stocks	2,867		1,476		1,391		—
Total Trading Securities	$	12,886	$	1,476	$	11,410	$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	1,100	$	1,100	$	—	$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	34,384	$	34,384	$	—	$	—
Total	$	2,476,505	$	184,868	$	2,264,472	$	27,165

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The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 1 is based on quoted market prices that are readily and regularly available.

The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 2 is determined by management after reviewing market prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the reporting date. Our independent pricing services and brokers obtain prices from reputable pricing vendors in the marketplace. They continually monitor and review the external pricing sources, while actively participating to resolve any pricing issues that may arise.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, the change in our available-for-sale securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2 is the result of investment purchases (and disposals) made during the period, which were made from funds held in our money market accounts, and the change in unrealized gains on both fixed maturities and equity securities. There were no significant transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period.

Securities that may be categorized as Level 3 include holdings in certain private placement fixed maturity and equity securities and certain other securities that were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired in a prior period and for which an active market does not currently exist.

The fair value of our Level 3 private placement securities is determined by management relying on pricing received from our independent pricing services and brokers consistent with the process to estimate fair value for Level 2 securities.

The fair value of our Level 3 impaired securities was determined primarily based upon management’s assumptions regarding the timing and amount of future cash inflows. If a security has been written down or the issuer is in bankruptcy, management relies in part on outside opinions from rating agencies, our lien position on the security, general economic conditions and management’s expertise to determine fair value. We have the ability and the positive intent to hold securities until such time that we are able to recover all or a portion of our original investment. If a security does not have a market value at the balance sheet date, management will estimate the security’s fair value based on other securities in the market. Management will continue to monitor securities after the balance sheet date to confirm that their estimated fair value is reasonable.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011:



(In Thousands)	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		Foreign bonds		Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities		Equities		Total
Balance at July 1, 2011	$	940	$	1,115	$	5,856		$	315	$	4,807	$	13,033
Realized gains ⁽¹⁾	—		—		—			—		—		—
Unrealized gains ⁽¹⁾	—		—		233			—		—		233
Amortization	—		—		—			—		—		—
Purchases	—		—		6			—		—		6
Disposals	—		—		(253		)	—		—		(253		)
Transfers in	—		—		16,956			—		—		16,956
Transfers out	—		—		—			—		—		—
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	940	$	1,115	$	22,798		$	315	$	4,807	$	29,975

(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of current operations whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

The securities reported as “transfers in” relate to securities where an updated market value was not available and the securities were transferred from either Level 1 or 2 to Level 3. The reported “disposals” relate to the receipt of principal on calls or sinking fund bonds, in accordance with the indentures.

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The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011:



(In Thousands)	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			Foreign bonds		Public utilities			Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities		Total
Balance at January 1, 2011	$	1,001		$	1,115	$	35		$	23,479		$	—		$	1,535	$	27,165
Realized gains ⁽¹⁾	—			—		—			—			12			—		12
Unrealized gains ⁽¹⁾	—			—		(2		)	183			1			—		182
Amortization	—			—		—			—			(15		)	—		(15		)
Purchases	—			—		—			6			1,436			3,272		4,714
Disposals	(61		)	—		(33		)	(670		)	(1,119		)	—		(1,883		)
Transfers in	—			—		—			16,956			—			—		16,956
Transfers out	—			—		—			(17,156		)	—			—		(17,156		)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$	940		$	1,115	$	—		$	22,798		$	315		$	4,807	$	29,975

(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of current operations whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

The equity securities reported as “purchases” primarily relate to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. As a part of the acquisition financing, we purchased securities in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, as a requirement to obtain membership and secure the loan we had with them. These securities were classified as Level 3 as we had no observable market price at September 30, 2011. The reported “disposals” relate to the receipt of principal on calls or sinking fund bonds, in accordance with the indentures.

The securities reported as “transfers in” relate to securities where an updated market value was not available and the securities were transferred from either Level 1 or 2 to Level 3. The securities reported as “transfers out” relate to securities where an updated market value was available and the securities were transferred from Level 3 to either Level 1 or 2.

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NOTE 4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of the net periodic benefit cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:



(In Thousands)	Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			2011			2010

Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	792		$	713		$	496		$	463
Interest cost	1,190			1,142			398			464
Expected return on plan assets	(1,322		)	(1,131		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service cost	2			3			(8		)	(13		)
Amortization of net loss	592			545			56			53
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,254		$	1,272		$	942		$	967



(In Thousands)	Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			2011			2010

Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	2,375		$	2,140		$	1,489		$	1,136
Interest cost	3,570			3,426			1,193			1,075
Expected return on plan assets	(3,966		)	(3,394		)	—			—
Amortization of prior service cost	8			8			(24		)	(40		)
Amortization of net loss	1,776			1,636			168			53
Net periodic benefit cost	$	3,763		$	3,816		$	2,826		$	2,224

Employer Contributions

We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 that we expected to contribute $6.0 million to the pension plan for the 2011 plan year. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we contributed $3.8 million to the pension plan. We anticipate that the total contribution for the 2011 plan year will not vary significantly from our expected contribution.

NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Non-qualified Employee Stock Award Plan

The United Fire & Casualty Company 2008 Stock Plan (the “2008 Stock Plan”) authorizes the issuance of restricted and unrestricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options for up to 1,900,000 shares of United Fire common stock to employees, with 671,578 authorized shares available for future issuance at September 30, 2011. The 2008 Stock Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines those employees who will receive awards, when awards will be granted, and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the 2008 Stock Plan. Pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan, the Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, grant awards to employees of United Fire or any of its affiliated companies who are in positions of substantial responsibility with United Fire.

Option awards granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted to buy shares of United Fire's common stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant. All outstanding option awards vest and are exercisable in installments of 20.0 percent of the number of shares covered by the option award each year from the grant date, unless the Board of Directors authorizes the acceleration of vesting. To the extent not exercised, vested option awards accumulate and are exercisable by the awardee, in whole or in part, in any subsequent year included in the

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option period, but not later than 10 years from the grant date. Restricted and unrestricted stock awards granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted at the market value of our stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock awards fully vest after 5 years from the date of issuance, unless accelerated upon the approval of the Board of Directors, at which time United Fire common stock will be issued to the awardee. All awards are generally granted free of charge to the eligible employees of United Fire as designated by the Board of Directors.

The activity in the 2008 Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:



Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011		Inception to Date
Beginning balance	833,495		1,900,000
Number of awards granted	(175,717	)	(1,314,947	)
Number of awards forfeited or expired	13,800		86,525
Ending balance	671,578		671,578
Number of option awards exercised	6,325		173,617
Number of unrestricted stock awards vested	730		2,485
Number of restricted stock awards vested	—		—

Non-qualified Non-employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan

The United Fire & Casualty Company 2005 Non-qualified Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "Director Plan") authorizes United Fire to grant restricted and unrestricted stock and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of United Fire’s common stock to non-employee directors. At our annual stockholders’ meeting on May 18, 2011, United Fire stockholders approved an amendment to the Director Plan to increase from 150,000 to 300,000 the number of shares that may be issued under the Director Plan and to extend the life of the Director Plan from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2020. At September 30, 2011, we had 160,009 authorized shares available for future issuance.

The Board of Directors has the authority to determine which non-employee directors receive awards, when options and restricted and unrestricted stock shall be granted, the option price, the option expiration date, the date of grant, the vesting schedule of options or whether the options shall be immediately vested, the terms and conditions of options and restricted stock (other than those terms and conditions set forth in the plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the Director Plan.

The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table:



Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011		Inception to Date
Beginning balance	37,003		150,000
Additional authorization	150,000		150,000
Number of awards granted	(33,000	)	(152,000	)
Number of awards forfeited or expired	6,006		12,009
Ending balance	160,009		160,009
Number of option awards exercised	—		—

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Stock-Based Compensation Expense

For each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

As of September 30, 2011, we had $4.2 million in stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations. We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2011 and subsequent years according to the following table, except with respect to awards that are accelerated by the Board of Directors, in which case we will recognize any remaining compensation expense in the period in which the awards are accelerated.



(In Thousands)
2011	$	445
2012	1,432
2013	996
2014	765
2015	533
2016	58
Total	$	4,229

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NOTE 6. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have two reportable business segments in our operations: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. Mercer Insurance Group is included in the property and casualty insurance segment subsequent to their acquisition on March 28, 2011. The property and casualty insurance segment has six domestic locations from which it conducts its business. All offices target a similar customer base, market the same products and use the same marketing strategies and are therefore aggregated. The life insurance segment operates from our home office. Because all of our insurance is sold domestically, we have no revenues allocable to foreign operations.

We evaluate the two segments on the basis of both statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by our states of domicile and GAAP. We analyze results based on profitability (i.e., loss ratios), expenses, and return on equity. The basis we use to determine and analyze segments and to measure segment profit or loss have not changed from that reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The following tables for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 have been reconciled to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.



(In Thousands)	Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Net premiums earned	$	144,065		$	14,731		$	158,796
Investment income, net of investment expenses	8,129			18,743			26,872
Net realized investment gains	692			527			1,219
Other income	504			221			725
Total reportable segment	$	153,390		$	34,222		$	187,612
Intersegment eliminations	(44		)	6			(38		)
Total revenues	$	153,346		$	34,228		$	187,574
Net income (loss)	$	(6,671	)	$	1,895		$	(4,776	)
Assets at September 30, 2011	$	1,878,705		$	1,726,040		$	3,604,745
Invested assets at September 30, 2011	$	1,265,170		$	1,602,252		$	2,867,422

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
Net premiums earned	$	106,174		$	13,061		$	119,235
Investment income, net of investment expenses	7,899			19,230			27,129
Net realized investment gains	1,220			102			1,322
Other income	99			241			340
Total reportable segment	$	115,392		$	32,634		$	148,026
Intersegment eliminations	(45		)	(77		)	(122		)
Total revenues	$	115,347		$	32,557		$	147,904
Net income	$	890		$	2,033		$	2,923
Assets at September 30, 2010	$	1,360,136		$	1,752,583		$	3,112,719
Invested assets at September 30, 2010	$	968,183		$	1,564,607		$	2,532,790

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The following tables for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, have been reconciled to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.



(In Thousands)	Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Net premiums earned	$	384,838		$	40,556		$	425,394
Investment income, net of investment expenses	26,405			55,422			81,827
Net realized investment gains	2,293			2,703			4,996
Other income	1,042			568			1,610
Total reportable segment	$	414,578		$	99,249		$	513,827
Intersegment eliminations	(132		)	(241		)	(373		)
Total revenues	$	414,446		$	99,008		$	513,454
Net income (loss)	$	(22,895	)	$	6,015		$	(16,880	)
Assets at September 30, 2011	$	1,878,705		$	1,726,040		$	3,604,745
Invested assets at September 30, 2011	$	1,265,170		$	1,602,252		$	2,867,422

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
Net premiums earned	$	313,549		$	37,236		$	350,785
Investment income, net of investment expenses	25,630			57,849			83,479
Net realized investment gains	2,675			3,719			6,394
Other income	116			642			758
Total reportable segment	$	341,970		$	99,446		$	441,416
Intersegment eliminations	(136		)	(237		)	(373		)
Total revenues	$	341,834		$	99,209		$	441,043
Net income	$	26,648		$	9,319		$	35,967
Assets at September 30, 2010	$	1,360,136		$	1,752,583		$	3,112,719
Invested assets at September 30, 2010	$	968,183		$	1,564,607		$	2,532,790

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NOTE 7. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share gives effect to all dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The dilutive shares we consider in our diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation relate to our outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards.

We determine the dilutive effect of our outstanding stock options using the “treasury stock” method. Under this method, we assume the exercise of all of the outstanding stock options whose exercise price is less than the weighted-average fair market value of our common stock during the reporting period. This method also assumes that the proceeds from the hypothetical stock option exercises are used to repurchase shares of our common stock at the weighted-average fair market value of the stock during the reporting period. The net of the assumed stock options exercised and assumed common shares repurchased represents the number of dilutive common shares, which we add to the denominator of the earnings per share calculation.

The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)	2011						2010
	Basic			Diluted			Basic		Diluted
Net income (loss)	$	(4,776	)	$	(4,776	)	$	2,923	$	2,923
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,723			25,723			26,279		26,279
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—			—			—		19
Add dilutive effect of stock options	—			—			—		26
Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation	25,723			25,723			26,279		26,324
Earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.19	)	$	0.11	$	0.11
Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation⁽¹⁾	—			1,206			—		812


(1)	Outstanding awards were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

The components of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data)	2011						2010
	Basic			Diluted			Basic		Diluted
Net income (loss)	$	(16,880	)	$	(16,880	)	$	35,967	$	35,967
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	26,005			26,005			26,356		26,356
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—			—			—		19
Add dilutive effect of stock options	—			—			—		—
Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation	26,005			26,005			26,356		26,375
Earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.65	)	$	(0.65	)	$	1.36	$	1.36
Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation⁽¹⁾	—			1,206			—		812


(1)	Outstanding awards were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

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NOTE 8. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders’ equity during the reporting period except those resulting from investments by stockholders and dividends to stockholders.

The following table sets forth the components of our comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax effects for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010
Net income (loss)	$	(4,776	)	$	2,923

Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	(7,048		)	36,352
Adjustment for net realized gains included in income	(1,219		)	(1,322		)
Adjustment for costs included in employee benefit expense	643			588
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(7,624		)	35,618
Income tax effect	2,795			(12,465		)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax	(4,829		)	23,153
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(9,605	)	$	26,076

The following table sets forth the components of our comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax effects for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010
Net income (loss)	$	(16,880	)	$	35,967

Other comprehensive income
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	15,891			54,374
Adjustment for net realized gains included in income	(4,996		)	(6,394		)
Adjustment for costs included in employee benefit expense	1,929			1,657
Other comprehensive income, before tax	12,824			49,637
Income tax effect	(4,362		)	(17,373		)
Other comprehensive income, after tax	8,462			32,264
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(8,418	)	$	68,231

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NOTE 9. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Legal Proceedings

We are named as a defendant in various lawsuits relating to disputes arising from damages that occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. These lawsuits originally included actions seeking certification from the court to proceed as a class action suit and actions filed by individual policyholders. All suits seeking class relief have been dismissed by the courts. The individual policyholder suits involve among other claims: disputes as to the amount of reimbursable claims; the scope of insurance coverage under homeowners and commercial property policies due to flooding, civil authority actions, loss of use and business interruption; breach of the duty of good faith or violations of Louisiana insurance claims-handling laws or regulations (which cases involve claims for statutory damages and, in some cases, punitive or exemplary damages); the applicability of Louisiana's so-called “Valued Policy Law,” pursuant to which insurers must pay the total insured value of a structure that is totally destroyed if any portion of such damage was caused by a covered peril, even if the principal cause of the loss was an excluded peril; and the scope or enforceability of the water damage exclusion in the policies. We have established our loss and loss settlement expense reserves on the assumption that the application of the Valued Policy Law will not result in our having to pay damages for perils not otherwise covered. We believe that, in the aggregate, these reserves are adequate.

We intend to continue to defend the cases related to losses incurred as a consequence of Hurricane Katrina. There are approximately 59 individual policyholder cases pending as of September 30, 2011. Our evaluation of these claims and the adequacy of recorded reserves may change if we encounter adverse developments in the further defense of these claims. In the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we incurred $6.0 million and $7.6 million of loss and loss settlement expenses from Hurricane Katrina claims and related litigation.

We are a defendant in two lawsuits filed in the Superior Court of Mercer County, New Jersey, Chancery Division, relating to our merger with Mercer Insurance Group. We have negotiated a settlement of both suits that is subject to court approval. Preliminary court approval has been granted and the court has scheduled a hearing for final approval in December 2011. The obligation of United Fire and Mercer Insurance Group pursuant to settlement is not material. If the court does not approve the settlement, we believe that the exposure faced by United Fire and Mercer Insurance Group is not material.

We consider all of our other litigation pending as of September 30, 2011, to be ordinary, routine, and incidental to our business.

NOTE 10. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On March 28, 2011, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Mercer Insurance Group. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date has been allocated to goodwill and intangible assets of our property and casualty insurance segment.

We are in the process of completing valuation procedures of the separately identifiable intangible assets acquired and assessing the related useful lives of those assets. Provisional amounts have been recognized for these intangible assets that may be subject to adjustment within one year from the acquisition date. We expect to continue to obtain additional information during the measurement period to assist us in determining the fair value of certain of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Any adjustment to the provisional amounts that have been established will be recognized in the period that the adjustment is identified in accordance with the acquisition method.

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The following is a summary of the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Mercer Insurance Group at the date of acquisition based on provisional estimates of fair value:



(In Thousands)	March 28, 2011

Assets
Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities	$	401,548
Equity securities	10,266
Short-term investments	400
Cash and cash equivalents	20,081
Accrued investment income	3,741
Premiums receivable	35,822
Value of business acquired	27,436
Property and equipment	14,985
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	58,193
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	6,289
Income taxes receivable	2,660
Deferred income taxes	3,024
Goodwill and intangible assets	32,122
Other assets	10,108
Total assets	$	626,675

Liabilities
Reserves for losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	$	310,647
Unearned premiums	72,249
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	33,690
Debt	3,000
Trust preferred securities	15,614
Total liabilities	$	435,200
Total net assets acquired	$	191,475

The fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities is primarily based on quoted prices for similar financial instruments in markets that are not active or on inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the full term of the financial instrument. The fair value of equity securities is primarily based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments that we have the ability to access.

The fair value of reserves for losses, claims and loss settlement expenses related to incurred claims and reinsurance receivables and recoverables is determined using a valuation model that is based on actuarial estimates of future cash flows for the underwriting liabilities. These future cash flows are adjusted for the time value of money using duration-matched risk-free interest rates, which approximate current U.S. Treasury bill rates, and a risk margin to compensate the acquirer for the risk associated with these liabilities.

The value of business acquired (“VOBA”) at the acquisition date is an intangible asset relating to the difference between the unearned premium reserves acquired in the transaction and the estimated fair value of the unexpired insurance policies, which consists of two components: (1) a provision for loss and loss settlement expenses that will be incurred as the premium is earned and (2) a provision for policy maintenance costs related to servicing those policies until they expire. Loss and loss settlement expenses are valued in a manner identical to that used for loss reserve valuation. Policy maintenance costs are valued based on estimates of future cash flows that are discounted to present value using duration-matched risk-free interest rates. VOBA is reported as a component of deferred policy acquisition costs in the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets and will be substantially amortized over a twelve-month period from the acquisition date in proportion to the timing of the estimated underwriting profit associated with the in-force business. The amortization pattern for the VOBA asset will be greater in the initial months subsequent to the acquisition date in correlation to the remaining term of the policies that were underwritten by Mercer Insurance Group.

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The fair value of property and equipment related to land and buildings approximates the appraised value of the respective assets at the acquisition date.

The fair value of all other tangible assets and liabilities approximates their carrying values at the acquisition date due to their short-term duration.

The following is a summary of our unaudited pro forma historical results, as if Mercer Insurance Group had been acquired on January 1, 2010:



(In Thousands)	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2010		2011		2010
Revenue	$	187,574		$	189,457	$	551,021	$	559,781
Net income (loss) ⁽¹⁾	(4,776		)	8,607		6,340		48,903
Basic earnings (loss) per share	(0.19		)	0.33		0.24		1.86
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	(0.19		)	0.33		0.24		1.85

(1) The three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, exclude transaction related expenses incurred that reduced net income by $0.4 million and $11.9 million, respectively.

The unaudited pro forma results above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred at January 1, 2010, and they are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Annualized revenues of Mercer Insurance Group approximates $146.5 million for 2011. Total revenues and net loss recorded in the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income related to Mercer Insurance Group was $36.9 million and $5.6 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011 and $73.0 million and $12.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

NOTE 11. DEBT

We have the following debt outstanding at September 30, 2011:



(In Thousands)
	Repayment of Funds are Due on or Before	Amount Due
Bankers Trust Company	March 23, 2012 ⁽¹⁾	50,000
Union Bank of California	November 16, 2011	3,000
Total		$	53,000

(1) The borrowing under the line of credit is due on March 23, 2012; however, we have agreed to prepay to the lender the outstanding amount of any loan or loans, plus interest, on or before the nine-month anniversary of the loan issuance date, which was March 24, 2011.

In the first quarter of 2011, we entered into a $50.0 million line of credit with Bankers Trust Company. The proceeds of our loan was used to finance our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. Under the terms of our credit agreement, interest on outstanding balances is adjusted monthly to the monthly London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), as published in the Wall Street Journal, plus 180 basis points, calculated using a 360 day year and the actual days of the month the principal is outstanding. Interest payments are due monthly. In addition, the line of credit incurs an annual facility charge of $25,000. The line of credit contains certain financial covenants including covenants that require us to maintain our A.M. Best rating, a debt to capitalization ratio and minimum stockholders equity. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we have incurred $.5 million in interest expense related to this line of credit.

In addition, Mercer Insurance Group has the ability to borrow up to $7.5 million on a bank line of credit with Union Bank of California. Under the terms of that credit agreement, the line of credit bears interest at the bank’s base rate or an optional rate based on LIBOR. The effective annual interest rate as of September 30, 2011, was 3.25 percent. Interest payments are due monthly. In addition, the line of credit incurs an annual facility charge of $10,000. The line of credit contains certain financial covenants, including covenants that require Mercer Insurance Group to maintain a minimum statutory surplus and to distribute from subsidiaries no more than 50.0 percent of allowable dividends.

We were in compliance with all covenants for all credit agreements as of September 30, 2011.

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NOTE 12. TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

In connection with our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, we acquired the following Trust Preferred Securities, which were outstanding as of September 30, 2011:



(In Thousands)	Issue Date	Amount		Interest Rate	Maturity Date
Financial Pacific Statutory Trust I	12/4/2002	$	5,030	LIBOR + 4.00%	12/4/2032
Financial Pacific Statutory Trust II	5/15/2003	3,017		LIBOR + 4.10%	5/15/2033
Financial Pacific Statutory Trust III	9/30/2003	7,575		LIBOR + 4.05%	9/30/2033
Total Trust Preferred Securities		$	15,622

The Trust Preferred Securities were issued by three statutory business trusts formed by Mercer Insurance Group to issue Floating Rate Capital Securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) and to invest the proceeds in Junior Subordinated Debentures of Mercer Insurance Group. Mercer Insurance Group holds $.5 million of equity securities to capitalize the Trusts. The three trusts issued a total of $15.5 million Trust Preferred Securities to the public.

Financial Pacific Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) is a Connecticut statutory business trust. The Trust issued 5.0 million shares of the Trust Preferred Securities at a price of $1 per share for $5.0 million. The Trust purchased $5.2 million in Junior Subordinated Debentures from Mercer Insurance Group that mature on December 4, 2032. The annual effective rate of interest at September 30, 2011 is 8.74 percent.

Financial Pacific Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”) is a Connecticut statutory business trust. The Trust issued 3.0 million shares of the Trust Preferred Securities at a price of $1 per share for $3.0 million. The Trust purchased $3.1 million in Junior Subordinated Debentures from Mercer Insurance Group that mature on May 15, 2033. The annual effective rate of interest at September 30, 2011 is 8.9 percent.

Financial Pacific Statutory Trust III (“Trust III”) is a Delaware statutory business trust. The Trust issued 7.5 million shares of the Trust Preferred Securities at a price of $1 per share for $7.5 million. The Trust purchased $7.7 million in Junior Subordinated Debentures from Mercer Insurance Group that mature on September 30, 2033. The annual effective rate of interest at September 30, 2011 is 8.89 percent.

Mercer Insurance Group has the right, at any time, so long as there are no continuing events of default, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters; but not beyond the stated maturity of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. To date no interest has been deferred. Total interest expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011 was $0.7 million. Mercer Insurance Group entered into three interest rate swap agreements to economically hedge the floating interest rate on the Junior Subordinated Debentures (see Note 13 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”).

The Trust Preferred Securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures at maturity or their earlier redemption. Mercer Insurance Group has the right to redeem the Junior Subordinated Debentures after December 4, 2007 for Trust I, after May 15, 2008 for Trust II and after September 30, 2008 for Trust III. Mercer Insurance Group has not exercised these rights as of September 30, 2011.

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NOTE 13. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

In connection with our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, we acquired three interest-rate swap agreements that hedge against interest rate risk on the Trust Preferred Securities. The interest rate swaps are contracts to convert, for a period of time, the floating rate of the trust preferred securities described in Note 12 "Trust Preferred Securities" into a fixed rate without exchanging the instruments themselves. As of September 30, 2011, the interest-rate swap agreements had an aggregate notional principal amount of $15.5 million.

The interest rate swaps are designated as non-hedge instruments. Accordingly, the fair value of the interest rate swaps is recognized as an asset or liability, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps is based on the valuation received from the financial institution counterparty (“counterparty”).

By using financial instruments to manage exposure to changes in interest rates, we are exposed to market and credit risk. In this instance, market risk is the potential for loss due to a decrease in the fair value of securities resulting from uncontrollable fluctuations in interest rates. Credit risk is the potential failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the contract. If the fair value of a contract is positive, the counterparty would owe, therefore exposing us to credit risk. The inherent credit risk has been minimized by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties, whose credit rating is higher than Aa, as rated by Moody's.

A summary of the fair value of interest rate swaps outstanding as of September 30, 2011, is as follows:



(In Thousands)	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value Liability
Interest rate swaps
Union Bank of California (Trust I)	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	266
Union Bank of California (Trust II)	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	227
Union Bank of California (Trust III)	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	647
Total derivatives		$	1,140

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders of

United Fire & Casualty Company

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of United Fire & Casualty Company as of September 30, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated statement of stockholders' equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of United Fire & Casualty Company as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and in our report dated February 28, 2011, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.



	/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
	Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

November 4, 2011

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report may contain forward-looking statements about our operations, anticipated performance and other similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our company, the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as “expect(s),” “anticipate(s),” “intend(s),” “plan(s),” “believe(s),” “continue(s),”

“seek(s),” “estimate(s),” “goal(s),” “target(s),” “forecast(s),” “project(s),” “predict(s),” “should,” “could,” “may,” “will continue,” “might,” “hope,” “can” and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in Part II Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this document. Among the factors that could cause our actual outcomes and results to differ are:


•	The adequacy of our loss and loss settlement expense reserves established for Hurricane Katrina, which are based on management’s estimates.


•	The frequency and severity of claims, including those related to catastrophe losses, and the impact those claims have on our loss reserve adequacy.


•	Developments in the domestic and global financial markets that could affect our investment portfolio and financing plans.


•	The calculation and recovery of deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”).


•	The valuation of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations.


•	Our relationship with our agents.


•	Our relationship with our reinsurers.


•	The financial strength rating of our reinsurers.


•	Changes in industry trends and significant industry developments.


•	The resolution of regulatory issues and litigation pertaining to and arising out of Hurricane Katrina.


•	Governmental actions, policies and regulations, including, but not limited to, domestic health care reform, financial services regulatory reform, corporate governance, new laws or regulations or court decisions interpreting existing laws and regulations or policy provisions.


•	NASDAQ policies or regulations relating to corporate governance and the cost to comply.

These are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and

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Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that are representative of significant judgments and uncertainties and that potentially may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We base our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition on the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP. As we prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting estimates are: the valuation of investments; the valuation of reserves for losses, claims, and loss settlement expenses and the related valuation of reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses; the valuation of reserves for future policy benefits; and the calculation of the deferred policy acquisition costs asset. These critical accounting estimates are more fully described in our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Management's Discussion and Analysis is to provide an understanding of our results of operations and consolidated financial position. Our Management's Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, including those in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. When we provide information on a statutory basis, we label it as such, otherwise, all other data is presented in accordance with GAAP.

This discussion and analysis is presented in these sections:


•	Our Business


•	Consolidated Financial Highlights


•	Results of Operations for Property and Casualty Insurance, Life Insurance and Investment Portfolio


•	Liquidity and Capital Resources


•	Statutory Financial Measures

OUR BUSINESS

Founded in 1946, United Fire & Casualty Company provides insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional companies. We are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 43 states plus the District of Columbia and are represented by more than 1,200 independent agencies. Our life insurance subsidiary is licensed in 29 states and is represented by more than 900 independent agencies.

We operate two business segments, each with a wide range of products:


•	property and casualty insurance, which includes commercial insurance, personal insurance, surety bonds and assumed insurance; and


•	life insurance, which includes deferred and immediate annuities, universal life products and traditional life (primarily single premium whole life insurance) products.

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We manage these business segments separately, as they generally do not share the same customer base, and each has different products, pricing, and expense structures.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, property and casualty business accounted for 90.5 percent of our net premiums earned, of which 89.6 percent was generated from commercial lines. Life insurance business made up 9.5 percent of our net premiums earned, of which 60.0 percent was generated from traditional life insurance products.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, more than half of our property and casualty direct premiums were written in Iowa, Texas, California, Missouri, Louisiana, and Illinois, and over three-fourths of our life insurance premiums, excluding annuities, were written in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota.

We evaluate segment profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Segment profit or loss described in the following sections of the Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Additional segment information is presented in Part I, Item 1, Note 6 “Segment Information” to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, changes in reserves for future policy benefits, operating expenses and interest on policyholders’ accounts.

The profitability of our company is influenced by many factors, including price, competition, economic conditions, interest rates, catastrophic events and other natural disasters, man-made disasters, state regulations, court decisions, and changes in the law. Unless a connection between future increased extreme weather events and climate change is ultimately proven true, management believes that climate change considerations will not have a material impact on our profitability.

To manage these risks and uncertainties, we seek to achieve consistent profitability through strong agency relationships, exceptional customer service, fair and prompt claims handling, disciplined underwriting, superior loss control services, and effective and efficient use of technology.

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS



	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010			%		2011			2010			%
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$	158,704		$	119,158		33.2	%	$	425,118		$	350,548		21.3	%
Investment income, net of investment expenses	26,926			27,084			(0.6	)	81,730			83,343			(1.9	)
Net realized investment gains
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—			—			—		—			(459		)	—
All other net realized gains	1,219			1,322			(7.8	)	4,996			6,853			(27.1	)
Total net realized investment gains	1,219			1,322			(7.8	)	4,996			6,394			(21.9	)
Other income	725			340			113.2		1,610			758			112.4
	$	187,574		$	147,904		26.8	%	$	513,454		$	441,043		16.4	%

Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	$	120,861		$	89,312		35.3		$	332,854		$	230,432		44.4
Future policy benefits	9,167			7,218			27.0		25,229			20,983			20.2
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	43,022			28,491			51.0		112,800			82,929			36.0
Other underwriting expenses	14,101			10,468			34.7		44,878			30,654			46.4
Interest on policyholders' accounts	10,897			10,923			(0.2	)	32,224			32,371			(0.5	)
	$	198,048		$	146,412		35.3	%	$	547,985		$	397,369		37.9	%

Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(10,474	)	$	1,492		NM		$	(34,531	)	$	43,674		(179.1	)%
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	(5,698		)	(1,431		)	NM		(17,651		)	7,707			NM
Net Income (Loss)	$	(4,776	)	$	2,923		NM		$	(16,880	)	$	35,967		(146.9	)%

NM = not meaningful

The following is a summary of our financial performance for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011:

Consolidated Results of Operations


•	For the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, we incurred a net loss of $4.8 million, compared to net income of $2.9 million for the same period of 2010. The deterioration is primarily due to the following:

◦

Loss and loss settlement expenses increased due primarily to our direct catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011, which included a powerful, long-lasting straight-line windstorm known as a derecho that hit Iowa in July 2011. Losses from this storm totaled $5.0 million. In August 2011, a wind and hail event affected United Fire policyholders in Western Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Northwest Missouri, with losses totaling $4.6 million. Also contributing was development on severe storm losses that occurred during the second quarter of 2011 and assumed reinsurance losses that occurred during the first quarter of 2011. In addition, we experienced a large loss that impacted our other liability line of business.

◦

Policy acquisition costs and the value of business acquired ("VOBA") asset related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group led to a significant increase in both amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses. We expect the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs to be higher than normal the remainder of 2011 and into the first quarter of 2012, as deferred policy acquisition costs related to Mercer Insurance Group are amortized in the first 12 months of operations subsequent to the acquisition in accordance with the remaining term of the policies that were underwritten by Mercer Insurance Group.

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•	For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we incurred a net loss of $16.9 million, compared to net income of $36.0 million for the same period of 2010. The deterioration is primarily due to the following:

◦

Loss and loss settlement expenses increased due primarily to severe storm losses that occurred during the second and third quarters of 2011 and assumed reinsurance losses that occurred during the first quarter of 2011. Also contributing were large losses in our workers' compensation, commercial auto, other liability and fire and allied lines of business. In addition, an increase in both immediate annuity benefits and traditional life death benefits for our life insurance segment contributed to the increase in this expense.


◦	Policy acquisition costs, transaction costs and the VOBA asset related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group led to a significant increase in both amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses.

•

Net premiums written for the property and casualty insurance segment increased 43.5 percent and 27.5 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods of 2010, reflecting our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, a combination of controlled single-digit rate increases in many of our lines, and our internal initiatives to improve growth in several market segments and to increase penetration with existing agencies.

•

Deferred annuity deposits (sales) increased 56.2 percent and 24.5 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2010. We attribute the increase to two reasons, consumers seeking products with guaranteed rates of return as equity markets remain volatile and a new agency that began writing deferred annuities with us in the second quarter and continued this activity in the third quarter. We are also working to increase production of life sales and anticipate that this new agency will also play a part in that effort. While deferred annuity deposits are not recorded as a component of net premiums written or net premiums earned, they do generate investment income.

•

Pre-tax catastrophe losses totaled $23.7 million and $71.0 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $4.7 million and $15.4 million in the same periods of 2010, due primarily to severe storm losses that occurred during the second and third quarters as well as assumed reinsurance losses related to the New Zealand earthquake, and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that occurred during the first quarter.


•	Our combined ratio was affected by our direct catastrophe losses, assumed reinsurance losses, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and expenses related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. The ratio increased 5.4 percentage points and 19.4 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods of 2010.

Consolidated Financial Condition


•	Net cash inflow related to our annuity business was $19.5 million and $16.9 million in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $5.9 million and $4.3 million in the same periods of 2010. We attribute this to the activity described previously.

•

As of September 30, 2011, the book value per share of our common stock was $26.88. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 377,543 shares of our common stock for $6.3 million, at an average cost of $16.72 per share. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased 701,140 shares of our common stock for $12.4 million, at an average cost of $17.68 per share. Under our Share Repurchase Program, which expires in August 2013, we are authorized to purchase an additional 471,686 shares of common stock.

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•	Net unrealized investment gains totaled $109.9 million as of September 30, 2011, an increase of $7.2 million or 7.0 percent since December 31, 2010. An increase in the value of our fixed maturity portfolio more than offset a decline in the value of our equity portfolio.


•	Our stockholders' equity decreased to $685.5 million at September 30, 2011, from $716.4 million at December 31, 2010. The deterioration was primarily attributable to a net loss of $16.9 million, along with stockholder dividends of $11.7 million and stock repurchases of $12.4 million. The decrease was somewhat offset by the increase in net unrealized investment gains on our investment portfolio.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment Results



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Net premiums written ⁽¹⁾	$	143,412		$	99,962		$	413,165		$	324,185
Net premiums earned	$	144,065		$	106,174		$	384,838		$	313,549
Losses and loss settlement expenses	(115,127		)	(83,610		)	(316,916		)	(215,491		)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(40,547		)	(25,983		)	(105,663		)	(75,373		)
Other underwriting expenses	(11,050		)	(7,506		)	(35,576		)	(21,826		)
Underwriting gain (loss) ⁽¹⁾	$	(22,659	)	$	(10,925	)	$	(73,317	)	$	859

Investment income, net of investment expenses	8,085			7,854			26,273			25,494
Net realized investment gains
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—			—			—			(153		)
All other net realized gains	692			1,220			2,293			2,828
Total net realized investment gains	692			1,220			2,293			2,675
Other income	504			99			1,042			116
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(13,378	)	$	(1,752	)	$	(43,709	)	$	29,144

GAAP Ratios:
Net loss ratio	63.5		%	74.4		%	63.9		%	63.8		%
Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio	16.4			4.4			18.5			4.9
Net loss ratio	79.9		%	78.8		%	82.4		%	68.7		%
Expense ratio ⁽²⁾	35.8			31.5			36.7			31.0
Combined ratio	115.7		%	110.3		%	119.1		%	99.7		%

(1) The Statutory Financial Measures section of this report defines data prepared in accordance with statutory accounting practices which, is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP.

(2) Includes policyholder dividends.


•	Net premiums written increased 43.5 percent in the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, which is attributable to:


◦	Acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group - Total net premiums written increased $43.5 million or 33.1 percent in the three-month period ended September 30, 2011. The acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group contributed $33.1 million of the increase, with $28.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in our commercial and personal lines.


◦	Organic growth - The additional increase in our net premiums written is the result of a combination of controlled single-digit rate increases in many of our lines, coupled with the internal growth initiatives we implemented at the beginning of 2011.

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•

Commercial lines - Competitive market conditions eased slightly on renewals, but persisted on new business during the quarter. We were encouraged by commercial pricing trends in the third quarter, which turned slightly positive in small accounts under $10,000 in premium and commercial property business. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, net premiums written, not including Mercer Insurance Group, increased 11.1 percent. Despite the slow economy, exposure unit reductions and out-of-business policy cancellations have slowed in some areas of the country.


•	Personal lines pricing improved again in the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, with mid-single-digit increases in auto insurance and upper-single-digit increases in homeowners insurance. This continues a trend that began over two years ago.


•	Policy retention rates remained strong for both commercial and personal lines, with approximately 81.0 percent of our policies renewing.


•	GAAP combined ratio increased by 5.4 percentage points in the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, compared with the same period of 2010. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, our combined ratio increased by 19.4 percentage points as compared to the same period of 2010. These increases are attributable to the following:

◦

Losses and loss settlement expenses increased 37.7 percent in the three-month period ended September 30, 2011 and 47.1 percent in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, as compared with the same periods in 2010. The primary cause for this deterioration for the quarterly and year-to-date period is our direct catastrophe losses in the third quarter, along with severe storm losses that occurred during the second quarter and assumed reinsurance losses related to the New Zealand earthquake and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that occurred during the first quarter. We continued to see a reduction in legal expenses, which helped keep overall loss settlement expenses flat for the year.

•

Non-catastrophe claims experience - While a small number of severe workers' compensation losses contributed to the increase in losses and loss settlement expenses, in general, we've seen claims frequency and severity continue their downward trajectory in workers' compensation and other casualty lines during the three-month period ended September 30, 2011. For example, other liability loss and loss settlement expenses decreased $17.5 million year-to-date as a result of a reduction in severity and frequency, as well as favorable development on prior year claims.


•	Acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group - the acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group accounted for $27.7 million and $55.7 million of the increase in loss and loss settlement expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively.


◦	Expense ratio, a component of the combined ratio, increased 4.3 percentage points and 5.7 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2010. This ratio is higher than our historical expense ratio, which is attributable to:

•

Other underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs together increased 54.1 percent and 45.3 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, primarily due to an increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and transaction costs that are related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. These costs totaled $17.9 million and $45.4 million in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs will be higher than normal the remainder of 2011 and into the first quarter of 2012, as deferred policy acquisition costs related to Mercer Insurance Group are amortized in the first 12 months of operations subsequent to the acquisition in accordance with the remaining term of the policies that were underwritten by Mercer Insurance Group.

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For a detailed discussion of our consolidated investment results, refer to the “Investment Portfolio” section of this item.

The following tables display our premiums earned, losses and loss settlement expenses and loss ratio by line of business:



Three Months Ended September 30,
	2011							2010
			Losses							Losses
			and Loss							and Loss
			Settlement							Settlement
(In Thousands)	Premiums		Expenses			Loss		Premiums		Expenses			Loss
Unaudited	Earned		Incurred			Ratio		Earned		Incurred			Ratio
Commercial lines
Other liability ⁽¹⁾	$	29,846	$	9,213		30.9	%	$	28,335	$	26,699		94.2	%
Fire and allied lines ⁽²⁾	45,402		46,611			102.7		24,910		21,686			87.1
Automobile	30,999		26,364			85.1		23,506		18,837			80.1
Workers' compensation	14,257		11,572			81.2		11,459		8,116			70.8
Fidelity and surety	4,375		925			21.1		4,993		275			5.5
Miscellaneous	216		(134		)	(62.0	)	198		31			15.7
Total commercial lines	$	125,095	$	94,551		75.6	%	$	93,401	$	75,644		81.0	%

Personal lines
Fire and allied lines ⁽³⁾	$	10,009	$	10,962		109.5	%	$	6,230	$	3,198		51.3	%
Automobile	5,012		5,025			100.3		3,735		3,308			88.6
Miscellaneous	226		90			39.8		121		(143		)	(118.2	)
Total personal lines	$	15,247	$	16,077		105.4	%	$	10,086	$	6,363		63.1	%
Reinsurance assumed	$	3,723	$	4,499		120.8	%	$	2,687	$	1,603		59.7	%
Total	$	144,065	$	115,127		79.9	%	$	106,174	$	83,610		78.8	%

(1) “Other liability” is business insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from general business operations, accidents on the insured's premises, and products manufactured or sold.

(2) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, commercial multiple peril, and inland marine.

(3) “Fire and allied lines” includes fire, allied lines, homeowners, and inland marine.

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Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011						2010
			Losses						Losses
			and Loss						and Loss
			Settlement						Settlement
(In Thousands)	Premiums		Expenses		Loss		Premiums		Expenses			Loss
Unaudited	Earned		Incurred		Ratio		Earned		Incurred			Ratio
Commercial lines
Other liability	$	86,796	$	31,023	35.7	%	$	85,056	$	58,644		68.9	%
Fire and allied lines	113,570		133,288		117.4		73,754		60,967			82.7
Automobile	83,584		57,719		69.1		69,732		49,320			70.7
Workers' compensation	39,352		33,131		84.2		34,305		19,899			58.0
Fidelity and surety	12,280		944		7.7		13,969		2,757			19.7
Miscellaneous	627		251		40.0		597		76			12.7
Total commercial lines	$	336,209	$	256,356	76.2	%	$	277,413	$	191,663		69.1	%

Personal lines
Fire and allied lines	$	26,045	$	30,471	117.0	%	$	18,317	$	11,023		60.2	%
Automobile	13,674		10,995		80.4		10,818		9,265			85.6
Miscellaneous	571		193		33.8		324		(219		)	(67.6	)
Total personal lines	$	40,290	$	41,659	103.4	%	$	29,459	$	20,069		68.1	%
Reinsurance assumed	$	8,339	$	18,901	NM		$	6,677	$	3,759		56.3	%
Total	$	384,838	$	316,916	82.4	%	$	313,549	$	215,491		68.7	%


•	Other liability - The loss ratio improved by 63.3 percentage points and 33.2 percentage points to 30.9 percent and 35.7 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2010. The improvement in this line was due to a decrease in severity and frequency, as well as favorable development on prior year claims.


•	Commercial fire and allied lines - The loss ratio deteriorated by 15.6 percentage points and 34.7 percentage points to 102.7 percent and 117.4 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2010, due primarily to our significant catastrophe loss experience in 2011.

•

Workers' compensation - The loss ratio deteriorated by 10.4 percentage points and 26.2 percentage points to 81.2 percent and 84.2 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2010. The deterioration in this line was due to an increase in severity and frequency, as a result of several large losses that occurred in the first nine months of 2011, as well as development incurred in 2011 on claims that occurred in 2010.

•

Fidelity and surety - The loss ratio deteriorated by 15.6 percentage points to 21.1 percent for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same period of 2010. The deterioration is a result of development on claims from prior periods and the reporting of a small number of new claims. However, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, the loss ratio as compared to the same period of 2010 improved by 12.0 percentage points to 7.7 percent. The year-to-date improvement is due to minimal losses overall in 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010, along with recoveries from salvage and subrogation on prior year claims.


•	Personal fire and allied lines - The loss ratio deteriorated by 58.2 percentage points and 56.8 percentage points to 109.5 percent and 117.0 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2010, due primarily to our significant catastrophe loss experience in 2011.

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Life Insurance Segment Results



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$	14,639	$	12,984	$	40,280	$	36,999
Investment income, net	18,841		19,230		55,457		57,849
Net realized investment gains
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—		—		—		(306		)
All other net realized gains	527		102		2,703		4,025
Total net realized investment gains	527		102		2,703		3,719
Other income	221		241		568		642
Total revenues	$	34,228	$	32,557	$	99,008	$	99,209

Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	$	5,734	$	5,702	$	15,938	$	14,941
Future policy benefits	9,167		7,218		25,229		20,983
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	2,475		2,508		7,137		7,556
Other underwriting expenses	3,051		2,962		9,302		8,828
Interest on policyholders' accounts	10,897		10,923		32,224		32,371
Total benefits, losses and expenses	$	31,324	$	29,313	$	89,830	$	84,679

Income before income taxes	$	2,904	$	3,244	$	9,178	$	14,530


•	Net income decreased 6.8 percent and 35.5 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2010. The decrease is attributable to decreased investment results and an increase in future policy benefits, which were somewhat offset by an increase in net premiums earned.


◦	Net premiums earned increased 12.8 percent and 8.9 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2010. This was driven by our effort to increase sales of our single premium whole life product and an increase in single premium immediate annuity products.


◦	Investment income decreased 2.0 percent and 4.1 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods of 2010, due to historically low investment yields. As our fixed maturity securities were called or matured, we were unable to obtain the same level of return on the reinvestment of these funds.


◦	Loss and loss settlement expenses increased 0.6 percent and 6.7 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods of 2010, due to an increase in both immediate annuity benefits and traditional life insurance death benefits.


◦	Increase in liability for future policy benefits increased 27.0 percent and 20.2 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to the same periods of 2010, due to the demographics of our insureds.

•

Deferred annuity sales increased 56.2 percent and 24.5 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared with the same periods of 2010. We attribute the increase to two reasons, consumers seeking products with guaranteed rates of return as equity markets remain volatile and a new agency that began writing deferred annuities with us in the second quarter and continued this activity in the third quarter. We are also working to increase production of life sales and anticipate that this new agency will also play a part in that effort. While deferred annuity deposits are not recorded as a component of net premiums written or net premiums earned, they do generate investment income.

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•	Net cash inflow related to our annuity business was $19.5 million and $16.9 million in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $5.9 million and $4.3 million in the same periods of 2010. We attribute this to the activity described previously.

Investment Portfolio

Our invested assets totaled $2,867.4 million at September 30, 2011, compared to $2,482.9 million at December 31, 2010, an increase of $384.5 million, which is due primarily to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. As of September 30, 2011, the portfolio acquired from Mercer Insurance Group accounted for $407.2 million of our invested assets.

At September 30, 2011, fixed maturity securities and equity securities comprised 93.3 percent and 5.0 percent of the value of our investment portfolio, respectively. Because the primary purpose of our investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, we follow a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds.

Composition

We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short- and long-term liquidity needs, projected tax status, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation and regulatory requirements. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the investment committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations.

The composition of our investment portfolio at September 30, 2011, is presented at carrying value in the following table:



	Property & Casualty Insurance Segment				Life Insurance Segment				Total
			Percent				Percent				Percent
(Dollars in Thousands)			of Total				of Total				of Total
Fixed maturities ⁽¹⁾	$	1,106,868	87.5	%	$	1,569,246	98.0	%	$	2,676,114	93.3	%
Equity securities	127,043		10.0		17,440		1.1		144,483		5.0
Trading securities	13,916		1.1		—		—		13,916		0.5
Mortgage loans	—		—		4,876		0.3		4,876		0.2
Policy loans	—		—		7,191		0.4		7,191		0.3
Other long-term investments	15,843		1.3		3,499		0.2		19,342		0.7
Short-term investments	1,500		0.1		—		—		1,500		—
Total	$	1,265,170	100.0	%	$	1,602,252	100.0	%	$	2,867,422	100.0	%

(1) Available-for-sale fixed maturities are carried at fair value. Held-to-maturity fixed maturities are carried at amortized cost.

At September 30, 2011, we classified $2,670.8 million, or 99.8 percent, of our fixed maturities portfolio as available-for-sale, compared to $2,278.4 million, or 99.7 percent, at December 31, 2010. We classify our remaining fixed maturities as held-to-maturity or trading. We record held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. We record trading securities, primarily convertible redeemable preferred debt securities, at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings.

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles. Our exposure to derivative instruments and hedging is described in detail in Part I, Item 1, Note 13 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

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Credit Quality

The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities held in our available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and trading security portfolios, by credit rating at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Information contained in the table is generally based upon the issue credit ratings provided by Moody's, unless the rating is unavailable, in which case we obtain it from Standard & Poor's.



(In Thousands)	September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
Rating	Carrying Value		% of Total		Carrying Value		% of Total
AAA	$	364,120	13.6	%	$	279,009	12.1	%
AA	640,076		23.8		480,478		20.9
A	616,623		22.9		476,044		20.7
Baa/BBB	947,689		35.2		938,781		40.9
Other/Not Rated	121,522		4.5		123,367		5.4
	$	2,690,030	100.0	%	$	2,297,679	100.0	%

Changes in the credit ratings of our fixed maturity securities portfolio at September 30, 2011, from December 31, 2010, is primarily due to the inclusion of Mercer Insurance Group's invested assets in our portfolio at September 30, 2011.

Concentration

The following table summarizes the carrying value of our ten largest investment exposures excluding investments in U.S. Government and Government Agencies:



(In Thousands)	September 30, 2011
Issuer and Type of Security	Carrying Value		% of Total Investments at Carrying Value
Abbott Laboratories - Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	$	19,559	0.7	%
AT&T Inc - Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	18,812		0.7
General Electric Company - Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	18,176		0.6
U S Bancorp - Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	16,595		0.6
Boeing Company - Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	14,748		0.5
Goldman Sachs Group Inc - Fixed Maturities and Money Market Fund	12,903		0.5
Coca-Cola - Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities	12,228		0.4
Banc Fund VIII LP - Limited Liability Partnership	12,100		0.4
Astrazeneca PLC - Fixed Maturities	11,658		0.4
Eaton Corporation - Fixed Maturities	11,624		0.4
Total	$	148,403	5.2	%

Duration

Our investment portfolio is comprised primarily of fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our claims liabilities. If our invested assets and claims liabilities have similar durations, then any change in interest rates will have an equal and opposite effect on these accounts. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and claims liabilities is liquidity. With appropriate matching, our investments will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely.

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Group

The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities, at September 30, 2011, is 3.5 years compared to 3.7 years at December 31, 2010.

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment

The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities, at September 30, 2011, is 4.2 years compared to 5.3 years at December 31, 2010.

Life Insurance Segment

The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities, at September 30, 2011 is 3.1 years compared to 2.8 years at December 31, 2010.

Investment Results

We invest the premiums received from our policyholders and annuitants in order to generate investment income, which is an important component of our revenues and profitability. The amount of investment income that we are able to generate is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Some of these factors are: volatility in the financial markets, economic growth, inflation, interest rates, world political conditions, terrorist attacks or threats of terrorism, adverse events affecting other companies in our industry or the industries in which we invest and other unpredictable national or world events. In our life insurance segment, net investment income decreased 2.0 percent and 4.1 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared with the same periods of 2010, due to historically low yields, which we have been mitigating by increasing the duration of our investments in order to achieve better yields. In addition, as our fixed maturity securities were called or matured, we were unable to obtain the same level of return on the reinvestment of these funds.

In our property and casualty insurance segment, our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group contributed to the 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent increase in net investment income in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to with the same periods of 2010. The increase was somewhat offset by the impact of low interest rates and a decline in the value of our investments in limited liability partnership holdings. Our property and casualty insurance segment holds certain investments in limited liability partnership that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, with changes in the value of these investments recorded in investment income.

Net realized investment gains were $1.2 million and $5.0 million in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, compared to $1.3 million and $6.4 million in the same periods of 2010. OTTI charges totaling $0.5 million were incurred for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010. No OTTI charges were incurred in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 or in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011.

Changes in unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities do not affect net income and earnings per share but do impact comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and book value per share. We believe that any unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2011, are temporary based upon our current analysis of the issuers of the securities that we hold and current market events. It is possible that we could recognize impairment losses in future periods on securities that we own at September 30, 2011, if future events and information cause us to

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determine that a decline in value is other-than-temporary. However, we endeavor to invest in high quality assets to provide protection from future credit quality issues and corresponding impairment write-downs.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of premiums, annuity deposits, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used primarily to fund loss and loss settlement expenses, payment of policyholder benefits under life insurance contracts, annuity withdrawals, operating expenses, dividends, pension plan contributions, and in recent years, common stock repurchases.

Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.

Historically, we have generated substantial cash inflows from operations. It is our policy to invest the cash generated from operations in securities with maturities that correlate to the anticipated timing of payments for losses and loss settlement expenses of the underlying insurance policies. The majority of our assets are invested in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.

The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2011 and 2010.



Cash Flow Summary	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010
Cash used in
Operating activities	$	54,586		$	56,341
Investing activities	(147,983		)	(189,618		)
Financing activities	67,817			90,237
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	(25,580	)	$	(43,040	)

Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $54.6 million and $56.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash flows for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, reflected a higher level of property and casualty insurance premiums collected, which was offset by a higher level of loss and loss settlement expense payments and operating expenses paid, compared to the same period of 2010. Additionally, we experienced a lower level of investment income received.

Our cash flows from operations were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Investing Activities

Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities and equity securities. Fixed maturities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. Equity securities provide dividend income, potential dividend income growth and potential appreciation. For further discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and portfolio, see the “Investment Portfolio” section contained in this item.

In addition to investment income, possible sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $1.4 billion, or 52.3 percent of our fixed maturity portfolio will mature.

We invest funds required for short-term cash needs primarily in money market accounts, which are classified as cash equivalents. At September 30, 2011, our cash and cash equivalents included $69.4 million related to these money market accounts, compared to $34.4 million at December 31, 2010.

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Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $148.0 million and $189.6 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments that totaled $466.0 million compared to $334.2 million for the same period in 2010.

Our cash outflows for investment purchases totaled $435.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, compared to $444.5 million for the same period in 2010. In 2011, we continued to purchase a higher level of fixed maturity securities, which are more profitable than other investment vehicles when market interest rates are low. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we had net cash outflows totaling $171.4 million related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $67.8 million and $90.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Included in our 2010 cash flows was $77.8 million related to the change in our securities lending collateral for a program that we terminated in December 2010. In addition, impacting our 2011 cash flows were borrowed funds totaling $79.9 million related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, of which $29.9 million was repaid in the third quarter of 2011. For further discussion of our outstanding debt, please see Part I, Item 1, Note 11 “Debt.”

In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, net cash inflows from our life insurance segment's annuity and universal life deposits totaled $41.8 million, compared to $29.7 million for the same period of 2010, as a result of consumers seeking products with a guaranteed rate of return when the equity markets are volatile coupled with a new life insurance agency that began writing deferred annuities with us in the second quarter of 2011. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased $12.4 million of our common stock, compared to $5.5 million in the same period in 2010.

Line of Credit

In the first quarter of 2011, we entered into a $50.0 million line of credit with Bankers Trust Company. This line of credit is available if our operating and investing cash flows are not sufficient to support our operations. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, we utilized our entire line of credit to assist in the funding of our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. For further discussion of the utilization of our line of credit, please see Part I, Item 1, Note 11 “Debt.”

Under the terms of our credit agreement with Bankers Trust Company, interest on outstanding balances is adjusted monthly to the monthly London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), as published in the Wall Street Journal, plus 180 basis points, calculated using a 360 day year and the actual days of the month the principal is outstanding. Interest payments are due monthly. In addition, the line of credit incurs an annual facility charge of $25,000. The line of credit contains certain financial covenants including covenants that require us to maintain our A.M. Best rating, a debt to capitalization ratio and minimum stockholders equity.

In addition, Mercer Insurance Group has the ability to borrow up to $7.5 million on a bank line of credit with Union Bank of California. Under the terms of that credit agreement, the line of credit bears interest at the bank’s base rate or an optional rate based on LIBOR. The effective annual interest rate as of September 30, 2011 was 3.25 percent. Interest payments are due monthly. In addition, the line of credit incurs an annual facility charge of $10,000. The line of credit contains certain financial covenants, including covenants that require Mercer Insurance Group to maintain a minimum statutory surplus and to distribute from subsidiaries no more than 50.0 percent of allowable dividends.

As of September 30, 2011, Mercer Insurance Group has utilized $3.0 million of the outstanding line of credit.

We were in compliance with all covenants for all credit agreements as of September 30, 2011.

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Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' equity decreased 4.3 percent to $685.5 million at September 30, 2011, from $716.4 million at December 31, 2010. The decrease in our stockholders' equity was primarily attributable to a net loss of $16.9 million, along with stockholder dividends of $11.7 million and stock repurchases of $12.4 million. The decrease was somewhat offset by an increase net unrealized investment gains of $7.2 million, net of tax. At September 30, 2011, book value per share was $26.88 compared to $27.35 at December 31, 2010.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership holdings, we are contractually committed to make capital contributions up to $15.0 million, upon request by the partnership, through December 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2011, our remaining potential contractual obligation was $9.6 million.

STATUTORY FINANCIAL MEASURES

United Fire and its subsidiaries are required to file financial statements based on statutory accounting principles in each of the states where our insurance companies are domiciled and licensed to conduct business. Management analyzes financial data and statements that are prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles and GAAP.

Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission does not require reconciliation to GAAP of data prepared under a system of regulation of a government or governmental authority or self-regulatory organization that is applicable to the registrant.

The following definitions of key statutory financial measures are provided for our readers’ convenience.

Premiums written is a measure of our overall business volume. Net premiums written comprise direct and assumed premiums written, less ceded premiums written. Direct premiums written is the amount of premiums charged for policies issued during the period. For the property and casualty insurance segment there are no differences between direct statutory premiums written and direct premiums written under GAAP. However, for the life insurance segment, deferred annuity deposits (i.e., sales) are included in direct statutory premiums written, whereas they are excluded for GAAP.

Assumed premiums written is consideration or payment we receive in exchange for insurance we provide to other insurance companies. We report these premiums as revenue as they are earned over the underlying policy period. Ceded premiums written is the portion of direct premiums written that we cede to our reinsurers under our reinsurance contracts. Premiums written is an important measure of business production for the period under review.



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010
Net premiums written	$	158,036		$	112,912		$	453,391		$	361,097
Net change in unearned premium	1,843			6,329			(27,700		)	(10,552		)
Net change in prepaid reinsurance premium	(1,175		)	(83		)	(573		)	3
Net premiums earned	$	158,704		$	119,158		$	425,118		$	350,548

Combined ratio is a commonly used statutory financial measure of underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100.0 percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of two separately calculated ratios, the loss and loss settlement expense ratio (the “net loss ratio”) and the underwriting expense ratio (the “expense ratio”).

When prepared in accordance with GAAP, the net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premiums earned. The expense ratio is calculated by dividing nondeferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net premiums earned.

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When prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles, the net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premium earned; the expense ratio is calculated by dividing underwriting expenses by net premiums written.

Underwriting gain (loss) is the gain or loss by an insurance company from the business of insurance. Underwriting income is equal to net premiums earned less incurred losses and loss settlement expenses, amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, and other underwriting expenses. We use this financial measure in evaluating the results of our operations and to analyze the profitability of our property and casualty insurance segment underwriting operations.

Statutory surplus is the excess of admitted assets, those recognized and accepted by the state insurance laws to determine solvency, over liabilities.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

We believe that disclosure of certain Non-GAAP financial measures enhances investor understanding of our financial performance. The following Non-GAAP financial measure is utilized in this filing:

Catastrophe losses utilize the designations of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and are reported with loss and loss settlement expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. According to the ISO, a catastrophe loss is defined as a single unpredictable incident or series of closely related incidents that result in $25.0 million or more in U.S. industry-wide direct insured losses to property and that affect a significant number of insureds and insurers (“ISO catastrophe”). In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events (“non-ISO catastrophes”), which may include U.S. or international losses, that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Management, at times, may determine for comparison purposes that it is more meaningful to exclude extraordinary catastrophe losses and resulting litigation, such as Hurricane Katrina. The frequency and severity of catastrophic losses we experience in any year affect our results of operations and financial position. In analyzing the underwriting performance of our property and casualty insurance segment, we evaluate performance both including and excluding catastrophe losses. Portions of our catastrophe losses may be recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance agreements. We include a discussion of the impact of catastrophes because we believe it is meaningful for investors to understand the variability in periodic earnings.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2011		2010		2011		2010
ISO catastrophes ⁽¹⁾	$	20,169	$	4,015	$	53,061	$	14,588
Non-ISO catastrophes ⁽²⁾	3,528		690		17,964		843
Total catastrophes	$	23,697	$	4,705	$	71,025	$	15,431

(1) This number does not include loss and loss settlement expenses incurred for Hurricane Katrina claims and related litigation.

(2) This number includes international assumed losses.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We have exposure to market risk arising from potential losses in our investment portfolio due to adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. However, we have the ability to hold fixed maturity investments to maturity. Our investment guidelines define the overall framework for managing our market and other investment risks including accountability and controls. In addition, each of our subsidiaries has specific investment policies that delineate the investment limits and strategies that are appropriate given each entity's liquidity, surplus, product, and regulatory requirements. We respond to market risk by managing the character of investment purchases.

It is our philosophy that we do not utilize financial instrument hedges or derivative financial instruments to manage risks, nor do we enter into any swap, forward or option contracts, but attempt to mitigate our exposure through active portfolio management. However, as a result of our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group in 2011, our investment portfolio does utilize derivative instruments and hedges. Our exposure to derivative instruments and hedging is described in detail in Part I, Item 1, Note 13 “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

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In addition, we place the majority of our investments in high-quality, liquid securities and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. At September 30, 2011, we did not hold investments in sub-prime mortgages, credit default swaps, or other credit-enhancement exposures.

While our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates, we do have exposure to changes in equity prices and limited exposure to foreign currency exchange rates.

There have been no material changes in our market risk or market risk factors from that reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted 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. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, no such change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a detailed discussion of our legal proceedings, refer to Note 9 “Contingent Liabilities” in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Part I, Item 1A of our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2011, that could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period. The risks described in the above mentioned document are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity.

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

Under our Share Repurchase Program, first announced in August 2007, we may purchase United Fire common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, economic and general market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements. We will generally consider repurchasing our common stock on the open market if (i) the trading price on NASDAQ drops below 130 percent of its book value, (ii) sufficient excess capital is available to purchase the stock, and (iii) we are optimistic about future market trends and the performance of our company. Our Share Repurchase Program may be modified or discontinued at any time.

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of common stock through August 2013 with remaining authorization at September 30, 2011 of 471,686 shares.

The following table provides information with respect to purchases of shares of common stock made by or on our behalf or by any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2011.



				Total Number of Shares	Maximum Number of
	Total			Purchased as a Part of	Shares that may be
	Number of	Average Price		Publicly Announced	Purchased Under the
Period	Shares Purchased	Paid per Share		Plans or Programs	Plans or Programs
7/1/2011 - 7/31/2011	14,600	$	17.23	14,600	834,629
8/1/2011 - 8/31/2011	253,040	16.70		253,040	581,589
9/1/2011 - 9/30/2011	109,903	17.13		109,903	471,686

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



Exhibit number	Exhibit description	Filed herewith
11	Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings. All information required by Exhibit 11 is presented within Note 7 of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the FASB guidance on Earnings per Share	X
31.1	Certification of Randy A. Ramlo pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	X
31.2	Certification of Dianne M. Lyons pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	X
32.1	Certification of Randy A. Ramlo pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	X
32.2	Certification of Dianne M. Lyons pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	X
101.1	The following financial information from United Fire & Casualty Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2011; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as a block of text.	X

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SIGNATURES

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



UNITED FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY
(Registrant)

/s/ Randy A. Ramlo		/s/ Dianne M. Lyons
Randy A. Ramlo		Dianne M. Lyons
President, Chief Executive Officer,		Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director and Principal Executive Officer		Principal Accounting Officer

November 4, 2011		November 4, 2011
(Date)		(Date)