0001181431-12-065585.txt : 20121218 0001181431-12-065585.hdr.sgml : 20121218 20121218162713 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001181431-12-065585 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20121218 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20121218 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20121218 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ASSURANT INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001267238 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE [6321] IRS NUMBER: 391126612 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31978 FILM NUMBER: 121271633 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE CHASE MANHATTAN PLAZA CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10005 8-K 1 rrd364058.htm Prepared By R.R. Donnelley Financial -- Form 8-K
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  12/18/2012
 
Assurant, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Commission File Number:  001-31978
 
DE
  
39-1126612
(State or other jurisdiction of
  
(IRS Employer
incorporation)
  
Identification No.)
 
One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 41st Floor
New York, New York 10005
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
 
(212) 859-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 

 
Item 8.01.    Other Events
 
Assurant, Inc. (the "Company") has estimated the reportable catastrophe losses related to Superstorm Sandy to be in the range of $200 million to $220 million, pre-tax and net of reinsurance. The principal cause of loss was flood, along with wind and water damage. The largest concentration of losses occurred in the coastal communities of New York and New Jersey. Based on the above estimate, the Company does not expect to exceed the retention limit of its 2012 property catastrophe reinsurance program.

The Company's reportable catastrophe losses include only individual catastrophic events that generate losses in excess of $5 million, pre-tax and net of reinsurance. Superstorm Sandy is the only reportable loss event in the fourth quarter of 2012 to date. Actual losses from the storm will be reported in the fourth quarter 2012 earnings release expected for February 6, 2013 after 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Company issued a related news release, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT -- Some of the statements included in this Form 8-K, particularly estimated reportable catastrophe losses, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on management's best estimates, assumptions and projections and are subject to significant uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this Form 8-K as a result of new information or future events or developments. For a detailed discussion of the general risk factors that could affect the Company's results, please refer to the risk factors identified in the Company's annual and periodic reports, including but not limited to its 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Third Quarter 2012 Form 10-Q, each as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
 
Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
Exhibit 99.1    News Release, dated December 18, 2012.
 

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
           
Assurant, Inc.
 
 
Date: December 18, 2012
     
By:
 
/s/    Stephen W. Gauster

               
Stephen W. Gauster
               
Senior Vice President, Chief Corporate Counsel and Assistant Secretary
 
 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.

  
Description

EX-99.1
  
News Release, dated December 18, 2012.
EX-99 2 rrd364058_38980.htm NEWS RELEASE, DATED DECEMBER 18, 2012. [ASSURANT, INC

[ASSURANT, INC. LOGO INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

Assurant Specialty Property Team

Reports Claims from Superstorm Sandy

ATLANTA, Dec. 18, 2012 -- Assurant Specialty Property today announced it expects losses from Superstorm Sandy to be in the range of $200 million - $220 million on a pre-tax basis and net of reinsurance. Based on this estimate, the Company does not expect to exceed the retention limit of its 2012 property catastrophe reinsurance program.

Sandy came ashore Oct. 29, 2012 with high winds, storm surge flooding and heavy rains that ravaged 16 states with the predominant damage in the population-dense coastal communities of New York and New Jersey.

"Serving homeowners when catastrophes strike is our first priority," said Gene Mergelmeyer, president and CEO, Assurant Specialty Property. "With our history of providing coverage in catastrophe-prone areas, our response teams are experienced and adept at handling claims in these situations. Our crews are showing amazing fortitude as they continue to help our customers recover across the Northeast."

Assurant Specialty Property is a leading provider of renters and lender-placed homeowners insurance and the sixth largest administrator of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition to paying the majority of more than 13,000 Sandy-related claims on its own policies, the company has processed nearly 9,300 claims for the NFIP.

More information on Assurant's response to Sandy is available at assurantspecialtyproperty.com/news/InTheNews_11132012.html.

# # #

About Assurant Specialty Property

Assurant Specialty Property is a leading provider of insurance services in partnership with financial institutions, mortgage lenders, manufactured home sellers, auto finance companies, property managers and their customers.  Services include insurance tracking and management, lender-placed homeowners insurance, and property and personal coverage such as renters, farm and flood insurance. With more than 5,000 employees in 11 locations, Assurant Specialty Property serves clients and customers in all 50 states.

Assurant Specialty Property is part of Assurant, a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and select worldwide markets. Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. Assurant has approximately $28 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue www.assurant.com.

Media Contacts:

Shawn Kahle
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Assurant
212.859.7047
shawn.kahle@assurant.com

Robert Byrd
Senior Director, Communications
Assurant Specialty Property
(770) 763-2319
robert.byrd@assurant.com

 

Investor Relations Contacts:

Francesca Luthi
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
Phone: 212-859-7197
francesca.luthi@assurant.com

Suzanne Shepherd
Director, Investor Relations
Phone: 212-859-7062
suzanne.shepherd@assurant.com