10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

 

Assurant, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-31978   39-1126612

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 41st Floor

New York, New York 10005

(212) 859-7000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

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  þ    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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  þ    NO  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   þ    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding at November 1, 2010 was 106,553,898.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

ASSURANT, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Item

Number

        Page
Number
 
PART I   
FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

1.

  

Financial Statements of Assurant, Inc.:

  
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     2   
  

Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     4   
  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) from December 31, 2009 through September 30, 2010

     5   
  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     6   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     7   

2.

  

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

     38   

3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     60   

4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     60   
PART II   
OTHER INFORMATION   

1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     61   

1A.

  

Risk Factors

     61   

2.

  

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     63   

6.

  

Exhibits

     64   
  

Signatures

     65   

Amounts are presented in United States of America (“U.S.”) dollars and all amounts are in thousands, except number of shares, per share amounts, registered holders and beneficial owners.

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
    

(in thousands except number

of shares and per share amounts)

 

Assets

     

Investments:

     

Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost—$9,902,084 in 2010 and $9,684,083 in 2009)

   $ 10,823,195       $ 9,966,772   

Equity securities available for sale, at fair value

     

(cost - $473,276 in 2010 and $514,349 in 2009)

     496,102         512,987   

Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at amortized cost

     1,355,871         1,428,027   

Policy loans

     56,685         56,407   

Short-term investments

     452,008         453,469   

Collateral held under securities lending

     134,348         218,129   

Other investments

     581,917         522,041   
                 

Total investments

     13,900,126         13,157,832   
                 

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,168,307         1,318,552   

Premiums and accounts receivable, net

     545,167         507,933   

Reinsurance recoverables

     4,931,151         4,231,734   

Accrued investment income

     155,013         155,757   

Deferred acquisition costs

     2,432,990         2,504,654   

Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation

     272,750         275,420   

Deferred income taxes, net

     —           167,240   

Goodwill

     926,195         926,398   

Value of business acquired

     85,247         94,632   

Other assets

     538,167         548,183   

Assets held in separate accounts

     1,890,221         1,972,332   
                 

Total assets

   $ 26,845,334       $ 25,860,667   
                 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

 

 

     September 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    

(in thousands except number of

shares and per share amounts)

 

Liabilities

    

Future policy benefits and expenses

   $ 8,038,559      $ 7,349,633   

Unearned premiums

     4,964,668        5,153,564   

Claims and benefits payable

     3,406,611        3,366,327   

Commissions payable

     230,697        218,060   

Reinsurance balances payable

     87,576        96,001   

Funds held under reinsurance

     66,614        67,700   

Deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     146,770        164,899   

Obligation under securities lending

     135,248        220,279   

Accounts payable and other liabilities

     1,426,934        1,388,279   

Deferred income taxes, net

     72,139        —     

Tax payable

     32,459        30,126   

Debt

     972,137        972,058   

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

     8,160        8,160   

Liabilities related to separate accounts

     1,890,221        1,972,332   
                

Total liabilities

     21,478,793        21,007,418   
                

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 106,474,301 and 116,648,714 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

     1,453        1,447   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,985,716        2,962,883   

Retained earnings

     3,465,332        3,054,466   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     514,671        65,925   

Treasury stock, at cost; 38,849,678 and 28,119,993 shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

     (1,600,631     (1,231,472
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     5,366,541        4,853,249   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 26,845,334      $ 25,860,667   
                

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited)

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
    

(in thousands except number of

shares and per share amounts)

 

Revenues

        

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 1,832,514      $ 1,874,398      $ 5,589,052      $ 5,624,843   

Net investment income

     176,170        172,924        525,380        526,335   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses

     7,280        22,508        33,705        (9,570

Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

     (924     (2,998     (2,803     (31,778

Portion of net (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes

     (313     356        (1,234     (617
                                

Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

     (1,237     (2,642     (4,037     (32,395

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     6,024        6,802        18,129        20,354   

Fees and other income

     93,220        82,883        259,892        388,792   
                                

Total revenues

     2,113,971        2,156,873        6,422,121        6,518,359   
                                

Benefits, losses and expenses

        

Policyholder benefits

     913,253        941,145        2,746,565        2,890,889   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

     376,850        390,382        1,144,151        1,176,669   

Underwriting, general and administrative expenses

     581,974        601,120        1,757,367        1,756,841   

Interest expense

     15,162        15,160        45,484        45,509   
                                

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     1,887,239        1,947,807        5,693,567        5,869,908   
                                

Income before provision for income taxes

     226,732        209,066        728,554        648,451   

Provision for income taxes

     85,062        64,336        264,986        229,818   
                                

Net income

   $ 141,670      $ 144,730      $ 463,568      $ 418,633   
                                

Earnings Per Share

        

Basic

   $ 1.31      $ 1.22      $ 4.13      $ 3.54   

Diluted

   $ 1.30      $ 1.22      $ 4.11      $ 3.54   

Dividends per share

   $ 0.16      $ 0.15      $ 0.47      $ 0.44   

Share Data

        

Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic per share calculations

     107,806,207        118,184,367        112,137,558        118,187,358   

Plus: Dilutive securities

     778,075        107,474        653,565        74,106   
                                

Weighted average shares used in diluted per share calculations

     108,584,282        118,291,841        112,791,123        118,261,464   
                                

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)

From December 31, 2009 through September 30, 2010

 

 

     Common
Stock
     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
     Treasury
Stock
    Total  
     (in thousands except number of shares and per share amounts)  

Balance, December 31, 2009

   $ 1,447       $ 2,962,883      $ 3,054,466      $ 65,925       $ (1,231,472   $ 4,853,249   

Stock plan exercises

     6         3,612        —          —           —          3,618   

Stock plan compensation expense

     —           25,886        —          —           —          25,886   

Change in tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements

     —           (6,665     —          —           —          (6,665

Dividends

     —           —          (52,702     —           —          (52,702

Acquisition of common stock

     —           —          —          —           (369,159     (369,159

Comprehensive income:

              

Net income

     —           —          463,568        —           —          463,568   

Other comprehensive income:

              

Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes of $(222,083)

     —           —          —          433,770         —          433,770   

Net change in other-than-temporary impairment gains recognized in other comprehensive income, net of taxes of $(2,803)

     —           —          —          5,205         —          5,205   

Net change in foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $(2,874)

     —           —          —          2,585         —          2,585   

Amortization of pension and postretirement unrecognized net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes of $(3,870)

     —           —          —          7,186         —          7,186   
                    

Total other comprehensive income

     —           —          —          —           —          448,746   
                    

Total comprehensive income

     —           —          —          —           —          912,314   
                                                  

Balance, September 30, 2010

   $ 1,453       $ 2,985,716      $ 3,465,332      $ 514,671       $ (1,600,631   $ 5,366,541   
                                                  

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

 

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 465,461      $ 213,039   
                

Investing activities

    

Sales of:

    

Fixed maturity securities available for sale

     1,437,872        825,713   

Equity securities available for sale

     66,985        44,437   

Property and equipment and other

     118        313   

Maturities, prepayments, and scheduled redemption of:

    

Fixed maturity securities available for sale

     567,337        476,501   

Purchases of:

    

Fixed maturity securities available for sale

     (2,206,168     (1,514,177

Equity securities available for sale

     (19,346     (26,621

Property and equipment and other

     (42,100     (38,366

Subsidiary, net of cash transferred

     (7,162     (3,200

Change in commercial mortgage loans on real estate

     56,934        55,078   

Change in short-term investments

     1,655        261,197   

Change in other invested assets

     (41,415     (19,910

Change in policy loans

     (229     1,904   

Change in collateral held under securities lending

     85,031        59,218   
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (100,488     122,087   
                

Financing activities

    

Repayment of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

     —          (3,000

Change in tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements

     (6,665     (1,711

Acquisition of common stock

     (369,159     (31,949

Dividends paid

     (52,702     (51,961

Change in obligation under securities lending

     (85,031     (59,218
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (513,557     (147,839
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,661     7,880   
                

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (150,245     195,167   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,318,552        1,040,684   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1,168,307      $ 1,235,851   
                

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

1. Nature of Operations

Assurant, Inc. (the “Company”) is a holding company whose subsidiaries provide specialized insurance products and related services in North America and select worldwide markets.

The Company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ.

Through its operating subsidiaries, the Company provides creditor-placed homeowners insurance, manufactured housing homeowners insurance, debt protection administration, credit-related insurance, warranties and service contracts, individual health and small employer group health insurance, group dental insurance, group disability insurance, group life insurance and pre-funded funeral insurance.

2. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

The interim financial data as of September 30, 2010 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is unaudited; in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.

Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the new guidance on transfers of financial assets. This new guidance amends the derecognition guidance and eliminates the exemption from consolidation for qualifying special-purpose entities. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted the new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This new guidance amends the consolidation guidance applicable to VIEs to require a qualitative assessment in the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE, to require an ongoing reconsideration of the primary beneficiary, to amend the events that trigger a reassessment of whether an entity is a VIE and to change the consideration of kick-out rights in determining if an entity is a VIE. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amendments to existing guidance on accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. The amendments modify the definition of the types of costs incurred by insurance entities that can be capitalized in the acquisition of new and renewal contracts. Under this amended guidance, acquisition costs are defined as costs that are related directly to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts. The

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2012. Prospective application as of the date of adoption is required; however retrospective application to all prior periods presented upon the date of adoption is also permitted, but not required. Early adoption is permitted, but only at the beginning of an entity’s annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of the amendments and the potential impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

In September 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on multiple deliverable revenue arrangements. This new guidance requires entities to use their best estimate of the selling price of a deliverable within a multiple deliverable revenue arrangement if the entity and other entities do not sell the deliverable separate from the other deliverables within the arrangement. In addition it requires both qualitative and quantitative disclosures. This new guidance is effective for new or materially modified arrangements in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year. The Company did not apply the guidance early, thus it is required to adopt this new guidance on January 1, 2011. The adoption of this new guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

4. Investments

The following tables show the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value and other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of our fixed maturity and equity securities as of the dates indicated:

 

     September 30, 2010  
     Cost or
Amortized Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      OTTI
in AOCI  (1)
 

Fixed maturity securities:

             

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 168,795       $ 8,734       $ (139   $ 177,390       $ —     

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     831,906         79,494         (358     911,042         —     

Foreign governments

     602,062         41,699         (733     643,028         —     

Asset-backed

     43,817         2,939         —          46,756         1,095   

Commercial mortgage-backed

     107,215         6,158         —          113,373         —     

Residential mortgage-backed

     802,032         45,081         (451     846,662         3,294   

Corporate

     7,346,257         769,442         (30,755     8,084,944         13,272   
                                           

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 9,902,084       $ 953,547       $ (32,436   $ 10,823,195       $ 17,661   
                                           

Equity securities:

             

Common stocks

   $ 4,408       $ 660       $ —        $ 5,068       $ —     

Non-redeemable preferred stocks

     468,868         37,695         (15,529     491,034         —     
                                           

Total equity securities

   $ 473,276       $ 38,355       $ (15,529   $ 496,102       $ —     
                                           

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     December 31, 2009  
     Cost or  Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      OTTI
in AOCI  (1)
 

Fixed maturity securities:

             

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 115,268       $ 5,135       $ (73   $ 120,330       $ —     

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     873,548         42,499         (5,979     910,068         —     

Foreign governments

     545,166         18,076         (4,779     558,463         —     

Asset-backed

     51,834         2,599         (470     53,963         833   

Commercial mortgage-backed

     159,780         1,589         (1,462     159,907         —     

Residential mortgage-backed

     685,373         29,224         (2,594     712,003         123   

Corporate

     7,253,114         326,922         (127,998     7,452,038         8,697   
                                           

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 9,684,083       $ 426,044       $ (143,355   $ 9,966,772       $ 9,653   
                                           

Equity securities:

             

Common stocks

   $ 5,493       $ 285       $ (1,249   $ 4,529       $ —     

Non-redeemable preferred stocks

     508,856         31,657         (32,055     508,458         —     
                                           

Total equity securities

   $ 514,349       $ 31,942       $ (33,304   $ 512,987       $ —     
                                           

 

(1) Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment gains in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), which, from April 1, 2009, were not included in earnings under the OTTI guidance for debt securities.

The cost or amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2010 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Cost or  Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

Due in one year or less

   $ 485,313       $ 492,882   

Due after one year through five years

     2,053,486         2,193,289   

Due after five years through ten years

     2,346,261         2,573,316   

Due after ten years

     4,063,960         4,556,917   
                 

Total

     8,949,020         9,816,404   

Asset-backed

     43,817         46,756   

Commercial mortgage-backed

     107,215         113,373   

Residential mortgage-backed

     802,032         846,662   
                 

Total

   $ 9,902,084       $ 10,823,195   
                 

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross realized gains and gross realized losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales.

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Proceeds from sales

   $ 520,567       $ 452,769       $ 1,505,701       $ 927,805   

Gross realized gains

     18,846         23,989         50,258         36,325   

Gross realized losses

     1,689         1,913         6,095         41,334   

The following table sets forth the net realized gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairments, recognized in the statement of operations as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other:

        

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 14,950      $ 21,290      $ 40,579      $ 17,804   

Equity securities

     2,239        836        4,980        (21,059

Commercial mortgage loans on real estate

     (9,000     —          (15,772     (5,306

Other investments

     (909     382        3,918        (1,009
                                

Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other

     7,280        22,508        33,705        (9,570
                                

Net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:

        

Fixed maturity securities

     (1,055     (2,631     (3,544     (17,884

Equity securities

     (182     (11     (493     (14,511
                                

Total net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments

     (1,237     (2,642     (4,037     (32,395
                                

Total net realized gains (losses)

   $ 6,043      $ 19,866      $ 29,668      $ (41,965
                                

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted the OTTI guidance which requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery of its cost basis. Prior to April 1, 2009, the Company was required to determine whether it had the intent and ability to hold the investment for a sufficient period of time for the value to recover. When the analysis of the above factors resulted in the Company’s conclusion that declines in market values were other-than-temporary, the cost of the securities was written down to market value and the reduction in value was reflected as a realized loss in the statement of operations. Under the OTTI guidance, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other, non-credit, factors (e.g., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In instances where no credit loss exists but the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI was recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income.

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded $924 and $2,803, respectively, of OTTI, of which $1,237 and $4,037, respectively, was related to credit losses and recorded as net OTTI losses recognized in earnings, with the remaining $(313) and $(1,234) related to all other factors and recorded as an unrealized gain component of AOCI. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded $2,998 and $31,778, respectively, of OTTI, of which $2,642 and $32,395, respectively, was related to credit losses and recorded as net OTTI losses recognized in earnings, with the remaining $356 and $(617), respectively, related to all other factors and recorded as an unrealized loss (gain) component of AOCI.

The following tables set forth the amount of credit loss impairments recognized within the results of operations on fixed maturity securities held by the Company as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in AOCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts.

 

     Three Months  Ended
September 30, 2010
    Nine Months  Ended
September 30, 2010
 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 105,762      $ 108,053   

Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired

     9        494   

Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired

     694        2,698   

Reductions for securities which the amount previously recognized in other comprehensive income was recognized in earnings because the entity intends to sell the security

     (116     (116

Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security

     (3     (287

Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period

     (2,227     (6,723
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 104,119      $ 104,119   
                
     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 106,234      $ —     

Credit losses remaining in retained earnings related to the adoption of OTTI guidance effective April 1, 2009

     —          119,022   

Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired

     227        1,464   

Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired

     2,404        4,641   

Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security

     (106     (106

Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period

     (1,906     (18,168
                

Balance, end of period

   $ 106,853      $ 106,853   
                

We regularly monitor our investment portfolio to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and charged against earnings in the proper period. The determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. Assessment factors include, but are not limited to, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and rating of the issuer, whether any collateral is held, the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery for equity securities and the intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell for fixed maturity securities. Inherently, there are risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Changes in circumstances and critical assumptions such as a continued weak economy, a more pronounced economic downturn or unforeseen events which

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

affect one or more companies, industry sectors, or countries could result in additional impairments in future periods for other-than-temporary declines in value. Any equity security whose price decline is deemed other-than-temporary is written down to its then current market value with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. The impairment of a fixed maturity security that the Company has the intent to sell or that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell is deemed other-than-temporary and is written down to its market value at the balance sheet date with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. For all other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities that do not meet either of these two criteria, the Company is required to analyze its ability to recover the amortized cost of the security by calculating the net present value of projected future cash flows. For these other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities, the net amount recognized in earnings is equal to the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and its net present value.

The Company considers different factors to determine the amount of projected future cash flows and discounting methods for corporate debt and residential and commercial mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. For corporate debt securities, the split between the credit and non-credit losses is driven principally by assumptions regarding the amount and timing of projected future cash flows. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. For residential and commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates, including prepayment assumptions, are based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates vary based on assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates, recoveries and changes in value. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed maturity security prior to impairment at the balance sheet date. The discounted cash flows become the new amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security.

In periods subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment, the Company generally accretes the discount (or amortizes the reduced premium) into net investment income, up to the non-discounted amount of projected future cash flows, resulting from the reduction in cost basis, based upon the amount and timing of the expected future cash flows over the estimated period of cash flows.

Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are recognized on the specific identification basis.

The investment category and duration of the Company’s gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and equity securities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:

 

     September 30, 2010  
     Less than 12 months     12 Months or More     Total  
     Fair Value      Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Unrealized
Losses
 

Fixed maturity securities:

               

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 20,991       $ (139   $ —         $ —        $ 20,991       $ (139

States, municipalities and political subdivisions

     5,596         (188     10,569         (170     16,165         (358

Foreign governments

     23,883         (123     10,968         (610     34,851         (733

Residential mortgage-backed

     91,819         (322     2,544         (129     94,363         (451

Corporate

     153,430         (1,934     382,393         (28,821     535,823         (30,755
                                                   

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 295,719       $ (2,706   $ 406,474       $ (29,730   $ 702,193       $ (32,436
                                                   

Equity securities:

               

Non-redeemable preferred stocks

   $ 39,949       $ (1,948   $ 148,022       $ (13,581   $ 187,971       $ (15,529
                                                   

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     December 31, 2009  
     Less than 12 Months     12 Months or More     Total  
     Fair Value      Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Unrealized
Losses
    Fair Value      Unrealized
Losses
 

Fixed maturity securities:

               

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 9,625       $ (50   $ 777       $ (23   $ 10,402       $ (73

States, municipalities and political
subdivisions

     127,202         (3,974     17,571         (2,005     144,773         (5,979

Foreign governments

     77,710         (2,172     17,445         (2,607     95,155         (4,779

Asset-backed

     2,859         (43     9,312         (427     12,171         (470

Commercial mortgage-backed

     34,805         (313     29,282         (1,149     64,087         (1,462

Residential mortgage-backed

     116,771         (1,804     5,634         (790     122,405         (2,594

Corporate

     764,708         (28,025     1,078,051         (99,973     1,842,759         (127,998
                                                   

Total fixed maturity securities

   $ 1,133,680       $ (36,381   $ 1,158,072       $ (106,974   $ 2,291,752       $ (143,355
                                                   

Equity securities:

               

Common stocks

   $ 98       $ (2   $ 3,525       $ (1,247   $ 3,623       $ (1,249

Non-redeemable preferred stocks

     15,595         (248     214,928         (31,807     230,523         (32,055
                                                   

Total equity securities

   $ 15,693       $ (250   $ 218,453       $ (33,054   $ 234,146       $ (33,304
                                                   

Total gross unrealized losses represent less than 6% and 7% of the aggregate fair value of the related securities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Approximately 10% and 21% of these gross unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The total gross unrealized losses are comprised of 241 and 635 individual securities at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. In accordance with its policy described above, the Company concluded that for these securities an adjustment to its results of operations for other-than-temporary impairments of the gross unrealized losses was not warranted at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. These conclusions are based on a detailed analysis of the underlying credit and expected cash flows of each security. As of September 30, 2010, the gross unrealized losses that have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or more were concentrated in non-redeemable preferred stocks and in the financial, energy, and industrial sectors of the Company’s corporate fixed maturity securities. For these concentrations, gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more were $38,217, or 88%, of the total. The gross unrealized losses are primarily attributable to widening credit spreads associated with an underlying shift in overall credit risk premium. As of September 30, 2010, the Company did not intend to sell the securities and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery of their amortized cost basis.

Collateralized Transactions

The Company engages in transactions in which fixed maturity securities, especially bonds issued by the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities, and U.S. corporations, are loaned to selected broker/dealers. Collateral, greater than or equal to 102% of the fair value of the securities lent, plus accrued interest, is received in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by a custodian bank for the benefit of the Company. The use of cash collateral received is unrestricted. The Company reinvests the cash collateral received, generally in investments of high credit quality that are designated as available-for-sale under the debt and equity securities guidance. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned and the collateral received, with additional collateral obtained, as necessary. The Company is subject to the risk of loss to the extent there is a loss on the re-investment of cash collateral.

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, our collateral held under securities lending, of which its use is unrestricted, was $134,348 and $218,129, respectively, while our liability to the borrower for collateral received was $135,248 and $220,279,

 

13


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

respectively. The difference between the collateral held and obligations under securities lending is recorded as an unrealized loss and is included as part of AOCI. All securities with unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or longer as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The Company has actively reduced the size of its securities lending to mitigate counter-party exposure. The Company includes the available-for-sale investments purchased with the cash collateral in its evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments.

Cash proceeds that the Company receives as collateral for the securities it lends and subsequent repayment of the cash are regarded by the Company as cash flows from financing activities, since the cash received is considered a borrowing. Since the Company reinvests the cash collateral generally in investments that are designated as available-for-sale, the reinvestment is presented as cash flows from investing activities.

The Company also engages in transactions in which bonds issued by the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities, are purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”). The Company may take possession of the securities purchased under agreements to resell. Collateral, greater than or equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities purchased, plus accrued interest, is pledged in the form of cash and cash equivalents or other securities, as provided for in the underlying agreement to selected broker/dealers (“secured parties”). The use of the cash collateral pledged is unrestricted. Interest earned on the collateral pledged is recorded as investment income. We did not have any receivables under securities loan agreements as of September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.

The Company enters into these reverse repurchase agreements in order to initiate short positions in its investment portfolio. The borrowed securities are sold to a third party in the market place. The Company records obligations to return the securities that we no longer hold. The financial liabilities resulting from these borrowings are carried at fair value with the changes in value reported as realized gains or losses. We did not have any obligations to return borrowed securities as of September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009.

Cash payments for the collateral pledged, subsequent cash adjustments to receivables under securities loan agreements and obligations to return borrowed securities, and the return of the cash collateral from the secured parties is regarded by the Company as cash flows from financing activities, since the cash payments and receipts relate to borrowing of securities under a financing arrangements.

5. Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Values, Inputs and Valuation Techniques for Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosures

The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with this guidance, the Company has categorized its recurring basis financial assets and liabilities into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on 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 or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.

 

14


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

   

Level 2 inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable in the marketplace for the asset. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value for the asset.

 

   

Level 3 inputs are unobservable but are significant to the fair value measurement for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset.

A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The amounts presented below for Collateral held under securities lending, Other investments, Cash equivalents, Other assets, Assets held in separate accounts and Other liabilities differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because only certain investments or certain assets and liabilities within these line items are measured at estimated fair value. Other investments and Other liabilities are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan, American Security Insurance Company Investment Plan, Assurant Deferred Compensation Plan and the related deferred compensation liability, respectively. Other investments also consist of investments associated with a modified coinsurance arrangement. The fair value amount and the majority of the associated levels presented for Other investments and Assets held in separate accounts are received directly from third parties.

 

15


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     September 30, 2010  

Financial Assets

   Total      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Fixed maturity securities:

         

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 177,390       $ —        $ 148,740      $ 28,650   

State, municipalities and political subdivisions

     911,042         —          911,042        —     

Foreign governments

     643,028         2,608        637,067        3,353   

Asset-backed

     46,756         —          46,756        —     

Commercial mortgage-backed

     113,373         —          108,564        4,809   

Residential mortgage-backed

     846,662         —          846,662        —     

Corporate

     8,084,944         —          7,956,724        128,220   

Equity securities:

         

Common stocks

     5,068         3,867        1,201        —     

Non-redeemable preferred stocks

     491,034         —          490,477        557   

Short-term investments

     452,008         341,949   b      110,059   c      —     

Collateral held under securities lending

     84,349         65,944   b      18,405   c      —     

Other investments

     258,887         51,154   a      203,816   c      3,917   c 

Cash equivalents

     913,971         880,767   b      33,204   c      —     

Other assets

     7,850         —          820        7,030   d 

Assets held in separate accounts

     1,823,764         1,595,360   a      228,404   c      —     
                                 

Total financial assets

   $ 14,860,126       $ 2,941,649      $ 11,741,941      $ 176,536   
                                 

Financial Liabilities

                         

Other liabilities

   $ 49,842       $ 49,842      $ —        $ —     
                                 

 

16


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     December 31, 2009  

Financial Assets

   Total      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

Fixed maturity securities:

         

United States Government and government agencies and authorities

   $ 120,330       $ —        $ 120,330      $ —     

State, municipalities and political subdivisions

     910,068         —          910,068        —     

Foreign governments

     558,463         3,337        552,038        3,088   

Asset-backed

     53,963         —          53,954        9   

Commercial mortgage-backed

     159,907         —          127,619        32,288   

Residential mortgage-backed

     712,003         —          712,003        —     

Corporate

     7,452,038         —          7,315,312        136,726   

Equity securities:

         

Common stocks

     4,529         3,525   a      1,004        —     

Non-redeemable preferred stocks

     508,458         —          502,723        5,735   

Short-term investments

     453,469         372,861   b      80,608   c      —     

Collateral held under securities lending

     143,129         78,025   b      65,104   c      —     

Other investments

     242,193         53,803   a      184,115   c      4,275   c 

Cash equivalents

     1,108,459         1,082,546   b      25,913   c      —     

Other assets

     14,344         —          334        14,010   d 

Assets held in separate accounts

     1,899,915         1,685,117   a      214,798   c      —     
                                 

Total financial assets

   $ 14,341,268       $ 3,279,214      $ 10,865,923      $ 196,131   
                                 

Financial Liabilities

                         

Other liabilities

   $ 51,410       $ 51,410      $ —        $ —     
                                 

 

a.

Mainly includes mutual funds.

b.

Mainly includes money market funds.

c.

Mainly includes fixed maturity securities.

d.

Mainly includes the Consumer Price Index Cap Derivatives (“CPI Caps”).

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 financial assets during the period. However, there were transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 financial assets during the period, which are reflected in the “Net transfers” line below. Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 most commonly occur when market observable inputs that were previously available become unavailable in the current period. The remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers who provide non-binding broker quotes or are priced by other qualified sources.

The following tables summarize the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial assets carried at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
     Total
level 3
assets
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity
Securities
             
     United
States
Government
and
government
agencies and
authorities
    Foreign
governments
     Asset-
backed
    Commercial
mortgage-
backed
    Corporate     Non-
redeemable
preferred
stocks
    Other
Investments
    Other
Assets
 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 180,234      $ 17,215      $ 3,131       $ 9      $ 9,997      $ 119,149      $ 18,807      $ 4,207      $ 7,719   

Total gains (losses)(realized/unrealized) included in earnings

     1,901        (159     —           (9     4        (21     2,639        —          (553

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in stockholders’ equity

     2,505        (85     222         —          13        4,796        (2,417     (24     —     

Purchases

     12,881        12,812        —           —          —          —          —          69        —     

Sales

     (12,640     (1,133     —           —          (318     (4,996     (5,722     (335     (136

Net transfers (1)

     (8,345     —          —           —          (4,887     9,292        (12,750     —          —     
                                                                         

Balance, end of period

   $ 176,536      $ 28,650      $ 3,353       $ —        $ 4,809      $ 128,220      $ 557      $ 3,917      $ 7,030   
                                                                         

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Total
level 3
assets
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity
Securities
              
     Foreign
governments
    Asset-
backed
    Commercial
mortgage-
backed
    Corporate     Non-
redeemable
preferred
stocks
     Other
Investments
    Other
Assets
 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 179,783      $ 14,809      $ 10      $ 30,247      $ 114,963      $ 5,565       $ 4,874      $ 9,315   

Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings

     (1,007     1,470        (1     16        (2,401     —           1        (92

Net unrealized gains
(losses) included in
stockholders’ equity

     11,651        1,541        1        1,650        8,425        792         (758     —     

Purchases

     431        —          —          —          —          —           206        225   

Sales

     (18,632     (14,817     (1     (222     (3,035     —           (557     —     

Net transfers (1)

     (12,085     —          —          (1,760     (10,237     —           (88     —     
                                                                 

Balance, end of period

   $ 160,141      $ 3,003      $ 9      $ 29,931      $ 107,715      $ 6,357       $ 3,678      $ 9,448   
                                                                 

 

18


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
     Total
level 3
assets
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity
Securities
             
     United
States
Government
and
government
agencies and

authorities
    Foreign
governments
     Asset-
backed
    Commercial
mortgage-
backed
    Corporate     Non-
redeemable
preferred
stocks
    Other
Investments
    Other
Assets
 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 196,131      $ —        $ 3,088       $ 9      $ 32,288      $ 136,726      $ 5,735      $ 4,275      $ 14,010   

Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings

     (3,859     (487     1         (8     52        (233     2,639        4        (5,827

Net unrealized gains

    (losses) included in

    stockholders’ equity

     9,267        (19     264         5        527        11,604        (3,350     236        —     

Purchases

     44,317        32,333        —           588        —          2,658        8,116        622        —     

Sales

     (59,917     (3,867     —           —          (22,147     (25,808     (5,722     (1,220     (1,153

Net transfers (1)

     (9,403     690        —           (594     (5,911     3,273        (6,861     —          —     
                                                                         

Balance, end of period

   $ 176,536      $ 28,650      $ 3,353       $ —        $ 4,809      $ 128,220      $ 557      $ 3,917      $ 7,030   
                                                                         

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Total
level 3
assets
    Fixed Maturity Securities     Equity
Securities
             
     Foreign
governments
    Asset-
backed
    Commercial
mortgage-
backed
    Corporate     Non-
redeemable
preferred
stocks
    Other
Investments
    Other
Assets
 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 191,685      $ 19,398      $ 11      $ 38,909      $ 106,682      $ 12,581      $ 7,024      $ 7,080   

Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings

     (992     1,844        (1     26        (4,609     —          4        1,744   

Net unrealized gains

    (losses) included in

    stockholders’ equity

     21,594        (2,018     1        6,534        16,723        850        (496     —     

Purchases

     27,295        —          —          —          26,376        —          295        624   

Sales

     (33,020     (14,817     (2     (10,637     (5,463     —          (2,101     —     

Net transfers (1)

     (46,421     (1,404     —          (4,901     (31,994     (7,074     (1,048     —     
                                                                

Balance, end of period

   $ 160,141      $ 3,003      $ 9      $ 29,931      $ 107,715      $ 6,357      $ 3,678      $ 9,448   
                                                                

 

(1) Net transfers are primarily attributable to changes in the availability of market observable information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs.

Three different valuation techniques can be used in determining fair value for financial assets and liabilities: the market, income or cost approaches. The three valuation techniques described in the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance are consistent with generally accepted valuation methodologies. The market approach valuation techniques use prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. When possible, quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets are used as of the period-end date (such as for mutual funds and money market funds). Otherwise, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach including matrix pricing and comparables are used. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique employed principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for those securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Market approach valuation techniques often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors specific to the measurement.

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Income approach valuation techniques convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount, or a discounted amount. These techniques rely on current market expectations of future amounts as of the period-end date. Examples of income approach valuation techniques include present value techniques, option-pricing models, binomial or lattice models that incorporate present value techniques and the multi-period excess earnings method.

Cost approach valuation techniques are based upon the amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset at the period-end date, or the current replacement cost. That is, from the perspective of a market participant (seller), the price that would be received for the asset is determined based on the cost to a market participant (buyer) to acquire or construct a substitute asset of comparable utility, adjusted for obsolescence.

While not all three approaches are applicable to all financial assets or liabilities, where appropriate, one or more valuation techniques may be used. For all the classes of financial assets and liabilities included in the above hierarchy, excluding the CPI Caps and certain privately placed corporate bonds, the market valuation technique is generally used. For certain privately placed corporate bonds and the CPI Caps, the income valuation technique is generally used. For the periods ended September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the application of the valuation technique applied to the Company’s classes of financial assets and liabilities has been consistent.

Level 2 securities are valued using various observable market inputs obtained from a pricing service. The pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for our Level 2 securities using proprietary valuation models based on techniques such as matrix pricing which include observable market inputs. The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance, defines observable market inputs as the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. The extent of the use of each observable market input for a security depends on the type of security and the market conditions at the balance sheet date. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary. The following observable market inputs (“standard inputs”), listed in the approximate order of priority, are utilized in the pricing evaluation of Level 2 securities: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. To price municipal bonds, the pricing service uses material event notices and new issue data inputs in addition to the standard inputs. To price residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities, the pricing service uses vendor trading platform data, monthly payment information and collateral performance inputs in addition to the standard inputs. To price fixed maturity securities denominated in Canadian dollars, the pricing service uses observable inputs, including but not limited to, benchmark yields, reported trades, issuer spreads, benchmark securities and reference data. The pricing service also evaluates each security based on relevant market information including: relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. Valuation models can change period to period, depending on the appropriate observable inputs that are available at the balance sheet date to price a security. When market observable inputs are unavailable to the pricing service, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers who provide non-binding broker quotes or are priced by other qualified sources and are categorized as Level 3 securities. The Company could not corroborate the non-binding broker quotes with Level 2 inputs.

A non-pricing service source prices certain privately placed corporate bonds using a model with observable inputs including, but not limited to, the credit rating, credit spreads, sector add-ons, and issuer specific add-ons. A non-pricing service source prices our CPI Caps using a model with inputs including, but not limited to, the time to expiration, the notional amount, the strike price, the forward rate, implied volatility and the discount rate.

Management evaluates the following factors in order to determine whether the market for a financial asset is inactive. The factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

There are few recent transactions,

 

   

Little information is released publicly,

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

   

The available prices vary significantly over time or among market participants,

 

   

The prices are stale (i.e., not current), and

 

   

The magnitude of the bid-ask spread.

Illiquidity did not have a material impact in the fair value determination of the Company’s financial assets.

The Company generally obtains one price for each financial asset. The Company performs a monthly analysis to assess if the evaluated prices represent a reasonable estimate of their fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by investment and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of pricing service methodologies, review of the prices received from the pricing service, review of pricing statistics and trends, and comparison of prices for certain securities with two different appropriate price sources for reasonableness. Following this analysis, the Company generally uses the best estimate of fair value based upon all available inputs. On infrequent occasions, a non-pricing service source may be more familiar with the market activity for a particular security than the pricing service. In these cases the price used is taken from the non-pricing service source. The pricing service provides information to indicate which securities were priced using market observable inputs so that the Company can properly categorize our financial assets in the fair value hierarchy.

Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company also measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally on an annual basis, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. These assets include commercial mortgage loans, goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets.

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded an additional reserve of $9,000 and $15,772, respectively, on one individually impaired commercial mortgage loan. Due to the continued decline in the regional commercial real estate market during the quarter, the value of the loan was determined to be zero. The fair value measurement was classified as Level 3 (unobservable) inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company utilizes both the income and market valuation approaches to estimate the fair value of its reporting units in Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. Under the income approach, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit considering distributable earnings which were estimated from operating plans. The resulting cash flows are then discounted using a market participant weighted average cost of capital estimated for the reporting unit. After discounting the future discrete earnings to their present value, the Company estimates the terminal value attributable to the years beyond the discrete operating plan period. The discounted terminal value is then added to the aggregate discounted distributable earnings from the discrete operating plan period to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. Under the market approach, the Company derives the fair value of the reporting unit based on various financial multiples, including but not limited to: price to tangible book value of equity, price to estimated 2010 earnings and price to estimated 2011 earnings which are estimated based on publicly available data related to comparable guideline companies. In addition, financial multiples are also estimated from publicly available purchase price data for acquisitions of companies operating in the insurance industry. The estimated fair value of the reporting units is more heavily weighted towards the income approach because the earnings capacity of a business is generally considered the most important factor in the valuation of a business enterprise.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Disclosures

The financial instruments guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, as defined therein, for which it is practicable to estimate such fair value. Therefore, it requires fair value disclosure for financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. However, this guidance excludes certain financial instruments, including those related to insurance contracts and those accounted for under the equity method and joint ventures guidance (such as real estate joint ventures).

 

21


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

For the financial instruments included within the following financial assets and financial liabilities, the carrying value in the consolidated balance sheets equals or approximates fair value. Please refer to the Fair Value Inputs and Valuation Techniques for Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosures section above for more information on the financial instruments included within the following financial assets and financial liabilities and the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value:

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents

 

   

Fixed maturity securities

 

   

Equity securities

 

   

Short-term investments

 

   

Other investments

 

   

Other assets

 

   

Assets held in separate accounts

 

   

Collateral held under securities lending

 

   

Other liabilities

 

   

Liabilities related to separate accounts

In estimating the fair value of the financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, the Company used the following methods and assumptions:

Commercial mortgage loans and policy loans: the fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on interest rates currently being offered for similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The carrying value of policy loans reported in the balance sheets approximates fair value.

Policy reserves under investment products: the fair values for the Company’s policy reserves under the investment products are determined using discounted cash flow analysis.

Funds held under reinsurance: the carrying value reported approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments.

Debt: the fair value of debt is based upon matrix pricing performed by the pricing service.

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock: the fair value of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock equals the carrying value for all series of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.

Obligations under securities lending: the obligations under securities lending are reported at the amount received from the selected broker/dealers.

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The following table discloses the carrying value and fair value of the financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Carrying Value      Fair Value      Carrying Value      Fair Value  

Financial assets

           

Commercial mortgage loans on real estate

   $ 1,355,871       $ 1,470,418       $ 1,428,027       $ 1,442,889   

Policy loans

     56,685         56,685         56,407         56,407   

Financial liabilities

           

Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal)

   $ 1,020,442       $ 943,498       $ 895,546       $ 817,370   

Funds held under reinsurance

     66,614         66,614         67,700         67,700   

Debt

     972,137         1,029,356         972,058         942,938   

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stocks

     8,160         8,160         8,160         8,160   

Obligations under securities lending

     135,248         135,248         220,279         220,279   

The fair value of the Company’s liabilities for insurance contracts, other than investment-type contracts, are not required to be disclosed. However, the fair values of liabilities under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in the Company’s overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company’s exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.

 

23


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

6. Income Taxes

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had a cumulative valuation allowance of $81,688 against deferred tax assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized income tax expense of $5,177 and an income tax benefit through accumulated other comprehensive income of $(412). The valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets was increased by $4,765 primarily due to foreign company net operating losses. It is management’s assessment that it is more likely than not that $86,453 of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on its ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the same character within the carryback or carryforward periods. In assessing future GAAP taxable income, the Company has considered all sources of taxable income available to realize its deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax-planning strategies. If changes occur in the assumptions underlying the Company’s tax planning strategies or in the scheduling of the reversal of the Company’s deferred tax assets, the valuation allowance may need to be adjusted in the future.

7. Debt

In February 2004, the Company issued two series of senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $975,000 (the “Senior Notes”). The Company received net proceeds of $971,537 from this transaction, which represents the principal amount less the discount. The discount of $3,463 is being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes and is included as part of interest expense on the statement of operations. The first series is $500,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 5.63% per year and is payable in a single installment due February 15, 2014 and was issued at a 0.11% discount. The second series is $475,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 6.75% per year and is payable in a single installment due February 15, 2034 and was issued at a 0.61% discount.

The interest expense incurred related to the Senior Notes was $15,047 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $45,141 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. There was $7,523 of accrued interest at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company made interest payments of $30,094 on February 15, 2010 and 2009 and August 15, 2010 and 2009.

Credit Facility

In March 2004 the Board authorized a $500,000 commercial paper program, to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company’s commercial paper program requires the Company to maintain liquidity facilities either in an available amount equal to any outstanding notes from the commercial paper program or in an amount sufficient to maintain the ratings assigned to the notes issued from the commercial paper program. The Company’s subsidiaries do not maintain commercial paper or other borrowing facilities at their level. Prior to December 18, 2009 this program was backed up by a $500,000 senior revolving credit facility (“2004 Credit Facility”). This program is currently backed up by a $350,000 senior revolving credit facility, described below, of which $325,604 was available at September 30, 2010, due to outstanding letters of credit.

On December 18, 2009, the Company entered into a three-year unsecured revolving credit agreement (“2009 Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks arranged by JP Morgan Chase Bank, Inc. and Bank of America, Inc. The 2009 Credit Facility replaces the 2004 Credit Facility. The 2009 Credit Facility provides for revolving loans and the issuance of multi-bank, syndicated letters of credit and/or letters of credit from a sole issuing bank in an aggregate amount of $350,000 and is available until December 2012, provided the Company is in compliance with all covenants. The agreement has a sublimit for letters of credit issued under the agreement of $50,000. The proceeds of these loans may be used for the Company’s commercial paper program or for general corporate purposes.

The Company did not use the commercial paper program during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and there were no amounts relating to the commercial paper program outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The Company did not borrow using the 2004 Credit Facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company made no borrowings using the 2009 Credit Facility and no loans are outstanding at September 30, 2010. The Company does have $24,396 of letters of credit outstanding under the 2009 Credit Facility as of September 30, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The 2009 Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants. The terms of the 2009 Credit Facility also require that the Company maintain certain specified minimum ratios and thresholds. Among others, these covenants include maintaining a maximum debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum consolidated adjusted net worth. At September 30, 2010 the Company was in compliance with all covenants, minimum ratios and thresholds.

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at September 30, 2010 are as follows:

 

     Foreign currency
translation
adjustment
     Unrealized
gains on
securities
     OTTI      Pension
under-
funding
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
 

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 23,912       $ 194,550       $ 6,275       $ (158,812   $ 65,925   

Activity in 2010

     2,585         433,770         5,205         7,186        448,746   
                                           

Balance at September 30, 2010

   $ 26,497       $ 628,320       $ 11,480       $ (151,626   $ 514,671   
                                           

The amounts in the unrealized gains on securities column are net of reclassification adjustments of $23,820, net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, for net realized gains (losses) on sales of securities included in net income. The amounts in the OTTI column are net of reclassification adjustments of $(1,310), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, for net realized gains (losses) on sales of securities included in net income.

9. Stock Based Compensation

Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

In May 2008, the shareholders of the Company approved the Assurant, Inc. Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (“ALTEIP”), which authorized the granting of up to 3,400,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to employees, officers and non-employee directors. In May 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved an amended and restated ALTEIP, increasing the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance to 5,300,000. Under the ALTEIP, the Company may grant awards based on shares of our common stock, including stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock (including performance shares), unrestricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share units (“PSUs”) and dividend equivalents. All future share-based grants will be awarded under the ALTEIP.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) awarded PSUs and RSUs in 2010 and 2009. RSUs and PSUs are promises to issue actual shares of common stock at the end of a vesting period or performance period. The RSUs granted to employees under the ALTEIP were based on salary grade and performance and will vest one-third each year over a three-year period. RSUs granted to non-employee directors also vest one-third each year over a three-year period. RSUs receive dividend equivalents in cash during the restricted period and do not have voting rights during the restricted period. PSUs accrue dividend equivalents during the performance period based on a target payout, and will be paid in cash at the end of the performance period based on the actual number of shares issued.

For the PSU portion of an award, the number of shares a participant will receive upon vesting is contingent upon the Company meeting certain pre-established performance goals, identified below, at the end of a three-year performance period. Performance will be measured against these to determine the number of shares a participant will receive. The payout levels can vary between 0% and 150% (maximum) of the target (100%) ALTEIP award amount based on the Company’s level of performance against the pre-established performance goals.

 

25


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

PSU Performance Goals. For 2009, the Compensation Committee established earnings per share (“EPS”) growth, revenue growth and total stockholder return as the three performance measures for PSU awards. EPS growth is defined as the year-over-year change in GAAP net income divided by average diluted shares outstanding. Revenue growth is defined as the year-over-year change in GAAP total revenues as disclosed in the Company’s annual statement of operations. Total stockholder’s return is defined as appreciation in Company stock plus dividend yield to stockholders. For 2010, in light of the significant volatility in EPS across the financial services sector, and in response to comments from our investors, the Committee decided to replace growth in EPS with growth in book value per diluted share (“BVPS”) excluding AOCI as a performance metric. BVPS growth is defined as year-over-year growth of the Company’s common equity divided by the period ending fully diluted total shares outstanding. The Company believes this change will provide a more consistent basis for comparing the Company’s long-term financial performance to that of our competitors. The other metrics (revenue growth and total stockholder return) remain the same for PSUs awarded in 2010. For the 2009-2011 performance cycle, the actual payout level is determined by ranking the average of the Company’s performance with respect to all three measures against the average performance of companies included in the A.M. Best Insurance Index. For the 2010-2012 performance cycle, payouts will be determined by measuring performance against the average performance of companies included in the A.M. Best Insurance Index, excluding those with revenues of less than $1,000,000 or that are not in the health or insurance Global Industry Classification Standard codes. The company believes that this change will enable us to more accurately benchmark our performance against the performance of companies of comparable size that operate one or more businesses similar to ours.

Under the ALTEIP, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is authorized by the Board of Directors to grant common stock, restricted stock and RSUs to employees other than the executive officers of the Company (as defined in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Restricted stock and RSUs granted under this program may have different vesting periods.

Restricted Stock Units

RSUs granted to employees and to non-employee directors were 21,425 and 18,096 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 549,732 and 772,900 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The compensation expense recorded related to RSUs was $3,699 and $2,323 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $10,091 and $4,768 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The related total income tax benefit was $1,294 and $813 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $3,532 and $1,669 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value for RSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $33.42 and $20.60, respectively.

As of September 30, 2010, there was $15,667 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding RSUs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years. No RSUs vested during the three months ended September 30, 2009. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $323 and $8,343 and $5 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Performance Share Units

No PSUs were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. PSUs granted to employees were 439,934 and 631,066 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The compensation expense recorded related to PSUs was $3,206 for the three months ended September 30, 2010. No compensation expense was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2009 because both the performance and market-based goals were below minimum payout threshold levels. The compensation expense recorded related to PSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $7,541 and $31, respectively. A portion of the compensation expense recorded during 2009 was reversed during the first quarter of 2010, since the Company’s level of actual performance as measured against pre-established performance goals had declined. The related total income tax benefit was $1,122 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $2,639 and $11 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value for PSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $33.12 and $16.32, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2010, there was $12,840 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding PSUs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.57 years.

The fair value of PSUs with market conditions was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market condition stipulated in the award. Expected volatilities for awards issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were based on the historical stock prices of the Company’s stock and peer insurance group. The expected term for grants issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was assumed to equal the average of the vesting period of the PSUs. The risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Prior to the approval of the ALTEIP, share based awards were granted under the 2004 Assurant Long-Term Incentive Plan (“ALTIP”), which authorized the granting of up to 10,000,000 new shares of the Company’s common stock to employees and officers under the ALTIP, Business Value Rights Program (“BVR”) and CEO Equity Grants Program. Under the ALTIP, the Company was authorized to grant restricted stock and SARs. Since May 2008, no new grants have been made under this plan.

Restricted stock granted under the ALTIP vests on a prorated basis over a three year period. SARs granted prior to 2007 under the ALTIP cliff vest as of December 31 of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the right was granted, and have a five year contractual life. SARs granted in 2007 and through May 2008 cliff vest on the third anniversary from the date the award was granted, and have a five year contractual life. SARs granted under the BVR Program have a three-year cliff vesting period. Restricted stock granted under the CEO Equity Grants Program have variable vesting schedules.

Restricted Stock

There was no restricted stock granted during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 or the nine months ended September 30, 2010. There were 10,900 restricted shares granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The compensation expense recorded related to restricted stock was $317 and $998 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $1,426 and $3,579 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The related total income tax benefit recognized was $111 and $349 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $499 and $1,253 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value for restricted stock granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $29.77.

As of September 30, 2010, there was $586 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding restricted stock. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years. The total fair value of restricted stock vested was $240 and $300 during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $2,330 and $2,210 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Stock Appreciation Rights

There were no SARs granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Currently there are no plans to award SARs in the future. The compensation expense recorded related to SARs was $1,273 and $2,693 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $5,518 and $7,538 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The related total income tax benefit was $445 and $943 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $1,931 and $2,638 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of SARs exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $416 and $1, respectively, and $1,216 and $412 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, there was approximately $2,519 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding SARs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.45 years.

 

27


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

The fair value of each SAR granted to employees and officers was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatilities for awards issued were based on the median historical stock price volatility of insurance guideline companies and implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock. The expected term for grants issued was assumed to equal the average of the vesting period of the SARs and the full contractual term of the SARs. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield was based on the current annual dividend and share price as of the grant date.

Directors Compensation Plan

The Company’s Amended and Restated Directors Compensation Plan, as amended, permitted the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to non-employee directors. Since May 2008, all grants awarded to directors have been awarded from the ALTEIP, discussed above. There were no common shares issued or expense recorded under the Director’s Compensation Plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), the Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 new shares to employees who are participants in the ESPP. Eligible employees can purchase shares at a 10% discount applied to the lower of the closing price of the common stock on the first or last day of the offering period. The compensation expense recorded related to the ESPP was $397 and $46 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $1,310 and $2,089 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

In January 2010, the Company issued 181,718 shares to employees at a discounted price of $21.65 for the offering period of July 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. In January 2009, the Company issued 133,994 shares to employees at a discounted price of $27.00 for the offering period of July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.

In July 2010, the Company issued 142,444 shares to employees at a discounted price of $27.14 for the offering period of January 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010. In July 2009, the Company issued 186,940 shares to employees at a discounted price of $21.68 for the offering period of January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009.

The fair value of each award under the ESPP was estimated at the beginning of each offering period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock and the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield is based on the current annualized dividend and share price as of the grant date.

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

10. Stock Repurchase

The following table shows the shares repurchased during the periods indicated:

 

Period in 2010

   Number of
Shares Purchased
     Average Price
Paid Per  Share
     Total Number of  Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Programs
 

January

     —         $ —           —     

February

     1,304,915         30.46         1,304,915   

March

     2,121,554         32.73         2,121,554   

April

     1,783,816         35.07         1,783,816   

May

     1,982,400         35.44         1,982,400   

June

     2,300,000         35.78         2,300,000   

July

     1,185,000         36.19         1,185,000   

August

     52,000         38.11         52,000   

September

     —           —           —     
                          

Total

     10,729,685       $ 34.41         10,729,685   
                          

On November 10, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $600,000 of its outstanding common stock. On January 22, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional $600,000 of its outstanding common stock.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 10,729,685 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a cost of $369,159. As of September 30, 2010, there was $400,885 remaining under the total repurchase authorization.

 

29


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

11. Earnings Per Common Share

The following table presents net income, the weighted average common shares used in calculating basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) and those used in calculating diluted EPS for each period presented below.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Numerator

        

Net income

   $ 141,670      $ 144,730      $ 463,568      $ 418,633   

Deduct dividends paid

     (17,238     (17,701     (52,702     (51,961
                                

Undistributed earnings

   $ 124,432      $ 127,029      $ 410,866      $ 366,672   
                                

Denominator

        

Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic earnings per share calculations

     107,806,207        118,184,367        112,137,558        118,187,358   

Incremental common shares from :

        

SARs

     223,192        107,474        197,191        74,106   

PSUs

     554,883        —          456,374        —     
                                

Weighted average shares used in diluted earnings per share calculations

     108,584,282        118,291,841        112,791,123        118,261,464   
                                

Earnings per common share - Basic

        

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.16      $ 0.15      $ 0.47      $ 0.44   

Undistributed earnings

     1.15        1.07        3.66        3.10   
                                

Net income

   $ 1.31      $ 1.22      $ 4.13      $ 3.54   
                                

Earnings per common share - Diluted

        

Distributed earnings

   $ 0.16      $ 0.15      $ 0.47      $ 0.44   

Undistributed earnings

     1.14        1.07        3.64        3.10   
                                

Net income

   $ 1.30      $ 1.22      $ 4.11      $ 3.54   
                                

Average SARs totaling 2,960,688 and 4,080,321 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 3,355,176 and 4,423,605 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were outstanding but were anti-dilutive and thus not included in the computation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method.

 

30


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

12. Retirement and Other Employee Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s qualified pension benefits plan, nonqualified pension benefits plan and retirement health benefits plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 

     Qualified Pension
Benefits
    Nonqualified Pension
Benefits (1)
    Retirement Health
Benefits
 
     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010      2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 7,956      $ 6,609      $ 741       $ 468      $ 1,328      $ 1,110   

Interest cost

     8,438        7,562        1,523         1,552        1,353        1,081   

Expected return on plan assets

     (9,785     (8,804     —           —          (718     (547

Amortization of prior service cost

     30        85        206         419        367        417   

Amortization of net loss

     2,702        3,689        751         658        —          50   

Settlement gain

     —          —          —           (610     —          —     
                                                 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 9,341      $ 9,141      $ 3,221       $ 2,487      $ 2,330      $ 2,111   
                                                 

 

     Qualified Pension
Benefits
    Nonqualified Pension
Benefits (1)
    Retirement Health
Benefits
 
     For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010      2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 20,406      $ 17,509      $ 1,841       $ 1,568      $ 3,228      $ 2,460   

Interest cost

     24,188        22,262        4,623         4,752        3,653        3,181   

Expected return on plan assets

     (28,285     (26,404     —           —          (1,968     (1,497

Amortization of prior service cost

     80        285        656         719        1,117        1,067   

Amortization of net loss (gain) (2)

     7,502        3,939        1,701         1,208        —          (50

Settlement gain

     —          —          —           (1,159     —          —     
                                                 

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 23,891      $ 17,591      $ 8,821       $ 7,088      $ 6,030      $ 5,161   
                                                 

 

(1) The Company’s nonqualified plan is unfunded.

 

(2) Increase is due to a change in the discount rate assumption, which decreased to 5.94% in 2010 from 6.25% in 2009.

Our qualified pension benefits plan (“Plan”) was under-funded by $124,706 and $87,977 (based on the fair value of Plan assets compared to the projected benefit obligation) on a GAAP basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. This equates to an 81% and 84% funded status at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The change in under-funded status is mainly due to a decrease in the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation. During the first nine months of 2010, $30,000 in cash was contributed to the qualified pension benefits plan (“Plan”). An additional $10,000 in cash is expected to be contributed to the Plan over the remainder of 2010.

 

31


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

13. Segment Information

The Company has five reportable segments, which are defined based on the nature of the products and services offered: Assurant Solutions, Assurant Specialty Property, Assurant Health, Assurant Employee Benefits, and Corporate & Other. Assurant Solutions provides credit-related insurance, including life, disability and unemployment, debt protection administration services, warranties and service contracts, life insurance policies and annuity products that provide benefits to fund pre-arranged funerals. Assurant Specialty Property provides creditor-placed homeowners insurance and manufactured housing homeowners insurance. Assurant Health provides individual, short-term and small group health insurance. Assurant Employee Benefits provides employee and employer paid dental, disability, and life insurance products and related services. Corporate & Other includes activities of the holding company, financing and interest expenses, net realized gains (losses) on investments, interest income earned from short-term investments held and additional costs associated with excess of loss reinsurance programs reinsured and ceded to certain subsidiaries in the London market between 1995 and 1997. Corporate & Other also includes the amortization of deferred gains associated with the sales of Fortis Financial Group and Long-Term Care through reinsurance agreements.

The Company evaluates performance of the operating segments based on segment income (loss) after-tax excluding realized gains (losses) on investments. The Company determines reportable segments in a manner consistent with the way the Company organizes for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance.

The following tables summarize selected financial information by segment:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
     Solutions      Specialty
Property
     Health      Employee
Benefits
     Corporate  &
Other
    Consolidated  

Revenues

                

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 611,264       $ 481,108       $ 467,726       $ 272,416       $ —        $ 1,832,514   

Net investment income

     99,084         27,064         11,985         33,599         4,438        176,170   

Net realized gains on investments

     —           —           —           —           6,043        6,043   

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     —           —           —           —           6,024        6,024   

Fees and other income

     59,090         18,544         10,027         5,528         31        93,220   
                                                    

Total revenues

     769,438         526,716         489,738         311,543         16,536        2,113,971   
                                                    

Benefits, losses and expenses

                

Policyholder benefits

     223,597         165,977         334,216         189,463         —          913,253   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

     276,816         90,931         714         8,389         —          376,850   

Underwriting, general and administrative expenses

     219,216         107,061         144,980         87,773         22,944        581,974   

Interest expense

     —           —           —           —           15,162        15,162   
                                                    

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     719,629         363,969         479,910         285,625         38,106        1,887,239   
                                                    

Segment income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income tax

     49,809         162,747         9,828         25,918         (21,570     226,732   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     17,476         56,094         4,488         8,986         (1,982     85,062   
                                                    

Segment income (loss) after tax

   $ 32,333       $ 106,653       $ 5,340       $ 16,932       $ (19,588  
                                              

Net income

                 $ 141,670   
                      

 

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Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Solutions      Specialty
Property
     Health     Employee
Benefits
     Corporate  &
Other
    Consolidated  

Revenues

               

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 669,344       $ 478,701       $ 470,385      $ 255,968       $ —        $ 1,874,398   

Net investment income

     97,681         26,550         11,770        33,039         3,884        172,924   

Net realized gains on investments

     —           —           —          —           19,866        19,866   

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     —           —           —          —           6,802        6,802   

Fees and other income

     50,093         15,100         10,140        7,467         83        82,883   
                                                   

Total revenues

     817,118         520,351         492,295        296,474         30,635        2,156,873   
                                                   

Benefits, losses and expenses

               

Policyholder benefits

     248,933         156,076         353,412        182,632         92        941,145   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

     290,200         88,973         1,428        9,781         —          390,382   

Underwriting, general and administrative expenses

     230,017         118,019         146,047        86,748         20,289        601,120   

Interest expense

     —           —           —          —           15,160        15,160   
                                                   

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     769,150         363,068         500,887        279,161         35,541        1,947,807   
                                                   

Segment income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income tax

     47,968         157,283         (8,592     17,313         (4,906     209,066   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     16,324         54,126         (3,745     5,863         (8,232     64,336   
                                                   

Segment income (loss) after tax

   $ 31,644       $ 103,157       $ (4,847   $ 11,450       $ 3,326     
                                             

Net income

                $ 144,730   
                     

 

33


Table of Contents

Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
     Solutions      Specialty
Property
     Health      Employee
Benefits
     Corporate &
Other
    Consolidated  

Revenues

                

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 1,886,310       $ 1,467,052       $ 1,402,873       $ 832,817       $ —        $ 5,589,052   

Net investment income

     296,493         81,007         35,628         99,008         13,244        525,380   

Net realized gains on investments

     —           —           —           —           29,668        29,668   

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     —           —           —           —           18,129        18,129   

Fees and other income

     159,382         50,492         30,683         19,091         244        259,892   
                                                    

Total revenues

     2,342,185         1,598,551         1,469,184         950,916         61,285        6,422,121   
                                                    

Benefits, losses and expenses

                

Policyholder benefits

     680,004         503,716         980,623         584,260         (2,038     2,746,565   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

     831,945         281,993         3,364         26,849         —          1,144,151   

Underwriting, general and administrative expenses

     678,349         312,862         424,250         269,902         72,004        1,757,367   

Interest expense

     —           —           —           —           45,484        45,484   
                                                    

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     2,190,298         1,098,571         1,408,237         881,011         115,450        5,693,567   
                                                    

Segment income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income tax

     151,887         499,980         60,947         69,905         (54,165     728,554   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     60,365         171,132         21,938         24,113         (12,562     264,986   
                                                    

Segment income (loss) after tax

   $ 91,522       $ 328,848       $ 39,009       $ 45,792       $ (41,603  
                                              

Net income

                 $ 463,568   
                      
     As of September 30, 2010  

Segment assets:

  

Segment assets, excluding goodwill

   $ 11,079,132       $ 3,349,518       $ 1,064,584       $ 2,539,930       $ 7,885,975      $ 25,919,139   
                                              

Goodwill

       926,195   
                      

Total assets

     $ 26,845,334   
                      

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Solutions      Specialty
Property
     Health     Employee
Benefits
     Corporate &
Other
    Consolidated  

Revenues

               

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 1,980,891       $ 1,450,329       $ 1,411,626      $ 781,997       $ —        $ 5,624,843   

Net investment income

     292,782         84,306         36,320        100,662         12,265        526,335   

Net realized losses on investments

     —           —           —          —           (41,965     (41,965

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     —           —           —          —           20,354        20,354   

Fees and other income

     154,084         42,066         29,901        21,765         140,976        388,792   
                                                   

Total revenues

     2,427,757         1,576,701         1,477,847        904,424         131,630        6,518,359   
                                                   

Benefits, losses and expenses

               

Policyholder benefits

     782,280         502,043         1,033,016        568,130         5,420        2,890,889   

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired

     864,295         276,253         7,260        28,861         —          1,176,669   

Underwriting, general and administrative expenses

     640,914         344,072         439,612        260,948         71,295        1,756,841   

Interest expense

     —           —           —          —           45,509        45,509   
                                                   

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     2,287,489         1,122,368         1,479,888        857,939         122,224        5,869,908   
                                                   

Segment income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income tax

     140,268         454,333         (2,041     46,485         9,406        648,451   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     50,419         155,280         (1,536     15,885         9,770        229,818   
                                                   

Segment income (loss) after tax

   $ 89,849       $ 299,053       $ (505   $ 30,600       $ (364  
                                             

Net income

                $ 418,633   
                     
     As of December 31, 2009  

Segment assets:

  

Segment assets, excluding goodwill

   $ 11,106,794       $ 3,190,617       $ 1,078,567      $ 2,521,667       $ 7,036,624      $ 24,934,269   
                                             

Goodwill

       926,398   
                     

Total assets

     $ 25,860,667   
                     

14. Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, letters of credit are issued primarily to support reinsurance arrangements. These letters of credit are supported by commitments with financial institutions. The Company had $24,946 and $28,566 of letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

The Company is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The Company may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to the Company’s current and past business operations. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation, examination or investigation and although no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any pending matter will have a material adverse effect individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company held litigation reserves of $51,952 as a result of unfavorable outcomes in two ordinary course claim-related lawsuits in its Assurant Health segment. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid a total of $25,350 to resolve both matters, and released the remaining reserves.

One of the Company’s subsidiaries, American Reliable Insurance Company (“ARIC”), participated in certain excess of loss reinsurance programs in the London market and, as a result, reinsured certain personal accident, ransom and kidnap insurance risks

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

from 1995 to 1997. ARIC and a foreign affiliate ceded a portion of these risks to retrocessionaires. ARIC ceased reinsuring such business in 1997. However, certain disputes arose regarding these programs. The disputes generally involved multiple layers of reinsurance, and allegations that the reinsurance programs involved interrelated claims “spirals” devised to disproportionately pass claims losses to higher-level reinsurance layers.

The companies involved in these programs, including ARIC, have resolved many of these disputes. The disputes involving ARIC and an affiliate, Assurant General Insurance Limited (formerly Bankers Insurance Company Limited) (“AGIL”), for the 1995 and 1996 program years, were the subject of working group settlements negotiated with other market participants. For the 1995 program year, the participants have negotiated a final commutation agreement that extinguishes any future liability between the participants. Negotiations are still ongoing or will be scheduled for the 1996 program year and the remaining programs.

The Company believes, on the basis of information currently available, that the existing loss accruals related to these programs are adequate. However, the inherent uncertainty of resolving these matters, including the uncertainty of estimating whether any settlements the Company may enter into in the future would be on favorable terms, makes it difficult to predict the outcomes with certainty.

As previously disclosed by the Company in its 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company entered into a settlement on January 21, 2010 in connection with a complaint filed by the SEC regarding a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the Company. The Company consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3,500, an expense that the Company accrued as of December 31, 2009, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the Company from violating certain provisions of the federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010, and the Company paid the penalty during the first quarter of 2010.

In the course of implementing procedures for compliance with the new mandatory reporting requirements under the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007, Assurant Health identified a possible ambiguity in the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and related regulations about which the Company has since had a meeting with representatives of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”). Assurant Health believes that its historical interpretation and application of such laws and regulations is correct and has requested that CMS issue a written determination to that effect. CMS has not made a determination. The Company does not believe that any loss relating to this issue is probable, nor can the Company make any estimate of any possible loss or range of possible loss associated with this issue.

15. Catastrophe Bond Program

On May 5, 2009, the Company announced the establishment of a multi-year catastrophe bond program to provide reinsurance protection for losses resulting from hurricanes. As part of the program, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”) entered into two reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re Ltd., an independent special purpose reinsurance company domiciled in the Cayman Islands (“Ibis Re”). The Ibis Re agreements provide up to $150,000 of reinsurance coverage for protection against losses over a three-year period from individual hurricane events in Hawaii and along the Gulf and Eastern Coasts of the United States. The agreements expire in May 2012. Ibis Re financed the property catastrophe reinsurance coverage by issuing catastrophe bonds in an aggregate amount of $150,000 to unrelated investors (the “Series 2009-1 Notes”).

On April 27, 2010, the Subsidiaries entered into two additional reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re providing up to $150,000 of reinsurance coverage for protection against losses over a three-year period from individual hurricane events in Hawaii and along the Gulf and Eastern Coasts of the United States. The agreements expire in May 2013. Ibis Re financed the property catastrophe reinsurance coverage by issuing catastrophe bonds in an aggregate amount of $150,000 to unrelated investors (the “Series 2010-1 Notes”).

The $300,000 of fully collateralized hurricane coverage, purchased from Ibis Re provides per occurrence first event coverage as part of the Company’s catastrophe program. This $300,000 of coverage represents approximately 26.5% of the $1,130,000 of first event coverage (net of reimbursements of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund) purchased by the Company in excess of the Company’s $155,000 retention. The coverage is expected to provide protection for a storm that generates in excess of approximately $450,000 of losses net of any reimbursements from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

 

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Assurant, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)—(Continued)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

(In thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Under the terms of these reinsurance agreements, the Subsidiaries are obligated to pay annual reinsurance premiums to Ibis Re for the reinsurance coverage. The reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re utilize a dual trigger that is based upon an index that is created by applying predetermined percentages to insured industry losses in each state in the covered area as reported by an independent party and the Subsidiaries’ covered losses incurred. Reinsurance contracts that have a separate, pre-identified variable (e.g., a loss-based index) are accounted for as reinsurance if certain conditions are met. In the case of the reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re, these conditions were met, thus the Company accounted for them as reinsurance in accordance with the guidance for reinsurance contracts.

Amounts payable to the Subsidiaries under the reinsurance agreements will be determined by the index-based losses, which are designed to approximate the Subsidiaries’ actual losses from any covered event. The amount of actual losses and index losses from any covered event may differ. For each covered event, Ibis Re pays the Subsidiaries the lesser of the covered index-based losses or the Subsidiaries’ actual losses. The principal amount of the catastrophe bonds will be reduced by any amounts paid to the Subsidiaries under the reinsurance agreements. The Subsidiaries have not incurred any losses subject to the reinsurance agreements since their inception.

As with any reinsurance agreement, there is credit risk associated with collecting amounts due from reinsurers. In connection with the issuance of the Series 2009-1 Notes, Ibis Re set up two reinsurance trusts to hold certain investments to secure payments to the Subsidiaries under the reinsurance agreements and the repayment of principal to the bondholders, as applicable, and entered into two related total return swap agreements. Refer to the “Loss Protection and Capital Management” section included in Note 14 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for further discussion.

With regard to the Series 2010-1 Notes, the credit risk is mitigated by two reinsurance trust accounts. Each reinsurance trust account has been funded by Ibis Re with money market funds that invest solely in direct government obligations backed by the U.S. government with maturities of no more than 13 months. The money market funds must have a principal stability rating of at least AAA by Standard & Poor’s.

At the time the agreements were entered into with Ibis Re, the Company evaluated the applicability of the accounting guidance that addresses variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Entities which do not have sufficient equity at risk to allow the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support or in which the equity investors, as a group, do not have the characteristic of a controlling financial interest are referred to as VIEs. A VIE is consolidated by the variable interest holder that is determined to have the controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary) as a result of having both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of an entity subject to consolidation based on a qualitative assessment of the VIE’s capital structure, contractual terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose and the Company’s relative exposure to the related risks of the VIE on the date it becomes initially involved in the VIE. The Company reassesses its VIE determination with respect to an entity on an ongoing basis.

As a result of the evaluation of the reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re, the Company concluded that Ibis Re is a VIE. However, while Ibis Re is a VIE, the Company concluded that it does not have a significant variable interest in Ibis Re as the variability in Ibis Re’s results, caused by the reinsurance agreements, is expected to be absorbed entirely by the bondholders and the Company is not entitled to any residual amounts. Accordingly, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of Ibis Re and does not consolidate the entity in the Company’s financial statements.

 

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

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) addresses the financial condition of Assurant, Inc. and its subsidiaries (which we refer to collectively as “Assurant” or “the Company”) as of September 30, 2010, compared with December 31, 2009, and our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our MD&A and annual audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2009 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the September 30, 2010 unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Third Quarter 2010 Form 10-Q and other documents related to the Company are available free of charge through the SEC website at www.sec.gov and through our website at www.assurant.com.

Some of the statements included in this MD&A and elsewhere in this report, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies and similar matters, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the fact that they may use words like “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “should,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “potential,” or other forms of those words or similar words. Our actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or other developments.

In addition to the factors described under “Critical Factors Affecting Results,” the following risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those currently estimated by management: (i) the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as well as the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 and the rules and regulations thereunder (“Health Care Reform”) on our health and employee benefits businesses; (ii) factors, including the effects of Health Care Reform and the relationship between the Company’s market capitalization and its book value, that could result in a material impairment of goodwill on the company’s balance sheet; (iii) loss of significant client relationships, distribution sources and contracts; (iv) failure to attract and retain sales representatives; (v) losses due to natural and man-made catastrophes; (vi) a decline in our credit or financial strength ratings (including the risk of ratings downgrades in the insurance industry); (vii) actions by governmental agencies that could result in the reduction of the premium rates we charge; (viii) unfavorable outcomes in litigation and/or regulatory investigations that could negatively affect our business and reputation; (ix) current or new laws and regulations that could increase our costs and/or decrease our revenues; (x) general global economic, financial market and political conditions (including difficult conditions in financial, capital and credit markets, the global economic slowdown, fluctuations in interest rates, mortgage rates, monetary policies, unemployment and inflationary pressure); (xi) inadequacy of reserves established for future claims losses; (xii) failure to predict or manage benefits, claims and other costs; (xiii) increases or decreases in tax valuation allowances; (xiv) fluctuations in exchange rates and other risks related to our international operations; (xv) unavailability, inadequacy and unaffordable pricing of reinsurance coverage; (xvi) diminished value of invested assets in our investment portfolio (due to, among other things, volatility in financial markets, the global economic slowdown, credit and liquidity risk, other than temporary impairments and inability to target an appropriate overall risk level); (xvii) insolvency of third parties to whom we have sold or may sell businesses through reinsurance or modified co-insurance; (xviii) inability of reinsurers to meet their obligations; (xix) credit risk of some of our agents in Assurant Specialty Property and Assurant Solutions; (xx) failure to effectively maintain and modernize our information systems; (xxi) failure to protect client information and privacy; (xxii) failure to find and integrate suitable acquisitions and new insurance ventures; (xxiii) inability of our subsidiaries to pay sufficient dividends; (xxiv) failure to provide for succession of senior management and key executives; and (xxv) significant competitive pressures in our businesses and (xxvi) cyclicality of the insurance industry. For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that could affect our actual results, please refer to the risk factors identified in our SEC reports, including, but not limited to, our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and this Third Quarter 2010 Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC.

Executive Summary

Assurant has five reportable segments. Our four operating segments are Assurant Solutions, Assurant Specialty Property, Assurant Health, and Assurant Employee Benefits. These operating segments partner with clients who are leaders in their industries in the United States of America (the “U.S.”) and select worldwide markets. The Assurant operating segments provide creditor-placed homeowners insurance, manufactured housing homeowners insurance, debt protection administration, credit-related insurance, warranties and service contracts, individual health and small employer group health insurance, group dental insurance, group disability insurance, group life insurance and pre-funded funeral insurance.

Our fifth segment, Corporate & Other, includes activities of the holding company, financing and interest expenses, net realized gains and losses on investments, interest income earned from short-term investments held and additional costs associated with excess of loss reinsurance programs reinsured and ceded to certain subsidiaries in the London market between 1995 and 1997. Corporate & Other also includes the amortization of deferred gains associated with the sales of Fortis Financial Group and Long-Term Care through reinsurance agreements.

 

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The following discussion relates to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 (“Third Quarter 2010” and “Nine Months 2010,” respectively) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 (“Third Quarter 2009” and “Nine Months 2009,” respectively).

Results for Third Quarter 2010 and Nine Months 2010 improved over their comparable 2009 periods in all four operating segments. Our results demonstrate our ability to adapt our product offerings and manage expenses, while pursuing new sources of revenue growth to build a stronger foundation for long-term growth.

International results for Assurant Solutions improved, achieving a combined ratio of 104.1% during Third Quarter 2010, a 320 basis point improvement since Second Quarter 2010, and we expect continued improvement over the remainder of 2010. Because of the interaction of foreign and domestic tax rates, the effective tax rate for Assurant Solutions was lower than in the first two quarters of 2010. Our Preneed life insurance business also continues to produce strong results as net income and face sales both increased over the prior year period, primarily due to our partnership with Service Corporation International (“SCI”).

We expect our international credit insurance, worldwide extended service contracts, including wireless business, and Preneed businesses to drive future growth for Solutions. We expect that revenue growth generated from these businesses will help compensate for the decline in domestic credit business and the impact of domestic extended service contract clients in bankruptcy, such as Circuit City.

At Assurant Specialty Property, Third Quarter 2010 results were strong, aided by a mild hurricane season. New clients added during the past several quarters are adding to revenue, helping counter an expected decline in creditor-placed homeowners insurance over the long term.

Improved financial results at Assurant Health over the prior periods were primarily due to pricing actions and plan design changes that were implemented during the second half of 2009. However, Health Care Reform has begun to affect our results and may materially and adversely affect results over the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.

During Third Quarter 2010 we adapted to a changing healthcare market by modifying some products and discontinuing the sale of others, while reducing expenses. We also developed and introduced new products in mid-September that address our customers concerns about coverage and affordability.

We are in the early stages of repositioning our health business due to Health Care Reform. We have taken costs out of the business and will continue to drive for greater efficiency and effectiveness in our operations.

At Assurant Employee Benefits, results improved through continued focus on the small employer, pricing discipline and expense management. Operating results benefited from very favorable disability incidence rates, an improving dental product line and continued good mortality experience. However, we expect the long-term disability loss ratio to increase as disability experience begins to revert to more traditional levels and the current low interest rate environment requires higher reserves for new long-term disability claims. Conversely, we expect dental loss experience to improve, the business to continue benefiting from the expense reductions implemented earlier this year and premiums to increase when our small business customers start hiring again. In addition, Assurant Employee Benefits is focused on driving growth through worksite and disability products and Disability Reinsurance Management Service (“DRMS”), our alternative distribution channel.

 

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We expect interest rates to rise from the current low interest rate environment, but the timing of such changes is uncertain. Similar to other insurance companies, we are experiencing reductions in investment income from declining yields. However, we believe our low turnover and longer duration investment strategy will moderate the pace of decline in overall portfolio yields due to lower reinvestment yields.

Continued low interest rates may have a material impact on the long-term disability reserve interest rate affecting Assurant Employee Benefits. Additionally, all of our segments are affected by the cost of our retirement benefit plans. Due to reductions in the pension liability discount rate used in valuing our plans, retirement benefit expenses will be $9,755 higher in 2010 than in 2009, with $4,566 of that increase expensed over the remainder of 2010. We expect further reductions in the discount rate next year, which will increase retirement benefit expense an additional $10,000 (approximately) in 2011.

During Third Quarter 2010 we repurchased 1,237,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock for $44,866, bringing total 2010 repurchases to 10,730,000 shares or 9% of shares outstanding as of December 31, 2009. In addition, we paid shareholder dividends of $17,238 during Third Quarter 2010. During 2010, we have returned more than $420,000 of capital to shareholders through repurchases and dividend payments.

Critical Factors Affecting Results and Liquidity

Our results depend on the adequacy of our product pricing, underwriting and the accuracy of our methodology for the establishment of reserves for future policyholder benefits and claims, returns on and values of invested assets and our ability to manage our expenses. Therefore, factors affecting these items, including unemployment, difficult conditions in financial markets and the global economy, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Similarly, the effects of proposed or recently passed government regulation, including Health Care Reform on our operations, sales and profitability are not yet known, but could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. For more information on these factors, see “Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Item 7—MD&A Critical Factors Affecting Results” in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and “Item 1A-Risk Factors” in this report below.

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Health Care Reform, which represent significant changes to the current U.S. health care system. The legislation is far-reaching and is intended to expand access to health insurance coverage over time. The legislation includes a requirement that most individuals obtain health insurance coverage beginning in 2014 and that most large employers offer coverage to their employees or they will be required to pay a financial penalty. In addition, the new laws encompass certain new taxes and fees, including limitations on the amount of compensation that is tax deductible and new fees which may not be deductible for income tax purposes.

The legislation will also impose new requirements and restrictions, including, but not limited to, guaranteed coverage requirements, prohibitions on some annual and all lifetime limits on amounts paid on behalf of or to our members, increased restrictions on rescinding coverage, establishment of minimum medical loss ratio requirements, the establishment of state insurance exchanges and essential benefit packages and greater limitations on product pricing.

 

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Although the National Association of Insurance Commissions has issued model regulations to implement the minimum medical loss ratio (“MLR”) and rebate provisions of Health Care Reform, certain issues remain to be fully resolved, including issues arising from possible further requests by state insurance commissioners for relief from the MLR and the response from the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) to such request.

During Second Quarter 2010, we completed an extensive review of our health business and considered a number of possible future strategies. Three critical themes emerged from our review: we believe we will have significant opportunities for us to sell individual medical insurance products, although the dynamics and characteristics of the post-reform market will be different; specialty expertise will still be required; and we believe that we can earn adequate profits in this business over the long-term, without making large commitments of capital. In order to do so, we will have to reduce operating and distribution costs and modify our product lines. Such changes are underway. We may refine our strategy as new regulations are issued or additional regulatory agency actions are taken in the wake of Health Care Reform. The full impact of Health Care Reform will not be known for many years. For more information, see “Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Item 7—MD&A Critical Factors Affecting Results” in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and “Item 1A-Risk Factors” in this report below.

Management believes the Company will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy its needs over the next twelve months including the ability to pay interest on our Senior Notes and dividends on our common shares.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net cash provided by operating activities, including the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents totaled $463,800; net cash used in investing activities totaled $100,488 and net cash used in financing activities totaled $513,557. We had $1,168,307 in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2010. Please see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” below for further details.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K described the accounting policies and estimates that are critical to the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. The accounting policies and estimation process described in the 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K were consistently applied to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

In our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our accounting policy and estimation process for goodwill was disclosed. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets accounting guidance requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which for the Company is our operating segments, on an annual basis or between annual tests if an event or circumstances would be reasonably likely to cause the fair value of the reporting unit to be below its carrying value. The term “reasonably likely” refers to an occurrence that is more than remote but less than probable in the judgment of Management. The Company performs its annual testing during the fourth quarter each year.

Calculating the fair value of any of the Company’s operating segments requires Management to use various assumptions and estimates, including but not limited to: forecasted segment operating revenues and underwriting profits, investment income and dividends, discount rates and exit multiples. If these assumptions and estimates change, an impairment charge may be required for some or all of the goodwill assigned to the operation segment. If an impairment charge is necessary, the non-cash charge may be material.

Health Care Reform could have a material impact on the valuation of the goodwill attributed to our Assurant Health segment. Certain transition issues have yet to be resolved, making even near-term projections difficult. For example, the 80% minimum medical loss ratio for individual markets is subject to adjustment by HHS, if HHS determines that the requirement is disruptive to the market for individual medical insurance in a state. As key provisions of the legislation are clarified and we are better able to estimate the impact on our results, we could conclude that our goodwill and other intangible assets are impaired. See “Item 1A – Risk Factors” for further details.

 

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Assurant Consolidated

Overview

The table below presents information regarding our consolidated results of operations:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Revenues:

           

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 1,832,514       $ 1,874,398       $ 5,589,052       $ 5,624,843   

Net investment income

     176,170         172,924         525,380         526,335   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     6,043         19,866         29,668         (41,965

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses

     6,024         6,802         18,129         20,354   

Fees and other income

     93,220         82,883         259,892         388,792   
                                   

Total revenues

     2,113,971         2,156,873         6,422,121         6,518,359   
                                   

Benefits, losses and expenses:

           

Policyholder benefits

     913,253         941,145         2,746,565         2,890,889   

Selling, underwriting and general expenses (1)

     958,824         991,502         2,901,518         2,933,510   

Interest expense

     15,162         15,160         45,484         45,509   
                                   

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     1,887,239         1,947,807         5,693,567         5,869,908   
                                   

Income before provision for income taxes

     226,732         209,066         728,554         648,451   

Provision for income taxes

     85,062         64,336         264,986         229,818   
                                   

Net income

   $ 141,670       $ 144,730       $ 463,568       $ 418,633   
                                   

 

(1) Includes amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and value of business acquired (“VOBA”) and underwriting, general and administrative expenses.

The following discussion provides a general overall analysis of how the consolidated results were affected by our four operating segments and our Corporate and Other segment for Third Quarter 2010 and Nine Months 2010, and Third Quarter 2009 and Nine Months 2009. Please see the discussion that follows, for each of these segments, for a more detailed analysis of the fluctuations.

For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

The Company reported net income of $141,670 in Third Quarter 2010, a decrease of $3,060 or 2%, compared with $144,730 of net income for Third Quarter 2009. The decrease was primarily due to $8,985 (after-tax) of lower net realized gains on investments, primarily related to a $5,850 (after-tax) allowance on a commercial mortgage investment. In addition, the Third Quarter 2010 effective tax rate was 37.5% compared with 30.8% for Third Quarter 2009 reflecting changes in certain tax assets and liabilities during the periods. Partially offsetting the effect of these items were improved results in our Assurant Health and Assurant Employee Benefit segments.

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Net income increased $44,935, or 11%, to $463,568 for Nine Months 2010 from $418,633 for Nine Months 2009. The increase was primarily due to a $46,561 (after-tax) improvement in net realized gains (losses) on investments and improved results in all four operating segments.

 

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Assurant Solutions

Overview

The tables below present information regarding Assurant Solutions’ segment results of operations:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 611,264      $ 669,344      $ 1,886,310      $ 1,980,891   

Net investment income

     99,084        97,681        296,493        292,782   

Fees and other income

     59,090        50,093        159,382        154,084   
                                

Total revenues

     769,438        817,118        2,342,185        2,427,757   
                                

Benefits, losses and expenses:

        

Policyholder benefits

     223,597        248,933        680,004        782,280   

Selling, underwriting and general expenses

     496,032        520,217        1,510,294        1,505,209   
                                

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     719,629        769,150        2,190,298        2,287,489   
                                

Segment income before provision for income taxes

     49,809        47,968        151,887        140,268   

Provision for income taxes

     17,476        16,324        60,365        50,419   
                                

Segment net income

   $ 32,333      $ 31,644      $ 91,522      $ 89,849   
                                

Net earned premiums and other considerations:

        

Domestic:

        

Credit

   $ 46,791      $ 59,562      $ 145,062      $ 188,243   

Service contracts

     313,861        348,258        989,000        1,049,549   

Other (1)

     11,677        24,471        36,613        61,104   
                                

Total domestic

     372,329        432,291        1,170,675        1,298,896   
                                

International:

        

Credit

     87,901        80,743        258,000        234,751   

Service contracts

     116,049        108,458        342,513        293,641   

Other (1)

     4,217        4,025        13,584        11,792   
                                

Total international

     208,167        193,226        614,097        540,184   
                                

Preneed

     30,768        43,827        101,538        141,811   
                                

Total

   $ 611,264      $ 669,344      $ 1,886,310      $ 1,980,891   
                                

Fees and other income:

        

Domestic:

        

Debt protection

   $ 7,541      $ 10,541      $ 25,611      $ 30,044   

Service contracts

     29,216        23,384        79,881        74,161   

Other (1)

     2,127        4,443        6,790        13,983   
                                

Total domestic

     38,884        38,368        112,282        118,188   
                                

International

     7,561        7,400        20,876        20,802   

Preneed

     12,645        4,325        26,224        15,094   
                                

Total

   $ 59,090      $ 50,093      $ 159,382      $ 154,084   
                                

Gross written premiums (2):

        

Domestic:

        

Credit

   $ 109,389      $ 134,597      $ 320,518      $ 406,393   

Service contracts

     272,044        259,316        841,199        751,505   

Other (1)

     17,014        14,210        47,225        73,269   
                                

Total domestic

     398,447        408,123        1,208,942        1,231,167   
                                

International:

        

Credit

     238,510        221,581        725,390        590,565   

Service contracts

     129,984        118,256        361,392        323,820   

Other (1)

     5,159        7,652        16,705        19,773   
                                

Total international

     373,653        347,489        1,103,487        934,158   
                                

Total

   $ 772,100      $ 755,612      $ 2,312,429      $ 2,165,325   
                                

Preneed (face sales)

   $ 211,834      $ 137,301      $ 579,589      $ 366,688   
                                

Combined ratios (3):

        

Domestic

     99.8     98.2     97.9     98.1

International

     104.1     108.8     106.3     109.3

 

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(1) This includes emerging products and run-off products lines.
(2) Gross written premiums does not necessarily translate to an equal amount of subsequent net earned premiums since Assurant Solutions reinsures a portion of its premiums to insurance subsidiaries of its clients.
(3) The combined ratio is equal to total benefits, losses and expenses divided by net earned premiums and other considerations and fees and other income excluding the preneed business.

For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment net income increased $689, or 2%, to $32,333 for Third Quarter 2010 from $31,644 for Third Quarter 2009. The increase was primarily due to better international results driven by improved loss experience in our United Kingdom (“UK”) credit insurance business and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. These items were partially offset by less favorable loss experience in our domestic service contract business.

Total Revenues

Total revenues decreased $47,680, or 6%, to $769,438 for Third Quarter 2010 from $817,118 for Third Quarter 2009. The decrease was primarily due to lower net earned premiums of $58,080. Domestic extended service contract business declined as a result of the discontinuation of extended service contract sales from existing clients and former clients that have fallen into bankruptcy, primarily Circuit City in 2009. However, this decline was partially offset by business generated from new clients. Additionally, net earned premiums decreased due to the continued run-off of preneed policies sold before January 1, 2009 and our domestic credit insurance business. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our international business primarily in Canada and Latin America from both new and existing client growth in credit and service contract businesses and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Fees and other income also grew due to favorable results in the preneed business. Net investment income increased $1,403 due to higher invested assets as well as the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Gross written premiums increased $16,488, or 2%, to $772,100 for Third Quarter 2010 from $755,612 for Third Quarter 2009. This increase was driven by higher premiums from our international credit business of $16,929 due to growth across several countries from both new and existing clients and from the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross written premiums from our domestic service contract business increased $12,728, due to the addition of new clients and an increase in automobile service contracts purchased as auto sales increase. Gross written premiums from our international service contract business increased $11,728, attributable to favorable sales results at many of our existing clients and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross written premiums from our domestic credit insurance business decreased $25,208, due to the continued runoff of this product line.

Preneed face sales increased $74,533 as consumers purchased policies in advance of a tax change in certain provinces of Canada. The remaining increase was due to growth from our exclusive distribution partnership with SCI and increased sales initiatives.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $49,521, or 6%, to $719,629 for Third Quarter 2010 from $769,150 for Third Quarter 2009. Policyholder benefits decreased $25,336 primarily due to improved loss experience in our UK credit business, the run-off of preneed policies sold before January 1, 2009, and the continued run-off of our domestic credit business. These positive variances were partially offset by less favorable loss experience in our domestic service contract business resulting from an increase in the severity of claims within the consumer goods market. Selling, underwriting and general expenses decreased $24,185. Commissions, taxes, licenses and fees, of which amortization of DAC is a component, decreased $22,948 directly related to lower earnings in our domestic service contract business, partially offset by increased commissions due to higher earnings in our international business coupled with the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. General expenses decreased $1,237 driven by cost savings realized as a result of restructuring efforts made during 2009. Despite this decrease, we expect to continue incurring startup costs as we grow the Solutions business and its distribution channels.

 

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For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment net income increased $1,673, or 2%, to $91,522 for Nine Months 2010 from $89,849 for Nine Months 2009 primarily due to improved loss experience in our UK credit insurance business, favorable domestic service contract loss experience and impact of foreign exchange rates. In addition, Nine Months 2009 net income included a $2,400 (after-tax) restructuring charge. These items were partially offset by decreased underwriting results in our run-off businesses, a $4,558 (after-tax) change in the value of our consumer price index caps (derivative instruments that protect against inflation risk in our preneed product), and a higher effective tax rate. The higher effective tax rate was primarily caused by a $2,800 increase in a tax valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets stemming from our European business restructuring.

Total Revenues

Total revenues decreased $85,572, or 4%, to $2,342,185 for Nine Months 2010 from $2,427,757 for Nine Months 2009. The decrease was the result of lower net earned premiums of $94,581 primarily the result of lower earnings in our domestic service contract business resulting from reduced retail sales in prior periods from both existing clients and former clients that are no longer in business. Additionally, net earned premiums decreased due to the continued run-off of preneed policies sold before January 1, 2009; and the continued runoff of our domestic credit insurance business. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in our domestic service contract business resulting from the addition of new clients and increases in our international business from growth in both our credit and service contracts products and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Fees and other income also increased as a result of increases in preneed business, partially offset by a decrease due to mark-to-market losses associated with our consumer price index caps (discussed above). Net investment income increased due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Gross written premiums increased $147,104, or 7%, to $2,312,429 for Nine Months 2010 from $2,165,325 for Nine Months 2009. This increase was driven by higher international credit business of $134,825 due to growth across several countries from both new and existing clients and from the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Gross written premiums from our domestic service contract business increased $89,694 due to the addition of new clients and an increase in auto service contracts as auto sales increase. Also, gross written premiums increased $21,200 from a one-time First Quarter 2010 true-up of premiums reported by certain third parties in a timelier manner than in the past. This true-up had no effect on net earned premiums. Gross written premiums from our international service contract business increased $37,572, primarily due to favorable foreign exchange rates and growth from existing clients, partially offset by lower premiums in Denmark due to our decision to exit that market in 2009. Gross written premiums from our domestic credit insurance business decreased $85,875, due to the continued runoff of this product line. Other domestic gross written premiums decreased $26,044 mainly due to a one-time campaign with Ford Motor Company conducted and completed in Second Quarter 2009 for which earnings continued into future periods.

Preneed face sales increased $212,901 primarily from the result of increased consumer buying in advance of a less favorable consumer tax rate change in certain Canadian provinces, as well as growth from our exclusive distribution partnership with SCI and increased sales initiatives.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $97,191, or 4%, to $2,190,298 for Nine Months 2010 from $2,287,489 for Nine Months 2009. Policyholder benefits decreased $102,276 primarily due to improved loss experience in our domestic service contract business from existing and run-off clients, the run-off of preneed policies sold before January 1, 2009, and the continued run-off of our domestic credit business. Selling, underwriting and general expenses increased $5,085. Commissions, taxes, licenses and fees, of which amortization of DAC is a component, decreased $1,440 due in part to lower earnings in our domestic service contract business, partially offset by increased commissions due to higher earnings in our international business coupled with the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. General expenses increased $6,525 primarily due to the amortization of previously capitalized upfront client commission payments, as we continue to grow our international business and distribution channels, as well as the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Partially offsetting these increases is a restructuring charge of $3,700 in Nine Months 2009 and cost savings realized as a result of this restructuring in Nine Months 2010.

 

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Assurant Specialty Property

Overview

The tables below present information regarding Assurant Specialty Property’s segment results of operations:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 481,108      $ 478,701      $ 1,467,052      $ 1,450,329   

Net investment income

     27,064        26,550        81,007        84,306   

Fees and other income

     18,544        15,100        50,492        42,066   
                                

Total revenues

     526,716        520,351        1,598,551        1,576,701   
                                

Benefits, losses and expenses:

        

Policyholder benefits

     165,977        156,076        503,716        502,043   

Selling, underwriting and general expenses

     197,992        206,992        594,855        620,325   
                                

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     363,969        363,068        1,098,571        1,122,368   
                                

Segment income before provision for income taxes

     162,747        157,283        499,980        454,333   

Provision for income taxes

     56,094        54,126        171,132        155,280   
                                

Segment net income

   $ 106,653      $ 103,157      $ 328,848      $ 299,053   
                                

Net earned premiums and other considerations:

        

By major product groupings

        

Homeowners (creditor placed and voluntary)

   $ 330,375      $ 333,068      $ 1,010,519      $ 1,017,853   

Manufactured housing (creditor placed and voluntary)

     54,120        54,347        165,306        165,351   

Other (1)

     96,613        91,286        291,227        267,125   
                                

Total

   $ 481,108      $ 478,701      $ 1,467,052      $ 1,450,329   
                                

Ratios:

        

Loss ratio (2)

     34.5     32.6     34.3     34.6

Expense ratio (3)

     39.6     41.9     39.2     41.6

Combined ratio (4)

     72.8     73.5     72.4     75.2

 

(1) This primarily includes flood, miscellaneous specialty property and renters insurance products.
(2) The loss ratio is equal to policyholder benefits divided by net earned premiums and other considerations.
(3) The expense ratio is equal to selling, underwriting and general expenses divided by net earned premiums and other considerations and fees and other income.
(4) The combined ratio is equal to total benefits, losses and expenses divided by net earned premiums and other considerations and fees and other income.

For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment net income increased $3,496, or 3%, to $106,653 for Third Quarter 2010 from $103,157 for Third Quarter 2009 despite the non-recurrence of a $5,865 subrogation reimbursement in Third Quarter 2009. The improvement is primarily due to a $23,469 increase in creditor-placed homeowners gross earned premiums partially offset by the effect of changes in client contracts.

Total Revenues

Total revenues increased $6,365 or 1%, to $526,716 for Third Quarter 2010 from $520,351 for Third Quarter 2009. Growth in creditor-placed homeowners, creditor-placed flood and renters insurance net earned premiums and increased fee income were partially offset by increased ceded creditor-placed homeowners’ premiums and lower real estate owned premiums.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses increased $901 or less than 1%, to $363,969 for Third Quarter 2010 from $363,068 for Third Quarter 2009. Policyholder benefits increased $9,901 primarily due to the non-recurrence of a $9,023 subrogation

 

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reimbursement in Third Quarter 2009 related to the 2007 California Wild Fires. There were no reportable catastrophe losses in Third Quarter 2010 or 2009. Commissions, taxes, licenses and fees decreased $14,904, primarily due to client contract changes that resulted in lower commissions expenses. General expenses increased $5,904 primarily due to increased employee related expenses.

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment net income increased $29,795, or 10%, to $328,848 for Nine Months 2010 from $299,053 for Nine Months 2009. The improvement is primarily due to a $50,939 increase in creditor-placed homeowners gross earned premiums partially offset by the effect of changes in client contracts.

Total Revenues

Total revenues increased $21,850 or 1%, to $1,598,551 for Nine Months 2010 from $1,576,701 for Nine Months 2009. Growth in creditor-placed homeowners, creditor-placed flood and renters net earned premiums and increased fee income were offset by increased ceded creditor-placed homeowners’ premiums and lower real estate owned premiums.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $23,797 or 2%, to $1,098,571 for Nine Months 2010 from $1,122,368 for Nine Months 2009. The decrease was primarily due to a $25,470 decline in Nine Months 2010 selling, underwriting, and general expenses compared with Nine Months 2009 partially offset by increased policyholder benefits of $1,673. The overall loss ratio decreased 30 basis points primarily due to lower small-scale weather related losses partially offset by $7,670 of reportable catastrophe losses from the Tennessee storms and the non-recurrence of a $9,023 subrogation reimbursement in Third Quarter 2009 related to the 2007 California Wild Fires. There were no reportable catastrophe losses in Nine Months 2010. Commissions, taxes, licenses and fees decreased $26,914, primarily due to client contract changes that resulted in lower commission expenses and a release of a premium tax reserve. General expenses increased $1,444 primarily due to increased employee related expenses.

 

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Assurant Health

Overview

The tables below present information regarding Assurant Health’s segment results of operations:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 467,726      $ 470,385      $ 1,402,873      $ 1,411,626   

Net investment income

     11,985        11,770        35,628        36,320   

Fees and other income

     10,027        10,140        30,683        29,901   
                                

Total revenues

     489,738        492,295        1,469,184        1,477,847   
                                

Benefits, losses and expenses:

        

Policyholder benefits

     334,216        353,412        980,623        1,033,016   

Selling, underwriting and general expenses

     145,694        147,475        427,614        446,872   
                                

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     479,910        500,887        1,408,237        1,479,888   
                                

Segment income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     9,828        (8,592     60,947        (2,041

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     4,488        (3,745     21,938        (1,536
                                

Segment net income (loss)

   $ 5,340      $ (4,847   $ 39,009      $ (505
                                

Net earned premiums and other considerations:

        

Individual markets:

        

Individual medical

   $ 323,871      $ 317,820      $ 969,733      $ 950,983   

Short-term medical

     22,131        27,278        65,683        79,930   
                                

Subtotal

     346,002        345,098        1,035,416        1,030,913   

Small employer group

     121,724        125,287        367,457        380,713   
                                

Total

   $ 467,726      $ 470,385      $ 1,402,873      $ 1,411,626   
                                

Membership by product line:

        

Individual markets:

        

Individual medical

         538        568   

Short-term medical

         70        91   
                    

Subtotal

         608        659   

Small employer group:

         113        122   
                    

Total

         721        781   
                    

Ratios:

        

Loss ratio (1)

     71.5     75.1     69.9     73.2

Expense ratio (2)

     30.5     30.7     29.8     31.0

Combined ratio (3)

     100.5     104.2     98.2     102.7

 

(1) The loss ratio is equal to policyholder benefits divided by net earned premiums and other considerations.
(2) The expense ratio is equal to selling, underwriting and general expenses divided by net earned premiums and other considerations and fees and other income.
(3) The combined ratio is equal to total benefits, losses and expenses divided by net earned premiums and other considerations and fees and other income.

Health Care Reform

In March 2010, President Obama signed Health Care Reform into law. Provisions of Health Care Reform have and will become effective at various dates over the next several years. As discussed above in “Critical Factors Affecting Results and Liquidity”, during Second Quarter 2010, management completed an extensive review of the Assurant Health segment and considered a number of possible strategies. On the basis of this review, management believes that opportunities continue to exist in the individual medical marketplace and has started to consider the modifications necessary to operate in the new environment. However, the HHS has yet to issue final regulations with respect to Health Care Reform. As a result, the exact impact of Health Care

 

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Reform is not yet fully known. Given the sweeping nature of the changes represented by Health Care Reform, our results of operations and financial position, including our ability to maintain the value of our goodwill and other intangible assets, could be materially adversely affected.

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment results increased $10,187, or 210%, to net income of $5,340 for Third Quarter 2010 from a net loss of $(4,847) for Third Quarter 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to corrective pricing actions and plan design changes taken previously, a $8,125 (after-tax) claim-related lawsuit charge recognized in Third Quarter 2009, and reduced expenses associated with expense management initiatives. These increase were partially offset by a restructuring charge in Third Quarter 2010 of $4,969 (after-tax) and increased income tax expense in Third Quarter 2010 due to certain limitations on the deductibility of employee compensation caused by Health Care Reform. A further reduction in force charge of $1,300 (after-tax) is expected in Fourth Quarter 2010.

Total Revenues

Total revenues decreased $2,557, or less than 1%, to $489,738 for Third Quarter 2010 from $492,295 for Third Quarter 2009. Net earned premiums and other considerations from our individual medical business increased $6,051, or 2%, due to premium rate increases, partially offset by lower sales of new policies. Net earned premiums and other considerations from our small employer group business decreased $3,563, or 3%, due to a continued high level of policy lapses, partially offset by premium rate increases. In addition, short-term medical net earned premiums and other considerations decreased $5,147 due to a reduction in policies sold, partially offset by premium rate increases. Sales during Third Quarter 2010 were adversely affected due to modifications of our product portfolio to comply with Health Care Reform. Certain products were discontinued while some products were replaced to address the affordability concerns of consumers. Sales of these new products began in mid-September. Sales over the remainder of 2010 may be lower than our prior levels as consumer uncertainty lingers related to Health Care Reform.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $20,977, or 4%, to $479,910 for Third Quarter 2010 from $500,887 for Third Quarter 2009. Policyholder benefits decreased $19,196, or 5%, and the benefit loss ratio decreased to 71.5% from 75.1%. The decrease in the benefit loss ratio was primarily attributable to corrective pricing actions and plan design changes taken previously and a $12,500 claim-related lawsuit charge in Third Quarter 2009. Selling, underwriting and general expenses decreased $1,781, or 1%, primarily due to reduced employee-related and advertising expenses, lower amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and reduced commissions based on lower sales of new policies. A restructuring charge of $7,644 in Third Quarter 2010 was the result of expense management initiatives taken to transition the business for the post-healthcare reform environment.

 

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For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment results increased $39,514, to net income of $39,009 for Nine Months 2010 from a net loss of $(505) for Nine Months 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to corrective pricing actions and plan design changes that began in late 2009, favorable claim reserve development, a $17,421 (after-tax) benefit from a reserve decrease due to a legal settlement, and reduced expenses associated with expense management initiatives, partially offset by a restructuring charge of $4,969 (after-tax) in Nine Months 2010. Nine Months 2009 also included a charge of $8,125 (after-tax) relating to an unfavorable ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court in a claim-related lawsuit.

Total Revenues

Total revenues decreased $8,663, or 1%, to $1,469,184 for Nine Months 2010 from $1,477,847 for Nine Months 2009. Net earned premiums and other considerations from our individual medical business increased $18,750, or 2%, due to premium rate increases, partially offset by declining members resulting from a continued high level of policy lapses and lower sales. Net earned premiums and other considerations from our small employer group business decreased $13,256, or 3%, due to a continued high level of policy lapses, partially offset by premium rate increases. In addition, short-term medical net earned premiums and other considerations decreased $14,247 due to a reduction in policies sold, partially offset by premium rate increases.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses decreased $71,651, or 5%, to $1,408,237 for Nine Months 2010 from $1,479,888 for Nine Months 2009. Policyholder benefits decreased $52,393, or 5%, and the benefit loss ratio decreased to 69.9% from 73.2%. The decrease in the benefit loss ratio was primarily due to a $26, 802 benefit from a reserve decrease due to a legal settlement and favorable claim reserve development during Nine Months 2010 compared to last year, partially offset by higher estimated claim experience in small employer group business. Nine Months 2009 also included a charge of $12,500 relating to an unfavorable ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court in a claim-related lawsuit. Selling, underwriting and general expenses decreased $19,258, or 4%, primarily due to reduced employee-related and advertising expenses, lower amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and reduced commissions based on lower sales of new policies. A Third Quarter 2010 restructuring charge of $7,644 was the result of expense management initiatives to help transition the business for the post-healthcare reform environment.

 

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Assurant Employee Benefits

Overview

The tables below present information regarding Assurant Employee Benefits’ segment results of operations:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Net earned premiums and other considerations

   $ 272,416      $ 255,968      $ 832,817      $ 781,997   

Net investment income

     33,599        33,039        99,008        100,662   

Fees and other income

     5,528        7,467        19,091        21,765   
                                

Total revenues

     311,543        296,474        950,916        904,424   
                                

Benefits, losses and expenses:

        

Policyholder benefits

     189,463        182,632        584,260        568,130   

Selling, underwriting and general expenses

     96,162        96,529        296,751        289,809   
                                

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     285,625        279,161        881,011        857,939   
                                

Segment income before provision for income taxes

     25,918        17,313        69,905        46,485   

Provision for income taxes

     8,986        5,863        24,113        15,885   
                                

Segment net income

   $ 16,932      $ 11,450      $ 45,792      $ 30,600   
                                

Net earned premiums and other considerations:

        

By major product grouping:

        

Group dental

   $ 103,786      $ 105,507      $ 316,145      $ 316,378   

Group disability

     120,562        103,460        372,369        321,659   

Group life

     48,068        47,001        144,303        143,960   
                                

Total

   $ 272,416      $ 255,968      $ 832,817      $ 781,997   
                                

Ratios:

        

Loss ratio (1)

     69.5     71.3     70.2     72.7

Expense ratio (2)

     34.6     36.6     34.8     36.1

 

(1) The loss ratio is equal to policyholder benefits divided by net earned premiums and other considerations.
(2) The expense ratio is equal to selling, underwriting and general expenses divided by net earned premiums and other considerations and fees and other income.

 

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For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment net income increased 48% to $16,932 for Third Quarter 2010 from $11,450 for Third Quarter 2009. Results for the Third Quarter 2010 improved primarily due to extremely favorable long-term disability incidence and improved dental results compared with Third Quarter 2009.

Total Revenues

Total revenues increased 5% to $311,543 for Third Quarter 2010 from $296,474 for Third Quarter 2009. Third Quarter 2010 net earned premiums increased 6% or $16,448 driven by the addition of two new DRMS clients and the acquisition of a block of business from Shenandoah Life Insurance company (“Shenandoah”) both in Fourth Quarter 2009. Partially offsetting these additions is the continuation of a challenging sales environment as small groups employers wait for more clarity around Health Care Reform before making changes to their benefit offerings.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses increased 2% to $285,625 for Third Quarter 2010 from $279,161 for Third Quarter 2009. The loss ratio decreased to 69.5% from 71.3%, primarily driven by favorable direct disability, life, and dental loss experience. DRMS assumed disability business loss experience was less favorable when compared with Third Quarter 2009.

The expense ratio decreased to 34.6% from 36.6% primarily due to higher net earned premiums and our focus on expense management, partially offset by increased costs from growth initiatives.

The low interest rate environment will continue to pressure investment income. As a result, we expect to lower the reserve interest rate assumption for new long-term disability claims beginning 2011.

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Income

Segment net income increased 50% to $45,792 for Nine Months 2010 from $30,600 for Nine Months 2009. The increase in net income was primarily attributable to favorable direct disability, life, and dental loss experience offset by higher general expenses and lower net investment income. General expenses for Nine Months 2010 include restructuring costs of $4,349 (after-tax) compared to $1,469 (after-tax) in Nine Months 2009.

Total Revenues

Total revenues increased 5% to $950,916 for Nine Months 2010 from $904,424 for Nine Months 2009. Net earned premiums increased 7% or $50,820, driven by assumed premium from two new clients in our DRMS channel and the Shenandoah block of business acquisition, all added in Fourth Quarter 2009. This was partially offset by decreases in our direct products as a result of a challenging sales environment which continues to impact revenue growth. Net investment income decreased 2% or $1,654 due to a decrease in average invested assets and lower investment yields.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total benefits, losses and expenses increased 3% to $881,011 for Nine Months 2010 from $857,939 for Nine Months 2009. The loss ratio decreased to 70.2% from 72.7%, primarily driven by favorable loss experience across the direct disability, life, and dental products. Disability incidence and life mortality levels continue to be very favorable compared to prior year.

The expense ratio decreased to 34.8% from 36.1% driven by higher net earned premiums and expense management initiatives partially offset by restructuring costs. Nine Months 2010 includes $6,690 in restructuring costs compared to $2,260 in Nine Months 2009. Excluding the restructuring costs in both years, the expense ratio decreased to 34.0% for Nine Months 2010 from 35.8% for Nine Months 2009.

 

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Assurant Corporate & Other

The table below presents information regarding the Corporate & Other segment’s results of operations:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Net investment income

   $ 4,438      $ 3,884      $ 13,244      $ 12,265   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     6,043        19,866        29,668        (41,965

Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of business

     6,024        6,802        18,129        20,354   

Fees and other income

     31        83        244        140,976   
                                

Total revenues

     16,536        30,635        61,285        131,630   
                                

Benefits, losses and expenses:

        

Policyholder benefits

     —          92        (2,038     5,420   

Selling, underwriting and general expenses

     22,944        20,289        72,004        71,295   

Interest expense

     15,162        15,160        45,484        45,509   
                                

Total benefits, losses and expenses

     38,106        35,541        115,450        122,224   
                                

Segment (loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes

     (21,570     (4,906     (54,165     9,406   

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

     (1,982     (8,232     (12,562     9,770   
                                

Segment net (loss) income

   $ (19,588   $ 3,326      $ (41,603   $ (364
                                

For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net (Loss) Income

Segment results decreased $22,914, or 689%, to a net loss of $(19,588) for Third Quarter 2010 compared with net income of $3,326 for Third Quarter 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to a $8,985 (after-tax) decline in net realized gains on investments, changes in certain tax related assets and liabilities and compensation and pension-related costs.

Total Revenues

Total revenues decreased $14,099, or 46%, to $16,536 for Third Quarter 2010 compared with $30,635 for Third Quarter 2009. This decrease in revenues was primarily the result of lower net realized gains on investments of $13,823. This decrease in revenues was primarily the result of lower net realized gains on investments of $13,823 primarily attributable to a $9,000 reserve increase on a commercial mortgage loan investment recorded during Third Quarter 2010.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total expenses increased $2,565, or 7%, to $38,106 for Third Quarter 2010 compared with $35,541 for Third Quarter 2009. This increase is mainly due to increased compensation and pension-related costs, partially offset by decreased consulting and legal expenses. Please see “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further information on our benefit plans.

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

Net Loss

Segment net loss deteriorated $41,239, to $(41,603) for Nine Months compared with $(364) for Nine Months 2009. Segment net loss increased mainly due to a favorable legal settlement of $84,996 (after-tax) in Nine Months 2009. This item was partially offset by $46,561 (after-tax) improvement in net realized gains on investments.

 

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Total Revenues

Total revenues decreased $70,345, or 53%, to $61,285 for Nine Months 2010 compared with $131,630 for Nine Months 2009. The decrease in revenues is mainly due to a favorable legal settlement of $139,000 in Nine Months 2009. This decrease was partially offset by a $71,633 improvement in net realized gains on investments.

Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses

Total expenses decreased $6,774, to $115,450 in Nine Months 2010 compared with $122,224 in Nine Months 2009. The decrease in expenses is mainly due to $8,237 of attorney fees and allowances for related recoverables attributable to the favorable legal settlement and additional compensation related expenses of $7,000 incurred in Nine Months 2009. These increases were partially offset by $4,537 of restructuring charges and compensation and pension-related costs in Nine Months 2010.

 

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Investments

The Company had total investments of $13,900,126 and $13,157,832 as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. For more information on our investments see Note 4 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

The following table shows the credit quality of our fixed maturity securities portfolio as of the dates indicated:

 

     As of  

Fixed Maturity Securities by Credit Quality (Fair Value)

   September 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  

Aaa / Aa / A

   $ 6,619,971         61.2   $ 6,152,842         61.8

Baa

     3,309,157         30.6     2,953,964         29.6

Ba

     658,234         6.1     647,321         6.5

B and lower

     235,833         2.1     212,645         2.1
                                  

Total

   $ 10,823,195         100.0   $ 9,966,772         100.0
                                  

Major categories of net investment income were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Fixed maturity securities

   $ 143,412      $ 139,803      $ 429,949      $ 418,343   

Equity securities

     8,350        9,683        25,901        29,069   

Commercial mortgage loans on real estate

     21,381        22,983        64,990        70,085   

Policy loans

     886        860        2,340        2,451   

Short-term investments

     1,614        2,445        3,812        6,703   

Other investments

     5,254        3,192        13,778        13,202   

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,502        802        3,898        6,962   
                                

Total investment income

     182,399        179,768        544,668        546,815   

Investment expenses

     (6,229     (6,844     (19,288     (20,480
                                

Net investment income

   $ 176,170      $ 172,924      $ 525,380      $ 526,335   
                                

Net investment income increased $3,246, or 1.9%, to $176,170 for Third Quarter 2010 from $172,924 for Third Quarter 2009. Net investment income decreased $955, or 0.2%, to $525,380 for Nine Months 2010 from $526,335 for Nine Months 2009. Lower investment yields in 2010 and changes in average invested asset balance were the primary reason for the period to period investment income fluctuations.

The credit markets improved throughout the first nine months of 2010. As a result, many securities in the portfolio have shown improved market values throughout the period. This has led to our net unrealized gain position growing to $943,937 as of September 30, 2010, from $281,327 as of December 31, 2009.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company owned $184,736 of securities guaranteed by financial guarantee insurance companies. Included in this amount was $162,930 of municipal securities, whose credit rating was AA- both with and without the guarantee.

The Company has exposure to sub-prime and related mortgages within our fixed maturity security portfolio. At September 30, 2010 approximately 2.1% of our residential mortgage-backed holdings had exposure to sub-prime mortgage collateral. This represented approximately 0.2% of the total fixed income portfolio and 0.4% of the total unrealized gain position. Of the securities with sub-prime exposure, approximately 29% are rated as investment grade. All residential mortgage-backed securities, including those with sub-prime exposure, are reviewed as part of the ongoing other-than-temporary impairment monitoring process.

 

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Securities Lending and Borrowing

The Company engages in transactions in which fixed maturity securities, especially bonds issued by the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities, and U.S. corporations, are loaned to selected broker/dealers. Collateral, greater than or equal to 102% of the fair value of the securities lent, plus accrued interest, is received in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by a custodian bank for the benefit of the Company. The use of cash collateral received is unrestricted. The Company reinvests the cash collateral received, generally in investments of high credit quality that are designated as available-for-sale. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned and the collateral received, with additional collateral obtained, as necessary. The Company is subject to the risk of loss to the extent there is a loss on the re-investment of cash collateral.

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, our collateral held under securities lending, of which its use is unrestricted, was $134,348 and $218,129, respectively, while our liability to the borrower for collateral received was $135,248 and $220,279, respectively. The difference between the collateral held and obligations under securities lending is recorded as an unrealized loss and is included as part of AOCI.

Cash proceeds that the Company receives as collateral for the securities it lends and subsequent repayment of the cash are regarded by the Company as cash flows from financing activities, since the cash received is considered a borrowing. Since the Company reinvests the cash collateral generally in investments that are designated as available-for-sale, the reinvestment is presented as cash flows from investing activities.

During Third Quarter 2010, the Company began engaging in and plans to continue engaging in transactions in which securities issued by the U.S. government, government agencies and authorities, are purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”). The Company may take possession of the securities purchased under reverse repurchase agreements. Collateral, greater than or equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities purchased, plus accrued interest, is pledged in the form of cash and cash equivalents or other securities, as provided for in the underlying agreement to selected broker/dealers. The use of the cash collateral pledged is unrestricted. Interest earned on the collateral pledged is recorded as investment income. As of September 30, 2010, we had no receivables under securities loan agreements.

The Company enters into these reverse repurchase agreements in order to initiate short positions in its investment portfolio. The borrowed securities are sold in the market place. The Company records obligations to return the securities that we no longer hold as a liability. The financial liabilities resulting from these borrowings are carried at fair value with the changes in value reported as realized gains or losses. As of September 30, 2010, we had no obligations to return borrowed securities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Regulatory Requirements

Assurant, Inc. is a holding company, and as such, has limited direct operations of its own. Our holding company’s assets consist primarily of the capital stock of our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our future cash flows depend upon the availability of dividends and other statutorily permissible payments from our subsidiaries, such as payments under our tax allocation agreement and under management agreements with our subsidiaries. The ability to pay such dividends and to make such other payments will be limited by applicable laws and regulations of the states in which our subsidiaries are domiciled, which subject our subsidiaries to significant regulatory restrictions. The dividend requirements and regulations vary from state to state and by type of insurance provided by the applicable subsidiary. These laws and regulations require, among other things, our insurance subsidiaries to maintain minimum solvency requirements and limit the amount of dividends these subsidiaries can pay to the holding company. Along with solvency regulations, the primary driver in determining the amount of capital used for dividends is the level of capital needed to maintain desired financial strength ratings from A.M. Best. Given recent economic events that have affected the insurance industry, both regulators and rating agencies could become more conservative in their methodology and criteria, including increasing capital requirements for our insurance subsidiaries which, in turn, could negatively affect our capital resources. For 2010, the maximum amount of distributions our U.S. domiciled insurance subsidiaries could pay, under applicable laws and regulations without prior regulatory approval, is approximately $526,515. During 2010, we began a two-year project to streamline and restructure the Assurant Solutions organization which we anticipated, in conjunction with other capital savings initiatives, would free up $75,000 to $150,000 of capital which can be distributed to the holding company. During Nine Months 2010, Assurant Solutions was able to distribute approximately $92,000 of the $150,000 identified to the holding company. In total, we have taken dividends, net of infusions, of $462,949 from our operating companies through Nine Months 2010.

Rating organizations periodically review the financial strength of insurers, including our insurance subsidiaries. If our ratings are lowered from their current levels by A.M. Best, Moody’s or S&P, our competitive position in the respective insurance industry segments could be materially adversely impacted and it could be more difficult for us to sell our products.

 

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Liquidity

As of September 30, 2010 we had approximately $710,000 in capital at the holding company. Factoring in the $250,000 capital buffer, we had approximately $460,000 in deployable capital. Dividends or returns of capital paid by our subsidiaries were $516,849 and $703,099 for Nine Months 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2009, respectively. We use these cash inflows primarily to pay expenses, to make interest payments on indebtedness, to make dividend payments to our stockholders, to make subsidiary capital contributions, to fund acquisitions and to repurchase our outstanding shares.

In addition to paying expenses and making interest payments on indebtedness, our capital management strategy provides for several uses for the cash generated by our subsidiaries, including without limitation, returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends; investing in our businesses to support growth in targeted areas; and making prudent and opportunistic acquisitions.

The primary sources of funds for our subsidiaries consist of premiums and fees collected, the proceeds from the sales and maturity of investments and net investment income. Cash is primarily used to pay insurance claims, agent commissions, operating expenses and taxes. We generally invest our subsidiaries’ excess funds in order to generate investment income.

Generally, our subsidiaries’ premiums, fees and investment income, along with planned asset sales and maturities, provide sufficient cash to pay claims and expenses. However, there are instances when unexpected cash needs arise in excess of that available from usual operating sources. In such instances, we have several options to raise needed funds, including selling assets from the subsidiaries’ investment portfolios, using holding company cash (if available), issuing commercial paper, or drawing funds from our revolving credit facility. In addition, we have filed an automatically effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. This registration statement allows us to issue equity, debt or other types of securities through one or more methods of distribution. The terms of any offering would be established at the time of the offering, subject to market conditions. If we decide to make an offering of securities, we will consider the nature of the cash requirement as well as the cost of capital in determining what type of securities we may offer.

We paid dividends to our stockholders of $0.16 per common share on September 14, 2010 and June 8, 2010, and $0.15 per common share on March 8, 2010. Any determination to pay future dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon: our subsidiaries’ payment of dividends and/or other statutorily permissible payments to us; our results of operations and cash flows; our financial position and capital requirements; general business conditions; any legal, tax, regulatory and contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends; and any other factors our Board of Directors deems relevant.

On January 22, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $600,000 for the repurchase of Assurant’s outstanding common stock, bringing the total repurchase authorization, as of that date, to $770,044 for use in the open market and/or for private transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 10,729,685 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a cost of $369,159. As of September 30, 2010, there was $400,885 remaining under the total repurchase authorization. The timing and the amount of future repurchases will depend on market conditions and other factors.

Management believes the Company will have sufficient liquidity to satisfy its needs over the next twelve months, including the ability to pay interest on our Senior Notes and dividends on our common shares.

Retirement and Other Employee Benefits

Our qualified pension benefits plan (“Plan”) was under-funded by $124,706 and $87,977 (based on the fair value of Plan assets compared to the projected benefit obligation) on a GAAP basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The change in under-funded status is mainly due to a decrease in the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation.

In prior years we established a funding policy in which service cost plus 15% of qualified plan deficit will be contributed annually. During Nine Months 2010, we contributed $30,000 in cash to the Plan. We expect to contribute an additional $10,000 in cash to the Plan over the remainder of 2010.

Commercial Paper Program

In March 2004 the Board authorized a $500,000 commercial paper program, to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company’s commercial paper program requires the Company to maintain liquidity facilities either in an

 

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available amount equal to any outstanding notes from the commercial paper program or in an amount sufficient to maintain the ratings assigned to the notes issued from the commercial paper program. The Company’s subsidiaries do not maintain commercial paper or other borrowing facilities at their level. Prior to December 18, 2009 this program was backed up by a $500,000 senior revolving credit facility (“2004 Credit Facility”). This program is currently backed up by a $350,000 senior revolving credit facility, described below, of which $325,604 was available at September 30, 2010, due to outstanding letters of credit.

On December 18, 2009, the Company entered into a three-year unsecured revolving credit agreement (“2009 Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks arranged by JP Morgan Chase Bank, Inc. and Bank of America, Inc. The 2009 Credit Facility replaced the 2004 Credit Facility. The 2009 Credit Facility provides for revolving loans and the issuance of multi-bank, syndicated letters of credit and/or letters of credit from a sole issuing bank in an aggregate amount of $350,000 and is available until December 2012, provided the Company is in compliance with all covenants. The agreement has a sublimit for letters of credit issued under the agreement of $50,000. The proceeds of these loans may be used for the Company’s commercial paper program or for general corporate purposes.

The Company did not use the commercial paper program during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and there were no amounts relating to the commercial paper program outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The Company did not borrow using the 2004 Credit Facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company made no borrowings using the 2009 Credit Facility and no loans are outstanding at September 30, 2010. The Company does have letters of credit outstanding of $24,396 under the 2009 Credit Facility as of September 30, 2010.

The 2009 Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants. The terms of the 2009 Credit Facility also require that the Company maintain certain specified minimum ratios and thresholds. Among others, these covenants include maintaining a maximum debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum consolidated adjusted net worth. At September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all covenants, minimum ratios and thresholds, and there have been no material changes to the financial ratios presented in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Senior Notes

We have two series of senior notes outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of $975,000 (the “Senior Notes”). The first series is $500,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 5.625% per year and is due February 15, 2014. The second series is $475,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 6.750% per year and is due February 15, 2034.

Interest on our Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The interest expense incurred related to the Senior Notes was $15,047 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $45,141 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. There was $7,523 of accrued interest at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured indebtedness. The Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity.

Our Senior Notes are rated by A.M. Best, Moody’s and S&P. During Third Quarter 2010, Moody’s lowered the senior debt rating of Assurant, Inc. See “Item 1A—Risk Factors” elsewhere in this report for more information.

 

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Cash Flows

We monitor cash flows at the consolidated, holding company and subsidiary levels. Cash flow forecasts at the consolidated and subsidiary levels are provided on a monthly basis, and we use trend and variance analyses to project future cash needs making adjustments to the forecasts when needed.

The table below shows our recent consolidated net cash flows:

 

     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

Net cash provided by (used in):

   2010     2009  

Operating activities (1)

   $ 463,800      $ 220,919   

Investment activities

     (100,488     122,087   

Financing activities

     (513,557     (147,839
                

Net change in cash

   $ (150,245   $ 195,167   
                

 

(1) Includes effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $463,800 and $220,919 for Nine Months 2010 and Nine Months 2009, respectively. The increased operating activity cash flow was primarily due to an increase in gross written premiums in our Assurant Solutions and Assurant Specialty Property segments.

Net cash used in investing activities was $100,488 and net cash provided by investing activities was $122,087 for Nine Months 2010 and Nine Months 2009, respectively. The increase in investing activities was mainly due to an increase in purchases of fixed maturity securities and changes in our short-term investments.

Net cash used in financing activities was $513,557 and $147,839 for Nine Months 2010 and Nine Months 2009, respectively. The increase in financing activities was primarily due to increased repurchase of our common stock and changes in our obligation under securities lending.

The table below shows our cash outflows for interest and dividends for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009  

Interest paid on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and debt

   $ 60,451       $ 60,481   

Common stock dividends

     52,702         51,961   
                 

Total

   $ 113,153       $ 112,442   
                 

Letters of Credit

In the normal course of business, we issue letters of credit primarily to support reinsurance arrangements. These letters of credit are supported by commitments with financial institutions. We had $24,946 and $28,566 of letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements see Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K described our Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. There were no material changes to the assumptions or risks during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of September 30, 2010. Based on that review, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information the Company is required to disclose in its reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately including, without limitation, ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ending September 30, 2010, we have made no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company is involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain matters. The Company may from time to time be subject to a variety of legal and regulatory actions relating to our current and past business operations. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation, examination or investigation and although no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any pending matter will have a material adverse effect individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

As previously disclosed by the Company in its 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company entered into a settlement with the SEC on January 21, 2010 in connection with a complaint filed by the SEC regarding a finite reinsurance arrangement entered into by the Company. The Company consented, without admitting or denying the allegations in the complaint, to the entry of a judgment requiring payment of a civil penalty of $3,500 and permanently enjoining the Company from violating certain provisions of the federal securities laws. The court approved the settlement in a final judgment entered on January 25, 2010, and the Company paid the penalty during the first quarter of 2010.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and you should carefully consider them. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. For discussion of our potential risks or uncertainties, please refer to “Item 1A—Risk Factors” included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except as set forth in the additional risk factors below, there have been no material changes during Third Quarter 2010 to the risk factors disclosed in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recently enacted legislation reforming the U.S. health care system may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2010, President Obama signed Health Care Reform into law. Provisions of Health Care Reform and related reforms have and will become effective at various dates over the next several years and will make sweeping and fundamental changes to the U.S. health care system that are expected to significantly affect the health insurance industry. We are in the process of evaluating the effects of Health Care Reform and specific federal and state rules and regulations that have been and will be promulgated thereunder on our health and employee benefits insurance businesses, as well as the overall market for individual and small group health insurance, disability and dental insurance. We cannot predict or quantify the precise effects of Health Care Reform on our business, but they will include, in particular, a requirement that the loss ratios for some of our product lines be no less than 80%, or that we rebate the difference to consumers; the need to reduce commissions, and the consequent risk that insurance producers may sell less of our products than they have in the past; as well as changes in the benefits provided under some of our products; limits on lifetime and annual benefit maximums; a prohibition from imposing any pre-existing condition exclusion as it applies to enrollees under the age of 19 who apply for coverage; limits on our ability to rescind coverage for persons who have misrepresented or omitted material information when they applied for coverage and, after January 1, 2014, elimination of our ability to underwrite health insurance products with certain narrow exceptions; a requirement to offer coverage to any person who applies for such coverage; increased costs to modify and/or sell our products; intensified competitive pressures that limit our ability to increase rates due to state insurance exchanges; significant risk of customer loss; new and higher taxes and fees; and the need to operate with a lower expense structure at both the business segment and enterprise level. Additionally, certain limitations on the deductibility of employee compensation due to Health Care Reform may affect the deductibility of certain payments made to employees and service providers by various Assurant entities in amounts that have not been determined.

Health Care Reform, among other factors, may materially affect the future profitability of our business and lead to a material impairment of goodwill on the Company’s balance sheet. Generally, management evaluates whether goodwill is impaired by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is developed using certain assumptions and estimates that could change once the impact of Health Care Reform becomes clearer. Management may conclude that goodwill (and other intangible assets) is impaired in future quarters in any of our segments. For more information, see “Item 7—MD&A—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this report and in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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A.M. Best, Moody’s, and S&P rate the financial strength of our insurance company subsidiaries, and a decline in these ratings could affect our standing in the insurance industry and cause our sales and earnings to decrease.

Ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. A.M. Best rates most of our domestic operating insurance subsidiaries. Moody’s rates six of our domestic operating insurance subsidiaries and S&P rates seven of our domestic operating insurance subsidiaries. These ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities. These ratings are subject to periodic review by A.M. Best, Moody’s, and S&P, and we cannot assure that we will be able to retain them. In 2009 for example, S&P lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings of two of our life insurance subsidiaries from A to BBB+ due to the recent operating performance of Assurant Health. In addition, S&P lowered its counterparty credit rating of Assurant, Inc. from BBB+ to BBB, citing reduced earnings diversification, and placed a negative outlook on all Assurant ratings due to pressures on our various businesses from the economic climate. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2010, Moody’s lowered the financial strength rating of four of our insurance subsidiaries that write business for the Health, Employee Benefits and Solutions businesses from A2 to A3 and lowered the senior debt rating of Assurant, Inc. from Baa1 to Baa2, citing uncertainty surrounding the viability of the Company’s core health insurance products in the current environment as the reason. We believe that because of recent economic developments that have negatively affected the entire insurance industry, we are more susceptible to ratings downgrades than in prior years.

If our ratings are lowered from their current levels by A.M. Best, Moody’s, or S&P, our competitive position in the respective insurance industry segments could be materially adversely impacted and it could be more difficult for us to market our products. Rating agencies may take action to lower our ratings in the future due to concerns regarding, among other things, our liquidity or solvency, the competitive environment, the adequacy of our reserves, the outcome of pending litigation or regulatory investigations. They may also change their methodology or requirements for determining ratings, or they may become more conservative in assigning ratings. Ratings agencies or regulators could also increase capital requirements for the Company or its subsidiaries.

Since customers and their advisors place importance on our financial strength ratings, we may lose customers and compete less successfully if we are downgraded. In addition, ratings impact our ability to attract investment capital on favorable terms. If our financial strength ratings are reduced from their current levels by A.M. Best, Moody’s, or S&P, our cost of borrowing would likely increase, our sales and earnings could decrease and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

As of September 30, 2010, contracts representing approximately 15% of Assurant Solutions’ and 24% of Assurant Specialty Property’s net earned premiums and fee income contain provisions requiring the applicable subsidiaries to maintain minimum A.M. Best financial strength ratings ranging from “A” or better to “B” or better, depending on the contract. Our clients may terminate these contracts or fail to renew them if the subsidiaries’ ratings fall below these minimums. Under our marketing agreement with SCI, American Memorial Life Insurance Company (“AMLIC”), one of our subsidiaries, is required to maintain an A.M. Best financial strength rating of “B” or better throughout the term of the agreement. If AMLIC fails to maintain this rating for a period of 180 days, SCI may terminate the agreement.

Additionally, certain contracts in the DRMS business, representing approximately 7% of Assurant Employee Benefits’ net earned premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 contain provisions requiring the applicable subsidiaries to maintain minimum A.M. Best financial strength ratings of “A-” or better. DRMS clients may terminate the agreements and in some instances recapture in force business if the ratings of applicable subsidiaries fall below “A-”. Similarly, distribution and service agreements representing approximately 13% of Assurant Health’s net earned premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 contain provisions requiring the applicable subsidiaries to maintain minimum A.M. Best financial strength ratings of “A-” or better, for the distribution agreements, or “B+” or better, for the service agreement. If the ratings of applicable Assurant Health subsidiaries fall below these threshold ratings levels, distribution and service partners would have the right to terminate their agreements. Termination or failure to renew these agreements could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Repurchase of Equity Securities:

 

Period in 2010

   Total
Number of
Shares Purchased
     Average Price
Paid Per Share
     Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Programs(1)
     Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet be  Purchased
Under the
Programs(1)
 

January 1 – 31

     —         $ —           —         $ 770,044   

February 1 – 28

     1,304,915         30.46         1,304,915         730,290   

March 1 – 31

     2,121,554         32.73         2,121,554         660,860   

April 1 – 30

     1,783,816         35.07         1,783,816         598,300   

May 1 – 31

     1,982,400         35.44         1,982,400         528,044   

June 1 – 30

     2,300,000         35.78         2,300,000         445,751   

July 1 – 31

     1,185,000         36.19         1,185,000         402,866   

August 1 – 31

     52,000         38.11         52,000         400,885   

September 1 – 30

     —           —           —           400,885   
                       

Total

     10,729,685       $ 34.41         10,729,685       $ 400,885   
                       

 

1) On January 22, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $600,000 for the repurchase of Assurant’s outstanding common stock, bringing the total repurchase authorization, as of that date, to $770,044 for use in the open market and/or for private transactions.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company has filed or incorporated by reference certain agreements as exhibits to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the Company’s actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.

The following exhibits either (a) are filed with this report or (b) have previously been filed with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference to those prior filings. Exhibits are available upon request at the investor relations section of our website at www.assurant.com. Our website is not a part of this report and is not incorporated by reference in this report.

 

12.1    Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges as of September 30, 2010.
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Assurant, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Assurant, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101    The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.†

 

Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

    ASSURANT, INC.

Date: November 3, 2010

  By:  

/S/    ROBERT B. POLLOCK        

  Name:   Robert B. Pollock
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 3, 2010

  By:  

/S/    MICHAEL J. PENINGER        

  Name:   Michael J. Peninger
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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