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 takes into account 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 can access.

•

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.

The Company reviews fair value hierarchy classifications 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015. The amounts presented below for Other investments, Cash equivalents, Other assets, Assets and Liabilities 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 are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan, American Security Insurance Company Investment Plan, Assurant Deferred Compensation Plan, modified coinsurance arrangements and other derivatives. Other liabilities are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan and other derivatives. The fair value amount and the majority of the associated levels presented for Other investments and Assets and Liabilities held in separate accounts are received directly from third parties.



	December 31, 2016
Financial Assets	Total		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government and government agencies and authorities	$	174,886	$	—		$	174,886		$	—
State, municipalities and political subdivisions	476,075		—			476,075			—
Foreign governments	568,468		1,012			567,456			—
Asset-backed	3,677		—			3,677			—
Commercial mortgage-backed	38,416		—			10,654			27,762
Residential mortgage-backed	1,101,312		—			1,101,312			—
U.S. corporate	5,461,250		—			5,416,699			44,551
Foreign corporate	1,748,061		—			1,714,750			33,311
Equity securities:
Common stocks	20,794		20,111			683			—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	400,567		—			398,379			2,188
Short-term investments	227,740		52,696		b	175,044		c	—
Other investments	265,108		64,945		a	196,697		c	3,466		d
Cash equivalents	646,541		644,541		b	2,000		c	—
Other assets	648		—			298		e	350		e
Assets held in separate accounts	1,650,153		1,472,890		a	177,263		c	—
Total financial assets	$	12,783,696	$	2,256,195		$	10,415,873		$	111,628

Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	$	89,321	$	64,945	a	$	925	e	$	23,451	e
Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,650,153		1,472,890		a	177,263		c	—
Total financial liabilities	$	1,739,474	$	1,537,835		$	178,188		$	23,451



	December 31, 2015
Financial Assets	Total		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government and government agencies and authorities	$	154,035	$	—		$	154,035		$	—
State, municipalities and political subdivisions	695,630		—			695,630			—
Foreign governments	562,250		944			561,306			—
Asset-backed	4,662		—			4,662			—
Commercial mortgage-backed	22,521		—			22,317			204
Residential mortgage-backed	998,514		—			998,514			—
U.S. corporate	5,869,693		—			5,835,189			34,504
Foreign corporate	1,908,023		—			1,879,381			28,642
Equity securities:
Common stocks	19,664		18,981			683			—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	480,393		—			478,143			2,250
Short-term investments	508,950		453,335		b	55,615		c	—
Other investments	253,708		62,076		a	189,407		c	2,225		d
Cash equivalents	908,936		907,248		b	1,688		c	—
Other assets	1,320		—			886		e	434		e
Assets held in separate accounts	1,750,556		1,570,000		a	180,556		c	—
Total financial assets	$	14,138,855	$	3,012,584		$	11,058,012		$	68,259

Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	$	89,765	$	62,076	a	$	6	e	$	27,683	e
Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,750,556		1,570,000		a	180,556		c	—
Total financial liabilities	$	1,840,321	$	1,632,076		$	180,562		$	27,683


a.	Mainly includes mutual funds.


b.	Mainly includes money market funds.


c.	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities.


d.	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities and other derivatives.


e.	Mainly includes other derivatives.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 financial assets during 2016 or 2015. However, there were transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 financial assets in 2016 and 2015, which are reflected in the “Transfers in” and “Transfers out” columns below. Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 most commonly occur from changes in the availability of observable market information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs. Any 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 and liabilities carried at fair value during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Balance, beginning of period			Total (losses) gains (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings (1)			Net unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (2)			Purchases			Sales			Transfers in (3)		Transfers out (3)			Balance, end of period
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,600		$	(3,600	)	$	—	$	—		$	—
Commercial mortgage-backed	204			(2,071		)	(992		)	30,822			(201		)	—		—			27,762
U.S. corporate	34,504			469			(99		)	28,949			(5,134		)	16,311		(30,449		)	44,551
Foreign corporate	28,642			90			(415		)	1,685			(1,510		)	4,819		—			33,311
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	2,250			—			(62		)	—			—			—		—			2,188
Other investments	2,225			(981		)	(45		)	2,356			(89		)	—		—			3,466
Other assets	434			(84		)	—			—			—			—		—			350
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(27,683		)	4,919			—			(687		)	—			—		—			(23,451		)
Total level 3 assets and liabilities	$	40,576		$	2,342		$	(1,613	)	$	66,725		$	(10,534	)	$	21,130	$	(30,449	)	$	88,177



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	Balance, beginning of period			Total gains (losses) (realized/ unrealized) included in earnings (1)			Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income (2)			Purchases		Sales			Transfers in (3)		Transfers out (3)			Balance, end of period
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
Commercial mortgage-backed	$	403		$	—		$	(11	)	$	—	$	(188	)	$	—	$	—		$	204
Residential mortgage-backed	4,645			1			(104		)	9,721		—			—		(14,263		)	—
U.S. corporate	100,133			(115		)	(992		)	6,523		(5,417		)	2,130		(67,758		)	34,504
Foreign corporate	4,142			706			(2,628		)	—		(1,750		)	28,172		—			28,642
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	2,000			—			250			—		—			—		—			2,250
Other investments	2,121			34			(42		)	—		(124		)	236		—			2,225
Other assets	807			(373		)	—			—		—			—		—			434
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(25,233		)	(2,450		)	—			77		(77		)	—		—			(27,683		)
Total level 3 assets and liabilities	$	89,018		$	(2,197	)	$	(3,527	)	$	16,321	$	(7,556	)	$	30,538	$	(82,021	)	$	40,576


(1)	Included as part of net realized gains on investments in the consolidated statement of operations.


(2)	Included as part of change in unrealized gains on securities in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.


(3)	Transfers are primarily attributable to changes in the availability of observable market 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, the Company uses valuation techniques consistent with the market approach including matrix pricing and comparables. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique employed principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for those securities but, rather, 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.

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, the Company may use one or more valuation techniques. For all the classes of financial assets and liabilities included in the above hierarchy, excluding certain derivatives and certain privately placed corporate bonds, the Company generally uses the market valuation technique. For certain privately placed corporate bonds and certain derivatives, the Company generally uses the income valuation technique. For the periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the application of the valuation technique applied to the Company’s classes of financial assets and liabilities has been consistent.

Level 1 Securities

The Company’s investments and liabilities classified as Level 1 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, consisted of mutual funds and money market funds, foreign government fixed maturities and common stocks that are publicly listed and/or actively traded in an established market.

Level 2 Securities

The Company values Level 2 securities using various observable market inputs obtained from a pricing service. The pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for the Company’s 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 Company uses the following observable market inputs (“standard inputs”), listed in the approximate order of priority, 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 including market research data. Further details for Level 2 investment types follow:

United States Government and government agencies and authorities: U.S. government and government agencies and authorities securities are priced by the Company’s pricing service utilizing standard inputs. Included in this category are U.S. Treasury securities which are priced using vendor trading platform data in addition to the standard inputs.

State, municipalities and political subdivisions: State, municipalities and political subdivisions securities are priced by the Company’s pricing service using material event notices and new issue data inputs in addition to the standard inputs.

Foreign governments: Foreign government securities are primarily fixed maturity securities denominated in Canadian dollars which are priced by the Company’s pricing service using standard inputs. The pricing service also evaluates each security based on relevant market information including relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news.

Commercial mortgage-backed, residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed: Commercial mortgage-backed, residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are priced by the Company’s pricing service using monthly payment information and collateral performance information in addition to the standard inputs. Additionally, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities utilize new issue data while residential mortgage-backed securities utilize vendor trading platform data.

Corporate: Corporate securities are priced by the Company’s pricing service using standard inputs. Non-investment grade securities within this category are priced by the Company’s pricing service using observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer in addition to the standard inputs. Certain privately placed corporate bonds are priced by a non-pricing service source using a model with observable inputs including, but not limited to, the credit rating, credit spreads, sector add-ons, and issuer specific add-ons.

Non-redeemable preferred stocks: Non-redeemable preferred stocks are priced by the Company’s pricing service using observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer in addition to the standard inputs.

Short-term investments, other investments, cash equivalents, and assets/liabilities held in separate accounts: To price the fixed maturity securities in these categories, the pricing service utilizes the standard inputs.

Other assets/liabilities: Foreign exchange forwards are priced using a pricing model which utilizes market observable inputs including foreign exchange spot rate, forward points and date to settlement.

Valuation models used by the pricing service 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. If the Company cannot corroborate the non-binding broker quotes with Level 2 inputs, these securities are categorized as Level 3 securities.

Level 3 Securities

The Company’s investments classified as Level 3 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted of fixed maturity and equity securities and derivatives. All of the Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities are priced using non-binding broker quotes which cannot be corroborated with Level 2 inputs. Of the Company’s total Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities, $5,661 and $304 were priced by a pricing service using single broker quotes due to insufficient information to provide an evaluated price as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The single broker quotes are provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants in the markets in which they are providing the quotes. The remaining $102,322 and $65,600 were priced internally using independent and non-binding broker quotes as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The inputs factoring into the broker quotes include trades in the actual bond being priced, trades of comparable bonds, quality of the issuer, optionality, structure and liquidity. Significant changes in interest rates, issuer credit, liquidity, and overall market conditions would result in a significantly lower or higher broker quote. The prices received from both the pricing service and internally are reviewed for reasonableness by management and if necessary, management works with the pricing service or broker to further understand how they developed their price. Further details on Level 3 derivative investment types follow:

Other investments and other liabilities: The Company prices swaptions using a Black-Scholes pricing model incorporating third-party market data, including swap volatility data. The Company prices credit default swaps using non-binding quotes provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants. Inputs factored into the non-binding quotes include trades in the actual credit default swap which is being priced, trades in comparable credit default swaps, quality of the issuer, structure and liquidity. The net option related to the investment in Iké is valued using an income approach; specifically, a Monte Carlo simulation option pricing model. The inputs to the model include, but are not limited to, the projected normalized earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and free cash flow for the underlying asset, the discount rate, and the volatility of and the correlation between the normalized EBITDA and the value of the underlying asset. Significant increases (decreases) in the projected normalized EBITDA relative to the value of the underlying asset in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.

Other assets: A non-pricing service source prices certain derivatives 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,


•	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 the Company’s financial assets in the fair value hierarchy.

For the net option, the Company performs a periodic analysis to assess if the evaluated price represents a reasonable estimate of the fair value for the financial liability. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis overseen by finance and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of the pricing methodology and review of the projection for the underlying asset including the probability distribution of possible scenarios.

Disclosures for Assets and Liabilities 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 its 2016 annual goodwill impairment tests, the Company performed a Step 1 test on its legacy Assurant Solutions and Assurant Specialty Property reporting units. In addition, we performed an additional test of the recoverability of goodwill assigned to the new reporting units; Global Housing, Global Lifestyle and Global Preneed. Based on these tests, it was determined that goodwill was not impaired at any of the reporting units. See Note 3 for more information on the re-segmentation.

There was no remaining goodwill or material other intangible assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis on which an impairment charge was recorded as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Disclosures

The financial instruments guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, 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 (such as partnerships).

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


•	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: the fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using discounted cash flow models. The model inputs include mortgage amortization schedules and loan provisions, an internally developed credit spread based on the credit risk associated with the borrower and the U.S. Treasury spot curve. Mortgage loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.

Policy loans: the carrying value of policy loans reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value.

Other investments: Other investments include equity investments accounted for under the cost method, Certified Capital Company and low income housing tax credits, business debentures, credit tenant loans and social impact loans which are recorded at cost or amortized cost. The carrying value reported for these investments approximates fair value. Due to the nature of these investments, there is a lack of liquidity in the primary market which results in the holdings being classified as Level 3.

Policy reserves under investment products: the fair values for the Company’s policy reserves under investment products are determined using discounted cash flow analysis. Key inputs to the valuation include projections of policy cash flows, reserve runoff, market yields and risk margins.

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 utilizing the standard inputs. The carrying value of the promissory note approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the instrument.

The following tables disclose the carrying value, fair value amount and hierarchy level of the financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:



	December 31, 2016
			Fair Value
	Carrying Value		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$	624,033	$	634,872	$	—	$	—	$	634,872
Policy loans	38,533		38,533		38,533		—		—
Other investments	36,272		36,272		—		—		36,272
Total financial assets	$	698,838	$	709,677	$	38,533	$	—	$	671,144
Financial Liabilities
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal) (1)	$	650,989	$	680,409	$	—	$	—	$	680,409
Funds withheld under reinsurance	111,721		111,721		111,721		—		—
Debt	1,067,020		1,159,744		—		1,159,744		—
Total financial liabilities	$	1,829,730	$	1,951,874	$	111,721	$	1,159,744	$	680,409



	December 31, 2015
			Fair Value
	Carrying Value		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$	1,151,256	$	1,201,806	—		—		$	1,201,806
Policy loans	43,858		43,858		43,858		—		—
Other investments	27,534		27,534		—		—		27,534
Total financial assets	$	1,222,648	$	1,273,198	$	43,858	—		$	1,229,340
Financial Liabilities
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal) (1)	$	666,068	$	676,586	—		—		$	676,586
Funds withheld under reinsurance	94,417		94,417		94,417		—		—
Debt	1,164,656		1,250,602		—		1,250,602		—
Total financial liabilities	$	1,925,141	$	2,021,605	$	94,417	$	1,250,602	$	676,586


(1)	Only the fair value of the Company’s policy reserves for investment-type contracts (those without significant mortality or morbidity risk) are reflected in the table above.