United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. | |||||
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 .
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. | |||||
For the transition period from _____________________ to _____________________.
Commission file number 000-04604
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(513 ) 870-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant based on the closing price of $97.32 per share as reported on Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 30, 2023, was $14,988,706,711 .
As of February 16, 2024, there were 156,665,018 shares of common stock outstanding.
Document Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 4, 2024, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
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2023 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 3
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 4
Part I
ITEM 1. Business
Cincinnati Financial Corporation – Introduction
We are an Ohio corporation formed in 1968. Our lead subsidiary, The Cincinnati Insurance Company, was founded in 1950. Our main business is property casualty insurance marketed through independent insurance agencies in 46 states. Our headquarters is in Fairfield, Ohio.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation owns 100% of four subsidiaries: The Cincinnati Insurance Company (Cincinnati Insurance), Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd.SM (Cincinnati Global), CSU Producer Resources Inc. and CFC Investment Company. In addition, the parent company has an investment portfolio, owns the headquarters property and is responsible for corporate borrowings and shareholder dividends.
The Cincinnati Insurance Company owns 100% of four additional insurance subsidiaries. Our standard market property casualty insurance group includes two of those subsidiaries – The Cincinnati Casualty Company and The Cincinnati Indemnity Company. This group writes a broad range of business, homeowner and auto policies. The Cincinnati Insurance Company also conducts the business of our reinsurance assumed operations, known as Cincinnati Re®. Other subsidiaries of The Cincinnati Insurance Company include: The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company (Cincinnati Life), which provides life insurance policies and fixed annuities; and The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company (Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters), which offers excess and surplus lines insurance products. In this report and elsewhere we often refer to any or all of these five companies as The Cincinnati Insurance Companies.
Cincinnati Global owns 100% of Cincinnati Global Underwriting Agency Ltd.SM, a London-based, global specialty underwriter for Lloyd's Syndicate 318, and Cincinnati Global Dedicated No. 2 Ltd.SM, a Lloyd’s corporate member and vehicle through which capital is provided by Cincinnati Financial Corporation and third-party names at Lloyd’s.
The two noninsurance subsidiaries of Cincinnati Financial Corporation are CSU Producer Resources, which offers insurance brokerage services to our independent agencies so their clients can access our excess and surplus lines insurance products; and CFC Investment Company, which offers commercial leasing and financing services to our agencies, their clients and other customers.
Our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available on our website,
cinfin.com/investors, as soon as possible after they have been filed with the SEC. Reports filed with the SEC may also be viewed at sec.gov. These filings include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and exhibits and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In this report we reference various websites. These websites, including our own, are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Periodically, we refer to estimated industry data so that we can give information about our performance versus the overall U.S. insurance industry. Unless otherwise noted, the industry data is prepared by A.M. Best, a leading insurance industry statistical, analytical and insurer financial strength and credit rating organization. Information from A.M. Best is presented on a statutory accounting basis for insurance company regulation in the United States of America. When we provide our results on a comparable statutory accounting basis, we label it as such; all other company data is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
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Our Business and Our Strategy
Introduction
The Cincinnati Insurance Company was founded more than 70 years ago by four independent insurance agents. They established the mission that continues to guide all of the companies in the Cincinnati Financial Corporation family – to grow profitably and enhance the ability of local independent insurance agents to deliver quality financial protection to the people and businesses they serve by:
•providing insurance market stability through financial strength
•producing competitive, up-to-date products and services
•developing associates committed to superior service
At year-end 2023, a select group of independent agencies in 46 states actively marketed our property casualty insurance within their communities. Standard market commercial lines and excess and surplus lines policies were
marketed in 43 of those states. Personal lines policies were marketed in 45 of those states. Within our select group of agencies, we also seek to become the life insurance carrier of choice and to help agents and their clients – our policyholders – by offering leasing and financing services.
Three competitive advantages distinguish our company, positioning us to build shareholder value and to be successful overall:
•Commitment to our professional independent insurance agencies and to their continued success
•Financial strength to fulfill our promises and be a consistent market for our agents’ business, supporting stability and confidence
•Operating structure that supports local decision making, showcasing our claims excellence and allowing us to balance growth with underwriting discipline
Management and our board of directors has developed an agency-focused strategy that we believe positions our company for long-term success and value creation, while managing difficult economic, market or pricing cycles. We broadly group our key strategic initiatives into two areas of focus – managing insurance profitability and driving premium growth, as summarized below. Our strategic priorities include meeting the wants and needs of our agent customers, attracting and developing talented associates, achieving best-in-class field service and continually enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness. To help guide our strategic efforts, we have placed an emphasis on innovation to accelerate operational improvement and to also favorably position us for the future. We find innovative ideas in many places, including: internally through management and other associates, with our traditional business partners and in the start-up business community.
•Manage insurance profitability – Implementation of these initiatives is intended to enhance underwriting expertise and knowledge, thereby increasing our ability to manage our business while also gaining efficiency. We believe profit margins can be improved with additional information and expanded pricing capabilities we can access with the use of technology and analytics. This includes segmentation efforts that emphasize identification and retention of insurance policies we believe have relatively stronger pricing, while seeking more aggressive renewal terms and conditions on policies we believe have relatively weaker pricing. Pricing property casualty insurance policies includes estimates for expected losses, loss expenses to settle claims and expenses from underwriting policies while also considering the time value of money related to expected cash flows and a reasonable profit margin. In addition to enhancing company efficiency and more quickly deploying product or service enhancements, improving internal processes also supports the ability of the independent agencies that represent us to grow profitably by allowing them to serve clients faster and to more efficiently manage agency expenses as we make it easier for them to do business with us.
•Drive premium growth – Implementation of these initiatives is intended to further penetrate each market we serve through our appointed independent agencies. Strategies aimed at specific market opportunities, along with service enhancements, can help our agents grow and increase our share of their business. This includes increasing opportunities for agencies to cross-serve their clients by providing updated products and services that aim to meet their life insurance needs. We continue to increase our capabilities to successfully underwrite both larger commercial policies, which we refer to as key accounts, and small business accounts that require greater efficiency. Premium growth initiatives also include expansion of Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global. Diversified growth also may reduce variability of losses from weather-related catastrophes.
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Independent Insurance Agency Marketplace
The U.S. property casualty insurance industry is a highly competitive marketplace with more than 2,000 stock and mutual companies (carriers) operating independently or in groups.
For the most part, we compete with standard market insurance companies that market through independent insurance agents. Agencies marketing our commercial lines or personal lines products typically represent several standard market insurance carriers. We also compete with carriers that market through captive agents representing a single carrier or that market directly to consumers, sometimes offering a less broad range of insurance products. Some of our agencies describe their roles as brokers instead of agents. Distribution through independent insurance agents or brokers represents approximately 60% of overall U.S. property casualty insurance premiums and approximately 80% of commercial property casualty insurance premiums, according to studies by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America.
We are fully committed to the independent agency channel for marketing our insurance policies. For marketing standard lines insurance products, we choose independent agencies that share our philosophies. They generally do business person to person; offer broad, value-added services; and manage their agencies professionally, targeting long-term success. We develop our relationships with agencies, providing important knowledge of local market trends, opportunities and challenges.
Our associates work to support agencies with tools and resources that help communicate the value of choosing an independent insurance agent and our insurance policies to their clients and prospective clients. We help our agencies meet the broader needs of their clients and increase and diversify their revenues and profitability by offering insurance solutions beyond our standard market property casualty insurance products. We market life insurance products through the agencies that offer our property casualty products and through other independent life agencies that represent Cincinnati Life without also representing our other subsidiaries. We operate our own excess and surplus lines insurance brokerage firm and insurance carrier so that we can offer our excess and surplus lines products exclusively to the independent agencies who market our other property casualty insurance products. Insurers operating in the excess and surplus lines marketplace generally market business through nonaffiliated excess and surplus lines brokers.
The specialized nature of our other insurance operations helps avoid conflicts with the independent agency distribution channel. Cincinnati Re typically markets through broker organizations or similar intermediaries that specialize in reinsurance. Cincinnati Global markets its business through brokers and coverholders. Coverholders are entities that can be authorized by a Lloyd's syndicate to underwrite policies, manage risks, collect premiums or arrange claims settlements up to agreed upon limits.
The table below includes data about property casualty agency relationships that market our standard market insurance products. It does not include Lloyd's brokers or coverholders that source business for Cincinnati Global.
| Agency Data | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Property casualty agency relationships, January 1 | 1,984 | 1,921 | ||||||||||||
| New appointments that market all or most of The Cincinnati Insurance Companies' products | 216 | 145 | ||||||||||||
| New appointments that market only personal lines insurance products for Cincinnati Insurance | 84 | 64 | ||||||||||||
| Changes due to consolidation and other | (204) | (146) | ||||||||||||
| Property casualty agency relationships, December 31 | 2,080 | 1,984 | ||||||||||||
| Property casualty reporting locations | 3,116 | 2,861 | ||||||||||||
| New relationship appointments | 206 | 146 | ||||||||||||
| Active states | 46 | 46 | ||||||||||||
The annual total of agency new appointments may be partially offset by other changes in agency structures, such as consolidation through mergers or acquisitions. An increasing number of agencies have multiple, separately identifiable locations, reflecting their growth as well as consolidation of ownership within the independent
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agency marketplace. The number of reporting agency locations indicates our agents’ regional scope and the extent of our presence within our active states. The difference between new appointments in total and the number of new relationships represents either: new branch offices opened by existing Cincinnati agencies; or agencies that merged with another Cincinnati agency and we still believed would produce a meaningful amount of new business premiums.
On average, we have a 4.6% share of the standard lines property casualty insurance purchased through our reporting agency locations, according to 2022 data from agency surveys. Our share is 9.2% in reporting agency locations that have represented us for more than 10 years; 3.1% in agencies that have represented us for six to 10 years; 1.3% in agencies that have represented us for two to five years; and 0.4% in agencies that have represented us for one year or less.
Our largest single agency relationship accounted for approximately 0.6% of our total property casualty earned premiums in 2023. No aggregate locations under a single ownership structure accounted for more than 6% of our earned premiums in 2023.
Financial Strength
We believe that our financial strength and strong capital and surplus position, reflected in our insurer financial strength ratings, are clear, competitive advantages in the segments of the insurance marketplace that we serve. This strength supports the consistent, predictable performance that our policyholders, agents, associates and shareholders have always expected and received, helping us withstand significant challenges.
Effective capital management is an important part of creating long-term shareholder value, serving as a foundation to support other strategic areas focused on profitable growth of our insurance business. Our capital management philosophy is intended to preserve and build our capital while maintaining appropriate liquidity.
While the potential exists for short-term financial performance variability due to our exposures to possible natural or man-made catastrophes or to significant capital market losses, the rating agencies consistently assert that we have built appropriate financial strength and flexibility to manage that variability. We remain committed to strategies that emphasize being a consistent, stable market for our agents’ business rather than seeking short-term benefits that might accrue by quick, opportunistic reaction to changes in market conditions.
We use various principles and practices such as diversification and enterprise risk management to maintain strong capital. For example, we maintain a diversified investment portfolio by reviewing and applying specific parameters and tolerances.
•Our $13.791 billion fixed-maturity portfolio is diversified and exceeds total insurance reserves. The portfolio had an average rating of A2/A, and its fair value exceeded total insurance reserve liabilities by approximately 14% at December 31, 2023. No corporate bond exposure accounted for more than 0.8% of our fixed-maturity portfolio, and no municipal exposure accounted for more than 0.2%.
•The strength of our fixed-maturity portfolio provides an opportunity to invest for potential capital appreciation by purchasing equity securities. Our $10.989 billion equity portfolio minimizes concentrations in single stocks or industries. At December 31, 2023, no single security accounted for more than 8.0% of our portfolio of publicly traded common stocks, and no single sector accounted for more than 34%.
Strong liquidity increases our flexibility through all periods to maintain our cash dividend and to continue to invest in and expand our insurance operations. At December 31, 2023, we held $4.907 billion of our cash and invested assets at the parent-company level, of which $4.542 billion, or 92.6%, was invested in common stocks, and $138 million, or 2.8%, was cash and cash equivalents.
We minimize reliance on debt as a source of capital, with a debt-to-total-capital ratio of 6.3% at year-end 2023. Long-term debt at year-end 2023 totaled $790 million, compared with $789 million at year-end 2022, and our short-term debt was $25 million, down from $50 million at the end of the prior year. The long-term debt consists of three nonconvertible, noncallable debentures, two due in 2028 and one in 2034. Ratings for our long-term debt are discussed in Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, Long-Term Debt of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
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At year-end 2023 and 2022, risk-based capital (RBC) for our standard market property casualty insurance, excess and surplus lines insurance and life insurance subsidiaries was strong, far exceeding regulatory requirements.
•We ended 2023 with a 1.1-to-1 ratio of property casualty premiums to surplus, a key measure of property casualty insurance company capacity and security. A lower ratio indicates more security for policyholders and greater capacity for growth by an insurer. We believe our ratio provides ample flexibility to diversify risk by expanding our operations into new geographies and product areas. The estimated industry average ratio was 0.9-to-1 at year-end 2023, based on industry data reported through the first nine months of 2023. On a statutory consolidated property casualty insurance basis, our ratio of investments in common stock, at fair value, to statutory capital and surplus was 83.2% at year-end 2023 compared with 83.7% at year-end 2022.
•We ended 2023 with an 11.8% ratio of life statutory adjusted risk-based surplus to liabilities, a key measure of life insurance company capital strength. A higher ratio indicates an insurer’s stronger security for policyholders and capacity to support business growth. Our life insurance subsidiary’s RBC at year-end 2023 was 7.5 times the authorized control level RBC.
(Dollars in millions) Statutory Information | At December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Standard market property casualty insurance subsidiary | ||||||||||||||
| Statutory capital and surplus | $ | 7,294 | $ | 6,512 | ||||||||||
| Risk-based capital | 7,335 | 6,551 | ||||||||||||
| Authorized control level risk-based capital | 1,354 | 1,186 | ||||||||||||
| Risk-based capital to authorized control level risk-based capital ratio | 5.4 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
| Written premium to surplus ratio | 1.1 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s senior debt is rated by four independent rating firms. In addition, the rating firms award our property casualty and life operations insurer financial strength ratings based on their quantitative and qualitative analyses. These ratings assess an insurer’s ability to meet financial obligations to policyholders and do not necessarily address all of the matters that may be important to shareholders. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the ratings agency, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
At February 23, 2024, our insurance subsidiaries continued to be highly rated.
| Insurer Financial Strength Ratings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rating agency | Standard market property casualty insurance subsidiary | Life insurance subsidiary | Excess and surplus lines insurance subsidiary | Outlook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rating Tier | Rating Tier | Rating Tier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A.M. Best Company ambest.com | A+ | Superior | 2 of 16 | A+ | Superior | 2 of 16 | A+ | Superior | 2 of 16 | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fitch Ratings fitchratings.com | A+ | Strong | 5 of 21 | A+ | Strong | 5 of 21 | - | - | - | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Moody's Investors Service moodys.com | A1 | Good | 5 of 21 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S&P Global Ratings spratings.com | A+ | Strong | 5 of 21 | A+ | Strong | 5 of 21 | - | - | - | Stable | ||||||||||||||||||||||
On February 9, 2024, A.M. Best affirmed its ratings, continuing its stable outlook. On October 25, 2023, Fitch affirmed its ratings, continuing its stable outlook. On July 14, 2023, Moody's affirmed its ratings, continuing its stable outlook. On June 29, 2023, S&P affirmed its ratings, continuing its stable outlook.
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Operating Structure
We offer our broad array of insurance products through the independent agency distribution channel. We recognize that locally based independent agencies have relationships in their communities and local marketplace intelligence that can lead to profitable business and policyholder satisfaction and loyalty. Several of our strategic initiatives are intended not only to help us compete but also to enhance support of agencies that represent us, thereby contributing to agency success. We seek to be a consistent and predictable property casualty carrier that agencies can rely on to serve their clients.
In our 10 highest volume states for consolidated property casualty premiums, 1,487 reporting agency locations wrote 50.1% of our 2023 consolidated property casualty earned premium volume compared with 1,386 locations and 50.1% in 2022. We continue efforts to geographically diversify our property casualty risks.
Our 10 largest states based on property casualty premium volume, excluding Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global, are shown in the table below.
| (Dollars in millions) | Earned premiums | % of total earned | Agency locations | Average premium per location | ||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Ohio | $ | 1,027 | 13.4 | % | 261 | $ | 3.9 | |||||||
| Illinois | 408 | 5.3 | 190 | 2.1 | ||||||||||
| New York | 386 | 5.0 | 200 | 1.9 | ||||||||||
| North Carolina | 341 | 4.5 | 122 | 2.8 | ||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 321 | 4.2 | 168 | 1.9 | ||||||||||
| Georgia | 320 | 4.2 | 123 | 2.6 | ||||||||||
| Indiana | 299 | 3.9 | 140 | 2.1 | ||||||||||
| Missouri | 255 | 3.3 | 78 | 3.3 | ||||||||||
| Tennessee | 245 | 3.2 | 82 | 3.0 | ||||||||||
| Texas | 234 | 3.1 | 123 | 1.9 | ||||||||||
Field Focus Emphasizing Service
We rely on our force of 1,974 field associates to provide service and be accountable to our agencies for decisions we make at the local level. These associates live in the communities our agents serve, so they are readily available when agencies or policyholders need them. While their work is often conducted at the premises of the agency or policyholder, they also work from offices in their homes. Headquarters associates support agencies and field associates with underwriting, accounting, technology assistance, training and other services. Company executives and headquarters associates typically travel to visit agencies, strengthening the personal relationships we have with these organizations. Agents have opportunities for direct, personal conversations with our senior management team, and headquarters associates have opportunities to refresh their knowledge of marketplace conditions and field activities.
The field team is coordinated by field marketing representatives responsible for underwriting new commercial lines business. They are joined by field representatives specializing in claims, loss control, commercial lines key accounts, personal lines, excess and surplus lines, machinery and equipment, management liability and surety, premium audit and life insurance. The field team provides a variety of services, such as recommending specific actions to improve the safety of the policyholder’s operations. We seek to develop long-term relationships by understanding the unique needs of each agency's clients, who are also our policyholders.
Technology enhances our service to agencies, allowing them to more easily access our systems and process business transactions. Policyholders can conveniently access pertinent policy information online, helping to reduce costs for agencies and the company. Technology and ongoing training also help our associates collaborate and process business efficiently, providing more time for personal service to agencies and their clients.
We also provide and continue to develop enhanced, tailored services offered at the time a claim is reported for an insured loss event. Those services include assisting with car rental or towing, arranging temporary housing and coordinating emergency repairs to homes so additional damage is minimized.
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Our claims philosophy reflects our belief that we prosper as a company by responding to claims person to person, paying covered claims promptly, preventing false claims from unfairly adding to overall premiums and building financial strength to meet future obligations.
Our 889 locally based field claims associates, often referred to as field claims representatives, work from their homes and are assigned to specific agencies. They respond personally to policyholders and claimants and are equipped to handle a claim from nearly anywhere. We believe we have a competitive advantage because of the person-to-person approach and the resulting high level of service that our field claims representatives and Express Claims Center associates deliver. For field claims representatives handling excess and surplus lines claims, guidance is provided by headquarters-based excess and surplus lines claims managers. Claims may be reported directly to us by calling our claims call center, online via our company website or through the MyCincinnati app using a mobile device.
Catastrophe response teams are comprised of our experienced field claims representatives who have the authority they need to do their jobs. In times of widespread loss, our field claims representatives confidently and quickly resolve claims, with the ability to provide claims payments on the same day they inspect the loss. Technology helps to enable fast initial contact with policyholders and easy sharing of information and data among storm teams, headquarters associates and local field claims representatives. When hurricanes or other weather events are predicted, we can identify through mapping technologies the expected number of our policyholders that may be impacted by the event and choose to have catastrophe response team members travel to strategic locations near the expected impact area. They are then in position to quickly get to the affected area and begin providing service to policyholders.
Our 45 associates working in the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) include former law enforcement and claims professionals whose qualifications make them well suited to gathering facts to uncover potential fraud. While we believe our job is to pay what is due under each policy contract, we also want to prevent false claims from unfairly increasing overall premiums. Our SIU also operates a computer forensics lab that supports field investigation efforts in various ways including assistance with video evidence and data recovery.
We seek to attract and retain high-quality independent insurance agencies with knowledgeable, professional staff. In turn, we make an exceptionally strong commitment to assist them in keeping their knowledge up to date and educating new people they bring on board as they grow. This includes offering classes, usually at no cost to agencies, except travel-related expenses they may incur, and other training support. We also offer noninsurance financial services. We believe that providing these services enhances agency relationships with the company and their clients, increasing loyalty while diversifying the agency’s revenues.
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Human Capital
At the end of 2023, we employed 5,426 associates, including 3,363 headquarters associates who provide support to 1,974 field associates and 89 associates at Cincinnati Global. The associate voluntary turnover rate was 6% in 2023, 8% in 2022 and 7% in 2021.
We believe our compensation, training, technology, inclusive culture and career development opportunities help to attract and retain talented associates, which is critical to our strategy that emphasizes superior service to agencies and their clients, as described in this report. Our goal is to hire job candidates with promise, matching their strengths to positions within the company and providing resources to help them meet professional and personal goals. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all associates, encouraging a work environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
We use multiple channels to ensure we recruit a diverse workforce rich with ideas and knowledge. For example, we build relationships with future talent by partnering with career services departments, faculty and staff, and Diversity and Inclusion Offices at local and regional colleges and universities along with historically Black colleges and universities.
We offer a base pay level for all roles that is competitive, market-based and re-evaluated on a recurring basis. The base pay is complemented by a matching 401(k) program, annual cash bonus and stock ownership opportunities along with healthcare benefits to provide a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. In addition, we have many special programs that appeal to associates while aligning with our corporate values. We believe our voluntary turnover rate indicates overall associate satisfaction with their working environment, compensation and benefits.
We strive to offer equal pay for equal work and use independent consultants to conduct gender and ethnic minority pay equity studies examining total direct compensation, which consists of base salary, cash bonus and equity awards. Using a multivariate regression analysis, the independent studies in 2023 showed that we administer pay fairly and equitably because the factors used to make compensation decisions, such as role, salary grade, tenure and performance do in fact drive compensation awarded to each associate. More information is published in our Environmental, Social and Governance Report available on the Sustainability page of our website, cinfin.com/sustainability, which is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We offer all regular, full- and part-time associates the opportunity to participate in the CFC Savings Plan, our 401(k) plan. We also offer all full-time associates the opportunity to purchase health, prescription, vision and dental insurance. Associates enrolled in our health plan can receive a free biometric screening – either onsite at our headquarters or with their personal physician. The screening helps associates learn about their health and identify risk factors while earning a company contribution into their Health Savings Account.
While providing stock compensation at all levels of an organization may not be a common business practice, we firmly believe that stock ownership helps drive good decision making and encourages a long-term view by associates. We historically grant annual stock-based compensation to full-time, salaried associates in the form of stock options and restricted stock units that vest over time. In addition, each year all regular, full-time associates – salaried and hourly – are awarded one share of stock for each full calendar year of service, up to 10 shares, through our Holiday Stock Plan.
Read our Environmental, Social and Governance Report available on the Sustainability page of our website, cinfin.com/sustainability, for more information.
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Insurance Products
We provide well-designed property casualty and life insurance products to bring policyholders convenience, discounts and a reduced risk of coverage gaps or disputes. For most agencies that represent us, we believe we offer insurance solutions for approximately 75% of the typical insurable risks of their clients. Products for various business lines within our reporting segments include insurance coverages for business property and liability, automobiles and homes.
The table below shows net written premiums by segment and business line at year-end 2023, 2022 and 2021. We discuss our insurance segments in their respective sections later in this report.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Percent of total 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | 4,336 | $ | 4,159 | $ | 3,811 | 51.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | 2,302 | 1,831 | 1,594 | 27.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | 570 | 502 | 426 | 6.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | 364 | 339 | 346 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 838 | 815 | 648 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net written premiums | $ | 8,410 | $ | 7,646 | $ | 6,825 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Business line: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial casualty | $ | 1,475 | $ | 1,444 | $ | 1,315 | 17.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial property | 1,332 | 1,212 | 1,090 | 15.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial auto | 878 | 858 | 816 | 10.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 260 | 278 | 269 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other commercial | 391 | 367 | 321 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines insurance | 4,336 | 4,159 | 3,811 | 51.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal auto | 809 | 654 | 608 | 9.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeowner | 1,188 | 921 | 769 | 14.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other personal | 305 | 256 | 217 | 3.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines insurance | 2,302 | 1,831 | 1,594 | 27.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | 570 | 502 | 426 | 6.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term life insurance | 234 | 226 | 218 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whole life insurance | 52 | 47 | 47 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal life and other | 78 | 66 | 81 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 364 | 339 | 346 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Re | 558 | 585 | 461 | 6.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global | 280 | 230 | 187 | 3.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net written premiums | $ | 8,410 | $ | 7,646 | $ | 6,825 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 13
Our Segments
Consolidated financial results primarily reflect the results of our five reporting segments. These segments are defined based on financial information we use to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of assets.
•Commercial lines insurance
•Personal lines insurance
•Excess and surplus lines insurance
•Life insurance
•Investments
Revenues, income before income taxes and identifiable assets for each segment are shown in Item 8, Note 18 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of that information is discussed in this section, where we explain the business operations of each segment. The financial performance of each segment is discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 14
Commercial Lines Insurance Segment
In 2023, the commercial lines insurance segment contributed net earned premiums of $4.264 billion, representing 42.6% of consolidated total revenues. This segment reported profit before income taxes of $168 million. Commercial lines net earned premiums rose 6% in 2023 and 10% in 2022.
We believe that our commercial lines business is best measured and evaluated on a segment basis. However, we also provide selected line of business data to summarize growth and profitability trends separately for our business lines. The five commercial business lines are:
•Commercial casualty – Provides coverage to businesses against third-party liability from accidents occurring on their premises or arising out of their operations, including injuries sustained from products or liability related to professional services. Specialized casualty policies may include similar coverage such as umbrella liability or employment practices. The commercial casualty business line includes liability coverage written as part of commercial package policies.
•Commercial property – Provides coverage for loss or damage to buildings, inventory and equipment caused by covered causes of loss such as fire, wind, hail, water, theft and vandalism, as well as business interruption resulting from a covered loss. Commercial property also includes other coverages such as inland marine, which covers losses related to builder’s risk, cargo or equipment. Various property coverages can be written as stand-alone policies or can be added to a commercial package policy.
•Commercial auto – Protects businesses against liability to others for both bodily injury and property damage, medical payments to insureds and occupants of their vehicles, physical damage to an insured’s own vehicle from collision and various other perils, and damages caused by uninsured motorists.
•Workers’ compensation – Covers employers for government-specified benefits from work-related injuries to employees.
•Other commercial lines – This includes several other types of insurance products for businesses, including:
◦Management liability and surety – Includes director and officer (D&O) liability insurance, which covers liability for actual or alleged errors in judgment, breaches of duty or other wrongful acts related to activities of organizations and can optionally include other liability coverages. We market primarily to nonprofit organizations, privately held businesses, healthcare organizations, financial institutions and educational institutions. The for-profit portion includes approximately 140 bank or savings and loan financial institutions, with none having assets of $1 billion or more. The surety portion includes contract and commercial surety bonds for losses resulting from dishonesty, failure to perform and other acts and also includes fidelity bonds for fraudulent acts by specified individuals or dishonest acts by employees. Management liability coverage can also include cyber insurance as an affirmative coverage option on various insurance policies. We cede all of the related cyber insurance premiums to a reinsurer, therefore transferring substantially all of that risk. Ceded premiums for 2023 included $51 million for cyber insurance.
◦Machinery and equipment – Specialized coverage provides protection for loss or damage to boilers and machinery, including production and computer equipment and business interruption, due to sudden and accidental mechanical breakdown, steam explosion or artificially generated electrical current.
Our history of emphasizing products and services that agencies can market to small or midsized businesses in their communities remains a critical piece of our strategy even as we expand our appetite to insure larger businesses. While some of our property casualty agencies market only our personal lines or management liability and surety products, approximately 84% offer some or all of our standard market commercial insurance products.
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In 2023, our 10 highest volume commercial lines states generated 56.2% of our earned premiums compared with 56.2% in 2022. The aggregate number of reporting agency locations in our 10 highest volume states increased to 1,330 in 2023 from 1,228 in 2022.
Our 10 largest states based on commercial lines premium volume are shown in the table below.
| (Dollars in millions) | Earned premiums | % of total earned | Agency locations | Average premium per location | ||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Ohio | $ | 621 | 14.6 | % | 252 | $ | 2.5 | |||||||
| Illinois | 244 | 5.7 | 167 | 1.5 | ||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | 240 | 5.6 | 155 | 1.5 | ||||||||||
| North Carolina | 230 | 5.4 | 115 | 2.0 | ||||||||||
| Indiana | 200 | 4.7 | 138 | 1.4 | ||||||||||
| New York | 185 | 4.3 | 169 | 1.1 | ||||||||||
| Missouri | 173 | 4.0 | 61 | 2.8 | ||||||||||
| Tennessee | 172 | 4.0 | 78 | 2.2 | ||||||||||
| Virginia | 171 | 4.0 | 89 | 1.9 | ||||||||||
| Georgia | 167 | 3.9 | 106 | 1.6 | ||||||||||
For new commercial lines business, policy-by-policy underwriting and pricing is coordinated by our locally based field marketing representatives who are also responsible for selecting new independent agencies. Our agents and our team of field associates get to know the people and businesses in their communities and can make informed decisions about each risk.
Commercial lines policy renewals are managed by headquarters underwriters who are assigned to specific agencies and consult with local field associates as needed. As part of our team approach, headquarters underwriters also help oversee agency growth and profitability. They are responsible for formal issuance of all new business and renewal policies as well as policy endorsements. Further, the headquarters underwriters provide day-to-day customer service to agencies and our field marketing representatives by offering technical and industry expertise and product training, helping to determine underwriting eligibility and assisting with the mechanics of premium determination. We also continue a target markets emphasis to analyze opportunities and to develop new products and services, new coverage options and improvements to existing insurance products.
Understanding evolving market conditions is a critical function for our success, accomplished through both informal commentary and formal reviews. Informally, our field marketing representatives, underwriters and product development associates routinely receive market intelligence from a variety of channels, including from the agencies with which they work. This market information helps identify the top competitors and our market strengths and weaknesses. The information obtained encompasses pricing, breadth of coverage and use of underwriting guidelines.
Our historical emphasis on small to midsized businesses is reflected in the mix of our commercial lines premium volume by policy size. Approximately 70% of our commercial in-force policies have annual premiums of $10,000 or less, accounting in total for approximately 15% of our 2023 commercial lines premium volume. The remainder of policies have annual premiums greater than $10,000, including policies with annual premiums greater than $100,000 that account for approximately 35% of our 2023 commercial lines premium volume. Our average commercial lines policy size is approximately $16,000 in annual premiums.
Our commercial lines packages typically are offered on a three-year policy term for most insurance coverages – a key competitive advantage. In our experience, multi-year packages appeal to the quality-conscious insurance buyers who we believe are typical clients of our independent agents. Customized insurance programs on a three-year term complement the long-term relationships these policyholders typically have with their agents and with our company. By reducing annual administrative efforts, multi-year policies lower expenses for our company and for our agents. The commitment we make to policyholders encourages long-term relationships and reduces their need to annually re-evaluate their insurance carrier or agency. We believe that the advantages of three-year policies in
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 16
terms of improved policyholder convenience, increased account retention and reduced administrative costs outweigh the potential disadvantage of these policies, even in periods of rising rates.
Although we offer three-year policy terms, premiums for some coverages within those policies are adjustable at the anniversary for the next annual period, and policies may be canceled at any time at the discretion of the policyholder. Contract terms often provide that rates for property, general liability, inland marine and crime coverages, as well as policy terms and conditions, are fixed for the term of the policy. However, the exposure we insure is reviewed annually, near the policy anniversary date, and the amount of premiums may be adjusted based on changes to that exposure.
The general liability exposure basis may be audited annually. Commercial auto, workers’ compensation, professional liability and most umbrella liability coverages within multi-year packages are rated at each of the policy’s annual anniversaries for the next one-year period. The annual pricing could incorporate rate changes approved by state insurance regulatory authorities between the date the policy was written and its annual anniversary date, as well as changes in risk exposures and premium credits or debits relating to loss experience and other underwriting judgment factors. We estimate that approximately 75% of 2023 commercial premiums were subject to annual rating or were written on a one-year policy term. That 75% includes approximately one-third of policies offered on a three-year policy term that expire during any given year.
We believe our commercial lines insurance segment premiums reflect a higher concentration, relative to industry commercial lines premiums, in contractor-related businesses. Since economic activity related to construction, which can heavily influence insured exposures of contractors, may experience cycles that vary significantly with the economy as a whole, our commercial lines premium trends could vary from commercial lines premium trends for the property casualty insurance industry. In 2023, we estimated that 38% of our general liability premiums, and 37% of our workers’ compensation premiums, came from the construction industry based on North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.
Personal Lines Insurance Segment
The personal lines insurance segment contributed net earned premiums of $2.044 billion to 2023 consolidated total revenues, or 20.4% of the total, and reported a loss before income taxes of $4 million. Personal lines net earned premiums rose 21% in 2023 and 10% in 2022.
We prefer to write personal lines coverage in accounts that include both auto and homeowner coverages as well as coverages that are part of our other personal business line. At the end of 2023, for example, approximately 84% of our homeowner policies were accompanied by a personal auto policy in the same account. As a result of our account-based approach, we believe that our personal lines business is best measured and evaluated on a segment basis. However, we provide line of business data to summarize growth and profitability trends separately for three business lines:
•Personal auto – Protects against liability to others for both bodily injury and property damage, medical payments to insureds and occupants of their vehicle, physical damage to an insured’s own vehicle from collision and various other perils, and damages caused by uninsured motorists. In addition, many states require policies to provide first-party personal injury protection, frequently referred to as no-fault coverage.
•Homeowner – Protects against losses to dwellings and contents from a wide variety of perils, as well as liability arising out of personal activities both on and off the covered premises. We also offer coverage for condominium unit owners and renters.
•Other personal lines – This includes the other types of insurance products we offer to individuals, including dwelling fire, inland marine, personal umbrella liability and watercraft coverages.
At year-end 2023, we marketed personal lines insurance products through 2,249, or approximately 72%, of our 3,116 agency reporting locations. The 2,249 personal lines agency locations were in 45 of the 46 states in which we offered property casualty insurance. Those agencies produced approximately 1.1 million personal lines policies in force for us, representing approximately 440,000 policyholders.
Expansion of our personal lines insurance segment includes marketing through independent agencies to profitably grow our premiums for products and services offered to their high net worth personal lines clients. In 2023, our appointed agencies produced for us approximately $1.257 billion of net written premiums in total from policyholders with insured home values of $1 million or more, up 37% from 2022. We estimate those policyholders represent
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 17
approximately 28% of our total personal lines policyholders. We refer to our high net worth products and services as Cincinnati Private ClientSM. Private client is a term used in the financial services industry to describe people who have complex needs based on their affluence, investments and belongings. It allows agencies and their customers to easily recognize that we stand ready to serve this client segment.
In 2023, our 10 highest volume personal lines states generated 63.5% of our earned premiums compared with 64.5% in 2022. In 2015, our 10 highest volume personal lines states generated 78.5% of our earned premiums. The reduction in that percentage indicates progress over time toward our long-term objective of geographic diversification through new states for our personal lines operation. The aggregate number of reporting agency locations in our 10 highest volume states increased to 1,055 in 2023 from 999 in 2022.
Our 10 largest states based on personal lines premium volume are shown in the table below.
| (Dollars in millions) | Earned premiums | % of total earned | Agency locations | Average premium per location | ||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Ohio | $ | 372 | 18.2 | % | 241 | $ | 1.5 | |||||||
| New York | 163 | 8.0 | 111 | 1.5 | ||||||||||
| California | 151 | 7.4 | 75 | 2.0 | ||||||||||
| Georgia | 128 | 6.3 | 99 | 1.3 | ||||||||||
| Illinois | 125 | 6.1 | 142 | 0.9 | ||||||||||
| North Carolina | 81 | 4.0 | 99 | 0.8 | ||||||||||
| Indiana | 77 | 3.8 | 116 | 0.7 | ||||||||||
| Alabama | 70 | 3.4 | 61 | 1.1 | ||||||||||
| Texas | 67 | 3.3 | 65 | 1.0 | ||||||||||
| Connecticut | 61 | 3.0 | 46 | 1.3 | ||||||||||
New and renewal personal lines business reflects our risk-specific underwriting philosophy. Each agency selects personal lines business primarily from within the geographic territory that it serves, based in part on agency staff’s knowledge of the risks in those communities or familiarity with the policyholder. We have personal lines field marketing representatives who have underwriting authority and visit agencies on a regular basis. They focus primarily on key states targeted for growth, reinforcing the advantages of our personal lines products and offering training in the use of our policy processing system. Personal lines activities are further supported by headquarters associates assigned to individual agencies.
Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Segment
The excess and surplus lines segment contributed net earned premiums of $542 million to 2023 consolidated total revenues, or 5.4% of the total, and reported profit before income taxes of $54 million. Excess and surplus lines net earned premium increased 12% in 2023 and 22% in 2022.
Our excess and surplus lines policies typically cover business risks with unique characteristics, such as the nature of the business or its claim history, that are difficult to profitably insure in the standard commercial lines market. Excess and surplus lines insurers have more flexibility in coverage terms and rates compared with standard lines companies, generally resulting in policies with higher rates and terms and conditions customized for specific risks, including restricted coverage where appropriate. We target small to midsized risks, and policyholders in many cases also have standard market insurance with one of our other subsidiaries. Our average excess and surplus lines policy size is approximately $10,000 in annual premiums, and the majority have coverage limits of $1 million or less. All of our excess and surplus lines policies are written for a maximum term of one year. Approximately 91% of our 2023 earned premiums for the excess and surplus lines insurance segment provided commercial casualty coverages and about 9% provided commercial property coverages. Those coverages are described below.
•Commercial casualty – Covers businesses for third-party liability from accidents occurring on their premises or arising out of their operations, including injuries sustained from products. Other coverages available include miscellaneous errors and omissions, professional liability and excess liability. Typical businesses covered include contractors, manufacturers, real estate owners and managers, retail, consultants, and bars or taverns. Policies covering liability at special events are also available.
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•Commercial property – Insures buildings, inventory, equipment and business income from loss or damage due to causes such as fire, wind, hail, water, theft and vandalism. Examples of property we commonly insure with excess and surplus lines policies include temporarily vacant buildings, habitational, restaurants and relatively higher-hazard manufacturing classes.
At the end of 2023, we marketed excess and surplus lines insurance products in each of the 43 states in which we offer standard market commercial lines insurance. Offering excess and surplus lines helps agencies representing The Cincinnati Insurance Companies meet the insurance needs of their clients when coverage is unavailable in the standard market. By providing outstanding service, we can help agencies grow and prosper while also profitably growing our property casualty business.
In 2023, our 10 highest volume excess and surplus lines states generated 53.5% of our earned premiums, compared with 53.7% in 2022.
Our 10 largest states based on excess and surplus lines premium volume are shown in the table below.
| (Dollars in millions) | Earned premiums | % of total earned | ||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Illinois | $ | 39 | 7.2 | % | ||||
| New York | 37 | 6.8 | ||||||
| Ohio | 34 | 6.3 | ||||||
| Texas | 32 | 5.9 | ||||||
| North Carolina | 30 | 5.6 | ||||||
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 4.8 | ||||||
| Georgia | 25 | 4.5 | ||||||
| Michigan | 22 | 4.2 | ||||||
| Missouri | 22 | 4.1 | ||||||
| Indiana | 22 | 4.1 | ||||||
Agencies representing The Cincinnati Insurance Companies produce approximately $6 billion in annual premiums for all carriers writing excess and surplus lines policies for their clients. We estimate that approximately half of that premium volume matches the targeted business types and coverages we offer through our excess and surplus lines insurance segment. We structured the operations of this segment to meet the needs of these agencies and to market exclusively through them.
Agencies have access to Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters' product line through CSU Producer Resources, the wholly owned insurance brokerage subsidiary of Cincinnati Financial Corporation. CSU Producer Resources has binding authority on all classes of business written through Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters and maintains appropriate agent and surplus lines licenses.
We seek to earn a share of each agency’s best excess and surplus lines accounts by offering several unique benefits. Agency producers have direct access through CSU Producer Resources to a group of our underwriters who focus exclusively on excess and surplus lines business. Those underwriters can tap into broader services we offer to provide policyholders additional value and help producers build the relationship through experienced and responsive loss control services and claims handling. CSU Producer Resources gives extra support to our independent agency producers by remitting surplus lines taxes and stamping fees and retaining admitted market diligent search affidavits, where required. Agencies marketing through CSU Producer Resources instead of a competing brokerage generally receive a higher commission because use of our internal brokerage subsidiary eliminates some of the intermediary costs. This business is factored in their profit-sharing agreement with The Cincinnati Insurance Companies. We also offer prompt service, generally issuing approximately 95% of policies within 24 hours of a request to bind a policy.
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Life Insurance Segment
The life insurance segment contributed $313 million of net earned premiums, representing 3.1% of 2023 consolidated total revenues, and reported a gain before income taxes of $41 million. Life insurance net earned premiums increased 4% in 2023 and 2% in 2022.
The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company supports our agency-centered business model by deepening the relationships we have with agents while also diversifying revenue and profitability for both the agency and our company. We primarily focus on life products that feature a steady stream of premium payments and that have the potential for generating revenue growth through increasing demand. Pricing life insurance policies includes assumptions for mortality, persistency, expenses and investment earnings while also considering the time value of money related to expected cash flows and a reasonable profit margin.
Life Insurance Business Lines
Four lines of business that account for more than 99% of the life insurance segment’s revenues are:
•Term life insurance – Policies under which a death benefit is payable only if the insured dies during a specific period of time. Policy options include a return of premium provision, a benefit equal to the sum of all paid base premiums that is payable if the insured person survives to the end of the term. The policies are fully underwritten using traditional and accelerated methods.
•Worksite products – Term life insurance, return of premium term life insurance and whole life insurance offered to employees through their employer. Premiums are collected by the employer using payroll deduction. Policies are issued using a simplified underwriting approach and on a guaranteed issue basis. Worksite insurance products provide our property casualty agency force with excellent cross-serving opportunities for both commercial and personal accounts.
•Whole life insurance – Policies that provide life insurance for the entire lifetime of the insured. The death benefit is guaranteed never to decrease and premiums are guaranteed never to increase. While premiums are fixed, they must be paid as scheduled. These policies provide guaranteed cash values that are available as loans collateralized by the cash surrender value. The policies are fully underwritten.
•Universal life insurance – Long-duration life insurance policies that are fully underwritten. Contract premiums are neither fixed nor guaranteed; however, the contract does specify a minimum interest crediting rate and a maximum cost of insurance charge and expense charge. The cash values, available as loans collateralized by the cash surrender value, are not guaranteed and depend on the amount and timing of actual premium payments and the amount of actual contract assessments.
In addition, Cincinnati Life markets:
•Deferred annuities that provide regular income payments that commence after the end of a specified period or when the annuitant attains a specified age. During the deferral period, any payments made under the contract accumulate at the crediting rate declared by the company but not less than a contract-specified guaranteed minimum interest rate. A deferred annuity may be surrendered during the deferral period for a cash value equal to the accumulated payments plus interest less the surrender charge, if any.
•Immediate annuities that provide some combination of regular income and lump-sum payments in exchange for a single premium.
Life Insurance Distribution
Cincinnati Life is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia. At year-end 2023, approximately 80% of our 2,080 property casualty agency relationships offered Cincinnati Life products to their clients. We also develop life business from approximately 398 other independent life insurance agencies. We are careful to solicit business from these other agencies in a manner that does not conflict with or compete with the marketing and sales efforts of our property casualty agencies.
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When marketing through our property casualty agencies, we have specific competitive advantages:
•Because our property casualty operations are held in high regard, property casualty agency management is predisposed to consider selling our life products.
•Marketing efforts for both our property casualty and life insurance businesses are directed by our field marketing department, coordinated with our life field marketing representatives, which assures consistency of communication and operations. Life field marketing representatives are available to meet face-to-face with agency personnel and their clients as well. Our life headquarters underwriters and other associates are available to the agents and field team to assist in the placement of business.
We continue to emphasize the cross-serving opportunities of our life insurance, including term and worksite products, for the property casualty agency’s personal and commercial accounts. In both the property casualty and independent life agency distribution systems, we enjoy the advantages of offering competitive, up-to-date products and providing personal attention in combination with financial strength and stability.
•Term life insurance is our largest life insurance product line. We continue to develop and offer term products with features our agents indicate are important, such as a return of premium benefit and an accelerated underwriting option.
•We also offer products addressing the needs of businesses with key person and buy-sell coverages. We offer quality, personal life insurance coverage to personal and commercial clients of our agencies.
Because of our strong capital position, we can offer a competitive product portfolio, including guaranteed products, giving our agents a marketing edge. Our life insurance company maintains strong insurer financial strength ratings: A.M. Best, A+ (Superior); Fitch, A+ (Strong); and S&P, A+ (Strong). Our life insurance company has chosen not to establish a Moody’s rating.
In 2023, our five highest volume states for life insurance premiums, based on information contained in statements filed with state insurance departments, are shown in the table below.
| (Dollars in millions) | Premiums | % of total | ||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Ohio | $ | 58 | 15.2 | % | ||||
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 6.8 | ||||||
| Illinois | 23 | 5.9 | ||||||
| Indiana | 22 | 5.7 | ||||||
| Georgia | 22 | 5.7 | ||||||
Investments Segment
Revenues of the investments segment are primarily from net investment income and from net investment gains and losses from investment portfolios managed for the holding company and each of the operating subsidiaries.
Our investment department operates under risk guidelines set forth in our investment policy along with oversight of the investment committee of our board of directors. These guidelines set parameters for risk tolerances governing, among other items, the allocation of the portfolio as well as security and sector concentrations. These parameters are part of an integrated corporate risk management program. When allocating cash to various asset classes, we consider market-based factors such as risk adjusted after-tax yields as well as internal measures based in part on insurance department regulations and rating agency guidance.
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The fair value of our investment portfolio was $24.780 billion and $21.973 billion at year-end 2023 and 2022, respectively, as shown in the table below. The overall portfolio increased in fair value, including net purchases of securities in addition to an increase in its net investment gain position. The net investment gain position at year-end 2023, compared with year-end 2022, included a net increase for our equity security portfolio, reflecting a general increase in equity market valuations. It also included a smaller net unrealized loss position in our fixed-maturity investments, due to lower short-term interest rates in addition to a tightening of corporate credit spreads.
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, 2023 | At December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost or amortized cost | Percent of total | Percent of total | Cost or amortized cost | Percent of total | Percent of total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair value | Fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable fixed maturities | $ | 10,414 | 55.8 | % | $ | 9,889 | 40.0 | % | $ | 9,020 | 52.2 | % | $ | 8,299 | 37.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt fixed maturities | 3,947 | 21.2 | 3,902 | 15.7 | 3,959 | 22.9 | 3,833 | 17.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equities | 3,869 | 20.8 | 10,641 | 42.9 | 3,851 | 22.3 | 9,454 | 43.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonredeemable preferred equities | 413 | 2.2 | 348 | 1.4 | 443 | 2.6 | 387 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 18,643 | 100.0 | % | $ | 24,780 | 100.0 | % | $ | 17,273 | 100.0 | % | $ | 21,973 | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
The cash we generate from insurance operations historically has been invested in two broad categories of investments:
•Fixed-maturity investments – Includes taxable and tax-exempt bonds and redeemable preferred stocks. During 2023, the combined effect of purchases of securities and a net decrease in unrealized losses offset dispositions of fixed-maturity securities in our portfolio. During 2022, a net decrease in unrealized gains, combined with dispositions, offset purchases.
•Equity investments – Includes common and nonredeemable preferred stocks. During 2023, the combined effect of a net increase in fair value and purchases of equity securities in our portfolio offset sales. During 2022, a net decrease in fair value and sales offset purchases.
In addition to securities held in our investment portfolio at year-end 2023, other invested assets included $434 million of private equity investments, $66 million of real estate through direct property ownership and development projects in the U.S., $44 million held on deposit at Lloyd's and $33 million of life policy loans.
Our investment portfolio is further described below. Additional information about the composition and valuation of investments is included in Item 8, Note 2, Investments, and Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, of the Consolidated Financial Statements. A detailed listing of our portfolio is updated on our website, cinfin.com/investors, each quarter when we report our quarterly financial results.
Fixed-Maturity Securities Investments
By maintaining a well-diversified fixed-maturity portfolio, we attempt to manage overall interest rate, reinvestment, credit and liquidity risk. We pursue a buy-and-hold strategy and do not attempt to make large-scale changes to the portfolio in anticipation of rate movements. By investing new money on a regular basis and analyzing risk-adjusted after-tax yields, we work to achieve a general laddering effect to our portfolio that may mitigate some of the effects of adverse interest rate movements.
At December 31, 2023, our investment-grade and noninvestment-grade fixed-maturity securities represented 82.0% and 3.2% of the portfolio, respectively. The remaining 14.8% represented fixed-maturity securities that were not rated by Moody’s or S&P. Our nonrated securities include smaller municipal issues and private placement corporate securities. Many of these, although not rated by Moody’s or S&P, are rated by the Securities’ Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Also included in this category are smaller public corporate securities, many of which carry a rating by an agency other than Moody’s or S&P, such as Fitch or Kroll Bond Rating Agency.
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Other selected attributes of the fixed-maturity portfolio are shown in the table below. Additional maturity periods and other information for our fixed-maturity portfolio are shown in Item 8, Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
| At December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Weighted average yield-to-amortized cost | 4.60 | % | 4.22 | % | ||||||||||
| Weighted average maturity | 7.9 | yrs | 7.4 | yrs | ||||||||||
| Effective duration | 4.3 | yrs | 4.7 | yrs | ||||||||||
The fair values of our taxable fixed-maturity securities portfolio at the end of the last two years were:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Investment-grade corporate | $ | 7,040 | $ | 6,369 | |||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | 1,224 | 183 | |||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 801 | 789 | |||||||||
| Noninvestment-grade corporate | 412 | 500 | |||||||||
| United States government | 200 | 191 | |||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 187 | 234 | |||||||||
| Foreign government | 25 | 33 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 9,889 | $ | 8,299 | |||||||
While our strategy typically is to buy and hold fixed-maturity investments to maturity, we monitor credit profiles and fair value movements when determining holding periods for individual securities. With the exception of U.S. agency issues, no individual issuer's securities accounted for more than 1.1% of the taxable fixed-maturity portfolio at year-end 2023. Investment-grade corporate bonds had an average rating of Baa1 by Moody’s or BBB by S&P at year-end 2023. The average rating may be understated due to securities that were not rated by Moody’s or S&P but were rated by the NAIC, as described above. Our taxable fixed-maturity portfolio included $187 million of mortgage-backed securities with an average rating of Aa3/AA- at year-end 2023.
Relative to a broad bond market index such as the Barclay’s Aggregate, we are most heavily exposed to the investment-grade corporate bond asset class. Within that asset class, we have a weighting of 38.2% for the financial sector, higher than the 31.8% weighting for the financial sectors of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Index.
At December 31, 2023, we had $3.902 billion of tax-exempt fixed-maturity securities with an average rating of Aa2/AA by Moody’s and S&P. The average rating may be understated due to securities that were not rated by Moody’s or S&P but were rated by the NAIC, as described above. The portfolio is well diversified among approximately 1,800 municipal bond issuers. No single municipal issuer accounted for more than 0.6% of the tax-exempt fixed-maturity portfolio at year-end 2023.
Equity Securities Investments
After covering both our intermediate and long-range insurance obligations with fixed-maturity investments, we historically have used some available cash flow to invest in equity securities. Our equity securities portfolio includes common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks, primarily in larger-capitalization companies but sometimes in smaller entities with attractive growth prospects. Investments in equity securities have played an important role in achieving our portfolio objectives and have contributed to both growth of investment income and portfolio appreciation. We remain committed to our long-term equity focus, which we believe is a key factor to our company’s long-term growth and stability. We believe our strategy of primarily investing in a diversified selection of high-quality, larger-capitalization, dividend-increasing companies generally results in reduced volatility relative to the broader equity markets.
For federal income tax purposes, taxes on gains from appreciated investments generally are not due until securities are sold. We believe that the appreciated value of equity securities, compared with the cost of securities
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that is generally used as a tax basis, is a useful measure to help evaluate how fair value can change over time. On this basis, the net unrealized investment gains at year-end 2023 consisted of a net gain position in our equity portfolio of $6.707 billion. Events or factors such as economic growth or recession can affect the fair value of our equity securities.
At year-end 2023, Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) was our largest single common stock investment, comprising 7.9% of our publicly traded common stock portfolio and 3.4% of the entire investment portfolio. The five largest holdings in our common stock portfolio were Microsoft, Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL), Broadcom Inc. (Nasdaq:AVGO), JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) and Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN), which had a combined fair value of $3.004 billion or 28.2% of our publicly traded common stock portfolio. The parent company held 42.7% of our common stock holdings (measured by fair value). The distribution of the portfolio among industry sectors is shown in the table below.
Common Stock Portfolio Industry Sector Distribution
| Percent of common stock portfolio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial | S&P 500 Industry Weightings | Cincinnati Financial | S&P 500 Industry Weightings | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sector: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Information technology | 33.1 | % | 28.9 | % | 26.5 | % | 25.7 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Financial | 13.9 | 13.0 | 13.6 | 11.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Industrials | 11.9 | 8.8 | 11.9 | 8.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Healthcare | 11.6 | 12.6 | 15.0 | 15.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer staples | 7.0 | 6.2 | 8.8 | 7.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Consumer discretionary | 7.0 | 10.8 | 7.7 | 9.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Materials | 4.7 | 2.4 | 5.0 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Energy | 4.1 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 5.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Utilities | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Telecomm services | 1.4 | 8.6 | 1.3 | 7.3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||
We evaluate nonredeemable preferred stocks in a manner similar to our evaluation of fixed-maturity investments, seeking attractive relative yields. We generally focus on investment-grade nonredeemable preferred stocks issued by companies with strong histories of paying common dividends, providing us with another layer of protection. Consideration is also given to nonredeemable preferred stocks that offer a dividend received deduction for income tax purposes. We purchased $22 million and $54 million of nonredeemable preferred stocks during 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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Other
What we report as Other includes the noninvestment operations of the parent company and its noninsurer subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. At year-end 2023, this subsidiary had $108 million in receivables related to its commercial leasing and financing services, compared with $92 million in receivables at year-end 2022.
We also report as Other the results of Cincinnati Re, which has contracts, also referred to as treaties, with other insurance or reinsurance companies to assume a portion of their insured risk in exchange for a portion of premiums from insurance policies covering those risks. The treaties and their exposure to losses are diverse in nature, including various lines of business and geographies for the reinsured risks. Some of our treaties reflect a type of contract commonly referred to as participating or proportional, typically sharing premiums and losses between the reinsured entity and us, as reinsurer, on a pro rata basis. Some are a contract type commonly referred to as excess of loss, where we indemnify the reinsured entity only for losses exceeding a predetermined amount.
Net written premiums for Cincinnati Re totaled $558 million in 2023, compared with $585 million in 2022. Approximately 32% of 2023 net written premiums was for property exposures that include risk of loss from natural catastrophes and approximately 48% was for casualty exposures from various liability risks. The remainder of approximately 20% was a combination of what we consider to be more specialized coverages that include, but are not limited to, credit risk transfer related to residential mortgages, marine and energy risks and cyber risks.
Also reported as Other are the results of Cincinnati Global, our London-based global specialty underwriter for Lloyd's Syndicate 318, which we acquired on February 28, 2019. We expect it to continue contributing to future earnings and book value growth. In 2022, we expanded opportunities for appointed independent agencies to offer their clients insurance solutions in the Lloyd’s market through our insurance brokerage, CSU Producer Resources. We launched the first of several planned products through a binder authority agreement between Cincinnati Global and CSU Producer Resources, enhancing our ability to serve more of our agent’s clients and bring quality business to Cincinnati Global.
Net written premiums for Cincinnati Global totaled $280 million in 2023, compared with $230 million in 2022. We continued to diversify its premiums to reduce underwriting profit volatility effects of property insurance. Most of the 2023 premiums were for U.S. and international property exposures that include risk of loss from natural catastrophes, including approximately 58% classified as direct and facultative and 20% as binder, where binding authority has been granted to various coverholders. The coverholders are mostly in the U.S., and we believe they have the ability to successfully underwrite and manage risks. The remainder, approximately 22%, was for other classes of business that include trade credit, terrorism, political violence, specie coverage for high-value portable property and contingency insurance with coverage for film and entertainment risks or event cancellation.
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Regulation
The business of insurance in the United States (U.S.) is primarily regulated by state law. All of our U.S. insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled in the state of Ohio except The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company, which is domiciled in the state of Delaware. Each domestic insurance subsidiary is primarily governed by the insurance laws and regulations in its respective state of domicile. We also are subject to regulatory authorities of all states in which we write insurance. The state laws and regulations that have the most significant effect on our insurance operations and financial reporting are discussed below.
•Insurance Holding Company Regulation – We are regulated as an insurance holding company system in the respective states of domicile of our lead standard market property casualty company subsidiary and its surplus lines insurance subsidiary. These regulations require that we annually furnish financial and other information about the governance and operations of the individual companies within the holding company system. Information about the risks posed by any noninsurance company subsidiaries must also be disclosed. All transactions within a holding company system affecting insurers must be fair and equitable. Notice to the state insurance commissioner is required prior to the consummation of transactions affecting the ownership or control of an insurer and prior to certain material transactions between an insurer and any person or entity in its holding company group. In addition, some of those transactions cannot be consummated without the commissioner’s prior approval.
•Subsidiary Dividends – The Cincinnati Insurance Company is fully owned by Cincinnati Financial Corporation and is our lead insurance subsidiary. The dividend-paying capacity of The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its fully owned subsidiaries is regulated by the laws of the applicable state of domicile. Under these laws, our domestic insurance subsidiaries must provide a 10-day advance informational notice to the insurance commissioner for the domiciliary state prior to payment of any dividend or distribution to its shareholders. Generally, the most our domestic insurance subsidiaries can pay without prior regulatory approval is the greater of 10% of statutory capital and surplus or 100% of statutory net income for the prior calendar year.
The domestic insurance company subsidiaries must give 30 days of notice to, and obtain prior approval from, the state insurance commissioner before the payment of an extraordinary dividend as defined by the state’s insurance code. You can find information about the dividends paid by our lead insurance subsidiary during 2023 in Item 8, Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
•Insurance Operations – All of our domestic insurance subsidiaries are subject to licensing and supervision by departments of insurance in the states in which they do business. The nature and extent of such regulations vary, but generally are rooted in statutes that delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers to state insurance departments. Such regulations, supervision and administration of the domestic insurance subsidiaries include: the standards of solvency that must be met and maintained; the licensing of insurers and their agents and brokers; the nature and limitations on investments; deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; regulation of standard market policy forms and premium rates; policy cancellations and nonrenewals; test audit programs; periodic examination of the affairs of insurance companies; annual and other reports required to be filed on the financial condition of insurers or for other purposes; requirements regarding reserves for unearned premiums, losses and other matters; the nature of and limitations on dividends to policyholders and shareholders; the nature and extent of required participation in insurance guaranty funds; the involuntary assumption of hard-to-place or high-risk insurance business, primarily workers’ compensation insurance; and the collection, remittance and reporting of certain taxes and fees. Our primary insurance regulators in the U.S. have adopted the Model Audit Rule for annual statutory financial reporting. This regulation closely mirrors the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on matters such as auditor independence, corporate governance and internal controls over financial reporting. The regulation permits the audit committee of Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s board of directors to also serve as the audit committee of each of our insurance subsidiaries for purposes of this regulation.
•Insurance Guaranty Associations – For certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies to policyholders and claimants, states assess each member insurer in an amount relative to the insurer’s proportionate share of business written by all member insurers in the state. While the amount of such assessments has not been material in recent years, we cannot predict the amount and timing of any future assessments or refunds on our insurance subsidiaries under these laws.
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•Shared Market and Joint Underwriting Plans – Assigned risk plans, reinsurance facilities and joint underwriting associations are mechanisms that generally provide applicants with various basic insurance coverages when they are not available in voluntary markets. States can require participation based upon the amount of an insurance company’s voluntary market share, and underwriting results related to these pools could be adverse to our company.
•Statutory Accounting – For public reporting, domestic insurance companies prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP. However, certain data also must be calculated according to statutory accounting rules as defined in the NAIC’s Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual. While not a substitute for any GAAP measure of performance, statutory data frequently is used by industry analysts and other recognized reporting sources to facilitate comparisons of the performance of insurance companies.
•Insurance Reserves – State insurance laws require that property casualty and life insurers annually analyze the adequacy of reserves. Our appointed actuaries must submit an opinion that reserves are adequate for policy claims-paying obligations and related expenses.
•Investment Regulation – Insurance company investments must comply with laws and regulations pertaining to the type, quality and concentration of investments. Such laws and regulations permit investments in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common equity securities, mortgage loans, real estate and certain other investments, subject to specified limits and other qualifications.
•Risk-Based Capital Requirements – The NAIC’s risk-based capital (RBC) requirements for property casualty and life insurers serve as an early warning tool for the NAIC and state regulators to identify companies that may be undercapitalized and may merit further regulatory action. The NAIC has a standard formula for annually assessing RBC. The formula for calculating RBC for property casualty companies takes into account asset and credit risks but places more emphasis on underwriting factors for reserving and pricing. The formula for calculating RBC for life insurance companies takes into account factors relating to insurance, business, asset and interest-rate risks.
Although the federal government and its regulatory agencies generally do not directly regulate the business of insurance, federal legislation and administrative rules adopted can affect our business. Privacy laws, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA) are the federal laws that most affect our day-to-day operations. These apply to us because we gather and use personal nonpublic information to underwrite insurance and process claims. We also are subject to other federal laws, such as the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), anti-money laundering statute (AML), the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA), the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the rules and regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Title V of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank) created the Federal Insurance Office to monitor the insurance industry and gather information to identify issues or gaps in the regulation of insurers that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the insurance industry that affects the United States’ financial system and to recommend to the Financial Stability Oversight Council that it designate an insurer as a systemically significant entity requiring additional supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. We do not expect Dodd-Frank to result in federal oversight of our operations as a systemically significant entity.
We do not expect to have any material effects on our expenditures, earnings or competitive position as a result of compliance with any federal, state or local provisions enacted or adopted relating to the protection of the environment. We currently do not have any material estimated capital expenditures for environmental control facilities.
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We operate in limited foreign jurisdictions. Our foreign insurance subsidiary, Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd., based in the United Kingdom (U.K.), holds a group of companies led by our managing agency, Cincinnati Global Underwriting Agency Ltd., of Lloyd’s Syndicate 318, which is regulated by The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The PRA’s primary objective with respect to insurers is to promote the safety and soundness of insurers for the protection of policyholders, while the FCA has three operational objectives: (i) to secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; (ii) to protect and enhance the integrity of the U.K. financial system; and (iii) to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers in the financial services markets. The PRA/FCA’s Senior Managers and Certification Regime provides regulatory frameworks for standards of fitness and propriety, conduct and accountability for individuals in positions of responsibility at insurers. The PRA and FCA have also delegated certain additional regulatory responsibilities to the Council of Lloyd’s. By virtue of Lloyd’s international licenses, we can write business in various countries throughout the world. In each such country, we are subject to the laws and insurance regulations of that jurisdiction.
Our operations in the U.K. are further subject to regulations retained following the U.K.’s exit from the European Union (EU). Generally, these requirements were adopted by the EU and then implemented by enabling legislation in the member countries. Significant areas of oversight in the U.K. include capital, solvency and risk management requirements (Solvency II), competition law and antitrust regulation, intermediary and distribution regulation, climate change, gender discrimination and data protection and privacy (General Data Protection Regulation).
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Enterprise Risk Management
We manage enterprise risk, including cybersecurity risk, through formal risk management programs overseen by an executive officer of the company. Our ERM framework includes an enterprise risk management committee, which is responsible for overseeing risk activities and is comprised of senior executive-level risk owners from across the enterprise. The risk committee's activities are supported by a team of representatives from business areas that focus on identifying, evaluating and developing risk plans for emerging risks, including cybersecurity risks. A comprehensive report is provided quarterly to our chairman and chief executive officer and also to our board of directors and our senior executive team, as appropriate, on the status of risk metrics relative to identified tolerances and limits, risk assessments and risk plans. The use of operational audits, strategic plans and departmental business plans, as well as our culture of open communications and fundamental respect for our Code of Conduct, continue to help us manage risks on an ongoing basis. Our efforts to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats is further discussed in Item 1C, Cybersecurity.
Our risk management programs include a formalized risk appetite element and a risk identification and quantification process. The overall enterprise objective is to appropriately balance risk and reward to achieve an appropriate return on risk capital. Our key risks are discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, including risks related to natural catastrophes, investments and operations.
We continue to study emerging risks, including climate change risk and its potential financial effects on our results of operations and on those we insure. These effects include deterioration in the credit quality of our municipal or corporate bond portfolios and increased losses without sufficient corresponding increases in premiums. As with any risk, we seek to identify the extent of the risk exposure and possible actions to mitigate potential negative effects of risk at an enterprise level.
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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Our business involves various risks and uncertainties that may affect achievement of our business objectives. Many of the risks could have ramifications across our organization. For example, while risks related to setting insurance rates and establishing and adjusting loss reserves are insurance activities, actual results differing from our assumptions, judgments or estimates in these areas could have an impact on our investment activities, growth and overall results.
The following discussion should be viewed as a starting point for understanding the significant risks we face. It is not a definitive summary of their potential impacts or of our strategies to manage and control the risks. Please see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for a discussion of those strategies.
If any risks or uncertainties discussed here develop into actual events, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In that case, the market price of our common stock could decline materially. The failure of our risk management strategies could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Readers should carefully consider this information together with the other information we have provided in this report and in other reports and materials we file periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as news releases and other information we disseminate publicly.
Risks related to insurance operations
We rely primarily on independent insurance agents to distribute our products.
We market our main products, insurance policies for businesses and individuals, through independent, nonexclusive insurance agents. These agents are not obligated to promote our products and can and do sell our competitors’ products. We must offer insurance products that meet the needs of these agents and their clients. We need to maintain good relationships with the agents who market our products. If we do not, these agents may market our competitors’ products instead of ours, which may lead to us having a less desirable mix of business and could affect our results of operations.
In addition to our marketing of insurance policies for businesses and individuals, Cincinnati Re reinsures policies written by other insurance companies. This business is marketed through reinsurance intermediaries and is generally not offered by the typical independent agents who market our insurance policies.
Certain events or conditions could diminish our agents’ desire to produce business for us and the competitive advantage that our independent agents enjoy, including:
•Downgrade of the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries. We believe our strong insurer financial strength ratings, in particular, the A+ (Superior) ratings from A.M. Best for our standard market property casualty insurance group and each subsidiary in that group, are an important competitive advantage. See Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Financial Strength, for additional discussion of our financial strength ratings.
•Concerns that doing business with us is difficult or not profitable, perceptions that our level of service is no longer a distinguishing characteristic in the marketplace, perceptions that our products do not meet the needs of our agents’ clients or perceptions that our business practices are not compatible with agents’ business models.
•Mergers and acquisitions of agencies could result in a concentration of a significant amount of premium in one agency.
•Delays in the development, implementation, performance and benefits of technology systems and enhancements or independent agent perceptions that our technology solutions do not match their needs.
A reduction in the number of independent agencies marketing our products, the failure of agencies to successfully market our products or pay amounts due to us, changes in the strategy or operations of agencies or the choice of agencies to reduce their writings of our products could affect our results of operations if we are unable to replace them with agencies that produce adequate and profitable premiums.
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Further, policyholders may choose a competitor’s product rather than our own because of real or perceived differences in price, terms and conditions, coverage or service. If the quality of the independent agencies with which we do business were to decline, that also might cause policyholders to purchase their insurance through different agencies or channels. Consumers, especially in the personal insurance industry segment, may increasingly choose to purchase insurance from distribution channels other than independent insurance agents, such as direct marketers. Increased advertising by insurers, especially direct marketers, could cause consumers to shift their buying habits, bypassing independent agents altogether. Innovation, new or changing technologies and/or buying trends or consumer preferences could reduce or eliminate the need or demand for products we sell.
Marked or prolonged economic downturns or other events have in the past and may in the future result in a softening of the insurance market and agents or consumers choosing a competitor’s product that may in turn adversely affect our premium revenues and underwriting profit. Such economic events experienced during recent periods included elevated inflation, global supply chain disruptions, increasing interest rates, tightening credit markets and higher fuel costs.
Our credit ratings or financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries could be downgraded.
A downgrade in one or more of our company’s credit or debt ratings could adversely impact our borrowing costs or limit our access to capital. Financial strength ratings reflect a rating agency’s opinion of our insurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet obligations to policyholders. Our ratings are subject to periodic review and there is no assurance that our ratings will not be changed. Rating agencies could change or expand their requirements or could find that our insurance subsidiaries no longer meet the criteria established for current ratings. If our property casualty or life insurance subsidiary insurer financial strength ratings were to be downgraded, our agents might find it more difficult to market our products or might choose to emphasize the products of other carriers.
We could experience an unusually high level of losses due to natural or man-made catastrophe, terrorism or epidemic events or risk concentrations.
Our insurance operations expose us to claims arising out of catastrophes. Catastrophes can be man-made or caused by natural perils. Man-made catastrophes to which we have been exposed in the past, and may be exposed in the future, include, but are not limited to, industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, wars, cyberattacks, infrastructure failures, social unrest and riot. Other man-made events, such as hydraulic fracturing, could cause damage from earth movement or create environmental and/or health hazards. Natural peril catastrophe events to which we have been exposed in the past, and may be exposed in the future, include, but are not limited to, hurricanes, severe winter weather, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides and severe convective storm effects such as tornadoes, windstorms, hailstorms and flooding. Due to the nature of these events, we are unable to predict precisely the frequency, severity or potential cost of catastrophe occurrences.
The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured and reinsured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Our ability to appropriately manage catastrophe risk depends partially on catastrophe models, which may be affected by inaccurate or incomplete data, the uncertainty of the frequency and severity of future events and the uncertain impact of climate change. Additionally, these models are recalibrated and changed over time, with more data availability and changing opinions regarding the effect of current or emerging loss patterns and conditions.
According to these models, probable maximum loss estimates from a single hurricane event that combine the effects of property casualty insurance written on a direct basis by The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, the Cincinnati Re reinsurance portfolio and risks insured by Cincinnati Global include the following amounts, net of amounts recoverable through reinsurance ceded and also income taxes, and including the effects of estimated reinstatement premiums: $570 million for a once-in-a-100-year event and $848 million for a once-in-a-250-year event. Please see Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, 2024 Reinsurance Programs, for a discussion of modeled losses considered in evaluating our risk mitigation strategy, which includes our ceded reinsurance program.
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The geographic regions in which we market insurance and reinsurance are exposed to numerous natural catastrophes, such as:
•Hurricanes in the gulf, eastern, southeastern and northeastern coastal regions
•Earthquakes in many regions, most particularly in the New Madrid fault zone, California, the Northwest and Southwest
•Tornadoes, wind and hail
•Wildfires
•Winter storms
•On a worldwide basis, in the event of a severe catastrophic event or terrorist attack we may be exposed to material losses through our Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global operations.
The occurrence of terrorist attacks in the geographic areas we serve could result in substantially higher claims under our insurance policies than we have anticipated. Our insurance policies provide coverage for terrorism risk in all areas we serve, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. We have exposure to small co-op utilities, water utilities, wholesale fuel distributors, small shopping malls and small colleges throughout our 46 active states and, because of the number of associates located there, our Fairfield, Ohio, headquarters. Additionally, our life insurance subsidiary could be adversely affected in the event of a terrorist event or an epidemic, particularly if the epidemic were to affect a broad range of the population, or affect the overall economy. Our associate health plan is self-funded and could similarly be affected.
Our results of operations would be adversely affected if the level of losses we experience over a period of time were to exceed our actuarially determined expectations. In addition, our financial condition may be adversely affected if we were required to sell securities prior to maturity or at unfavorable prices to pay an unusually high level of loss and loss expenses. Securities pricing might be even less favorable if a number of insurance or other companies and other investors needed to sell securities during a short period of time because of unusually high losses from catastrophic events.
Our geographic concentration links our performance to business, economic, environmental and regulatory conditions in certain states. We market our standard market property casualty insurance products in 46 states, but our business is concentrated in the Midwest and Southeast. We also have exposure in states where we do not actively market insurance when clients of our independent agencies have businesses or properties in multiple states or we provide insurance through Cincinnati Global and reinsurance through Cincinnati Re.
Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global provide reinsurance or insurance coverage in many parts of the world, including coverage for losses due to war, terrorism or political violence. Wars can occur anywhere, and our results of operations could be adversely affected, especially if effects of wars expand over time and space. We have limited direct exposure within our insurance operations to businesses or individuals in Russia, Ukraine or Gaza. We have exposure within our insurance operations, primarily through reinsurance treaties, to insured losses related to wars that include risks in the Middle East region. If effects related to the war in Gaza expand significantly in the Middle East region, causing a high frequency of loss events, or a single extreme event, during the coverage period of our treaties or policies, our financial position and results of operations could be materially affected.
The Cincinnati Insurance Company continues to expand its Cincinnati Re reinsurance assumed operations and has staffed it with seasoned underwriting and analytical associates who strive to assume risks that we understand, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Business written includes treaties that provide coverage for property catastrophe and terrorism events on a worldwide basis. Based on treaties in effect at January 1, 2024, the largest loss exposure to us for Cincinnati Re is from natural catastrophe events. That exposure includes probable maximum loss estimates, on a marginal basis, of the following amounts: $194 million for a once-in-a-100-year event and $224 million for a once-in-a-250-year event. Those effects represent a single hurricane event and include the effects of income taxes, estimated reinstatement premiums and applicable reinsurance ceded, including any retrocessions for reinsurance assumed, and estimated reinstatement premiums. They are based on probable maximum loss estimates from the Applied Insurance Research Touchstone® version 10.0 catastrophe model. The marginal basis reflects diversification effects of the Cincinnati Re reinsurance portfolio and property casualty insurance written on a direct basis by The Cincinnati Insurance Companies. Ignoring diversification effects provided by those two components, on a standalone basis, probable maximum loss estimates for Cincinnati Re include the following amounts: $231 million for a once-in-a-100-year event and $281 million for a once-in-a-250-year event. If there is a
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high frequency of large property catastrophe or terrorism events, or a single extreme event, during the coverage period of these treaties, our financial position and results of operations could be materially affected.
We are also expanding Cincinnati Global, our global specialty underwriter with premiums primarily for U.S. and international property exposures. Cincinnati Global also writes North American and United Kingdom (U.K.) contingency and event cancellation coverage and worldwide credit and political risk coverage and political violence coverage. At January 1, 2024, the largest loss exposure to us for Cincinnati Global is from natural catastrophe events. Cincinnati Global's exposure from such events includes probable maximum loss estimates of the following amounts: $46 million for a once-in-a-100-year event and $64 million for a once-in-a-250-year event. Those effects are on a standalone basis and represent a single hurricane event and include the effects of income taxes, applicable reinsurance ceded and estimated reinstatement premiums. They are based on probable maximum loss estimates from the Applied Insurance Research Touchstone version 10.0 catastrophe model. If there is a high frequency of large property catastrophe or terrorism events, or a single extreme event, during the coverage period of its policies, our financial position and results of operations could be materially affected.
Additionally, the companies we invest in might be severely affected by a severe catastrophic event, terrorist attack, or epidemic event which could affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our reinsurers might experience significant losses, potentially jeopardizing their ability to pay losses we cede to them. It could also reduce the availability of reinsurance. If we cannot obtain adequate reinsurance or primary insurance coverage at a reasonable cost, it could constrain where we can write business or reduce the amount of business we can write in certain areas. We also may be exposed to state guaranty fund assessments if other carriers in a state cannot meet their obligations to policyholders. A catastrophe or epidemic event also could affect our operations by damaging our headquarters facility, injuring associates and visitors at our Fairfield, Ohio, headquarters or disrupting our associates’ ability to perform their assigned tasks.
Climate change may adversely impact our results of operations and/or our financial position.
Various scientists have linked global climate change from rising planet temperatures over the last several decades to a number of factors that contribute to the increased unpredictability, frequency, duration and severity of weather events, including: changing weather patterns, a rise in ocean temperatures and sea level rise. Certain catastrophe models assume an increase in frequency and severity of certain weather or other events, which could result in a disproportionate impact on insurers with certain geographic concentrations of risk. Changes in climate and/or weather patterns may increase the frequency and/or intensity of severe weather and natural catastrophe events, including hurricanes, heavy precipitation events, heavy wind events, flash flooding, sea level rise, droughts, heat waves and wildfires potentially leading to increased insured losses. A continuation of these trends would also likely increase the risks of writing property insurance in coastal areas or areas susceptible to wildfires or flooding, particularly in jurisdictions that restrict pricing and underwriting flexibility. We cannot predict how legal, regulatory or social responses to concerns about climate change may impact our business.
The outbreak of COVID-19 could result in an unusually high level of losses.
In March 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The outbreak was widespread in the U.S., including in the markets in which we operate. Like many companies in the property casualty insurance industry, our property casualty subsidiaries were named as defendants in lawsuits seeking insurance coverage under commercial property insurance policies issued by the company for alleged losses resulting from the shutdown or suspension of their businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Risks to our business include legislation or court decisions that extend business interruption insurance in commercial property coverage forms to cover claims for pure economic loss related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislative initiatives and pending litigation are ongoing in numerous jurisdictions, and we cannot provide assurance that we will not be impacted by adverse legislation or adverse judicial rulings in certain of these jurisdictions. These actions seek to extend coverage beyond the terms and conditions we intended for those policies, including policies that do not contain specific virus exclusions. Therefore we could be forced to pay claims when no coverage was contemplated and for which no premium was collected. If these actions are successful, the aggregate amount of these claims could have a material, adverse impact on our business, financial condition, reputation, results of operations and cash flows.
Our net losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimates and actual net losses could be higher.
Our estimates for COVID-19 losses and loss adjustment expenses represent our best estimates as of December 31, 2023, based upon information currently available. These estimates are based on reported claims, policy level reviews, judicial rulings and other litigation developments. However, assumptions about coverage,
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liability and reinsurance continue to be subject to on-going judicial review and may be subject to further government action. While we believe our net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for COVID-19 as of December 31, 2023, are adequate based on information available at this time, we continue to closely monitor reported claims, government actions, judicial decisions and changes in the levels of worldwide social disruption and economic activity arising from the pandemic and will adjust our estimates of gross and net losses as new information becomes available. Factors that affect our estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses or our ability to reasonably estimate such losses include the number of policyholders that will ultimately submit claims or file lawsuits; the lack of submitted proofs of loss for allegedly covered claims; judicial rulings in similar litigation involving other companies in the insurance industry; difference in state law and developing case law; litigation trends, including varying legal theories advanced by policyholders; whether and to what degree any class of policyholders may be certified; and the inherent unpredictability of litigation. Such adjustments to our reserves for COVID-19 losses and loss adjustment expenses may be material to our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our ability to properly underwrite and price risks and increased competition could adversely affect our results.
Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows depend on our ability to underwrite and set rates accurately for a full spectrum of risks. We establish our pricing based on assumptions about the level of losses that may occur within classes of business, geographic regions and other criteria.
To properly price our products, we must collect, properly analyze and use data to make decisions and take appropriate action; the data must be sufficient, reliable and accessible. Cincinnati Global has risks due to its reliance on coverholders in underwriting parts of its business. We also need to develop appropriate rating methodologies and formulae; and we may need to identify and respond to trends quickly. We may overestimate or underestimate loss cost trends or these trends may unexpectedly change, such as inflation in recent years outside of historical norms, leading to losing business by pricing risks above our competitors or charging rates too low to maintain profitability. Legal trends in recent years have also made it more difficult to determine adequate pricing, including adverse changes in the tort environment caused by more aggressive attorney involvement in insurance claims, increased litigation, expanded theories of liability, higher jury awards, lawsuit abuse and third-party litigation finance. If rates are not accurate, we may not generate enough premiums to offset losses and expenses, or we may not be competitive in the marketplace.
Our ability to set appropriate rates are hampered if states where we write business refuse to allow rate increases that we believe are necessary to cover the risks insured. A state could also hamper our ability to set appropriate rates if it no longer allows us to use factors that we believe are predictive of loss, such as credit-based factors. Limitations on our ability to use various types of artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of pricing precision could adversely affect underwriting results. Multiple states require us to purchase reinsurance from a mandatory reinsurance fund. Such reinsurance funds can create a credit risk for insurers if not adequately funded by the state and, in some cases, the existence of a reinsurance fund could affect the prices charged for our policies. The effect of these and similar arrangements could reduce our profitability in any given period or limit our ability to grow our business.
The insurance industry is cyclical and intensely competitive. From time to time, the industry goes through prolonged periods of intense competition during which it is more difficult to attract new business, retain existing business and maintain profitability. Competition in our insurance business is based on many factors, including:
•Competitiveness of premiums charged
•Relationships among carriers, agents, brokers and policyholders
•Underwriting and pricing methodologies that allow insurers to identify and appropriately price risks
•Compensation provided to agents
•Underwriting discipline
•Terms and conditions of insurance coverage
•Speed with which products are brought to market
•Product and marketing innovations, including advertising
•Technological competence and innovation
•Ability to control expenses
•Adequacy of financial strength ratings by independent rating agencies such as A.M. Best
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•Quality of services and tools provided to agents and policyholders
•Claims satisfaction and reputation
We compete with major U.S., Bermudian, European, and other international insurers and reinsurers and with underwriting syndicates, some of which have greater financial, marketing and management resources than we do. Recent industry consolidation, including business combinations among insurance and other financial services companies, has resulted in larger competitors with even greater financial resources. We also compete with new companies that continue to enter the insurance and reinsurance markets. In addition, capital market participants have created alternative products that are intended to compete with reinsurance products that we sell through Cincinnati Re. Increased competition could result in fewer submissions, lower premium rates, and less favorable policy terms and conditions, which could reduce our underwriting margins and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
If our pricing was incorrect or we were unable to compete effectively because of one or more of these factors, our premium writings could decline and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Large competitors could intentionally disrupt the market by targeting certain lines or underpricing the market.
Please see the discussion of our Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Excess and Surplus Lines and Life Insurance Segments in Item 1, Our Segments, for a discussion of our competitive position in the insurance marketplace.
Our pricing and capital models could be flawed.
We use various actuarial pricing methods, predictive pricing and underwriting models, stochastic models and/or forecasting techniques to help us understand our business, analyze risk and estimate future trends. The output of these techniques and models is used to assist us in making underwriting, pricing, reinsurance, reserving and capital decisions and helps us set our strategic direction. These models contain numerous assumptions, including the assumption that the data used is sufficient and accurate. They are also subject to uncertainties and limitations inherent in any statistical analysis. Actual results may be materially different from modeled output, resulting in pricing our products incorrectly, overestimating or underestimating reserves, or inaccurately forecasting the impact of modeled events on our results. This could materially adversely impact the results of our operations.
Our loss reserves, our largest liability, are based on estimates and could be inadequate to cover our actual losses.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared using GAAP. These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. For a discussion of the significant accounting policies we use to prepare our financial statements, the material implications of uncertainties associated with the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying our critical accounting policies and the process used to determine our loss reserves, please refer to Item 8, Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Life Insurance Policy Reserves.
Our most critical accounting estimate is loss reserves. Loss reserves are the amounts we expect to pay for covered claims and expenses we incur to settle those claims. The loss reserves we establish in our financial statements represent an estimate of amounts needed to pay and administer claims arising from insured events that have already occurred, including events that have not yet been reported to us. Loss reserves are estimates and are inherently uncertain; they do not and cannot represent an exact measure of liability. Inflationary scenarios, especially scenarios outside of historical norms or regulatory changes that affect the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates, may make it more difficult to estimate loss reserves. Examples of inflation effects include adverse changes in the tort environment caused by more aggressive attorney involvement in insurance claims, increased litigation, expanded theories of liability, higher jury awards, lawsuit abuse and third-party litigation finance. Accordingly, our loss reserves for past periods could prove to be inadequate to cover our actual losses and related expenses. Any changes in these estimates are reflected in our results of operations during the period in which the changes are made. An increase in our loss reserves would decrease earnings, while a decrease in our loss reserves would increase earnings.
Unforeseen losses, or unintended coverages, the type and magnitude of which we cannot predict, may emerge. These additional losses could arise from changes in the legal environment, laws and regulations, climate change, catastrophic events, increases in loss severity or frequency, environmental claims, mass torts or other causes such
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as social inflation. Such future losses could be substantial. The increase in inflation in recent periods has significantly increased our loss costs in our auto and property businesses. It is possible that inflation could remain
at high levels for a prolonged period, or increase from these high levels, which could in turn lead to further increases in our loss costs. In addition, a significant portion of claims costs consists of medical costs. As a result, an increase in medical inflation could materially and adversely impact our loss costs and our loss reserves. Recent changes in the macroeconomic environment have impacted medical labor and materials costs, the potential persistency of which could result in future loss costs which are higher than our current expectations.
Our life policy reserves are also subject to uncertainty. Periods of higher death claims outside of long-term historical norms, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, and not anticipated within our actuarial models could make our life policy reserves inadequate to cover actual future death claims. Increases in estimates of future death claims would increase life policy reserve levels and in turn decrease earnings.
In addition to the risks stated above, Cincinnati Re reserves are subject to uncertainty because a reinsurer relies on the original underwriting decisions and claims reserving practices of ceding companies. As a result, we are subject to the risk that our ceding companies may not have adequately evaluated the risks reinsured by us and the premiums ceded may not adequately compensate us for the risks we assume. In addition, there is generally a longer lapse of time from the occurrence of the event to the reporting of the loss or benefit to the reinsurer and ultimate resolution or settlement of the loss. Similar risks exist for Cincinnati Global due to potential delays in loss reporting.
Because of the inherent uncertainties involved in setting reserves, we cannot provide assurance that our existing reserves or future reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent events. Our results of operations and financial condition have in the past been, and in the future could be, materially affected by adverse loss development for events that we insured in prior periods.
International operations subject us to additional regulation and expose us to additional investment, political and economic risks.
We have international operations that expose us to a number of additional risks. These risks include restrictions such as price controls, capital controls, currency exchange limits, ownership limits and other restrictive or anti-competitive governmental actions or requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our business and reputation. Our business activities outside the U.S., including in the U.K., subject us to political and economic risks, including foreign currency and credit risk. Additionally, Cincinnati Global’s operations will expand the products offered by us and could expose us to additional regulation or other risks.
Business activities outside the U.S. will subject us to additional domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar laws in other countries that prohibit the making of improper payments to foreign officials. In addition, insurers in the U.K. (including managing agents and members of Lloyd’s of London) are subject to Solvency II and the U.K. regulatory regime, which itself includes rules promulgated by Lloyd's. Although we have policies and controls in place that are designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulatory requirements, if those controls are ineffective and an employee or intermediary fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could suffer civil and criminal penalties and our business and reputation could be adversely affected. Some countries have laws and regulations that lack clarity and, even with local expertise and effective controls, it can be difficult to determine the exact requirements of, and potential liability under, the local laws. Failure to comply with local laws in a particular market may result in substantial liability and could have a significant and negative effect not only on our business in that market but also on our reputation generally.
Business activities at Cincinnati Global are subject to Lloyd's approval of a business plan each year. There is risk that Cincinnati Global's plan will not be approved or will be limited. As a Lloyd’s managing agent and syndicate, Cincinnati Global is exposed to various risks and their associated uncertainties, including Lloyd’s rating agency ratings, reputation, and Cincinnati Global’s obligation to maintain funds at Lloyd’s to support its underwriting activities and periodic assessment of its capital, governance and other aspects of its business.
Developments relating to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union could adversely affect Cincinnati Global’s operations.
The terms of the U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) and the relationship between the U.K. and the European Union going forward can affect economic conditions, including the terms of trade between them. The ultimate impact of Brexit is uncertain and will depend on any agreements that the U.K. makes to retain access to
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European Union markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the U.K. determines which European Union laws to replace or replicate. These or other adverse consequences from Brexit could adversely affect the operations and business opportunities of Cincinnati Global.
With a view to mitigating the potential effects of Brexit on business underwritten through it, Lloyd’s has set up an insurance company subsidiary in Belgium, Lloyd's Europe, underwriting European Economic Area insurance business via that subsidiary.
Our ability to obtain or collect on our reinsurance protection could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We buy property casualty and life reinsurance coverage to mitigate the liquidity risk and earnings volatility risk of an unexpected rise in claims severity or frequency from catastrophic events or a single large loss. The availability, amount and cost of reinsurance depend on market conditions and may vary significantly. If we were unable to obtain reinsurance on acceptable terms and in appropriate amounts, our business and financial condition could be adversely affected.
In addition, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. Although we purchase reinsurance to manage our risks and exposures to losses, this reinsurance does not discharge our direct obligations under the policies we write. We would remain liable to our policyholders even if we were unable to recover what we believe we are entitled to receive under our reinsurance contracts. Reinsurers might refuse or fail to pay losses that we cede to them, or they might delay payment. For long-tail claims, the creditworthiness of our reinsurers may change before we can recover amounts to which we are entitled. A reinsurer’s insolvency, inability or unwillingness to make payments under the terms of its reinsurance agreement with our insurance subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Please see Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources, 2024 Reinsurance Ceded Programs, for a discussion of selected reinsurance transactions.
Risks related to investments or other financial matters
Financial disruption or a prolonged economic downturn could materially and adversely affect our investment performance.
Recent events, including the global supply chain disruptions, increasing interest rate environment and inflationary pressures, have contributed to significant disruption and volatility for financial markets and decreased economic activity. Many companies experienced uncertainty and reduced liquidity. In the event that these conditions continue, recur or result in a prolonged economic downturn or recession, they could further adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Such adverse impacts may be material. These market conditions have in the past, and could in the future, cause our investment income or the value of securities we own to decrease.
Our ability to achieve our performance objectives could be affected by changes in the financial, credit and capital markets or the general economy.
We invest premiums received from policyholders and other available cash to generate investment income and capital appreciation, while also maintaining sufficient liquidity to pay covered claims and operating expenses, service our debt obligations and pay dividends. The value of our invested assets is an important component of shareholders’ equity, also known as book value. Changes in the valuation of invested assets can significantly affect changes in book value per share, a key performance objective as discussed in Item 7, Executive Summary of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
For fixed-maturity investments such as bonds, which represented 55.7% of the fair value of our investment portfolio at the end of 2023, the inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices leads to falling bond values during periods of increasing interest rates. Significant increases in the general level of interest rates, such as we experienced during recent periods, have an adverse effect on our shareholders’ equity.
Investment income is an important component of our revenues and net income. The ability to increase investment income and generate longer-term growth in book value is affected by factors beyond our control, such as: inflation, economic growth, interest rates, world political conditions, changes in laws and regulations, future actions or
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inactions of the U.S. government, epidemic events, terrorism attacks or threats, war, adverse events affecting other companies in our industry or the industries in which we invest, market events leading to credit constriction, and other widespread unpredictable events. These events have in the past and may in the future adversely affect the economy generally and cause our investment income or the value of securities we own to decrease. Wars can occur anywhere in the world and have an adverse effect on our investment portfolio, especially if effects of wars expand over time and space. We do not have material exposure to investments based in Russia, Ukraine, Israel or Gaza. If there is significant expansion of wars to regions beyond these countries, it may have an adverse effect. Any significant decline in our investment income will have an adverse effect on our net income, and thereby on our shareholders’ equity and our statutory capital and surplus. For a more detailed discussion of risks associated with our investments, please refer to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We have issued universal life contracts with guaranteed minimum returns, referred to as bank-owned life insurance contracts (BOLIs). A BOLI is designed with the bank as the policy owner and the policy beneficiary. We legally segregate and record as separate accounts the assets and liabilities for certain BOLIs, when required by the specific contract provisions. Minimum investment returns, account values and death benefits are guaranteed by us for our separate account BOLIs. We could incur losses in the performance of these guarantees.
We also have life policy reserves established for traditional life policies including term, whole and other products. Reserve variability will increase with the adoption of ASU 2018-12 as discussed in Item 8, Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, as reserves are based on certain cash flow assumptions as well as a discount rate assumption. This discount rate assumption is based on updated market value discount rates. Life policy reserves are required to be recorded using an updated discount rate assumption quarterly. Remeasurement adjustments are now required to be remeasured for the updated discount rate and are recorded as an increase or decrease to life policy reserves with an offsetting increase or decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). As the discount rate increases during the quarter, life policy reserves decrease and AOCI increases. Conversely, as the discount rate decreases during the quarter, life policy reserves increase and AOCI decreases. A significant decrease in discount rates, relative to the prior quarter, would have an adverse effect on shareholders' equity.
Our investment performance also could suffer because of the types of investments, industry groups and/or individual securities in which we choose to invest. Market value changes related to these choices could cause a material change in our financial condition or results of operations.
At year-end 2023, common stock holdings made up 42.9% of our investment portfolio. Adverse news or events affecting the global or U.S. economy or the equity markets, such as we experienced during recent years, will affect our net income, book value and overall results, and could affect our ability to pay our common stock dividend. See Item 7, Investments Results, and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, for a discussion of our investment activities.
Deterioration in the banking sector or in banks with which we have relationships could affect our results of operations. Our ability to maintain or obtain short-term lines of credit could be affected if the banks from which we obtain these lines are acquired, fail or are otherwise negatively affected. We may lose premium revenue if a bank that owns appointed agencies were to change its strategies. We could experience increased losses in our director and officer liability line of business if claims were made against insured financial institutions.
A deterioration of credit and market conditions could also impair our ability to access credit markets and could affect existing or future lending arrangements.
Our overall results are affected if a significant portion of our commercial lines or personal lines policyholders are adversely affected by marked or prolonged economic downturns and events such as a downturn in construction and related sectors, tightening credit markets and higher fuel costs experienced during recent periods. Such events make it more difficult for policyholders to finance new projects, complete projects or expand their businesses, and can lead to lower premiums from reduced payrolls and sales and lower purchases of equipment and vehicles. These events could also cause claims, including surety claims, to increase due to a policyholder’s inability to secure necessary financing to complete projects or to collect on underlying lines of credit in the claims process. Such economic downturns and events have a greater impact in the construction sector where we have a concentration of risks and in geographic areas that are hardest hit by economic downturns.
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Deteriorating economic conditions could also increase the degree of credit risk associated with amounts due from independent agents who collect premiums for payment to us and could hamper our ability to recover amounts due from reinsurers.
Our status as an insurance holding company with no direct operations could affect our ability to pay dividends in the future.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation is a holding company that transacts substantially all of its business through its subsidiaries. Our primary assets are the stock in our operating subsidiaries and our investments. Consequently, our cash flow to pay cash dividends and interest on our long-term debt depends on dividends we receive from our operating subsidiaries and income earned on investments held at the parent-company level.
Dividends received from our lead insurance subsidiary are restricted by the insurance laws of Ohio, its domiciliary state. These laws establish minimum solvency and liquidity thresholds and limits. In 2024, the maximum dividend that may be paid without prior regulatory approval is limited to the greater of 10% of statutory capital and surplus or 100% of statutory net income for the prior calendar year, up to the amount of statutory unassigned capital and surplus as of the end of the prior calendar year. Dividends exceeding these limitations may be paid only with prior approval of the Ohio Department of Insurance. We might not be able to receive dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, or we might not receive dividends in the amounts necessary to meet our debt obligations or to pay dividends on our common stock without liquidating securities. This could affect our financial position.
Please see Item 1, Regulation, and Item 8, Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, for a discussion of insurance holding company dividend regulations.
General risk factors
Elevated inflation negatively impacts profit and the value of investments.
Inflation in various forms, such as we experienced in recent periods, reduces underwriting profitability due to higher losses and loss expenses to repair damaged autos or other property that we insure. Elevated inflation can also be in the form of social inflation of litigation costs, jury awards and settlement expectations. In addition to adverse effects on the fair value of our equity portfolio, inflationary pressures can also cause or contribute to, or are the result of, increases in interest rates, which reduces the fair value of our fixed-maturity portfolio.
Our business depends on the uninterrupted operation of our facilities, systems and business functions.
Our business depends on our associates’ ability to perform necessary business functions, such as processing new and renewal policies and handling claims. We increasingly rely on technology and systems to accomplish these business functions in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion. Our inability to access our headquarters facilities for certain critical functions or a failure of technology, telecommunications or other systems or the loss or failure of services provided by key vendors, could significantly impair our ability to perform such functions on a timely basis or affect the accuracy of transactions. If sustained or repeated, such a business interruption or system failure could result in a deterioration of our ability to write and process new and renewal business, serve our agents and policyholders, pay claims in a timely manner, collect receivables or perform other necessary business functions. If our disaster recovery and business continuity plans did not sufficiently consider, address or reverse the circumstances of an interruption or failure, this could result in a materially adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Our ability to successfully execute business functions also depends on hiring and retaining the qualified associates we employ. Competition for high-quality executives and other key associates occurs within the insurance industry and from other industries. We also must effectively develop and manage associates, including providing training and resources. Such tools and information can allow them to effectively perform critical business functions and adapt to changing business needs. During some periods, such as we experienced in recent years, labor markets are tight and there is intense competition for associates qualified to execute important business functions. Many markets in which we operate are experiencing a low unemployment rate and labor shortages are affecting many industries. If we are unable to attract and retain certain associates, or if we fail to provide adequate training or resources, or fail to provide a work environment that is attractive to associates, we could limit the success of executing our strategic plans and vital business functions.
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The effects of changes in industry practices, laws and regulations on our business are uncertain.
As industry practices and legal, judicial, legislative, regulatory, political, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to insurance pricing, claims and coverage emerge. There has been increased regulatory scrutiny of the use of machine learning and AI, and it is likely that we will be subject to new regulations that could materially adversely affect our operations or ability to write business profitably in one or more jurisdictions. These issues, and others, may adversely affect our business by impeding our ability to obtain adequate rates for covered risks or otherwise extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent, by increasing the number or size of claims, by varying assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates or by increasing duties owed to policyholders beyond contractual obligations. In some instances, unforeseeable emerging and latent claim and coverage issues and court decisions or legislative changes may not become apparent until sometime after we have issued the insurance policies that could be affected by the changes. As a result, the full extent of liability under our insurance contracts may not be known for many years after a policy is issued and our pricing and reserve estimates may not accurately reflect its effect.
Some of our existing or potential shareholders, policyholders, associates, regulators, and other stakeholders will evaluate our business practices according to a variety of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and expectations, including those related to climate change, inclusive diversity and equity, data privacy, and the well-being of our employees. Our business practices and disclosures are evaluated against ESG standards which are continually evolving and not always well defined or readily measurable today. Our practices may not change in the particular ways or at the rate stakeholders expect, leading to business or reputational challenges.
We are required to adopt new or revised accounting standards issued by recognized authoritative organizations, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the SEC. Future changes required to be adopted could change the current accounting treatment that we apply and could result in material adverse effects on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Our investment income benefits from tax rate preferences for municipal bond interest and dividend income from equity securities. Market valuations for these securities also benefit from the tax-preference aspect of current tax laws, affecting the value of our investment portfolio and also shareholders’ equity. Future changes in tax laws, or other changes such as regulations for applicability of alternative minimum taxes, could result in material adverse effects on our results of operations and financial condition.
The NAIC, state insurance regulators and state legislators continually re-examine existing laws and regulations governing insurance companies and insurance holding companies, specifically focusing on modifications to statutory accounting principles, interpretations of existing laws, regulations relating to product forms and pricing methodologies and the development of new laws and regulations that affect a variety of financial and nonfinancial components of our business. Any proposed or future legislation, regulation or NAIC initiatives, if adopted, may be more restrictive on our ability to conduct business than current regulatory requirements or may result in higher costs. The loss or significant restriction on the use of a particular variable, such as credit, in pricing and underwriting our products could lead to future unprofitability and increased costs.
Federal laws and regulations and the influence of international laws and regulations, including those that may be enacted in the wake of the financial and credit crises, may have adverse effects on our business, potentially including a change from a state-based system of regulation to a system of federal regulation, the repeal of the McCarran Ferguson Act, and/or measures under the Dodd-Frank Act that establish the Federal Insurance Office and provide for a determination that a nonbank financial company presents systemic risk and therefore should be subject to heightened supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. It is not known how this federal office will coordinate and interact with the NAIC and state insurance regulators. Adoption or implementation of any of these measures may restrict our ability to conduct our insurance business, govern our corporate affairs or increase our cost of doing business.
In addition, global climate change and global climate change transitions may continue to lead to new or enhanced regulation, which may be difficult or costly to comply with, or impact assets that we invest in, which may result in realized and unrealized losses in future periods that could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and/or financial position. It is not possible to foresee the impacts of potential future climate regulation, or which, if any, assets, industries or markets may be materially and adversely affected by global climate change and global climate change transitions, nor is it possible to foresee the magnitude of such effects.
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The effects of such changes could adversely affect our results of operations. Please see Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Life Insurance Policy Reserves, for a discussion of our reserving practices.
Managing technology initiatives and meeting data security requirements are significant challenges.
We use technology to process, store, retrieve, evaluate and use customer and company data and information. Our information technology and telecommunications systems, in turn, interface with and rely upon third-party systems. We must be able to access our systems to provide insurance quotes, process premium payments, make changes to existing policies, file and pay claims, provide customer support, manage our investment portfolios, report on financial results and perform other necessary business functions. Systems failures or outages could compromise our ability to perform these business functions in a timely manner, which could harm our ability to conduct business and hurt our relationships with our business partners and customers. In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, a pandemic, civil unrest, an industrial accident, a cyberattack, a blackout, a terrorist attack (including conventional, nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological) or war, systems upon which we rely may be inaccessible to our associates or independent agents for an extended period of time. Even if our associates and independent agents are able to report to work, they may be unable to perform their duties for an extended period of time if our data or systems used to conduct our business are disabled or destroyed. While technology can streamline many business processes and ultimately reduce the costs of operations, technology initiatives present short-term cost and also have implementation and operational risks. In addition, we may have inaccurate expense projections, implementation schedules or expectations regarding the effectiveness and user acceptance of the end product. These issues could escalate over time. If we were unable to find and retain associates with key technical knowledge, our ability to develop and deploy key technology solutions could be hampered.
Our systems have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to viruses or other malicious code, unauthorized access, cyberattacks, cyber frauds or other computer-related penetrations. Increasing sophistication of cyber criminals and terrorists make keeping up with new threats difficult and could result in a breach. Patching and other measures to protect existing systems and servers could be inadequate, especially on systems that are being retired. Controls employed by our U.S., off-shore and cloud vendors could prove inadequate. We could also experience a breach by intentional or negligent conduct on the part of associates or other internal sources. Our systems and those of our third-party vendors may become vulnerable to damage or disruption due to circumstances beyond our or their control, such as from catastrophic events, power anomalies or outages, natural disasters, network failures, and viruses, ransomware and malware.
A breach of our security or the security of a vendor that results in unauthorized access to our data could expose us to a disruption or challenges relating to our daily operations as well as to data loss, litigation, damages, fines and penalties, significant increases in compliance costs and reputational damage. From time to time we have had to, and in the future we may need to, increase or expend resources to investigate or remediate vulnerabilities as a result of data security incidents. Such resources are costly in time and expense, and detract from resources spent on or are otherwise devoted to our core operations. In addition, depending on the nature of an incident, we may not be able to detect an incident readily, assess its severity or impact, or appropriately respond in a timely manner, which could increase our risk and exposures.
Please see Item 1C, Cybersecurity, for further discussion of our cybersecurity risk management, strategy and governance.
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Any failure to protect the confidentiality of customer information could adversely affect our reputation or expose us to fines, penalties or litigation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We necessarily collect, use and hold data concerning individuals and businesses with whom we have a relationship. We are required to safeguard the confidential personal information of our customers and applicants. We are subject to an increasing number of federal, state, local and international laws and regulations regarding privacy and data security, as well as contractual commitments. These laws and regulations are rapidly evolving, complex, vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and sometimes conflict. In the absence of updated, uniform federal privacy legislation, there is a growing trend in the states in which we operate, to adopt comprehensive privacy legislation that provides consumers with various privacy rights and imposes significant compliance burdens on covered companies. Failure to comply with data security or privacy laws or regulations could subject us to regulatory enforcement actions and fines, penalties, litigation, private rights of action or public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups or others if confidential customer information is misappropriated from our computer systems, those of our vendors, our independent agents or others with whom we do business, or otherwise. Despite the security measures that may be in place, any such systems may be vulnerable to the types of attacks and security incidents described above. Any well-publicized compromise of security could deter people from entering into transactions that involve transmitting confidential information, impart reputational or other harm, and/or have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, privacy legislation may make our business partners more reluctant to share information with us that is useful in conducting our business.
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ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
ITEM 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
As discussed further in Item 1, Regulation, Enterprise Risk Management, we manage cybersecurity as part of our overall enterprise risk programs.
As part of this program to keep our systems and data secure and to assist in understanding, assessing, identifying and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats, we take various measures through internal risk management efforts and testing by third-party experts. Those measures assess our cybersecurity program structure and capabilities and include blocking attempted cyber intrusions, defending against service disruptions, performing frequent vulnerability assessments and maintaining procedures to ensure timely notification of critical cybersecurity incidents and performance of related disclosure controls. We also have developed procedures and reporting processes when we identify an attempted cyber intrusion to the systems of one of our independent agents.
Additionally, the company uses third-party service providers, or vendors, in the course of conducting its operations. As such, the company has measures in place to help identify material risks from cybersecurity threats associated with the use of those vendors. When work with a vendor is evaluated, we consider, among other items, the availability of system and organization controls reports, interactions with our systems, the data involved and its level of sensitivity, the amount of data the vendor will process, where the data will be stored, what they will do with the data and destruction of data. Once a vendor is approved by the appropriate personnel, expectations regarding incident reporting are established and followed.
We are not aware of having experienced a material cybersecurity incident and we take commercially reasonable measures, described above and below, to monitor and respond to threats to keep our systems and data secure. However, we acknowledge that administrative, technical and internal accounting controls as well as other preventative actions may be insufficient to prevent security breaches to our systems or those of third parties with whom we do business due to, among other factors, changing technologies as well as criminal and state-sponsored cybercrime and cyber threats. Further, a material breach of our security or the security of a vendor that results in unauthorized access to our data could expose us to a disruption or challenges relating to our daily operations as well as to data loss, litigation, damages, fines and penalties, significant increases in compliance costs and reputational damage and could affect the company's strategy, results of operations or financial condition. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, for additional details.
Governance
Cybersecurity matters are an important part of reporting to our board of directors, executive management team, risk committee and disclosure committee. From a board perspective, the audit committee oversees the company's cybersecurity efforts along with additional oversight from the entire board. Several members of the audit committee have obtained certifications in cybersecurity oversight. Each quarter, the chief information officer and chief information security officer report to the audit committee on cybersecurity risks and controls. Also occurring each quarter, the entire board, and our senior executive team, as appropriate, receives a comprehensive report from the chief risk officer on the status and management of risk and other metrics relative to identified tolerances and limits, risk assessments and risk plans. Additionally, the chief risk officer has direct access to all members of the board of directors and presents in person at board meetings twice each year.
At the executive management and management levels, the chief information security officer leads the process of assessing and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats. Our chief information security officer has over 25 years of experience as a technology professional with in-depth knowledge of IT management processes and holds multiple degrees and professional designations, including as a certified information systems security professional (CISSP). The chief information security officer also works in collaboration with our chief information officer and chief risk officer and is supported by a cross-functional group of qualified and experienced professionals across various committees and functions. On a quarterly basis, the chief information officer provides a cybersecurity update to the disclosure committee and, on a monthly basis, the information security office team delivers a cybersecurity report to the senior executive team. Also refer to Item 10, Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance, for additional qualification, experience and responsibility details.
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Associates involved in this area stay informed of industry trends and evolving threats using various resources including government authorities, peers, continuous education, industry publications, news outlets and other external parties that provide pertinent information. We take administrative, technical and internal accounting control measures to protect against cybersecurity incidents, including actions to monitor for, prevent, detect, mitigate and remediate any incidents that occur. These measures and actions include endpoint controls, multi-factor authentication and general cybersecurity education directed at our workforce and independent agents.
From a monitoring perspective, generally speaking, our information security office associates monitor the environment for threats, events and potential incidents. Depending on the potential severity of any identified incident, the company's incident response process, modeled after National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) frameworks, is initiated. As part of this process, each incident is evaluated and inventoried by our incident response team and reported to our legal compliance subcommittee for further action. Depending on severity, certain other internal and external parties may participate in the incident response process from a compliance and financial reporting perspective.
Incidents, regardless of severity, are evaluated and documented and are shared with the audit committee. In 2023, the audit committee received four updates on matters related to cybersecurity. The process of evaluating and documenting individual incidents, even when not deemed material, assists in determining how previous incidents have or may reasonably likely have a material effect on the company in the future.
ITEM 2. Properties
Cincinnati Financial Corporation owns our headquarters building located on 107 acres of land in Fairfield, Ohio. This building has 1,508,200 square feet of total space. The property, including land is recorded in our financial statements at $133 million at December 31, 2023, and is classified as Land, building and equipment, net, for company use. John J. & Thomas R. Schiff & Co. Inc., a related party, occupies 9,056 square feet (less than 1%). This property is used for the operations described in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation owns Gilmore Pointe, located on the northwest corner of our headquarters property. This four-story building contains approximately 103,000 square feet of usable space. The property is recorded in the financial statements at $3 million at December 31, 2023, and is classified as investment property in Other invested assets. At December 31, 2023, unaffiliated tenants occupied 86%, Cincinnati Financial affiliates occupied 14%.
The Cincinnati Insurance Company owns the CFC Winton Center used for multiple operations with approximately 48,000 square feet of total space, located approximately six miles from our headquarters. The property, including land, is recorded in our financial statements at $7 million at December 31, 2023, and is classified as Land, building and equipment, net, for company use.
We lease office space located in London, United Kingdom, for our Cincinnati Global operations. We also lease office space throughout the U.S. to support our insurance operations.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
Neither the company nor any of our subsidiaries are involved in any litigation believed to be material other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the nature of our business.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
This item is not applicable to the company.
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Part II
ITEM 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Cincinnati Financial Corporation had approximately 205,000 shareholders of record as of December 31, 2023. While approximately 13,800 shareholders are registered, the majority of shareholders are beneficial owners whose shares are held in “street name” by brokers and institutional accounts. We believe many of our independent agent representatives and most of the 5,426 associates of our subsidiaries own the company’s common stock. Our common shares are traded under the symbol CINF on Nasdaq.
Cumulative Total Return
As depicted in the graph below, the five-year total return on a $100 investment made December 31, 2018, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends, was 52.2% for Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s common stock compared with 107.2% for the S&P 500 Index and 99.6% for the S&P Composite 1500 Property & Casualty Insurance Index.
The following graph depicts $100 invested on December 31, 2018, in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. The years shown represent each respective fiscal year ending December 31.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
The S&P 500 Index includes a representative sample of 500 leading companies in a cross section of industries of the U.S. economy. At year-end 2023, the S&P Composite 1500 Property & Casualty Insurance Index included 31 companies.
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Issuances and Purchases of Equity Securities
The following summarizes securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023:
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights at December 31, 2023 | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plan (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) at December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| (a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 3,647,437 | $ | 92.36 | 3,627,346 | ||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 3,647,437 | $ | 92.36 | 3,627,346 | ||||||||||||||||
The number of securities remaining available for future issuance includes: 3,395,481 shares available for issuance under the Cincinnati Financial Corporation 2016 Stock Compensation Plan (the 2016 Plan) and 231,865 shares available for issuance of share grants under the Director’s Stock Plan of 2018. The number of securities remaining available for future issuance assumes the number of securities to be issued from performance-based awards are issued at the target-level performance level. The 2016 Plan allows for issuance of stock options, service-based or performance-based restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights or other equity-based grants. Awards other than stock options granted from the 2016 Plan are counted as three shares against the plan for each one share of common stock actually issued. Additional information about share-based associate compensation granted under our equity compensation plans is available in Item 8, Note 17 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
We discuss the factors that affect our ability to pay cash dividends and repurchase shares, as well as the objectives of our repurchase program, in Item 7, Liquidity and Capital Resources. Regulatory restrictions on dividends our insurance subsidiaries can pay to the parent company are discussed in Item 8, Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following summarizes shares purchased under our repurchase programs:
| Period | Total number of shares purchased | Average price paid per share | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1-31, 2023 | — | $ | — | — | 6,726,785 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| November 1-30, 2023 | — | — | — | 6,726,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 1-31, 2023 | — | — | — | 6,726,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
We did not sell any of our shares that were not registered under the Securities Act during 2023. Our repurchase program does not have an expiration date. Our repurchase program was expanded on January 26, 2018, by
15 million shares. We have 6,726,785 shares available for purchase under our programs at December 31, 2023. During 2023, we repurchased 600,000 shares at an average price of $110.99.
ITEM 6. [Reserved]
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ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Introduction
The purpose of Management’s Discussion and Analysis is to provide an understanding of Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition. Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes. We present per share data on a diluted basis unless otherwise noted, adjusting those amounts for all stock splits and stock dividends.
We begin with an executive summary of our results of operations, followed by other highlights and details about critical accounting estimates. In several instances, we refer to estimated industry data so that we can provide information on our performance within the context of the overall insurance industry. Unless otherwise noted, the industry data is prepared by A.M. Best, a leading insurance industry statistical, analytical and financial strength rating organization. Information from A.M. Best is presented on a statutory accounting basis for insurance company regulation in the United States of America. When we provide our results on a comparable statutory accounting basis, we label it as such; all other company data is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
As discussed in Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, effective January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts. We adjusted applicable financial statements. Related financial data shown in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations also have been adjusted.
Through The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Cincinnati Financial Corporation is one of the 25 largest property casualty insurers in the nation, based on net written premium volume for the first nine months of 2023, among approximately 2,000 U.S. stock and mutual insurer groups. We market our insurance products through a select group of independent insurance agencies in 46 states as discussed in Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy.
The U.S. economy, the insurance industry and our company continue to face many challenges. Our long-term perspective has allowed us to address immediate challenges while also focusing on the major decisions that best position the company for success through all market cycles. We believe that this forward-looking view consistently benefits our shareholders, agents, policyholders and associates.
To measure our progress, we have defined a measure of value creation that we believe captures the contribution of our insurance operations, the success of our investment strategy and the importance we place on paying cash dividends to shareholders. We refer to this measure as our value creation ratio (VCR) and it is made up of two primary components: (1) our rate of growth in book value per share plus (2) the ratio of dividends declared per share to beginning book value per share. This measure, intended to be all-inclusive regarding changes in book value per share, uses originally reported book value per share in cases where book value per share has been adjusted, such as after the adoption of Accounting Standards Updates with a cumulative effect of a change in accounting.
The primary sources of our company’s net income are summarized below. We discuss contributions to net income and VCR by source in Corporate Financial Highlights, followed by more detailed discussion in Financial Results.
•Underwriting profit (loss) – Includes revenues from earned premiums for insurance and reinsurance policies or contracts, reduced by losses and loss expenses from associated insurance coverages. Those revenues are further reduced by underwriting expenses associated with marketing policies or related to administration of our insurance operations. The net result represents an underwriting profit when revenues exceed losses and expenses.
•Investment income – Is generated primarily from investing the premiums collected for insurance policies sold, until funds are needed to pay losses for insurance claims or other expenses. Interest income from bonds or dividend income from stocks are the main categories of our investment income, with additional contribution from compounding effects over time.
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•Investment gains and losses – Occur from appreciation or depreciation of invested assets over time. Gains or losses are generally recognized from changes in market values of equity securities without a sale or when invested assets are sold or become impaired.
Executive Summary
Our value creation ratio, defined above, is our primary performance target. VCR trends are shown in the table below.
| One year | Three-year % average | Five-year % average | ||||||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | 19.5 | % | 10.2 | % | 15.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | (14.6) | 8.6 | 11.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2021 | 25.7 | 23.6 | 18.7 | |||||||||||||||||
We are targeting an annual value creation ratio averaging 10% to 13% over the next five-year period. At 19.5% for 2023, our performance was above the high end of that range. It was within the range for the three-year period and above the high end of the range for the five-year period, both that ended in December 2023.
The table below shows the primary contributors of our value creation ratio on a percentage basis. Analysis of the contributors aids understanding of our financial performance. Our financial results are further analyzed in the Corporate Financial Highlights section below.
| Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio major contributors: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income before investment gains | 9.1 | % | 5.2 | % | 9.7 | % | 3.9 | (4.5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in fixed-maturity securities, realized and unrealized gains | 1.9 | (10.1) | (1.5) | 12.0 | (8.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in equity securities, investment gains | 8.6 | (9.3) | 16.8 | 17.9 | (26.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (0.1) | (0.4) | 0.7 | 0.3 | (1.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio | 19.5 | % | (14.6) | % | 25.7 | % | 34.1 | (40.3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2023 value creation ratio improved by 34.1 percentage points, compared with 2022, and again included a significant contribution from operating results, as shown in the table above, that was 3.9 percentage-points higher than last year. The 2023 ratio improvement was primarily due to a higher valuation for our investment portfolio, with increases of 17.9 percentage-points from our equity securities investment portfolio and 12.0 points from our fixed-maturity securities investment portfolio. The decrease in 2022, compared with 2021, was primarily due to a reduction in overall net gains from our investment portfolio.
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We believe our value creation ratio is a useful measure. The table below shows calculations for VCR.
| (Dollars are per share) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Book value change per share | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Book value as originally reported December 31, 2022 | $ | 67.01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting for long-duration insurance contracts, net of tax | 0.20 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Book value as adjusted December 31, 2022 | $ | 67.21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| End of period book value* | $ | 77.06 | $ | 67.01 | $ | 81.72 | ||||||||||||||
| Less beginning of period book value | 67.01 | 81.72 | 67.04 | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in book value | 10.05 | (14.71) | 14.68 | |||||||||||||||||
| Dividend declared to shareholders | 3.00 | 2.76 | 2.52 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total value creation | $ | 13.05 | $ | (11.95) | $ | 17.20 | ||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio from change in book value** | 15.0 | % | (18.0) | % | 21.9 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio from dividends declared to shareholders*** | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Value creation ratio | 19.5 | % | (14.6) | % | 25.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
* Book value per share is calculated by dividing end of period total shareholders' equity by end of period shares outstanding
** Change in book value divided by the beginning of year book value
*** Dividend declared to shareholders divided by beginning of year book value
When looking at our longer-term objectives, we see three primary performance drivers for our value creation ratio:
•Premium growth – We believe over any five-year period our agency relationships and initiatives can lead to a property casualty written premium growth rate that exceeds the industry average. The compound annual growth rate of our net written premiums was 9.9% over the five-year period 2019 through 2023, exceeding the 6.9% estimated growth rate for the property casualty insurance industry, with 2023 representing industry data reported through the first nine months of 2023. The industry’s growth rate excludes its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business.
•Combined ratio – We believe our underwriting philosophy and initiatives can drive performance to achieve our underwriting profitability target of a GAAP combined ratio over any five-year period that consistently averages within the range of 92% to 98% in the future, better than our target of 95% to 100% during 2012 through 2023. We changed the target because we believe we can continue to perform at a high level. Our GAAP combined ratio averaged 94.6% over the five-year period 2019 through 2023, slightly better than the performance target range for that period. Performance as measured by the combined ratio is discussed in Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results. Our statutory combined ratio averaged 94.1% over the five-year period 2019 through 2023, compared with an estimated 101.1% for the property casualty industry, with 2023 representing industry data reported through the first nine months of 2023. The industry’s ratio again excludes its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business.
•Investment contribution – We believe our investment philosophy and initiatives can drive investment income growth and lead to a total return on our equity investment portfolio over a five-year period that exceeds the five-year total return of the S&P 500 Index.
◦Investment income growth, on a pretax basis, had a compound annual growth rate of 7.6% over the five-year period 2019 through 2023.
◦Over the five years ended December 31, 2023, our equity portfolio compound annual total return was 15.0% compared with a compound annual total return of 15.7% for the Index. Our equity portfolio favors larger-capitalization, high-quality, dividend-growing stocks with a slight value orientation. For the year 2023, our equity portfolio total return was 15.2%, compared with 26.3% for the Index.
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The board of directors is committed to rewarding shareholders directly through cash dividends and share repurchase authorizations. Through 2023, the company has increased the annual cash dividend rate for 63 consecutive years, a record we believe is matched by only seven other publicly traded U.S. companies. In addition to regular dividends, strong capital and excellent company performance has provided opportunities to further reward shareholders. The board regularly evaluates relevant factors in dividend-related decisions, and the 2023 increase to the regular dividend reflected confidence in our outstanding capital, liquidity and financial flexibility, as well as progress of our initiatives to improve earnings performance while growing insurance premium revenues. We discuss our financial position in more detail in Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Our view of the shareholder value we can create over the next five years relies largely on three assumptions – each highly dependent on the external environment. First, we anticipate our property casualty average insurance prices will increase in proportion to, or in excess of, our loss cost trends. Second, we assume that the economy can maintain a long-term growth track. Third, we assume that valuations of our marketable securities will vary within a typical range over time, based on historical trends. If those assumptions prove to be inaccurate, we may not be able to achieve our performance targets even if we accomplish our strategic objectives.
We discuss in Item 1A, Risk Factors, many potential risks to our business and our ability to achieve our qualitative and quantitative objectives.
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Corporate Financial Highlights
In addition to the value creation ratio discussion and analysis in the Executive Summary, we further analyze our financial results in the sections below.
Balance Sheet Data
| (Dollars in millions, except share data) | At December 31, | At December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Total investments | $ | 25,357 | $ | 22,425 | ||||||||||
| Total assets | 32,769 | 29,732 | ||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | 25 | 50 | ||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | 790 | 789 | ||||||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | 12,098 | 10,562 | ||||||||||||
| Book value per share | 77.06 | 67.21 | ||||||||||||
| Debt-to-total-capital ratio | 6.3 | % | 7.4 | % | ||||||||||
Total investments increased by 13% during 2023 on a fair value basis, and included an increase in our securities portfolio valuation that added to an 8% increase in its cost basis. Entering 2024, we believe the portfolio continues to be well diversified and is well positioned to withstand short-term fluctuations. We discuss our investment strategy in Item 1, Investments Segment, and results for the segment in Investments Results. Total assets increased by 10%, compared with year-end 2022. Shareholders’ equity increased by 15% and book value per share also increased by 15%, for reasons discussed in the preceding Executive Summary.
The amount of our debt obligations decreased by $24 million in 2023, compared with 2022. Our 6.3% ratio of debt to total capital (debt plus shareholders’ equity) at year-end 2023 decreased by 1.1 percentage points compared with the prior-year ratio.
Income Statement and Per Share Data
| (In millions, except per share data) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 7,958 | $ | 7,225 | $ | 6,478 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses (pretax) | 894 | 781 | 714 | 14 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net (pretax) | 1,127 | (1,467) | 2,409 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 10,013 | 6,563 | 9,626 | 53 | (32) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 1,843 | (487) | 2,968 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | 2,022 | (1,398) | 2,930 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share - diluted | 11.66 | (3.06) | 18.24 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends declared per share | 3.00 | 2.76 | 2.52 | 9 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 158.1 | 158.8 | 162.7 | 0 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income rose by $2.330 billion in 2023, compared with net a net loss for 2022, including a $2.050 billion increase in net investment gains on an after-tax basis. The improved 2023 net income also included an increase in property casualty underwriting income of $206 million after taxes, as discussed below, and a $91 million increase in investment income after taxes. Our investment operation’s performance is discussed further in Investments Results. A net loss of $487 million in 2022, representing a $3.455 billion decrease compared with net income for 2021, included a $3.062 billion reduction in net investment gains after taxes. The reduced 2022 net income also included a decrease in property casualty underwriting income of $467 million after taxes and a $55 million increase in investment income after taxes.
During 2021 through 2023, SARS-CoV-2, also known as COVID-19 and recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, continued to cause various effects in parts of the world. We believe it did not have a significant effect on our premium or investment revenues during 2023, 2022 or 2021. For future periods, renewal premium or new business premium amounts could decline due to reduced spending by businesses or consumers,
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or if the basis for policy premiums, such as sales and payrolls of businesses we insure, decrease as a result of a weakening economy, pandemic or other reasons. Premium growth by segment is discussed below in Financial Results.
During 2023, 2022 and 2021, there were no material changes to our estimates for incurred losses and expenses related to the pandemic. Factors used in estimating reserves for business interruption legal expenses related to the pandemic included estimates for attorney fees associated with the defense of such lawsuits filed against the company; litigation trends of such cases, including responding to amended and replead cases and cases on appeal; and trends in judicial decisions in cases filed against the company and other insurers. Loss experience for our insurance operations is influenced by many factors, as discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves. Because of various factors that affect exposure to certain insurance losses, such as less miles driven for vehicles or reduced sales and payrolls for businesses, there could be a reduction in future losses, and in some cases a generally corresponding reduction in premiums. Also, there could be losses or legal expenses that increase or otherwise occur independently of changes in the economy or changes in sales or payrolls of businesses we insure, due to inflation, pandemic effects or other factors.
Contribution from Insurance Operations
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated property casualty data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | $ | 8,046 | $ | 7,307 | $ | 6,479 | 10 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | 7,645 | 6,924 | 6,184 | 10 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | 401 | 140 | 731 | 186 | (81) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pt. Change | Pt. Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAAP combined ratio | 94.9 | % | 98.1 | % | 88.3 | % | (3.2) | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statutory combined ratio | 94.6 | 97.7 | 87.9 | (3.1) | 9.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Written premium to statutory surplus | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property casualty net written premiums grew 10% and earned premiums also grew 10% in 2023. The growth reflected average renewal price increases, premium growth initiatives and a higher level of insured exposures, including a contribution to net written premium growth of less than 1 percentage point from Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global in total. Growth in 2022 net written premiums and earned premiums was driven by factors similar to 2023. Trends and related factors are discussed in Commercial Lines, Personal Lines and Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Results.
Our property casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit for each of the three years ending in 2023. Underwriting results improved in 2023, compared with 2022, due to improved overall insured loss experience before catastrophe effects, as price increases helped to offset elevated losses reflecting economic or other forms of inflation that increased our uncertainty regarding ultimate losses. Loss experience in 2022 was much worse than in 2021, including higher current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses that rose 20%, exceeding earned premium growth of 12%. Loss experience is discussed further in Financial Results for our property casualty business and related segments. The $261 million improvement in 2023 underwriting profit, compared with 2022, also included a $31 million increase in losses from natural catastrophe events and $81 million more benefit from net favorable reserve development on prior accident years before catastrophe losses. The $591 million decrease in 2022, compared with excellent results in 2021, included a $135 million increase in losses from catastrophe events and $276 million less benefit from net favorable reserve development on prior accident years before catastrophe losses.
We measure property casualty underwriting profitability primarily by the combined ratio. Our combined ratio measures the percentage of each earned premium dollar spent on claims plus all expenses related to our property casualty operations, all on a pretax basis. A lower ratio indicates more favorable results and better underlying performance. A ratio below 100% represents an underwriting profit. Initiatives to improve our combined ratio are discussed in Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Strategic Initiatives. In 2023, 2022 and 2021, favorable development on reserves for claims that occurred in prior accident years helped offset other incurred losses and loss expenses. Reserve development is discussed further in Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense
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Obligations and Reserves. Losses from weather-related catastrophes are another important item influencing the combined ratio and are discussed along with other factors in Financial Results for our property casualty business and related segments.
Our life insurance segment reported a profit of $41 million in 2023 and profit of $27 million in 2022. We discuss results for the segment in Life Insurance Results. Most of this segment’s investment income is included in our investments segment results. In addition to investment income, investment gains from the life insurance investment portfolio are also included in our investments segment results.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Cincinnati Financial Corporation’s financial statements are prepared using U.S. GAAP. These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the financial statements are discussed in Item 8, Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. In conjunction with that discussion, material implications of uncertainties associated with the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying the company’s critical accounting policies are discussed below. The audit committee of the board of directors reviews the annual financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. These discussions cover: the quality of earnings; review of reserves and accruals; reconsideration of the suitability of accounting principles; review of highly judgmental areas including critical accounting estimates; audit adjustments; and such other inquiries as may be appropriate.
Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves
We establish loss and loss expense reserves for our property casualty insurance business as balance sheet liabilities. Unpaid loss and loss expenses are the estimated amounts necessary to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims, including incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. These reserves account for unpaid loss and loss expenses as of a financial statement date.
For some lines of business that we write, a considerable and uncertain amount of time can elapse between the occurrence, reporting and payment of insured claims. The amount we will actually have to pay for such claims also can be highly uncertain. This uncertainty, together with the size of our reserves, makes the loss and loss expense reserves our most significant estimate. Gross loss and loss expense reserves were $8.975 billion at year-end 2023 compared with $8.336 billion at year-end 2022.
How Reserves Are Established
Our field claims representatives establish case reserves when claims are reported to the company to provide for our unpaid loss and loss expense obligation associated with known claims. Field claims managers supervise and review all claims with case reserves less than $100,000. Additionally, a headquarters supervisor and regional claims manager review claims under $100,000 if litigation or a certain specialty claim is involved. All claims with case reserves of $100,000 or greater are reviewed and approved by experienced headquarters supervisors and regional claims managers. Upper-level headquarters claims managers also review case reserves of $175,000 or more.
Our claims representatives base their case reserve estimates primarily upon case-by-case evaluations that consider:
•type of claim involved
•circumstances surrounding each claim
•policy provisions pertaining to each claim
•potential for subrogation or salvage recoverable
•general insurance reserving practices
Case reserves of all sizes are generally reviewed on a 90-day cycle, or more frequently if new information about a loss becomes available. As part of the review process, we monitor industry trends, cost trends, relevant court cases, legislative activity and other current events in an effort to ascertain new or additional loss exposures.
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We also establish IBNR reserves to provide for all unpaid loss and loss expenses not accounted for by case reserves:
•For events designated as natural catastrophes resulting in losses incurred related to premiums written on a direct basis by The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, we calculate IBNR reserves directly as a result of an estimated IBNR claim count and an estimated average claim amount for each event. Once case reserves are established for a catastrophe event, we reduce the IBNR reserves. Our claims department management coordinates the assessment of these events and prepares the related IBNR reserve estimates. Such an assessment involves a comprehensive analysis of the nature of the event, of policyholder exposures within the affected geographic area and of available claims intelligence. Depending on the nature of the event, available claims intelligence could include surveys of field claims representatives within the affected geographic area, feedback from a catastrophe claims team sent into the area, as well as data on claims reported as of the financial statement date.
To determine whether an event is designated as a catastrophe, related to premiums written on a direct basis by The Cincinnati Insurance Companies, we generally use the catastrophe definition provided by Property Claims Service (PCS), a division of Insurance Services Office. PCS defines a catastrophe as an event that causes U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands damage of $25 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of policyholders and insureds.
•For events designated as natural catastrophes resulting in losses for Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global, we begin with a review of in-force policies, treaties and related limits likely to be affected by each event. For both Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global, use of information from third-party catastrophe models, industry estimates, and our own proprietary adjustments are used for the estimate of ultimate losses for each catastrophe event. Incurred losses from catastrophe events for both Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global can be designated catastrophes by PCS, or deemed as a catastrophe by the international insurance industry or, for Cincinnati Re, as reported by ceding companies. IBNR reserves are calculated as the difference between the estimate of the ultimate loss and loss expenses and the sum of total loss and loss expense payments and total case reserves.
•For asbestos and environmental claims, we calculate IBNR reserves by deriving an actuarially-based estimate of total unpaid loss and loss expenses. We then reduce the estimate by total case reserves. We discuss the reserve analysis that applies to asbestos and environmental reserves in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Asbestos and Environmental Loss and Loss Expense Reserves.
•For loss expenses that pertain primarily to salaries and other costs related to our claims associates, also referred to as adjusting and other expense or AOE, we calculate reserves based on an analysis of the relationship between paid losses and paid AOE. Reserves for AOE are allocated to company, line of business and accident year based on a claim count algorithm. Claim counts reported and used in the reserving process are primarily measured by insurance coverages that are triggered when a loss occurs and a reserve is established. Coverages are defined as unique combinations of certain attributes such as line of business and cause of loss. Claims that are opened and closed without payment are included in the reported claim counts. Claim counts are presented on a direct basis only and do not reflect any assumed or ceded reinsurance.
•For all other claims and events, including reinsurance assumed or ceded, IBNR reserves are calculated as the difference between an actuarial estimate of the ultimate cost of total loss and loss expenses incurred reduced by the sum of total loss and loss expense payments and total case reserves estimated for individual claims. Reserve amounts for those other claims and events are significant, and represent the majority of amounts shown as IBNR reserves and loss expense reserves in the table included in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves. We discuss below the development of actuarially based estimates of the ultimate cost of total loss and loss expenses incurred.
Our actuarial staff applies significant judgment in selecting models and estimating model parameters when preparing reserve analyses. Unpaid loss and loss expenses are inherently uncertain as to timing and amount. Uncertainties relating to model appropriateness, parameter estimates and actual loss and loss expense amounts are referred to as model, parameter and process uncertainty, respectively. Our management and actuarial staff address these uncertainties in the reserving process in a variety of ways.
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Our actuarial staff bases its IBNR reserve estimates for these losses primarily on the indications of methods and models that analyze accident year data. Accident year is the year in which an insured claim, loss or loss expense occurred. The specific methods and models that our actuaries have used for the past several years are:
•paid and reported loss development methods
•paid and reported loss Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods
•individual and multiple probabilistic trend family models
Our actuarial staff uses diagnostics to evaluate the appropriateness of the models and methods listed above. The appropriateness of these models and methods for estimating IBNR reserves tends to depend on the tail for a line of business. Tail refers to the time interval between a typical claim’s occurrence and its settlement. The loss development and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods, particularly the reported loss variations, tend to produce more appropriate IBNR reserve estimates for our short-tail lines such as homeowner and commercial property. For our mid-tail and long-tail lines, all models and methods provide useful insights.
Our actuarial staff also devotes significant time and effort to the estimation of model and method parameters. The loss development and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods require the estimation of numerous loss development factors. The Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods also involve the estimation of numerous expected loss ratios by accident year. Models from the probabilistic trend family require the estimation of development trends, calendar year inflation trends and exposure levels. Consequently, our actuarial staff monitors a number of trends and measures to gain key business insights necessary for exercising appropriate judgment when estimating the parameters mentioned, such as:
•company and industry pricing
•company and industry exposure
•company and industry loss frequency and severity
•past large loss events
•company and industry premium
•company in-force policy count
These trends and measures also support the estimation of expected accident year loss ratios needed for applying the Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and for assessing the reasonability of all IBNR reserve estimates computed. Our actuarial staff reviews these trends and measures quarterly, updating parameters derived from them as necessary.
Quarterly, our actuarial staff summarizes their reserve analysis by preparing an actuarial best estimate and a range of reasonable IBNR reserves intended to reflect the uncertainty of the estimate. An inter-departmental committee that includes our actuarial management team reviews the results of each quarterly reserve analysis. The committee establishes management’s best estimate of IBNR reserves, which is the amount that is included in each period’s financial statements. In addition to the information provided by actuarial staff, the committee also considers factors such as:
•large loss activity and trends in large losses
•new business activity
•judicial decisions
•general economic trends such as inflation
•trends in litigiousness and legal expenses
•product and underwriting changes
•changes in claims practices
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The determination of management’s best estimate, like the preparation of the reserve analysis that supports it, involves considerable judgment. Changes in reserving data or the trends and factors that influence reserving data may signal fundamental shifts or may simply reflect single-period anomalies. Even if a change reflects a fundamental shift, the full extent of the change may not become evident until years later. Moreover, since our methods and models do not explicitly relate many of the factors we consider directly to reserve levels, we typically cannot quantify the precise impact of such factors on the adequacy of reserves prospectively or retrospectively.
Due to the uncertainties described above, our ultimate loss experience could prove better or worse than our carried reserves reflect. To the extent that reserves are inadequate and increased, the amount of the increase is a charge in the period that the deficiency is recognized, raising our loss and loss expense ratio and reducing earnings. To the extent that reserves are redundant and released, the amount of the release is a credit in the period that the redundancy is recognized, reducing our loss and loss expense ratio and increasing earnings.
Key Assumptions – Loss Reserving
Our actuarial staff makes a number of key assumptions when using their methods and models to derive IBNR reserve estimates. Appropriate reliance on these key assumptions essentially entails determinations of the likelihood that statistically significant patterns in historical data may extend into the future. The four most significant of the key assumptions used by our actuarial staff and approved by management are:
•Emergence of loss and defense and cost containment expenses, also referred to as DCCE, on an accident year basis. Historical paid loss, reported loss and paid DCCE data for the business lines we analyze contain patterns that reflect how unpaid losses, unreported losses and unpaid DCCE as of a financial statement date will emerge in the future. Unless our actuarial staff or management identifies reasons or factors that invalidate the extension of historical patterns into the future, these patterns can be used to make projections necessary for estimating IBNR reserves. Our actuaries significantly rely on this assumption in the application of all methods and models mentioned above.
•Calendar year inflation. For long-tail and mid-tail business lines, calendar year inflation trends for future paid losses and paid DCCE do not vary significantly from a stable, long-term average. Our actuaries base reserve estimates derived from probabilistic trend family models on this assumption.
•Exposure levels. Historical earned premiums, when adjusted to reflect common levels of product pricing and loss cost inflation, can serve as a proxy for historical exposures. Our actuaries require this assumption to estimate expected loss ratios and expected DCCE ratios used by the Bornhuetter-Ferguson reserving methods. They may also use this assumption to establish exposure levels for recent accident years, characterized by “green” or immature data, when working with probabilistic trend family models.
•Claims having atypical emergence patterns. Characteristics of certain subsets of claims, such as high frequency, high severity, or mass tort claims, have the potential to distort patterns contained in historical paid loss, reported loss and paid DCCE data. When testing indicates this to be the case for a particular subset of claims, our actuaries segregate these claims from the data and analyze them separately. Subsets of claims that could fall into this category include hurricane claims or claims for other weather events where total losses we incurred were very large, individual large claims and asbestos and environmental claims.
These key assumptions have not changed since 2005, when our actuarial staff began using probabilistic trend family models to estimate IBNR reserves.
Paid losses, reported losses and paid DCCE are subject to random as well as systematic influences. As a result, actual paid losses, reported losses and paid DCCE are virtually certain to differ from projections. Such differences are consistent with what specific models for our business lines predict and with the related patterns in the historical data used to develop these models. As a result, management does not closely monitor statistically insignificant differences between actual and projected data.
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Reserve Estimate Variability
Management believes that the standard error of a reserve estimate, a measure of the estimate’s variability, provides the most appropriate measure of the estimate’s sensitivity. The reserves we establish depend on the models we use and the related parameters we estimate in the course of conducting reserve analyses. However, the actual amount required to settle all outstanding insured claims, including IBNR claims, as of a financial statement date depends on stochastic, or random, elements as well as the systematic elements captured by our models and estimated model parameters. For the lines of business we write, process uncertainty – the inherent variability of loss and loss expense payments – typically contributes more to the imprecision of a reserve estimate than parameter uncertainty.
Consequently, a sensitivity measure that ignores process uncertainty would provide an incomplete picture of the reserve estimate’s sensitivity. Since a reserve estimate’s standard error accounts for both process and parameter uncertainty, it reflects the estimate’s full sensitivity to a range of reasonably likely scenarios.
The table below provides standard errors and reserve ranges by major property casualty lines of business and in total for net loss and loss expense reserves as well as the potential effects on our net income, assuming a 21% federal tax rate. Standard errors and reserve ranges for assorted groupings of these lines of business cannot be computed by simply adding the standard errors and reserve ranges of the component lines of business, since such an approach would ignore the effects of product diversification. See Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves, Range of Reasonable Reserves, for more details on our total reserve range. While the table reflects our assessment of the most likely range within which each line’s actual unpaid loss and loss expenses may fall, one or more lines’ actual unpaid loss and loss expenses could nonetheless fall outside of the indicated ranges.
| (Dollars in millions) | Net loss and loss expense range of reserves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carried reserves | Low point | High point | Standard error | Net income effect | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,613 | $ | 7,926 | $ | 8,704 | $ | 389 | $ | 307 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial casualty | $ | 3,090 | $ | 2,661 | $ | 3,272 | $ | 305 | $ | 241 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial property | 509 | 382 | 589 | 103 | 81 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial auto | 859 | 803 | 896 | 46 | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 1,005 | 900 | 1,064 | 82 | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal auto | 344 | 320 | 369 | 24 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeowners | 381 | 351 | 408 | 29 | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus | 898 | 852 | 944 | 49 | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.
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Life Policy and Investment Contract Reserves
We establish the reserves for traditional life policies, including term, whole life and other products based on certain cash flow assumptions including mortality and lapse rates. These assumptions are established based on our current expectations and are reviewed annually to determine any necessary updates. They are also updated on an interim basis if evidence suggests that they should be revised. We use both our own experience and industry experience, adjusted for historical trends, in arriving at our cash flow assumptions. These reserves also include a discount rate assumption that is based on upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yields (market value discount rates) and is updated quarterly.
The gross reserve balance for term and whole life policy reserves was $1.500 billion, or 48.9%, of total life policy and investment contract reserves at December 31, 2023. The following table summarizes the sensitivity, on a net basis, of our term and whole life policy reserves and reinsurance recoverable amounts to hypothetical changes in key assumptions and the resulting increase/(decrease) to pretax net income and pretax other comprehensive income:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Pretax Net Income | Pretax Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||
| Assumptions set by actuaries and approved by management: | ||||||||||||||
| Mortality | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of a 1% increase | $ | (4) | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Effect of a 1% decrease | 4 | — | ||||||||||||
| Lapse rates | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of a 10% increase | $ | 13 | $ | — | ||||||||||
| Effect of a 10% decrease | (13) | — | ||||||||||||
| Assumptions set by market values: | ||||||||||||||
| Market value discount rate | ||||||||||||||
| Effect of a 100 basis point increase | $ | — | $ | 162 | ||||||||||
| Effect of a 100 basis point decrease | — | (200) | ||||||||||||
We establish reserves for our universal life, deferred annuity and other investment contracts, equal to the cumulative account balances, which include premium deposits plus credited interest less charges and withdrawals. Charges include surrender and contract administration charges as well as asset-based fees. The reserve balance for these contracts was $1.343 billion, or 43.8%, of total life policy and investment contract reserves, at December 31, 2023.
Some of our universal life insurance policies contain no-lapse guarantee provisions. For these policies, we establish a reserve, or other additional liability, in addition to the account balance based on expected no-lapse guarantee benefits and expected policy assessments. Key assumptions used to establish this other additional liability reserve are expected investment returns and projected lapse rates. These assumptions, and other relevant inputs, are reviewed annually and on an interim basis in line with the process described above for traditional life policies. The reserve balance was $128 million, or 4.2%, of total life policy and investment contract reserves at December 31, 2023, and is included as a component of universal life reserves in Item 8, Note 5 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Asset Impairment
Our investment portfolio is our largest asset. We monitor the fixed-maturity portfolio and all other assets for signs of credit-related or other impairment. We monitor decreases in the fair value of invested assets and the need for an allowance for credit losses for our fixed-maturity portfolio; allowances for expected credit losses on receivable and recoverable assets considering past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts; an accumulation of company costs in excess of the amount originally expected to acquire or construct an asset; or other factors such as bankruptcy, deterioration of creditworthiness or failure to pay interest; and changes in legal factors or in the business climate.
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The application of our invested assets impairment policy resulted in write-downs of impaired securities intended to be sold that reduced our income before income taxes by $4 million in 2023, $5 million in 2022 and $1 million in 2021. Write-downs represent noncash charges to income and are reported as investment losses. The application of our noninvested assets impairment policy did not have a material effect on our financial condition in 2023 or 2022.
Our internal investment portfolio managers monitor their assigned portfolios. If a fixed-maturity security is valued below amortized cost, the portfolio managers undertake additional reviews. Such declines often occur in conjunction with events taking place in the overall economy and market, combined with events specific to the industry or operations of the issuing organization. Managers review quantitative measurements such as a declining trend in fair value and the extent of the fair value decline, as well as qualitative measures such as pending events, credit ratings and issuer liquidity. We are even more proactive when these declines in valuation are greater than might be anticipated when viewed in the context of overall economic and market conditions. We provide detailed information about fixed-maturity securities fair valued in a continuous loss position at year-end 2023 in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
An available for sale fixed maturity is impaired if the fair value of the security is below amortized cost. The impaired loss is charged to net income when we have the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost. For impaired securities we intend to hold, an allowance for credit related losses is recorded in investment losses when the company determines a credit loss has been incurred based on certain factors such as adverse conditions, credit rating downgrades or failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments. A credit loss is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis by comparing the present value of expected cash flows with the amortized cost basis, limited to the difference between fair value and amortized cost. Noncredit losses are recognized in other comprehensive income as a change in unrealized gains and losses on investments. We provide information about valuations of our invested assets in Item 8, Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Fair Value Measurements
Valuation of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the exit price or the amount that would be (1) received to sell an asset or (2) paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. When determining an exit price, we must, whenever possible, rely upon observable market data.
We have categorized our financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. 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). If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. While we consider pricing data from outside services, we ultimately determine whether the data or inputs used by these outside services are observable or unobservable.
Financial assets and liabilities recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as described in Item 8, Note 3 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Level 1 and Level 2 Valuation Techniques
Substantially all of the $24.780 billion of securities in our investment portfolio at year-end 2023, measured at fair value, are classified as Level 1 or Level 2. Financial assets that fall within Level 1 and Level 2 are priced according to observable data from identical or similar securities that have traded in the marketplace. Also within Level 2 are securities that are valued by outside services or brokers where we have evaluated and verified the pricing methodology and determined that the inputs are observable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Information about recent accounting pronouncements is provided in Item 8, Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Financial Results
Consolidated financial results primarily reflect the results of our five reporting segments. These segments are defined based on financial information we use to evaluate performance and to determine the allocation of assets.
•Commercial lines insurance
•Personal lines insurance
•Excess and surplus lines insurance
•Life insurance
•Investments
We report as Other the noninvestment operations of the parent company and its noninsurer subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. In addition, Other includes the financial results of our reinsurance assumed operations, known as Cincinnati Re®, and our London-based global specialty underwriter, known as Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd.SM (Cincinnati Global).
We measure profit or loss for our commercial lines, personal lines, excess and surplus lines and life insurance segments based upon underwriting results (profit or loss), which represent net earned premium less loss and loss expenses, or contract holders’ benefits incurred, and underwriting expenses on a pretax basis. We also evaluate results for our consolidated property casualty insurance operations. That is the total of our standard market segments (commercial lines and personal lines), our excess and surplus lines insurance segment, Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global. For analysis of our consolidated property casualty insurance results, it is important to include the earned premiums, loss and loss expenses and also underwriting expenses reported as Other. Underwriting results and segment pretax operating income are not substitutes for net income determined in accordance with GAAP.
For our consolidated property casualty insurance operations as well as the insurance segments, statutory accounting data and ratios are key performance indicators that we use to assess business trends and to make comparisons to industry results, since GAAP-based industry data generally is not as readily available.
Investments held by the parent company and the investment portfolios for the insurance subsidiaries are managed and reported as the investments segment, separate from our underwriting business. Net investment income and net investment gains and losses for our investment portfolios are discussed in the Investments Results.
The calculations of segment data are described in more detail in Item 8, Note 18, of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The following sections provide analysis and discussion of results of operations for each of the five segments.
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Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results
Earned and net written premiums for our consolidated property casualty operations grew in 2023, reflecting average renewal price increases, a higher level of insured exposures and strategic initiatives for targeted growth. A key measure of property casualty profitability is underwriting profit or loss. Profit increased in 2023, reflecting improved overall insured loss experience before catastrophe effects, as price increases helped to offset elevated losses reflecting economic or other forms of inflation that increased our uncertainty regarding ultimate losses. Our 2023 underwriting profit of $401 million was $261 million more than in 2022, including a $31 million unfavorable effect from a higher amount of catastrophe losses, mostly caused by severe weather. Prior accident year loss experience before catastrophes during 2023 was more favorable than in 2022, and represented $81 million of the 2023 underwriting profit increase. We continue working to improve underwriting profitability, such as through higher pricing and our ongoing initiatives to improve pricing precision and loss experience related to claims and loss control practices. Underwriting profit trends are discussed further below.
The table below highlights property casualty results, with analysis and discussion in the sections that follow. That analysis and discussion includes sections by segment.
Overview – Three-Year Highlights
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 7,645 | $ | 6,924 | $ | 6,184 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,656 | 6,934 | 6,194 | 10 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 4,463 | 4,171 | 3,462 | 7 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 710 | 704 | 562 | 1 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (168) | (87) | (363) | (93) | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (47) | (72) | (65) | 35 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 4,958 | 4,716 | 3,596 | 5 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 2,297 | 2,078 | 1,867 | 11 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 401 | $ | 140 | $ | 731 | 186 | (81) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 58.4 | % | 60.2 | % | 56.0 | % | (1.8) | 4.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 9.3 | 10.2 | 9.1 | (0.9) | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (2.2) | (1.3) | (5.9) | (0.9) | 4.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (0.6) | (1.0) | (1.1) | 0.4 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 64.9 | 68.1 | 58.1 | (3.2) | 10.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 30.0 | 30.0 | 30.2 | 0.0 | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 94.9 | % | 98.1 | % | 88.3 | % | (3.2) | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio: | 94.9 | % | 98.1 | % | 88.3 | % | (3.2) | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 6.5 | 7.9 | 2.1 | (1.4) | 5.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 88.4 | % | 90.2 | % | 86.2 | % | (1.8) | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance highlights for consolidated property casualty operations include:
•Premiums – Agency renewal written premiums rose $596 million or 11% in 2023 and continued to contribute to growth in earned premiums and net written premiums that rose in each of our property casualty insurance segments. The renewal premium increase was largely due to average renewal price increases and a higher level of insured exposures. Price increases with enhanced precision continue to benefit operating results.
New business written premiums produced through agencies increased $145 million in 2023, compared with 2022. Agents appointed during 2023 or 2022 produced a 2023 increase in standard lines new business of $65 million.
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Growth initiatives also favorably affect growth in subsequent years, particularly as newer agency relationships mature over time.
Cincinnati Re produced $558 million of 2023 net written premiums and had a negative contribution of $27 million to growth in other written premiums, compared with 2022. Cincinnati Re assumes risks through reinsurance treaties and in some cases cedes part of the risk and related premiums to one or more unaffiliated reinsurance companies through transactions known as retrocessions. In 2023, earned premiums for Cincinnati Re totaled $529 million.
Cincinnati Global had a positive contribution to the increase in other written premiums. Net written premiums were $280 million in 2023, and contributed $50 million of the growth in other written premiums, compared with 2022. In 2023, earned premiums for Cincinnati Global totaled $266 million.
Other written premiums also include premiums ceded to reinsurers as part of our ceded reinsurance program. An increase in ceded premiums, other than Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global premiums, reduced net written premium growth by $18 million in 2023.
The table below analyzes premium revenue components and trends.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency renewal written premiums | $ | 6,261 | $ | 5,665 | $ | 5,091 | 11 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency new business written premiums | 1,177 | 1,032 | 897 | 14 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other written premiums | 608 | 610 | 491 | 0 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 8,046 | 7,307 | 6,479 | 10 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premium change | (401) | (383) | (295) | (5) | (30) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 7,645 | $ | 6,924 | $ | 6,184 | 10 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
•Combined ratio – The combined ratio improved by 3.2 percentage points in 2023, compared with 2022, including a 0.5 percentage-point decrease in the ratio for catastrophe losses. The 2023 ratio for current accident year losses and loss expenses before catastrophes decreased by 1.8 percentage points. That ratio improvement included an increase of 1.9 points for the IBNR portion and a decrease of 3.7 points for the case incurred portion. Price increases and other underwriting efforts have helped to offset losses that have elevated significantly since 2021 due to inflation effects discussed below, as earned premiums in 2023 grew faster than those losses and loss expenses. The remainder of the 2023 combined ratio improvement included 0.9 percentage points more benefit in the ratio for prior accident year losses and loss expenses before catastrophes. We further discuss ratios related to reserve development in the sections that follow the Catastrophe Losses Incurred table below.
Elevated inflation since 2021 has resulted in higher losses and loss expenses as costs have increased significantly to repair damaged autos or other property that we insure. We also experienced higher losses for liability coverages for some of our lines of business. Higher losses and loss expenses for various lines of business reflect increased uncertainty of estimated ultimate losses. Until longer-term paid loss cost trends become more clear, we intend to remain prudent in reserving for estimated ultimate losses. We believe future property casualty underwriting results will continue to benefit from price increases and our ongoing initiatives to improve pricing precision and loss experience related to claims and loss control practices.
Our statutory combined ratio was 94.6% in 2023 compared with 97.7% in 2022 and 87.9% in 2021. The estimated statutory combined ratio for the property casualty industry, with the industry’s ratio excluding its mortgage and financial guaranty lines of business and based on industry data reported through the first nine months of 2023, was 103.4% in 2023, 104.0% in 2022 and 100.0% in 2021. The contribution of catastrophe losses to our statutory combined ratio was 8.8 percentage points in 2023, 8.9 percentage points in 2022 and 7.6 percentage points in 2021, compared with industry estimates of 9.8, 6.8 and 7.4 percentage points, respectively, with 2023 representing industry data reported through the first nine months of 2023. Components of the combined ratio are discussed below.
Catastrophe loss trends are an important factor in assessing trends for overall underwriting results. Our 10-year historical annual average contribution of catastrophe losses to the combined ratio was 7.7 percentage points at December 31, 2023. Our five-year average was 8.8 percentage points.
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Effective June 1, 2023, we restructured our reinsurance program for Cincinnati Re that included property catastrophe excess of loss coverage. The restructured treaties are for a period of one year and provide $40 million of coverage for various combinations of occurrences for business written in North America on a direct basis and by Cincinnati Re. Cincinnati Global catastrophe losses are not applicable to the treaty. There is a per occurrence limit of $20 million for Cincinnati Re catastrophe losses in excess of $80 million per event. The remaining coverage is for business written by Cincinnati Re and on a direct basis that applies to catastrophe losses in excess of $600 million per event. During 2023, there was no recovery from reinsurers for losses pertaining to these treaties.
The following table shows catastrophe losses incurred for the past two calendar years, net of reinsurance, as well as the effect of loss development on prior period catastrophe reserves. We individually list declared catastrophe events for which our incurred losses reached or exceeded $25 million.
Catastrophe Losses Incurred
| (Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance) | Excess and surplus lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines | Personal lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dates | Events | Regions | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mar. 1-4 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South | $ | 25 | $ | 26 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mar. 23-28 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South | 21 | 23 | — | — | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mar. 30 - Apr. 1 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South | 58 | 31 | — | — | 89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apr. 3-7 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South | 12 | 33 | — | — | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May 2-9 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, South | 22 | 7 | — | — | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jun. 21-27 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South, West | 21 | 18 | — | — | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jun. 28 - Jul. 4 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South, West | 9 | 16 | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 9-11 | Flood, Lightning, Wind | Northeast, South | 23 | 14 | — | — | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other 2023 catastrophes | 125 | 184 | 3 | 36 | 348 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development on 2022 and prior catastrophes | (11) | (44) | — | 8 | (47) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calendar year incurred total | $ | 305 | $ | 308 | $ | 4 | $ | 46 | $ | 663 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jun. 11-17 | Flood, Hail, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South | $ | 18 | $ | 18 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sep. 27 - Oct. 1 | Flood, Hail, Wind | South (Ian) | 28 | 42 | — | 133 | 203 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dec. 21-31 | Flood, Freeze, Ice, Snow, Wind | Midwest, Northeast, South, West | 110 | 46 | 2 | 3 | 161 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All other 2022 catastrophes | 151 | 130 | 3 | 20 | 304 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development on 2021 and prior catastrophes | (23) | (44) | (1) | (4) | (72) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Calendar year incurred total | $ | 284 | $ | 192 | $ | 4 | $ | 152 | $ | 632 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expenses
Loss and loss expenses include both net paid losses and reserve changes for unpaid losses as well as the associated loss expenses. For all property casualty lines of business in aggregate, net loss and loss expense reserves at December 31, 2023, were $682 million higher than at year-end 2022, including $634 million for incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves. The $682 million reserve increase raised year-end 2022 net loss and loss expense reserves by 9%, compared with a 10% increase in 2023 earned premiums.
Most of the incurred losses and loss expenses shown in the consolidated property casualty insurance results three-year highlights table are for the respective current accident years, with reserve development on prior accident years shown separately. Since less than half of our consolidated property casualty current accident year incurred losses and loss expenses represents net paid amounts, the majority represents reserves for our estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses. These reserves develop over time, and we re-estimate previously reported reserves as we learn more about the development of the related claims. The table below illustrates that development. For example, the 70.4% accident year 2022 loss and loss expense ratio reported as of December 31, 2022, developed favorably by 2.0 percentage points to 68.4% due to claims settling for less than previously estimated, or due to updated reserve estimates for unpaid claims, as of December 31, 2023. Accident years 2022 and 2021 have both developed favorably, as indicated by the progression over time for the ratios in the table.
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year loss and loss expenses incurred and ratios to earned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year: | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 5,173 | $ | 4,737 | $ | 3,906 | 67.7 | % | 68.4 | % | 63.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2022 | 4,875 | 3,928 | 70.4 | 63.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2021 | 4,024 | 65.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catastrophe loss trends, discussed above, accounted for some of the movement in the current accident year loss and loss expense ratio for 2023, compared with 2022. Catastrophe losses added 9.3 percentage points in 2023, 10.2 points in 2022 and 9.1 points in 2021 to the respective consolidated property casualty current accident year loss and loss expense ratios in the table above.
The 58.4% ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses for 2023 decreased 1.8 percentage points compared with the 60.2% accident year 2022 ratio measured as of December 31, 2022. The decrease included a 0.3 percentage-point decrease in the ratio for current accident year losses of $2 million or more per claim, shown in the table below.
Reserve development on prior accident years continued to net to a favorable amount in 2023, and was primarily due to less-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims. We recognized $215 million of favorable development in 2023, compared with $159 million in 2022 and $428 million in 2021. Of the $56 million increase in 2023, compared with 2022, $45 million was attributable to our commercial auto and personal auto lines of business. Approximately 80% of our net favorable reserve development on prior accident years recognized during 2023 occurred in our workers' compensation, commercial property and homeowner lines of business. In 2022, our workers' compensation and homeowner lines of business were responsible for approximately 74% of the favorable reserve development. As discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves, Property Casualty Insurance Development of Estimated Reserves by Accident Year, commercial casualty and workers' compensation are considered long-tail lines with the potential for revisions inherent in estimating reserves. Favorable development recognized during 2021 was primarily from our commercial casualty, commercial property and workers’ compensation lines of business. Development by accident year is further discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Insurance Development of Estimated Reserves by Accident Year.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 65
Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Losses by Size
| (Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | $ | 141 | $ | 143 | $ | 112 | (1) | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 144 | 135 | 97 | 7 | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | 94 | 30 | 77 | 213 | (61) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large losses incurred | 379 | 308 | 286 | 23 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 596 | 377 | (19) | 58 | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 2,571 | 2,737 | 2,240 | (6) | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 634 | 612 | 472 | 4 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses incurred | $ | 4,180 | $ | 4,034 | $ | 2,979 | 4 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | 1.9 | % | 2.1 | % | 1.8 | % | (0.2) | 0.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.6 | (0.1) | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | (0.8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large loss ratio | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 0.5 | (0.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 7.8 | 5.5 | (0.3) | 2.3 | 5.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 33.6 | 39.5 | 36.3 | (5.9) | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 8.3 | 8.8 | 7.6 | (0.5) | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loss ratio | 54.7 | % | 58.3 | % | 48.2 | % | (3.6) | 10.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2023, total large losses incurred increased by $71 million, or 23%, net of reinsurance, primarily due to an increase for our commercial lines insurance segment. The corresponding 2023 ratio increased 0.5 percentage points, compared with 2022. The large loss data included in the table above does not include Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global. Our analysis of large losses incurred indicated no unexpected concentration of these losses and reserve increases by geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. We believe the inherent volatility of aggregate loss experience for our portfolio of larger policies is greater than that of our portfolio of smaller policies, and we continue to monitor the volatility in addition to general inflationary trends in loss costs.
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Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Underwriting Expenses
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | $ | 1,438 | $ | 1,319 | $ | 1,168 | 9 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 854 | 753 | 694 | 13 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder dividends | 5 | 6 | 5 | (17) | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expenses | $ | 2,297 | $ | 2,078 | $ | 1,867 | 11 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | 18.8 | % | 19.1 | % | 18.9 | % | (0.3) | 0.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 11.1 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 0.3 | (0.4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder dividends | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expense ratio | 30.0 | % | 30.0 | % | 30.2 | % | 0.0 | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated property casualty commission expenses rose $119 million, or 9%, in 2023, with profit-sharing commissions for agencies increasing by $10 million. The 2023 ratio of commission expenses as a percent of earned premiums decreased by 0.3 percentage points, compared with 2022. The 2023 ratio for other underwriting expenses increased by 0.3 percentage points, compared with 2022. Earned premiums rose at a slower pace than other underwriting expenses during 2023, and we continued to carefully manage expenses while also making strategic investments that include enhancement of underwriting expertise.
Commission expenses include our profit-sharing commissions, which are primarily based on one-year and three-year profitability of an agency’s business. The aggregate profit trend for agencies that earn these profit-based commissions can differ from the aggregate profit trend for all agencies reflected in our consolidated property casualty results.
Salaries, benefits and payroll taxes for our associates account for approximately half of our property casualty other underwriting expenses. Most of our associates either provide direct service to the property casualty portion of our agencies’ businesses or provide support to those associates.
Discussions below of our property casualty insurance segments provide additional details about our results.
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Commercial Lines Insurance Results
Overview – Three-Year Highlights
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 4,264 | $ | 4,024 | $ | 3,674 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 4,268 | 4,028 | 3,678 | 6 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 2,594 | 2,530 | 2,125 | 3 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 316 | 307 | 168 | 3 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (112) | (53) | (309) | (111) | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (11) | (23) | (44) | 52 | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 2,787 | 2,761 | 1,940 | 1 | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 1,313 | 1,229 | 1,140 | 7 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 168 | $ | 38 | $ | 598 | 342 | (94) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 60.8 | % | 62.9 | % | 57.8 | % | (2.1) | 5.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 7.4 | 7.6 | 4.6 | (0.2) | 3.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (2.6) | (1.3) | (8.4) | (1.3) | 7.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (0.2) | (0.6) | (1.2) | 0.4 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 65.4 | 68.6 | 52.8 | (3.2) | 15.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 30.8 | 30.6 | 31.0 | 0.2 | (0.4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 96.2 | % | 99.2 | % | 83.8 | % | (3.0) | 15.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio: | 96.2 | % | 99.2 | % | 83.8 | % | (3.0) | 15.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 4.6 | 5.7 | (5.0) | (1.1) | 10.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 91.6 | % | 93.5 | % | 88.8 | % | (1.9) | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance highlights for the commercial lines insurance segment include:
•Premiums – Earned premiums and net written premiums rose in 2023, including a $204 million, or 6%, increase in renewal written premiums that continued to include higher average pricing and a higher level of insured exposures. New business written premiums in 2023 decreased $16 million, or 3%, compared with 2022, reflecting pricing discipline in a highly competitive environment.
•Combined ratio – The 2023 combined ratio improved by 3.0 percentage points compared with 2022, despite a 0.2 percentage-point increase in the ratio component for catastrophe losses. Development on prior accident years loss and loss expense reserves before catastrophes during 2023 was 1.3 percentage points more favorable than in 2022. The 2023 combined ratio also improved by 2.1 points due to a lower ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses, compared with 2022. That ratio improvement included an increase of 2.4 points for the IBNR portion and a decrease of 4.5 points for the case incurred portion. Price increases and other underwriting actions have helped offset losses that have elevated significantly since 2021 due to inflation effects, as earned premiums in 2023 grew faster than those losses and loss expenses.
When estimating the ultimate cost of total loss and loss expenses, we consider many factors, including trends for inflation, historical paid and reported losses, large loss activity and other data or information for the industry or our company. Elevated inflation since 2021 has resulted in higher losses and loss expenses as costs have increased significantly to repair damaged business property or autos that we insure, in addition to higher losses for liability coverages for some of our lines of business. Due to increased uncertainty regarding ultimate losses, we intend to remain prudent in reserving for estimated ultimate losses until longer-term loss cost trends become more clear.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 68
Commercial umbrella coverages are part of our commercial casualty line of business that help protect businesses against liability from occurrences such as accidents or injuries. Following a significantly unfavorable effect on our 2022 ratios for losses and expenses, commercial umbrella contributed a favorable decrease of approximately 2.2 percentage points to the commercial lines segment 2023 ratio for loss and loss expenses decrease of 3.2% shown in the table above. Incurred losses and loss expenses for commercial umbrella coverages of $346 million in 2023 decreased $70 million, or 17%, compared with 2022, including an increase in net paid losses of $7 million. The $70 million decrease in losses and loss expenses included a decrease of $39 million or 24% for the IBNR portion, while earned premiums of $502 million increased 1%. The estimated combined ratio for commercial umbrella for 2023 was 98%, compared with an estimated 112% for 2022, and its 2023 earned premiums represented approximately 34% of our commercial casualty premiums. Severe losses from commercial auto accidents were the primary source of our commercial umbrella claims during 2023 and also in recent years.
Pricing precision and other initiatives to improve commercial lines underwriting profitability complement our business practices that continue to leverage the local presence of our field associates. Field marketing representatives meet with local agencies to assess each risk, determine limits of insurance and establish appropriate terms and conditions. They underwrite new business, with collaboration and expertise from headquarters associates as needed, while field loss control, machinery and equipment and claims representatives conduct on-site inspections. Field claims representatives also assist underwriters by preparing full reports on their first-hand observations of risk quality.
Our commercial lines statutory combined ratio was 95.6% in 2023, compared with 98.5% in 2022 and 83.2% in 2021. The contribution of catastrophe losses to our commercial lines statutory combined ratio was 7.2 percentage points in 2023, 7.0 percentage points in 2022 and 3.4 percentage points in 2021.
Commercial Lines Insurance Premiums
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency renewal written premiums | $ | 3,876 | $ | 3,672 | $ | 3,334 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency new business written premiums | 584 | 600 | 571 | (3) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other written premiums | (124) | (113) | (94) | (10) | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 4,336 | 4,159 | 3,811 | 4 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premium change | (72) | (135) | (137) | 47 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 4,264 | $ | 4,024 | $ | 3,674 | 6 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
We continue to refine our use of predictive analytics tools to improve pricing precision as we further segment commercial lines policies, emphasizing identification and retention of policies we believe have relatively stronger price adequacy. These tools better align individual insurance policy pricing to risk attributes, providing our underwriters with enhanced abilities to target profitability and to discuss pricing impacts with our agencies. We also continue to leverage our local relationships with agents through the efforts of our teams that work closely with them. We believe our field focus is unique and has several advantages, including providing us with quality intelligence on local market conditions. We seek to maintain appropriate pricing discipline for both new and renewal business as management continues to emphasize the importance of our agencies and underwriters assessing account quality to make careful decisions on a case-by-case basis whether to write as new business or renew a policy. Premium rate credits may be used to retain renewals of quality business and to earn new business, but we do so selectively in order to avoid commercial accounts that we believe have insufficient profit margins.
Our 6% increase in 2023 agency renewal written premiums included higher average pricing. We measure average changes in commercial lines renewal pricing as the rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for respective policies. In 2023, our standard commercial lines policies averaged an estimated pricing change at a percentage near the low end of the high-single-digit range. Our average commercial lines pricing change includes the flat pricing effect of certain coverages within package policies written for a three-year term that were in force but did not expire during the period being measured. Therefore, the average commercial lines pricing change we report reflects a blend of policies that did not expire and other policies that did expire during the measurement period.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 69
For only those commercial lines policies that did expire and were then renewed during 2023, we estimate that the average price increase was at a percentage in the high-single-digit range. During 2023, we continued to further segment our commercial lines policies, emphasizing identification and retention of policies we believed had relatively stronger price adequacy. Conversely, we continued to seek more aggressive renewal terms and conditions on policies we believed had relatively weaker pricing, in turn retaining fewer of those policies.
Our 2023 increase of 6% for the commercial lines segment's agency renewal written premiums also included a higher level of insured exposures, in addition to other factors such as changes in policy retention rates or changes in mix of business that can cause variation in average premiums per policy. Part of the insured exposure increase reflects our response to inflation effects that increase the cost of building materials to repair damaged commercial structures. We use building valuation software to automate much of that underwriting process and may also manually adjust premiums to reflect property costs.
Changes in the economy can affect insured exposures that directly relate to premium amounts charged for some policies. For commercial accounts, we usually calculate initial estimates for general liability premiums based on estimated sales or payroll volume, while we calculate workers’ compensation premiums based on estimated payroll volume. A change in sales or payroll volume generally indicates a change in demand for a business’s goods or services, as well as a change in its exposure to risk. Policyholders who experience sales or payroll volume changes due to economic factors may also have other exposures requiring insurance, such as commercial auto or commercial property. Premium levels for these other types of coverages generally are not linked directly to sales or payroll volumes.
Premiums resulting from audits of actual sales or payrolls that confirmed or adjusted initial premium estimates are part of net written premiums and earned premiums. The contribution to our commercial lines earned premiums was $157 million, $127 million and $47 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The contribution on a net written premium basis was $136 million, $101 million and $44 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These net written premium amounts are included with agency renewal written premiums in the Commercial Lines Insurance Premiums table above.
In 2023, our commercial lines new business premiums written by our agencies decreased $16 million, or 3%, compared with 2022, reflecting pricing discipline in a highly competitive environment. New business premium volume in recent years has been significantly influenced by new agency appointments. Agencies appointed since the beginning of 2022 produced commercial lines new business written premiums of $47 million, in aggregate, during 2023, up $34 million from what they produced during 2022. All other agencies contributed the remaining $537 million, down $50 million from the $587 million they produced in 2022.
For new business, our field associates are frequently meeting with our agents to: help judge the quality of each account; emphasize the Cincinnati value proposition; call on sales prospects with those agents; and provide appropriate quotes after carefully evaluating risk exposures. Some of our new business comes from accounts that are not new to the agent. We believe these seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that is new to us and the agency. As we appoint new agencies who choose to move accounts to us, we report these accounts as new business to us.
Other written premiums primarily consist of premiums that are ceded to reinsurers and lower our net written premiums. An increase in ceded premiums reduced net written premium growth by $11 million in 2023.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 70
Commercial Lines Insurance Loss and Loss Expenses
Loss and loss expenses include both net paid losses and reserve changes for unpaid losses as well as the associated loss expenses. Most of the incurred losses and loss expenses shown in the commercial lines insurance segment three-year highlights table are for the respective current accident years, with reserve development on prior accident years shown separately. Since less than half of our commercial lines insurance segment current accident year incurred losses and loss expenses represents net paid amounts, the majority represents reserves for our estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses. These reserves develop over time, and we re-estimate previously reported reserves as we learn more about development on the related claims. The table below illustrates that development. For example, the 70.5% accident year 2022 loss and loss expense ratio reported as of December 31, 2022, developed favorably by 1.7 percentage points to 68.8% due to claims settling for less than previously estimated, or due to updates to reserve estimates for unpaid claims, as of December 31, 2023. Accident years 2022 and 2021 for the commercial lines insurance segment have both developed favorably, as indicated by the progression over time of the ratios in the table.
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year loss and loss expenses incurred and ratios to earned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year: | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 2,910 | $ | 2,769 | $ | 2,204 | 68.2 | % | 68.8 | % | 60.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2022 | 2,837 | 2,234 | 70.5 | 60.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2021 | 2,293 | 62.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catastrophe losses, as discussed in Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results, explain some of the movement in the current accident year loss and loss expense ratio for accident year 2023, compared with 2022. Catastrophe losses added 7.4 percentage points in 2023, 7.6 points in 2022 and 4.6 points in 2021 to the respective commercial lines current accident year loss and loss expense ratios in the table above.
The 60.8% ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses for 2023 decreased 2.1 percentage points compared with the 62.9% accident year 2022 ratio measured as of December 31, 2022. The decrease included an increase in large losses incurred, described below including a table with corresponding ratios for new losses above $2 million, with a 0.2 percentage-point decrease in the 2023 ratio. Other contributions to the ratio decrease of 2.1 percentage points included inflation effects that were offset by the favorable impact from various initiatives, such as those to improve pricing precision, risk selection and loss experience related to claims and loss control practices.
Commercial lines reserve development on prior accident years of $123 million in 2023 continued to net to a favorable amount and provided a larger benefit than the $76 million recognized in 2022. The $47 million net increase in 2023, compared with 2022, included $28 million and $11 million from our commercial auto and commercial property lines of business, respectively. Most of our commercial lines net favorable reserve development on prior accident years recognized during 2023 occurred in our workers’ compensation and commercial property lines of business. Favorable development recognized during 2022 was mostly from our workers’ compensation and commercial property lines of business and during 2021 it was mostly from our commercial casualty, commercial property and workers' compensation lines of business. As discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, stable historical paid loss patterns are a key assumption used to make projections necessary for estimating IBNR reserves. Development by accident year and other trends for commercial lines loss and loss expenses and the related ratios are further discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Insurance Development of Estimated Reserves by Accident Year.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 71
Commercial Lines Insurance Losses by Size
| (Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | $ | 109 | $ | 95 | $ | 97 | 15 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 99 | 103 | 76 | (4) | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | 89 | 26 | 82 | 242 | (68) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large losses incurred | 297 | 224 | 255 | 33 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 328 | 304 | (83) | 8 | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 1,393 | 1,535 | 1,254 | (9) | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 291 | 275 | 116 | 6 | 137 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses incurred | $ | 2,309 | $ | 2,338 | $ | 1,542 | (1) | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | 2.5 | % | 2.4 | % | 2.6 | % | 0.1 | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.1 | (0.3) | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 1.5 | (1.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large loss ratio | 6.9 | 5.6 | 6.9 | 1.3 | (1.3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 7.7 | 7.6 | (2.3) | 0.1 | 9.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 32.7 | 38.1 | 34.2 | (5.4) | 3.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 6.8 | 6.8 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 3.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loss ratio | 54.1 | % | 58.1 | % | 42.0 | % | (4.0) | 16.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2023, total large losses incurred increased by $73 million, or 33%, net of reinsurance. The corresponding 2023 ratio increased 1.3 percentage points, compared with 2022. The 2023 increase on a dollar basis was primarily due to an increase of $71 million for our commercial property line of business. In 2022, total large losses incurred and the corresponding ratio were lower than in 2021, largely due to lower amounts of large losses for our workers' compensation and commercial property lines of business. Our analysis indicated no unexpected concentration of these losses and reserve increases by geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. We believe the inherent volatility of aggregate loss experience for our portfolio of larger policies is greater than that of our portfolio of smaller policies, and we continue to monitor the volatility in addition to general inflationary trends in loss costs.
Commercial Lines Insurance Underwriting Expenses
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | $ | 780 | $ | 741 | $ | 684 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 528 | 482 | 451 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder dividends | 5 | 6 | 5 | (17) | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expenses | $ | 1,313 | $ | 1,229 | $ | 1,140 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | 18.3 | % | 18.4 | % | 18.6 | % | (0.1) | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 12.4 | 12.0 | 12.2 | 0.4 | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policyholder dividends | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | (0.1) | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expense ratio | 30.8 | % | 30.6 | % | 31.0 | % | 0.2 | (0.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial lines commission expenses as a percent of earned premiums decreased slightly in 2023, compared with 2022. The ratio for 2022 decreased compared with 2021, reflecting a decrease in the ratio for profit-sharing commissions for agencies. In 2023, other underwriting expenses as a percent of earned premiums increased, compared with 2022, as earned premiums rose at a slower pace than other underwriting expenses. In 2022, other underwriting expenses as a percent of earned premiums decreased, compared with 2021, reflecting ongoing expense management efforts and premium growth outpacing growth in expenses.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 72
Commercial Lines Insurance Outlook
Renewal and new business pricing for commercial risks continues to experience significant inflationary and competitive pressure, and we continue to respond with enhanced pricing analytics and careful risk selection. Despite challenging market conditions, we believe we can successfully manage our business and execute strategic initiatives to offset market pressures and profitably grow our commercial lines insurance segment.
We intend to grow our commercial lines segment through additional agency appointments, expansion of our local field presence, enhanced expertise and product expansion that meets the needs of an even larger percentage of our agencies' total commercial portfolio. Our goal is to provide flexibility in our process so that we can deliver an industry-leading agency experience to all of our agents as we work to be the first and last solution when they are considering business placement.
We intend to keep marketing our products to a broad range of business classes with a total account approach, while also continuing improvement of our pricing precision and further segmentation among commercial lines policies. Underwriters continue to emphasize underwriting discipline and careful management of rate levels as well as our programs that seek to accurately match exposures with appropriate premiums. We work to evaluate each risk on a policy-by-policy basis, making decisions about rates, terms and conditions based on each account’s individual characteristics. We believe that our initiatives to improve pricing precision and lower loss costs will continue to benefit commercial lines profitability during 2024, and that recent-year premium growth initiatives will produce profitable commercial lines premium growth.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 73
Personal Lines Insurance Results
Overview – Three-Year Highlights
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 2,044 | $ | 1,689 | $ | 1,542 | 21 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 2,048 | 1,693 | 1,546 | 21 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 1,154 | 991 | 824 | 16 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 352 | 236 | 218 | 49 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (20) | (17) | (43) | (18) | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (44) | (44) | (7) | 0 | (529) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 1,442 | 1,166 | 992 | 24 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 610 | 509 | 457 | 20 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting profit (loss) | $ | (4) | $ | 18 | $ | 97 | nm | (81) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 56.4 | % | 58.7 | % | 53.4 | % | (2.3) | 5.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 17.3 | 14.0 | 14.2 | 3.3 | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (1.0) | (1.0) | (2.8) | 0.0 | 1.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (2.2) | (2.6) | (0.5) | 0.4 | (2.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 70.5 | 69.1 | 64.3 | 1.4 | 4.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 29.9 | 30.1 | 29.7 | (0.2) | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 100.4 | % | 99.2 | % | 94.0 | % | 1.2 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio: | 100.4 | % | 99.2 | % | 94.0 | % | 1.2 | 5.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 14.1 | 10.4 | 10.9 | 3.7 | (0.5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 86.3 | % | 88.8 | % | 83.1 | % | (2.5) | 5.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance highlights for the personal lines insurance segment include:
•Premiums – Earned premiums and net written premiums continued to grow in 2023, due to increases in new business written premiums and renewal written premiums that included higher average pricing and a higher level of insured exposures. Renewal written premiums rose $356 million, or 22%, in 2023, compared with 2022, while new business written premiums rose $120 million, or 41%. Cincinnati Private ClientSM net written premiums, included in the personal lines insurance segment, rose $338 million, or 37%, to approximately $1.257 billion in 2023, representing 54.6% of the segment's 2023 net written premiums. Cincinnati Private Client net written premiums included excess and surplus lines homeowner policies with premiums totaling $109 million in 2023 and $63 million in 2022.
•Combined ratio – The 2023 combined ratio increased by 1.2 percentage points, compared with 2022, including a 3.7 percentage-point increase in the ratio for catastrophe losses. Development on prior accident years’ loss and loss expense reserves before catastrophes during 2023 matched 2022. The 2023 combined ratio improved by 2.3 points due to a lower ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses, compared with 2022. That ratio improvement included an increase of 2.2 points for the IBNR portion and a decrease of 4.5 points for the case incurred portion. Price increases and other underwriting efforts have helped to offset losses that have elevated significantly since 2021 due to inflation effects, as earned premiums in 2023 grew faster than those losses and loss expenses.
When estimating the ultimate cost of total loss and loss expenses, we consider many factors, including trends for inflation, historical paid and reported losses, large loss activity and other data or information for the industry or our company. Elevated inflation since 2021 has resulted in higher losses and loss expenses as costs have increased
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 74
significantly to repair damaged autos or homes that we insure, in addition to higher losses for liability coverages for some of our lines of business. Due to increased uncertainty regarding ultimate losses, we intend to remain prudent in reserving for estimated ultimate losses until longer-term loss cost trends become more clear.
We have increased our pricing precision and implemented numerous rate increases in recent years to improve our personal lines insurance segment results. In addition, we have made greater use of higher minimum loss deductibles and enhanced our property inspection processes to verify condition and insurance to value. We have worked to improve our geographic diversification by expanding our personal lines operation to several states less prone to catastrophes.
Our personal lines statutory combined ratio was 98.3% in 2023, compared with 97.7% in 2022 and 93.5% in 2021. The contribution of catastrophe losses to our personal lines statutory combined ratio was 15.1 percentage points in 2023, 11.4 percentage points in 2022 and 13.7 percentage points in 2021.
Personal Lines Insurance Premiums
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency renewal written premiums | $ | 1,957 | $ | 1,601 | $ | 1,434 | 22 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency new business written premiums | 416 | 296 | 202 | 41 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other written premiums | (71) | (66) | (42) | (8) | (57) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 2,302 | 1,831 | 1,594 | 26 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premium change | (258) | (142) | (52) | (82) | (173) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 2,044 | $ | 1,689 | $ | 1,542 | 21 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal lines insurance is a strategic component of our overall relationship with most of our agencies and is an important component of our agencies’ relationships with their clients. We believe agents recommend our personal insurance products to their clients who seek to balance quality and price and who are attracted by our superior claims service and the benefits of our package approach. We also believe our continuing efforts to improve pricing precision are helping us attract and retain more of our agencies’ preferred business, while also obtaining higher rates for more thinly priced business.
The 22% increase in agency renewal written premiums in 2023 included the effect of various rate changes. We estimate that premium rates for our personal auto line of business increased at an average of approximately 10% during 2023, with some individual policies experiencing lower or higher rate changes based on enhanced pricing precision enabled by predictive models that consider characteristics of specific risks. For our homeowner line of business, we estimate that rate increases during 2023 averaged near the high end of the mid-single-digit range. Similar to our personal auto line of business, that average varied widely by state, and some individual policies experienced lower or higher rate changes based on pricing precision and current rate level indications that helped determine appropriate premium rates.
The 22% increase in agency renewal written premiums in 2023 also included a higher level of insured exposures and other factors such as changes in policy deductibles or mix of business. Part of the insured exposure increase reflects our response to inflation effects that increase the cost of building materials to repair damaged homes.
Personal lines new business written premiums grew by $120 million, or 41%, during 2023, compared with 2022, including approximately $42 million from Cincinnati Private Client policies and $78 million from middle-market policies. We believe we maintained underwriting and pricing discipline across all personal lines markets as we expanded use of enhanced pricing precision tools. Some of what we report as new business came from accounts that were not new to our agents. We believe our agents’ seasoned accounts tend to be priced more accurately than business that may be less familiar to them.
Other written premiums primarily consist of premiums that are ceded to reinsurers and lower our net written premiums. An increase in ceded premiums reduced net written premium growth by $8 million in 2023.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 75
Personal Lines Insurance Loss and Loss Expenses
Loss and loss expenses include both net paid losses and reserve changes for unpaid losses as well as the associated loss expenses. Most of the incurred losses and loss expenses shown in the personal lines insurance segment three-year highlights table are for the respective current accident years, with reserve development on prior accident years shown separately. Since approximately two-thirds of our personal lines current accident year incurred losses and loss expenses represent net paid amounts, the remaining one-third represents reserves for our estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses. These reserves develop over time, and we re-estimate previously reported reserves as we learn more about the development on the related claims. The table below illustrates that development. For example, the 72.7% accident year 2022 loss and loss expense ratio reported as of December 31, 2022, developed favorably by 2.7 percentage points to 70.0% due to claims settling for less than previously estimated, or due to updated reserve estimates for unpaid claims, as of December 31, 2023. Accident years 2022 and 2021 for the personal lines insurance segment have both developed favorably, as indicated by the progression over time for the ratios in the table.
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year loss and loss expenses incurred and ratios to earned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year: | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 1,506 | $ | 1,182 | $ | 986 | 73.7 | % | 70.0 | % | 63.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2022 | 1,227 | 990 | 72.7 | 64.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2021 | 1,042 | 67.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catastrophe losses, as discussed in Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results, explain some of the movement in the current accident year loss and loss expense ratio for accident year 2023, compared with accident year 2022. Catastrophe losses added 17.3 percentage points in 2023, 14.0 points in 2022 and 14.2 points in 2021 to the respective personal lines current accident year loss and loss expense ratios in the table above. Personal lines catastrophe losses for 2023 resulted in a ratio higher than our 10.6% 10-year annual average for personal lines. Personal lines catastrophe losses are inherently volatile, as discussed above and in Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results.
The 56.4% ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses for 2023 decreased 2.3 percentage points compared with the 58.7% accident year 2022 ratio measured as of December 31, 2022. The decrease included a decrease in large losses incurred, described below, and the corresponding ratios for new losses above $2 million, with a 0.8 percentage-point decrease in the 2023 ratio. Other contributions included inflation effects that were offset by the favorable impact from various initiatives, such as those to improve pricing precision, risk selection and loss experience related to claims and loss control practices.
Personal lines loss and loss expense reserve development on prior accident years recognized in 2023 was favorable by $64 million, in aggregate, compared with $61 million in 2022. The 2023 net favorable reserve development included $53 million for our homeowner line of business and $15 million for our personal auto line of business. The 2022 net favorable reserve development included $54 million for our homeowner line of business. As discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, stable historical paid loss patterns are a key assumption used to make projections necessary for estimating IBNR reserves. Development by accident year and other trends for personal lines loss and loss expenses and the related ratios are further discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Insurance Development of Estimated Reserves by Accident Year.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 76
Personal Lines Insurance Losses by Size
| (Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | $ | 32 | $ | 48 | $ | 15 | (33) | 220 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 45 | 30 | 21 | 50 | 43 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | 7 | 4 | (5) | 75 | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large losses incurred | 84 | 82 | 31 | 2 | 165 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 65 | 5 | 11 | nm | (55) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 809 | 738 | 624 | 10 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 298 | 186 | 198 | 60 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses incurred | $ | 1,256 | $ | 1,011 | $ | 864 | 24 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | 1.6 | % | 2.8 | % | 1.0 | % | (1.2) | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | 0.3 | 0.3 | (0.3) | 0.0 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large loss ratio | 4.1 | 4.9 | 2.0 | (0.8) | 2.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 3.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2.9 | (0.4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 39.5 | 43.7 | 40.5 | (4.2) | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 14.6 | 11.0 | 12.8 | 3.6 | (1.8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loss ratio | 61.4 | % | 59.9 | % | 56.0 | % | 1.5 | 3.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2023, personal lines total large losses incurred increased by $2 million, or 2%, net of reinsurance. The corresponding 2023 ratio decreased 0.8 percentage points, compared with 2022. The 2023 increase was primarily due to a higher amount for our homeowner line of business. In 2022, total large losses increased, compared with 2021, primarily due to higher amounts for both our homeowner line of business and umbrella coverage in our other personal line of business. Our analysis indicated no unexpected concentration of these losses and reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. We believe the inherent volatility of aggregate loss experience for our portfolio of larger policies is greater than that of our portfolio of smaller policies, and we continue to monitor the volatility in addition to general inflationary trends in loss costs.
Personal Lines Insurance Underwriting Expenses
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | $ | 391 | $ | 327 | $ | 292 | 20 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 219 | 182 | 165 | 20 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expenses | $ | 610 | $ | 509 | $ | 457 | 20 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | 19.2 | % | 19.4 | % | 19.0 | % | (0.2) | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expense ratio | 29.9 | % | 30.1 | % | 29.7 | % | (0.2) | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal lines commission expense as a percent of earned premiums decreased slightly in 2023, compared with 2022, as earned premiums rose at a faster pace than commission expenses. The ratio for 2022 increased compared with 2021, primarily due to an increase in commissions for agencies other than profit-sharing commissions. In both 2023 and 2022, other underwriting expenses as a percent of earned premiums matched the prior year, reflecting ongoing expense management efforts, as the pace of premium growth was in line with growth in other expenses.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 77
Personal Lines Insurance Outlook
The U.S. property casualty industry continued to experience challenges in 2023, including elevated inflation, increasing loss costs and pricing pressures as insurers pursued rate adequacy. Our response continues to include rate increases, pricing precision for individual risks and use of inflation factors that respond to higher costs to repair property. We believe we can continue to profitably grow premiums in our personal lines insurance segment through new agency appointments and an ongoing focus on diversification of product and geography. We serve middle market, mass affluent and high net worth clients, helping us grow across the U.S. and spreading our catastrophe risk. Drivers of profitable growth for our Cincinnati Private Client business also include selectively using non-admitted insurance property forms and rates in certain catastrophe-prone states and geographies.
Our high net worth initiative, along with various other actions to improve performance in our personal lines insurance segment, is discussed in greater detail in Personal Lines Insurance Results and also in Item 1, Our Business and Our Strategy, Strategic Initiatives and Our Segments, Personal Lines Insurance Segment.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 78
Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Results
Overview – Three-Year Highlights
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 542 | $ | 485 | $ | 398 | 12 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | 3 | 2 | 2 | 50 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 545 | 487 | 400 | 12 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 357 | 319 | 240 | 12 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 4 | 5 | 3 | (20) | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (11) | (8) | 7 | (38) | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | — | (1) | — | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 350 | 315 | 250 | 11 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 141 | 124 | 106 | 14 | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting profit | $ | 54 | $ | 48 | $ | 44 | 13 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year before catastrophe losses | 65.9 | % | 65.7 | % | 60.3 | % | 0.2 | 5.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year catastrophe losses | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.6 | (0.3) | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years before catastrophe losses | (2.0) | (1.7) | 1.9 | (0.3) | (3.6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years catastrophe losses | (0.1) | (0.2) | 0.0 | 0.1 | (0.2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 64.5 | 64.8 | 62.8 | (0.3) | 2.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 26.1 | 25.6 | 26.7 | 0.5 | (1.1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio | 90.6 | % | 90.4 | % | 89.5 | % | 0.2 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio: | 90.6 | % | 90.4 | % | 89.5 | % | 0.2 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution from catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | (1.4) | (0.9) | 2.5 | (0.5) | (3.4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Combined ratio before catastrophe losses and prior years reserve development | 92.0 | % | 91.3 | % | 87.0 | % | 0.7 | 4.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our excess and surplus lines insurance segment includes results of The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company and CSU Producer Resources Inc. Performance highlights for this segment include:
•Premiums – Earned premiums and net written premiums continued to grow during 2023, including higher renewal written premiums that included average renewal estimated price increases in the high-single-digit range. New business written premiums rose 30% in 2023, compared with 2022, and also contributed significantly to premium growth.
•Combined ratio – The combined ratio increased by 0.2 percentage points in 2023, driven by an increase underwriting expenses. Approximately 91% of our 2023 earned premiums for the excess and surplus lines insurance segment provided commercial casualty coverages for various insured liability claims that have experienced higher losses reflecting elevated inflation. Due to uncertainty regarding ultimate losses, we intend to remain prudent in reserving for estimated ultimate losses until longer-term loss cost trends become more clear. The 2023 ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses was 0.2 percentage points higher, compared with the 65.7% accident year 2022 ratio measured as of December 31, 2022, including an increase of 5.7 points for the IBNR portion and a decrease of 5.5 points for the case incurred portion. The 2023 ratio for prior accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses was slightly more favorable than in 2022. In 2022, the ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses increased significantly, reflecting incurred losses and loss expenses for excess and surplus lines commercial casualty coverages of $302 million in 2022 that increased $69 million or 30%, compared with 2021, while earned premiums rose 23%.
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Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Premiums
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency renewal written premiums | $ | 428 | $ | 392 | $ | 323 | 9 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Agency new business written premiums | 177 | 136 | 124 | 30 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other written premiums | (35) | (26) | (21) | (35) | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | 570 | 502 | 426 | 14 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premium change | (28) | (17) | (28) | (65) | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 542 | $ | 485 | $ | 398 | 12 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The $36 million increase in 2023 renewal premiums largely reflected higher renewal pricing. Average renewal estimated price increases were in the high-single-digit range during 2023. We measure average changes in excess and surplus lines renewal pricing as the rate of change in renewal premium for the new policy period compared with the premium for the expiring policy period, assuming no change in the level of insured exposures or policy coverage between those periods for respective policies.
New business written premiums in 2023 grew by $41 million, or 30%, compared with 2022, as we continued to carefully underwrite each policy in a highly competitive market. Other written premiums in 2023 reduced net written premium growth by $9 million more than in 2022 and are primarily premiums that are ceded to reinsurers and therefore reduce our net written premiums.
Excess and Surplus Lines Loss and Loss Expenses
Loss and loss expenses include both net paid losses and reserve changes for unpaid losses, as well as the associated loss expenses. The majority of the total incurred losses and loss expenses shown above in the three-year highlights table are for the respective current accident years, with reserve development on prior accident years shown separately. Since less than 20% of our excess and surplus lines current accident year incurred losses and loss expenses represents net paid amounts, a large majority represents reserves for our estimate of unpaid losses and loss expenses. These reserves develop over time, and we update our estimates of previously reported reserves as we learn more about the development on the related claims. The table below illustrates that development. For example, the 66.7% accident year 2022 loss and loss expense ratio reported as of December 31, 2022, developed favorably by 3.4 percentage points to 63.3% due to claims settling for less than previously estimated, or due to updated reserve estimates for unpaid claims, as of December 31, 2023. Accident year 2021 for this segment developed unfavorably by less than $1 million during 2023, after developing unfavorably during 2022, as indicated by the progression over time of the ratios in the table.
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year loss and loss expenses incurred and ratios to earned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident year: | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 361 | $ | 307 | $ | 257 | 66.6 | % | 63.3 | % | 64.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2022 | 324 | 257 | 66.7 | 64.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| as of December 31, 2021 | 243 | 60.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Catastrophe losses, as discussed in Consolidated Property Casualty Insurance Results, explain some of the movement among components of the current accident year loss and loss expense ratio for accident year 2023, compared with 2022. Catastrophe losses added 0.7 percentage points in 2023, 1.0 percentage point in 2022 and 0.6 percentage points in 2021 to the respective excess and surplus lines current accident year loss and loss expense ratios in the table above.
The 65.9% ratio for current accident year loss and loss expenses before catastrophe losses for 2023 increased by 0.2 percentage points compared with the 65.7% accident year 2022 ratio measured as of December 31, 2022. The increase included a 0.4 percentage-point decrease in the ratio for current accident year losses of $2 million or more per claim, shown in the table below.
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Excess and surplus lines reserve development on prior accident years was a net favorable $11 million for 2023 and $9 million for 2022. The net favorable amount for 2023 was primarily for accident year 2022 and was due primarily to lower-than-anticipated loss emergence on known claims.
We believe the loss and loss expense reserves for our excess and surplus lines business are adequate. The amount of outstanding reserves for our excess and surplus lines operation can be seen in a table in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves. One indication of how long it takes for most of the outstanding reserves to be settled is to measure outstanding reserves by accident year at different points in time, using Item 8, Note 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. For example, for accident years 2016, 2015 and 2014, in aggregate, after subtracting cumulative paid amounts from incurred amounts at December 31, 2016, reserves for estimated unpaid losses, plus the portion of loss expenses known as ALAE, equaled $193 million. For those same accident years, at December 31, 2023, the reserve estimate for the remaining unpaid amount equaled $11 million. As discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves, stable historical paid loss patterns are a key assumption used to make projections necessary for estimating IBNR reserves. The inherent uncertainty in estimating reserves is discussed in Liquidity and Capital Resources, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves. Development trends by accident year are further discussed in Property Casualty Insurance Development of Estimated Reserves by Accident Year.
Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Losses by Size
| (Dollars in millions, net of reinsurance) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | nm | nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | — | 2 | — | (100) | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | (2) | — | — | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large losses incurred | (2) | 2 | — | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 79 | 68 | 53 | 16 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 170 | 153 | 116 | 11 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 3 | 4 | 2 | (25) | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total losses incurred | $ | 250 | $ | 227 | $ | 171 | 10 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses greater than $5,000,000 | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year losses $2,000,000-$5,000,000 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | (0.4) | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large loss prior accident year reserve development | (0.3) | 0.0 | 0.0 | (0.3) | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total large loss ratio | (0.3) | 0.4 | 0.0 | (0.7) | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses incurred but not reported | 14.6 | 14.0 | 13.4 | 0.6 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other losses excluding catastrophe losses | 31.3 | 31.6 | 29.0 | (0.3) | 2.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Catastrophe losses | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | (0.3) | 0.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loss ratio | 46.1 | % | 46.8 | % | 43.0 | % | (0.7) | 3.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2023, total large losses decreased by $4 million, net of reinsurance. The ratio for 2023 large losses as a percent of earned premiums decreased by 0.7 percentage points, compared with 2022. That ratio for 2022 increased by 0.4 points, compared with 2021. Our analysis indicated no unexpected concentration of these losses and reserve increases by risk category, geographic region, policy inception, agency or field marketing territory. We believe the inherent volatility of aggregate loss experience for our portfolio of larger policies is greater than that of our portfolio of smaller policies, and we continue to monitor the volatility in addition to general inflationary trends in loss costs.
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Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Underwriting Expenses
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | $ | 93 | $ | 81 | $ | 70 | 15 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 48 | 43 | 36 | 12 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expenses | $ | 141 | $ | 124 | $ | 106 | 14 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ratios as a percent of earned premiums: | Pt. Change | Pt. Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commission expenses | 17.1 | % | 16.7 | % | 17.5 | % | 0.4 | (0.8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other underwriting expenses | 9.0 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 0.1 | (0.3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total underwriting expenses ratio | 26.1 | % | 25.6 | % | 26.7 | % | 0.5 | (1.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Excess and surplus lines commission expense as a percent of earned premiums for 2023 increased compared with 2022, including increases in the ratios for reinsurance commissions and profit-sharing commissions for agencies. The ratio for 2022 decreased compared with 2021, largely due to a decrease in the ratio for profit-sharing commissions for agencies. The ratio for other underwriting expenses increased slightly in 2023 and decreased in 2022, and continued to reflect ongoing expense management efforts and changes in the pace of premium growth.
Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Outlook
The excess and surplus lines market is expected to see the magnitude of rate increases moderate for risks that are casualty-driven, according to industry publications. For property risks involving catastrophe exposures, premium rates in the foreseeable future are expected to be firm. New business opportunities are expected to increase as standard market insurance companies continue to re-underwrite business they previously took from the excess and surplus lines market and as larger excess and surplus lines companies re-underwrite their business with an emphasis on underwriting profitability.
Industry reports continue to suggest that there are opportunities for profitability and growth through greater use of technology. Technology and data are also being used by excess and surplus lines insurance companies to identify new exposures in emerging businesses that need insurance protection or other value-added services.
As we continue to execute our strategy of providing superior service, we expect another year of profitable growth for our excess and surplus lines insurance segment despite challenging market conditions. Our experienced excess and surplus lines underwriters in the field intend to carefully select and price risks, providing prompt delivery of insurance quotes and policies, as they work with other local field associates who provide outstanding claims and loss control service while also handling standard lines business for their assigned agencies. These local representatives are supported by headquarters underwriters and claims managers who specialize in excess and surplus lines.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 82
Life Insurance Results
Overview – Three-Year Highlights
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | 313 | $ | 301 | $ | 294 | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | 10 | 4 | 5 | 150 | (20) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 323 | 305 | 299 | 6 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contract holders' benefits incurred | 316 | 303 | 313 | 4 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment interest credited to contract holders | (121) | (109) | (105) | (11) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses incurred | 87 | 84 | 79 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | 282 | 278 | 287 | 1 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance segment profit | $ | 41 | $ | 27 | $ | 12 | 52 | 125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance highlights for the life insurance segment include:
•Revenues – Earned premiums increased 4% for the year 2023, as shown in the table below that includes details by major line of business. Our largest life insurance product line, term life insurance, rose 3%. Net in-force policy face amounts rose 2% to $82.361 billion at year-end 2023 from $80.482 billion at year-end 2022 and $77.493 billion at year-end 2021.
•Profitability – Our life insurance segment typically reports a smaller profit compared with the life insurance subsidiary because profits from investment income spreads are included in our investments segment results. We include only investment income credited to contract holders (including interest assumed in life insurance policy reserve calculations) in life insurance segment results. A profit of $41 million for our life insurance segment in 2023, compared with $27 million in 2022, was primarily due to increased earned premiums and fee revenues along with favorable mortality experience. A profit of $27 million in 2022 compared with $12 million in 2021 was primarily due to more favorable impacts from the unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions.
Earned premiums increased $12 million in 2023, primarily due to a $7 million increase in term life insurance earned premiums, as shown in the table below.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term life insurance | $ | 227 | $ | 220 | $ | 210 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whole life insurance | 50 | 46 | 46 | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal life and other | 36 | 35 | 38 | 3 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earned premiums | $ | 313 | $ | 301 | $ | 294 | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Products we market include term, whole and universal life insurance and also fixed annuities. In addition, we offer term and whole life insurance to employees at their worksite. These products provide our property casualty agency force with excellent cross-serving opportunities for both commercial and personal accounts.
Over the past several years, we have worked to maintain a portfolio of simple, yet competitive, products. Our product development efforts emphasize death benefit protection and guarantees. Distribution expansion within our property casualty insurance agencies remains a high priority. Our 37 life field marketing representatives work in partnership with our property casualty field marketing representatives. Approximately 61% of our term and other life insurance product premiums were generated through our property casualty insurance agency relationships.
Life insurance segment expenses consist principally of:
•Contract holders’ benefits incurred (net of investment interest credited to contract holders), related to traditional life and interest-sensitive products, accounted for 78.4% of 2023 total benefits and expenses compared with 78.3% in 2022 and 79.8% in 2021. Total contract holders’ benefits increased slightly in 2023, compared with 2022, largely due to less favorable impacts from the unlocking of interest rate and other actuarial assumptions. Total contract holder benefits decreased in 2022 compared with 2021 due to more favorable unlocking impacts.
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Mortality experience was more favorable in 2023, compared with 2022, and net death claims were below our mortality projections.
•Underwriting expenses incurred, net of deferred acquisition costs, accounted for 21.6% of 2023 total benefits and expenses compared with 21.7% in 2022 and 20.2% in 2021. Expenses in 2023 increased 4%, compared with 4% growth in earned premiums. Expenses in 2022 increased 6%, compared with 2% growth in earned premiums. The 2023 increase in underwriting expenses, compared with the same period a year ago, was largely due to higher general insurance expense levels and increased amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. The 2022 increase in underwriting expenses was largely due to the same factors as impacted the 2023 increase.
Life insurance segment profitability depends largely on premium levels, the adequacy of product pricing, underwriting skill and operating efficiencies. This segment’s results include only investment interest credited to contract holders (interest assumed in life insurance policy reserve calculations). The remaining investment income is reported in the investments segment results. The life investment portfolio is managed to earn target spreads between earned investment rates on general account assets and rates credited to policyholders. We consider the value of assets under management and investment income for the life investment portfolio as key performance indicators for the life insurance segment. We seek to maintain a competitive advantage with respect to benefits paid and reserve increases by consistently achieving better than average claims experience due to skilled underwriting.
We recognize that assets under management, capital appreciation and investment income are integral to evaluation of the success of the life insurance segment because of the long duration of life products. On a basis that includes investment income and investment gains or losses from life insurance-related invested assets, our life insurance subsidiary reported net income of $75 million in 2023, compared with $65 million in 2022 and $66 million in 2021. The life insurance subsidiary portfolio had after-tax net investment losses of $7 million in 2023 and $2 million in 2022 and after-tax net investment gains of $8 million in 2021. Investment gains and losses are discussed under Investments Results. We exclude most of our life insurance company investment income from investments segment results.
Life Insurance Outlook
We believe the life insurance market remains attractive. With life insurance ownership still low compared to historical levels, we will see more opportunities for growth as our property casualty agency footprint continues to expand. Our expertise with large face amount cases has allowed us to increase our average premium and face amount per policy. As more of our agencies uncover business insurance opportunities, we expect this trend to continue.
Merger and acquisition activity in the independent agency channel can disrupt our ability to get consistent life insurance sales from affected agency relationships. We counter this by following the property casualty lead in assigning a local field representative to every relationship, and a sales leader to every national account. We are confident that our focus on building and strengthening these relationships will continue to lead to long-term profitable growth in the years ahead, despite any short-term disruptions.
The rising interest rate environment has benefited us. The higher yields available in the fixed income market have allowed us to reinvest securities at attractive rates, boosting our investment income. We will be paying close attention to any signals the Federal Reserve may send regarding the potential for rate cuts in 2024. A decision to significantly lower the overnight lending rate would likely lead to lower investment income for us over time.
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Investments Results
Overview – Three-Year Highlights
Investments Results
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment income, net of expenses | $ | 894 | $ | 781 | $ | 714 | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment interest credited to contract holders | (121) | (109) | (105) | (11) | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | 1,127 | (1,467) | 2,409 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments profit (loss), pretax | $ | 1,900 | $ | (795) | $ | 3,018 | nm | nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The investments segment contributes investment income and investments gains and losses to results of operations. Investment income is generally our primary source of pretax and after-tax profits.
•Investment income – Pretax investment income grew $113 million, or 14%, in 2023, due to increases from both interest income and dividends. Interest income grew 18% in 2023, compared with 2022, as net purchases of fixed-maturity securities in recent years and higher average yields for bonds are working to generally offset effects of the low interest rate environment for several years prior to 2022. Dividend income grew 3% in 2023, reflecting dividend rates that generally have increased, although more slowly than in prior years, minor asset allocation adjustments in our equity portfolio and net purchases of equity securities from available funds. Pretax investment income rose 9% in 2022, including increases in interest and dividend income. Average yields in the investment income table below are based on the average invested asset and cash amounts indicated in the table using fixed-maturity securities valued at amortized cost and all other securities at fair value.
•Investment gains and losses – We reported an investment gain in 2023 and 2021, primarily due to favorable changes in fair values of equity securities even though we continue to hold the securities or as otherwise required by GAAP. We reported an investment loss in 2022, due to unfavorable changes in fair values of equity securities.
We believe it is useful to analyze our overall investment performance by using total investment return over several years. Total investment return considers changes in unrealized gains and losses that are not included in net income, in addition to net investment income and investment gains and losses that are included in net income. Changes in unrealized gains and losses shown in the table below include other invested assets. Considering total investment gains and losses over several years helps evaluate performance since gains and losses may experience typical variability during shorter periods of time.
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The table below shows total return based on assumptions that simplify cash flow timing that is commonly used in total return measures. This simplified calculation uses data shown in our consolidated financial statements or notes to those statements. Added to invested asset amounts from our consolidated balance sheets are 50% of annual amounts pertaining to invested asset categories included in net cash used in investing activities from our consolidated statements of cash flows. The cash flow amounts are reduced by net gains from investment portfolio securities sales or called bonds, with the net result reduced by 50% to represent estimated new cash invested during each respective year. All new cash is assumed to be invested at the midpoint of the year.
Total investment return of 9.9% in 2023 was significantly more than the negative 9.2% return in 2022. The 2023 contribution from the investment income component was enhanced by the net favorable effect of the investment gains and losses components. Comparing contributions for 2023 with 2022, investment income rose $113 million, investment gains increased by $2.594 billion and the invested assets net change in unrealized gains and losses increased by $1.916 billion. The base component of the return calculation, annual average invested assets, was down 8% in 2023. For 2022 compared with 2021, total investment return of negative 9.2% in 2022 was significantly less than the positive return of 13.1% in 2021, as the 2022 contribution from the investment income component was offset by the net unfavorable effect of the investment gains and losses components. The base component of the return calculation, annual average invested assets, increased 14% in 2022.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Invested assets beginning balance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities | $ | 12,132 | $ | 13,022 | $ | 12,338 | (7) | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | 9,841 | 11,315 | 8,856 | (13) | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other invested assets | 452 | 329 | 348 | 37 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Invested assets beginning balance | 22,425 | 24,666 | 21,542 | (9) | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average acquisitions (dispositions), net | 779 | 472 | 538 | 65 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual average invested assets | $ | 23,204 | $ | 25,138 | $ | 22,080 | (8) | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment return: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | $ | 894 | $ | 781 | $ | 714 | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | 1,127 | (1,467) | 2,409 | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total invested assets change in unrealized gains and losses | 277 | (1,639) | (234) | nm | nm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,298 | $ | (2,325) | $ | 2,889 | nm | nm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total return on invested assets, pretax | 9.9 | % | (9.2) | % | 13.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 86
Investment Income
The primary drivers of investment income are highlighted below, followed by additional details of our investment results.
•Interest income increased by $90 million, or 18%, in 2023, compared with 2022. The average fixed-maturity pretax yield increased by 34 basis points in addition to a larger fixed-maturity portfolio that rose 8% on an average amortized cost basis. Interest income in 2022 increased by $33 million, compared with 2021, when that yield decreased by less than 1 basis point while the portfolio rose 7% on an amortized cost basis.
•Dividend income rose $7 million, or 3%, in 2023, after rising 12% in 2022. The increases include dividend rates that generally have increased and minor asset allocation adjustments in our equity portfolio. An increase in funds invested in that portfolio during both 2023 and 2022 also favorably affected dividend income.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | $ | 600 | $ | 510 | $ | 477 | 18 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | 282 | 275 | 246 | 3 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 25 | 11 | 5 | 127 | 120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less investment expenses | 13 | 15 | 14 | (13) | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, pretax | 894 | 781 | 714 | 14 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less income taxes | 145 | 123 | 111 | 18 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment income, after-tax | $ | 749 | $ | 658 | $ | 603 | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment returns: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average invested assets plus cash and cash equivalents | $ | 25,685 | $ | 24,775 | $ | 23,215 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average yield pretax | 3.48 | % | 3.15 | % | 3.08 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average yield after-tax | 2.92 | 2.66 | 2.60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 16.2 | 15.8 | 15.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity returns: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average amortized cost | $ | 13,670 | $ | 12,605 | $ | 11,771 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average yield pretax | 4.39 | % | 4.05 | % | 4.05 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average yield after-tax | 3.62 | 3.35 | 3.37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 17.5 | 17.1 | 16.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2023, we continued to invest available cash flow in both fixed income and equity securities in a manner that we believe balances current income needs with longer-term invested asset growth goals. As bonds in our generally laddered portfolio mature or are called over the near term, we reinvest with a balanced approach, keeping in mind our long-term strategy and pursuing attractive risk-adjusted after-tax yields. While our bond portfolio more than covers our insurance reserve liabilities, we believe our diversified common stock portfolio of mainly blue chip, dividend-paying companies represents one of our best investment opportunities for the long term. We continually perform fundamental analysis of both industry and company-specific opportunities as well as the potential impact from changes in the interest rate environment and the potential for elevated inflation.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 87
The table below summarizes pretax yield to amortized costs excluding any book value adjustments due to impairment for bonds in our fixed-maturity portfolio by various maturity periods.
| At December 31, 2023 | % Yield | Principal redemptions | |||||||||
| Fixed-maturity yield profile: | |||||||||||
| Expected to mature during 2024 | 4.36 | % | $ | 1,136 | |||||||
| Expected to mature during 2025 | 4.76 | 1,401 | |||||||||
| Expected to mature during 2026 | 4.94 | 1,135 | |||||||||
| Average yield and total expected redemptions from 2024 through 2026 | 4.69 | $ | 3,672 | ||||||||
The average pretax yield of 6.13% for fixed-maturity securities acquired during 2023, shown in the table below, was higher than the 4.60% average yield-to-amortized cost of the fixed-maturity securities portfolio at the end of 2023.
| Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Average pretax yield-to-amortized cost on new fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||
| Acquired taxable fixed maturities | 6.36 | % | 5.26 | % | ||||||||||
| Acquired tax-exempt fixed maturities | 4.29 | 3.94 | ||||||||||||
| Average total fixed maturities acquired | 6.13 | 5.01 | ||||||||||||
We discussed our portfolio strategies in Item 1, Investments Segment. We discuss risks related to our investment income and our fixed-maturity and equity investment portfolios in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 88
Total Investment Gains and Losses
Investment gains and losses are recognized on the sales of investments, for certain changes in fair values of securities even though we continue to hold the securities or as otherwise required by GAAP. The change in fair value for equity securities still held is reported in net income, as disclosed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Total investment gains and losses in 2023 included $1.168 billion of net gains from the recognition of fair value changes of equity securities still held that prior to 2018 would have been reported in other comprehensive income (OCI) instead of net income. Change in unrealized gains or losses for fixed-maturity securities are included as a component of OCI. Accounting requirements for the allowance for credit losses and impairment charges for write-downs of impaired securities in the fixed-maturity portfolio are disclosed in Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The factors we consider when evaluating impairments are also discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates, Asset Impairment.
The timing of gains or losses from sales can have a material effect on results in any given period. However, such gains or losses usually have little, if any, effect on total shareholders’ equity because most equity and fixed-maturity investments are carried at fair value.
As appropriate, we buy, hold or sell both fixed-maturity and equity securities on an ongoing basis to help achieve our portfolio objectives. We generally purchase fixed-maturity securities with the intention to hold until maturity. If they no longer meet our investment criteria, they are divested. Sales of fixed-maturity securities are usually due to a change in credit fundamentals. Pretax total investment gains in 2023 and 2021 were largely due to favorable changes in fair values of equity securities, even though we continue to hold the securities, as shown in the table below. In 2022, the pretax total investment loss was due to unfavorable changes in fair values of equity securities and a net unfavorable change in unrealized gains or losses for fixed-maturity securities. Additional information about investment gains or losses is included in Item 8, Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The table below summarizes total investment gains and losses, before taxes.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses on securities sold, net | $ | (17) | $ | 16 | $ | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains and losses on securities still held, net | 1,168 | (1,526) | 2,278 | |||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 1,151 | (1,510) | 2,282 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized gains | 4 | 6 | 36 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized losses | (5) | (4) | (5) | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in allowance for credit losses, net | (17) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Write-down of impaired securities | (4) | (5) | (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | (22) | (3) | 30 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | (2) | 46 | 97 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total investment gains and losses reported in net income | $ | 1,127 | $ | (1,467) | $ | 2,409 | ||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized investment gains and losses reported in OCI | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities | 277 | (1,639) | (234) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,404 | $ | (3,106) | $ | 2,175 | ||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 89
Write-downs of impaired securities from the investment portfolio by the asset classes we described in Item 1, Our Segments, Investments Segment, are summarized below:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment amount | $ | 4 | $ | 5 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| New amortized cost | $ | — | $ | 8 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Percent to total amortized cost owned | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Number of impaired securities written down | 1 | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Percent to number of securities owned | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment amount | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| New amortized cost | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Percent to total amortized cost owned | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Number of impaired securities written down | — | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Percent to number of securities owned | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Totals: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment amount | $ | 4 | $ | 5 | $ | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| New amortized cost | $ | — | $ | 9 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Percent to total amortized cost owned | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Number of impaired securities written down | 1 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Percent to number of securities owned | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
Additional details regarding write-downs of impaired securities from the investment portfolio are summarized below:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate | $ | 4 | $ | 5 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Municipal | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | 4 | $ | 5 | $ | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 90
Investments Outlook
The pace and magnitude of Federal Reserve actions in 2023 softened as many of the economic data points (except labor measures) showed a slowdown from 2022 levels. Credit spreads tightened but the 10-year treasury yield remained unchanged year over year. A late year-end rally led to positive returns across most asset classes.
We continued to take advantage of interest rates that were higher than rates from maturing bonds during 2023 but maintained a balanced approach to our allocation between bonds and stocks. We will continue our focus on near-term income generation with an eye to long-term book value growth within the framework of our corporate liquidity as well as adherence to insurance department regulations and rating agency commentary. We discuss our portfolio strategies in Item 1, Our Segments, Investments Segment.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 91
Other
Total revenues in 2023 and 2022 for our Other operations increased, compared with the respective prior-year periods, primarily due to higher earned premiums from Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global in total. Other also includes noninvestment operations of the parent company and its commercial leasing and financial services subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. Total expenses for Other decreased in 2023 but increased in 2022, with the change for both years primarily due to losses and loss expenses and underwriting expenses from Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global.
Other income or loss in the table below represents profit or losses before income taxes. For 2023, Other income was driven by underwriting profit for Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global. For 2022 and 2021, Other loss was largely driven by interest expense from debt of the parent company. Net results for the combination of Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global were an underwriting profit of $183 million in 2023 and $36 million in 2022 and an underwriting loss of $8 million in 2021.
Cincinnati Re represented 67% of Other earned premiums in 2023 and 64% of underwriting profit. Earned premiums in 2023, compared with 2022, grew 2%. The mix of 2023 earned premiums for Cincinnati Re by primary type of insured exposures included 49% for casualty, 31% for property and 20% for specialty. Cincinnati Re in total generated an underwriting profit of $118 million in 2023 and $13 million in 2022 and had an underwriting loss of $32 million in 2021.
Cincinnati Global represented 33% of Other earned premiums in 2023 and 36% of underwriting profit. In 2023, earned premiums rose 29%, compared with 2022. Underwriting profit for Cincinnati Global was $65 million in 2023, $23 million in 2022 and $24 million in 2021.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | 2023-2022 | 2022-2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | Change % | Change % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and fees on loans and leases | $ | 8 | $ | 7 | $ | 7 | 14 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | 795 | 726 | 570 | 10 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | 5 | 3 | 3 | 67 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 808 | 736 | 580 | 10 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 54 | 53 | 53 | 2 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses | 379 | 474 | 414 | (20) | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting expenses | 233 | 216 | 164 | 8 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | 25 | 23 | 20 | 9 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | 691 | 766 | 651 | (10) | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (loss) | $ | 117 | $ | (30) | $ | (71) | nm | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 92
Taxes
We had a $433 million income tax expense in 2023, compared with an income tax benefit of $207 million in 2022 and income tax expense of $730 million in 2021. The corporate effective tax rate for 2023 was 19.0% compared with 29.8% in 2022 and 19.7% in 2021.
The changes in our effective tax rate between periods were primarily due to large changes in our net investment gains and losses included in income for the periods, and changes in underwriting income and investment income.
Historically, we have pursued a strategy of investing some portion of cash flow in tax-advantaged, fixed-maturity securities and some in equity securities to minimize our overall tax liability and maximize after-tax earnings. See Item 1, Our Segments, Fixed-Maturity Securities Investments, for further discussion on municipal bond purchases in our fixed-maturity investment portfolio.
For tax years after 2017, for our property casualty insurance subsidiaries, approximately 75% of interest from tax-advantaged, fixed-maturity investments and approximately 40% of dividends from qualified equities are exempt from federal tax after applying proration. For our noninsurance companies, the dividend received deduction exempts 50% of dividends from qualified equities. Our life insurance company does not own tax-advantaged, fixed-maturity investments or equities subject to the dividend received deduction.
Our effective tax rate reconciliation is found in Item 8, Note 11 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 93
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We seek to maintain prudent levels of liquidity and financial strength for the protection of our policyholders, creditors and shareholders. We manage liquidity at two levels to meet the short- and long-term cash requirements of business obligations and growth needs. The first is the liquidity of the parent company. The second is the liquidity of our lead insurance subsidiary. Management of liquidity at both levels is essential because each has different funding needs and sources, and each is subject to certain regulatory guidelines and requirements.
In addition to our historically positive operating cash flow to meet the needs of operations, we have the ability to slow investing activities if such need arises or to sell a portion of our high-quality, liquid investment portfolio. We also have additional capacity to borrow on our revolving short-term line of credit, as described further below.
Parent Company Liquidity
At December 31, 2023, the parent company had $4.858 billion in cash and marketable securities, providing strong liquidity to fund cash outflows, as needed. The parent company’s primary sources of cash inflows are dividends from our lead insurance subsidiary, investment income and sale proceeds from investments. The parent company’s cash outflows are primarily interest and principal payments on long- and short-term debt, dividends to shareholders, common stock repurchases, deposits at Lloyd's and general operating expenses. To support our shareholders' dividend payment, we could use subsidiary dividends, our line of credit or sell a portion of our marketable securities.
The table below shows a summary, by the direct cash flow method, of the major sources and uses of cash flow of the parent company.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sources of liquidity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subsidiary dividends received | $ | 526 | $ | 729 | $ | 598 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment income received | 107 | 99 | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised | 9 | 10 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| Return of funds on deposit from Lloyd's | — | — | 117 | |||||||||||||||||
| Uses of liquidity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' dividend payments | $ | 454 | $ | 423 | $ | 395 | ||||||||||||||
| Share repurchases | 67 | 410 | 144 | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt interest payments | 52 | 53 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||
| Payment of funds on deposit at Lloyd's | — | — | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
Use of liquidity for share repurchases are discretionary depending on cash availability and capital management decisions. In addition, the subsidiaries have the discretion to pay dividends to the parent company. Cincinnati Global is required to maintain certain capital funding requirements with Lloyd’s, which the parent company may deposit on its behalf. These funding requirements may fluctuate based on the profitability of Cincinnati Global and syndicate solvency capital requirements as set by Lloyd's, which may result in return of funds on deposit. Other than share repurchases and funding at Lloyd's, the majority of expenditures for the parent company have been consistent during the last three years, and we expect future expenditures to remain stable.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 94
Insurance Subsidiary Liquidity
The parent company’s lead insurance subsidiary largely represents the operations of the property casualty segments. The primary sources of cash inflows are collection of premiums, investment income, maturity of fixed-income securities and sale proceeds from investments. Property casualty insurance premiums generally are received before losses are paid under the policies purchased with those premiums. Cash outflows are primarily loss and loss expenses, commissions, salaries, taxes, operating expenses and investment purchases. Over the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, premium receipts and investment income have been more than sufficient to pay claims and operating expenses. Excess cash flows were partially used to pay dividends to the parent company. We are not aware of any known trends that would materially change historical cash flow results, other than fluctuations in catastrophe claims and other large losses, either individually or in aggregate.
The table below shows a summary of operating cash flow for property casualty insurance (direct method). Historically, annual variation in operating cash flow has been largely related to changes in amounts of catastrophe losses.
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums collected | $ | 7,785 | $ | 7,054 | $ | 6,309 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses paid | (4,276) | (3,687) | (3,094) | |||||||||||||||||
| Commissions and other underwriting expenses paid | (2,287) | (2,132) | (1,842) | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow from underwriting | 1,222 | 1,235 | 1,373 | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment income received | 609 | 529 | 497 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash flow from operations | $ | 1,831 | $ | 1,764 | $ | 1,870 | ||||||||||||||
Other Sources of Liquidity
Cash in excess of operating requirements is invested in fixed-maturity and equity securities. Cash generated from investment income provides an important investment contribution to cash flow and liquidity. The sale of investments could provide an additional source of liquidity at either the parent company or insurance subsidiary level, if required. In addition to possible sales of investments, proceeds of calls or maturities of fixed-maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the five-year period beginning in 2024, fair value of $5.268 billion, or 38.2%, of our fixed-maturity portfolio is scheduled to mature. At December 31, 2023, we had $10.641 billion of common stock securities, with $4.542 billion, or 43%, held by the parent company.
Financial resources of the parent company also could be made available to our insurance subsidiaries, if circumstances required it. This flexibility would include our ability to access the capital markets and short-term bank borrowings. We generally have minimized our reliance on debt financing, although we may use the line of credit to fund short-term cash needs.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 95
Long-Term Debt
We provide details of our three long-term notes in Item 8, Note 8 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. None of the notes are encumbered by rating triggers. The total principal amount of our long-term debt at December 31, 2023, was $793 million and included:
•$28 million aggregate principal amount of 6.900% senior debentures due 2028.
•$391 million aggregate principal amount of 6.920% senior debentures due 2028.
•$374 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior debentures due 2034.
The company’s senior debt is rated investment grade by four independent rating agencies. None of the rating agencies made changes to our debt ratings in 2023. At February 23, 2024, our debt ratings from the rating agencies were: a from A.M. Best, A- from Fitch, A3 from Moody’s and BBB+ from S&P.
Note Payable
At December 31, 2023, we had a $300 million line of credit with commercial banks, with $25 million and $50 million borrowed at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. That unsecured revolving line of credit has an accordion feature giving us the option to double the $300 million amount, under the same terms and conditions. Terms and conditions of the agreement include a debt-to-total capital maximum of 35% and the agreement has no net worth covenant. It was due to expire on February 4, 2024, with the option of two one-year extensions. We exercised both one-year options to extend the term of the line of credit by two additional years to February 4, 2026.
At year-end 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement and believe we will remain in compliance. The credit agreement provides alternative interest charges based on the type of borrowing and our debt rating. On March 23, 2023, we amended our line of credit agreement to replace LIBOR with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a credit spread adjustment.
Capital Resources
Capital resources, consisting of shareholders’ equity and total debt, represent our overall financial strength to support current obligations and growth in our insurance businesses. At December 31, 2023, we had total capital of $12.913 billion. Shareholders’ equity was $12.098 billion, an increase of $1.536 billion, or 15%, from the prior year. Our total debt was $815 million, down $24 million from a year ago. We seek to maintain a solid financial position and provide capital flexibility by keeping our ratio of debt to total capital moderate. At year-end 2023, the ratio was 6.3%, compared with 7.4% at year-end 2022.
At times we enter into letter of credit agreements to support our Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global operations. We have an unsecured letter of credit agreement to provide a portion of the capital needed to support Cincinnati Global's obligations at Lloyd's. The amount of this unsecured letter of credit agreement was $94 million with no amounts drawn at December 31, 2023.
At the discretion of the board of directors, the company can return capital directly to shareholders as discussed below.
•Dividends to shareholders – The ability of our company to continue paying cash dividends is subject to factors the board of directors deems relevant. While the board and management believe there is merit to sustaining the company’s long record of dividend increases, our first priority is the company’s financial strength. Over the past 10 years, the company has paid an average of 34% of net income as dividends. Through 2023, the board had increased our cash dividend for 63 consecutive years. The board's decision in January 2024 to increase the dividend demonstrated confidence in the company’s strong capital, liquidity, financial flexibility and initiatives to grow earnings.
•Common stock repurchase – Generally, our board believes that share repurchases can help fulfill our commitment to enhancing shareholder value. Consequently, the board has authorized the repurchase of outstanding shares, giving management discretion to purchase shares at reasonable prices in light of circumstances at the time of purchase. Our approach has been to hold capital adequate to support future growth of our insurance operations and repurchase shares at management's discretion. Repurchases are intended to offset the issuance of shares through equity compensation plans, primarily due to vesting of service-based restricted stock units of equity awards granted in the past. The amount of future repurchases may be more, or less, than the past, depending on circumstances and discretion exercised by management. Our corporate Code of Conduct restricts repurchases during certain time periods. The details of the repurchase authorizations and activity are described in
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 96
Item 5, Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Obligations
We pay obligations to customers, suppliers and associates in the normal course of our business operations. Some are contractual obligations that define the amount, circumstances and/or timing of payments. We have other commitments for business expenditures; such as $223 million we expect to fund for our private equity and real estate investments, however, the amount, circumstances and/or timing of our other commitments are not dictated by contractual arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2023, we estimated our significant future contractual obligations as follows:
| (Dollars in millions) | Year | Years | There- | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment due by period | 2024 | 2025-2028 | after | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross property casualty loss and loss expense payments | $ | 2,963 | $ | 4,742 | $ | 1,270 | $ | 8,975 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross life policyholder obligations | 145 | 500 | 5,709 | 6,354 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | — | — | 793 | 793 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on long-term debt | 52 | 193 | 126 | 371 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Profit-sharing commissions | 208 | — | — | 208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 123 | 83 | 1 | 207 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,491 | $ | 5,518 | $ | 7,899 | $ | 16,908 | ||||||||||||||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources Outlook
At December 31, 2023, we had $907 million in cash and cash equivalents. During 2024, our lead insurance subsidiary may pay a maximum of $729 million in dividends to our parent company without regulatory approval. That strong liquidity and our consistent cash flows give us the flexibility to meet current obligations and commitments while building value by prudently investing where we see potential for both current income and long-term return. Our cash and cash equivalents provide adequate financial cushion when short-term operating results do not meet our objectives.
A long-term perspective governs our liquidity and capital resources decisions, with the goal of benefiting our policyholders, agents, shareholders and associates over time. Our underwriting philosophy and initiatives can drive performance to achieve underwriting profit. Our GAAP combined ratio averaged 94.6% over the five-year period 2019 through 2023, resulting in strong underwriting profits.
In any year, we consider the most likely source of pressure on liquidity would be an unusually high level of catastrophe loss payments within a short period of time. There could be additional obligations for our insurance operations due to increasing severity or frequency of noncatastrophe claims. To address the risk of unusually large insurance loss obligations, including catastrophe events, we maintain property casualty reinsurance contracts with highly rated reinsurers, as discussed under 2024 Reinsurance Ceded Programs. We also monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers because their insolvency could jeopardize a portion of our $651 million reinsurance recoverable asset at December 31, 2023. Parent-company liquidity could also be constrained by Ohio regulatory requirements that restrict the dividends insurance subsidiaries can pay.
Economic weakness also has the potential to affect our liquidity and capital resources in a number of different ways, including delinquent payments from agencies, defaults on interest payments by fixed-maturity holdings in our portfolio, dividend reductions by holdings in our equity portfolio or declines in the market value of holdings in our portfolio.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 97
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
We do not use any special-purpose financing vehicles or have any undisclosed off-balance-sheet arrangements (as that term is defined in applicable SEC rules) that are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operation, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves
Our estimate of future gross property casualty loss and loss expense payments of $8.975 billion is lower than loss and loss expense reserves of $9.050 billion reported on our balance sheet at December 31, 2023. The $75 million difference is due to certain life and health loss reserves. Reserving practices are discussed in Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves.
For the business lines in the commercial and personal lines insurance segments, and in total for the excess and surplus lines insurance segment and for other parts of our property casualty insurance operations, the following table details gross reserves among case, IBNR and loss expense reserves, net of salvage and subrogation. The $639 million increase in total gross reserves included an $86 million increase in case loss reserves, a $395 million increase in IBNR loss reserves and a $158 million increase in loss expense reserves. The increase in total gross reserves included $285 million for our commercial casualty line of business, $179 million for excess and surplus lines and $110 million for Cincinnati Re.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 98
Property Casualty Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves
| (Dollars in millions) | Loss reserves | Loss expense reserves | Total gross reserves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Case reserves | IBNR reserves | Percent of total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial casualty | $ | 1,111 | $ | 1,205 | $ | 792 | $ | 3,108 | 34.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial property | 362 | 116 | 81 | 559 | 6.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial auto | 418 | 303 | 142 | 863 | 9.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 431 | 540 | 89 | 1,060 | 11.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other commercial | 143 | 26 | 128 | 297 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 2,465 | 2,190 | 1,232 | 5,887 | 65.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal auto | 222 | 74 | 73 | 369 | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeowner | 215 | 122 | 58 | 395 | 4.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other personal | 101 | 119 | 6 | 226 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 538 | 315 | 137 | 990 | 11.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines | 360 | 336 | 236 | 932 | 10.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Re | 158 | 747 | 6 | 911 | 10.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global | 141 | 111 | 3 | 255 | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,662 | $ | 3,699 | $ | 1,614 | $ | 8,975 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial casualty | $ | 1,163 | $ | 938 | $ | 722 | $ | 2,823 | 33.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial property | 301 | 256 | 71 | 628 | 7.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial auto | 449 | 258 | 131 | 838 | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | 434 | 521 | 85 | 1,040 | 12.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other commercial | 98 | 16 | 125 | 239 | 2.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 2,445 | 1,989 | 1,134 | 5,568 | 66.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal auto | 222 | 64 | 64 | 350 | 4.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeowner | 189 | 138 | 49 | 376 | 4.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other personal | 99 | 86 | 5 | 190 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | 510 | 288 | 118 | 916 | 11.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines | 302 | 256 | 195 | 753 | 9.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Re | 156 | 639 | 6 | 801 | 9.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global | 163 | 132 | 3 | 298 | 3.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,576 | $ | 3,304 | $ | 1,456 | $ | 8,336 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 99
Asbestos and Environmental Loss and Loss Expense Reserves
We carried $98 million of net loss and loss expense reserves for asbestos and environmental claims at year-end 2023, compared with $92 million at year-end 2022. The asbestos and environmental claims amounts for each respective year constituted less than 2.0% of total net loss and loss expense reserves at these year-end dates.
We believe our exposure to asbestos and environmental claims is limited, largely because our reinsurance retention was $500,000 or below prior to 1987. We also were predominantly a personal lines company in the 1960s and 1970s, when asbestos and pollution exclusions were not widely used by commercial lines insurers. During the 1980s and early 1990s, commercial lines grew as a percentage of our overall business and our exposure to asbestos and environmental claims grew accordingly. Over that period, we endorsed to or included in most policies an asbestos and environmental exclusion.
Additionally, since 2002, we have revised policy terms where permitted by state regulation to limit our exposure to mold claims prospectively and further reduce our exposure to other environmental claims generally. Finally, we have not engaged in any mergers or acquisitions through which such a liability could have been assumed. We continue to monitor our claims for evidence of material exposure to other mass tort classes, but we have found no such credible evidence to date.
Reserving data for asbestos and environmental claims has characteristics that limit the usefulness of the methods and models used to analyze loss and loss expense reserves for other claims. Specifically, asbestos and environmental loss and loss expenses for different accident years do not emerge independently of one another as loss development and Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods assume. In addition, asbestos and environmental loss and loss expense data available to date did not reflect a well-defined tail, greatly complicating the identification of an appropriate probabilistic trend family model. At year-end 2023, we used a weighted average of a paid survival ratio method and report year method to estimate reserves for IBNR asbestos and environmental claims. Our exposure to such claims is limited; we believe a weighted average of both methods produces a sufficient level of reserves.
Gross Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Payments
While we believe that historical performance of property casualty and life loss payment patterns is a reasonable source for projecting future claim payments, there is inherent uncertainty in this estimate of contractual obligations. We believe that we could meet our obligations under a significant and unexpected change in the timing of these payments because of the liquidity of our invested assets, strong financial position and access to lines of credit.
Our estimates of gross property casualty loss and loss expense payments do not include reinsurance receivables or ceded losses. As discussed in 2024 Reinsurance Ceded Programs, we purchase reinsurance to mitigate our property casualty risk exposure. Ceded property casualty reinsurance unpaid receivables of $362 million at year-end 2023 are an offset to our gross property casualty loss and loss expense obligations. Our reinsurance program mitigates the liquidity risk of a single large loss or an unexpected rise in claim severity or frequency due to a catastrophic event. Reinsurance does not relieve us of our obligation to pay covered claims. The financial strength of our reinsurers is important because our ability to recover losses under our reinsurance agreements depends on the financial viability of the reinsurers.
We direct our associates to settle claims and pay losses as quickly as is practical, and we made $4.276 billion of net claim payments during 2023. At year-end 2023, total net property casualty reserves of $8.613 billion reflected $3.442 billion in unpaid amounts on reported claims (case reserves), $1.601 billion in loss expense reserves and $3.570 billion in estimates of claims that were incurred but had not yet been reported (IBNR). The specific amounts and timing of obligations related to case reserves and associated loss expenses are not set contractually. The amounts and timing of obligations for IBNR claims and related loss expenses are unknown. We discuss our methods of establishing loss and loss expense reserves and our belief that reserves are adequate in Critical Accounting Estimates, Property Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 100
The historical pattern of using premium receipts for the payment of loss and loss expenses has enabled us to extend slightly the maturities of our investment portfolio beyond the estimated settlement date of the loss reserves. The effective duration of our consolidated property casualty fixed-maturity portfolio was 4.3 years at year-end 2023. By contrast, the duration of our loss and loss expense reserves was approximately 3.2 years. We believe this difference in duration does not affect our ability to meet current obligations because cash flow from operations is sufficient to meet these obligations. In addition, investment holdings could be sold, if necessary, to meet higher than anticipated loss and loss expenses.
Range of Reasonable Reserves
The company established a reasonably likely range for net loss and loss expense reserves of $7.926 billion to $8.704 billion at year-end 2023, with the company carrying net reserves of $8.613 billion. The range was $7.393 billion to $8.099 billion at year-end 2022, with the company carrying net reserves of $7.931 billion. Our loss and loss expense reserves are not discounted for the time-value of money, but we have reduced the reserves by an estimate of the amount of salvage and subrogation payments we expect to recover.
The low point of each year’s range corresponds to approximately one standard error below each year’s mean reserve estimate, while the high point corresponds to approximately one standard error above each year’s mean reserve estimate. We discussed management’s reasons for basing reasonably likely reserve ranges on standard errors in Critical Accounting Estimates, Reserve Estimate Variability.
The ranges reflect our assessment of the most likely unpaid loss and loss expenses at year-end 2023 and 2022. However, actual unpaid loss and loss expenses could nonetheless fall outside of the indicated ranges.
Management’s best estimate of total loss and loss expense reserves as of year-end 2023 and 2022 was consistent with the corresponding actuarial best estimate.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 101
Property Casualty Insurance Development of Estimated Reserves by Accident Year
The following table shows net reserve changes at year-end 2023, 2022 and 2021 by property casualty segment and accident year:
| (Dollars in millions) | Commercial | Personal | E&S | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| lines | lines | lines | Other | Totals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 accident year | $ | (67) | $ | (45) | $ | (16) | $ | (9) | $ | (137) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 accident year | (29) | (5) | — | 13 | (21) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 accident year | (42) | (1) | (7) | (18) | (68) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 accident year | 5 | (3) | 4 | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 accident year | (3) | (3) | (1) | (1) | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 accident year | (6) | (5) | 4 | — | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 and prior accident years | 19 | (2) | 5 | (2) | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Favorable)/unfavorable | $ | (123) | $ | (64) | $ | (11) | $ | (17) | $ | (215) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 accident year | $ | (59) | $ | (52) | $ | 14 | $ | 1 | $ | (96) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 accident year | (85) | (15) | (14) | (10) | (124) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 accident year | 64 | 4 | (2) | 6 | 72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 accident year | 26 | 2 | (1) | (5) | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 accident year | (5) | — | (2) | (3) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 accident year | (10) | (2) | (2) | (1) | (15) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 and prior accident years | (7) | 2 | (2) | (1) | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Favorable)/unfavorable | $ | (76) | $ | (61) | $ | (9) | $ | (13) | $ | (159) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 accident year | $ | (215) | $ | (52) | $ | — | $ | (16) | $ | (283) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 accident year | (58) | — | 7 | (5) | (56) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 accident year | (42) | 5 | — | (7) | (44) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 accident year | (19) | 4 | 1 | 2 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 accident year | (11) | (1) | 1 | (6) | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 accident year | — | (1) | (1) | — | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 and prior accident years | (8) | (5) | (1) | — | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Favorable)/unfavorable | $ | (353) | $ | (50) | $ | 7 | $ | (32) | $ | (428) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall favorable development for consolidated property casualty reserves of $215 million in 2023 illustrated the potential for revisions inherent in estimating reserves, especially for long-tail lines such as commercial casualty and workers’ compensation. As noted in Critical Accounting Estimates, Key Assumptions Loss Reserving, our models predict that actual loss and loss expense emergence will differ from projections, and we do not attempt to monitor or identify such normal variations. The table in Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves shows reserves by segment and lines of business and the components of gross reserves among case, IBNR and loss expense reserves.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 102
Favorable reserve development was $66 million for our workers' compensation line of business, $55 million for our commercial property line of business and $53 million for our homeowner line of business, together accounting for approximately 81% of the overall total. Unfavorable, or adverse, reserve development included $15 million for our commercial casualty line of business. Drivers of significant reserve development typically reflect loss emergence on known claims that was more favorable or less favorable than previously anticipated for various lines of business and are discussed below.
•Commercial casualty – During 2023, we experienced unfavorable development on prior accident years in aggregate, driven by general liability coverages. Loss emergence for general liability claims rose more than anticipated and reflected economic or other forms of inflation. Due to increased uncertainty regarding ultimate losses, we intend to remain prudent in reserving for estimated ultimate losses until longer-term loss cost trends become more clear. During 2022, commercial casualty net reserve development was also unfavorable, driven by commercial umbrella coverages. Loss emergence for commercial umbrella claims rose significantly, much more than anticipated. We continue to monitor activity for various commercial casualty coverages so we can detect changes in trends on a timely basis.
•Workers’ compensation – We continue to see favorable reserve development, for all prior accident years in aggregate. During 2023 and 2022, the trend for estimated payments to be made in future calendar years was stable compared with 2021. However, we continue to monitor this line of business closely, as a sudden increase in trend for future payments has a highly leveraged effect.
•Commercial auto – Ultimate losses developed favorably by a small amount during calendar year 2023, for all prior accident years in aggregate. We believe inflation in recent years and reduced driving during the pandemic caused deviations from historical loss patterns. Due to increased uncertainty regarding ultimate losses, we intend to remain prudent in reserving for estimated ultimate losses until longer-term loss cost trends become more clear. Net reserve development was unfavorable in 2022, reflecting inflation effects.
•Commercial property and homeowner – Loss emergence was less than anticipated for both 2023 and 2022. The majority of homeowner favorable reserve development for both years related to natural catastrophe events with inherently variable loss patterns. For commercial property, catastrophe events accounted for a significant portion, but less than half, of the favorable reserve development for both years.
In consideration of the data’s credibility, we analyze commercial and personal umbrella liability reserves together and then allocate the derived total reserve estimate to the commercial and personal coverages. Consequently, the umbrella factors that contributed to commercial lines reserve development also contributed to personal lines reserve development through the other personal line, of which personal umbrella coverages are a part.
For the excess and surplus lines insurance segment, the table showing reserves by segment and lines of business in Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expense Obligations and Reserves, shows the components of gross reserves among case, IBNR and loss expense reserves. Total gross reserves increased $179 million from year-end 2022, largely due to the increase in premiums and exposures for this segment, as we discussed in Excess and Surplus Lines Insurance Results. Net reserve development was a favorable $11 million during 2023 and $9 million during 2022, following adverse development of $7 million for 2021. Adverse reserve development during 2021 reflected more prudent reserving, as claims on average remained open longer than previously expected. Favorable reserve development following a period of adverse development, or vice-versa, shown in the table above, illustrates the potential for revisions inherent in estimating reserves.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 103
Life Insurance Policyholder Obligations and Reserves
Gross Life Insurance Policyholder Obligations
Our estimates of life, annuity and disability policyholder obligations reflect future estimated cash payments to be made to policyholders for future policy benefits, policyholders’ account balances and separate account liabilities. These estimates include death and disability income claims, policy surrenders, policy maturities, annuity payments, minimum guarantees on separate account products, commissions and premium taxes offset by expected future deposits and premiums on in-force contracts. Further, these estimates are based on mortality, morbidity and lapse assumptions reflective of our recent experience and expectations of future payment obligations.
Our estimates of gross life, annuity and disability obligations do not reflect net recoveries from reinsurance agreements. Ceded life reinsurance receivables were $216 million at year-end 2023. As discussed in 2024 Reinsurance Programs, we purchase reinsurance to mitigate our life insurance risk exposure. At year-end 2023, ceded death benefits represented approximately 33% of our total gross policy face amounts in force.
These estimated cash outflows are undiscounted with respect to interest. As a result, the sum of the cash outflows for all years of $6.354 billion (total of life insurance obligations) exceeds the liabilities recorded in life policy and investment contract reserves and separate accounts for future policy benefits and claims of $3.985 billion (total of life insurance policy reserves and separate account policy reserves). A significant portion of the difference can be attributed to the time value of money.
We have made significant assumptions to determine the estimated undiscounted cash flows of these policies and contracts that include mortality, morbidity, future lapse rates and interest crediting rates. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the amounts presented could materially differ from actual results.
Life Insurance Reserves
Gross life policy and investment contract reserves were $3.068 billion at year-end 2023, compared with $3.015 billion at year-end 2022. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in market value discount rates and continued growth in net in-force life insurance policy face amounts. We establish reserves for traditional life insurance policies based on certain cash flow assumptions including mortality, morbidity and lapse rates as well as a discount rate assumption. The cash flow assumptions are based on our current expectations and are reviewed annually to determine any necessary updates. These assumptions are also updated on an interim basis if evidence suggests that they should be revised. The discount rate assumption is based on upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yields (market value discount rates) and is updated quarterly. We use both our own experience and industry experience adjusted for historical trends in arriving at our cash flow assumptions.
We establish reserves for our universal life, deferred annuity and other investment contracts equal to the cumulative account balances, which include premium deposits plus credited interest less charges and withdrawals. Some of our universal life insurance policies contain no-lapse guarantee provisions. For these policies, we establish a reserve in addition to the account balance based on expected no-lapse guarantee benefits and expected policy assessments.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 104
2024 Reinsurance Ceded Programs
A single large loss or an unexpected rise in claims severity or frequency due to a catastrophic event is a risk to the company's liquidity and financial strength. To control such losses, we limit marketing property casualty insurance in specific geographic areas and monitor our exposure in certain coastal regions. Examples of this include limiting our earthquake writings in the New Madrid region or leveraging more restrictive terms and conditions through the use of our excess and surplus company in higher risk areas for wildfire or hurricane. Loss exposures in these areas have been identified as a major contributor to our catastrophe probable maximum loss estimates. We also continually review aggregate exposures to large disasters and purchase reinsurance protection to cover these exposures. For business other than Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global, we use the Risk Management Solutions (RMS) and Applied Insurance Research (AIR) models to evaluate exposures to a once-in-a-100-year and a once-in-a-250-year event to help determine appropriate reinsurance coverage programs. In conjunction with these activities, we also continue to evaluate information provided by our reinsurance broker. Examples include deterministic modeling of probable maximum loss contribution from growth in new geographic territories.
To help determine appropriate reinsurance coverage for hurricane, earthquake and severe convective storm exposures, for business other than Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global we use the RMS and AIR models to estimate the probable maximum loss from a single event or multiple events occurring in a one-year period. The models are proprietary in nature, and the vendors that provide them periodically update the models, sometimes resulting in significant changes to their estimate of probable maximum loss. As of the end of 2023, both models indicated that a hurricane event represents our largest amount of exposure to losses. The table below summarizes estimated probabilities and the corresponding probable maximum loss from a single hurricane event occurring in a one-year period, for business other than Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global, and indicates the effect of such losses on consolidated shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2023. Net losses are net of reinsurance, estimated reinstatement premiums and income taxes, assuming a 21% federal tax rate, and assume our 2024 reinsurance programs apply.
| (Dollars in millions) | RMS Model | AIR Model | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Net | of total | Gross | Net | of total | |||||||||||||||
| Probability at December 31, 2023 | losses | losses | equity | losses | losses | equity | ||||||||||||||
| 2.0% (1 in 50 year event) | $ | 572 | $ | 272 | 2.2 | % | $ | 597 | $ | 272 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
| 1.0% (1 in 100 year event) | 901 | 342 | 2.8 | 923 | 338 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||
| 0.4% (1 in 250 year event) | 1,545 | 647 | 5.3 | 1,495 | 575 | 4.8 | ||||||||||||||
| 0.2% (1 in 500 year event) | 2,225 | 1,217 | 10.1 | 2,007 | 1,003 | 8.3 | ||||||||||||||
The modeled losses according to RMS in the table are based on its RiskLink version 22 catastrophe model and use a long-term storm catalog methodology. The modeled losses according to AIR in the table are based on its AIR Touchstone® version 10.0 catastrophe model and use a long-term methodology. The AIR and RMS storm catalogs include decades of documented weather events used in simulations for probable maximum loss projections.
Reinsurance mitigates the risk of highly uncertain exposures and limits the maximum net loss that can arise from large risks or risks concentrated in areas of exposure. Management’s decisions about the appropriate structure of reinsurance protection and level of risk retention are affected by various factors, including changes in our underwriting practices, capacity to retain risks and reinsurance market conditions.
Reinsurance does not relieve us of our obligation to pay covered claims. The financial strength of our reinsurers is important because our ability to recover for losses covered under any reinsurance agreement depends on the financial viability of the reinsurer.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 105
For 2024, the primary participants on our standard market property and casualty per-risk and per-occurrence reinsurance ceded programs include Hannover Ruck SE, Munich Reinsurance America, Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S., Transatlantic Reinsurance Company and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation, all of which had A.M. Best insurer financial strength ratings of A (Excellent) or better as of December 31, 2023. Our property catastrophe program is subscribed through a broker by reinsurers from the U.S., Bermuda, London and the European markets. The largest participant in our property catastrophe program, representing approximately 19% of total participation, is the Lloyd's of London placement that features numerous syndicates. Some of the other reinsurers with large participation in the program include Lancashire Insurance Company Limited, Mapfre Re, Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd., Everest Re Group Ltd. and Chubb Tempest Reinsurance Ltd.
The following table shows our five largest property casualty reinsurance receivable amounts by reinsurer at year-end 2023 and 2022. Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association is a mandatory nonprofit association which runs a reinsurance program funded by an annual premium assessment per vehicle. This assessment covers Michigan’s automobile no-fault policies, which provide unlimited lifetime coverage for medical expenses resulting from auto accidents. The A.M. Best insurer financial strength ratings as of the end of the two most recent years are also shown for each of those reinsurers that have an applicable rating.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of reinsurer | Total receivable | A.M. Best Rating | Total receivable | A.M. Best Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Munich Reinsurance America | $ | 50 | A+ | $ | 41 | A+ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Hannover Ruck SE | 47 | A+ | 24 | A+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation | 42 | A+ | 34 | A+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company | 35 | A++ | 30 | A++ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association | 33 | NA | 37 | NA | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 106
Primary components of the 2024 property and casualty reinsurance program are summarized below. The premium estimates below occurred near the beginning of each respective year, when direct written premiums that were subject to applicable reinsurance treaties were also estimated.
•Property per risk treaty – The primary purpose of the property treaty is to provide capacity up to $50 million, adequate for the majority of the risks we write. It also includes protection for extra-contractual liability coverage losses. We retain the first $10 million of each loss. Losses between $10 million and $50 million are reinsured at 100%. The 2024 ceded premium estimate was $71 million, compared with $54 million for the 2023 estimate.
•Property excess treaty – We purchased a property reinsurance treaty that provides an additional $50 million in protection for certain property losses. This treaty, along with the property per risk treaty, provides a total of $100 million of protection. The 2024 ceded premium estimate was approximately $9 million, compared with $6 million for the 2023 estimate.
•Casualty per occurrence treaty – The casualty treaty provides capacity up to $25 million. Similar to the property treaty, it provides sufficient capacity to cover the vast majority of casualty accounts we insure and also includes protection for extra-contractual liability coverage losses. We retain the first $10 million of each loss. Losses between $10 million and $25 million are reinsured at 100%. The 2024 ceded premium estimate was $20 million, compared with $19 million for the 2023 estimate.
•Casualty excess treaty – We purchase a casualty reinsurance treaty that provides an additional $45 million in protection for certain casualty losses. This treaty, along with the casualty per occurrence treaty, provides a total of $70 million of protection for workers’ compensation, extra-contractual liability coverage and clash coverage losses, which would apply when a single occurrence involves multiple policyholders of The Cincinnati Insurance Companies or multiple coverages for one insured. The 2024 ceded premium estimate was approximately $4 million, essentially unchanged from the 2023 estimate.
•Property catastrophe treaty – To protect against catastrophic events such as wind and hail, wildfires, winter storms, hurricanes or earthquakes, we purchased property catastrophe reinsurance with a limit up to $1.200 billion. This treaty and our property and casualty treaties contain exclusions for communicable disease and cyber losses. This treaty also contains an exclusion for terrorism, which varies in level of coverage across the program. Aggregation of losses into one event, sometimes referred to as an hours clause, varies by peril. For example, the general provision in this treaty is 168 hours, but it is 120 hours for a wind event and 96 hours for a riot or civil commotion event. Losses from the same occurrence can be aggregated into one limit over the hour period applicable to the peril causing the loss and applied to the treaty towards recovery. The treaty contains one reinstatement provision. The 2024 ceded premium estimate was $76 million, compared with $49 million for the 2023 estimate when the limit of coverage was $1.100 billion and we retained more risk for some of the layers described below. We retain the first $200 million of any loss, and a share of losses up to $1.200 billion. The percentage share we retain for each layer of coverage is indicated below:
◦60.1% of losses between $200 million and $300 million
◦24.8% of losses between $300 million and $400 million
◦18.6% of losses between $400 million and $600 million
◦10.6% of losses between $600 million and $800 million
◦20.4% of losses between $800 million and $1.000 billion
◦19.6% of losses between $1.000 billion and $1.200 billion
After reinsurance, including coverage of up to $25 million from the treaty effective June 1, 2023, described below, our maximum exposure to a catastrophic event that causes $1.200 billion in covered losses in 2024 would be $423 million, compared with retention of $617 million in 2023 for an event causing $1.200 billion in covered losses. The largest catastrophe loss event in our history occurred during 2022 from a December 21-31 winter storm system that affected many states in the U.S. Our losses from that storm were estimated to be $250 million, before reinsurance, as of December 31, 2023. The second largest catastrophe loss event in our history occurred during 2011 from a May 20-27 storm system that included a tornado in Joplin, Missouri, and that also included significant losses from hail in the Dayton, Ohio, area. Our losses from that storm were estimated to be $226 million, before reinsurance, based on updated estimates as of December 31, 2017.
Individual risks with insured values in excess of $100 million, as identified in the policy, are handled through a different reinsurance mechanism. We typically reinsure property coverage for individual risks with insured values between $100 million and $315 million under an automatic facultative agreement. For risks with property values exceeding $315 million, we negotiate the purchase of facultative coverage on an individual certificate basis.
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For casualty coverage on individual risks with limits exceeding $25 million, facultative reinsurance coverage is placed on an individual certificate basis. For risks with casualty limits that are between $25 million and $27 million, we sometimes forego facultative reinsurance and retain an additional $2 million of loss exposure.
Terrorism coverage at various levels has been secured in most of our reinsurance agreements. The broadest coverage for this peril is found in the property and casualty working treaties, the property per risk treaty and the casualty per occurrence treaty, which provide coverage for commercial and personal risks. A portion of our property catastrophe treaty provides terrorism coverage for personal risks, and coverage for commercial risks with total insured values of $28 million or less. For insured values between $10 million and $100 million, there also may be coverage in the property working treaty.
A form of reinsurance is also provided through The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA). TRIA was originally signed into law on November 26, 2002, and extended on several occasions. The most recent extension was signed into law on December 20, 2019, and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2027. TRIA provides a temporary federal backstop for losses related to the writing of the terrorism peril in property casualty insurance policies. Under regulations promulgated under this statute, insurers are required to offer terrorism coverage for certain lines of property casualty insurance, including property, commercial multi-peril, fire, ocean marine, inland marine, liability, aircraft and workers’ compensation. In the event of a terrorism event defined by TRIA, the federal government would reimburse terrorism claim payments subject to the insurer’s deductible. The deductible is calculated as a percentage of subject written premiums for the preceding calendar year. Our deductible in 2023 was $708 million (20% of 2022 subject premiums), and we estimate it is $763 million (20% of 2023 subject premiums) for 2024.
Reinsurance protection for the company’s surety business is covered under a separate treaty with many of the same reinsurers that write the property casualty working treaties.
Reinsurance protection for cyber coverage is also through a separate treaty. We offer cyber insurance as an affirmative coverage option on various insurance policies written on a direct basis and subsequently cede all of the related cyber insurance premiums to a reinsurer, therefore transferring substantially all of that risk.
Effective June 1, 2023, we restructured our reinsurance program for Cincinnati Re that included property catastrophe excess of loss coverage. The restructured treaties are for a period of one year and provide $40 million of coverage for various combinations of occurrences for business written in North America on a direct basis and by Cincinnati Re. Cincinnati Global catastrophe losses are not applicable to the treaty. There is a per occurrence limit of $20 million for Cincinnati Re catastrophe losses in excess of $80 million per event. The remaining coverage is for business written by Cincinnati Re and on a direct basis that applies to catastrophe losses in excess of $600 million per event.
Reinsurance protection for Cincinnati Global's business is also provided through separate treaties.
The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company has separate property and casualty reinsurance treaties for 2024 through its parent, The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Primary components of the treaties include:
•Property per risk treaty – The property treaty provides limits up to $6 million, which is adequate capacity for the risk profile we insure. It also includes protection for extra-contractual liability coverage losses. Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters retains the first $2 million of any policy loss. Losses between $2 million and $6 million are reinsured at 100% by The Cincinnati Insurance Company.
•Casualty treaties – The casualty treaty is written on an excess of loss basis and provides limits up to $6 million, which is adequate capacity for the risk profile we insure. A second treaty layer of $5 million excess of $6 million is written to provide coverage for extra contractual obligations or clash exposures. The maximum retention for any one casualty loss is $2 million by Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters. Losses on a per occurrence basis between $2 million and $6 million and extra contractual and clash losses between $6 million and $11 million are reinsured at 100% by The Cincinnati Insurance Company.
•Basket retention – Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters has purchased this coverage to limit their retention to $2 million in the event that the same occurrence results in both a property and a casualty loss.
•Property catastrophe treaty – As a subsidiary of The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters is a named insured under our corporate property catastrophe treaty. All terms and conditions of this reinsurance coverage apply to policies underwritten by Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters.
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For property risks with limits exceeding $6 million or casualty risks with limits exceeding $6 million, underwriters place facultative reinsurance coverage on an individual certificate basis.
Cincinnati Life, our life insurance subsidiary, purchases reinsurance under separate treaties with many of the same reinsurers that write the property casualty working treaties. Our corporate retention is $1 million on a single life. For our core term life insurance line of business, effective November 1, 2015, we increased our retention to $1 million for issue ages up to 61 years on new term life insurance sales, ceding the balance using excess over retention mortality coverage, and retaining the policy reserve. For issue ages 61 years or older, our retention is $500,000. Prior to November 1, 2015, and after 2004, we retain $500,000 per life. For term life insurance business written prior to 2005, we retain 10% to 25% of each term policy, not to exceed $500,000, ceding the balance of mortality risk and policy reserve.
We also have catastrophe reinsurance coverage on our life insurance operations that reimburses us for covered net losses in excess of $14 million. Our recovery is capped at $75 million for losses per occurrence.
The following table shows our five largest life reinsurance receivable amounts by reinsurer at year-end 2023 and 2022. Insurer financial strength ratings are also shown.
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name of reinsurer | Total receivable | Rating agency | Rating | Total receivable | Rating Agency | Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swiss Re Life & Health America, Inc. | $ | 61 | A.M. Best | A+ | $ | 64 | A.M. Best | A+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Re Life Corporation | 50 | A.M. Best | A++ | 46 | A.M. Best | A++ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lincoln National Life Insurance Company | 28 | A.M. Best | A | 28 | A.M. Best | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employers Reassurance Corporation | 15 | S&P | BBB+ | 15 | S&P | BBB+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Munich American Reassurance Company | 12 | A.M. Best | A+ | 11 | A.M. Best | A+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Safe Harbor Statement
This is our “Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements in this report. Some of those risks and uncertainties are discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
•Ongoing developments concerning business interruption insurance claims and litigation related to the COVID-19 pandemic that affect our estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses or our ability to reasonably estimate such losses, such as:
◦The continuing duration of the pandemic and governmental actions to limit the spread of the virus that may produce additional economic losses
◦The number of policyholders that will ultimately submit claims or file lawsuits
◦The lack of submitted proofs of loss for allegedly covered claims
◦Judicial rulings in similar litigation involving other companies in the insurance industry
◦Differences in state laws and developing case law
◦Litigation trends, including varying legal theories advanced by policyholders
◦Whether and to what degree any class of policyholders may be certified
◦The inherent unpredictability of litigation
•Effects of any future pandemic, or the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, that could affect results for reasons such as:
◦Securities market disruption or volatility and related effects such as decreased economic activity and continued supply chain disruptions that affect our investment portfolio and book value
◦An unusually high level of claims in our insurance or reinsurance operations that increase litigation-related expenses
◦An unusually high level of insurance losses, including risk of court decisions extending business interruption insurance in commercial property coverage forms to cover claims for pure economic loss related to such pandemic
◦Decreased premium revenue and cash flow from disruption to our distribution channel of independent agents, consumer self-isolation, travel limitations, business restrictions and decreased economic activity
◦Inability of our workforce, agencies or vendors to perform necessary business functions
•Unusually high levels of catastrophe losses due to risk concentrations, changes in weather patterns (whether as a result of global climate change or otherwise), environmental events, war or political unrest, terrorism incidents, cyberattacks, civil unrest or other causes
•Increased frequency and/or severity of claims or development of claims that are unforeseen at the time of policy issuance, due to inflationary trends or other causes
•Inadequate estimates or assumptions, or reliance on third-party data used for critical accounting estimates
•Declines in overall stock market values negatively affecting our equity portfolio and book value
•Interest rate fluctuations or other factors that could significantly affect:
•Our ability to generate growth in investment income
•Values of our fixed-maturity investments, including accounts in which we hold bank-owned life insurance contract assets
•Our traditional life policy reserves
•Domestic and global events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, war in the Middle East and disruptions in the banking and financial services industry, resulting in insurance losses, capital market or credit market uncertainty, followed by prolonged periods of economic instability or recession, that lead to:
◦Significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of a particular security or group of securities and impairment of the asset(s)
◦Significant decline in investment income due to reduced or eliminated dividend payouts from a particular security or group of securities
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◦Significant rise in losses from surety or director and officer policies written for financial institutions or other insured entities or in losses from policies written by Cincinnati Re or Cincinnati Global
•Our inability to manage Cincinnati Global or other subsidiaries to produce related business opportunities and growth prospects for our ongoing operations
•Recession, prolonged elevated inflation or other economic conditions resulting in lower demand for insurance products or increased payment delinquencies
•Ineffective information technology systems or discontinuing to develop and implement improvements in technology may impact our success and profitability
•Difficulties with technology or data security breaches, including cyberattacks, that could negatively affect our or our agents' ability to conduct business; disrupt our relationships with agents, policyholders and others; cause reputational damage, mitigation expenses and data loss and expose us to liability under federal and state laws
•Difficulties with our operations and technology that may negatively impact our ability to conduct business, including cloud-based data information storage, data security, cyberattacks, remote working capabilities, and/or outsourcing relationships and third-party operations and data security
•Disruption of the insurance market caused by technology innovations such as driverless cars that could decrease consumer demand for insurance products
•Delays, inadequate data developed internally or from third parties, or performance inadequacies from ongoing development and implementation of underwriting and pricing methods, including telematics and other usage-based insurance methods, or technology projects and enhancements expected to increase our pricing accuracy, underwriting profit and competitiveness
•Intense competition, and the impact of innovation, technological change and changing customer preferences on the insurance industry and the markets in which we operate, could harm our ability to maintain or increase our business volumes and profitability
•Changing consumer insurance-buying habits and consolidation of independent insurance agencies could alter our competitive advantages
•Inability to obtain adequate ceded reinsurance on acceptable terms, amount of reinsurance coverage purchased, financial strength of reinsurers and the potential for nonpayment or delay in payment by reinsurers
•Inability to defer policy acquisition costs for any business segment if pricing and loss trends would lead management to conclude that segment could not achieve sustainable profitability
•Inability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends consistent with current or past levels
•Events or conditions that could weaken or harm our relationships with our independent agencies and hamper opportunities to add new agencies, resulting in limitations on our opportunities for growth, such as:
◦Downgrades of our financial strength ratings
◦Concerns that doing business with us is too difficult
◦Perceptions that our level of service, particularly claims service, is no longer a distinguishing characteristic in the marketplace
◦Inability or unwillingness to nimbly develop and introduce coverage product updates and innovations that our competitors offer and consumers expect to find in the marketplace
•Actions of insurance departments, state attorneys general or other regulatory agencies, including a change to a federal system of regulation from a state-based system, that:
◦Impose new obligations on us that increase our expenses or change the assumptions underlying our critical accounting estimates
◦Place the insurance industry under greater regulatory scrutiny or result in new statutes, rules and regulations
◦Restrict our ability to exit or reduce writings of unprofitable coverages or lines of business
◦Add assessments for guaranty funds, other insurance‑related assessments or mandatory reinsurance arrangements; or that impair our ability to recover such assessments through future surcharges or other rate changes
◦Increase our provision for federal income taxes due to changes in tax law
◦Increase our other expenses
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◦Limit our ability to set fair, adequate and reasonable rates
◦Place us at a disadvantage in the marketplace
◦Restrict our ability to execute our business model, including the way we compensate agents
•Adverse outcomes from litigation or administrative proceedings, including effects of social inflation and third-party litigation funding on the size of litigation awards
•Events or actions, including unauthorized intentional circumvention of controls, that reduce our future ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
•Unforeseen departure of certain executive officers or other key employees due to retirement, health or other causes that could interrupt progress toward important strategic goals or diminish the effectiveness of certain longstanding relationships with insurance agents and others
•Our inability, or the inability of our independent agents, to attract and retain personnel in a competitive labor market, impacting the customer experience and altering our competitive advantages
•Events, such as an epidemic, natural catastrophe or terrorism, that could hamper our ability to assemble our workforce at our headquarters location or work effectively in a remote environment
Further, our insurance businesses are subject to the effects of changing social, global, economic and regulatory environments. Public and regulatory initiatives have included efforts to adversely influence and restrict premium rates, restrict the ability to cancel policies, impose underwriting standards and expand overall regulation. We also are subject to public and regulatory initiatives that can affect the market value for our common stock, such as measures affecting corporate financial reporting and governance. The ultimate changes and eventual effects, if any, of these initiatives are uncertain.
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ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Introduction
Market risk is the potential for a decrease in securities value resulting from broad yet uncontrollable forces such as inflation, economic growth, interest rates, world political conditions or other widespread unpredictable events. It is comprised of many individual risks that, when combined, create a macroeconomic impact. The company accepts and manages risks in its investment portfolio as part of the means of achieving portfolio objectives. Some of the risks are:
•Political – the potential for a decrease in value due to the real or perceived impact of governmental policies or conditions
•Regulatory – the potential for a decrease in value due to the impact of legislative proposals or changes in laws or regulations
•Economic – the potential for a decrease in value due to changes in general economic factors (recession, inflation, deflation, etc.)
•Revaluation – the potential for a decrease in value due to a change in relative value (change in market multiple) of the market brought on by general economic factors
•Interest-rate – the potential for a decrease in value of a security or portfolio due to its sensitivity to changes (increases or decreases) in the general level of interest rates
Company-specific risk is the potential for a particular issuer to experience a decline in value due to the impact of sector or market risk on the holding or because of issues specific to the firm:
•Fraud – the potential for a negative impact on an issuer’s performance due to actual or alleged illegal or improper activity of individuals it employs
•Credit – the potential for deterioration in an issuer’s financial profile due to specific company issues, problems it faces in the course of its operations or industry-related issues
•Default – the possibility that an issuer will not make a required payment (interest payment or return of principal) on its debt. Generally this occurs after its financial profile has deteriorated (credit risk) and it no longer has the means to make its payments
The investment committee of the board of directors monitors the investment risk management process primarily through its executive oversight of our investment activities. We take an active approach to managing market and other investment risks, including the accountabilities and controls over these activities. Actively managing these market risks is integral to our operations and could require us to change the character of future investments purchased or sold or require us to shift the existing asset portfolios to manage exposure to market risk within acceptable ranges.
Sector risk is the potential for a negative impact on a particular industry due to its sensitivity to factors that make up market risk. Market risk affects general supply or demand factors for an industry and affects companies within that industry to varying degrees.
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Risks associated with the asset classes described in Item 1, Our Segments, Investments Segment, can be summarized as follows (H – high, A – average, L – low):
| Taxable fixed maturities | Tax-exempt fixed maturities | Common equities | Nonredeemable preferred equities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political | A | H | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regulatory | A | A | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Economic | A | A | H | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revaluation | H | H | H | H | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate | A | A | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fraud | A | L | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit | A | L | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Default | A | L | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed-Maturity Securities Investments
For investment-grade corporate bonds, the inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices leads to falling bond values during periods of increasing interest rates. We address this risk by attempting to construct a generally laddered maturity schedule that allows us to reinvest cash flows at prevailing rates. Although the potential for a worsening financial condition, and ultimately default, does exist with investment-grade corporate bonds, we address this risk by performing credit analysis and monitoring as well as maintaining a diverse portfolio of holdings.
The primary risk related to high-yield corporate bonds is credit risk. A weak financial profile can lead to rating downgrades from the credit rating agencies, which can put further downward pressure on bond prices. Interest rate risk, while significant, is less of a factor with high-yield corporate bonds, as valuation is related more directly to underlying operating performance than to general interest rates. This puts more emphasis on the financial results achieved by the issuer rather than on general economic trends or statistics within the marketplace. We address this concern by analyzing issuer- and industry-specific financial results and by closely monitoring holdings within this asset class.
The primary risks related to tax-exempt bonds are interest rate risk and political risk associated with the specific economic environment within the political boundaries of the issuing municipal entity. We address these concerns by focusing on municipalities’ general-obligation debt and on essential-service bonds. Essential-service bonds derive a revenue stream from municipal services that are vital to the people living in the area (water service, sewer service, etc.). Another risk related to tax-exempt bonds is regulatory risk or the potential for legislative changes that would negate the benefit of owning tax-exempt bonds. We monitor regulatory activity for situations that may negatively affect current holdings and our ongoing strategy for investing in these securities.
The final, less significant risk is our exposure to credit risk for a portion of the tax-exempt portfolio that has support from corporate entities. Examples are bonds insured by corporate bond insurers or bonds with interest payments made by a corporate entity through a municipal conduit or authority. Our decisions regarding these investments primarily consider the underlying municipal situation. The existence of third-party insurance is intended to reduce risk in the event of default. In circumstances in which the municipality is unable to meet its obligations, risk would be increased if the insuring entity were experiencing financial duress. Because of our diverse exposure and selection of higher-rated entities with strong financial profiles, we do not believe this is a material concern as we discuss in Item 1, Our Segments, Investments Segment.
Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
Because of our strong shareholders’ equity, long-term investment horizon and ability to hold most fixed-maturity investments to maturity, we believe the company is well-positioned if interest rates were to rise. A higher rate environment would provide the opportunity to invest cash flow in higher-yielding securities, while reducing the likelihood of untimely redemptions of currently callable securities. While higher interest rates would be expected to increase the number of fixed-maturity holdings fair valued below 100% of amortized cost, we believe lower fixed-maturity security values due solely to interest rate changes would not signal a decline in credit quality.
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Our dynamic financial planning model uses analytical tools to assess market risks. As part of this model, the effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio is continually monitored by our investment department to evaluate the theoretical impact of interest rate movements.
The table below summarizes the effect of an instantaneous hypothetical change in interest rates on the fair value of our fixed-maturity portfolio.
| (Dollars in millions) | Effect from interest rate change in basis points | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -200 | -100 | — | 100 | 200 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 14,962 | $ | 14,375 | $ | 13,791 | $ | 13,179 | $ | 12,543 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 13,300 | $ | 12,714 | $ | 12,132 | $ | 11,548 | $ | 10,974 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The effective duration of the fixed-maturity portfolio was 4.3 years at year-end 2023, down from 4.7 years at year-end 2022. A 100-basis-point movement in interest rates would result in an approximately 4.3% change in the fair value of the fixed-maturity portfolio. Generally speaking, the higher a bond is rated, the more directly correlated movements in its fair value are to changes in the general level of interest rates, exclusive of call features. The fair values of average- to lower-rated corporate bonds are additionally influenced by the expansion or contraction of credit spreads.
In the dynamic financial planning model, the selected interest rate change of 100 to 200 basis points represents our views of a shift in rates that is quite possible over a one-year period. The rates modeled should not be considered a prediction of future events as interest rates may be much more volatile in the future. The analysis is not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in rates on our results or financial condition, nor does it take into account any actions that we might take to reduce exposure to such risks.
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Equity Securities Investments
Our equity portfolio is subject to a variety of risk factors encompassed under the umbrella of market risk. General economic swings influence the performance of the underlying industries and companies within those industries. Industry- and company-specific risks also have the potential to substantially affect the value of our portfolio. Our investment guidelines help address these risks by diversifying the portfolio and establishing parameters to help manage exposures.
The table below summarizes the effect of hypothetical changes in market prices on the fair value of our equity portfolio.
| (Dollars in millions) | Effect from market price change in percent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -30% | -20% | -10% | — | 10% | 20% | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | $ | 7,692 | $ | 8,791 | $ | 9,890 | $ | 10,989 | $ | 12,088 | $ | 13,187 | $ | 14,286 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | $ | 6,889 | $ | 7,873 | $ | 8,857 | $ | 9,841 | $ | 10,825 | $ | 11,809 | $ | 12,793 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our equity holdings represented $10.989 billion in fair value at year-end 2023. No holding had a fair value greater than 8.0% of our $10.641 billion publicly traded common stock portfolio. We had 39 holdings among nine different sectors each with a fair value greater than $100 million. See Item 1, Our Segments, Investments Segment and Item 8, Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional details on our holdings.
The primary risks related to preferred stocks are similar to those related to investment-grade corporate bonds. Rising interest rates adversely affect market values due to the normal inverse relationship between interest rates and bond prices. Credit risk exists due to the subordinate position of preferred stocks in the capital structure. We minimize this risk by primarily purchasing investment-grade preferred stocks of issuers with a strong history of paying a common stock dividend.
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Application of Asset Impairment Policy
As discussed in Item 7, Critical Accounting Estimates, Asset Impairment, our fixed-maturity investment portfolio is evaluated for credit-related impairments. The company’s asset impairment committee monitors a number of significant factors for indications of investments with a fair value below the carrying amount that may not be recoverable. The application of our impairment policy resulted in write-downs of impaired securities intended to be sold that reduced our income before income taxes by $4 million in 2023, $5 million in 2022 and $1 million in 2021. Impairments are discussed in Item 7, Investments Results.
We expect the number of fixed-maturity securities with a fair value below 100% of amortized cost to fluctuate as interest rates rise or fall and credit spreads expand or contract due to prevailing economic conditions. Further, amortized cost for some securities have been revised due to impairment charges recognized in prior periods. At year-end 2023, 2,840 of the 4,738 fixed-maturity securities we owned had a fair value below 100% of amortized cost compared with 3,272 of the 4,521 at year-end 2022 and 278 of the 4,329 at year-end 2021.
The 2,840 holdings fair valued below amortized cost at year-end 2023 represented 67.4% of our fixed-maturity portfolio and $687 million in unrealized losses.
•1,963 of these holdings were fair valued between 90% and 100% of amortized cost. The value of these securities fluctuates primarily because of changes in interest rates. The fair value of these 1,963 securities was $7.208 billion at year-end 2023, and they accounted for $226 million in unrealized losses.
•857 of these holdings were fair valued between 70% and 90% of amortized cost. The fair value of these holdings was $2.044 billion, and they accounted for $438 million in unrealized losses.
•20 of these holdings had a fair value below 70% of amortized cost. The fair value of these holdings was $44 million, and they accounted for $23 million in unrealized losses.
The following table summarizes the length of time securities in the investment portfolio have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
| (Dollars in millions) | Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | Fair value | Unrealized losses | Fair value | Unrealized losses | Fair value | Unrealized losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | 379 | $ | 13 | $ | 5,560 | $ | 441 | $ | 5,939 | $ | 454 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 313 | 2 | 1,932 | 206 | 2,245 | 208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | 652 | 3 | 113 | 3 | 765 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | 32 | — | 129 | 3 | 161 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 5 | — | 172 | 16 | 177 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | 3 | — | 6 | — | 9 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,384 | $ | 18 | $ | 7,912 | $ | 669 | $ | 9,296 | $ | 687 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | 5,651 | $ | 412 | $ | 661 | $ | 168 | $ | 6,312 | $ | 580 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | 2,600 | 274 | 77 | 29 | 2,677 | 303 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | 123 | 3 | 3 | — | 126 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | 146 | 3 | 41 | 2 | 187 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | 215 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 229 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | 25 | 1 | 4 | — | 29 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,760 | $ | 706 | $ | 800 | $ | 202 | $ | 9,560 | $ | 908 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The following table summarizes and classifies securities based on fair values relative to amortized cost:
| (Dollars in millions) | Number of issues | Amortized cost | Fair value | Gross unrealized gain (loss) | Gross investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxable fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost | 16 | $ | 55 | $ | 36 | $ | (19) | $ | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost | 1,854 | 8,316 | 7,734 | (582) | 362 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost | 494 | 2,043 | 2,119 | 76 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income on securities sold in current year | — | — | — | — | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,364 | 10,414 | 9,889 | (525) | 469 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost | 4 | 12 | 8 | (4) | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost | 966 | 1,600 | 1,518 | (82) | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost | 1,404 | 2,335 | 2,376 | 41 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income on securities sold in current year | — | — | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,374 | 3,947 | 3,902 | (45) | 131 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturities summary: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost | 20 | 67 | 44 | (23) | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost | 2,820 | 9,916 | 9,252 | (664) | 409 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost | 1,898 | 4,378 | 4,495 | 117 | 162 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income on securities sold in current year | — | — | — | — | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 4,738 | $ | 14,361 | $ | 13,791 | $ | (570) | $ | 600 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturities summary: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued below 70% of amortized cost | 49 | $ | 91 | $ | 61 | $ | (30) | $ | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 70% to less than 100% of amortized cost | 3,223 | 10,377 | 9,499 | (878) | 392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair valued at 100% and above of amortized cost | 1,249 | 2,511 | 2,572 | 61 | 92 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income on securities sold in current year | — | — | — | — | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 4,521 | $ | 12,979 | $ | 12,132 | $ | (847) | $ | 510 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 118
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Responsibility for Financial Statements
We have prepared the consolidated financial statements of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and our subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2023, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
We are responsible for the integrity and objectivity of these financial statements. The amounts, presented on an accrual basis, reflect our best estimates and judgment. These statements are consistent in all material aspects with other financial information in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our accounting system and related internal controls are designed to assure that our books and records accurately reflect the company’s transactions in accordance with established policies and procedures as implemented by qualified personnel.
Our board of directors has established an audit committee of independent outside directors. We believe these directors are free from any relationships that could interfere with their independent judgment as audit committee members.
The audit committee meets periodically with management, our independent registered public accounting firm and our internal auditors to discuss how each is handling its respective responsibilities. The audit committee reports its findings to the board of directors. The audit committee recommends to the board the annual appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee reviews with this firm the scope of the audit assignment and the adequacy of internal controls and procedures.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, audited the consolidated financial statements of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2023. Deloitte & Touche LLP met with our audit committee to discuss the results of its audit. They have the opportunity to discuss the adequacy of internal controls and the quality of financial reporting without management present.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 119
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
•Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the company; and
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention of overriding controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.
The company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. Management’s assessment was based on the criteria established in the Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and was designed to provide reasonable assurance that the company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. The assessment led management to conclude that, as of December 31, 2023, the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
The company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.
/S/ Steven J. Johnston
Steven J. Johnston, FCAS, MAAA, CFA, CERA
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
/S/ Michael J. Sewell
Michael J. Sewell, CPA
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
February 26, 2024
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 120
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Cincinnati Financial Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cincinnati Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(c) (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting, measurement, and disclosure of long duration contracts effective January 1, 2023, using the modified retrospective method applied as of the transition date of January 1, 2021, due to adoption of ASU 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 121
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Property and Casualty Insurance Loss and Loss Expense Reserves - Refer to Note 4 to the financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s property and casualty insurance loss and loss expense reserves for long-tailed lines of business, such as workers’ compensation, commercial casualty and certain other liability lines (referred to as “loss and loss expense reserves”), are determined by the Company using actuarial methods, models, assumptions, and judgment to estimate the reserves (“actuarial estimates”) required to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims, including incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, as of the financial statement date. The actuarial estimates of loss and loss expense reserves are subject to review and adjustment by Company management.
Loss and loss expense reserves are inherently uncertain as to timing and amount and the recorded loss and loss expense reserves may vary materially from the actual ultimate cost of claims. Given the subjectivity in estimating ultimate loss and loss expense reserves, due to uncertainties concerning the future emergence of loss and loss expenses, inflation trends, and the judicial environment, among other factors, auditing loss and loss expense reserves involved an especially high degree of auditor judgment, including the need to involve our actuarial specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to loss and loss expense reserves included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls related to loss and loss expense reserves, including those over the review of actuarial methods, models, assumptions and judgments used, and management’s review of the estimates.
•We tested the underlying data that served as the basis for the actuarial analyses, including historical claims data, to test the reasonableness of key inputs to the actuarial estimates.
•With the assistance of our actuarial specialists, we used the Company’s claims data and other inputs, to develop a range of independent estimates for the loss and loss expense reserves. We used these independent estimates to assess the reasonableness of the Company’s reserves by comparing our estimates to the Company’s recorded loss and loss expense reserves.
•We compared the Company’s prior year estimates of expected incurred losses to actual experience during the current year to identify potential bias in the determination of loss and loss expense reserves.
/S/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
February 26, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1980.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 122
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| (Dollars in millions, except per share data) | December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2023—$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2023—$ | ||||||||||||||
| Other invested assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total investments | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
| Investment income receivable | ||||||||||||||
| Finance receivable | ||||||||||||||
| Premiums receivable | ||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||
Land, building and equipment, net, for company use (accumulated depreciation: 2023—$ | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Separate accounts | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance reserves | ||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expense reserves | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Life policy and investment contract reserves | ||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax | ||||||||||||||
| Note payable | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt and lease obligations | ||||||||||||||
| Separate accounts | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 16) | ||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||
Common stock, par value—$ issued: 2023 and 2022— | ||||||||||||||
| Paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (2023— | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 123
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
| (Dollars in millions, except per share data) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits and Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance losses and contract holders' benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total benefits and expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total provision (benefit) for income taxes | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Per Common Share | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss)—basic | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss)—diluted | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 124
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax (benefit) of $ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of pension actuarial gains and losses and prior service cost, net of tax (benefit) of $( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Change in life policy reserves, reinsurance recoverable and other, net of tax (benefit) of $( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive Income (Loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 125
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based awards | |||||||||||||||||
| End of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Paid-In Capital | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based awards | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| End of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Retained Earnings | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting for long-duration insurance contracts (Note 1) | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| End of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting for long-duration insurance contracts (Note 1) | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of year | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| End of year | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Treasury Stock | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based awards | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired - share-based compensation plans | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| End of year | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total Shareholders' Equity | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock - Shares Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Share-based awards | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired - share-based compensation plans | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| End of year | |||||||||||||||||
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 126
Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization and other | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Interest credited to contract holders | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Changes in: | |||||||||||||||||
| Premiums and reinsurance receivable | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expense reserves | |||||||||||||||||
| Life policy and investment contract reserves | |||||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | |||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Current income tax receivable/payable | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Sale, call or maturity of fixed maturities | |||||||||||||||||
| Sale of equity securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of fixed maturities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase of equity securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in finance receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Investment in buildings and equipment | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Change in other invested assets, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Payment of cash dividends to shareholders | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in note payable | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised | |||||||||||||||||
| Contract holders' funds deposited | |||||||||||||||||
| Contract holders' funds withdrawn | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Income taxes paid | |||||||||||||||||
| Noncash Activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Equipment acquired under finance lease obligations | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||
| Other assets and other liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
Accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 127
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CFC) operates through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd.SM (Cincinnati Global) insurance subsidiaries and two complementary subsidiary companies.
The Cincinnati Insurance Company leads our insurance group that also includes two subsidiaries: The Cincinnati Casualty Company and The Cincinnati Indemnity Company. This group markets a broad range of standard market commercial and personal policies. The group focuses on delivery of quality customer service to our select group of 2,080 independent insurance agencies with 3,116 reporting locations across 46 states. Other subsidiaries of The Cincinnati Insurance Company include: The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company, which markets life insurance and fixed annuities; and The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company, which offers excess and surplus lines property casualty insurance products. The Cincinnati Insurance Company also conducts the business of our reinsurance assumed operations, Cincinnati Re®.
The two CFC complementary subsidiaries are CSU Producer Resources Inc., which provides insurance brokerage services to our independent agencies so their clients can access our excess and surplus lines insurance products, and CFC Investment Company, which offers commercial leasing and financing services to our agents, their clients and other customers.
Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the parent and its wholly owned subsidiaries and are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Foreign exchange rates related to Cincinnati Global's operations did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our actual results could differ from those estimates.
Investments
Our portfolio investments are primarily in publicly traded fixed-maturity and equity security investments. Fixed-maturity investments (taxable bonds, tax-exempt bonds, redeemable preferred equities and mortgage-backed securities) classified as available for sale and equity investments (common and nonredeemable preferred equities) are recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in fair value of fixed-maturity securities are reported in other comprehensive income while equity securities are reported in net income. The number of fixed-maturity securities with fair values below 100% of amortized cost can be expected to fluctuate as interest rates rise or fall. Because of our strong capital and long-term investment horizon, our general intent is to hold fixed-maturity investments until maturity, regardless of short-term fluctuations in fair values.
An available for sale fixed maturity is impaired if the fair value of the security is below amortized cost. The impaired loss is charged to net income when we have the intent to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost. For impaired securities we intend to hold, an allowance for credit related losses is recorded in investment losses when the company determines a credit loss has been incurred based on certain factors such as adverse conditions, credit rating downgrades or failure of the issuer to make scheduled principal or interest payments. A credit loss is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis by comparing the present value of expected cash flows with the amortized cost basis, limited to the difference between fair value and amortized cost. Noncredit losses are recognized in other comprehensive income as a change in unrealized gains and losses on investments. As securities are sold, we recognize the gain or loss in net income based on the trade date.
Included within our other invested assets were $434 million and $337 million of private equity investments, $66 million and $47 million of real estate through direct property ownership and development projects in the United States, $44 million and $37 million held on deposit at Lloyd's and $33 million and $31 million of life policy loans at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The private equity investments provide their financial statements to us
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 128
and generally report investments on their balance sheets at fair value. We use the equity method of accounting for private equity and real estate development investments. Lloyd's deposits primarily consist of highly liquid short-term investment instruments. Life policy loans are carried at the receivable value.
Investment income, net of expenses, consists mainly of interest and dividends. We record interest on an accrual basis and record dividends at the ex-dividend date. We amortize premiums and discounts on fixed-maturity securities using the effective interest method over the expected life of the security.
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value is defined as the exit price or the amount that would be (1) received to sell an asset or (2) paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. When determining an exit price, we rely upon observable market data whenever possible. We primarily base fair value for investments in equity and fixed-maturity securities (including redeemable preferred stock and assets held in separate accounts) on quoted market prices or on prices from the company’s nationally recognized pricing vendors, outside resources that supply global securities pricing, dividend, corporate action and descriptive information to support fund pricing, securities operations, research and portfolio management. The company obtains and reviews the pricing services' valuation methodologies and related inputs and validates these prices by replicating a sample across each asset class using a discounted cash flow model. When a price is not available from these sources, as in the case of securities that are not publicly traded, we determine the fair value using various inputs including quotes from independent brokers. The fair value of investments not priced by the company’s nationally recognized pricing vendors is immaterial.
For the purpose of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, Financial Instruments disclosure, we estimate the fair value of our long-term senior notes on market pricing of similar debt instruments that are actively trading. We estimate the fair value of our note payable on the year-end outstanding balance because it is short term and tied to a variable interest rate. We estimate the fair value of liabilities for investment contracts and annuities using discounted cash flow calculations across a wide range of economic interest rate scenarios with a provision for our nonperformance risk. We estimate the fair value for policyholder loans on insurance contracts using a discounted cash flow model. Determination of fair value for structured settlements assumes the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates plus an A3 rated bond spread for financial issuers at December 31, 2023, to account for nonperformance risk. See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements, for further details.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Property Casualty Insurance
The consolidated property casualty companies actively write property casualty insurance through independent agencies in 46 states. Our 10 largest states generated 50.1 13.4 4 % and 6 % of total earned premiums in 2023. Our largest single agency relationship accounted for approximately 0.6 % of our total property casualty earned premiums in 2023. No aggregate agency relationship locations under a single ownership structure accounted for more than 6 % of our total property casualty earned premiums in 2023. We record revenues for installment charges as fee revenues in the consolidated statements of income.
Property casualty written premiums are deferred and recorded as earned premiums primarily on a pro rata basis over the terms of the policies. We record as unearned premiums the portion of written premiums that applies to unexpired policy terms. Expenses associated with successfully acquiring insurance policies – commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs – are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies. We assess recoverability of deferred acquisition costs at a level consistent with the way we acquire, service and manage insurance policies and measure profitability. We analyze our acquisition cost assumptions to reflect actual experience, and we evaluate potential premium deficiencies.
Certain property casualty policies are not entered into policy underwriting systems as of the effective date of coverage. An estimate is recorded for these unprocessed written premiums. A large majority of the estimate is unearned and has no material impact on earned premiums.
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An allowance for credit losses on uncollectible property casualty premiums is updated and reviewed on a quarterly basis. The allowance for credit losses was $16 million, $13 million and $14 million at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Changes in the amount for each period were immaterial.
Policyholder Dividends
Certain workers’ compensation policies include the possibility of a policyholder earning a return of a portion of premium in the form of a policyholder dividend. The dividend generally is calculated by determining the profitability of a policy year along with the associated premium. We reserve for all probable future policyholder dividend payments. We record policyholder dividends as other underwriting expenses.
Life Insurance
We offer several types of life insurance and we account for each according to the duration of the contract. Short-duration life and health contracts are written to cover claims that arise during a short, fixed term of coverage. We generally have the right to change the amount of premium charged or cancel the coverage at the end of each contract term. We record premiums for short-duration life and health contracts similarly to property casualty contracts.
Long-duration contracts are written to provide coverage for an extended period of time. Traditional long-duration contracts require policyholders to pay scheduled gross premiums, generally not less frequently than annually, over the term of the coverage. Premiums for these contracts, such as whole life insurance, are recognized as revenue when due. Some traditional long-duration contracts, such as ten-pay whole life insurance, have premium payment periods shorter than the period over which coverage is provided. For these contracts, the excess of premium over the amount required to pay expenses and benefits is recognized over the term of the coverage rather than over the premium payment period.
We establish reserves for traditional long-duration contracts, including term, whole life and other products, based on the present value of future benefits and claim expenses less the present value of future net premiums. Net premium is the portion of gross premium required to provide for all benefits and claim expenses. We estimate future benefits and claim expenses and net premium using certain cash flow assumptions including mortality, morbidity and lapse rates as well as a discount rate assumption. The cash flow assumptions are established based on our current expectations and are reviewed annually to determine any necessary updates. These assumptions are also updated on an interim basis if evidence suggests that they should be revised. We use both our own experience and industry experience, adjusted for historical trends, in arriving at our cash flow assumptions. The discount rate assumption is based on upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yields (market value discount rates) and is updated quarterly. Certain assumptions, including the mortality, lapse and long-term interest rate reversion targets, were updated in 2023 as part of our annual assumption unlocking. See Note 5, Life Policy and Investment Contract Reserves, for further detail regarding the measurement impact on traditional long-duration contract reserves due to changes in the inputs, judgments and assumptions during the period.
We also offer universal life, deferred annuity and other investment contracts. Universal life contracts are long-duration contracts for which contractual provisions are not fixed, unlike whole life insurance. Universal life contracts allow policyholders to vary the amount of premium, within limits, without our consent. However, we may vary the mortality, expense charges and the interest crediting rate, within limits, used to accumulate policy values. We do not record universal life premiums as revenue. Instead we recognize as revenue the mortality charges, administration charges and surrender charges when received. Some of our universal life contracts assess administration charges in the early years of the contract that are compensation for services we will provide in the later years of the contract. These administration charges are deferred and are recognized over the period when we provide those future services. Deferred annuities provide regular income payments to annuitants once certain criteria are met. During the deferral period, payments made by the annuitants under the contract accumulate at the crediting rate declared by
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 130
the company but not less than a contract-specified guaranteed minimum interest rate. We also do not record deferred annuity premiums as revenue.
We establish reserves for our universal life, deferred annuity and other investment contracts equal to the cumulative account balances, which include premium deposits plus credited interest less charges and withdrawals. Some of our universal life insurance policies contain no-lapse guarantee provisions. For these policies, we establish a reserve in addition to the account balance based on expected no-lapse guarantee benefits and expected policy assessments.
We capitalize acquisition costs associated with successfully acquiring traditional and universal life long-duration contracts. We charge these capitalized costs to expenses on a constant-level basis that approximates straight-line amortization over the expected term of the related contracts.
Separate Accounts
We have issued universal life contracts with guaranteed minimum returns, referred to as bank-owned life insurance contracts (BOLIs). A BOLI is designed so the bank is the policy owner and the policy beneficiary. We legally segregate and record as separate accounts the assets and liabilities for certain BOLIs, when required by the specific contract provisions. We guarantee minimum investment returns, account values and death benefits for our separate account BOLIs. Our other BOLIs are general account products.
We carry the assets of separate account BOLIs at fair value. The liabilities on separate account BOLIs primarily are carried at an amount equal to the contract holders’ account value, plus any cumulative unrealized gains on the related assets impacting separate account liabilities. The contract holders’ account value exceeded the current fair value of the BOLI invested assets and cash by approximately $43 million and $64 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Reinsurance
The Cincinnati Insurance Company offers reinsurance assumed for casualty (predominantly domestic exposure), specialty and property (worldwide exposure). Treaties are written on a pro rata and excess of loss basis. We also continue to assume risk with limited exposure as a reinsurer for involuntary state pools.
Written premium is recorded, net of contract specific retrocessions, on an ultimate estimate basis and primarily earned on a pro rata basis over the coverage period of the treaty. Expenses are recorded as per contract terms and deferred over the earning period of the premium.
We establish known loss reserves when reported. We establish reserves for losses in excess of reported activity in the form of IBNR. Reserves are established using actuarial analysis, which includes models and methods traditionally used for the types of exposures written. We establish reserves for event specific occurrences using modeling data and company specific data when available.
We enter into other reinsurance transactions to reduce risk and uncertainty by buying property casualty reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance as well as life reinsurance. Reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our obligation to policyholders, but rather help protect our financial strength to perform that duty. All of these ceded reinsurance contracts transfer the economic risk of loss.
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Premiums that we cede are deferred and recorded as earned premiums on a pro rata basis over the terms of the contracts. We estimate loss amounts recoverable from our reinsurers based on the reinsurance policy terms. Historically, our claims with reinsurers have been paid.
An allowance for credit losses on uncollectible reinsurance premiums and recoverable assets is updated and reviewed on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the allowances, including changes in the amount for each period, were immaterial.
Income Taxes
We calculate deferred income tax liabilities and assets using tax rates in effect when temporary differences in taxable income and financial statement income are expected to reverse. We recognize deferred income taxes for numerous temporary differences between our taxable income and financial statement income and other changes in shareholders’ equity. Such temporary differences relate primarily to unrealized gains and losses on investments and differences in the recognition of deferred acquisition costs, unearned premiums, insurance reserves, international earnings and basis differences in the carrying value of investments held. We charge deferred income taxes associated with balances that impact other comprehensive income, such as unrealized gains and losses of fixed-maturity investments, to shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). We charge deferred taxes associated with other differences to income.
See Note 11, Income Taxes, for further detail on our uncertain tax positions and other income tax items. Although no Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties currently are accrued, if incurred, they would be recognized as a component of income tax expense.
Earnings per Share
Net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each of the respective years. We calculate net income per common share (diluted) assuming the exercise or conversion of share‑based awards using the treasury stock method.
Land, Building and Equipment
We record land at cost, and record building and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Equipment held under finance leases also is classified as property and equipment with the related lease obligations recorded as liabilities. We capitalize and amortize costs for internally developed computer software during the application development stage. These costs generally consist of external consulting fees and internal payroll-related costs. Our depreciation is based on estimated useful lives (ranging from to 39.5 years) using straight-line and accelerated methods. Depreciation expense was $30 million for 2023, $33 million for 2022 and $33 million for 2021. We review our accumulated depreciation for our building, equipment and software assets and write off fully depreciated assets for obsolescence and nonuse. We monitor land, building and equipment and software assets for potential impairments. Indicators of potential impairments may include a significant decrease in the fair values of the assets, considerable cost overruns on projects, a change in legal factors or business climate or other factors that indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or useful. There were no
Finance Receivables
Our leasing subsidiary provides auto and equipment direct financing (leases and loans) to commercial and individual clients. We generally transfer ownership of the property to the client as the terms of the leases expire. Our lease contracts contain bargain purchase options. We account for these leases and loans as sales-type leases. We capitalize and amortize lease or loan origination costs over the life of the financing, using the effective interest method. These costs may include, but are not limited to finder fees, broker fees, filing fees and the cost of credit reports. We record income as other revenues over the financing term using the effective interest method in the consolidated statements of income. An allowance for credit losses on finance receivables is updated and reviewed on a quarterly basis. At December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the allowance, including changes in the amount for each period, was immaterial.
Employee Benefit Pension Plan
We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan that was modified during 2008. We closed entry into the pension plan, and only participants 40 years of age or older could elect to remain in the plan. Our pension expenses are based on certain actuarial assumptions and also are composed of several components that are determined
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 132
using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. Refer to Note 13, Employee Retirement Benefits, for more information about our defined benefit pension plan.
Share-Based Compensation
We grant qualified and nonqualified share-based compensation under authorized plans. The stock options generally vest on a graded scale over three years following the date of grant and are exercisable over 10 -year periods. We grant service-based restricted stock units that cliff vest three years after the date of grant as well as service-based restricted stock units that vest ratably over the -year vesting term. We also grant performance-based restricted stock units that vest if certain market conditions are attained. In 2023, the CFC compensation committee approved share-based awards including incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, service-based restricted and performance-based restricted stock units. See Note 17, Share-Based Associate Compensation Plans, for further details.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We recognize goodwill and intangible assets generated through acquisitions within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill arises when the fair value of consideration transferred exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired at the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life are not amortized. Intangible assets with a definite life are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives as follows: broker relationships, 15 years; internally developed technology, five years . We test for impairments on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The company performed its annual impairment test on goodwill and intangibles at September 30, which did not result in the recognition of an impairment loss. Within Cincinnati Global, and included in Other, the company held goodwill of $30 31
Subsequent Events
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Adopted Accounting Updates
ASU 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-12, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts. ASU 2018-12 requires changes to the measurement and disclosure of long-duration insurance contracts. In November 2020, the FASB issued an ASU that delayed the effective date of ASU 2018-12 to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022.
Related to the company's term and whole life products included in life policy and investment contract reserves, the new guidance requires that cash flow assumptions be reviewed at least annually to determine any necessary updates. Additionally, the discount rate assumption is required to be updated quarterly based on market value discount rates. The life policy and investment contract reserves balance is adjusted through insurance losses and contract holders' benefits for cash flow assumption updates and through AOCI for discount rate updates.
These ASUs also amend the previous guidance related to life deferred policy acquisition costs by requiring those costs be charged to expenses on a constant-level basis for a group of contracts that approximates straight-line amortization and by requiring the removal of shadow deferred policy acquisition costs for universal life and deferred annuity products. These ASUs also require entities to provide additional disclosures including disaggregated rollforwards of the life policy and investment contract reserves, separate account liabilities and life deferred policy acquisition costs.
We adopted these ASUs on a modified retrospective basis on January 1, 2023, resulting in an after-tax increase to shareholders' equity of $31 million.
The following table illustrates the effect of adopting ASU 2018-12 in the consolidated balance sheets:
| (Dollars in millions) | December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| As originally reported | As adjusted | Difference | |||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
| Prepaid reinsurance premiums | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Life policy and investment contract reserves | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | ( | ||||||||||||||||
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The following table illustrates the effect of adopting ASU 2018-12 in the consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of comprehensive income:
| (Dollars in millions, except per share data) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| As originally reported | As adjusted | Difference | As originally reported | As adjusted | Difference | ||||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Insurance losses and contract holders' benefits | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in life policy reserves, reinsurance recoverable and other, net of tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
The adoption of ASU 2018-12 did not have a material impact on the company's consolidated cash flows.
Pending Accounting Updates
ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 enhances reportable segment disclosures by requiring entities to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included within the reported measure of profit or loss. This ASU also requires disclosure of the title and position of the CODM as well as a description of how the reported measure of profit or loss is used to assess segment performance and allocate resources. The effective date of ASU 2023-07 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim reporting periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but the ASU will require additional disclosures in our annual and interim financial statements.
ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 enhances the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures by requiring entities to disclose specific categories within their rate reconciliation as well as additional items within those categories above a prescribed threshold. This ASU also requires disclosure of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes as well as additional items within those categories above a prescribed threshold. The effective date of ASU 2023-09 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and should be applied prospectively with retrospective application permitted. The ASU has not yet been adopted and will not have a material impact on our company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but the ASU will require additional disclosures in our annual financial statements.
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NOTE 2 – Investments
The following table provides amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value for our fixed-maturity securities:
| (Dollars in millions) | Amortized cost | Gross unrealized | Fair value | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | gains | losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The decrease in net unrealized investment losses in our fixed-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2023, is primarily due to lower short-term interest rates in addition to a tightening of corporate credit spreads. Our mortgage-backed securities had an average rating of Aa3/AA- and Aa2/AA- at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
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The table below provides fair values and unrealized losses by investment category and by the duration of the securities’ continuous unrealized loss positions:
| (Dollars in millions) | Less than 12 months | 12 months or more | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | Fair value | Unrealized losses | Fair value | Unrealized losses | Fair value | Unrealized losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual maturity dates for fixed-maturity securities were:
| (Dollars in millions) | Amortized cost | Fair value | % of fair value | |||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Maturity dates: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Due in one year or less | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Due after one year through five years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after five years through ten years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Due after ten years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there is a right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
The company had fixed-maturity securities with a fair value of $108 million and $107 million, on deposit with various states in compliance with regulatory requirements at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In addition, cash and fixed-maturity securities deposited with third parties used as collateral to secure liabilities on behalf of insureds, cedants and other creditors had a fair value of $125 million and $135 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The company had common equities with a fair value of $107 million and $101 million, at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, held in Lloyd's trust accounts to provide a portion of the capital needed to support Cincinnati Global's operations.
In the normal course of investing activities, the company enters into investments in limited partnerships, including private equity, real estate investments and asset-backed securities issued by third-parties. The company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying values included in the company’s consolidated balance sheets and any unfunded commitments.
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The following table provides investment income and investment gains and losses:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less investment expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses on securities sold, net | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gains and losses on securities still held, net | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized gains | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross realized losses | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in allowance for credit losses, net | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Write-down of impaired securities with intent to sell | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The fair value of our equity portfolio was $10.989 billion and $9.841 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq:MSFT) and Apple, Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL), equity holdings, were our largest single investment holdings with a fair value of $842 million and $597 million, which was 7.9 % and 6.3 % of our publicly traded common equities portfolio and 3.4 % and 2.7 % of the total investment portfolio, respectively.
The allowance for credit losses on fixed-maturity securities was $18 million, $1 million and less than $1 million at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
There were 2,840 , 3,272 and 278 fixed-maturity securities in a total unrealized loss position of $687 million, $908 million and $16 million at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Of those totals, 20 , 49 and no fixed-maturity securities had fair values below 70% of amortized cost at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 138
NOTE 3 – Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Hierarchy
The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices with readily available independent data in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable market inputs (Level 3). When various inputs for measurement fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest observable input that has a significant impact on fair value measurement is used. Our valuation techniques have not changed from those used at December 31, 2022, and ultimately management determines fair value. Financial instruments reported at fair value in our consolidated financial statements are categorized based upon the following characteristics or inputs to the valuation techniques:
•Level 1 – Financial assets and liabilities for which inputs are observable and are obtained from reliable quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. This is the most reliable fair value measurement and includes, for example, active exchange-traded equity securities.
•Level 2 – Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which values are based on similar assets and liabilities that are actively traded. This also includes pricing models for which the inputs are corroborated by market data.
The technique used for the Level 2 fixed-maturity securities is the application of market-based modeling. The inputs used for all classes of fixed-maturity securities listed in the table below include relevant market information by asset class, trade activity of like securities, marketplace quotes, benchmark yields, spreads off benchmark yields, interest rates, U.S. Treasury or swap curves, yield to maturity and economic events. Specific to mortgage-backed securities, key inputs also include prepayment and default projections based on performance of the underlying collateral and current market data. Level 2 fixed-maturity securities are priced by a nationally recognized pricing vendor.
The Level 2 nonredeemable preferred equities technique used is the application of market-based modeling. The inputs used, similar to those used by the pricing vendor for our fixed-maturity securities, include relevant market information, trade activity of like securities, yield to maturity, corporate action notices and economic events. Level 2 nonredeemable preferred equities are priced by a nationally recognized pricing vendor.
•Level 3 – Financial assets and liabilities for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Level 3 inputs include the following:
◦Quotes from brokers or other external sources that are not considered binding;
◦Quotes from brokers or other external sources where it cannot be determined that market participants would in fact transact for the asset or liability at the quoted price; or
◦Quotes from brokers or other external sources where the inputs are not deemed observable.
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The following tables illustrate the fair value hierarchy for those assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023 and 2022. We do not have any liabilities carried at fair value.
| (Dollars in millions) | Level 1 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonredeemable preferred equities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common equity (included in Other assets) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage-backed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonredeemable preferred equities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Separate accounts taxable fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top Hat savings plan mutual funds and common equity (included in Other assets) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
We also held Level 1 cash and cash equivalents of $907 million and $1.264 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Level 3 assets reported at fair value in our consolidated financial statements are not material, and therefore no further disclosures are provided.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 140
Fair Value Disclosure for Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value
The disclosures below are presented to provide information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments that are not reported at fair value in our consolidated financial statements.
The following table shows fair values of our note payable and long-term debt:
| (Dollars in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note payable | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note payable | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of the note payable was determined based upon the outstanding balance at December 31, 2023 and 2022, because it is short term and tied to a variable interest rate. Fair value of the long-term debt was determined under the fair value measurements and disclosure accounting rules based on market pricing of similar debt instruments that are actively traded. We determine fair value for our debt the same way that we value corporate fixed maturities in our investment portfolio. Fair value can vary with macroeconomic conditions. Regardless of the fluctuations in fair value, the outstanding principal amount of our long-term debt was $793
The following table shows the fair value of our life policy loans, included in other invested assets:
| (Dollars in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life policy loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life policy loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding principal and interest for these life policy loans totaled $33 million and $31 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. To determine the fair value, we make the following significant assumptions: (1) the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates, as nonperformance risk is minimal; and (2) the loan repayment rate by which policyholders pay off their loan balances is in line with past experience.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 141
The following table shows fair value of our deferred annuities and structured settlements included in life policy and investment contract reserves:
| (Dollars in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred annuities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Structured settlements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred annuities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Structured settlements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded reserves for the deferred annuities were $656 million and $734 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Recorded reserves for the structured settlements were $123 million and $129 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Fair values for deferred annuities were calculated based upon internally developed models because active markets and observable inputs do not exist. To determine the fair value, we made the following significant assumptions: (1) the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates plus an A3 rated bond spread for financial issuers at December 31, 2023 and 2022, to account for nonperformance risk; (2) the rate of interest credited to policyholders is the portfolio net earned interest rate less a spread for expenses and profit; and (3) additional lapses occur when the credited interest rate is exceeded by an assumed competitor credited rate, which is a function of the risk-free rate of the economic scenario being modeled.
Fair values for structured settlements were calculated based on internally developed models which assume the discount rates used to calculate the present value of expected payments are the risk-free spot rates plus an A3 rated bond spread for financial issuers at December 31, 2023 and 2022, to account for nonperformance risk. The structured settlements were classified as Level 2, as an active market does not exist, but fair value is based on observable inputs.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 142
NOTE 4 – Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expenses
We use actuarial methods, models, assumptions and judgment to estimate, as of a financial statement date, the property casualty loss and loss expense reserves required to pay for and settle all outstanding insured claims, including IBNR claims, as of that date. The actuarial estimate is subject to review and adjustment by an inter-departmental committee that includes actuarial, claims, underwriting, loss prevention and finance management. This committee is familiar with relevant company and industry business, claims and underwriting trends, as well as general economic and legal trends that could affect future loss and loss expense payments. The amount we will actually have to pay for claims can be highly uncertain. This uncertainty, together with the size of our reserves, makes the loss and loss expense reserves our most significant estimate.
Our reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including the type of claim, policy provisions pertaining to each claim, potential subrogation or salvage recoverable, large loss activity and trends, new business activity, judicial decisions, economic conditions, changes in law and regulation and product and underwriting changes. There have been no significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used in calculating loss and loss expense reserves for all years presented. There were no material additional premiums or return premiums accrued for as a result of prior-year effects.
Our claims representatives establish case reserves when claims are reported to provide for our unpaid loss and loss expense obligation associated with individual claims.
For events designated as natural catastrophes resulting in losses incurred related to direct premiums, we calculate IBNR reserves directly as a result of an estimated claim counts and estimated average dollar amount per claim for each event. Once individual case reserves are established for a catastrophe event, we reduce the IBNR reserves.
Our actuarial staff uses generally accepted actuarial methods and models to derive ultimate loss and IBNR reserve estimates. The time interval between a claims occurrence and its settlement is one of the crucial attributes when estimating ultimate losses and IBNR reserves.
Due to the uncertainties inherent with loss reserves, our ultimate loss experience could prove better or worse than what our carried reserves reflect. To the extent that reserves are inadequate and are required to be increased, the amount of the increase is a charge in that period, raising our loss and loss expense ratio and reducing earnings. To the extent that reserves are redundant and are required to be released, the amount of the release is a credit in that period, reducing our loss and loss expense ratio and increasing earnings.
This table summarizes activity for our consolidated property casualty loss and loss expense reserves:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross loss and loss expense reserves, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Less reinsurance recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss and loss expense reserves, January 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net incurred loss and loss expenses related to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Total incurred | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net paid loss and loss expenses related to: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current accident year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prior accident years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total paid | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss and loss expense reserves, December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Plus reinsurance recoverable | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross loss and loss expense reserves, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 143
The reserve for loss and loss expense in the consolidated balance sheets also included $75 million, $64 million and $76 million, at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for certain life and health loss and loss expense reserves. Additional disclosures for reserves related to these health claims are not material and therefore not provided.
We experienced $215 million of favorable development on prior accident years including $123 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $64 million of favorable development in personal lines and $11 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines during 2023. Within commercial lines, we recognized favorable development of $66 million for the workers' compensation line and $55 million for the commercial property line due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss expense for these lines. This was partially offset by unfavorable development of $15 million for the commercial casualty line. Within personal lines, we recognized favorable reserve development of $53 million for the homeowner line of business and $15 million in personal auto.
We experienced $159 million of favorable development on prior accident years including $76 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $61 million of favorable development in personal lines and $9 million of favorable development in excess and surplus lines during 2022. Within commercial lines, we recognized favorable development of $63 million for the workers' compensation line and $44 million for the commercial property line due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss expense for these lines. This was partially offset by unfavorable development of $25 million for the commercial casualty line and $23 million for the commercial auto line. Within personal lines, we recognized favorable reserve development of $54 million for the homeowner line of business.
We experienced $428 million of favorable development on prior accident years including $353 million of favorable development in commercial lines, $50 million of favorable development in personal lines and $7 million of unfavorable development in excess and surplus lines during 2021. Within commercial lines, we recognized favorable development of $120 million for the commercial casualty line, $97 million for the commercial property line,
$66 million for the workers' compensation line and $43 million or the commercial auto line due to reduced uncertainty of prior accident year loss and loss expense for these lines. Within personal lines, we recognized favorable reserve development of $31 million in personal auto and $14 million for the homeowner line of business.
Included in our lines of business are asbestos and environmental claims. We carried $98 million and $92 million of net loss and loss expense reserves for asbestos and environmental claims at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The asbestos and environmental claims amounts for each respective year constituted less than 2.0 500,000 or below prior to 1987. We also were predominantly a personal lines company in the 1960s and 1970s. During the 1980s and early 1990s, commercial lines grew as a percentage of our overall business and our exposure to asbestos and environmental claims grew accordingly. Over that period, we included an asbestos and environmental exclusion in almost all policies or endorsed the exclusion to the policies. We have no exposure to asbestos and environmental claims related to our acquisition of Cincinnati Global. We continue to monitor our claims for evidence of material exposure to other mass tort classes but have found no such credible evidence to date.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 144
The following table provides a reconciliation of the property casualty incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses (ALAE) development and paid losses and ALAE development information at December 31, 2023.
| (Dollars in millions) | Cumulative incurred losses and ALAE as reported within the triangles, net of reinsurance | Cumulative paid losses and ALAE as reported within the triangles, net of reinsurance | Liabilities for loss and ALAE for accident years not presented in the triangles, net of reinsurance | Total liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses | Total liabilities for gross loss and loss expense reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial casualty | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial auto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial property | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal auto | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeowner | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other lines | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities for loss and ALAE reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated loss adjustment expense reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross loss and loss expense reserves | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For all lines of business, the claim counts reported are primarily measured by insurance coverages that are triggered when a loss occurs and a reserve is established. For this purpose, coverages are defined as unique combinations of certain attributes such as line of business and cause of loss. Claims that are opened and closed without payment are included in the reported claim counts. Claim counts are presented on a direct basis only and do not reflect any assumed or ceded reinsurance.
In the following tables, commercial casualty, workers' compensation and excess and surplus lines each disclose 10 accident years of loss and ALAE reserves and the cumulative number of reported claims. Commercial auto, commercial property, personal auto and homeowner each disclose five accident years of loss and ALAE reserves and the cumulative number of reported claims consistent with the number of years for which claims incurred typically remain outstanding.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 145
Commercial Casualty
The following table shows the commercial casualty incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the commercial casualty line of business:
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 146
Workers’ Compensation
The following table shows the workers’ compensation incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the workers’ compensation line of business:
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 147
Commercial Auto
The following table shows the commercial auto incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2019, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the commercial auto line of business. Commercial auto includes both physical damage and liability losses. A majority of the incurred losses paid after year 2 are the result of liability losses.
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 148
Commercial Property
The following table shows the commercial property incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2019, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the commercial property line of business:
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 149
Personal Auto
The following table shows the personal auto incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2019, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the personal auto line of business. Personal auto includes both physical damage and liability losses. A majority of the incurred losses paid after year 2 are the result of liability losses.
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 150
Homeowner
The following table shows the homeowner incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2019, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the homeowner line of business:
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 151
Excess and Surplus Lines
The following table shows the excess and surplus lines incurred and paid losses and ALAE development by accident year. The table also shows the IBNR reserves plus expected development on reported losses and claim frequency:
| (Dollars in millions, reported claims in thousands) | As of December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incurred losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance for the years ended December 31, | Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported losses | Cumulative number of reported claims | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident | Unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative paid losses and ALAE, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All outstanding liabilities before 2014, net of reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities for loss and ALAE, net of reinsurance | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the average annual percentage payout of incurred losses for the excess and surplus lines insurance segment. Excess and surplus lines consist mostly of commercial casualty and commercial property coverages. A majority of the incurred losses paid after year 2 are the result of commercial casualty losses.
| Average annual percentage payout of incurred losses by age, net of reinsurance (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average annual percentage payout | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 152
NOTE 5 – Life Policy and Investment Contract Reserves
In 2023, we adopted ASU 2018-12 which resulted in changes to the life policy and investment contract reserves and the expansion of required disclosures. The below disclosures represent application of the updated guidance. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for further discussion.
The following table summarizes our life policy and investment contract reserves and provides a reconciliation of the balances described in the below tables to those in the consolidated balance sheets:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Life policy reserves: | ||||||||||||||
| Term | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Whole life | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | ||||||||||||||
| Investment contract reserves: | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred annuities | ||||||||||||||
| Universal life | ||||||||||||||
| Structured settlements | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Subtotal | ||||||||||||||
| Total life policy and investment contract reserves | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The table below shows the ASU 2018-12 adoption impacts to the life policy and investment contract reserves as of January 1, 2021, (transition date), pre-tax:
| (Dollars in millions) | Term | Whole life | Deferred annuity | Universal life | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At January 1, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, pre-adoption at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Removal of shadow adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums in excess of gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement at market value discount rates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, post-adoption at January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below shows the ASU 2018-12 adoption impacts to the life reinsurance recoverable asset as of January 1, 2021, pre-tax:
| (Dollars in millions) | Term | Whole life | Deferred annuity | Universal life | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At January 1, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, pre-adoption at December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Remeasurement at market value discount rates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, post-adoption at January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other above includes structured settlements, other life policy reserves and other investment contract reserves.
The removal of shadow adjustments above represents an increase to the life policy and investment contract reserve balance as it is no longer required under ASU 2018-12 for liabilities amortized in accordance with deferred acquisition costs. Shadow adjustments were historically included to present the carrying amount of the liability as if unrealized holding gains and losses had been realized.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 153
The net premiums in excess of gross premiums adjustment represents an increase to the liability due to the remeasured net premiums exceeding the present value of future gross premiums on certain cohorts. The remeasured net premiums were calculated as the present value of future benefits and related expenses using updated cash flow assumptions as of the transition date less the carrying amount of the liability prior to transition, using the discount rate assumption that was in place prior to adoption of ASU 2018-12.
The remeasurement at market value discount rates adjustment represents the increase to the liability as a result of updating the discount rate assumption for our term and whole life products from the rates used prior to adoption of ASU 2018-12 to market value discount rates that existed at the transition date. As the discount rate assumption decreased significantly from the date the contracts were initially made, this adjustment represents the largest impact on the liability as a result of the initial adoption of ASU 2018-12. The life reinsurance recoverable asset is included in the remeasurement as the assumptions used in estimating the life reinsurance recoverable are consistent with those used in estimating the related liabilities. Other adjustments includes a reclassification from prepaid reinsurance premiums to reinsurance recoverable.
The shadow removal and remeasurement at market value discount rates adjustments were recorded as an increase to the life policy and investment contract reserves liability and a decrease to opening AOCI as of the transition date. The net premiums in excess of gross premiums adjustment was recorded as an increase to the life policy and investment contract reserves liability and a decrease to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the transition date.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 154
The balances and changes in the term and whole life policy reserves included in life policy and investment contract reserves is as follows:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term | Whole life | Term | Whole life | Term | Whole life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Present value of expected net premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of period balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net premiums collected | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Present value of expected future policy benefits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of period balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance at original discount rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in discount rate assumptions | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net liability for future policy benefits: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Present value of expected future policy benefits less expected net premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impact of flooring at cohort level | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net life policy reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less reinsurance recoverable at original discount rate | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less effect of discount rate assumption changes on reinsurance recoverable | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net life policy reserves, after reinsurance recoverable | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average duration of the net life policy reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The total impact of flooring at cohort level in the above table includes the effect of discount rate assumption changes of $2 million, $9 million and $6 million at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 155
The following table shows the amount of undiscounted and discounted expected future benefit payments and expected gross premiums for our term and whole life policies:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undiscounted | Discounted | Undiscounted | Discounted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Whole life | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the amount of revenue and interest recognized in the consolidated statements of income related to our term and whole life policies:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Term | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Whole life | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Term | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Whole life | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Adverse development that resulted in an immediate charge to income due to net premiums exceeding gross premiums was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table shows the weighted-average interest rate for our term and whole life products:
| At December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Term | ||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion rate | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Current discount rate | ||||||||||||||
| Whole life | ||||||||||||||
| Interest accretion rate | % | % | ||||||||||||
| Current discount rate | ||||||||||||||
The discount rate assumption was developed by calculating forward rates from market yield curves of upper-medium grade fixed-income instruments.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 156
The following table shows the balances and changes in policyholders' account balances included in investment contract reserves:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred annuity | Universal life | Deferred annuity | Universal life | Deferred annuity | Universal life | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums received | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy charges | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surrenders and withdrawals | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest credited | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average crediting rate | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net amount at risk | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash surrender value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The net amount at risk above represents the guaranteed benefit amount in excess of the current account balances.
The following table shows the balance of account values by range of guaranteed minimum crediting rates, in basis points, and the related range of the difference between rates being credited to policyholders and the respective guaranteed minimums for our deferred annuity and universal life contracts:
| (Dollars in millions) | At guaranteed minimum | 1 to 50 basis points above | 51-150 basis points above | Greater than 150 basis points | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred annuity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.00-3.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.01-4.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal life | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.00-3.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.01-4.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 4.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred annuity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.00-3.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.01-4.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal life | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.00-3.00% | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.01-4.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Greater than 4.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 157
The following table shows the balances and changes in the other additional liability related to the no-lapse guarantees contained within our universal life contracts:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period before shadow reserve adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in cash flow assumptions | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of actual variances from expected experience | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted beginning of period balance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest accrual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess death benefits | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Attributed assessments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of changes in interest rate assumptions | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period before shadow reserve adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shadow reserve adjustments | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less reinsurance recoverable, end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net other additional liability, after reinsurance recoverable | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average duration of the other additional liability | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows balances and changes in separate account balances during the period:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest credited before policy charges | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gains and losses impacting separate account liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit payments | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash surrender value | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 158
NOTE 6 – Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Expenses directly related to successfully acquired insurance policies – primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting costs – are deferred and amortized over the terms of the policies. We update our acquisition cost assumptions periodically to reflect actual experience. For property casualty, we evaluate the costs for recoverability. No premium deficiencies were recorded in the consolidated statements of income in 2023, 2022 and 2021, as the sum of the anticipated loss and loss expenses, policyholder dividends and unamortized deferred acquisition expenses did not exceed the related unearned premiums and anticipated investment income.
The adoption of ASU 2018-12 on January 1, 2023, resulted in a simplified amortization of life deferred acquisition costs and the removal of shadow deferred acquisition costs. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for further discussion.
The table below shows the deferred policy acquisition costs and asset reconciliation:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Property casualty: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Life: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Consolidated: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs asset, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The removal of shadow deferred policy acquisition costs as a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-12 resulted in a $33 million increase, across all products, from $263 million pre-adoption at December 31, 2020, to $296 million post-adoption at January 1, 2021.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 159
The table below shows the life deferred policy acquisition costs asset by product:
| (Dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | Term | Whole life | Deferred annuity | Universal life | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortized deferred policy acquisition costs | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 160
NOTE 7 – Note Payable
We have one unsecured revolving credit facility through multiple commercial banks that expires on February 4, 2026. The borrowing capacity is $300 million with an additional $300 million accordion feature. Terms and conditions of the agreement include a debt-to-total capital maximum of 35 %. We had no compensating balance requirements on short-term debt for either 2023 or 2022. The line of credit had $25 million and $50 million drawn at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The interest rate charged on our borrowings on this credit agreement ranged from 5.27 % to 6.33 % during 2023 and ranged from 0.99 % to 5.00 % during 2022. In addition, we have letters of credit related to our Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global operations with no amounts drawn at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 161
NOTE 8 – Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligations
This table summarizes the principal amounts of our long-term debt excluding unamortized discounts, none of which are encumbered by rating triggers:
| (Dollars in millions) | Book value | Principal amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate | Year of issue | At December 31, | At December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Senior debentures, due 2028 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Senior debentures, due 2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Senior notes, due 2034 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The finance lease term for equipment and autos is to six years while the operating lease term for real estate properties is typically five years . Lease obligations totaled $59 million and $52 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Below are the lease obligations we expect to pay through 2029 and thereafter including $6 million of interest for finance and operating leases:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 and thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total lease obligations | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table provides lease cost and other information:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lease cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease cost | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total lease cost | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other information finance leases: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance cash outflows | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term in years | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information operating leases: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash outflows | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term in years | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 162
NOTE 9 – Shareholders’ Equity and Dividend Restrictions
Declared cash dividends per share were $3.00 , $2.76 and $2.52 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Our lead insurance subsidiary, The Cincinnati Insurance Company, paid dividends to the parent company of $526 million, $729 million and $583 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. State regulatory requirements restrict the dividends insurance subsidiaries can pay. Generally, the most our lead insurance subsidiary can pay without prior regulatory approval is the greater of 10 % of statutory capital and surplus or 100 % of statutory net income for the prior calendar year. Dividends exceeding these limitations may be paid only with approval of the insurance department of the domiciliary state. During 2024, the total that our lead insurance subsidiary may pay in dividends is approximately $729 million.
Dividend payments from Cincinnati Global to the parent company are subject to regulation by U.K. law. Cincinnati Global paid no
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 163
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The adoption of ASU 2018-12 on January 1, 2023 resulted in restatement of certain amounts below. See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, for further discussion. The table below shows beginning and end of year accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for investments, pension obligations, life policy reserves, reinsurance recoverable and other. The changes from the beginning of year to the end of year are the result of changes to other comprehensive income or loss (OCI).
| (Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Before tax | Income tax | Net | Before tax | Income tax | Net | Before tax | Income tax | Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, January 1 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCI before investment gains and losses, net, recognized in net income | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net, recognized in net income | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCI | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, December 31 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCI excluding amortization recognized in net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization recognized in net income | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCI | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life policy reserves, reinsurance recoverable and other: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting for long duration insurance contracts | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted AOCI, January 1 | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCI before investment gains and losses, net, recognized in net income | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net, recognized in net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OCI | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, December 31 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of AOCI: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, January 1 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting for long duration insurance contracts | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted AOCI, January 1 | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments OCI | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension obligations OCI | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Life policy reserves, reinsurance recoverable and other OCI | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total OCI | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AOCI, December 31 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment gains and losses, net, and other investment gains and losses, net, are recorded in the investment gains and losses, net, line item in the consolidated statements of income. Amortization on pension obligations is recorded in the insurance losses and contract holders' benefits and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses line items in the consolidated statements of income.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 164
NOTE 10 – Reinsurance
Primary components of our property casualty reinsurance assumed operations include involuntary and voluntary assumed as well as contracts from our reinsurance assumed operations, known as Cincinnati Re. Primary components of our ceded reinsurance include a property per risk treaty, property excess treaty, casualty per occurrence treaty, casualty excess treaty, property catastrophe treaty and retrocessions on our reinsurance assumed operations. Management’s decisions about the appropriate level of risk retention are affected by various factors, including changes in our underwriting practices, capacity to retain risks and reinsurance market conditions.
The table below summarizes our consolidated property casualty insurance net written premiums, earned premiums and incurred loss and loss expenses:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Direct written premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Assumed written premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded written premiums | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Direct earned premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Assumed earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded earned premiums | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Direct incurred loss and loss expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Assumed incurred loss and loss expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceded incurred loss and loss expenses | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Incurred loss and loss expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Our life insurance company purchases reinsurance for protection of a portion of risks that are written. Primary components of our life reinsurance program include individual mortality coverage, aggregate catastrophe and accidental death coverage in excess of certain deductibles.
The table below summarizes our consolidated life insurance earned premiums and contract holders' benefits incurred:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Direct earned premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Ceded earned premiums | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Direct contract holders' benefits incurred | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Ceded contract holders' benefits incurred | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Contract holders' benefits incurred | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
The ceded benefits incurred can vary depending on the type of life insurance policy held and the year the policy was issued.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 165
NOTE 11 – Income Taxes
The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31 were as follows:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Unearned premiums | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expense reserves | ||||||||||||||
| Net operating loss on international earnings | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred international earnings | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance | ||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance for international operations | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and other, net | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||
| Life policy reserves | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred international earnings | ||||||||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||
| Total gross deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Net deferred income tax liability | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount recognized for tax purposes.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management believes it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. After considering all positive and negative evidence of taxable income in the carryback and carryforward periods as permitted by law, we believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets on our U.S. domestic operations will be realized. As a result, we have no valuation allowance at December 31, 2023 and 2022, for our U.S. domestic operations.
For financial reporting purposes, income (loss) before income taxes includes the following components:
| (Dollars in millions) | For the years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| International | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total income (loss) before income taxes | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 166
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of:
| (Dollars in millions) | For the years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current – United States federal | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| International | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total current | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred – United States federal | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| International | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total deferred | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total provision (benefit) for income taxes | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
The differences between the 21 % statutory federal income tax rate and our effective income tax rate were as follows:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax at statutory rate: | $ | % | $ | ( | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) resulting from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tax-exempt income from municipal bonds | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend received exclusion | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Release of unrecognized tax benefit | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | $ | % | $ | ( | % | $ | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The provision (benefit) for federal income taxes is based upon the filing of a consolidated income tax return for the company and its domestic subsidiaries within the United States. We had no
Enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Tax Act) was enacted on August 16, 2022. Along with other changes, the Tax Act created a new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) for certain corporations based on 15% of adjusted financial statement income for the taxable year. The effective date of this enacted legislation was January 1, 2023. Even though we are an applicable corporation for the purposes of the CAMT, we do not expect the enactment of the Tax Act to have a material impact on our financial statements.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
During 2022, we received favorable guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) supporting our tax position related to our unrecognized tax benefit set up in 2018. As a result of this guidance, we released our $34 million gross unrecognized tax benefit liability at December 31, 2022. The $34 million release was recognized as an additional income tax benefit and is shown separately in our effective income tax rate reconciliation. We had no unrecognized tax benefit at December 31, 2023.
We are currently under audit for tax years 2021 and 2020. The statute of limitations for federal tax purposes has closed for tax years ended December 31, 2019 and earlier.
In addition to our IRS filings, we file income tax returns with immaterial amounts in various state jurisdictions and record these amounts in our provision for income taxes for both current and deferred taxes. The statute of limitations for state income tax purposes has closed for tax years ended December 31, 2020 and earlier.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 167
Cincinnati Global operates in the United Kingdom and as such, is subject to tax in that jurisdiction. The statute of limitations for tax return review by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has closed for tax returns with a submission deadline ended December 31, 2021, and earlier. There are currently no tax returns under review by HMRC.
Income taxes paid in our consolidated statements of cash flows are shown net of refunds received. We received a $2 million refund in 2023, and no
Cincinnati Global
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management believes it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. After considering all positive and negative evidence of taxable income in the carryback and carryforward periods as permitted by law, we believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets of Cincinnati Global will be realized. As a result, we had no valuation allowance at December 31, 2023. We had a valuation allowance of $31 million and $53 million at December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of our Cincinnati Global valuation allowance:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year operations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Global had no operating loss carryforwards in the United States and $100 million in the United Kingdom at December 31, 2023, and $5 million in the United States and $109 million in the United Kingdom at December 31, 2022. These Cincinnati Global losses can only be utilized within the Cincinnati Global group in both the United States and in the United Kingdom and cannot offset the income of our domestic operations in the United States.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 168
NOTE 12 – Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. The table shows calculations for basic and diluted earnings per share:
| (In millions, except per share data) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss)—basic and diluted | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of share-based awards: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested shares | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average shares | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of anti-dilutive share-based awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
The sources of dilution of our common shares are certain equity-based awards as discussed in Note 17, Share-Based Associate Compensation Plans. The above table includes the number of anti-dilutive share-based awards at year-end 2023, 2022 and 2021. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 260, Earnings per Share, the assumed exercise of share-based awards were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the year-ended 2022, because their exercise would have anti-dilutive effects.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 169
NOTE 13 – Employee Retirement Benefits
We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan that we closed entry into for new associates as of June 30, 2008, and only participants 40 years of age or older as of August 31, 2008, could elect to continue to participate. During 2008, we changed the form of retirement benefit we offer some associates to a company match on contributions to a 401(k) plan as further explained below. For participants remaining in the pension plan, we continue to fund future benefit obligations. Benefits for the defined benefit pension plan are based on years of credited service and compensation level. Contributions are based on the prescribed method defined in the Pension Protection Act. Our net periodic benefit cost is based on certain actuarial assumptions and also is composed of several components that are determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. The qualified plan has been amended to allow for distribution of vested balances to terminated participants.
We sponsor a defined contribution plan (401(k) plan) for eligible associates with matching company contributions totaling $26 million, $24 million and $22 million during the years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Associates who are not accruing benefits under the pension plan are eligible to receive the company match of up to 6 % of cash compensation. Participants vest in the company match for the 401(k) plan after three years of eligible service.
We maintain a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) with a benefit obligation of $11 million at
year-end 2023 and $8 million at year-end 2022, which is included in the projected benefit obligation. The company also makes available to a select group of associates the CFC Top Hat Savings Plan, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, which had a fair value of $67 million and $57 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Company matching contributions to the CFC Top Hat Savings Plan totaled approximately $1
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Assumptions
We evaluate our pension plan assumptions annually and update them as necessary. This is a summary of the weighted-average assumptions used to determine our benefit obligations at December 31 for the plans:
| Qualified Pension Plan | SERP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of compensation increase | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To determine the discount rate for each plan, a theoretical settlement portfolio of high-quality rated corporate bonds was chosen to provide payments approximately matching the plan’s projected benefit payments. A single interest rate for each plan was determined resulting in a discounted value of the plan's benefit payments that equates to the market value of the selected bonds. The discount rate is reflective of current market interest rate conditions and our plan's liability characteristics. Based on this analysis, we decreased the rate from the prior year by 0.30 percentage points for the qualified pension plan and by 0.31 percentage points for the SERP. Compensation increase assumptions reflect anticipated rates of inflation, real return on wage growth and merit and promotional increases. The mortality assumption is updated annually to reflect the updated mortality scales. The Pri-2012 tables with Scale MP-2021 was used for the years 2023, 2022 and 2021.
This is a summary of the weighted-average assumptions used to determine our net periodic benefit cost for the plans:
| Qualified Pension Plan | SERP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discount rate | % | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of compensation increase | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The discount rate was increased by 2.37 percentage points for the qualified pension plan and 2.52 percentage points for the SERP due to market interest rate conditions at the beginning of 2023. The discount rate assumptions for our benefit obligation generally track with high-quality rated corporate bond yields chosen in our theoretical settlement portfolio, and yearly adjustments reflect any changes to those bond yields. We believe the expected
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 170
return on plan assets is representative of the expected long-term rate of return on these assets, which is consistent with 2023 expectations of interest rates and based partially on the fact that the plan’s common stock holdings pay dividends. We review historical actual return on plan assets when determining our expected long-term rate of return. Total portfolio return for 2023 was 11.8 % and for 2022 was negative 8.9 %. Our compensation increase assumptions in 2023 reflect anticipated rates of inflation, real return on wage growth and merit and promotional increases.
Benefit obligation activity using an actuarial measurement date for our qualified pension plan and SERP at December 31 follows:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Change in projected benefit obligation: | ||||||||||||||
| Benefit obligation, January 1 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Service cost | ||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||||
| Actuarial loss (gain) | ( | |||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Projected benefit obligation, December 31 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Change in plan assets: | ||||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets, January 1 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Actual return on plan assets | ( | |||||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets, December 31 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Funded status, December 31 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Our funded status for 2023 compared to 2022 improved primarily due to higher year over year return on plan assets, offset by decreases in the actuarial gain resulting from decreases in discount rates.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 171
A reconciliation follows of the funded status for our qualified plan and SERP at the end of the measurement period to the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31:
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Pension amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets: | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Pension amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||
| Net actuarial gain | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Prior service cost | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
Below are the components of our net periodic benefit cost, as well as other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for our qualified plan and SERP at December 31:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net periodic benefit cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Service cost | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-service costs (benefit): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss and prior service cost | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net periodic benefit cost | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current year actuarial gain | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization and recognition of actuarial gain (loss) | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Current year prior service cost | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
The 2023 change in the amount recognized in other comprehensive income from 2022 is largely due to higher year over year return on plan assets, offset by decreases in actuarial gain resulting from decreases in discount rates.
Service costs and non-service costs (benefit) are allocated in the same proportion primarily to underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses line item with the remainder allocated to the insurance losses and contract holders' benefits line item on the consolidated statements of income for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Assets
The pension plan assets are managed to maximize total return over the long term while providing sufficient liquidity and current return to satisfy the cash flow requirements of the plan. The plan’s day-to-day investment decisions are managed by our internal investment department; however, overall investment strategies are discussed with our employee benefits committee. Our investment strategy is to weight our portfolio towards large-cap, high-quality, dividend-growing equities that we have historically favored. As our plan matures and interest rates normalize, we expect a greater allocation to fixed-income securities to better align asset and liability market risks. Our fixed-maturity bond portfolio is investment grade. The plan does not engage in derivative transactions.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 172
Excluding cash, during 2023 we held approximately 90 % of our pension portfolio in domestic common equity investments. The remainder of the portfolio consisted of 7 % in United States government fixed-maturity investments, 2 % in states, municipalities and taxable political subdivisions fixed-maturity investments, and 1 % in domestic corporate fixed-maturity investments. Our common equity portfolio consisted of 29 % in the information technology sector, 19 % in the financial sector, 16 % in the industrials sector, and 13 % in the healthcare sector, at year-end 2023. No additional sectors accounted for 10 % or more of our common equity portfolio balance at year-end 2023.
Investments in securities are valued based on the fair value hierarchy outlined in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements. The pension plan did not have any liabilities carried at fair value during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The following table shows the fair value hierarchy for those assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023 and 2022. Excluded from the table below is cash on hand of $16 million and $43 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
| (Dollars in millions) | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| At December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities, available for sale: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities, available for sale | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Our pension plan assets included 100,610 10 101,727 shares of our common stock during 2022. The company paid less than $1
We estimate $7 million of benefit payments from the SERP during 2024. We expect to make the following benefit payments for our qualified plan and SERP, reflecting expected future service:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 - 2033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected future benefit payments | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 173
NOTE 14 – Statutory Accounting Information
Insurance companies’ statutory financial statements are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by applicable state insurance departments of domicile. Insurance companies use statutory accounting practices (SAP) as recognized by various states. We have adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures manual, version effective January 1, 2001, and updates through the current year as a component of prescribed or permitted practices by laws of the state of domicile. The primary differences between SAP and GAAP include the valuation of investment gains and losses, expensing of policy acquisition costs, actuarial assumptions for life insurance reserves and deferred income taxes based on differences in statutory and taxable income.
Statutory net income and capital and surplus are determined in accordance with SAP prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities for five legal entities, our lead insurance subsidiary and its four insurance subsidiaries. Statutory capital and surplus for our insurance subsidiary, The Cincinnati Insurance Company, includes capital and surplus of its four insurance subsidiaries. All capital and surplus amounts exceed statutory risk-based capital requirements. The statutory net income and statutory capital and surplus are presented below:
| (Dollars in millions) | Net income | Capital and surplus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years ended December 31, | At December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Casualty Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Indemnity Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 15 – Transactions With Affiliated Parties
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 174
NOTE 16 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
The company, through its insurance subsidiaries, is involved in claims litigation arising in the ordinary course of conducting its business, both as a liability insurer defending or providing indemnity for third-party claims brought against insureds and as an insurer defending coverage claims brought against it. The company accounts for such activity through the establishment of unpaid loss and loss expense reserves. Subject to the uncertainties discussed in Note 4, Property Casualty Loss and Loss Expenses, and in the discussion in the balance of this Note, we believe that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses, costs of defense, and reinsurance recoveries, is immaterial to our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Beginning in April 2020, like many companies in the property casualty insurance industry, the company’s property casualty subsidiaries were named as defendants in lawsuits seeking insurance coverage under commercial property insurance policies issued by the company for alleged losses resulting from the shutdown or suspension of their businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the allegations vary, the plaintiffs generally seek a declaration of insurance coverage, damages for breach of contract in unspecified amounts for claim denials, interest and attorney fees. Some of the lawsuits also allege that the insurance claims were denied in bad faith or otherwise in violation of state laws and seek extra-contractual or punitive damages.
The company denies the allegations in these lawsuits and continues to vigorously defend them. The company maintains that it has no coverage obligations with respect to these lawsuits for business income allegedly lost by the plaintiffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic based on the terms of the applicable insurance policies. Although the policy terms vary, in general, the claims at issue in these lawsuits were denied because the policyholder identified no direct physical loss or damage to property at the insured premises, and the governmental orders that led to the complete or partial shutdown of the business were not due to the existence of any direct physical loss or damage to property in the immediate vicinity of the insured premises and did not prohibit access to the insured premises, as required by the terms of the insurance policies. Depending on the individual policy, additional policy terms and conditions may also prohibit coverage, such as exclusions for pollutants, ordinance or law, loss of use, and acts or decisions. The company’s standard commercial property insurance policies generally did not contain a specific virus exclusion.
In addition to the inherent difficulty in predicting litigation outcomes, the COVID-19 pandemic business income coverage lawsuits present a number of uncertainties and contingencies that are not yet known, including how many policyholders will ultimately file claims, the extent to which any class may be certified, and the size and scope of any such classes. The legal theories advanced by plaintiffs vary by case as do the state laws that govern the policy interpretation. Most of these lawsuits have been dismissed, both by courts and by plaintiffs, but some have been appealed and a few others remain pending in trial courts. Appellate decisions issued to date generally have been favorable for the insurance industry, and the company has received numerous favorable rulings on appeal with no adverse appellate rulings to date. Some cases remain to be decided and in some jurisdictions, cases have been stayed pending appellate decisions in their state or federal circuit. Accordingly, little discovery has occurred on pending cases. In addition, business income calculations depend upon a wide range of factors that are particular to the circumstances of each individual policyholder and, here, virtually none of the plaintiffs have submitted proofs of loss or otherwise quantified or factually supported any allegedly covered loss. Moreover, the company’s experience shows that demands for damages often bear little relation to a reasonable estimate of potential loss. Accordingly, management cannot now reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any. Nonetheless, given the number of claims and potential claims, the indeterminate amounts sought, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation, it is possible that adverse outcomes, if any, in the aggregate could have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The company and its subsidiaries also are occasionally involved in other legal and regulatory proceedings, some of which assert claims for substantial amounts. These actions include, among others, putative class actions seeking certification of state or national classes. Such proceedings have alleged, for example, improper depreciation of labor costs in repair estimates. The company’s insurance subsidiaries also are occasionally parties to individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith handling of insurance claims or writing unauthorized coverage or claims alleging discrimination by former or current associates.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 175
On a quarterly basis, we review these outstanding matters. Under current accounting guidance, we establish accruals when it is probable that a covered loss has been incurred and we can reasonably estimate its potential exposure. The company accounts for such probable and estimable losses, if any, through the establishment of legal expense reserves. Based on our quarterly review, we believe that our accruals for probable and estimable losses are reasonable and that the amounts accrued do not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, if any one or more of these matters results in a judgment against us or settlement for an amount that is significantly greater than the amount accrued, the resulting liability could have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Based on our most recent review, our estimate for any other matters for which the risk of loss is not probable, but more than remote, is immaterial.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 176
NOTE 17 – Share-Based Associate Compensation Plans
Share-based compensation cost after tax was $32 million, $29 million and $26 million for the years ended
December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The related income tax benefit recognized was $8 million,$7 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, had intrinsic value of $14 million, $21 million and $24 million, respectively. Intrinsic value is the market price less the exercise price. Options vested during the year ended December 31, 2023 had no intrinsic value because the weighted average exercise price was greater than the market price on the reporting date. Options vested during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, had total intrinsic value of $2 million and $15 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $43 million of unrecognized total compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock unit awards. That cost will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted to associates at an exercise price equal to the fair value as determined by the average high and low sales price reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the grant date and are exercisable over 10 -year periods. The stock options generally vest ratably over a -year period. In determining the share-based compensation amounts, we estimate the fair value of each option granted on the date of grant using the Black Scholes pricing model. We make the following assumptions to develop the Black Scholes pricing model as follows:
•Weighted-average expected term is based on historical experience of similar awards with consideration for current exercise trends.
•Expected volatility is based on our stock price over a historical period that approximates the expected term.
•Dividend yield is determined by dividing the annualized per share dividend by the stock price on the date of grant.
•Risk-free rates are the implied yield currently available on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury issues with a remaining term approximating the expected term.
The following weighted average assumptions were used in determining fair value for option grants issued:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average expected term | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend yield | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk-free rates | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 177
Below is a summary of option information for the year 2023:
| (Dollars in millions, except exercise price. Shares in thousands) | Shares | Weighted- average exercise price | Aggregate intrinsic value | Weighted-average remaining contractual life | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding option shares at January 1, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or expired | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding option shares at December 31, 2023 | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Options exercisable at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash received from the exercise of options was $9 million, $10 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We acquired 72,549 , 80,538 and 77,947 shares totaling
$8 million, $10 million and $8 million, respectively, from associates in consideration for option exercises during 2023, 2022 and 2021. The weighted-average remaining contractual life for options expected to vest as of December 31, 2023, was 8.45 years.
Under all active shareholder approved plans, a total of 10.3 million shares were authorized to be granted. At December 31, 2023, 3.6 million shares remained available for future issuance under the plans. During 2023, we granted 11,524 shares of common stock to our directors for 2022 board service fees.
Restricted Stock Units
Service-based restricted stock units granted to associates are valued at fair value of the shares on the date of grant less the present value of the dividends that holders of restricted stock units do not receive on the shares underlying the restricted stock units during the vesting period. Service-based restricted stock units generally cliff vest three years after the date of grant. We also grant restricted stock units which vest on a year ratable vesting schedule. Service-based restricted stock units vested during the year had an intrinsic value of $22 million, $32 million and $26 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We have performance-based awards that vest on the first day of March after a -calendar-year performance period. These awards vest according to the level of -year total shareholder return achieved compared with a peer group over a -year performance period with payouts ranging from 0 200
For the three-year performance period ended December 31, 2023, our total shareholder return exceeded two of our eight peers. We expect no payout of these shares to occur in March of 2024. During 2023, no shares of performance-based restricted stock units were issued for the three-year performance period ended December 31, 2022, as our total shareholder return exceeded one of eight peers in our 2020 peer group. We issued 52,335 shares of performance-based restricted stock units during 2022 at the target-level performance hurdle for the -year performance period ended December 31, 2021, as our total shareholder return exceeded six of nine peers in our 2019 peer group. Performance-based awards vested during the years end December 31, 2022 and 2021 had an intrinsic value of $6 million and $11 million, respectively.
These performance-based awards are valued using a Monte-Carlo valuation on the date of grant, which uses a risk-neutral framework to model future stock price movements based upon the risk-free rate of return, the volatility of each peer and the pairwise correlations of each peer being modeled. Compensation cost is recognized regardless of whether the market-based performance objective has been satisfied. We make assumptions to develop the Monte-Carlo model as follows:
•Correlation coefficients are based upon the stock price data used to calculate the historical volatilities. The correlation coefficients are used to model the way the price of each entity's stock tends to move in relation to each other.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 178
•Expected volatility is based on each company's historical volatility using daily stock price observations with the period commensurate with the performance measurement period.
•Dividend yield assumption is based on our current expected annual cash dividend and the valuation date stock price.
•Risk-free rates are equal to the yield, as of the measurement date, of the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill that is commensurate with the performance measurement period.
The following assumptions were used in determining fair value for performance-based grants issued:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Expected term | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected volatility | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend yield | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Risk-free rates | ||||||||||||||||||||
Below is a summary of service-based and performance-based share information, assuming a target payout for performance-based shares, for the year 2023:
| (Shares in thousands) | Service-based shares | Weighted- average grant date fair value | Performance-based shares | Weighted- average grant date fair value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested at January 1, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited or canceled | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 179
NOTE 18 – Segment Information
We operate primarily in two industries, property casualty insurance and life insurance. Our CODM regularly reviews our reporting segments to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. Our reporting segments are:
•Commercial lines insurance
•Personal lines insurance
•Excess and surplus lines insurance
•Life insurance
•Investments
We report as Other the noninvestment operations of the parent company and its noninsurer subsidiary, CFC Investment Company. We also report as Other the underwriting results of Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global.
Revenues come primarily from unaffiliated customers:
•All four insurance segments record revenues from insurance premiums earned.
•Fee revenues for the commercial, personal and excess and surplus insurance segments primarily represent installment fees. Fee revenues for the life insurance segment represent separate account investment management fees.
•Our investments’ revenues consist of pretax net investment income and investment gains and losses.
•Other revenues are primarily finance income and earned premiums of Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global.
Income or loss before income taxes for each segment is reported based on the nature of that business area’s operations:
•Income before income taxes for the insurance segments is defined as underwriting profit or loss.
◦For commercial lines, personal lines and excess and surplus lines insurance segments, we calculate underwriting profit or loss as premiums earned and fee revenue minus loss and loss expenses and underwriting expenses incurred.
◦For the life insurance segment, we calculate underwriting profit or loss as premiums earned and fee revenue, minus contract holders’ benefits and expenses incurred, plus investment interest credited to contract holders.
•Income before income taxes for the investments segment is net investment income plus investment gains and losses for investments of the entire company, minus investment interest credited to contract holders of the life insurance segment.
•Income before income taxes for the Other category is primarily due to interest expense from debt of the parent company, operating expenses of our headquarters and premiums earned minus loss and loss expenses and underwriting expenses of Cincinnati Re and Cincinnati Global.
We do not separately report the identifiable assets of property casualty insurance for the commercial, personal and excess and surplus lines segments or for Cincinnati Re because we do not use that measure to analyze performance. We include all investment portfolio assets, regardless of ownership, in the investments segment.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 180
Segment information is summarized in the following table:
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial casualty | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Commercial property | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial auto | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Workers' compensation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other commercial | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total commercial lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal auto | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Homeowner | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other personal | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fee revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total investment revenue | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Insurance underwriting results | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total income (loss) before income taxes | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identifiable assets: | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Property casualty insurance | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 181
ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure
We had no disagreements with the independent registered public accounting firm on accounting and financial disclosure during the last two fiscal years.
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)).
Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2023. Based upon that evaluation, the company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures provided reasonable assurance that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that:
•information required to be disclosed in the company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and
•such information is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – During the three months ended December 31, 2023, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We are continually monitoring and assessing any potential impact on the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting related to the alternating of associate schedules between working at our headquarters and working from remote locations. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are set forth in Item 8.
ITEM 9B. Other Information
Neither the company nor any of our officers or directors adopted terminated
ITEM 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
This item is not applicable to the company.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 182
Part III
Our Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC no later than April 29, 2024, in preparation for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 4, 2024. As permitted in Paragraph G(3) of the General Instructions for Form 10-K, we are incorporating by reference, to that statement, portions of the information required by Part III as noted in Item 10 through Item 14 below.
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
a) The following sections of our Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 4, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference: “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” “Information about the Board of Directors,” and “Governance of Your Company.”
b) Information about the “Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers” appeared in the 2004 Proxy Statement as an appendix and is available at cinfin.com/investors. Our Code of Ethics applies to those who are responsible for preparing and disclosing our financial information. This includes our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and others performing similar functions.
c) Set forth below is information concerning the company’s executive officers who are not also directors of the company, as of February 26, 2024.
| Name and Age as of | Primary Title(s) and Business Responsibilities | Executive | ||||||||||||
| February 26, 2024 | Since February 2019 | Officer Since | ||||||||||||
| Roger A. Brown, FSA, MAAA, CLU (52) | Senior vice president and chief operating officer of The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company. Responsible for life insurance underwriting and operations. | 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Teresa C. Cracas, Esq. (58) | Chief risk officer and executive vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Senior vice president until 2022. Responsible for strategic planning and risk management, including oversight of modeling for financial analysis, property casualty reserving and pricing, strategic innovation, ceded reinsurance programs, reinsurance assumed operations and the activities of Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd., a London-based, global specialty underwriter for Lloyd's Syndicate 318. | 2011 | ||||||||||||
| Angela O. Delaney (55) | Senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Responsible for property casualty insurance sales and marketing operations since 2019, including management of field underwriters and independent agency relationships. | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Donald J. Doyle, Jr., CPCU, AIM (57) | Senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Responsible for excess and surplus lines underwriting and operations of The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company and CSU Producer Resources Inc. | 2008 | ||||||||||||
| Sean M. Givler, CIC, CRM (48) | Senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Responsible for standard market commercial lines underwriting and operations, including management liability and surety insurance, machinery and equipment insurance, loss control and premium audit since 2019. | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Theresa A. Hoffer (62) | Senior vice president and treasurer of The Cincinnati Insurance Company since 2016. Responsible for corporate accounting and SEC reporting operations. | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| John S. Kellington (62) | Chief information officer and executive vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Senior vice president until 2022. Responsible for enterprise technology platforms and related activities. | 2010 | ||||||||||||
| Lisa A. Love, Esq. (64) | Chief legal officer, executive vice president and corporate secretary of Cincinnati Financial Corporation. Senior vice president and general counsel until 2022. Responsible for corporate legal, governance and compliance activities, including oversight of regulatory and compliance, shareholder services, government relations, litigation and contract administration. | 2011 | ||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 183
| Name and Age as of | Primary Title(s) and Business Responsibilities | Executive | ||||||||||||
| February 26, 2024 | Since February 2019 | Officer Since | ||||||||||||
| Marc J. Schambow, CPCU, AIM, ASLI (58) | Chief claims officer and senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Responsible for all headquarters and field claims operations, including special investigations and claims administration. Until 2020, vice president of field claims. | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Michael J. Sewell, CPA (60) | Chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, executive vice president and treasurer of Cincinnati Financial Corporation. Senior vice president until 2022. Chief operating officer of CFC Investment Company, a commercial lease and finance subsidiary. Responsible for oversight of accounting, finance, financial reporting, purchasing, investor relations, administrative services and facilities maintenance and security. | 2011 | ||||||||||||
| Steven A. Soloria, CFA, CPCU (57) | Chief investment officer and executive vice president of Cincinnati Financial Corporation. Responsible for all investment operations. Senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company until 2023. Vice president of investments until 2022. | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| William H. Van Den Heuvel (57) | Senior vice president of The Cincinnati Insurance Company. Responsible for all aspects of personal lines operations, including underwriting, insurance regulatory filings, product management and risk management. | 2014 | ||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 184
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation
The “Compensation of Named Executive Officers and Directors,” section of our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 4, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference. It includes the “Report of the Compensation Committee,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” and the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
a) The “Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders and Management” section of our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 4, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference.
b) Information on securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans appears in Part II, Item 5, Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. Additional information on share-based compensation under our equity compensation plans is available in Item 8, Note 17 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 185
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The following sections of our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 4, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference: “Governance of Your Company – Director Independence” and “Governance of Your Company – Certain Relationships and Transactions.”
ITEM 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The “Audit-Related Matters,” section of our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 4, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference. It includes the “Proposal 5 – Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” “Report of the Audit Committee,” “Fees Billed by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Services Provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 186
Part IV
ITEM 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
a) Financial Statements – information contained in Part II, Item 8, of this report, Page 119 to Page 181
b) Exhibits – see Index of Exhibits, Page 199
Schedule I – Summary of Investments – Other Than Investments in Related Parties, Page 188
Schedule II – Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company, Page 190
Schedule III – Supplementary Insurance Information, Page 193
Schedule IV – Reinsurance, Page 195
Schedule V – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, Page 196
Schedule VI – Supplementary Information Concerning Property Casualty Insurance Operations, Page 197
ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary
This item is not applicable to the company.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 187
Schedule I
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of investment | Cost or amortized cost | Fair value | Balance sheet | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed maturities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| States, municipalities and political subdivisions: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Casualty Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Indemnity Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| United States government: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Casualty Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Indemnity Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-sponsored enterprises: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Casualty Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Indemnity Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign government: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| All other corporate bonds: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Casualty Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Indemnity Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fixed maturities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 188
Schedule I (continued)
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of investment | Cost or amortized cost | Fair value | Balance sheet | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common equities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Casualty Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Indemnity Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Specialty Underwriters Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| CSU Producer Resources Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonredeemable preferred equities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total equity securities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other invested assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Policy loans: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits at Lloyd's: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Global Underwriting Ltd. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Private equity: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Real estate: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Insurance Company (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total other invested assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total investments | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Notes to Schedule I:
(1) These other invested assets are accounted for under the equity method.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 189
Schedule II
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation (parent company only) | ||||||||||||||
| Condensed Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2023—$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2023—$ | ||||||||||||||
| Other invested assets | ||||||||||||||
| Total investments | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||||||||||||||
| Equity in net assets of subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||
| Investment income receivable | ||||||||||||||
Land, building and equipment, net, for company use (accumulated depreciation: 2023—$ | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax receivable | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||||||||
| Due from subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared but unpaid | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Deferred federal income tax | ||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||
| Common stock | ||||||||||||||
| Paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total shareholders' equity | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
This condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in Part II, Item 8.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 190
Schedule II (continued)
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation (parent company only) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Earnings of Subsidiaries | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) Before Earnings of Subsidiaries | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Increase in equity of subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in unrealized gain on securities | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of pension actuarial gains (losses) and prior service costs | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes Before Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Subsidiaries | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive Income (Loss) | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
This condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in Part II, Item 8.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 191
Schedule II (continued)
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation (parent company only) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization and other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment gains and losses, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends from subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase in equity of subsidiaries | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Current federal income taxes | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other assets | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Intercompany receivable for operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale, call or maturity of fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sale of equity securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of fixed maturities | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of equity securities | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment in buildings and equipment | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in other invested assets, net | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) received from investing activities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Payment of cash dividends to shareholders | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares acquired - share repurchase authorization | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from stock options exercised | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 192
Schedule III
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplementary Insurance Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross future policy benefits, losses, claims and expense losses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross unearned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other policy claims and benefits payable: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 193
Schedule III (continued)
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplementary Insurance Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Benefits, claims losses and settlement expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (3) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (3) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accident and health insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Notes to Schedule III:
(1) The sum of gross future policy benefits, losses, claims and expense losses, gross unearned premiums and other policy claims and benefits payable is equal to the sum of Loss and loss expense reserves, Life policy reserves and investment contract reserves and Unearned premiums reported in the company’s consolidated balance sheets.
(2) This segment information is not regularly allocated to segments and reviewed by company management in making decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments or to assess their performance.
(3) The sum of amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting and insurance expenses is equal to Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses in the consolidated statements of income.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 194
Schedule IV
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gross amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Ceded amounts to other companies: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Assumed amounts from other companies: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net amounts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of amounts assumed to net: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance in force | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | % | % | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property casualty insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Life insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 195
Schedule V
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | At December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Additions charged to costs and expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deductions | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance, December 31 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax valuation allowance: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance, January 1 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Additions charged to costs and expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Deductions | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance, December 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total valuation and qualifying accounts | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Notes to Schedule V:
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 196
Schedule VI
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplementary Information Concerning Property Casualty Insurance Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Reserves for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Reserve discount deducted | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Gross unearned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Earned premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Investment income, net of expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total (1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Note to Schedule VI:
(1) This segment information is not regularly allocated to segments and not reviewed by company management in making decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments or to assess their performance.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 197
Schedule VI (continued)
| Cincinnati Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplementary Information Concerning Property Casualty Insurance Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | Years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses incurred related to current accident year: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss and loss expenses incurred related to prior accident years: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Paid loss and loss expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Net written premiums: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial lines insurance | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Excess and surplus lines insurance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 198
Index of Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | ||||
| 3.1 | |||||
| 3.2 | |||||
| 4.1 | |||||
| 4.2 | |||||
| 4.3 | |||||
| 4.4 | |||||
| 4.5 | |||||
| 4.6 | |||||
| 4.7 | |||||
| 4.8 | |||||
| 10.1 | |||||
| 10.2 | |||||
| 10.3 | |||||
| 10.4 | |||||
| 10.5 | |||||
| 10.6 | |||||
| 10.7 | |||||
| 10.8 | |||||
| 10.9 | |||||
| 10.10 | |||||
| 10.11 | |||||
| 10.12 | |||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 199
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | ||||
| 10.13 | |||||
| 10.14 | |||||
| 10.15 | |||||
| 10.16 | |||||
| 10.17 | |||||
| 10.18 | |||||
| 10.19 | |||||
| 10.20 | |||||
| 10.21 | |||||
| 10.22 | |||||
| 10.23 | |||||
| 10.24 | |||||
| 10.25 | |||||
| 10.26 | |||||
| 10.27 | |||||
| 10.28 | |||||
| 10.29 | |||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 200
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | ||||
| 10.30 | |||||
| 10.31 | |||||
| 10.32 | |||||
| 10.33 | |||||
| 10.34 | |||||
| 10.35 | |||||
| 10.36 | |||||
| 10.37 | |||||
| 10.38 | |||||
| 10.39 | |||||
| 10.40 | |||||
| 10.41 | |||||
| 10.42 | |||||
| 10.43 | |||||
| 11 | |||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 201
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | ||||
| 14 | |||||
| 19 | |||||
| 21 | |||||
| 23 | |||||
| 31A | |||||
| 31B | |||||
| 32 | |||||
| 97 | |||||
| 101.INS | The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | ||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | ||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | ||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | ||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 202
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation
/S/ Michael J. Sewell
By: Michael J. Sewell, CPA
Title: Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: February 26, 2024
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been duly signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||||||
| /S/ Steven J. Johnston | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Steven J. Johnston | ||||||||
| /S/ Stephen M. Spray | President and Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Stephen M. Spray | ||||||||
| /S/ Michael J. Sewell | Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Treasurer | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Michael J. Sewell | ||||||||
| /S/ Thomas J. Aaron | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Thomas J. Aaron | ||||||||
| /S/ Nancy C. Benacci | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Nancy C. Benacci | ||||||||
| /S/ Linda W. Clement-Holmes | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Linda W. Clement-Holmes | ||||||||
| /S/ Dirk J. Debbink | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Dirk J. Debbink | ||||||||
| /S/ Jill P. Meyer | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Jill P. Meyer | ||||||||
| /S/ David P. Osborn | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| David P. Osborn | ||||||||
| /S/ Gretchen W. Schar | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Gretchen W. Schar | ||||||||
| /S/ Charles O. Schiff | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Charles O. Schiff | ||||||||
| /S/ Douglas S. Skidmore | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Douglas S. Skidmore | ||||||||
| /S/ John F. Steele, Jr. | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| John F. Steele, Jr. | ||||||||
| /S/ Larry R. Webb | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Larry R. Webb | ||||||||
| /S/ Chengsheng Peter Wu | Director | February 26, 2024 | ||||||
| Chengsheng Peter Wu | ||||||||
Cincinnati Financial Corporation - 2023 10-K - Page 203