Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation And Basis Of Presentation

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mercury General Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The subsidiaries are as follows:

Insurance Companies
Mercury Casualty Company	Mercury National Insurance Company
Mercury Insurance Company	American Mercury Insurance Company
California Automobile Insurance Company	American Mercury Lloyds Insurance Company(1)
California General Underwriters Insurance Company, Inc.	Mercury County Mutual Insurance Company(2)
Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois	Mercury Insurance Company of Florida
Mercury Insurance Company of Georgia	Mercury Indemnity Company of America
Mercury Indemnity Company of Georgia
Non-Insurance Companies
Mercury Select Management Company, Inc.	Mercury Group, Inc.
American Mercury MGA, Inc.	AIS Management LLC
Concord Insurance Services, Inc.	Auto Insurance Specialists LLC
Mercury Insurance Services LLC	PoliSeek AIS Insurance Solutions, Inc.

(1) American Mercury Lloyds Insurance Company is not owned but is controlled by the Company through its attorney-in-fact, Mercury Select Management Company, Inc.

(2) Mercury County Mutual Insurance Company is not owned but is controlled by the Company through a management contract.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which differ in some respects from those filed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates require the Company to apply complex assumptions and judgments, and often the Company must make estimates about effects of matters that are inherently uncertain and will likely change in subsequent periods. The most significant assumptions in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements relate to reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments

Investments

The Company applies the fair value option to all fixed maturities and equity securities and short-term investments at the time the eligible item is first recognized. Gains and losses due to changes in fair value for items measured at fair value pursuant to application of the fair value option are included in net realized investment gains in the Company's consolidated statements of operations, while interest and dividend income on the investment holdings are recognized on an accrual basis on each measurement date and are included in net investment income in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The cost of investments sold is determined in accordance with first-in and first-out method and realized gains and losses are included in net investment income. The primary reasons for electing the fair value option were simplification and cost-benefit considerations as well as expansion of use of fair value measurement consistent with the long-term measurement objectives of the FASB for accounting for financial instruments. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the fair value option.

Fixed maturity securities include debt securities and redeemable preferred stocks, which may have fixed or variable principal payment schedules, may be held for indefinite periods of time, and may be used as a part of the Company's asset/liability strategy or sold in response to changes in interest rates, anticipated prepayments, risk/reward characteristics, liquidity needs, tax planning considerations, or other economic factors. Premiums and discounts on fixed maturities are amortized using first call date and are adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities are adjusted for anticipated prepayment using the retrospective method, with the exception of some beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, which are accounted for using the prospective method.

Equity securities consist of non-redeemable preferred stocks, common stocks on which dividend income is partially tax-sheltered by the 70% corporate dividend received deduction, and a partnership interest in a private credit fund.

Short-term investments include money market accounts, options, and short-term bonds which are highly rated short duration securities redeemable within one year.

The Company writes covered call options through listed and over-the-counter exchanges. When the Company writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Company is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Company on the expiration date as realized gains from investments. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Company has realized a gain or loss. The Company, as writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. Liabilities for covered call options of $0.7 million and $2.8 million were included in other liabilities at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The financial instruments recorded in the consolidated balance sheets include investments, receivables, interest rate swap agreements, accounts payable, equity contracts, and secured and unsecured notes payable. As discussed above, all investments are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets, including $47.5 million and $10.0 million of fixed maturities and equity securities, respectively, which are valued based on broker quotes for underlying debt/credit instruments and an estimated benchmark spread for similar assets in active markets. The fair value of the Company's $120 million and $20 million secured notes is estimated based on assumptions and inputs, such as reset rates and the market value for underlying collateral, for similarly termed notes that are observable in the market. The fair value of the Company's publicly traded $125 million unsecured notes was based on the unadjusted quoted price for similar notes in active markets. The Company retired all of its $125 million 7.25% senior notes on the August 15, 2011 maturity date. The related interest rate swap agreement expired concurrently. See Note 3 for methods and assumptions used in estimating fair values of interest rate swap agreements and equity contracts. Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying value of receivables and accounts payable approximate their fair market values. The following table presents estimated fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(Amounts in thousands)
Assets
Investments	$	3,062,421	$	3,155,257
Interest rate swap agreements	$	0	$	4,240
Liabilities
Interest rate swap agreements	$	670	$	3,042
Equity contracts	$	655	$	2,776
Secured notes	$	140,000	$	138,332
Unsecured notes	$	0	$	128,280

Securities On Deposit

Securities on Deposit

The Company has securities deposited by the Insurance Companies with various DOIs as required by statute with fair values of approximately $18 million and $14 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs primarily consist of commissions paid to outside agents, premium taxes, salaries, and certain other underwriting costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts and are amortized over the life of the related policy in relation to the amount of premiums earned. Deferred policy acquisition costs are limited to the amount which will remain after deducting from unearned premiums and anticipated investment income the estimated losses and loss adjustment expenses and the servicing costs that will be incurred as the premiums are earned. The Company does not defer advertising expenses but expenses them as incurred. The Company recorded net advertising expenses of approximately $21 million, $30 million, and $27 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Fixed Assets

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The useful life for buildings is 30 to 40 years. Furniture, equipment, and purchased software are depreciated on a combination of straight-line and accelerated methods over 3 to 7 years. The Company has capitalized certain consulting costs, payroll, and payroll-related costs for employees related to computer software developed for internal use, which are amortized on a straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not exceeding 5 years. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, capitalization ceases no later than the point at which a computer software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the associated lease.

The Company periodically assesses long-lived assets or asset groups including building and equipment, for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the Company identifies an indicator of impairment, the Company assesses recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and the eventual disposal of the asset. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount is not recoverable and is measured as the excess of carrying value over fair value. During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, the Company recorded no impairment charges.

Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets arise as a result of business acquisitions and consist of the excess of the cost of the acquisitions over the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Identifiable intangible assets consist of the value of customer relationships, trade names, software and technology, and favorable leases, which are all subject to amortization.

The Company annually evaluates goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment. The Company also reviews its goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill may exceed its implied fair value. The Company has elected to early adopt the new standard issued in September 2011 which amended the current guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. Under the revised guidance, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required if the Company qualitatively determines that, more likely than not, the fair value exceeds the carrying amount of a reporting unit. There are numerous assumptions and estimates underlying the qualitative assessments including future earnings, long-term strategies, and the Company's annual planning and forecasting process. If these planned initiatives do not accomplish the targeted objectives, the assumptions and estimates underlying the qualitative assessments could be adversely affected and have a material effect upon the Company's financial condition and results of operations. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, goodwill impairment assessments indicated that there was no impairment.

Premium Revenue Recognition

Premium Revenue Recognition

Premium revenue is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the term of the policies in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Premium revenue includes installment and other fees for services which are recognized in the periods the services are rendered. Unearned premiums represent the portion of the premium related to the unexpired policy term. Unearned premiums are predominantly computed on a monthly pro rata basis and are stated gross of reinsurance deductions, with the reinsurance deduction recorded in other receivables. Net premiums written were $2.58 billion, $2.56 billion, and $2.59 billion in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

No independent agent accounted for more than 2% of the Company's direct premiums written during 2011, 2010, and 2009.

Losses And Loss Adjustment Expenses

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are determined in amounts estimated to cover incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses and established based upon the Company's assessment of claims pending and the development of prior years' loss liabilities. These amounts include liabilities based upon individual case estimates for reported losses and loss adjustment expenses and estimates of such amounts that are IBNR. Changes in the estimated liability are charged or credited to operations as the losses and loss adjustment expenses are reestimated. The liability is stated net of anticipated salvage and subrogation recoveries. The amount of reinsurance recoverable is included in other receivables.

Estimating loss reserves is a difficult process as many factors can ultimately affect the final settlement of a claim and, therefore, the reserve that is required. Changes in the regulatory and legal environment, results of litigation, medical costs, the cost of repair materials, or labor rates, among other factors, can all impact ultimate claim costs. In addition, time can be a critical part of reserving determinations since the longer the span between the incidence of a loss and the payment or settlement of a claim, the more variable the ultimate settlement amount can be. Accordingly, short-tail property damage claims tend to be more reasonably predictable than long-tail liability claims, such as those involving the Company's BI coverages. Management believes that the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses is adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to date. Since the provisions for loss reserves are necessarily based upon estimates, the ultimate liability may be more or less than such provisions.

The Company analyzes loss reserves quarterly primarily using the incurred loss, claim count, average severity, and paid loss development methods described below. The Company uses the paid loss development method to analyze loss adjustment expenses reserves as part of its reserve analysis. When deciding which method to use in estimating its reserves, the Company evaluates the credibility of each method based on the maturity of the data available and the claims settlement practices for each particular line of business or coverage within a line of business. When establishing the reserve, the Company will generally analyze the results from all of the methods used rather than relying on one method. While these methods are designed to determine the ultimate losses on claims under the Company's policies, there is inherent uncertainty in all actuarial models since they use historical data to project outcomes. The Company believes that the techniques it uses provide a reasonable basis in estimating loss reserves.

• The incurred loss development method analyzes historical incurred case loss (case reserves plus paid losses) development to estimate ultimate losses. The Company applies development factors against current case incurred losses by accident period to calculate ultimate expected losses. The Company believes that the incurred loss development method provides a reasonable basis for evaluating ultimate losses, particularly in the Company's larger, more established lines of business which have a long operating history.

• The average severity method analyzes historical loss payments and/or incurred losses divided by closed claims and/or total claims to calculate an estimated average cost per claim. From this, the expected ultimate average cost per claim can be estimated. The average severity method coupled with the claim count development method provide meaningful information regarding inflation and frequency trends that the Company believes is useful in establishing reserves. The claim count development method analyzes historical claim count development to estimate future incurred claim count development for current claims. The Company applies these development factors against current claim counts by accident period to calculate ultimate expected claim counts.

• The paid loss development method analyzes historical payment patterns to estimate the amount of losses yet to be paid. The Company uses this method for losses and loss adjustment expenses.

The Company analyzes catastrophe losses separately from non-catastrophe losses. For catastrophe losses, the Company determines claim counts based on claims reported and development expectations from previous catastrophes and applies an average expected loss per claim based on reserves established by adjusters and average losses on previous similar catastrophes.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for all derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchases and sales exception, as either an asset or liability measured at fair value, which is based on information obtained from independent parties. In addition, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company's derivative instruments include interest rate swap agreements and are used to hedge the exposure to:

• Changes in fair value of an asset or liability (fair value hedge); and

• Variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction (cash flow hedge).

Derivatives designated as hedges are evaluated based on established criteria to determine the effectiveness of their correlation to and ability to reduce the designated risk of specific securities or transactions. Effectiveness is reassessed on a quarterly basis. Hedges that are deemed to be effective are accounted for as follows:

• Fair value hedge: changes in fair value of the hedging instrument, as well as the hedged item, are recognized in earnings in the period of change.

• Cash flow hedge: changes in fair value of the hedging instrument are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently amortized into earnings over the life of the hedged transactions.

If a hedge is deemed to become ineffective, it is accounted for as follows:

• Fair value hedge: changes in fair value of the hedging instrument are recognized in earnings in the period of change.

• Cash flow hedge: changes in fair value of the hedging instrument are reported in earnings for the current period. If it is determined that a hedging instrument no longer meets the Company's risk reduction and correlation criteria, or if the hedging instrument expires, any accumulated balance in other comprehensive income is recognized in earnings in the period of determination.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and reflects net income divided by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period presented. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average shares of common stock and potential dilutive common stock outstanding during the period presented. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, potential dilutive common stocks consist of outstanding stock options. Note 16 contains the required disclosures relating to the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. The Company does not have any operations that require separate disclosure as reportable operating segments for the periods presented.

The annual direct premiums written attributable to private passenger automobile, homeowners, commercial automobile, and other lines of insurance were as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(Amounts in thousands)
Private passenger automobile	$	2,105,602	$	2,115,763	$	2,158,038
Homeowners		285,188		261,560		240,885
Commercial automobile		75,642		84,503		93,955
Other lines		113,251		96,999		100,690
Total	$	2,579,683	$	2,558,825	$	2,593,568

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting basis and the respective tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities, and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss, capital loss, and tax-credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates or laws is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

At December 31, 2011, the Company's deferred income taxes were in a net asset position partly due to a combination of ordinary and capital deferred tax benefits. In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income of the appropriate nature within the carryback and carryforward periods available under the tax law. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income of an appropriate nature, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. The Company believes that through the use of prudent tax planning strategies and the generation of capital gains, sufficient income will be realized in order to maximize the full benefits of its deferred tax assets. Although realization is not assured, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company's deferred tax assets will be realized.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

Liabilities for unearned premiums and unpaid losses are stated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements before deductions for ceded reinsurance. The ceded amounts are immaterial and are carried in other receivables. Earned premiums are stated net of deductions for ceded reinsurance.

The Insurance Companies, as primary insurers, are required to pay losses to the extent reinsurers are unable to discharge their obligations under the reinsurance agreements.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation using the modified prospective transition method. Under this method, share-based compensation expense includes compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the estimated grant-date fair value. Share-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted or modified on or after January 1, 2006 is based on the estimated grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is the option vesting term of four or five years for options granted prior to 2008 and four years for options granted subsequent to January 1, 2008, for only those shares expected to vest. The fair value of stock option awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the grant-date assumptions and weighted-average fair values, as discussed in Note 15.

Under its 2005 Incentive Award Plan (the "2005 Plan"), the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors granted performance vesting restricted stock units to the Company's senior management and key employees in March 2011. The restricted stock units vest at the end of a three-year performance period, and then only if, and to the extent that, the Company's cumulative underwriting income during such three-year performance period ending December 31, 2013 achieves the 2011 defined threshold performance levels established by the Compensation Committee. The aggregate target number of shares of common stock for which the restricted stock units may vest is 80,000. However, the restricted stock units may vest for up to 120,000 shares of common stock if and to the extent that the Company's three-year performance exceeds the target established by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee granted 55,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units in 2010 which will vest at the end of a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2012 if, and to the extent that, the Company's cumulative underwriting income during the three-year performance period ending December 31, 2012 achieves the 2010 defined threshold performance levels.

The fair value of the restricted share grant was determined based on the market price on the date of grant. Compensation cost has been recognized based on management's best estimate that performance goals will be achieved. If such goals are not met, no compensation cost would be recognized and any recognized compensation cost would be reversed. See Note 15 for additional disclosures.