10-Q 1 a11-25821_110q.htm 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

 

or

 

o         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: 001-10898

 


 

The Travelers Companies, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Minnesota

 

41-0518860

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

485 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(917) 778-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at October 14, 2011 was 412,773,299.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

The Travelers Companies, Inc.

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

For Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2011

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

Part I — Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) — Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet — September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010

4

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

40

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

77

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

77

 

 

 

 

Part II — Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

77

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

78

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

78

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

78

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

79

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

79

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

80

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

5,605

 

$

5,422

 

$

16,479

 

$

15,992

 

Net investment income

 

690

 

735

 

2,227

 

2,250

 

Fee income

 

79

 

64

 

227

 

219

 

Net realized investment gains

 

2

 

226

 

41

 

220

 

Other revenues

 

31

 

35

 

99

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

6,407

 

6,482

 

19,073

 

18,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

4,136

 

3,213

 

12,659

 

10,020

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

982

 

966

 

2,900

 

2,845

 

General and administrative expenses

 

860

 

837

 

2,650

 

2,516

 

Interest expense

 

97

 

95

 

290

 

290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

6,075

 

5,111

 

18,499

 

15,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

332

 

1,371

 

574

 

3,109

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(1

)

366

 

(234

)

787

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

333

 

$

1,005

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.80

 

$

2.14

 

$

1.90

 

$

4.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

0.79

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.88

 

$

4.68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

415.0

 

465.9

 

420.4

 

486.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

418.5

 

472.0

 

425.6

 

492.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains

 

$

9

 

$

8

 

$

16

 

$

9

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(21

)

(14

)

(36

)

(29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(12

)

(6

)

(20

)

(20

)

Other net realized investment gains

 

14

 

232

 

61

 

240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

2

 

$

226

 

$

41

 

$

220

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

3



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in millions)

 

 

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
 2010

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (including $149 and $186 subject to securities lending) (amortized cost $60,056 and $60,170)

 

$

64,000

 

$

62,820

 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $467 and $372)

 

570

 

519

 

Real estate

 

851

 

838

 

Short-term securities

 

4,797

 

5,616

 

Other investments

 

3,434

 

2,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

73,652

 

72,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

231

 

200

 

Investment income accrued

 

737

 

791

 

Premiums receivable

 

5,932

 

5,497

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

11,743

 

11,994

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

922

 

813

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,869

 

1,782

 

Deferred taxes

 

 

493

 

Contractholder receivables

 

5,375

 

5,343

 

Goodwill

 

3,365

 

3,365

 

Other intangible assets

 

449

 

502

 

Other assets

 

2,658

 

2,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

106,933

 

$

105,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

52,315

 

$

51,606

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

11,524

 

10,921

 

Contractholder payables

 

5,375

 

5,343

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

519

 

407

 

Deferred taxes

 

91

 

 

Debt

 

6,604

 

6,611

 

Other liabilities

 

5,333

 

5,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

81,761

 

80,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock Savings Plan—convertible preferred stock (0.0 and 0.2 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

68

 

Common stock (1,750.0 and 1,748.6 shares authorized; 412.8 and 434.6 shares issued and outstanding)

 

20,664

 

20,162

 

Retained earnings

 

19,127

 

18,847

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

2,032

 

1,255

 

Treasury stock, at cost (328.1 and 296.6 shares)

 

(16,651

)

(14,857

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

25,172

 

25,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

106,933

 

$

105,656

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

4



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Convertible preferred stock—savings plan

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

$

68

 

$

79

 

Redemptions

 

(5

)

(9

)

Conversion to common stock

 

(63

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

20,162

 

19,593

 

Employee share-based compensation

 

286

 

276

 

Common shares issued — conversion of preferred stock

 

93

 

 

Compensation amortization under share-based plans and other changes

 

123

 

111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

20,664

 

19,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

18,847

 

16,315

 

Net income

 

808

 

2,322

 

Dividends

 

(503

)

(515

)

Premium on preferred stock converted to common stock

 

(30

)

 

Other

 

5

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

19,127

 

18,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

1,255

 

1,219

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

758

 

1,061

 

Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

6

 

68

 

Net change in unrealized foreign currency translation and other changes

 

13

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

2,032

 

2,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock (at cost)

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

(14,857

)

(9,791

)

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

(1,712

)

(3,400

)

Net shares acquired related to employee share-based compensation plans

 

(82

)

(54

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

(16,651

)

(13,245

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

25,172

 

27,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

$

25,172

 

$

27,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of year

 

434.6

 

520.3

 

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

(30.1

)

(66.8

)

Common shares issued — conversion of preferred stock

 

1.5

 

 

Net shares issued under employee share-based compensation plans

 

6.8

 

7.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, end of period

 

412.8

 

460.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

Other changes in equity from nonowner sources, net of tax

 

777

 

1,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

$

1,585

 

$

3,475

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

5



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(in millions)

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

2011

 

2010

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

(41

)

(220

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

599

 

608

 

Deferred federal income tax expense

 

159

 

149

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

2,900

 

2,845

 

Equity in income from other investments

 

(279

)

(161

)

Premiums receivable

 

(439

)

(228

)

Reinsurance recoverables

 

244

 

754

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

(2,988

)

(2,928

)

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

742

 

(1,112

)

Unearned premium reserves

 

612

 

418

 

Other

 

(499

)

(55

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,818

 

2,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

5,241

 

3,881

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

842

 

3,281

 

Equity securities

 

51

 

157

 

Real estate

 

1

 

10

 

Other investments

 

482

 

426

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(6,224

)

(5,167

)

Equity securities

 

(118

)

(29

)

Real estate

 

(41

)

(15

)

Other investments

 

(758

)

(373

)

Net sales (purchases) of short-term securities

 

813

 

(66

)

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

196

 

(240

)

Other

 

(248

)

(220

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

 

237

 

1,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of debt

 

(8

)

(275

)

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(500

)

(512

)

Issuance of common stock — employee share options

 

270

 

267

 

Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

(1,755

)

(3,441

)

Treasury stock acquired — net employee share-based compensation

 

(46

)

(40

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

17

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(2,022

)

(3,995

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(2

)

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

 

31

 

43

 

Cash at beginning of year

 

200

 

255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

231

 

$

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

277

 

$

511

 

Interest paid

 

$

226

 

$

263

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

6



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

1.                       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company). These financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are unaudited.  In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected.  Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, but that is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been omitted.  All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2010 consolidated financial statements and notes to conform to the 2011 presentation.  The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The preparation of the interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and claims and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Adoption of Accounting Standards Updates

 

Creditors’ Evaluation of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance to clarify whether a modification or restructuring of a receivable is considered a troubled debt restructuring, i.e., whether the creditor has granted a concession and whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  A modification or restructuring that is considered a troubled debt restructuring will result in the creditor having to account for the receivable as being impaired and will also result in additional disclosure of the creditors’ troubled debt restructuring activities.  The provisions of the guidance were effective for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 on a retrospective basis to the beginning of the year.  The adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

 

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts

 

In October 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance to address diversity in practice for the accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts.  This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred.  If application of this guidance would result in the capitalization of acquisition costs that had not previously been capitalized by a reporting entity, the entity may elect not to capitalize those costs.

 

The updated guidance is effective for the quarter ending March 31, 2012.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Transfers and Servicing

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance related to the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  The updated guidance eliminates the criteria to assess whether a transferor must have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets in order to demonstrate effective control over the transferred asset.  Transferors that maintain effective control over a transferred asset are required to account for the transaction as a secured borrowing rather than a sale.

 

The updated guidance is effective for the quarter ending March 31, 2012.  The updated guidance applies to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

1.                       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued

 

Presentation of Comprehensive Income

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income by eliminating the option of presenting components of comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  The updated guidance requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either as a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The updated guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for the quarter ending March 31, 2012.  Early adoption is permitted.

 

The updated guidance will result in a change in the presentation of the Company’s financial statements but will not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Intangibles - Goodwill and Other

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated guidance that modifies the manner in which the two-step impairment test of goodwill is applied.  Under the updated guidance, an entity may assess qualitative factors (such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, key technology, or customers) that may impact a reporting unit’s fair value and lead to the determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, including goodwill.  If an entity determines that it is more likely than not, it must perform an impairment test.

 

The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill.  If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, a second step must be performed to measure the amount of goodwill impairment, if any.  In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined in the same manner as goodwill is measured in a business combination (i.e., by measuring the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets, liabilities and unrecognized intangible assets and determining the remaining amount ascribed to goodwill) and comparing the amount of the implied goodwill to the carrying amount of the goodwill.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

 

The updated guidance is effective for the quarter ending March 31, 2012.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Nature of Operations

 

The Company is organized into three reportable business segments: Business Insurance; Financial, Professional & International Insurance; and Personal Insurance.  These segments reflect the manner in which the Company’s businesses are currently managed and represent an aggregation of products and services based on type of customer, how the business is marketed and the manner in which risks are underwritten.  The specific business segments are as follows:

 

Business Insurance

 

The Business Insurance segment offers a broad array of property and casualty insurance and insurance-related services to its clients primarily in the United States. Business Insurance is organized into the following six groups, which collectively comprise Business Insurance Core operations: Select Accounts; Commercial Accounts; National Accounts; Industry-Focused Underwriting; Target Risk Underwriting; and Specialized Distribution.

 

Business Insurance also includes the Special Liability Group (which manages the Company’s asbestos and environmental liabilities) and the assumed reinsurance and certain international and other runoff operations, which collectively are referred to as Business Insurance Other.

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

The Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment includes surety and financial liability coverages, which primarily use credit-based underwriting processes, as well as property and casualty products that are primarily marketed on a domestic basis in the United Kingdom, Canada and the Republic of Ireland, and on an international basis through Lloyd’s.  The segment includes Bond & Financial Products as well as International.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

1.                       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued

 

On June 17, 2011, the Company acquired 43% of the common stock of J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A, a Brazilian company (“JMalucelli”).  JMalucelli is currently the market leader in surety in Brazil based on market share.  The Company’s investment in JMalucelli is accounted for using the equity method and is included in “other investments” on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Personal Insurance

 

The Personal Insurance segment writes virtually all types of property and casualty insurance covering personal risks. The primary coverages in Personal Insurance are automobile and homeowners insurance sold to individuals.

 

2.             SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s revenues, operating income and total assets by reportable business segments:

 

(for the three months
ended September 30,
in millions)

 

Business
Insurance

 

Financial,
Professional &
International
Insurance

 

Personal
Insurance

 

Total
Reportable
Segments

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

2,890

 

$

799

 

$

1,916

 

$

5,605

 

Net investment income

 

487

 

101

 

102

 

690

 

Fee income

 

78

 

1

 

 

79

 

Other revenues

 

8

 

6

 

17

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

 

$

3,463

 

$

907

 

$

2,035

 

$

6,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) (1)

 

$

294

 

$

211

 

$

(108

)

$

397

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

2,736

 

$

820

 

$

1,866

 

$

5,422

 

Net investment income

 

514

 

110

 

111

 

735

 

Fee income

 

64

 

 

 

64

 

Other revenues

 

10

 

7

 

18

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

 

$

3,324

 

$

937

 

$

1,995

 

$

6,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

 

$

543

 

$

212

 

$

168

 

$

923

 

 


(1)      Operating revenues for reportable business segments exclude net realized investment gains (losses). Operating income (loss) for reportable business segments equals net income excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains (losses).

 

9



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

2.             SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued

 

(for the nine months
ended September 30,
in millions)

 

Business
Insurance

 

Financial,
Professional &
International
Insurance

 

Personal
Insurance

 

Total
Reportable
Segments

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

8,437

 

$

2,382

 

$

5,660

 

$

16,479

 

Net investment income

 

1,584

 

312

 

331

 

2,227

 

Fee income

 

226

 

1

 

 

227

 

Other revenues

 

27

 

19

 

53

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

 

$

10,274

 

$

2,714

 

$

6,044

 

$

19,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) (1)

 

$

909

 

$

495

 

$

(409

)

$

995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

8,027

 

$

2,499

 

$

5,466

 

$

15,992

 

Net investment income

 

1,579

 

331

 

340

 

2,250

 

Fee income

 

219

 

 

 

219

 

Other revenues

 

23

 

20

 

56

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues (1)

 

$

9,848

 

$

2,850

 

$

5,862

 

$

18,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (1)

 

$

1,677

 

$

470

 

$

246

 

$

2,393

 

 


(1)      Operating revenues for reportable business segments exclude net realized investment gains (losses). Operating income (loss) for reportable business segments equals net income excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains (losses).

 

10



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

2.                       SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued

 

Business Segment Reconciliations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

Revenue reconciliation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workers’ compensation

 

$

750

 

$

642

 

$

2,142

 

$

1,847

 

Commercial automobile

 

491

 

488

 

1,444

 

1,430

 

Property

 

405

 

411

 

1,207

 

1,257

 

General liability

 

442

 

435

 

1,299

 

1,293

 

Commercial multi-peril

 

796

 

760

 

2,336

 

2,200

 

Other

 

6

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Business Insurance

 

2,890

 

2,736

 

8,437

 

8,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fidelity and surety

 

242

 

247

 

726

 

780

 

General liability

 

213

 

220

 

637

 

668

 

International

 

310

 

319

 

919

 

950

 

Other

 

34

 

34

 

100

 

101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

799

 

820

 

2,382

 

2,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Automobile

 

935

 

932

 

2,781

 

2,757

 

Homeowners and other

 

981

 

934

 

2,879

 

2,709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Personal Insurance

 

1,916

 

1,866

 

5,660

 

5,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total earned premiums

 

5,605

 

5,422

 

16,479

 

15,992

 

Net investment income

 

690

 

735

 

2,227

 

2,250

 

Fee income

 

79

 

64

 

227

 

219

 

Other revenues

 

31

 

35

 

99

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating revenues for reportable segments

 

6,405

 

6,256

 

19,032

 

18,560

 

Net realized investment gains

 

2

 

226

 

41

 

220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated revenues

 

$

6,407

 

$

6,482

 

$

19,073

 

$

18,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income reconciliation, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income for reportable segments

 

$

397

 

$

923

 

$

995

 

$

2,393

 

Interest Expense and Other (1)

 

(65

)

(65

)

(214

)

(214

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

332

 

858

 

781

 

2,179

 

Net realized investment gains

 

1

 

147

 

27

 

143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated net income

 

$

333

 

$

1,005

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

 


(1)   The primary component of Interest Expense and Other is after-tax interest expense of $63 million and $62 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $189 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

2.                       SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued

 

(in millions) 

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Asset reconciliation:

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance

 

$

78,434

 

$

78,165

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

13,721

 

13,461

 

Personal Insurance

 

14,211

 

13,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets for reportable segments

 

106,366

 

105,049

 

Other assets (1)

 

567

 

607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total consolidated assets

 

$

106,933

 

$

105,656

 

 


(1)               The primary component of other assets at September 30, 2011 was other intangible assets.  The primary components of other assets at December 31, 2010 were other intangible assets and deferred taxes.

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS

 

Fixed Maturities

 

The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities classified as available for sale were as follows:

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at September 30, 2011, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

2,125

 

$

106

 

$

 

$

2,231

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-refunded

 

6,599

 

533

 

1

 

7,131

 

All other

 

30,131

 

2,022

 

9

 

32,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

36,730

 

2,555

 

10

 

39,275

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

1,921

 

81

 

 

2,002

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

3,367

 

270

 

19

 

3,618

 

All other corporate bonds

 

15,880

 

1,026

 

69

 

16,837

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

33

 

4

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

60,056

 

$

4,042

 

$

98

 

$

64,000

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

1,914

 

$

94

 

$

 

$

2,008

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-refunded

 

6,787

 

505

 

1

 

7,291

 

All other

 

31,277

 

1,121

 

154

 

32,244

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

38,064

 

1,626

 

155

 

39,535

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,156

 

50

 

4

 

2,202

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

3,952

 

248

 

36

 

4,164

 

All other corporate bonds

 

14,051

 

876

 

51

 

14,876

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

33

 

2

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

60,170

 

$

2,896

 

$

246

 

$

62,820

 

 

Pre-refunded bonds of $7.13 billion and $7.29 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, were bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest.

 

Equity Securities

 

The cost and fair value of investments in equity securities were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at September 30, 2011, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Common stock

 

$

300

 

$

83

 

$

7

 

$

376

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

167

 

30

 

3

 

194

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

467

 

$

113

 

$

10

 

$

570

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

Fair

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Value

 

Common stock

 

$

198

 

$

106

 

$

 

$

304

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

174

 

46

 

5

 

215

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

372

 

$

152

 

$

5

 

$

519

 

 

13



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

Unrealized Investment Losses

 

The following tables summarize, for all investments in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized losses by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position.

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

(at September 30, 2011, in millions)

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

520

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

520

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

731

 

5

 

115

 

5

 

846

 

10

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

54

 

 

 

 

54

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

292

 

8

 

137

 

11

 

429

 

19

 

All other corporate bonds

 

1,794

 

52

 

73

 

17

 

1,867

 

69

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

3,391

 

65

 

325

 

33

 

3,716

 

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

79

 

7

 

 

 

79

 

7

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

58

 

1

 

35

 

2

 

93

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

137

 

8

 

35

 

2

 

172

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

3,528

 

$

73

 

$

360

 

$

35

 

$

3,888

 

$

108

 

 

14



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or longer

 

Total

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

155

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

155

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

5,854

 

149

 

139

 

6

 

5,993

 

155

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

419

 

4

 

13

 

 

432

 

4

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

77

 

1

 

420

 

35

 

497

 

36

 

All other corporate bonds

 

1,255

 

32

 

185

 

19

 

1,440

 

51

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

7,760

 

186

 

760

 

60

 

8,520

 

246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

3

 

 

3

 

 

6

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

45

 

1

 

49

 

4

 

94

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

48

 

1

 

52

 

4

 

100

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

7,808

 

$

187

 

$

812

 

$

64

 

$

8,620

 

$

251

 

 

The following table summarizes, for all fixed maturities and equity securities reported at fair value for which fair value is less than 80% of amortized cost at September 30, 2011, the gross unrealized investment loss by length of time those securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position of greater than 20% of amortized cost:

 

 

 

Period For Which Fair Value Is Less Than 80% of Amortized Cost

 

(in millions)

 

3 Months
or Less

 

Greater Than 3
Months, 6 Months
or Less

 

Greater Than 6
Months, 12 Months
or Less

 

Greater Than
12 Months

 

Total

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other

 

5

 

2

 

4

 

9

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

5

 

2

 

4

 

9

 

20

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

5

 

$

2

 

$

4

 

$

9

 

$

20

 

 

15



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

Impairment Charges

 

Impairment charges included in net realized investment gains in the consolidated statement of income were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
 September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

5

 

1

 

9

 

3

 

All other corporate bonds

 

2

 

2

 

5

 

7

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

7

 

3

 

14

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

5

 

 

6

 

2

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

5

 

1

 

6

 

3

 

Other investments

 

 

2

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

12

 

$

6

 

$

20

 

$

20

 

 

The following tables present a roll-forward of the credit component of other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) on fixed maturities recognized in the consolidated statement of income for which a portion of the OTTI was recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources:

 

16



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

3.                       INVESTMENTS, Continued

 

 

 

2011

 

(for the three months ended September 30, in
millions)

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities
Held,
Beginning of
Period

 

Additions for
OTTI Securities
Where No
Credit Losses
Were Previously
Recognized

 

Additions for
OTTI
Securities
Where Credit
Losses Have
Been
Previously
Recognized

 

Reductions
Due to
Sales/Defaults
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities

 

Adjustments
to Book Value
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities due
to Changes in
Cash Flows

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities Still
Held, End of
Period

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

51

 

$

 

$

4

 

$

 

$

 

$

55

 

All other corporate bonds

 

92

 

 

1

 

 

2

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

$

143

 

$

 

$

5

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

150

 

 

(for the nine months ended September 30, in
millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

47

 

$

 

$

8

 

$

 

$

 

$

55

 

All other corporate bonds

 

88

 

2

 

2

 

(1

)

4

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

$

135

 

$

2

 

$

10

 

$

(1

)

$

4

 

$

150

 

 

 

 

2010

 

(for the three months ended September 30, in
millions)

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities
Held,
Beginning of
Period

 

Additions for
OTTI Securities
Where No
Credit Losses
Were Previously
Recognized

 

Additions for
OTTI
Securities
Where Credit
Losses Have
Been
Previously
Recognized

 

Reductions
Due to
Sales/Defaults
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities

 

Adjustments
to Book Value
of Credit-
Impaired
Securities due
to Changes in
Cash Flows

 

Cumulative
OTTI Credit
Losses
Recognized for
Securities Still
Held, End of
Period

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

45

 

$

 

$

1

 

$

 

$

 

$

46

 

All other corporate bonds

 

85

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

$

130

 

$

 

$

2

 

$

 

$

1

 

$

133

 

 

(for the nine months ended September 30, in
millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

$

46

 

$

 

$

3

 

$

(3

)

$

 

$

46

 

All other corporate bonds

 

93

 

 

3

 

(11

)

2

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

$

139

 

$

 

$

6

 

$

(14

)

$

2

 

$

133

 

 

17



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company’s estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance.  The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets, and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available.  The disclosure of fair value estimates in the fair value accounting guidance hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable.  In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions.  The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is reported is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.  The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

 

·                  Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

 

·                  Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

·                  Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable.  The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use.

 

Valuation of Investments Reported at Fair Value in Financial Statements

 

The fair value of a financial instrument is the estimated amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between knowledgeable, unrelated, willing parties, i.e., not in a forced transaction.  The estimated fair value of a financial instrument may differ from the amount that could be realized if the security was sold in an immediate sale, e.g., a forced transaction.  Additionally, the valuation of investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid due to the lack of market based inputs, which may increase the potential that the estimated fair value of an investment is not reflective of the price at which an actual transaction would occur.

 

For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the unadjusted quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy.  The Company receives the quoted market prices from a third party, nationally recognized pricing service (pricing service).  When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Company utilizes a pricing service to determine an estimate of fair value, which is mainly used for its fixed maturity investments.  The fair value estimates provided from this pricing service are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  If quoted market prices and an estimate from a pricing service are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques, which, depending on the level of observable market inputs, will render the fair value estimate as Level 2 or Level 3.  The Company bases all of its estimates of fair value for assets on the bid price as it represents what a third-party market participant would be willing to pay in an arm’s length transaction.

 

Fixed Maturities

 

The Company utilizes a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 98% of its fixed maturities.  The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted prices in active markets.  Since fixed maturities other than U.S. Treasury securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for these securities using its proprietary pricing applications, which include available relevant market information, benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing.  Additionally, the pricing service uses an Option Adjusted Spread model to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

The pricing service evaluates each asset class based on relevant market information, relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news.  The market inputs utilized in the pricing evaluation, listed in the approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, and industry and economic events.  The extent of the use of each market input depends on the asset class and the market conditions.  Depending on the security, the priority of the use of inputs may change or some market inputs may not be relevant.  For some securities, additional inputs may be necessary.

 

The pricing service utilized by the Company has indicated that they will only produce an estimate of fair value if there is objectively verifiable information to produce a valuation.  If the pricing service discontinues pricing an investment, the Company would be required to produce an estimate of fair value using some of the same methodologies as the pricing service but would have to make assumptions for market-based inputs that are unavailable due to market conditions.

 

The fair value estimates of most fixed maturity investments are based on observable market information rather than market quotes.  Accordingly, the estimates of fair value for such fixed maturities, other than U.S. Treasury securities, provided by the pricing service are included in the amount disclosed in Level 2 of the hierarchy.  The estimated fair value of U.S. Treasury securities is included in the amount disclosed in Level 1 as the estimates are based on unadjusted market prices.

 

The Company also holds certain fixed maturity investments which are not priced by the pricing service and estimates the fair value of such fixed maturities using an internal matrix that is based on market information regarding interest rates, credit spreads and liquidity.  The underlying source data for calculating the matrix of credit spreads relative to the U.S. Treasury curve are the BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate Index and the BofA Merrill Lynch High Yield BB Rated Index.  The Company includes the fair value estimates of these corporate bonds in Level 2, since all significant inputs are market observable.

 

While the vast majority of the Company’s municipal bonds are included in Level 2, the Company holds a small number of municipal bonds which are not valued by the pricing service and estimates the fair value of these bonds using an internal pricing matrix with some unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation.  Due to the limited amount of observable market information, the Company includes the fair value estimates for these particular bonds in Level 3.  Additionally, the Company holds a small amount of other fixed maturity investments that have characteristics that make them unsuitable for matrix pricing.  For these fixed maturities, the Company obtains a quote from a broker (typically a market maker).  Due to the disclaimers on the quotes that indicate that the price is indicative only, the Company includes these fair value estimates in Level 3.

 

Equities — Public Common and Preferred

 

For public common and preferred stocks, the Company receives prices from a nationally recognized pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and includes these estimates in the amount disclosed in Level 1.  Infrequently, current market quotes in active markets are unavailable for certain non-redeemable preferred stocks held by the Company.  In these instances, the Company receives an estimate of fair value from the pricing service that provides fair value estimates for the Company’s fixed maturities. The service utilizes some of the same methodologies to price the non-redeemable preferred stocks as it does for the fixed maturities. The Company includes the fair value estimate for these non-redeemable preferred stocks in the amount disclosed in Level 2.

 

Other Investments

 

The Company holds investments in various publicly-traded securities which are reported in other investments.  These investments include securities in the Company’s trading portfolio, mutual funds and other small holdings.  The $39 million and $42 million fair value of these investments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, was disclosed in Level 1.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held investments in non-public common and preferred equity securities, with fair value estimates of $45 million and $57 million, respectively, reported in other investments, where the fair value estimate is determined either internally or by an external fund manager based on recent filings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth and other business and market sector fundamentals.  Due to the significant unobservable inputs in these valuations, the Company includes the total fair value estimate for all of these investments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 in the amount disclosed in Level 3.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

Derivatives

 

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held $28 million and $37 million, respectively, of convertible bonds containing embedded conversion options that are valued separately from the host bond contract in the amount disclosed in Level 2 — fixed maturities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The following tables present the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are measured on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(at September 30, 2011, in millions)

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

2,231

 

$

2,198

 

$

33

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

39,275

 

 

39,254

 

21

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,002

 

 

2,002

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

3,618

 

 

3,617

 

1

 

All other corporate bonds

 

16,837

 

 

16,627

 

210

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

37

 

36

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

64,000

 

2,234

 

61,534

 

232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

376

 

364

 

12

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

194

 

134

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

570

 

498

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

84

 

39

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

64,654

 

$

2,771

 

$

61,606

 

$

277

 

 

The Company did not have significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invested assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities

 

$

2,008

 

$

1,991

 

$

17

 

$

 

Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions

 

39,535

 

 

39,433

 

102

 

Debt securities issued by foreign governments

 

2,202

 

 

2,202

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities

 

4,164

 

 

4,163

 

1

 

All other corporate bonds

 

14,876

 

 

14,749

 

127

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

35

 

34

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed maturities

 

62,820

 

2,025

 

60,565

 

230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

304

 

281

 

23

 

 

Non-redeemable preferred stock

 

215

 

131

 

84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity securities

 

519

 

412

 

107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments

 

99

 

42

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

63,438

 

$

2,479

 

$

60,672

 

$

287

 

 

The Company did not have significant transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

The following tables present the changes in the Level 3 fair value category during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

 

21



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 (in millions)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Other
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2011

 

$

197

 

$

71

 

$

268

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in realized investment gains (losses) (1)

 

1

 

33

 

34

 

Included in increases (decreases) in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(3

)

(22

)

(25

)

Purchases, sales and settlements/maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

37

 

3

 

40

 

Sales

 

(3

)

(40

)

(43

)

Settlements/maturities

 

(5

)

 

(5

)

Gross transfers into Level 3

 

8

 

 

8

 

Gross transfers out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2011

 

$

232

 

$

45

 

$

277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of total realized investment gains (losses) for the period included in the consolidated statement of income attributable to changes in the fair value of assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)                  Includes impairments on investments held at the end of the period as well as amortization on fixed maturities.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 (in millions)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Other
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

230

 

$

57

 

$

287

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in realized investment gains (losses) (1)

 

1

 

39

 

40

 

Included in increases (decreases) in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(3

)

(9

)

(12

)

Purchases, sales and settlements/maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

119

 

5

 

124

 

Sales

 

(15

)

(47

)

(62

)

Settlements/maturities

 

(26

)

 

(26

)

Gross transfers into Level 3

 

16

 

 

16

 

Gross transfers out of Level 3 (2)

 

(90

)

 

(90

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2011

 

$

232

 

$

45

 

$

277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of total realized investment gains (losses) for the period included in the consolidated statement of income attributable to changes in the fair value of assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


(1)

Includes impairments on investments held at the end of the period as well as amortization on fixed maturities.

 

 

(2)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, approximately $81 million of municipal fixed maturity securities were valued using observable market data which resulted in a transfer out of Level 3 into Level 2. In prior periods, these securities were valued internally using unobservable inputs.

 

22



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

4.      FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2010 (in millions)

 

Fixed
Maturities

 

Other
Investments

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

$

240

 

$

154

 

$

394

 

Total realized and unrealized investment gains (losses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in realized investment gains (losses) (1)

 

5

 

2

 

7

 

Included in increases (decreases) in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

10

 

11

 

21

 

Purchases, sales and settlements/maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

44

 

3

 

47

 

Sales

 

(9

)

(113

)

(122

)

Settlements/maturities

 

(41

)

 

(41

)

Gross transfers into Level 3

 

13

 

 

13

 

Gross transfers out of Level 3

 

(32

)

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

 

$

230

 

$

57

 

$

287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of total realized investment gains (losses) for the period included in the consolidated statement of income attributable to changes in the fair value of assets still held at the reporting date

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 


(1)     Includes impairments on investments held at the end of the period as well as amortization on fixed maturities.

 

The Company had no financial assets or financial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 or twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

 

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value

 

The Company uses various financial instruments in the normal course of its business. The Company’s insurance contracts are excluded from fair value of financial instruments accounting guidance and, therefore, are not included in the amounts discussed below.

 

The carrying values of cash, short-term securities and investment income accrued approximated their fair values.

 

The carrying values of $547 million and $647 million of financial instruments classified as other assets approximated their fair values at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The carrying values of $3.95 billion and $3.75 billion of financial instruments classified as other liabilities at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, also approximated their fair values. Fair value is determined using various methods including discounted cash flows, as appropriate for the various financial instruments.

 

The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt at September 30, 2011 was $6.60 billion and $7.35 billion, respectively. The respective totals at December 31, 2010 were $6.61 billion and $7.21 billion.  The Company utilized a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 96% and 94% of its debt, other than commercial paper, at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The pricing service utilizes market quotations for debt that have quoted prices in active markets.  For the small amount of the Company’s debt securities for which a pricing service is not used, the Company utilizes pricing estimates from a nationally recognized broker/dealer to estimate fair value.  If estimates of fair value are unavailable from the pricing service or the broker/dealer, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques which are based on a discounted cash flow methodology and incorporates all available relevant observable market inputs.

 

The fair value of commercial paper included in debt outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 approximated its book value because of its short-term nature.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

5.                       GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Goodwill

 

The following table presents the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill by segment at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(in millions)

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Business Insurance

 

$

2,168

 

$

2,168

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

557

 

557

 

Personal Insurance

 

613

 

613

 

Other

 

27

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

3,365

 

$

3,365

 

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

The following presents a summary of the Company’s other intangible assets by major asset class at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(at September 30, 2011, in millions)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Intangibles subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

935

 

$

819

 

$

116

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables (1)

 

191

 

74

 

117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

 

1,126

 

893

 

233

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

216

 

 

216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other intangible assets

 

$

1,342

 

$

893

 

$

449

 

 

(at December 31, 2010, in millions)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Intangibles subject to amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

935

 

$

783

 

$

152

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables (1)

 

191

 

57

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

 

1,126

 

840

 

286

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

216

 

 

216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other intangible assets

 

$

1,342

 

$

840

 

$

502

 

 


(1)          The time value of money and the risk margin (cost of capital) components of the intangible asset run off at different rates, and, as such, the amount recognized in income may be a net benefit in some periods and a net expense in other periods.

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

5.                       GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Continued

 

The following presents a summary of the Company’s amortization expense for other intangible assets by major asset class:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer-related

 

$

11

 

$

14

 

$

36

 

$

46

 

Fair value adjustment on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables

 

5

 

7

 

17

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amortization expense

 

$

16

 

$

21

 

$

53

 

$

66

 

 

Intangible asset amortization expense is estimated to be $16 million for the remainder of 2011, $52 million in 2012, $45 million in 2013, $43 million in 2014 and $23 million in 2015.

 

6.             SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Share Repurchase Authorization.  The Company’s board of directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise.  The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date.  The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, catastrophe losses, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.  During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 7.3 million and 30.1 million shares, respectively, under its share repurchase authorization, for a total cost of approximately $375 million and $1.71 billion, respectively.  The average cost per share repurchased was $51.77 and $56.94, respectively.  At September 30, 2011, the Company had $4.80 billion of capacity remaining under the share repurchase authorization.

 

Conversion of Preferred Stock to Common Stock.  In May 2011, the Company’s board of directors authorized the redemption of the Company’s preferred stock held by The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan (the Savings Plan) and gave notice of that redemption to the appropriate fiduciaries of the Savings Plan.  Following a fiduciary review, the Savings Plan exercised its right to convert each preferred share into eight shares of the Company’s common stock.  As a result, all preferred shares outstanding on June 7, 2011 (190,083 shares) were converted into a total of 1.52 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

Changes In Equity From Nonowner Sources.  The Company’s total changes in equity from nonowner sources were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions, after-tax)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

333

 

$

1,005

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

389

 

585

 

758

 

1,061

 

Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income

 

(6

)

24

 

6

 

68

 

Other changes

 

(62

)

73

 

13

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

$

654

 

$

1,687

 

$

1,585

 

$

3,475

 

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

7.                       EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following is a reconciliation of the net income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, as reported

 

$

333

 

$

1,005

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

(1

)

(1

)

(2

)

Participating share-based awards — allocated income

 

(2

)

(8

)

(6

)

(18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders — basic

 

$

331

 

$

996

 

$

801

 

$

2,302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

331

 

$

996

 

$

801

 

$

2,302

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Participating share-based awards — re-allocated income

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

1

 

1

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders — diluted

 

$

331

 

$

998

 

$

802

 

$

2,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

415.0

 

465.9

 

420.4

 

486.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

415.0

 

465.9

 

420.4

 

486.1

 

Weighted average effects of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options and performance shares

 

3.5

 

4.4

 

4.3

 

4.4

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

1.7

 

0.9

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

418.5

 

472.0

 

425.6

 

492.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.80

 

$

2.14

 

$

1.90

 

$

4.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

0.79

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.88

 

$

4.68

 

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

8.             SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following presents information for fully vested stock option awards at September 30, 2011:

 

Stock Options

 

Number

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Contractual
Life
Remaining

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

($ in millions)

 

Vested at end of period (1)

 

12,994,952

 

$

46.54

 

4.5 years

 

$

55

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

9,234,485

 

$

44.83

 

3.5 years

 

$

45

 

 


(1) Represents awards for which the requisite service has been rendered, including those that are retirement eligible.

 

The total compensation cost for all share-based incentive compensation awards recognized in earnings was $27 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and $94 million and $98 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The related tax benefits recognized in the consolidated statement of income were $9 million and $0, for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $32 million and $25 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested share-based incentive compensation awards at September 30, 2011 was $140 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested share-based incentive compensation awards at December 31, 2010 was $112 million, which was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

 

9.                       PENSION PLANS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SAVINGS PLANS

 

The following tables summarize the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans recognized in the consolidated statement of income.

 

(for the three months ended September 30, in

 

Pension Plans

 

Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

25

 

$

24

 

$

1

 

$

1

 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

 

33

 

32

 

3

 

4

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(46

)

(46

)

 

(1

)

Amortization of unrecognized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

20

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit expense

 

$

32

 

$

25

 

$

4

 

$

4

 

 

(for the nine months ended September 30, in

 

Pension Plans

 

Postretirement Benefit Plans

 

millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

74

 

$

72

 

$

1

 

$

1

 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

 

101

 

96

 

10

 

11

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(137

)

(138

)

(1

)

(1

)

Amortization of unrecognized:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

(2

)

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

58

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit expense

 

$

96

 

$

73

 

$

10

 

$

11

 

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

9.                       PENSION PLANS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SAVINGS PLANS, Continued

 

Employer Contribution

 

In August 2011, the Company made a contribution of $35 million to its qualified domestic pension plan.

 

10.                               CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES

 

Contingencies

 

Asbestos- and Environmental-Related Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of its insurance business, the Company receives claims for insurance arising under policies issued by the Company asserting alleged injuries and damages from asbestos- and environmental-related exposures that are the subject of related coverage litigation, including, among others, the litigation described below.  The Company is defending asbestos- and environmental-related litigation vigorously and believes that it has meritorious defenses; however, the outcomes of these disputes are uncertain.  In this regard, the Company employs dedicated specialists and aggressive resolution strategies to manage asbestos and environmental loss exposure, including settling litigation under appropriate circumstances.

 

Asbestos Direct Action Litigation — In October 2001 and April 2002, two purported class action suits (Wise v. Travelers and Meninger v. Travelers) were filed against Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (TPC) and other insurers (not including The St. Paul Companies, Inc. (SPC)) in state court in West Virginia. These and other cases subsequently filed in West Virginia were consolidated into a single proceeding in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia. The plaintiffs allege that the insurer defendants engaged in unfair trade practices in violation of state statutes by inappropriately handling and settling asbestos claims. The plaintiffs seek to reopen large numbers of settled asbestos claims and to impose liability for damages, including punitive damages, directly on insurers.  Similar lawsuits alleging inappropriate handling and settling of asbestos claims were filed in Massachusetts and Hawaii state courts.  These suits are collectively referred to as the Statutory and Hawaii Actions.

 

In March 2002, the plaintiffs in consolidated asbestos actions pending before a mass tort panel of judges in West Virginia state court amended their complaint to include TPC as a defendant, alleging that TPC and other insurers breached alleged duties to certain users of asbestos products.  The plaintiffs seek damages, including punitive damages. Lawsuits seeking similar relief and raising similar allegations, primarily violations of purported common law duties to third parties, have also been asserted in various state courts against TPC and SPC. The claims asserted in these suits are collectively referred to as the Common Law Claims.

 

The federal bankruptcy court that had presided over the bankruptcy of TPC’s former policyholder Johns-Manville Corporation issued a temporary injunction prohibiting the prosecution of the Statutory Actions (but not the Hawaii Actions), the Common Law Claims and an additional set of cases filed in various state courts in Texas and Ohio, and enjoining certain attorneys from filing any further lawsuits against TPC based on similar allegations. Notwithstanding the injunction, additional common law claims were filed against TPC.

 

In November 2003, the parties reached a settlement of the Statutory and Hawaii Actions.  This settlement includes a lump-sum payment of up to $412 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies. In May 2004, the parties reached a settlement resolving substantially all pending and similar future Common Law Claims against TPC.  This settlement requires a payment of up to $90 million by TPC, subject to a number of significant contingencies.  Among the contingencies for each of these settlements is a final order of the bankruptcy court clarifying that all of these claims, and similar future asbestos-related claims against TPC, are barred by prior orders entered by the bankruptcy court (“the 1986 Orders”).

 

On August 17, 2004, the bankruptcy court entered an order approving the settlements and clarifying that the 1986 Orders barred the pending Statutory and Hawaii Actions and substantially all Common Law Claims pending against TPC (“the Clarifying Order”). The Clarifying Order also applies to similar direct action claims that may be filed in the future.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

10.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

On March 29, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York substantially affirmed the Clarifying Order while vacating that portion of the order that required all future direct actions against TPC to first be approved by the bankruptcy court before proceeding in state or federal court.

 

Various parties appealed the district court’s March 29, 2006 ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On February 15, 2008, the Second Circuit issued an opinion vacating on jurisdictional grounds the District Court’s approval of the Clarifying Order.  On February 29, 2008, TPC and certain other parties to the appeals filed petitions for rehearing and/or rehearing en banc, requesting reinstatement of the district court’s judgment, which were denied.  TPC and certain other parties filed Petitions for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s decision, and on December 12, 2008, the Petitions were granted.

 

On June 18, 2009, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of TPC, reversing the Second Circuit’s February 15, 2008 decision, finding, among other things, that the 1986 Orders are final and generally bar the Statutory and Hawaii actions and substantially all Common Law Claims against TPC.  Further, the Supreme Court ruled that the bankruptcy court had jurisdiction to issue the Clarifying Order.  However, since the Second Circuit had not ruled on certain additional issues, principally related to procedural matters and the adequacy of notice provided to certain parties, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Second Circuit for further proceedings on those specific issues.  On October 21, 2009, all but one of the objectors to the Clarifying Order requested that the Second Circuit dismiss their appeal of the order approving the settlement, and that request was granted.

 

On March 22, 2010, the Second Circuit issued an opinion in which it found that the notice of the 1986 Orders provided to the remaining objector was insufficient to bar contribution claims by that objector against TPC. On April 5, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc with the Second Circuit, requesting further review of its March 22, 2010 opinion, which was denied on May 25, 2010.  On August 18, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion, and a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus seeking an order from the Supreme Court requiring the Second Circuit to comply with the Supreme Court’s June 18, 2009 ruling in TPC’s favor. The Supreme Court denied the Petitions on November 29, 2010.

 

The plaintiffs in the Statutory and Hawaii actions and the Common Law Claims actions filed Motions to Compel with the bankruptcy court on September 2, 2010 and September 3, 2010, respectively, arguing that all conditions precedent to the settlements have been met and seeking to require TPC to pay the settlement amounts.  On September 30, 2010, TPC filed an Opposition to the plaintiffs’ Motions to Compel on the grounds that the conditions precedent to the settlements, principally the requirement that all contribution claims be barred, have not been met in light of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion.  On December 16, 2010, the bankruptcy court granted the plaintiffs’ motions and ruled that TPC was required to fund the settlements.  On January 20, 2011, the bankruptcy court entered judgment in accordance with its December 16, 2010 ruling and ordered TPC to pay the settlement amounts plus prejudgment interest. On January 21, 2011, TPC filed an appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment.  On January 24, 2011, certain of the plaintiffs in the Common Law Claims actions appealed that portion of the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment that denied their request for an order of contempt and for sanctions.  Oral argument on the appeals has been scheduled for October 26, 2011.

 

SPC, which is not covered by the Manville bankruptcy court rulings or the settlements described above, is a party to pending direct action cases in Texas state court asserting common law claims.  All such cases that are still pending and in which SPC has been served are currently on the inactive docket in Texas state court.  If any of those cases becomes active, SPC intends to litigate those cases vigorously.  SPC was previously a defendant in similar direct actions in Ohio state court. Those actions have all been dismissed following favorable rulings by Ohio trial and appellate courts.  From time to time, SPC and/or its subsidiaries have been named in individual direct actions in other jurisdictions.

 

29



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

10.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

Outcome and Impact of Asbestos and Environmental Claims and Litigation.  Currently, it is not possible to predict legal outcomes and their impact on the future development of claims and litigation relating to asbestos and environmental claims. Any such development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as changes in applicable legislation. Because of these uncertainties, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves. In addition, the Company’s estimate of ultimate claims and claim adjustment expenses may change. These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s results of operations in future periods.

 

Other Proceedings Not Arising Under Insurance Contracts or Reinsurance Agreements

 

Broker Anti-Trust Litigation In 2005, four putative class action lawsuits were brought against a number of insurance brokers and insurers, including the Company, by plaintiffs who allegedly purchased insurance products through one or more of the defendant brokers.  The plaintiffs alleged that various insurance brokers conspired with each other and with various insurers, including the Company, to artificially inflate premiums, allocate brokerage customers and rig bids for insurance products offered to those customers. To the extent they were not originally filed there, the federal class actions were transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings with other class actions under the caption In re Insurance Brokerage Antitrust Litigation. On August 1, 2005, various plaintiffs, including the four named plaintiffs in the above-referenced class actions, filed an amended consolidated class action complaint naming various brokers and insurers, including the Company, on behalf of a putative nationwide class of policyholders. The complaint included causes of action under the Sherman Act, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), state common law and the laws of the various states prohibiting antitrust violations. The complaint sought monetary damages, including punitive damages and trebled damages, permanent injunctive relief, restitution, including disgorgement of profits, interest and costs, including attorneys’ fees.  All defendants moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim.  After giving plaintiffs multiple opportunities to replead, the court dismissed the Sherman Act claims on August 31, 2007 and the RICO claims on September 28, 2007, both with prejudice, and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims. The plaintiffs appealed the district court’s decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On August 16, 2010, the Third Circuit affirmed the district court’s dismissal of all Sherman Act and RICO claims against certain defendants, including the Company, except for Sherman Act and RICO claims involving the sale of excess casualty insurance through a single defendant broker, as well as all state law claims, which they remanded to the district court for further proceedings. On October 1, 2010, defendants, including the Company, filed renewed motions to dismiss the remanded claims.  On March 18, 2011, the Company and certain other defendants entered into an agreement with the plaintiffs to settle the lawsuit. The settlement, under which the Company agreed to pay $6.75 million, is subject to court approval.  Preliminary approval of the settlement was granted on June 27, 2011.  On September 14, 2011, the court conducted a final fairness hearing and the settling parties await the court’s decision.

 

Other — In addition to those described above, the Company is involved in other lawsuits, including lawsuits alleging extra-contractual damages relating to insurance contracts or reinsurance agreements, that do not arise under insurance contracts or reinsurance agreements.  Based upon currently available information, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits would be material to the Company’s results of operations or have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.

 

Gain Contingency

 

On August 20, 2010, in a reinsurance dispute in New York state court captioned United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company v. American Re-Insurance Company, et al., the trial court granted summary judgment for the Company, and on October 25, 2010, entered judgment awarding the Company $251 million plus pre-judgment interest in the amount of $169 million.  United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company is a subsidiary of the Company.  The $251 million awarded by the court represents the amount owed to the Company under the terms of the disputed reinsurance agreements and is reported as part of reinsurance recoverables in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The interest awarded by the Court is treated for accounting purposes as a gain contingency in accordance with FASB Topic 450, Contingencies, and accordingly has not been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Post-judgment interest continues to accrue at the rate of 9 percent (without compounding) on the total judgment of $420 million. The judgment, including the award of interest, was appealed to the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, and oral argument occurred on May 10, 2011. The parties continue to await a ruling from the Appellate Division.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

10.          CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

 

Commitments

 

Investment Commitments — The Company has unfunded commitments to private equity limited partnerships and real estate partnerships in which it invests.  These commitments totaled $1.17 billion and $1.26 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Guarantees

 

The Company has contingent obligations for guarantees related to letters of credit, certain investments, third-party loans related to certain investments, certain insurance policy obligations of former insurance subsidiaries, and various indemnifications, including those related to the sale of business entities.  The Company also provides standard indemnifications to service providers in the normal course of business.  The indemnification clauses are often standard contractual terms.  Certain of these guarantees and indemnifications have no stated or notional amounts or limitation to the maximum potential future payments, and, accordingly, the Company is unable to develop an estimate of the maximum potential payments for such arrangements.  The maximum amount of the Company’s obligation for guarantees of certain investments and third-party loans related to certain investments that are quantifiable was $85 million, approximately $40 million of which is indemnified by a third party. The maximum amount of the Company’s obligation related to the guarantee of certain insurance policy obligations of a former insurance subsidiary was $480 million, all of which is indemnified by a third party.

 

In the ordinary course of selling business entities to third parties, the Company has agreed to indemnify purchasers for losses arising out of breaches of representations and warranties with respect to the business entities being sold, covenants and obligations of the Company and/or its subsidiaries following the closing, and in certain cases obligations arising from undisclosed liabilities, adverse reserve development, imposition of additional taxes due to either a change in the tax law or an adverse interpretation of the tax law, or certain named litigation.  Such indemnification provisions generally survive for periods ranging from two years following the applicable closing date to the expiration of the relevant statutes of limitations, although, in some cases, there may be other agreed upon term limitations or no term limitations.  Certain of these contingent obligations are subject to deductibles which have to be incurred by the obligee before the Company is obligated to make payments.  The maximum amount of the Company’s contingent obligation for indemnifications related to the sale of business entities that are quantifiable was $1.33 billion at September 30, 2011, of which $10 million was recognized on the balance sheet at that date.

 

11.                                 CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The following consolidating financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. These consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed certain debt obligations of TPC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, which totaled $1.20 billion at September 30, 2011.

 

Prior to the merger of TPC and SPC in 2004, TPC fully and unconditionally guaranteed the payment of all principal, premiums, if any, and interest on certain debt obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. (TIGHI). The Travelers Companies, Inc. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed such guarantee obligations of TPC. TPC is deemed to have no assets or operations independent of TIGHI.  Consolidating financial information for TIGHI has not been presented herein because such financial information would be substantially the same as the financial information provided for TPC.

 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the three months ended September 30, 2011

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

3,780

 

$

1,825

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,605

 

Net investment income

 

460

 

228

 

2

 

 

690

 

Fee income

 

78

 

1

 

 

 

79

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(13

)

15

 

 

 

2

 

Other revenues

 

24

 

7

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

4,329

 

2,076

 

2

 

 

6,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

2,815

 

1,321

 

 

 

4,136

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

654

 

328

 

 

 

982

 

General and administrative expenses

 

579

 

279

 

2

 

 

860

 

Interest expense

 

19

 

 

78

 

 

97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

4,067

 

1,928

 

80

 

 

6,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

262

 

148

 

(78

)

 

332

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

8

 

18

 

(27

)

 

(1

)

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

384

 

(384

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

254

 

$

130

 

$

333

 

$

(384

)

$

333

 

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)

 

$

13

 

$

(4

)

$

 

$

 

$

9

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(19

)

(2

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(6

)

(6

)

 

 

(12

)

Other net realized investment gains (losses)

 

(7

)

21

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

$

(13

)

$

15

 

$

 

$

 

$

2

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

32



Table of Contents

 

  THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.                CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the three months ended September 30, 2010

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

3,653

 

$

1,769

 

$

 

$

 

$

5,422

 

Net investment income

 

488

 

244

 

3

 

 

735

 

Fee income

 

63

 

1

 

 

 

64

 

Net realized investment gains

 

8

 

188

 

30

 

 

226

 

Other revenues

 

31

 

5

 

 

(1

)

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

4,243

 

2,207

 

33

 

(1

)

6,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

2,161

 

1,052

 

 

 

3,213

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

648

 

318

 

 

 

966

 

General and administrative expenses

 

569

 

265

 

3

 

 

837

 

Interest expense

 

18

 

 

78

 

(1

)

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

3,396

 

1,635

 

81

 

(1

)

5,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

847

 

572

 

(48

)

 

1,371

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

218

 

158

 

(10

)

 

366

 

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

1,043

 

(1,043

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

629

 

$

414

 

$

1,005

 

$

(1,043

)

$

1,005

 

 

(in millions)

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains

 

$

5

 

$

3

 

$

 

$

 

$

8

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(9

)

(5

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(4

)

(2

)

 

 

(6

)

Other net realized investment gains

 

12

 

190

 

30

 

 

232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

8

 

$

188

 

$

30

 

$

 

$

226

 

 


(1)                                  The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

33



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.     CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

11,115

 

$

5,364

 

$

 

$

 

$

16,479

 

Net investment income

 

1,503

 

717

 

7

 

 

2,227

 

Fee income

 

225

 

2

 

 

 

227

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

8

 

38

 

(5

)

 

41

 

Other revenues

 

81

 

18

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

12,932

 

6,139

 

2

 

 

19,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

8,480

 

4,179

 

 

 

12,659

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

1,921

 

979

 

 

 

2,900

 

General and administrative expenses

 

1,766

 

859

 

25

 

 

2,650

 

Interest expense

 

55

 

 

235

 

 

290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

12,222

 

6,017

 

260

 

 

18,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

710

 

122

 

(258

)

 

574

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(51

)

(183

)

 

(234

)

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

883

 

(883

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

710

 

$

173

 

$

808

 

$

(883

)

$

808

 

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains

 

$

12

 

$

4

 

$

 

$

 

$

16

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(24

)

(12

)

 

 

(36

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(12

)

(8

)

 

 

(20

)

Other net realized investment gains (losses)

 

20

 

46

 

(5

)

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

$

8

 

$

38

 

$

(5

)

$

 

$

41

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

34



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.     CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

10,786

 

$

5,206

 

$

 

$

 

$

15,992

 

Net investment income

 

1,524

 

717

 

9

 

 

2,250

 

Fee income

 

218

 

1

 

 

 

219

 

Net realized investment gains

 

37

 

177

 

6

 

 

220

 

Other revenues

 

86

 

14

 

 

(1

)

99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

12,651

 

6,115

 

15

 

(1

)

18,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

6,663

 

3,357

 

 

 

10,020

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

1,893

 

952

 

 

 

2,845

 

General and administrative expenses

 

1,709

 

796

 

11

 

 

2,516

 

Interest expense

 

55

 

 

236

 

(1

)

290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

10,320

 

5,105

 

247

 

(1

)

15,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

2,331

 

1,010

 

(232

)

 

3,109

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

565

 

273

 

(51

)

 

787

 

Equity in net income of subsidiaries

 

 

 

2,503

 

(2,503

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,766

 

$

737

 

$

2,322

 

$

(2,503

)

$

2,322

 

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains (losses)

 

$

10

 

$

(1

)

$

 

$

 

$

9

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(19

)

(10

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(9

)

(11

)

 

 

(20

)

Other net realized investment gains

 

46

 

188

 

6

 

 

240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

37

 

$

177

 

$

6

 

$

 

$

220

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

35



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.     CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

At September 30, 2011

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (including $149 subject to securities lending) (amortized cost $60,056)

 

$

43,327

 

$

20,651

 

$

22

 

$

 

$

64,000

 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $467)

 

203

 

280

 

87

 

 

570

 

Real estate

 

33

 

818

 

 

 

851

 

Short-term securities

 

1,542

 

900

 

2,355

 

 

4,797

 

Other investments

 

2,436

 

997

 

1

 

 

3,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

47,541

 

23,646

 

2,465

 

 

73,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

106

 

120

 

5

 

 

231

 

Investment income accrued

 

495

 

242

 

 

 

737

 

Premiums receivable

 

4,000

 

1,932

 

 

 

5,932

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

7,709

 

4,034

 

 

 

11,743

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

750

 

172

 

 

 

922

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,605

 

264

 

 

 

1,869

 

Contractholder receivables

 

4,074

 

1,301

 

 

 

5,375

 

Goodwill

 

2,411

 

954

 

 

 

3,365

 

Other intangible assets

 

305

 

144

 

 

 

449

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

 

28,183

 

(28,183

)

 

Other assets

 

2,196

 

97

 

413

 

(48

)

2,658

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

71,192

 

$

32,906

 

$

31,066

 

$

(28,231

)

$

106,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

34,249

 

$

18,066

 

$

 

$

 

$

52,315

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

7,946

 

3,578

 

 

 

11,524

 

Contractholder payables

 

4,074

 

1,301

 

 

 

5,375

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

281

 

238

 

 

 

519

 

Deferred taxes

 

154

 

(40

)

(23

)

 

91

 

Debt

 

1,190

 

 

5,462

 

(48

)

6,604

 

Other liabilities

 

4,051

 

817

 

465

 

 

5,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

51,945

 

23,960

 

5,904

 

(48

)

81,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock (1,750.0 shares authorized; 412.8 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

390

 

20,664

 

(390

)

20,664

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

11,135

 

7,026

 

 

(18,161

)

 

Retained earnings

 

6,329

 

749

 

19,117

 

(7,068

)

19,127

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

1,783

 

781

 

2,032

 

(2,564

)

2,032

 

Treasury stock, at cost (328.1 shares)

 

 

 

(16,651

)

 

(16,651

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

19,247

 

8,946

 

25,162

 

(28,183

)

25,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

71,192

 

$

32,906

 

$

31,066

 

$

(28,231

)

$

106,933

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

36



Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), (Continued)

 

11.     CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

At December 31, 2010

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (including $186 subject to securities lending) (amortized cost $60,170)

 

$

42,415

 

$

20,385

 

$

20

 

$

 

$

62,820

 

Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (cost $372)

 

190

 

263

 

66

 

 

519

 

Real estate

 

1

 

837

 

 

 

838

 

Short-term securities

 

1,596

 

436

 

3,584

 

 

5,616

 

Other investments

 

1,982

 

946

 

1

 

 

2,929

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

46,184

 

22,867

 

3,671

 

 

72,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

86

 

110

 

4

 

 

200

 

Investment income accrued

 

532

 

259

 

 

 

791

 

Premiums receivable

 

3,691

 

1,806

 

 

 

5,497

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

7,868

 

4,126

 

 

 

11,994

 

Ceded unearned premiums

 

648

 

165

 

 

 

813

 

Deferred acquisition costs

 

1,511

 

271

 

 

 

1,782

 

Deferred taxes

 

294

 

125

 

74

 

 

493

 

Contractholder receivables

 

4,050

 

1,293

 

 

 

5,343

 

Goodwill

 

2,411

 

954

 

 

 

3,365

 

Other intangible assets

 

326

 

176

 

 

 

502

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

 

27,422

 

(27,422

)

 

Other assets

 

1,904

 

237

 

60

 

(47

)

2,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

69,505

 

$

32,389

 

$

31,231

 

$

(27,469

)

$

105,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

33,770

 

$

17,836

 

$

 

$

 

$

51,606

 

Unearned premium reserves

 

7,478

 

3,443

 

 

 

10,921

 

Contractholder payables

 

4,050

 

1,293

 

 

 

5,343

 

Payables for reinsurance premiums

 

214

 

193

 

 

 

407

 

Debt

 

1,189

 

9

 

5,460

 

(47

)

6,611

 

Other liabilities

 

3,906

 

1,089

 

298

 

 

5,293

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

50,607

 

23,863

 

5,758

 

(47

)

80,181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock Savings Plan—convertible preferred stock (0.2 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

 

68

 

 

68

 

Common stock (1,748.6 shares authorized; 434.6 shares issued and outstanding)

 

 

390

 

20,162

 

(390

)

20,162

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

11,135

 

7,016

 

 

(18,151

)

 

Retained earnings

 

6,489

 

576

 

18,845

 

(7,063

)

18,847

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

1,274

 

544

 

1,255

 

(1,818

)

1,255

 

Treasury stock, at cost (296.6 shares)

 

 

 

(14,857

)

 

(14,857

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

18,898

 

8,526

 

25,473

 

(27,422

)

25,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

69,505

 

$

32,389

 

$

31,231

 

$

(27,469

)

$

105,656

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.     CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

710

 

$

173

 

$

808

 

$

(883

)

$

808

 

Net adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

764

 

214

 

17

 

15

 

1,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,474

 

387

 

825

 

(868

)

1,818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

3,490

 

1,751

 

 

 

5,241

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

452

 

389

 

1

 

 

842

 

Equity securities

 

15

 

36

 

 

 

51

 

Real estate

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

Other investments

 

301

 

181

 

 

 

482

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(4,131

)

(2,092

)

(1

)

 

(6,224

)

Equity securities

 

(6

)

(73

)

(39

)

 

(118

)

Real estate

 

(24

)

(17

)

 

 

(41

)

Other investments

 

(622

)

(136

)

 

 

(758

)

Net sales (purchases) of short-term securities

 

54

 

(470

)

1,229

 

 

813

 

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

128

 

68

 

 

 

196

 

Other

 

(234

)

(14

)

 

 

(248

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(576

)

(377

)

1,190

 

 

237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of debt

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(8

)

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

 

(500

)

 

(500

)

Issuance of common stock — employee share options

 

 

 

270

 

 

270

 

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

 

 

(1,755

)

 

(1,755

)

Treasury shares acquired — net employee share-based compensation

 

 

 

(46

)

 

(46

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

 

 

17

 

 

17

 

Dividends paid to parent company

 

(878

)

 

 

878

 

 

Capital contributions, loans and other transactions between subsidiaries

 

 

10

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(878

)

2

 

(2,014

)

868

 

(2,022

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

 

20

 

10

 

1

 

 

31

 

Cash at beginning of year

 

86

 

110

 

4

 

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

106

 

$

120

 

$

5

 

$

 

$

231

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid (received)

 

$

221

 

$

83

 

$

(27

)

$

 

$

277

 

Interest paid

 

$

65

 

$

 

$

161

 

$

 

$

226

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

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Table of Contents

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

 

11.     CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES, Continued

 

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010

 

(in millions) 

 

TPC

 

Other
Subsidiaries

 

Travelers (1)

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,766

 

$

737

 

$

2,322

 

$

(2,503

)

$

2,322

 

Net adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

191

 

(548

)

2,596

 

(2,169

)

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,957

 

189

 

4,918

 

(4,672

)

2,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities

 

2,507

 

1,364

 

10

 

 

3,881

 

Proceeds from sales of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

2,045

 

1,236

 

 

 

3,281

 

Equity securities

 

30

 

127

 

 

 

157

 

Real estate

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Other investments

 

213

 

213

 

 

 

426

 

Purchases of investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

 

(3,212

)

(1,947

)

(8

)

 

(5,167

)

Equity securities

 

(3

)

(26

)

 

 

(29

)

Real estate

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(15

)

Other investments

 

(221

)

(152

)

 

 

(373

)

Net sales (purchases) of short-term securities

 

826

 

38

 

(930

)

 

(66

)

Securities transactions in course of settlement

 

23

 

(263

)

 

 

(240

)

Other

 

(216

)

(4

)

 

 

(220

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,992

 

581

 

(928

)

 

1,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of debt

 

(4

)

 

(271

)

 

(275

)

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

 

(512

)

 

(512

)

Issuance of common stock — employee share options

 

 

 

267

 

 

267

 

Treasury shares acquired — share repurchase authorization

 

 

 

(3,441

)

 

(3,441

)

Treasury shares acquired — net employee share-based compensation

 

 

 

(40

)

 

(40

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

Dividends paid to parent company

 

(3,952

)

(721

)

 

4,673

 

 

Capital contributions, loans and other transactions between subsidiaries

 

11

 

(12

)

2

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(3,945

)

(733

)

(3,989

)

4,672

 

(3,995

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

 

4

 

38

 

1

 

 

43

 

Cash at beginning of year

 

132

 

122

 

1

 

 

255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

136

 

$

160

 

$

2

 

$

 

$

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid (received)

 

$

399

 

$

186

 

$

(74

)

$

 

$

511

 

Interest paid

 

$

65

 

$

 

$

198

 

$

 

$

263

 

 


(1)           The Travelers Companies, Inc., excluding its subsidiaries.

 

39



Table of Contents

 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following is a discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company).

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

2011 Third Quarter Consolidated Results of Operations

 

·                   Net income of $333 million, or $0.80 per share basic and $0.79 diluted

·                   Net earned premiums of $5.61 billion

·                   Catastrophe losses of $606 million ($394 million after-tax)

·                   Net favorable prior year reserve development of $184 million ($124 million after-tax)

·                   GAAP combined ratio of 104.5%

·                   Net investment income of $690 million ($561 million after-tax)

·                   Net realized investment gains of $2 million ($1 million after-tax)

·                   Operating cash flows of $917 million

 

2011 Third Quarter Consolidated Financial Condition

 

·                   Total investments of $73.65 billion; fixed maturities and short-term securities comprised 93% of total investments

·                   Total assets of $106.93 billion

·                   Total debt of $6.60 billion, resulting in a debt-to-total capital ratio of 20.8% (22.7% excluding net unrealized investment gains, net of tax)

·                   Repurchased 7.3 million common shares for total cost of $375 million under share repurchase authorization

·                   Shareholders’ equity of $25.17 billion; book value per common share of $60.98, up 3% from September 30, 2010

·                   Holding company liquidity of $2.40 billion

 

40



Table of Contents

 

CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions, except ratio and per share amounts)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Premiums

 

$

5,605

 

$

5,422

 

$

16,479

 

$

15,992

 

Net investment income

 

690

 

735

 

2,227

 

2,250

 

Fee income

 

79

 

64

 

227

 

219

 

Net realized investment gains

 

2

 

226

 

41

 

220

 

Other revenues

 

31

 

35

 

99

 

99

 

Total revenues

 

6,407

 

6,482

 

19,073

 

18,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

4,136

 

3,213

 

12,659

 

10,020

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs

 

982

 

966

 

2,900

 

2,845

 

General and administrative expenses

 

860

 

837

 

2,650

 

2,516

 

Interest expense

 

97

 

95

 

290

 

290

 

Total claims and expenses

 

6,075

 

5,111

 

18,499

 

15,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

332

 

1,371

 

574

 

3,109

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(1

)

366

 

(234

)

787

 

Net income

 

$

333

 

$

1,005

 

$

808

 

$

2,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.80

 

$

2.14

 

$

1.90

 

$

4.73

 

Diluted

 

$

0.79

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.88

 

$

4.68

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

72.9

%

58.7

%

76.0

%

61.9

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

31.6

 

31.9

 

32.2

 

32.1

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

104.5

%

90.6

%

108.2

%

94.0

%

Incremental impact of direct to consumer initiative on GAAP combined ratio

 

0.9

%

0.9

%

0.9

%

0.7

%

 

The Company’s discussions of net income and segment operating income included in the following discussion are presented on an after-tax basis.  Discussions of the components of net income and segment operating income are presented on a pretax basis, unless otherwise noted.  Discussions of net income per common share are presented on a diluted basis.

 

Overview

 

Diluted net income per share of $0.79 in the third quarter of 2011 decreased by 63% from the same period of 2010, whereas net income of $333 million decreased 67% from the same period of 2010.  The lower rate of decline in diluted net income per share reflected the impact of common share repurchases.  The decline in net income in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010 primarily reflected a significant increase in catastrophe losses, declines in underwriting margins excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development (“underlying underwriting margins”), a decline in net realized investment gains, lower net favorable prior year reserve development and a decline in net investment income. The decline in underlying underwriting margins related to previously anticipated earned pricing and loss cost trends, as well as

 

41



Table of Contents

 

the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the Business Insurance and Personal Insurance segments.

 

Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 primarily resulted from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, both of which caused extensive damage throughout the eastern United States.

 

In the first nine months of 2011, diluted net income per share of $1.88 decreased by 60% from the same period of 2010, whereas net income of $808 million decreased by 65% from the same period of 2010.  The lower rate of decline in diluted net income per share reflected the impact of common share repurchases.  The decrease in net income primarily reflected the impact of a significant increase in catastrophe losses, lower net favorable prior year reserve development, a decline in underlying underwriting margins as described above for the third quarter of 2011 and a decline in net realized investment gains.  Net income in the first nine months of 2011 reflected a $104 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters recorded in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Revenues

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums in the third quarter of 2011 were $5.61 billion, an increase of $183 million, or 3%, over the same period of 2010.  Through the first nine months of 2011, earned premiums were $16.48 billion, an increase of $487 million, or 3%, over the same period of 2010.  In the Business Insurance segment, earned premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased by 6% and 5%, respectively, over the same periods of 2010.  In the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, earned premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 decreased by 3% and 5%, respectively, from the same periods of 2010.  In the Personal Insurance segment, earned premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased by 3% and 4%, respectively, over the same periods of 2010.  Factors contributing to the changes in earned premiums in each segment are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

 

Net Investment Income

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s investments.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average investments (a)

 

$

70,474

 

$

70,929

 

$

70,619

 

$

71,718

 

Pretax net investment income

 

690

 

735

 

2,227

 

2,250

 

After-tax net investment income

 

561

 

597

 

1,789

 

1,824

 

Average pretax yield (b)

 

3.9

%

4.1

%

4.2

%

4.2

%

Average after-tax yield (b)

 

3.2

%

3.4

%

3.4

%

3.4

%

 


(a)                   Excludes net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of tax, and reflects cash, receivables for investment sales, payables on investment purchases and accrued investment income.

(b)                  Excludes net realized investment gains and losses and net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of tax.

 

Net investment income of $690 million in the third quarter of 2011 was $45 million, or 6%, lower than in the same period of 2010. Net investment income from fixed maturity investments of $633 million in the third quarter of 2011 declined by $41 million compared with the same period of 2010, primarily resulting from lower long-term reinvestment yields available in the market, as well as lower average levels of long-term fixed maturity invested assets due to the Company’s common share repurchases. Net investment income generated by non-fixed maturity investments of $62 million in the third quarter of 2011 was $3 million lower than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net investment income of $2.23 billion was $23 million, or 1%, lower than in the same period of 2010.  Net investment income from fixed maturity investments of $1.91 billion in the first nine months of 2011 declined by $134 million compared with the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the same factors discussed above.  Net investment income generated by non-fixed maturity investments of $331 million in the first nine months of 2011 was $111 million higher than in the same period of 2010, due to improved investment market conditions experienced during the first two quarters of 2011.

 

42



Table of Contents

 

Fee Income

 

The National Accounts market in the Business Insurance segment is the primary source of the Company’s fee-based business.  The $15 million and $8 million increases in fee income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2010 are described in the Business Insurance segment discussion that follows.

 

Net Realized Investment Gains

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s net realized investment gains.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Realized Investment Gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gains

 

$

9

 

$

8

 

$

16

 

$

9

 

Non-credit component of impairments recognized in accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

(21

)

(14

)

(36

)

(29

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

 

(12

)

(6

)

(20

)

(20

)

Other net realized investment gains

 

14

 

232

 

61

 

240

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

2

 

$

226

 

$

41

 

$

220

 

 

Other net realized investment gains of $61 million in the first nine months of 2011 were primarily driven by sales of fixed maturities, common stocks and other investments, partially offset by realized investment losses associated with U.S. Treasury futures contracts (which require a daily mark-to-market settlement and are used to shorten the duration of the Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio).  Other net realized investment gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 largely resulted from the Company’s sale of substantially all of its remaining common stock holdings in Verisk Analytics, Inc., which generated a pretax realized investment gain of $205 million.

 

Other Revenues

 

Other revenues in the third quarter and first nine months of both 2011 and 2010 primarily consisted of premium installment charges.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses of $4.14 billion in the third quarter of 2011 were $923 million, or 29%, higher than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the significant increase in catastrophe losses, the impact of anticipated loss cost trends, the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the Business Insurance and Personal Insurance segments and a decrease in net favorable prior year reserve development.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 were $606 million and $117 million, respectively.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 primarily resulted from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2010 primarily resulted from several severe wind and hail storms.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 were $184 million and $222 million, respectively.

 

In the first nine months of 2011, claims and claim adjustment expenses were $12.66 billion, an increase of $2.64 billion, or 26%, compared with the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the same factors described above, as well as increases in fire-related losses in the Personal Insurance segment.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $2.46 billion and $1.03 billion, respectively.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 reflected the impact of third quarter events described above, as well as numerous tornadoes and hail storms in the second quarter of each year, and wind and hail storms and severe winter storms throughout the United States in the first quarter of each year.  The 2010 year-to-date total also included losses from an earthquake in Chile.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $589 million and $900 million, respectively.

 

43



Table of Contents

 

The Company’s three business segments each experienced net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of both 2011 and 2010.  Factors contributing to net favorable prior year reserve development in each segment during these periods are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs were $982 million in the third quarter of 2011, 2% higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs were $2.90 billion, 2% higher than in the same 2010 period.  The increases in both periods of 2011 were consistent with the increases in earned premiums.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were $860 million in the third quarter of 2011, an increase of $23 million, or 3%, over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, general and administrative expenses were $2.65 billion, an increase of $134 million, or 5%, over the same 2010 period.  The increase in the third quarter of 2011 was primarily due to increases in employee- and technology-related costs to enhance operations and support future business growth in the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, and advertising and other costs associated with the Company’s direct to consumer initiative in the Personal Insurance segment.  The increase in expenses for the first nine months of 2011 reflected these factors, as well as a higher level of state assessment expenses in the Business Insurance segment.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense of $97 million in the third quarter of 2011 was slightly higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, interest expense of $290 million was level with the same period of 2010.

 

Income Taxes.  The Company’s income tax benefits of $1 million and $234 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively, primarily reflected the impact of tax-exempt investment income on the calculation of the Company’s income tax provision.  In addition, the year-to-date income tax benefit in 2011 included the $104 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters recorded in the first quarter of 2011.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The consolidated GAAP combined ratio of 104.5% in the third quarter of 2011 was 13.9 points higher than the consolidated GAAP combined ratio of 90.6% in the same period of 2010.  The GAAP combined ratio of 108.2% in the first nine months of 2011 was 14.2 points higher than the GAAP combined ratio of 94.0% in the same period of 2010.

 

The consolidated loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 72.9% in the third quarter of 2011 was 14.2 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 10.8 points and 2.2 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 provided 3.3 points and 4.1 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 third quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 4.8 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impact of anticipated loss cost trends, and higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the Business Insurance and Personal Insurance segments.

 

The consolidated loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 76.0% in the first nine months of 2011 was 14.1 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 14.9 points and 6.4 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 provided 3.5 points and 5.6 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the first nine months of 2011 excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 3.5 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the same factors described above for the third quarter, as well as increases in fire-related losses in the Personal Insurance segment.

 

The consolidated underwriting expense ratio of 31.6% for the third quarter of 2011 was 0.3 points lower than the third quarter 2010 underwriting expense ratio of 31.9%.  In the first nine months of 2011, the underwriting expense ratio of 32.2% was 0.1 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 32.1% in the same 2010 period.  The slight changes in the underwriting expense ratios for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared with the respective periods of 2010 reflected growth in earned premiums discussed above and increases in general and administrative expenses discussed in the segment discussions that follow, the impacts of which were largely offsetting.

 

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Written Premiums

 

Consolidated gross and net written premiums were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance

 

$

3,205

 

$

3,027

 

$

9,605

 

$

9,141

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

854

 

852

 

2,574

 

2,665

 

Personal Insurance

 

2,167

 

2,125

 

6,132

 

5,975

 

Total

 

$

6,226

 

$

6,004

 

$

18,311

 

$

17,781

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insurance

 

$

2,826

 

$

2,651

 

$

8,725

 

$

8,280

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

808

 

808

 

2,311

 

2,378

 

Personal Insurance

 

2,038

 

2,003

 

5,890

 

5,743

 

Total

 

$

5,672

 

$

5,462

 

$

16,926

 

$

16,401

 

 

Gross and net written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 both increased by 4% over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, gross and net written premiums both increased by 3% over the same period of 2010.  Factors contributing to the changes in gross and net written premiums in each segment are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

 

Business Insurance

 

Results of the Company’s Business Insurance segment were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

2,890

 

$

2,736

 

$

8,437

 

$

8,027

 

Net investment income

 

487

 

514

 

1,584

 

1,579

 

Fee income

 

78

 

64

 

226

 

219

 

Other revenues

 

8

 

10

 

27

 

23

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,463

 

$

3,324

 

$

10,274

 

$

9,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

3,135

 

$

2,594

 

$

9,353

 

$

7,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

294

 

$

543

 

$

909

 

$

1,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

74.8

%

60.5

%

76.3

%

59.6

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

30.6

 

31.6

 

31.5

 

32.2

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

105.4

%

92.1

%

107.8

%

91.8

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Overview

 

Operating income of $294 million in the third quarter of 2011 was $249 million, or 46%, lower than operating income of $543 million in the same period of 2010.  The decline was driven by reduced underlying underwriting margins related to previously anticipated earned pricing and loss cost trends as well as the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, an increase in catastrophe losses, a reduction in net favorable prior year reserve development and a decline in net investment income, partially offset by an increase in business volume.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 were $195 million, compared with $53 million in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development was $26 million in the third quarter of 2011, compared with $102 million in the same 2010 period.

 

In the first nine months of 2011, operating income of $909 million was $768 million, or 46%, lower than operating income of $1.68 billion in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting the same factors described above, partially offset by a $76 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 were $1.00 billion, compared with $367 million in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development was $196 million in the first nine months of 2011, compared with $647 million in the same 2010 period.

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums of $2.89 billion in the third quarter of 2011 increased by $154 million, or 6%, over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, earned premiums of $8.44 billion increased by $410 million, or 5%, over the same period of 2010.  The increases in both periods of 2011 primarily reflected the impact of an increase in net written premiums over the preceding twelve months.  Earned premiums also benefited from positive audit premium adjustments related to increased insured exposures for existing policyholders, compared with negative audit premium adjustments in the same periods of 2010 related to decreased insured exposures for existing policyholders.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income of $487 million in the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $27 million, or 5%, from the same 2010 period.  In the first nine months of 2011, net investment income of $1.58 billion was slightly higher than in the same period of 2010.  Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the changes in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared with the same periods of 2010.  In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.

 

Fee Income

 

National Accounts is the primary source of fee income due to its service businesses, which include claim and loss prevention services to large companies that choose to self-insure a portion of their insurance risks, as well as claims and policy management services to workers’ compensation residual market pools.  Fee income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased by $14 million and $7 million, respectively, over the same periods of 2010, driven by higher new business volume combined with strong business retention rates.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claim and Claims Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses of $2.20 billion in the third quarter of 2011 were $521 million, or 31%, higher than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting anticipated loss cost trends, the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, an increase in catastrophe losses and a decline in net favorable prior year reserve development.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 were $195 million, compared with $53 million in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 primarily resulted from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2010 resulted from severe wind and hail storms throughout the United States.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011 was $26 million, compared with $102 million in the same period of 2010.  The net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011 was primarily driven by better than expected loss development in the general liability product line, which was concentrated in excess coverages for accident years 2005 - 2008 and reflected what the Company believes are favorable legal and judicial environments, partially offset by a $175 million increase to asbestos reserves, which is discussed in further detail in the “Asbestos Claims and Litigation” section herein.

 

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Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2010 was driven by better than expected loss results in the general liability, workers’ compensation, property and commercial automobile product lines for multiple accident years.  The general liability product line improvement was concentrated in excess coverages and reflected a favorable litigation environment.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the workers’ compensation product line was concentrated in the 2002-2005 accident years and resulted from lower than expected claim frequency and better than expected loss emergence.  The property product line improvement primarily occurred in the 2009 accident year as a result of better than expected claim emergence trends in the Industry-Focused Underwriting and Target Risk Underwriting groups.  The Company believes that the improvement in the commercial automobile product line, which occurred primarily in the 2009 accident year, resulted from the economic downturn causing fewer vehicles to be on the road and fewer miles being driven, leading to lower than expected frequency and severity of losses.  The net favorable prior year reserve development in these product lines was partially offset by a $140 million increase to asbestos reserves in the third quarter of 2010, which is discussed in further detail in the “Asbestos Claims and Litigation” section herein.

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2011 were $6.56 billion, $1.67 billion, or 34%, higher than in the same 2010 period.  The increase primarily reflected the same factors discussed above.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 were $1.00 billion, compared with $367 million in the same period of 2010.  In addition to the events described above for the third quarter of 2011 and 2010, the year-to-date catastrophe loss totals in 2011 and 2010 included the impact of winter storms and severe wind and hail storms throughout the United States in the first six months of each year.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 was $196 million, compared with $647 million in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 was driven by the same factors described above, as well as net favorable prior year reserve development in the property product line that reflected better than expected loss development for the 2010 accident year in the Inland Marine business unit in Target Risk Underwriting.  These factors were partially offset by a $76 million increase to environmental reserves recorded in the second quarter of 2011, which is discussed in further detail in the “Environmental Claims and Litigation” sections herein.

 

Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2010 reflected the same factors described above for the third quarter.  In addition, better than expected loss results in this segment in recent years resulted in a favorable re-estimation of reserves for unallocated loss adjustment expenses in the second quarter of 2010.  The Company also recorded a $35 million increase to environmental reserves in the second quarter of 2010, which is discussed in further detail in the “Environmental Claims and Litigation” sections herein.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $460 million in the third quarter of 2011, 3% higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $1.36 billion, 4% higher than in the same 2010 period.  The increases in both periods of 2011 were consistent with the increases in earned premiums.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2011 were $471 million, $8 million, or 2%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, general and administrative expenses of $1.44 billion were $23 million, or 2%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  The increase in the first nine months of 2011 was primarily driven by a higher level of state assessment expenses related to workers’ compensation business in New York.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The GAAP combined ratio of 105.4% in the third quarter of 2011 was 13.3 points higher than the GAAP combined ratio of 92.1% in the same period of 2010.  The GAAP combined ratio of 107.8% in the first nine months of 2011 was 16.0 points higher than the GAAP combined ratio of 91.8% in the same period of 2010.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 74.8% in the third quarter of 2011 was 14.3 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 6.8 points and 2.0 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 provided 0.9 points and 3.8 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio. The 2011 third quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 6.6 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, reflecting the impact of reduced underlying underwriting margins as described above.

 

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The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 76.3% in the first nine months of 2011 was 16.7 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 11.9 points and 4.6 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 provided 2.3 points and 8.1 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the first nine months of 2011 excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 3.6 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, reflecting the same factors discussed above.

 

The underwriting expense ratio of 30.6% for the third quarter of 2011 was 1.0 points lower than the third quarter 2010 underwriting expense ratio.  In the first nine months of 2011, the underwriting expense ratio of 31.5% was 0.7 points lower than the underwriting expense ratio of 32.2% in the same 2010 period.  The decreases in both periods of 2011 primarily reflected the impact of higher earned premiums.

 

Written Premiums

 

The Business Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums by market were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Accounts

 

$

690

 

$

683

 

$

2,171

 

$

2,113

 

Commercial Accounts

 

822

 

722

 

2,378

 

2,086

 

National Accounts

 

257

 

253

 

826

 

830

 

Industry-Focused Underwriting

 

665

 

609

 

1,919

 

1,812

 

Target Risk Underwriting

 

534

 

522

 

1,616

 

1,595

 

Specialized Distribution

 

236

 

232

 

691

 

695

 

Total Business Insurance Core

 

3,204

 

3,021

 

9,601

 

9,131

 

Business Insurance Other

 

1

 

6

 

4

 

10

 

Total Business Insurance

 

$

3,205

 

$

3,027

 

$

9,605

 

$

9,141

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select Accounts

 

$

666

 

$

664

 

$

2,136

 

$

2,082

 

Commercial Accounts

 

747

 

655

 

2,228

 

1,942

 

National Accounts

 

176

 

173

 

575

 

593

 

Industry-Focused Underwriting

 

649

 

590

 

1,856

 

1,743

 

Target Risk Underwriting

 

356

 

342

 

1,237

 

1,223

 

Specialized Distribution

 

231

 

222

 

686

 

684

 

Total Business Insurance Core

 

2,825

 

2,646

 

8,718

 

8,267

 

Business Insurance Other

 

1

 

5

 

7

 

13

 

Total Business Insurance

 

$

2,826

 

$

2,651

 

$

8,725

 

$

8,280

 

 

Gross written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 6% over the same period of 2010.  Net written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 7% over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, gross and net written premiums both increased by 5% over the same period of 2010.  The increase in gross and net written premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 was concentrated in Commercial Accounts and Industry-Focused Underwriting.  In addition, Select Accounts contributed to gross and net written premium growth in the first nine months of 2011.  Gross and net written premiums were favorably impacted by positive audit premium adjustments in 2011 (compared with negative adjustments in 2010).  Overall business retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and

 

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were consistent with the same periods of 2010.  Both components of renewal premium changes - renewal rate changes and insured exposure growth - were positive in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and improved over the same periods of 2010.  New business levels declined modestly from the third quarter and first nine months of 2010.

 

Select Accounts.  Net written premiums of $666 million in the third quarter of 2011 were slightly higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $2.14 billion increased by 3% over the same period of 2010.  Business retention rates remained strong, declining modestly in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010 and increasing modestly in the first nine months of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010.  Renewal premium changes, comprising both renewal rate changes and insured exposure growth, remained positive in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011.  For the third quarter of 2011, renewal premium changes increased over the same period of 2010 due to an increase in renewal rate changes, partially offset by a slightly lower level of insured exposure growth.  For the first nine months of 2011, renewal premium changes decreased from the first nine months of 2010, as an increase in renewal rate changes was more than offset by lower levels of insured exposure growth.  New business volume in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 declined from the same periods of 2010.

 

Commercial Accounts.  Net written premiums of $747 million in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 14% over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $2.23 billion increased by 15% over the same period of 2010.  The increases in both periods of 2011 were partially due to the benefit of positive audit premium adjustments, compared with negative adjustments in the same periods of 2010.  Business retention rates remained strong, decreasing slightly in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the same period of 2010, and increasing slightly in the first nine months of 2011 compared with in the same period of 2010.  Renewal premium changes were positive in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and increased over the same periods of 2010.  New business volume in the third quarter of 2011 declined slightly from the same period of 2010, but in the first nine months of 2011 increased slightly over the same period of 2010.

 

National Accounts.  Net written premiums of $176 million in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 2% over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $575 million decreased by 3% from the same period of 2010.  Business retention rates remained high in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and increased over the respective periods of 2010, and new business volume increased compared with both periods of 2010.  Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased over the same periods of 2010.  The decline in net written premiums in the first nine months of 2011 primarily reflected negative prior year retrospective premium adjustments.

 

Industry-Focused Underwriting.  Net written premiums of $649 million in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 10% over the same period of 2010, driven by increases in Construction and Public Sector.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $1.86 billion increased by 6% over the same period of 2010, also driven by growth in Construction and Public Sector.

 

Target Risk Underwriting.  Net written premiums of $356 million in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 4% over the same period of 2010, driven by growth in Inland Marine.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $1.24 billion increased by 1% over the same period of 2010.

 

Specialized Distribution.  Net written premiums of $231 million in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 4% over the same period of 2010.  The increase was concentrated in National Programs, driven by increased renewal premium changes.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $686 million were slightly higher than in the same period of 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

Results of the Company’s Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

799

 

$

820

 

$

2,382

 

$

2,499

 

Net investment income

 

101

 

110

 

312

 

331

 

Fee income

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

Other revenues

 

6

 

7

 

19

 

20

 

Total revenues

 

$

907

 

$

937

 

$

2,714

 

$

2,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

613

 

$

657

 

$

2,043

 

$

2,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

211

 

$

212

 

$

495

 

$

470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

36.8

%

42.2

%

46.1

%

50.8

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

39.4

 

37.4

 

39.2

 

36.4

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

76.2

%

79.6

%

85.3

%

87.2

%

 

Overview

 

Operating income of $211 million in the third quarter of 2011 was virtually level with operating income in the same 2010 period, primarily reflecting a modest decline in net investment income and a modest increase in the underwriting margin.  The increase in the underwriting margin was due to higher net favorable prior year reserve development and a decline in non-catastrophe weather-related losses, partly offset by a lower level of what the Company defines as large losses in the prior year quarter, lower business volume and higher general and administrative expenses.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011 was $153 million, compared with $97 million in the same 2010 period.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of both 2011 and 2010 were not significant.

 

Operating income of $495 million in the first nine months of 2011 was $25 million, or 5%, higher than operating income in the same 2010 period, primarily reflecting an increase in the underwriting margin, partially offset by a modest decrease in net investment income.  The increase in the underwriting margin was driven by higher net favorable prior year reserve development, a decline in catastrophe losses, a decline in non-catastrophe weather-related losses and a $14 million benefit resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters, partially offset by the impact of lower business volume, a higher level of large losses and higher general and administrative expenses.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 were $38 million, compared with $87 million in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 was $288 million, compared with $203 million in the same period of 2010.

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums of $799 million in the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $21 million, or 3%, from the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, earned premiums of $2.38 billion decreased by $117 million, or 5%, from the same period of 2010.  The decline in both periods of 2011 primarily reflected the impact of the termination of an exclusive broker relationship in Ireland in the fourth quarter of 2010, lower construction surety premium volume over the preceding twelve months, intentional underwriting actions in the Company’s operations at Lloyd’s intended to improve risk and reward (particularly in the catastrophe-exposed lines of business) and competitive market conditions.  Earned premiums in both periods of 2011 benefited from the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates.  In addition, earned premiums in the first nine months of 2010 reflected the impact of a reduction in surety reinsurance costs associated with prior year reinsurance treaties, which resulted in an increase in earned premiums.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income of $101 million in the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $9 million, or 8% from the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net investment income of $312 million decreased by $19 million, or 6%, from the same period of 2010.  Included in the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment are certain legal entities whose invested assets and related net investment income are reported exclusively in this segment and not allocated among all business segments.  As a result, reported net investment income in the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment reflects a significantly smaller proportion of allocated net investment income, including that from the Company’s non-fixed maturity investments.  Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of “Consolidated Results of Operations” herein for a discussion of the change in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 as compared with the same periods of 2010.  In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the third quarter of 2011 were $297 million, a decrease of $53 million, or 15%, from the same period of 2010, due to an increase in net favorable prior year reserve development.  Net favorable prior year reserve development was $153 million and $97 million in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Both Bond & Financial Products and International contributed to the net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011. The favorable development in Bond & Financial Products primarily reflected better than expected results for accident years 2008 and prior for the contract surety business.  In International, the majority of net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011 occurred in several lines of business in Canada and in the United Kingdom. Several product lines in Ireland and in the Company’s operation at Lloyd’s also experienced net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011.  In the third quarter of 2010, net favorable prior year reserve development in Bond & Financial Products was driven by better than expected development in the surety and management liability lines of business due to lower than expected claim activity and loss severity.  In the International group, the majority of net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2010 occurred in several lines of business in Canada.  In addition, several product lines in the United Kingdom and Ireland operations, as well as at the Company’s operation at Lloyd’s, also experienced net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of both 2011 and 2010 were not significant.

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2011 were $1.11 billion, a decrease of $172 million, or 13%, from the same 2010 period, primarily reflecting an increase in net favorable prior year reserve development, a decline in catastrophe losses, lower non-catastrophe weather-related losses and lower business volume, partially offset by a higher level of large losses.  Net favorable prior year reserve development was $288 million and $203 million in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively, primarily driven by the same factors described above. The 2010 total also reflected better than expected results for recent accident years for the directors & officers and errors & omissions lines of business. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 were $38 million, compared with $87 million in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 included losses from an earthquake in Japan.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2010 primarily resulted from an earthquake in Chile.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Expenses

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $154 million in the third quarter of 2011, level with the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $453 million, 2% lower than in the same 2010 period.  The decrease in the first nine months of 2011 was less than the decrease in earned premiums, primarily due to the increase to earned premiums in the first nine months of 2010 as a result of a reduction in surety reinsurance costs associated with prior year reinsurance treaties.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2011 were $162 million, $9 million, or 6%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, general and administrative expenses of $482 million were $32 million, or 7%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  The increases in both periods of 2011 primarily reflected increases in employee- and technology-related costs in International to enhance operations and support future business growth.

 

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GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The GAAP combined ratio of 76.2% in the third quarter of 2011 was 3.4 points lower than the GAAP combined ratio of 79.6% in the same period of 2010.  The GAAP combined ratio of 85.3% in the first nine months of 2011 was 1.9 points lower than the GAAP combined ratio of 87.2% in the same period of 2010.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 36.8% in the third quarter of 2011 was 5.4 points lower than in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 provided 19.1 points and 11.8 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 accounted for 0.4 points of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, whereas the re-estimation of prior quarter catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2010 provided 0.3 points of benefit to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 third quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding prior year reserve development and catastrophe losses was 1.2 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the factors discussed above.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 46.1% in the first nine months of 2011 was 4.7 points lower than in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 provided 12.1 points and 8.1 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 1.6 points and 3.4 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the first nine months of 2011 excluding prior year reserve development and catastrophe losses was 1.1 point higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the factors discussed above, as well as the increase to earned premiums in the first nine months of 2010 as a result of a reduction in surety reinsurance costs associated with prior year reinsurance treaties.

 

The underwriting expense ratio of 39.4% for the third quarter of 2011 was 2.0 points higher than the third quarter 2010 underwriting expense ratio of 37.4%.  In the first nine months of 2011, the underwriting expense ratio of 39.2% was 2.8 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 36.4% in the same 2010 period.  The increase in both periods of 2011 primarily reflected lower earned premium volumes in International and construction surety and the increase in general and administrative expenses discussed above.

 

Written Premiums

 

The Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums by market were as follows:

 

 

 

Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bond & Financial Products

 

$

552

 

$

556

 

$

1,579

 

$

1,613

 

International

 

302

 

296

 

995

 

1,052

 

Total Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

$

854

 

$

852

 

$

2,574

 

$

2,665

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bond & Financial Products

 

$

538

 

$

547

 

$

1,440

 

$

1,468

 

International

 

270

 

261

 

871

 

910

 

Total Financial, Professional & International Insurance

 

$

808

 

$

808

 

$

2,311

 

$

2,378

 

 

Gross and net written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 were generally level with the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, gross and net written premiums both decreased by 3% from the same period of 2010.

 

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Net written premiums of $538 million in Bond & Financial Products in the third quarter of 2011 were $9 million, or 2%, lower than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $1.44 billion were $28 million, or 2%, lower than in the same period of 2010.  Net written premiums in both periods of 2011 reflected lower construction surety premium volume due to the continued slowdown in construction spending and disciplined underwriting.  The decrease in the first nine months of 2011 also reflected the impact of reductions in surety reinsurance costs in the first nine months of 2010 associated with prior year reinsurance treaties.  Excluding the surety line of business, for which the following are not relevant measures, business retention rates in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 remained strong and were higher than in the same periods of 2010.  Renewal premium changes in the third quarter of 2011 were slightly positive (compared with slightly negative in the same period of 2010), as growth in insured exposures was partially offset by negative renewal rate changes.  Through the first nine months of 2011, renewal premium changes were slightly negative, as negative renewal rate changes exceeded growth in insured exposures. New business volume in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased over the same periods of 2010.

 

Net written premiums of $270 million in International in the third quarter of 2011 were $9 million, or 3%, higher than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting higher business volume at Lloyd’s and Canada, partly due to positive premium adjustments related to business written in both 2011 and 2010, and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by the impact of the termination of an exclusive broker relationship in Ireland in the fourth quarter of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums of $871 million were $39 million, or 4%, lower than in the same period of 2010, primarily reflecting intentional underwriting actions taken at the company’s operations at Lloyd’s and the termination of the broker relationship in Ireland.  Excluding the surety line of business, business retention rates in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 declined from the same periods of 2010, primarily as a result of the termination of the broker relationship in Ireland.  New business volume in International in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 decreased from same periods of 2010, primarily reflecting the termination of the broker relationship in Ireland and intentional underwriting actions in the Company’s operations at Lloyd’s.  Renewal premium changes in the third quarter of 2011 were positive and increased over the same period of 2010, primarily due to an increase in insured exposures (compared with a decrease in the third quarter of 2010), partially offset by a smaller positive renewal rate change compared with the third quarter of 2010.  Through the first nine months of 2011, renewal premium changes were slightly positive but lower than in the same period of 2010, as a slight increase in renewal rate changes was offset by a greater decline in insured exposures compared with the same period of 2010.

 

Personal Insurance

 

Results of the Company’s Personal Insurance segment were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earned premiums

 

$

1,916

 

$

1,866

 

$

5,660

 

$

5,466

 

Net investment income

 

102

 

111

 

331

 

340

 

Other revenues

 

17

 

18

 

53

 

56

 

Total revenues

 

$

2,035

 

$

1,995

 

$

6,044

 

$

5,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total claims and expenses

 

$

2,225

 

$

1,759

 

$

6,763

 

$

5,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

(108

)

$

168

 

$

(409

)

$

246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio

 

85.3

%

63.2

%

88.3

%

70.5

%

Underwriting expense ratio

 

29.7

 

29.9

 

30.1

 

30.0

 

GAAP combined ratio

 

115.0

%

93.1

%

118.4

%

100.5

%

Incremental impact of direct to consumer initiative on GAAP combined ratio

 

2.5

%

2.5

%

2.6

%

2.1

%

 

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Overview

 

The operating loss in the third quarter of 2011 was ($108) million, compared with operating income of $168 million in the same 2010 period, primarily driven by a significant increase in catastrophe losses and, to a lesser extent, reduced underlying underwriting margins related to previously anticipated earned pricing and loss cost trends, as well as the impact of higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses in both the Homeowners and Other and Automobile lines of business.  In addition, net favorable prior year reserve development and net investment income declined from the third quarter of 2010.  These factors were slightly offset by the favorable impact of an increase in business volume compared with the third quarter of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 were $408 million, primarily resulting from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  Catastrophe losses in the same period of 2010 were $66 million.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011 was $5 million, compared with $23 million in the same 2010 period.

 

The operating loss in the first nine months of 2011 was ($409) million, compared with operating income of $246 million in the same 2010 period, driven by the same factors described above.  The operating loss in the first nine months of 2011 also reflected an increase in expenses related to the Company’s direct to consumer initiative and an increase in fire-related losses in the Homeowners and Other line of business, and also included a benefit of $10 million resulting from the favorable resolution of various prior year tax matters.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 were $1.42 billion, compared with $573 million in the same period of 2010.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 was $105 million, compared with $50 million in the same period of 2010.

 

Earned Premiums

 

Earned premiums of $1.92 billion in the third quarter of 2011 increased by $50 million, or 3%, over the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, earned premiums of $5.66 billion increased by $194 million, or 4%, over the same period of 2010.  The increases in both periods of 2011 reflected continued strong business retention rates, renewal price increases and growth in new business volume over the preceding twelve months.

 

Net Investment Income

 

Net investment income of $102 million in the third quarter of 2011 decreased by $9 million, or 8%, from the same 2010 period.  In the first nine months of 2011, net investment income of $331 million decreased by $9 million, or 3%, from the same period of 2010.  Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the change in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared with the same periods of 2010.  In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.

 

Claims and Expenses

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses of $1.64 billion in the third quarter of 2011 were $455 million, or 39%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  The increase primarily reflected the significant increase in catastrophe losses and, to a lesser extent, the impact of anticipated loss cost trends, higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses in both the Homeowners and Other and Automobile lines of business, lower net favorable prior year reserve development and higher business volume.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2011 were $408 million, compared with $66 million in the same period of 2010.  The 2011 total primarily resulted from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The 2010 total primarily resulted from severe wind and hail storms throughout the United States.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2011 was $5 million, compared with $23 million in the same period of 2010.

 

Claims and claim adjustment expenses of $5.00 billion in the first nine months of 2011 were $1.14 billion, or 30%, higher than in the same 2010 period, primarily reflecting the significant increase in catastrophe losses and, to a lesser degree, anticipated loss cost trends, higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses in both the Homeowners and Other and Automobile lines of business, higher business volume and fire-related losses in the Homeowners and Other line of business in the second quarter of 2011, partially offset by an increase in net favorable prior year reserve development.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $1.42 billion and $573 million, respectively.  In addition to the events described above for the third quarter of 2011, the year-to-date catastrophe loss total in 2011 included the impact of multiple tornadoes and hail storms, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States, in the second quarter.

 

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The 2010 year-to-date total was driven by several severe wind and hail storms.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 was $105 million and $50 million, respectively.  The 2011 total was driven by better than expected loss development related to catastrophe losses incurred in the first half of 2010, as well as favorable loss development in the 2006-2010 accident years for the umbrella line of business in the Homeowners and Other product line. The 2010 total was concentrated in the Homeowners and Other product line.

 

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

The amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $368 million in the third quarter of 2011, 1% higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs was $1.09 billion, 1% higher than in the same 2010 period.  The increases in both periods of 2011 were less than the increase in earned premiums, primarily reflecting an increase in the number of agents reverting to a contingent commission compensation program (the costs of which are classified in “general and administrative expenses”) from a fixed-value compensation program (the costs of which are classified in “amortization of deferred acquisition costs”).

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses of $222 million in the third quarter of 2011 were $7 million, or 3%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, general and administrative expenses of $682 million were $50 million, or 8%, higher than in the same period of 2010.  The increases in both periods of 2011 were primarily driven by advertising and other costs associated with the Company’s direct to consumer initiative, as well as the increase in contingent commission expense due to the increase in the number of agents reverting to a contingent commission compensation program.  The cost of the contingent commission program is not subject to deferred acquisition cost accounting treatment and, therefore, is expensed as incurred.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio

 

The GAAP combined ratio of 115.0% in the third quarter of 2011 was 21.9 points higher than the GAAP combined ratio of 93.1% in the same period of 2010.  The GAAP combined ratio of 118.4% in the first nine months of 2011 was 17.9 points higher than the GAAP combined ratio of 100.5% in the same period of 2010.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 85.3% in the third quarter of 2011 was 22.1 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 21.3 points and 3.6 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 provided 0.3 points and 1.2 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 third quarter loss and loss adjustment expense ratio excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 3.5 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the same factors discussed above.

 

The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 88.3% in the first nine months of 2011 was 17.8 points higher than in the same period of 2010.  Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 accounted for 25.1 points and 10.5 points, respectively, of the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 provided 1.9 points and 0.9 points of benefits, respectively, to the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio.  The 2011 loss and loss adjustment expense ratio in the first nine months of 2011 excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development was 4.2 points higher than the 2010 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the same factors discussed above.

 

The underwriting expense ratio of 29.7% for the third quarter of 2011 was 0.2 points lower than the third quarter 2010 underwriting expense ratio.  In the first nine months of 2011, the underwriting expense ratio of 30.1% was 0.1 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 30.0% in the same 2010 period.  The slight changes in the underwriting expense ratios for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared with the respective periods of 2010 reflected growth in earned premiums and increases in advertising and other costs associated with the Company’s direct to consumer initiative, the impacts of which were largely offsetting.

 

Agency Written Premiums

 

Personal Insurance’s gross and net written premiums by product line were as follows for its Agency business, which comprises business written through agents, brokers and other intermediaries and represents almost all of the Personal Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums:

 

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Gross Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions)  

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency Automobile

 

$

950

 

$

958

 

$

2,825

 

$

2,826

 

Agency Homeowners and Other

 

1,179

 

1,140

 

3,206

 

3,078

 

Total Agency Personal Insurance

 

$

2,129

 

$

2,098

 

$

6,031

 

$

5,904

 

 

 

 

Net Written Premiums

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions) 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency Automobile

 

$

946

 

$

952

 

$

2,812

 

$

2,810

 

Agency Homeowners and Other

 

1,056

 

1,024

 

2,979

 

2,862

 

Total Agency Personal Insurance

 

$

2,002

 

$

1,976

 

$

5,791

 

$

5,672

 

 

Gross and net agency written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 both increased 1% over the respective totals in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, gross and net agency written premiums both increased 2% over the respective totals in the same period of 2010.

 

In the Agency Automobile line of business, net written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 were slightly lower than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums were virtually level with the same period of 2010.  Business retention rates remained strong, while new business levels in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 were lower than in the same periods of 2010.  Renewal premium changes remained positive in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 and increased over the same periods of 2010.

 

In the Agency Homeowners and Other line of business, net written premiums in the third quarter of 2011 were 3% higher than in the same period of 2010.  In the first nine months of 2011, net written premiums were 4% higher than in the same period of 2010.  Business retention rates remained strong, while new business levels in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 were lower than in the same periods of 2010.  Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 remained positive and increased slightly over the same periods of 2010.

 

For its Agency business, the Personal Insurance segment had approximately 7.7 million and 7.6 million active policies at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  In both the Agency Automobile and Agency Homeowners and Other lines of business, active policies at September 30, 2011 increased by 1% over the same date in 2010.

 

Interest Expense and Other

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(in millions) 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

$

(65

)

$

(65

)

$

(214

)

$

(214

)

 

The operating losses for Interest Expense and Other in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 were level with the same periods of 2010.  After-tax interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 was $63 million and $189 million, compared with $62 million and $189 million in the respective periods of 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ASBESTOS CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

 

The Company believes that the property and casualty insurance industry has suffered from court decisions and other trends that have attempted to expand insurance coverage for asbestos claims far beyond the intent of insurers and policyholders. While the Company has experienced a decrease in new asbestos claims over the past several years, the Company continues to receive a significant number of asbestos claims from the Company’s policyholders (which includes others seeking coverage under a policy), including claims against the Company’s policyholders by individuals who do not appear to be impaired by asbestos exposure.  Factors underlying these claim filings include intensive advertising by lawyers seeking asbestos claimants and the focus by plaintiffs on previously peripheral defendants.  The focus on these defendants is primarily the result of the number of traditional asbestos defendants who have sought bankruptcy protection in previous years.  In addition to contributing to the overall number of claims, bankruptcy proceedings may increase the volatility of asbestos-related losses by initially delaying the reporting of claims and later by significantly accelerating and increasing loss payments by insurers, including the Company. The bankruptcy of many traditional defendants has also caused increased settlement demands against those policyholders who are not in bankruptcy but that remain in the tort system. Currently, in many jurisdictions, those who allege very serious injury and who can present credible medical evidence of their injuries are receiving priority trial settings in the courts, while those who have not shown any credible disease manifestation are having their hearing dates delayed or placed on an inactive docket. This trend of prioritizing claims involving credible evidence of injuries, along with the focus on previously peripheral defendants, contributes to the claims and claim adjustment expense payments experienced by the Company.  The Company’s asbestos-related claims and claim adjustment expense experience also has been impacted by the unavailability of other insurance sources potentially available to policyholders, whether through exhaustion of policy limits or through the insolvency of other participating insurers.

 

The Company continues to be involved in coverage litigation concerning a number of policyholders, some of whom have filed for bankruptcy, who in some instances have asserted that all or a portion of their asbestos-related claims are not subject to aggregate limits on coverage. In these instances, policyholders also may assert that each individual bodily injury claim should be treated as a separate occurrence under the policy. It is difficult to predict whether these policyholders will be successful on both issues. To the extent both issues are resolved in a policyholder’s favor and other Company defenses are not successful, the Company’s coverage obligations under the policies at issue would be materially increased and bounded only by the applicable per-occurrence limits and the number of asbestos bodily injury claims against the policyholders.   Accordingly, although the Company has seen a moderation in the overall risk associated with these lawsuits, it remains difficult to predict the ultimate cost of these claims.

 

Many coverage disputes with policyholders are only resolved through settlement agreements. Because many policyholders make exaggerated demands, it is difficult to predict the outcome of settlement negotiations. Settlements involving bankrupt policyholders may include extensive releases which are favorable to the Company but which could result in settlements for larger amounts than originally anticipated. There also may be instances where a court may not approve a proposed settlement, which may result in additional litigation and potentially less beneficial outcomes for the Company. As in the past, the Company will continue to pursue settlement opportunities.

 

In addition to claims against policyholders, proceedings have been launched directly against insurers, including the Company, by individuals challenging insurers’ conduct with respect to the handling of past asbestos claims and by individuals seeking damages arising from alleged asbestos-related bodily injuries.  The Company anticipates the filing of other direct actions against insurers, including the Company, in the future. It is difficult to predict the outcome of these proceedings, including whether the plaintiffs will be able to sustain these actions against insurers based on novel legal theories of liability. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to these claims and has received favorable rulings in certain jurisdictions.

 

Travelers Property Casualty Corp. (TPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, had entered into settlement agreements, which are subject to a number of contingencies, in connection with a number of these direct action claims.  These settlement agreements had been approved by the court in connection with proceedings initiated by TPC in the Johns Manville bankruptcy court.  On March 29, 2006, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York substantially affirmed the bankruptcy court’s orders, while vacating that portion of the bankruptcy court’s orders which required all future direct actions against TPC to first be approved by the bankruptcy court before proceeding in state or federal court. Various parties appealed the district court’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.  On February 15, 2008, the Second Circuit issued an opinion vacating on jurisdictional grounds the district court’s approval of the bankruptcy court’s

 

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order that barred the filing of certain direct action claims against TPC in the future. TPC and certain other parties filed Petitions for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s decision. Those petitions were granted and on June 18, 2009, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Company, reversing the Second Circuit’s decision. However, since the Second Circuit had not ruled on several additional issues principally related to procedural matters and the adequacy of notice provided to certain parties, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Second Circuit for further proceedings on those specific issues.  On March 22, 2010, the Second Circuit issued an opinion in which it found that the notice of the 1986 Orders provided to the remaining objector was insufficient to bar contribution claims by that objector against TPC. On April 5, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc with the Second Circuit, requesting further review of its March 22, 2010 opinion, which was denied on May 25, 2010.  On August 18, 2010, TPC filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion, and a Petition for a Writ of Mandamus seeking an order from the Supreme Court requiring the Second Circuit to comply with the Supreme Court’s June 18, 2009 ruling in TPC’s favor. The Supreme Court denied the Petitions on November 29, 2010. The plaintiffs in the Statutory and Hawaii actions and the Common Law Claims actions (as defined in note 10 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements) filed Motions to Compel with the bankruptcy court on September 2, 2010 and September 3, 2010, respectively, arguing that all conditions precedent to the settlements have been met and seeking to require TPC to pay the settlement amounts.  On September 30, 2010, TPC filed an Opposition to the plaintiffs’ Motions to Compel on the grounds that the conditions precedent to the settlements, principally the requirement that all contribution claims be barred, have not been met in light of the Second Circuit’s March 22, 2010 opinion.  On December 16, 2010, the bankruptcy court granted the plaintiffs’ motions and ruled that TPC was required to fund the settlements.  On January 20, 2011, the bankruptcy court entered judgment in accordance with its December 16, 2010 ruling and ordered TPC to pay the settlement amounts plus prejudgment interest. On January 21, 2011, TPC filed an appeal with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York from the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment.  On January 24, 2011, certain of the plaintiffs in the Common Law Claims actions appealed that portion of the bankruptcy court’s January 20, 2011 judgment that denied their request for an order of contempt and for sanctions. Oral argument on the appeals has been scheduled for October 26, 2011.  (For a description of these matters, see note 10 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements).

 

Because each policyholder presents different liability and coverage issues, the Company generally reviews the exposure presented by each policyholder at least annually.  Among the factors which the Company may consider in the course of this review are: available insurance coverage, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; limits and deductibles; an analysis of the policyholder’s potential liability; the jurisdictions involved; past and anticipated future claim activity and loss development on pending claims; past settlement values of similar claims; allocated claim adjustment expense; potential role of other insurance; the role, if any, of non-asbestos claims or potential non-asbestos claims in any resolution process; and applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including the determination as to whether or not an asbestos claim is a products/completed operation claim subject to an aggregate limit and the available coverage, if any, for that claim.

 

In the third quarter of 2011, the Company completed its annual in-depth asbestos claim review and noted the following trends:

 

·                  continued high level of litigation activity involving individuals alleging serious asbestos-related illness;

·                  an increase in severity for certain policyholders as a result of the continued high level of litigation activity;

·                  stable payment patterns for a significant proportion of policyholders;

·                  a further decrease in the number of large asbestos exposures confronting the Company due to additional settlement activity;

·                  continued moderate level of asbestos-related bankruptcy activity; and

·                  the absence of new theories of liability or new classes of defendants.

 

While the Company believes that over the past several years there has been a reduction in the volatility associated with the Company’s overall asbestos exposure, there nonetheless remains a high degree of uncertainty with respect to future exposure from asbestos claims.

 

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As in prior years, the annual claim review considered active policyholders and litigation cases for potential product and “non-product” liability.  While the Home Office and Field Office categories, which account for the vast majority of policyholders with active asbestos-related claims, experienced a slight reduction in the number of policyholders with open asbestos claims compared with the prior year period, asbestos-related payments in these categories increased slightly in the first nine months of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.  Payments on behalf of policyholders in these categories continue to be influenced by the high level of litigation activity in a limited number of jurisdictions where individuals alleging serious asbestos-related injury continue to target previously peripheral defendants.

 

The Company’s quarterly asbestos reserve review includes an analysis of exposure and claim payment patterns by policyholder category, as well as recent settlements, policyholder bankruptcies, judicial rulings and legislative actions.  The Company also analyzes developing payment patterns among policyholders in the Home Office, Field Office and Assumed Reinsurance and Other categories as well as projected reinsurance billings and recoveries.  In addition, the Company reviews its historical gross and net loss and expense paid experience, year-by-year, to assess any emerging trends, fluctuations, or characteristics suggested by the aggregate paid activity.  Conventional actuarial methods are not utilized to establish asbestos reserves nor have the Company’s evaluations resulted in any way of determining a meaningful average asbestos defense or indemnity payment.

 

The completion of these reviews and analyses in the third quarters of 2011 and 2010 resulted in a $175 million and $140 million increase, respectively, in the Company’s net asbestos reserves, primarily driven by increases in the Company’s estimate of projected settlement and defense costs related to a broad number of policyholders and higher projected payments on assumed reinsurance accounts.  The increase in the estimate of projected settlement and defense costs resulted from recent payment trends being moderately higher than previously anticipated due to the impact of the current litigation environment discussed above.  Notwithstanding these trends, the Company’s overall view of the underlying asbestos environment is essentially unchanged from recent periods.  The increase in the third quarter of 2010 also reflected increases in costs of litigating asbestos-related coverage matters and was partially offset by a $70 million benefit from the reduction in the allowance for uncollectible reinsurance resulting from a favorable ruling related to a reinsurance dispute.

 

Net asbestos paid losses in the first nine months of 2011 were $190 million, compared with $240 million in the same period of 2010.  The decrease in gross and net paid losses in 2011 primarily resulted from completing, during 2010, the final installment payments on a previously reserved settlement.  Net asbestos reserves were $2.53 billion at September 30, 2011, compared with $2.66 billion at September 30, 2010.

 

The following table displays activity for asbestos losses and loss expenses and reserves:

 

(at and for the nine months ended September 30, in millions) 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Beginning reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

2,941

 

$

3,097

 

Ceded

 

(393

)

(339

)

Net

 

2,548

 

2,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

195

 

262

 

Ceded

 

(20

)

(122

)

Net

 

175

 

140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses paid:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

215

 

301

 

Ceded

 

(25

)

(61

)

Net

 

190

 

240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

2,921

 

3,058

 

Ceded

 

(388

)

(400

)

Net

 

$

2,533

 

$

2,658

 

 


See “—Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND LITIGATION

 

The Company continues to receive claims from policyholders who allege that they are liable for injury or damage arising out of their alleged disposition of toxic substances. Mostly, these claims are due to various legislative as well as regulatory efforts aimed at environmental remediation. For instance, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), enacted in 1980 and later modified, enables private parties as well as federal and state governments to take action with respect to releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances. This federal statute permits the recovery of response costs from some liable parties and may require liable parties to undertake their own remedial action. Liability under CERCLA may be joint and several with other responsible parties.

 

The Company has been, and continues to be, involved in litigation involving insurance coverage issues pertaining to environmental claims. The Company believes that some court decisions have interpreted the insurance coverage to be broader than the original intent of the insurers and policyholders. These decisions often pertain to insurance policies that were issued by the Company prior to the mid-1980s. These decisions continue to be inconsistent and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Environmental claims when submitted rarely indicate the monetary amount being sought by the claimant from the policyholder, and the Company does not keep track of the monetary amount being sought in those few claims which indicate a monetary amount.

 

The resolution of environmental exposures by the Company generally occurs by settlement on a policyholder-by-policyholder basis as opposed to a claim-by-claim basis.  Generally, the Company strives to extinguish any obligations it may have under any policy issued to the policyholder for past, present and future environmental liabilities and extinguish any pending coverage litigation dispute with the policyholder.  This form of settlement is commonly referred to as a “buy-back” of policies for future environmental liability. In addition, many of the agreements have also extinguished any insurance obligation which the Company may have for other claims, including but not limited to asbestos and other cumulative injury claims.  The Company and its policyholders may also agree to settlements which extinguish any liability arising from known specified sites or claims.  Where appropriate, these agreements also include indemnities and hold harmless provisions to protect the Company.  The Company’s general purpose in executing these agreements is to reduce the Company’s potential environmental exposure and eliminate the risks presented by coverage litigation with the policyholder and related costs.

 

In establishing environmental reserves, the Company evaluates the exposure presented by each policyholder and the anticipated cost of resolution, if any. In the course of this analysis, the Company generally considers the probable liability, available coverage, relevant judicial interpretations and historical value of similar exposures. In addition, the Company considers the many variables presented, such as: the nature of the alleged activities of the policyholder at each site; the allegations of environmental harm at each site; the number of sites; the total number of potentially responsible parties at each site; the nature of environmental harm and the corresponding remedy at each site; the nature of government enforcement activities at each site; the ownership and general use of each site; the overall nature of the insurance relationship between the Company and the policyholder, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; the involvement of other insurers; the potential for other available coverage, including the number of years of coverage; the role, if any, of non-environmental claims or potential non-environmental claims in any resolution process; and the applicable law in each jurisdiction.  The evaluation of the exposure presented by a policyholder can change as information concerning that policyholder and the many variables presented is developed.  Conventional actuarial techniques are not used to estimate these reserves.

 

In its review of environmental reserves, the Company considers: past settlement payments; changing judicial and legislative trends; its reserves for the costs of litigating environmental coverage matters; the potential for policyholders with smaller exposures to be named in new clean-up actions for both on- and off-site waste disposal activities; the potential for adverse development; the potential for additional new claims beyond previous expectations; and the potential higher costs for new settlements.

 

The duration of the Company’s investigation and review of these claims and the extent of time necessary to determine an appropriate estimate, if any, of the value of the claim to the Company vary significantly and are dependent upon a number of factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the cooperation of the policyholder in providing claim information, the pace of underlying litigation or claim processes, the pace of coverage litigation between the policyholder and the Company

 

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and the willingness of the policyholder and the Company to negotiate, if appropriate, a resolution of any dispute pertaining to these claims. Because these factors vary from claim-to-claim and policyholder-by-policyholder, the Company cannot provide a meaningful average of the duration of an environmental claim. However, based upon the Company’s experience in resolving these claims, the duration may vary from months to several years.

 

The Company continues to receive notices from policyholders tendering claims for the first time.  These policyholders continue to present smaller exposures, have fewer sites and are lower tier defendants.  Further, in many instances, clean-up costs have been reduced because regulatory agencies are willing to accept risk-based site analyses and more efficient clean-up technologies.

 

Over the past several years, the Company has experienced generally favorable trends in overall environmental claim payments, in the number of new policyholders tendering environmental claims for the first time and in the number of pending declaratory judgment actions relating to environmental matters.  However, in the second quarter of 2011, the Company increased its net environmental reserves by $76 million, primarily because the degree to which those favorable trends continued was less than anticipated.  In the second quarter of 2010, the Company increased its net environmental reserves by $35 million due to a modest upward development in the expected defense and settlement costs for certain of its pending policyholders.

 

Net environmental paid losses in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $60 million and $51 million, respectively.  At September 30, 2011, approximately 94% of the net environmental reserve (approximately $345 million) was carried in a bulk reserve and included unresolved environmental claims, incurred but not reported environmental claims and the anticipated cost of coverage litigation disputes relating to these claims. The bulk reserve the Company carries is established and adjusted based upon the aggregate volume of in-process environmental claims and the Company’s experience in resolving those claims. The balance, approximately 6% of the net environmental reserve (approximately $22 million), consists of case reserves.

 

The following table displays activity for environmental losses and loss expenses and reserves:

 

(at and for the nine months ended September 30, in millions) 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Beginning reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

$

354

 

$

389

 

Ceded

 

(3

)

4

 

Net

 

351

 

393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred losses and loss expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

80

 

45

 

Ceded

 

(4

)

(10

)

Net

 

76

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Losses paid:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

61

 

51

 

Ceded

 

(1

)

 

Net

 

60

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ending reserves:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct

 

373

 

383

 

Ceded

 

(6

)

(6

)

Net

 

$

367

 

$

377

 

 

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UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ADEQUACY OF ASBESTOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES

 

As a result of the processes and procedures described above, management believes that the reserves carried for asbestos and environmental claims at September 30, 2011 are appropriately established based upon known facts, current law and management’s judgment. However, the uncertainties surrounding the final resolution of these claims continue, and it is difficult to determine the ultimate exposure for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation. As a result, these reserves are subject to revision as new information becomes available and as claims develop. The continuing uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks and lack of predictability inherent in complex litigation, any impact from the bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos producers and other asbestos defendants, a further increase or decrease in the cost to resolve, and/or the number of, asbestos and environmental claims beyond that which is anticipated, the role of any umbrella or excess policies the Company has issued, the resolution or adjudication of disputes pertaining to the amount of available coverage for asbestos and environmental claims in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s previous assessment of these claims, the number and outcome of direct actions against the Company, future developments pertaining to the Company’s ability to recover reinsurance for asbestos and environmental claims and the unavailability of other insurance sources potentially available to policyholders, whether through exhaustion of policy limits or through the  insolvency of other participating insurers.  In addition, uncertainties arise from the insolvency or bankruptcy of policyholders and other defendants.  It is also not possible to predict changes in the legal, regulatory and legislative environment and their impact on the future development of asbestos and environmental claims.  This development will be affected by future court and regulatory decisions and interpretations, including the outcome of legal challenges to legislative and/or judicial reforms establishing medical criteria for the pursuit of asbestos claims, as well as changes in applicable legislation.  It is also difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of complex coverage disputes until settlement negotiations near completion and significant legal questions are resolved or, failing settlement, until the dispute is adjudicated. This is particularly the case with policyholders in bankruptcy where negotiations often involve a large number of claimants and other parties and require court approval to be effective. As part of its continuing analysis of asbestos and environmental reserves, the Company continues to study the implications of these and other developments.  (Also see note 10 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements).

 

Because of the uncertainties set forth above, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves.  In addition, the Company’s estimate of claims and claim adjustment expenses may change.  These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s operating results in future periods.

 

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

 

The Company’s invested assets at September 30, 2011 were $73.65 billion, of which 93% was invested in fixed maturity and short-term investments, 1% in equity securities, 1% in real estate and 5% in other investments.  Because the primary purpose of the investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, the Company employs a conservative investment philosophy.  A significant majority of funds available for investment are deployed in a widely diversified portfolio of high quality, liquid taxable U.S. government, tax-exempt U.S. municipal and taxable corporate and U.S. agency mortgage-backed bonds.

 

The carrying value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at September 30, 2011 was $64.00 billion.  The Company closely monitors the duration of its fixed maturity investments, and investment purchases and sales are executed with the objective of having adequate funds available to satisfy the Company’s insurance and debt obligations.  The weighted average credit quality of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio, both including and excluding U.S. Treasury securities, was “Aa2” at both September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  Standard & Poor’s recent downgrade of the credit rating of securities issued by the U.S. government had minimal impact on the overall credit quality of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at September 30, 2011.  Below investment grade securities represented 3.0% of the total fixed maturity investment portfolio at both September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.  The average effective duration of fixed maturities and short-term securities was 3.2 (3.4 excluding short-term securities) and 3.6 (3.9 excluding short-term securities) at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The decline in duration reflected the impact of declining market yields on existing holdings of municipal bonds and mortgage-backed securities (which impact the assumptions related to optional pre-payments and the related estimate of effective duration for callable securities).

 

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Obligations of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions

 

The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 included $39.28 billion and $39.54 billion, respectively, of securities which are obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions (collectively referred to as the municipal bond portfolio).  The municipal bond portfolio is diversified across the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and includes general obligation and revenue bonds issued by states, cities, counties, school districts and similar issuers.  Included in the municipal bond portfolio at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $7.13 billion and $7.29 billion, respectively, of advance refunded or escrowed-to-maturity bonds (collectively referred to as pre-refunded bonds), which are bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest.  Such escrow accounts are verified as to their sufficiency by an external auditor and are almost exclusively comprised of U.S. Treasury securities.  Moody’s Investors Service has assigned negative outlooks to municipal securities in both the state sector and local government sector within the United States.

 

The Company bases its investment decision on the underlying credit characteristics of the municipal security.  While its municipal bond portfolio includes a number of securities that were enhanced by third-party insurance for the payment of principal and interest in the event of an issuer default, the Company does not rely on enhanced credit characteristics provided by such third-party insurance.  The downgrade during 2008 and 2009 of credit ratings of insurers of these securities resulted in a corresponding downgrade in the ratings of many such securities to the underlying rating of the respective security.  Of the insured municipal securities in the Company’s investment portfolio at September 30, 2011, approximately 99% were rated at A3 or above, and approximately 91% were rated at Aa3 or above, without the benefit of insurance.  The Company believes that a loss of the benefit of insurance would not result in a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity, due to the underlying credit strength of the issuers of the securities, as well as the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities.  The average credit rating of the underlying issuers of these securities was “Aa2” at September 30, 2011.  The average credit rating of the entire municipal bond portfolio was “Aa1” at September 30, 2011 with and without the enhancement provided by third-party insurance.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through Securities

 

The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 included $3.62 billion and $4.16 billion, respectively, of residential mortgage-backed securities including pass-through-securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), all of which are subject to prepayment risk (either shortening or lengthening of duration). While prepayment risk and its effect on income cannot be fully controlled, particularly when interest rates move dramatically, the Company’s investment strategy generally favors securities that control this risk within expected interest rate ranges.  Included in the totals at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were $1.84 billion and $2.09 billion, respectively, of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC (excluding FHA project loans) guaranteed residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities classified as available for sale.  Also included in those totals were residential CMOs classified as available for sale with a fair value of $1.78 billion and $2.07 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Approximately 39% and 38% of the Company’s CMO holdings were guaranteed by or fully collateralized by securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The average credit rating of all of the above securities was “Aa2” and “Aa1” at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

The Company makes investments in residential CMOs that are either guaranteed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC, or if not guaranteed, are senior or super-senior positions within their respective securitizations.  Both guaranteed and non-guaranteed residential CMOs allocate the distribution of payments from the underlying mortgages among different classes of bondholders.  In addition, non-guaranteed residential CMOs provide structures that allocate the impact of credit losses to different classes of bondholders.  Senior and super-senior CMOs are protected, to varying degrees, from credit losses as those losses are initially allocated to subordinated bondholders.  The Company’s investment strategy is to purchase CMO tranches that are expected to offer the most favorable return given the Company’s assessment of associated risks.  The Company does not purchase residual interests in CMOs.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities and Project Loans

 

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company held commercial mortgage-backed securities (including FHA project loans) of $452 million and $549 million, respectively.  The Company does not believe this portfolio exposes it to a material adverse impact on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity, due to the portfolio’s relatively small size and the underlying credit strength of these securities.

 

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Alternative Documentation Mortgages and Sub-Prime Mortgages

 

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio included collateralized mortgage obligations backed by alternative documentation mortgages and asset-backed securities collateralized by sub-prime mortgages with a collective fair value of $340 million and $297 million, respectively (comprising approximately 0.5% of the Company’s total fixed maturity investments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010).  The disruption in secondary investment markets for mortgage-backed securities provided the Company with the opportunity to selectively acquire additional such securities at discounted prices.  The Company purchased $98 million and $31 million of such securities in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.  The Company defines sub-prime mortgage-backed securities as investments in which the underlying loans primarily exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: low FICO scores, above-prime interest rates, high loan-to-value ratios or high debt-to-income ratios.  Alternative documentation securitizations are those in which the underlying loans primarily meet the government-sponsored entities’ requirements for credit score but do not meet the government-sponsored entities’ guidelines for documentation, property type, debt and loan-to-value ratios.  The average credit rating on these securities and obligations held by the Company was “Baa1” and “Baa2” at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Other Investments

 

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying value of the Company’s other investments was $3.43 billion and $2.93 billion, respectively.  The Company’s other investments are primarily comprised of private equity limited partnerships, hedge funds, real estate partnerships, real estate and insurance joint ventures, mortgage loans, venture capital (through direct ownership and limited partnerships) and trading securities, which are subject to more volatility than the Company’s fixed maturity investments.  These asset classes have historically provided a higher return than fixed maturities but are subject to more volatility.

 

Equity Securities Available for Sale, Real Estate and Short-Term Investments

 

See note 1 of notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for further information about these invested asset classes.

 

CATASTROPHE MODELING

 

The Company uses various analyses and methods, including computer modeling techniques, to analyze catastrophic events and the risks associated with them.  The Company uses these analyses and methods to make underwriting and reinsurance decisions designed to manage its exposure to catastrophic events.

 

During the first quarter of 2011, a new version of a third-party proprietary computer model utilized by the Company, as well as others in the insurance industry, to estimate potential aggregate hurricane losses was released.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that the changes included in the new version of this hurricane model may have on the Company’s estimates of the likelihood of exceedance disclosed below.  The Company expects these estimates will increase, and such increases could be significant.

 

The tables below set forth the probabilities that estimated losses from a single event occurring in a one-year timeframe will equal or exceed the indicated loss amounts (expressed in dollars and as a percentage of the Company’s common equity), based on the prior version of the proprietary computer model utilized by the Company at December 31, 2010.  For example, on the basis described below the tables, the Company estimates that there is a one percent chance that the Company’s loss from a single U.S. hurricane in a one-year timeframe would equal or exceed $1.1 billion, or 5% of the Company’s common equity at December 31, 2010.

 

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Dollars (in billions)

 

Likelihood of Exceedance (1) 

 

Single U.S.
Hurricane

 

Single U.S. and
Canadian
Earthquake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0% (1-in-50)

 

$

0.9

 

$

0.5

 

1.0% (1-in-100)

 

$

1.1

 

$

0.6

 

0.4% (1-in-250)

 

$

2.0

 

$

0.9

 

0.1% (1-in-1,000)

 

$

4.3

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

 

Percentage of Common Equity (2)

 

Likelihood of Exceedance 

 

Single U.S.
Hurricane

 

Single U.S. and
Canadian
Earthquake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0% (1-in-50)

 

4

%

2

%

1.0% (1-in-100)

 

5

%

3

%

0.4% (1-in-250)

 

9

%

4

%

0.1% (1-in-1,000)

 

18

%

8

%

 


(1)          An event that has, for example, a 2% likelihood of exceedance is sometimes described as a “1-in-50 year event.”  As noted above, however, the probabilities in the table represent the likelihood of losses from a single event equaling or exceeding the indicated threshold loss amount in a one-year timeframe, not over a multi-year timeframe.  Also, because the probabilities relate to a single event, the probabilities do not address the likelihood of more than one event occurring in a particular period, and, therefore, the amounts do not address potential aggregate catastrophe losses occurring in a one-year timeframe.

 

(2)          The percentage of common equity is calculated by dividing (a) indicated loss amounts in dollars by (b) total common equity excluding net unrealized investment gains and losses, net of taxes.  Net unrealized investment gains and losses can be significantly impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and are not necessarily indicative of operating trends.  Accordingly, the Company’s management uses the percentage of common equity calculated on this basis as a metric to evaluate the potential impact of a single hurricane or single earthquake on the Company’s financial position for purposes of making underwriting and reinsurance decisions.

 

The threshold loss amounts in the tables above, which are based on the Company’s in-force portfolio and catastrophic reinsurance program at December 31, 2010, are net of reinsurance, after-tax and exclude most loss adjustment expenses, which historically have been less than 10% of loss estimates.  The amounts for hurricanes reflect U.S. exposures and include property exposures, property residual market exposures and an adjustment for certain non-property exposures.  The amounts for earthquakes reflect U.S. and Canadian exposures and include property exposures and workers’ compensation exposures. The Company does not believe that the inclusion of hurricane or earthquake losses arising from other geographical areas or other exposures would materially change the estimated threshold loss amounts.   The “Catastrophe Reinsurance Coverage” section below provides information regarding changes in the Company’s catastrophic reinsurance program effective July 1, 2011.  Those changes are not expected to materially impact the threshold amounts in the above table.

 

Catastrophe modeling relies upon inputs based on experience, science, engineering and history.  These inputs reflect a significant amount of judgment and are subject to changes which may result in volatility in the modeled output.  Catastrophe modeling output may also fail to account for risks that are outside the range of normal probability or are otherwise unforeseeable.  Catastrophe modeling assumptions include, among others, the portion of purchased reinsurance that is collectible after a catastrophic event, which may prove to be materially incorrect.  Consequently, catastrophe modeling estimates are subject to significant uncertainty.  In the tables above, the uncertainty associated with the estimated threshold loss amounts increases significantly as the likelihood of exceedance decreases.  In other words, in the case of a relatively more remote event (e.g., 1-in-1,000), the estimated threshold loss amount is relatively less reliable.  Actual losses from an event could materially exceed the indicated threshold loss amount.  In addition, more than one such event could occur in any period.

 

Moreover, the Company is exposed to the risk of material losses from other than property and workers’ compensation coverages arising out of hurricanes and earthquakes, and it is exposed to catastrophe losses from perils other than hurricanes and earthquakes, such as tornadoes and other windstorms, hail, wildfires, severe winter weather, floods, volcanic eruptions and acts of terrorism.

 

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There are no industry-standard methodologies or assumptions for projecting catastrophe exposure.  Accordingly, catastrophe estimates provided by different insurers may not be comparable.

 

For more information about the Company’s exposure to catastrophe losses, see “Item 1ARisk FactorsCatastrophe losses could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, our financial position and/or liquidity, and could adversely impact our ratings, our ability to raise capital and the availability and cost of reinsurance” and “Item 1ARisk FactorsWe may be adversely affected if our pricing and capital models are inaccurate” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE COVERAGE

 

General Catastrophe Reinsurance Treaty.  The Company utilizes a general catastrophe reinsurance treaty with unaffiliated reinsurers to help manage its exposure to losses resulting from catastrophes.  The general catastrophe reinsurance treaty covers the accumulation of net property losses arising out of one occurrence.  The treaty covers all of the Company’s exposures in the United States and Canada and their possessions and waters contiguous thereto, the Caribbean and Mexico.  The treaty only provides coverage for terrorism events in limited circumstances and excludes entirely losses arising from nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological attacks.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s coverage under its General Catastrophe Reinsurance Treaty, effective for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012:

 

Layer of Loss

 

Reinsurance Coverage In-Force

 

 

 

$0 - $1.0 billion

 

Loss 100% retained by the Company, except for certain losses covered by the Earthquake Excess-of-Loss Treaty as described below

 

 

 

$1.0 billion - $1.5 billion

 

20.0% ($100 million) of loss covered by treaty; 80.0% ($400 million) of loss retained by Company

 

 

 

$1.5 billion - $2.25 billion

 

56.7% ($425 million) of loss covered by treaty; 43.3% ($325 million) of loss retained by Company, except for certain losses incurred in the Northeastern United States, which may be covered by the Catastrophe Bond Program as described below.

 

 

 

Greater than $2.25 billion

 

100% of loss retained by Company, except for certain losses incurred in the Northeastern United States, which are covered by the Catastrophe Bond Program and Northeast Catastrophe Treaty as described below.

 

Catastrophe Bond Program.  On December 18, 2009, Longpoint Re II, Ltd. (Longpoint Re II), a newly formed independent Cayman Islands insurance company, successfully completed an offering to unrelated investors of $500 million aggregate principal amount of catastrophe bonds.  In connection with the offering, the Company and Longpoint Re II entered into two reinsurance agreements (covering a three-year and four-year period, respectively), each providing up to $250 million of reinsurance on a proportional basis from losses resulting from certain hurricane events in the northeastern United States.

 

Under the terms of these reinsurance agreements, the Company is obligated to pay annual reinsurance premiums to Longpoint Re II for the reinsurance coverage.  The reinsurance agreements utilize a dual trigger that is based upon the Company’s covered losses incurred and an index that is created by applying predetermined percentages to insured industry losses in each state in the covered area as reported by a third-party service provider.  The reinsurance agreements meet the requirements to be accounted for as reinsurance in accordance with the guidance for reinsurance contracts.  Amounts payable

 

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to the Company under the reinsurance agreement will be determined by the index-based losses (which are designed to approximate the Company’s actual losses from any covered event) but cannot exceed the Company’s actual losses.  The Company’s actual loss experience may differ from the index-based losses.  The principal amount of the catastrophe bonds will be reduced by any amounts paid to the Company under the reinsurance agreements.

 

The index-based losses attachment point and maximum limit are reset annually to maintain modeled probabilities of attachment and expected loss on the respective catastrophe bonds equal to the initial modeled probabilities of attachment and expected loss.  The two reinsurance agreements provide protection for covered events occurring before or on December 18, 2012 and December 18, 2013, respectively.  In accordance with the Longpoint Re II program, the index-based losses attachment point was reset on May 1, 2011.  For the period May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012, the Company will be entitled to begin recovering amounts under the two reinsurance agreements if the index-based losses in the covered area for a single occurrence reach an initial attachment amount of $2.208 billion.  The full $250 million coverage amount of each agreement is available on a proportional basis until index-based losses reach a maximum $2.793 billion limit.  The Company has not incurred any losses that have resulted in a recovery under the Longpoint Re II agreements since their inception.  For the period May 1, 2012 through April 30, 2013, the index-based losses attachment point and maximum limit will be based on the new version of the third-party proprietary computer model used to estimate potential aggregate hurricane losses, discussed in the “Catastrophe Modeling” section above.  Because the Company has not yet determined the state weightings for the May 1, 2012 reset, it is not possible to determine the impact that the changes in the new version of this hurricane model may have on the index-based losses attachment point and maximum limit on the reinsurance agreements in the Longpoint Re II program.  However, both the attachment point and the maximum limit are expected to increase significantly.  The Company regularly reviews its catastrophe reinsurance coverage, and may seek additional catastrophe reinsurance coverage, either through general catastrophe reinsurance or through catastrophe bonds, to provide protection against the higher potential exposure to catastrophe losses resulting from the expected increase in the attachment point.

 

For more information about the Company’s catastrophe bond program, see “Item 1 — Business” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Northeast Catastrophe Reinsurance Treaty.  In addition to its general catastrophe treaty and its multi-year catastrophe bond program, the Company also is party to a Northeast General Catastrophe treaty which provides up to $600 million of coverage, subject to a $2.25 billion retention, for losses arising from hurricanes, earthquakes and winter storm or freeze losses from Virginia to Maine for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.  Losses from a covered event (occurring over several days) anywhere in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico may be used to satisfy the retention.  Recoveries under the catastrophe bond programs (if any) would be first applied to reduce losses subject to this treaty.

 

Earthquake Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty. The Company renewed its earthquake excess-of-loss treaty that provides for up to $142.5 million of coverage, subject to a $125 million retention, for earthquake losses incurred under policies written by the National Property business unit in the Company’s Business Insurance segment for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

 

International Reinsurance Treaties.  For business underwritten in Canada, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and in the Company’s operations at Lloyd’s, separate reinsurance protections are purchased locally that have lower net retentions more commensurate with the size of the respective local balance sheet.  The Company conducts an ongoing review of its risk and catastrophe coverages and makes changes as it deems appropriate.

 

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REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES

 

For a description of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables, refer to Reinsurance Recoverables in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s reinsurance recoverable assets:

 

(in millions)

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

Gross reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses

 

$

6,513

 

$

6,934

 

Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

 

(351

)

(363

)

Net reinsurance recoverables

 

6,162

 

6,571

 

Structured settlements (1)

 

3,317

 

3,380

 

Mandatory pools and associations (2)

 

2,264

 

2,043

 

Total reinsurance recoverables

 

$

11,743

 

$

11,994

 

 


(1)

Included in the Company’s reinsurance recoverables are certain structured settlement annuities issued by a subsidiary of Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings, Inc. for which the Company is contingently liable. In April 2011, Old Mutual plc, a U.K. company, completed the sale of Old Mutual U.S. Life Holdings, Inc., its U.S. life insurance subsidiary, to Harbinger Group Inc.

 

 

(2)

Includes impact from certain reclassifications made to 2010 amounts to conform to 2011 presentation.

 

The $409 million decline in net reinsurance recoverables since December 31, 2010 primarily reflected cash collections and the impact of net favorable prior year reserve development.

 

OUTLOOK

 

The following discussion provides outlook information for certain key drivers of the Company’s results of operations and capital position.

 

Premiums.  The Company’s earned premiums are a function of net written premium volume.  Net written premiums comprise both renewal business and new business and are recognized as earned premium over the life of the underlying policies. When business renews, the amount of net written premiums associated with that business may increase or decrease (renewal premium change) as a result of increases or decreases in rate and/or insured exposures, which the Company considers as a measure of units of exposure.  Net written premiums from both renewal and new business, and therefore earned premiums, are impacted by competitive market conditions as well as general economic conditions, which, particularly in the case of the Business Insurance segment, affect audit premium adjustments, policy endorsements and mid-term cancellations.  Net written premiums are also impacted by the structure of reinsurance programs and related costs.

 

Given the possibility that more active weather patterns, such as the Company experienced in 2011 and 2010, may continue, as well as the possibility that interest rates may remain low for some period of time, the Company has increased its efforts to actively seek improved pricing as well as improved terms and conditions on many of the insurance products that it sells.  These actions to improve underwriting margins and profitability could result in lower retention and new business levels and therefore lower business volumes. Nonetheless, the Company currently expects retention levels (the amount of expiring premium that renews, before the impact of renewal premium changes) will remain relatively strong.  The Company also expects to continue to achieve renewal price increases during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.  In the Business Insurance segment, the Company expects a continued increase in renewal premium changes, including increases in both of its components of rate changes and, subject to the economic uncertainties described below, insured exposures, during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012, compared with the first nine months of 2011.  In the Financial, Professional & International Insurance segment, the Company expects that renewal premium changes, including both components of rate changes and insured exposures, will not meaningfully change during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 compared with the first nine months of 2011.  In the Personal Insurance segment, the Company expects both Agency Automobile and Agency Homeowners and Other renewal premium changes during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 will remain positive and generally consistent with the first nine months of 2011.

 

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The pricing environment for new business generally has less of an impact on underwriting profitability than renewal rate changes, given the volume of new business relative to renewal business.  While property and casualty insurance market conditions are expected to remain competitive during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 for new business, the Company believes it is well-positioned to capitalize on new business opportunities as agents, brokers and customers seek to place business with high-quality carriers.  In addition, the Company launched a new distribution channel in 2009 that markets personal insurance products directly to consumers, which is expected to generate modest growth in premium volume for Personal Insurance during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.

 

Current economic conditions have been somewhat volatile and there is increased uncertainty as to whether the U.S. or the global economy will grow modestly, remain stagnant or enter a recession.  Economic growth experienced earlier in 2011 may or may not continue, or may continue at a slower rate for an extended period of time.  In addition, some economic conditions, such as the commercial and residential real estate environment and employment rates, may continue to be weak.  If weak economic conditions persist or deteriorate, the resulting low levels of economic activity could impact exposure changes at renewal and the Company’s ability to write business at acceptable rates.  Additionally, low levels of economic activity could adversely impact audit premium adjustments, policy endorsements and mid-term cancellations after policies are written.  All of the foregoing, in turn, could adversely impact net written premiums during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.  Since earned premiums lag net written premiums, earned premiums could be adversely impacted during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.

 

Underwriting Gain/Loss.  The Company’s underwriting gain/loss can be significantly impacted by catastrophe losses and net favorable or unfavorable prior year reserve development, as well as underlying underwriting margins.

 

Catastrophe and other weather-related losses are inherently unpredictable from period to period. The Company experienced significant catastrophe and other weather-related losses in the first nine months of 2011 which adversely impacted its results of operations. The Company’s results of operations would continue to be adversely impacted if significant catastrophe and other weather-related losses were to continue during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.

 

As described above under “Catastrophe Modeling,” the Company is currently assessing the impact of a third-party proprietary computer model that it uses to assist in its process of estimating future hurricane losses.  Currently, the Company is not expecting to increase target capital levels, significantly reduce its exposures or purchase additional reinsurance due to the updated model.  However, the Company’s analysis is still preliminary and may change significantly.

 

In recent years, the Company has experienced significant amounts of net favorable prior year reserve development, although at lower levels in recent quarters, driven by better than expected loss experience in all of the Company’s segments.  The lower levels of prior year reserve development in recent quarters may be in part due to the estimation process incorporating those factors that led to the higher levels of prior year reserve development in previous years.  If that trend continues, the better than expected loss experience may continue at these recent lower levels, or even lower levels.  However, given the inherent uncertainty in estimating claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, loss experience could develop such that the Company recognizes higher or lower levels of favorable prior year reserve development, no favorable prior year reserve development or unfavorable prior year reserve development in future periods.  In addition, the ongoing review of prior year claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, or other changes in current period circumstances, may result in the Company revising current year loss estimates upward or downward in future periods.

 

In Business Insurance, the anticipated impact of the improving trend in renewal premium changes coupled with an expected modest increase in underlying losses and weather patterns consistent with the Company’s expectations will likely result in underlying underwriting margins during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 that are slightly improved over the first nine months of 2011.  In Financial, Professional & International Insurance, the anticipated impact of lower underlying losses, offset by higher employee- and technology-related costs to enhance operations and support future business growth in International, will likely result in underlying underwriting margins during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 that are generally consistent with the first nine months of 2011.  In Personal Insurance, the Company anticipates increased underlying underwriting margins during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 as compared with the first nine months of 2011, reflecting the anticipated impact of continued positive renewal premium changes, a modest increase in underlying losses and weather patterns consistent with the Company’s expectations.  Also in Personal Insurance, the Company’s direct to consumer initiative, as discussed above, while intended to enhance the Company’s long-term ability to compete successfully in a consumer-driven marketplace, is expected to remain unprofitable for a number of years as this book of business grows and matures.

 

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Investment Portfolio.  The Company expects to continue to focus its investment strategy on maintaining a high-quality investment portfolio and a relatively short average effective duration.

 

Net investment income is a material contributor to the Company’s results of operations.  Long-term interest rates declined in the third quarter of 2011 and are at historic lows.  As a result, the Company expects investment returns for its fixed maturity investment portfolio to be slightly lower during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012 than in recent periods due to lower reinvestment yields available for maturing long-term fixed maturity investments. Short-term interest rates are expected to remain at or near historically low levels during the remainder of 2011 and into 2012.  The Company expects full year investment income from its non-fixed maturity portfolio in 2011 to be generally consistent with full year 2010 results.  Given recent unfavorable general economic and investment market conditions, the Company expects investment income from the non-fixed maturity portfolio in 2012 to be lower than in 2011.  If general economic conditions and/or investment market conditions deteriorate in the remainder of 2011 and into 2012, the Company could also experience further reduction in net investment income and/or significant realized investment losses, including impairments.  For further discussion of the Company’s investment portfolio, see “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Investment Portfolio” in this report.

 

Economic uncertainty has been exacerbated by the increased potential for default by one or more European sovereign issuers, including Greece, and the negative impact of such defaults on global financial institutions and capital markets generally. Actions or inactions of European governments may impact the actual or perceived risk of sovereign default. In the United States, Standard & Poor’s recently downgraded the United States’ long-term debt credit rating from AAA.  Future actions or inactions of the United States government, including a shutdown of the federal government, could increase the actual or perceived risk that the United States may not ultimately pay its obligations when due and may disrupt financial markets.  Disruption to financial markets could have a material adverse effect on the value and liquidity of financial assets, including assets in our investment portfolio, and could negatively impact economic conditions, including employment rates. For a discussion of the risks to our business during or following a financial market disruption and risks to our investment portfolio, see the risk factors entitled “During or following period of financial market disruption or economic downturn, our business could be materially and adversely affected” and “Our investment portfolio may suffer reduced returns or material realized or unrealized losses” included in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Capital Position.  The Company believes it has a strong capital position and expects to continue its common share repurchase program in the remainder of 2011 as part of its continuing efforts to create shareholder value.  The Company is targeting fourth quarter 2011 common share repurchases to be approximately $1.0 billion.  The actual amount of share repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s earnings, corporate and regulatory requirements, share price, catastrophe losses, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, strategic initiatives and other market conditions.  The Company does not expect that it will continue to repurchase shares in excess of its operating income in 2012.

 

The Company had a net after-tax unrealized investment gain of $2.59 billion in its fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2011.  While the Company does not attempt to predict future interest rate movements, a rising interest rate environment would reduce the market value of fixed maturity investments and, therefore, reduce shareholders’ equity, and a declining interest rate environment would have the opposite effects.

 

Many of the statements in this “Outlook” section are forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control.  Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.   Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them.  See “—Forward Looking Statements.”  For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position, see “Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” in this report.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short- and long-term cash requirements of its business operations.  The liquidity requirements of the Company’s business have been met primarily by funds generated from operations, asset maturities and income received on investments.  Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for claims and claim adjustment expense payments and operating expenses, and in recent years, for common share repurchases.  The timing and amount of catastrophe claims are inherently unpredictable.  Such claims increase liquidity requirements.  The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.  Additionally, the variability of asbestos-related claim payments, as well as the volatility of potential judgments and settlements arising out of litigation, may also result in increased liquidity requirements.  It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the Company’s future liquidity needs will be adequately met from all of the above sources.

 

At September 30, 2011, total cash and short-term invested assets aggregating $2.40 billion and having a weighted average maturity of 54 days were held in the United States by the holding company.  These assets are sufficient to meet the holding company’s current liquidity requirements and are more than two times the Company’s target level.  These liquidity requirements primarily include shareholder dividends, debt service and contributions to its qualified pension plan from time to time.

 

The holding company is not dependent on dividends or other forms of repatriation from its foreign operations to support its liquidity needs.  U.S. income taxes have not been provided on a majority of the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign operations, as such earnings are intended to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Furthermore, taxes paid to foreign governments on these earnings may be used as credits against the U.S. tax on dividend distributions if such earnings were to be distributed to the holding company.  The amount of undistributed earnings from foreign operations and related taxes on those undistributed earnings were not material to the Company’s financial position or liquidity at September 30, 2011.

 

The Company has a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which permits it to issue securities from time to time.  The Company also has a $1.0 billion line of credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions that expires in 2013.  This line of credit also supports the Company’s $800 million commercial paper program, of which $100 million was outstanding at September 30, 2011.  The Company is not reliant on its commercial paper program to meet its operating cash flow needs.

 

The Company currently utilizes uncollateralized letters of credit issued by major banks with an aggregate limit of approximately $538 million to provide much of the capital needed to support its obligations at Lloyd’s.  If uncollateralized letters of credit are not available at a reasonable price or at all in the future, the Company can collateralize these letters of credit or may have to seek alternative means of supporting its obligations at Lloyd’s, which could include utilizing holding company funds on hand.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $1.82 billion and $2.39 billion, respectively.  Cash flows in the first nine months of 2011 reflected an increase in losses paid related to catastrophes and ongoing business (including the impact of increased loss costs) and lower receipts related to net investment income.  These factors were partially offset by a higher level of collected premiums, a lower level of paid operating expenses and a lower level of paid losses related to asbestos claims, as well as operations in runoff.  Operating cash flows in the first nine months of both 2011 and 2010 reflected contributions of $35 million to the Company’s qualified domestic pension plan.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash flows provided by investing activities in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $237 million and $1.65 billion, respectively.  The book value of the Company’s consolidated total investments (excluding net unrealized appreciation) at September 30, 2011 decreased by $243 million from year-end 2010, driven by the net sales and maturities of fixed maturity investments.  The decrease in total investments primarily reflected the impact of the Company’s common share repurchases of $1.71 billion under its share repurchase authorization in the first nine months of 2011, partially offset by operating cash flows of $1.82 billion.  Net pretax unrealized appreciation of investments of $4.00 billion at September 30, 2011 was $1.17 billion higher than at year-end 2010.

 

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On June 17, 2011, the Company acquired 43% of the common stock of J. Malucelli Participações em Seguros e Resseguros S.A, a Brazilian company (“JMalucelli”).  JMalucelli is currently the market leader in surety in Brazil based on market share.  The Company’s investment totaled approximately $410 million in U.S. dollars, which was funded with cash provided internally from an operating subsidiary of the Company.  The Company has an option to increase its interest in JMalucelli up to 49.9% within 18 months from the date of the consummation of the transaction.

 

The primary goals of the Company’s asset - liability management process are to satisfy the insurance liabilities and maintain sufficient liquidity to cover fluctuations in projected liability cash flows.  Generally, the expected principal and interest payments produced by the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio adequately fund the estimated runoff of the Company’s insurance reserves.  Although this is not an exact cash flow match in each period, the substantial degree by which the market value of the fixed maturity portfolio exceeds the expected present value of the net insurance liabilities, as well as the positive cash flow from newly sold policies and the large amount of high quality liquid bonds, contributes to the Company’s ability to fund claim payments without having to sell illiquid assets or access credit facilities.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash flows used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 were $2.02 billion and $4.00 billion, respectively.  The totals in both periods primarily reflected common share repurchases and dividends to shareholders, partially offset by the proceeds from employee stock option exercises.

 

Dividends.  Dividends paid to shareholders were $500 million and $512 million in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors.  Dividends would be paid by the Company only if declared by its board of directors out of funds legally available, subject to any other restrictions that may be applicable to the Company.  On October 19, 2011, the Company announced that it declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share.  The dividend is payable December 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on December 9, 2011.

 

Share Repurchase Authorization.  The Company’s board of directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise.  The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date.  The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, share price, catastrophe losses, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.  In January 2011, the board of directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5 billion of repurchase capacity to the $1.51 billion of capacity remaining at December 31, 2010.  During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased 7.3 million and 30.1 million shares, respectively, under its share repurchase authorization, for a total cost of approximately $375 million and $1.71 billion, respectively.  The average cost per share repurchased was $51.77 and $56.94, respectively.  At September 30, 2011, the Company had $4.80 billion of capacity remaining under the share repurchase authorization.

 

Conversion of Preferred Stock to Common Stock.  In May 2011, the Company’s board of directors authorized the redemption of the Company’s preferred stock held by The Travelers 401(k) Savings Plan (the Savings Plan) and gave notice of that redemption to the appropriate fiduciaries of the Savings Plan.  Following a fiduciary review, the Savings Plan exercised its right to convert each preferred share into eight shares of the Company’s common stock.  As a result, all preferred shares outstanding on June 7, 2011 (190,083 shares) were converted into a total of 1.52 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

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Capital Structure.  The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s capital structure at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(in millions)

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,

2010

 

Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

$

350

 

$

109

 

Long-term

 

6,269

 

6,519

 

Net unamortized fair value adjustments and debt issuance costs

 

(15

)

(17

)

Total debt

 

6,604

 

6,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred shareholders’ equity

 

 

68

 

Common shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock and retained earnings, less treasury stock

 

23,140

 

24,152

 

Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources

 

2,032

 

1,255

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

25,172

 

25,475

 

Total capitalization

 

$

31,776

 

$

32,086

 

 

The $310 million decrease in total capitalization from December 31, 2010 primarily reflected the impact of common share repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase authorization totaling $1.71 billion and shareholder dividends of $503 million in the first nine months of 2011, partially offset by net income of $808 million.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of total capitalization excluding net unrealized gain on investments to total capitalization presented in the foregoing table.

 

(dollars in millions)

 

September 30,
2011

 

December 31,
2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization excluding net unrealized gain on investments

 

$

29,154

 

$

30,228

 

Net unrealized gain on investments, net of taxes

 

2,622

 

1,858

 

Total capitalization

 

$

31,776

 

$

32,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt-to-total capital ratio

 

20.8

%

20.6

%

Debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gain on investments

 

22.7

%

21.9

%

 

The debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gains on investments is calculated by dividing (a) debt by (b) total capitalization excluding net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes.  Net unrealized gains and losses on investments can be significantly impacted by both discretionary and other economic factors and are not necessarily indicative of operating trends.  Accordingly, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the debt-to-total capital ratio calculated on this basis provides another useful metric for investors to understand the Company’s financial leverage position.  The Company’s debt-to-total capital ratio of 22.7% at September 30, 2011 calculated on this basis was within the Company’s target range.

 

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RATINGS

 

Ratings are an important factor in assessing the Company’s competitive position in the insurance industry.  The Company receives ratings from the following major rating agencies: A.M. Best Company (A.M. Best), Fitch Ratings (Fitch), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s Corp. (S&P).  For additional discussion of ratings and the potential impacts of a downgrade in such ratings, see the “Ratings” section of “Part I — Item 1 — Business” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The following rating agency actions were taken since July 21, 2011, the date on which the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

 

·                   On July 28, 2011, S&P upgraded the Company’s debt ratings for The Travelers Companies, Inc. from “A-” to “A” and upgraded the claims-paying ratings for the Travelers Reinsurance Pool, Travelers C&S Co. of America, Travelers C&S Co. of Europe Ltd. and Travelers Insurance Company Limited from “AA-” to “AA.”  The outlook for all ratings is stable.

 

·                   On September 8, 2011, Fitch affirmed all ratings of the Company.  The outlook for all ratings is stable.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

For a description of the Company’s critical accounting estimates, refer to “Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  The Company considers its most significant accounting estimates to be those applied to claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance recoverables, investment valuation and impairments, and goodwill impairments. Except as discussed below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2010.

 

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves

 

The table below displays the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line.  Additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the current related reserves.  In addition, the Company’s estimate of claims and claim adjustment expenses may change. These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s operating results in future periods. In particular, a portion of the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves (totaling $3.29 billion at September 30, 2011) are for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation. While the ongoing review of asbestos and environmental claims and associated liabilities considers the inconsistencies of court decisions as to coverage, plaintiffs’ expanded theories of liability and the risks inherent in complex litigation and other uncertainties, in the opinion of the Company’s management, it is possible that the outcome of the continued uncertainties regarding these claims could result in liability in future periods that differs from current reserves by an amount that could be material to the Company’s future operating results. See the preceding discussion of “Asbestos Claims and Litigation” and “Environmental Claims and Litigation.”

 

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Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line were as follows:

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

 

December 31, 2010

 

(in millions)

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

Total

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

Total

 

General liability

 

$

5,576

 

$

10,039

 

$

15,615

 

$

5,809

 

$

10,449

 

$

16,258

 

Property

 

1,053

 

721

 

1,774

 

945

 

627

 

1,572

 

Commercial multi-peril

 

2,235

 

1,788

 

4,023

 

1,897

 

1,766

 

3,663

 

Commercial automobile (1)

 

2,411

 

1,077

 

3,488

 

2,302

 

1,060

 

3,362

 

Workers’ compensation

 

9,577

 

7,351

 

16,928

 

9,447

 

7,082

 

16,529

 

Fidelity and surety

 

492

 

1,084

 

1,576

 

542

 

1,124

 

1,666

 

Personal automobile (1)

 

2,228

 

655

 

2,883

 

1,863

 

935

 

2,798

 

Homeowners and personal—other

 

822

 

964

 

1,786

 

653

 

769

 

1,422

 

International and other

 

2,409

 

1,766

 

4,175

 

2,353

 

1,914

 

4,267

 

Property-casualty

 

26,803

 

25,445

 

52,248

 

25,811

 

25,726

 

51,537

 

Accident and health

 

59

 

8

 

67

 

61

 

8

 

69

 

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves

 

$

26,862

 

$

25,453

 

$

52,315

 

$

25,872

 

$

25,734

 

$

51,606

 

 


(1) Includes impact from certain reclassifications made to 2010 amounts to conform to 2011 presentation.

 

The $709 million increase in gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves since December 31, 2010 primarily reflected the impact of significant catastrophe losses incurred in the first nine months of 2011, partially offset by net favorable prior year reserve development and by payments related to operations in runoff, including asbestos and environmental claims.

 

Asbestos and environmental reserves are included in the General liability, Commercial multi-peril and International and other lines in the summary table above.  Asbestos and environmental reserves are discussed separately; see “Asbestos Claims and Litigation”, “Environmental Claims and Litigation” and “Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”

 

FUTURE APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

See note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains, and management may make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements.  Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Specifically, statements about the Company’s share repurchase plans and statements about the potential impact of investment markets and other economic conditions on the Company’s investment portfolio and underwriting results, among others, are forward looking, and the Company may also make forward-looking statements about, among other things:

 

·                  its results of operations and financial condition (including, among other things, premium volume, premium rates, net and operating income, investment income and performance, return on equity, and expected current returns and combined ratios);

·                  the sufficiency of the Company’s asbestos and other reserves;

·                  the impact of emerging claims issues as well as other insurance and non-insurance litigation;

·                  the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage;

·                  catastrophe losses;

·                  the impact of investment, economic and underwriting market conditions; and

·                  strategic initiatives.

 

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The Company cautions investors that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.

 

Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·                  catastrophe losses could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, its financial position and/or liquidity, and could adversely impact the Company’s ratings, the Company’s ability to raise capital and the availability and cost of reinsurance;

·                  during or following a period of financial market disruption or economic downturn, the Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected;

·                  if actual claims exceed the Company’s loss reserves, or if changes in the estimated level of loss reserves are necessary, the Company’s financial results could be materially and adversely affected;

·                  the Company’s investment portfolio may suffer reduced returns or material realized or unrealized losses;

·                  the Company’s business could be harmed because of its potential exposure to asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation;

·                  the Company is exposed to, and may face adverse developments involving, mass tort claims such as those relating to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances;

·                  the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on the Company’s business are uncertain;

·                  the intense competition that the Company faces could harm its ability to maintain or increase its business volumes and profitability;

·                  the Company may not be able to collect all amounts due to it from reinsurers and reinsurance coverage may not be available to the Company in the future at commercially reasonable rates or at all;

·                  the Company is exposed to credit risk in certain of its business operations;

·                  the Company’s businesses are heavily regulated and changes in regulation may reduce the Company’s profitability and limit its growth;

·                  a downgrade in the Company’s claims-paying and financial strength ratings could adversely impact the Company’s business volumes, adversely impact the Company’s ability to access the capital markets and increase the Company’s borrowing costs;

·                  the inability of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company’s holding company in sufficient amounts would harm the Company’s ability to meet its obligations, pay future shareholder dividends or make future share repurchases;

·                  disruptions to the Company’s relationships with its independent agents and brokers could adversely affect the Company;

·                  the Company’s efforts to develop new products or expand in targeted markets may not be successful and may create enhanced risks;

·                  the Company may be adversely affected if its pricing and capital models are inaccurate;

·                  the Company is subject to a number of risks associated with its business outside the United States;

·                  the Company’s business success and profitability depend, in part, on effective information technology systems and on continuing to develop and implement improvements in technology;

 

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·                  if the Company experiences difficulties with technology, data security and/or outsourcing relationships the Company’s ability to conduct its business could be negatively impacted;

·                  acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses may result in operating difficulties and other unintended consequences;

·                  the Company could be adversely affected if its controls to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards are not effective;

·                  the Company’s businesses may be adversely affected if it is unable to hire and retain qualified employees;

·                  loss of or significant restriction on the use of credit scoring in the pricing and underwriting of Personal Insurance products could reduce the Company’s future profitability; and

·                  the Company’s repurchase plans depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, share price, catastrophe losses, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.

 

The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements.  For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein and in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

For the Company’s disclosures about market risk, please see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  There have been no material changes to the Company’s disclosures about market risk in Part II, Item 7A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 4. 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)) that are designed 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 that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.  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 September 30, 2011.  Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2011, the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.

 

In addition, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The information required with respect to this item can be found under “Contingencies” in note 10 of notes to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.

 

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Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

For a discussion of the Company’s potential risks or uncertainties, please see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In addition, please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Outlook” and “— Critical Accounting Estimates” herein and in the 2010 Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases by the Company of its common stock during the periods indicated.

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period Beginning

 

Period Ending

 

Total number of
shares
purchased

 

Average price paid
per share

 

Total number of
shares purchased
as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs

 

Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may
yet be purchased
under the
plans or programs

 

July 1, 2011

 

July 31, 2011

 

854,524

 

$

58.70

 

851,779

 

$

5,122,308,968

 

August 1, 2011

 

August 31, 2011

 

4,898,530

 

51.08

 

4,896,263

 

4,872,214,461

 

Sept. 1, 2011

 

Sept. 30, 2011

 

1,497,687

 

50.11

 

1,496,777

 

4,797,216,330

 

Total

 

 

 

7,250,741

 

$

51.78

 

7,244,819

 

$

4,797,216,330

 

 

The Company’s board of directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise.  The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date.  The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, share price, catastrophe losses, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions), market conditions and other factors.

 

The Company repurchased 5,922 shares during the three months ended September 30, 2011 that were not part of the publicly announced share repurchase authorization.  These shares were repurchased to cover payroll withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and exercises of stock options, and shares used by employees to cover the exercise price of certain stock options that were exercised.

 

Item 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

 

All of the Company’s executive officers hold equity in the Company in excess of the required level under the Company’s executive stock ownership policy.  For a summary of this policy as currently in effect, see “Stock Ownership Guidelines” under “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 12, 2011.  From time to time, some of the Company’s executives may determine that it is advisable to diversify their investments for personal financial planning reasons, or may seek liquidity for other reasons, and may sell shares of common stock of the Company in the open market, in private transactions or to the Company.  To effect such sales, some of the Company’s executives have entered into, and may in the future enter into, trading plans designed to comply with the Company’s Securities Trading Policy and the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The trading plans will not reduce any of the executives’ ownership of the Company’s shares below the applicable executive stock ownership guidelines.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to report Rule 10b5-1 plans that may be adopted by any employee or director of the Company in the future, or to report any modifications or termination of any publicly announced plan.

 

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As of the date of this report, Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Alan D. Schnitzer, Vice Chairman and Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President — Financial, Professional and International Insurance, were the only “named executive officers” (i.e., an executive officer named in the compensation disclosures in the Company’s proxy statement) that have entered into Rule 10b5-1 trading plans that remain in effect.  The trading plans extend from approximately four to thirteen months from the date of this report.  Under the Company’s stock ownership guidelines, Mr. Fishman has a target ownership level established as the lesser of 150,000 shares or the equivalent value of 500% of base salary and Mr. Schnitzer has a target ownership level established as the lesser of 30,000 shares or the equivalent of 300% of base salary (as such amounts are calculated for purposes of the stock ownership guidelines).  See “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Stock Ownership Guidelines” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 12, 2011.

 

Item 6.    EXHIBITS

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The Travelers Companies, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

Date: October 19, 2011

By

/S/   MATTHEW S. FURMAN

 

 

Matthew S. Furman

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

(Authorized Signatory)

 

 

 

Date: October 19, 2011

By

/S/   DOUGLAS K. RUSSELL

 

 

Douglas K. Russell

 

 

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

3.1  

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (the Company), effective as of August 4, 2011, were filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2011, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

3.2  

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, effective as of February 18, 2009, were filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

12.1†

 

Statement regarding the computation of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends.

 

 

 

31.1†

 

Certification of Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2†

 

Certification of Jay S. Benet, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1†

 

Certification of Jay S. Fishman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2†

 

Certification of Jay S. Benet, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.1†

 

The following financial information from The Travelers Companies, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; (iv) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


                           Filed herewith.

 

Copies of any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished to security holders who make written request therefor to The Travelers Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

The total amount of securities authorized pursuant to any instrument defining rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.  Therefore, the Company is not filing any instruments evidencing long-term debt.  However, the Company will furnish copies of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

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