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Investments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments
2.  INVESTMENTS

The amortized cost, market value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of available for sale, fixed maturity and equity security investments, carried at market value, are as follows for the periods indicated:


   
At December 31, 2012
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Market
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Appreciation
   
Depreciation
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 77,611     $ 1,448     $ (869 )   $ 78,190  
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    1,214,990       78,096       (1,123 )     1,291,963  
Corporate securities
    1,510,186       61,137       (6,471 )     1,564,852  
Asset-backed securities
    44,070       2,417       -       46,487  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    45,157       7,534       (67 )     52,624  
Agency residential
    672,724       12,722       (1,724 )     683,722  
Non-agency residential
    1,933       429       (33 )     2,329  
Foreign government securities
    732,277       51,461       (3,735 )     780,003  
Foreign corporate securities
    990,671       46,850       (6,281 )     1,031,240  
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 5,289,619     $ 262,094     $ (20,303 )   $ 5,531,410  
Equity securities
  $ 15     $ -     $ (2 )   $ 13  



   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Market
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Appreciation
   
Depreciation
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities
                       
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                       
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 77,351     $ 2,475     $ (287 )   $ 79,539  
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    1,558,615       102,815       (525 )     1,660,905  
Corporate securities
    1,200,941       45,070       (17,776 )     1,228,235  
Asset-backed securities
    44,351       758       (6 )     45,103  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    41,953       7,187       (1,266 )     47,874  
Agency residential
    528,946       16,209       (1,762 )     543,393  
Non-agency residential
    24,139       470       (320 )     24,289  
Foreign government securities
    733,814       57,437       (2,602 )     788,649  
Foreign corporate securities
    670,544       29,421       (10,924 )     689,041  
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 4,880,654     $ 261,842     $ (35,468 )   $ 5,107,028  
Equity securities
  $ 15     $ -     $ (5 )   $ 10  


The $780,003 thousand of foreign government securities at December 31, 2012 included $90,169 thousand of European sovereign securities.  Approximately 48.9%, 15.8%, 11.6%, 7.3% and 5.4% of European Sovereign Securities represented securities held in the governments of France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria, respectively.  No other countries represented more than 5% of the European sovereign securities.  The Company held no sovereign securities of Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece or Spain at December 31, 2012.




In accordance with FASB guidance, the Company reclassified the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments from retained earnings into accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), on April 1, 2009.  The table below presents the pre-tax cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those corporate securities, for the periods indicated:


   
At December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Pre-tax cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
  $ 399     $ 635  


The amortized cost and market value of fixed maturity securities are shown in the following table by contractual maturity. Mortgage-backed securities are generally more likely to be prepaid than other fixed maturity securities. As the stated maturity of such securities may not be indicative of actual maturities, the totals for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are shown separately.


   
At December 31, 2012
   
At December 31, 2011
 
   
Amortized
   
Market
   
Amortized
   
Market
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
Fixed maturity securities – available for sale
                       
    Due in one year or less
  $ 329,474     $ 330,149     $ 224,406     $ 223,507  
    Due after one year through five years
    2,380,093       2,462,430       2,055,299       2,129,437  
    Due after five years through ten years
    1,008,653       1,064,579       955,253       1,009,893  
    Due after ten years
    807,515       889,090       1,006,307       1,083,532  
Asset-backed securities
    44,070       46,487       44,351       45,103  
Mortgage-backed securities
                               
Commercial
    45,157       52,624       41,953       47,874  
Agency residential
    672,724       683,722       528,946       543,393  
Non-agency residential
    1,933       2,329       24,139       24,289  
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 5,289,619     $ 5,531,410     $ 4,880,654     $ 5,107,028  


The changes in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for the Company's investments are derived from the following sources for the periods as indicated:


   
Years Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Increase (decrease) during the period between the market value and cost
           
of investments carried at market value, and deferred taxes thereon:
           
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 15,653     $ 66,765  
Fixed maturity securities, other-than-temporary impairment
    (236 )     (188 )
Fixed maturity securities, reclassification due to sale of subsidiary to related party, pre-tax
    -       (1,785 )
Equity securities
    3       (3 )
Other invested assets
    -       (1,515 )
Change in unrealized  appreciation (depreciation), pre-tax
    15,420       63,274  
Deferred tax benefit (expense)
    (5,480 )     (22,837 )
Deferred tax benefit (expense), other-than-temporary impairment
    83       66  
Deferred tax benefit (expense), reclassification due to sale of subsidiary to related party
    -       625  
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation),
               
net of deferred taxes, included in stockholder's equity
  $ 10,023     $ 41,128  


The Company frequently reviews all of its fixed maturity, available for sale securities for declines in market value and focuses its attention on securities whose fair value has fallen below 80% of their amortized cost at the time of review.  The Company then assesses whether the decline in value is temporary or other-than-temporary.  In making its assessment, the Company evaluates the current market and interest rate environment as well as specific issuer information.  Generally, a change in a security's value caused by a change in the market, interest rate or foreign exchange environment does not constitute an other-than-temporary impairment, but rather a temporary decline in market value.  Temporary declines in market value are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  If the Company determines that the decline is other-than-temporary and the Company does not have the intent to sell the security; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, the carrying value of the investment is written down to fair value.  The fair value adjustment that is credit or foreign exchange related is recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The fair value adjustment that is non-credit related is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.  The Company's assessments are based on the issuers current and expected future financial position, timeliness with respect to interest and/or principal payments, speed of repayments and any applicable credit enhancements or breakeven constant default rates on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as relevant information provided by rating agencies, investment advisors and analysts.

The majority of the Company's equity securities available for sale at market value are primarily comprised of mutual fund investments whose underlying securities consist of fixed maturity securities.  When a fund's value reflects an unrealized loss, the Company assesses whether the decline in value is temporary or other-than-temporary.  In making its assessment, the Company considers the composition of its portfolios and their related markets, reports received from the portfolio managers and discussions with portfolio managers.  If the Company determines that the declines are temporary and it has the ability and intent to continue to hold the investments, then the declines are recorded as unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  If declines are deemed to be other-than-temporary, then the carrying value of the investment is written down to fair value and recorded in net realized capital gains (losses) in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Retrospective adjustments are employed to recalculate the values of asset-backed securities. All of the Company's asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities have a pass-through structure. Each acquisition lot is reviewed to recalculate the effective yield. The recalculated effective yield is used to derive a book value as if the new yield were applied at the time of acquisition. Outstanding principal factors from the time of acquisition to the adjustment date are used to calculate the prepayment history for all applicable securities. Conditional prepayment rates, computed with life to date factor histories and weighted average maturities, are used in the calculation of projected prepayments for pass-through security types.

The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:


   
Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2012 By Security Type
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale
                                   
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                                   
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ 8,058     $ (292 )   $ 3,386     $ (577 )   $ 11,444     $ (869 )
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    38,754       (1,072 )     5,781       (51 )     44,535       (1,123 )
Corporate securities
    122,138       (1,566 )     62,492       (4,905 )     184,630       (6,471 )
Asset-backed securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Mortgage-backed securities
                                               
Commercial
    -       -       10,729       (67 )     10,729       (67 )
Agency residential
    177,336       (1,042 )     54,595       (682 )     231,931       (1,724 )
Non-agency residential
    -       -       446       (33 )     446       (33 )
Foreign government securities
    13,958       (105 )     34,355       (3,630 )     48,313       (3,735 )
Foreign corporate securities
    44,945       (565 )     53,672       (5,716 )     98,617       (6,281 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 405,189     $ (4,642 )   $ 225,456     $ (15,661 )   $ 630,645     $ (20,303 )
Equity securities
    -       -       13       (2 )     13       (2 )
Total
  $ 405,189     $ (4,642 )   $ 225,469     $ (15,663 )   $ 630,658     $ (20,305 )


 

 
   
Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2012 By Maturity
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities
                                   
Due in one year or less
  $ 5,875     $ (24 )   $ 19,291     $ (2,833 )   $ 25,166     $ (2,857 )
Due in one year through five years
    103,313       (1,671 )     110,161       (10,564 )     213,474       (12,235 )
Due in five years through ten years
    57,225       (678 )     16,385       (1,008 )     73,610       (1,686 )
Due after ten years
    61,440       (1,227 )     13,849       (474 )     75,289       (1,701 )
Asset-backed securities
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Mortgage-backed securities
    177,336       (1,042 )     65,770       (782 )     243,106       (1,824 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 405,189     $ (4,642 )   $ 225,456     $ (15,661 )   $ 630,645     $ (20,303 )


The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2012 were $630,658 thousand and $20,305 thousand, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single issuer that exceeded 0.02% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2012.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $4,642 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were  primarily comprised of domestic corporate securities, state and municipal securities as well as agency residential mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $3,281 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $15,661 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate securities as well as foreign government securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $14,401 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses were mainly comprised of corporate securities, with the majority representing floating interest rate bank loan securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation for mortgage-backed securities included $33 thousand related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.

The Company, given the size of its investment portfolio and capital position, does not have the intent to sell these securities; and it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.  In addition, all securities currently in an unrealized loss position are current with respect to principal and interest payments.



The tables below display the aggregate market value and gross unrealized depreciation of fixed maturity and equity securities, by security type and contractual maturity, in each case subdivided according to length of time that individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated:


   
Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2011 By Security Type
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale
                                   
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of
                                   
U.S. government agencies and corporations
  $ -     $ -     $ 3,452     $ (287 )   $ 3,452     $ (287 )
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
    -       -       7,518       (525 )     7,518       (525 )
Corporate securities
    342,959       (8,449 )     75,998       (9,327 )     418,957       (17,776 )
Asset-backed securities
    819       (6 )     -       -       819       (6 )
Mortgage-backed securities
                                               
Commercial
    9,292       (1,266 )     -       -       9,292       (1,266 )
Agency residential
    151,951       (1,695 )     7,199       (67 )     159,150       (1,762 )
Non-agency residential
    41       -       20,693       (320 )     20,734       (320 )
Foreign government securities
    12,777       (269 )     40,743       (2,333 )     53,520       (2,602 )
Foreign corporate securities
    77,458       (2,025 )     94,182       (8,899 )     171,640       (10,924 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 595,297     $ (13,710 )   $ 249,785     $ (21,758 )   $ 845,082     $ (35,468 )
Equity securities
    -       -       10       (5 )     10       (5 )
Total
  $ 595,297     $ (13,710 )   $ 249,795     $ (21,763 )   $ 845,092     $ (35,473 )



   
Duration of Unrealized Loss at December 31, 2011 By Maturity
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
Greater than 12 months
   
Total
 
         
Gross
         
Gross
         
Gross
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
   
Market Value
   
Depreciation
 
Fixed maturity securities
                                   
Due in one year or less
  $ 9,583     $ (59 )   $ 26,204     $ (4,486 )   $ 35,787     $ (4,545 )
Due in one year through five years
    213,809       (4,754 )     137,972       (9,576 )     351,781       (14,330 )
Due in five years through ten years
    186,061       (5,484 )     37,964       (2,391 )     224,025       (7,875 )
Due after ten years
    23,741       (446 )     19,753       (4,918 )     43,494       (5,364 )
Asset-backed securities
    819       (6 )     -       -       819       (6 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    161,284       (2,961 )     27,892       (387 )     189,176       (3,348 )
Total fixed maturity securities
  $ 595,297     $ (13,710 )   $ 249,785     $ (21,758 )   $ 845,082     $ (35,468 )


The aggregate market value and gross unrealized losses related to investments in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011 were $845,092 thousand and $35,473 thousand, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses on a single issuer that exceeded 0.09% of the market value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2011.  In addition, as indicated on the above table, there was no significant concentration of unrealized losses in any one market sector.  The $13,710 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than one year were generally comprised of domestic and foreign corporate securities as well as commercial and agency residential mortgage-backed securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $5,635 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The $21,758 thousand of unrealized losses related to fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for more than one year related primarily to domestic and foreign corporate and foreign government securities.  Of these unrealized losses, $15,880 thousand were related to securities that were rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.  The non-investment grade securities with unrealized losses were mainly comprised of corporate securities, with the majority representing a large number of short duration, floating interest rate bank loan securities.  The gross unrealized depreciation for mortgage-backed securities included $56 thousand related to sub-prime and alt-A loans.  In all instances, there were no projected cash flow shortfalls to recover the full book value of the investments and the related interest obligations.  The mortgage-backed securities still have excess credit coverage and are current on interest and principal payments.
 
 
Other invested assets, at fair value, is comprised of common shares of the Company's ultimate parent, Group.  At December 31, 2012, the Company held 9,719,971 shares of Group representing 15.9% of the total outstanding shares.

The components of net investment income are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:


   
Years Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Fixed maturity securities
  $ 216,796     $ 232,287     $ 290,454  
Equity securities
    39,284       29,694       10,190  
Short-term investments and cash
    1,051       1,078       407  
Other invested assets
                       
Limited partnerships
    39,696       42,349       45,464  
Dividends from Parent's shares
    18,663       18,645       14,029  
Other
    3,851       2,741       1,274  
Total gross investment income
    319,341       326,794       361,818  
Interest debited (credited) and other investment expense
    (13,196 )     (13,861 )     (11,474 )
Total net investment income
  $ 306,145     $ 312,933     $ 350,344  


The Company records results from limited partnership investments on the equity method of accounting with changes in value reported through net investment income. Due to the timing of receiving financial information from these partnerships, the results are generally reported on a one month or quarter lag.  If the Company determines there has been a significant decline in value of a limited partnership during this lag period, a loss will be recorded in the period in which the Company identifies the decline.

The Company had contractual commitments to invest up to an additional $67,980 thousand in limited partnerships at December 31, 2012.  These commitments will be funded when called in accordance with the partnership agreements, which have investment periods that expire, unless extended, through 2016.

The components of net realized capital gains (losses) are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:


   
Years Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Fixed maturity securities, market value:
                 
Other-than-temporary impairments
  $ (6,634 )   $ (14,522 )   $ (2,106 )
Gains (losses) from sales
    5,660       (16,652 )     (33,323 )
Fixed maturity securities, fair value:
                       
Gain (losses) from sales
    5,675       (905 )     775  
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments
    1,941       (15,518 )     15,091  
Equity securities, market value:
                       
Gains (losses) from sales
    -       37       -  
Equity securities, fair value:
                       
Gains (losses) from sales
    22,562       7,644       6,153  
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments
    111,155       7,200       52,790  
Other invested assets, fair value:
                       
Gains (losses) from fair value adjustments
    251,359       (8,400 )     25,912  
Short-term investment gains (losses)
    (16 )     -       (1 )
Total net realized capital gains (losses)
  $ 391,702     $ (41,116 )   $ 65,291  


The Company recorded as net realized capital gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) both fair value re-measurements and write-downs in the value of securities deemed to be impaired on an other-than-temporary basis as displayed in the table above.  The Company had no other-than-temporary impaired securities where the impairment had both a credit and non-credit component.



The proceeds and split between gross gains and losses, from sales of fixed maturity and equity securities, are presented in the table below for the periods indicated:


   
Years Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities
  $ 561,408     $ 1,274,308     $ 973,951  
Gross gains from sales
    21,051       39,363       8,436  
Gross losses from sales
    (9,716 )     (56,920 )     (40,984 )
                         
Proceeds from sales of equity secuities
  $ 546,463     $ 264,945     $ 230,562  
Gross gains from sales
    40,808       15,875       11,446  
Gross losses from sales
    (18,246 )     (8,194 )     (5,293 )


Securities with a carrying value amount of $1,478,079 thousand at December 31, 2012, were on deposit with various state or governmental insurance departments in compliance with insurance laws.