UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 13, 2010
THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
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1-13754 |
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04-3263626 |
(State or other jurisdiction |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S.Employer |
of incorporation) |
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Identification No.) |
440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (508) 855-1000
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On July 13, 2010, the Company issued the following press release: The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. Estimates Impact From Second Quarter Catastrophes. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 8.01.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
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(a) |
Not applicable. |
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(b) |
Not applicable. |
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(c) |
Not applicable. |
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(d) |
Exhibits |
The following exhibit is furnished herewith:
Exhibit 99.1 |
Press release dated July 13, 2010 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: July 13, 2010 |
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/s/ Steven J. Bensinger |
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Steven J. Bensinger Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
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Exhibit Index |
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Exhibit 99.1 |
Press release dated July 13, 2010.
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THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC. ESTIMATES IMPACT FROM SECOND QUARTER CATASTROPHES
WORCESTER, Mass., July 13, 2010 - The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) today announced estimated second quarter losses from hail, wind and other weather-related catastrophe events.
The Hanover estimated its pre-tax losses resulting from catastrophe events in the second quarter of 2010 to be approximately $85 million. The majority of the losses were associated with six significant events, including two severe hail and wind storms in Oklahoma in May, as well as hail and thunderstorm events in Michigan, Tennessee, Ohio and Illinois in April and June.
We estimate that our catastrophe losses will add approximately 12 points to our combined ratio for the second quarter, said Frederick H. Eppinger, chief executive officer at The Hanover. Our experience reflects the impact of unusually bad weather, and far exceeds the 3.2 points that catastrophe losses added on average to our second quarter combined ratio over the last 10 years, or the 3.3(1) points they have added on average to our annual combined ratio over the same period."
While this is disappointing, we know weather is going to have an adverse impact on our business from time to time. We also recognize the toll the catastrophes have taken on many of our policyholders, and we are committed to helping them recover as quickly as possible. We will be there when our agent partners and their customers need us, and we believe that our performance after these types of events ultimately will build value in our business that benefits all of our constituents, said Eppinger.
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(1) |
Non-GAAP measurement utilizing 10-year prior experience for 2005 to normalize for Hurricane Katrina. On a non-adjusted basis, the 10-year catastrophe loss average is 4.7%. |
Forward-Looking Statements
The companys estimate of catastrophe losses for the second quarter of 2010 is a forward-looking statement as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are estimates which involve significant judgment and actual results could differ materially. Investors should consider the risks and uncertainties in our business that may affect such estimates and future performance, including (i) the inherent difficulties in arriving at such estimates; and (ii) the complexity of estimating losses from catastrophe events where circumstances may delay reporting of the existence, nature or extent of losses or where demand surge, regulatory assessments or other factors may significantly impact the ultimate amount of such losses. In addition, investors should consider the risks and uncertainties further discussed in readily available documents, including the companys annual report and other documents filed by The Hanover with the Securities and Exchange Commission and which are also available at www.hanover.com under Investor Relations.
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester, Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Michigan, and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 30 property and casualty insurers in the United States.
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CONTACTS: |
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Investors |
Media |
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Oksana Lukasheva |
Michael Buckley |
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olukasheva@hanover.com |
mibuckley@hanover.com |
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(508) 855-2063 |
(508) 855-3099 |
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