8-K

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): January 16, 2020

THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-13754	04-3263626
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
	440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts (Address of principal executive offices)	01653 (Zip Code)
	(508) 855-1000 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

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:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbols	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	THG	New York Stock Exchange
7 5/8% Senior Debentures due 2025	THG	New York Stock Exchange
6.35% Subordinated Debentures due 2053	THGA	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 16, 2020, the Company issued the following press release: “The Hanover Comments on Fourth Quarter Results”. The press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 2.02.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are furnished herewith.

Exhibit 99.1	Press Release of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. dated January 16, 2020.
Exhibit 104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

2

Exhibit Index

Exhibit 99.1	Press Release of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. dated January 16, 2020.
Exhibit 104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

3

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 thereunto duly authorized.

	The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (Registrant)
Date: January 16, 2020	By:	/s/ Jeffrey M. Farber
		Jeffrey M. Farber
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

4

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

  

The Hanover Comments on Fourth Quarter Results

WORCESTER, Mass., January 16, 2020 – The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) todayannounced it expects its fourth quarter non-catastrophe property losses to exceed expectations by approximately $20 million before taxes. The loss experience was driven primarily by non-catastrophe weather activity in homeowners, as well as large property losses in commercial multiple peril and certain specialty lines, reported in its other commercial lines business. These losses are expected to be partially offset by lower than expected catastrophe losses. Current accident year liability loss trends and overall prior-year reserve activity are anticipated to be in line with expectations.  

Taking these factors into account, the company estimates its fourth quarter combined ratio to be in the range of 96.1% to 96.5%.

The Hanover’s fourth quarter results are expected to be announced after the market closes on Tuesday, February 4.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (“the company”) estimates of elevated non-catastrophe weather and property losses, its expected catastrophe losses and current accident year liability trends and prior-year reserve activity are based on estimates and projections that are subject to revision. Such estimates are forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors that such forward-looking statements are estimates and/or projections which involve significant judgement and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially. Investors should consider the risks and uncertainties in the company’s business that may affect such estimates, including (i) the inherent difficulties in arriving at such estimates; (ii) variation in the company’s current estimates that may change as the company finalizes its financial results; and (iii) other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in readily available documents, including the company’s annual report on Form 10-K and other documents filed by The Hanover with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are also available at hanover.com under “About Us – Investors.”

About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. The company provides exceptional insurance solutions through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agents, The Hanover offers standard and specialized insurance protection for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. For more information, please visit hanover.com.

Contacts:
Investors:	Media:
Oksana Lukasheva	Michael F. Buckley	Abby M. Clark
(508) 855-2063	(508) 855-3099	(508) 855-3549
Email: olukasheva@hanover.com	Email: mibuckley@hanover.com	Email: abclark@hanover.com

XML

Document And Entity Information	Jan. 16, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000944695
Document Period End Date	Jan. 16, 2020
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	1-13754
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-3263626
Entity Address, Address Line One	440 Lincoln Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Worcester
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	01653
City Area Code	(508)
Local Phone Number	855-1000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	Common Stock, $.01 par value
Trading Symbol	THG
Name of each exchange on which registered	NYSE
7 5/8% Senior Debentures Due 2025 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	7 5/8% Senior Debentures due 2025
Trading Symbol	THG
Name of each exchange on which registered	NYSE
6.35% Subordinated Debentures Due 2053 [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	6.35% Subordinated Debentures due 2053
Trading Symbol	THGA
Name of each exchange on which registered	NYSE