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): April 10, 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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

The following information is being furnished under Item 7.01 – Regulation FD Disclosure. Such information, including the exhibits attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section.

On April 10, 2020, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. issued a press release announcing initiatives in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Document
Exhibit 99.1	Press Release, dated April 10, 2020, announcing the Company’s initiatives in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Exhibit 104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Document
Exhibit 99.1	Press Release, dated April 10, 2020, announcing the Company’s initiatives in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Exhibit 104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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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.
By:	/s/ Dennis F. Kerrigan
Name:	Dennis F. Kerrigan
Title:	Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Asst. Secretary

Date: April 10, 2020

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

The Hanover Responds to Coronavirus Pandemic with Initiatives to Support Policyholders and Local Communities

Company announces 15% auto premium giveback, other customer relief measures, and a charitable commitment in community support

WORCESTER, Mass., April 10, 2020 –   The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) today announced it has created The Hanover CARES Refund, through which the company will return 15% of April and May auto premiums to its eligible personal lines customers, providing financial relief during the coronavirus pandemic. The company also announced additional customer relief measures and a commitment to contribute $500,000 to nonprofits in local communities to address needs arising from the public health crisis.

The decision to return a portion of premium payments to its customers comes as a result of governmental stay-at-home and shelter-in-place measures, which are reducing the number of vehicles on the roads, and consequently, the number of claims filed. This refund equates to approximately $30 million in premium, which will be recognized in the second quarter of 2020. Pending regulatory approvals, The Hanover will credit April in-force policies in May, and May in-force policies in June.  Policyholders who have pre-paid premiums will receive credits in each of the same months.

“We recognize our customers are feeling significant stress, including financial pressure, as a result of this pandemic,” said John C. Roche, president and chief executive officer at The Hanover. “Our company has a long, proud tradition of being there when we are needed most, delivering for those who depend on us. We are committed now, as always, to do what we can to help our customers, partners and home communities manage through these difficult times.”

To help ease the burden for customers, The Hanover has taken several measures including:

• Offering flexibility on bill payment options for those experiencing financial hardship, without any penalties and fees, including placing a 60-day hold on cancellations and non-renewals for non-payment

• Extending personal auto coverage to individuals delivering food, medicine and other essential goods at no additional charge

• Considering a covered premises as "occupied" while mandatory closures are in effect, addressing concerns with vacancy clauses

• Waiving the limit on additional living expenses to homeowners who are forced from their homes following covered losses, such as a fire, to pay for delayed repairs and the added costs associated with temporary living arrangements

• Extending the number of days it will reimburse a customer for a rental car if an insured’s vehicle is in the shop and cannot be repaired or returned    

The Hanover also is donating $500,000 to local community nonprofits to provide pandemic-related assistance, including:

• $350,000 to local United Way, Boys & Girls Club and Chamber of Commerce organizations in Massachusetts and Michigan where the company employs large concentrations of employees

• Providing medical supplies and protective masks to local area hospitals

• Delivering Cheeriodicals’ “gifts of thanks” to health care professionals at five hospitals in the hardest hit areas across the country

• $50,000 to the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Children’s Relief Fund

• Implementing an employee matching gift program for donations to coronavirus relief efforts

For more information about The Hanover’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit https://www.hanover.com/COVID-19/customers.html.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this news release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially.  Investors are directed to consider the risks and uncertainties in the company's business that may affect future performance and that are discussed in readily available documents, such as the company's annual report and other documents filed by the company with the SEC.

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	Emily P. Trevallion	Abby M. Clark
Email: olukasheva@hanover.com	etrevallion@hanover.com	abclark@hanover.com
508-855-2063	508-855-3263	508-855-3549

XML

Document And Entity Information	Apr. 10, 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	Apr. 10, 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