BERKLEY W R CORP - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K


(Mark One)

þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
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 1-15202

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT (Address of principal executive offices)		22-1867895 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 06830 (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 629-3000

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


Title of Each Class		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $.20 per share		New York Stock Exchange
6.75% Trust Originated Preferred Securities		New York Stock Exchange

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

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ

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 þ 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer þ	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 Act). Yes o No þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates (computed by reference to the price at which the common stock was last sold) as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $2,900,441,493.

Number of shares of common stock, $.20 par value, outstanding as of February 19, 2010: 152,811,920

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2009 are incorporated herein by reference in Part II, and portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2009, are incorporated herein by reference in Part III.

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

December 31, 2009


			Page

		SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

PART I
	ITEM 1.	BUSINESS		4
	ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS		22
	ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS		29
	ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES		29
	ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS		29
	ITEM 4.	RESERVED		29

PART II
	ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES		30
	ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA		31
	ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		32
	ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK		32
	ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA		32
	ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE		32
	ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		32
	ITEM 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION		32

PART III
	ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE		33
	ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION		33
	ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIALOWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS		33
	ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE		33
	ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES		33

PART IV
	ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES		34
EX-4.7
EX-13
EX-23
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This is a “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This document may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continued,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained herein including statements related to our outlook for the industry and for our performance for the year 2010 and beyond, are based upon our historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to:


	•	the cyclical nature of the property casualty industry;

	•	the long-tail and potentially volatile nature of the insurance and reinsurance business;

	•	product demand and pricing;

	•	claims development and the process of estimating reserves;

	•	investment risks, including those of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities and investments in equity securities, including investments in financial institutions, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, loans receivable, investment funds, merger arbitrage and private equity investments;

	•	the impact of significant competition;

	•	the potential impact of the economic downturn, and any legislative, regulatory, accounting or other initiatives taken in response to it, on our results and financial condition.

	•	the uncertain nature of damage theories and loss amounts;

	•	natural and man-made catastrophic losses, including as a result of terrorist activities;

	•	the success of our new ventures or acquisitions and the availability of other opportunities;

	•	the availability of reinsurance;

	•	our retention under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Programs Reauthorization Act of 2007;

	•	the ability of our reinsurers to pay reinsurance recoverables owed to us;

	•	foreign currency and political risks relating to our international operations;

	•	other legislative and regulatory developments, including those related to business practices in the insurance industry;

	•	changes in the ratings assigned to us or our insurance company subsidiaries by rating agencies;

	•	the availability of dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries;

	•	our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; and

	•	other risks detailed in this Form 10-K and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

We describe these risks and uncertainties in greater detail in Item 1A, Risk Factors. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results for the year 2010 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement we make. Any projections of growth in our net premiums written and management fees would not necessarily result in commensurate levels of underwriting and operating profits. Our future financial performance is dependent upon factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K and our other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made.

PART I


ITEM 1.	*BUSINESS*

W. R. Berkley Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business:


	•	Specialty lines of insurance, including excess and surplus lines, premises operations, professional liability and commercial automobile

	•	Regional commercial property casualty insurance

	•	Alternative markets, including workers’ compensation and the management of self-insurance programs

	•	Reinsurance, including treaty, facultative and Lloyd’s business

	•	International

Our holding company structure provides us with the flexibility to respond to local or specific market conditions and to pursue specialty business niches. It also allows us to be closer to our customers in order to better understand their individual needs and risk characteristics. Our structure allows us to capitalize on the benefits of economies of scale through centralized capital, investment and reinsurance management, and actuarial, financial and corporate legal staff support. Since 2006, we have formed 18 new operating units to capitalize on various business opportunities.

Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Form 10-K to “W. R. Berkley,” “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or similar terms refer to W. R. Berkley Corporation together with its subsidiaries.

Our specialty insurance and reinsurance operations are conducted throughout the United States, and, on a limited basis, outside the United States. Regional insurance operations are conducted primarily in the Midwest, Northeast, Southern (excluding Florida and Louisiana), Mid Atlantic, and North Pacific regions of the United States. Alternative markets operations are conducted throughout the United States. Our international operations are conducted primarily in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, South America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Canada.

Net premiums written, as reported based on United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), for each of the past five years were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005
	(Amounts in thousands)

Net premiums written:
Specialty	$	1,260,451		$	1,453,778		$	1,704,880		$	1,814,479		$	1,827,865
Regional		1,081,100			1,211,096			1,267,451			1,235,302			1,196,487
Alternative markets		589,637			622,185			656,369			651,255			669,774
Reinsurance		423,425			435,108			682,241			892,769			719,540
International		375,482			311,732			265,048			225,188			190,908

Total	$	3,730,095		$	4,033,899		$	4,575,989		$	4,818,993		$	4,604,574

Percentage of net premiums written:
Specialty		33.7	%		36.1	%		37.3	%		37.7	%		39.8	%
Regional		29.0	%		30.0	%		27.7	%		25.6	%		26.0	%
Alternative markets		15.8	%		15.4	%		14.3	%		13.5	%		14.5	%
Reinsurance		11.4	%		10.8	%		14.9	%		18.5	%		15.6	%
International		10.1	%		7.7	%		5.8	%		4.7	%		4.1	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

The following sections describe our insurance segments and their operating units. These operating units underwrite on behalf of one or more affiliated insurance companies within the group pursuant to underwriting management agreements. Certain operating units are identified by us for descriptive purposes only and are not legal entities.

Twenty-four of our twenty-five insurance company subsidiaries rated by A.M. Best Company, Inc. (“A.M. Best”) have ratings of A+ (Superior) (the second highest rating our of 15 possible ratings) and one is rated A (Excellent) (the third highest rating). A.M. Best’s ratings are based upon factors of concern to policyholders, insurance agents and brokers and are not directed toward the protection of investors. A.M. Best states: “The Financial Strength Rating opinion addresses the relative ability of an insurer to meet its ongoing insurance obligations. The ratings are not assigned to specific insurance policies or contracts and do not address any other risk.” A.M. Best reviews its ratings on a periodic basis, and its ratings of the Company’s subsidiaries are therefore subject to change.

All of our twenty-three insurance company subsidiaries rated by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) have financial strength ratings of A+ (the seventh highest rating out of twenty-seven possible ratings).

Our Moody’s ratings are A2 for Berkley Insurance Company, Berkley Regional Insurance Company and Admiral Insurance Company (the sixth highest rating out of twenty-one possible ratings).

SPECIALTY

Our specialty segment underwrites complex and sophisticated third-party liability risks, within excess and surplus lines and on an admitted basis. Excess and surplus lines differ from standard market lines in that excess and surplus lines are generally free of rate and form regulation and provide coverage for more complex and hard-to-place risks. The specialty lines of business include premises operations, commercial automobile, property, products liability and professional liability lines. The specialty business is conducted through 18 operating units. The specialty units deliver their products through a variety of distribution channels depending on the customer base and particular risks insured. The customers in this segment are highly diverse.

Admiral Insurance Company (“Admiral”) provides excess and surplus lines coverage that generally involves a moderate to high degree of hazard due to the nature of the class of coverage or type of business insured. Admiral concentrates on general liability, professional liability, property, and excess and umbrella liability lines of business. Admiral’s products are distributed by wholesale brokers. Admiral writes relatively larger risks, with average annual premiums in excess of $18,500 per policy.

Nautilus Insurance Company (“Nautilus”) insures excess and surplus risks for small to medium-sized commercial risks with low to moderate susceptibility to loss. Admitted business is also written through an affiliate, Great Divide Insurance Company. A substantial portion of Nautilus’ business is written on a binding authority basis, subject to certain contractual limitations. Nautilus writes relatively smaller risks, with average annual premiums less than $2,500 per policy.

Monitor Liability Managers, Inc. (“Monitor”) specializes in professional liability insurance, including directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, lawyers’ professional liability, management liability, non-profit directors’ and officers’ liability and accountants’ professional liability.

Carolina Casualty Insurance Company (“Carolina”) provides commercial insurance products and services to the transportation industry with an emphasis on intermediate and long-haul trucking and various classes of business and public auto. Carolina operates as an admitted carrier in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers LLC (“Berkley Specialty”) has three underwriting divisions. The specialty casualty division underwrites excess and surplus lines general liability coverage with an emphasis on products liability. The entertainment and sports division underwrites property casualty insurance products, both on an admitted and non-admitted basis, for the entertainment industry and sports-related organizations. The environmental division underwrites specialty insurance products to environmental customers such as contractors, consultants and owners of sites and facilities.

Berkley Underwriting Partners, LLC (“Berkley Underwriting Partners”) underwrites specialty insurance products through program administrators and managing general underwriters. Berkley Underwriting Partners underwrites business nationwide on an admitted and non-admitted basis.

Berkley Select, LLC (“Select”), which began operations in 2007, specializes in underwriting professional liability insurance with a particular emphasis on lawyers, accountants, medical facilities and miscellaneous E&O exposures. Select’s products are distributed through a limited number of brokers.

Vela Insurance Services, Inc. (“Vela”) underwrites excess and surplus lines casualty business with a primary focus on contractors along with a portfolio of miscellaneous professional liability. Vela underwrites a variety of classes nationwide through a network of appointed excess and surplus lines brokers. Vela also underwrites wrap-up policies for large residential projects, primarily in California, through a managing general agency. Vela writes relatively larger risks, with average annual premiums in excess of $18,800 per policy.

Clermont Specialty Managers, Ltd. (“Clermont”) underwrites package insurance programs, including workers’ compensation, for luxury condominium, cooperative and rental apartment buildings and restaurants in the New York City and Chicago metropolitan areas.

Berkley Aviation, LLC (“Aviation”) underwrites general and specialty aviation insurance. It underwrites coverage for airlines, helicopters, miscellaneous general aviation operations, non-owned aircraft, fixed-base operations, control towers, airports and related businesses.

Berkley Offshore Underwriting Managers, LLC (“BOUM”), which began operations in 2008, underwrites property insurance for oil and gas exploration and production operations worldwide.

American Mining Insurance Company, Inc. (“American Mining”), which was acquired in 2007, specializes in writing workers’ compensation insurance for the mining industry and administers state and workers’ compensation funds.

Berkley Professional Liability, LLC (“Berkley Pro”), which began operations in 2008, underwrites professional liability products including directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

Berkley Life Sciences, LLC (“Berkley Life Science”), which began operations in 2007, underwrites casualty products to the life science marketplace, including medical devices, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Gemini Transportation Underwriters (“Gemini”), which began operations in February 2009, underwrites excess liability insurance for the railroad and commercial trucking industries.

Berkley Asset Protection Underwriters, LLC (“Berkley Asset”), which began operations in 2008, underwrites coverage for fine arts, jewelers block, fidelity, crime and related risks.

FinSecure, LLC (“FinSecure”), which began operations in 2008, underwrites property and liability insurance coverages for financial institutions and financial services firms, including mortgage impairment property coverage.

Berkley Oil & Gas Speciality Services, LLC (“Berkley Oil & Gas”), which was formed in September 2009, underwrites a multi-line insurance product offering and provides risk control services in the domestic energy sector.

The following table sets forth the percentage of gross premiums written by each specialty unit:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Admiral		20.4	%		24.0	%		28.2	%		28.5	%		27.8	%
Nautilus		16.8	%		17.5	%		18.2	%		17.3	%		17.1	%
Monitor		10.4	%		8.6	%		7.4	%		7.1	%		8.0	%
Carolina		9.3	%		14.8	%		14.9	%		14.3	%		13.6	%
Berkley Specialty		8.5	%		9.6	%		9.2	%		9.0	%		8.6	%
Berkley Underwriting Partners		6.2	%		6.8	%		6.3	%		6.2	%		7.9	%
Select		5.3	%		2.9	%		0.8	%		—			—
Vela		4.4	%		5.6	%		7.9	%		11.9	%		14.1	%
Clermont		4.0	%		3.7	%		3.4	%		3.0	%		2.8	%
Aviation		3.6	%		3.3	%		3.3	%		2.7	%		0.1	%
BOUM		2.7	%		—			—			—			—
American Mining		2.2	%		2.1	%		0.4	%		—			—
Berkley Pro		2.1	%		0.1	%		—			—			—
Berkley Life Science		1.2	%		0.7	%		—			—			—
Gemini		1.2	%		—			—			—			—
Berkley Asset		1.1	%		0.3	%		—			—			—
FinSecure		0.6	%		—			—			—			—
Berkley Oil & Gas		—			—			—			—			—

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

The following table sets forth the percentages of gross premiums written, by line, by our specialty insurance operations:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Premises operations		29.5	%		32.8	%		38.0	%		42.2	%		43.7	%
Property		19.0	%		15.1	%		14.4	%		12.2	%		9.1	%
Professional liability		18.1	%		12.9	%		9.9	%		8.9	%		9.9	%
Other		15.5	%		13.0	%		9.9	%		8.6	%		8.5	%
Commercial automobile		10.4	%		16.0	%		15.8	%		15.0	%		15.0	%
Products liability		7.5	%		10.2	%		12.0	%		13.1	%		13.8	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

REGIONAL

Our regional companies provide commercial insurance products to customers primarily in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Key clients of this segment are small-to-mid-sized businesses and state and local governmental entities. The regional business is sold through a network of non-exclusive independent agents who are compensated on a commission basis. The regional companies are organized geographically in order to provide them with the flexibility to adapt quickly to local market conditions.

Continental Western Group (“Continental Western Group”) is based in Des Moines, Iowa and operates in 18 states in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.

Acadia Insurance Company (“Acadia”) is based in Westbrook, Maine and operates in 8 states in the Northeast.

Union Standard Insurance Group (“Union Standard”) is based in Irving, Texas and operates in 9 southern states other than Florida and Louisiana.

Berkley Mid Atlantic Group (“BMAG”) is based in Glen Allen, Virginia and operates in 7 states in the Mid Atlantic region and the District of Columbia.

Berkley Surety Group, Inc. (“Berkley Surety”) offers surety bonds on a nationwide basis through a network of thirteen regional and branch offices.

Berkley North Pacific Group, LLC (“Berkley North Pacific”), formerly a branch of Continental Western Group, became a separate operating unit in August 2009. Berkley North Pacific is based in Seattle, Washington, has an office in Boise Idaho, and operates primarily in the Pacific Northwest region.

Berkley Regional Specialty Insurance Company (“BRSIC”) offers the availability of excess and surplus lines products to independent agents in our regional territories.

Regional Excess Underwriters, LLC (“REU”) is a full service excess and surplus lines brokerage offering commercial coverages through contracted agents throughout the continental United States.

The following table sets forth the percentage of gross premiums written by each region:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Continental Western Group		26.3	%		27.2	%		27.0	%		27.5	%		28.8	%
Acadia		25.1	%		23.8	%		24.3	%		25.1	%		25.7	%
Union Standard		18.5	%		17.7	%		17.0	%		16.6	%		15.2	%
BMAG		16.9	%		15.6	%		15.6	%		15.5	%		14.6	%
Berkley Surety		3.6	%		2.9	%		2.7	%		2.0	%		2.0	%
Berkley North Pacific		3.0	%		5.3	%		6.2	%		5.6	%		5.5	%
BRSIC		1.2	%		1.2	%		1.1	%		0.5	%		—
Assigned risk plans(1)		5.4	%		6.3	%		6.1	%		7.2	%		8.2	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%


(1)		Assigned risk premiums are written on behalf of assigned risk plans managed by the Company and 100% reinsured by the respective state-sponsored assigned risk pools.

The following table sets forth the percentages of gross premiums written, by line, by our regional insurance operations:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Commercial multi-peril		34.7	%		34.3	%		34.8	%		35.5	%		35.8	%
Automobile		25.3	%		25.5	%		25.8	%		25.3	%		25.4	%
Workers’ compensation		18.1	%		18.2	%		17.8	%		17.9	%		17.6	%
Assigned risk plans		5.4	%		6.3	%		6.1	%		7.2	%		8.2	%
Other		16.5	%		15.7	%		15.5	%		14.1	%		13.0	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

The following table sets forth the percentages of direct premiums written by our regional insurance operations by state:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

State
Texas		7.1	%		6.7	%		6.4	%		6.2	%		6.0	%
Massachusetts		6.8	%		6.8	%		7.1	%		7.0	%		7.5	%
Pennsylvania		6.3	%		5.7	%		5.8	%		5.6	%		5.5	%
Kansas		5.3	%		5.8	%		6.1	%		6.8	%		6.7	%
Maine		5.3	%		4.7	%		4.9	%		5.1	%		5.3	%
New Hampshire		5.0	%		4.9	%		5.1	%		5.3	%		5.4	%
Iowa		4.0	%		4.2	%		4.2	%		4.6	%		4.8	%
Nebraska		3.9	%		3.8	%		3.8	%		4.0	%		4.0	%
North Carolina		3.6	%		3.3	%		3.4	%		3.2	%		3.1	%
Mississippi		3.5	%		3.2	%		2.8	%		2.4	%		2.0	%
Colorado		3.2	%		3.7	%		3.7	%		3.3	%		3.1	%
Vermont		3.1	%		3.0	%		3.3	%		3.5	%		3.6	%
Connecticut		3.1	%		3.0	%		2.9	%		2.9	%		2.9	%
Minnesota		3.0	%		3.2	%		3.2	%		3.4	%		3.9	%
New York		2.8	%		2.3	%		2.1	%		1.8	%		1.9	%
Missouri		2.6	%		2.8	%		3.0	%		3.3	%		3.4	%
Virginia		2.6	%		2.4	%		2.4	%		2.6	%		2.8	%
Illinois		2.5	%		2.7	%		1.7	%		2.0	%		1.8	%
Wisconsin		2.4	%		2.5	%		2.5	%		2.7	%		2.9	%
South Dakota		2.4	%		2.3	%		2.2	%		2.6	%		3.0	%
Maryland		2.4	%		2.1	%		2.1	%		2.1	%		1.7	%
Arkansas		2.3	%		2.3	%		2.5	%		2.8	%		2.6	%
Washington		1.8	%		2.8	%		3.1	%		2.3	%		2.0	%
Oklahoma		1.7	%		1.5	%		1.6	%		1.6	%		1.6	%
Tennessee		1.4	%		1.5	%		1.6	%		1.7	%		1.7	%
South Carolina		1.3	%		1.3	%		1.2	%		1.1	%		0.9	%
New Mexico		1.2	%		1.2	%		1.2	%		1.0	%		1.0	%
Other		9.4	%		10.3	%		10.1	%		9.1	%		8.9	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

ALTERNATIVE MARKETS

Our alternative markets operations specialize in insuring, reinsuring and administering self-insurance programs and other alternative risk transfer mechanisms. Our clients include commercial and governmental entity employers, employer groups, insurers, and other groups or entities seeking alternative ways to manage their exposure to risks. Often, alternative methods of risk management result in our customers choosing to retain more of this risk than they might otherwise retain in the traditional insurance market. In addition to providing insurance products, the alternative markets segment also provides a wide variety of fee-based services, including claims, administrative and consulting services.

Midwest Employers Casualty Company (“MECC”) provides excess workers’ compensation coverage and risk management services to self-insured employers and groups as well as to insurance companies in the workers’ compensation business. Excess workers’ compensation is coverage above an amount retained, or self-insured, by the employer or group and includes large deductible and reinsurance programs.

Key Risk Insurance Company (“Key Risk”) offers primary workers’ compensation insurance principally in the southeastern United States. Key Risk focuses on middle-market accounts in specialty niches and on larger self-insured entities, with a special emphasis on managed care services. An affiliate, Key Risk Management Services, Inc., provides third party administration of self-insured workers’ compensation programs.

Berkley Net Underwriters, LLC (“Berkley Net”) uses a web-based system to allow producers to quote, bind and service insurance policies. Its initial focus is on the workers’ compensation market.

Riverport Insurance Company(“Riverport”) provides property and casualty insurance products and services for human services organizations, governmental and other specialty entities, self-insured companies, associations and purchasing groups.

Preferred Employers Insurance Company (“Preferred Employers”) offers workers’ compensation insurance in California with an emphasis on owner-managed small employers.

Berkley Accident and Health, LLC (“Berkley A&H”) underwrites accident and health insurance and reinsurance products through four primary business segments: medical stop loss, managed care, special risk and group captive.

Berkley Medical Excess Underwriters, LLC (“Medical Excess”) underwrites medical malpractice excess insurance and reinsurance coverage and provides services to hospitals and hospital associations.

Berkley Risk Administrators Company, LLC (“BRAC”) services include third-party claims administration, underwriting risk management, accounting services, loss control and safety consulting, management information systems, regulatory compliance and alternative markets program management.

The following table sets forth the percentages of gross premiums written by each alternative markets unit:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

MECC		38.3	%		42.1	%		45.1	%		44.6	%		41.6	%
Key Risk		17.7	%		18.8	%		17.6	%		16.8	%		15.4	%
Berkley Net		10.6	%		6.7	%		3.1	%		0.8	%		—
Riverport		10.2	%		9.3	%		7.7	%		7.0	%		7.6	%
Preferred Employers		8.2	%		8.3	%		11.3	%		16.0	%		20.9	%
Berkley A&H		6.1	%		4.6	%		2.6	%		0.4	%		—
Medical Excess		5.2	%		4.4	%		4.6	%		5.4	%		6.2	%
Assigned risk plans(1)		3.7	%		5.8	%		8.0	%		9.0	%		8.3	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%


(1)		Assigned risk premiums are written on behalf of assigned risk plans managed by the Company and 100% reinsured by the respective state-sponsored assigned risk pools.

The following table sets forth service fees for insurance services business conducted by BRAC and Key Risk Management Services, Inc. (amounts in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009		2008		2007		2006		2005

Insurance service fees	$	87,032	$	99,090	$	97,292	$	104,812	$	110,697

REINSURANCE

Our reinsurance operations consist of five operating units, which specialize in underwriting property casualty reinsurance on both a treaty and a facultative basis on behalf of Berkley Insurance Company. Treaty reinsurance is the reinsurance of all or a specified portion or category of risks underwritten by the ceding company during the term of the agreement. Facultative reinsurance is the reinsurance of individual risks whereby a reinsurer generally has the opportunity to analyze and separately underwrite a risk prior to agreeing to be bound.

Signet Star Re, LLC (“Signet Star”) focuses on underwriting specialty lines of business, including professional liability, umbrella, workers’ compensation, commercial automobile and trucking. Signet Star emphasizes casualty excess of loss treaties and seeks significant participations in order to have greater influence over the terms and conditions of coverage. Our treaty business is produced through reinsurance brokers or intermediaries.

Facultative ReSources, Inc. (“Fac Re”) specializes in underwriting individual certificate and program facultative business developed through reinsurance brokers or intermediaries. Its experienced underwriters seek to offset the underwriting and pricing cycles in the underlying insurance business by working closely with ceding company clients to develop appropriate underwriting criteria and through superior risk selection.

Lloyd’s Reinsurance (“Lloyd’s reinsurance”) represents a broad range of mainly short-tail classes of business, which are written through Lloyd’s of London.

B F Re Underwriters, LLC (“BF Re”) is a facultative casualty reinsurance underwriting manager that serves clients through a nationwide network of regional offices. Its business is written directly with ceding companies. BF Re’s primary lines of business are professional liability, excess and surplus, umbrella and medical malpractice.

Berkley Risk Solutions, Inc. (“Berkley Risk Solutions”) underwrites insurance and reinsurance-based financial coverages for insurance companies and self-insured entities.

The following table sets forth the percentages of gross premiums written by each reinsurance unit:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Signet Star		58.9	%		52.2	%		39.6	%		36.1	%		42.2	%
Fac Re		19.4	%		22.1	%		21.2	%		18.9	%		23.1	%
Lloyd’s reinsurance		18.8	%		14.7	%		22.6	%		18.7	%		21.6	%
BF Re		9.4	%		12.2	%		11.2	%		9.6	%		12.3	%
Berkley Risk Solutions		(6.5	)%		(1.2	)%		4.6	%		16.6	%		0.8	%
Hong Kong(1)		—			—			0.8	%		0.1	%		—

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%


(1)		Hong Kong has been included in Berkley Re Australia’s reported results in the international segment effective January 1, 2008.

The following table sets forth the percentages of gross premiums written, by property versus casualty business, by our reinsurance operations:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Casualty		70.2	%		82.8	%		76.2	%		83.2	%		81.2	%
Property		29.8	%		17.2	%		23.8	%		16.8	%		18.8	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

INTERNATIONAL

Our international segment has operations in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Canada. We apply the same long-term strategies that that we use in our domestic operations — decentralized structures with products and services tailored to the local environments.

Berkley International Latinoamérica S.A. (“BILSA”) provides commercial and personal property casualty insurance primarily in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

W. R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited (“Berkley Europe”) is a London-based specialty casualty insurer that writes professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ liability, medical malpractice, general liability, construction risks and personal accident and travel business principally in the United Kingdom and through its branch offices in Spain, Ireland, Norway and Australia.

Berkley Re Australia (“Australia”), which began operations in 2007, provides property and casualty reinsurance on a treaty and facultative basis in Australia and through its division in Hong Kong.

W. R. Berkley Syndicate Limited(“Syndicate 1967”), which began operations in 2009, underwrites property and accident classes of business through Lloyd’s of London on a worldwide basis.

Berkley Underwriting Managers Canada, Ltd. (“Berkley Canada”), which began operations in 2008, underwrites specialty casualty commercial insurance products, including general liability, products liability and other commercial lines in the Canadian provinces.

The following table sets forth the percentages of gross premiums written for our international operations:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

BILSA		41.0	%		51.8	%		46.8	%		42.5	%		39.5	%
Berkley Europe		33.2	%		40.1	%		52.6	%		53.1	%		56.5	%
Australia		17.8	%		8.1	%		—			—			—
Syndicate 1967		5.9	%		—			—			—			—
Berkley Canada		2.1	%		—			—			—			—
Philippines(1)		—			—			0.6	%		4.4	%		4.0	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%


(1)		The Philippines operation was sold in March 2007.

Results by Industry Segment

Summary financial information about our operating segments is presented on a GAAP basis in the following table:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005
	(Amounts in thousands)

Specialty
Revenue	$	1,483,266		$	1,810,813		$	2,006,027		$	1,952,928		$	1,816,483
Income before income taxes	$	220,906		$	375,429		$	516,931		$	479,105		$	345,896

Regional
Revenue	$	1,177,126		$	1,317,796		$	1,347,800		$	1,289,869		$	1,230,793
Income before income taxes	$	106,078		$	108,719		$	215,228		$	201,417		$	216,495

Alternative Markets
Revenue	$	768,683		$	831,622		$	874,899		$	878,531		$	856,792
Income before income taxes	$	162,875		$	201,879		$	248,080		$	291,416		$	238,462

Reinsurance
Revenue	$	487,016		$	635,763		$	893,855		$	993,120		$	849,207
Income before income taxes	$	86,358		$	117,946		$	178,302		$	135,424		$	63,606
International

Revenue	$	351,947		$	322,016		$	284,558		$	248,894		$	208,836
Income before income taxes	$	22,719		$	52,943		$	44,457		$	34,447		$	20,890

Other(1)
Revenue	$	163,140		$	(209,202	)	$	181,258		$	31,489		$	34,728
Loss before income taxes	$	(216,706	)	$	(530,594	)	$	(110,606	)	$	(153,164	)	$	(114,812	)

Total
Revenue	$	4,431,178		$	4,708,808		$	5,588,397		$	5,394,831		$	4,996,839
Income before income taxes	$	382,230		$	326,322		$	1,092,392		$	988,645		$	770,537


(1)		Represents corporate revenues, corporate expenses, net investment gains and losses, and revenues and expenses from investments in wholly-owned, non-insurance subsidiaries that are consolidated for financial reporting purposes.

The table below represents summary underwriting ratios on a GAAP basis for our insurance segments. The combined ratio represents a measure of underwriting profitability, excluding investment income. A number in excess of 100 indicates an underwriting loss; a number below 100 indicates an underwriting profit:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Specialty
Loss ratio		61.9	%		60.1	%		57.3	%		59.1	%		62.4	%
Expense ratio		31.1	%		28.4	%		26.7	%		25.0	%		25.1	%

Combined ratio		93.0	%		88.5	%		84.0	%		84.1	%		87.5	%

Regional
Loss ratio		61.4	%		65.4	%		59.1	%		59.7	%		55.8	%
Expense ratio		34.2	%		32.3	%		31.4	%		30.6	%		30.6	%

Combined ratio		95.6	%		97.7	%		90.5	%		90.3	%		86.4	%

Alternative Markets
Loss ratio		63.4	%		62.7	%		59.2	%		53.5	%		59.4	%
Expense ratio		25.8	%		24.2	%		23.1	%		22.1	%		20.1	%

Combined ratio		89.2	%		86.9	%		82.3	%		75.6	%		79.5	%

Reinsurance
Loss ratio		57.9	%		64.7	%		65.3	%		72.0	%		74.1	%
Expense ratio		39.1	%		34.7	%		31.3	%		27.8	%		30.1	%

Combined ratio		97.0	%		99.4	%		96.6	%		99.8	%		104.2	%

International
Loss ratio		59.9	%		61.7	%		62.6	%		64.2	%		66.5	%
Expense ratio		40.2	%		38.9	%		32.4	%		32.0	%		29.6	%

Combined ratio		100.1	%		100.6	%		95.0	%		96.2	%		96.1	%

Total
Loss ratio		61.4	%		62.7	%		59.6	%		61.0	%		62.4	%
Expense ratio		32.8	%		30.4	%		28.5	%		27.0	%		26.9	%

Combined ratio		94.2	%		93.1	%		88.1	%		88.0	%		89.3	%

Investments

Investment results, before income taxes, were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005
	(Dollars in thousands)

Average investments, at cost(1)	$	12,510,160		$	12,429,269		$	12,146,241		$	10,729,483		$	8,999,782

Net investment income(1)	$	552,561		$	537,033		$	634,386		$	549,030		$	385,417

Percent earned on average investments(1)		4.4	%		4.3	%		5.2	%		5.1	%		4.3	%

Net investment gains (losses)(2)	$	(38,408	)	$	(356,931	)	$	49,696		$	9,648		$	17,209

Change in unrealized investment gains (losses)(3)	$	558,626		$	(302,211	)	$	(94,957	)	$	113,539		$	(118,934	)


(1)		Includes investments, cash and cash equivalents, trading accounts receivable from brokers and clearing organizations, trading account securities sold but not yet purchased and unsettled purchases.

(2)		Represents realized gains and losses on investments not classified as trading securities and investment funds.

(3)		Represents the change in unrealized investment gains (losses) for available for sale securities and investment funds.

For comparison, the following are the coupon returns for selected bond indices and the dividend returns for the S&P 500^® Index:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index(a)		4.9	%		5.4	%		5.5	%		5.3	%		4.9	%
Barclays Municipal Bond Index(a)		5.3	%		4.6	%		4.7	%		4.8	%		4.7	%
S&P 500^® Index		3.0	%		1.5	%		2.0	%		2.2	%		1.8	%


(a)		Formerly Lehman Brothers index.

The percentages of the fixed maturity portfolio categorized by contractual maturity, based on fair value, on the dates indicated, are set forth below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain issuers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005

1 year or less		5.3	%		3.2	%		7.4	%		11.2	%		10.6	%
Over 1 year through 5 years		27.2	%		22.9	%		19.4	%		17.5	%		13.1	%
Over 5 years through 10 years		27.2	%		29.9	%		30.2	%		26.3	%		26.6	%
Over 10 years		26.0	%		26.6	%		25.1	%		22.8	%		32.1	%
Mortgage-backed securities		14.3	%		17.4	%		17.9	%		22.2	%		17.6	%

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, either known or unknown, insurers establish reserves, which is a balance sheet account representing estimates of future amounts needed to pay claims and related expenses with respect to insured events which have occurred. Estimates and assumptions relating to reserves for losses and loss expenses are based on complex and subjective judgments, often including the interplay of specific uncertainties with related accounting and actuarial measurements. Such estimates are also susceptible to change as significant

periods of time may elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the report of the loss to the insurer, the ultimate determination of the cost of the loss and the insurer’s payment of that loss.

In general, when a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a “case reserve” for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The estimate represents an informed judgment based on general reserving practices and reflects the experience and knowledge of the claims personnel regarding the nature and value of the specific type of claim. Reserves are also established on an aggregate basis to provide for losses incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) to the insurer, potential inadequacy of case reserves and the estimated expenses of settling claims, including legal and other fees and general expenses of administrating the claims adjustment process. Reserves are established based upon the then current legal interpretation of coverage provided.

In examining reserve adequacy, several factors are considered in addition to the economic value of losses. These factors include historical data, legal developments, changes in social attitudes and economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. The actuarial process relies on the basic assumption that past experience, adjusted judgmentally for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future outcomes. Reserve amounts are necessarily based on management’s informed estimates and judgments using currently available data. As additional experience and other data become available and are reviewed, these estimates and judgments may be revised. This may result in reserve increases or decreases that would be reflected in our results in periods in which such estimates and assumptions are changed.

The risk and complexity of estimating loss reserves have increased under the current financial market conditions. It is especially difficult to estimate the impact of inflation on loss reserves given the current economic environment and related government actions. Whereas a slowing economy would generally lead to lower inflation or even deflation, increased government spending would generally lead to higher inflation. A change in our assumptions regarding inflation would result in reserve increases or decreases that would be reflected in our earnings in periods in which such assumptions are changed.

Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability. Rather, reserves represent an estimate of what management expects the ultimate settlement and claim administration will cost. While the methods for establishing the reserves are well tested over time, some of the major assumptions about anticipated loss emergence patterns are subject to unanticipated fluctuation. These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of facts and circumstances then known, as well as estimates of future trends in claims severity and frequency, judicial theories of liability and other factors, including the actions of third parties, which are beyond the Company’s control. These variables are affected by external and internal events, such as inflation and economic volatility, judicial and litigation trends, reinsurance coverage, legislative changes and claim handling and reserving practices, which make it more difficult to accurately predict claim costs. The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain types of liabilities where long periods of time elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made. Because setting reserves is inherently uncertain, the Company cannot assure that its current reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent events.

We discount our liabilities for excess workers’ compensation business and the workers’ compensation portion of our reinsurance business because of the long period of time over which losses are paid. Discounting is intended to appropriately match losses and loss expenses to income earned on investment securities supporting the liabilities. The expected losses and loss expense payout pattern subject to discounting was derived from the Company’s loss payout experience. For non-proportional business, reserves for losses and loss expenses have been discounted using risk-free discount rates determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve. These discount rates range from 2.7% to 6.5% with a weighted average discount rate of 4.4%. For proportional business, reserves for losses and loss expenses have been discounted at the statutory rate permitted by the Department of Insurance of the State of Delaware of 2.7%. The aggregate net discount, after reflecting the effects of ceded reinsurance, is $877,305,000, $846,748,000 and $787,988,000 at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the aggregate discount from 2008 to 2009 and from 2007 to 2008 resulted from the increase in workers’ compensation gross reserves.

To date, known asbestos and environmental claims at our insurance company subsidiaries have not had a material impact on our operations. These claims have not materially impacted us because these subsidiaries generally did not insure the larger industrial companies which are subject to significant environmental exposures.

Our net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to asbestos and environmental claims were $36,525,000 and $39,646,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company’s gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to asbestos and environmental claims were $53,986,000 and $56,957,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net incurred losses and loss expenses for reported asbestos and environmental claims were approximately $(614,000), $440,000 and $7,029,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Net paid losses and loss expenses for reported asbestos and environmental claims were approximately $2,508,000, $2,384,000 and $2,912,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The estimation of these liabilities is subject to significantly greater than normal variation and uncertainty because it is difficult to make a reasonable actuarial estimate of these liabilities due to the absence of a generally accepted actuarial methodology for these exposures and the potential affect of significant unresolved legal matters, including coverage issues as well as the cost of litigating the legal issues. Additionally, the determination of ultimate damages and the final allocation of such damages to financially responsible parties are highly uncertain.

The table below provides a reconciliation of the beginning of year and end of year property casualty reserves for the indicated years (amounts in thousands):


	2009			2008			2007

Net reserves at beginning of year	$	8,122,586		$	7,822,897		$	6,947,597
Net reserves of company acquired		—			—			68,392
Net provision for losses and loss expenses(a):
Claims occurring during the current year(b)		2,518,849			2,829,830			2,837,647
Decrease in estimates for claims occurring in prior years(c)(d)		(234,008	)		(195,710	)		(105,879	)
Decrease in discount for prior years		51,866			54,494			46,808

		2,336,707			2,688,614			2,778,576

Net payments for claims:
Current year		570,080			644,213			538,364
Prior years		1,741,431			1,744,712			1,433,304

		2,311,511			2,388,925			1,971,668

Net reserves at end of year		8,147,782			8,122,586			7,822,897
Ceded reserves at end of year		923,889			877,010			855,137

Gross reserves at end of year	$	9,071,671		$	8,999,596		$	8,678,034


(a)		Net provision for loss and loss expenses excludes $47,000 and $1,002,000 in 2008 and 2007, respectively, relating to the policyholder benefits incurred on life insurance that are included in the statements of income.

(b)		Claims occurring during the current year are net of discounts of $80,455,000, $97,698,000 and $117,177,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(c)		The decrease in estimates for claims occurring in prior years is net of discounts of $1,968,000, $15,556,000 and $17,736,000 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. On an undiscounted basis, the estimates for claims occurring in prior years decreased by $232,040,000 in 2009, $180,154,000 in 2008 and $88,143,000 in 2007.

(d)		Approximately $44 million of the favorable reserve development in 2009 was fully offset by a reduction in earned premiums. The favorable reserve development, net of premium offsets, was $190 million.

Also, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further information regarding the decrease in estimates for claims occurring in prior years.

A reconciliation between the reserves as of December 31, 2009 as reported in the accompanying consolidated GAAP financial statements and those reported on the basis of statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) is as follows (amounts in thousands):


Net reserves reported on a SAP basis	$	8,051,598
Additions (deductions) to statutory reserves:
International property & casualty reserves		323,207
Loss reserve discounting(1)		(224,942	)
Other		(2,081	)

Net reserves reported on a GAAP basis		8,147,782
Ceded reserves reclassified as assets		923,889

Gross reserves reported on a GAAP basis	$	9,071,671


(1)		For statutory purposes, we use a discount rate of 2.7% for non-proportional business as permitted by the Department of Insurance of the State of Delaware.

The following table presents the development of net reserves for 1999 through 2009. The top line of the table shows the estimated reserves for unpaid losses and loss expenses recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years. This represents the estimated amount of losses and loss expenses for claims arising in all prior years that are unpaid at the balance sheet date, including losses that had been incurred but not reported to us. The upper portion of the table shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded reserves based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The estimate changes as more information becomes known about the frequency and severity of claims for individual years.

The “cumulative redundancy (deficiency)” represents the aggregate change in the estimates over all prior years. For example, the 1999 reserves have developed a $688 million deficiency over ten years. That amount has been reflected in income over the ten years. The impact on the results of operations of the past three years of changes in reserve estimates is shown in the reconciliation tables above. It should be noted that the table presents a “run off” of balance sheet reserves, rather than accident or policy year loss development. Therefore, each amount in the table includes the effects of changes in reserves for all prior years. For example, assume a claim that occurred in 1999 is reserved for $2,000 as of December 31, 1999. Assuming this claim estimate was changed in 2009 to $2,300, and was settled for $2,300 in 2008, the $300 deficiency would appear as a deficiency in each year from 1999 through 2009.


Year Ended December 31,	1999			2000			2001			2002			2003			2004			2005			2006		2007		2008		2009
	(Amounts in millions)

Net reserves, discounted	$	1,724		$	1,818		$	2,033		$	2,323		$	3,505		$	4,723		$	5,867		$	6,948	$	7,823	$	8,123	$	8,148
Reserve discount		196			223			243			293			393			503			575			700		788		846		877

Net reserves, undiscounted	$	1,920		$	2,041		$	2,276		$	2,616		$	3,898		$	5,226		$	6,442		$	7,648	$	8,611	$	8,969	$	9,025

Net reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later	$	1,934		$	2,252		$	2,450		$	2,889		$	4,220		$	5,440		$	6,499		$	7,560	$	8,431	$	8,737
Two years later		2,082			2,397			2,671			3,242			4,552			5,588			6,578			7,494		8,239
Three years later		2,203			2,520			2,932			3,611			4,720			5,763			6,592			7,363
Four years later		2,260			2,634			3,233			3,769			4,949			5,816			6,556
Five years later		2,330			2,841			3,339			3,982			5,041			5,834
Six years later		2,449			2,889			3,534			4,069			5,082
Seven years later		2,460			3,033			3,599			4,112
Eight years later		2,564			3,110			3,624
Nine years later		2,600			3,123
Ten years later		2,608
Cumulative redundancy (deficiency ), undiscounted	$	(688	)	$	(1,082	)	$	(1,348	)	$	(1,496	)	$	(1,184	)	$	(608	)	$	(114	)	$	285	$	372	$	232		—


Year Ended December 31,	1999		2000		2001		2002		2003		2004		2005		2006		2007		2008		2009
	(Amounts in millions)

Cumulative amount of net liability paid through:
One year later	$	584	$	702	$	794	$	599	$	929	$	1,185	$	1,321	$	1,433	$	1,745	$	1,741
Two years later		1,011		1,255		1,191		1,216		1,749		2,107		2,342		2,640		3,010
Three years later		1,426		1,501		1,594		1,792		2,388		2,837		3,202		3,556
Four years later		1,567		1,722		1,971		2,223		2,900		3,386		3,838
Five years later		1,699		1,964		2,245		2,552		3,273		3,817
Six years later		1,831		2,138		2,467		2,814		3,585
Seven years later		1,934		2,276		2,642		3,035
Eight years later		2,021		2,401		2,808
Nine years later		2,109		2,517
Ten years later		2,164

The following table presents the development of gross reserves for 1999 through 2009.


Year Ended December 31,	1999			2000			2001			2002			2003			2004			2005			2006		2007		2008		2009
	(Amounts in millions)

Net reserves, discounted	$	1,724		$	1,818		$	2,033		$	2,323		$	3,505		$	4,723		$	5,867		$	6,947	$	7,823	$	8,123	$	8,148
Ceded reserves		617			658			731			845			687			727			845			837		855		877		924

Gross reserves, discounted		2,341			2,476			2,764			3,168			4,192			5,450			6,712			7,784		8,678		9,000		9,072
Reserve discount		250			286			324			384			462			573			654			761		867		944		944

Gross reserves, undiscounted	$	2,591		$	2,762		$	3,088		$	3,552		$	4,654		$	6,023		$	7,366		$	8,545	$	9,545	$	9,944	$	10,016

Gross reserves re-estimated as of:
One year later	$	2,653		$	2,827		$	3,153		$	3,957		$	5,030		$	6,241		$	7,406		$	8,509	$	9,396	$	9,696
Two years later		2,556			2,730			3,461			4,353			5,380			6,382			7,529			8,454		9,178
Three years later		2,385			2,900			3,777			4,744			5,546			6,600			7,561			8,300
Four years later		2,465			3,054			4,103			4,885			5,807			6,670			7,508
Five years later		2,564			3,267			4,192			5,132			5,915			6,680
Six years later		2,684			3,296			4,428			5,226			5,956
Seven years later		2,682			3,476			4,500			5,275
Eight years later		2,814			3,555			4,538
Nine years later		2,860			3,586
Ten Years later		2,885

Gross cumulative redundancy (deficiency)	$	(294	)	$	(824	)	$	(1,450	)	$	(1,723	)	$	(1,302	)	$	(657	)	$	(142	)	$	245	$	367	$	248		—

Reinsurance

We follow a common industry practice of reinsuring a portion of our exposures and paying to reinsurers a part of the premiums received on the policies that we write. Reinsurance is purchased principally to reduce net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Although reinsurance does not legally discharge an insurer from its primary liability for the full amount of the policies, it does make the assuming reinsurer contractually liable to the insurer to the extent of the reinsurance coverage. We monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers and attempt to place our coverages only with substantial, financially sound carriers. As a result, generally the reinsurers who reinsure our casualty insurance must have an A.M. Best rating of “A (Excellent)” or better with at least $500 million in policyholder surplus and the reinsurers who cover our property insurance must have an A.M. Best rating of “A-(Excellent)” or better with at least $250 million in policyholder surplus.

Regulation

Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to varying degrees of regulation and supervision in the jurisdictions in which they do business, and the Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with such regulations. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to statutes which delegate regulatory, supervisory and administrative powers to state insurance commissioners. This regulation relates to such matters as the standards of solvency which must be met and maintained; the licensing of insurers and their agents; the nature of and limitations on investments; deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; approval of certain policy forms and premium rates; periodic examination of the affairs of insurance companies; annual and other reports required to be filed on the financial condition of insurers or for other purposes; establishment and maintenance of reserves for unearned premiums and losses; and requirements regarding numerous other matters. Our property casualty subsidiaries, other than excess and surplus and reinsurance subsidiaries, must generally file all rates with the insurance department of each state in which they operate. Our excess and surplus and reinsurance subsidiaries generally operate free of rate and form regulation.

In addition to regulatory supervision of our insurance subsidiaries, we are subject to state statutes governing insurance holding company systems. Typically, such statutes require that we periodically file information with the appropriate state insurance commissioner, including information concerning our capital structure, ownership, financial condition and general business operations. Under the terms of applicable state statutes, any person or entity desiring to purchase more than a specified percentage (commonly 10%) of our outstanding voting securities would be required to obtain prior regulatory approval of the purchase. Under Alabama law, which is applicable to us due to our ownership of American Mining Insurance Company, Inc., an Alabama domiciled insurance company, the acquisition of more than 5% of our capital stock is subject to prior regulatory approval. Further, state insurance statutes typically place limitations on the amount of dividends or other distributions payable by insurance companies in order to protect their solvency. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Various state and federal organizations, including Congressional committees and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), have been conducting reviews into various aspects of the insurance business. The insurance industry has been the subject of scrutiny with respect to insurance broker and agent compensation arrangements and sales practices. State and federal regulators have conducted proceedings relating to compensation and bidding arrangements between producers and issuers of insurance products, and alleged unsuitable sales practices. No assurance can be given that future legislative or regulatory changes resulting from such activities will not adversely affect our insurance subsidiaries.

The NAIC utilizes a Risk Based Capital (“RBC”) formula that is designed to measure the adequacy of an insurer’s statutory surplus in relation to the risks inherent in its business. The RBC formula develops a risk adjusted target level of adjusted statutory capital by applying certain factors to various asset, premium and reserve items. The RBC Model Law provides for four incremental levels of regulatory attention for insurers whose surplus is below the calculated RBC target. These levels of attention range in severity from requiring the insurer to submit a plan for corrective action to actually placing the insurer under regulatory control. The RBC of each of our domestic insurance subsidiaries was above the authorized RBC control level as of December 31, 2009.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, or Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (the “Act”), was enacted in 1999 and significantly affects the financial services industry, including insurance companies, banks and securities firms. The Act modifies federal law to permit the creation of financial holding companies, which, as regulated by the Act, can maintain cross-holdings in insurance companies, banks and securities firms to an extent not previously allowed. The Act also permits or facilitates certain types of combinations or affiliations for financial holding companies. The Act establishes a functional regulatory scheme under which state insurance departments will maintain primary regulation over insurance activities, subject to provisions for certain federal preemptions.

Our insurance company subsidiaries are also subject to assessment by state guaranty funds when an insurer in a particular jurisdiction has been judicially declared insolvent and insufficient funds are available from the liquidated company to pay policyholders and claimants. The protection afforded under a state’s guaranty fund to policyholders of the insolvent insurer varies from state to state. Generally, all licensed property casualty insurers are considered to be members of the fund, and assessments are based upon their pro rata share of direct written premiums. The NAIC

Model Post-Assessment Guaranty Fund Act, which many states have adopted, limits assessments to an insurer to 2% of its subject premium and permits recoupment of assessments through rate setting. Likewise, several states (or underwriting organizations of which our insurance subsidiaries are required to be members) have limited assessment authority with regard to deficits in certain lines of business.

We receive funds from our insurance company subsidiaries in the form of dividends and management fees for certain management services. Annual dividends in excess of maximum amounts prescribed by state statutes may not be paid without the approval of the insurance commissioner of the state in which an insurance subsidiary is domiciled.

The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 became effective November 26, 2002, was amended on December 22, 2005 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 and further amended effective December 26, 2007 by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (collectively, “TRIA”). TRIA established a Federal program that provides for a system of shared public and private compensation for insured losses resulting from acts of terrorism. The program is effective through December 31, 2014. TRIA is applicable to almost all commercial lines of property and casualty insurance but excludes commercial auto, burglary and theft, surety, professional liability and farm owners’ multi-peril insurance. Insurers with direct commercial property and casualty insurance exposure in the United States are required to participate in the program and make available coverage for certified acts of terrorism. The most recent amendment to TRIA broadened the definition of certified acts to include domestic terrorism. Federal participation will be triggered under TRIA when the Secretary of Treasury certifies an act of terrorism. Under the program, the federal government will pay 85% of an insurer’s covered losses in excess of the insurer’s applicable deductible. The insurer’s deductible is based on 20% percent of earned premium for the prior year for covered lines of commercial property and casualty insurance. Based on our 2009 earned premiums, our deductible under TRIA during 2010 will be approximately $512 million. The federal program will not pay losses for certified acts unless such losses exceed $100 million. TRIA limits the federal government’s share of losses at $100 billion for a program year. In addition, an insurer that has satisfied its deductible is not liable for the payment of losses in excess of the $100 billion cap.

Competition

The property casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses are highly competitive, with over 2,000 insurance companies transacting business in the United States. We compete directly with a large number of these companies. Our strategy in this highly fragmented industry is to seek specialized areas or geographic regions where our insurance subsidiaries can gain a competitive advantage by responding quickly to changing market conditions. Our subsidiaries establish their own pricing practices. Such practices are based upon a Company-wide philosophy to price products with the intent of making an underwriting profit. Competition in our industry generally changes with profitability and has increased since 2004. As a result of increased competition, we have experienced both downward pressure on pricing for many of our insurance lines as well as demands by insureds and cedants for better terms and conditions.

Competition for specialty and alternative markets business comes from other specialty insurers, regional carriers, large national multi-line companies and reinsurers. Standard carriers have increasingly competed for excess and surplus business.

Competition for the reinsurance business comes from domestic and foreign reinsurers, which produce their business either on a direct basis or through the broker market. These competitors include Swiss Re, Munich Re, Berkshire Hathaway, Transatlantic Reinsurance, and Partner Re.

The regional property casualty subsidiaries compete with mutual and other regional stock companies as well as national carriers. Direct writers of property casualty insurance compete with the regional subsidiaries by writing insurance through their salaried employees, generally at a lower acquisition cost than through independent agents such as those used by the Company.

The international operations compete with native insurance operations both large and small, which may be related to government entities, as well as with branches or local subsidiaries of multinational companies.

Competition from insurers based in Bermuda and other tax advantaged jurisdictions has increased over the last several years, including from domestic based subsidiaries of foreign based entities especially as to excess and surplus lines business.

Employees

As of February 16, 2010, we employed 6,072 individuals. Of this number, our subsidiaries employed 5,978 persons and the remaining 94 persons were employed at the parent company.

Other Information about the Company’s Business

We maintain an interest in the acquisition or start up of complementary businesses and continue to evaluate possible acquisitions and new ventures on an ongoing basis. In addition, our insurance subsidiaries develop new coverages or lines of business to meet the needs of insureds.

Seasonal weather variations and other events affect the severity and frequency of losses sustained by the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Although the effect on our business of catastrophes such as tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms, earthquakes and terrorist acts may be mitigated by reinsurance, they nevertheless can have a significant impact on the results of any one or more reporting periods.

We have no customer which accounts for 10 percent or more of our consolidated revenues.

Compliance by W. R. Berkley and its subsidiaries with federal, state and local provisions that have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to protection of the environment, has not had a material effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

The Company’s internet address is www.wrberkley.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this annual report on Form 10-K. The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act are accessible free of charge through this website as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.


ITEM 1A.	*RISK FACTORS*

Our businesses face significant risks. If any of the events or circumstances described as risks below actually occurs, our businesses, results of operations or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Risks Relating to Our Industry

Our results may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including cyclical changes in the insurance and reinsurance industry.

The results of companies in the property casualty insurance industry historically have been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. The demand for insurance is influenced primarily by general economic conditions, while the supply of insurance is directly related to available capacity. Over the past several years, we have faced increased competition in our business, including as a result of an increased flow of capital into the insurance and reinsurance industry, with both new entrants and existing insurers seeking to gain market share. This has resulted in decreased premium rates and at times less favorable contract terms and conditions. The adequacy of premium rates is affected mainly by the severity and frequency of claims, which are influenced by many factors, including natural disasters, regulatory measures and court decisions that define and expand the extent of coverage and the effects of economic inflation on the amount of compensation due for injuries or losses. In addition, investment rates of return may impact rate adequacy. These factors can have a significant impact on ultimate profitability because a property casualty insurance policy is priced before its costs are known as premiums usually are determined long before claims are reported. These factors could produce results that would have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our actual claims losses may exceed our reserves for claims, which may require us to establish additional reserves.

Our gross reserves for losses and loss expenses were approximately $9 billion as of December 31, 2009. Our loss reserves reflect our best estimates of the cost of settling claims and related expenses with respect to insured events that have occurred.

Reserves do not represent an exact calculation of liability. Rather, reserves represent an estimate of what management expects the ultimate settlement and claims administration will cost for claims that have occurred, whether known or unknown. The major assumptions about anticipated loss emergence patterns are subject to unanticipated fluctuation. These estimates, which generally involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of facts and circumstances then known, as well as estimates of future trends in claims severity and frequency, inflation, judicial theories of liability, reinsurance coverage, legislative changes and other factors, including the actions of third parties, which are beyond our control.

The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain types of liabilities, where long periods of time elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made and settlement is reached. In periods with increased economic volatility, such as under the current financial market conditions, it becomes more difficult to accurately predict claim costs. It is especially difficult to estimate the impact of inflation on loss reserves given the current economic environment and related government actions. Reserve estimates are continually refined in an ongoing process as experience develops and further claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves are reflected in the results of the periods in which such estimates are changed. Because setting reserves is inherently uncertain, we cannot assure that our current reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent events. Should we need to increase our reserves, our pre-tax income for the reporting period would decrease by a corresponding amount.

We decreased our estimates for claims occurring in prior years by $234 million in 2009, $196 million in 2008 and $106 million in 2007, and increased our estimates by $27 million in 2006 and $187 million in 2005. We, along with the property casualty insurance industry in general, have experienced higher than expected losses for certain types of business written from 1999 to 2002. Although our reserves reflect our best estimate of the costs of settling claims, we cannot assure you that our claim estimates will not need to be increased in the future.

We discount our reserves for excess and assumed workers’ compensation business because of the long period of time over which losses are paid. Discounting is intended to appropriately match losses and loss expenses to income earned on investment securities supporting liabilities. The expected loss and loss expense payout pattern subject to discounting is derived from our loss payout experience. Changes in the loss and loss expense payout pattern are recorded in the period they are determined. If the actual loss payout pattern is shorter than anticipated, the discount will be reduced and pre-tax income will decrease by a corresponding amount.

As a property casualty insurer, we face losses from natural and man-made catastrophes.

Property casualty insurers are subject to claims arising out of catastrophes that may have a significant effect on their results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. Catastrophe losses have had a significant impact on our results. In addition, through our participation in certain Lloyd’s syndicates, we have additional exposure to catastrophic losses. For example, weather-related losses were $63 million in 2009, $114 million in 2008, $34 million in 2007, $39 million in 2006 and $99 million in 2005.

Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, explosions, severe winter weather and fires, as well as terrorist activities. The incidence and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable but have increased in recent years. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Some catastrophes are restricted to small geographic areas; however, hurricanes and earthquakes may produce significant damage in large, heavily populated areas. Catastrophes can cause losses in a variety of our property and casualty lines, and most of our past catastrophe-related claims have resulted from severe storms. Seasonal weather variations or physical impacts of climate change may affect the severity and frequency of our losses. Insurance companies are not permitted to reserve for a catastrophe until it has occurred. It is therefore possible that a catastrophic event or

multiple catastrophic events could produce significant losses and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We face significant competitive pressures in our businesses, which have reduced premium rates and could harm our ability to maintain or increase our profitability and premium volume.

We compete with a large number of other companies in our selected lines of business. We compete, and will continue to compete, with major U.S. and non-U.S. insurers and reinsurers, other regional companies, as well as mutual companies, specialty insurance companies, underwriting agencies and diversified financial services companies, some of which have implicit or explicit government support. Competitiveness in our businesses is based on many factors, including premium charges, ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, commissions paid to producers, the perceived financial strength of the company, other terms and conditions offered, services provided, speed of claims payment and reputation and experience in the lines to be written.

Some of our competitors, particularly in the reinsurance business, have greater financial and marketing resources than we do. These competitors within the reinsurance segment include Swiss Re, Munich Re, Berkshire Hathaway, Transatlantic Reinsurance, and Partner Re. We expect that perceived financial strength, in particular, will become more important as customers seek high quality reinsurers. Certain of our competitors operate from Bermuda or other tax advantaged or less regulated jurisdictions that may provide them with additional competitive and pricing advantages.

Over the past several years, we have faced increased competition in our business, particularly in our reinsurance segment, as increased supply has led to reduced prices. Our specialty segment increasingly encounters competition from admitted companies seeking to increase market share. We expect to continue to face strong competition in these and our other lines of business and may continue to experience reduced pricing and weaker terms and conditions.

This intense competition could cause the supply and/or demand for insurance or reinsurance to change, which could affect our ability to price our products at attractive rates and retain existing business or write new products at adequate rates or on acceptable terms and conditions. If we are unable to retain existing business or write new business at adequate rates, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Current conditions in the financial markets and the ongoing economic downturn have had and may continue to have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if such conditions continue.

The significant volatility and uncertainty experienced in financial markets around the world during the past several years and the ongoing economic downturn have continued. Although the U.S. and various foreign governments have taken various actions to try to stabilize the financial markets, it is unclear whether those actions will be effective. Therefore, volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and the resulting negative economic impact may continue for some time.

While we monitor conditions in the financial markets, we cannot predict future conditions or their impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Depending on conditions in the financial markets, we could incur additional realized and unrealized losses in our investment portfolio in future periods, and financial market volatility and uncertainty and an economic downturn could have a significant negative impact on third parties that we do business with, including insureds and reinsurers.

We, as a primary insurer, may have significant exposure for terrorist acts.

To the extent an act of terrorism, whether a domestic or foreign act, is certified by the Secretary of Treasury, we may be covered under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, as amended on December 22, 2005 and further amended on December 26, 2007 (“TRIA”), for up to 85% of our losses for certain property/casualty lines of insurance. However, any such coverage would be subject to a mandatory deductible based on 20% of earned premium for the prior year for the covered lines of commercial property and casualty insurance. Based on our 2009 earned premiums, our deductible under TRIA during 2010 is approximately $512 million. TRIA is in effect through

December 31, 2014 unless extended or replaced by a similar program. The coverage provided under TRIA does not apply to reinsurance that we write.

Our earnings could be more volatile because of our significant level of retentions.

As compared to a number of our competitors, we maintain significant retention levels in premiums written. We purchase less reinsurance, the process by which we transfer, or cede, part of the risk we have assumed to a reinsurance company, thereby retaining more risk. As a result, our earnings could be more volatile and increased severities are more likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which increases our costs and could restrict the conduct of our business.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision. Most insurance regulations are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than stockholders and other investors. This system of regulation, generally administered by a department of insurance in each state in which we do business, relates to, among other things:


	•	standards of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements;

	•	restrictions on the nature, quality and concentration of investments;

	•	requiring certain methods of accounting;

	•	rate and form regulation pertaining to certain of our insurance businesses; and

	•	potential assessments for the provision of funds necessary for the settlement of covered claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies.

State insurance departments conduct periodic examinations of the affairs of insurance companies and require the filing of annual and other reports relating to the financial condition of insurance companies, holding company issues and other matters. Federal financial services modernization legislation and legislative and regulatory initiatives taken or which may be taken in response to the current conditions in the financial markets and the ongoing economic downturn may lead to additional federal regulation of the insurance industry in the coming years. We may be subject to potentially increased federal oversight as a financial institution. Also, foreign governments regulate our international operations.

The insurance industry has been the subject of scrutiny with respect to insurance broker and agent compensation arrangements and sales practices. The New York State Attorney General and other state and federal regulators have conducted investigations and other proceedings relating to compensation and bidding arrangements between producers and issuers of insurance products, and alleged unsuitable sales practices by producers on behalf of either the issuer or the purchaser. The practices included, among other things that certain brokers and insurers may have engaged in anti-competitive practices in connection with insurance premium quotes. New investigative proceedings may be commenced in the future. These investigations and proceedings could result in legal precedents and new industry-wide practices or legislation, rules or regulations that could significantly affect the insurance industry and the Company.

We may be unable to maintain all required licenses and approvals and our business may not fully comply with the wide variety of applicable laws and regulations or the relevant authority’s interpretation of the laws and regulations. Also, some regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals. If we do not have the requisite licenses and approvals or do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements, the insurance regulatory authorities could preclude or temporarily suspend us from carrying on some or all of our activities or monetarily penalize us. Also, changes in the level of regulation of the insurance industry, whether federal, state or foreign, or changes in laws or regulations themselves or interpretations by regulatory authorities, restrict the conduct of our business.

In certain of our insurance businesses, the rates we charge our policyholders are subject to regulatory approval. Certain lines of business are subject to a greater degree of regulatory scrutiny than others. For example, the workers’

compensation business is highly regulated. For 2009, approximately 16.1% of our net premiums written represented primary workers’ compensation business. Over the past several years, rates for primary workers’ compensation business written in the State of California have declined significantly as a result of workers’ compensation reform. Of our net premiums written during 2009, approximately 1.4% represented primary workers’ compensation business written in the State of California.

Risks Relating to Our Business

We cannot guarantee that our reinsurers will pay in a timely fashion, if at all, and, as a result, we could experience losses.

We purchase reinsurance by transferring part of the risk that we have assumed, known as ceding, to a reinsurance company in exchange for part of the premium we receive in connection with the risk. Although reinsurance makes the reinsurer contractually liable to us to the extent the risk is transferred or ceded to the reinsurer, it does not relieve us, the reinsured, of our liability to our policyholders. Our reinsurers may not pay the reinsurance recoverables that they owe to us or they may not pay such recoverables on a timely basis. Accordingly, we bear credit risk with respect to our reinsurers, and if our reinsurers fail to pay us, our financial results would be adversely affected. Underwriting results and investment returns of some of our reinsurers may affect their future ability to pay claims. As of December 31, 2009, the amount due from our reinsurers was approximately $973 million, including amounts due from state funds and industry pools. Certain of these amounts due from reinsurers are secured by letters of credit or by funds held in trust on our behalf.

We are rated by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s, and a decline in these ratings could affect our standing in the insurance industry and cause our sales and earnings to decrease.

Ratings have become an increasingly important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Certain of our insurance company subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors. Our ratings are subject to periodic review, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain those ratings.

If our ratings are reduced from their current levels by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, our competitive position in the insurance industry could suffer and it would be more difficult for us to market our products. A significant downgrade could result in a substantial loss of business as policyholders move to other companies with higher claims-paying and financial strength ratings.

If market conditions cause reinsurance to be more costly or unavailable, we may be required to bear increased risks or reduce the level of our underwriting commitments.

As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for certain amounts of risk underwritten by our insurance company subsidiaries, especially catastrophe risks. We also purchase reinsurance on risks underwritten by others which we reinsure. Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we seek to purchase, which may affect the level of our business and profitability. Our reinsurance contracts are generally subject to annual renewal. We may be unable to maintain our current reinsurance contracts or to obtain other reinsurance contracts in adequate amounts and at favorable rates. In addition, we may be unable to obtain reinsurance on terms acceptable to us relating to certain lines of business that we intend to begin writing. If we are unable to renew our expiring contracts or to obtain new reinsurance contracts, either our net exposures would increase or, if we are unwilling to bear an increase in net exposures, we would have to reduce the level of our underwriting commitments, especially catastrophe exposed risks.

Depending on conditions in the financial markets and the ongoing economic downturn, we may be unable to raise debt or equity capital if needed.

If the current conditions in the financial markets and the ongoing economic downturn continue, we may be unable to access debt or equity capital on acceptable terms if needed, which could have a negative impact on our ability to invest in our insurance company subsidiaries and/or to take advantage of opportunities to expand our business, such as possible acquisitions and new ventures.

Our international operations expose us to investment, political and economic risks, including foreign currency and credit risk.

Our expanding international operations in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, South America, Australia, Southeast Asia and Canada expose us to investment, political and economic risks, including foreign currency and credit risk. Changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our investments in non-U.S.-denominated securities are subject to fluctuations in non-U.S. securities and currency markets, and those markets can be volatile. Non-U.S. currency fluctuations also affect the value of any dividends paid by our non-U.S. subsidiaries to their parent companies in the U.S.

We may not find suitable acquisition candidates or new insurance ventures and even if we do, we may not successfully integrate any such acquired companies or successfully invest in such ventures.

As part of our present strategy, we continue to evaluate possible acquisition transactions and the start-up of complementary businesses on an ongoing basis, and at any given time we may be engaged in discussions with respect to possible acquisitions and new ventures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition transactions or insurance ventures, that such transactions will be financed and completed on acceptable terms or that our future acquisitions or start-up ventures will be successful. The process of integrating any companies we do acquire or investing in new ventures may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.

We depend on our ability to attract and retain experienced underwriting talent and other skilled employees who are knowledgeable about our business. If the quality of our underwriting team and other personnel decreases, we may be unable to maintain our current competitive position in the specialized markets in which we operate, and be unable to expand our operations into new markets.

Risks Relating to Our Investments

A significant amount of our assets is invested in fixed maturity securities and is subject to market fluctuations.

Our investment portfolio consists substantially of fixed maturity securities. As of December 31, 2009, our investment in fixed maturity securities was approximately $11.3 billion, or 87% of our total investment portfolio. As of that date, our portfolio of fixed maturity securities consisted of the following types of securities: U.S. Government securities (15%); state and municipal securities (52%); corporate securities (15%); mortgage-backed securities (14%) and foreign government bonds (4%).

The fair value of these assets and the investment income from these assets fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. The fair value of fixed maturity securities generally decreases as interest rates rise. Conversely, if interest rates decline, investment income earned from future investments in fixed maturity securities will be lower. In addition, some fixed maturity securities, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, carry prepayment risk as a result of interest rate fluctuations.

The value of investments in fixed maturity securities is subject to impairment as a result of deterioration in the credit worthiness of the issuer, default by the issuer (including states and municipalities) in the performance of its obligations in respect of the securities and/or increases in market interest rates. To a large degree, the credit risk we face is a function of the economy; accordingly, we face a greater risk in an economic downturn or recession. Additionally, our investments are subject to losses as a result of a general decrease in commercial and economic activity for an industry sector in which we invest, as well as risks inherent in particular securities.

Although we attempt to manage these risks through the use of investment guidelines and other oversight mechanisms and by diversifying our portfolio and emphasizing preservation of principal, our efforts may not be successful. Impairments, defaults and/or rate increases could reduce our net investment income and net realized

investment gains or result in investment losses. Investment returns are currently, and will likely continue to remain, under pressure due to the significant volatility and disruption currently experienced in the financial markets, current and continuing economic uncertainty, more generally, and the shape of the yield curve. As a result, our exposure to the risks described above could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

We invest some of our assets in equity securities, merger arbitrage securities, investment funds, private equity and real estate related assets, which may decline in value.

We invest a portion of our investment portfolio in equity securities, merger arbitrage securities, investment funds, private equity and real estate related assets. At December 31, 2009, our investment in these assets was approximately $1.8 billion, or 13%, of our investment portfolio. We reported provisions for other than temporary impairments in the value of these assets of approximately $63 million in 2009 and $427 million in 2008, and losses from investment funds of $174 million in 2009.

Merger and convertible arbitrage trading securities were $549 million, or 4%, of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2009. Merger arbitrage involves investing in the securities of publicly held companies that are the targets in announced tender offers and mergers. Merger arbitrage differs from other types of investments in its focus on transactions and events believed likely to bring about a change in value over a relatively short time period, usually four months or less. Our merger arbitrage positions are exposed to the risk associated with the completion of announced deals, which are subject to regulatory as well as political and other risks.

Investments in publicly traded real estate investment trusts, real estate investment funds and limited partnerships and loans receivable were $701 million, or 5%, of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2009. The values of our real estate related investments are subject to fluctuations based on changes in the economy in general and real estate valuations in particular. These investments have been subject to significant volatility as a result of the current conditions in the financial markets. In addition, our investments in real estate related assets are less liquid than our other investments.

Risks Relating to Purchasing Our Securities

We are an insurance holding company and, therefore, may not be able to receive dividends in needed amounts.

As an insurance holding company, our principal assets are the shares of capital stock of our insurance company subsidiaries. We have to rely on dividends from our insurance company subsidiaries to meet our obligations for paying principal and interest on outstanding debt obligations and for paying dividends to stockholders and corporate expenses. The payment of dividends by our insurance company subsidiaries is subject to regulatory restrictions and will depend on the surplus and future earnings of these subsidiaries, as well as regulatory restrictions. During 2010, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid without regulatory approval is approximately $384 million. As a result, in the future we may not be able to receive dividends from these subsidiaries at times and in amounts necessary to meet our obligations or pay dividends.

We are subject to certain provisions that may have the effect of hindering, delaying or preventing third party takeovers, which may prevent our stockholders from receiving premium prices for their shares in an unsolicited takeover and make it more difficult for third parties to replace our current management.

Provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, as well as state insurance statutes, may hinder, delay or prevent unsolicited acquisitions or changes of our control. These provisions may also have the effect of making it more difficult for third parties to cause the replacement of our current management without the concurrence of our board of directors.

These provisions include:


	•	our classified board of directors and the ability of our board to increase its size and to appoint directors to fill newly created directorships;


	•	the requirement that 80% of our stockholders must approve mergers and other transactions between us and the holder of 5% or more of our shares, unless the transaction was approved by our board of directors prior to such holder’s acquisition of 5% of our shares;

	•	the need for advance notice in order to raise business or make nominations at stockholders’ meetings; and

	•	state insurance statutes that restrict the acquisition of control (generally defined as 10% of the outstanding shares, though 5% in Alabama and certain other jurisdictions) of an insurance company without regulatory approval.


ITEM 1B.	*UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS*

There are no unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days or more before the end of our fiscal year relating to our periodic or current reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


ITEM 2.	*PROPERTIES*

W. R. Berkley and its subsidiaries own or lease office buildings or office space suitable to conduct their operations. At December 31, 2009, the Company had aggregate office space of 2,503,125 square feet, of which 934,141 were owned and 1,568,984 were leased.

Rental expense was approximately $28,067,000, $23,802,000 and $21,438,000 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Future minimum lease payments (without provision for sublease income) are $26,574,000 in 2010, $21,979,000 in 2011 and $65,349,000 thereafter.


ITEM 3.	*LEGAL PROCEEDINGS*

The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to disputes, including litigation and arbitration, arising in the ordinary course of their insurance and reinsurance businesses. The Company’s estimates of the costs of settling such matters are reflected in its aggregate reserves for losses and loss expenses, and the Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of such matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.


ITEM 4.	*RESERVED*

PART II


ITEM 5.	*MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES*

The common stock of the Company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WRB”.


	Price Range				Dividends Declared
	High		Low		per Share

2009:
Fourth Quarter	$	26.15	$	23.30	$	0.06
Third Quarter		26.26		20.82		0.06
Second Quarter		25.18		21.05		0.06
First Quarter		31.07		18.59		0.06
2008:
Fourth Quarter	$	31.21	$	16.62	$	0.06
Third Quarter		29.34		20.39		0.06
Second Quarter		29.02		24.01		0.06
First Quarter		31.26		26.39		0.05

The closing price of the common stock on February 19, 2010 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $25.56 per share. The approximate number of record holders of the common stock on February 19, 2010 was 484.

Set forth below is a summary of the shares repurchased by the Company during the fourth quarter of 2009 and the remaining number of shares authorized for purchase by the Company during such period.


					Total Number of		Maximum Number of
					Shares Purchased as		Shares that may yet
					Part of Publicly		be Purchased Under
	Total Number of		Average Price		Announced Plans or		the Plans or
	Shares Purchased		Paid per Share		Programs		Programs(1)

October 2009		—		—		—		10,000,000
November 2009		1,079,601		24.46		1,079,601		8,920,399
December 2009		3,666,530		24.24		3,533,417		5,386,982


(1)		Remaining shares available for repurchase under the Company’s repurchase authorization of 10,000,000 shares that was approved by the Board of Directors on August 3, 2009. The Company’s repurchase authorization was increased by 10,000,000 shares by its Board of Directors on February 8, 2010.


ITEM 6.	*SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA*


	Year Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005
	(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Net premiums written	$	3,730,095		$	4,033,899		$	4,575,989		$	4,818,993		$	4,604,574
Net premiums earned		3,805,849			4,289,580			4,663,701			4,692,622			4,460,935
Net investment income		552,561			537,033			634,386			549,030			385,417
Income (losses) from investment funds		(173,553	)		(3,553	)		38,274			37,145			18,545
Insurance service fees		93,245			102,856			97,689			104,812			110,697
Net investment gains (losses)		(38,408	)		(356,931	)		49,696			9,648			17,209
Revenues from wholly-owned investees		189,347			137,280			102,846			—			—
Total revenues		4,431,178			4,708,808			5,588,397			5,394,831			4,996,839
Interest expense		87,989			84,623			88,996			92,522			85,926
Income before income taxes		382,230			326,322			1,092,392			988,645			770,537
Income tax expense		(73,150	)		(44,919	)		(323,070	)		(286,398	)		(222,521	)
Noncontrolling interests		(23	)		(262	)		(3,083	)		(2,729	)		(3,124	)
Net income to common stockholders		309,057			281,141			766,239			699,518			544,892
Data per common share:
Net income per basic share		1.93			1.68			4.05			3.65			2.86
Net income per diluted share		1.86			1.62			3.90			3.46			2.72
Stockholders’ equity		22.97			18.87			19.92			17.30			13.42
Cash dividends declared		0.24			0.23			0.20			0.16			0.12
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		160,357			166,956			188,981			191,809			190,533
Diluted		166,574			173,454			196,698			201,961			200,426
Investments	$	13,050,238		$	11,143,281		$	11,956,717		$	11,172,684		$	9,866,389
Total assets		17,328,596			16,121,158			16,820,005			15,656,489			13,896,287
Reserves for losses
and loss expenses		9,071,671			8,999,596			8,678,034			7,784,269			6,711,760
Junior subordinated debentures					249,584			249,375			241,953			450,634
		249,793
Senior notes and other debt					1,021,869			1,121,793			869,187			967,818
		1,345,481
Common stockholders’ equity		3,596,067			3,046,319			3,592,368			3,335,159			2,567,077


ITEM 7.	*MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS*

Reference is made to the information under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” which will be contained in the registrant’s 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders (attached hereto as Exhibit 13), which information is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7A.	*QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK*

Reference is made to the information under “Market Risk” under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” which will be contained in the registrant’s 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders (attached hereto as Exhibit 13), which information is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 8.	*FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA*

The consolidated financial statements of the registrant which will be contained in the registrant’s 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders (attached hereto as Exhibit 13) are incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 9.	*CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE*

None.


ITEM 9A.	*CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES*


*(a)*	*Evaluation Of Disclosure Controls And Procedures*

The Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company has in place effective controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.


*(b)*	*Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting*

Management has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. See pages 27 and 28 of Exhibit 13 of this Form 10-K for management’s report and the related report as to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm.


*(c)*	*Change In Internal Control*

During the quarter ended December 31, 2009, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 9B.	*OTHER INFORMATION*

None.

PART III


ITEM 10.	*DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE*

Reference is made to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2009, and which is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 11.	*EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION*


ITEM 12.	*SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS*


*(a)*	*Security ownership of certain beneficial owners*


*(b)*	*Security ownership of management*


*(c)*	*Changes in control*


TEM 13.	*CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE*


ITEM 14.	*PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES*

PART IV


ITEM 15.	*EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES*


*(a)*	*Index to Financial Statements*

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Company’s financial statements, together with the reports on the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of KPMG LLP, appear in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders (attached hereto as Exhibit 13) and are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. With the exception of the aforementioned information, the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders is not deemed to be filed as part of this report. The schedules to the financial statements listed below should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in such 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders. Financial statement schedules not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been omitted because they are not applicable or required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.


Index to Financial Statement Schedules	Page

Independent Registered Public Accountants’ Report on Schedules		40
Schedule II — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant		41
Schedule III — Supplementary Insurance Information		45
Schedule IV — Reinsurance		46
Schedule V — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts		47
Schedule VI — Supplementary Information Concerning Property — Casualty Insurance Operations		48


*(b)*	*Exhibits*

The exhibits filed as part of this report are listed on pages 36, 37, 38 and 39 hereof.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION


	By	/s/ William R. Berkley

William R. Berkley,

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

February 26, 2010

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature	Title	Date


/s/ William R. Berkley William R. Berkley	Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Principal executive officer	February 26, 2010

/s/ W. Robert Berkley, Jr. W. Robert Berkley, Jr.	President, Chief Operating Officer and Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Ronald E. Blaylock Ronald E. Blaylock	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Mark E. Brockbank Mark E. Brockbank	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ George G. Daly George G. Daly	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Mary C. Farrell Mary C. Farrell	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Rodney A. Hawes, Jr. Rodney A. Hawes, Jr.	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Jack H. Nusbaum Jack H. Nusbaum	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Mark L. Shapiro Mark L. Shapiro	Director	February 26, 2010

/s/ Eugene G. Ballard Eugene G. Ballard	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Principal financial officer and principal accounting officer	February 26, 2010


ITEM 15.	*(b) EXHIBITS*


Number

	(3	.1)	The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended through May 10, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 6, 2003).
	(3	.2)	Amendment, dated May 11, 2004, to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 5, 2004).
	(3	.3)	Amendment, dated May 16, 2006, to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on May 17, 2006).
	(3	.4)	Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 0-7849) filed with the Commission on May 11, 1999).
	(4	.1)	Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2003, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission of March 31, 2003).
	(4	.2)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated February 14, 2003, between the Company and The Bank of New York, a trustees, relating to $200,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 5.875% Senior Notes due 2013, including form of the Notes as Exhibit A (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission of March 31, 2003).
	(4	.3)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 12, 2003, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, relating to $150,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010, including form of the Notes as Exhibit A (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on November 14, 2003).
	(4	.4)	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2004, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, relating to $150,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 6.150% Senior Notes due 2019, including form of the Notes as Exhibit A (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on March 14, 2005).
	(4	.5)	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 9, 2005, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, relating to $200,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 5.60% Senior Notes due 2015, including form of the Notes as Exhibit A (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15200) filed with the Commission on August 2, 2005).
	(4	.6)	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 9, 2007, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, relating to $250,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 6.25% Senior Notes due 2037, including form of the Notes as Exhibit A (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on March 1, 2007).
	(4	.7)	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 14, 2009, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, relating to $300,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 7.375% Senior Notes due 2019, including form of the Notes as Exhibit A.
	(4	.8)	Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of W. R. Berkley Capital Trust II, dated as of July 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 2, 2005).
	(4	.9)	Subordinated Indenture between W. R. Berkley Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of July 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 2, 2005).
	(4	.10)	Supplemental Indenture No. 1 to the Subordinated Indenture between W. R. Berkley Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of July 26, 2005, relating to 6.750% Subordinated Debentures Due 2045 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 2, 2005).


Number

	(4	.11)	Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between W. R. Berkley Corporation, as Guarantor, and The Bank of New York, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee, dated as of July 26, 2005, relating to W. R. Berkley Capital Trust II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 2, 2005).
	(4	.12)	The instruments defining the rights of holders of the other long term debt securities of the Company are omitted pursuant to Section (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally copies of these instruments to the Commission upon request.
	(10	.1)	W. R. Berkley Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Company’s 2003 Proxy Statement (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on April 14, 2003).
	(10	.2)	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the W. R. Berkley Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on May 3, 2005).
	(10	.3)	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grant of April 4, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on August 6, 2003).
	(10	.4)	W. R. Berkley Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Officers as amended and restated effective December 3, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on December 19, 2007).
	(10	.5)	W. R. Berkley Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors as amended and restated effective December 3, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on December 19, 2007).
	(10	.6)	W. R. Berkley Corporation 2007 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Company’s 2006 Proxy Statement (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on April 18, 2006).
	(10	.7)	W. R. Berkley Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex B from the Company’s 2004 Proxy Statement (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on April 12, 2004).
	(10	.8)	W. R. Berkley Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex A of the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on April 17, 2009).
	(10	.9)	Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under the W. R. Berkley Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on May 3, 2005).
	(10	.10)	Form of 2008 Performance Unit Award Agreement under the W. R. Berkley Corporation 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on March 13, 2008).
	(10	.11)	W. R. Berkley Corporation 2009 Directors Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex B of the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on April 17, 2009).
	(10	.12)	Supplemental Benefits Agreement between William R. Berkley and the Company as amended and restated as of December 17, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on December 19, 2007).
	(13)		Portions of the 2009 Annual Report to Stockholders of W. R. Berkley Corporation that are incorporated by reference in this Report on Form 10-K.
	(14)		Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 1-15202) filed with the Commission on March 14, 2005).


Number

	(21)	Following is a list of the Company’s significant subsidiaries and other operating entities. Subsidiaries of subsidiaries are indented and the parent of each such corporation owns 100% of the outstanding voting securities of such corporation except as noted below.


		Percentage
	Jurisdiction of	owned
	Incorporation	by the Company(1)

Berkley International, LLC(2)	New York		100	%
Berkley Surety Group, Inc.	Delaware		100	%
Clermont Specialty Managers, Ltd.	New Jersey		100	%
J/I Holding Corporation:	Delaware		100	%
Admiral Insurance Company:	Delaware		100	%
Admiral Indemnity Company	Delaware		100	%
Berkley London Holdings, Inc.(3)	Delaware		100	%
W. R. Berkley London Finance, Limited	United Kingdom		100	%
W. R. Berkley London Holdings, Limited	United Kingdom		100	%
W. R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited	United Kingdom		100	%
Carolina Casualty Insurance Company	Iowa		100	%
Nautilus Insurance Company:	Arizona		100	%
Great Divide Insurance Company	North Dakota		100	%
Key Risk Management Services, Inc.	North Carolina		100	%
Monitor Liability Managers, Inc.	Delaware		100	%
Signet Star Holdings, Inc.:	Delaware		100	%
Berkley Insurance Company	Delaware		100	%
Berkley Regional Insurance Company	Delaware		100	%
Acadia Insurance Company	New Hampshire		100	%
Berkley National Insurance Company	Iowa		100	%
CGH Insurance Group, Inc	Alabama		100	%
American Mining Insurance Company, Inc.	Alabama		100	%
Continental Western Insurance Company	Iowa		100	%
Firemen’s Insurance Company of Washington, D.C.	Delaware		100	%
Tri-State Insurance Company of Minnesota	Minnesota		100	%
Union Insurance Company	Iowa		100	%
Key Risk Insurance Company	North Carolina		100	%
Midwest Employers Casualty Company:	Delaware		100	%
Berkley Risk Administrators Company, LLC	Minnesota		100	%
Preferred Employers Insurance Company	California		100	%
Gemini Insurance Company	Delaware		100	%
Riverport Insurance Company	Minnesota		100	%
StarNet Insurance Company	Delaware		100	%
Facultative ReSources, Inc.	Connecticut		100	%


1)		W. R. Berkley Corporation is the ultimate parent. The subsidiary of a direct parent is indicated by an indentation, and its percentage ownership is as indicated in this column.


2)		Berkley International, LLC is held by W. R. Berkley Corporation and its subsidiaries as follows: W. R. Berkley Corporation (2%), Admiral Insurance Company (35%), Berkley Regional Insurance Company (14%), Nautilus Insurance Company (14%) and Berkley Insurance Company (35%).

3)		Held by Admiral Insurance Company (66.67%) and Berkley Insurance Company (33.33%)

(23)		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(31.1)		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a).

(31.2)		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a).

(32.1)		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

W. R. Berkley Corporation:

Under date of February 26, 2010, we reported on the consolidated balance sheets of W. R. Berkley Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, as contained in the 2009 Annual Report to stockholders. These consolidated financial statements and our report thereon are incorporated by reference in the December 31, 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 2009. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial statement schedules. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statement schedules based on our audits.

In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

KPMG LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 2010

Schedule II

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
Balance Sheets (Parent Company)


	December 31,
	2009			2008
	(Amounts in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents	$	117,648		$	131,423
Fixed maturity securities available for sale at fair value (cost $303,203 and $25,454 in 2009 and 2008, respectively)		302,898			26,352
Equity securities available for sale, at fair value (cost $0 in 2009 and 2008)		97,525			44,491
Investment in affiliate		—			2,089
Investments in subsidiaries		4,748,256			4,104,009
Deferred Federal income taxes		202,159			339,452
Current Federal income taxes		—			85,804
Real estate, furniture and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation		6,063			6,459
Other assets		2,769			2,251

Total assets	$	5,477,318		$	4,742,330

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Liabilities:
Due to subsidiaries	$	143,917		$	324,330
Other liabilities		149,275			111,188
Current Federal income taxes		28,707			—
Junior subordinated debentures		242,580			242,372
Senior notes		1,316,772			1,018,121

Total liabilities		1,881,251			1,696,011

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		—			—
Common stock		47,024			47,024
Additional paid-in capital		926,359			920,241
Retained earnings (including accumulated undistributed net income of subsidiaries of $2,936,834 and $2,691,464 in 2009 and 2008, respectively)		3,785,187			3,514,531
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		163,207			(228,959	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(1,325,710	)		(1,206,518	)

Total stockholders’ equity		3,596,067			3,046,319

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,477,318		$	4,742,330

See note to condensed financial statements.

Schedule II, Continued

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)

Statements of Income (Parent Company)


	December 31,
	2009			2008			2007
	(Amounts in thousands)

Management fees and investment income including dividends from subsidiaries of $150,545, $568,634 and $612,296 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively	$	159,361		$	580,969		$	637,594
Net investment gains (losses)		20,961			(601	)		(220	)
Other income		206			382			180

Total revenues		180,528			580,750			637,554
Operating costs and expense		88,276			93,794			98,406
Interest expense		87,054			83,770			87,716

Income before federal income taxes		5,198			403,186			451,432

Federal income taxes:
Federal income taxes provided by subsidiaries on a separate return basis		117,133			140,108			347,018
Federal income tax expense on a consolidated return basis		(58,644	)		(12,560	)		(292,537	)

Net benefit		58,489			127,548			54,481
Income before undistributed equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries		63,687			530,734			505,913
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries		245,370			(249,593	)		260,326

Net income	$	309,057		$	281,141		$	766,239

See note to condensed financial statements.

Schedule II, Continued

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)

Statements of Income (Parent Company)


	Years Ended December 31,
	2009			2008			2007
	(Amounts in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	309,057		$	281,141		$	766,239
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Net investment (gains) losses		(20,961	)		601			220
Depreciation and amortization		2,279			2,488			2,324
Equity in undistributed (earnings) losses of subsidiaries		(245,370	)		249,593			(260,326	)
Tax payments received from subsidiaries		103,356			273,172			349,173
Federal income taxes provided by subsidiaries on a separate return basis		(117,133	)		(140,108	)		(347,018	)
Stock incentive plans		24,078			23,991			20,836
Change in:
Federal income taxes		62,753			(149,139	)		14,838
Other assets		(381	)		(877	)		101
Other liabilities		11,661			(23,310	)		30,884
Accrued investment income		(137	)		3,099			(3,299	)
Other, net		(603	)		691			(126	)

Net cash from operating activities		128,599			521,342			573,846

Cash from (used in) investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities		29,355			197,621			86,050
Proceeds from maturities and prepayments of fixed maturity securities		47,133			43,912			35,976
Proceeds from sales of equity securities		17,897			—			—
Cost of purchases of fixed maturity securities		(353,944	)		(44,589	)		(278,986	)
Cost of purchases of equity securities		—			—			(726	)
Investment in funds		5,204			(213	)		(68,064	)
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries, net		(29,179	)		(44,771	)		(46,051	)
Change in balance due to security broker		14,483			—			—
Net additions to real estate, furniture & equipment		(224	)		(263	)		(1,927	)
Other, net		1			780			255

Net cash from (used in) investing activities		(269,274	)		152,477			(273,473	)

Cash from (used in) financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes		297,461			—			246,644
Net proceeds from stock options exercised		5,426			14,806			25,676
Repayment of senior notes		—			(88,745	)		—
Purchase of common treasury shares		(147,144	)		(553,284	)		(488,794	)
Cash dividends to common stockholders		(28,843	)		(46,978	)		(36,284	)
Other, net		—			7			(5	)

Net cash from (used in) financing activities		126,900			(674,194	)		(252,763	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(13,775	)		(375	)		47,610
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		131,423			131,798			84,188

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	117,648		$	131,423		$	131,798

See note to condensed financial statements.

Schedule II, Continued

W. R. Berkley Corporation
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant — (Continued)

December 31, 2009

Note to Condensed Financial Statements (Parent Company)

The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Reclassifications have been made in the 2008 and 2007 financial statements as originally reported to conform them to the presentation of the 2009 financial statements.

The Company files a consolidated federal tax return with the results of its domestic insurance subsidiaries included on a statutory basis. Under present Company policy, federal income taxes payable by subsidiary companies on a separate-return basis are paid to W. R. Berkley Corporation, and the Company pays the tax due on a consolidated return basis.

Schedule III

W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplementary Insurance Information

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


									Net
									Investment
									Income and				Amortization
	Deferrred								Income (Loss)				of
	Policy		Reserve for						from				Deferred Policy		Other			Net
	Acquisition		Losses and		Unearned		Premiums		Investment		Loss and Loss		Acquisition		Operating Cost			Premiums
	Cost		Loss Expenses		Premiums		Earned		Funds		Expenses		Cost		and Expenses			Written
			(Amounts in thousands)

December 31, 2009
Specialty	$	116,234	$	3,210,479	$	662,972	$	1,354,355	$	125,351	$	838,894	$	297,388	$	126,078		$	1,260,451
Regional		142,249		1,440,158		554,426		1,116,871		57,530		686,093		289,973		94,982			1,081,100
Alternative markets		34,443		2,221,488		287,031		597,932		83,719		378,961		89,432		137,415			589,637
Reinsurance		60,219		1,787,006		225,209		411,511		75,505		238,075		127,446		35,137			423,425
International		38,215		412,540		198,790		325,180		26,767		194,684		98,915		35,629			375,482
Corporate and adjustments		—		—		—		—		10,136		—		—		291,857			—

Total	$	391,360	$	9,071,671	$	1,928,428	$	3,805,849	$	379,008	$	2,336,707	$	903,154	$	721,098		$	3,730,095

December 31, 2008
Specialty	$	136,845	$	3,177,194	$	731,409	$	1,618,915	$	188,120	$	972,729	$	343,354	$	119,301		$	1,453,778
Regional		144,126		1,443,136		592,153		1,237,258		80,538		809,525		313,483		86,068			1,211,096
Alternative markets		35,281		2,140,839		305,177		626,858		105,674		393,004		90,475		146,264			622,185
Reinsurance		52,663		1,924,315		210,388		519,717		116,046		336,478		150,895		30,444			435,108
International		25,892		314,112		127,023		286,832		35,184		176,925		100,332		(8,186	)		311,732
Corporate and adjustments		—		—		—		—		7,918		—		—		102,735			—

Total	$	394,807	$	8,999,596	$	1,966,150	$	4,289,580	$	533,480	$	2,688,661	$	998,539	$	476,626		$	4,033,899

December 31, 2007
Specialty	$	165,608	$	3,044,134	$	886,519	$	1,772,547	$	233,080	$	1,015,176	$	361,221	$	112,699		$	1,704,880
Regional		152,063		1,337,611		621,566		1,250,914		96,886		739,667		317,653		75,252			1,267,451
Alternative markets		35,325		1,994,569		315,676		651,909		125,698		385,837		90,096		150,886			656,369
Reinsurance		78,420		1,968,923		302,442		740,439		153,416		483,757		160,522		71,274			682,241
International		23,828		332,797		114,487		247,892		36,666		155,141		72,875		12,085			265,048
Corporate and adjustments		—		—		—		—		26,914		—		—		106,424			—

Total	$	455,244	$	8,678,034	$	2,240,690	$	4,663,701	$	672,660	$	2,779,578	$	1,002,367	$	528,620		$	4,575,989

Schedule IV

W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reinsurance

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


									Percentage
			Ceded		Assumed				of Amount
	Direct		to Other		from Other		Net		Assumed
	Amount		Companies		Companies		Amount		to Net
	(Amounts in thousands)

Year ended December 31, 2009:
Specialty	$	1,443,728	$	203,754	$	20,477	$	1,260,451		1.6	%
Regional		1,217,365		148,686		12,421		1,081,100		1.1	%
Alternative markets		567,767		75,112		96,982		589,637		16.4	%
Reinsurance		8,638		32,543		447,330		423,425		105.6	%
International		362,338		63,249		76,393		375,482		20.3	%

Total	$	3,599,836	$	523,344	$	653,603	$	3,730,095		17.5	%

Year ended December 31, 2008:
Specialty	$	1,577,196	$	136,557	$	13,139	$	1,453,778		0.9	%
Regional		1,370,381		174,695		15,410		1,211,096		1.3	%
Alternative markets		604,970		93,794		111,009		622,185		17.8	%
Reinsurance		4,965		23,560		453,703		435,108		104.3	%
International		340,976		57,621		28,377		311,732		9.1	%

Total	$	3,898,488	$	486,227	$	621,638	$	4,033,899		15.4	%

Year ended December 31, 2007:
Specialty	$	1,796,620	$	111,847	$	20,107	$	1,704,880		1.2	%
Regional		1,422,015		173,626		19,062		1,267,451		1.5	%
Alternative markets		645,680		101,916		112,605		656,369		17.2	%
Reinsurance		4,633		49,992		727,600		682,241		106.6	%
International		304,908		39,860		—		265,048		—

Total	$	4,173,856	$	477,241	$	879,374	$	4,575,989		19.2	%

Schedule V

W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


			Additions-		Deduction-
	Opening		Charged to		Amounts			Ending
	Balance		Expense		Written Off			Balance
	(Amounts in thousands)

Year ended December 31, 2009:
Premiums and fees receivable	$	18,423	$	9,593	$	(8,283	)	$	19,733
Due from reinsurers		4,895		—		(465	)		4,430
Deferred federal and foreign income taxes		3,113		—		(887	)		2,226
Loan loss reserves		735		13,112		—			13,847

Total	$	27,166	$	22,705	$	(9,635	)	$	40,236

Year ended December 31, 2008:
Premiums and fees receivable	$	18,252	$	8,483	$	(8,312	)	$	18,423
Due from reinsurers		2,859		2,036		—			4,895
Deferred federal and foreign income taxes		2,018		1,095		—			3,113
Loan loss reserves		671		64		—			735

Total	$	23,800	$	11,678	$	(8,312	)	$	27,166

Year ended December 31, 2007:
Premiums and fees receivable	$	20,458	$	6,176	$	(8,382	)	$	18,252
Due from reinsurers		2,531		328		—			2,859
Deferred federal and foreign income taxes		9,621		—		(7,603	)		2,018
Loan loss reserves		621		50		—			671

Total	$	33,231	$	6,554	$	(15,985	)	$	23,800

Schedule VI

W. R. Berkley Corporation and Subsidiaries

Supplementary Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007


	2009			2008			2007
	(Amounts in thousands)

Deferred policy acquisition costs	$	391,360		$	394,807		$	455,244
Reserves for losses and loss expenses		9,071,671			8,999,596			8,678,034
Unearned premium		1,928,428			1,966,150			2,240,690
Premiums earned		3,805,849			4,289,580			4,663,701
Net investment income		552,561			537,033			634,386
Losses and loss expenses incurred:
Current year		2,518,836			2,829,830			2,837,647
Prior years		(234,008	)		(195,710	)		(105,879	)
Decrease in discount for prior years		51,866			54,494			46,808
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		903,154			998,539			1,002,367
Paid losses and loss expenses		2,311,511			2,388,925			1,971,668
Net premiums written		3,730,095			4,033,899			4,575,989