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PROASSURANCE CORP - Quarter Report: 2018 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018 or
¨
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 0-16533
ProAssurance Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
63-1261433
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
 
100 Brookwood Place, Birmingham, AL
35209
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
(205) 877-4400
 
(Registrant’s Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)
(Former Name, Former Address, and Former
Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
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  ý    No  ¨
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 (§232.405 of this chapter), during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
 
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨

 
 
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of July 31, 2018, there were 53,618,980 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.


Table of Contents

Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

When the following terms and acronyms appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
Term
Meaning
AOCI
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
BEAT
Base erosion anti-abuse tax
Board
Board of Directors of ProAssurance Corporation
BOLI
Business owned life insurance
Council of Lloyd's
The governing body for Lloyd's of London
DPAC
Deferred policy acquisition costs
Eastern Re
Eastern Re, LTD, S.P.C.
EBUB
Earned but unbilled premium
FAL
Funds at Lloyd's
FASB
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA
Federal National Mortgage Association
GAAP
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America
GNMA
Government National Mortgage Association
HCPL
Healthcare professional liability
IBNR
Incurred but not reported
Inova Re
Inova Re, LTD, S.P.C.
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
LLC
Limited liability company
Lloyd's
Lloyd's of London market
LP
Limited partnership
LPT
Loss portfolio transfer
Medical technology liability
Medical technology and life sciences products liability
NAIC
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
NAV
Net asset value
NOL
Net operating loss
NRSRO
Nationally recognized statistical rating organization
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
OCI
Other comprehensive income (loss)
OTTI
Other-than-temporary impairment
PCAOB
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
Revolving Credit Agreement
ProAssurance's $250 million revolving credit agreement
ROE
Return on equity
SAP
Statutory accounting principles
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
SPA
Special Purpose Arrangement
SPC
Segregated portfolio cell
Specialty P&C
Specialty Property and Casualty
Syndicate 1729
Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729

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Term
Meaning
Syndicate 6131
Lloyd's of London Syndicate 6131, a Special Purpose Arrangement with Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729
Syndicate Credit Agreement
Unconditional revolving credit agreement with the Premium Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729
TCJA
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act H.R.1 of 2017
U.K.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
VIE
Variable interest entity

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Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are specifically identified as forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon our estimates and anticipation of future events and are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the expected results described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as, but not limited to, "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "hope," "hopeful," "intend," "likely," "may," "optimistic," "possible," "potential," "preliminary," "project," "should," "will" and other analogous expressions. There are numerous factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Thus, sentences and phrases that we use to convey our view of future events and trends are expressly designated as forward-looking statements as are sections of this Form 10-Q that are identified as giving our outlook on future business.
Forward-looking statements relating to our business include among other things: statements concerning future liquidity and capital requirements, investment valuation and performance, return on equity, financial ratios, net income, premiums, losses and loss reserve, premium rates and retention of current business, competition and market conditions, the expansion of product lines, the development or acquisition of business in new geographical areas, the availability of acceptable reinsurance, actions by regulators and rating agencies, court actions, legislative actions, payment or performance of obligations under indebtedness, payment of dividends and other matters.
These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, among other things, the following factors that could affect the actual outcome of future events:
Ÿ
changes in general economic conditions, including the impact of inflation or deflation and unemployment;
Ÿ
our ability to maintain our dividend payments;
Ÿ
regulatory, legislative and judicial actions or decisions that could affect our business plans or operations;
Ÿ
the enactment or repeal of tort reforms;
Ÿ
formation or dissolution of state-sponsored insurance entities providing coverages now offered by ProAssurance which could remove or add sizable numbers of insureds from or to the private insurance market;
Ÿ
changes in the interest and tax rate environment;
Ÿ
resolution of uncertain tax matters and changes in tax laws, including the impact of the TCJA;
Ÿ
changes in U.S. laws or government regulations regarding financial markets or market activity that may affect the U.S. economy and our business;
Ÿ
changes in the ability of the U.S. government to meet its obligations that may affect the U.S. economy and our business;
Ÿ
performance of financial markets affecting the fair value of our investments or making it difficult to determine the value of our investments;
Ÿ
changes in requirements or accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by our regulatory agencies, the FASB, the SEC, the PCAOB or the NYSE that may affect our business;
Ÿ
changes in laws or government regulations affecting the financial services industry, the property and casualty insurance industry or particular insurance lines underwritten by our subsidiaries;
Ÿ
the effect on our insureds, particularly the insurance needs of our insureds, and our loss costs, of changes in the healthcare delivery system and/or changes in the U.S. political climate that may affect healthcare policy or our business;
Ÿ
consolidation of our insureds into or under larger entities which may be insured by competitors, or may not have a risk profile that meets our underwriting criteria or which may not use external providers for insuring or otherwise managing substantial portions of their liability risk;
Ÿ
uncertainties inherent in the estimate of our loss and loss adjustment expense reserve and reinsurance recoverable;
Ÿ
changes in the availability, cost, quality or collectability of insurance/reinsurance;
Ÿ
the results of litigation, including pre- or post-trial motions, trials and/or appeals we undertake;
Ÿ
effects on our claims costs from mass tort litigation that are different from that anticipated by us;
Ÿ
allegations of bad faith which may arise from our handling of any particular claim, including failure to settle;
Ÿ
loss or consolidation of independent agents, agencies, brokers or brokerage firms;
Ÿ
changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;
Ÿ
changes in the business or competitive environment may limit the effectiveness of our business strategy and impact our revenues;

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Ÿ
our ability to retain and recruit senior management;
Ÿ
the availability, integrity and security of our technology infrastructure or that of our third-party providers of technology infrastructure, including any susceptibility to cyber-attacks which might result in a loss of information or operating capability;
Ÿ
the impact of a catastrophic event, as it relates to both our operations and our insured risks;
Ÿ
the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war;
Ÿ
the effects of terrorism-related insurance legislation and laws;
Ÿ
guaranty funds and other state assessments;
Ÿ
our ability to achieve continued growth through expansion into new markets or through acquisitions or business combinations;
Ÿ
changes to the ratings assigned by rating agencies to our insurance subsidiaries, individually or as a group;
Ÿ
provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and state insurance laws may impede attempts to replace or remove management or may impede a takeover;
Ÿ
state insurance restrictions may prohibit assets held by our insurance subsidiaries, including cash and investment securities, from being used for general corporate purposes;
Ÿ
taxing authorities can take exception to our tax positions and cause us to incur significant amounts of legal and accounting costs and, if our defense is not successful, additional tax costs, including interest and penalties; and
Ÿ
expected benefits from completed and proposed acquisitions may not be achieved or may be delayed longer than expected due to business disruption; loss of customers, employees or key agents; increased operating costs or inability to achieve cost savings; and assumption of greater than expected liabilities, among other reasons.
Additional risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could arise from our membership in the Lloyd's market and our participation in Lloyd's Syndicates include, but are not limited to, the following:
Ÿ
members of Lloyd's are subject to levies by the Council of Lloyd's based on a percentage of the member's underwriting capacity, currently a maximum of 3%, but can be increased by Lloyd's;
Ÿ
Syndicate operating results can be affected by decisions made by the Council of Lloyd's which the management of Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131 have little ability to control, such as a decision to not approve the business plan of Syndicate 1729 or Syndicate 6131, or a decision to increase the capital required to continue operations, and by our obligation to pay levies to Lloyd's;
Ÿ
Lloyd's insurance and reinsurance relationships and distribution channels could be disrupted or Lloyd's trading licenses could be revoked making it more difficult for a Lloyd's Syndicate to distribute and market its products;
Ÿ
rating agencies could downgrade their ratings of Lloyd's as a whole; and
Ÿ
Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131 operations are dependent on a small, specialized management team and the loss of their services could adversely affect the Syndicate’s business. The inability to identify, hire and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could adversely affect the quality and profitability of Syndicate 1729’s or Syndicate 6131's business.
Our results may differ materially from those we expect and discuss in any forward-looking statements. The principal risk factors that may cause these differences are described in "Item 1A, Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K and other documents we file with the SEC, such as our current reports on Form 8-K and our regular reports on Form 10-Q.
We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which are based upon conditions existing only as of the date made, and advise readers that these factors could affect our financial performance and could cause actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements. Except as required by law or regulations, we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Assets
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, at fair value; cost or amortized cost, $2,178,066 and $2,257,188, respectively
$
2,155,693

 
$
2,280,242

Equity investments, at fair value; cost, $474,306 and $425,942, respectively
496,026

 
470,609

Short-term investments
212,945

 
432,126

Business owned life insurance
63,017

 
62,113

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
390,214

 
330,591

Other investments, $33,020 and $52,301 at fair value, respectively, otherwise at cost or amortized cost
35,909

 
110,847

Total Investments
3,353,804

 
3,686,528

Cash and cash equivalents
66,715

 
134,495

Premiums receivable
279,645

 
238,085

Receivable from reinsurers on paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
10,035

 
7,317

Receivable from reinsurers on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
324,168

 
335,585

Prepaid reinsurance premiums
50,478

 
39,916

Deferred policy acquisition costs
52,193

 
50,261

Deferred tax asset, net
18,196

 
9,930

Real estate, net
31,316

 
31,975

Intangible assets, net
79,864

 
82,952

Goodwill
210,725

 
210,725

Other assets
106,325

 
101,428

Total Assets
$
4,583,464

 
$
4,929,197

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Policy liabilities and accruals
 
 
 
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
$
2,078,817

 
$
2,048,381

Unearned premiums
421,065

 
398,884

Reinsurance premiums payable
51,569

 
37,726

Total Policy Liabilities
2,551,451

 
2,484,991

Other liabilities
169,126

 
437,600

Debt less debt issuance costs
288,271

 
411,811

Total Liabilities
3,008,848

 
3,334,402

Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 62,986,474 and 62,824,523 shares issued, respectively
630

 
628

Additional paid-in capital
383,001

 
383,077

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred tax expense (benefit) of ($4,027) and $5,218, respectively
(16,143
)
 
14,911

Retained earnings
1,625,137

 
1,614,186

Treasury shares, at cost, 9,367,545 shares and 9,367,502 shares, respectively
(418,009
)
 
(418,007
)
Total Shareholders' Equity
1,574,616

 
1,594,795

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
$
4,583,464

 
$
4,929,197

See accompanying notes.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Capital (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
628

 
$
383,077

 
$
14,911

 
$
1,614,186

 
$
(418,007
)
 
$
1,594,795

Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2016-01 adoption*
 

 

 

 
8,334

 

 
8,334

Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2018-02 adoption*
 

 

 
3,416

 
(3,416
)
 

 

Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan
 

 
1,316

 

 

 
(2
)
 
1,314

Share-based compensation
 

 
2,479

 

 

 

 
2,479

Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued
 
2

 
(3,871
)
 

 

 

 
(3,869
)
Dividends to shareholders
 

 

 

 
(34,246
)
 

 
(34,246
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 

 
(34,470
)
 

 

 
(34,470
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
40,279

 

 
40,279

Balance at June 30, 2018
 
$
630


$
383,001


$
(16,143
)

$
1,625,137


$
(418,009
)

$
1,574,616

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
627

 
$
376,518

 
$
17,399

 
$
1,824,088

 
$
(419,930
)
 
$
1,798,702

Cumulative-effect adjustment-
ASU 2016-09 adoption
 

 
425

 

 
(276
)
 

 
149

Common shares issued for compensation and effect of shares reissued to stock purchase plan
 

 
1,876

 

 

 
2

 
1,878

Share-based compensation
 

 
6,092

 

 

 

 
6,092

Net effect of restricted and performance shares issued
 
1

 
(5,324
)
 

 

 

 
(5,323
)
Dividends to shareholders
 

 

 

 
(33,040
)
 

 
(33,040
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 

 
8,665

 

 

 
8,665

Net income
 

 

 

 
60,973

 

 
60,973

Balance at June 30, 2017

$
628


$
379,587


$
26,064


$
1,851,745


$
(419,928
)

$
1,838,096

* See Note 1 for discussion of accounting guidance adopted during the period.
See accompanying notes.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
$
223,591

 
$
180,353

 
$
410,750

 
$
363,256

Net investment income
22,384

 
22,677

 
44,411

 
45,863

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
5,380

 
2,516

 
7,019

 
4,324

Net realized investment gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTTI losses
(404
)
 

 
(404
)
 
(419
)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes

 

 

 
248

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
(404
)
 

 
(404
)
 
(171
)
Other net realized investment gains (losses)
3,199

 
(2,219
)
 
(9,318
)
 
11,232

Total net realized investment gains (losses)
2,795

 
(2,219
)
 
(9,722
)
 
11,061

Other income
2,044

 
2,250

 
4,767

 
4,071

Total revenues
256,194

 
205,577

 
457,225

 
428,575

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
161,728

 
115,550

 
291,515

 
234,701

Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expense
33,958

 
34,972

 
66,422

 
69,454

DPAC amortization
25,653

 
22,913

 
50,547

 
45,540

Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income)
2,785

 
8,811

 
4,532

 
11,186

Interest expense
3,958

 
4,145

 
7,663

 
8,278

Total expenses
228,082

 
186,391

 
420,679

 
369,159

Income before income taxes
28,112

 
19,186

 
36,546

 
59,416

Provision for income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current expense (benefit)
(1,175
)
 
6,700

 
(2,503
)
 
(1,579
)
Deferred expense (benefit)
864

 
(7,032
)
 
(1,230
)
 
22

Total income tax expense (benefit)
(311
)
 
(332
)
 
(3,733
)
 
(1,557
)
Net income
28,423

 
19,518

 
40,279

 
60,973

Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, net of reclassification adjustments
(8,096
)
 
5,741

 
(34,470
)
 
8,665

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
20,327

 
$
25,259

 
$
5,809

 
$
69,638

Earnings per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.53

 
$
0.37

 
$
0.75

 
$
1.14

Diluted
$
0.53

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.75

 
$
1.14

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
53,610

 
53,402

 
53,567

 
53,359

Diluted
53,741

 
53,607

 
53,716

 
53,571

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.31

 
$
0.31

 
$
0.62

 
$
0.62

See accompanying notes.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
40,279

 
$
60,973

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion
11,036

 
13,949

(Increase) decrease in cash surrender value of BOLI
(904
)
 
(897
)
Net realized investment (gains) losses
9,722

 
(11,061
)
Share-based compensation
2,517

 
6,092

Deferred income taxes
(1,230
)
 
22

Policy acquisition costs, net of amortization (net deferral)
(1,932
)
 
(3,400
)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries
(7,019
)
 
(4,324
)
Distributed earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries
4,595

 
12,894

Other
796

 
(438
)
Other changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Premiums receivable
(41,560
)
 
(11,637
)
Reinsurance related assets and liabilities
11,980

 
(7,291
)
Other assets
969

 
(2,613
)
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
30,436

 
(1,563
)
Unearned premiums
22,181

 
24,932

Other liabilities
(16,300
)
 
(8,730
)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
65,566

 
66,908

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
(552,451
)
 
(359,080
)
Fixed maturities, trading
(29,999
)
 

Equity investments
(91,054
)
 
(101,854
)
Other investments
(15,228
)
 
(8,879
)
Funding of qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships
(74
)
 
(320
)
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
(27,734
)
 
(19,787
)
Proceeds from sales or maturities of:
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
658,337

 
434,075

Equity investments
75,376

 
85,907

Other investments
14,725

 
12,689

Return of invested capital from unconsolidated subsidiaries
36,154

 
21,130

Net sales or maturities (purchases) of short-term investments
219,053

 
172,250

Unsettled security transactions, net change
(3,044
)
 
12,714

Purchases of capital assets
(5,113
)
 
(6,593
)
Repayments (advances) under Syndicate Credit Agreement
(1,050
)
 
(1,026
)
Other

 
951

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
277,898

 
242,177

Continued on the following page.
 
 
 

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Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
Continued from the previous page.
 
 
 
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Borrowings (repayments) under Revolving Credit Agreement
(123,000
)
 
(22,000
)
Repayments of Mortgage Loans
(698
)
 

Dividends to shareholders
(283,313
)
 
(282,180
)
Capital contribution received from (return of capital to) external segregated portfolio cell owners
(329
)
 
162

Other
(3,904
)
 
(4,951
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(411,244
)
 
(308,969
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(67,780
)
 
116

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
134,495

 
117,347

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
66,715

 
$
117,463

Significant Non-Cash Transactions
 
 
 
Dividends declared and not yet paid
$
17,630

 
$
16,524

See accompanying notes.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018


1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ProAssurance Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (ProAssurance, PRA or the Company). The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, have been included. ProAssurance’s results for the six months ended June 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes contained in ProAssurance’s December 31, 2017 report on Form 10-K. In connection with its preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, ProAssurance evaluated events that occurred subsequent to June 30, 2018 for recognition or disclosure in its financial statements and notes to financial statements.
ProAssurance operates in four reportable segments as follows: Specialty P&C, Workers' Compensation, Lloyd's Syndicates and Corporate. For more information on the nature of products and services provided and for financial information by segment, refer to Note 13.
Reclassifications
Certain insignificant prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Accounting Policies
Except as added below, the significant accounting policies followed by ProAssurance in making estimates that materially affect financial reporting are summarized in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance’s December 31, 2017 report on Form 10-K.
Retroactive Insurance Contracts
In certain instances, ProAssurance’s insurance contracts cover losses both on a prospective basis and retroactive basis and, accordingly, ProAssurance bifurcates the prospective and retroactive provisions of these contracts and accounts for each component separately, where practicable. The prospective provisions of a contract are accounted for consistently with the Company’s other insurance contracts as discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance’s December 31, 2017 report on Form 10-K.
Under the retroactive provisions of a contract, all premiums received and losses assumed are recognized immediately in earnings at the inception of the contract as all of the underlying loss events occurred in the past. If the estimated losses assumed differ from the premium received related to the retroactive provision of a contract, the resulting difference is deferred and recognized over the estimated claim payment period with the periodic amortization reflected in earnings as a component of net losses and loss adjustment expenses. Deferred gains are included as a component of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses and deferred losses are included as a component of other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Subsequent changes to the estimated timing or amount of future loss payments in relation to the losses assumed under retroactive provisions also produce changes in deferred balances. Changes in such estimates are applied retrospectively and the resulting changes in deferred balances, together with periodic amortization, are included in earnings in the period of change.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
SPC dividends payable
 
$
48,439

 
$
46,925

Unpaid dividends
 
17,630

 
267,292

All other
 
103,057

 
123,383

Total other liabilities
 
$
169,126

 
$
437,600

SPC dividends payable are the cumulative undistributed earnings contractually payable to the external cell owners of the SPCs operated by Eastern Re and Inova Re, ProAssurance's Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Unpaid dividends represent common stock dividends declared by ProAssurance's Board that had not yet been paid as of June 30, 2018. Unpaid dividends at December 31, 2017 reflected a special dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2017 that was paid in January 2018.
Accounting Changes Adopted
Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification of restricted cash presented in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. Under the new guidance, entities are required to include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts as presented on the statement of cash flows. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory (ASU 2016-16)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which reduces the complexity in accounting standards related to the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory between tax-paying components. A tax-paying component is an individual entity or group of entities that is consolidated for tax purposes. Under the new guidance, entities are required to recognize income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs instead of delaying recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments presented in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018 and elected to use the cumulative earnings approach for presenting distributions from equity method investees. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position; however, ProAssurance reclassified approximately $12.9 million in distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries from investing activities to operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 the FASB issued guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASU 2016-01)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new guidance also specifies that an entity use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes and present financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. Other provisions of the new guidance include: revised disclosure requirements related to the presentation in comprehensive income of changes in the fair value of liabilities; elimination, for public companies, of disclosure requirements relative to the methods and significant assumptions underlying fair values disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost; and simplified impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018 using a modified retrospective application and recorded a cumulative-effect after-tax adjustment of approximately $8.3 million to beginning retained earnings in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Capital for the six months ended June 30, 2018. LPs/LLCs previously reported using the cost method are now reported at fair value with increases in fair value of approximately $3.6 million and $5.9 million recognized as a component of equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Modification Accounting for Employee Share-Based Payment Awards (ASU 2017-09)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which reduces the complexity in accounting standards when there is a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The new guidance clarifies that an entity should apply the modification accounting guidance if the value, vesting conditions or classification of the award changes. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018. Adoption of the guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from AOCI (ASU 2018-02)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted, the FASB issued guidance which permits a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate tax rate from the TCJA. The amount of the reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings will be the difference between the historical corporate tax rate and the newly enacted 21% corporate tax rate on deferred tax items originally established through OCI and not net income. The guidance allows entities to adopt in any interim or annual period for which financial statements have not yet been issued and apply the guidance either (1) in the period of adoption or (2) retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the tax rate is recognized. ProAssurance adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018 and elected to apply this guidance in the period of adoption using the specific identification method. Using a modified retrospective application, ProAssurance recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment which increased beginning AOCI by approximately $3.4 million and decreased beginning retained earnings by the same amount in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Capital for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Adoption of this guidance had no material effect on ProAssurance's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted
Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall (ASU 2018-03)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018, the FASB amended the new standard on recognizing and measuring financial assets and financial liabilities to clarify certain aspects of the guidance. Under the amended guidance, an entity that uses the measurement alternative for equity investments without readily determinable fair values can change its measurement approach to a fair value method through an irrevocable election that would apply to that security and all identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Also, entities are required to use the prospective transition approach only for equity investments they elect to measure using the new measurement alternative. Additionally, the guidance clarifies how to apply the measurement alternative and presentation requirements for financial liabilities measured under the fair value option. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning July 1, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, ProAssurance does not have any equity investments without readily determinable fair values or financial liabilities measured under the fair value option; therefore, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Leases (ASU 2016-02)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that requires a lessee to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective application and plans to elect the transition option provided that allows companies to continue to apply legacy GAAP in comparative periods. As of June 30, 2018, ProAssurance is currently in the process of evaluating all of its leases. As the majority of ProAssurance's leases are real estate operating leases and are not considered to be material, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In addition, ProAssurance's Revolving Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant regarding permitted leverage ratios based upon Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to Consolidated Total Capitalization; however, ProAssurance does not anticipate that the adoption of this guidance would have a material impact on the covenant. ProAssurance’s Mortgage Loans also contain a financial covenant regarding permitted leverage ratios, principally based upon SAP Consolidated Net Worth; however, as the NAIC is not anticipated to adopt the principles in the FASB guidance around capitalizing operating leases, adoption of the guidance would have no impact on the covenant.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (ASU 2017-08)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that will require the premium for certain callable debt securities to be amortized over a shorter period than is currently required. Currently amortization is permitted over the contractual life of the instrument and the guidance shortens the amortization to the earliest call date. The purpose of the guidance is to more closely align the amortization period of premiums to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2019. As ProAssurance amortizes premium on callable debt securities to the earliest call date, adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Derivatives and Hedging (ASU 2017-12)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance to improve financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the entity's risk management activities in the consolidated financial statements. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2019. ProAssurance's derivative instrument at June 30, 2018 is not designated as a hedging instrument; therefore, adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2018-07)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance which reduces the complexity in accounting for nonemployee share-based payment awards. The new guidance substantially aligns the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment awards with the accounting guidance for employee share-based payment awards with certain exceptions, including the inputs used in estimating the fair value of the nonemployee awards and the period of time and pattern of expense recognition. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance as of January 1, 2019. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Improvements to Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13)
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology, which delays recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has been incurred, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under the new guidance, credit losses are required to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses account and the income statement reflects the measurement for newly recognized financial assets, as well as increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. Credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities will be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP, although the new guidance requires that credit losses be presented as an allowance, rather than as a write-down of the asset, limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost. In addition, this guidance could impact ProAssurance's receivables from reinsurers; however, ProAssurance has not historically experienced material credit losses due to the financial condition of a reinsurer. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020 and is in the process of evaluating the effect the new guidance would have on its results of operations and financial position.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04)
Effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the requirements to test goodwill for impairment for business entities that have goodwill reported in their financial statements. The guidance eliminates the second step of the impairment test which measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount. In addition, the guidance also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2020. Adoption is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

2. Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three level hierarchy has been established for valuing assets and liabilities based on how transparent (observable) the inputs are that are used to determine fair value, with the inputs considered most observable categorized as Level 1 and those that are the least observable categorized as Level 3. Hierarchy levels are defined as follows:
 
Level 1:
quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. For ProAssurance, Level 1 inputs are generally quotes for debt or equity securities actively traded in exchange or over-the-counter markets.
 
Level 2:
market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs). For ProAssurance, Level 2 inputs generally include quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, and results from pricing models that use observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are generally available at commonly quoted intervals.
 
Level 3:
the reporting entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances (non-observable inputs). For ProAssurance, Level 3 inputs are used in situations where little or no Level 1 or 2 inputs are available or are inappropriate given the particular circumstances. Level 3 inputs include results from pricing models for which some or all of the inputs are not observable, discounted cash flow methodologies, single non-binding broker quotes and adjustments to externally quoted prices that are based on management judgment or estimation.
Fair values of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are shown in the following tables. Where applicable, the tables also indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine those fair values. For some assets, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. When this is the case, the asset is categorized based on the level of the most significant input to the fair value measurement. Assessments of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement require judgment and consideration of factors specific to the assets being valued.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

 
June 30, 2018
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Total
(In thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$

 
$
146,457

 
$

 
$
146,457

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

 
31,702

 

 
31,702

State and municipal bonds

 
331,100

 

 
331,100

Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs
2,262

 
1,184,985

 

 
1,187,247

Corporate debt, limited observable inputs

 

 
8,380

 
8,380

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
204,236

 

 
204,236

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
13,812

 

 
13,812

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
32,715

 

 
32,715

Other asset-backed securities

 
160,852

 
9,420

 
170,272

Fixed maturities, trading
 
 
 
 
 
 


Corporate debt

 
29,772

 

 
29,772

Equity investments
 
 
 
 
 
 

Financial
74,656

 

 

 
74,656

Utilities/Energy
57,936

 

 

 
57,936

Consumer oriented
55,459

 

 

 
55,459

Industrial
46,285

 

 

 
46,285

Bond funds
146,795

 

 

 
146,795

All other
94,638

 

 

 
94,638

Short-term investments
200,366

 
12,579

 

 
212,945

Other investments

 
33,015

 
5

 
33,020

Other assets

 
2,588

 

 
2,588

Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy
$
678,397

 
$
2,183,813

 
$
17,805

 
2,880,015

Assets carried at NAV, which approximates fair value and which are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy, reported as a part of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
20,257

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
277,505

Total assets at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,177,777


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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

 
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Total
(In thousands)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$

 
$
133,627

 
$

 
$
133,627

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

 
20,956

 

 
20,956

State and municipal bonds

 
632,243

 

 
632,243

Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs
2,371

 
1,151,084

 

 
1,153,455

Corporate debt, limited observable inputs

 

 
13,703

 
13,703

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
196,789

 
1,055

 
197,844

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
10,742

 

 
10,742

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
15,961

 

 
15,961

Other asset-backed securities

 
97,780

 
3,931

 
101,711

Equity investments
 
 
 
 
 
 

Financial
76,051

 

 

 
76,051

Utilities/Energy
54,388

 

 

 
54,388

Consumer oriented
54,529

 

 

 
54,529

Industrial
53,936

 

 

 
53,936

Bond funds
156,563

 

 

 
156,563

All other
75,142

 

 

 
75,142

Short-term investments
404,204

 
27,922

 

 
432,126

Other investments
607

 
31,155

 
409

 
32,171

Other assets

 
1,731

 

 
1,731

Total assets categorized within the fair value hierarchy
$
877,791


$
2,319,990


$
19,098


3,216,879

Assets carried at NAV, which approximates fair value and which are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy, reported as a part of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
 
 
 
 
 
 
210,759

Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
20,130

Total assets at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,447,768

The fair values for securities included in the Level 2 category, with the few exceptions described below, were developed by one of several third party, nationally recognized pricing services, including services that price only certain types of securities. Each service uses complex methodologies to determine values for securities and subject the values they develop to quality control reviews. Management selected a primary source for each type of security in the portfolio and reviewed the values provided for reasonableness by comparing data to alternate pricing services and to available market and trade data. Values that appeared inconsistent were further reviewed for appropriateness. Any value that did not appear reasonable was discussed with the service that provided the value and adjusted, if necessary. There were no material changes to the values supplied by the pricing services during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
Level 2 Valuations
Below is a summary description of the valuation methodologies primarily used by the pricing services for securities in the Level 2 category, by security type:
U.S. Treasury obligations were valued based on quoted prices for identical assets, or, in markets that are not active, quotes for similar assets, taking into consideration adjustments for variations in contractual cash flows and yields to maturity.
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations were valued using pricing models that consider current and historical market data, normal trading conventions, credit ratings, and the particular structure and characteristics of the security being valued, such as yield to maturity, redemption options, and contractual cash flows. Adjustments to model inputs or model results

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

were included in the valuation process when necessary to reflect recent regulatory, government or corporate actions or significant economic, industry or geographic events affecting the security’s fair value.
State and municipal bonds were valued using a series of matrices that considered credit ratings, the structure of the security, the sector in which the security falls, yields, and contractual cash flows. Valuations were further adjusted, when necessary, to reflect the expected effect on fair value of recent significant economic or geographic events or ratings changes.
Corporate debt, multiple observable inputs consisted primarily of corporate bonds, but also included a small number of bank loans. The methodology used to value Level 2 corporate bonds was the same as the methodology previously described for U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations. Bank loans were valued based on an average of broker quotes for the loans in question, if available. If quotes were not available, the loans were valued based on quoted prices for comparable loans or, if the loan was newly issued, by comparison to similar seasoned issues. Broker quotes were compared to actual trade prices to permit assessment of the reliability of the quotes; unreliable quotes were not considered in quoted averages.
Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities were valued using a pricing matrix which considers the issuer type, coupon rate and longest cash flows outstanding. The matrix used was based on the most recently available market information. Agency and non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations were both valued using models that consider the structure of the security, current and historical information regarding prepayment speeds, ratings and ratings updates, and current and historical interest rate and interest rate spread data.
Other asset-backed securities were valued using models that consider the structure of the security, monthly payment information, current and historical information regarding prepayment speeds, ratings and ratings updates, and current and historical interest rate and interest rate spread data. Spreads and prepayment speeds consider collateral type.
Short-term investments were securities maturing within one year, carried at fair value which approximated the cost of the securities due to their short-term nature.
 Other investments consisted primarily of convertible bonds valued using a pricing model that incorporated selected dealer quotes as well as current market data regarding equity prices and risk free rates. If dealer quotes were unavailable for the security being valued, quotes for securities with similar terms and credit status were used in the pricing model. Dealer quotes selected for use were those considered most accurate based on parameters such as underwriter status and historical reliability.
Other assets consisted of an interest rate cap derivative instrument valued using a model which considers the volatilities from other instruments with similar maturities, strike prices, durations and forward yield curves.
 Level 3 Valuations
Below is a summary description of the valuation processes and methodologies used as well as quantitative information regarding securities in the Level 3 category.
Level 3 Valuation Processes
Level 3 securities are priced by the Chief Investment Officer.
Level 3 valuations are computed quarterly. Prices are evaluated quarterly against prior period prices and the expected change in prices.
ProAssurance's Level 3 securities are primarily NRSRO rated debt instruments for which comparable market inputs are commonly available for evaluating the securities in question. Valuation of these debt instruments is not overly sensitive to changes in the unobservable inputs used.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Level 3 Valuation Methodologies
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs consisted of corporate bonds valued using dealer quotes for similar securities or discounted cash flow models using yields currently available for similar securities. Similar securities are defined as securities of comparable credit quality that have like terms and payment features. Assessments of credit quality were based on NRSRO ratings, if available, or were subjectively determined by management if not available. At June 30, 2018, 76% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB+. At December 31, 2017, 84% of the securities were rated and the average rating was BBB+.
Residential mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities consisted of securitizations of receivables valued using dealer quotes for similar securities or discounted cash flow models using yields currently available for similar securities. Similar securities are defined as securities of comparable credit quality that have like terms and payment features. Assessments of credit quality were based on NRSRO ratings, if available, or were subjectively determined by management if not available. At June 30, 2018, 70% of the securities were rated and the average rating was AAA. At December 31, 2017, 21% of the securities were rated and the average rating was AAA.
Other investments consisted of convertible securities for which limited observable inputs were available at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The securities were valued internally based on expected cash flows, including the expected final recovery, discounted at a yield that considered the lack of liquidity and the financial status of the issuer.
Quantitative Information Regarding Level 3 Valuations
 
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
(Weighted Average)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt, limited observable inputs
 
$8,380
 
$13,703
 
Market Comparable
Securities
 
Comparability Adjustment
 
0% - 5% (2.5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Comparability Adjustment
 
0% - 5% (2.5%)
Residential mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities
 
$9,420
 
$4,986
 
Market Comparable
Securities
 
Comparability Adjustment
 
0% - 5% (2.5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Comparability Adjustment
 
0% - 5% (2.5%)
Other investments
 
$5
 
$409
 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Comparability Adjustment
 
0% - 10% (5%)
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the above listed securities were the valuations of comparable securities with similar issuers, credit quality and maturity. Changes in the availability of comparable securities could result in changes in the fair value measurements.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Fair Value Measurements - Level 3 Assets
The following tables (the Level 3 Tables) present summary information regarding changes in the fair value of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs.
 
June 30, 2018
 
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)
Corporate Debt
 
Asset-backed Securities
 
Other investments
 
Total
Balance March 31, 2018
$
15,097

 
$
17,323

 
$
365

 
$
32,785

Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings, as a part of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(36
)
 
1

 

 
(35
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
(8
)
 

 
6

 
(2
)
Included in other comprehensive income
(90
)
 
(111
)
 

 
(201
)
Purchases

 
3,225

 

 
3,225

Sales
(1,644
)
 
(158
)
 
(366
)
 
(2,168
)
Transfers in
558

 

 

 
558

Transfers out
(5,497
)
 
(10,860
)
 

 
(16,357
)
Balance June 30, 2018
$
8,380

 
$
9,420

 
$
5

 
$
17,805

Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
June 30, 2018
 
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)
Corporate Debt
 
Asset-backed Securities
 
Other investments
 
Total
Balance December 31, 2017
$
13,703

 
$
4,986

 
$
409

 
$
19,098

Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings, as a part of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(74
)
 
1

 

 
(73
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
(8
)
 

 
(38
)
 
(46
)
Included in other comprehensive income
(128
)
 
(141
)
 

 
(269
)
Purchases
6,005

 
16,678

 

 
22,683

Sales
(4,549
)
 
(185
)
 
(366
)
 
(5,100
)
Transfers in
2,627

 

 

 
2,627

Transfers out
(9,196
)
 
(11,919
)
 

 
(21,115
)
Balance June 30, 2018
$
8,380

 
$
9,420


$
5

 
$
17,805

Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end
$

 
$

 
$

 
$



21

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

 
June 30, 2017
 
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)
Corporate Debt
 
Asset-backed Securities
 
Other investments
 
Total
Balance March 31, 2017
$
18,914

 
$
3,002

 
$
903

 
$
22,819

Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings, as a part of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(34
)
 

 

 
(34
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

 
(124
)
 
(124
)
Included in other comprehensive income
(70
)
 
3

 
138

 
71

Purchases
4,841

 

 

 
4,841

Sales
(1,848
)
 

 
(912
)
 
(2,760
)
Transfers in
10

 

 

 
10

Transfers out
(3,964
)
 

 

 
(3,964
)
Balance June 30, 2017
$
17,849

 
$
3,005

 
$
5

 
$
20,859

Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
June 30, 2017
 
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements – Assets
(In thousands)
Corporate Debt
 
Asset-backed Securities
 
Other investments
 
Total
Balance December 31, 2016
$
14,810

 
$
3,007

 
$
3

 
$
17,820

Total gains (losses) realized and unrealized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings, as a part of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(73
)
 

 

 
(73
)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
13

 

 
(124
)
 
(111
)
Included in other comprehensive income
(278
)
 
(2
)
 
140

 
(140
)
Purchases
11,889

 

 

 
11,889

Sales
(3,560
)
 

 
(912
)
 
(4,472
)
Transfers in
10

 

 
898

 
908

Transfers out
(4,962
)
 

 

 
(4,962
)
Balance June 30, 2017
$
17,849

 
$
3,005


$
5

 
$
20,859

Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings for the above period for Level 3 assets held at period-end
$

 
$

 
$

 
$


22

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Transfers
There were no transfers between the Level 1 and Level 2 categories during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 or the three months ended June 30, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, equity securities of approximately $35.4 million were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1.
Transfers shown in the preceding Level 3 tables were as of the end of the quarter in which the transfer occurred. All transfers were to or from Level 2.
All transfers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 related to securities held for which the level of market activity for identical or nearly identical securities varies from period to period. The securities were valued using multiple observable inputs when those inputs were available; otherwise the securities were valued using limited observable inputs.
Fair Values Not Categorized
At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, certain LPs/LLCs and investment funds measure fund assets at fair value on a recurring basis and provide a NAV for ProAssurance's interest. The carrying value of these interests is based on the NAV provided and was considered to approximate the fair value of the interests. For investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries, ProAssurance recognizes any changes in the NAV of its interests in equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries during the period of change. In accordance with GAAP, the fair value of these investments was not classified within the fair value hierarchy. The amount of ProAssurance's unfunded commitments related to these investments as of June 30, 2018 and fair values of these investments as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was as follows:
 
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Fair Value
(In thousands)
June 30,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Equity investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage fund (1)*
None
 
$
20,257

 
$

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries:
 
 
 
 
 
Private debt funds (2)
$4,945
 
26,174

 
42,206

Long equity fund (3)
None
 
7,712

 
7,847

Long/short equity funds (4)
None
 
32,134

 
31,352

Non-public equity funds (5)
$78,693
 
109,337

 
100,062

Multi-strategy fund of funds (6)
None
 
9,357

 
9,100

Credit funds (7)
None
 
18,075

 
6,561

Long/short commodities fund (8)
None
 
13,380

 
13,025

Strategy focused funds (9)
$19,247
 
61,336

 
606

 
 
 
277,505

 
210,759

Other investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage fund (1)*
See above
 

 
20,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total investments carried at NAV
 
 
$
297,762


$
230,889

* In the first quarter of 2018, ProAssurance began presenting this investment previously reported as a part of other investments as a part of equity investments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Prior year amounts have not been reclassified.
Below is additional information regarding each of the investments listed in the table above as of June 30, 2018.
(1) 
This investment fund is focused on the structured mortgage market. The fund will primarily invest in U.S. Agency mortgage-backed securities. Redemptions are allowed at the end of any calendar quarter with a prior notice requirement of 65 days and are paid within 45 days at the end of the redemption dealing day.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

(2) 
The investment is comprised of interests in two unrelated LP funds that are structured to provide interest distributions primarily through diversified portfolios of private debt instruments. One LP allows redemption by special consent; the other does not permit redemption. Income and capital are to be periodically distributed at the discretion of the LPs over an anticipated time frame that spans from three to eight years.
(3) 
The fund is a LP that holds long equities of public international companies. Redemptions are allowed at the end of any calendar month with a prior notice requirement of 15 days and are paid within 10 days of the end of the calendar month of the redemption request.
(4) 
The investment is comprised of interests in multiple unrelated LP funds. The funds hold primarily long and short North American equities and target absolute returns using strategies designed to take advantage of market opportunities. The funds generally permit quarterly or semi-annual capital redemptions subject to notice requirements of 30 to 90 days. For some funds, redemptions above specified thresholds (lowest threshold is 90%) may be only partially payable until after a fund audit is completed and are then payable within 30 days.
(5) 
The investment is comprised of interests in multiple unrelated LP funds, each structured to provide capital appreciation through diversified investments in private equity, which can include investments in buyout, venture capital, debt including senior, second lien and mezzanine, distressed debt and other private equity-oriented LPs. Two of the LPs allow redemption by terms set forth in the LP agreements; the others do not permit redemption. Income and capital are to be periodically distributed at the discretion of the LP over time frames that are anticipated to span up to nine years.
(6) 
This fund is a LLC structured to build and manage low volatility, multi-manager portfolios that have little or no correlation to the broader fixed income and equity security markets. Redemptions are not permitted but offers to repurchase units of the LLC may be extended periodically.
(7) 
The investment is comprised of two unrelated LP funds. One fund seeks to obtain superior risk-adjusted absolute returns through a diversified portfolio of debt securities, including bonds, loans and other asset-backed instruments. The second fund seeks event driven opportunities across the corporate credit spectrum. For both funds, redemptions are allowed at any quarter-end with a prior notice requirement of 90 days.
(8) 
This fund is a LLC invested across a broad range of commodities and focuses primarily on market neutral, relative value strategies, seeking to generate absolute returns with low correlation to broad commodity, equity and fixed income markets. Following an initial one-year lock-up period, redemptions are allowed with a prior notice requirement of 30 days and are payable within 30 days.
(9) The investment is comprised of multiple unrelated LPs/LLCs funds. One fund is a LLC focused on investing in North American consumer products companies, comprised of equity and equity-related securities, as well as debt instruments. Redemptions are not permitted. Another fund is a LP focused on North American energy infrastructure assets that allows redemption with consent of the General Partner. The remaining funds are real estate focused LPs, one of which allows for redemption with prior notice.
ProAssurance may not sell, transfer or assign its interest in any of the above LPs/LLCs without special consent from the LPs/LLCs.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurement
At June 30, 2018, ProAssurance did not have any assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. At December 31, 2017, ProAssurance held an equity method early stage business investment measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis due to a recognized OTTI of $8.5 million. The investment was valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) and had a fair value of $1.2 million at December 31, 2017. The fair value of the investment was measured as ProAssurance's ownership percentage in the projected earnings and cash flows expected to be generated by the investment.

24

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Financial Instruments - Methodologies Other Than Fair Value
The following table provides the estimated fair value of our financial instruments that, in accordance with GAAP for the type of investment, are measured using a methodology other than fair value. All fair values provided primarily fall within the Level 3 fair value category.
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
(In thousands)
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOLI
$
63,017

 
$
63,017

 
$
62,113

 
$
62,113

Other investments
$
2,889

 
$
2,889

 
$
58,546

 
$
69,095

Other assets
$
37,745

 
$
37,411

 
$
34,020

 
$
33,742

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes due 2023*
$
250,000

 
$
263,943

 
$
250,000

 
$
273,153

Revolving Credit Agreement*
$

 
$

 
$
123,000

 
$
123,000

Mortgage loans*
$
39,762

 
$
39,762

 
$
40,460

 
$
40,460

Other liabilities
$
22,303

 
$
22,303

 
$
21,154

 
$
21,154

* Carrying value excludes debt issuance costs.
The fair value of the BOLI was equal to the cash surrender value associated with the policies on the valuation date.
Other investments listed in the table above include FHLB common stock carried at cost and an annuity investment carried at amortized cost. Two of ProAssurance's insurance subsidiaries are members of an FHLB. The estimated fair value of the FHLB common stock was based on the amount the subsidiaries would receive if their memberships were canceled, as the memberships cannot be sold. The fair value of the annuity represents the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted using a rate available in active markets for similarly structured instruments.
Other assets and other liabilities primarily consisted of related investment assets and liabilities associated with funded deferred compensation agreements. The fair value of the funded deferred compensation assets was based upon quoted market prices, which is categorized as a Level 1 valuation, and had a fair value of $22.3 million and $20.2 million at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The deferred compensation liabilities are adjusted to match the fair value of the deferred compensation assets. Other assets also included a secured note receivable and unsecured note receivable under two separate line of credit agreements. Fair value of these notes receivable was based on the present value of expected cash flows from the notes receivable, discounted at market rates on the valuation date for receivables with similar credit standings and similar payment structures.
The fair value of the debt was estimated based on the present value of expected future cash outflows, discounted at rates available on the valuation date for similar debt issued by entities with a similar credit standing to ProAssurance.



25

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

3. Investments
Available-for-sale fixed maturities at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 included the following:
 
June 30, 2018
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
148,588

 
$
249

 
$
2,380

 
$
146,457

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
32,331

 
21

 
650

 
31,702

State and municipal bonds
326,705

 
5,488

 
1,093

 
331,100

Corporate debt
1,213,362

 
4,655

 
22,390

 
1,195,627

Residential mortgage-backed securities
208,052

 
1,150

 
4,966

 
204,236

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
14,080

 

 
268

 
13,812

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
33,105

 
47

 
437

 
32,715

Other asset-backed securities
171,917

 
20

 
1,665

 
170,272

 
$
2,148,140

 
$
11,630

 
$
33,849

 
$
2,125,921

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
134,323

 
$
485

 
$
1,181

 
$
133,627

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
21,089

 
73

 
206

 
20,956

State and municipal bonds
618,414

 
14,248

 
419

 
632,243

Corporate debt
1,157,660

 
15,205

 
5,707

 
1,167,158

Residential mortgage-backed securities
196,741

 
2,438

 
1,335

 
197,844

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
10,827

 
23

 
108

 
10,742

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
16,004

 
91

 
134

 
15,961

Other asset-backed securities
102,130

 
47

 
466

 
101,711

 
$
2,257,188

 
$
32,610

 
$
9,556

 
$
2,280,242


26

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

The recorded cost basis and estimated fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities at June 30, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
(In thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Due in one
year or less
 
Due after
one year
through
five years
 
Due after
five years
through
ten years
 
Due after
ten years
 
Total Fair
Value
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
148,588

 
$
37,731

 
$
84,483

 
$
21,407

 
$
2,836

 
$
146,457

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
32,331

 
206

 
11,647

 
19,715

 
134

 
31,702

State and municipal bonds
326,705

 
25,562

 
126,115

 
140,281

 
39,142

 
331,100

Corporate debt
1,213,362

 
116,559

 
666,434

 
374,029

 
38,605

 
1,195,627

Residential mortgage-backed securities
208,052

 

 

 

 

 
204,236

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
14,080

 

 

 

 

 
13,812

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
33,105

 

 

 

 

 
32,715

Other asset-backed securities
171,917

 

 

 

 

 
170,272

 
$
2,148,140

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,125,921

Excluding obligations of the U.S. Government, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises and a U.S. Government obligations money market fund, no investment in any entity or its affiliates exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2018.
Cash and securities with a carrying value of $45.7 million at June 30, 2018 were on deposit with various state insurance departments to meet regulatory requirements.
As a member of Lloyd's and a capital provider to Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131, which began active operations on January 1, 2018, ProAssurance is required to maintain capital at Lloyd's, referred to as FAL. ProAssurance's FAL investments at June 30, 2018 included available-for-sale fixed maturities with a fair value of $123.6 million and short-term investments with a fair value of approximately $1.0 million on deposit with Lloyd's in order to satisfy these FAL requirements.

27

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Investments Held in a Loss Position
The following tables provide summarized information with respect to investments held in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, including the length of time the investment had been held in a continuous unrealized loss position.
 
June 30, 2018
 
Total
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
(In thousands)
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
128,506

 
$
2,380

 
$
96,926

 
$
1,589

 
$
31,580

 
$
791

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
30,769

 
650

 
23,960

 
397

 
6,809

 
253

State and municipal bonds
100,622

 
1,093

 
98,073

 
1,035

 
2,549

 
58

Corporate debt
919,141

 
22,390

 
801,410

 
17,525

 
117,731

 
4,865

Residential mortgage-backed securities
173,133

 
4,966

 
131,124

 
2,839

 
42,009

 
2,127

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
13,812

 
268

 
11,929

 
135

 
1,883

 
133

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
26,251

 
437

 
24,311

 
390

 
1,940

 
47

Other asset-backed securities
155,165

 
1,665

 
141,632

 
1,474

 
13,533

 
191

 
$
1,547,399

 
$
33,849

 
$
1,329,365

 
$
25,384

 
$
218,034

 
$
8,465


 
December 31, 2017
 
Total
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
 
Fair
 
Unrealized
(In thousands)
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
 
Value
 
Loss
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
110,788

 
$
1,181

 
$
67,135

 
$
554

 
$
43,653

 
$
627

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
17,032

 
206

 
10,182

 
64

 
6,850

 
142

State and municipal bonds
23,122

 
419

 
15,168

 
102

 
7,954

 
317

Corporate debt
487,578

 
5,707

 
365,541

 
2,730

 
122,037

 
2,977

Residential mortgage-backed securities
109,659

 
1,335

 
64,121

 
402

 
45,538

 
933

Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities
4,423

 
108

 
2,458

 
34

 
1,965

 
74

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities
12,878

 
134

 
7,939

 
82

 
4,939

 
52

Other asset-backed securities
85,358

 
466

 
70,924

 
346

 
14,434

 
120

 
$
850,838

 
$
9,556

 
$
603,468

 
$
4,314

 
$
247,370

 
$
5,242

As of June 30, 2018, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 1,024 debt securities (50.0% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 548 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The securities were evaluated for OTTI as of June 30, 2018.
As of December 31, 2017, excluding U.S. Government or U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations, there were 629 debt securities (26.5% of all available-for-sale fixed maturity securities held) in an unrealized loss position representing 375 issuers. The greatest and second greatest unrealized loss positions among those securities were approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The securities were evaluated for OTTI as of December 31, 2017.

28

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Each quarter, ProAssurance performs a detailed analysis for the purpose of assessing whether any of the securities it holds in an unrealized loss position has suffered an OTTI. A detailed discussion of the factors considered in the assessment is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K.
Fixed maturity securities held in an unrealized loss position at June 30, 2018, excluding asset-backed securities, have paid all scheduled contractual payments and are expected to continue doing so. Expected future cash flows of asset-backed securities, excluding those issued by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC, held in an unrealized loss position were estimated as part of the June 30, 2018 OTTI evaluation using the most recently available six-month historical performance data for the collateral (loans) underlying the security or, if historical data was not available, sector based assumptions, and equaled or exceeded the current amortized cost basis of the security.
Other information regarding sales and purchases of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities is as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Proceeds from sales (exclusive of maturities and paydowns)
$
115.8

 
$
156.3

 
$
495.0

 
$
235.5

Purchases
$
184.6

 
$
198.7

 
$
552.5

 
$
359.1

Equity Investments
ProAssurance's equity investments are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income as a component of net realized investment gains (losses) during the period of change. Equity investments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2018 primarily included stocks, bonds and investment funds.
Short-term Investments
ProAssurance's short-term investments, which have a maturity at purchase of one year or less, are primarily comprised of investments in U.S. treasury obligations, commercial paper and money market funds. Short-term investments are carried at fair value which approximates the cost of the securities due to their short-term nature.
BOLI
ProAssurance holds BOLI policies that are carried at the current cash surrender value of the policies (original cost $33 million). All insured individuals were members of ProAssurance management at the time the policies were acquired. The primary purpose of the program is to offset future employee benefit expenses through earnings on the cash value of the policies. ProAssurance is the owner and beneficiary of these policies.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Fixed maturities
$
17,506

 
$
18,841

 
$
34,586

 
$
38,962

Equities
4,998

 
4,298

 
9,865

 
7,942

Short-term investments, including Other
1,332

 
978

 
2,639

 
1,778

BOLI
455

 
442

 
904

 
897

Investment fees and expenses
(1,907
)
 
(1,882
)
 
(3,583
)
 
(3,716
)
Net investment income
$
22,384

 
$
22,677

 
$
44,411

 
$
45,863


29

Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
ProAssurance's investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries were as follows:
 
June 30, 2018
 
Carrying Value
(In thousands)
Percentage
Ownership
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships
See below
 
$
74,895

 
$
84,607

Other tax credit partnerships
See below
 
4,980

 
6,118

All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs
See below
 
310,339

 
239,866

 
 
 
$
390,214

 
$
330,591

Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnership interests held by ProAssurance generate investment returns by providing tax benefits to fund investors in the form of tax credits and project operating losses. The carrying value of these investments reflects ProAssurance's total commitments (both funded and unfunded) to the partnerships, less any amortization. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to two of the tax credit partnership interests is almost 100%; these interests had a carrying value of $28.5 million at June 30, 2018 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2017. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the remaining tax credit partnership interests is less than 20%; these interests had a carrying value of $46.4 million at June 30, 2018 and $52.1 million at December 31, 2017. Since ProAssurance has the ability to exert influence over the partnerships but does not control them, all are accounted for using the equity method. See further discussion of the entities in which ProAssurance holds passive interests in Note 11.
Other tax credit partnerships are comprised entirely of investments in historic tax credit partnerships. The historic tax credit partnerships generate investment returns by providing benefits to fund investors in the form of tax credits, tax deductible project operating losses and positive cash flows. The carrying value of these investments reflects ProAssurance's total funded commitments less any amortization. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the historic tax credit partnerships is almost 100%. Since ProAssurance has the ability to exert influence over the partnerships but does not control them, all are accounted for using the equity method. See further discussion of the entities in which ProAssurance holds passive interests in Note 11.
ProAssurance holds interests in investment fund LPs/LLCs and other equity method investments and LPs/LLCs which are not considered to be investment funds. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to three of the LPs/LLCs is greater than 25%, which is expected to be reduced as the funds mature and other investors participate in the funds; these investments had a carrying value of $28.4 million at June 30, 2018 and $30.8 million at December 31, 2017. ProAssurance's ownership percentage relative to the remaining investments and LPs/LLCs is less than 25%; these interests had a carrying value of $281.9 million at June 30, 2018 and $209.1 million at December 31, 2017. ProAssurance does not have the ability to exert control over any of these funds.
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries included losses from qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships and historic tax credit partnerships. Losses recorded reflect ProAssurance's allocable portion of partnership operating losses. Tax credits reduce income tax expense in the period they are recognized. Losses recorded and tax credits recognized related to ProAssurance's tax credit partnership investments were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses recorded
$
5,612

 
$
3,964

 
$
9,712

 
$
7,272

Tax credits recognized
$
4,624

 
$
4,612

 
$
9,237

 
$
9,225

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Historic tax credit partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses recorded
$
1,506

 
$
2,350

 
$
3,382

 
$
2,766

Tax credits recognized
$
693

 
$
820

 
$
1,355

 
$
2,624


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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018


Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on the first-in, first-out basis. The following table provides detailed information regarding net realized investment gains (losses):
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Total OTTI losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt
$
(404
)
 
$

 
$
(404
)
 
$
(419
)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt

 

 

 
248

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
(404
)
 

 
(404
)
 
(171
)
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale fixed maturities
438

 
746

 
4,902

 
2,599

Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale fixed maturities
(1,725
)
 
(1,401
)
 
(3,772
)
 
(1,468
)
Net realized gains (losses), trading fixed maturities
(73
)
 

 
(73
)
 

Net realized gains (losses), equity investments
3,488

 
794

 
12,706

 
7,356

Net realized gains (losses), other investments
402

 
546

 
1,090

 
1,719

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), trading fixed maturities
(170
)
 

 
(219
)
 

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), equity investments
745

 
(3,191
)
 
(23,099
)
 
424

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value
90

 
285

 
(864
)
 
598

Other
4

 
2

 
11

 
4

Net realized investment gains (losses)
$
2,795

 
$
(2,219
)
 
$
(9,722
)
 
$
11,061

ProAssurance recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 related to debt instruments from one issuer in the energy sector.
ProAssurance did not recognize any OTTI during the three months ended June 30, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, ProAssurance recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.2 million and $0.2 million of non-credit OTTI in OCI, both of which related to corporate bonds.
The following table presents a roll forward of cumulative credit losses recorded in earnings related to impaired debt securities for which a portion of the OTTI was recorded in OCI.
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Balance beginning of period
$
1,313

 
$
1,329

 
$
1,313

 
$
1,158

Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No OTTI has been previously recognized

 

 

 
171

Reductions due to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold during the period (realized)

 
(16
)
 

 
(16
)
Balance June 30
$
1,313

 
$
1,313

 
$
1,313

 
$
1,313


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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

4. Retroactive Insurance Contracts
ProAssurance offers custom alternative risk solutions including loss portfolio transfers for large healthcare entities who, most commonly, are exiting a line of business, changing an insurance approach or simply preferring to transfer risk. A loss portfolio transfer is a form of retroactive insurance coverage as the Company is assuming and accepting an entity’s existing open and future claim liabilities through the transfer of the entity’s loss reserves.
In the second quarter of 2018, ProAssurance entered into a loss portfolio transfer with a large healthcare organization. Per the agreement, ProAssurance will cover a specific inventory of existing claims as well as provide tail coverage. As the contract included both prospective (tail) coverage and retroactive coverage, ProAssurance bifurcated the provisions of the contract and accounted for each component separately. As of the contract effective date, ProAssurance recognized total net premiums written and earned of $26.6 million, comprised of $7.9 million of prospective coverage and $18.7 million of retroactive coverage, and total net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $25.4 million in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. In addition, ProAssurance recorded a deferred gain of $0.6 million in the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2018 representing the excess of premiums received over losses assumed related to the retroactive coverage which will be amortized into earnings over the estimated claim payment period. For additional information regarding ProAssurance's accounting policy for retroactive insurance contracts, see Note 1.
5. Income Taxes
ProAssurance estimates its annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly reporting period and uses this estimated rate to record the provision for income taxes in the interim financial statements. The provision for income taxes is different from that which would be obtained by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes primarily because a portion of ProAssurance’s investment income is tax-exempt, and because ProAssurance utilizes tax credit benefits transferred from tax credit partnership investments. In addition, ProAssurance's provision for income taxes in 2018 was impacted by certain provisions of the TCJA, as discussed below.
ProAssurance had a total liability for federal and U.K. income taxes of $4.0 million at June 30, 2018 and $8.0 million at December 31, 2017, both carried as a part of other liabilities. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which is included in the total liability for federal and U.K. income taxes, was $5.1 million and $5.8 million at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which included an accrued liability for interest of approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The TCJA was signed into law on December 22, 2017 and contains several key provisions that impact the Company's business, including the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, the reduction in the amount of executive compensation that could qualify as a tax deduction, a minimum tax on payments made to related foreign entities and a change in how property and casualty taxpayers discount loss reserves.
Effective January 1, 2018, the TCJA introduced a minimum tax on payments made to related foreign entities referred to as the BEAT. The BEAT is imposed by adding back into the U.S. tax base any base erosion payment made by the U.S. taxpayer to a related foreign entity and applying a minimum tax rate to this newly calculated modified taxable income. Base erosion payments represent any amount paid or accrued by the U.S. taxpayer to a related foreign entity for which a deduction is allowed. Premiums the Company cedes to the SPCs at its newly formed wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Inova Re, do not fall within the scope of base erosion payments as the SPCs at Inova Re intend to elect to be taxed as U.S. taxpayers. However, premiums the Company cedes to the one active SPC at its wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Eastern Re, fall within the scope of base erosion payments and therefore could be significantly impacted by the BEAT. See further discussion on the Company’s new subsidiary, Inova Re, and its Cayman Islands SPC operations in Note 13. Management has evaluated its exposure to the BEAT and has concluded that the Company’s expected outbound deductible payments to related foreign entities are below the threshold for application of the BEAT; therefore, ProAssurance has not recognized any incremental tax expense for the BEAT provision of the TCJA for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
ProAssurance was able to complete its accounting for all areas of the TCJA during the period of enactment except as described below.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Provisional amount
As noted in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K, ProAssurance was able to make a reasonable estimate of the effects on its existing deferred tax asset balances at December 31, 2017 as it relates to the limitation on the future deductibility of certain executive compensation and recorded a provisional charge to income tax expense from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2018, ProAssurance has not made any measurement-period adjustments to this provisional amount and any future guidance from the IRS addressing the effects of the TCJA on executive compensation could result in a material change to this provisional amount.
Provisional amount not reasonably estimable
As noted in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K, ProAssurance was unable to reasonably estimate the impact of the change in loss reserve discounting factors due to the TCJA; therefore, no provisional amount was recorded at December 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2018, the IRS has yet to release the 2018 discount factors; therefore, ProAssurance has not adjusted its deferred tax balances due to the enactment of the TCJA. ProAssurance continues to utilize the discount factors based on existing accounting guidance and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment of the TCJA. Once the IRS releases the 2018 loss reserve discount factors, ProAssurance will complete its analysis and include the effect of the difference in the reserve discount factors in the period the analysis is complete or the impact is reasonably estimable.
6. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The reserve for losses is established based on estimates of individual claims and actuarially determined estimates of future losses based on ProAssurance’s past loss experience, available industry data and projections as to future claims frequency, severity, inflationary trends and settlement patterns. Estimating the reserve, particularly the reserve appropriate for liability exposures, is a complex process. Claims may be resolved over an extended period of time, often five years or more, and may be subject to litigation. Estimating losses requires ProAssurance to make and revise judgments and assessments regarding multiple uncertainties over an extended period of time. As a result, the reserve estimate may vary considerably from the eventual outcome. The assumptions used in establishing ProAssurance’s reserve are regularly reviewed and updated by management as new data becomes available. Changes to estimates of previously established reserves are included in earnings in the period in which the estimate is changed.
ProAssurance believes that the methods it uses to establish reserves are reasonable and appropriate. Each year, ProAssurance uses internal actuaries to review the reserve for losses of each insurance subsidiary. ProAssurance also engages consulting actuaries to review ProAssurance claims data and provide observations regarding cost trends, rate adequacy and ultimate loss costs. ProAssurance considers the views of the actuaries as well as other factors, such as known, anticipated or estimated changes in frequency and severity of claims, loss retention levels and premium rates, in establishing the amount of its reserve for losses. The statutory filings of each insurance company with the insurance regulators must be accompanied by a consulting actuary's certification as to their respective reserves.
ProAssurance partitions its reserve by accident year, which is the year in which the claim becomes its liability. As claims are incurred (reported) and claim payments are made, they are aggregated by accident year for analysis purposes. ProAssurance also partitions its reserve by reserve type: case reserves and IBNR reserves. Case reserves are established by the claims department based upon the particular circumstances of each reported claim and represent ProAssurance’s estimate of the future loss costs (often referred to as expected losses) that will be paid on reported claims. Case reserves are decremented as claim payments are made and are periodically adjusted upward or downward as estimates regarding the amount of future losses are revised; a reported loss for an individual claim equates to the case reserve at any point in time plus the claim payments that have been made to date. IBNR reserves represent an estimate, in the aggregate, of future development on losses that have been reported to ProAssurance plus an estimate of losses that have been incurred but not reported.
Development of Prior Accident Years
In addition to setting the initial reserve for the current accident year, each period ProAssurance reassesses the amount of reserve required for prior accident years. The foundation of ProAssurance’s reserve re-estimation process is an actuarial analysis that is performed by both the internal and consulting actuaries. This detailed analysis projects ultimate losses based on partitions which include line of business, geography, coverage layer and accident year. The procedure uses the most representative data for each partition, capturing its unique patterns of development and trends. In all, there are 200 different partitions of ProAssurance's business for purposes of this analysis. ProAssurance believes that the use of consulting actuaries provides an independent view of the loss data as well as a broader perspective on industry loss trends.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Activity in the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses is summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of year
$
2,048,381

 
$
1,993,428

 
$
1,993,428

Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
335,585

 
273,475

 
273,475

Net balance, beginning of year
1,712,796

 
1,719,953

 
1,719,953

Net losses:
 
 
 
 
 
Current year*
337,116

 
292,489

 
603,518

Favorable development of reserves established in prior years, net
(45,601
)
 
(57,788
)
 
(134,360
)
Total
291,515

 
234,701

 
469,158

Paid related to:
 
 
 
 
 
Current year
(34,174
)
 
(33,115
)
 
(106,633
)
Prior years
(215,488
)
 
(210,006
)
 
(369,682
)
Total paid
(249,662
)
 
(243,121
)
 
(476,315
)
Net balance, end of period
1,754,649

 
1,711,533

 
1,712,796

Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
324,168

 
280,332

 
335,585

Balance, end of period
$
2,078,817

 
$
1,991,865

 
$
2,048,381

* Current year net losses during the 2018 six-month period included incurred losses of $25.4 million related to a loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 (see Note 4).
The favorable loss development of $45.6 million recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend (i.e., the average size of a claim) for accident years 2011 through 2015. The favorable loss development of $57.8 million recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend for accident years 2010 through 2014. The favorable loss development of $134.4 million recognized in the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 primarily reflected a lower than anticipated claims severity trend for accident years 2010 through 2014.
For additional information regarding ProAssurance's reserve for losses, see Note 1 and Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

7. Commitments and Contingencies
ProAssurance is involved in various legal actions related to insurance policies and claims handling including, but not limited to, claims asserted by policyholders. These types of legal actions arise in the Company's ordinary course of business and, in accordance with GAAP for insurance entities, are considered as a part of the Company's loss reserving process, which is described in detail under the heading "Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses" in the Accounting Policies section in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance's 2017 Form 10-K.
As a member of Lloyd's, ProAssurance is required to provide capital to support its Lloyd's Syndicates through 2022 of up to $200 million, referred to as FAL. At June 30, 2018, ProAssurance is satisfying the FAL requirement with investment securities on deposit with Lloyd's with a carrying value of $124.6 million (see Note 3).
ProAssurance has issued an unconditional revolving credit agreement to the Premium Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729 for the purpose of providing working capital. Permitted borrowings were expanded from £20.0 million to £30.0 million under an amended Syndicate Credit Agreement executed in February 2018. Under the amended Syndicate Credit Agreement, advances bear interest at 3.8% annually and may be repaid at any time but are repayable upon demand after December 31, 2019. As of June 30, 2018, the unused commitment under the Syndicate Credit Agreement approximated £4.1 million (approximately $5.4 million).
8. Debt
ProAssurance’s outstanding debt consisted of the following:
(In thousands)
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
Senior Notes due 2023, unsecured, interest at 5.3% annually
$
250,000

 
$
250,000

Revolving Credit Agreement, outstanding borrowings were fully secured and carried at a weighted average interest rate of 1.91%. Outstanding borrowings are not permitted to exceed $250 million aggregately; Revolving Credit Agreement expires in 2020. The interest rate on borrowings is set at the time the respective borrowing is initiated or renewed.

 
123,000

Mortgage Loans, outstanding borrowings are secured by first priority liens on two office buildings, and bear an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.325% (3.65% and 2.86%, respectively) determined on a quarterly basis.
39,762

 
40,460

Total principal
289,762

 
413,460

Less debt issuance costs
1,491

 
1,649

Debt less debt issuance costs
$
288,271

 
$
411,811

Covenant Compliance
There are no financial covenants associated with the Senior Notes due 2023.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events constituting default, and remedies for default. The Revolving Credit Agreement also defines financial covenants regarding permitted leverage ratios. ProAssurance is currently in compliance with all covenants of the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The Mortgage Loans contain customary representations, covenants and events constituting default, and remedies for default. The Mortgage Loans also define a financial covenant regarding a permitted leverage ratio for each of the two ProAssurance subsidiaries that entered into the Mortgage Loans. ProAssurance's subsidiaries are currently in compliance with the financial covenant of the Mortgage Loans.
Additional Information
For additional information regarding ProAssurance's debt, see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K.

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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

9. Derivatives
ProAssurance is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business and investment activities. ProAssurance utilizes derivative instruments as part of its risk management strategy to reduce the market risk related to fluctuations in future interest rates associated with a portion of its variable-rate debt. As of June 30, 2018, ProAssurance has not designated any derivative instruments as hedging instruments and does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.
ProAssurance utilizes an interest rate cap agreement with the objective of reducing the Company's exposure to interest rate risk related to its variable-rate Mortgage Loans. Additional information regarding the Company's Mortgage Loans is provided in Note 8. Under the terms of the interest rate cap agreement, ProAssurance paid a premium of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 for the right to receive cash payments based upon a notional amount of $35 million if and when the three-month LIBOR rises above 2.35%. The Company's variable-rate Mortgage Loans bear an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.325%. Therefore, this derivative instrument is effectively ensuring the interest rate related to the Mortgage Loans is capped at a maximum of 3.675% until expiration of the interest rate cap agreement in October 2027. ProAssurance has designated the interest rate cap as an economic hedge (non-hedging instrument) of interest rate exposure and any change in fair value of the derivative is immediately recognized in earnings during the period of change.
The following table provides a summary of the volume and fair value position of the interest rate cap as well as the reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
($ in thousands)
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Number of Instruments
Notional Amount (1)
Estimated Fair Value (2)
 
Number of Instruments
Notional Amount (1)
Estimated Fair Value (2)
Interest Rate Cap
Other assets
1
$
35,000

$
2,588

 
1
$
35,000

$
1,731

(1) Volume is represented by the derivative instrument's notional amount.
(2) Additional information regarding the fair value of the Company's interest rate cap is provided in Note 2.
The following table presents the pre-tax impact of the change in the fair value of the interest rate cap and the reporting location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
 
Gains (Losses) Recognized in
Income on Derivatives
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Interest Rate Cap
Interest expense
$
282

 
$

 
$
857

 
$

As a result of this derivative instrument, ProAssurance is exposed to risk that the counterparty will fail to meet its contractual obligations. To mitigate this counterparty credit risk, ProAssurance only enters into derivative contracts with carefully selected major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and monitors their creditworthiness. As of June 30, 2018, the counterparty had an investment grade rating of BBB- and has performed in accordance with their contractual obligations.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

10. Shareholders’ Equity
At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, ProAssurance had 100 million shares of authorized common stock and 50 million shares of authorized preferred stock. The Board has the authority to determine provisions for the issuance of preferred shares, including the number of shares to be issued, the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such shares. To date, the Board has not approved the issuance of preferred stock.
ProAssurance declared cash dividends of $0.31 per share during each of the first two quarters of both 2018 and 2017, totaling $34.2 million and $33.0 million, for each respective six-month period.
At June 30, 2018, Board authorizations for the repurchase of common shares or the retirement of outstanding debt of $109.6 million remained available for use. ProAssurance did not repurchase any common shares during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
Share-based compensation expense and related tax benefits were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Share-based compensation expense
$
1,615

 
$
2,746

 
$
2,517

 
$
6,092

Related tax benefits
$
339

 
$
961

 
$
529

 
$
2,132

ProAssurance awarded approximately 85,800 restricted share units and 27,200 base performance share units to employees in February 2018. The fair value of each unit awarded was estimated at $44.73, equal to the market value of a ProAssurance common share on the date of grant less the estimated present value of dividends during the vesting period. The majority of awards are charged to expense as an increase to additional paid-in capital over the service period (generally the vesting period) associated with the award. However, a nominal amount of awards are recorded as a liability as they are structured to be settled in cash. Restricted share units and performance share units vest in their entirety at the end of a three-year period following the grant date based on a continuous service requirement and, for performance share units, achievement of a performance objective. Partial vesting is permitted for retirees. For equity classified awards, a ProAssurance common share is issued for each unit once vesting requirements are met, except that units sufficient to satisfy required tax withholdings are paid in cash. The number of common shares issued for performance share units varies from 50% to 200% of base awards depending upon the degree to which stated performance objectives are achieved. ProAssurance issued approximately 52,800 and 80,600 common shares to employees in February 2018 related to restricted share units and performance share units, respectively, granted in 2015. Performance share units for the 2015 award were issued at a level of 125%. Liability classified awards, which are nominal in amount, are settled in cash at the end of the vesting period.
ProAssurance issued approximately 2,500 common shares to employees in February 2018 as bonus compensation, as approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The shares issued were valued at fair value (the market price of a ProAssurance common share on the date of award).
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, OCI was almost entirely comprised of unrealized gains and losses, including non-credit impairment losses, arising during the period related to fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, less reclassification adjustments, as shown in the table that follows, net of tax. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, OCI included changes related to the reestimation of the defined benefit plan liability assumed in the Eastern acquisition which were nominal in amount. The defined benefit plan is frozen as to the earnings of additional benefits and the benefit plan liability is reestimated annually.
At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, AOCI was almost entirely comprised of accumulated unrealized gains and losses from fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, including accumulated non-credit impairments recognized through OCI of $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, net of tax. At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, accumulated changes in the defined benefit plan liability not yet recognized in earnings were nominal in amount. Due to the adoption of accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2018 related to certain impacts of the TCJA, ProAssurance increased AOCI by approximately $3.4 million with a corresponding decrease to retained earnings of the same amount as of the beginning of 2018. See Note 1 for additional information on accounting guidance adopted during the period. At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, tax effects were computed using the enacted federal corporate tax rate of 21% and 35%, respectively, with the exception of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities held at our U.K. and Cayman Islands entities which in both periods were immaterial in amount.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income and the amounts of deferred tax expense (benefit) included in OCI were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Reclassifications from AOCI to net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized investment gains (losses)
$
(1,691
)
 
$
(653
)
 
$
726

 
$
963

Non-credit impairment losses reclassified to earnings, due to sale of securities or reclassification as a credit loss

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Total gains (losses) reclassified, before tax effect
(1,691
)
 
(656
)
 
726

 
960

Tax effect*
355

 
230

 
(153
)
 
(336
)
Net reclassification adjustments
$
(1,336
)
 
$
(426
)
 
$
573

 
$
624

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax expense (benefit) included in OCI
$
(2,185
)
 
$
2,983

 
$
(9,245
)
 
$
4,464

* Tax effects were computed using a 21% and 35% rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
11. Variable Interest Entities
ProAssurance holds passive interests in a number of entities that are considered to be VIEs under GAAP guidance. ProAssurance's VIE interests principally consist of interests in LPs/LLCs formed for the purpose of achieving diversified equity and debt returns. At June 30, 2018, ProAssurance's VIE interests totaled $304.3 million carried as a part of investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries.
ProAssurance does not have power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs and thus is not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, ProAssurance has not consolidated these VIEs. ProAssurance’s involvement with each VIE is limited to its direct ownership interest in the VIE. Except for the funding commitments disclosed in Note 7, ProAssurance has no arrangements with any of the VIEs to provide other financial support to or on behalf of the VIE. At June 30, 2018, ProAssurance’s maximum loss exposure relative to these investments was limited to the carrying value of ProAssurance’s investment in the VIE.
12. Earnings Per Share
Diluted weighted average shares is calculated as basic weighted average shares plus the effect, calculated using the treasury stock method, of assuming that restricted share units, performance share units and purchase match units have vested. The following table provides the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in the calculation of the Company's basic and diluted earnings per share:
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic
53,610

 
53,402

 
53,567

 
53,359

Dilutive effect of securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted Share Units
69

 
77

 
75

 
77

Performance Share Units
42

 
105

 
54

 
113

Purchase Match Units
20

 
23

 
20

 
22

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted
53,741

 
53,607

 
53,716

 
53,571

Effect of dilutive shares on earnings per share
$

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$

 
$

All dilutive common share equivalents are reflected in the earnings per share calculation while antidilutive common share equivalents are not reflected in the earnings per share calculation. The diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 excludes approximately 8,000 common share equivalents issuable under the Company's stock compensation plans, as their effect would be antidilutive. There were no common share equivalents that were antidilutive for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

13. Segment Information
ProAssurance operates in four segments that are organized around the nature of the products and services provided: Specialty P&C, Workers' Compensation, Lloyd's Syndicates and Corporate. A description of each segment follows.
Specialty P&C is primarily focused on professional liability insurance and medical technology liability insurance. Professional liability insurance is primarily offered to healthcare providers and institutions and to attorneys and their firms. Medical technology liability insurance is offered to medical technology and life sciences companies that manufacture or distribute products including entities conducting human clinical trials. Prior to 2018, the Specialty P&C segment ceded certain premium to the Lloyd's Syndicates segment under a quota share agreement with Syndicate 1729; however, this agreement was not renewed on January 1, 2018. As discussed below, the Lloyd's Syndicates segment results are typically reported on a quarter delay. For consistency purposes, results from this ceding arrangement, other than cash receipts or disbursements, have been reported within the Specialty P&C segment on the same one-quarter delay.
Workers' Compensation provides workers' compensation products primarily to employers with 1,000 or fewer employees. The segment also offers alternative market solutions whereby policies written are 100% ceded either to captive insurers unaffiliated with ProAssurance or to SPCs operated by wholly owned subsidiaries of ProAssurance. Each SPC is owned, fully or in part, by an agency, group or association. Operating results (underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results reported in the Corporate segment) of the SPCs are due to the owners of that cell.
During the first quarter of 2018, ProAssurance reorganized its Cayman Islands SPC operations. Beginning in 2018, all new and renewing alternative market business previously ceded to the SPCs at Eastern Re, with the exception of one program, is now ceded to SPCs operated by a newly formed wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary, Inova Re. As part of the reorganization, all SPCs previously operated by Eastern Re, with the exception of one program, ceased assuming new and renewing business on or after January 1, 2018. The external cell owners' cumulative undistributed earnings and the results of all SPCs for the current period due to external cell owners continue to be reported as SPC dividends payable and SPC dividend expense, respectively.
Lloyd's Syndicates includes operating results from ProAssurance's participation in Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131, which is a newly formed SPA operating within Syndicate 1729. The results of this segment are normally reported on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. Furthermore, investment results associated with the majority of investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate operations and certain U.S. paid administrative expenses are reported concurrently as that information is available on an earlier time frame. Beginning in 2018, ProAssurance increased its participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 58% to 62% and began its 100% participation in the operating results of Syndicate 6131 which began active operations effective January 1, 2018; however, due to the quarter delay these changes were not reflected in the Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2018. Syndicate 1729 underwrites risks over a wide range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines in both the U.S. and international markets. Syndicate 6131 focuses on contingency and specialty property business.
Corporate includes ProAssurance's investment operations, interest expense and U.S. income taxes, all of which are managed at the corporate level with the exception of investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate operations as discussed above. The segment also includes non-premium revenues generated outside of the Company's insurance entities and corporate expenses.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ProAssurance’s December 31, 2017 report on Form 10-K and Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. ProAssurance evaluates performance of its Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation segments based on before tax underwriting profit or loss, which excludes investment performance. Performance of the Lloyd's Syndicates segment is evaluated based on underwriting profit or loss, plus investment results of investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate operations, net of U.K. income tax expense. Performance of the Corporate segment is evaluated based on the contribution made to consolidated after-tax results. ProAssurance accounts for inter-segment transactions as if the transactions were to third parties at current market prices. Assets are not allocated to segments because investments and other assets are not managed at the segment level.

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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

Financial results by segment were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
(In thousands)
Specialty P&C
 
Workers' Compensation
 
Lloyd's Syndicates
 
Corporate
 
Inter-segment Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net premiums earned
$
143,847

 
$
62,254

 
$
17,490

 
$

 
$

 
$
223,591

Net investment income

 

 
836

 
21,548

 

 
22,384

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 
5,380

 

 
5,380

Net realized gains (losses)

 

 
(252
)
 
3,047

 

 
2,795

Other income (expense)
1,262

 
212

 
(436
)
 
1,095

 
(89
)
 
2,044

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(111,838
)
 
(37,385
)
 
(12,505
)
 

 

 
(161,728
)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(28,050
)
 
(17,969
)
 
(8,060
)
 
(5,621
)
 
89

 
(59,611
)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income
(118
)
 
(2,751
)
 

 
84

 

 
(2,785
)
Interest expense

 

 

 
(3,958
)
 

 
(3,958
)
Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

 
311

 

 
311

Segment operating results
$
5,103


$
4,361


$
(2,927
)

$
21,886


$


$
28,423

Significant non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion
$
1,761

 
$
958

 
$
(2
)
 
$
2,240

 
$

 
$
4,957

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
(In thousands)
Specialty P&C
 
Workers' Compensation
 
Lloyd's Syndicates
 
Corporate
 
Inter-segment Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net premiums earned
$
260,125

 
$
120,660

 
$
29,965

 
$

 
$

 
$
410,750

Net investment income

 

 
1,587

 
42,824

 

 
44,411

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 
7,019

 

 
7,019

Net realized gains (losses)

 

 
(306
)
 
(9,416
)
 

 
(9,722
)
Other income (expense)
2,519

 
578

 
(105
)
 
2,037

 
(262
)
 
4,767

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(196,425
)
 
(74,099
)
 
(20,991
)
 

 

 
(291,515
)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(56,327
)
 
(35,301
)
 
(15,306
)
 
(10,297
)
 
262

 
(116,969
)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income
(88
)
 
(4,645
)
 

 
201

 

 
(4,532
)
Interest expense

 

 

 
(7,663
)
 

 
(7,663
)
Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 
(6
)
 
3,739

 

 
3,733

Segment operating results
$
9,804

 
$
7,193

 
$
(5,162
)
 
$
28,444

 
$

 
$
40,279

Significant non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion
$
3,628

 
$
1,914

 
$
(3
)
 
$
5,497

 
$

 
$
11,036



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Table of Contents
ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
(In thousands)
Specialty P&C
 
Workers' Compensation
 
Lloyd's Syndicates
 
Corporate
 
Inter-segment Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net premiums earned
$
109,005

 
$
56,854

 
$
14,494

 
$

 
$

 
$
180,353

Net investment income

 

 
410

 
22,267

 

 
22,677

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 
2,516

 

 
2,516

Net realized gains (losses)

 

 
47

 
(2,266
)
 

 
(2,219
)
Other income (expense)
1,469

 
209

 
(151
)
 
778

 
(55
)
 
2,250

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(71,296
)
 
(33,486
)
 
(10,768
)
 

 

 
(115,550
)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(26,239
)
 
(17,093
)
 
(6,851
)
 
(7,757
)
 
55

 
(57,885
)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(5,119
)
 
(2,698
)
 

 
(994
)
 

 
(8,811
)
Interest expense

 

 

 
(4,145
)
 

 
(4,145
)
Income tax benefit (expense)(1)

 

 
548

 
(216
)
 

 
332

Segment operating results
$
7,820


$
3,786


$
(2,271
)

$
10,183


$


$
19,518

Significant non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion
$
1,506

 
$
831

 
$
(5
)
 
$
3,814

 
$

 
$
6,146

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
(In thousands)
Specialty P&C
 
Workers' Compensation
 
Lloyd's Syndicates
 
Corporate
 
Inter-segment Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net premiums earned
$
222,063

 
$
112,137

 
$
29,056

 
$

 
$

 
$
363,256

Net investment income

 

 
782

 
45,081

 

 
45,863

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries

 

 

 
4,324

 

 
4,324

Net realized gains (losses)

 

 
74

 
10,987

 

 
11,061

Other income (expense)
2,668

 
354

 
240

 
951

 
(142
)
 
4,071

Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(146,291
)
 
(68,136
)
 
(20,274
)
 

 

 
(234,701
)
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(52,217
)
 
(33,784
)
 
(13,062
)
 
(16,073
)
 
142

 
(114,994
)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(5,091
)
 
(3,872
)
 

 
(2,223
)
 

 
(11,186
)
Interest expense

 

 

 
(8,278
)
 

 
(8,278
)
Income tax benefit (expense)(1)

 

 
555

 
1,002

 

 
1,557

Segment operating results
$
21,132

 
$
6,699

 
$
(2,629
)
 
$
35,771

 
$

 
$
60,973

Significant non-cash items:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion
$
3,417

 
$
1,668

 
$
(8
)
 
$
8,872

 
$

 
$
13,949

(1) During the second quarter of 2017, ProAssurance recognized a $5.2 million pre-tax expense related to previously unrecognized SPC dividend expense for the cumulative earnings of unrelated parties that have owned segregated portfolio cells at various periods since 2003 in a Bermuda captive insurance operation managed by the Company's HCPL line of business within the Specialty P&C segment. The expense recorded in the second quarter of 2017 related to periods prior to the then current period and was unrelated to the captive operations of the Company's Eastern Re subsidiary. The $1.8 million tax impact of the expense recognized in the second quarter of 2017 was included in the Corporate segment's income tax benefit (expense).


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ProAssurance Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
June 30, 2018

The following table provides detailed information regarding ProAssurance's gross premiums earned by product as well as a reconciliation to net premiums earned. All gross premiums earned are from external customers except as noted. ProAssurance's insured risks are primarily within the U.S.
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Specialty P&C Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums earned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare professional liability
$
146,208

 
$
115,781

 
$
264,892

 
$
232,832

Legal professional liability
6,489

 
6,417

 
12,880

 
12,734

Medical technology liability
8,780

 
8,389

 
17,292

 
16,701

Other
119

 
101

 
230

 
203

Ceded premiums earned
(17,749
)
 
(21,683
)
 
(35,169
)
 
(40,407
)
Segment net premiums earned
143,847

 
109,005

 
260,125

 
222,063

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Workers' Compensation Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums earned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional business
48,632

 
42,501

 
94,662

 
84,269

Alternative market business
20,648

 
20,209

 
40,029

 
39,655

Ceded premiums earned
(7,026
)
 
(5,856
)
 
(14,031
)
 
(11,787
)
Segment net premiums earned
62,254

 
56,854

 
120,660

 
112,137

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lloyd's Syndicates Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross premiums earned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and casualty*
19,273

 
16,960

 
37,240

 
34,145

Ceded premiums earned
(1,783
)
 
(2,466
)
 
(7,275
)
 
(5,089
)
Segment net premiums earned
17,490

 
14,494

 
29,965

 
29,056

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net premiums earned
$
223,591

 
$
180,353

 
$
410,750

 
$
363,256

*Includes premium assumed from the Specialty P&C segment of $1.4 million and $3.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $3.1 million and $6.6 million for the same respective periods of 2017.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to those statements which accompany this report. Throughout the discussion we use certain terms and abbreviations, which can be found in the Glossary of Terms and Acronyms at the beginning of this report. In addition, a glossary of insurance terms and phrases is available on the investor section of our website. Throughout the discussion, references to "ProAssurance," "PRA," "Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to ProAssurance Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The discussion contains certain forward-looking information that involves significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties. As discussed under the heading "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," our actual financial condition and operating results could differ significantly from these forward-looking statements.
ProAssurance Overview
We report our results in four segments based on the operational focus of the segment. Our Specialty P&C segment includes our professional liability business and our medical technology liability business. Our Workers' Compensation segment includes workers' compensation insurance for employers, groups and associations. Our Lloyd's Syndicates segment includes the operating results from our participation in Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1729 and Syndicate 6131, which is a newly formed SPA operating within Syndicate 1729. Information regarding Lloyd's operations derived from U.K. based entities is normally reported on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. Investment results associated with our FAL investments and certain U.S. paid administrative expenses are reported concurrently as that information is available on an earlier time frame. Beginning in 2018, we increased our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 58% to 62% and began our 100% participation in the operating results of Syndicate 6131 which began active operations effective January 1, 2018; however, due to the quarter delay these changes were not reflected in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2018. Syndicate 1729 underwrites risks over a wide range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines in both the U.S. and international markets. Syndicate 6131 focuses on contingency and specialty property business. Our Corporate segment includes our investment operations, which are managed at the corporate level, except results associated with investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate operations, non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities, corporate expenses, interest expense and U.S. income taxes. Additional information regarding our segments is included in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and in Part I of our 2017 Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP. Preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts we report on those statements. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis based on current and historical developments, market conditions, industry trends and other information that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will conform to our estimates and assumptions; reported results of operations may be materially affected by changes in these estimates and assumptions.
Management considers the following accounting estimates to be critical because they involve significant judgment by management and those judgments could result in a material effect on our financial statements.
Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The largest component of our liabilities is our reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("reserve for losses" or "reserve"), and the largest component of expense for our operations is incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (also referred to as “losses and loss adjustment expenses,” “incurred losses,” “losses incurred” and “losses”). Incurred losses reported in any period reflect our estimate of losses incurred related to the premiums earned in that period as well as any changes to our previous estimate of the reserve required for prior periods.
As of June 30, 2018, our reserve is comprised almost entirely of long-tail exposures. The estimation of long-tailed losses is inherently difficult and is subject to significant judgment on the part of management. Due to the nature of our claims, our loss costs, even for claims with similar characteristics, can vary significantly depending upon many factors, including but not limited to the specific characteristics of the claim and the manner in which the claim is resolved. Long-tailed insurance is characterized by the extended period of time typically required to assess the viability of a claim, potential damages, if any, and to then reach a resolution of the claim. The claims resolution process may extend to more than five years. The combination of continually changing conditions and the extended time required for claim resolution results in a loss cost estimation process that requires actuarial skill and the application of significant judgment, and such estimates require periodic modification.

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Table of Contents

Our reserve is established by management after taking into consideration a variety of factors including premium rates, claims frequency and severity, historical paid and incurred loss development trends, the expected effect of inflation, general economic trends, the legal and political environment and the conclusions reached by our internal and consulting actuaries. We update and review the data underlying the estimation of our reserve for losses each reporting period and make adjustments to loss estimation assumptions that we believe best reflect emerging data. Both our internal and consulting actuaries perform an in-depth review of our reserve for losses on at least a semi-annual basis using the loss and exposure data of our insurance subsidiaries.
Our reserving process can be broadly grouped into three areas: the establishment of the reserve for the current accident year (the initial reserve), the re-estimation of the reserve for prior accident years (development of prior accident years) and the establishment of the initial reserve for risks assumed in business combinations, applicable only in periods in which acquisitions occur (the acquired reserve).
Current Accident Year - Initial Reserve
Considerable judgment is required in establishing our initial reserve for any current accident year period, as there is limited data available upon which to base our estimate. Our process for setting an initial reserve considers the unique characteristics of each product, but in general we rely heavily on the loss assumptions that were used to price business, as our pricing reflects our analysis of loss costs that we expect to incur relative to the insurance product being priced.
Specialty P&C Segment. Loss costs within this segment are impacted by many factors, including but not limited to the nature of the claim, including whether or not the claim is an individual or a mass tort claim, the personal situation of the claimant or the claimant's family, the outcome of jury trials, the legislative and judicial climate where any potential litigation may occur, general economic conditions and, for claims involving bodily injury, the trend of healthcare costs. Within our Specialty P&C segment, for our HCPL business (74% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2017), we set an initial reserve using the average loss ratio used in our pricing, plus an additional provision in consideration of the historical loss volatility we and others in the industry have experienced. The current accident year reserve also includes provisions for any loss portfolio transfers we enter into during the current period. For our HCPL business our target loss ratio during recent accident years has ranged from 77% to 80% and the provision for loss volatility has ranged from 8 to 10 percentage points, producing an overall average initial loss ratio for our HCPL business of approximately 90%. Changes in observed claim frequency and/or severity can result in variations from these levels. The reasons for the variability in loss provisions from period to period have included additional loss activity within our excess and surplus lines business, provisions for losses in excess of policy limits, adjustments to unallocated loss adjustment expenses, adjustment to the reserve for the death, disability and retirement provisions in our policies and additional losses recorded for particular exposures, such as mass torts. These specific adjustments are made if we believe the results for a given accident year are likely to exceed those anticipated by our pricing. We believe use of a provision for volatility appropriately considers the inherent risks and limitations of our rate development process and the historic volatility of professional liability losses (the industry has experienced accident year loss ratios as high as 138% and as low as 54% over the past 30 years) and produces a reasonable best estimate of the reserve required to cover actual ultimate unpaid losses. A similar practice is followed for our legal professional liability business (3% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2017).
The risks insured in our medical technology liability business (5% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2017) are more varied, and policies are individually priced based on the risk characteristics of the policy and the account. The insured risks range from startup operations to large multinational entities and the larger entities often have significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. Reserves are established using our most recently developed actuarial estimates of losses expected to be incurred based on factors which include results from prior analysis of similar business, industry indications, observed trends and judgment. Claims in this line of business primarily involve bodily injury to individuals and are affected by factors similar to those of our HCPL line of business. For the medical technology liability business, we also establish an initial reserve using a loss ratio approach, including a provision in consideration of historical loss volatility that this line of business has exhibited.
Workers' Compensation Segment. Many factors affect the ultimate losses incurred for our workers' compensation coverages (14% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2017) including but not limited to the type and severity of the injury, the age and occupation of the injured worker, the estimated length of disability, medical treatment and related costs, and the jurisdiction and workers' compensation laws of the injury occurrence. We use various actuarial methodologies in developing our workers’ compensation reserve, combined with a review of the exposure base generally based upon payroll of the insured. For the current accident year, given the lack of seasoned information, the different actuarial methodologies produce results with significant variability; therefore, more emphasis is placed on supplementing results from the actuarial methodologies with trends in exposure base, medical expense inflation, general inflation, severity, and claim counts, among other things, to select an expected loss ratio.

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Lloyd's Syndicates Segment. Due to the relatively short history of Syndicate 1729 (January 1, 2014) we are influenced by historical claims experience of the Lloyd's market for similar risks in estimating the appropriate initial reserves for our Lloyd's Syndicates segment (4% of our consolidated gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2017). We expect loss ratios to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 1729 writes more business and the book begins to mature. Loss ratios can also fluctuate due to the timing of earned premium adjustments. Such adjustments may be the result of premiums for certain policies and assumed reinsurance contracts being reported subsequent to the coverage period and may be subject to adjustment based on loss experience. Premium and exposure for some of Syndicate 1729's insurance policies and reinsurance contracts are initially estimated and subsequently recorded over an extended period of time as reports are received under delegated underwriting authority programs. When reports are received, the premium, exposure and corresponding loss estimates are revised accordingly. Changes in loss estimates due to premium or exposure fluctuations are incurred in the accident year in which the premium is earned.
For significant property catastrophe exposures, Syndicate 1729 uses third-party catastrophe models to accumulate a listing of potentially affected policies. Each identified policy is given an estimate of loss severity based upon a combination of factors including the probable maximum loss of each policy, market share analytics, underwriting judgment, client/broker estimates and historical loss trends for similar events. These models are inherently uncertain, reliant upon key assumptions and management judgment and are not always a representation of actual events and ensuing potential loss exposure. Determination of actual losses may take an extended period of time until claims are reported and resolved, including coverage litigation.
Syndicate 6131, which began active operations effective January 1, 2018, follows a process similar to Syndicate 1729 for the establishment of initial reserves. Loss assumptions by risk category incorporated into the 2018 business plan submitted to Lloyd's were influenced by historical claims experience of the Lloyd's market for similar risks. We expect the loss ratios of Syndicate 6131 to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 6131 assumes more business from Syndicate 1729 and the book begins to mature.
Development of Prior Accident Years
In addition to setting the initial reserve for the current accident year, each period we reassess the amount of reserve required for prior accident years.
The foundation of our reserve re-estimation process is an actuarial analysis based on our most recently available claims data and currently available industry trend information. Changes to previously established reserve estimates are recognized in the current period if management’s best estimate of ultimate losses differs from the estimate previously established. While management considers a variety of variables in determining its best estimate, in general, as claims age, our methodologies give more weight to actual loss costs which, for the majority of our reserves, continue to indicate that ultimate loss costs will be lower than our previous estimates. The discussion in our Critical Accounting Estimates section in Item 7 of our 2017 Form 10-K includes additional information regarding the methodologies used to evaluate our reserve.
Any change in our estimate of net ultimate losses for prior years is reflected in net income in the period in which such changes are made. In recent years such changes have reduced our estimate of net ultimate losses, resulting in a reduction of reported losses for the period and a corresponding increase in pre-tax income.
Due to the size of our consolidated reserve for losses and the large number of claims outstanding at any point in time, even a small percentage adjustment to our total reserve estimate could have a material effect on our results of operations for the period in which the adjustment is made.
Use of Judgment
Even though the actuarial process is highly technical, it is also highly judgmental, both as to the selection of the data used in the various actuarial methodologies (e.g., initial expected loss ratios and loss development factors) and in the interpretation of the output of the various methods used. Each actuarial method generally returns a different value and for the more recent accident years the variations among the various methodologies can be significant. For each partition of our reserves, we evaluate the results of the various methods, along with the supplementary statistical data regarding such factors as closed with and without indemnity ratios, claim severity trends, the expected duration of such trends, changes in the legal and legislative environment and the current economic environment to develop a point estimate based upon management's judgment and past experience. The series of selected point estimates is then combined to produce an overall point estimate for ultimate losses.
Given the potential for unanticipated volatility for long-tailed lines of business, we are cautious in giving full credibility to emerging trends that, when more fully mature, may lead to the recognition of either favorable or adverse development of our losses. There may be trends, both positive and negative, reflected in the numerical data both within our own information and in the broader marketplace that mitigate or reverse as time progresses and additional data becomes available. This is particularly true for our HCPL business which has historically exhibited significant volatility as previously discussed.

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HCPL. Over the past several years the most influential factor affecting the analysis of our HCPL reserves and the related development recognized has been the change, or lack thereof, in the severity of claims. The severity trend is an explicit component of our pricing models, whereas in our reserving process the severity trend's impact is implicit. Our estimate of this trend and our expectations about changes in this trend impact a variety of factors, from the selection of expected loss ratios to the ultimate point estimates established by management.
Because of the implicit and wide-ranging nature of severity trend assumptions on the loss reserving process it is not practical to specifically isolate the impact of changing severity trends. However, because severity is an explicit component of our HCPL pricing process we can better isolate the impact that changing severity can have on our loss costs and loss ratios in regards to our pricing models for this business component. Our current HCPL pricing models assume a severity trend of approximately 3% in most states and products. We have observed potentially higher severity trends in our case reserve estimates but these have not been confirmed by actual claim payments. If the severity trend were to be higher by 1 percentage point, the impact would be an increase in our expected loss ratio for this business of 3.2 percentage points, based on current claim disposition patterns. An increase in the severity trend of 3 percentage points would result in a 10.1 percentage point increase in our expected loss ratio. Due to the long-tailed nature of our claims and the previously discussed historical volatility of loss costs, selection of a severity trend assumption is a subjective process that is inherently likely to prove inaccurate over time. Given the long tail and volatility, we are generally cautious in making changes to the severity assumptions within our pricing models. All open claims and accident years are generally impacted by a change in the severity trend, which compounds the effect of such a change.
Although we remain uncertain regarding the ultimate severity trend to project into the future due to the long-tailed nature of our business, we have given consideration to observed loss costs in setting our rates. For our HCPL business this practice has generally resulted in rate reductions in recent years as claim frequency declined and remained at historically low levels. For example, on average, excluding our podiatry business acquired in 2009, we gradually reduced the premium rates we charged on our standard physician renewal business (our largest HCPL line) by approximately 17% from the beginning of 2006 to December 31, 2016. From the beginning of 2017 to June 30, 2018, the average charged rates on our standard physician renewal business increased by 3% and we anticipate further gradual rate increases due to potential increasing loss severity. Loss ratios for recent accident years have thus remained fairly constant because expected loss changes have been reflected in our rates; however, we have recognized a higher current accident year net loss ratio during 2018 due to those recent severity indications.
Workers' Compensation. The projection of changes in claim severity trend has not historically been an influential factor affecting our workers' compensation analysis of reserves, as claims are typically resolved more quickly than the industry norm. As previously mentioned, the determination and calculation of loss development factors, in particular, the selection of tail factors which are used to extend the projection of losses beyond historical data, requires considerable judgment.
Loss Development
We recognized net favorable reserve development of $22.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018, of which favorable development of $20.1 million related to our Specialty P&C segment and $4.0 million related to our Workers' Compensation segment, slightly offset by unfavorable development of $1.3 million related to our Lloyd's Syndicates segment. We recognized net favorable development of $45.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018, of which favorable development of $40.6 million related to our Specialty P&C segment and $5.9 million related to our Workers' Compensation segment, slightly offset by unfavorable development of $0.9 million related to our Lloyd's Syndicates segment.
Net favorable development recognized within our Specialty P&C segment was primarily attributable to the favorable resolution of HCPL claims during the period and an evaluation of established case reserves and paid claims data that indicated that the average severity trend associated with the remaining HCPL claims is less than we had previously estimated.
Net favorable development recognized within our Workers' Compensation segment included net favorable development in our traditional business of $1.0 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the same respective periods of 2017. The increase in net favorable development in our traditional business in both 2018 periods reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns. The remaining net favorable development of $3.0 million and $4.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, was attributable to our SPCs which primarily reflected better than expected claims trends in the 2014, 2015 and 2017 accident years.
Net unfavorable development recognized within our Lloyd's Syndicates segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was driven by higher than expected losses and development on certain large claims which resulted in unfavorable development with respect to a previous year of account. See further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicates section that follows.


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Investment Valuations
We record the majority of our investments at fair value as shown in the table below. At June 30, 2018 the distribution of our investments based on GAAP fair value hierarchies (levels) was as follows:
 
Distribution by GAAP Fair Value Hierarchy
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Not Categorized
 
Total
Investments
Investments recorded at:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value
20%
 
65%
 
1%
 
9%
 
95%
Other valuations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5%
Total Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100%
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. All of our fixed maturity and equity investments are carried at fair value. The fair value of our short-term securities approximates the cost of the securities due to their short-term nature.
Because of the number of securities we own and the complexity of developing accurate fair values, we utilize multiple independent pricing services to assist us in establishing the fair value of individual securities. The pricing services provide fair values based on exchange-traded prices, if available. If an exchange-traded price is not available, the pricing services, if possible, provide a fair value that is based on multiple broker/dealer quotes or that has been developed using pricing models. Pricing models vary by asset class and utilize currently available market data for securities comparable to ours to estimate a fair value for our securities. The pricing services scrutinize market data for consistency with other relevant market information before including the data in the pricing models. The pricing services disclose the types of pricing models used and the inputs used for each asset class. Determining fair values using these pricing models requires the use of judgment to identify appropriate comparable securities and to choose a valuation methodology that is appropriate for the asset class and available data.
The pricing services provide a single value per instrument quoted. We review the values provided for reasonableness each quarter by comparing market yields generated by the supplied value versus market yields observed in the marketplace. We also compare yields indicated by the provided values to appropriate benchmark yields and review for values that are unchanged or that reflect an unanticipated variation as compared to prior period values. We utilize a primary pricing service for each security type and compare provided information for consistency with alternate pricing services, known market data and information from our own trades, considering both values and valuation trends. We also review weekly trades versus the prices supplied by the services. If a supplied value appears unreasonable, we discuss the valuation in question with the pricing service and make adjustments if deemed necessary. Historically our review has not resulted in any material changes to the values supplied by the pricing services. The pricing services do not provide a fair value unless an exchange-traded price or multiple observable inputs are available. As a result, the pricing services may provide a fair value for a security in some periods but not others, depending upon the level of recent market activity for the security or comparable securities.
Level 1 Investments
Fair values for a majority of our equity securities and portions of our corporate debt, short-term and convertible securities are determined using exchange-traded prices. There is little judgment involved when fair value is determined using an exchange-traded price. In accordance with GAAP, for disclosure purposes we classify securities valued using an exchange-traded price as Level 1 securities.
Level 2 Investments
Most fixed income securities do not trade daily; and thus, exchange-traded prices are generally not available for these securities. However, market information (often referred to as observable inputs or market data, including but not limited to, last reported trade, non-binding broker quotes, bids, benchmark yield curves, issuer spreads, two sided markets, benchmark securities, offers and recent data regarding assumed prepayment speeds, cash flow and loan performance data) is available for most of our fixed income securities. We determine fair value for a large portion of our fixed income securities using available market information. In accordance with GAAP, for disclosure purposes we classify securities valued based on multiple market observable inputs as Level 2 securities.
Level 3 Investments
When a pricing service does not provide a value for one of our fixed maturity securities, management estimates fair value using either a single non-binding broker quote or pricing models that utilize market based assumptions which have limited

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observable inputs. The process involves significant judgment in selecting the appropriate data and modeling techniques to use in the valuation process. For disclosure purposes, we classify securities valued using limited observable inputs as Level 3 securities.
Fair Values Not Categorized
We hold interests in certain investment funds, primarily LPs/LLCs, which measure fund assets at fair value on a recurring basis and provide us with a NAV for our interest. As a practical expedient, we consider the NAV provided to approximate the fair value of the interest. In accordance with GAAP, we do not categorize these investments within the fair value hierarchy.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
We measure the fair value of certain assets on a nonrecurring basis when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. These assets include investments carried at principally cost, investments in tax credit partnerships and equity method investments that do not provide a NAV, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets.
Investments - Other Valuation Methodologies
Certain of our investments, in accordance with GAAP for the type of investment, are measured using methodologies other than fair value. At June 30, 2018, these investments represented approximately 5% of total investments, and are detailed in the following table. Additional information about these investments is provided in Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(In millions)
Carrying Value
 
GAAP Measurement Method
Other investments:
 
 
 
Other, principally FHLB capital stock
$
2.9

 
Principally Cost
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries:
 
 
 
Investments in tax credit partnerships
79.9

 
Equity
Equity method investments, primarily LPs/LLCs
32.8

 
Equity
 
112.7

 
 
BOLI
63.0

 
Cash surrender value
Total investments - Other valuation methodologies
$
178.6

 
 
Other-than-temporary Impairments
We evaluate our available-for-sale investment securities on at least a quarterly basis for the purpose of determining whether declines in fair value below recorded cost basis represent OTTI. We consider an OTTI to have occurred:
if there is intent to sell the security;
if it is more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before full recovery of its amortized cost basis; and
if the entire amortized basis of the security is not expected to be recovered.
The assessment of whether the amortized cost basis of a security, particularly an asset-backed debt security, is expected to be recovered requires management to make assumptions regarding various matters affecting future cash flows. The choice of assumptions is subjective and requires the use of judgment. Actual credit losses experienced in future periods may differ from management’s estimates of those credit losses. Methodologies used to estimate the present value of expected cash flows are:
For non-structured fixed maturities (obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions and corporate debt) the estimate of expected cash flows is determined by projecting a recovery value and a recovery time frame and assessing whether further principal and interest will be received. We consider various factors in projecting recovery values and recovery time frames, including the following:
third-party research and credit rating reports;
the current credit standing of the issuer, including credit rating downgrades, whether before or after the balance sheet date;
the extent to which the decline in fair value is attributable to credit risk specifically associated with the security or its issuer;

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internal assessments and the assessments of external portfolio managers regarding specific circumstances surrounding an investment, which indicate the investment is more or less likely to recover its amortized cost than other investments with a similar structure;
for asset-backed securities, the origination date of the underlying loans, the remaining average life, the probability that credit performance of the underlying loans will deteriorate in the future, and our assessment of the quality of the collateral underlying the loan;
failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency; and
recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date.
For structured securities (primarily asset-backed securities), management estimates the present value of the security’s cash flows using the effective yield of the security at the date of acquisition (or the most recent implied rate used to accrete the security if the implied rate has changed as a result of a previous impairment or changes in expected cash flows). We consider the most recently available six month averages of the levels of delinquencies, defaults, severities, and prepayments for the collateral (loans) underlying the securitization or, if historical data is not available, sector based assumptions, to estimate expected future cash flows of these securities.
Exclusive of securities where there is an intent to sell or where it is not more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before recovery of its amortized cost basis, OTTI for debt securities is separated into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component of an OTTI is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows, while the non-credit component is the remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of expected future cash flows. The credit component of the OTTI is recognized in earnings while the non-credit component is recognized in OCI.
Investments in tax credit partnerships are evaluated for OTTI by considering both qualitative and quantitative factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:
our ability and intent to hold the investment until the recovery of its carrying value; and
in situations where there was not a previous OTTI for the investment, whether the current expected cash flows from the investment, primarily tax benefits, are less than those expected at the time the investment was acquired due to various factors, such as a change in the statutory tax rate; or
in situations where there was a previous OTTI for the investment, whether the expected cash flows from the investment at the time of the OTTI, primarily tax benefits, are less than its current carrying value.
Investments which are accounted for under the equity method are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment might not be recoverable. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, evidence of the inability to recover the carrying value of the investment, the inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying value of the investment or the current fair value of the investment that is less than the carrying value.
We recognize OTTI, exclusive of non-credit OTTI, in earnings as a part of net realized investment gains (losses). In subsequent periods, any measurement of gain, loss or impairment is based on the revised amortized basis of the security. Non-credit OTTI on debt securities and declines in fair value of available-for-sale securities not considered to be other-than-temporary are recognized in OCI.
Asset-backed debt securities that have been impaired due to credit reasons or are below investment grade quality are accounted for under the effective yield method. Under the effective yield method, estimates of cash flows expected over the life of asset-backed securities are used to recognize income on the investment balance for subsequent accounting periods.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Policy acquisition costs (primarily commissions, premium taxes and underwriting salaries) which are directly related to the successful acquisition of new and renewal premiums are capitalized as DPAC and charged to expense, net of ceding commissions earned, as the related premium revenue is recognized. We evaluate the recoverability of our DPAC at the segment level each reporting period, and any amounts estimated to be unrecoverable are charged to expense in the current period. As of June 30, 2018 we have not determined that any amounts are unrecoverable.
Estimation of Taxes / Tax Credits
For interim periods, we determine our provision (benefit) for income taxes based on our current estimate of our annual effective tax rate. Items which are unusual, infrequent, or that cannot be reliably estimated are considered in the effective tax rate in the period in which the item is included in income, and are referred to as discrete items. In calculating our estimated annual effective tax rate, we include the estimated benefit of tax credits for the annual period based on the most recently

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available information provided by the tax credit partnership; the actual amounts of credits provided by the tax credit partnerships may prove to be different than our estimates. The effect of such differences is recognized in the period identified.
Deferred Taxes
Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. Our temporary differences principally relate to our loss reserve, unearned premiums, DPAC, unrealized investment gains (losses) and basis differences on fixed assets and investment assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. We review our deferred tax assets quarterly for impairment. If we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make certain judgments and assumptions about our future operations based on historical experience and information as of the measurement period regarding reversal of existing temporary differences, carryback capacity, future taxable income (including its capital and operating characteristics) and tax planning strategies.
A valuation allowance has been established against the full value of the deferred tax asset related to the NOL carryforwards for the U.K. operations as management concluded that it was more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. See further discussion in Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our December 31, 2017 Form 10-K.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The TCJA was signed into law on December 22, 2017 and contains several key provisions that impact our business, including the reduction of the corporate tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018, the reduction in the amount of executive compensation that could qualify as a tax deduction, a minimum tax on payments made to related foreign entities and a change in how property and casualty taxpayers discount loss reserves. See Note 5 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the current status of our accounting for certain provisions of the TCJA.
Effective January 1, 2018, the TCJA introduced a minimum tax on payments made to related foreign entities referred to as the BEAT. The BEAT is imposed by adding back into the U.S. tax base any base erosion payment made by the U.S. taxpayer to a related foreign entity and applying a minimum tax rate to this newly calculated modified taxable income. Base erosion payments represent any amount paid or accrued by the U.S. taxpayer to a related foreign entity for which a deduction is allowed. Premiums we cede to the SPCs at our newly formed wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Inova Re, do not fall within the scope of base erosion payments as the SPCs at Inova Re intend to elect to be taxed as U.S. taxpayers. However, premiums that we cede to any active SPC at our other wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Eastern Re, fall within the scope of the base erosion payments and therefore could be significantly impacted by the BEAT. See further discussion on our new subsidiary, Inova Re, and our Cayman Islands SPC operations in the Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation section that follows. We have evaluated our exposure to the BEAT and have concluded that our expected outbound deductible payments to related foreign entities are below the threshold for application of the BEAT; therefore, we have not recognized any incremental tax expense for the BEAT for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We evaluate tax positions taken on tax returns and recognize positions in our financial statements when it is more likely than not that we will sustain the position upon resolution with a taxing authority. If recognized, the benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% probability of being realized. We review uncertain tax positions each period, considering changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law, and make adjustments as we consider necessary. Adjustments to our unrecognized tax benefits may affect our income tax expense, and settlement of uncertain tax positions may require the use of cash. Other than differences related to timing, no significant adjustments were considered necessary during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017. At June 30, 2018, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits approximated $4.5 million.
Goodwill
We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 and upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate the fair value of goodwill may be impaired. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level, which is consistent with the reportable segments identified in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Of the four reporting units, two have goodwill - Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation. As of October 1, 2017, we performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for both our Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation segments. As of the most recent evaluation date, management concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of each of the Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation reporting units was less than their

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respective carrying values; therefore, no further impairment testing was required. There have been no events or changes in circumstances since that evaluation date that would indicate the carrying amount of goodwill is not recoverable. Additional information regarding our goodwill assessment at the reporting unit level is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K.
Intangibles
Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset. Amortizable intangible assets primarily consist of agency and policyholder relationships, renewal rights and trade names. Intangible assets with an indefinite life, primarily state licenses, are not amortized. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. Additional information regarding intangible assets is included in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in ProAssurance's December 31, 2017 Form 10-K.
Audit Premium
Workers’ compensation premiums are determined based upon the payroll of the insured, applicable premium rates and an experience-based modification factor, where applicable. An audit of the policyholders’ records is conducted after policy expiration to make a final determination of applicable premiums. Audit premium due from or due to a policyholder as a result of an audit is reflected in net premiums written and earned when billed. We track, by policy, the amount of additional premium billed in final audit invoices as a percentage of payroll exposure and use this information to estimate the probable additional amount of EBUB premium as of the balance sheet date. We include changes to the EBUB premium estimate in net premiums written and earned in the period recognized.
Lloyd’s Premium Estimates
For certain insurance policies and reinsurance contracts written in our Lloyd’s Syndicates segment, premiums are initially recognized based upon estimates of ultimate premium. Ultimate premium represents the total expected premium to be written under delegated underwriting authority, which consist primarily of binder authority, and certain assumed reinsurance agreements. These estimates of ultimate premium are judgmental and are dependent upon certain assumptions, including historical premium trends for similar agreements. As reports are received from programs, ultimate premium estimates are revised, if necessary, with changes reflected in current operations.
Accounting Changes
We did not adopt any accounting changes or have any change in accounting estimate or policy that had a material effect on our results of operations or financial position during the six months ended June 30, 2018. We are not aware of any accounting changes not yet adopted as of June 30, 2018 that would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position. Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements provides additional detail regarding accounting changes.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources and Financial Condition
Overview
ProAssurance Corporation is a holding company and is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. As a holding company our principal source of external revenue is our investment revenues. In addition, dividends from our operating subsidiaries represent a significant source of funds for our obligations, including debt service and shareholder dividends. At June 30, 2018, we held cash and liquid investments of approximately $190 million outside our insurance subsidiaries that were available for use without regulatory approval or other restriction. We also have $200 million in permitted borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement and an accordion feature available which, if subscribed successfully, would allow another $50 million in available funds. As of July 31, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Agreement.
To date, during 2018, our operating subsidiaries have paid dividends to us of approximately $91 million, which included $11 million that was paid in July 2018. Of the total dividends paid, $48 million were extraordinary dividends. Additionally, we anticipate that our operating subsidiaries will pay dividends to us of approximately $14 million in August 2018. Dividends paid in July 2018 and anticipated to be paid in August 2018 have not been included in our cash and liquid investments held outside of our insurance subsidiaries at June 30, 2018. Excluding the dividends paid in July 2018 and anticipated to be paid in August 2018, our insurance subsidiaries, in the aggregate, are permitted to pay additional dividends of approximately $73 million over the remainder of 2018 without prior approval of state insurance regulators. However, the payment of any dividend requires prior notice to the insurance regulator in the state of domicile, and the regulator may reduce or prevent the dividend if, in its judgment, payment of the dividend would have an adverse effect on the surplus of the insurance subsidiary. We make the decision to pay dividends from an insurance subsidiary based on the capital needs of that subsidiary, and may pay less than the permitted dividend or may also request permission to pay an additional amount (an extraordinary dividend).
Cash Flows
Cash flows between periods compare as follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018 vs 2017
 
2017 vs 2016
Increase (decrease) in net cash provided (used) by:
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
(1,342
)
 
$
(21,629
)
Investing activities
35,721

 
340,757

Financing activities
(102,275
)
 
(223,081
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(67,896
)
 
$
96,047

The principal components of our operating cash flows are the excess of premiums collected and net investment income over losses paid and operating costs, including income taxes. Timing delays exist between the collection of premiums and the payment of losses associated with the premiums. Premiums are generally collected within the twelve-month period after the policy is written, while our claim payments are generally paid over a more extended period of time. Likewise, timing delays exist between the payment of claims and the collection of any associated reinsurance recoveries.
During the first quarter of 2018, we retrospectively adopted accounting guidance that resulted in a change in classification of distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries. Additional information regarding the impact of accounting guidance adopted during the current period can be found in Note 1 to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The decrease in operating cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 of $1.3 million was primarily due to an increase in paid losses of $15.4 million driven by increases in all of our operating segments, particularly in our Lloyd's Syndicates and Specialty P&C segments. The increase in paid losses in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment was primarily due to losses related to 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Additionally, the decrease in operating cash flows reflected an $11.0 million decrease in cash received from investment income due to a decline in distributed earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries. These decreases in operating cash flows were almost entirely offset by an increase in premium receipts of $13.1 million, driven by our Workers' Compensation segment, a decrease in 2018 estimated tax payments as compared to 2017 of $6.3 million and a decrease in cash paid for operating expenses of $6.0 million, primarily due to a decrease in compensation related costs and commission expenses.
The decrease in operating cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016 of $21.6 million was primarily driven by an increase in tax payments of $19.0 million and an increase in cash paid for operating expenses of $14.1 million. The increase in tax payments was due to the effect of a $15.0 million tax refund received in 2016 for the 2015 tax year and a $4.0 million increase in 2017 estimated tax payments. The increase in cash paid for operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in compensation related costs driven by our Specialty P&C segment and an increase in other underwriting and policy acquisition expenses in our Workers' Compensation segment; no remaining

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individually significant variances in expense categories. These decreases in operating cash flows were partially offset by an increase in premium receipts of $9.8 million driven by our Workers' Compensation and Specialty P&C segments and an increase in cash received from investment income of $2.1 million.
We manage our investing cash flows to ensure that we will have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations, taking into consideration the timing of cash flows from our investments, including interest payments, dividends and principal payments, as well as the expected cash flows to be generated by our operations as discussed in this section under the heading "Investing Activities and Related Cash Flows."
Our financing cash flows are primarily composed of dividend payments and borrowings and repayments under our Revolving Credit Agreement. See further discussion of our financing activities in this section under "Financing Activities and Related Cash Flows."
Operating Activities and Related Cash Flows
Reinsurance
Within our Specialty P&C segment, we use insurance and reinsurance (collectively, “reinsurance”) to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability, to provide reimbursement for losses incurred under the higher limit coverages we offer and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. Within our Workers' Compensation segment, we use reinsurance to reduce our net liability on individual risks, to mitigate the effect of significant loss occurrences (including catastrophic events), to stabilize underwriting results, and to increase underwriting capacity by decreasing leverage. In both our Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation segments, we use reinsurance in risk sharing arrangements to align our objectives with those of our strategic business partners and to provide custom insurance solutions for large customer groups. Prior to 2018, we had a quota share arrangement with Syndicate 1729 which was established to provide an initial premium base for Syndicate 1729 which was not renewed on January 1, 2018. The purchase of reinsurance does not relieve us from the ultimate risk on our policies; however, it does provide reimbursement for certain losses we pay. We pay our reinsurers a premium in exchange for reinsurance of the risk. In the majority of our excess of loss arrangements, the premium due to the reinsurer is determined by the loss experience of the business reinsured, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts. Until all loss amounts are known, we estimate the premium due to the reinsurer. Changes to the estimate of premium owed under reinsurance agreements related to prior periods are recorded in the period in which the change in estimate occurs and can have a significant effect on net premiums earned.
We generally reinsure risks under treaties (our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements) pursuant to which the reinsurers agree to assume all or a portion of all risks that we insure above our individual risk retention levels, up to the maximum individual limits offered. These arrangements are negotiated and renewed annually. Renewal dates for our healthcare professional liability, medical technology liability and workers' compensation treaties are October 1, January 1 and May 1, respectively. There were no significant changes in the cost or structure of our professional liability and medical technology liability treaties which renewed October 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, respectively. Our workers' compensation treaty renewed May 1, 2018 at a higher rate than the previous agreement. The significant coverages provided by our current excess of loss reinsurance arrangements are detailed in the following table.

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Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreements
reinchart21.jpg
 
Healthcare Professional Liability
 
Medical Technology & Life Sciences Products
 
Workers'
Compensation - Traditional
(1) Historically, retention has ranged from 5% to 32.5%.
(2) Historically, retention has been as high as $2M.
Large professional liability risks that are above the limits of our basic reinsurance treaties are reinsured on a facultative basis, whereby the reinsurer agrees to insure a particular risk up to a designated limit. We also have in place a number of risk sharing arrangements that apply to the first $1 million of losses for certain large healthcare systems and other insurance entities and with certain insurance agencies that produce business for us.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we wrote workers' compensation and healthcare professional liability policies in our alternative market business generating premium of approximately $19.5 million and $51.9 million, respectively. These policies are reinsured to the SPCs of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Eastern Re and Inova Re, domiciled in the Cayman Islands, net of a ceding commission. See further discussion on our SPC operations at Eastern Re and Inova Re in the Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation section that follows. The alternative market workers' compensation policies are ceded to the SPCs under 100% quota share reinsurance agreements and then further reinsured under an aggregate excess of loss reinsurance arrangement. The alternative market professional liability policies are ceded to the SPCs under either excess of loss or quota share reinsurance agreements, depending on the structure of the individual program, and the portion of the risk that is not ceded to an SPC may also be reinsured under our standard healthcare professional liability reinsurance program depending on the policy limits provided. The remaining premium written in our alternative market business of $0.4 million and $3.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, is 100% ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers.
Each SPC has preferred shareholders or participants and the underwriting profit or loss of each cell accrues fully to these preferred shareholders or participants. We participate in certain SPCs and as of June 30, 2018, our ownership interest in the SPCs in which we participate is as low as 25% and as high as 85%.

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As previously discussed, for the workers' compensation business ceded to Eastern Re and Inova Re, each SPC has in place its own reinsurance arrangements; which are illustrated in the following table.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance
capture.jpg
Per Occurrence Coverage
 
Aggregate Coverage (1)
(1) Prior to May 1, 2018, ProAssurance assumed 100% of aggregate losses in excess of an aggregate attachment point with a maximum loss limit of $100K. Effective May 1, 2018, ProAssurance no longer participates in the aggregate reinsurance coverage.
(2) The attachment point is based on a percentage of premium (average is 89%) and varies by cell.
Each SPC maintains a loss fund initially equal to the difference between premium assumed by the cell and the ceding commission. The external owners of each cell provide a letter of credit to us that is initially equal to the difference between the loss fund of the SPC (amount of funds available to pay losses after deduction of ceding commission) and the aggregate attachment point of the reinsurance. Over time, a SPC's retained profits are considered in the determination of the collateral amount required to be provided by the cell's external owners.
Within our Lloyd's Syndicates segment, Syndicate 1729 utilizes reinsurance to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability on individual risks, to provide protection against catastrophic loss and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. The level of reinsurance that Syndicate 1729 purchases is dependent on a number of factors, including its underwriting risk appetite for catastrophic exposure, the specific risks inherent in each line or class of business written and the pricing, coverage and terms and conditions available from the reinsurance market. Reinsurance protection by line of business is as follows:
Reinsurance is utilized on a per risk basis for the property insurance and casualty coverages in order to mitigate risk volatility.
Catastrophic protection is utilized on both our property insurance and casualty coverages to protect against losses in excess of policy limits as well as natural catastrophes.
Both quota share reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance are utilized to manage the net loss exposure on our property reinsurance coverages.
Property umbrella excess of loss reinsurance is utilized for peak catastrophe and frequency of catastrophe exposures.

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Beginning in 2018, external excess of loss reinsurance will be utilized by Syndicate 1729 to manage the net loss exposure on the specialty property and contingency coverages ceded to Syndicate 6131 (see further discussion in Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicates section that follows).
Syndicate 1729 may still be exposed to losses that exceed the level of reinsurance purchased as well as to reinstatement premiums triggered by losses exceeding specified levels. Cash demands on Syndicate 1729 can vary significantly depending on the nature and intensity of a loss event. For significant reinsured catastrophe losses, the inability or unwillingness of the reinsurer to make timely payments under the terms of the reinsurance agreement could have an adverse effect on Syndicate 1729's liquidity.
For all of our segments, we make a determination of the amount of insurance risk we choose to retain based upon numerous factors, including our risk tolerance and the capital we have to support it, the price and availability of reinsurance, the volume of business, our level of experience with a particular set of claims and our analysis of the potential underwriting results. We purchase excess of loss reinsurance to limit the amount of risk we retain and we do so from a number of companies to mitigate concentrations of credit risk. We utilize reinsurance brokers to assist us in the placement of these reinsurance programs and in the analysis of the credit quality of our reinsurers. The determination of which reinsurers we choose to do business with is based upon an evaluation of their then current financial strength, rating and stability. However, the financial strength of our reinsurers and their corresponding ability to pay us may change in the future due to forces or events we cannot control or anticipate.
Litigation
We are involved in various legal actions related to insurance policies and claims handling including, but not limited to, claims asserted against us by policyholders. These types of legal actions arise in the ordinary course of business and, in accordance with GAAP for insurance entities, are generally considered as a part of our loss reserving process, which is described in detail in our Critical Accounting Estimates section under the heading "Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses." We also have other direct actions against the Company unrelated to our claims activity which we evaluate and account for as a part of our other liabilities. For these corporate legal actions, we evaluate each case separately and establish what we believe is an appropriate reserve based on GAAP guidance related to contingent liabilities. As of June 30, 2018 there were no material reserves established for corporate legal actions.
Taxes
We are subject to the tax laws and regulations of the U.S. and U.K. We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return that includes the holding company and its U.S. subsidiaries. Our filing obligations include a requirement to make quarterly payments of estimated taxes to the IRS using the corporate tax rate effective for the tax year. As a result of the TCJA that was signed into law at the end of 2017, the corporate tax rate effective for the 2018 tax year is 21% as compared to 35% for the 2017 tax year. The lower corporate tax rate had no material effect on our liquidity for the six months ended June 30, 2018.


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Table of Contents

Investing Activities and Related Cash Flows
Our investments at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are comprised as follows:
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
($ in thousands)
Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment
 
Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment
Fixed maturities, available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
146,457

4
%
 
$
133,627

4
%
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
31,702

1
%
 
20,956

1
%
State and municipal bonds
331,100

10
%
 
632,243

17
%
Corporate debt
1,195,627

36
%
 
1,167,158

31
%
Residential mortgage-backed securities
204,236

6
%
 
197,844

5
%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
46,527

1
%
 
26,703

1
%
Other asset-backed securities
170,272

5
%
 
101,711

3
%
Total fixed maturities, available for sale
2,125,921

63
%
 
2,280,242

62
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, trading
29,772

< 1%

 

%
Equity investments
496,026

15
%
 
470,609

13
%
Short-term investments
212,945

6
%
 
432,126

12
%
BOLI
63,017

2
%
 
62,113

1
%
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries
390,214

12
%
 
330,591

9
%
Other investments
35,909

2
%
 
110,847

3
%
Total investments
$
3,353,804

100
%
 
$
3,686,528

100
%

The distribution of our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by rating were as follows:
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 ($ in thousands)
Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment
 
Carrying
Value
% of Total Investment
Rating*
 
 
 
 
 
AAA
$
652,654

31
%
 
$
617,091

27
%
AA+
122,845

6
%
 
183,221

8
%
AA
121,721

6
%
 
173,488

8
%
AA-
147,290

7
%
 
195,110

9
%
A+
193,193

9
%
 
210,263

9
%
A
324,439

15
%
 
296,852

13
%
A-
167,793

8
%
 
202,581

9
%
BBB+
103,562

5
%
 
103,023

4
%
BBB
110,465

5
%
 
100,025

4
%
BBB-
48,584

2
%
 
48,207

2
%
Below investment grade
112,509

5
%
 
119,310

6
%
Not rated
20,866

1
%
 
31,071

1
%
Total
$
2,125,921

100
%
 
$
2,280,242

100
%
*Average of three NRSRO sources, presented as an S&P equivalent. Source: S&P, Copyright ©2017, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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A detailed listing of our investment holdings as of June 30, 2018 is located under the Financial Information heading on the Investor Relations page of our website which can be reached directly at www.proassurance.com/investmentholdings, or through links from the Investor Relations section of our website, investor.proassurance.com.
We manage our investments to ensure that we will have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations, taking into consideration the timing of cash flows from our investments, including interest payments, dividends and principal payments, as well as the expected cash flows to be generated by our operations. In addition to the interest and dividends we will receive, we anticipate that between $50 million and $70 million of our investments will mature (or be paid down) each quarter over the next twelve months and become available, if needed, to meet our cash flow requirements. The primary outflow of cash at our insurance subsidiaries is related to paid losses and operating costs, including income taxes. The payment of individual claims cannot be predicted with certainty; therefore, we rely upon the history of paid claims in estimating the timing of future claims payments. To the extent that we may have an unanticipated shortfall in cash, we may either liquidate securities or borrow funds under existing borrowing arrangements through our Revolving Credit Agreement and the FHLB system. As of July 31, 2018, $250 million could be made available for use through our Revolving Credit Agreement, as discussed in this section under the heading "Debt." Given the duration of our investments, we do not foresee a shortfall that would require us to meet operating cash needs through additional borrowings. Additional information regarding the Revolving Credit Agreement is detailed in Note 8 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
As discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, our fixed maturity and short-term investments include securities deposited with Lloyd's in order to meet our FAL requirement. At June 30, 2018 securities on deposit with Lloyd's included fixed maturities having a fair value of $123.6 million and short-term investments with a fair value of $1.0 million.
Our investment portfolio continues to be primarily composed of high quality fixed income securities with approximately 94% of our fixed maturities being investment grade securities as determined by national rating agencies. The weighted average effective duration of our fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2018 was 3.38 years; the weighted average effective duration of our fixed maturity securities combined with our short-term securities was 3.07 years.
The carrying value and unfunded commitments for certain of our investments were as follows:
 
Carrying Value
 
June 30, 2018
($ in thousands, except expected funding period)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
 
Unfunded Commitment
Expected funding period in years
Qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships (1)
$
74,895

$
84,607

 
$
1,134

6
Historic tax credit partnerships (2)
4,980

6,118

 
1,103

1
All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs
310,339

294,924

 
178,660

6
Total
$
390,214

$
385,649

 
$
180,897

 
(1) The carrying value reflects our total commitments (both funded and unfunded) to the partnerships, less any amortization, since our initial investment. We fund these investments based on funding schedules maintained by the partnerships.
(2) The carrying value reflects our funded commitments less any amortization.
Investment fund LPs/LLCs are by nature less liquid and may involve more risk than other investments. We manage our risk through diversification of asset class and geographic location. At June 30, 2018, we had investments in 31 separate investment funds with a total carrying value, as shown in the table above, which represented approximately 9% of our total investments. We review and monitor the performance of these investments on a quarterly basis.

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Table of Contents

Financing Activities and Related Cash Flows
Treasury Shares
During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we did not repurchase any common shares and, as of July 31, 2018, our remaining Board authorization was approximately $109.6 million.
ProAssurance Shareholder Dividends
Our Board declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.31 per share during the first and second quarters of both 2018 and 2017, each of which was paid in the following quarter. Dividends paid in the first six months of both 2018 and 2017 included a special dividend of $4.69 per share, declared in the fourth quarter of each of the previous years. Any decision to pay future cash dividends is subject to the Board’s final determination after a comprehensive review of financial performance, future expectations and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.
Debt
At June 30, 2018 our debt included $250 million of outstanding unsecured senior notes. The notes bear interest at 5.3% annually and are due in 2023 although they may be redeemed in whole or part prior to maturity. There are no financial covenants associated with these notes.
We have a Revolving Credit Agreement which may be used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, short-term working capital, share repurchases as authorized by the Board and support for other activities. Our Revolving Credit Agreement permits borrowings of up to $200 million, and has available a $50 million accordion feature, which, if successfully subscribed, would expand permitted borrowings up to $250 million. During the second quarter of 2018, we repaid the balance outstanding on the Revolving Credit Agreement of $83 million and, as of July 31, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding. We are in compliance with the financial covenants of the Revolving Credit Agreement, which expires in June 2020.
During 2017, two of our subsidiaries each entered into ten-year mortgage loans collectively totaling approximately $40 million (Mortgage Loans) with one lender in connection with the recapitalization of two office buildings. The Mortgage Loans mature in December 2027 and accrue interest at three-month LIBOR plus 1.325% with principal and interest payable on a quarterly basis. We are in compliance with the financial covenant of the Mortgage Loans.
Additional information regarding our debt is provided in Note 8 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
During 2017, we entered into an interest rate cap agreement with a notional amount of $35 million to manage our exposure to increases in LIBOR on our Mortgage Loans. Per the interest rate cap agreement, we are entitled to receive cash payments if and when the three-month LIBOR exceeds 2.35%. Additional information on our interest rate cap agreement is provided in Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Two of our insurance subsidiaries are members of an FHLB. Through membership, those subsidiaries have access to secured cash advances which can be used for liquidity purposes or other operational needs. In order for us to use FHLB proceeds, regulatory approvals may be required depending on the nature of the transaction. To date, those subsidiaries have not materially utilized their membership for borrowing purposes.


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Table of Contents

Results of Operations – Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Selected consolidated financial data for each period is summarized in the table below.
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands, except per share data)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums written
$
207,769

$
175,651

$
32,118

 
 
$
422,901

$
379,878

$
43,023

 
Net premiums earned
$
223,591

$
180,353

$
43,238

 
 
$
410,750

$
363,256

$
47,494

 
Net investment result
27,764

25,193

2,571

 
 
51,430

50,187

1,243

 
Net realized investment gains (losses)
2,795

(2,219
)
5,014

 
 
(9,722
)
11,061

(20,783
)
 
Other income
2,044

2,250

(206
)
 
 
4,767

4,071

696

 
Total revenues
256,194

205,577

50,617

 
 
457,225

428,575

28,650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
161,728

115,550

46,178

 
 
291,515

234,701

56,814

 
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
59,611

57,885

1,726

 
 
116,969

114,994

1,975

 
Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income)
2,785

8,811

(6,026
)
 
 
4,532

11,186

(6,654
)
 
Interest expense
3,958

4,145

(187
)
 
 
7,663

8,278

(615
)
 
Total expenses
228,082

186,391

41,691

 
 
420,679

369,159

51,520

 
Income before income taxes
28,112

19,186

8,926

 
 
36,546

59,416

(22,870
)
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
(311
)
(332
)
21

 
 
(3,733
)
(1,557
)
(2,176
)
 
Net income
$
28,423

$
19,518

$
8,905

 
 
$
40,279

$
60,973

$
(20,694
)
 
Non-GAAP operating income
$
25,953

$
21,357

$
4,596

 
 
$
47,440

$
54,758

$
(7,318
)
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.53

$
0.37

$
0.16

 
 
$
0.75

$
1.14

$
(0.39
)
 
Diluted
$
0.53

$
0.36

$
0.17

 
 
$
0.75

$
1.14

$
(0.39
)
 
Non-GAAP operating earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.48

$
0.40

$
0.08

 
 
$
0.89

$
1.03

$
(0.14
)
 
Diluted
$
0.48

$
0.40

$
0.08

 
 
$
0.88

$
1.02

$
(0.14
)
 
Net loss ratio
72.3
%
64.1
%
8.2

pts
 
71.0
%
64.6
%
6.4

pts
Underwriting expense ratio
26.7
%
32.1
%
(5.4
)
pts
 
28.5
%
31.7
%
(3.2
)
pts
Combined ratio
99.0
%
96.2
%
2.8

pts
 
99.5
%
96.3
%
3.2

pts
Operating ratio
89.0
%
83.6
%
5.4

pts
 
88.7
%
83.7
%
5.0

pts
Effective tax rate
(1.1
%)
(1.7
%)
0.6

pts
 
(10.2
%)
(2.6
%)
(7.6
)
pts
Return on equity*
7.2
%
4.3
%
2.9

pts
 
5.1
%
6.7
%
(1.6
)
pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* Annualized
In all tables that follow, the abbreviation "nm" indicates that the information or the percentage change is not meaningful.



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Table of Contents

Executive Summary of Operations
The following sections provide an overview of our consolidated and segment results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. See the Segment Operating Results sections that follow for additional information regarding each segment's operating results.
Revenues
The following table shows our consolidated and segment net premiums earned:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Net premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specialty P&C
$
143,847

 
$
109,005

 
$
34,842

 
32.0
%
 
$
260,125

 
$
222,063

 
$
38,062

 
17.1
%
Workers' Compensation
62,254

 
56,854

 
5,400

 
9.5
%
 
120,660

 
112,137

 
8,523

 
7.6
%
Lloyd's Syndicates
17,490

 
14,494

 
2,996

 
20.7
%
 
29,965

 
29,056

 
909

 
3.1
%
Consolidated total
$
223,591

 
$
180,353

 
$
43,238

 
24.0
%
 
$
410,750

 
$
363,256

 
$
47,494

 
13.1
%
All of our operating segments contributed to the increase in net premiums earned during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same respective periods of 2017. The largest component of the increase in consolidated net premiums earned in both the 2018 three- and six-month periods was the $26.6 million of premium written and fully earned from a loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 in our Specialty P&C segment (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty section that follows).
The following table shows our consolidated net investment result:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Net investment income
$
22,384

 
$
22,677

 
$
(293
)
 
(1.3
%)
 
$
44,411

 
$
45,863

 
$
(1,452
)
 
(3.2
%)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
5,380

 
2,516

 
2,864

 
113.8
%
 
7,019

 
4,324

 
2,695

 
62.3
%
Net investment result
$
27,764

 
$
25,193

 
$
2,571

 
10.2
%
 
$
51,430

 
$
50,187

 
$
1,243

 
2.5
%
The increase in our consolidated net investment result for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to an increase in earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries, partially offset by a decrease in net investment income due to reduced earnings from our fixed income portfolio, which reflected lower average investment balances. The increase in earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected the impact of the adoption of an accounting standard during the first quarter of 2018 around the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities (see Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail regarding accounting changes adopted during the period). Under the new accounting standard, LPs/LLCs previously reported using the cost method are now reported at fair value with changes in fair value recognized as a component of equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries. Excluding the effect of the adoption of the new accounting standard, our investment results from our portfolio of investments in LPs/LLCs for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was relatively flat as compared to the same respective periods of 2017.

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Table of Contents

The following table shows our total consolidated net realized investment gains (losses):
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
$
(404
)
 
$

 
$
(404
)
 
nm

 
$
(404
)
 
$
(171
)
 
$
(233
)
 
136.3
%
Other net realized investment gains (losses)
3,199

 
(2,219
)
 
5,418

 
244
%
 
(9,318
)
 
11,232

 
(20,550
)
 
(183.0
%)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
$
2,795

 
$
(2,219
)
 
$
5,014

 
226
%
 
$
(9,722
)
 
$
11,061

 
$
(20,783
)
 
(187.9
%)
During the 2018 three- and six-month periods, we recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.4 million related to debt instruments from one issuer in the energy sector. During the 2017 six-month period, we recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.2 million related to corporate bonds.
Other net realized investment gains and losses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 primarily reflected changes in the value of our equity trading portfolio. See further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Corporate section that follows.
Expenses
The following table shows our consolidated and segment net loss ratios and net loss development:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Current accident year net loss ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated ratio
82.5
%
 
80.2
%
 
2.3

pts
 
82.1
%
 
80.5
%
 
1.6

pts
Specialty P&C
91.7
%
 
89.7
%
 
2.0

pts
 
91.1
%
 
89.2
%
 
1.9

pts
Workers' Compensation
66.5
%
 
64.1
%
 
2.4

pts
 
66.3
%
 
65.5
%
 
0.8

pts
Lloyd's Syndicates
64.2
%
 
71.4
%
 
(7.2
)
pts
 
66.9
%
 
72.1
%
 
(5.2
)
pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calendar year net loss ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated ratio
72.3
%
 
64.1
%
 
8.2

pts
 
71.0
%
 
64.6
%
 
6.4

pts
Specialty P&C
77.7
%
 
65.4
%
 
12.3

pts
 
75.5
%
 
65.9
%
 
9.6

pts
Workers' Compensation
60.1
%
 
58.9
%
 
1.2

pts
 
61.4
%
 
60.8
%
 
0.6

pts
Lloyd's Syndicates
71.5
%
 
74.3
%
 
(2.8
)
pts
 
70.1
%
 
69.8
%
 
0.3

pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable (unfavorable) net loss development, prior accident years
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
22.8

 
$
29.0

 
$
(6.2
)
 
 
$
45.6

 
$
57.8

 
$
(12.2
)
 
Specialty P&C
$
20.1

 
$
26.5

 
$
(6.4
)
 
 
$
40.6

 
$
51.8

 
$
(11.2
)
 
Workers' Compensation
$
4.0

 
$
2.9

 
$
1.1

 
 
$
5.9

 
$
5.3

 
$
0.6

 
Lloyd's Syndicates
$
(1.3
)
 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(0.9
)
 
 
$
(0.9
)
 
$
0.7

 
$
(1.6
)
 
Our consolidated current accident year net loss ratio increased 2.3 and 1.6 percentage points for the 2018 three- and six-month periods, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2017. The increase in both periods was driven by a loss portfolio transfer (net premiums earned at a 95% loss ratio) entered into during the second quarter of 2018 in our Specialty P&C segment, which accounted for 1.9 and 1.0 percentage points of the increase in the consolidated current accident year net loss ratio, respectively (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty section that follows).
After removing the impact of the loss portfolio transfer, the remaining increase in the consolidated current accident year net loss ratio for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was primarily due to an increase in expected losses in our excess and surplus lines business within our Specialty P&C segment, partially offset by a lower current accident year net loss ratio in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment which primarily reflected shifts in the mix of business earned during the 2018 three- and six-month periods (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicates section that follows).

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In both the 2018 and 2017 three- and six-month periods, our consolidated calendar year net loss ratio was lower than our consolidated current accident year net loss ratio due to the recognition of net favorable loss development, as shown in the previous table.
Our consolidated and segment underwriting expense ratios were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Underwriting Expense Ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
26.7
%
 
32.1
%
 
(5.4
)
pts
 
28.5
%
 
31.7
%
 
(3.2
)
pts
Specialty P&C
19.5
%
 
24.1
%
 
(4.6
)
pts
 
21.7
%
 
23.5
%
 
(1.8
)
pts
Workers' Compensation
28.9
%
 
30.1
%
 
(1.2
)
pts
 
29.3
%
 
30.1
%
 
(0.8
)
pts
Lloyd's Syndicates
46.1
%
 
47.3
%
 
(1.2
)
pts
 
51.1
%
 
45.0
%
 
6.1

pts
Corporate*
2.5
%
 
4.3
%
 
(1.8
)
pts
 
2.5
%
 
4.4
%
 
(1.9
)
pts
*There are no net premiums earned associated with the Corporate segment. Ratios shown are the contribution of the Corporate segment to the consolidated ratio (Corporate operating expenses divided by consolidated net premium earned).
Our consolidated underwriting expense ratio decreased for the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 driven by a loss portfolio transfer (net premiums earned with minimal associated operating expenses) entered into during the second quarter of 2018 in our Specialty P&C segment, which accounted for 3.7 and 2.0 percentage points of the decrease in the consolidated underwriting expense ratio, respectively (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty section that follows).
After removing the impact of the loss portfolio transfer, the remaining decrease in the consolidated underwriting expense ratio for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was primarily due to a decrease in consolidated operating expenses combined with an increase in net premiums earned across all of our operating segments. The decrease in consolidated operating expenses in the 2018 three- and six-month periods was driven by our Corporate segment primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation expenses which reflected fewer awards outstanding and an adjustment of the projected award value based upon the decline, in both periods, of one of the performance metrics associated with a particular year's award.
Taxes
Our projected annual effective tax rates for 2018 and 2017 were a benefit of 3.2% and an expense of 5.4% as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, before discrete items were considered. Our projected annual effective tax rates as of June 30, 2018 and 2017 were different from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to a portion of our investment income being tax-exempt and the utilization of tax credits transferred to us from our tax credit partnership investments. Discrete items further reduced our projected annual effective tax rates during the 2018 and 2017 six-month periods by 7.0% and 8.0%, respectively, resulting in a total effective tax rate of a benefit of 10.2% and a benefit 2.6%, respectively. Due to the TCJA, the statutory federal income tax rate used to develop the projected annual effective tax rate for 2018 was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate used to develop the projected annual effective tax rate for 2017. The effect of the lower statutory federal income tax rate and our ability to utilize tax credits in the current tax year as well as the previous tax year through carryback provisions of the tax law resulted in our projected annual effective tax rate of a benefit of 3.2% as of June 30, 2018.
Our calculation of our projected annual effective tax rate during interim periods has historically included an estimate of annual net realized investment gains and losses based on year-to-date results. Due to the recent volatility in the securities markets, we believe that projections for changes in net realized investment gains and losses during the year cannot be reliably estimated and could cause a significant distortion in the projected annual effective tax rate. Therefore, beginning in the first quarter of 2018, net realized investment gains and losses are treated as discrete items and reflected in the effective tax rate in the period in which they are included in income. This treatment of net realized investment losses of $9.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 accounted for 6.0% of the 7.0% reduction in the projected annual effective tax rate due to discrete items.

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Operating Ratio and ROE
Our operating ratio (calculated as our combined ratio, less our investment income ratio) increased by 5.4 and 5.0 percentage points in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The increase in both periods primarily reflected a higher net loss ratio in our Specialty P&C segment driven by a lower amount of prior year favorable development and a lower investment income ratio driven by a decline in income from our fixed maturity securities due to lower average investment balances.
ROE was 7.2% and 5.1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to 4.3% and 6.7% for the same respective periods of 2017. The increase in ROE for the 2018 three-month period was primarily due to an increase in net income driven by the change in net realized investment gains and losses in our equity trading portfolio as compared to the 2017 three-month period. The decrease in ROE for the 2018 six-month period was driven by the decrease in net income, primarily due to a lower amount of prior year favorable development in our Specialty P&C segment and, to a lesser extent, the change in net realized investment gains and losses in our equity trading portfolio. ROE for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected a lower average equity base (the denominator of the ROE ratio) as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 primarily due the cumulative effect of dividend declarations since the prior period.
Book Value per Share
We believe the payment of dividends is currently our most effective tool for the deployment of excess capital even though, in the short-term, dividend declarations dampen growth in book value per share. In addition, our book value per share at June 30, 2018 as compared to December 31, 2017 was impacted by a decrease in AOCI as a result of unrealized losses arising during the six months ended June 30, 2018 related to our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities which are recognized as a component of OCI. Our book value per share at June 30, 2018 as compared to December 31, 2017 is shown in the following table.
 
Book Value Per Share
Book Value Per Share at December 31, 2017
$
29.83

Increase (decrease) to book value per share during the six months ended June 30, 2018 attributable to:
 
Dividends declared
(0.62
)
Net income
0.75

Decrease in AOCI
(0.64
)
Other
0.05

Book Value Per Share at June 30, 2018
$
29.37


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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Non-GAAP operating income is a financial measure that is widely used to evaluate performance within the insurance sector. In calculating Non-GAAP operating income, we have excluded the after-tax effects of the items listed in the following table that do not reflect normal operating results. We believe Non-GAAP operating income presents a useful view of the performance of our insurance operations, however it should be considered in conjunction with net income computed in accordance with GAAP.
The following table is a reconciliation of net income to Non-GAAP operating income:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
(In thousands, except per share data)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income
$
28,423

 
$
19,518

 
$
40,279

 
$
60,973

Items excluded in the calculation of Non-GAAP operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized investment (gains) losses
(2,795
)
 
2,219

 
9,722

 
(11,061
)
Net realized gains (losses) attributable to SPCs which no profit/loss is retained (1)
(334
)
 
603

 
(744
)
 
1,427

Guaranty fund assessments (recoupments)
3

 
7

 
87

 
72

Pre-tax effect of exclusions
(3,126
)
 
2,829

 
9,065

 
(9,562
)
Tax effect (2)
656

 
(990
)
 
(1,904
)
 
3,347

After-tax effect of exclusions
(2,470
)
 
1,839

 
7,161

 
(6,215
)
Non-GAAP operating income
$
25,953

 
$
21,357

 
$
47,440

 
$
54,758

Per diluted common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.53

 
$
0.36

 
$
0.75

 
$
1.14

Effect of exclusions
(0.05
)
 
0.04

 
0.13

 
(0.12
)
Non-GAAP operating income per diluted common share
$
0.48

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.88

 
$
1.02

(1) Net realized investment gains (losses) on investments related to our SPCs are recognized in the earnings of our Corporate segment and the portion of earnings related to the gain or loss, net of our participation, is distributed back to the cells through our SPC dividend expense (income). To be consistent with our exclusion of net realized investment gains (losses) recognized in earnings, we are excluding the portion of net realized investment gains (losses) that is included in SPC dividend expense (income).
(2) The annual expected incremental tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 is 21% as compared to 35% for the same respective periods of 2017, associated with the taxable or tax deductible items listed above. Excluding certain discrete items, which are tax effected at the annual expected incremental tax rate in the period they are included in net income, the effective tax rate for each period was applied to these items in calculating net income. See previous discussion in this section under the heading "Taxes."

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Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty
Our Specialty P&C segment focuses on professional liability insurance and medical technology liability insurance as discussed in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Specialty P&C segment operating results reflect pre-tax underwriting profit or loss from these insurance lines, exclusive of investment results, which are included in our Corporate segment. Segment operating results included the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Net premiums written
$
133,232

$
106,529

$
26,703

 
25.1
%
 
$
255,196

$
223,826

$
31,370

 
14.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
$
143,847

$
109,005

$
34,842

 
32.0
%
 
$
260,125

$
222,063

$
38,062

 
17.1
%
Other income
1,262

1,469

(207
)
 
(14.1
%)
 
2,519

2,668

(149
)

(5.6
%)
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(111,838
)
(71,296
)
(40,542
)
 
56.9
%
 
(196,425
)
(146,291
)
(50,134
)
 
34.3
%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(28,050
)
(26,239
)
(1,811
)
 
6.9
%
 
(56,327
)
(52,217
)
(4,110
)
 
7.9
%
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income
(118
)
(5,119
)
5,001


(97.7
%)
 
(88
)
(5,091
)
5,003


(98.3
%)
Segment operating results
$
5,103

$
7,820

$
(2,717
)

(34.7
%)
 
$
9,804

$
21,132

$
(11,328
)

(53.6
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio
77.7%
65.4%
12.3

pts
75.5%
65.9%
9.6

pts
Underwriting expense ratio
19.5%
24.1%
(4.6
)
pts
21.7%
23.5%
(1.8
)
pts
In the second quarter of 2018, we entered into a loss portfolio transfer with a large healthcare organization. Per the agreement, we will cover a specific inventory of existing claims as well as provide tail coverage. As the contract included both prospective (tail) coverage and retroactive coverage, we bifurcated the provisions of the contract and accounted for each component separately. As of the effective date, we recognized total net premiums written and earned of $26.6 million, comprised of $7.9 million of prospective coverage and $18.7 million of retroactive coverage, and total net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $25.4 million within our Specialty P&C segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. See further discussion in Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Premiums Written
Changes in our premium volume within our Specialty P&C segment are driven by four primary factors: (1) the amount of new business, (2) our retention of existing business, (3) the premium charged for business that is renewed, which is affected by rates charged and by the amount and type of coverage an insured chooses to purchase and (4) the timing of premium written through multi-period policies. In addition, premium volume may periodically be affected by shifts in the timing of renewals between periods. The healthcare professional liability market, which accounts for a majority of the revenues in this segment, remains challenging as physicians continue joining hospitals or larger group practices and are thus no longer purchasing individual or group policies in the standard market. In addition, some competitors have chosen to compete primarily on price; both factors may impact our ability to write new business and retain existing business.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Gross premiums written
$
147,978

 
$
124,887

 
$
23,091

 
18.5
%
 
$
288,498

 
$
261,748

 
$
26,750

 
10.2
%
Less: Ceded premiums written
14,746

 
18,358

 
(3,612
)
 
(19.7
%)
 
33,302

 
37,922

 
(4,620
)
 
(12.2
%)
Net premiums written
$
133,232

 
$
106,529

 
$
26,703

 
25.1
%
 
$
255,196

 
$
223,826

 
$
31,370

 
14.0
%

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Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written by component were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Professional liability
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physicians (1)(8)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve month term
$
75,920

 
$
75,253

 
$
667

 
0.9
%
 
$
163,764

 
$
164,995

 
$
(1,231
)
 
(0.7
%)
Twenty-four month term
4,572

 
9,637

 
(5,065
)
 
(52.6
%)
 
12,821

 
15,497

 
(2,676
)
 
(17.3
%)
Total Physicians
80,492

 
84,890

 
(4,398
)
 
(5.2
%)
 
176,585

 
180,492

 
(3,907
)
 
(2.2
%)
Healthcare facilities (2)(8)
14,051

 
13,438

 
613

 
4.6
%
 
29,134

 
25,608

 
3,526

 
13.8
%
Other healthcare providers (3)
6,792

 
6,832

 
(40
)
 
(0.6
%)
 
15,783

 
15,571

 
212

 
1.4
%
Legal professionals (4)
6,663

 
6,514

 
149

 
2.3
%
 
14,462

 
14,406

 
56

 
0.4
%
Tail coverages (5)(6)
11,422

 
3,304

 
8,118

 
245.7
%
 
15,771

 
8,166

 
7,605

 
93.1
%
Retroactive coverages (6)
18,708

 

 
18,708

 
nm

 
18,708

 

 
18,708

 
nm

Total professional liability
138,128

 
114,978

 
23,150

 
20.1
%
 
270,443

 
244,243

 
26,200

 
10.7
%
Medical technology liability (7)
9,723

 
9,782

 
(59
)
 
(0.6
%)
 
17,821

 
17,319

 
502

 
2.9
%
Other
127

 
127

 

 
%
 
234

 
186

 
48

 
25.8
%
Total
$
147,978

 
$
124,887

 
$
23,091

 
18.5
%
 
$
288,498

 
$
261,748

 
$
26,750

 
10.2
%
(1) 
Physician policies were our greatest source of premium revenues in both 2018 and 2017. The increase in twelve month term policies during the 2018 three-month period was primarily driven by new business written including the addition of one large policy, largely offset by retention losses. The decline in twelve month term policies during the 2018 six-month period was primarily due to retention losses and, to a lesser extent, a timing difference related to the shifting in renewal date of one large policy, largely offset by new business written. Additionally, both the 2018 three- and six-month periods included an increase in premiums assumed in which we participate on a quota share basis. Renewal pricing increases in both the 2018 three- and six-month periods is reflective of our concern about potential increases in loss severity as well as more moderate marketplace price competition. We also offer twenty-four month term policies to our physician insureds in one selected jurisdiction. The decrease in twenty-four month term policies during the 2018 three- and six-month periods, as compared to the same periods in 2017, primarily reflected the normal cycle of renewals (policies subject to renewal in 2018 were previously written in 2016 rather than in 2017).
(2) 
Our healthcare facilities premium (which includes hospitals, surgery centers and other facilities) increased during the 2018 three- and six-month periods primarily due to new business written and an increase in renewal pricing due to changes in loss experience related to a few large policies. Additionally, the increase in the 2018 six-month period reflected an increase in coverage pertaining to one large entity which consolidated certain policies that were not previously insured by us during the first quarter of 2018. Increases in both the 2018 three- and six-month periods were largely offset by a timing difference related to the renewal of one large policy in the second quarter of 2018 and, to a lesser extent, retention losses.
(3) 
Our other healthcare providers are primarily dentists, chiropractors and allied health professionals.
(4) 
Our legal professionals policies are primarily individual and small group policies in select areas of practice. The slight increase during the 2018 three- and six-month periods was primarily due to new business written and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the rate charged for certain renewed policies in select states due to rate filings, largely offset by retention losses.
(5) 
We offer extended reporting endorsement or "tail" coverage to insureds who discontinue their claims-made coverage with us, and we also periodically offer tail coverage through custom policies. The amount of tail coverage premium written can vary significantly from period to period. The increase in tail premiums during the 2018 three- and six-month periods was driven by $7.9 million of tail coverage provided in connection with a loss portfolio transfer with a large healthcare organization entered into during the second quarter of 2018 (see further discussion in footnote 6 that follows).
(6) 
We offer custom alternative risk solutions including loss portfolio transfers for large healthcare entities who, most commonly, are exiting a line of business, changing an insurance approach, or simply preferring to transfer risk. In the second quarter of 2018, we entered into a loss portfolio transfer with a large healthcare organization. Per the agreement, we will cover a specific inventory of existing claims as well as provide tail coverage. The premiums received for the

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coverage provided for the existing inventory of claims was classified as retroactive coverage and resulted in $18.7 million of one-time premium written and fully earned in the 2018 three- and six-month periods. The premiums received for the prospective (tail) coverage resulted in $7.9 million of one-time premium written and fully earned in the 2018 three- and six-month periods. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on this transaction.
(7) 
Our medical technology liability business is marketed throughout the U.S.; coverage is offered on a primary basis, within specified limits, to manufacturers and distributors of medical technology and life sciences products including entities conducting human clinical trials. In addition to the previously listed factors that affect our premium volume, our medical technology liability premium volume is impacted by the sales volume of insureds. The slight decrease during the 2018 three-month period was primarily due to retention losses, almost entirely offset by new business written. The increase during the 2018 six-month period primarily reflected new business written and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the premium charged for certain renewed policies as a result of growth in exposure, partially offset by retention losses. Retention losses in both periods are largely attributable to an increase in competition on terms and pricing.
(8) 
Our alternative market solutions include writing healthcare premium in certain SPCs of our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, Eastern Re and Inova Re. We wrote approximately $1.3 million and $1.4 million of healthcare professional liability premium in our physicians line of business in the 2018 three- and six-month periods, respectively, and approximately $1.2 million in the 2017 three-month period. We wrote healthcare professional liability premium in our healthcare facilities line of business of approximately $0.4 million and $3.6 million in the 2018 three- and six-month periods, respectively, and approximately $0.1 million and $2.7 million in the same respective periods of 2017. All or a portion of the premium written was ceded to the SPCs. Under the SPC structure, the operating results of each cell, net of any participation we have taken in the SPCs, accrue to the benefit of the external owners of that cell. Our Specialty P&C segment does not currently participate in the cells that write HCPL premium, and therefore retains no underwriting profit or loss. Additional information regarding the SPCs is included in the Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expense section that follows under the heading "Segregated Portfolio Dividend Expense (Income)."
New business written by component on a direct basis was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Physicians
$
3.7

 
$
4.5

 
$
8.7

 
$
10.9

Healthcare facilities
2.2

 
2.1

 
4.3

 
3.1

Other healthcare providers
0.3

 
0.5

 
1.7

 
1.1

Legal professionals
0.9

 
0.9

 
1.7

 
1.8

Medical technology liability
0.9

 
1.4

 
1.8

 
2.7

Total
$
8.0

 
$
9.4

 
$
18.2

 
$
19.6

For our Specialty P&C segment, we calculate our retention rate as annualized renewed premium divided by all annualized premium subject to renewal. Retention rates are affected by a number of factors. We may lose insureds to competitors or to alternative insurance mechanisms such as risk retention groups or self-insurance entities (often when physicians join hospitals or large group practices) or due to pricing or other issues. We may choose not to renew an insured as a result of our underwriting evaluation. Insureds may also terminate coverage because they have left the practice of medicine for various reasons, principally for retirement, death or disability, but also for personal reasons.
Retention by component was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Physicians*
90
%
 
90
%
 
91
%
 
90
%
Healthcare facilities*
90
%
 
90
%
 
89
%
 
90
%
Other healthcare providers*
84
%
 
86
%
 
86
%
 
85
%
Legal professionals
85
%
 
84
%
 
83
%
 
84
%
Medical technology liability
91
%
 
89
%
 
89
%
 
85
%
* Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis.
The pricing of our business includes the effects of filed rates, surcharges and discounts. Renewal pricing also reflects

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changes in our exposure base, deductibles, self-insurance retention limits and other policy items. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data and available industry loss data. We are committed to a rate structure that will allow us to fulfill our obligations to our insureds, while generating competitive returns for our shareholders.
Changes in renewal pricing by component was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2018
Physicians (1)(2)
3
%
 
2
%
Healthcare facilities (1)(2)
8
%
 
5
%
Other healthcare providers (1)
4
%
 
3
%
Legal professionals (2)
5
%
 
6
%
Medical technology liability
3
%
 
4
%
(1) Excludes certain policies written on an excess and surplus lines basis.
(2) See Gross Premiums Written section for further explanation of renewal pricing increase.
Ceded Premiums Written
Ceded premiums represent the amounts owed to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. Through our current excess of loss reinsurance arrangements we generally retain the first $1 million in risk insured by us and cede coverages in excess of this amount. For our healthcare professional liability coverages, we also retain from 5% - 12.5% of the next $25 million of risk for coverages in excess of $1 million. For our medical technology liability coverages, we also retain 10% of the next $9 million of risk for coverages in excess of $1 million. We pay our reinsurers a ceding premium in exchange for their accepting the risk, the ultimate amount of which is determined by the loss experience of the business ceded, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts.
Ceded premiums written were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Excess of loss reinsurance arrangements (1)
$
8,815

$
8,987

$
(172
)
(1.9
%)
 
$
17,738

$
17,039

$
699

4.1
%
Premium ceded to Syndicate 1729 (2)

2,227

(2,227
)
(100.0
%)
 
2,105

6,490

(4,385
)
(67.6
%)
Other shared risk arrangements (3)
6,352

6,218

134

2.2
%
 
14,865

14,665

200

1.4
%
Other ceded premiums written
713

786

(73
)
(9.3
%)
 
1,653

1,688

(35
)
(2.1
%)
Adjustment to premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years, net (4)
(1,134
)
140

(1,274
)
(910.0
%)
 
(3,059
)
(1,960
)
(1,099
)
(56.1
%)
Total ceded premiums written
$
14,746

$
18,358

$
(3,612
)
(19.7
%)
 
$
33,302

$
37,922

$
(4,620
)
(12.2
%)
(1) 
We generally reinsure risks under our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements pursuant to which the reinsurers agree to assume all or a portion of all risks that we insure above our individual risk retention levels, up to the maximum individual limits offered. In the majority of our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements, the premium due to the reinsurer is determined by the loss experience of that business reinsured, subject to certain minimum and maximum amounts. The change in ceded premiums written under our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements for the 2018 three- and six-month periods primarily reflected adjustments in the premiums we expect to owe our reinsurers based upon adjustments to our estimates of losses recoverable from our reinsurance partners. For the 2018 three-month period, we decreased our estimate of premiums we expect to owe our reinsurers whereas in the 2018 six-month period we increased our estimate.
(2) 
As previously discussed, we are the majority participant in Syndicate 1729 and normally record our pro rata share of its operating results in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. We also recorded the cession to the Lloyd's Syndicates segment from our Specialty P&C segment on a quarter delay as the amounts were not material and that permitted the cession to be reported by both the Lloyd's Syndicates segment and the Specialty P&C segment in the same reporting period. The decrease in premiums ceded to Syndicate 1729 during the 2018 three- and six-month periods reflected the non-renewal of our quota share agreement with Syndicate 1729 on January 1, 2018; the impact of which was not reflected in ceded premiums written until the second quarter of 2018 due to the quarter delay. Additionally, the decrease in premiums ceded to Syndicate 1729 during the 2018 six-month period reflected the revised contract terms on our previous quota share agreement effective

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January 1, 2017 which reduced the premiums ceded by essentially half. See the Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicates section for further discussion on the quota share agreement. As our premiums are earned, we recognize the related ceding commission income which reduces underwriting expense by offsetting DPAC amortization. For the 2018 six-month period and 2017 three- and six-month periods, the related ceding commission income was approximately 27% of ceded premiums written. For our consolidated results, eliminations of the inter-segment portion (58% of the Specialty P&C cession for the 2018 six-month period and 2017 three- and six-month periods) of the transactions are also recorded on a quarter delay.
(3) 
We have entered into various shared risk arrangements, including quota share, fronting, and captive arrangements, with certain large healthcare systems and other insurance entities. These arrangements include our Ascension Health and CAPAssurance programs. While we cede a large portion of the premium written under these arrangements, they provide us an opportunity to grow net premium through strategic partnerships. The increase in the 2018 three- and six-month periods was primarily driven by growth in our CAPAssurance program.
(4) 
Given the length of time that it takes to resolve our claims, many years may elapse before all losses recoverable under a reinsurance arrangement are known. As a part of the process of estimating our loss reserve we also make estimates regarding the amounts recoverable under our reinsurance arrangements. As previously discussed, the premiums ultimately ceded under certain of our excess of loss reinsurance arrangements are subject to the losses ceded under the arrangements. For the 2018 three- and six-month periods and the 2017 six-month period, we reduced our estimate of expected losses and associated recoveries for prior year ceded losses, as well as our estimate of ceded premiums owed to reinsurers. During the 2017 three-month period, the overall change in expected loss recoveries resulted in an increase in estimated ceded premiums owed to reinsurers and was attributable to one large claim. Changes to estimates of premiums ceded related to prior accident years are fully earned in the period the changes in estimates occur.
Ceded Premiums Ratio
As shown in the table below, our ceded premiums ratio was affected in both 2018 and 2017 by revisions to our estimate of premiums owed to reinsurers related to coverages provided in prior accident years.
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
Change
 
2018
 
2017
Change
Ceded premiums ratio, as reported
10.0
%
 
14.7
%
(4.7
)
pts
 
11.5
%
 
14.5
%
(3.0
)
pts
Less the effect of adjustments in premiums owed under reinsurance agreements, prior accident years (as previously discussed)
(0.8
%)
 
0.1
%
(0.9
)
pts
 
(1.1
%)
 
(0.7
%)
(0.4
)
pts
Ratio, current accident year
10.8
%
 
14.6
%
(3.8
)
pts
 
12.6
%
 
15.2
%
(2.6
)
pts
The decrease in the current accident year ceded premiums ratio for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was driven by the effect of the loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 (increase in gross premiums written with no premium ceded) which resulted in a 2.4 and 1.3 percentage point decrease in the current accident year ceded premiums ratio, respectively (see discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written"). After removing the impact of the loss portfolio transfer, the remaining decrease in the current accident year ceded premiums ratio for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was primarily due to the decrease in premiums ceded to Syndicate 1729, as previously discussed (see discussion under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written").

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Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Gross premiums earned
$
161,596

 
$
130,688

 
$
30,908

 
23.7
%
 
$
295,294

 
$
262,470

 
$
32,824

 
12.5
%
Less: Ceded premiums earned
17,749

 
21,683

 
(3,934
)
 
(18.1
%)
 
35,169

 
40,407

 
(5,238
)
 
(13.0
%)
Net premiums earned
$
143,847

 
$
109,005

 
$
34,842

 
32.0
%
 
$
260,125

 
$
222,063

 
$
38,062

 
17.1
%
Net premiums earned consist of gross premiums earned less the portion of earned premiums that we cede to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. Because premiums are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of premiums written. Generally, our policies carry a term of one year, however, as discussed above, we write certain policies with a twenty-four month term, and a few of our medical technology liability policies have a multi-year term. Tail coverage premiums are generally 100% earned in the period written because the policies insure only incidents that occurred in prior periods and are not cancellable. Retroactive coverage premiums are 100% earned at the inception of the contract, as all of the underlying loss events occurred in the past. Additionally, ceded premium changes due to changes to estimates of premiums owed under reinsurance agreements for prior accident years are fully earned in the period of change.
The increase in gross premiums earned during the 2018 three- and six-month periods was driven by the loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 which resulted in $26.6 million of one-time premium written and fully earned in the current period (see discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written"). Additionally, the increase in gross premiums earned in both periods reflected the pro rata effect of higher premiums written during the preceding twelve months, predominantly in our physicians line of business.
The decrease in ceded premiums earned during the 2018 three- and six-month periods primarily reflected the pro rata effect of the decrease in premiums ceded to Syndicate 1729 during the preceding twelve months and, to a lesser extent, the change in prior accident year ceded premium adjustments, which were $1.3 million and $1.1 million higher in the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the 2017 three- and six-month periods, respectively (see discussion under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written").

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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The determination of calendar year losses involves the actuarial evaluation of incurred losses for the current accident year and the actuarial re-evaluation of incurred losses for prior accident years, including an evaluation of the reserve amounts required for losses in excess of policy limits.
Accident year refers to the accounting period in which the insured event becomes a liability of the insurer. For claims-made policies, which represent the majority of the premiums written in our Specialty P&C segment, the insured event generally becomes a liability when the event is first reported to us. For occurrence policies, the insured event becomes a liability when the event takes place. For retroactive coverages, the insured event becomes a liability at inception of the underlying contract. We believe that measuring losses on an accident year basis is the best measure of the underlying profitability of the premiums earned in that period, since it associates policy premiums earned with the estimate of the losses incurred related to those policy premiums.
The following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Additionally, the table shows our current accident year net loss ratio was affected by revisions to our estimate of premiums owed to reinsurers related to coverages provided in prior accident years. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, our net loss ratios were affected by a loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 which resulted in total net premiums written and earned of $26.6 million and total net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $25.4 million (see further information in Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). Given the significance of the premium and losses recognized associated with this transaction, we have removed the impact of the loss portfolio transfer from each of the ratios below (as shown in the columns labeled "Adjusted") in order to enhance the comparability between periods. Net loss ratios were as follows:
 
Net Loss Ratios (1)
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
As reported
LPT Impact
Adjusted
 
As reported
 
As reported
Adjusted
Calendar year net loss ratio
77.7
%
4.3
%
73.4
%
 
65.4
%
 
12.3

8.0

Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio
(14.0
%)
3.2
%
(17.2
%)
 
(24.3
%)
 
10.3

7.1

Current accident year net loss ratio
91.7
%
1.1
%
90.6
%
 
89.7
%
 
2.0

0.9

Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded premium adjustments, prior accident years (2)
(0.7
%)
0.3
%
(1.0
%)
 
0.1
%
 
(0.8
)
(1.1
)
Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of prior year ceded premium (3)
92.4
%
0.8
%
91.6
%
 
89.6
%
 
2.8

2.0

 
Net Loss Ratios (1)
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
As reported
LPT Impact
Adjusted
 
As reported
 
As reported
Adjusted
Calendar year net loss ratio
75.5
%
2.4
%
73.1
%
 
65.9
%
 
9.6

7.2

Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio
(15.6
%)
1.8
%
(17.4
%)
 
(23.3
%)
 
7.7

5.9

Current accident year net loss ratio
91.1
%
0.6
%
90.5
%
 
89.2
%
 
1.9

1.3

Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ceded premium adjustments, prior accident years (2)
(1.1
%)
0.2
%
(1.3
%)
 
(0.8
%)
 
(0.3
)
(0.5
)
Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of prior year ceded premium (3)
92.2
%
0.4
%
91.8
%
 
90.0
%
 
2.2

1.8

(1) 
Net losses, as specified, divided by net premiums earned.
(2) 
Reductions to premiums owed under reinsurance agreements for prior accident years increased net premiums earned (the denominator of the current accident year ratio) for the 2018 three- and six-month periods and 2017 six-month period. For the 2017 three-month period, we increased the premiums owed under reinsurance agreements for prior accident years which decreased net premiums earned in the quarter. See the discussion in the Premiums section for our Specialty P&C segment under the heading "Ceded Premiums Written" for additional information.
(3) 
Excluding the impact of the loss portfolio transfer and prior year ceded premium adjustments, as shown in the table above, the current accident year net loss ratio for the 2018 three- and six-month periods increased 2.0 and 1.8 percentage points, respectively, as compared to the same respective periods of 2017. The increases in both periods were primarily due to an increase in expected losses in our excess and surplus lines business, partially offset by the impact of the revision to

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our quota share reinsurance agreement with Syndicate 1729. Due to the revised contract terms, we are retaining more premium that carries a lower loss ratio as compared to the segment's total book of business.
We recognized net favorable loss development related to our previously established reserves of $20.1 million and $40.6 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $26.5 million and $51.8 million during the same respective periods of 2017. We re-evaluate our previously established reserve each quarter based on our most recently available claims data and currently available industry trend information. Development recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 principally related to accident years 2011 through 2015. Development recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 principally related to accident years 2010 through 2014.
A detailed discussion of factors influencing our recognition of loss development is included in our Critical Accounting Estimates section under the heading "Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses" and in our 2017 Form 10-K under the same heading. Assumptions used in establishing our reserve are regularly reviewed and updated by management as new data becomes available. Any adjustments necessary are reflected in the then current operations. Due to the size of our reserve, even a small percentage adjustment to the assumptions can have a material effect on our results of operations for the period in which the change is made, as was the case in both 2018 and 2017.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Our Specialty P&C segment underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses were comprised as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
DPAC amortization
$
13,374

 
$
11,760

 
$
1,614

 
13.7
%
 
$
26,408

 
$
22,945

 
$
3,463

 
15.1
%
Management fees
1,789

 
1,500

 
289

 
19.3
%
 
3,486

 
3,152

 
334

 
10.6
%
Other underwriting and operating expenses
12,887

 
12,979

 
(92
)
 
(0.7
%)
 
26,433

 
26,120

 
313

 
1.2
%
Total
$
28,050

 
$
26,239

 
$
1,811

 
6.9
%
 
$
56,327

 
$
52,217

 
$
4,110

 
7.9
%
DPAC amortization increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 driven by a decrease in ceding commission income, which is an offset to expense, primarily due to a reduction in premiums ceded to Syndicate 1729 and, to a lesser extent, an increase in commission and brokerage expenses.
Management fees are charged pursuant to a management agreement by the Corporate segment to the operating subsidiaries within our Specialty P&C segment for services provided, based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of premium written by the subsidiary. While the terms of the management agreement were consistent between 2017 and 2018, fluctuations in the amount of premium written by each subsidiary can result in corresponding variations in the management fee charged to each subsidiary during a particular period. The management fees charged to the Specialty P&C segment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected the increase in premiums written due to a loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 (see discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written").
Other underwriting and operating expenses decreased slightly during the 2018 three-month period and increased during the 2018 six-month period as compared to the same respective periods of 2017. There were no individually significant variances in expense categories in either period.
Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
Our expense ratio for the Specialty P&C segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Underwriting expense ratio
19.5
%
 
24.1
%
 
(4.6
)
pts
 
21.7
%
 
23.5
%
 
(1.8
)
pts

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The underwriting expense ratio decreased in the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 driven by the impact of a loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 (net premiums earned with minimal associated operating expenses), which accounted for 4.2 and 2.3 percentage points of the decrease in the underwriting expense ratio, respectively (see further discussion under the heading "Gross Premiums Written"). After removing the impact of the loss portfolio transfer, the underwriting expense ratio remained relatively flat in the 2018 three-month period and increased slightly in the 2018 six-month period. The slight increase in the underwriting expense ratio in the 2018 six-month period was primarily due to the effect of an increase in DPAC amortization, as previously discussed, partially offset by an increase in net premiums earned as compared to the same respective period of 2017.
Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend (Expense) Income
Our alternative market solutions includes writing HCPL premium in our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries. Consistent with the SPC structure discussed in the Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation section that follows, the net operating results of each cell, net of any participation we have taken in the SPCs, are due to the external owners of that cell. Our Specialty P&C segment does not currently participate in the cells that write HCPL premium, and therefore retains no profit or loss. Historically, within our HCPL business, we have written a limited number of segregated cell captive programs through a Bermuda captive arrangement and the use of this facility has declined as the HCPL insurance market has softened. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized a one-time $5.2 million pre-tax expense related to previously unrecognized SPC dividend expense for the cumulative earnings of unrelated parties that have owned SPCs at various times since 2003 within the Bermuda captive insurance operation mentioned above. The SPC dividend expense attributable to those cells was unrelated to the captive operations of our Eastern Re subsidiary. After removing the impact of this one-time expense, SPC dividend (expense) income was relatively flat for the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017. See more information on our SPCs under the heading "Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses" in the Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation section that follows. SPC dividend (expense) income was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
SPC dividend (expense) income
$
(118
)
 
$
(5,119
)
 
$
5,001

 
(97.7
%)
 
$
(88
)
 
$
(5,091
)
 
$
5,003

 
(98.3
%)

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Table of Contents

Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation
Our Workers' Compensation segment provides traditional workers' compensation insurance products and alternative market solutions for workers' compensation risks to employers generally with 1,000 or fewer employees, as discussed in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, segment operating results reflected pre-tax underwriting profit or loss, which excludes the operating results of the SPCs, net of our participation. Investment results, which include the SPC investment results, are included in our Corporate segment. Segment operating results included the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Net premiums written
$
64,671

$
54,700

$
9,971

18.2
%
 
$
145,997

$
130,270

$
15,727

12.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
$
62,254

$
56,854

$
5,400

9.5
%
 
$
120,660

$
112,137

$
8,523

7.6
%
Other income
212

209

3

1.4
%
 
578

354

224

63.3
%
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(37,385
)
(33,486
)
(3,899
)
11.6
%
 
(74,099
)
(68,136
)
(5,963
)
8.8
%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(17,969
)
(17,093
)
(876
)
5.1
%
 
(35,301
)
(33,784
)
(1,517
)
4.5
%
Segregated portfolio cells dividend (expense) income (1)
(2,751
)
(2,698
)
(53
)
2.0
%
 
(4,645
)
(3,872
)
(773
)
20.0
%
Segment operating results
$
4,361

$
3,786

$
575

15.2
%
 
$
7,193

$
6,699

$
494

7.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional business
64.8%
65.0%
(0.2
)
pts
 
65.0%
65.0%

pts
Alternative market business
47.4%
43.4%
4.0

pts
 
51.8%
49.9%
1.9

pts
Segment results
60.1%
58.9%
1.2

pts
 
61.4%
60.8%
0.6

pts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting expense ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional business
28.0%
29.7%
(1.7
)
pts
 
28.6%
29.9%
(1.3
)
pts
Alternative market business
31.2%
30.9%
0.3

pts
 
31.0%
30.7%
0.3

pts
Segment results
28.9%
30.1%
(1.2
)
pts
 
29.3%
30.1%
(0.8
)
pts
(1) Represents the underwriting (profit) loss attributable to the alternative market business ceded to the SPCs at our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, Eastern Re and Inova Re, net of our participation.
During the first quarter of 2018, we reorganized our Cayman Islands SPC operations. Effective January 1, 2018, all new and renewing alternative market business previously ceded to the SPCs at Eastern Re, with the exception of one program, is now ceded to SPCs operated by a newly formed wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary, Inova Re. As part of the reorganization, all SPCs previously operated by Eastern Re, with the exception of one program, ceased assuming new and renewing business on or after January 1, 2018. The external cell owners' cumulative undistributed earnings and the results of all SPCs for the current period due to external cell owners continue to be reported as SPC dividends payable and SPC dividend expense, respectively.

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Premiums Written
Our workers’ compensation premium volume is driven by five primary factors: (1) the amount of new business written, (2) audit premium, (3) retention of our existing book of business, (4) premium rates charged on our renewal book of business and (5) changes in payroll exposure.
Gross, ceded and net premiums written were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Gross premiums written
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional business*
$
52,609

$
43,991

$
8,618

19.6
%
 
$
111,353

$
97,022

$
14,331

14.8
%
Alternative market business
18,102

15,334

2,768

18.1
%
 
50,707

46,532

4,175

9.0
%
Segment results
70,711

59,325

11,386

19.2
%
 
162,060

143,554

18,506

12.9
%
Less: Ceded premiums written
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Traditional business
3,628

1,808

1,820

100.7
%
 
7,208

3,763

3,445

91.5
%
Alternative market business*
2,412

2,817

(405
)
(14.4
%)
 
8,855

9,521

(666
)
(7.0
%)
Segment results
6,040

4,625

1,415

30.6
%
 
16,063

13,284

2,779

20.9
%
Net premiums written
 
 
 
 
 


 




Traditional business
48,981

42,183

6,798

16.1
%
 
104,145

93,259

10,886

11.7
%
Alternative market business
15,690

12,517

3,173

25.3
%
 
41,852

37,011

4,841

13.1
%
Segment results
$
64,671

$
54,700

$
9,971

18.2
%
 
$
145,997

$
130,270

$
15,727

12.1
%
* Traditional gross premiums written and alternative market ceded premiums written are reported net of alternative market premiums assumed by our traditional business totaling $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the 2018 three- and six-month periods, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the same respective periods of 2017.
Our traditional workers’ compensation insurance products include guaranteed cost, dividend, deductible and retrospectively-rated policies. Our alternative market business is 100% ceded to either the SPCs at our wholly owned Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries, Eastern Re or Inova Re, or to unaffiliated captive insurers. As of June 30, 2018, there were 24 (20 active) SPCs and 2 active alternative market programs with unaffiliated captive insurers.
Additional information regarding the structure of the SPCs is included under the heading "Segregated Portfolio Dividend Expense (Income)."
Gross Premiums Written
Gross premiums written in our traditional and alternative market business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 are reflected in the table above. Gross premiums written increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same respective periods of 2017, driven by growth in both our traditional and alternative market business. Growth in our traditional business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was driven by new business written including $4.3 million and $7.9 million of premiums written related to the third quarter 2017 acquisition of the Great Falls book of business, respectively, and an improvement in renewal pricing. Growth in our alternative market business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was driven by new business written and an improvement in renewal pricing. We retained 14 of the 15 available alternative market programs up for renewal during the six months ended June 30, 2018, including the 5 available for renewal during the second quarter of 2018.

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New business, audit premium, retention and renewal price changes for both the traditional business and the alternative market business for 2018 and 2017 are shown in the table below:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
($ in millions)
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
New business
$
10.6

$
2.8

$
13.4

 
$
7.6

$
1.9

$
9.5

Audit premium (including EBUB)
$
0.9

$
0.3

$
1.2

 
$
0.7

$
0.3

$
1.0

Retention rate (1)
85
%
95
%
88
%
 
87
%
91
%
88
%
Change in renewal pricing (2)
1
%
2
%
1
%
 
(2
%)
(5
%)
(3
%)

Six Months Ended June 30

2018

2017
($ in millions)
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
New business
$
24.0

$
5.4

$
29.4


$
17.1

$
6.5

$
23.6

Audit premium (including EBUB)
$
2.1

$
0.4

$
2.5


$
1.7

$
0.5

$
2.2

Retention rate (1)
85
%
93
%
87
%

86
%
94
%
88
%
Change in renewal pricing (2)
(2
%)
%
(1
%)

(3
%)
(4
%)
(3
%)














(1) We calculate our workers' compensation retention rate as annualized expiring renewed premium divided by all annualized expiring premium subject to renewal. Our retention rate can be impacted by various factors, including price or other competitive issues, insureds being acquired, or a decision not to renew based on our underwriting evaluation.
(2) The pricing of our business includes an assessment of the underlying policy exposure and the effects of current market conditions. We continue to base our pricing on expected losses, as indicated by our historical loss data. The renewal rate decreases reflected the competitive workers’ compensation environment.

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Ceded Premiums Written
Ceded premiums written reflected our external reinsurance programs and alternative market business ceded to unaffiliated captive insurance companies.
Ceded premiums written were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Premiums ceded to external reinsurers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traditional business
$
3,166

$
1,596

$
1,570

98.4
%
 
$
6,073

$
4,355

$
1,718

39.4
%
Alternative market business
2,027

1,612

415

25.7
%
 
5,087

4,618

469

10.2
%
Segment results
5,193

3,208

1,985

61.9
%
 
11,160

8,973

2,187

24.4
%
Change in return premium estimate under external reinsurance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Traditional business
462

212

250

117.9
%
 
1,135

(592
)
1,727

291.7
%
Alternative market business



nm

 



nm

Segment results
462

212

250

117.9
%
 
1,135

(592
)
1,727

291.7
%
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Traditional business



nm

 



nm

Alternative market business
385

1,205

(820
)
(68.0
%)
 
3,768

4,903

(1,135
)
(23.1
%)
Segment results
385

1,205

(820
)
(68.0
%)
 
3,768

4,903

(1,135
)
(23.1
%)
Total ceded premiums written
 
 
 
 
 








Traditional business
3,628

1,808

1,820

100.7
%
 
7,208

3,763

3,445

91.5
%
Alternative market business
2,412

2,817

(405
)
(14.4
%)
 
8,855

9,521

(666
)
(7.0
%)
Segment results
$
6,040

$
4,625

$
1,415

30.6
%
 
$
16,063

$
13,284

$
2,779

20.9
%
We retain the first $0.5 million in risk insured by us on our traditional business and cede losses in excess of this amount on each loss occurrence under our primary external reinsurance contract. The traditional external reinsurance contract contains a return premium provision under which we estimate return premium based on the underlying loss experience of policies covered under the contract. In our alternative market business, the risk retention for each loss occurrence ranges from $0.3 million to $0.35 million based on the alternative market program. We cede 100% of premiums written under two alternative market programs to unaffiliated captive insurers.
Per our reinsurance agreements, we cede premiums related to our traditional business on an earned premium basis, whereas alternative market premiums are ceded on a written premium basis. The increase in traditional premiums ceded to external reinsurers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was driven by a decrease in revenue sharing with our reinsurance broker, primarily due to a change in estimate during the second quarter of 2017. After removing the impact of the change in our revenue sharing estimate, premiums ceded to external reinsurers increased $0.6 million and $0.9 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, which reflected an increase in premiums earned and an increase in reinsurance rates. The slight increase in alternative market premiums ceded to external reinsurers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected an increase in written premium. External reinsurance rates vary based on the alternative market program.
Changes in the return premium estimate reflected the loss experience under the reinsurance contract for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The decrease in the return premium estimate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected severity-related claims activity during the six months ended June 30, 2018.
The decrease in premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected the impact of the 2017 designed consolidation of two unaffiliated captive programs. During 2017, we added one new alternative market program that writes business previously ceded to two non-renewed unaffiliated captive programs.

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Ceded Premiums Ratio
Ceded premiums ratio was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
Ceded premiums ratio, as reported
6.9%
13.3%
8.5%
 
4.1%
18.4%
7.8%
 
2.8
(5.1)
0.7
Less the effect of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Return premium estimated under external reinsurance
0.9%
—%
0.7%
 
0.5%
—%
0.4%
 
0.4
0.3
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%)
—%
1.9%
0.5%
 
—%
7.0%
1.9%
 
(5.1)
(1.4)
Ceded premiums ratio, less the effects of above
6.0%
11.4%
7.3%

3.6%
11.4%
5.5%

2.4%
—%
1.8%


Six Months Ended June 30

2018

2017

Change

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
Ceded premiums ratio, as reported
6.5%
17.5%
9.9%

3.9%
20.5%
9.3%

2.6
(3.0)
0.6
Less the effect of:











Return premium estimated under external reinsurance
1.0%
—%
0.7%

(0.6%)
—%
(0.4%)

1.6
1.1
Premiums ceded to unaffiliated captive insurers (100%)
—%
6.6%
2.1%

—%
9.4%
3.2%

(2.8)
(1.1)
Ceded premiums ratio, less the effects of above
5.5%
10.9%
7.1%

4.5%
11.1%
6.5%

1.0
(0.2)
0.6
The above table reflects ceded premiums as a percent of gross premiums written. As discussed above, we cede premiums related to our traditional business on an earned premium basis, whereas alternative market premiums are ceded on a written premium basis. The increase in the traditional ceded premiums ratio for the 2018 three- and six-month periods when compared to the same respective periods of 2017 primarily reflected an increase in reinsurance rates and the impact of the increase in broker revenue sharing, as previously discussed. Traditional ceded premiums as a percent of traditional earned premiums increased in the 2018 three- and six-month periods when compared to the 2017 three- and six-month periods, which reflected an increase in reinsurance rates. The alternative markets ceded premiums ratio, less the effect of premiums ceded to the unaffiliated captive insurers, reflected premiums ceded to our external reinsurers related to the SPCs at Eastern Re and Inova Re. The reinsurance rates for our alternative market business vary by program.

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Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Gross premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
Traditional business*
$
48,632

$
42,501

$
6,131

14.4
%
 
$
94,662

$
84,269

$
10,393

12.3
%
Alternative market business
20,648

20,209

439

2.2
%
 
40,029

39,655

374

0.9
%
Segment results
69,280

62,710

6,570

10.5
%
 
134,691

123,924

10,767

8.7
%
Less: Ceded premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Traditional business
3,596

1,809

1,787

98.8
%
 
7,129

3,763

3,366

89.4
%
Alternative market business*
3,430

4,047

(617
)
(15.2
%)
 
6,902

8,024

(1,122
)
(14.0
%)
Segment results
7,026

5,856

1,170

20.0
%
 
14,031

11,787

2,244

19.0
%
Net premiums earned
 
 
 
 
 








Traditional business
45,036

40,692

4,344

10.7
%
 
87,533

80,506

7,027

8.7
%
Alternative market business
17,218

16,162

1,056

6.5
%
 
33,127

31,631

1,496

4.7
%
Segment results
$
62,254

$
56,854

$
5,400

9.5
%
 
$
120,660

$
112,137

$
8,523

7.6
%
* Traditional gross premiums earned and alternative market ceded premiums earned are reported net of alternative market premiums assumed by our traditional business totaling $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the 2018 three -and six-month periods, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the same respective periods of 2017.

Net premiums earned consist of gross premiums earned less the portion of earned premiums that we cede to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. Because premiums are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of premiums written. Our workers’ compensation policies are twelve-month policies and premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over the policy period. Net premiums earned also include premium adjustments related to the audit of our insureds' payrolls. Payroll audits are conducted subsequent to the end of the policy period and any related adjustments are recorded as fully earned in the current period. In addition, we record an estimate for EBUB and evaluate the estimate on a quarterly basis. We did not adjust the EBUB estimate during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017. The increase in net premiums earned in our traditional business primarily reflected the pro rata effect of higher net premiums written during the preceding twelve months.

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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Calendar year and current accident year net loss ratios by component were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
Calendar year net loss ratio*
64.8
%
47.4
%
60.1
%
 
65.0
%
43.4
%
58.9
%
 
(0.2
)
4.0

1.2

Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio
(2.2
%)
(17.8
%)
(6.4
%)
 
(0.9
%)
(15.9
%)
(5.2
%)
 
(1.3
)
(1.9
)
(1.2
)
Current accident year net loss ratio
67.0
%
65.2
%
66.5
%

65.9
%
59.3
%
64.1
%
 
1.1

5.9

2.4

Less impact of audit premium on loss ratio
%
(1.0
%)
(0.3
%)
 
%
(1.3
%)
(0.4
%)
 

0.3

0.1

Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of audit premium
67.0
%
66.2
%
66.8
%

65.9
%
60.6
%
64.5
%
 
1.1

5.6

2.3


Six Months Ended June 30

2018

2017

Change

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
Calendar year net loss ratio*
65.0
%
51.8
%
61.4
%

65.0
%
49.9
%
60.8
%


1.9
0.6

Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio
(1.6
%)
(13.8
%)
(4.9
%)

(1.0
%)
(14.4
%)
(4.7
%)

(0.6
)
0.6
(0.2
)
Current accident year net loss ratio
66.6
%
65.6
%
66.3
%

66.0
%
64.3
%
65.5
%

0.6

1.3
0.8

Less impact of audit premium on loss ratio
%
(0.7
%)
(0.2
%)

%
(1.0
%)
(0.3
%)


0.3
0.1

Current accident year net loss ratio, excluding the effect of audit premium
66.6
%
66.3
%
66.5
%

66.0
%
65.3
%
65.8
%

0.6

1.0
0.7

* The net loss ratios for the 2018 three- and six-month periods in the above tables are calculated before the impact of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the same respective periods of 2017 of premiums earned that is assumed by and ceded from the traditional and alternative markets business.
The current accident year net loss ratio in our traditional business for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was 67.0% and 66.6%, respectively, as compared to 65.9% and 66.0% for the same respective periods of 2017. The increase in the current accident year net loss ratio reflected increased winter storm activity and economic growth trends. We continue to experience favorable trends in claims closing results, which has offset the impact of renewal rate decreases on the current accident year net loss ratio. The current accident year net loss ratio in our alternative market business reflected the aggregate loss ratio for all programs. Loss reserves are estimated for each program on a quarterly basis. Due to the size of some of the programs, quarterly claims activity can cause the current accident year net loss ratio to fluctuate significantly from period to period.
Calendar year incurred losses ceded to our external reinsurers in both our traditional and alternative market business totaled $2.3 million and $15.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, compared to ceded incurred losses of $7.4 million and $12.5 million for the same respective periods of 2017. The increase in ceded incurred losses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected unfavorable development on prior year claims that resulted in losses exceeding the reinsurance retention and two large reinsured claims related to the current accident year.
We recognized net favorable prior year development related to our previously established reserve of $4.0 million and $5.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $2.9 million and $5.3 million for the same respective periods of 2017. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we recognized net favorable prior year development for our traditional business of $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively as compared to $0.4 million and $0.8 million for the same respective periods of 2017. The net favorable prior year development for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected overall favorable trends in claim closing patterns, primarily in the 2015 and 2016 accident years. The

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net favorable prior year development included $0.4 million and $0.8 million related to amortization of the purchase accounting fair value adjustment for our traditional business for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. It also included net favorable prior year development in our alternative market business of $3.0 million and $4.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $2.5 million and $4.5 million for the same respective periods of 2017, which primarily reflected better than expected claims trends in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 accident years.
Within our alternative market business, audit premium from insureds results in a decrease in the net loss ratio, whereas audit premium returned to insureds results in an increase in the net loss ratio. We recognized audit premium of $0.3 million and $0.4 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.5 million in the same respective periods of 2017, the effect of which is reflected in the previous table.
In our traditional business, we estimate our current accident year loss and loss adjustment expenses based on an expected loss ratio. Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses are determined by applying the expected loss ratio to net premiums earned, which includes audit premium, for the respective period. In our alternative market business, we estimate our current accident year losses and loss adjustment expenses based on the underlying actuarial methodologies without consideration of audit premium. As a result, we removed the effects of audit premium in the previous table for purposes of evaluating the current accident year net loss ratio.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses includes the amortization of commissions, premium taxes and underwriting salaries, which are capitalized and deferred over the related workers’ compensation policy period, net of external ceding commissions earned. The capitalization of underwriting salaries can vary as they are subject to the success rate of our contract acquisition efforts. These expenses also include a management fee charged by our Corporate segment, which represents intercompany charges pursuant to a management agreement, and the amortization of intangible assets, primarily related to the acquisition of Eastern by ProAssurance. The management fee is based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of premium written by the subsidiary.
The table below provides a comparison of underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Traditional business
$
12,657

$
12,146

$
511

4.2
%
 
$
25,171

$
24,123

$
1,048

4.3
%
Alternative market business
5,312

4,947

365

7.4
%
 
10,130

9,661

469

4.9
%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
$
17,969

$
17,093

$
876

5.1
%
 
$
35,301

$
33,784

$
1,517

4.5
%
The increase in underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses in our traditional business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 primarily reflected an increase in compensation related costs and policy acquisition costs driven by the effect of higher gross premiums earned in the 2018 three- and six-month periods.

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Underwriting Expense Ratio (the Expense Ratio)
The underwriting expense ratio included the impact of the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
 
Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
Underwriting expense ratio, as reported*
28.0
%
31.2
%
28.9
%
 
29.7
%
30.9
%
30.1
%
 
(1.7
)
0.3
(1.2
)
Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Amortization of intangible assets
1.9
%
%
1.4
%
 
1.8
%
%
1.3
%
 
0.1

0.1

Management fee
1.2
%
%
0.9
%
 
1.1
%
%
0.8
%
 
0.1

0.1

Impact of audit premium
(0.5
%)
(0.5
%)
(0.5
%)
 
(0.4
%)
(0.7
%)
(0.5
%)
 
(0.1
)
0.2

Impact of return premium estimate
0.3
%
%
0.2
%
 
0.1
%
%
0.1
%
 
0.2

0.1

Underwriting expense ratio, less listed effects
25.1
%
31.7
%
26.9
%

27.1
%
31.6
%
28.4
%

(2.0
)
0.1
(1.5
)

Six Months Ended June 30

2018

2017

Change

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results

Traditional Business
Alternative Market Business
Segment
Results
Underwriting expense ratio, as reported*
28.6
%
31.0
%
29.3
%

29.9
%
30.7
%
30.1
%

(1.3
)
0.3
(0.8
)
Less estimated ratio increase (decrease) attributable to:



















Amortization of intangible assets
1.9
%
%
1.4
%

1.8
%
%
1.3
%

0.1

0.1

Management fee
1.4
%
%
1.0
%

1.3
%
%
1.0
%

0.1


Impact of audit premium
(0.6
%)
(0.3
%)
(0.5
%)

(0.6
%)
(0.5
%)
(0.6
%)


0.2
0.1

Impact of return premium estimate
0.3
%
%
0.3
%

(0.2
%)
%
(0.2
%)

0.5

0.5

Underwriting expense ratio, less listed effects
25.6
%
31.3
%
27.1
%

27.6
%
31.2
%
28.6
%

(2.0
)
0.1
(1.5
)
* The underwriting expense ratios for the 2018 three- and six-month periods in the above tables are calculated before the impact of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the same respective periods of 2017 of premiums earned that is assumed by and ceded from the traditional and alternative markets business.
The decrease in the traditional expense ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, exclusive of the items noted in the table, primarily reflected the increase in net premiums earned which included the effect of net retrospective return premium adjustments. Retrospective return premium adjustments increased earned premium by $0.1 million and $0.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and decreased earned premium by $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the same respective periods in 2017. There were no other individually significant variances by expense category that contributed to the remaining decrease in the traditional expense ratio. The change in the alternative market business expense ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected ceding commissions, which vary by program.

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Table of Contents

Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend Expense (Income)
Our Workers' Compensation segment provides turn-key workers' compensation alternative market solutions that include program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, SPC rental, asset management and SPC management services. The asset management and SPC management services are outsourced to a third party. Alternative market customers include individual companies, groups and associations.
The SPCs are segregated pools of assets and liabilities that provide an insurance facility for a defined set of risks. Assets of each SPC are solely for the benefit of that individual cell and each SPC is solely responsible for the liabilities of that individual cell. Assets of one SPC are statutorily protected from the creditors of the others. We participate to a varying degree in the results of selected SPCs. Our ownership interest in the SPCs in which we participate is as low as 25% and as high as 85%. Under the SPC structure, the net operating results of each cell, net of our participation, are due to the external owners of that cell.
The SPC financial results are included in the following table. The SPC net operating results represent the operating results of each cell in the aggregate.
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Net premiums earned
$
17,019

 
$
16,014

 
$
1,005

 
6.3
%
 
$
32,726

 
$
31,431

 
$
1,295

 
4.1
%
Other income
60

 
29

 
31

 
106.9
%
 
90

 
49

 
41

 
83.7
%
Less: Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
8,065

 
6,954

 
1,111

 
16.0
%
 
16,955

 
15,681

 
1,274

 
8.1
%
Less: Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
5,312

 
4,947

 
365

 
7.4
%
 
10,130

 
9,661

 
469

 
4.9
%
Less: Income tax expense (benefit)
90

 

 
90

 
nm

 
90

 

 
90

 
nm

SPC net operating results - profit/(loss)
3,612

 
4,142

 
(530
)
 
(12.8
%)
 
5,641


6,138


(497
)
 
(8.1
%)
Less: PRA participation - profit/(loss)
861

 
1,444

 
(583
)
 
(40.4
%)
 
996

 
2,266

 
(1,270
)
 
(56.0
%)
SPC dividend expense (income)
$
2,751

 
$
2,698

 
$
53

 
2.0
%
 
$
4,645

 
$
3,872

 
$
773

 
20.0
%
For the 2018 three- and six-month periods, the decrease in SPC net operating results, prior to our participation, primarily reflected an increase in the current accident year net loss ratio as compared to the same respective periods of 2017. The decrease in our participation reflected the decreased net operating results as well as the impact of our share of the SPC investment results.

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Table of Contents

Segment Operating Results - Lloyd's Syndicates
Our Lloyd's Syndicates segment includes operating results from our participation in certain Syndicates in Lloyd's of London. We have a total capital commitment to support our Lloyd's Syndicate operations through 2022 of up to $200 million. For the 2018 underwriting year, we have satisfied our capital commitment with investment securities deposited with Lloyd's (also referred to as FAL) which at June 30, 2018 had a fair value of approximately $124.6 million, as discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
We normally report results from our involvement in Lloyd's Syndicates on a quarter delay, except when information is available that is material to the current period. Furthermore, the investment results associated with our FAL investments and certain U.S. paid administrative expenses are reported concurrently as that information is available on an earlier time frame.
Lloyd's Syndicate 1729
We are the majority capital provider to Syndicate 1729, which covers a range of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance lines. For the 2018 underwriting year, we increased our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 from 58% to 62% which, due to the quarter delay, was not reflected in our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results until the second quarter of 2018. The remaining capital for Syndicate 1729 is provided by unrelated third parties, including private names and other corporate members. Syndicate 1729 has a maximum underwriting capacity of £132.0 million for the 2018 underwriting year, of which £82.0 million ($108.3 million based on June 30, 2018 exchange rates) is our allocated underwriting capacity. We are satisfying our capital commitment to support Syndicate 1729 with our FAL securities, as discussed above.
Lloyd's Syndicate 6131
Beginning in the second quarter of 2018, our Lloyd's Syndicates segment includes the operating results of a newly formed SPA, Syndicate 6131, which began writing business effective January 1, 2018. As a SPA, Syndicate 6131 is only allowed to underwrite one quota share reinsurance contract with Syndicate 1729. We are the sole (100%) capital provider to Syndicate 6131 and are satisfying our capital commitment with our FAL securities, as previously discussed. Syndicate 6131 has a maximum underwriting capacity of £8.0 million ($10.6 million based on June 30, 2018 exchange rates) for the 2018 underwriting year and will focus on contingency and specialty property business.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, our Lloyd's Syndicates segment results include our participation in Lloyd's of London Syndicates, as discussed above, and 100% of the operating results of our wholly owned subsidiaries that support our Lloyd's Syndicates and were composed as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Gross premiums written
$
24,201

$
23,311

$
890

3.8
%
 
$
36,561

$
36,023

$
538

1.5
%
Ceded premiums written
(14,335
)
(8,889
)
(5,446
)
61.3
%
 
(14,853
)
(10,241
)
(4,612
)
45.0
%
Net premiums written
$
9,866

$
14,422

$
(4,556
)
(31.6
%)
 
$
21,708

$
25,782

$
(4,074
)
(15.8
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net premiums earned
$
17,490

$
14,494

$
2,996

20.7
%
 
$
29,965

$
29,056

$
909

3.1
%
Net investment income
836

410

426

103.9
%
 
1,587

782

805

102.9
%
Net realized gains (losses)
(252
)
47

(299
)
(636.2
%)
 
(306
)
74

(380
)
(513.5
%)
Other income (expense)
(436
)
(151
)
(285
)
(188.7
%)
 
(105
)
240

(345
)
(143.8
%)
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(12,505
)
(10,768
)
(1,737
)
16.1
%
 
(20,991
)
(20,274
)
(717
)
3.5
%
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses
(8,060
)
(6,851
)
(1,209
)
17.6
%
 
(15,306
)
(13,062
)
(2,244
)
17.2
%
Income tax benefit (expense)

548

(548
)
(100.0
%)
 
(6
)
555

(561
)
(101.1
%)
Segment operating results
$
(2,927
)
$
(2,271
)
$
(656
)
28.9
%
 
$
(5,162
)
$
(2,629
)
$
(2,533
)
96.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss ratio
71.5%
74.3%
(2.8
)
pts
 
70.1%
69.8%
0.3

pts
Underwriting expense ratio
46.1%
47.3%
(1.2
)
pts
 
51.1%
45.0%
6.1

pts

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Premiums Written
Changes in our premium volume within our Lloyd's Syndicates segment are driven by four primary factors: (1) the amount of new business and the channels in which the business is written, (2) our retention of existing business, (3) the premium charged for business that is renewed, which is affected by rates charged and by the amount and type of coverage an insured chooses to purchase and (4) the timing of premium written through multi-period policies.
Gross premiums written during the six months ended June 30, 2018 consisted of casualty coverages (40% of total gross premiums written), property insurance coverages (37%), property reinsurance coverages (7%), catastrophe reinsurance coverages (14%) and specialty property coverages (2%). The increase in gross premiums written during the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 was primarily driven by our increased participation in the operating results of Syndicate 1729 and our participation in the operating results of Syndicate 6131.
As discussed in our Specialty P&C segment operating results, prior to January 1, 2018 Syndicate 1729 served as a reinsurer on a quota share basis for a wholly owned insurance subsidiary in our Specialty P&C segment. For premiums assumed, we include in gross premiums written an estimate of all premiums to be earned over the entire period covered by the reinsurance agreement, generally one year, in the quarter in which the reinsurance agreement becomes effective. Results from this ceding arrangement are reported in the Specialty P&C segment on the same quarter delay in order to be consistent with the Lloyd's Syndicates segment as the effect of doing so is not material. The quota share agreement with our Specialty P&C segment effective January 1, 2017 reflected revised contract terms which reduced premiums assumed by Syndicate 1729 by essentially half. Syndicate 1729 did not renew the quota share agreement with our Specialty P&C segment on January 1, 2018; however, due to the previously mentioned quarter delay the impact began to be reflected in each segment's operating results in second quarter of 2018.
The 2016 and 2015 calendar year quota share arrangements with our Specialty P&C segment were commuted in December 2017 and 2016, respectively. Due to the quarter delay, the effect of the 2016 and 2015 commutation was reported in both segments' results during the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is reflected in the Lloyd's Syndicates segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The commutations did not differ significantly from previously recorded amounts.
Syndicate 1729 utilizes reinsurance to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability on individual risks, to provide protection against catastrophic loss and to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits. Ceded premiums written increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily due to the increased utilization of reinsurance on new business written directly by Syndicate 1729 to replace the business previously assumed through the quota share agreement with our Specialty P&C segment.
Net Premiums Earned
Net premiums earned consist of gross premiums earned less the portion of earned premiums that we cede to our reinsurers for their assumption of a portion of our losses. Premiums written through open-market channels are generally earned pro rata over the entire policy period, which is predominately twelve months, whereas premiums written through delegated underwriting authority arrangements are earned over twenty-four months. Therefore, net premiums earned is affected by shifts in the mix of policies written between the open-market and delegated underwriting authority arrangements. Additionally, fluctuations in premiums earned tend to lag those of premiums written. Premiums for certain policies and assumed reinsurance contracts are reported subsequent to the coverage period and/or may be subject to adjustment based on loss experience. These premium adjustments are earned when reported, which can result in further fluctuation in earned premium.
The increase in net premiums earned during the 2018 three- and six-month periods primarily reflected the pro rata effect of shifts in the mix of premiums written during the preceding twelve months; a larger proportion of premiums written through the open-market, as compared to previous years, which are predominately earned over twelve months. For the 2018 six-month period, the increase in gross premiums earned was largely offset by an increase in ceded premiums earned which primarily reflected the effect of higher ceded premiums written during the preceding twelve months due to a revision in our reinsurance agreements at the beginning of 2017. Net premiums earned for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 included premium assumed from our Specialty P&C segment of approximately $1.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and approximately $3.1 million and $6.6 million for the same respective periods of 2017.
Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses for the period were primarily recorded using the loss assumptions by risk category incorporated into the business plan submitted to Lloyd's for Syndicate 1729 with consideration given to loss experience incurred to date. The assumptions used in the business plan were consistent with loss results reflected in Lloyd's historical data for similar risks. Syndicate 6131, which began active operations effective January 1, 2018, follows a process similar to Syndicate 1729 for the establishment of initial reserves. We expect loss ratios to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 1729 writes more business and the book

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begins to mature. We also expect loss ratios of Syndicate 6131 to fluctuate from quarter to quarter as Syndicate 6131 assumes more business from Syndicate 1729. The loss ratios will also fluctuate due to the timing of earned premium adjustments (see discussion in this section under the heading "Net Premiums Earned"). Premium and exposure for some of Syndicate 1729's insurance policies and reinsurance contracts are initially estimated and subsequently adjusted over an extended period of time as underlying premium reports are received from cedants and insureds. When reports are received, the premium, exposure and corresponding loss estimates are revised accordingly. Changes in loss estimates due to premium or exposure fluctuations are incurred in the accident year in which the premium is earned.
The following table summarizes calendar year net loss ratios by separating losses between the current accident year and all prior accident years. Net loss ratios for the period were as follows:
 
Net Loss Ratios
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Calendar year net loss ratio
71.5
%
 
74.3
%
 
(2.8
)
pts
 
70.1
%
 
69.8
%
 
0.3

pts
Less impact of prior accident years on the net loss ratio
7.3
%
 
2.9
%
 
4.4

pts
 
3.2
%
 
(2.3
%)
 
5.5

pts
Current accident year net loss ratio
64.2
%
 
71.4
%
 
(7.2
)
pts
 
66.9
%
 
72.1
%
 
(5.2
)
pts
The current accident year net loss ratio decreased by 7.2 and 5.2 percentage points for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2017 which primarily reflected shifts in the mix of business earned, as previously discussed.
We recognized unfavorable prior year development of $1.3 million and $0.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to $0.4 million of unfavorable prior year development and $0.7 million of favorable prior year development for the same respective periods of 2017. The unfavorable prior year development for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was driven by higher than expected losses and development on certain large claims which resulted in unfavorable development with respect to a previous year of account.
Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses increased by $1.2 million and $2.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2017 which primarily reflected the anticipated growth in Syndicate 1729 operations and an increase in various operational expenses associated with establishing Syndicate 6131. In addition, the increase in underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected an increase in DPAC amortization primarily due to an increase in broker commissions.
The change in the underwriting expense ratio for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected the previously mentioned increase in DPAC amortization and increase in operating expenses associated with establishing Syndicate 6131. However, the effect of these increases to the expense ratio was more than offset, for the 2018 three-month period, and partially offset, for the 2018 six-month period, by an increase in net premiums earned, as previously discussed.
Investments
Net investment income for the 2018 and 2017 three- and six-month periods was primarily attributable to interest earned on our FAL investments, which primarily includes investment-grade corporate debt securities. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Syndicate 1729 expanded its fixed maturities portfolio to include certain debt securities classified as trading securities. Investment results associated with these fixed maturity trading securities are reported on the same quarter delay.
Taxes
Operating results of this segment are subject to U.K. income tax law.

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Segment Operating Results - Corporate
Our Corporate segment includes investment operations, interest expense and U.S. income taxes, all of which are managed at the corporate level with the exception of investment assets solely allocated to Lloyd's Syndicate operations as discussed in Note 13 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Our Corporate segment operating results also reflect non-premium revenues generated outside of our insurance entities and corporate expenses. Segment operating results for our Corporate segment were net earnings of $21.9 million and $28.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $10.2 million and $35.8 million for the same respective periods of 2017 and included the following:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
2017
Change
 
2018
2017
Change
Net investment income
$
21,548

$
22,267

$
(719
)
(3.2
%)
 
$
42,824

$
45,081

$
(2,257
)
(5.0
%)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
$
5,380

$
2,516

$
2,864

113.8
%
 
$
7,019

$
4,324

$
2,695

62.3
%
Net realized gains (losses)
$
3,047

$
(2,266
)
$
5,313

234.5
%
 
$
(9,416
)
$
10,987

$
(20,403
)
(185.7
%)
Operating expense
$
5,621

$
7,757

$
(2,136
)
(27.5
%)
 
$
10,297

$
16,073

$
(5,776
)
(35.9
%)
Segregated portfolio cells dividend expense (income) (1)
$
(84
)
$
994

$
(1,078
)
(108.5
%)
 
$
(201
)
$
2,223

$
(2,424
)
(109.0
%)
Interest expense
$
3,958

$
4,145

$
(187
)
(4.5
%)
 
$
7,663

$
8,278

$
(615
)
(7.4
%)
Income tax expense (benefit)
$
(311
)
$
216

$
(527
)
(244.0
%)
 
$
(3,739
)
$
(1,002
)
$
(2,737
)
(273.2
%)
(1) Represents the investment results attributable to the SPCs at our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiaries.
Net Investment Income, Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
Net Investment Income
Net investment income is primarily derived from the income earned by our fixed maturity securities and also includes dividend income from equity securities, income from our short-term and cash equivalent investments, earnings from other investments and increases in the cash surrender value of BOLI contracts. Investment fees and expenses are deducted from investment income.
Net investment income by investment category was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Fixed maturities
$
16,652

 
$
18,427

 
$
(1,775
)
 
(9.6
%)
 
$
33,042

 
$
38,152

 
$
(5,110
)
 
(13.4
%)
Equities
4,998

 
4,298

 
700

 
16.3
%
 
9,865

 
7,942

 
1,923

 
24.2
%
Short-term investments, including Other
1,319

 
958

 
361

 
37.7
%
 
2,540

 
1,736

 
804

 
46.3
%
BOLI
455

 
442

 
13

 
2.9
%
 
904

 
897

 
7

 
0.8
%
Investment fees and expenses
(1,876
)
 
(1,858
)
 
(18
)
 
1.0
%
 
(3,527
)
 
(3,646
)
 
119

 
(3.3
%)
Net investment income
$
21,548

 
$
22,267

 
$
(719
)
 
(3.2
%)
 
$
42,824

 
$
45,081

 
$
(2,257
)
 
(5.0
%)
Fixed Maturities
The decrease in our investment income from fixed maturity securities for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was due to lower average fixed maturity investment balances. We reduced the size of our fixed maturity portfolio over the last year in order to pay dividends and invest in other asset classes. On an overall basis, our average investment in fixed maturity securities was approximately 17% lower for both the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017.
Average yields for our fixed maturity portfolio were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Average income yield
3.3%
 
3.0%
 
3.2%
 
3.1%
Average tax equivalent income yield
3.4%
 
3.4%
 
3.3%
 
3.5%

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Equities
Income from our equity portfolio increased during the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 which reflected an increase to our allocation to this asset category as well as a different mix of equities owned.
Other Investments and Short-term Investments
Short-term investments, which have a maturity at purchase of one year or less are carried at fair value, which approximates their cost basis, and are primarily composed of investments in U.S. treasury obligations, commercial paper and money market funds. Income from our other investments and short-term investments increased during the 2018 three- and six-month periods as compared to the same respective periods of 2017 primarily due to higher earnings from our short-term investment holdings due to higher interest rates.
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
All other investments, primarily investment fund LPs/LLCs
$
12,497

 
$
8,830

 
$
3,667

 
41.5
%
 
$
20,113

 
$
14,363

 
$
5,750

 
40.0
%
Tax credit partnerships
(7,117
)
 
(6,314
)
 
(803
)
 
12.7
%
 
(13,094
)
 
(10,039
)
 
(3,055
)
 
30.4
%
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
$
5,380

 
$
2,516

 
$
2,864

 
113.8
%
 
$
7,019

 
$
4,324

 
$
2,695

 
62.3
%
We hold interests in certain LPs/LLCs that generate earnings from trading portfolios, secured debt, debt securities, multi-strategy funds and private equity investments. The performance of the LPs/LLCs is affected by the volatility of equity and credit markets. For our investments in LPs/LLCs, we record our allocable portion of the partnership operating income or loss as the results of the LPs/LLCs become available. Our investment results from our portfolio of investments in LPs/LLCs for the 2018 three- and six-month periods were affected primarily by the adoption of an accounting standard during the first quarter of 2018 around the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities (see Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail regarding accounting changes adopted during the period). Under the new accounting standard, LPs/LLCs previously reported using the cost method are now reported at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries. Excluding the effect of the adoption of the new accounting standard, our investment results from our portfolio of investments in LPs/LLCs for the 2018 three- and six-month periods was relatively flat as compared to the same respective periods in 2017.
Our tax credit partnership investments are designed to generate returns in the form of tax credits and tax-deductible project operating losses and are comprised of qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships and historic tax credit partnerships. We account for our tax credit partnership investments under the equity method and record our allocable portion of the operating losses of the underlying properties based on estimates provided by the partnerships. For our qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships, we adjust our estimates of our allocable portion of operating losses periodically as actual operating results of the underlying properties become available. Our historic tax credit partnerships are short-term in nature and remaining operating losses are expected to be recognized primarily in 2018. Based on operating results received, we increased our estimate of partnership operating losses by $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2017. The results from our tax credit partnership investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflected an increase in partnership operating losses as compared to the same respective periods of 2017.
The tax benefits received from our tax credit partnerships, which are not reflected in our investment results above, reduced our tax expenses in 2018 and 2017 as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Tax credits recognized during the period
$
5.3

 
$
5.4

 
$
10.6

 
$
11.8

Tax benefit of tax credit partnership operating losses
$
1.5

 
$
2.2

 
$
2.7

 
$
3.5

Tax credits provided by the underlying projects of the historic tax credit partnerships are typically available in the tax year in which the project is put into active service, whereas the tax credits provided by qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships are provided over approximately a ten year period. The decrease in tax credits recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily attributable to our qualified affordable housing project tax credit partnerships.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measure – Tax Equivalent Investment Result
We believe that to fully understand our investment returns it is important to consider the current tax benefits associated with certain investments as the tax benefit received represents a portion of the return provided by our tax-exempt bonds, BOLI, common and preferred stocks, and tax credit partnership investments (our tax-preferred investments). We impute a pro forma tax-equivalent result by estimating the amount of fully-taxable income needed to achieve the same after-tax result as is currently provided by our tax-preferred investments. We believe this better reflects the economics behind our decision to invest in certain asset classes that are either taxed at lower rates and/or result in reductions to our current federal income tax expense. Our pro forma tax-equivalent investment result is shown in the table that follows as well as a reconciliation of our GAAP net investment result to our tax equivalent result.
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
GAAP net investment result:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
$
21,548

 
$
22,267

 
$
42,824

 
$
45,081

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries
5,380

 
2,516

 
7,019

 
4,324

GAAP net investment result
$
26,928

 
$
24,783

 
$
49,843

 
$
49,405

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro forma tax-equivalent investment result
$
34,282

 
$
36,208

 
$
65,030

 
$
74,179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of pro forma and GAAP tax-equivalent investment result:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net investment result
$
26,928

 
$
24,783

 
$
49,843

 
$
49,405

Taxable equivalent adjustments, calculated using the 21% and 35% federal statutory tax rate for 2018 and 2017, respectively:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and municipal bonds
384

 
2,363

 
1,082

 
4,861

BOLI
121

 
238

 
240

 
483

Dividends received
119

 
467

 
458

 
1,201

Tax credit partnerships
6,730

 
8,357

 
13,407

 
18,229

Pro forma tax-equivalent investment result
$
34,282

 
$
36,208

 
$
65,030

 
$
74,179


Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
The following table provides detailed information regarding our net realized investment gains (losses).
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
OTTI losses, total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt
$
(404
)
 
$

 
$
(404
)
 
$
(419
)
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income before taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt

 

 

 
248

Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
(404
)
 

 
(404
)
 
(171
)
Gross realized gains, available-for-sale fixed maturities
436

 
732

 
4,900

 
2,574

Gross realized (losses), available-for-sale fixed maturities
(1,713
)
 
(1,401
)
 
(3,756
)
 
(1,467
)
Net realized gains (losses), equity investments
3,488

 
794

 
12,706

 
7,356

Net realized gains (losses), other investments
402

 
546

 
1,090

 
1,719

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), equity investments
744

 
(3,224
)
 
(23,099
)
 
374

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses), convertible securities, carried at fair value as a part of other investments
90

 
285

 
(864
)
 
598

Other
4

 
2

 
11

 
4

Net realized investment gains (losses)
$
3,047

 
$
(2,266
)
 
$
(9,416
)
 
$
10,987

We recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.4 million during the 2018 three- and six-month periods related to debt instruments from one issuer in the energy sector. For the 2017 six-month period, we recognized OTTI in earnings of $0.2 million and $0.2 million in non-credit impairments in OCI, both of which related to corporate bonds.

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Operating Expenses
Corporate segment operating expenses were comprised as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Operating expenses
$
9,605

 
$
11,078

 
$
(1,473
)
 
(13.3
%)
 
$
18,240

 
$
23,214

 
$
(4,974
)
 
(21.4
%)
Management fee offset
(3,984
)
 
(3,321
)
 
(663
)
 
20.0
%
 
(7,943
)
 
(7,141
)
 
(802
)
 
11.2
%
Segment Total
$
5,621

 
$
7,757

 
$
(2,136
)
 
(27.5
%)
 
$
10,297

 
$
16,073

 
$
(5,776
)
 
(35.9
%)
The decrease in operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily driven by a decrease in share-based compensation expenses and other compensation related costs and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in professional fees as compared to the same respective periods of 2017. The decrease in share-based compensation expense in the 2018 three- and six-month periods was attributable to fewer awards outstanding and an adjustment of the projected award value based upon the decline, in both periods, of one of the performance metrics associated with a particular year's award.
Operating subsidiaries within our Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation segments are charged a management fee by the Corporate segment for services provided to these subsidiaries. The management fee is based on the extent to which services are provided to the subsidiary and the amount of premium written by the subsidiary. Under the arrangement, the expenses associated with such services are reported as expenses of the Corporate segment, and the management fees charged are reported as an offset to Corporate operating expenses. While the terms of the management arrangement were consistent between 2017 and 2018, fluctuations in the amount of premium written by each subsidiary can result in corresponding variations in the management fee charged to each subsidiary during a particular period. The management fees charged during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily reflected the increase in premiums written in our Specialty P&C segment due to a loss portfolio transfer entered into during the second quarter of 2018 (see further discussion in our Segment Operating Results - Specialty Property & Casualty section).
Segregated Portfolio Cell Dividend Expense (Income)
We report in the Corporate segment the portion of the SPC dividend expense (income) that is attributable to the investment results of the SPCs to align the expense (income) with the related investment results of the SPCs, all of which are reported in the Corporate segment. See more information on our SPCs under the heading "Underwriting, Policy Acquisition and Operating Expenses" in the Segment Operating Results - Workers' Compensation section. The portion of the SPC dividend expense (income) reported in the Corporate segment was as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
SPC dividend expense (income)
$
(84
)
 
$
994

 
$
(1,078
)
 
(108.5
%)
 
$
(201
)
 
$
2,223

 
$
(2,424
)
 
(109.0
%)
Interest Expense
Interest expense for three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was comprised as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30
 
Six Months Ended June 30
($ in thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
Senior Notes due 2023
$
3,357

 
$
3,357

 
$

 
%
 
$
6,714

 
$
6,714

 
$

 
%
Revolving Credit Agreement (including fees and amortization)
517

 
778

 
(261
)
 
(33.5
%)
 
1,124

 
1,545

 
(421
)
 
(27.2
%)
Mortgage Loans (including amortization)
357

 

 
357

 
nm

 
663

 

 
663

 
nm

(Gain)/loss on interest rate cap
(282
)
 

 
(282
)
 
nm

 
(857
)
 

 
(857
)
 
nm

Other
9

 
10

 
(1
)
 
(10.0
%)
 
19

 
19

 

 
%
Interest expense
$
3,958

 
$
4,145

 
$
(187
)
 
(4.5
%)
 
$
7,663

 
$
8,278

 
$
(615
)
 
(7.4
%)
Interest expense decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 driven by the change in the fair value of our interest rate cap. The interest rate cap was entered into during the fourth quarter of 2017 and is designated as an economic hedge of interest rate risk associated with our variable rate Mortgage Loans. Excluding the impact of the change in the fair value of our interest rate cap, interest expense increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to

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the same respective periods of 2017. The increase was attributable to interest expense incurred on our Mortgage Loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, partially offset by lower interest expense on our Revolving Credit Agreement due to a decrease in our weighted average outstanding borrowings, which were $64 million and $83 million for the 2018 three- and six-month periods, respectively, as compared to $187 million and $193 million for the same respective periods of 2017. See further discussion of our outstanding debt in Note 8 and further discussion of our interest rate cap agreement in Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Taxes
Tax expense allocated to our Corporate segment includes U.S. tax only, which would include U.S. tax expense incurred from our corporate membership in Lloyd's of London. The U.K. tax expense incurred by the U.K. based subsidiaries of our Lloyd's Syndicates segment is allocated to that segment. Consolidated tax expense reflects tax expense of both segments, as shown in the table below:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Corporate segment income tax expense (benefit)
$
(311
)
 
$
216

 
$
(3,739
)
 
$
(1,002
)
Lloyd's Syndicates segment income tax expense (benefit)

 
(548
)
 
6

 
(555
)
Consolidated income tax expense (benefit)
$
(311
)
 
$
(332
)
 
$
(3,733
)
 
$
(1,557
)
Factors affecting our consolidated effective tax rate include the following:
 
Three Months Ended
June 30
 
Six Months Ended
June 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Statutory rate (1)
21.0
%
 
35.0
%
 
21.0
%
 
35.0
%
Tax-exempt income (2)
(1.8
%)
 
(10.5
%)
 
(4.1
%)
 
(7.6
%)
Tax credits
(18.9
%)
 
(28.3
%)
 
(29.0
%)
 
(19.9
%)
Non-U.S. operating results
2.2
%
 
2.2
%
 
3.0
%
 
0.7
%
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation
%
 
(1.5
%)
 
(0.1
%)
 
(4.4
%)
Other
(3.6
%)
 
1.4
%
 
(1.0
%)
 
(6.4
%)
Effective tax rate
(1.1
%)
 
(1.7
%)
 
(10.2
%)
 
(2.6
%)
(1) Effective January 1, 2018, the corporate statutory tax rate changed from 35% to 21% as a result of tax reform enacted by the TCJA.
(2) Includes tax-exempt interest, dividends received deduction and change in cash surrender value of BOLI.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rate for the 2018 and 2017 three- and six-month periods are determined based upon our current estimate of our annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly reporting period (the projected annual effective tax rate) plus the impact of certain discrete items that are not included in the projected annual effective tax rate. Our projected annual effective tax rates for 2018 and 2017 were a benefit of 3.2% and an expense of 5.4% at June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, before those certain discrete items were considered. Our projected annual effective tax rates for both the 2018 and 2017 six-month periods were different from the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to a portion of our investment income being tax-exempt and the utilization of tax credits transferred to us from our tax credit partnership investments. Tax credits utilized were $5.3 million and $10.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $5.4 million and $11.8 million for the same respective periods of 2017. The effect of the lower statutory federal income tax rate as a result of the TCJA and our ability to utilize these tax credits in the current tax year as well as the previous tax year through carryback provisions of the tax law resulted in our projected annual effective tax rate of a benefit of 3.2% at June 30, 2018. While projected tax credits for 2018 are less than 2017, they continue to have a significant impact on the effective tax rate for the 2018 three- and six-month periods.
Our effective tax rates for the 2018 and 2017 six-month periods was a benefit of 10.2% and 2.6%, respectively, and differs from the projected annual effective tax rates due to certain discrete items. These discrete items reduced our projected annual effective tax rates by 7.0% and 8.0% for the 2018 and 2017 six-month periods, respectively.
For the 2018 six-month period, the most significant discrete item that decreased our effective tax rate was the treatment of net realized investment losses. Our calculation of our projected annual effective tax rate during interim periods has historically included an estimate of annual net realized investment gains and losses based on year-to-date results. Due to the recent volatility in the securities markets, we believe that projections for changes in net realized investment gains and losses

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during the year cannot be reliably estimated and could cause a significant distortion in the projected annual effective tax rate. Therefore, beginning in the first quarter of 2018, net realized investment gains and losses are treated as discrete items and reflected in the effective tax rate in the period in which they are included in income. This treatment of net realized investment losses of $9.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 accounted for 6.0% of the 7.0% reduction in the projected annual effective tax rate due to discrete items.
For the 2017 three- and six-month periods, the most significant discrete item related to the treatment of a share-based compensation windfall due to the adoption of new accounting guidance in the first quarter of 2017, which lowered the effective tax rate by 1.5% and 4.4%, respectively.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We believe that we are principally exposed to three types of market risk related to our investment operations. These risks are interest rate risk, credit risk and equity price risk. We are also exposed to interest rate risk related to our variable rate Mortgage Loans and Revolving Credit Agreement. We have limited exposure to foreign currency risk as we issue few insurance contracts denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and we have few monetary assets or obligations denominated in foreign currencies.
Interest Rate Risk
Investments
Our fixed maturities portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Fluctuations in interest rates have a direct impact on the market valuation of these securities. As interest rates rise, market values of fixed income portfolios fall and vice versa. Certain of the securities are held in an unrealized loss position; we do not intend to sell and believe we will not be required to sell any of the debt securities held in an unrealized loss position before its anticipated recovery.
The following tables summarize estimated changes in the fair value of our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities for specific hypothetical changes in interest rates by asset class at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. There are principally two factors that determine interest rates on a given security: market interest rates and credit spreads. As different asset classes can be affected in different ways by movements in those two factors, we have separated our portfolio by asset class in the following tables.
 
Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points
 
June 30, 2018
($ in millions)
(200)
 
(100)
 
Current
 
100
 
200
Fair Value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
155

 
$
151

 
$
146

 
$
143

 
$
139

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
33

 
33

 
32

 
30

 
29

State and municipal bonds
355

 
343

 
331

 
320

 
308

Corporate debt
1,280

 
1,237

 
1,196

 
1,154

 
1,115

Asset-backed securities
445

 
434

 
421

 
406

 
391

Total fixed maturities, available for sale
$
2,268

 
$
2,198

 
$
2,126

 
$
2,053

 
$
1,982

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duration:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
2.88

 
2.81

 
2.74

 
2.67

 
2.61

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
1.07

 
1.69

 
3.72

 
4.47

 
4.72

State and municipal bonds
3.50

 
3.47

 
3.48

 
3.58

 
3.69

Corporate debt
3.36

 
3.36

 
3.44

 
3.42

 
3.36

Asset-backed securities
2.16

 
2.71

 
3.31

 
3.65

 
3.77

Total fixed maturities, available for sale
3.08

 
3.19

 
3.38

 
3.45

 
3.46



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Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points
 
December 31, 2017
($ in millions)
(200)
 
(100)
 
Current
 
100
 
200
Fair Value:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
$
142

 
$
138

 
$
134

 
$
130

 
$
126

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
22

 
21

 
21

 
20

 
19

State and municipal bonds
683

 
657

 
632

 
609

 
585

Corporate debt
1,249

 
1,208

 
1,167

 
1,128

 
1,090

Asset-backed securities
341

 
335

 
326

 
315

 
302

Total fixed maturities, available for sale
$
2,437

 
$
2,359

 
$
2,280

 
$
2,202

 
$
2,122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Duration:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed maturities, available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury obligations
3.11

 
3.02

 
2.94

 
2.86

 
2.79

U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
1.38

 
1.34

 
3.59

 
4.58

 
4.87

State and municipal bonds
3.83

 
3.79

 
3.78

 
3.80

 
3.85

Corporate debt
3.37

 
3.33

 
3.38

 
3.38

 
3.34

Asset-backed securities
1.72

 
2.21

 
3.15

 
3.89

 
4.24

Total fixed maturities, available for sale
3.23

 
3.26

 
3.43

 
3.55

 
3.59

Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including the maintenance of the existing level and composition of fixed income security assets, and should not be relied on as indicative of future results.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of the fair value of fixed rate instruments. Actual values may differ from the projections presented should market conditions vary from assumptions used in the calculation of the fair value of individual securities, including non-parallel shifts in the term structure of interest rates and changing individual issuer credit spreads.
At June 30, 2018, our fixed maturities portfolio includes an immaterial amount of fixed maturities classified as trading securities. Because these trading securities are immaterial, there is not a significant amount of exposure to market interest rates or credit spreads.
Our cash and short-term investment portfolio at June 30, 2018 was carried at fair value which approximates their cost basis due their short-term nature. Our cash and short-term investments portfolio lacks significant interest rate sensitivity due to its short duration.
Debt
Our variable interest rate Mortgage Loans are exposed to interest rate risk. However, a 1% change in LIBOR will not materially impact our annualized interest expense. Additionally, we have economically hedged the risk of a change in interest rates in excess of 1% on the Mortgage Loans through the purchase of an interest rate cap derivative instrument, which effectively caps our annual interest rate on the Mortgage Loans at a maximum of 3.675% (see Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). The fair value of the interest rate cap is not materially impacted by a 1% change in LIBOR, however, the carrying value of the interest rate cap is impacted by future expectations for LIBOR as well as estimations of volatility in the future yield curve.
Our Revolving Credit Agreement is exposed to interest rate risk as it is LIBOR based and a 1% change in LIBOR will impact annual interest expense only to the extent that there is an outstanding balance. For every $100 million drawn on our Revolving Credit Agreement, a 1% change in interest rates will change our annual interest expense by $1 million. Any outstanding balances on the Revolving Credit Agreement can be repaid on each maturity date, which has typically ranged from one to three months. As of June 30, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under our Revolving Credit Agreement.

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Credit Risk
We have exposure to credit risk primarily as a holder of fixed income securities. We control this exposure by emphasizing investment grade credit quality in the fixed income securities we purchase.
As of June 30, 2018, 94% of our fixed maturity securities were rated investment grade as determined by NRSROs, such as Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. We believe that this concentration in investment grade securities reduces our exposure to credit risk on our fixed income investments to an acceptable level. However, investment grade securities, in spite of their rating, can rapidly deteriorate and result in significant losses. Ratings published by the NRSROs are one of the tools used to evaluate the credit worthiness of our securities. The ratings reflect the subjective opinion of the rating agencies as to the credit worthiness of the securities; therefore, we may be subject to additional credit exposure should the rating prove to be unreliable.
We also have exposure to credit risk related to our receivables from reinsurers. Our receivables from reinsurers (with regard to both paid and unpaid losses) approximated $334 million at June 30, 2018 and $343 million at December 31, 2017. We monitor the credit risk associated with our reinsurers using publicly available financial and rating agency data.
Equity Price Risk
At June 30, 2018, the fair value of our equity investments, excluding our equity investments in bond investment funds as discussed in the following paragraph, was $294 million. These equity securities are subject to equity price risk, which is defined as the potential for loss in fair value due to a decline in equity prices. The weighted average beta of this group of securities was 0.92. Beta measures the price sensitivity of an equity security or group of equity securities to a change in the broader equity market, in this case the S&P 500 Index. If the value of the S&P 500 Index increased by 10%, the fair value of these securities would be expected to increase by 9.2% to $321 million. Conversely, a 10% decrease in the S&P 500 Index would imply a decrease of 9.2% in the fair value of these securities to $267 million. The selected hypothetical changes of plus or minus 10% do not reflect what could be considered the best or worst case scenarios and are used for illustrative purposes only.
Our equity investments include equity investments in certain bond investment funds which are not subject to significant equity price risk, and thus we have excluded these investments from the above analysis.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company participated in management’s evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) as of June 30, 2018. ProAssurance’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, those controls during the quarter.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
See Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
There are no changes to the "Risk Factors" in Part 1, Item 1A of the 2017 Form 10-K.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
(a)
Not applicable.
(b)
Not applicable.
(c)
Information required by Item 703 of Regulation S-K.
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs* (In thousands)
April 1 - 30, 2018
 

 
N/A
 

 
$109,643
May 1 - 31, 2018
 

 
N/A
 

 
$109,643
June 1 - 30, 2018
 

 
N/A
 

 
$109,643
Total
 

 
$—
 

 
 
*
Under its current plan begun in November 2010, the Board has authorized $600 million for the repurchase of common shares or the retirement of outstanding debt. This is ProAssurance’s only plan for the repurchase of common shares, and the plan has no expiration date.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment to Facility Agreement effective April 6, 2016, between ProAssurance and the Premiums Trust Fund of Syndicate 1729 filed as an Exhibit to ProAssurance's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 (File No. 001-16533) and incorporated herein by reference pursuant to SEC Rule 12b-32.
 
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC rule 13a-14(a).
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as amended (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of ProAssurance as required under SEC Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as amended (18 U.S.C. 1350).
 
 
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
August 7, 2018
 
/s/    Edward L. Rand, Jr.
Edward L. Rand, Jr.
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)

99