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SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP INC - Annual Report: 2012 (Form 10-K)


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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K


ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

Or

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 000-50070

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  13-4181699
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

20 Custom House Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(617) 951-0600
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share   NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

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

         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 o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations 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 o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting and non-voting common equity (based on the closing sales price on NASDAQ) held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2012, was approximately $562,542,863.

         As of March 8, 2013, there were 15,333,489 Common Shares with a par value of $0.01 per share outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

         Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 24, 2013, which Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (the "Company", "we", "our", "us") intends to file within 120 days after its December 31, 2012 year-end, are incorporated by reference into Part II and Part III hereof.

   


Table of Contents


SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

Table of Contents

 
   
  Page  

PART I.

           

Item 1.

  Business     1  

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors     27  

Item 1B.

  Unresolved Staff Comments     33  

Item 2.

  Properties     33  

Item 3.

  Legal Proceedings     33  

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures     33  

PART II.

           

Item 5.

  Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
    34  

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data     35  

Item 7.

  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     38  

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     65  

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     66  

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     98  

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures     98  

Item 9B.

  Other Information     98  

PART III.

           

Item 10.

  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     99  

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation     99  

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
    99  

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     99  

Item 14.

  Principal Accounting Fees and Services     99  

PART IV.

           

Item 15.

  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules     99  

SIGNATURES

   
108
 

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        In this Form 10-K, all dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except average premium, average claim and per claim data, share, and per share data.


PART I.

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

General

        We are a leading provider of private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts. In addition to private passenger automobile insurance (which represented 65.9% of our direct written premiums in 2012), we offer a portfolio of property and casualty insurance products, including commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies. Operating exclusively in Massachusetts and New Hampshire through our insurance company subsidiaries, Safety Insurance Company ("Safety Insurance"), Safety Indemnity Insurance Company ("Safety Indemnity") and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company ("Safety P&C") (together referred to as the "Insurance Subsidiaries"), we have established strong relationships with independent insurance agents, who numbered 879 in 1,023 locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire during 2012. We have used these relationships and our extensive knowledge of the Massachusetts market to become the third largest private passenger automobile carrier, capturing an approximate 11.0% share of the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market, and the third largest commercial automobile carrier, with an 12.4% share of the Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance market in 2012 according to statistics compiled by Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers ("CAR"). In addition, we were also ranked the 46th largest automobile writer in the country according to A.M. Best, based on 2011 direct written premiums. We were incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 2001, but through our predecessors, we have underwritten insurance in Massachusetts since 1979.

        Our Insurance Subsidiaries began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance in New Hampshire during 2008, personal umbrella insurance during 2009, and commercial automobile insurance during 2011. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the Company wrote $9,057, $5,750, and $2,774 in direct written premiums, respectively, and approximately 11,000, 4,500, and 3.300 policies, respectively, in New Hampshire.

Website Access to Information

        The Internet address for our website is www.SafetyInsurance.com. All of our press releases and United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") reports are available for viewing or download at our website. These documents are made available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after each press release is made and SEC report is filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Copies of any current public information about our company are available without charge upon written, telephone, faxed or e-mailed request to the Office of Investor Relations, Safety Insurance Group, Inc., 20 Custom House Street, Boston, MA 02110, Tel: 877-951-2522, Fax: 617-603-4837, or e-mail: InvestorRelations@SafetyInsurance.com. The materials on our website are not part of this report on Form 10-K nor are they incorporated by reference into this report and the URL above is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.

Our Competitive Strengths

        We Have Strong Relationships with Independent Agents.    In 2011, independent agents accounted for approximately 74.6% of the Massachusetts automobile insurance market measured by direct written premiums as compared to only about 34.9% nationwide, according to A.M. Best. For that reason, our strategy is centered around, and we sell exclusively through, a network of independent agents, who

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numbered 879 in 1,023 locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire during 2012. In order to support our independent agents and enhance our relationships with them, we:

    provide our agents with a portfolio of property and casualty insurance products at competitive prices to help our agents address effectively the insurance needs of their clients;

    provide our agents with a variety of technological resources which enable us to deliver superior service and support to them; and

    offer our agents competitive commission schedules and profit sharing programs.

        Through these measures, we strive to become the preferred provider of the independent agents in our agency network and capture a growing share of the total insurance business written by these agents in Massachusetts. We must compete with other insurance carriers for the business of independent agents.

        We Have an Uninterrupted Record of Profitable Operations.    In every year since our inception in 1979, we have been profitable. We have achieved our profitability, among other things, by:

    maintaining the number of private passenger automobile exposures we underwrite, which totaled 477,201 in 2012 compared to 477,567 in 2006;

    maintaining a combined ratio that is typically below industry averages (refer to Insurance Ratios under Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion on insurance ratios);

    taking advantage of the institutional knowledge our management has amassed during our long operating history in the Massachusetts market;

    introducing new lines and forms of insurance products;

    investing in technology to simplify internal processes and enhance our relationships with our agents; and

    maintaining a high-quality investment portfolio.

        We Are a Technological Leader.    We have dedicated significant human and financial resources to the development of advanced information systems. Our technology efforts have benefited us in two distinct ways. First, we continue to develop technology that empowers our independent agent customers to make it easier for them to transact business with their clients and with the Insurance Subsidiaries. In our largest business line, private passenger automobile insurance, our agents now submit approximately 99.0% of all applications for new policies or endorsements for existing policies to us electronically through our proprietary information portal, the Agents Virtual Community ("AVC"). Our agents can also submit commercial automobile and homeowners insurance policies electronically over AVC. Second, our investment in technology has allowed us to re-engineer internal back office processes to provide more efficient service at lower cost.

        We Have an Experienced, Committed and Knowledgeable Management Team.    Our senior management team owns approximately 7.7% of the common stock of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. on a fully diluted basis. Our senior management team, led by our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, David F. Brussard, has an average of over 33 years of industry experience per executive, as well as an average of over 31 years of experience with Safety. The team has demonstrated an ability to operate successfully within the regulated Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market.

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Our Strategy

        To achieve our goal of increasing shareholder value, our strategy is to maintain and develop strong independent agent relationships by providing our agents with a full package of insurance products and information technology services. We believe this strategy will allow us to:

    further penetrate the Massachusetts and New Hampshire private passenger, commercial automobile and homeowners insurance markets;

    implement rates, forms and billing options that allow us to cross-sell homeowners, dwelling fire, and personal umbrella in the personal lines market and business owner policies, commercial property package and commercial umbrella in the commercial lines market in order to capture a larger share of the total Massachusetts property and casualty insurance business written by each of our independent agents; and

    continue to expand our technology to enable independent agents to more easily serve their customers and conduct business with us, thereby strengthening their relationships with us.


The Massachusetts Property and Casualty Insurance Market

        Introduction.    We are licensed by the Commissioner of Insurance (the "Commissioner") to transact property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts. All of our business is extensively regulated by the Commissioner.

        The Massachusetts Market for Private Passenger Automobile Insurance.    Private passenger automobile insurance has been heavily regulated in Massachusetts. In many respects, the private passenger automobile insurance market in Massachusetts prior to 2008 was unique, in comparison to other states. This was due to a number of factors, including unusual regulatory conditions, the market dominance of domestic companies, the relative absence of large national companies, and the heavy reliance on independent insurance agents as the market's principal distribution channel. Perhaps most significantly, prior to 2008, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance fixed and established the premium rates and the rating plan to be used by all insurance companies doing business in the private passenger automobile insurance market. The Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance residual market mechanism featured a reinsurance program run by CAR in which companies were assigned Exclusive Representative Producers ("ERPs").

        In 2008, the Commissioner issued a series of decisions to introduce what she termed managed competition ("Managed Competition") to Massachusetts automobile insurance premium rates and in doing so replaced the fixed and established regime with a prior approval rate review process, governed by regulations that set certain terms and conditions that insurers must comply with in establishing their rates. The Commissioner also replaced the former reinsurance program with an assigned risk plan.

        These decisions removed many of the factors that had historically distinguished the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market from the market in other states. However, certain of the historically unique factors have not been eliminated, including compulsory insurance, affinity group marketing, and the prominence of independent agents.

Products

        Historically, we have focused on underwriting private passenger automobile insurance, which is written through our subsidiary, Safety Insurance. In 1989, we formed Safety Indemnity to offer commercial automobile insurance at preferred rates. Since 1997, we have expanded the breadth of our product line in order for agents to address a greater portion of their clients' insurance needs by selling multiple products. Homeowners, business owners policies, personal umbrella, dwelling fire and commercial umbrella insurance are written by Safety Insurance at standard rates, and written by Safety

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Indemnity at preferred rates. In December 2006, we formed Safety P&C to offer homeowners and commercial automobile insurance at ultra preferred rates.

        The table below shows our premiums in each of these product lines for the periods indicated and the portions of our total premiums each product line represented.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
Direct Written Premiums
  2012   2011   2010  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 459,065     65.9 % $ 436,175     67.2 % $ 415,515     68.7 %

Commercial automobile

    76,469     11.0     68,355     10.5     62,658     10.4  

Homeowners

    131,247     18.9     117,649     18.1     101,594     16.8  

Business owners

    16,929     2.4     15,709     2.4     15,124     2.5  

Personal umbrella

    5,397     0.8     4,982     0.8     4,397     0.7  

Dwelling fire

    6,305     0.9     5,646     0.9     4,926     0.8  

Commercial umbrella

    808     0.1     746     0.1     743     0.1  
                           

Total

  $ 696,220     100.0 % $ 649,262     100.0 % $ 604,957     100.0 %
                           

        Our product lines are as follows:

        Private Passenger Automobile (65.9% of 2012 direct written premiums).    Private passenger automobile insurance is our primary product, and we support all Massachusetts policy forms and limits of coverage. Private passenger automobile policies provide coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others, no-fault personal injury coverage for the insured/insured's car occupants, and physical damage coverage for an insured's own vehicle for collision or other perils. We have priced our private passenger coverage competitively by offering group discounts since 1995 and we currently offer approximately 139 affinity group discount programs ranging from 3.0% to 8.0% discounts. Under Massachusetts' Managed Competition regulations, we offer various new discounts including a discount of up to 10.0% when a private passenger policy is issued along with an other than private passenger policy with us, a longevity/renewal credit of up to 4.0% for policyholders who maintain continuous coverage with us, and up to a 7.0% e-Customer discount for policyholders who want electronic policy issuance with one combined bill for all of their policies with us. During 2012, we filed and were approved for various rate increases that totaled approximately 4.7%. As of December 1, 2012, we were using 17 rating tiers and have filed and been approved for a new rating plan using 768 rating tiers, effective May 15, 2013.

        Commercial Automobile (11.0% of 2012 direct written premiums).    Our commercial automobile program supports all Massachusetts policy forms and limits of coverage including endorsements that broaden coverage over and above that offered on the standard Massachusetts policy forms. Commercial automobile policies provide coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others, no-fault personal injury coverage, and physical damage coverage for an insured's own vehicle for collision or other perils resulting from the ownership or use of commercial vehicles in a business. We offer insurance for commercial vehicles used for business purposes such as private passenger-type vehicles, trucks, tractors and trailers, and insure individual vehicles as well as commercial fleets. Commercial automobile policies are written at a standard rate through Safety Insurance. We did not file for Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance rate changes during 2012. Qualifying risks eligible for preferred rates are written through Safety Indemnity which offers rates that are 20.0% lower than Safety Insurance. Qualifying risks eligible for ultra preferred rates are written through Safety P&C which offers rates that are 35.0% lower than Safety Insurance.

        Homeowners (18.9% of 2012 direct written premiums).    We offer a broad selection of coverage forms for qualified policyholders. Homeowners policies provide coverage for losses to a dwelling and its contents from numerous perils, and coverage for liability to others arising from ownership or

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occupancy. We write policies on homes, condominiums, and apartments. We offer loss-free credits of up to 16.0% for eight years of loss-free experience, an account credit of up to 20.0% when a home is written together with an automobile, and up to a 5.0% e-Customer discount for policyholders who want electronic policy issuance with one combined bill for all of their policies with us. We received approval for a Massachusetts rate increase of 6.9% effective September 15, 2012. All forms of homeowners coverage are written at a standard rate through Safety Insurance. Qualifying risks eligible for preferred rates are written through Safety Indemnity which offers rates that are 13.0% lower than Safety Insurance. Homes with high insured property values are written through Safety P&C.

        Business Owners Policies (2.4% of 2012 direct written premiums).    We serve eligible small and medium sized commercial accounts with a program that covers apartments and residential condominiums; mercantile establishments, including limited cooking restaurants; offices, including office condominiums; processing and services businesses; special trade contractors; and wholesaling businesses. Business owner policies provide liability and property coverage for many perils, including business interruption from a covered loss. Equipment breakdown coverage is automatically included, and a wide range of additional coverage is available to qualified customers. We write policies for business owners at standard rates with qualifying risks eligible for preferred lower rates.

        Commercial Package Policies (Included in our Business Owners Policies direct written premiums).    For larger commercial accounts or those clients that require more specialized or tailored coverages, we offer a commercial package policy program that covers a more extensive range of business enterprises. Commercial package policies provide any combination of property, general liability, crime and inland marine insurance. Property automatically includes equipment breakdown coverage, and a wide range of additional coverage is available to qualified customers. We write commercial package policies at standard rates with qualifying risks eligible for preferred lower rates.

        Personal Umbrella (0.8% of 2012 direct written premiums).    We offer personal excess liability coverage over and above the limits of individual automobile, watercraft, and homeowner's insurance policies to clients. We offer an account credit of 10.0% when an umbrella policy is written together with an automobile insurance policy. We write policies at standard rates with limits of $1,000 to $5,000.

        Dwelling Fire (0.9% of 2012 direct written premiums).    We underwrite dwelling fire insurance, which is a limited form of a homeowner's policy for non-owner occupied residences. We offer superior construction and protective device credits, with an account credit of 5.0% when a dwelling fire policy is issued along with an automobile policy. We write all forms of dwelling fire coverage at standard rates with qualifying risks eligible for preferred lower rates.

        Commercial Umbrella (0.1% of 2012 direct written premiums).    We offer an excess liability product to clients for whom we underwrite both commercial automobile and business owner policies. The program is directed at commercial automobile risks with private passenger-type automobiles or light and medium trucks. We write commercial umbrella policies at standard rates with limits ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

        Inland Marine (Included in our Homeowners direct written premiums).    We offer inland marine coverage as an endorsement for all homeowners and business owner policies, and as part of our commercial package policy. Inland marine provides additional coverage for jewelry, fine arts and other items that a homeowners or business owner policy would limit or not cover. Scheduled items valued at more than $5 must meet our underwriting guidelines and be appraised.

        Watercraft (Included in our Homeowners direct written premiums).    We offer watercraft coverage for small and medium sized pleasure craft with maximum lengths of 32 feet, valued at less than $75 and maximum speed of 39 knots. We write this coverage as an endorsement to our homeowner's policies.

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        In the wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedies, the insurance industry is also impacted by terrorism, and we have filed and received approval for a number of terrorism endorsements from the Commissioner, which limit our liability and property exposure according to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. See "Reinsurance," discussed below.


Distribution

        We distribute our products exclusively through independent agents, unlike some of our competitors who use multiple distribution channels. We believe this gives us a competitive advantage with the agents. With the exception of personal automobile business assigned to us by the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan ("MAIP") or written through CAR's commercial automobile Limited Servicing Carrier program, we do not accept business from insurance brokers. Our voluntary agents have authority pursuant to our voluntary agency agreement to bind our Insurance Subsidiaries for any coverage that is within the scope of their authority. We reserve the ability under Massachusetts law to cancel any coverage, other than private passenger automobile insurance, within the first 30 days after it is bound. In total, our independent agents numbered 879 and had 1,023 offices (some agencies have more than one office) and approximately 6,453 customer service representatives during 2012.

        Voluntary Agents.    In 2012, we obtained approximately 92.8% of our direct written premiums for automobile insurance and 100% of our direct written premiums for all of our other lines of business through our voluntary agents. As of January 31, 2013, we had agreements with 691 voluntary agents. Our voluntary agents are located in all regions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

        We look for agents with profitable portfolios of business. To become a voluntary agent for our Company, we generally require that an agency: (i) have been in business for at least five years; (ii) have exhibited a three year private passenger average ratio of losses, excluding loss adjustment expenses, to net earned premiums ("pure loss ratio") of 65.0% or less on the portion of the agent's portfolio that we would underwrite; (iii) make a commitment for us to underwrite at least 300 policies from the agency during the first twelve months after entering an agreement with us; and (iv) offer multiple product lines. Every year, we review the performance of our agents during the prior year. If an agent fails to meet our profitability standards, we try to work with the agent to improve the profitability of the business it places with us. We generally terminate contracts each year with a few agencies, which, despite our efforts, have been consistently unable to meet our standards. Although independent agents usually represent several unrelated insurers, our goal is to be one of the top two insurance companies represented in each of our agencies, as measured by premiums. No individual agency generated more than 4.4% of our direct written premiums in 2012.

        Massachusetts law guarantees that CAR provide motor vehicle insurance coverage to all qualified applicants. To facilitate this system, under CAR's prior rules, any qualified licensed insurance producer that was unable to obtain a voluntary automobile relationship with an insurer was assigned to an insurer, which was then required to write that agent's policies. The MAIP began April 1, 2008 and was fully implemented by April 1, 2009. The last policy effective date on which any private passenger automobile risk could be ceded to CAR was March 31, 2009.

        Under MAIP, policies will be assigned to us for three years, unless the policyholder is offered a voluntary policy by another insurer. Beginning April 1, 2008, all Massachusetts agents were authorized to submit eligible business to the MAIP for random assignment to a servicing carrier such as Safety Insurance. We began receiving individual policies assigned to us from the MAIP on April 1, 2008. As a result of CAR's new rules effective April 1, 2009, ERPs were no longer assigned to us or any Massachusetts personal automobile insurer, and we have been instead allocated all residual market business through the MAIP.

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        CAR runs a reinsurance pool for commercial automobile policies. On January 1, 2006, CAR implemented a Limited Servicing Carrier Program ("LSC") for ceded commercial automobile policies. CAR approved Safety Insurance and five other servicing carriers through a Request for Proposal to process ceded commercial automobile business for a five-year term ending January 1, 2011. During 2010 CAR requested bids through a Request for Proposal process that reduced the number of servicing carriers from six to four. CAR approved Safety and three other servicing carriers to process ceded commercial automobile insurance with a delayed effective date of July 1, 2011. Approximately $92,000 of ceded premium was spread equitably among the four servicing carriers. Subject to the Commissioner's review, CAR sets the premium rates for commercial automobile policies reinsured through CAR and this reinsurance pool can generate an underwriting result that is a profit or deficit based upon CAR's rate level. This underwriting result is allocated among every Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance company, including us, based on a company's commercial automobile voluntary market share.

        CAR also runs a reinsurance pool for Taxi, Limousine and Car Service risks (the "Taxi/Limo Program"). On April 25, 2007, Safety submitted through a Request for Proposal a bid to process a portion of the Taxi/Limo Program. CAR approved Safety as one of the two servicing carriers for this program beginning January 1, 2008. During 2010, CAR requested bids through a Request for Proposal process to extend the program another five years. CAR approved Safety as one of the two servicing carriers for this program beginning January 1, 2011. Approximately $6,000 of ceded premium was spread equitably between the two servicing carriers.

        We are assigned independent agents by CAR who can submit commercial business to us in the LSC and Taxi/Limo Program, and we classify those agents as commercial LSC producers.

        The table below shows our direct written exposures in each of our product lines for the periods indicated and the change in exposures for each product line.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  
Line of Business
  Exposures   Change   Exposures   Change   Exposures   Change  

Private passenger automobile:

                                     

Voluntary agents

    462,087     4.5 %   442,057     5.0 %   421,139     2.6 %

ERPs

        -100.0     16,468     -47.6     31,411     -9.1  

MAIP

    15,114     -19.2     18,713     5.8     17,687     73.5  
                                 

Total private passenger automobile

    477,201         477,238     1.5     470,237     3.3  
                                 

Commercial automobile:

                                     

Voluntary agents

    49,423     12.0     44,133     3.8     42,502     -0.4  

LSC Producers

    5,879     17.2     5,017     35.6     3,699     -18.8  
                                 

Total commercial automobile

    55,302     12.5     49,150     6.4     46,201     -2.2  
                                 

Other:

                                     

Homeowners

    139,969     7.2     130,563     11.5     117,120     19.6  

Business owners

    8,568     9.6     7,815     0.4     7,785     8.2  

Personal umbrella

    19,966     7.1     18,646     12.9     16,515     24.9  

Dwelling fire

    5,914     13.6     5,207     10.1     4,729     24.8  

Commercial umbrella

    585     5.2     556     4.9     530     2.9  
                                 

Total other

    175,002     7.5     162,787     11.0     146,679     19.6  
                                 

Total

    707,505     2.7     689,175     3.9     663,117     6.1  
                                 

Total voluntary agents

    686,512     5.8     648,977     6.3     610,320     4.2  

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        Our total written exposures increased by 2.7% for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of our voluntary agent written exposures increasing by 5.8%. Our private passenger ERP written exposures have been eliminated with full implementation of MAIP. Our commercial automobile exposures increased by 12.5% in 2012 primarily as a result of additional exposures being submitted from LSC Producers through the CAR LSC program as there are now only four Limited Servicing Carriers. Our other than auto exposures increased by 7.5% in 2012 primarily as a result of our voluntary agents' efforts to sell multiple products to their clients and our pricing strategy of offering account discounts to policyholders who insure both their home and automobile with us. In 2012, 49.9% of the private passenger automobile exposures we insure had an other than private passenger policy with us, compared to 41.4% and 37.6% in 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, 83.6% of our homeowners policyholders had a matching automobile policy with us in 2012 compared to 83.1% and 83.9% in 2011 and 2010, respectively.


Marketing

        We view the independent agent as our customer and business partner. As a result, a component of our marketing efforts focuses on developing interdependent relationships with leading Massachusetts agents that write profitable business and positioning ourselves as the preferred insurance carrier of those agents, thereby receiving a larger portion of each agent's aggregate business. Our principal marketing strategies to agents are:

      to offer a range of products, which we believe enables our agents to meet the insurance needs of their clients, and overcomes the agent's resistance to placing their clients' automobile, homeowners and other coverages with different insurers;

      to price our products competitively, including offering discounts when and where appropriate for safer drivers and for affinity groups for our personal automobile products, loss-free credits for our homeowner products and also offering account discounts for policyholders that have more than one policy with us;

      to design, price and market our products to our agents for their customers to place all their insurance with us;

      to offer agents competitive commissions, with incentives for placing their more profitable business with us; and

      to provide a level of support and service that enhances the agent's ability to do business with its clients and with us.

        Beginning in 2007, we started a comprehensive branding campaign using a variety of radio, television, internet and print advertisements.

        Commission Schedule and Profit Sharing Plan.    We have several programs designed to attract profitable new business from agents by paying them more than the minimum commission the law requires for private passenger auto (which is 13.0% of premiums for 2012 and 2011). We recognize our top performing agents by making them members of either our Chairman's Elite, Chairman's, President's, Executive's or Preferred Agent's Club. In 2012, members of these Clubs received a commission of up to 18.0% of premiums for each new private passenger auto policy and up to 25.0% of premiums for each new homeowner policy.

        Further, we have a competitive agency incentive commission program under which we pay agents up to 8.5% of premiums based on the loss ratio on their business.

        Service and Support.    We believe that the level and quality of service and support we provide helps differentiate us from other insurers. We have made a significant investment in information technology designed to facilitate our agents' business. Our AVC website helps agents manage their work efficiently.

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We provide a substantial amount of information online that agents need to serve their customers, such as information about the status of new policies, bill payments and claims. Providing this type of content reduces the number of customer calls we receive and empowers the agent's customer service representatives by enabling them to respond to customers' inquiries while the customer is on the telephone. Finally, we believe that the knowledge and experience of our employees enhances the quality of support we provide.


Underwriting

        Our underwriting department is responsible for a number of key decisions affecting the profitability of our business, including:

      pricing of our private passenger automobile product since April 1, 2008;

      pricing of our commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, personal umbrella, business owners policies, commercial umbrella and commercial package products;

      determining underwriting guidelines for all our products; and

      evaluating whether to accept transfers of a portion of an existing or potential new agent's portfolio from another insurer.

        Pricing.    Prior to April 1, 2008, our pricing strategy for private passenger automobile insurance primarily depended on the maximum permitted premium rates and minimum permitted commission levels mandated by the Commissioner. Beginning April 1, 2008 subject to the Commissioner's review, we set rates for our private passenger business using industry loss cost data, our own loss experience, residual market deficits, catastrophe modeling and prices charged by our competitors in the Massachusetts market. Beginning April 1, 2008 subject to Commissioner's review, CAR sets the premium rates for personal automobile policies assigned to carriers by the MAIP. However, companies may only charge the insured the lower of the CAR/MAIP rate or the company's competitive voluntary market rate. Safety Insurance's approved rates consists of 17 tiers effective March 1, 2012.

        We offer group discounts to members of 139 affinity groups. In general, we target affinity groups with a mature and stable membership base along with favorable driving records, offering between a 3.0% and 8.0% discount (with 4.0% being the average discount offered).

        Subject to the Commissioner's review, CAR sets the premium rates for commercial automobile policies reinsured through CAR. Subject to the Commissioner's review, we set rates for commercial automobile policies that are not reinsured through CAR, and for all other insurance lines we offer, including homeowners, dwelling fire, personal umbrella, commercial umbrella, commercial package policies and business owner policies. We base our rates on industry loss cost data, our own loss experience, residual market deficits, catastrophe modeling and prices charged by our competitors in the Massachusetts market. We have three pricing tiers for most products, utilizing Safety Insurance for standard rates, Safety Indemnity for preferred rates and Safety P&C for ultra preferred rates.

        CAR Reinsurance Pool.    CAR runs a reinsurance pool for commercial automobile policies and beginning January 1, 2006, we became one of six servicing carriers that could service commercial automobile policies for CAR. In 2010, CAR reduced the number of servicing carriers to four, and CAR approved Safety and three other servicing carriers effective July 1, 2011 to continue the program. CAR also runs a reinsurance pool for taxi/limousine/car service commercial automobile policies and beginning January 1, 2008, we became one of two servicing carriers that can service these policies for CAR. All commercial automobile business that is not written in the voluntary market is apportioned to one of the four servicing carriers who handle the business on behalf of CAR or to one of the two servicing carriers who handle the business on behalf of CAR for taxi/limousine/car service business.

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Each Massachusetts commercial automobile insurer must bear a portion of the losses of the total commercial reinsurance pool that is serviced by the approved servicing carriers.

        Bulk Policy Transfers and New Voluntary Agents.    From time to time, we receive proposals from existing voluntary agents to transfer a portfolio of the agent's business from another insurer to us. Our underwriters model the profitability of these portfolios before we accept these transfers. Among other things, we usually require that the private passenger portion of the portfolio have a pure loss ratio of 65.0% or less on the portion of the agent's portfolio that we would underwrite. In addition, we require any new voluntary agent to commit to transfer a portfolio to us consisting of at least 300 policies.

        Policy Processing and Rate Pursuit.    Our underwriting department assists in processing policy applications, endorsements, renewals and cancellations. For many years, we have used and implemented proprietary software that enables agents to connect to our network and enter policy and endorsement applications for private passenger automobile insurance from their office computers. In our private passenger automobile insurance line, our agents now submit approximately 99.0% of all applications for new policies or endorsements for existing policies through our proprietary information portal, the AVC. We also offer propriety software for our commercial automobile and homeowners insurance lines of business that provides the same functionality as that of our personal automobile software.

        Our rate pursuit team aggressively monitors all insurance transactions to make sure we receive the correct premium for the risk insured. We accomplish this by verifying Massachusetts pricing criteria, such as proper classification of drivers, the make, model, and age of insured vehicles, and the availability of discounts. We verify that operators are properly listed and classified, assignment of operators to vehicles, vehicle garaging, vehicle pre-inspection requirements, and in some cases the validity of discounts. In our homeowners and dwelling fire lines, our team has completed a project to update the replacement costs for each dwelling. We use third-party software to assist in these appraisal efforts.


Technology

        The focuses of our information technology effort are:

      to constantly re-engineer internal processes to allow more efficient operations, resulting in lower operating costs;

      to make it easier for independent agents to transact business with us; and

      to enable agents to efficiently provide their clients with a high level of service.

        We believe that our technology initiatives have increased revenue and decreased costs. For example, these initiatives have allowed us to reduce the number of call-center transactions which we perform, and to transfer many manual processing functions from our internal operations to our independent agents. We also believe that these initiatives have contributed to overall increases in productivity.

Internal Applications (Intranet)

        Our employees access our proprietary applications through our corporate intranet. Our intranet applications streamline internal processes and improve overall operational efficiencies in areas including:

        Claims.    Our claims workload management application allows our claims and subrogation adjusters to better manage injury claims. Subrogation refers to the process by which we are reimbursed by other insurers for claims costs we incur due to the fault of their insureds. The use of this application

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has reduced the time it takes for us to respond to and settle casualty claims, which we believe helps reduce the total amount of our claims expense.

        The automated adjuster assignment system categorizes our new claims by severity and assigns them to the appropriate adjuster responsible for investigation. Once assigned, the integrated workload management tools facilitate the work of promptly assigning appraisers, investigating liability, issuing checks and receiving subrogation receipts.

        The RadicalGlass.com application allows our claims department to contain glass costs by increasing the windshield repair to replacement ratio. For every windshield that is repaired rather than replaced there is an average savings of approximately $313 per windshield claim.

        Our first VIP Claims Center was introduced during 2006 to provide increased service levels to our independent insurance agents and their clients. We currently operate three VIP Claims Centers which use a network of rental car centers and auto body repair shops to provide a higher level of service to the clients of the independent insurance agents while reducing costs, such as rental expense, through reduced cycle times.

        Billing.    Proprietary billing systems, integrated with the systems of our print and lock-box vendors, expedite the processing and collection of premium receipts and finance charges from agents and policyholders. We believe the sophistication of our direct bill system helps us to limit our bad debt expense. In both 2012 and 2011, our bad debt expense as a percentage of direct written premiums was 0.2%.

External Applications

        Our Agent Technology offerings are centralized within our agency portal and feature PowerDesk and Safety Express. PowerDesk is a web based application that allows for billing inquiry, payment notification, policy inquiry and claims inquiry. Safety Express provides agents with new business and endorsement entry, real time policy issuance for personal lines, immediate printing of declarations pages in agents' offices, policy downloads to most major agency management systems and data imports from Boston Software's WinRater (Massachusetts) and Vertafore's PL Rater (New Hampshire). In addition, Safety provides its agents with commission downloads for all lines of business, Transformation Station and Transact Now Inquires, e-Claims online claims reporting, e-View daily transaction reports and e-Docs online electronic document file cabinet. Safety also provides online bill pay, (including credit and debit cards), online declarations pages, billing inquiry, claims inquiry, auto claims first notice of loss, online auto insurance cards, and bill pay reminder alerts to our agent's policyholders through ww.SafetyInsurance.com. Safety has also updated its telephone system to provide a voice activated phone directory, automated billing inquiry and payments, and call center screen pop-up technology. In 2011, Safety also entered the mobile application space when it introduced Safety Mobile for the iPhone and Android. Safety Mobile allows consumers access to their agent information, bill pay capabilities, the ability to report an automobile accident and access to their insurance card, among other features.


Claims

        Because of the unique differences between the management of casualty claims and property claims, we use separate departments for each of these types of claims.

Casualty Claims

        We have adopted stringent claims settlement procedures, which include guidelines that establish maximum settlement offers for soft tissue injuries, which constituted approximately 78% of our bodily injury claims in 2012. If we are unable to settle these claims within our guidelines, we generally take

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the claim to litigation. We believe that these procedures result in providing our adjusters with a uniform approach to negotiation.

        We believe an important component of handling claims efficiently is prompt investigation and settlement. We find that faster claims settlements often result in less expensive claims settlements. Our E-Claim reporting system is an online product that reduces the time it takes for agents to notify our adjusters about claims, thereby enabling us to contact third-party claimants and other witnesses quickly. After business hours, we outsource claims adjustment support to an independent firm whose employees contact third-party claimants and other witnesses. We believe that early notification results in our adjusters conducting prompt investigations of claims and compiling more accurate information about those claims. Our claims workload management software also assists our adjusters in handling claims quickly.

        We believe the structure of our casualty claims unit allows us to respond quickly to claimants anywhere in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Comprising 120 people, the department is organized into distinct claim units that contain loss costs for soft tissue injuries. Field adjusters are located geographically for prompt response to claims, with our litigation unit focused on managing loss costs and litigation expenses for serious injury claims.

        Additionally, we utilize a special unit to investigate fraud in connection with casualty claims. This special unit has one manager and nine employees. In cases where adjusters suspect fraud in connection with a claim, we deploy this special unit to conduct investigations. We deny payment to claimants in cases in which we have succeeded in accumulating sufficient evidence of fraud.

Property Claims

        Our property claims unit handles property claims arising in our private passenger and commercial automobile, homeowners and other insurance lines. Process automation has streamlined our property claims function. Many of our property claims are now handled by our agents through AVC using our Power Desk software application. As agents receive calls from claimants, Power Desk permits the agent to immediately send information related to the claim directly to us and to an independent appraiser selected by the agent to value the claim. Once we receive this information, an automated system redirects the claim to the appropriate internal adjuster responsible for investigating the claim to determine liability. Upon determination of liability, the system automatically begins the process of seeking a subrogation recovery from another insurer, if liable. We believe this process results in a shorter time period from when the claimant first contacts the agent to when the claimant receives a claim payment, while enabling our agents to build credibility with their clients by responding to claims in a timely and efficient manner. We benefit from decreased labor expenses from the need for fewer employees to handle the reduced property claims call volume.

        Another important factor in keeping our overall property claims costs low is collecting subrogation recoveries. We track the amounts we pay out in claims costs and identify cases in which we believe we can reclaim some or all of those costs through the use of our automated workload management tools.


Reserves

        Significant periods of time can elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to the insurer and the insurer's payment of that loss. To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, insurers establish reserves as balance sheet liabilities representing estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported losses and the expenses associated with investigating and paying the losses, or loss adjustment expenses. Every quarter, we review and establish our reserves. Regulations promulgated by the Commissioner require us to annually obtain a certification from either a qualified actuary or an approved loss reserve specialist who may be one of our employees that our loss and loss adjustment expenses reserves are reasonable.

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        When a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a "case reserve" for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The amount of the reserve is primarily based upon an evaluation of the type of claim involved, the circumstances surrounding each claim and the policy provisions relating to the loss. The estimate reflects informed judgment of such personnel based on general insurance reserving practices and on the experience and knowledge of the claims person. During the loss adjustment period, these estimates are revised as deemed necessary by our claims department based on subsequent developments and periodic reviews of the cases.

        In accordance with industry practice, we also maintain reserves for estimated losses incurred but not yet reported. Incurred but not yet reported reserves are determined in accordance with commonly accepted actuarial reserving techniques on the basis of our historical information and experience. We make adjustments to incurred but not yet reported reserves quarterly to take into account changes in the volume of business written, claims frequency and severity, our mix of business, claims processing and other items that can be expected to affect our liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses over time.

        When reviewing reserves, we analyze historical data and estimate the impact of various loss development factors, such as our historical loss experience and that of the industry, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. There is no precise method, however, for evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves, because the eventual development of reserves is affected by many factors. After taking into account all relevant factors, management believes that our provision for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2012 is adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and claims incurred as of that date.

        Management determines its loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE") reserves estimates based upon the analysis of the Company's actuaries. Management has established a process for the Company's actuaries to follow in establishing reasonable reserves. The process consists of meeting with our claims department, establishing ultimate incurred losses by using development models accepted by the actuarial community, and reviewing the analysis with management. The Company's estimate for loss and LAE reserves, net of the effect of ceded reinsurance, ranges from a low of $347,618 to a high of $379,385 as of December 31, 2012. The Company's net loss and LAE reserves, based on our actuaries' best estimate, were set at $371,657 as of December 31, 2012. The ultimate liability may be greater or less than reserves carried at the balance sheet date. Establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process, and there can be no certainty that currently established reserves will prove adequate in light of subsequent actual experience. To the extent that reserves are inadequate and are strengthened, the amount of such increase is treated as a charge to earnings in the period that the deficiency is recognized. To the extent that reserves are redundant and are released, the amount of the release is a credit to earnings in the period the redundancy is recognized. We do not discount any of our reserves.

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        The following table presents development information on changes in the reserves for losses and LAE of our Insurance Subsidiaries for each year in the three year period ended December 31, 2012.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

  $ 403,872   $ 404,391   $ 439,706  

Less receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid losses and LAE

    (51,774 )   (53,147 )   (64,874 )
               

Net reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

    352,098     351,244     374,832  
               

Incurred losses and LAE, related to:

                   

Current year

    439,527     503,323     409,005  

Prior years

    (17,310 )   (36,683 )   (48,157 )
               

Total incurred losses and LAE

    422,217     466,640     360,848  
               

Paid losses and LAE related to:

                   

Current year

    272,454     336,932     253,476  

Prior years

    130,204     128,854     130,960  
               

Total paid losses and LAE

    402,658     465,786     384,436  
               

Net reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

    371,657     352,098     351,244  

Plus receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid losses and LAE

    52,185     51,774     53,147  
               

Reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

  $ 423,842   $ 403,872   $ 404,391  
               

        At the end of each period, the reserves were re-estimated for all prior accident years. Our prior year reserves decreased by $17,310, $36,683, and $48,157 for the years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. The decreases in prior year reserves in 2012 resulted from re-estimations of prior years ultimate loss and LAE liabilities and is primarily composed of reductions of $17,879 in our retained automobile reserves. The decreases in prior year reserves in 2011 resulted from re-estimations of prior years ultimate loss and LAE liabilities and is primarily composed of reductions of $28,302 in our retained automobile reserves and $4,921 in our retained homeowners reserves. The decrease in prior year reserves during 2010is primarily composed of reductions of $34,248 in our retained automobile reserves, $7,269 in our retained homeowners and retained all other reserves, and $5,572 in CAR assumed reserves. It is not appropriate to extrapolate future favorable or unfavorable development of reserves from this past experience.

        Our private passenger automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $16,475 for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to improved retained private passenger results of $14,720 for the accident years 2005 through 2011. Our private passenger automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $24,133 for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to improved retained private passenger results of $20,008 for accident years 2005 through 2009. Our private passenger automobile line of business reserves decreased by $31,944 for the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to improved retained private passenger results of $24,326 for accident years 2005 through 2009. The improved retained private passenger results were primarily due to fewer incurred but not yet reported claims than previously estimated and better than previously estimated severity on our established bodily injury and property damage case reserves.

        The following table represents the development of reserves, net of reinsurance, for calendar years 2002 through 2012. The top line of the table shows the reserves at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years. This represents the estimated amounts of losses and loss adjustment expenses for claims arising in all years that were unpaid at the balance sheet date, including losses that had been incurred but not yet reported to us. The upper portion of the table shows the cumulative amounts paid as of the end of each successive year with respect to those claims. The lower portion of the table shows

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the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded reserves based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year, including cumulative payments made since the end of the respective year. The estimate changes as more information becomes known about the payments, frequency and severity of claims for individual years. Favorable loss development, shown as a cumulative redundancy in the table, exists when the original reserve estimate is greater than the re-estimated reserves at December 31, 2012.

        Information with respect to the cumulative development of gross reserves (that is, without deduction for reinsurance ceded) also appears at the bottom portion of the table.

        In evaluating the information in the table, it should be noted that each amount entered incorporates the effects of all changes in amounts entered for prior periods. Thus, if the 2007 estimate for a previously incurred loss was $150,000 and the loss was reserved at $100,000 in 2003, the $50,000 deficiency (later estimate minus original estimate) would be included in the cumulative (redundancy) deficiency in each of the years 2003-2007 shown in the table. It should further be noted that the table does not present accident or policy year development data. In addition, conditions and trends that have affected the development of liability in the past may not necessarily recur in the future. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies from the table.

 
  As of and for the Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003   2002  

Reserves for losses and LAE originally estimated:

  $ 371,656   $ 352,098   $ 351,244   $ 374,832   $ 391,070   $ 393,430   $ 370,980   $ 370,166   $ 366,730   $ 310,012   $ 266,636  

Cumulative amounts paid as of:

                                                                   

One year later

          130,205     128,854     130,960     126,858     142,259     122,806     133,213     144,600     150,354     137,092  

Two years later

                176,774     183,061     189,897     195,798     183,457     187,231     202,435     201,287     199,119  

Three years later

                      211,182     217,695     234,359     212,331     221,390     233,513     232,539     225,350  

Four years later

                            233,160     248,560     233,438     234,705     251,303     247,073     238,087  

Five years later

                                  254,915     240,275     244,454     257,061     255,798     243,677  

Six years later

                                        242,298     247,299     260,628     258,588     246,488  

Seven years later

                                              247,983     261,802     259,553     247,211  

Eight years later

                                                    261,988     260,147     247,299  

Nine years later

                                                          260,252     247,732  

Ten years later

                                                                247,778  

 

 
  As of and for the Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003   2002  

Reserves re-estimated as of:

                                                                   

One year later

        $ 334,788   $ 314,561   $ 326,676   $ 347,004   $ 357,492   $ 340,189   $ 327,419   $ 327,110   $ 303,234   $ 266,817  

Two years later

                293,480     294,696     307,918     325,317     311,972     310,614     304,891     291,100     269,941  

Three years later

                      279,542     282,565     297,224     287,875     289,109     297,790     280,507     264,961  

Four years later

                            271,693     281,068     269,446     274,840     284,542     277,835     260,398  

Five years later

                                  274,179     258,506     264,408     276,272     271,205     257,836  

Six years later

                                        253,919     258,055     270,441     267,764     253,711  

Seven years later

                                              254,812     267,671     264,563     251,656  

Eight years later

                                                    266,338     263,113     250,380  

Nine years later

                                                          262,530     249,814  

Ten years later

                                                                249,546  

Cumulative (redundancy) deficiency 2011

        $ (36,683 ) $ (80,136 ) $ (108,505 ) $ (112,362 ) $ (112,474 ) $ (112,111 ) $ (99,059 ) $ (46,899 ) $ (16,822 ) $ (5,897 )

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  As of and for the Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003   2002  

Gross liability-end of year

  $ 423,841   $ 403,872   $ 404,391   $ 439,706   $ 467,559   $ 477,720   $ 449,444   $ 450,716   $ 450,897   $ 383,551   $ 333,297  

Reinsurance recoverables

    52,185     51,774     53,147     64,874     76,489     84,290     78,464     80,550     84,167     73,539     66,661  

Net liability-end of year

    371,656     352,098     351,244     374,832     391,070     393,430     370,980     370,166     366,730     310,012     266,636  

Gross estimated liability-latest

                                                                   

Reinsurance recoverables-latest

          383,333     340,400     331,203     325,883     331,270     307,068     308,530     324,707     322,629     308,214  

Net estimated liability-latest

          48,545     46,920     51,661     54,190     57,091     53,149     53,718     58,369     60,099     58,668  

        $ 334,788   $ 293,480   $ 279,542   $ 271,693   $ 274,179   $ 253,919   $ 254,812   $ 266,338   $ 262,530   $ 249,546  

        As the table shows, our net reserves grew at a faster rate than our gross reserves over the ten-year period. As we have grown, we have been able to retain a greater percentage of our direct business. Additionally, in the past we conducted substantial business as a servicing carrier for other insurers, in which we would service the residual market automobile insurance business assigned to other carriers for a fee. All business generated through this program was ceded to the other carriers. As we reduced the amount of our servicing carrier business, our proportion of reinsurance ceded diminished.

        The table also shows that we have substantially benefited in the current and prior years from releasing redundant reserves. In the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 we decreased loss reserves related to prior years by $17,310, $36,683 and $48,157, respectively. Reserves and development are discussed further in Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Executive Summary and Overview.

        As a result of our focus on core business lines since our founding in 1979, we believe we have no exposure to asbestos or environmental pollution liabilities.


Reinsurance

        We reinsure with other insurance companies a portion of our potential liability under the policies we have underwritten, thereby protecting us against an unexpectedly large loss or a catastrophic occurrence that could produce large losses, primarily in our homeowners line of business. Reinsurance involves an insurance company transferring (ceding) a portion of its exposure on insurance underwritten by it to another insurer (reinsurer). The reinsurer assumes a portion of the exposure in return for a share of the premium. Reinsurance does not legally discharge an insurance company from its primary liability for the full amount of the policies, but it does make the reinsurer liable to the company for the reinsured portion of any loss realized.

        We are selective in choosing our reinsurers, seeking only those companies that we consider to be financially stable and adequately capitalized. In an effort to minimize exposure to the insolvency of a reinsurer, we continually evaluate and review the financial condition of our reinsurers. Swiss Re, our primary reinsurer, maintains an A.M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent). Most of our reinsurers have an A.M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent), however in no case is a reinsurer rated below "A-" (Excellent).

        We maintain reinsurance coverage to help lessen the effect of losses from catastrophic events, maintaining coverage that during 2012 protected us in the event of a "140-year storm" (that is, a storm of a severity expected to occur once in a 140-year period). We use various software products to measure our exposure to catastrophe losses and the probable maximum loss to us for catastrophe losses such as hurricanes. The models include estimates for our share of the catastrophe losses generated in the residual market for property insurance by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association ("FAIR Plan"). In 2012, we purchased four layers of excess catastrophe reinsurance

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providing coverage for property losses in excess of $50,000 up to a maximum of $535,000. Our reinsurers' co-participation is 50.0% of $30,000 for the 1st layer, 80.0% of $90,000 for the 2nd layer, 80.0% of $200,000 for the 3rd layer, and 80.0% of $165,000 for the 4th layer.

        The reinsurance market has seen from the various software modelers, increases in the estimate of damage from hurricanes in the southern and northeast portions of the United States due to revised estimations of increased hurricane activity and increases in cost of repairs due to increased estimates in the amount of "demand surge" in the periods following a significant event. We continue to manage our exposure to catastrophes such as hurricanes, and to the changes to the various software models that we use to model our exposure, and continually adjust our reinsurance programs. For 2013, we have purchased four layers of excess catastrophe reinsurance providing coverage for property losses in excess of $50,000 up to a maximum of $565,000. Our reinsurers' co-participation is 50.0% of $50,000 for the 1st layer, 80.0% of $80,000 for the 2nd layer, 80.0% of $250,000 for the 3rd layer, and 80.0% of $135,000 for the 4th layer. As a result of these changes to the models, and our revised reinsurance program, we maintain coverage that protects us in the event of a "127-year storm".

        We also have casualty excess of loss reinsurance for large casualty losses occurring in our automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, business owners, and commercial package lines of business in excess of $2,000 up to a maximum of $10,000. We have property excess of loss reinsurance coverage for large property losses, with coverage in excess of $2,000 up to a maximum of $18,000, for our homeowners, business owners, and commercial package policies. In addition, we have liability excess of loss reinsurance for umbrella large losses in excess of $1,000 up to a maximum of $10,000. We also have various reinsurance agreements with Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, of which the primary contract is a quota share agreement under which we cede 100% of the premiums and losses for the equipment breakdown coverage under our business owner policies and commercial package policies.

        In the wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedies, reinsurers began to exclude coverage for claims in connection with any act of terrorism. Our reinsurance program excludes coverage for acts of terrorism, except for fire or collapse losses as a result of terrorism, under homeowners, dwelling fire, private passenger automobile and commercial automobile policies. For business owner policies and commercial package policies, terrorism is excluded if the total insured value is greater than $20,000.

        The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 ("TRIA") was signed into law on November 26, 2002, and expired December 31, 2005. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 was signed into law on December 22, 2005, and expired December 31, 2007. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2007 ("TRIEA") was signed into law on December 26, 2007 which reauthorized TRIA for seven years, expanded the definition of an "Act of Terrorism" while expanding the private sector role and reducing the federal share of compensation for insured losses under the program. The intent of this legislation is to provide federal assistance to the insurance industry for the needs of commercial insurance policyholders with the potential exposure for losses due to acts of terrorism. The TRIEA provides reinsurance for certified acts of terrorism. Effective January 1, 2008, we began to issue policy endorsements for all commercial policyholders to comply with TRIA after obtaining the Commissioner's approval.

        In addition to the above mentioned reinsurance programs and as described in more detail above under The Massachusetts Property and Casualty Insurance Market, we are a participant in CAR, the Massachusetts mandated residual market under which premiums, expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses on ceded business are shared by all insurers writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts. The personal automobile residual market mechanism is being phased out, as described earlier. We also participate in the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association in which premiums, expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses on homeowners business that cannot be placed in the voluntary market are shared by insurers writing homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. As insurance

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carriers have reduced their exposure to coastal property, the FAIR Plan's exposure to catastrophe losses have increased and as a result, the FAIR Plan has decided to buy reinsurance to reduce their exposure to catastrophe losses. On July 1, 2012, the FAIR Plan purchased $1,000,000 of catastrophe reinsurance for property losses in excess of $200,000. As of December 31, 2012, we had no material amounts recoverable from any reinsurer, excluding $51,140 recoverable from CAR.

        On March 10, 2005, our Board of Directors (the "Board") adopted a resolution that prohibits Safety from purchasing finite reinsurance (reinsurance that transfers only a relatively finite or limited amount of risk to the reinsurer) without approval by the Board. To date, the Company has never purchased a finite reinsurance contract.


Competition

        The property and casualty insurance business is highly competitive and many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. We compete with both large national writers and smaller regional companies. Our competitors include companies which, like us, serve the independent agency market, as well as companies which sell insurance directly to customers. Direct writers may have certain competitive advantages over agency writers, including increased name recognition, loyalty of the customer base to the insurer rather than to an independent agency and potentially, lower cost structures. A material reduction in the amount of business independent agents sell would adversely affect us. Further, we and others compete on the basis of the commissions and other cash and non-cash incentives provided to agents. Although historically, a number of national insurers that are much larger than we are have chosen not to compete in a material way in the Massachusetts private passenger automobile market, if one or more of these companies decided to aggressively enter the market it could have a material adverse effect on us. The Commissioner announced that Managed Competition reforms were, in part, designed to make Massachusetts more appealing to these companies. Since 2008, new companies have entered the market including Progressive Insurance Company, Peerless (a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual), AIG, Vermont Mutual, Preferred Mutual, IDS, Occidental, GEICO, Harleysville, Foremost and Allstate. These companies include some that would be able to sustain significant losses in order to acquire market share, as well as others which use distribution methods that compete with the independent agent channel. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively against these companies in the future.

        Our principal competitors within the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market are Commerce Group, Inc., Liberty Mutual (including Peerless) and Arbella Insurance Group, which held 27.8%, 12.0% and 9.4% market shares based on automobile exposures, respectively, in 2012 according to CAR.


Employees

        At December 31, 2012, we employed 599 employees. Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreement. Management considers our relationship with our employees to be good.


Investments

        Investment income is an important source of revenue for us and the return on our investment portfolio has a material effect on our net earnings. Our investment objective is to focus on maximizing total returns while investing conservatively. We maintain a high-quality investment portfolio consistent with our established investment policy. As of December 31, 2012, our portfolio of fixed maturity investments was comprised principally of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. government and agency securities, and asset-backed securities. The portion of our non-investment grade portfolio of fixed maturity investments is primarily comprised of variable rate secured and senior bank loans and high yield bonds. We have no exposure to European sovereign debt.

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        According to our investment guidelines, no more than 2.0% of our portfolio may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (excluding U.S. government-backed securities). This one issuer must be rated "A" or above by Moody's. In addition, no more than 0.5% of our portfolio may be invested in securities of any one issuer rated "Baa," or the lowest investment grade assigned by Moody's. Of the less than 10.0% of our portfolio invested in senior bank loans and high yield bonds at December 31, 2012, no more than 5.0% may be invested in the securities of any one issuer, no more than 10.0% may be invested in any issuers total outstanding debt issue, and a maximum of 10.0% may be invested in securities unrated or rated "B-" or below by Moody's. We continually monitor the mix of taxable and tax-exempt securities in an attempt to maximize our total after-tax return. Since 1986, we have utilized the services of a third-party investment manager.

        The following table reflects the composition of our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2012   2011  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  % of
Portfolio
  Estimated
Fair Value
  % of
Portfolio
 

U.S. Treasury Securities

  $ 7,155     0.6 % $ 7,891     0.7 %

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    491,183     41.3     468,818     42.4  

Residential mortgage-backed securities(1)

    225,897     19.0     294,926     26.6  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    40,474     3.4     53,147     4.8  

Other asset-backed securities

    22,186     1.9     13,780     1.2  

Corporate and other securities

    378,658     31.9     248,251     22.4  
                   

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    1,165,553     98.1     1,086,813     98.1  

Equity securities(2)

    22,800     1.9     21,080     1.9  
                   

  $ 1,188,353     100.0 % $ 1,107,893     100.0 %
                   

(1)
Residential mortgage-backed securities consists primarily of obligations of U.S. Government agencies including collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities guaranteed and/or insured by the following issuers: Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).

(2)
Equity securities include interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company's executive deferred compensation plan.

        The principal risks inherent in holding mortgage-backed securities and other pass-through securities are prepayment and extension risks, which affect the timing of when cash flows will be received. When interest rates decline, mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities tend to be prepaid more rapidly than anticipated, causing early repayments. When interest rates rise, the underlying mortgages tend to be prepaid at a slower rate than anticipated, causing the principal repayments to be extended. Although early prepayments may result in acceleration of income from recognition of any unamortized discount, the proceeds typically are reinvested at a lower current yield, resulting in a net reduction of future investment income. In addition, in the current market environment, such investments can also contain liquidity risks.

        Our investments in senior bank loans were valued at $84,457 at December 31, 2012. A new investment vehicle in 2012, bank loans are primarily investments in senior secured floating rate loans that banks have made to corporations. The loans are generally priced at an interest rate spread over LIBOR that resets periodically, typically at intervals between one month and one year. As a result of the floating rate feature, this asset class provides protection against rising interest rates. However, this asset class is subject to default risk since these investments are typically below investment grade.

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        Equity risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices. Our exposure to changes in equity prices results from our holdings of common stock and mutual funds held to fund the executive deferred compensation plan. We continuously evaluate market conditions and we expect in the future to purchase additional equity securities. We principally manage equity price risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation techniques.

        The following table reflects our investment results for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Average cash and invested securities (at cost)

  $ 1,118,266   $ 1,081,858   $ 1,069,794  

Net investment income(1)

  $ 40,870   $ 39,060   $ 41,395  

Net effective yield(2)

    3.7 %   3.6 %   3.9 %

(1)
After investment expenses, excluding realized investment gains or losses.

(2)
Net investment income for the period divided by average invested securities and cash for the same period.

        Net effective annual yield was 3.7% and 3.6% in 2012 and 2011, respectively, compared to 3.9% in 2010. The yields in 2012 and 2011 were slightly lower than 2010 due to lower short-term interest rates and ongoing maintenance of short duration to protect the portfolio from rising interest rates.

        As of December 31, 2012, our portfolio of fixed maturity investments was comprised principally of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. government and agency securities, and asset-backed securities. The portion of our non-investment grade portfolio of fixed maturity investments is primarily comprised of variable rate secured and senior bank loans and high yield bonds. We have no exposure to European sovereign debt.

        The composition of our fixed income security portfolio by Moody's rating is presented in the following table.

 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2012   2011  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Percent   Estimated
Fair Value
  Percent  

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies

  $ 237,155     20.3 % $ 309,401     28.5 %

Aaa/Aa

    538,346     46.2     526,622     48.5  

A

    174,208     14.9     117,735     10.8  

Baa

    81,874     7.0     68,850     6.3  

Ba

    43,898     3.8     1,932     0.2  

B

    59,572     5.1          

Ca

    5,383     0.5          

Not rated

    25,117     2.2     62,273     5.7  
                   

Total

  $ 1,165,553     100.0 % $ 1,086,813     100.0 %
                   

        Ratings are generally assigned upon the issuance of the securities and are subject to revision on the basis of ongoing evaluations. Ratings in the table are as of the date indicated.

        Moody's rating system utilizes nine symbols to indicate the relative investment quality of a rated bond. "Aaa" rated bonds are judged to be of the best quality and are considered to carry the smallest degree of investment risk. "Aa" rated bonds are also judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with "Aaa" bonds, these bonds comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds.

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Bonds rated "A" possess many favorable investment attributes and are considered to be upper medium grade obligations. "Baa" rated bonds are considered as medium grade obligations; they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Bonds rated "Ba" or lower (those rated "B", "Caa", "Ca" and "C") are considered to be too speculative to be of investment quality.

        The Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (the "SVO") evaluates all public and private bonds purchased as investments by insurance companies. The SVO assigns one of six investment categories to each security it reviews. Category 1 is the highest quality rating and Category 6 is the lowest. Categories 1 and 2 are the equivalent of investment grade debt as defined by rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and Moody's, while Categories 3-6 are the equivalent of below investment grade securities. SVO ratings are reviewed at least annually. At December 31, 2012, 83.5% of our available for sale fixed maturity investments were rated Category 1 and 6.7% were rated Category 2, the two highest ratings assigned by the SVO.

        The following table indicates the composition of our fixed income security portfolio (at carrying value) by time to maturity as of December 31, 2012.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Percent  

Due in one year or less

  $ 33,231     2.9 %

Due after one year through five years

    287,528     24.7  

Due after five years through ten years

    270,960     23.3  

Due after ten years

    285,278     24.5  

Asset-backed securities(1)

    288,556     24.8  
           

Totals

  $ 1,165,553     100.0 %
           

(1)
Actual maturities of asset-backed securities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Prepayment rates are influenced by a number of factors that cannot be predicted with certainty, including: the relative sensitivity of the underlying mortgages or other collateral to changes in interest rates; a variety of economic, geographic and other factors; and the repayment priority of the securities in the overall securitization structures.


Ratings

        A.M. Best, which rates insurance companies based on factors of concern to policyholders, currently assigns Safety Insurance an "A (Excellent)" rating. Our "A" rating was reaffirmed by A.M. Best on May 18, 2012. Such rating is the third highest rating of 13 ratings that A.M. Best assigns to solvent insurance companies, which currently range from "A++ (Superior)" to "D (Very Vulnerable)." Publications of A.M. Best indicate that the "A" rating is assigned to those companies that in A.M. Best's opinion have a strong ability to meet their obligations to policyholders over a long period of time. In evaluating a company's financial and operating performance, A.M. Best reviews the Company's profitability, leverage and liquidity, as well as its book of business, the adequacy and soundness of its reinsurance, the quality and estimated fair value of its assets, the adequacy of its loss reserves, the adequacy of its surplus, its capital structure, the experience and competence of its management and its market presence. A.M. Best's ratings reflect its opinion of an insurance company's financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders and are not evaluations directed to purchasers of an insurance company's securities.

        In assigning Safety Insurance's rating, A.M. Best recognized its solid risk-adjusted capitalization, conservative operating strategy, and long-standing agency relationships. A.M. Best also noted among our positive attributes our favorable investment leverage, our disciplined underwriting approach, and

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our expertise in the closely managed Massachusetts automobile insurance market, where rates, until recently, were historically established by the Commissioner. A.M. Best cited other factors that partially offset these positive attributes, including our concentration of business in the Massachusetts private passenger automobile market which exposes our business to regulatory actions.


Supervision and Regulation

        Introduction.    Our principal operations are conducted through the Insurance Subsidiaries which are subject to comprehensive regulation by the Division of Insurance, of which the Commissioner is the senior official. The Commissioner is appointed by the Governor. We are subject to the authority of the Commissioner in many areas of our business under Massachusetts law, including:

    our licenses to transact insurance;

    the premium rates and policy forms we may use;

    our financial condition including the adequacy of our reserves and provisions for unearned premium;

    the solvency standards that we must maintain;

    the type and size of investments we may make;

    the prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices we must use; and

    the nature of the transactions we may engage in with our affiliates.

        In addition, the Commissioner periodically conducts a financial examination of all licensees domiciled in Massachusetts. We were most recently examined for the five-year period ending December 31, 2008. The Division had no material findings as a result of this examination.

        Insurance Holding Company Regulation.    Our principal operating subsidiaries are insurance companies, and therefore we are subject to certain laws in Massachusetts regulating insurance holding company systems. These laws require that we file a registration statement with the Commissioner that discloses the identity, financial condition, capital structure and ownership of each entity within our corporate structure and any transactions among the members of our holding company system. In some instances, we must provide prior notice to the Commissioner for material transactions between our insurance company subsidiaries and other affiliates in our holding company system. These holding company statutes also require, among other things, prior approval of the payment of extraordinary dividends or distributions and any acquisition of a domestic insurer.

        Insurance Regulation Concerning Dividends.    We rely on dividends from the Insurance Subsidiaries for our cash requirements. The insurance holding company law of Massachusetts requires notice to the Commissioner of any dividend to the shareholders of an insurance company. The Insurance Subsidiaries may not make an "extraordinary dividend" until thirty days after the Commissioner has received notice of the intended dividend and has not objected in such time. As historically administered by the Commissioner, this provision requires the prior approval by the Commissioner of an extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend is defined as any dividend or distribution that, together with other distributions made within the preceding twelve months exceeds the greater of 10.0% of the insurer's surplus as of the preceding December 31, or the insurer's net income for the twelve-month period ending the preceding December 31, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from its unassigned funds, also known as its earned surplus, and the insurer's remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. At year-end 2012, the statutory surplus of Safety Insurance was $599,024 and its net income for 2012 was $52,436. A maximum of $59,902 will be available during 2013 for such dividends without prior approval of the Commissioner.

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        Acquisition of Control of a Massachusetts Domiciled Insurance Company.    Massachusetts law requires advance approval by the Commissioner of any change in control of an insurance company that is domiciled in Massachusetts. That law presumes that control exists where any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds the power to vote or holds proxies representing 10.0% or more of our outstanding voting stock. Even persons who do not acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10.0% of the outstanding shares of our common stock may be deemed to have acquired control if the Commissioner determines that control exists in fact. Any purchaser of shares of common stock representing 10.0% or more of the voting power of our capital stock will be presumed to have acquired control of the Insurance Subsidiaries unless, following application by that purchaser the Commissioner determines that the acquisition does not constitute a change of control or is otherwise not subject to regulatory review. These requirements may deter, delay or prevent transactions affecting the control of or the ownership of our common stock, including transactions that could be advantageous to our stockholders.

        Protection Against Insurer Insolvency.    Massachusetts law requires that insurers licensed to do business in Massachusetts participate in the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund ("Insolvency Fund"). The Insolvency Fund must pay any claim up to $300 of a policyholder of an insolvent insurer if the claim existed prior to the declaration of insolvency or arose within sixty days after the declaration of insolvency. Members of the Insolvency Fund are assessed the amount the Insolvency Fund deems necessary to pay its obligations and expenses in connection with handling covered claims. Subject to certain exceptions, assessments are made in the proportion that each member's net written premiums for the prior calendar year for all property and casualty lines bore to the corresponding net written premiums for Insolvency Fund members for the same period. As a matter of Massachusetts law, insurance rates and premiums include amounts to recoup any amounts paid by insurers for the costs of the Insolvency Fund. By statute, no insurer in Massachusetts may be assessed in any year an amount greater than two percent of that insurer's direct written premium for the calendar year prior to the assessment. We account for allocations from the Insolvency Fund as underwriting expenses. CAR also assesses its members as a result of insurer insolvencies. Because CAR is not able to recover an insolvent company's share of the net CAR losses from the Insolvency Fund, CAR must increase each of its member's share of the deficit in order to compensate for the insolvent carrier's inability to pay its deficit assessment. It is anticipated that there will be future assessments from time to time relating to various insolvencies.

        The Insurance Regulatory Information System.    The Insurance Regulatory Information System ("IRIS") was developed to help state regulators identify companies that may require special financial attention. IRIS consists of a statistical phase and an analytical phase whereby financial examiners review annual statements and financial ratios. The statistical phase consists of 13 key financial ratios based on year-end data that are generated annually from the database of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"). Each ratio has an established "usual range" of results. These ratios assist state insurance departments in executing their statutory mandate to oversee the financial condition of insurance companies.

        A ratio result falling outside the usual range of IRIS ratios is not considered a failing result; rather, unusual values are viewed as part of the regulatory early monitoring system. Furthermore, in some years, it may not be unusual for financially sound companies to have several ratios with results outside the usual ranges. Generally, an insurance company will become subject to regulatory scrutiny if it falls outside the usual ranges of four or more of the ratios. In 2012, 2011, and 2010 all our ratios for all our Insurance Subsidiaries were within the normal range.

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        Risk-Based Capital Requirements.    The NAIC has adopted a formula and model law to implement risk-based capital requirements for most property and casualty insurance companies, which are designed to determine minimum capital requirements and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholder obligations. The risk-based capital formula for property and casualty insurance companies measures three major areas of risk facing property and casualty insurers:

    underwriting, which encompasses the risk of adverse loss developments and inadequate pricing;

    declines in asset values arising from market and/or credit risk; and

    off-balance sheet risk arising from adverse experience from non-controlled assets, guarantees for affiliates or other contingent liabilities and reserve and premium growth.

        Under Massachusetts law, insurers having less total adjusted capital than that required by the risk-based capital calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy.

        The risk-based capital law provides for four levels of regulatory action. The extent of regulatory intervention and action increases as the level of total adjusted capital to risk-based capital falls. The first level, the company action level, as defined by the NAIC, requires an insurer to submit a plan of corrective actions to the Commissioner if total adjusted capital falls below 200% of the risk-based capital amount. The regulatory action level, as defined by the NAIC requires an insurer to submit a plan containing corrective actions and requires the Commissioner to perform an examination or other analysis and issue a corrective order if total adjusted capital falls below 150.0% of the risk-based capital amount. The authorized control level, as defined by the NAIC, authorizes the Commissioner to take whatever regulatory actions he or she considers necessary to protect the best interest of the policyholders and creditors of the insurer which may include the actions necessary to cause the insurer to be placed under regulatory control, i.e., rehabilitation or liquidation, if total adjusted capital falls below 100.0% of the risk-based capital amount. The fourth action level is the mandatory control level, as defined by the NAIC, which requires the Commissioner to place the insurer under regulatory control if total adjusted capital falls below 70.0% of the risk-based capital amount.

        The formulas have not been designed to differentiate among adequately capitalized companies that operate with higher levels of capital. Therefore, it is inappropriate and ineffective to use the formulas to rate or to rank these companies. At December 31, 2012, our Insurance Subsidiaries had total adjusted capital in excess of amounts requiring company or regulatory action at any prescribed risk-based capital action level.

        Regulation of Private Passenger Automobile Insurance in Massachusetts.    Our principal line of business is Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance. Prior to April 1, 2008, regulation of private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts differed significantly from how this line of insurance is regulated in other states. In 2008, the Commissioner issued a series of decisions to introduce what she termed "managed competition" which removed many of the factors that had historically distinguished the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market from the market in other states. However, certain of the historically unique factors have not been eliminated, including compulsory insurance, affinity group marketing, and the prominence of independent agents.

        Market Conduct Regulation.    Our sales and rating practices are subject to regulation by both the Commissioner and the Massachusetts Attorney General, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 93A. Among other requirements, the premiums we charge must comply with our filed rating plans, which must satisfy Massachusetts law. The Commissioner has the power to conduct examinations to review our market conduct and the Attorney General can investigate our market conduct through the use of Civil Investigative Demands.

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Executive Officers and Directors

        The table below sets forth certain information concerning our directors and executive officers as of the date of this annual report.

Name
  Age(1)   Position   Years
Employed
by Safety
 
David F. Brussard     61   President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board     37  
William J. Begley, Jr.      58   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary     27  
James D. Berry     53   Vice President—Insurance Operations     30  
George M. Murphy     46   Vice President—Marketing     24  
Robert J. Kerton     66   Vice President—Claims     26  
David E. Krupa     52   Vice President—Claims Operations     30  
Daniel D. Loranger     73   Vice President—Management Information Systems and Chief Information Officer     32  
Edward N. Patrick, Jr.      64   Vice President—Underwriting     39  
A. Richard Caputo, Jr.      47   Director      
Frederic H. Lindeberg     72   Director      
Peter J. Manning     74   Director      
David K. McKown     75   Director      

(1)
As of March 8, 2013.

        David F. Brussard was appointed Chairman of the Board in March 2004 and President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") in June 2001. Mr. Brussard has served as a Director of the Company since October 2001. Since January 1999, Mr. Brussard has been the CEO and President of the Insurance Subsidiaries. Previously, Mr. Brussard served as Executive Vice President of the Insurance Subsidiaries from 1985 to 1999 and as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Insurance Subsidiaries from 1979 to 1999. Mr. Brussard has been employed by one or more of our subsidiaries for over 37 years. Mr. Brussard is also Chairman of the Governing Committee and a member of the Budget Committee, Executive Committee and Nominating Committee of the Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts. Mr. Brussard is also on the Board of Trustees of the Insurance Library Association of Boston.

        William J. Begley, Jr. was appointed Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary of the Company on March 4, 2002. Since January 1999, Mr. Begley has been the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Insurance Subsidiaries. Previously, Mr. Begley served as Assistant Controller of the Insurance Subsidiaries from 1985 to 1987, as Controller from 1987 to 1990 and as Assistant Vice President/Controller from 1990 to 1999. Mr. Begley has been employed by the Insurance Subsidiaries for over 27 years. Mr. Begley also serves on the Audit Committee of Guaranty Fund Management Services, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund.

        James D. Berry, CPCU, was appointed Vice President of Insurance Operations of the Company on October 1, 2005. Mr. Berry has been employed by the Insurance Subsidiaries for over 30 years and has directed the Company's Massachusetts Private Passenger line of business since 2001. Mr. Berry represents Safety on the Computer Sciences Corporation Series II and Exceed advisory councils.

        George M. Murphy, CPCU, was appointed Vice President of Marketing on October 1, 2005. Mr. Murphy has been employed by the Insurance Subsidiaries for over 24 years and most recently served as Director of Marketing.

        Robert J. Kerton was appointed Vice President of Casualty Claims of the Company on March 4, 2002. Mr. Kerton has served as Vice President of Claims of the Insurance Subsidiaries since 1986 and

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has been employed by the Insurance Subsidiaries for over 26 years. Mr. Kerton previously served 18 years with Allstate Insurance Company in various Massachusetts claim management assignments. Mr. Kerton has served as Chairman of the Claims Committee of the Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts, and he was a member of the Governing Board of the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau.

        David E. Krupa, CPCU, was appointed Vice President of Property Claims of the Company on March 4, 2002. Mr. Krupa has served as Vice President of Claims of the Insurance Subsidiaries since July 1990 and has been employed by the Insurance Subsidiaries for over 30 years. Mr. Krupa was first employed by the Company in 1982 and held a series of management positions in the Claims Department before being appointed Vice President in 1990. Mr. Krupa is a member of the Auto Damage Appraisers Licensing Board of Massachusetts. In addition, Mr. Krupa has been a member of several claims committees both at the Automobile Insurers Bureau of Massachusetts and CAR.

        Daniel D. Loranger was appointed Vice President of Management Information Systems of the Company on March 4, 2002. Mr. Loranger has served as Vice President of Management Information Systems and Chief Information Officer of the Insurance Subsidiaries since 1980 and has been employed by the Insurance Subsidiaries for over 32 years. Mr. Loranger began his data processing career with Raytheon Manufacturing in 1960.

        Edward N. Patrick, Jr. was appointed Vice President of Underwriting of the Company on March 4, 2002. Mr. Patrick has served as Vice President of Underwriting of the Insurance Subsidiaries since 1979 and as Secretary since 1999. He has been employed by one or more of our subsidiaries for over 39 years. Mr. Patrick has served on several committees of CAR, including the MAIP Steering, Actuarial, Market Review, Servicing Carrier, Statistical, Automation, Reinsurance and Operations Committee. Mr. Patrick is also on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (FAIR Plan).

        A.    Richard Caputo, Jr. has served as a director of the Company since June 2001. Mr. Caputo is a Partner of The Jordan Company, a private investment firm, since 1990. Mr. Caputo is also a director of TAL International, Inc. and various privately held companies.

        Frederic H. Lindeberg has served as a director of the Company since August 2004. Mr. Lindeberg has had a consulting practice providing taxation, management and investment counsel since 1991, focusing on finance, real estate, manufacturing and retail industries. Mr. Lindeberg retired in 1991 as Partner-In-Charge of various KPMG tax offices, after 24 years of service where he provided both accounting and tax counsel to various clients. Mr. Lindeberg is an attorney and certified public accountant. Mr. Lindeberg was formerly an adjunct professor at Penn State Graduate School of Business. Mr. Lindeberg is currently a director of TAL International, Inc.

        Peter J. Manning has served as a director of the Company since September 2003. Mr. Manning retired in 2003, as Vice Chairman Strategic Business Development of FleetBoston Financial, after 31 years with FleetBoston Financial Corporation (formerly BankBoston) where he also held the positions of Comptroller and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Manning started his career with Coopers & Lybrand in 1962 prior to his 1972 employment with BankBoston. He currently is a director of the Blue Hills Bank and the non-profit Campaign for Catholic Schools.

        David K. McKown has served as director of the Company since November 2002. Mr. McKown has been a Senior Advisor to Eaton Vance Management since 2000, focusing on business origination in real estate and asset-based loans. Mr. McKown retired in March 2000 having served as a Group Executive with BankBoston since 1993, where he focused on acquisitions and high-yield bank debt financings. Mr. McKown has been in the banking industry for 52 years, worked for BankBoston for over 32 years and had previously been the head of BankBoston's real estate department, corporate finance

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department, and a managing director of BankBoston's private equity unit. Mr. McKown is currently a director of Global Partners L.P., Newcastle Investment Corp., and various privately held companies.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        An investment in our common stock involves a number of risks. Any of the risks described below could result in a significant or material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition, and a corresponding decline in the market price of our common stock.

Because we are primarily a private passenger automobile insurance carrier, our business may be adversely affected by conditions in this industry.

        Approximately 65.9% of our direct written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2012, were generated from private passenger automobile insurance policies. As a result of our focus on that line of business, negative developments in the economic, competitive or regulatory conditions affecting the private passenger automobile insurance industry could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, these developments would have a disproportionate effect on us, compared to insurers which conduct operations in multiple business lines.

Because we write insurance principally in Massachusetts, our business may be adversely affected by conditions in Massachusetts, including the potential effect of the Commissioner's Managed Competition.

        Almost all of our direct written premiums are currently generated in Massachusetts. Our revenues and profitability are therefore subject to prevailing regulatory, economic, demographic, competitive and other conditions in Massachusetts. Changes in any of these conditions could make it more costly or difficult for us to conduct our business. Massachusetts has recently enacted significant changes to the regulatory framework relating to private passenger automobile insurance. These changes include rate competition and restructuring the private passenger automobile insurance residual market. The Commissioner intends that these changes will increase competition and result in lower premiums in private passenger automobile insurance in the state. We cannot estimate how these regulatory changes will affect our private passenger automobile insurance business over the longer term. Adverse results could include loss of market share, decreased revenue, and/or increased costs. Additional competitors have entered the market in response to these changes. In addition, these developments could have a disproportionate effect on us, compared to insurers which conduct operations in multiple states.

We have exposure to claims related to severe weather conditions, which may result in an increase in claims frequency and severity.

        We are subject to claims arising out of severe weather conditions, such as rainstorms, snowstorms and icestorms, that may have a significant effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The incidence and severity of weather conditions are inherently unpredictable. There is generally an increase in claims frequency and severity under the private passenger automobile insurance we write when severe weather occurs because a higher incidence of vehicular accidents and other insured losses tend to occur as a result of severe weather conditions. In addition, we have exposure to an increase in claims frequency and severity under the homeowners and other property insurance we write because property damage may result from severe weather conditions.

        Because some of our insureds live near the Massachusetts coastline, we also have a potential exposure to losses from hurricanes and major coastal storms such as Nor'easters. Although we purchase catastrophe reinsurance to limit our exposure to these types of natural catastrophes, in the event of a major catastrophe resulting in property losses to us in excess of $565,000 our losses would exceed the limits of this reinsurance in addition to losses from our quota share retention of a portion of the risk up to $565,000.

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Climate change may adversely impact our results of operations.

        There are concerns that the increase in weather-related catastrophes and other losses incurred by the industry in recent years may be indicative of changing weather patterns. This change in weather patterns could lead to higher overall losses which we may not be able to recover, particularly in light of the current competitive environment, and higher reinsurance costs. Climate change could also have an impact on issuers of securities in which we invest, resulting in realized and unrealized losses in future periods which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and/or financial position.

If we are not able to attract and retain independent agents, it could adversely affect our business.

        We market our insurance solely through independent agents. We must compete with other insurance carriers for the business of independent agents. Some of our competitors offer a larger variety of products, lower prices for insurance coverage or higher commissions. While we believe that the commissions and services we provide to our agents are competitive with other insurers, changes in commissions, services or products offered by our competitors could make it harder for us to attract and retain independent agents to sell our insurance products.

Established competitors with greater resources may make it difficult for us to market our products effectively and offer our products at a profit.

        The property and casualty insurance business is highly competitive and many of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. We compete with both large national writers and smaller regional companies. Further, our competitors include other companies which, like us, serve the independent agency market, as well as companies which sell insurance directly to customers. Direct writers may have certain competitive advantages over agency writers, including increased name recognition, loyalty of the customer base to the insurer rather than to an independent agency and, potentially, lower cost structures. A material reduction in the amount of business independent agents sell would directly and negatively affect our profitability and our ability to compete with insurers that do not rely solely on the independent agency market to sell their products. Further, our Company and others compete on the basis of the commissions and other cash and non-cash incentives provided to agents. Although a number of national insurers that are much larger than we are do not currently compete in a material way in the Massachusetts personal auto market, if one or more of these companies decided to aggressively enter the market it could reduce our share of the Massachusetts market and thereby have a material adverse effect on us. These companies include some that would be able to sustain significant losses in order to acquire market share, as well as others which use distribution methods that compete with the independent agent channel. Progressive Corporation, GEICO and Allstate, large insurers that market directly to policyholders rather than through agents, along with other carriers have entered the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market. We are unable to predict the long-term effects on our business of the new Managed Competition regulatory environment.

As a holding company, Safety Insurance Group, Inc. is dependent on the results of operations of the Safety Insurance Company.

        Safety Insurance Group, Inc. is a company and a legal entity separate and distinct from Safety Insurance Company, our principal operating subsidiary. As a holding company without significant operations of its own, the principal sources of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.'s funds are dividends and other distributions from Safety Insurance Company. Our rights to participate in any distribution of assets of Safety Insurance Company are subject to prior claims of policyholders, creditors and preferred shareholders, if any, of Safety Insurance Company (except to the extent that our rights, if any, as a creditor are recognized). Consequently, our ability to pay debts, expenses and cash dividends to our

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shareholders may be limited. The ability of Safety Insurance Company to pay dividends is subject to limits under Massachusetts insurance law. Further, the ability of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. to pay dividends, and our subsidiaries' ability to incur indebtedness or to use the proceeds of equity offerings, will be subject to limits under our revolving credit facility.

We are subject to comprehensive regulation by Massachusetts and our ability to earn profits may be restricted by these regulations.

        General Regulation.    We are subject to regulation by government agencies in Massachusetts, and we must obtain prior approval for certain corporate actions. We must comply with regulations involving:

    transactions between an insurance company and any of its affiliates;

    the payment of dividends;

    the acquisition of an insurance company or of any company controlling an insurance company;

    approval or filing of premium rates and policy forms;

    solvency standards;

    minimum amounts of capital and surplus which must be maintained;

    limitations on types and amounts of investments;

    restrictions on the size of risks which may be insured by a single company;

    limitation of the right to cancel or non-renew policies in some lines;

    regulation of the right to withdraw from markets or terminate involvement with agencies;

    requirements to participate in residual markets;

    licensing of insurers and agents;

    deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; and

    reporting with respect to financial condition.

        In addition, insurance department examiners from Massachusetts perform periodic financial and market conduct examinations of insurance companies. Such regulation is generally intended for the protection of policyholders rather than security holders.

        Massachusetts requires that all licensed property and casualty insurers bear a portion of the losses suffered by some insureds as a result of impaired or insolvent insurance companies by participating in the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund ("Insolvency Fund"). Members of the Insolvency Fund are assessed a proportionate share of the obligations and expenses of the Insolvency Fund in connection with an insolvent insurer. These assessments are made by the Insolvency Fund to cover the cost of paying eligible claims of policyholders of these insolvent insurers, and by CAR, to recover the shares of net CAR losses that would have been assessed to the insolvent companies but for their insolvencies. In addition, Massachusetts has established an underwriting association in order to ensure that property insurance is available for owners of high risk property who are not able to obtain insurance from private insurers. The losses of this underwriting association are shared by all insurers that write property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts. We are assessed from time to time to pay these losses. The effect of these assessments could reduce our profitability in any given period and limit our ability to grow our business.

        Because we are unable to predict with certainty changes in the political, economic or regulatory environments in Massachusetts in the future, there can be no assurance that existing insurance-related

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laws and regulations will not become more restrictive in the future or that new restrictive laws will not be enacted and, therefore, it is not possible to predict the potential effects of these laws and regulations on us.

We may enter new markets and there can be no assurance that our diversification strategy will be effective.

        Although we intend to concentrate on our core businesses in Massachusetts, we also may seek to take advantage of prudent opportunities to expand our core businesses into other states where we believe the independent agent distribution channel is strong. As a result of a number of factors, including the difficulties of finding appropriate expansion opportunities and the challenges of operating in an unfamiliar market, we may not be successful in this diversification. Additionally, in order to carry out any such strategy we would need to obtain the appropriate licenses from the insurance regulatory authority of any such state.

        On June 20, 2007, we applied for admission in the State of New Hampshire for a Certificate of Authority to transact insurance business. On October 16, 2007, the State of New Hampshire Insurance Department issued a Certificate of Authority for property and casualty insurance to each of the Insurance Subsidiaries. We began writing business in New Hampshire late in 2008.

Our failure to maintain a commercially acceptable financial strength rating would significantly and negatively affect our ability to implement our business strategy successfully.

        A.M. Best has currently assigned Safety Insurance an "A (Excellent)" rating. An "A" rating is A.M. Best's third highest rating, out of 13 possible rating classifications for solvent companies. An "A" rating is assigned to insurers that in A.M. Best's opinion have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. Moreover, an "A" rating is assigned to companies that have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best. A.M. Best bases its ratings on factors that concern policyholders and not upon factors concerning investor protection. Such ratings are subject to change and are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold securities. An important factor in an insurer's ability to compete effectively is its A.M. Best rating. Our A.M. Best rating is lower than those of some of our competitors. Any future decrease in our rating could affect our competitive position.

Our losses and loss adjustment expenses may exceed our reserves, which could significantly affect our business.

        The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses that we have established are estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported claims and related expenses based on facts and circumstances known to us as of the time we established the reserves. Reserves are based on historical claims information, industry statistics and other factors. The establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process. If our reserves are inadequate and are strengthened, we would have to treat the amount of such increase as a charge to our earnings in the period that the deficiency is recognized. As a result of these factors, there can be no assurance that our ultimate liability will not materially exceed our reserves and have a negative effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

        Due to the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves, it has been necessary, and may over time continue to be necessary, to revise estimated future liabilities as reflected in our reserves for claims and policy expenses. The historic development of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses may not necessarily reflect future trends in the development of these amounts. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate redundancies or deficiencies based on historical information.

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If we lose key personnel, our ability to implement our business strategy could be delayed or hindered.

        Our future success depends significantly upon the efforts of certain key management personnel, including David F. Brussard, our Chief Executive Officer and President. We have entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Brussard, Begley, Kerton, Krupa, Loranger, Patrick, Murphy, and Berry, the eight members of our Management Team. The loss of key personnel could prevent us from fully implementing our business strategy and could significantly and negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations. As we continue to grow, we will need to recruit and retain additional qualified management personnel, and our ability to do so will depend upon a number of factors, such as our results of operations and prospects and the level of competition then prevailing in the market for qualified personnel.

Market fluctuations and changes in interest rates can have significant and negative effects on our investment portfolio.

        Our results of operations depend in part on the performance of our invested assets. As of December 31, 2012, based upon fair value measurement, 98.1% of our investment portfolio was invested in fixed maturity securities and 1.9% in common equity securities. Certain risks are inherent in connection with debt securities including loss upon default and price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates and general market factors.

        We have a significant investment portfolio and adverse capital market conditions, including but not limited to volatility and credit spread changes, will impact the liquidity and value of our investments, potentially resulting in higher realized or unrealized losses. Values of our investments can also be impacted by reductions in price transparency and changes in investor confidence and preferences, potentially resulting in higher realized or unrealized losses. If the carrying value of our investments exceeds the fair value, and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, we will be required to write down the value of our investments, which could materially harm our results of operations and financial condition.

        Developments in the global financial markets may adversely affect our investment portfolio and overall performance. Global financial markets have recently experienced unprecedented and challenging conditions. If conditions further deteriorate, our business could be affected in different ways. Continued turbulence in the U.S. economy and contraction in the credit markets could adversely affect our profitability, demand for our products or our ability to raise rates, and could also result in declines in market value and future impairments of our investment assets.

We may not be able to successfully alleviate risk through reinsurance arrangements which could cause us to reduce our premiums written in certain lines or could result in losses.

        In order to reduce risk and to increase our underwriting capacity, we purchase reinsurance. The availability and the cost of reinsurance protection are subject to market conditions, which are outside of our control. As a result, we may not be able to successfully alleviate risk through these arrangements. For example, if reinsurance capacity for homeowner's risks were reduced as a result of terrorist attacks, climate change or other causes, we might seek to reduce the amount of homeowners business we write. In addition, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurance because the ceding of risk to reinsurers does not relieve us of our liability to our policyholders. A significant reinsurer's insolvency or inability to make payments under the terms of a reinsurance treaty could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

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There are anti-takeover provisions contained in our organizational documents and in laws of the State of Delaware and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that could impede an attempt to replace or remove our management or prevent the sale of our company, which could diminish the value of our common stock.

        Our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the laws of Delaware contain provisions that may delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that shareholders might consider in their best interests. For example, our organizational documents provide for a classified board of directors with staggered terms, prevent shareholders from taking action by written consent, prevent shareholders from calling a special meeting of shareholders, provide for supermajority voting requirements to amend our certificate of incorporation and certain provisions of our bylaws and provide for the filling of vacancies on our board of directors by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office. These provisions will render the removal of the incumbent board of directors or management more difficult. In addition, these provisions may prevent shareholders from receiving the benefit of any premium over the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a potential takeover. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

        The Massachusetts insurance law prohibits any person from acquiring control of us, and thus indirect control of Safety Insurance Group, Inc., without the prior approval of the Commissioner. That law presumes that control exists where any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds the power to vote or holds proxies representing 10.0% or more of our outstanding voting stock. Even persons who do not acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10.0% of the outstanding shares of our common stock may be deemed to have acquired such control if the Commissioner determines that such control exists in fact. Therefore, any person seeking to acquire a controlling interest in us would face regulatory obstacles which could delay, deter or prevent an acquisition that shareholders might consider in their best interests.

        Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, the jurisdiction in which the Company is organized, may affect the ability of an "interested stockholder" to engage in certain business combinations including mergers, consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares, for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. An interested stockholder is defined to include persons owning directly or indirectly 15.0% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

Future sales of shares of our common stock by our existing shareholders in the public market, or the possibility or perception of such future sales, could adversely affect the market price of our stock.

        Investors currently known to be the beneficial owners of greater than 5.0% of our outstanding common stock hold approximately 49.2% of the common stock of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. on a fully diluted basis. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of shares by our existing shareholders, or the availability of shares for future sale, will have on the prevailing market price of our common stock from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market by our existing shareholders, or the possibility or perception that such sales could occur, could cause the prevailing market prices for our common stock to decrease. If such sales reduce the market price of our common stock, our ability to raise additional capital in the equity markets may be adversely affected.

Our business depends on the uninterrupted operation of our systems and business functions, including our information technology, telecommunications and other business systems. Our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not sufficiently address all contingencies.

        Our business is highly dependent upon our ability to execute, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary business functions, such as processing new and renewal business, providing customer

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service, and processing and paying claims. A shut-down of or inability to access our facility, a power outage, or a failure of one or more of our information technology, telecommunications or other systems could significantly impair our ability to perform such functions on a timely basis. If sustained or repeated, such a business interruption, systems failure or service denial could result in a deterioration in the level of service we provide to our agents and policyholders. We have established a business continuity plan in an effort to ensure the continuation of core business operations in the event that normal business operations could not be performed due to a catastrophic event. While we continue to test and assess our business continuity plan to ensure it meets the needs of our core business operations and addresses multiple business interruption events, there is no assurance that core business operations could be performed upon the occurrence of such an event, which may result in a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

If we experience difficulties with outsourcing relationships, our ability to conduct our business might be negatively impacted.

        We outsource certain business and administrative functions to third parties and may do so increasingly in the future. If we fail to develop and implement our outsourcing strategies or our third-party providers fail to perform as anticipated, we may experience operational difficulties, increased costs and a loss of business that may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. By outsourcing certain business and administrative functions to third parties, we may be exposed to enhanced risk of data security breaches. Any breach of data security could damage our reputation and/or result in monetary damages, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

        The Company received comment letters from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Division of Corporation Finance dated December 21, 2012 and February 21, 2013 regarding its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. These comments are unresolved as of March 18, 2013. However, we have filed with the SEC responses to the comment letters and have incorporated into our current periodic filing with the SEC the additional disclosures that we believe are responsive to the SEC's comments. We believe that the ultimate resolution of these comments will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and/or related footnotes.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

        We conduct most of our operations in approximately 104 thousand square feet of leased space at 20 Custom House Street in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Our lease expires in December 2018.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        Our Insurance Subsidiaries are parties to a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of their insurance business. We believe that the ultimate resolution of these lawsuits will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

        Not Applicable

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PART II.

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

        As of March 8, 2013, there were 30 holders of record of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and we estimate another 6,900 held in "Street Name."

        The Company's common stock (symbol: SAFT) is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The following table sets forth the high and low close prices per share for each full quarterly period within the Company's two most recent fiscal years.

2012
  High   Low  

First quarter

  $ 44.99   $ 40.89  

Second quarter

  $ 42.67   $ 39.64  

Third quarter

  $ 47.45   $ 41.22  

Fourth quarter

  $ 47.76   $ 43.17  

 

2011
  High   Low  

First quarter

  $ 49.85   $ 44.05  

Second quarter

  $ 47.49   $ 41.24  

Third quarter

  $ 42.94   $ 36.25  

Fourth quarter

  $ 44.01   $ 36.78  

        The closing price of the Company's common stock on March 8, 2013 was $47.63 per share.

        During 2012 and 2011, the Company's Board of Directors declared and paid four quarterly cash dividends to shareholders, which totaled $33,634 and $30,322, respectively. On February 15, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.60 per share to shareholders of record on March 1, 2013, payable on March 15, 2013. The Company plans to continue to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends in 2013, depending on the Company's financial position and the regularity of its cash flows.

        The Company relies on dividends from its Insurance Subsidiaries for a portion of its cash requirements. The payment by the Company of any cash dividends to the holders of common stock therefore depends on the receipt of dividend payments from its Insurance Subsidiaries. The payment of dividends by the Insurance Subsidiaries is subject to limitations imposed by Massachusetts law, as discussed in Item 1—Business, Supervision and Regulation, Insurance Regulation Concerning Dividends, and also in Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Liquidity and Capital Resources.

        The information called for by Item 201 (d) of Regulation S-K regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans will be contained in the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on May 24, 2013 in Boston, MA, which the Company intends to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2012 (the Company's fiscal year end), and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

        For information regarding our share repurchase program, refer to Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 12, Share Repurchase Program, of this Form 10-K.

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COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

        Set forth below is a line graph comparing the dollar change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock, for the period beginning on December 31, 2007 and ending on December 31, 2012 with the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Stock Market Index and a peer group comprised of six selected property & casualty insurance companies over the same period. The peer group consists of Baldwin & Lyons, Inc., Infinity Property & Casualty Corp., Mercury General Corp., State Auto Financial Corp., Selective Insurance Group, Inc., and Donegal Group, Inc. The graph shows the change in value of an initial one hundred dollar investment over the period indicated, assuming re-investment of all dividends.


Comparative Cumulative Total Returns since December 31, 2007 Among
Safety Insurance Group, Inc.,
Property & Casualty Insurance Peer Group and the NASDAQ Stock Market Index

GRAPHIC

        The foregoing performance graph and data shall not be deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section and should not be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.

ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for each of the five years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

        The selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 have been derived from the financial statements of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. included in this annual report which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The selected historical

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consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 have been derived from Safety Insurance Group, Inc.'s consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

        We have prepared the selected historical consolidated financial data in conformity with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles.

        The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Form 10-K in order to more fully understand the historical consolidated financial data.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  

Direct written premiums

  $ 696,220   $ 649,262   $ 604,957   $ 559,747   $ 573,509  

Net written premiums

    663,942     620,316     576,807     532,629     552,904  

Net earned premiums

    642,469     598,368     551,950     531,969     576,556  

Net investment income

    40,870     39,060     41,395     43,308     45,771  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    1,975     4,360     863     (167 )   678  

Finance and other service income

    18,553     18,370     18,511     16,844     17,995  
                       

Total revenue

    703,867     660,158     612,719     591,954     641,000  
                       

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

    422,217     466,640     360,848     346,301     369,823  

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

    200,138     179,157     172,823     171,124     172,987  

Interest expenses

    88     88     88     135     81  
                       

Total expenses

    622,443     645,885     533,759     517,560     542,891  
                       

Income before income taxes

    81,424     14,273     78,960     74,394     98,109  

Income tax expense

    23,354     571     22,618     20,242     27,851  
                       

Net income

    58,070     13,702     56,342     54,152     70,258  
                       

Earnings per weighted average common share:

                               

Basic(1)

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74   $ 3.49   $ 4.32  
                       

Diluted(1)

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74   $ 3.48   $ 4.31  
                       

Cash dividends paid per common share

  $ 2.20   $ 2.00   $ 1.80   $ 1.60   $ 1.60  
                       

Number of shares used in computing earnings per share:

                               

earnings per share:

                               

Basic(1)

    15,288,346     15,165,065     15,065,696     15,533,331     16,265,185  
                       

Diluted(1)

    15,295,452     15,176,006     15,084,295     15,552,063     16,308,394  
                       

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  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010   2009   2008  

Balance Sheet Data:

                               

Total cash and investment securities

  $ 1,223,736   $ 1,145,783   $ 1,120,969   $ 1,103,084   $ 1,071,590  

Total assets

    1,574,346     1,472,494     1,439,452     1,427,837     1,437,817  

Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves

    423,842     403,872     404,391     439,706     467,559  

Total liabilities

    879,987     816,181     785,976     807,402     834,446  

Total shareholders' equity

    694,359     656,313     653,476     620,435     603,371  

GAAP Ratios:

                               

Loss ratio(2)

    65.7 %   78.0 %   65.4 %   65.1 %   64.1 %

Expense ratio(2)

    31.2     29.9     31.3     32.2     30.0  
                       

Combined ratio(2)

    96.9 %   107.9 %   96.7 %   97.3 %   94.1 %
                       

(1)
Earnings per share data and number of shares used in computing shares outstanding for 2008 has been restated to conform to ASC 260, Participating Securities and the Two Class Method. Please refer to Financial Statement footnote 2 for additional details.

(2)
The loss ratio is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums. The expense ratio, when calculated on a GAAP basis is the ratio of underwriting expense to net earned premiums. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. Please refer to Insurance Ratios under Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion on our GAAP ratios.

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

        The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which appear elsewhere in this document. In this discussion, all dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except share and per share data.

        The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. We intend statements which are not historical in nature to be, and are hereby identified as "forward-looking statements" to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, the Company's senior management may make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. This safe harbor requires that we specify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. We cannot promise that our expectations in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below for specific important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements.


Executive Summary and Overview

        In this discussion, "Safety" refers to Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and "our Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries consist of Safety Insurance Company ("Safety Insurance"), Safety Indemnity Insurance Company ("Safety Indemnity"), Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company ("Safety P&C"), Whiteshirts Asset Management Corporation ("WAMC"), and Whiteshirts Management Corporation, which is WAMC's holding company.

        We are a leading provider of private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts. In addition to private passenger automobile insurance (which represented 65.9% of our direct written premiums in 2012), we offer a portfolio of other insurance products, including commercial automobile (11.0% of 2012 direct written premiums), homeowners (18.9% of 2012 direct written premiums), dwelling fire, umbrella and business owner policies (totaling 4.2% of 2012 direct written premiums). Operating exclusively in Massachusetts and New Hampshire through our insurance company subsidiaries, Safety Insurance, Safety Indemnity, and Safety P&C (together referred to as the "Insurance Subsidiaries"), we have established strong relationships with independent insurance agents, who numbered 879 in 1,023 locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire during 2012. We have used these relationships and our extensive knowledge of the Massachusetts market to become the third largest private passenger automobile and the third largest commercial automobile insurance carrier in Massachusetts, capturing an approximate 11.0% and 12.4% share, respectively, of the Massachusetts private passenger and commercial automobile markets in 2012, according to the Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers ("CAR") Cession Volume Analysis Report of February 26, 2013, based on automobile exposures. These statistics total, for each vehicle insured, the number of months during the year insurance for that vehicle is in effect, to arrive at an aggregate number of car-months for each insurer; this aggregate number, divided by 12, equals the insurer's number of car-years, a measure we refer to in this report as automobile exposures.

        The Insurance Subsidiaries began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance in New Hampshire during 2008, personal umbrella business during 2009, and commercial automobile business during 2011. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, we wrote $9,057, $5,750, and $2,774 in direct written premiums, respectively, and approximately 11,000, 4,500, and 3,300 policies, respectively, in New Hampshire.

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Recent Trends and Events

        We define a "catastrophe" as an event that produces pre-tax losses before reinsurance in excess of $1,000 and involves multiple first-party policyholders, or an event that produces a number of claims in excess of a preset, per-event threshold of average claims in a specific area, occurring within a certain amount of time following the event. Catastrophes are caused by various natural events including high winds, winter storms, tornadoes, hailstorms, and hurricanes. The nature and level of catastrophes in any period cannot be reliably predicted.

        Catastrophe losses incurred by the type of event are shown in the following table.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
Event
  2012   2011   2010  

Windstorms and hailstorms

  $ 2,355   $ 12,311   $  

Tornado and windstorms

        16,697     3,300  

Rainstorms

            6,129  

Floods

        1,380      

Icestorms and snowstorms

        23,971      

Hurricane and tropical storms

    7,977     7,025      
               

Total losses incurred(1)

  $ 10,332   $ 61,384   $ 9,429  
               

(1)
Total losses incurred includes losses plus defense and cost containment expenses and excludes adjusting and other claims settlement expenses.

        We did not have any recoveries from our primary catastrophe reinsurance treaties during the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 because there was no individual catastrophe for which our losses exceeded our retention under the treaties.

Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Market

        We have been subject to extensive regulation in the private passenger automobile insurance industry in Massachusetts, which represented 65.9% of our direct written premiums in 2012. Private passenger automobile insurance has been heavily regulated in Massachusetts. In many respects, the private passenger automobile insurance market in Massachusetts prior to 2008 was unique, in comparison to other states. This was due to a number of factors, including unusual regulatory conditions, the market dominance of domestic companies, the relative absence of large national companies, and the heavy reliance on independent insurance agents as the market's principal distribution channel. Perhaps most significantly, prior to 2008, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance fixed and established the premium rates and the rating plan to be used by all insurance

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companies doing business in the private passenger automobile insurance market and the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance residual market mechanism featured a reinsurance program run by CAR in which companies were assigned producers.

        In 2008, the Commissioner issued a series of decisions to introduce what she termed "managed competition" to Massachusetts automobile insurance premium rates and in doing so replaced the fixed and established regime with a prior approval rate review process, governed by regulations that set certain terms and conditions that insurers must comply with in establishing their rates. The Commissioner also replaced the former reinsurance program with an assigned risk plan.

        These decisions removed many of the factors that had historically distinguished the Massachusetts private passenger automobile insurance market from the market in other states. However, certain of the historically unique factors have not been eliminated, including compulsory insurance, affinity group marketing, and the prominence of independent agents.

        CAR runs a reinsurance pool for commercial automobile policies and, beginning January 1, 2006, CAR implemented a Limited Servicing Carrier Program ("LSC") for ceded commercial automobile policies. CAR approved Safety Insurance and five other servicing carriers through a Request for Proposal to process ceded commercial automobile business, which was spread equitably among the six servicing carriers. In 2010 CAR reduced the number of servicing carriers to four, and CAR has approved Safety Insurance and three other servicing carriers effective July 1, 2011 to continue the program. Subject to the Commissioner's review, CAR sets the premium rates for commercial automobile policies reinsured through CAR and this reinsurance pool can generate an underwriting result that is a profit or deficit based upon CAR's rate level. This underwriting result is allocated among every Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance company, including us, based on a company's commercial automobile voluntary market share.

        CAR also runs a reinsurance pool for Taxi, Limousine and Car Service risks (the "Taxi/Limo Program"). On April 25, 2007, Safety Insurance submitted through a Request for Proposal a bid to process a portion of the Taxi/Limo Program. CAR approved Safety Insurance as one of the two servicing carriers for this program beginning January 1, 2008, and CAR has again approved Safety Insurance beginning January 1, 2011 as one of the two servicing carriers.

        During 2012, we increased our rates approximately 4.7%. Our rates include a 13.0% commission rate for agents. Our direct automobile written premiums increased by 5.5% in 2011 with increased exposures and average written premium per exposure in our private passenger and commercial automobile lines of business.

Statutory Accounting Principles

        Our results are reported in accordance with GAAP, which differ from amounts reported in accordance with statutory accounting principles ("SAP") as prescribed by insurance regulatory authorities, which in general reflect a liquidating, rather than going concern concept of accounting. Specifically, under GAAP:

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Insurance Ratios

        The property and casualty insurance industry uses the combined ratio as a measure of underwriting profitability. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio (losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred as a percent of net earned premiums) plus the expense ratio (underwriting and other expenses as a percent of net earned premiums, calculated on a GAAP basis). The combined ratio reflects only underwriting results and does not include income from investments or finance and other service income. Underwriting profitability is subject to significant fluctuations due to competition, catastrophic events, weather, economic and social conditions, and other factors.

        Our GAAP insurance ratios are presented in the following table for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2012   2011   2010  

GAAP ratios:

                   

Loss ratio

    65.7 %   78.0 %   65.4 %

Expense ratio

    31.2     29.9     31.3  
               

Combined ratio

    96.9 %   107.9 %   96.7 %
               

Share-Based Compensation

        On June 25, 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") adopted the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"). The Incentive Plan provides for a variety of awards, including nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs"), stock appreciation rights and restricted stock ("RS") awards.

        On March 10, 2006, the Board approved amendments to the Incentive Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to (i) increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance by 1,250,000 shares, (ii) remove obsolete provisions, and (iii) make other non-material changes. A total of 1,250,000 shares of common stock had previously been authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan, as amended, was approved by the shareholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which was held on May 19, 2006. Under the Incentive Plan, as amended, the maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted is 2,500,000. As of December 31, 2012, there were 620,457 shares available for future grant. The Board and the Compensation Committee intend to issue more awards under the Incentive Plan in the future. Grants outstanding under the Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2012, were comprised of 231,883 restricted shares and 87,500 nonqualified stock options.

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        Grants made under the Incentive Plan during the years 2008 through 2013 were as follows.

Type of
Equity
Awarded
  Effective Date   Number of
Awards
Granted
  Fair Value
per Share
  Vesting Terms
RS   March 10, 2008     76,816   $ 35.80 (1) 3 years, 30%-30%-40%
RS   March 10, 2008     4,000   $ 35.80 (1) No vesting period(2)
RS   March 20, 2008     45,779   $ 34.37 (1) 5 years, 20% annually
RS   March 9, 2009     95,953   $ 28.66 (1) 3 years, 30%-30%-40%
RS   March 9, 2009     4,000   $ 28.66 (1) No vesting period(2)
RS   March 19, 2009     38,046   $ 33.24 (1) 5 years, 20% annually
RS   March 9, 2010     77,360   $ 38.78 (1) 3 years, 30%-30%-40%
RS   March 9, 2010     4,000   $ 38.78 (1) No vesting period(2)
RS   March 23, 2010     25,590   $ 38.09 (1) 5 years, 20% annually
RS   March 9, 2011     68,637   $ 47.35 (1) 3 years, 30%-30%-40%
RS   March 9, 2011     4,000   $ 47.35 (1) No vesting period(2)
RS   March 23, 2011     22,567   $ 44.94 (1) 5 years, 20% annually
RS   March 8, 2012     77,844   $ 41.75 (1) 3 years, 30%-30%-40%
RS   March 8, 2012     4,000   $ 41.75 (1) No vesting period(2)
RS   March 21, 2012     20,912   $ 41.96 (1) 5 years, 20% annually

(1)
The fair value per share of the restricted stock grant is equal to the closing price of our common stock      on the grant date.

(2)
The shares cannot be sold, assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of until the recipient is no longer a member of our Board of Directors.

Reinsurance

        We reinsure with other insurance companies a portion of our potential liability under the policies we have underwritten, thereby protecting us against an unexpectedly large loss or a catastrophic occurrence that could produce large losses, primarily in our homeowners line of business. We use various software products to measure our exposure to catastrophe losses and the probable maximum loss to us for catastrophe losses such as hurricanes. The models include estimates for our share of the catastrophe losses generated in the residual market for property insurance by the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association ("FAIR Plan"). The reinsurance market has seen from the various software modelers, increases in the estimate of damage from hurricanes in the southern and northeast portions of the United States due to revised estimations of increased hurricane activity and increases in the estimation of demand surge in the periods following a significant event. We continue to manage and model our exposure and adjust our reinsurance programs as a result of the changes to the models. As of January 1, 2013, we have purchased four layers of excess catastrophe reinsurance providing $515,000 of coverage for property losses in excess of $50,000 up to a maximum of $565,000. Our reinsurers co-participation is 50.0% of $50,000 for the 1st layer, 80.0% of $80,000 for the 2nd layer, 80.0% of $250,000 for the 3rd layer, and 80.0% of $135,000 for the 4th layer. As a result of the changes to the models, and our revised reinsurance program, our catastrophe reinsurance in 2013 protects us in the event of a "127-year storm" (that is, a storm of a severity expected to occur once in a 127-year period). Swiss Re, our primary reinsurer, maintains an A.M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent). Most of our other reinsurers have an A.M. Best rating of "A" (Excellent) however in no case is a reinsurer rated below "A-" (Excellent).

        We are a participant in CAR, a state-established body that runs the residual market reinsurance programs for both private passenger and commercial automobile insurance in Massachusetts under which premiums, expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses on ceded business are shared by all

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insurers writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts. We also participate in the FAIR Plan in which premiums, expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses on homeowners business that cannot be placed in the voluntary market are shared by all insurers writing homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. The FAIR Plan has grown dramatically over the past few years as insurance carriers have reduced their exposure to coastal property. The FAIR Plan's exposure to catastrophe losses increased and as a result, the FAIR Plan decided to buy reinsurance to reduce their exposure to catastrophe losses. On July 1, 2012, the FAIR Plan purchased $1,000,000 of catastrophe reinsurance for property losses in excess of $200,000. At December 31, 2012, we had no material amounts recoverable from any reinsurer, excluding $51,140 recoverable from CAR.

        On March 10, 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a resolution that prohibits Safety from purchasing finite reinsurance (reinsurance that transfers only a finite or limited amount of risk to the reinsurer) without approval by the Board. To date, the Company has never purchased a finite reinsurance contract.

Effects of Inflation

        We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates.


Results of Operations

        The following table shows certain of our selected financial results.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Direct written premiums

  $ 696,220   $ 649,262   $ 604,957  
               

Net written premiums

  $ 663,942   $ 620,316   $ 576,807  
               

Net earned premiums

  $ 642,469   $ 598,368   $ 551,950  

Net investment income

    40,870     39,060     41,395  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    1,975     4,360     863  

Finance and other service income

    18,553     18,370     18,511  
               

Total revenue

    703,867     660,158     612,719  
               

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

    422,217     466,640     360,848  

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

    200,138     179,157     172,823  

Interest expense

    88     88     88  
               

Total expenses

    622,443     645,885     533,759  
               

Income before income taxes

    81,424     14,273     78,960  

Income tax expense

    23,354     571     22,618  
               

Net income

  $ 58,070   $ 13,702   $ 56,342  
               

Earnings per weighted average common share:

                   

Basic

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74  
               

Diluted

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74  
               

Cash dividends paid per common share

  $ 2.20   $ 2.00   $ 1.80  
               

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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

        Direct Written Premiums.    Direct written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $46,958, or 7.2%, to $696,220 from $649,262 for the comparable 2011 period. The 2012 increases occurred primarily in our personal automobile and homeowners lines, which experienced increases of 4.9% and 4.1%, respectively, in average written premium per exposure. Written exposures remained constant in our personal automobile line and increased by 7.2% and 12.5% in our homeowners line and commercial automobile line, respectively. The increase in homeowners exposures is primarily the result of our pricing strategy of offering account discounts to policyholders who insure both an automobile and home with us.

        Net Written Premiums.    Net written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $43,626, or 7.0%, to $663,942 from $620,316 for 2011. The 2012 increase was primarily due to the factors that increased direct written premiums.

        Net Earned Premiums.    Net earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $44,101, or 7.4%, to $642,469 from $598,368 for the comparable 2011 period. The 2012 increase was primarily due to the factors that increased direct written premiums.

        The effect of reinsurance on net written and net earned premiums is presented in the following table.

 
  Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2012   2011  

Written Premiums

             

Direct

  $ 696,220   $ 649,262  

Assumed

    17,943     16,521  

Ceded

    (50,221 )   (45,467 )
           

Net written premiums

  $ 663,942   $ 620,316  
           

Earned Premiums

             

Direct

  $ 673,596   $ 626,483  

Assumed

    16,910     15,790  

Ceded

    (48,037 )   (43,905 )
           

Net earned premiums

  $ 642,469   $ 598,368  
           

        Net Investment Income.    Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $1,810, or 4.6%, to $40,870 from $39,060 for the comparable 2011 period. Net effective annual yield on the investment portfolio increased to 3.7% for the year ended December 31, 2012 from 3.6% for the comparable 2011 period. Our duration was 3.6 years at December 31, 2012, down from 3.7 years at December 31, 2011.

        Net Realized Gains on Investments.    Net realized gains on investments were $1,975 for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $4,360 for the comparable 2011 period.

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        The gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturity securities, equity securities, including interests in mutual funds, and other invested assets were as follows:

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
   
   
  Gross Unrealized
Losses(3)
   
 
 
  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Non-OTTI
Unrealized
Losses
  OTTI
Unrealized
Losses(4)
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 7,112   $ 43   $   $   $ 7,155  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    455,249     35,951     (17 )       491,183  

Residential mortgage-backed securities(1)

    215,438     11,465     (1,006 )       225,897  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    39,388     1,086             40,474  

Other asset-backed securities

    21,288     898             22,186  

Corporate and other securities

    361,939     16,988     (269 )       378,658  
                       

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    1,100,414     66,431     (1,292 )       1,165,553  

Equity securities(2)

    21,237     1,629     (66 )       22,800  
                       

Totals

  $ 1,121,651   $ 68,060   $ (1,358 ) $   $ 1,188,353  
                       

(1)
Residential mortgage-backed securities consists of obligations of U.S. Government agencies including collateralized mortgage obligations issued, guaranteed and/or insured by the following issuers: Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).

(2)
Equity securities includes interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company's executive deferred compensation plan.

(3)
Our investment portfolio included 75 securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2012.

(4)
Amounts in this column represent other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

        The composition of our fixed income security portfolio by Moody's rating was as follows:

 
  As of December 31,
2012
 
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Percent  

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies

  $ 237,155     20.3 %

Aaa/Aa

    538,346     46.2 %

A

    174,208     14.9 %

Baa

    81,874     7.0 %

Ba

    43,898     3.8 %

B

    59,572     5.1 %

Ca

    5,383     0.5 %

Not rated

    25,117     2.2 %
           

Total

  $ 1,165,553     100.0 %
           

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        As of December 31, 2012, our portfolio of fixed maturity investments was principally comprised of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. government and agency securities, and asset-backed securities. The portion of our non-investment grade portfolio of fixed maturity investments is primarily comprised of variable rate secured and senior bank loans and high yield bonds. We have no exposure to European sovereign debt.

        The following table illustrates the gross unrealized losses included in our investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities, aggregated by investment category. The table also illustrates the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2012.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
  Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

  $ 2,868   $ 17   $   $   $ 2,868   $ 17  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    50,779     966     3,938     40     54,717     1,006  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    107                 107      

Corporate and other securities

    22,979     269             22,979     269  
                           

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    76,733     1,252     3,938     40     80,671     1,292  

Equity securities

    1,145     23     303     43     1,448     66  
                           

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 77,878   $ 1,275   $ 4,241   $ 83   $ 82,119   $ 1,358  
                           

        As of December 31, 2012, we held insured investment securities of approximately $116,171, which represented approximately 9.8% of our total investments. Approximately $48,741 of these securities are pre-refunded, meaning that funds have been set aside in escrow to satisfy the future interest and principal obligations of the bond.

        The following table shows our insured investment securities that are backed by financial guarantors including pre-refunded securities as of December 31, 2012. We do not have any direct investment holdings in a financial guarantee insurance company.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
Financial Guarantor
  Total   Pre-refunded
Securities
  Exposure Net
of Pre-refunded
Securities
 

Municipal bonds

                   

Ambac Assurance Corporation

  $ 18,464   $ 9,175   $ 9,289  

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

    278     278      

Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

    43,629     21,422     22,207  

National Public Finance Guaranty Corporation

    49,685     17,866     31,819  
               

Total municipal bonds

    112,056     48,741     63,315  
               

Other asset-backed securities

                   

Ambac Assurance Corporation

    4,115         4,115  
               

Total other asset-backed securities

    4,115         4,115  
               

Total

  $ 116,171   $ 48,741   $ 67,430  
               

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        The Moody's ratings of our insured investments held at December 31, 2012 are essentially the same with or without the investment guarantees.

        We reviewed the unrealized losses in our fixed income and equity portfolio as of December 31, 2012 for potential other-than-temporary asset impairments. We held no securities at December 31, 2012 with a material (20.0% or greater) unrealized loss for four or more consecutive quarters. Specific qualitative analysis was performed for securities appearing on our "Watch List," if any. Qualitative analysis considered such factors as the financial condition and the near term prospects of the issuer, whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments, changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and the historical volatility of the fair value of the security.

        Of the $1,358 gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2012, $17 relates to obligations of U.S. Treasuries, states and political subdivisions. The remaining $1,341 of gross unrealized losses relates primarily to holdings of investment grade asset-backed, corporate, other fixed maturity and equity securities.

        The unrealized losses recorded on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2012 resulted from fluctuations in market interest rates and other temporary market conditions as opposed to fundamental changes in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities. Given our current level of liquidity, the fact that we do not intend to sell these securities, and that it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the cost basis of these securities, these decreases in values are viewed as being temporary.

        During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, there was no significant deterioration in the credit quality of any of our holdings and no OTTI charges were recorded related to our portfolio of investment securities.

        For information regarding fair value measurements of our investment portfolio, refer to Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 14, Fair Value of Financial Instruments, of this Form 10-K.

        Finance and Other Service Income.    Finance and other service income includes revenues from premium installment charges, which we recognize when earned, and other miscellaneous income and fees. Finance and other service income increased by $183, or 1.0%, to $18,553 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $18,370 for the comparable 2011 period.

        Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.    Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased by $44,423, or 9.5%, to $422,217 from $466,640 for the comparable 2011 period. Our GAAP loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased to 65.7% from 78.0% for the comparable 2011 period. Included in pre-tax results for the year ended December 31, 2012 is approximately $10,332 attributable to catastrophic weather event losses sustained throughout the year compared to $61,384 for the comparable 2011 period. Our GAAP loss ratio excluding loss adjustment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased to 56.8% from 68.6% for the comparable 2011 period. Total prior year favorable development included in the pre-tax results for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $17,310, compared to $36,683, for the comparable 2011 period.

        Underwriting, Operating and Related Expenses.    Underwriting, operating and related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $20,981, or 11.7%, to $200,138 from $179,157 for the comparable 2011 period, primarily due to an increase in commissions to agents as a result of premium increases, as discussed above. Our GAAP expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased to 31.2% from 29.9% for the comparable 2011 period.

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        Interest Expenses.    Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $88. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expense was $75 for each of the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

        Income Tax Expense.    Our effective tax rates were 28.7% and 4.0% for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These effective rates were lower than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to adjustments for tax-exempt investment income.

        Net Income.    Net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $57,404 compared to $13,702 for the comparable 2011 period. This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses, as discussed above.


YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010

        Direct Written Premiums.    Direct written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $44,305, or 7.3%, to $649,262 from $604,957 for the comparable 2010 period. The 2011 increase occurred primarily in our personal automobile and homeowners lines, which experienced increases of 3.5% and 3.9%, respectively, in average written premium per exposure and increases of 1.5% and 11.5%, respectively, in written exposures. The increase in homeowners exposures is primarily the result of our pricing strategy of offering account discounts to policyholders who insure both an automobile and home with us. In addition, our commercial automobile line experienced an increase in average written premium per exposure of 2.2% and an increase in written exposures of 6.4%. This increase in exposures is a result of additional business submitted by ERPs through the CAR LSC program as the number of Limited Servicing Carriers was reduced from six to four effective July 1, 2011.

        Net Written Premiums.    Net written premiums for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $43,509, or 7.5%, to $620,316 from $576,807 for the comparable 2010 period. The 2011 increase was primarily due to the factors that increased direct written premiums.

        Net Earned Premiums.    Net earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $46,418, or 8.4%, to $598,368 from $551,950 for the comparable 2010 period. The 2011 increase was primarily due to the factors that increased direct written premiums.

        The effect of reinsurance on net written and net earned premiums is presented in the following table.

 
  Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  

Written Premiums

             

Direct

  $ 649,262   $ 604,957  

Assumed

    16,521     13,738  

Ceded

    (45,467 )   (41,888 )
           

Net written premiums

  $ 620,316   $ 576,807  
           

Earned Premiums

             

Direct

  $ 626,483   $ 580,942  

Assumed

    15,790     14,134  

Ceded

    (43,905 )   (43,126 )
           

Net earned premiums

  $ 598,368   $ 551,950  
           

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        Net Investment Income.    Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2011 decreased by $2,335, or 5.6%, to $39,060 from $41,395 for the comparable 2010 period. The 2011 decrease primarily resulted from lower short-term interest rates and ongoing maintenance of short duration to protect the portfolio from rising interest rates. Net effective annual yield on the investment portfolio decreased to 3.6% for the year ended December 31, 2011 from 3.9% for the comparable 2010 period. Our duration was 3.7 years at December 31, 2011, up from 3.4 years at December 31, 2010.

        Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments.    Net realized gains on investments were $4,360 for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to net realized losses of $863 for the comparable 2010 period.

        The gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturity securities, equity securities, including interests in mutual funds, and other invested assets were as follows.

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
 
   
   
  Gross Unrealized
Losses(3)
   
 
 
  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Non-OTTI
Unrealized
Losses
  OTTI
Unrealized
Losses(4)
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 7,525   $ 366   $   $   $ 7,891  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    443,338     25,630     (150 )       468,818  

Residential mortgage-backed securities(1)

    277,885     17,147     (106 )       294,926  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    51,986     1,439     (278 )       53,147  

Other asset-backed securities

    12,848     932             13,780  

Corporate and other securities

    239,078     10,128     (955 )       248,251  
                       

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    1,032,660     55,642     (1,489 )       1,086,813  

Equity securities(2)

    20,431     1,111     (462 )       21,080  

Other invested assets

                     
                       

Totals

  $ 1,053,091   $ 56,753   $ (1,951 ) $   $ 1,107,893  
                       

(1)
Residential mortgage-backed securities consists primarily of obligations of U.S. Government agencies including collateralized mortgage obligations issued, guaranteed and/or insured by the following issuers: Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).

(2)
Equity securities includes interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company's executive deferred compensation plan.

(3)
Our investment portfolio included 55 securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011.

(4)
Amounts in this column represent other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

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        The composition of our fixed income security portfolio by Moody's rating was as follows.

 
  As of December 31,
2011
 
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Percent  

U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies

  $ 309,401     28.5 %

Aaa/Aa

    526,622     48.5  

A

    117,735     10.8  

Baa

    68,850     6.3  

Ba

    1,932     0.2  

Not rated

    62,273     5.7  
           

Total

  $ 1,086,813     100.0 %
           

        As of December 31, 2011, our portfolio of fixed maturity investments was comprised entirely of investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities, U.S. government and agency securities, and asset-backed securities, with the exception of two securities which represented 0.2% of our total investment in fixed income securities. All of our securities received a rating assigned by Moody's of Ba or higher, except the few securities not rated by Moody's, all except one of which are rated investment grade by Standard & Poor's. Such ratings are generally assigned upon the issuance of the securities and are subject to revision on the basis of ongoing evaluations. Ratings in the table are as of the date indicated.

        The following table illustrates the gross unrealized losses included in our investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities, aggregated by investment category. The table also illustrates the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2011.

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
 
  Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S. Treasury securities

  $   $   $   $   $   $  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    8,804     135     4,590     15     13,394     150  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    4,333     99     79     7     4,412     106  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    4,563     278             4,563     278  

Corporate and other securities

    22,745     943     1,986     12     24,731     955  
                           

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    40,445     1,455     6,655     34     47,100     1,489  

Equity securities

    7,185     462             7,185     462  
                           

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 47,630   $ 1,917   $ 6,655   $ 34   $ 54,285   $ 1,951  
                           

        As of December 31, 2011, we held insured investment securities of approximately $143,467, which represented approximately 12.9% of our total investment portfolio. Approximately $43,562 of these securities are pre-refunded, meaning that funds have been set aside in escrow to satisfy the future interest and principal obligations of the bond.

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        The following table shows our insured investment securities that are backed by financial guarantors including pre-refunded securities as of December 31, 2011. We do not have any direct investment holdings in a financial guarantee insurance company.

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
Financial Guarantor
  Total   Pre-refunded
Securities
  Exposure Net
of Pre-refunded
Securities
 

Municipal bonds

                   

Ambac Assurance Corporation

  $ 18,578   $ 3,349   $ 15,229  

Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

    285     285      

Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation

    63,877     33,143     30,734  

National Public Finance Guaranty Corporation

    56,591     6,785     49,806  
               

Total municipal bonds

    139,331     43,562     95,769  
               

Other asset-backed securities

                   

Ambac Assurance Corporation

    4,136         4,136  
               

Total other asset-backed securities

    4,136         4,136  
               

Total

  $ 143,467   $ 43,562   $ 99,905  
               

        The Moody's ratings of our insured investments held at December 31, 2011 are essentially the same with or without the investment guarantees.

        We reviewed the unrealized losses in our fixed income and equity portfolio as of December 31, 2011 for potential other-than-temporary asset impairments. We held no securities at December 31, 2011 with a material (20% or greater) unrealized loss for four or more consecutive quarters. Specific qualitative analysis was performed for securities appearing on our "Watch List," if any. Qualitative analysis considered such factors as the financial condition and the near term prospects of the issuer, whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments, changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and the historical volatility of the fair value of the security.

        Of the $1,951 gross unrealized losses as of December 31, 2011, $150 relates to obligations of U.S. Treasuries, states and political subdivisions. The remaining $1,801 of gross unrealized losses relates primarily to holdings of investment grade asset-backed, corporate, other fixed maturity and equity securities.

        The unrealized losses recorded on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2011 resulted from fluctuations in market interest rates and other temporary market conditions as opposed to fundamental changes in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities. Given our current level of liquidity, the fact that we do not intend to sell these securities, and that it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the cost basis of these securities, these decreases in values are viewed as being temporary.

        During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, there was no significant deterioration in the credit quality of any of our holdings and no OTTI charges were recorded related to our portfolio of investment securities.

        For information regarding fair value measurements of our investment portfolio, refer to Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 13, Fair Value Measurements, of this Form 10-K.

        Finance and Other Service Income.    Finance and other service income includes revenues from premium installment charges, which we recognize when earned, and other miscellaneous income and fees. Finance and other service income decreased by $141 or 0.8% to $18,370 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $18.511 for the comparable 2010 period.

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        Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.    Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred for year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $105,792, or 29.3%, to $466,640 from $360,848 for the comparable 2010 period. Our GAAP loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased to 78.0% from 65.4% for the comparable 2010 period. Included in pre-tax results for the year ended December 31, 2011 is approximately $61,384 attributable to catastrophic weather event losses sustained throughout the year compared to $9,429 for the comparable 2010 period. Our GAAP loss ratio excluding loss adjustment expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased to 68.6% from 56.0% for the comparable 2010 period. The total prior year favorable development included in pre-tax results for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $36,683 compared to $48,157 for the comparable 2010 period.

        Underwriting, Operating and Related Expenses.    Underwriting, operating and related expenses for year ended December 31, 2011 increased by $6,334, or 3.7%, to $179,157 from $172,823 for the comparable 2010 period primarily due to an increase in commissions to agents as a result of premium increases, as discussed above. Our GAAP expense ratios for the year ended December 31, 2011 decreased to 29.9% from 31.3% for the comparable 2010 period.

        Interest Expenses.    Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $88. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expense was $75 for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

        Income Tax Expense.    Our effective tax rates were 4.0% and 28.6% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These effective rates were lower than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to adjustments for tax-exempt investment income.

        Net Income.    Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $13,702 compared to $56,342 for the comparable 2010 period. This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses, as discussed above.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

        As a holding company, Safety's assets consist primarily of the stock of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our principal source of funds to meet our obligations and pay dividends to shareholders, therefore, is dividends and other permitted payments from our subsidiaries, principally Safety Insurance. Safety is the borrower under our credit facility.

        Safety Insurance's sources of funds primarily include premiums received, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments. Safety Insurance's principal uses of cash are the payment of claims, operating expenses and taxes, the purchase of investments and payment of dividends to Safety.

        Net cash provided by operating activities was $104,348, $39,477, and $51,197 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Our operations typically generate positive cash flows from operations as most premiums are received in advance of the time when claim and benefit payments are required. These positive operating cash flows are expected to continue to meet our liquidity requirements.

        Net cash used for investing activities was $74,445, $12,413 and $54,511during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as purchases of fixed maturity and equity securities exceeded sales, paydowns, calls and maturities of fixed maturity and equity securities.

        Net cash used for financing activities was $32,410, $29,465, and $30,865 during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Net cash used for financing activities is primarily comprised of dividend payments to shareholders and the acquisition of treasury stock.

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        The Insurance Subsidiaries maintain a high degree of liquidity within their respective investment portfolios in fixed maturity and short-term investments. In recent years, global financial markets experienced unprecedented and challenging conditions, including a tightening in the availability of credit, the failure of several large financial institutions and concerns about the creditworthiness of the sovereign debt of several European and other countries. We believe that recent and ongoing government actions, including The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and other U.S. and global government programs and the quality of the assets we hold will allow us to realize these securities' anticipated long-term economic value. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2012, we had the intent and ability to retain such investments for the period of time anticipated to allow for this expected recovery in fair value. We do not anticipate the need to sell these securities to meet the Insurance Subsidiaries cash requirements. We expect the Insurance Subsidiaries to generate sufficient operating cash to meet all short-term and long-term cash requirements. However, there can be no assurance that unforeseen business needs or other items will not occur causing us to have to sell securities before their values fully recover; thereby causing us to recognize additional impairment charges in that time period.

Credit Facility

        For information regarding our Credit Facility, please refer to Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8, Debt, of this Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        For information regarding Recent Accounting Pronouncements, please refer to Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of this Form 10-K.

Regulatory Matters

        Our insurance company's subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions that limit the maximum amount of dividends available to be paid to their parent without prior approval of the Commissioner. The Massachusetts statute limits the dividends an insurer may pay in any twelve-month period, without the prior permission of the Commissioner, to the greater of (i) 10% of the insurer's surplus as of the preceding December 31 or (ii) the insurer's net income for the twelve-month period ending the preceding December 31, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Our insurance company subsidiaries may not declare an "extraordinary dividend" (defined as any dividend or distribution that, together with other distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the limits established by Massachusetts statute) until thirty days after the Commissioner has received notice of the intended dividend and has not objected. As historically administered by the Commissioner, this provision requires the Commissioner's prior approval of an extraordinary dividend. Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from its unassigned funds, also known as earned surplus, and the insurer's remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. At year-end 2012, the statutory surplus of Safety Insurance was $599,024, and its net income for 2012 was $52,435. As a result, a maximum of $59,902 is available in 2013 for such dividends without prior approval of the Commissioner. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, Safety Insurance recorded dividends to Safety of $29,137.

        The maximum dividend permitted by law is not indicative of an insurer's actual ability to pay dividends, which may be constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, which could affect an insurer's ratings or competitive position, the amount of premiums that can be written and the ability to pay future dividends.

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        Since the initial public offering of its common stock in November 2002, the Company has paid regular quarterly dividends to shareholders of its common stock. Quarterly dividends paid during 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

Declaration Date
  Record
Date
  Payment
Date
  Dividend per
Common Share
  Total
Dividends Paid
 
November 2, 2012   December 3, 2012   December 14, 2012   $ 0.60   $ 9,193  
August 1, 2012   September 4, 2012   September 14, 2012   $ 0.60   $ 9,191  
May 3, 2012   June 1, 2012   June 15, 2012   $ 0.50   $ 7,652  
February 15, 2012   March 1, 2012   March 15, 2012   $ 0.50   $ 7,598  
November 2, 2011   December 1, 2011   December 15, 2011   $ 0.50   $ 7,593  
August 3, 2011   September 1, 2011   September 15, 2011   $ 0.50   $ 7,594  
May 4, 2011   June 1, 2011   June 15, 2011   $ 0.50   $ 7,593  
February 15, 2011   March 1, 2011   March 15, 2011   $ 0.50   $ 7,542  

        On February 15, 2013, our Board approved and declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock of $0.60 per share to be paid on March 15, 2013 to shareholders of record on March 1, 2013. We plan to continue to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends in 2013, depending on our financial position and the regularity of our cash flows.

        On August 3, 2007, our Board approved a share repurchase program of up to $30,000 of the Company's outstanding common shares. On March 19, 2009, our Board increased this existing share repurchase program by authorizing repurchase of up to $60,000 of the Company's outstanding common shares. On August 4, 2010, our Board again increased the existing share repurchase program by authorizing repurchase of up to $90,000 of the Company's outstanding common shares. Under the program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock for cash in public or private transactions, in the open market or otherwise. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

        No share purchases were made by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased 1,190 of its common shares on the open market under the program at a cost of $43 resulting in total shares purchased of 1,728,645 at a cost of $55,569.

        Management believes that the current level of cash flow from operations provides us with sufficient liquidity to meet our operating needs over the next 12 months. We expect to be able to continue to meet our operating needs after the next 12 months from internally generated funds. Since our ability to meet our obligations in the long term (beyond such twelve-month period) is dependent upon such factors as market changes, insurance regulatory changes and economic conditions, no assurance can be given that the available net cash flow will be sufficient to meet our operating needs. We expect that we would need to borrow or issue capital stock if we needed additional funds, for example, to pay for an acquisition or a significant expansion of our operations. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds for any of the foregoing purposes would be available to us at such time.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        We have no material obligations under a guarantee contract meeting the characteristics identified in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 460, Guarantees. We have no material retained or contingent interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity. We have no material obligations, including contingent obligations, under contracts that would be accounted for as derivative instruments. We have no obligations, including contingent obligations, arising out of a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity held by, and material to, us, where such entity provides financing, liquidity,

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market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us. We have no direct investments in real estate and no holdings of mortgages secured by commercial real estate. Accordingly, we have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

        We have obligations to make future payments under contracts and credit-related financial instruments and commitments. At December 31, 2012, certain long-term aggregate contractual obligations and credit-related commitments are summarized as follows:

 
  Payments Due by Period  
 
  Within
One Year
  Two to Three
Years
  Four to Five
Years
  After
Five Years
  Total  

Loss and LAE reserves

  $ 207,683   $ 186,490   $ 25,431   $ 4,238   $ 423,842  

Purchase commitments

    1,030     1,861     519         3,410  

Operating leases

    4,497     8,993     9,050     4,483     27,023  
                       

Total contractual obligations

  $ 213,210   $ 197,344   $ 35,000   $ 8,721   $ 454,275  
                       

        As of December 31, 2012, the Company had loss and LAE reserves of $423,842, unpaid reinsurance recoverables of $52,185 and net loss and LAE reserves of $371,657. Our loss and LAE reserves are estimates as described in more detail under Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. The specific amounts and timing of obligations related to case reserves, IBNR reserves and related LAE reserves are not set contractually, and the amounts and timing of these obligations are unknown. Nonetheless, based upon our cumulative claims paid over the last ten years, the Company estimates that its loss and LAE reserves will be paid in the period shown above. While management believes that historical performance of loss payment patterns is a reasonable source for projecting future claims payments, there is inherent uncertainty in this estimated projected settlement of loss and LAE reserves, and as a result these estimates will differ, perhaps significantly, from actual future payments. Our operations typically generate substantial positive cash flows from operations as most premiums are received in advance of the time when claim and benefit payments are required. These positive operating cash flows are expected to continue to meet our liquidity requirements, including any unexpected variations in the timing of claim settlements.


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves.

        Significant periods of time can elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting to us of that loss and our final payment of that loss. To recognize liabilities for unpaid losses, we establish reserves as balance sheet liabilities. Our reserves represent estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported losses and the expenses of investigating and paying those losses, or loss adjustment expenses. Every quarter, we review our previously established reserves and adjust them, if necessary.

        When a claim is reported, claims personnel establish a "case reserve" for the estimated amount of the ultimate payment. The amount of the reserve is primarily based upon an evaluation of the type of claim involved, the circumstances surrounding each claim and the policy provisions relating to the loss. The estimate reflects the informed judgment of such personnel based on general insurance reserving practices and on the experience and knowledge of the claims person. During the loss adjustment period, these estimates are revised as deemed necessary by our claims department based on subsequent developments and periodic reviews of the cases. When a claim is closed with or without a payment, the difference between the case reserve and the settlement amount creates a reserve deficiency if the payment exceeds the case reserve or a reserve redundancy if the payment is less than the case reserve.

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        In accordance with industry practice, we also maintain reserves for estimated losses incurred but not yet reported ("IBNR"). IBNR reserves are determined in accordance with commonly accepted actuarial reserving techniques on the basis of our historical information and experience. We review and make adjustments to incurred but not yet reported reserves quarterly. In addition, IBNR reserves can also be expressed as the total loss reserves required less the case reserves on reported claims.

        When reviewing reserves, we analyze historical data and estimate the impact of various loss development factors, such as our historical loss experience and that of the industry, trends in claims frequency and severity, our mix of business, our claims processing procedures, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. A change in any of these factors from the assumption implicit in our estimate can cause our actual loss experience to be better or worse than our reserves, and the difference can be material. There is no precise method, however, for evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves, because the eventual development of reserves is affected by many factors.

        Management determines our loss and LAE reserves estimate based upon the analysis of our actuaries. A reasonable estimate is derived by selecting a point estimate within a range of indications as calculated by our actuaries using generally accepted actuarial techniques. The key assumption in most actuarial analysis is that past patterns of frequency and severity will repeat in the future, unless a significant change in the factors described above takes place. Our key factors and resulting assumptions are the ultimate frequency and severity of claims, based upon the most recent ten years of claims reported to the Company, and the data CAR reports to us to calculate our share of the residual market, as of the date of the applicable balance sheet. For each accident year and each coverage within a line of business our actuaries calculate the ultimate losses incurred. Our total reserves are the difference between the ultimate losses incurred and the cumulative loss and loss adjustment payments made to date. Our IBNR reserves are calculated as the difference between our total reserves and the outstanding case reserves at the end of the accounting period. To determine ultimate losses, our actuaries calculate a range of indications and select a point estimation using such actuarial techniques as:

        Such techniques assume that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting our ultimate losses, total reserves and resulting

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IBNR reserves. It is possible that the final outcome may fall above or below these amounts as a result of a number of factors, including immature data, sparse data, or significant growth in a line of business. Using these methodologies our actuaries established a range of reasonably possible estimations for net reserves of approximately $347,618 to $379,385 as of December 31, 2012 compared to a range of $317,155 to $363,035 as of December 31, 2011. In general, the low and high values of the ranges represent reasonable minimum and maximum values of the indications based on the techniques described above. Our selected point estimate of net loss and LAE reserves based upon the analysis of our actuaries was $371,657 as of December 31, 2012 compared to $352,098 as of December 31, 2011.

        The following tables present the point estimation of the recorded reserves and the range of estimations by line of business for net loss and LAE reserves as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
Line of Business
  Low   Recorded   High  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 220,432   $ 232,663   $ 232,980  

Commercial automobile

    44,548     48,934     49,652  

Homeowners

    50,047     55,382     59,784  

All other

    32,591     34,678     36,969  
               

Total

  $ 347,618   $ 371,657   $ 379,385  
               

 

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
Line of Business
  Low   Recorded   High  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 206,350   $ 226,222   $ 230,961  

Commercial automobile

    38,610     45,687     45,911  

Homeowners

    50,100     52,777     56,837  

All other

    22,095     27,412     29,326  
               

Total

  $ 317,155   $ 352,098   $ 363,035  
               

        The following table presents our total net reserves and the corresponding case reserves and IBNR reserves for each line of business as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
Line of Business
  Case   IBNR   Total  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 232,695   $ (2,654 ) $ 230,041  

CAR assumed private passenger auto

    1,378     1,244     2,622  

Commercial automobile

    33,665     4,521     38,186  

CAR assumed commercial automobile

    6,232     4,516     10,748  

Homeowners

    33,397     15,322     48,719  

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

    2,552     4,111     6,663  

All other

    21,060     13,618     34,678  
               

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

  $ 330,979   $ 40,678   $ 371,657  
               

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  As of December 31, 2011  
Line of Business
  Case   IBNR   Total  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 235,216   $ (13,603 ) $ 221,613  

CAR assumed private passenger auto

    3,577     1,032     4,609  

Commercial automobile

    30,804     3,479     34,283  

CAR assumed commercial automobile

    7,291     4,113     11,404  

Homeowners

    41,451     6,750     48,201  

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

    2,326     2,250     4,576  

All other

    19,316     8,096     27,412  
               

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

  $ 339,981   $ 12,117   $ 352,098  
               

        At December 31, 2012 and 2011, our total IBNR reserves for our private passenger automobile line of business were comprised of $(25,826) and $(34,505) related to estimated ultimate decreases in the case reserves, including anticipated recoveries (i.e. salvage and subrogation), and $23,172 and $20,902 related to our estimation for not yet reported losses, respectively.

        Our IBNR reserves consist of our estimate of the total loss reserves required less our case reserves. The IBNR reserves for CAR assumed private passenger and commercial automobile business are 47.4% and 42.0%, respectively, of our total reserves for CAR assumed private passenger and commercial automobile business as of December 31, 2012 due to the reporting delays in the information we receive from CAR, as described further in the section on CAR Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves. Our IBNR reserves for FAIR Plan assumed homeowners are 61.7% of our total reserves for FAIR Plan assumed homeowners at December 31, 2012 due to similar reporting delays in the information we receive from FAIR Plan.

        The following tables present information by line of business for our total net reserves and the corresponding retained (i.e. direct less ceded) reserves and assumed reserves as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
Line of Business
  Retained   Assumed   Net  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 230,041              

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

        $ 2,622        

Net private passenger automobile

              $ 232,663  

Commercial automobile

    38,186              

CAR assumed commercial automobile

          10,748        

Net commercial automobile

                48,934  

Homeowners

    48,719              

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

          6,663        

Net homeowners

                55,382  

All other

    34,678         34,678  
               

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

  $ 351,624   $ 20,033   $ 371,657  
               

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  As of December 31, 2011  
Line of Business
  Retained   Assumed   Net  

Private passenger automobile

  $ 221,613              

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

        $ 4,609        

Net private passenger automobile

              $ 226,222  

Commercial automobile

    34,283              

CAR assumed commercial automobile

          11,404        

Net commercial automobile

                45,687  

Homeowners

    48,201              

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

          4,576        

Net homeowners

                52,777  

All other

    27,412         27,412  
               

Total net reserves for losses and LAE

  $ 331,509   $ 20,589   $ 352,098  
               

Residual market Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

        We are a participant in CAR, the FAIR Plan and other various residual markets and assume a portion of losses and LAE on business ceded by the industry participants to the residual markets. We estimate reserves for assumed losses and LAE that have not yet been reported to us by the residual markets. Our estimations are based upon the same factors we use for our own reserves, plus additional factors due to the nature of and the information we receive. The portion of reserves based upon CAR estimates for private passenger automobile line of business has declined substantially over time as a result of the institution of the MAIP and phase-out of the private passenger automobile CAR reinsurance pool on April 1, 2009, as described elsewhere in this report.

        Residual market deficits consist of premium ceded to the various residual markets less losses and LAE and is allocated among insurance companies based on a various formulas (the "Participation Ratio") that takes into consideration a company's voluntary market share.

        Because of the lag in the various residual market estimations, and in order to try to validate to the extent possible the information provided, we must try to estimate the effects of the actions of our competitors in order to establish our Participation Ratio.

        Although we rely to a significant extent in setting our reserves on the information the various residual markets provide, we are cautious in our use of that information, both because of the delays in receiving data from the various residual markets. As a result, we are cautious in recording residual market reserves for the calendar years for which we have to estimate our Participation Ratio and these reserves are subject to significant judgments and estimates.

Sensitivity Analysis

        Establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process. There can be no certainty that currently established reserves based on our key assumptions regarding frequency and severity in our lines of business, or our assumptions regarding our share of the CAR loss will prove adequate in light of subsequent actual experience. To the extent that reserves are inadequate and are strengthened, the amount of such increase is treated as a charge to earnings in the period that the deficiency is recognized. To the extent that reserves are redundant and are released, the amount of the release is a credit to earnings in the period the redundancy is recognized. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, a 1 percentage-point change in the loss and LAE ratio would result in a change in reserves of $6,425. Each 1 percentage-point change in the loss and loss expense ratio would have had a $4,176 effect on net income, or $0.27 per diluted share.

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        Our assumptions consider that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, are an appropriate basis for establishing our reserves. Our individual key assumptions could each have a reasonable possible range of plus or minus 5 percentage-points for each estimation, although there is no guarantee that our assumptions will not have more than a 5 percentage point variation. The following sensitivity tables present information for each of our primary lines of business on the effect each 1 percentage-point change in each of our key assumptions on unpaid frequency and severity could have on our retained (i.e., direct minus ceded) loss and LAE reserves and net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012. In evaluating the information in the table, it should be noted that a 1 percentage-point change in a single assumption would change estimated reserves by 1 percentage-point. A 1 percentage-point change in both our key assumptions would change estimated reserves within a range of plus or minus 2 percentage-points.

 
  -1 Percent
Change in
Frequency
  No
Change in
Frequency
  +1 Percent
Change in
Frequency
 

Private passenger automobile retained loss and LAE reserves

                   

-1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated decrease in reserves

  $ (4,601 ) $ (2,300 ) $  

Estimated increase in net income

    2,991     1,495      

No Change in Severity

                   

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

    (2,300 )       2,300  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    1,495         (1,495 )

+1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated increase in reserves

        2,300     4,601  

Estimated decrease in net income

        (1,495 )   (2,991 )

Commercial automobile retained loss and LAE reserves

                   

-1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated decrease in reserves

    (764 )   (382 )    

Estimated increase in net income

    497     248      

No Change in Severity

                   

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

    (382 )       382  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    248         (248 )

+1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated increase in reserves

        382     764  

Estimated decrease in net income

        (248 )   (497 )

Homeowners retained loss and LAE reserves

                   

-1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated decrease in reserves

    (974 )   (487 )    

Estimated increase in net income

    633     317      

No Change in Severity

                   

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

    (487 )       487  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    317         (317 )

+1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated increase in reserves

        487     974  

Estimated decrease in net income

        (317 )   (633 )

All other retained loss and LAE reserves

                   

-1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated decrease in reserves

    (694 )   (347 )    

Estimated increase in net income

    451     226      

No Change in Severity

                   

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

    (347 )       347  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    226         (226 )

+1 Percent Change in Severity

                   

Estimated increase in reserves

        347     694  

Estimated decrease in net income

        (226 )   (451 )

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        Our estimated share of CAR loss and LAE reserves is based on assumptions about our Participation Ratio, the size of CAR, and the resulting deficit (similar assumptions apply with respect to the FAIR Plan). Our assumptions consider that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for establishing our CAR reserves. Each of our assumptions could have a reasonably possible range of plus or minus 5 percentage-points for each estimation.

        The following sensitivity table presents information of the effect each 1 percentage-point change in our assumptions on our share of reserves for CAR and other residual markets could have on our assumed loss and LAE reserves and net income for the year ended December 31, 2012. In evaluating the information in the table, it should be noted that a 1 percentage-point change in our assumptions would change estimated reserves by 1 percentage-point.

 
  -1 Percent
Change in
Estimation
  +1 Percent
Change in
Estimation
 

CAR assumed private passenger automobile

             

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

  $ (26 ) $ 26  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    17     (17 )

CAR assumed commercial automobile

             

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

    (107 )   107  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    70     (70 )

FAIR Plan assumed homeowners

             

Estimated (decrease) increase in reserves

    (67 )   67  

Estimated increase (decrease) in net income

    44     (44 )

Reserve Development Summary

        The changes we have recorded in our reserves in the past illustrate the uncertainty of estimating reserves. Our prior year reserves decreased by $17,310, $36,683 and $48,157 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

        The following table presents a comparison of prior year development of our net reserves for losses and LAE for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Each accident year represents all claims for an annual accounting period in which loss events occurred, regardless of when the losses are actually reported, booked or paid. Our financial statements reflect the aggregate results of the current and all prior accident years.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
Accident Year
  2012   2011   2010  

2002 & prior

  $ (265 ) $ (730 ) $ (2,127 )

2003

    (318 )   (699 )   (1,669 )

2004

    (752 )   (1,293 )   (2,147 )

2005

    (1,909 )   (3,584 )   (4,488 )

2006

    (1,343 )   (4,585 )   (7,996 )

2007

    (2,304 )   (5,264 )   (9,662 )

2008

    (3,983 )   (9,198 )   (10,992 )

2009

    (4,281 )   (6,627 )   (9,076 )

2010

    (5,927 )   (4,703 )    

2011

    3,772          
               

All prior years

  $ (17,310 ) $ (36,683 ) $ (48,157 )
               

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        The decreases in prior years reserves during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 resulted from re-estimations of prior year ultimate loss and LAE liabilities. The 2012 decrease is primarily composed of reductions of $17,879, in our retained automobile reserves. The 2011 decrease is primarily composed of reductions of $28,302 in our retained automobile reserves, and $4,921 in our retained homeowners reserves. The 2010 decrease is primarily composed of reductions of $34,248 in our retained automobile reserves, $7,269 in our retained homeowners and all other reserves and $5,572 in CAR assumed reserves.

        The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of our net reserves for losses and LAE for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Accident Year
  Private Passenger
Automobile
  Commercial
Automobile
  Homeowners   All Other   Total  

2002 & prior

  $ (192 ) $ (19 ) $   $ (54 ) $ (265 )

2003

    (309 )   (10 )   1         (318 )

2004

    (693 )   (32 )       (27 )   (752 )

2005

    (1,466 )   (186 )   (263 )   6     (1,909 )

2006

    (1,241 )   (108 )   3     3     (1,343 )

2007

    (1,598 )   (84 )   (267 )   (355 )   (2,304 )

2008

    (3,077 )   (34 )   (659 )   (213 )   (3,983 )

2009

    (2,929 )   (115 )   (945 )   (292 )   (4,281 )

2010

    (3,336 )   (795 )   (1,507 )   (289 )   (5,927 )

2011

    (1,634 )   (557 )   4,374     1,589     3,772  
                       

All prior years

  $ (16,475 ) $ (1,940 ) $ 737   $ 368   $ (17,310 )
                       

        To further clarify the effects of changes in our reserve estimates for CAR and other residual markets, the next two tables break out the information in the table above by source of the business (i.e., non-residual market vs. residual market).

        The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of retained reserves for losses and LAE for the year ended December 31, 2012; that is, all our reserves except for business ceded or assumed from CAR and other residual markets.

Accident Year
  Retained
Private Passenger
Automobile
  Retained
Commercial
Automobile
  Retained
Homeowners
  Retained
All Other
  Total  

2002 & prior

  $ (192 ) $ (19 ) $   $ (54 ) $ (265 )

2003

    (279 )   (2 )   1         (280 )

2004

    (665 )   (3 )   1     (27 )   (694 )

2005

    (1,439 )   (119 )   (244 )   6     (1,796 )

2006

    (1,130 )   (22 )       3     (1,149 )

2007

    (1,452 )   (22 )   (272 )   (355 )   (2,101 )

2008

    (2,924 )   (128 )   (632 )   (213 )   (3,897 )

2009

    (2,824 )   (167 )   (895 )   (292 )   (4,178 )

2010

    (3,317 )   (705 )   (1,485 )   (289 )   (5,796 )

2011

    (1,634 )   (836 )   4,272     1,589     3,391  
                       

All prior years

  $ (15,856 ) $ (2,023 ) $ 746   $ 368   $ (16,765 )
                       

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        The following table presents information by line of business for prior year development of reserves assumed from residual markets for losses and LAE for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Accident Year
  CAR Assumed
Private Passenger
Automobile
  CAR Assumed
Commercial
Automobile
  FAIR Plan
Homeowners
  Total  

2002 & prior

  $   $   $   $  

2003

    (30 )   (8 )       (38 )

2004

    (28 )   (29 )   (1 )   (58 )

2005

    (27 )   (67 )   (19 )   (113 )

2006

    (111 )   (86 )   3     (194 )

2007

    (146 )   (62 )   5     (203 )

2008

    (153 )   94     (27 )   (86 )

2009

    (105 )   52     (50 )   (103 )

2010

    (19 )   (90 )   (22 )   (131 )

2011

        279     102     381  
                   

All prior years

  $ (619 ) $ 83   $ (9 ) $ (545 )
                   

        Our private passenger automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $16,475 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to improved retained private passenger results of $14,720 for the accident years 2005 through 2011 The improved retained private passenger results were primarily due to fewer IBNR claims than previously estimated and better than previously estimated severity on our established bodily injury and property damage case reserves.

        Our commercial automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased by $1,940 for the year ended December 31, 2012 due primarily to fewer IBNR claims than previously estimated. Our FAIR Plan homeowners reserve decreased by $368 for the year ended December 31, 2012.

        Our retained homeowners line of business prior year reserves increased by $746 for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to re-estimations of 2011 catastrophe losses. Our retained All other lines of business prior years reserves increased by $368 for the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to re-estimations of 2011 catastrophe losses.

        In estimating all our loss reserves, including CAR, we follow the guidance prescribed by ASC 944, Financial Services-Insurance.

        For further information, see "Results of Operations: Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses."

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.

        We use a systematic methodology to evaluate declines in fair values below cost or amortized cost of our investments. This methodology ensures that we evaluate available evidence concerning any declines in a disciplined manner.

        In our determination of whether a decline in fair value below amortized cost is an other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"), we consider and evaluate several factors and circumstances including the issuer's overall financial condition, the issuer's credit and financial strength ratings, a weakening of the general market conditions in the industry or geographic region in which the issuer operates, a prolonged period (typically six months or longer) in which the fair value of an issuer's securities remains below our amortized cost, and any other factors that may raise doubt about the issuer's ability to continue as a going concern.

        ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is

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more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Under ASC 320, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI was recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income.

        For further information, see "Results of Operations: Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments."


Forward-Looking Statements

        Forward-looking statements might include one or more of the following, among others:

        Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "aim," "projects," or words of similar meaning and expressions that indicate future events and trends, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expenditures and financial results, are forward-looking statements.

        Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual future conditions, events, results or trends to differ significantly and/or materially from historical results or those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to the competitive nature of our industry and the possible adverse effects of such competition. Although a number of national insurers that are much larger than we are do not currently compete in a material way in the Massachusetts private passenger automobile market, if one or more of these companies decided to aggressively enter the market it could have a material adverse effect on us. Other significant factors include conditions for business operations and restrictive regulations in Massachusetts, the possibility of losses due to claims resulting from severe weather, the possibility that the Commissioner may approve future Rule changes that change the operation of the residual market, the possibility that existing insurance-related laws and regulations will become further restrictive in the future, our possible need for and availability of additional financing, and our dependence on strategic relationships, among others, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC. Refer to Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors.

        Some other factors, such as market, operational, liquidity, interest rate, equity and other risks, are described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Factors relating to the regulation and supervision of our Company are also described or incorporated in this report. There are other factors

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besides those described or incorporated in this report that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements.

        Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        Market Risk.    Market risk is the risk that we will incur losses due to adverse changes in market rates and prices. We have exposure to market risk through our investment activities and our financing activities. Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates. We use both fixed and variable rate debt as sources of financing. We have not entered, and do not plan to enter, into any derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

        Interest Rate Risk.    Interest rate risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in interest rates. Our exposure to interest rate changes primarily results from our significant holdings of fixed rate investments and from our financing activities. Our fixed maturity investments include U.S. and foreign government bonds, securities issued by government agencies, obligations of state and local governments and governmental authorities, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities, most of which are exposed to changes in prevailing interest rates.

        We manage our exposure to risks associated with interest rate fluctuations through active review of our investment portfolio by our management and Board and consultation with third-party financial advisors. As a general matter, we do not attempt to match the durations of our assets with the durations of our liabilities, and the majority of our liabilities are "short tail." Our goal is to maximize the total after-tax return on all of our investments. An important strategy that we employ to achieve this goal is to try to hold enough in cash and short-term investments in order to avoid liquidating longer-term investments to pay claims.

        Based upon the results of interest rate sensitivity analysis, the following table shows the interest rate risk of our investments in fixed maturities, measured in terms of fair value (which is equal to the carrying value for all our fixed maturity securities).

 
  -100 Basis
Point Change
  No Change   +100 Basis
Point Change
 

As of December 31, 2012

                   

Estimated fair value

  $ 1,227,919   $ 1,188,353   $ 1,147,684  

Estimated increase (decrease) in fair value

  $ 39,566   $   $ (40,669 )

As of December 31, 2011

                   

Estimated fair value

  $ 1,148,508   $ 1,107,893   $ 1,063,604  

Estimated increase (decrease) in fair value

  $ 40,615   $   $ (44,289 )

        With respect to floating rate debt, we are exposed to the effects of changes in prevailing interest rates. At December 31, 2012, we had no debt outstanding under our credit facility. Assuming the full utilization of our current available credit facility, a 2.0% increase in the prevailing interest rate on our variable rate debt would result in interest expense increasing approximately $600 for 2012, assuming that all of such debt is outstanding for the entire year.

        In addition, in the current market environment, our investments can also contain liquidity risks.

        Equity Risk.    Equity risk is the risk that we will incur economic losses due to adverse changes in equity prices. Our exposure to changes in equity prices results from our holdings of common stock and mutual funds held to fund the executive deferred compensation plan. We continuously evaluate market conditions and we expect in the future to purchase additional equity securities. We principally manage equity price risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation techniques.

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  Page  

Consolidated Financial Statements:

       

Report to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   
67
 

Balance Sheets

   
68
 

Statements of Operations

   
69
 

Statements of Comprehensive Income

   
70
 

Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

   
71
 

Statements of Cash Flows

   
72
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   
73
 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.:

        In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedules, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, appearing on Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedules, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

        A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

        Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 18, 2013

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 
  December 31,  
 
  2012   2011  

Assets

             

Investments:

             

Securities available for sale:

             

Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,100,414 and $1,032,660)

  $ 1,165,553   $ 1,086,813  

Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $21,237 and $20,431)

    22,800     21,080  
           

Total investments

    1,188,353     1,107,893  

Cash and cash equivalents

    35,383     37,890  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

    165,750     154,143  

Receivable for securities sold

    835      

Accrued investment income

    10,587     10,169  

Taxes recoverable

    5,529     8,406  

Receivable from reinsurers related to paid loss and loss adjustment expenses

    6,610     3,526  

Receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses

    52,185     51,774  

Ceded unearned premiums

    16,206     14,022  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

    60,665     56,716  

Equity and deposits in pools

    16,965     14,507  

Other assets

    15,278     13,448  
           

Total assets

  $ 1,574,346   $ 1,472,494  
           

Liabilities

             

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

  $ 423,842   $ 403,872  

Unearned premium reserves

    353,219     329,562  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    65,458     52,032  

Payable for securities purchased

    2,630      

Payable to reinsurers

    7,056     5,338  

Deferred income taxes

    8,202     3,014  

Other liabilities

    19,580     22,363  
           

Total liabilities

    879,987     816,181  
           

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

             

Shareholders' equity

             

Common stock: $0.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 17,052,034 and 16,915,432 shares issued

    170     169  

Additional paid-in capital

    163,041     157,167  

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes

    43,356     35,621  

Retained earnings

    543,361     518,925  

Treasury stock, at cost: 1,728,645 shares

    (55,569 )   (55,569 )
           

Total shareholders' equity

    694,359     656,313  
           

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 1,574,346   $ 1,472,494  
           

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Net earned premiums

  $ 642,469   $ 598,368   $ 551,950  

Net investment income

    40,870     39,060     41,395  

Net realized gains on investments

    1,975     4,360     863  

Finance and other service income

    18,553     18,370     18,511  
               

Total revenue

    703,867     660,158     612,719  
               

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

    422,217     466,640     360,848  

Underwriting, operating and related expenses

    200,138     179,157     172,823  

Interest expense

    88     88     88  
               

Total expenses

    622,443     645,885     533,759  
               

Income before income taxes

    81,424     14,273     78,960  

Income tax expense

    23,354     571     22,618  
               

Net income

  $ 58,070   $ 13,702   $ 56,342  
               

Earnings per weighted average common share:

                   

Basic

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74  
               

Diluted

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74  
               

Cash dividends paid per common share

  $ 2.20   $ 2.00   $ 1.80  
               

Number of shares used in computing earnings per share:

                   

Basic

    15,288,346     15,165,065     15,065,696  
               

Diluted

    15,295,452     15,176,006     15,084,295  
               

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Net income

  $ 58,070   $ 13,702   $ 56,342  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

                   

Unrealized holding gains during the period, net of tax expense of $4,856, $8,875, and $1,975

    9,019     16,483     3,667  

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax expense of ($691), ($1,526), and ($302)

    (1,284 )   (2,834 )   (561 )
               

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale

    7,735     13,649     3,106  
               

Comprehensive income

  $ 65,805   $ 27,351   $ 59,448  
               

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income,
Net of Taxes
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury
Stock
  Total
Shareholders'
Equity
 

Balance at December 31, 2009

  $ 166   $ 144,814   $ 18,866   $ 506,301   $ (49,712 ) $ 620,435  

Net income

                      56,342           56,342  

Other comprehensive income, net of deferred federal income taxes

                3,106                 3,106  

Restricted shares awards issued

    1     154                       155  

Recognition of employee share-based compensation, net of deferred federal income taxes

          3,933                       3,933  

Exercise of options, net of federal income taxes

    1     2,416                       2,417  

Dividends paid

                      (27,098 )         (27,098 )

Acquisition of treasury stock

                            (5,814 )   (5,814 )
                           

Balance at December 31, 2010

    168     151,317     21,972     535,545     (55,526 )   653,476  

Net income

                      13,702           13,702  

Other comprehensive income, net of deferred federal income taxes

                13,649                 13,649  

Restricted shares awards issued

    1     188                       189  

Recognition of employee share-based compensation, net of deferred federal income taxes

          4,692                       4,692  

Exercise of options, net of federal income taxes

          970                       970  

Dividends paid

                      (30,322 )         (30,322 )

Acquisition of treasury stock

                            (43 )   (43 )
                           

Balance at December 31, 2011

    169     157,167     35,621     518,925     (55,569 )   656,313  

Net income

                      58,070           58,070  

Other comprehensive income, net of deferred federal income taxes

                7,735                 7,735  

Restricted shares awards issued

    1     166                       167  

Recognition of employee share-based compensation, net of deferred federal income taxes

          4,484                       4,484  

Exercise of options, net of federal income taxes

          1,224                       1,224  

Dividends paid

                      (33,634 )         (33,634 )
                           

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 170   $ 163,041   $ 43,356   $ 543,361   $ (55,569 ) $ 694,359  
                           

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                   

Net income

  $ 58,070   $ 13,702   $ 56,342  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                   

Depreciation and amortization, net

    14,322     13,554     12,533  

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes

    1,023     (693 )   3,020  

Net realized gains on investments

    (1,972 )   (4,360 )   (863 )

Gains on sales of fixed assets

            (9 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                   

Accounts receivable

    (11,607 )   (8,417 )   (8,488 )

Accrued investment income

    (418 )   (698 )   573  

Receivable from reinsurers

    (3,495 )   2,426     13,999  

Ceded unearned premiums

    (2,184 )   (1,561 )   1,237  

Deferred policy acquisition costs

    (3,949 )   (3,892 )   (4,924 )

Other assets

    (1,430 )   2,153     (797 )

Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves

    19,970     (519 )   (35,315 )

Unearned premium reserves

    23,657     23,509     23,619  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    13,426     (2,135 )   (5,630 )

Payable to reinsurers

    1,718     (233 )   897  

Other liabilities

    (2,783 )   6,641     (4,997 )
               

Net cash provided by operating activities

    104,348     39,477     51,197  
               

Cash flows from investing activities:

                   

Fixed maturities purchased

    (333,603 )   (344,433 )   (353,352 )

Equity securities purchased

    (9,397 )   (13,149 )   (7,525 )

Proceeds from sales and paydowns of fixed maturities

    165,878     264,635     220,217  

Proceeds from maturities, redemptions, and calls of fixed maturities

    98,045     78,243     84,954  

Proceed from sales of equity securities

    8,837     6,668     3,580  

Fixed assets purchased

    (4,205 )   (4,377 )   (2,394 )

Fixed assets sold

            9  
               

Net cash used for investing activities

    (74,445 )   (12,413 )   (54,511 )
               

Cash flows from financing activities:

                   

Proceeds from stock options exercised

    1,241     902     1,990  

Excess tax (expense) benefit from stock options exercised

    (17 )   (2 )   57  

Dividends paid to shareholders

    (33,634 )   (30,322 )   (27,098 )

Acquisition of treasury stock

        (43 )   (5,814 )
               

Net cash used for financing activities

    (32,410 )   (29,465 )   (30,865 )
               

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (2,507 )   (2,401 )   (34,179 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    37,890     40,291     74,470  
               

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 35,383   $ 37,890   $ 40,291  
               

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                   

Cash paid during the year for:

                   

Federal and state income taxes

  $ 19,730   $ 4,260   $ 28,300  

Interest

  $ 75   $ 75   $ 123  

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

1.     Basis of Presentation

        The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). The subsidiaries consist of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Whiteshirts Asset Management Corporation ("WAMC"), and Whiteshirts Management Corporation, which is WAMC's holding company. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

        The Company was incorporated on June 25, 2001 in the State of Delaware. On October 16, 2001, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Thomas Black Corporation ("TBC") and its property and casualty subsidiaries. TBC subsequently merged with and into Safety Insurance Group, Inc. with Safety Insurance Group, Inc. being the corporation surviving the merger.

        The Company is a leading provider of personal lines property and casualty insurance focused primarily on the Massachusetts market. The Company's principal product line is private passenger automobile insurance, which accounted for 65.9% of its direct written premiums in 2012. The Company operates through its insurance company subsidiaries, Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company (together referred to as the "Insurance Subsidiaries").

        The Insurance Subsidiaries began writing private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance in New Hampshire during 2008, personal umbrella insurance in New Hampshire during 2009, and commercial automobile insurance in New Hampshire during 2011.

2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investments

        Investments in fixed maturities available-for-sale, which include taxable and non-taxable bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, are reported at fair value. Investments in equity securities available-for-sale, which include interests in mutual funds and a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), are reported at fair value. Fair values for fixed maturity securities are based on estimates obtained from independent pricing services. Fair values for equity securities are derived from external market quotations, with the exception of the REIT whose fair value was determined using the trust's net asset value obtained from its audited financial statements. Short-term investments, which consist of U.S. Treasury bills, are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Other invested assets, which include collateral loans, are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on fixed maturity and equity securities reported at fair value are excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity, known as "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes," until realized. Realized gains or losses on the sale or maturity of investments are determined based on the specific cost identification method. Fixed maturities and equity securities that experience declines in value that are other-than-temporary are written down to fair value with a corresponding charge to net realized losses on investments.

        Investment income is recognized on an accrual basis of accounting. Bonds not backed by other loans are amortized using the interest method. Loan-backed bonds and structured securities are

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

amortized using the interest method and significant changes in estimated cash flows from the original purchase assumptions are accounted for using the retrospective method.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

        Cash and cash equivalents includes money market accounts and United States ("U.S.") Treasury bills with original maturities of three months or less. U.S. Treasury bills are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable

        Amounts included in accounts receivable represent premiums as well as finance charges, the majority of which are both billed on a monthly installment basis. Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, these allowances were $635 and $362, respectively. Uncollected premium balances over ninety days past due are written off.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

        Amounts that vary with and are primarily related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract, principally commissions and premium taxes, are deferred and amortized ratably over the effective period of the policies. All other acquisition expenses are expensed as incurred. Deferred policy acquisition costs are reviewed to determine if they are recoverable from future income, and if not, are charged to expense. Future investment income attributable to related premiums is not taken into account in measuring the recoverability of the carrying value of this asset. Amortization of acquisition costs in the amount of $118,850, $110,795, and $101,980 was charged to underwriting expenses for the years ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Equity and Deposits in Pools

        Equity and deposits in pools represents the net receivable amounts from the residual market mechanisms, Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers ("CAR") for automobile and Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association ("FAIR Plan") for homeowner insurance in Massachusetts. See Note 8 for a discussion of the Company's accounting for amounts assumed from residual markets.

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

        Property, equipment, leasehold improvements, and software are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line or accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from 3 to 10 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. The costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated life of the business system, beginning when the software is ready for its intended use. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

        Liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") include case basis estimates for open claims reported prior to year-end and estimates of unreported claims and claim adjustment expenses.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

The estimates are continually reviewed and modified to reflect current conditions, and any resulting adjustments are reflected in current operating results. Adjustments for anticipated salvage and subrogation are recorded on incurred and reported and incurred but not reported losses.

Premiums and Unearned Premiums

        Premiums are earned over the terms of the respective policies, which are generally one year. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired terms of the policies.

        Ceded premiums are charged to income over the terms of the respective policies and the applicable term of the reinsurance contracts with third-party reinsurers. Ceded unearned premiums represent the unexpired portion of premiums ceded to CAR and other reinsurers.

        Premiums received in advance of the policy effective date are recorded as a liability and not recognized as income until earned. Such amounts are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and totaled $15,199 and $14,941 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Reinsurance

        Liabilities for unearned premiums and unpaid losses are stated before deductions for ceded reinsurance. The ceded amounts are carried as receivables. Earned premiums are stated net of deductions for ceded reinsurance.

        The Company, as primary insurer, will be required to pay losses in their entirety in the event that the reinsurers are unable to discharge their obligations under the reinsurance agreements.

Finance and Other Service Income

        Finance and other service income primarily includes revenues from premium installment charges, which are recognized when earned.

Income Taxes

        The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. The method of allocation among members of the consolidated group is subject to a written agreement approved by the Board of Directors (the "Board"). The consolidated tax liability is allocated on the basis of the members' proportionate contribution to consolidated taxable income.

        Deferred income taxes are generally recognized when assets and liabilities have different values for financial statement and tax reporting purposes, and for other temporary taxable and deductible differences as defined by Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes. A valuation allowance is established where management has assessed that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to utilize the full deferred tax asset.

Earnings per Weighted Average Common Share

        Basic earnings per weighted average common share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding during the period including unvested restricted shares which are considered participating securities. Diluted earnings per share is

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares including unvested restricted shares and the net effect of potentially dilutive common shares outstanding

        The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Net income available to common shareholders for basic and diluted earnings per share

  $ 58,070   $ 13,702   $ 56,342  
               

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share

    15,288,346     15,165,065     15,065,696  

Common equivalent shares—stock options

    7,106     10,941     18,599  
               

Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share

    15,295,452     15,176,006     15,084,295  
               

Basic earnings per share

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74  
               

Diluted earnings per share

  $ 3.80   $ 0.90   $ 3.74  
               

        Diluted EPS excludes stock options with exercise prices and exercise tax benefits greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive stock options for the year ended December 31, 2012. There were 82,800 and 97,203 anti-dilutive stock options for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Share-Based Compensation

        Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for share-based compensation to employees and non-employee directors in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of ASC 718, Share Based Compensation. Accordingly, no compensation cost related to stock options was reflected in net income, as all options granted under this plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The Company historically reported pro forma results under the disclosure-only provisions of ASC 718.

        ASC 718 requires the Company to measure and recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. Under the provisions of ASC 718, effective January 1, 2006, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant).

        As permitted by ASC 718, the Company elected the modified prospective transition method. Under the modified prospective transition method, (i) compensation expense for share-based awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 is recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost calculated for pro forma disclosure purposes as adjusted to incorporate forfeiture assumptions, and (ii) compensation expense for all share-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. Results for periods prior to January 1, 2006 have not been restated

        See Note 6 for further information regarding share-based compensation.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In October 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2010-26 (Topic 944), Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts, which updated guidance to address diversity in practice for the accounting of costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. This guidance modifies the definition of acquisition costs to specify that a cost be directly related to the successful acquisition of a new or renewal insurance contract in order to be deferred. The guidance also specifies that advertising costs only should be included as deferred acquisition costs if the direct-response advertising accounting criteria are met. The new guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and was to be applied prospectively, with retrospective application permitted. The adoption of the guidance had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

        In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 (Topic 820), Fair Value Measurements, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and amends certain fair value measurement principles, requirements and disclosures. To improve consistency in global application across jurisdictions, changes in wording were made to ensure that U.S. GAAP and IFRS fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are described in the same way. The guidance was applied prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption was not permitted. The impact of adoption was not material to the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

        In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends the presentation of comprehensive income and its components. Under the new guidance, an entity has the option to present comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. Both options require an entity to present reclassification adjustments for items reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of comprehensive income are presented. The guidance was effective for reporting periods which began after December 15, 2011 and was applied retrospectively. Early adoption was permitted. The impact of adoption was related to presentation only and had no impact on the Company's results of operations and financial position

        In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12 (Topic 220), Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU No. 2011-05, which indefinitely defers certain provisions of ASU 2011-05 (Topic 220), Presentation of Comprehensive Income that revised the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in financial statements. One of ASU 2011-05 provisions requires entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. Accordingly, this requirement was indefinitely deferred and will be further deliberated by the

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

FASB at a future date. The amendment was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years that began after December 15, 2011. The impact of adoption was not material to the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

        In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires entities to present in either a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. Items not required to be reclassified to net income in their entirety are cross referenced to a related footnote for additional information. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The impact of adoption is not expected to be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Segments

        The Company comprises one business segment: property and casualty insurance operations. Management organizes the business around private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts sold exclusively through independent agents and offers other personal and commercial insurance as complementary products. In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the financial information of the segment is presented consistent with the way results are regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

3.     Investments

        The gross unrealized gains and losses on investments in fixed maturity securities, including redeemable preferred stocks that have characteristics of fixed maturities, and equity securities, including interests in mutual funds, were as follows for the periods indicated.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
   
   
  Gross Unrealized
Losses(3)
   
 
 
  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Non-OTTI
Unrealized
Losses
  OTTI
Unrealized
Losses(4)
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 7,112   $ 43   $   $   $ 7,155  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    455,249     35,951     (17 )       491,183  

Residential mortgage-backed securities(1)

    215,438     11,465     (1,006 )       225,897  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    39,388     1,086             40,474  

Other asset-backed securities

    21,288     898             22,186  

Corporate and other securities

    361,939     16,988     (269 )       378,658  
                       

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    1,100,414     66,431     (1,292 )       1,165,553  

Equity securities(2)

    21,237     1,629     (66 )       22,800  
                       

Totals

  $ 1,121,651   $ 68,060   $ (1,358 ) $   $ 1,188,353  
                       

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
 
   
   
  Gross Unrealized
Losses(3)
   
 
 
  Cost or
Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Non-OTTI
Unrealized
Losses
  OTTI
Unrealized
Losses(4)
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 7,525   $ 366   $   $   $ 7,891  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    443,338     25,630     (150 )       468,818  

Residential mortgage-backed securities(1)

    277,885     17,147     (106 )       294,926  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    51,986     1,439     (278 )       53,147  

Other asset-backed securities

    12,848     932             13,780  

Corporate and other securities

    239,078     10,128     (955 )       248,251  
                       

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    1,032,660     55,642     (1,489 )       1,086,813  

Equity securities(2)

    20,431     1,111     (462 )       21,080  
                       

Totals

  $ 1,053,091   $ 56,753   $ (1,951 ) $   $ 1,107,893  
                       

(1)
Residential mortgage-backed securities consists primarily of obligations of U.S. Government agencies including collateralized mortgage obligations issued, guaranteed and/or insured by the following issuers: Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB).

(2)
Equity securities includes interests in mutual funds held to fund the Company's executive deferred compensation plan.

(3)
The Company's investment portfolio included 75 and 55 securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

(4)
Amounts in this column represent other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

        The amortized cost and the estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, by maturity, are shown below for the period indicated. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
  Amortized
Cost
  Estimated
Fair Value
 

Due in one year or less

  $ 32,868   $ 33,231  

Due after one year through five years

    274,568     287,528  

Due after five years through ten years

    254,519     270,960  

Due after ten years

    262,345     285,278  

Asset-backed securities

    276,114     288,556  
           

Totals

  $ 1,100,414   $ 1,165,553  
           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

        The gross realized gains (losses) on sales of investments were as follows for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Gross realized gains

                   

Fixed maturity securities

  $ 1,845   $ 4,935   $ 1,592  

Equity securities

    270     246     32  

Gross realized losses

                   

Fixed maturity securities

    (115 )   (821 )   (753 )

Equity securities

    (25 )       (8 )
               

Net realized gains on investments

  $ 1,975   $ 4,360   $ 863  
               

        In the normal course of business, the Company enters into transactions involving various types of financial instruments, including investments in fixed maturities and equity securities. Investment transactions have credit exposure to the extent that a counter party may default on an obligation to the Company. Credit risk is a consequence of carrying, trading and investing in securities. To manage credit risk, the Company focuses on higher quality fixed income securities, reviews the credit strength of all companies in which it invests, limits its exposure in any one investment and monitors the portfolio quality, taking into account credit ratings assigned by recognized statistical rating organizations.

        The following tables as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 present the gross unrealized losses included in the Company's investment portfolio and the fair value of those securities aggregated by investment category. The tables also present the length of time that they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
  Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

  $ 2,868   $ 17   $   $   $ 2,868   $ 17  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    50,779     966     3,938     40     54,717     1,006  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    107                 107      

Corporate and other securities

    22,979     269             22,979     269  
                           

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    76,733     1,252     3,938     40     80,671     1,292  

Equity securities

    1,145     23     303     43     1,448     66  
                           

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 77,878   $ 1,275   $ 4,241   $ 83   $ 82,119   $ 1,358  
                           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

 

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
 
  Less than 12 Months   12 Months or More   Total  
 
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Unrealized
Losses
 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

  $ 8,804   $ 135   $ 4,590   $ 15   $ 13,394   $ 150  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    4,333     99     79     7     4,412     106  

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    4,563     278             4,563     278  

Corporate and other securities

    22,745     943     1,986     12     24,731     955  
                           

Subtotal, fixed maturity securities

    40,445     1,455     6,655     34     47,100     1,489  

Equity securities

    7,185     462             7,185     462  
                           

Total temporarily impaired securities

  $ 47,630   $ 1,917   $ 6,655   $ 34   $ 54,285   $ 1,951  
                           

Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

        ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis. Under ASC 320, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). In instances where no credit loss exists but it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI was recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income.

        The Company holds no subprime mortgage debt securities. All of the Company's holdings in mortgage-backed securities are either U.S. Government or Agency guaranteed or are rated investment grade by either Moody's or Standard & Poor's.

        The unrealized losses in the Company's fixed income and equity portfolio as of December 31, 2012 were reviewed for potential other-than-temporary asset impairments. The Company held no securities at December 31, 2012 with a material (20% or greater) unrealized loss for four or more consecutive quarters. Specific qualitative analysis was also performed for any additional securities appearing on the Company's "Watch List," if any. Qualitative analysis considered such factors as the financial condition and the near term prospects of the issuer, whether the debtor is current on its contractually obligated interest and principal payments, changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and the historical volatility of the fair value of the security.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

        The qualitative analysis performed by the Company concluded that the unrealized losses recorded on the investment portfolio at December 31, 2012 resulted from fluctuations in market interest rates and other temporary market conditions as opposed to fundamental changes in the credit quality of the issuers of such securities. Therefore, decreases in fair values of the Company's securities are viewed as being temporary.

        During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, there was no significant deterioration in the credit quality of any of the Company's holdings and no OTTI charges were recorded related to the Company's portfolio of investment securities. At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to securities which were considered by the Company to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

        Based upon the qualitative analysis performed, the Company's decision to hold these securities, the Company's current level of liquidity and its positive operating cash flows, management believes it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell any of its securities before the anticipated recovery in the fair value to its amortized cost basis.

Net Investment Income

        The components of net investment income were as follow for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Interest on fixed maturity securities

  $ 42,235   $ 39,980   $ 42,332  

Dividends on equity securities

    559     658     294  

Interest on other assets

    39     49     12  

Interest on cash and cash equivalents

    18     33     84  
               

Total investment income

    42,851     40,720     42,722  

Investment expenses

    1,981     1,660     1,327  
               

Net investment income

  $ 40,870   $ 39,060   $ 41,395  
               

4.     Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

        The carrying value of equipment and leasehold improvements by classification was as follows for the periods indicated.

 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2012   2011  

Software

  $ 16,784   $ 13,653  

Computer equipment

    4,879     4,576  

Leasehold improvements

    2,524     2,524  

Other equipment

    2,390     2,247  

Furniture and fixtures

    963     959  

Automobiles

    10     10  
           

Total cost

    27,550     23,969  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    18,455     14,005  
           

Equipment and leasehold improvements, net

  $ 9,095   $ 9,964  
           

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

        Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $4,450, $3,277, and $2,526, respectively.

5.     Employee Benefit Plan

        The Company sponsors the Safety Insurance Company 401(k) qualified defined contribution retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan"). The Retirement Plan is available to all eligible employees of the Company. An employee must be 21 years of age to be eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan and is allowed to contribute on a pre-tax basis up to the maximum allowed under federal law. The Retirement Plan is administered by the Company and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. At the close of each Retirement Plan year, the Company makes a matching contribution equal to 100% of the amount each participant contributed during the plan year from their total pay, up to a maximum amount of 8% of the participant's base salary, to those participants who have contributed to the Retirement Plan and were employed on the last day of the Retirement Plan year. Compensation expense related to the Retirement Plan was $2,490, $2,385, and $2,201 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

6.     Share-Based Compensation

Management Omnibus Incentive Plan

        Long-term incentive compensation is provided under the Company's 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan ("the Incentive Plan") which provides for a variety of stock-based compensation awards, including nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock ("RS") awards. The maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted is 2,500,000. Shares of stock covered by an award under the Incentive Plan that are forfeited will again be available for issuance in connection with future grants of awards under the plan. At December 31, 2012, there were 620,457 shares available for future grant. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to issue more awards under the Incentive Plan in the future.

        For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the Company recorded compensation expense related to awards under the Incentive Plan of $2,877, $2,915, and $2,857, net of income tax benefit of $1,549, $1,570, and $1,538, respectively.

Stock Options

        The fair value of stock options used to compute net income and EPS for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 is the estimated fair value at grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2012   2011   2010

Expected dividend yield

  NA   1.68%   1.36% - 1.68%

Expected volatility

  NA   0.36   0.31 - 0.36

Risk-free interest rate

  NA   4.76%   4.35% - 4.76%

Expected holding period

  NA   6.5 years   6.5 - 7 years

        Expected dividend yield is the Company's dividend yield on the measurement date and is based on the assumption that the current yield will continue in the future. Expected volatility is based on

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

historical volatility of the Company's common stock as well as the volatility of a peer group of property and casualty insurers measured for a period equal to the expected holding period of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the yield on the measurement date of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond with a maturity period equal to the expected holding period of the option. The expected holding period is based upon the simplified method provided in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment, which utilizes the mid-points between the vesting dates and the expiration date of the option award to calculate the overall expected term. There were no stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010. As of March 31, 2011, all compensation expense related to non-vested option awards had been recognized.

        The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Incentive Plan.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  
 
  Shares
Under
Option
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Shares
Under
Option
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
  Shares
Under
Option
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at beginning of year

    125,700   $ 37.63     151,003   $ 37.30     215,337   $ 35.40  

Exercised during the year

    (36,900 )   33.63     (25,303 )   35.66     (64,334 )   30.93  

Forfeited during the year

    (1,300 )   42.85                  
                                 

Outstanding at end of year

    87,500     39.24     125,700     37.63     151,003     37.30  
                                 

Exercisable at end of year

    87,500   $ 39.24     125,700   $ 37.63     127,058   $ 36.26  
                                 

        At December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding shares under option was $606, $554, and $1,573 with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.9, 3.7, and 4.7 years, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pretax intrinsic value, which is the difference between the fair value based upon the Company's closing year-end stock price at December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 and the exercise price which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of those dates. The range of exercise prices on stock options outstanding under the Incentive Plan was $13.30 to $42.85 at December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $463, $156, and $1,080, respectively.

Restricted Stock

        Restricted stock awarded to employees in the form of unvested shares is recorded at the market value of the Company's common stock on the grant date and amortized ratably as expense over the requisite service period. Restricted stock awards generally vest over a three-year period and unrestrict 30% on the first and second anniversaries of the grant date and 40% on the third anniversary of the grant date, except for non-executive employees' restricted stock awards which vest ratable over a five-year service period and independent directors' stock awards which vest immediately. Independent directors' stock awards cannot be sold, assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of until the recipient is no longer a member of the Board of Directors.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

        The following table summarizes restricted stock activity under the Incentive Plan.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  
 
  Shares
Under
Restriction
  Weighted
Average
Fair Value
  Shares
Under
Restriction
  Weighted
Average
Fair Value
  Shares
Under
Restriction
  Weighted
Average
Fair Value
 

Outstanding at beginning of year

    282,117   $ 39.24     301,501   $ 35.13     298,834   $ 34.28  

Granted during the year

    102,756     41.79     95,204     46.78     106,950     38.61  

Vested and unrestricted during the year

    (117,936 )   36.50     (114,009 )   34.67     (104,283 )   36.27  

Forfeited during the year

    (3,054 )   38.13     (579 )   37.75          
                                 

Outstanding at end of year

    263,883   $ 41.47     282,117   $ 39.24     301,501   $ 35.13  
                                 

        As of December 31, 2012, there was $6,280 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years. The total fair value of the shares that were vested and unrestricted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $4,304, $3,953, and $3,782, respectively.

7.     Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Commitments

        The Company has various non-cancelable long-term operating leases. The approximate minimum annual rental payments due under these lease agreements as of December 31, 2012 are presented in the following table.

2013

  $ 4,497  

2014

    4,430  

2015

    4,563  

2016

    4,544  

2017

    4,506  

2018 and after

    4,483  
       

Total minimum lease payments

  $ 27,023  
       

        Certain lease agreements contain renewal options and, in addition to the minimum annual rentals, generally provide for payment of a share of the real estate taxes and operating expenses in excess of a base amount. Rental expense was $4,114, $4,124, and $4,112 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. All leases expire prior to 2019. The Company expects that in the normal course of business, leases that expire will be renewed.

        An eighth amendment to a lease agreement for the lease of office space was executed on April 5, 2007. Under the provisions of this amendment, additional space was occupied and the lease term was extended an additional ten years commencing on January 1, 2009, with an option to renew for one additional five-year term.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

Contingencies

        Various claims, generally incidental to the conduct of normal business, are pending or alleged against the Company from time to time. In the opinion of management, based in part on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. However, if estimates of the ultimate resolutions of those proceedings are revised, liabilities related to those proceedings could be adjusted in the near term.

        Massachusetts law requires that insurers licensed to do business in Massachusetts participate in the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund ("Insolvency Fund"). Members of the Insolvency Fund are assessed a proportionate share of the obligations and expenses of the Insolvency Fund in connection with an insolvent insurer. It is anticipated that there will be additional assessments from time to time relating to various insolvencies. Although the timing and amounts of any future assessments are not known, based upon existing knowledge, management's opinion is that such future assessments will not have a material effect upon the financial position of the Company.

8.     Debt

        The Company has a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with RBS Citizens, NA ("RBS Citizens"). The Credit Agreement provides a $30,000 revolving credit facility with an accordion feature allowing for future expansion of the committed amount up to $50,000. Loans under the credit facility bear interest at the Company's option at either (i) the LIBOR rate plus 1.25% per annum or (ii) the higher of RBS Citizens prime rate or 0.5% above the federal funds rate plus 1.25% per annum. Interest only is payable prior to maturity. The Credit Agreement has a maturity date of August 14, 2013

        The Company's obligations under the credit facility are secured by pledges of its assets and the capital stock of its operating subsidiaries. The credit facility is guaranteed by the Company's non-insurance company subsidiaries. The credit facility contains covenants including requirements to maintain minimum risk-based capital ratios and statutory surplus of Safety Insurance Company as well as limitations or restrictions on indebtedness, liens, and other matters. Among other covenants, the credit facility restricts the Company's payment of dividends (i) if a default under the credit facility is continuing or would result therefrom or (ii) in an amount in excess of 50% of the Company's prior year's net income, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Although the Company paid $33,634 in dividends to shareholders during 2012 which exceeded 50% of its prior year net income by $26,783, prior consent to pay the excess amount was obtained from RBS Citizens. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all other covenants. In addition, the credit facility includes customary events of default, including a cross-default provision permitting the lenders to accelerate the facility if the Company (i) defaults in any payment obligation under debt having a principal amount in excess of $10,000 or (ii) fails to perform any other covenant permitting acceleration of all such debt.

        The Company had no amounts outstanding on its credit facility at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The credit facility commitment fee included in interest expenses was computed at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the $30,000 commitment at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

9.     Reinsurance

        The Company cedes insurance to CAR and to other reinsurers. The Company has a property catastrophe excess of loss agreement and a casualty excess of loss agreement that qualify as reinsurance

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treaties and are designed to protect against large or unusual loss and LAE activity. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies.

        The Company is subject to concentration of credit risk with respect to reinsurance ceded to CAR. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, reinsurance receivables on paid and unpaid loss and LAE with a carrying value of $41,755 and $37,671 and ceded unearned premiums of $13,876 and $11,951 were associated with CAR. The Company assumes a proportionate share of the obligations from CAR. The Company makes an estimate of its share of assumed activity from the most recent quarter reported by CAR and records adjustments to the reported activity to reflect its anticipated final assumed obligations. The Company's participation in CAR resulted in assumed net loss of $424 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and assumed net income of $697 and $4,241 for the years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010.

        CAR has been, with few exceptions, required by law to issue a policy to any applicant who seeks it. As a servicing carrier of CAR, this requirement has applied to the Company.

        The effect of assumed and ceded premiums on net written and earned premiums and losses and LAE is as follows.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Written Premiums

                   

Direct

  $ 696,220   $ 649,262   $ 604,957  

Assumed

    17,943     16,521     13,738  

Ceded

    (50,221 )   (45,467 )   (41,888 )
               

Net written premiums

  $ 663,942   $ 620,316   $ 576,807  
               

Earned Premiums

                   

Direct

  $ 673,596   $ 626,483   $ 580,942  

Assumed

    16,910     15,790     14,134  

Ceded

    (48,037 )   (43,905 )   (43,126 )
               

Net earned premiums

  $ 642,469   $ 598,368   $ 551,950  
               

Loss and LAE

                   

Direct

  $ 431,526   $ 473,970   $ 368,542  

Assumed

    13,102     10,497     4,712  

Ceded

    (22,411 )   (17,827 )   (12,406 )
               

Net loss and LAE

  $ 422,217   $ 466,640   $ 360,848  
               

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10.   Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

        The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE"), as shown in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

  $ 403,872   $ 404,391   $ 439,706  

Less receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid losses and LAE

    (51,774 )   (53,147 )   (64,874 )
               

Net reserves for losses and LAE at beginning of year

    352,098     351,244     374,832  
               

Incurred losses and LAE, related to:

                   

Current year

    439,527     503,323     409,005  

Prior years

    (17,310 )   (36,683 )   (48,157 )
               

Total incurred losses and LAE

    422,217     466,640     360,848  
               

Paid losses and LAE related to:

                   

Current year

    272,454     336,932     253,476  

Prior years

    130,204     128,854     130,960  
               

Total paid losses and LAE

    402,658     465,786     384,436  
               

Net reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

    371,657     352,098     351,244  

Plus receivable from reinsurers related to unpaid losses and LAE

    52,185     51,774     53,147  
               

Reserves for losses and LAE at end of period

  $ 423,842   $ 403,872   $ 404,391  
               

        At the end of each period, the reserves were re-estimated for all prior accident years. The Company's prior year reserves decreased by $17,310, $36,683, and $48,157 for the years ended 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, and resulted from re-estimations of prior years ultimate loss and LAE liabilities. The decrease in prior years reserves during 2012 was primarily composed of a reduction in the Company's retained automobile reserves, partially offset by an increase in the accident year 2011 reserves of homeowners and all other lines of business. The decrease in prior years reserves during 2011 and 2010 was primarily composed of reductions in the Company's retained automobile reserves.

        The Company's private passenger automobile line of business prior year reserves decreased during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 primarily due to improved retained private passenger results. The improved retained private passenger results were primarily due to fewer incurred but not yet reported claims than previously estimated and better than previously estimated severity on the Company's established bodily injury and property damage case reserves.

        Due to the nature of the risks that the Company underwrites and has historically underwritten, management does not believe that it has an exposure to asbestos or environmental pollution liabilities.

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11.   Income Taxes

        A summary of the income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income is shown below.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Current Income Taxes:

                   

Federal

  $ 22,328   $ 1,260   $ 19,603  

State

    3     4     (5 )
               

    22,331     1,264     19,598  
               

Deferred Income Taxes:

                   

Federal

    1,023     (693 )   3,020  

State

             
               

    1,023     (693 )   3,020  
               

Total income tax expense

  $ 23,354   $ 571   $ 22,618  
               

        The income tax expense attributable to the consolidated results of operations is different from the amounts determined by multiplying income before federal income taxes by the statutory federal income tax rate. The sources of the difference and the tax effects of each were as follows for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Federal income tax expense, at statutory rate

  $ 28,498   $ 4,996   $ 27,636  

Tax-exempt investment income, net

    (5,142 )   (4,635 )   (5,169 )

State taxes, net

    2     2     (7 )

Nondeductible expenses

    202     232     205  

Other, net

    (206 )   (24 )   (47 )
               

Total income tax expense

  $ 23,354   $ 571   $ 22,618  
               

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        The deferred income tax asset (liability) represents the tax effects of temporary differences attributable to the Company's consolidated federal tax return group. Its components were as shown in the following table for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011  

Deferred tax assets:

             

Discounting of loss reserves

  $ 7,598   $ 7,764  

Discounting of unearned premium reserve

    24,655     23,136  

Bad debt allowance

    673     392  

Employee benefits

    6,734     6,347  

State loss carryforwards

    20     39  

Rent incentive

    767     900  

AMT credit carryforward

        1,529  

Other

    27      
           

Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

    40,474     40,107  

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

    (20 )   (39 )
           

Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

    40,454     40,068  
           

Deferred tax liabilities:

             

Deferred acquisition costs

    (21,233 )   (19,850 )

Investments

    (596 )   (599 )

Net unrealized gains on investments

    (23,345 )   (19,181 )

Depreciation

    (247 )   (532 )

Software development costs

    (2,372 )   (2,082 )

Premium acquisition expenses

    (863 )   (838 )
           

Total deferred tax liabilities

    (48,656 )   (43,082 )
           

Net deferred tax liability

  $ (8,202 ) $ (3,014 )
           

        The Company believes, based upon consideration of objective and verifiable evidence, including its recent earnings history and its future expectations, that the Company's taxable income in future years will be sufficient to realize all federal deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance of $20 and $39 was established against state deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. This valuation allowance is based upon management's assessment that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to utilize these state deferred tax assets.

        The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes on January 1, 2007. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740 requires that the Company determine whether the benefits of its tax positions have a more likely than not chance of being sustained upon audit based upon the technical merits of the tax position. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. As a result of the implementation of ASC 740, the Company recognized no adjustment to its consolidated balance sheet or statement of operations. The Company believes that the positions taken on its income tax returns for open tax years will be

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sustained upon examination by the IRS. Therefore, the Company has not recorded a liability under ASC 740.

        As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits, and none which if recognized would affect the effective tax rate. The Company does not currently anticipate significant changes in the amount of unrecognized income tax benefits during the next twelve months.

        The Company records interest and penalties associated with audits as a component of Income before income taxes. Penalties are recorded in Underwriting, operating and other expenses, and interest expense is recorded in Interest expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company had no interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

        As of December 31, 2012, the Company was no longer subject to examination of its U.S. federal tax returns for years prior to 2009. The Company is not currently under examination by the IRS.

12.   Share Repurchase Program

        On August 3, 2007, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $30,000 of the Company's outstanding common shares. On March 19, 2009, the Board of Directors increased this existing share repurchase program by authorizing repurchase of up to $60,000 of the Company's outstanding common shares. On August 4, 2010, the Board of Directors again increased the existing share repurchase program by authorizing repurchase of up to $90,000 of the Company's outstanding common shares. Under the program, the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock for cash in public or private transactions, in the open market or otherwise. The timing of such repurchases and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and applicable regulatory and corporate requirements. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice.

        No share purchases were made by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased 1,190 of its common shares on the open market under the program at a cost of $43 resulting in total shares purchased of 1,728,645 at a cost of $55,569 as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

13.   Statutory Net Income and Surplus

Statutory Accounting Practices

        The Company's insurance company subsidiaries, domiciled in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Division. Prescribed statutory accounting practices are those practices that are incorporated directly or by reference in state laws, regulations, and general administrative rules applicable to all insurance enterprises domiciled in a particular state. Permitted statutory accounting practices include practices not prescribed by the Division, but allowed by the Division. Statutory net income of the Company's insurance company subsidiaries was $56,895, $9,672, and $56,246 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Statutory capital and surplus of the Company's insurance subsidiaries was $599,024 and $570,492 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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Dividends

        The Insurance Subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory restrictions that limit the maximum amount of dividends available to be paid to their parent without prior approval of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commissioner of Insurance (the "Commissioner"). Massachusetts statute limits the dividends an insurer may pay in any twelve month period, without the prior permission of the Commissioner, to the greater of (i) 10% of the insurer's surplus as of the preceding December 31 or (ii) the insurer's net income for the twelve-month period ending the preceding December 31, in each case determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Our insurance company subsidiaries may not declare an "extraordinary dividend" (defined as any dividend or distribution that, together with other distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceeds the limits established by Massachusetts statute) until thirty days after the Commissioner has received notice of the intended dividend and has not objected. As historically administered by the Commissioner, this provision requires the Commissioner's prior approval of an extraordinary dividend. Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from its unassigned funds, also known as earned surplus, and the insurer's remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. At year-end 2012, the statutory surplus of Safety Insurance was $599,024 and its net income for 2012 was $52,436. As a result, a maximum of $59,902 is available in 2013 for such dividends without prior approval of the Commissioner. During the year ended December 31, 2012, Safety Insurance recorded dividends to Safety of $29,137. As result of this Massachusetts statute, the Insurance Subsidiaries had restricted net assets in the amount of $539,122 at December 31, 2012.

Risk-Based Capital Requirements

        The NAIC has adopted a formula and model law to implement risk-based capital requirements for most property and casualty insurance companies, which are designed to determine minimum capital requirements and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholder obligations. Under Massachusetts law, insurers having less total adjusted capital than that required by the risk-based capital calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy. The risk-based capital law provides for four levels of regulatory action. The extent of regulatory intervention and action increases as the level of total adjusted capital to risk-based capital falls. As of December 31, 2012, the Insurance Subsidiaries had total adjusted capital of $599,024, which is in excess of amounts requiring company or regulatory action at any prescribed risk-based capital action level. Minimum statutory capital and surplus, or company action level risk-based capital, was $85,639 at December 31, 2012.

14.   Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure provides a revised definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands financial statement disclosure requirements for fair value information. Under ASC 820, 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 (an exit price). ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between inputs based on market data from independent sources ("observable inputs") and a reporting entity's internal assumptions based upon the best information available when external market data is limited or

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unavailable ("unobservable inputs"). The fair value hierarchy in ASC 820 prioritizes fair value measurements into three levels based on the nature of the inputs as follows:

        Fair values for the Company's fixed maturity securities are based on prices provided by its custodian bank and its investment managers. Both the Company's custodian bank and investment managers use a variety of independent, nationally recognized pricing services to determine market valuations. If the pricing service cannot provide fair value determinations, the Company obtains non-binding price quotes from broker-dealers. A minimum of two quoted prices is obtained for the majority of the Company's available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in its investment portfolio. The Company's custodian bank is its primary provider of quoted prices from third-party pricing services and broker-dealers. To provide reasonable assurance of the validity of each price or quote, a secondary third-party pricing service or broker-dealer quote is obtained from the Company's investment managers. An examination of the pricing data is then performed for each security. If the variance between the primary and secondary price quotes for a security is within an accepted tolerance level, the quoted price obtained from the Company's custodian bank is used in the financial statements for the security. If the variance between the primary and secondary price quotes exceeds an accepted tolerance level, the Company obtains a quote from an alternative source, if possible, and documents and resolves any differences between the pricing sources. In addition, the Company may request that its investment managers and their traders provide input as to which vendor is providing prices that its traders believe are reflective of fair value for the security. Following this process, the Company may decide to value the security in its financial statements using the secondary or alternative source if it believes that pricing is more reflective of the security's value than the primary pricing provided by its custodian bank. The Company analyzes market valuations received to verify reasonableness, to understand the key assumptions used and their sources, and to determine an appropriate ASC 820 fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Based on this evaluation and investment class analysis, each price is classified into Level 1, 2 or 3.

        Fair values of instruments are based on (i) quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), (ii) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets (Level 2) or (iii) valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in the marketplace (Level 3).

        The Company's Level 1 securities consist of equity securities whose values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The Company's Level 2 securities are comprised of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities whose fair value was determined using observable market inputs. The Company's Level 3 security, previously classified as a Level 2 security, is a real estate investment trust equity investment whose fair value is determined using the trust's net asset value obtained from its audited financial statements; however, the Company is required to submit a request 45 days before quarter end to dispose of the security. Fair values for securities for which quoted market prices were unavailable were estimated based upon reference to observable inputs such as benchmark

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interest rates, market comparables, and other relevant inputs. Investments valued using these inputs include U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies, obligations of international government agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, and other asset-backed securities. Inputs into the fair value application that are utilized by asset class include but are not limited to:

        All unadjusted estimates of fair value for our fixed maturities priced by the pricing services as described above are included in the amounts disclosed in Level 2.

        In order to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price (consistent with ASC 820), the Company's procedures for validating quotes or prices obtained from third-parties include, but are not limited to, obtaining a minimum of two price quotes for each fixed maturity security if possible, as discussed above, the periodic testing of sales activity to determine if there are any significant differences between the market price used to value the security as of the balance sheet date and the sales price of the security for sales that occurred around the balance sheet date, and the periodic review of reports provided by its investment manager regarding those securities with ratings changes and securities placed on its "Watch List." In addition, valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by the Company's external investment manager, whose investment professionals are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price (consistent with ASC 820).

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        With the exception of the REIT which is categorized as a Level 3security, the Company's entire available-for-sale portfolio was priced based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs as of December 31, 2012. There were no significant changes to the valuation process during the year ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, no quotes or prices obtained were adjusted by management. All broker quotes obtained were non-binding.

        At December 31, 2012 and 2011, investments in fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale had a fair value which equaled carrying value of $1,188,353 and $1,107,893, respectively. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, we held no short-term investments. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents and investment income accrued approximate fair value.

        The following tables summarize the Company's total fair value measurements for available-for-sale investments for the periods indicated.

 
  As of December 31, 2012  
 
  Total   Level 1 Inputs   Level 2 Inputs   Level 3 Inputs  

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 7,155   $   $ 7,155   $  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    491,183         491,183      

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    225,897         225,897      

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    40,474         40,474      

Other asset-backed securities

    22,186         22,186      

Corporate and other securities

    378,658         378,658      

Equity securities

    22,800     17,454         5,346  
                   

Total investment securities

  $ 1,188,353   $ 17,454   $ 1,165,553   $ 5,346  
                   

 

 
  As of December 31, 2011  
 
  Total   Level 1 Inputs   Level 2 Inputs   Level 3 Inputs  

U.S. Treasury securities

  $ 7,891   $   $ 7,891   $  

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

    468,818         468,818      

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    294,926         294,926      

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

    53,147         53,147      

Other asset-backed securities

    13,780         13,780      

Corporate and other securities

    248,251         248,251      

Equity securities

    21,080     15,954     5,126      
                   

Total investment securities

  $ 1,107,893   $ 15,954   $ 1,091,939   $  
                   

        There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

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        The following tables summarize the changes in the Company's Level 3 fair value securities for the periods indicated.

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Balance at beginning of year

  $   $   $ 2,504  

Net gains and losses included in earnings

            183  

Net gains included in other comprehensive income

            1,180  

Purchases and sales

            (3,867 )

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

    5,346          
               

Balance at end of year

  $ 5,346   $   $  
               

Amount of total losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses related to assets still held at end of year

  $   $   $  
               

        Transfers in and out of Level 3 are attributable to changes in the ability to observe significant inputs in determining fair value exit pricing. As noted in the tables above, a transfer of the Company's investment in a real estate investment trust equity investment was made in during 2012 into the Level 3 classification. No transfers were made in or out of Level 3 during the years ended 2011, and 2010. On January 1, 2010, the Company's Level 3 securities consisted of one asset-backed security whose price was based solely on a single broker quote which was deemed to be obtained through unobservable inputs. This security was sold in October 2010.

15.   Quarterly Results of Operations

        An unaudited summary of the Company's 2012 and 2011 quarterly performance, and audited annual performance, is as follows.

 
  Year ended December 31, 2012  
 
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
  Total
Year
 

Total revenue

  $ 170,406   $ 174,708   $ 177,531   $ 181,222   $ 703,867  

Net income

    17,209     16,956     14,334     9,571     58,070  

Earnings per weighted average common share:

                               

Basic

    1.13     1.11     0.94     0.62     3.80  

Diluted

    1.13     1.11     0.94     0.62     3.80  

Cash dividends paid per common share

    0.50     0.50     0.60     0.60     2.20  

 

 
  Year ended December 31, 2011  
 
  First
Quarter
  Second
Quarter
  Third
Quarter
  Fourth
Quarter
  Total
Year
 

Total revenue

  $ 158,797   $ 163,937   $ 168,035   $ 169,389   $ 660,158  

Net (loss) income

    (3,954 )   4,085     8,810     4,761     13,702  

Earnings per weighted average common share:

                               

Basic

    (0.26 )   0.27     0.58     0.31     0.90  

Diluted

    (0.26 )   0.70     0.58     0.31     0.90  

Cash dividends paid per common share

    0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50     2.00  

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollars in thousands except per share and share data)

16.   Related Party Transactions

        In February 2012, the Company participated as a lender in a loan made by syndicates of lenders to a portfolio company in which funds managed by The Jordan Company, LP. are controlling or a significant investor. Mr. A. Richard Caputo, Jr., a member of the Company's Board of Directors and the Chairman of its Investment Committee, is a principal of The Jordan Company, LP. The loan, made to Vantage Specialties, Inc., currently bears interest at a rate of 7.0% per annum and matures on February 10, 2018. The loan amortizes in equal quarterly installments of 0.25% of the principal amount per quarter. The Company's participation in the loan was $2,500. The Company made the loan on the same terms as the other lenders participating in the syndicate. The loan was subject to the approval of the Company's full Investment Committee.

17.   Subsequent Events

        The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements on Form 10-K filed herewith and no events have occurred that require recognition or disclosure.

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

        None.

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended [the "Exchange Act"]) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective and ensure that all information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and that information required to be disclosed in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012.

        PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

        The following disclosures relate to actions taken by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), the Compensation Committee of the Board and the Board of Directors of Safety Insurance Company and would otherwise have been filed during the first fiscal quarter of 2013 on a Form 8-K.

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PART III

ITEMS 10-14.    

        Within 120 days after the close of its fiscal year, the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, which will include the matters required by these items.


PART IV.

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

1.
Financial Statements: The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 are contained herein as listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2.
Financial Statement Schedules: The Financial Statement Schedules are contained herein as listed in the Index to Financial Statement Schedules.

3.
Exhibits: The exhibits are contained herein as listed in the Index to Exhibits.

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SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 
   
  Page  

Schedules 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

Summary of Investments—Other than in Related Parties

 

 

101

 

II

 

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant

 

 

102

 

III

 

Supplementary Insurance Information

 

 

104

 

IV

 

Reinsurance

 

 

105

 

V

 

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

 

106

 

VI

 

Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Operations

 

 

107

 

100


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Safety Insurance Group, Inc,

Summary of Investments—Other than Investments in Related Parties

Schedule I

At December 31, 2012

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Cost or
Amortized Cost
  Estimated
Fair Value
  Amount at
which shown
in the Balance
Sheet
 

Fixed maturities:

                   

U.S. government and government agencies and authorities

  $ 222,550   $ 233,052   $ 233,052  

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions          

    455,249     491,183     491,183  

Corporate and other securities

    422,615     441,318     441,318  
               

Total fixed maturities

    1,100,414     1,165,553     1,165,553  
               

Equity securities:

                   

Common stocks:

                   

Industrial, miscellaneous and all other

    21,237     22,800     22,800  
               

Total equity securities

    21,237     22,800     22,800  
               

Total investments

  $ 1,121,651   $ 1,188,353   $ 1,188,353  
               

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant

Condensed Balance Sheets

Schedule II

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  December 31,  
 
  2012   2011  

Assets

             

Investments in consolidated affiliates

  $ 695,361   $ 657,295  

Other

    8     20  
           

Total assets

  $ 695,369   $ 657,315  
           

Liabilities

             

Accounts payable and other liabilities

  $ 1,010   $ 1,002  
           

Total liabilities

    1,010     1,002  
           

Shareholders' equity

    694,359     656,313  
           

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 695,369   $ 657,315  
           


Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant

Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

Schedule II

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Revenues, net of income taxes

  $   $   $  

Expenses

    1,194     1,078     1,270  
               

Net loss

    (1,194 )   (1,078 )   (1,270 )

Earnings from consolidated affiliates

    59,264     14,780     57,612  
               

Consolidated net income

    58,070     13,702     56,342  

Other net comprehensive income, net of taxes

    7,735     13,649     3,106  
               

Consolidated comprehensive net income

  $ 65,805   $ 27,351   $ 59,448  
               

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Schedule II

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2012   2011   2010  

Consolidated net income

  $ 58,070   $ 13,702   $ 56,342  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                   

Undistributed earnings in consolidated subsidiaries

    (59,264 )   (14,780 )   (57,612 )

Amortization

    4,430     4,747     4,013  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                   

Other assets

    12     55     (29 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    8     (5 )   10  
               

Net cash provided by operating activities

    3,256     3,719     2,724  
               

Dividends received from consolidated subsidiaries

    29,137     25,744     28,198  
               

Net cash provided by investing activities

    29,137     25,744     28,198  
               

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    1,241     902     1,990  

Dividends paid

    (33,634 )   (30,322 )   (27,098 )

Acquisition of treasury stock

        (43 )   (5,814 )
               

Net cash used for financing activities

    (32,393 )   (29,463 )   (30,922 )

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

             

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

             
               

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

  $   $   $  
               

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Supplementary Insurance Information

Schedule III

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  As of December 31,  
Segment
  Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
  Future Policy
Benefits,
Losses,
Claims and Loss
Expenses
  Unearned
Premiums
 

Property and Casualty Insurance

                   

2012

  $ 60,665   $ 423,842   $ 353,219  

2011

    56,715     403,872     329,562  

2010

    52,824     404,391     306,053  

 

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
Segment
  Premium
Revenue
  Net
Investment
Income
  Benefits,
Claims,
Losses, and
Settlement
Expenses
  Other
Operating
Expenses
  Premiums
Written
  Amortization of
Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
 

Property and Casualty Insurance

                                     

2012

  $ 642,469   $ 40,870   $ 422,217   $ 81,288   $ 663,942   $ 118,850  

2011

    598,368     39,060     466,640     68,362     620,316     110,795  

2010

    551,950     41,395     360,848     70,843     576,807     101,980  

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Reinsurance

Schedule IV

(Dollars in thousands)

Property and Casualty
Insurance Earned Premiums
  Gross
Amount
  Ceded to Other
Companies
  Assumed from
Other
Companies
  Net
Amount
  Percentage of
Amount
Assumed
to Net
 

Years ended December 31,

                               

2012

  $ 673,596   $ 48,037   $ 16,910   $ 642,469     2.6 %

2011

    626,483     43,905     15,790     598,368     2.6  

2010

    580,942     43,126     14,134     551,950     2.6  

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Schedule V

(Dollars in thousands)

 
   
  Additions    
   
 
 
  Balance at
Beginning
of Period
  Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
  Charged to
Other
Accounts
  Deductions(1)   Balance at
End
of Period
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts Years Ended December 31,

                               

2012

  $ 362   $ 1,253   $   $ 980   $ 635  

2011

    362     1,018         1,018     362  

2010

    210     1,231         1,079     362  

(1)
Deductions represent write-offs of accounts determined to be uncollectible.

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Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations

Schedule VI

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  As of December 31,   Years Ended
December 31,
 
Affiliation With Registrant
  Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
  Reserves for
Unpaid Claims
and Claims
Adjustment
Expenses
  Unearned
Premiums
  Earned
Premiums
  Net
Investment
Income
 

Consolidated Property & Casualty Subsidiaries

                               

2012

  $ 60,665   $ 423,842   $ 353,219   $ 642,469   $ 40,870  

2011

    56,716     403,872     329,562     598,368     39,060  

2010

    52,824     404,391     306,053     551,950     41,395  

 

 
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  Claims and Claims
Adjustment Expenses
Incurred Related to
   
   
   
 
 
  Amortization
of Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
   
   
 
 
  Paid Claims
and Claims
Adjustment
Expenses
   
 
Affiliation With Registrant
  Current
Year
  Prior
Year
  Premiums
Written
 

Consolidated Property & Casualty Subsidiaries

                               

2012

  $ 439,527   $ (17,310 ) $ 118,850   $ 402,658   $ 663,942  

2011

    503,323     (36,683 )   110,795     465,786     620,316  

2010

    409,005     (48,157 )   101,980     384,436     576,807  

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 18th day of March, 2013.

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.    

By:

 

/s/ DAVID F. BRUSSARD

David F. Brussard,
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

 


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David F. Brussard and William J. Begley, Jr., and each of them individually, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

Signature
 
Title
 
Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID F. BRUSSARD


David F. Brussard
 

President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board

  March 18, 2013


/s/ WILLIAM J. BEGLEY, JR.


William J. Begley, Jr.

 


Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary, and Principal Accounting Officer


 


March 18, 2013


/s/ A. RICHARD CAPUTO, JR.


A. Richard Caputo, Jr.

 


Director


 


March 18, 2013


/s/ FREDERIC H. LINDEBERG


Frederic H. Lindeberg

 


Director


 


March 18, 2013


/s/ PETER J. MANNING


Peter J. Manning

 


Director


 


March 18, 2013


/s/ DAVID K. MCKOWN


David K. McKown

 


Director


 


March 18, 2013

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SAFETY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
  Description
  3.1   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.(1)
  3.2   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.(1)
  4   Form of Stock Certificate for the Common Stock(1)
  10.1   Lease Agreement between Thomas Black Corporation and Aman, Inc. for the lease of office space located on the 1st through 6th, 11th and 12th floors of 20 Custom House Street, Boston, Massachusetts, dated June 11, 1987, and as amended on October 11, 1988, September 14, 1989, September 19, 1990, February 23, 1994, December 20, 1996, June 24, 2002, July 26, 2004 and April 5, 2007(2)
  10.2   Tax Indemnity Agreement by and among Safety Holdings, Inc. and the Management Team, dated October 16, 2001(1)
  10.3   2001 Restricted Stock Plan(1)(4)
  10.4   Executive Incentive Compensation Plan(1)(4)
  10.5   2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended(7)
  10.6   Reinsurance Terms Sheet between Safety Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, effective January 1, 2002(1)
  10.7   Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Program Terms Sheet between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Blanch Inc., effective January 1, 2002(1)
  10.8   Property Risk Excess of Loss Reinsurance Program Terms Sheet between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Blanch Inc., effective January 1, 2002(1)
  10.9   Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, effective July 1, 2003(1)
  10.10   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and David F. Brussard, as of December 31, 2008(3)(4)(11)
  10.11   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and William J. Begley, Jr., as of December 31, 2008(3)(4)(11)
  10.12   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Edward N. Patrick, Jr., as of December 31, 2008(3)(4)(11)
  10.13   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Daniel D. Loranger, as of December 31, 2008(3)(4)(11)
  10.14   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Robert J. Kerton, as of December 31, 2008(3)(4)(13)
  10.15   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and David E. Krupa, as of December 31, 2008(3)(4)(11)
  10.16   Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan—Basic Document(4)(5)(12)
  10.17   Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan—Adoption Agreement(4)(5)(12)
  10.18   Safety Insurance Company Executive Incentive Compensation Plan—Rabbi Trust Agreement(4)(5)(12)
  10.19   Form of Restricted Stock Notice and Agreement (with vesting) under the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan(4)(5)
  10.20   Form of Restricted Stock Notice and Agreement (without vesting) under the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan(4)(5)

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Exhibit
Number
  Description
  10.21   Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Notice and Agreement under the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan(4)(5)
  10.22   Form of Incentive Stock Option Notice and Agreement under the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan(4)(5)
  10.23   Form of Stock Appreciation Right Notice and Agreement under the 2002 Management Omnibus Incentive Plan(4)(5)
  10.24   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and James D. Berry, as of December 31, 2008(4)(6)(13)
  10.25   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and George M. Murphy, as of December 31, 2008(4)(6)(13)
  10.26   Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Blanch Inc., effective January 1, 2006(7)
  10.27   Property Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Blanch Inc., effective January 1, 2006(7)
  10.28   Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, effective January 1, 2006(7)
  10.29   Addendum No. 1 to Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, effective January 1, 2006(7)
  10.30   Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, effective January 1, 2006(7)
  10.31   Umbrella Liability Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, effective January 1, 2006(7)
  10.32   Addendum No. 1 to Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, effective April 1, 2006(7)
  10.33   Annual Performance Incentive Plan(4)(7)
  10.34   Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Inc., effective January 1, 2007(8)
  10.35   Addendum No.1 to Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Inc., adding Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company as a named reinsured company, effective January 1, 2007(8)
  10.36   Property Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Inc., effective January 1, 2007(8)
  10.37   Addendum No. 1 to Property Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Benfield Inc., adding Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company as a named reinsured company, effective January 1, 2007(8)
  10.38   Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation, effective January 1, 2007(8)
  10.39   Addendum No. 2 to Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation, effective January 1, 2007(8)

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Exhibit
Number
  Description
  10.40   Addendum No. 2 to Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, effective January 1, 2007(8)
  10.41   Addendum No. 1 to Umbrella Liability Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, adding Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company as a named reinsured company, effective September 1, 2007(9)
  10.42   Addendum No. 3 to Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Swiss Re America Corporation, adding Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company as a named reinsured company, effective September 1, 2007(9)
  10.43   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with RBS Citizens(10)
  10.44   Amendment to Annual Performance Incentive Plan(4)(11)
  10.45   Amendment to Management Omnibus Incentive Plan dated December 31, 2008(4)(11)
  10.46   Service Line for Homeowners Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company and The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, effective August 1, 2010(14)
  10.47   Equipment Breakdown for Homeowners Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company and the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, effective August 1, 2010(14)
  10.48   Amendment to Management Omnibus Incentive Plan dated August 4, 2010(4)(15)
  10.49   Umbrella Liability Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation Effective January 1, 2011(16)
  10.50   Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation Effective January 1, 2011(16)
  10.51   Excess Catastrophe Reinsurance Contract between Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company and Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company and AON Benfield Effective January 1, 2011(16)
  10.52   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and David F. Brussard, as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.53   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and William J. Begley, Jr., as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.54   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Daniel D. Loranger, as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.55   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Edward N. Patrick, Jr., as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.56   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and David E. Krupa, as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.57   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Robert J. Kerton, as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.58   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and James D. Berry, as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)

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Exhibit
Number
  Description
  10.59   Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and George M. Murphy, as of December 17, 2012(4)(17)
  10.60   Amendment to Management Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended dated March 11, 2013(4)(18)
  10.61   Form of Restricted Stock Notice and Agreement (with performance-based vesting) under the 2002 Management Omnibus Plan, as Amended(4)(18)
  21   Subsidiaries of Safety Insurance Group, Inc.(9)
  23   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP(18)
  24   Power of Attorney(1)
  31.1   CEO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18)
  31.2   CFO Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18)
  32.1   CEO Certification Pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18)
  32.2   CFO Certification Pursuant to U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18)
  101.INS   XBRL Instance Document(18)
  101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema(18)
  101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase(18)
  101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase(18)
  101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase(18)
  101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase(18)

(1)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-87056) filed April 26, 2002, and as amended on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-110676) filed on November 21, 2003 and as amended on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-140423) filed on February 2, 2007.

(2)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-87056) filed April 26, 2002, and as amended on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-110676) filed on November 21, 2003 and as amended on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-140423) filed on February 2, 2007, and as incorporated herein by reference on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007, as filed on August 9, 2007.

(3)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004 filed on November 9, 2004.

(4)
Denotes management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

(5)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed on March 16, 2005.

(6)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed on March 16, 2006.

(7)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed on March 1, 2007.

(8)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 filed on November 9, 2007.

(9)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed on March 14, 2008.

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(10)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2008.

(11)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on December 31, 2008.

(12)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, as filed on November 7, 2008.

(13)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed on March 13, 2009.

(14)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, as filed on August 6, 2010.

(15)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 14, 2011.

(16)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, as filed on November 8, 2011.

(17)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2012.

(18)
Included herein.

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