TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
_________________________________________________________
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
___________________________________________________________________
Commission file number: 001-10898
___________________________________________________________________
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________________________
Minnesota | 41-0518860 | |||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
485 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(917) 778-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_________________________________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Common stock, without par value | TRV | New York Stock Exchange |
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ý | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ý
The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at October 16, 2020 was 253,308,761.
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2020
_________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
Item 1. | ||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) — Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 | ||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) — Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 | ||||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheet — September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2019 | ||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) — Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 | ||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 | ||||||||
Item 2. | ||||||||
Item 3. | ||||||||
Item 4. | ||||||||
Item 1. | ||||||||
Item 1A. | ||||||||
Item 2. | ||||||||
Item 5. | ||||||||
Item 6. | ||||||||
2
PART 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 7,380 | $ | 7,179 | $ | 21,564 | $ | 21,022 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 671 | 622 | 1,550 | 1,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 101 | 121 | 323 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 37 | 23 | (48) | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 86 | 68 | 195 | 197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 8,275 | 8,013 | 23,584 | 23,518 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses | 4,886 | 5,230 | 14,782 | 14,493 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 1,207 | 1,169 | 3,558 | 3,420 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 1,109 | 1,098 | 3,367 | 3,280 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 87 | 84 | 256 | 261 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total claims and expenses | 7,289 | 7,581 | 21,963 | 21,454 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 986 | 432 | 1,621 | 2,064 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 159 | 36 | 234 | 315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 827 | $ | 396 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,749 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 3.24 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 5.44 | $ | 6.65 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 3.23 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 5.41 | $ | 6.59 | ||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 253.3 | 259.2 | 253.5 | 261.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 254.3 | 261.8 | 254.5 | 263.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.85 | $ | 0.82 | $ | 2.52 | $ | 2.41 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 827 | $ | 396 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,749 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in net unrealized gains on investment securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income | 217 | 605 | 2,001 | 3,129 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income | (7) | (3) | (10) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations | 20 | 14 | 64 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation | 79 | (75) | (137) | (20) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income before income taxes | 309 | 541 | 1,918 | 3,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 53 | 122 | 420 | 663 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes | 256 | 419 | 1,498 | 2,484 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | 1,083 | $ | 815 | $ | 2,885 | $ | 4,233 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost $67,736 and $65,281; allowance for expected credit losses of $4 at September 30, 2020) | $ | 72,574 | $ | 68,134 | ||||||||||
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $381 and $376) | 410 | 425 | ||||||||||||
Real estate investments | 957 | 963 | ||||||||||||
Short-term securities | 6,329 | 4,943 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 3,291 | 3,419 | ||||||||||||
Total investments | 83,561 | 77,884 | ||||||||||||
Cash | 583 | 494 | ||||||||||||
Investment income accrued | 554 | 618 | ||||||||||||
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for expected credit losses of $96 at September 30, 2020) | 8,225 | 7,909 | ||||||||||||
Reinsurance recoverables (net of allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance of $140 at September 30, 2020) | 8,317 | 8,235 | ||||||||||||
Ceded unearned premiums | 902 | 689 | ||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 2,406 | 2,273 | ||||||||||||
Contractholder receivables (net of allowance for expected credit losses of $21 at September 30, 2020) | 4,347 | 4,599 | ||||||||||||
Goodwill | 3,945 | 3,961 | ||||||||||||
Other intangible assets | 318 | 330 | ||||||||||||
Other assets | 3,226 | 3,130 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 116,384 | $ | 110,122 | ||||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves | $ | 54,418 | $ | 51,849 | ||||||||||
Unearned premium reserves | 15,542 | 14,604 | ||||||||||||
Contractholder payables | 4,368 | 4,619 | ||||||||||||
Payables for reinsurance premiums | 555 | 363 | ||||||||||||
Deferred taxes | 448 | 137 | ||||||||||||
Debt | 7,050 | 6,558 | ||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 6,154 | 6,049 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 88,535 | 84,179 | ||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | ||||||||||||||
Common stock (1,750.0 shares authorized; 253.3 and 255.5 shares issued and outstanding) | 23,646 | 23,469 | ||||||||||||
Retained earnings | 37,679 | 36,977 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,138 | 640 | ||||||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (525.9 and 522.1 shares) | (35,614) | (35,143) | ||||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 27,849 | 25,943 | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 116,384 | $ | 110,122 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 23,606 | $ | 23,372 | $ | 23,469 | $ | 23,144 | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee share-based compensation | 8 | 28 | 64 | 173 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation amortization under share-based plans and other changes | 32 | 32 | 113 | 115 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | 23,646 | 23,432 | 23,646 | 23,432 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 37,069 | 36,135 | 36,977 | 35,204 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
— | — | (43) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 827 | 396 | 1,387 | 1,749 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | (218) | (215) | (646) | (636) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | 37,679 | 36,317 | 37,679 | 36,317 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 1,882 | 206 | 640 | (1,859) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 256 | 419 | 1,498 | 2,484 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | 2,138 | 625 | 2,138 | 625 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | (35,614) | (34,392) | (35,143) | (33,595) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization | — | (375) | (425) | (1,125) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net shares acquired related to employee share-based compensation plans | — | — | (46) | (47) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | (35,614) | (34,767) | (35,614) | (34,767) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | $ | 27,849 | $ | 25,607 | $ | 27,849 | $ | 25,607 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | 253.2 | 260.3 | 255.5 | 263.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization | — | (2.5) | (3.5) | (8.0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net shares issued under employee share-based compensation plans | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | 253.3 | 258.1 | 253.3 | 258.1 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,749 | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses | 48 | (101) | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 577 | 581 | ||||||||||||
Deferred federal income tax benefit | (67) | (10) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 3,558 | 3,420 | ||||||||||||
Equity in (income) loss from other investments | 32 | (196) | ||||||||||||
Premiums receivable | (324) | (611) | ||||||||||||
Reinsurance recoverables | (150) | 212 | ||||||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | (3,694) | (3,619) | ||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves | 2,673 | 927 | ||||||||||||
Unearned premium reserves | 960 | 1,350 | ||||||||||||
Other | (382) | 91 | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 4,618 | 3,793 | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities | 5,241 | 4,895 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of investments: | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | 1,994 | 1,801 | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | 76 | 99 | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 184 | 346 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of investments: | ||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | (9,951) | (8,234) | ||||||||||||
Equity securities | (80) | (62) | ||||||||||||
Real estate investments | (33) | (95) | ||||||||||||
Other investments | (321) | (369) | ||||||||||||
Net purchases of short-term securities | (1,387) | (617) | ||||||||||||
Securities transactions in course of settlement | 522 | 432 | ||||||||||||
Other | (222) | (243) | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (3,977) | (2,047) | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||||
Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization | (425) | (1,125) | ||||||||||||
Treasury stock acquired — net employee share-based compensation | (46) | (47) | ||||||||||||
Dividends paid to shareholders | (643) | (633) | ||||||||||||
Payment of debt | — | (500) | ||||||||||||
Issuance of debt | 490 | 492 | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock — employee share options | 72 | 206 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (552) | (1,607) | ||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | — | (4) | ||||||||||||
Net increase in cash | 89 | 135 | ||||||||||||
Cash at beginning of year | 494 | 373 | ||||||||||||
Cash at end of period | $ | 583 | $ | 508 | ||||||||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||||||||
Income taxes paid | $ | 413 | $ | 367 | ||||||||||
Interest paid | $ | 226 | $ | 231 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
7
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the Company). These financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are unaudited. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected. Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, but that is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been omitted. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the Company’s 2019 Annual Report).
The preparation of the interim consolidated 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 interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and claims and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2019 financial statements to conform to the 2020 presentation.
Adoption of Accounting Standards
Registered Debt Offerings that Include Credit Enhancements from an Affiliate
In March 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to the financial disclosure requirements related to certain debt securities, including registered debt securities issued by a wholly-owned, operating subsidiary that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the parent company. Prior to the amendments, a parent guarantor was required to provide condensed consolidating financial information for so long as the guaranteed securities were outstanding, regardless of whether the subsidiary issuer could have suspended its public reporting obligations under the applicable SEC requirements with respect to the securities. In accordance with the amended requirements, a parent guarantor may cease providing the condensed consolidating financial information if the corresponding subsidiary issuer’s public reporting obligation is suspended. The amendments to the financial disclosure requirements are effective on January 4, 2021; however, the SEC permits voluntary compliance in advance of the effective date. The Company elected to apply the amended requirements beginning with the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and is no longer providing condensed consolidating financial information that resulted from the registered debt obligations of its subsidiaries, Travelers Property Casualty Corp. and Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., that were disclosed in note 8 of the financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued updated guidance for the accounting for credit losses for financial instruments. The updated guidance applies a new credit loss model (current expected credit losses or CECL) for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (including reinsurance recoverables and structured settlements that are recorded as part of reinsurance recoverables) and requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures. The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. The expected credit losses, and subsequent adjustments to such losses, are recorded through an allowance account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the consolidated balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected.
The updated guidance also amends the previous other-than-temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities by requiring the recognition of impairments relating to credit losses through an allowance account and limits the amount of credit loss to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. In addition, the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists.
8
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued
For available-for-sale debt securities, the updated guidance was applied prospectively. For financial instruments measured at amortized cost, the updated guidance was applied by a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of January 1, 2020, the beginning of the period of adoption. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of an after-tax cumulative effect adjustment of $43 million to reflect the impact of recognizing expected credit losses, as compared to incurred credit losses recognized under the previous guidance. This adjustment is primarily associated with structured settlements that are recorded as part of reinsurance recoverables. The cumulative effect adjustment decreased retained earnings as of January 1, 2020 and increased the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance.
For additional information regarding accounting standards that the Company adopted during the periods presented, see note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
For information regarding accounting standards that the Company has not yet adopted, see the “Other Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted” section of note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Accounting Policies
The following accounting policies have been updated to reflect the Company's adoption of Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments as described above.
Investment Impairments
The Company conducts a periodic review to identify and evaluate invested assets that may have credit impairments.
Credit Impairments of Fixed Maturity Investments
Some of the factors considered in assessing impairment of fixed maturity investments due to credit-related factors include: (1) the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; (2) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects for the issuer, including the relevant industry conditions and trends, and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices; (3) the likelihood of the recoverability of principal and interest; and (4) whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investment prior to an anticipated recovery in value.
Beginning on January 1, 2020, credit losses are recognized through an allowance account. See note 1 - Adoption of Accounting Standards - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments for additional information.
For fixed maturity investments that the Company does not intend to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company would not be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the Company separates the credit loss component of the impairment from the amount related to all other factors and reports the credit loss component in net realized investment gains (losses). The impairment related to all other factors (non-credit factors) is reported in other comprehensive income. The allowance is adjusted for any additional credit losses and subsequent recoveries. Upon recognizing a credit loss, the cost basis is not adjusted.
For fixed maturity investments where the Company records a credit loss, a determination is made as to the cause of the impairment and whether the Company expects a recovery in the value. For fixed maturity investments where the Company expects a recovery in value, the constant effective yield method is utilized, and the investment is amortized to par.
For fixed maturity investments the Company intends to sell or for which it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before an anticipated recovery in value, the full amount of the impairment is included in net realized investment gains (losses). The new cost basis of the investment is the previous amortized cost basis less the impairment recognized in net realized investment gains (losses). The new cost basis is not adjusted for any subsequent recoveries in fair value.
9
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued
The Company reports investment income accrued separately from fixed maturity investments, available for sale, and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for investment income accrued. Investment income accrued is written off through net realized investment gains (losses) at the time the issuer of the bond defaults or is expected to default on payments.
Uncollectible available-for-sale debt securities are written-off when the Company determines that no additional payments of principal or interest will be received.
Reinsurance Recoverables
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the associated claim liability. Included in reinsurance recoverables are amounts related to certain structured settlements. The Company reports its reinsurance recoverables net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance. The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, length of collection periods, changes in reinsurer credit standing, disputes, applicable coverage defenses and other relevant factors. For structured settlements, the allowance is also based upon the Company’s ongoing review of life insurers’ creditworthiness and estimated amounts of coverage that would be available from state guaranty funds if a life insurer defaults. A probability-of-default methodology which reflects current and forecasted economic conditions is used to estimate the amount of uncollectible reinsurance due to credit-related factors and the estimate is reported in an allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance. The allowance also includes estimated uncollectible amounts related to dispute risk with reinsurers. Amounts deemed to be uncollectible, including amounts due from known insolvent reinsurers, are written off against the allowance. Changes in the allowance, as well as any subsequent collections of amounts previously written off, are reported as part of claims and claim adjustment expenses. The Company evaluates and monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers under voluntary reinsurance arrangements to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies.
Contractholder Receivables and Payables
Under certain workers’ compensation insurance contracts with deductible features, the Company is obligated to pay the claimant for the full amount of the claim. The Company is subsequently reimbursed by the policyholder for the deductible amount. These amounts are included on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheet in both contractholder payables and contractholder receivables. Contractholder receivables are reported net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, changes in policyholder credit standing, and other relevant factors. A probability-of-default methodology which reflects current and forecasted economic conditions is used to estimate the allowance for expected credit losses.
Premiums and Unearned Premium Reserves
Premiums are recognized as revenues pro rata over the policy period. Unearned premium reserves represent the unexpired portion of policy premiums. Accrued retrospective premiums are included in premium balances receivable. Premium balances receivable are reported net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance is based upon the Company’s ongoing review of amounts outstanding, historical loss data, including delinquencies and write-offs, current and forecasted economic conditions and other relevant factors. Credit risk is partially mitigated by the Company’s ability to cancel the policy if the policyholder does not pay the premium.
10
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Nature of Operations
The Company’s results are reported in the following three business segments — Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance and Personal Insurance. These segments reflect the manner in which the Company’s businesses are currently managed and represent an aggregation of products and services based on the type of customer, how the business is marketed and the manner in which risks are underwritten. For more information regarding the Company’s nature of operations, see the “Nature of Operations” section of note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s revenues, income and total assets by reportable business segments:
(For the three months ended September 30, in millions) | Business Insurance | Bond & Specialty Insurance | Personal Insurance | Total Reportable Segments | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 3,841 | $ | 723 | $ | 2,816 | $ | 7,380 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 498 | 58 | 115 | 671 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 95 | — | 6 | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 58 | 7 | 21 | 86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment revenues (1) | $ | 4,492 | $ | 788 | $ | 2,958 | $ | 8,238 | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment income (1) | $ | 365 | $ | 115 | $ | 392 | $ | 872 | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 3,882 | $ | 653 | $ | 2,644 | $ | 7,179 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 457 | 59 | 106 | 622 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 114 | — | 7 | 121 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 39 | 7 | 22 | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment revenues (1) | $ | 4,492 | $ | 719 | $ | 2,779 | $ | 7,990 | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment income (1) | $ | 179 | $ | 139 | $ | 131 | $ | 449 |
_________________________________________________________
(1)Segment revenues for reportable business segments exclude net realized investment gains (losses) and revenues included in "interest expense and other." Segment income for reportable business segments equals net income excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains (losses) and income (loss) from "interest expense and other."
11
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued
(For the nine months ended September 30, in millions) | Business Insurance | Bond & Specialty Insurance | Personal Insurance | Total Reportable Segments | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 11,440 | $ | 2,083 | $ | 8,041 | $ | 21,564 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 1,131 | 155 | 264 | 1,550 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 305 | — | 18 | 323 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 125 | 17 | 53 | 195 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment revenues (1) | $ | 13,001 | $ | 2,255 | $ | 8,376 | $ | 23,632 | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment income (1) | $ | 596 | $ | 309 | $ | 738 | $ | 1,643 | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 11,407 | $ | 1,891 | $ | 7,724 | $ | 21,022 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 1,365 | 173 | 314 | 1,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 329 | — | 17 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 112 | 19 | 65 | 196 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment revenues (1) | $ | 13,213 | $ | 2,083 | $ | 8,120 | $ | 23,416 | ||||||||||||||||||
Segment income (1) | $ | 944 | $ | 451 | $ | 497 | $ | 1,892 |
_________________________________________________________
(1)Segment revenues for reportable business segments exclude net realized investment gains (losses) and revenues included in "interest expense and other." Segment income for reportable business segments equals net income excluding the after-tax impact of net realized investment gains (losses) and income (loss) from "interest expense and other."
12
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued
Business Segment Reconciliations
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue reconciliation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earned premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Workers’ compensation | $ | 851 | $ | 969 | $ | 2,568 | $ | 2,891 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commercial automobile | 698 | 672 | 2,058 | 1,947 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial property | 522 | 496 | 1,544 | 1,429 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General liability | 605 | 594 | 1,786 | 1,746 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial multi-peril | 891 | 872 | 2,660 | 2,568 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 15 | 12 | 38 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 3,582 | 3,615 | 10,654 | 10,610 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 259 | 267 | 786 | 797 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Business Insurance | 3,841 | 3,882 | 11,440 | 11,407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Bond & Specialty Insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fidelity and surety | 277 | 265 | 805 | 769 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General liability | 310 | 276 | 893 | 799 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 60 | 54 | 178 | 159 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 647 | 595 | 1,876 | 1,727 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 76 | 58 | 207 | 164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bond & Specialty Insurance | 723 | 653 | 2,083 | 1,891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal Insurance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automobile | 1,391 | 1,344 | 3,896 | 3,962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners and Other | 1,262 | 1,119 | 3,659 | 3,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 2,653 | 2,463 | 7,555 | 7,198 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 163 | 181 | 486 | 526 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Personal Insurance | 2,816 | 2,644 | 8,041 | 7,724 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total earned premiums | 7,380 | 7,179 | 21,564 | 21,022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 671 | 622 | 1,550 | 1,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 101 | 121 | 323 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 86 | 68 | 195 | 196 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment revenues | 8,238 | 7,990 | 23,632 | 23,416 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 37 | 23 | (48) | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 8,275 | $ | 8,013 | $ | 23,584 | $ | 23,518 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income reconciliation, net of tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total segment income | $ | 872 | $ | 449 | $ | 1,643 | $ | 1,892 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense and Other (1) | (74) | (71) | (219) | (222) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Core income | 798 | 378 | 1,424 | 1,670 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 29 | 18 | (37) | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 827 | $ | 396 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,749 |
_________________________________________________________
(1) The primary component of Interest Expense and Other was after-tax interest expense of $69 million and $66 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $202 million and $206 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
13
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Asset reconciliation | ||||||||||||||
Business Insurance | $ | 88,040 | $ | 83,896 | ||||||||||
Bond & Specialty Insurance | 9,483 | 8,599 | ||||||||||||
Personal Insurance | 18,230 | 17,015 | ||||||||||||
Total assets by reportable segment | 115,753 | 109,510 | ||||||||||||
Other assets (1) | 631 | 612 | ||||||||||||
Total consolidated assets | $ | 116,384 | $ | 110,122 |
_________________________________________________________
(1)The primary components of other assets at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were accrued over-funded benefit plan assets related to the Company’s qualified domestic pension plan and other intangible assets.
3. INVESTMENTS
Fixed Maturities
The amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturities classified as available for sale were as follows:
Amortized Cost | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(at September 30, 2020, in millions) | Gains | Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities | $ | 2,083 | $ | — | $ | 43 | $ | — | $ | 2,126 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Local general obligation | 17,019 | — | 1,267 | 8 | 18,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 11,871 | — | 829 | 6 | 12,694 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State general obligation | 1,160 | — | 91 | — | 1,251 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-refunded | 2,458 | — | 160 | — | 2,618 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 32,508 | — | 2,347 | 14 | 34,841 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 952 | — | 27 | — | 979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities | 2,572 | — | 158 | — | 2,730 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All other corporate bonds | 29,599 | 4 | 2,314 | 35 | 31,874 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 22 | — | 2 | — | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 67,736 | $ | 4 | $ | 4,891 | $ | 49 | $ | 72,574 |
14
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
3. INVESTMENTS, Continued
Amortized | Gross Unrealized | Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(at December 31, 2019, in millions) | Cost | Gains | Losses | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities | $ | 2,076 | $ | 19 | $ | — | $ | 2,095 | ||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Local general obligation | 15,490 | 829 | 4 | 16,315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | 9,731 | 586 | 2 | 10,315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
State general obligation | 1,167 | 64 | — | 1,231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-refunded | 1,968 | 88 | — | 2,056 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 28,356 | 1,567 | 6 | 29,917 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 1,167 | 8 | 2 | 1,173 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities | 3,192 | 91 | 3 | 3,280 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All other corporate bonds | 30,442 | 1,195 | 18 | 31,619 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 48 | 2 | — | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 65,281 | $ | 2,882 | $ | 29 | $ | 68,134 |
Pre-refunded bonds of $2.62 billion and $2.06 billion at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, were bonds for which states or municipalities have established irrevocable trusts, almost exclusively comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities. These trusts were created to fund the payment of principal and interest due under the bonds.
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities classified as available for sale were $1.99 billion and $1.80 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Gross gains of $52 million and $51 million and gross losses of $3 million and $6 million were realized on those sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Equity Securities
The cost and fair value of investments in equity securities were as follows:
Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(at September 30, 2020, in millions) | Cost | Gross Gains | Gross Losses | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Public common stock | $ | 346 | $ | 44 | $ | 22 | $ | 368 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-redeemable preferred stock | 35 | 8 | 1 | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 381 | $ | 52 | $ | 23 | $ | 410 |
Fair | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(at December 31, 2019, in millions) | Cost | Gross Gains | Gross Losses | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Public common stock | $ | 341 | $ | 45 | $ | 3 | $ | 383 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-redeemable preferred stock | 35 | 7 | — | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 376 | $ | 52 | $ | 3 | $ | 425 |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $(14) million and $49 million of net gains (losses) on equity securities still held as of September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net realized investment losses on equity securities still held for the first nine months of 2020 were driven by the impact of changes in fair value attributable to the volatility in global financial markets associated with the global pandemic beginning in March 2020 related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
15
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
3. INVESTMENTS, Continued
Unrealized Investment Losses
The following tables summarize, for all investments in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. The fair value amounts reported in the tables are estimates that are prepared using the process described in note 4 herein and in note 4 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report. The Company also relies upon estimates of several credit and non-credit factors in its review and evaluation of individual investments, using the process described in note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements to determine whether credit impairment exists.
Less than 12 months | 12 months or longer | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(at September 30, 2020, in millions) | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities | $ | 169 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 169 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 1,751 | 14 | — | — | 1,751 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 14 | — | — | — | 14 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities | 11 | — | 1 | — | 12 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All other corporate bonds | 1,095 | 28 | 120 | 7 | 1,215 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,040 | $ | 42 | $ | 121 | $ | 7 | $ | 3,161 | $ | 49 |
Less than 12 months | 12 months or longer | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(at December 31, 2019, in millions) | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities | $ | 5 | $ | — | $ | 193 | $ | — | $ | 198 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 668 | 6 | 12 | — | 680 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 257 | 1 | 147 | 1 | 404 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities | 399 | 2 | 131 | 1 | 530 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All other corporate bonds | 1,571 | 10 | 662 | 8 | 2,233 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,900 | $ | 19 | $ | 1,145 | $ | 10 | $ | 4,045 | $ | 29 |
At September 30, 2020, the amount of gross unrealized losses for all fixed maturity investments reported at fair value for which fair value was less than 80% of amortized cost was not significant.
16
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
3. INVESTMENTS, Continued
Credit Impairment Charges
The following tables present changes in the allowance for expected credit losses on fixed maturities classified as available for sale:
Fixed Maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||
(for the three months ended September 30, 2020 in millions) | Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through Securities | All Other Corporate Bonds | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, July 1, 2020 | $ | — | $ | 8 | $ | 8 | ||||||||||||||
Additions for expected credit losses on securities where no credit losses were previously recognized | — | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Additions (reductions) for expected credit losses on securities where credit losses were previously recognized | — | (3) | (3) | |||||||||||||||||
Reductions due to sales/defaults of credit-impaired securities | — | (2) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||
Reductions for impairments of securities which the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell (1) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | — | $ | 4 | $ | 4 |
Fixed Maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||
(for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 in millions) | Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through Securities | All Other Corporate Bonds | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2020 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
Additions for expected credit losses on securities where no credit losses were previously recognized | — | 9 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||
Additions (reductions) for expected credit losses on securities where credit losses were previously recognized | — | (3) | (3) | |||||||||||||||||
Reductions due to sales/defaults of credit-impaired securities | — | (2) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||
Reductions for impairments of securities which the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell (1) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | — | $ | 4 | $ | 4 |
_________________________________________________________
(1)Credit impairment charges recognized in net realized investment gains (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 included $14 million of credit losses on fixed maturity securities which the Company intends to sell. An allowance for expected credit losses was not previously recorded for these securities.
Total net credit impairment charges (recoveries) included in net realized investment gains (losses) in the consolidated statement of income were $(4) million and $0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $58 million and $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Additionally, net realized investment gains (losses) in the first nine months of 2020 included $40 million of realized losses related to the other-than-temporary impairment of the carrying value of an equity method investment included in other investments. Credit losses related to the fixed maturity portfolio for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 represented less than 1% of the fixed maturity portfolio on a pre-tax basis and less than 1% of shareholders’ equity on an after-tax basis at both September 30, 2020 and 2019.
17
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
3. INVESTMENTS, Continued
Other Investments
Included in other investments are private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and typically report their financial statement information to the Company one month to three months following the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, the impact of any volatility in global financial markets, including the impact of COVID-19 during 2020, on net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis.
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available. The disclosure of fair value estimates in the fair value accounting guidance hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is reported is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
•Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
•Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
•Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use.
Valuation of Investments Reported at Fair Value in Financial Statements
The Company utilized a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 99% of its fixed maturities at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
While the vast majority of the Company’s fixed maturities are included in Level 2, the Company holds a number of municipal bonds and corporate bonds which are not valued by the pricing service and also estimates the fair value of these bonds using another internal pricing matrix that includes some unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. Due to the limited amount of observable market information, the Company includes the fair value estimates for these particular bonds in Level 3. The fair value of the fixed maturities for which the Company used this internal pricing matrix was $89 million and $73 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Additionally, the Company holds a small amount of other fixed maturity investments that have characteristics that make them unsuitable for matrix pricing. For these fixed maturities, the Company obtains a quote from a broker (primarily the market maker). The fair value of the fixed maturities for which the Company received a broker quote was $3 million and $28 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Due to the disclaimers on the quotes that indicate that the price is indicative only, the Company includes these fair value estimates in Level 3.
For more information regarding the valuation of the Company’s fixed maturities, equity securities and other investments, see note 4 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Other Liabilities
The Company has a put/call option that was entered into in connection with a business acquisition that allows the Company to acquire the remaining shares of the acquired company at a future date. The fair value of the put/call at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $7 million and $8 million, respectively, and was determined using an internal model and is based on
18
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued
the acquired company's financial performance, adjusted for a risk margin and discounted to present value. The Company includes the fair value estimate of the put/call in Level 3.
Fair Value Hierarchy
The following tables present the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are measured on a recurring basis.
(at September 30, 2020, in millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Invested assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities | $ | 2,126 | $ | 2,126 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 34,841 | — | 34,830 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 979 | — | 979 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities | 2,730 | — | 2,730 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All other corporate bonds | 31,874 | 6 | 31,787 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 24 | — | 24 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities | 72,574 | 2,132 | 70,350 | 92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public common stock | 368 | 368 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-redeemable preferred stock | 42 | 21 | 21 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity securities | 410 | 389 | 21 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments | 48 | 14 | — | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 73,032 | $ | 2,535 | $ | 70,371 | $ | 126 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | 7 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7 |
19
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued
(at December 31, 2019, in millions) | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Invested assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities | $ | 2,095 | $ | 2,095 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions | 29,917 | — | 29,905 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by foreign governments | 1,173 | — | 1,173 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities | 3,280 | — | 3,280 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
All other corporate bonds | 31,619 | — | 31,530 | 89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Redeemable preferred stock | 50 | — | 50 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total fixed maturities | 68,134 | 2,095 | 65,938 | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public common stock | 383 | 383 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-redeemable preferred stock | 42 | 13 | 29 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity securities | 425 | 396 | 29 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments | 36 | 16 | — | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 68,595 | $ | 2,507 | $ | 65,967 | $ | 121 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | $ | 8 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 8 |
There was no significant activity in Level 3 of the hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 or the year ended December 31, 2019.
Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value
The following tables present the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value, and the level within the fair value hierarchy at which such assets and liabilities are categorized.
(at September 30, 2020, in millions) | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term securities | $ | 6,329 | $ | 6,329 | $ | 977 | $ | 5,307 | $ | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | $ | 6,950 | $ | 9,083 | $ | — | $ | 9,083 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper | $ | 100 | $ | 100 | $ | — | $ | 100 | $ | — |
(at December 31, 2019, in millions) | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term securities | $ | 4,943 | $ | 4,943 | $ | 685 | $ | 4,204 | $ | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | $ | 6,458 | $ | 8,049 | $ | — | $ | 8,049 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper | $ | 100 | $ | 100 | $ | — | $ | 100 | $ | — |
The Company had no material assets or liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 or year ended December 31, 2019.
20
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
5. ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES
Premiums Receivable
The following tables present the balances of premiums receivable, net of the allowance for expected credit losses, at September 30, 2020 and January 1, 2020, and the changes in the allowance for expected credit losses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
At and For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | At and For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Premiums Receivable, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Premiums Receivable, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 8,459 | $ | 94 | $ | 7,909 | $ | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current period change for expected credit losses | 17 | 84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Write-offs of uncollectible premiums receivable | 15 | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 8,225 | $ | 96 | $ | 8,225 | $ | 96 | ||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance Recoverables
The following tables present the balances of reinsurance recoverables, net of the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance, at September 30, 2020 and January 1, 2020, and the changes in the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
At and For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | At and For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Reinsurance Recoverables, Net of Allowance for Estimated Uncollectible Reinsurance | Allowance for Estimated Uncollectible Reinsurance | Reinsurance Recoverables, Net of Allowance for Estimated Uncollectible Reinsurance | Allowance for Estimated Uncollectible Reinsurance | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 8,093 | $ | 156 | $ | 8,235 | $ | 92 | ||||||||||||||||||
— | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current period change for estimated uncollectible reinsurance | (16) | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Write-offs of uncollectible reinsurance recoverables | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 8,317 | $ | 140 | $ | 8,317 | $ | 140 | ||||||||||||||||||
Of the total reinsurance recoverables at September 30, 2020, after deducting mandatory pools and associations and before allowances for estimated uncollectible reinsurance, $5.82 billion, or 88%, were rated by A.M. Best Company. The Company utilizes updated A.M. Best credit ratings on a quarterly basis when determining the allowance. Of the total rated by A.M. Best Company, 93% were rated A- or better. The remaining 12% of reinsurance recoverables were comprised of the following: 6% related to captive insurance companies, 1% related to the Company’s participation in voluntary pools, and 5% were balances from other companies not rated by A.M. Best Company. Certain of the Company's reinsurance recoverables are collateralized by letters of credit, funds held or trust agreements.
21
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
5. ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES, Continued
Contractholder Receivables
The following tables present the balances of contractholder receivables, net of the allowance for expected credit losses, at September 30, 2020 and January 1, 2020, and the changes in the allowance for expected credit losses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
At and For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | At and For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Contractholder Receivables, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Contractholder Receivables, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | Allowance for Expected Credit Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 4,314 | $ | 22 | $ | 4,599 | $ | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current period change for expected credit losses | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Write-offs of uncollectible contractholder receivables | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 4,347 | $ | 21 | $ | 4,347 | $ | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||
6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The following table presents the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill by segment. Each reportable segment includes goodwill associated with the Company’s international business which is subject to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Business Insurance | $ | 2,589 | $ | 2,601 | ||||||||||
Bond & Specialty Insurance | 550 | 550 | ||||||||||||
Personal Insurance | 780 | 784 | ||||||||||||
Other | 26 | 26 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,945 | $ | 3,961 |
Other Intangible Assets
The following tables present a summary of the Company’s other intangible assets by major asset class.
(at September 30, 2020, in millions) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||||||||||
Subject to amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||
Customer-related | $ | 98 | $ | 28 | $ | 70 | ||||||||||||||
Contract-based (1) | 204 | 182 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||
Total subject to amortization | 302 | 210 | 92 | |||||||||||||||||
Not subject to amortization | 226 | — | 226 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 528 | $ | 210 | $ | 318 |
22
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Continued
(at December 31, 2019, in millions) | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | |||||||||||||||||
Subject to amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||
Customer-related | $ | 99 | $ | 21 | $ | 78 | ||||||||||||||
Contract-based (1) | 205 | 179 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||
Total subject to amortization | 304 | 200 | 104 | |||||||||||||||||
Not subject to amortization | 226 | — | 226 | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 530 | $ | 200 | $ | 330 |
_________________________________________________________
(1)Contract-based intangible assets subject to amortization are comprised of fair value adjustments on claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, reinsurance recoverables and other contract-related intangible assets. Fair value adjustments recorded in connection with insurance acquisitions were based on management’s estimate of nominal claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables. The method used calculated a risk adjustment to a risk-free discounted reserve that would, if reserves ran off as expected, produce results that yielded the assumed cost-of-capital on the capital supporting the loss reserves. The fair value adjustments are reported as other intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheet, and the amounts measured in accordance with the acquirer’s accounting policies for insurance contracts have been reported as part of the claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and reinsurance recoverables. The intangible assets are being recognized into income over the expected payment pattern. Because the time value of money and the risk adjustment (cost of capital) components of the intangible assets run off at different rates, the amount recognized in income may be a net benefit in some periods and a net expense in other periods.
Amortization expense of intangible assets was $4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and $11 million and $12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for all intangible assets subject to amortization is estimated to be $4 million for the remainder of 2020, $14 million in 2021, $13 million in 2022, $12 million in 2023 and $12 million in 2024. Amortization expense for intangible assets arising from insurance contracts acquired in a business combination is estimated to be $1 million for the remainder of 2020, $4 million in 2021, $3 million in 2022, $3 million in 2023 and $2 million in 2024.
7. INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVES
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves were as follows:
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Property-casualty | $ | 54,406 | $ | 51,836 | ||||||||||
Accident and health | 12 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 54,418 | $ | 51,849 |
23
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
7. INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVES, Continued
The following table presents a reconciliation of beginning and ending property casualty reserve balances for claims and claim adjustment expenses:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at beginning of year | $ | 51,836 | $ | 50,653 | ||||||||||
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses | 8,035 | 8,182 | ||||||||||||
53 | — | |||||||||||||
Net reserves at beginning of year | 43,854 | 42,471 | ||||||||||||
Estimated claims and claim adjustment expenses for claims arising in the current year | 14,809 | 14,193 | ||||||||||||
Estimated increase (decrease) in claims and claim adjustment expenses for claims arising in prior years | (108) | 214 | ||||||||||||
Total increases | 14,701 | 14,407 | ||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expense payments for claims arising in: | ||||||||||||||
Current year | 4,960 | 5,174 | ||||||||||||
Prior years | 7,246 | 8,034 | ||||||||||||
Total payments | 12,206 | 13,208 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss | (62) | 12 | ||||||||||||
Net reserves at end of period | 46,287 | 43,682 | ||||||||||||
Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses | 8,119 | 7,916 | ||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at end of period | $ | 54,406 | $ | 51,598 |
Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at September 30, 2020 increased by $2.57 billion from December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020, (ii) loss cost trends for the current accident year and (iii) reduced claim settlement activity largely due to the disruptions in the judicial system related to COVID-19.
Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses at September 30, 2020 increased by $84 million from December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and the asbestos reserve increase in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by cash collections in the first nine months of 2020 and the $53 million increase in the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance from the at January 1, 2020.
Beginning in late March, in response to COVID-19, a number of states have enacted changes designed to effectively expand workers’ compensation coverage by creating a presumption of compensability for certain types of workers. In addition, other states are considering similar changes. Depending on the number of states that institute such changes and the terms of the changes, the Company could experience elevated claims frequency and severity for its workers’ compensation line, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations.
PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (together, PG&E) emerged from bankruptcy on July 1, 2020, the date the Debtors' and Shareholder Proponents' Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization Dated June 19, 2020 (the Plan) became effective. In accordance with the terms of the Plan, PG&E funded a trust from which the Company and other subrogation claimants have received, and/or will receive, recoveries related to the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company recognized a subrogation benefit related to these claims of $403 million (the Company's estimate of its total recoveries from the trust prior to its expiration in 2025, pre-tax and net of expenses and amounts that inure to the benefit of the Company's reinsurers) and received payments from the trust of $366 million.
24
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
7. INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVES, Continued
Prior Year Reserve Development
The following disclosures regarding reserve development are on a “net of reinsurance” basis.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, estimated claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred included $108 million and $(214) million, respectively, of net favorable (unfavorable) development for claims arising in prior years, including $171 million and $(120) million, respectively, of net favorable (unfavorable) prior year reserve development, and $36 million and $37 million, respectively, of accretion of discount in each period that impacted the Company's results of operations.
Business Insurance. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2020 totaled $220 million, primarily driven by:
•Asbestos reserves - an increase of $295 million, primarily in the segment's domestic general liability product line;
•General liability (excluding asbestos and environmental) - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for primary and excess coverages primarily due to an increase to the reserves in the Company's run-off operations related to a single insured arising out of policies issued more than 20 years ago; and
•Commercial multi-peril (excluding PG&E subrogation recoveries and asbestos and environmental) - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years.
Partially offset by:
•PG&E subrogation recoveries - $81 million of recoveries described above; and
•Workers' compensation - better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for multiple accident years.
Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2019 totaled $316 million, primarily driven by:
•Asbestos reserves - an increase of $220 million, primarily in the segment's domestic general liability product line;
•General liability (excluding asbestos and environmental) - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for primary and excess coverages for multiple accident years; and
•Commercial automobile - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years.
Partially offset by:
•Workers' compensation - better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years.
Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 totaled $215 million, primarily driven by:
•Asbestos reserves - the increase of $295 million, primarily in the segment's domestic general liability product line;
•General liability (excluding asbestos and environmental) - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for primary and excess coverages for recent accident years;
•Commercial automobile - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years; and
25
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
7. INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVES, Continued
•Commercial multi-peril (excluding PG&E subrogation recoveries and asbestos and environmental) - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years.
Partially offset by:
•Workers' compensation - better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for multiple accident years;
•Commercial property (excluding PG&E subrogation recoveries) - better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for multiple accident years; and
•PG&E subrogation recoveries - $81 million of recoveries described above.
Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2019 totaled $266 million, primarily driven by:
•General liability (excluding asbestos and environmental) - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for primary and excess coverages for multiple accident years, including the impact of the enactment of legislation by a number of states, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual molestation claims;
•Asbestos reserves - the increase of $220 million, primarily in the segment's domestic general liability product line;
•Commercial automobile - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years;
•Environmental reserves - an increase of $68 million, primarily in the segment's domestic general liability product line; and
•Commercial multi-peril - higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years.
Partially offset by:
•Workers' compensation - better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for multiple accident years; and
•Commercial property - better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations for recent accident years.
Bond & Specialty Insurance. There was no net prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2020. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 totaled $33 million, primarily driven by higher than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations in the general liability product line for recent accident years. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 totaled $3 million and $45 million, respectively, primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations in the general liability product line for multiple accident years.
Personal Insurance. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 totaled $362 million and $419 million, respectively, primarily driven by $322 million of PG&E subrogation recoveries described above and better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations in the automobile product line for recent accident years. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 totaled $19 million and $101 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2019 was primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in the segment's domestic operations in both the automobile and homeowners and other product lines for recent accident years.
26
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
8. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The following tables present the changes in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Changes in Net Unrealized Gains on Investment Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Having No Credit Losses Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income | Having Credit Losses Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income | Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Shareholders’ Equity | Net Unrealized Foreign Currency Translation | Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2020 | $ | 3,459 | $ | 187 | $ | (811) | $ | (953) | $ | 1,882 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) before reclassifications, net of tax | 189 | (5) | — | 74 | 258 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax | (18) | — | 16 | — | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net OCI, current period | 171 | (5) | 16 | 74 | 256 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | 3,630 | $ | 182 | $ | (795) | $ | (879) | $ | 2,138 |
Changes in Net Unrealized Gains on Investment Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Having No Credit Losses Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income | Having Credit Losses Recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income | Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Shareholders’ Equity | Net Unrealized Foreign Currency Translation | Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2019 | $ | 2,057 | $ | 189 | $ | (846) | $ | (760) | $ | 640 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) before reclassifications, net of tax | 1,597 | (7) | 1 | (119) | 1,472 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax | (24) | — | 50 | — | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net OCI, current period | 1,573 | (7) | 51 | (119) | 1,498 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2020 | $ | 3,630 | $ | 182 | $ | (795) | $ | (879) | $ | 2,138 |
27
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
8. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, Continued
The following table presents the pre-tax components of the Company’s other comprehensive income and the related income tax expense.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in net unrealized gains on investment securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income | $ | 217 | $ | 605 | $ | 2,001 | $ | 3,129 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 46 | 127 | 428 | 661 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | 171 | 478 | 1,573 | 2,468 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income | (7) | (3) | (10) | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | (2) | (1) | (3) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | (5) | (2) | (7) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations | 20 | 14 | 64 | 40 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 4 | 3 | 13 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | 16 | 11 | 51 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation | 79 | (75) | (137) | (20) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 5 | (7) | (18) | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | 74 | (68) | (119) | (15) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income | 309 | 541 | 1,918 | 3,147 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total income tax expense | 53 | 122 | 420 | 663 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income, net of taxes | $ | 256 | $ | 419 | $ | 1,498 | $ | 2,484 |
28
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
8. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, Continued
The following table presents the pre-tax and related income tax (expense) benefit components of the amounts reclassified from the Company’s AOCI to the Company’s consolidated statement of income.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustments related to unrealized gains on investment securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income (1) | $ | (23) | $ | (14) | $ | (31) | $ | (43) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (2) | (5) | (3) | (7) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | (18) | (11) | (24) | (34) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income (1) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (2) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment related to benefit plan assets and obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses (3) | 8 | 4 | 26 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses (3) | 12 | 8 | 37 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 20 | 12 | 63 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (2) | 4 | 3 | 13 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | 16 | 9 | 50 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment related to foreign currency translation (1) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit (2) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net of taxes | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total reclassifications | (3) | (2) | 32 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total income tax (expense) benefit | (1) | — | 6 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total reclassifications, net of taxes | $ | (2) | $ | (2) | $ | 26 | $ | (4) |
_________________________________________________________
(1) (Increases) decreases net realized investment gains (losses) on the consolidated statement of income.
(2) (Increases) decreases income tax expense on the consolidated statement of income.
(3) Increases (decreases) expenses on the consolidated statement of income.
9. DEBT
Debt Issuance. On April 27, 2020, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.55% senior notes that will mature on April 27, 2050. The net proceeds of the issuance, after the deduction of the underwriting discount and expenses payable by the Company, totaled approximately $490 million. Interest on the senior notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 27 and October 27. Prior to October 27, 2049, the senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (a) 100% of the principal amount of any senior notes to be redeemed or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest to but excluding October 27, 2049 on any senior notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the then current Treasury rate (as defined in the senior notes), plus 25 basis points. On or after October 27, 2049, the senior notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of any senior notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
29
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
10. COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not repurchase any common shares under its share repurchase authorization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 3.5 million shares under its share repurchase authorization, for a total cost of $425 million, all of which were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The average cost per share repurchased was $123.09. In addition, the Company acquired 1,368 shares and 0.3 million shares for a total cost of approximately $159,000 and $46 million during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, that were not part of the publicly announced share repurchase authorization. These shares consisted of shares retained to cover payroll withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock unit awards and performance share awards, and shares used by employees to cover the price of certain stock options that were exercised. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $1.36 billion of capacity remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic and Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income, as reported | $ | 827 | $ | 396 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,749 | ||||||||||||||||||
Participating share-based awards — allocated income | (6) | (3) | (9) | (12) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income available to common shareholders — basic and diluted | $ | 821 | $ | 393 | $ | 1,378 | $ | 1,737 | ||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 253.3 | 259.2 | 253.5 | 261.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding | 253.3 | 259.2 | 253.5 | 261.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average effects of dilutive securities — stock options and performance shares | 1.0 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 254.3 | 261.8 | 254.5 | 263.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income per Common Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 3.24 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 5.44 | $ | 6.65 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 3.23 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 5.41 | $ | 6.59 |
30
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
12. SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The following information relates to fully vested stock option awards at September 30, 2020:
Stock Options | Number | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Contractual Life Remaining | Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Vested at end of period (1) | 7,474,888 | $ | 114.76 | 5.5 years | $ | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercisable at end of period | 5,210,232 | $ | 107.04 | 4.2 years | $ | 36 |
_________________________________________________________
(1)Represents awards for which the requisite service has been rendered, including those that are retirement eligible.
The total compensation cost for all share-based incentive compensation awards recognized in earnings was $33 million and $32 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $113 million and $112 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The related tax benefits recognized in the consolidated statement of income were $6 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and $20 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested share-based incentive compensation awards at September 30, 2020 was $165 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
13. PENSION PLANS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SAVINGS PLANS
The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (benefit) for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(for the three months ended September 30, in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Periodic Benefit Cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 34 | $ | 30 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-service cost (benefit): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest cost on benefit obligation | $ | 29 | $ | 35 | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (69) | (69) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior service benefit | (1) | — | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net actuarial (gain) loss | 23 | 14 | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-service cost (benefit) | (18) | (20) | (1) | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit) | $ | 16 | $ | 10 | $ | (1) | $ | 1 |
The following table indicates the line items in which the respective service cost and non-service cost (benefit) are presented in the consolidated statement of income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
13. PENSION PLANS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SAVINGS PLANS, Continued
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(for the three months ended September 30, in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Service Cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses | $ | 14 | $ | 13 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 20 | 17 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total service cost | 34 | 30 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Service Cost (Benefit): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses | (8) | (9) | (1) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (10) | (11) | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-service cost (benefit) | (18) | (20) | (1) | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit) | $ | 16 | $ | 10 | $ | (1) | $ | 1 |
The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (benefit) for the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(for the nine months ended September 30, in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Periodic Benefit Cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 100 | $ | 89 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-service cost (benefit): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest cost on benefit obligation | 86 | 105 | 3 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (206) | (206) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prior service benefit | (1) | (1) | (3) | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net actuarial (gain) loss | 69 | 42 | (2) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-service cost (benefit) | (52) | (60) | (2) | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit) | $ | 48 | $ | 29 | $ | (2) | $ | 3 |
The following table indicates the line items in which the respective service cost and non-service benefit cost (benefit) are presented in the consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Pension Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(for the nine months ended September 30, in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Service Cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses | $ | 42 | $ | 37 | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 58 | 52 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total service cost | 100 | 89 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Service Cost (Benefit): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses | (22) | (25) | (1) | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (30) | (35) | (1) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-service cost (benefit) | (52) | (60) | (2) | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit) | $ | 48 | $ | 29 | $ | (2) | $ | 3 |
32
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
14. LEASES
The Company enters into lease agreements for real estate that is primarily used for office space in the ordinary course of business. These leases are accounted for as operating leases, whereby lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, and a right-of-use asset and lease liability is recognized as part of other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet.
Most leases include an option to extend or renew the lease term. The exercise of the renewal option is at the Company's discretion. The operating lease liability includes lease payments related to options to extend or renew the lease term if the Company is reasonably certain of exercising those options. The Company, in determining the present value of lease payments, utilizes either the rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily determinable or the Company’s incremental secured borrowing rate commensurate with the term of the underlying lease.
Lease expense is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income. Additional information regarding the Company’s real estate operating leases is as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lease cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating leases | $ | 23 | $ | 23 | $ | 71 | $ | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||
Short-term leases (1) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lease expense | 24 | 25 | 73 | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: sublease income (2) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net lease cost | $ | 24 | $ | 25 | $ | 73 | $ | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other information on operating leases | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash payments to settle a lease liability reported in cash flows | $ | 27 | $ | 27 | $ | 82 | $ | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities | $ | 8 | $ | 14 | $ | 26 | $ | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average discount rate | 2.86 | % | 3.04 | % | 2.86 | % | 3.04 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average remaining lease term | 4.9 years | 5.2 years | 4.9 years | 5.2 years |
_________________________________________________________
(1) Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.
(2) Sublease income consists of rent from third parties of office space and is recognized as part of other revenues in the consolidated statement of income.
33
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
14. LEASES, Continued
The following table presents the contractual maturities of the Company's lease liabilities:
(in millions) | Real Estate Lease Liability | |||||||
Remainder of 2020 | $ | 27 | ||||||
2021 | 100 | |||||||
2022 | 76 | |||||||
2023 | 56 | |||||||
2024 | 40 | |||||||
Thereafter | 63 | |||||||
Total undiscounted lease payments | 362 | |||||||
Less: present value adjustment | 25 | |||||||
Operating lease liability | $ | 337 |
15. CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES
Contingencies
The major pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the Company’s properties is subject are described below.
Asbestos and Environmental Claims and Litigation
In the ordinary course of its insurance business, the Company has received and continues to receive claims for insurance arising under policies issued by the Company asserting alleged injuries and damages from asbestos- and environmental-related exposures that are the subject of related coverage litigation. The Company is defending asbestos- and environmental-related litigation vigorously and believes that it has meritorious defenses; however, the outcomes of these disputes are uncertain. In this regard, the Company employs dedicated specialists and comprehensive resolution strategies to manage asbestos and environmental loss exposure, including settling litigation under appropriate circumstances. Currently, it is not possible to predict legal outcomes and their impact on future loss development for claims and litigation relating to asbestos and environmental claims. Any such development could be affected by future court decisions and interpretations, as well as future changes, if any, in applicable legislation. Because of these uncertainties, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the Company’s current insurance reserves. In addition, the Company’s estimate of ultimate claims and claim adjustment expenses may change. These additional liabilities or changes in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s results of operations in future periods.
Other Proceedings Not Arising Under Insurance Contracts or Reinsurance Agreements
The Company is involved in other lawsuits, including lawsuits alleging extra-contractual damages relating to insurance contracts or reinsurance agreements, that do not arise under insurance contracts or reinsurance agreements. The legal costs associated with such lawsuits are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred. Based upon currently available information, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that any such lawsuit or related lawsuits would be material to the Company’s results of operations or would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.
Other Commitments and Guarantees
Commitments
Investment Commitments — The Company has unfunded commitments to private equity limited partnerships and real estate partnerships in which it invests. These commitments totaled $1.65 billion and $1.66 billion at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
34
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
15. CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued
Guarantees
The maximum amount of the Company’s contingent obligation for indemnifications related to the sale of businesses that are quantifiable was $351 million at September 30, 2020.
The maximum amount of the Company’s obligation related to the guarantee of certain insurance policy obligations of a former insurance subsidiary was $480 million at September 30, 2020, all of which is indemnified by a third party. For more information regarding Company guarantees, see note 16 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
35
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
2020 Third Quarter Consolidated Results of Operations
•Net income of $827 million, or $3.24 per share basic and $3.23 per share diluted
•Net earned premiums of $7.38 billion
•Catastrophe losses of $397 million ($314 million after-tax)
•Net favorable prior year reserve development of $142 million ($113 million after-tax)
•Combined ratio of 94.9%
•Net investment income of $671 million ($566 million after-tax)
•Net realized investment gains of $37 million ($29 million after-tax)
•Operating cash flows of $2.33 billion
2020 Third Quarter Consolidated Financial Condition
•Total investments of $83.56 billion; fixed maturities and short-term securities comprised 94% of total investments
•Total assets of $116.38 billion
•Total debt of $7.05 billion, resulting in a debt-to-total capital ratio of 20.2% (22.7% excluding net unrealized investment gains, net of tax)
•Paid $217 million of dividends to shareholders
•Shareholders’ equity of $27.85 billion
•Net unrealized investment gains of $4.84 billion ($3.81 billion after-tax)
•Book value per common share of $109.94
•Holding company liquidity of $2.28 billion
36
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW
Consolidated Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except ratio and per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums | $ | 7,380 | $ | 7,179 | $ | 21,564 | $ | 21,022 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 671 | 622 | 1,550 | 1,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 101 | 121 | 323 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | 37 | 23 | (48) | 101 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 86 | 68 | 195 | 197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 8,275 | 8,013 | 23,584 | 23,518 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expenses | 4,886 | 5,230 | 14,782 | 14,493 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 1,207 | 1,169 | 3,558 | 3,420 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 1,109 | 1,098 | 3,367 | 3,280 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 87 | 84 | 256 | 261 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total claims and expenses | 7,289 | 7,581 | 21,963 | 21,454 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 986 | 432 | 1,621 | 2,064 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 159 | 36 | 234 | 315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 827 | $ | 396 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 1,749 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income per share | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 3.24 | $ | 1.52 | $ | 5.44 | $ | 6.65 | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 3.23 | $ | 1.50 | $ | 5.41 | $ | 6.59 | ||||||||||||||||||
Combined ratio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio | 65.6 | % | 72.0 | % | 67.8 | % | 68.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting expense ratio | 29.3 | 29.5 | 30.1 | 29.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Combined ratio | 94.9 | % | 101.5 | % | 97.9 | % | 97.9 | % |
The following discussions of the Company’s net income and segment income are presented on an after-tax basis. Discussions of the components of net income and segment income are presented on a pre-tax basis, unless otherwise noted. Discussions of net income per common share are presented on a diluted basis.
Overview
Diluted net income per share of $3.23 in the third quarter of 2020 increased by 115% over diluted net income per share of $1.50 in the same period of 2019. Net income of $827 million in the third quarter of 2020 increased by 109% over net income of $396 million in the same period of 2019. The higher rate of increase in diluted net income per share reflected the impact of share repurchases in recent periods. The increase in income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) net favorable prior year reserve development, compared with net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the same period of 2019, (ii) higher underwriting margins excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development ("underlying underwriting margins"), (iii) higher net investment income and (iv) higher net realized investment gains, partially offset by (v) higher catastrophe losses. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2020 was $142 million. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2019 was $294 million. Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 were $397 million and $241 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins in the third quarter of 2020 were driven by Personal Insurance and Business Insurance, partially offset by Bond & Specialty Insurance. Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in income before income taxes.
37
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Diluted net income per share of $5.41 in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 18% from diluted net income per share of $6.59 in the same period of 2019. Net income of $1.39 billion in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 21% from net income of $1.75 billion in the same period of 2019. The lower rate of decrease in diluted net income per share reflected the impact of share repurchases in recent periods. The decrease in income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher catastrophe losses, (ii) lower net investment income and (iii) net realized investment losses compared to net realized investment gains in the same period of 2019, partially offset by (iv) higher underlying underwriting margins and (v) net favorable prior year reserve development, compared to net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the same period of 2019. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $1.58 billion and $801 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 was $171 million. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2019 was $120 million. The higher underlying underwriting margins in the first nine months of 2020 were driven by Personal Insurance and Business Insurance, partially offset by Bond & Specialty Insurance. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the decrease in income before income taxes.
Impact of COVID-19 and Related Economic Conditions
Beginning in March 2020 and continuing through the third quarter of 2020, the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 (“COVID-19”) and related economic conditions impacted the Company's results of operations. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, the Company's underwriting margins were impacted as follows:
•Earned premiums were negatively impacted by premium refunds in Personal Insurance provided to personal automobile customers, primarily in the second quarter of 2020. In Business Insurance, earned premiums were negatively impacted by a modest reduction in exposures and reduced levels of new business. Additionally, Business Insurance earned premiums were negatively impacted by reductions in the Company's estimate of ultimate audit premiums receivable, primarily in the second quarter of 2020. Earned premiums in Bond & Specialty Insurance were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
•Claims and claim adjustment expenses in Business Insurance included modestly lower loss estimates in certain product lines, primarily commercial automobile, partially offset by modestly higher loss estimates in certain other product lines, primarily workers' compensation and commercial property. Claims and claim adjustment expenses in Bond & Specialty Insurance were negatively impacted by higher loss estimates for management liability coverages. Claims and claim adjustment expenses in Personal Insurance were favorably impacted by lower loss estimates in the automobile product line, largely due to the impact of a decrease in miles driven.
•General and administrative expenses were modestly impacted by an increased allowance for expected credit losses on premiums receivable in all segments and higher contingent commission expense in Personal Insurance, partially offset by lower travel-related expenses in all business segments.
In addition to the foregoing impacts on its underwriting margins, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, the Company also experienced the following impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions:
•Other income was negatively impacted by declines in installment premium charges attributable to the impact of billing relief actions offered to customers.
•Net investment income from the Company's other investments of $173 million and $27 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, was impacted by continued volatility in global financial markets. Other investments include private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and typically report their financial statement information to the Company one month to three months following the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, the impact of any volatility in global financial markets on net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis.
•Net realized gains (losses) included net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities still held of $19 million and $(14) million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, driven by the impact of changes in fair value on the Company's equity investments attributable to the volatility in global financial markets.
38
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
For further discussion regarding the potential future impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on the Company, see "Outlook" and "Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors."
The Company has insurance operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout other parts of the world as a corporate member of Lloyd’s, as well as in Brazil and Colombia, primarily through joint ventures. Because these operations are conducted in local currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the Company is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, changes in foreign currency exchange rates impacted reported line items in the statement of income by insignificant amounts. The impact of these changes was not material to the Company’s net income or segment income for the periods reported.
Revenues
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the third quarter of 2020 were $7.38 billion, $201 million or 3% higher than in the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were $21.56 billion, $542 million or 3% higher than in the same period of 2019. In Business Insurance, earned premiums in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 1% from the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were comparable with the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in Business Insurance in both periods of 2020 were negatively impacted by a modest reduction in exposures and a decrease in new business volume, as well as reductions in the Company's estimate of ultimate audit premiums receivable, in each case impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions. In Bond & Specialty Insurance, earned premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased by 11% and 10%, respectively, over the same periods of 2019. Earned premiums in Bond & Specialty Insurance in both periods of 2020 were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions. In Personal Insurance, earned premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased by 7% and 4%, respectively, over the same periods of 2019. Earned premiums in Personal Insurance in the first nine months of 2020 were reduced by premium refunds provided to personal automobile customers, primarily in the second quarter of 2020, in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Factors contributing to the changes in earned premiums in each segment are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.
Net Investment Income
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s investments.
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average investments (1) | $ | 78,722 | $ | 74,910 | $ | 77,304 | $ | 74,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax net investment income | 671 | 622 | 1,550 | 1,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
After-tax net investment income | 566 | 528 | 1,336 | 1,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Average pre-tax yield (2) | 3.4 | % | 3.3 | % | 2.7 | % | 3.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Average after-tax yield (2) | 2.9 | % | 2.8 | % | 2.3 | % | 2.8 | % |
_________________________________________________________
(1)Excludes net unrealized investment gains and losses and reflects cash, receivables for investment sales, payables on investment purchases and accrued investment income.
(2)Excludes net realized and net unrealized investment gains and losses.
Net investment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $671 million, $49 million or 8% higher than in the same period of 2019. Net investment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $1.55 billion, $302 million or 16% lower than in the same period of 2019. Net investment income from fixed maturity investments in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 was $502 million and $1.51 billion, respectively, $18 million and $34 million lower, respectively, than in the same periods of 2019. The decreases primarily resulted from lower long-term interest rates, partially offset by a higher average level of fixed maturity investments. Net investment income from short-term securities in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 was $6 million and $41 million, respectively, a decline of $20 million and $40 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2019. The decreases in both periods of 2020 primarily resulted from lower short-term interest rates. The Company's remaining investment portfolios had net investment income of $173 million and $27 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, compared with income of $85 million and $256 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2019. The decline in net investment income from these portfolios in the first nine months of 2020 compared with the same period of 2019 primarily reflected the impact of the disruption in global financial markets associated with COVID-19. Included
39
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
in other investments are private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and typically report their financial statement information to the Company one month to three months following the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, the impact of any volatility in global financial markets, including the impact of COVID-19 during 2020, on net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis.
Fee Income
Fee income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 was $101 million and $323 million, respectively, $20 million and $23 million lower, respectively, than in the same periods of 2019. The National Accounts market in Business Insurance is the primary source of the Company’s fee-based business and is discussed in the Business Insurance segment discussion that follows.
Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s net realized investment gains (losses).
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Credit impairment gains (losses): | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturities | $ | 4 | $ | — | $ | (18) | $ | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other investments | — | — | (40) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities still held | 19 | 4 | (14) | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other net realized investment gains, including from sales | 14 | 19 | 24 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 37 | $ | 23 | $ | (48) | $ | 101 |
Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities still held of $19 million and $(14) million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, were driven by the impact of changes in fair value attributable to the volatility in global financial markets.
In the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a $40 million credit impairment loss from the other-than-temporary impairment of the carrying value of a joint venture investment included in other investments.
Other Revenues
Other revenues in the third quarters and first nine months of 2020 and 2019 included installment premium charges and revenues from Simply Business.
Claims and Expenses
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $4.89 billion, $344 million or 7% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting (i) net favorable prior year reserve development compared with net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the same period of 2019 and (ii) lower losses in the automobile product line in Personal Insurance due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions, partially offset by (iii) loss cost trends, (iv) higher catastrophe losses, (v) higher loss estimates for management liability coverages in Bond & Specialty Insurance, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, (vi) higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the homeowners and other product line in Personal Insurance, and (vii) higher business volumes. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2020 primarily resulted from the derecho windstorm in the midwestern region of the United States, the Glass wildfire in California, Tropical Storm Isaias, Hurricane Laura and additional wildfires in the western United States. Catastrophe losses and non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the third quarter of 2020 were reduced by recoveries under the Company's Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty, as described in more detail in the "Catastrophe Reinsurance" section herein. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2019 primarily resulted from wind and hail storms in several regions of the United States and Hurricane Dorian.
40
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $14.78 billion, $289 million or 2% higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting (i) higher catastrophe losses, (ii) loss cost trends, (iii) higher loss estimates for management liability coverages in Bond & Specialty Insurance, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and (iv) higher business volumes, partially offset by (v) lower losses in the automobile product line in Personal Insurance due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions, (vi) net favorable prior year reserve development as compared with net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the same period of 2019 and (vii) lower non-catastrophe weather-related losses in Personal Insurance. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 included the third quarter events described above, as well as tornado activity in Tennessee and other wind storms and winter storms in several regions of the United States in the first quarter of 2020, and severe storms in several regions of the United States and civil unrest in the second quarter of 2020. Catastrophe losses and non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first nine months of 2020 were reduced by recoveries under the Company's Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty, as described in more detail in the "Catastrophe Reinsurance" section herein. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2019 included the third quarter events described above, as well as and winter storms and wind storms in several regions of the United States in the first half of 2019.
Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 included subrogation recoveries related to wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018, which are discussed in more detail in note 7 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Factors contributing to net prior year reserve development during the third quarters and first nine months of 2020 and 2019 are discussed in more detail in note 7 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Significant Catastrophe Losses
The following table presents the amount of losses recorded by the Company for significant catastrophes that occurred in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the amount of net unfavorable (favorable) prior year reserve development recognized in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 for significant catastrophes that occurred in 2019 and 2018, and the estimate of ultimate losses for those catastrophes at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. For purposes of the table, a significant catastrophe is an event for which the Company estimates its ultimate losses will be $100 million or more after reinsurance and before taxes. The Company's threshold for disclosing catastrophes is primarily determined at the reportable segment level and for 2020 ranged from approximately $20 million to $30 million of losses before reinsurance and taxes. For the Company’s definition of a catastrophe, refer to “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Consolidated Overview” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
41
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Losses Incurred/Unfavorable (Favorable) Prior Year Reserve Development | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated Ultimate Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, pre-tax and net of reinsurance) (1) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PCS Serial Number: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 — Winter storm | 1 | (1) | 2 | (5) | 142 | 140 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 — Severe wind and hail storms | 1 | (1) | — | (4) | 105 | 105 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
33 — Severe wind and hail storms | 1 | — | 1 | (2) | 120 | 119 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
52 — Hurricane Florence | — | (5) | (3) | (15) | 85 | 88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 — Hurricane Michael | (2) | (3) | (12) | 3 | 148 | 160 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 — California wildfire - Camp fire (2) | (191) | 4 | (195) | 2 | 141 | 336 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 — California wildfire - Woolsey fire | (3) | — | (3) | 9 | 126 | 129 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PCS Serial Number: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
33 — Severe wind storms | 1 | 47 | 8 | 232 | 258 | 250 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 — Severe wind storms and tornadoes | 1 | n/a | 12 | n/a | 121 | 109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PCS Serial Number: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 — Tennessee tornado activity | (14) | n/a | 157 | n/a | 157 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 — Severe storms | 12 | n/a | 133 | n/a | 133 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20 — Severe storms | (10) | n/a | 179 | n/a | 179 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
33 — Civil unrest | 16 | n/a | 107 | n/a | 107 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
44 — Tropical Storm Isaias | 147 | n/a | 147 | n/a | 147 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
46 — Midwest derecho | 206 | n/a | 206 | n/a | 206 | n/a | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 — California wildfire - Glass fire (3) | 132 | n/a | 132 | n/a | 132 | n/a |
_________________________________________________________
(1) Amounts are reported pre-tax and net of recoveries under all applicable reinsurance treaties, except for the Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Treaty, the terms of which are described in "Part I—Item 1—Business" in the Company's 2019 Annual Report. That treaty covers the accumulation of certain property losses arising from one or multiple occurrences (both catastrophe and non-catastrophe events) for the period January 1, 2020 through and including December 31, 2020. As a result, the benefit from that treaty is not included in the table above as the allocation of the treaty's benefit to each identified catastrophe changes each time there are additional events or changes in estimated losses from any covered event.
(2) Favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 included the benefit of PG&E subrogation recoveries applicable to this event, which are discussed in more detail in note 7 of notes to the consolidated unaudited financial statements.
(3) In addition to the Glass fire, there were 14 other PCS-designated wildfires during the third quarter. While none of the 14 wildfires were individually large enough to meet the Company's threshold for disclosure as a significant catastrophe in this table, total losses from those wildfires were $158 million, of which two wildfires totaling $81 million met the Company's threshold for disclosure as catastrophes.
n/a: not applicable.
42
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2020 was $1.21 billion, $38 million or 3% higher than in the same period of 2019. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first nine months of 2020 was $3.56 billion, $138 million or 4% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 were generally consistent with the increases in earned premiums before the impact of premium refunds referred to above. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs is discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $1.11 billion, $11 million or 1% higher than in the same period of 2019. General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $3.37 billion, $87 million or 3% higher than in the same period of 2019. General and administrative expenses are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.
Interest Expense
Interest expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 was $87 million and $256 million, respectively, compared with $84 million and $261 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2019.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was $159 million, $123 million or 342% higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the $554 million increase in income before income taxes in the third quarter of 2020. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was $234 million, $81 million or 26% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the $443 million decrease in income before income taxes in the first nine months of 2020.
The Company’s effective tax rate was 16% and 8% in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company's effective tax rate was 14% and 15% in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effective tax rates were lower than the statutory rate of 21% in both periods, primarily due to the impact of tax-exempt investment income on the calculation of the Company’s income tax provision.
Combined Ratio
The combined ratio of 94.9% in the third quarter of 2020 was 6.6 points lower than the combined ratio of 101.5% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 65.6% in the third quarter of 2020 was 6.4 points lower than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 72.0% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 29.3% for the third quarter of 2020 was 0.2 points lower than the underwriting expense ratio of 29.5% in the same period of 2019.
Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 5.3 points and 3.3 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2020 provided 1.9 points of benefit to the combined ratio. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2019 accounted for 4.1 points of the combined ratio. The combined ratio excluding prior year reserve development and catastrophe losses (“underlying combined ratio”) in the third quarter of 2020 was 2.6 points lower than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting (i) lower losses in the automobile product line in Personal Insurance due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions and (ii) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends in Business Insurance, partially offset by (iii) higher loss estimates for management liability coverages in Bond & Specialty Insurance, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and (iv) higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the homeowners and other product line in Personal Insurance.
The combined ratio of 97.9% in the first nine months of 2020 was level with the combined ratio in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 67.8% for the first nine months of 2020 was 0.3 points lower than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 68.1% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 30.1% for the first nine months of 2020 was 0.3 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 29.8% in the same period of 2019.
Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 7.3 points and 3.8 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 provided 0.8 points of benefit to the combined ratio. Net unfavorable prior year development in the first nine months of 2019 accounted for 0.6 points of the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the first nine months of 2020 was 2.1 points lower than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting (i) lower losses in the automobile product line in Personal Insurance due to a decrease in miles
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions (net of premium refunds provided to personal automobile customers primarily in the second quarter of 2020), (ii) lower non-catastrophe weather-related losses in Personal Insurance and (iii) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends in Business Insurance, partially offset by (iv) higher loss estimates for management liability coverages in Bond & Specialty Insurance, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
In recent periods, both prior year reserve development and the underlying combined ratio have been impacted by adverse developments in the tort environment, including more aggressive attorney involvement in insurance claims.
Written Premiums
Consolidated gross and net written premiums were as follows:
Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Insurance | $ | 4,230 | $ | 4,271 | $ | 13,151 | $ | 13,194 | ||||||||||||||||||
Bond & Specialty Insurance | 803 | 770 | 2,323 | 2,179 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal Insurance | 3,210 | 2,981 | 8,672 | 8,312 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 8,243 | $ | 8,022 | $ | 24,146 | $ | 23,685 |
Net Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Business Insurance | $ | 3,833 | $ | 3,889 | $ | 11,800 | $ | 11,926 | ||||||||||||||||||
Bond & Specialty Insurance | 754 | 728 | 2,151 | 2,025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal Insurance | 3,184 | 2,952 | 8,512 | 8,125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 7,771 | $ | 7,569 | $ | 22,463 | $ | 22,076 |
Gross and net written premiums in the third quarter of 2020 both increased by 3% over the same period of 2019. Gross and net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 both increased by 2% over the same period of 2019. Gross and net written premiums in Business Insurance in both periods of 2020 were negatively impacted by a modest reduction in exposures and a decrease in new business volume, both impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Gross and net written premiums in Personal Insurance in the first nine months of 2020 were negatively impacted by premium refunds provided to personal automobile customers, primarily in the second quarter of 2020 in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Gross and net written premiums in Bond & Specialty Insurance in both periods of 2020 were negatively impacted by lower surety volumes, primarily due to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Factors contributing to the changes in gross and net written premiums in each segment are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.
44
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
Business Insurance
Results of Business Insurance were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earned premiums | $ | 3,841 | $ | 3,882 | $ | 11,440 | $ | 11,407 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 498 | 457 | 1,131 | 1,365 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 95 | 114 | 305 | 329 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 58 | 39 | 125 | 112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 4,492 | 4,492 | 13,001 | 13,213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total claims and expenses | 4,088 | 4,319 | 12,358 | 12,136 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment income before income taxes | 404 | 173 | 643 | 1,077 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 39 | (6) | 47 | 133 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment income | $ | 365 | $ | 179 | $ | 596 | $ | 944 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio | 71.8 | % | 76.6 | % | 72.8 | % | 71.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting expense ratio | 30.5 | 30.4 | 31.0 | 30.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Combined ratio | 102.3 | % | 107.0 | % | 103.8 | % | 102.1 | % |
Overview
Segment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $365 million, $186 million or 104% higher than segment income of $179 million in the same period of 2019. The increase in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) lower net unfavorable prior year reserve development, (ii) higher underlying underwriting margins, (iii) higher net investment income and (iv) lower catastrophe losses (including recoveries under the Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty). Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 was $220 million and $316 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 were $97 million and $116 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impact of earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends and a modest favorable impact from COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in income before income taxes.
Segment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $596 million, $348 million or 37% lower than segment income of $944 million in the same period of 2019. The decrease in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher catastrophe losses (including recoveries under the Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty) and (ii) lower net investment income, partially offset by (iii) lower net unfavorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $669 million and $422 million, respectively. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $215 million and $266 million, respectively. The net unfavorable impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on underlying underwriting margins was modest. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the decrease in income before income taxes.
45
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Revenues
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the third quarter of 2020 of $3.84 billion decreased by 1% from the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in the first nine months of 2020 of $11.44 billion were comparable with the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in both periods of 2020 were negatively impacted by a modest reduction in exposures and a decrease in new business volume, as well as reductions in the Company's estimate of ultimate audit premiums receivable, in each case impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $498 million, $41 million or 9% higher than in the same period of 2019. Net investment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $1.13 billion, $234 million or 17% lower than in the same period of 2019. Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the changes in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared with the same periods of 2019. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.
Fee Income
National Accounts is the primary source of fee income due to revenue from its large deductible policies and service businesses, which include risk management, claims administration, loss control and risk management information services provided to third parties, as well as claims and policy management services to workers' compensation residual market pools. Fee income in the third quarter of 2020 was $95 million, $19 million or 17% lower than in the same period of 2019. Fee income in the first nine months of 2020 was $305 million, $24 million or 7% lower than in the same period of 2019. The decreases in both periods of 2020 reflected lower claim volume under administration associated with its service businesses.
Other Revenues
Other revenues in the third quarters and first nine months of both 2020 and 2019 included revenues from Simply Business, as well as installment premium charges and other policyholder service charges.
Claims and Expenses
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $2.80 billion, $224 million or 7% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) reduced exposures, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and also including a decrease in new business levels, (ii) lower net unfavorable prior year reserve development and (iii) lower catastrophe losses, partially offset by (iv) loss cost trends. Catastrophe losses in the third quarter of 2020 were reduced by recoveries under the Company's Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty.
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $8.48 billion, $181 million or 2% higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher catastrophe losses and (ii) loss cost trends, partially offset by (iii) reduced exposures, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and also including a decrease in new business levels and (iv) lower net unfavorable prior year reserve development. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 were reduced by recoveries under the Company's Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty.
Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 included the impact of subrogation recoveries related to wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018. Factors contributing to net prior year reserve development during the third quarters and first nine months of 2020 and 2019 are discussed in more detail in note 7 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2020 was $633 million, comparable with the same period of 2019. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first nine months of 2020 was $1.89 billion, $24 million or 1% higher than in the same period of 2019.
46
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $651 million, $6 million or 1% lower than in the same period of 2019. General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2020 included the benefit of lower travel-related expenses attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $1.99 billion, $17 million or 1% higher than in the same period of 2019. General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2020 included the benefit of lower travel-related expenses, partially offset by an increased allowance for expected credit losses on premiums receivable, in each case attributable to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions. General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2019 included a benefit related to a state assessment in the first quarter of 2019.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was $39 million, compared with an income tax benefit of $6 million in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the $231 million increase in income before income taxes. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was $47 million, $86 million or 65% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the $434 million decrease in income before income taxes.
Combined Ratio
The combined ratio of 102.3% in the third quarter of 2020 was 4.7 points lower than the combined ratio of 107.0% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 71.8% in the third quarter of 2020 was 4.8 points lower than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 76.6% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 30.5% for the third quarter of 2020 was 0.1 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 30.4% in the same period of 2019.
Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 2.5 points and 3.0 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 5.8 points and 8.1 points of the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the third quarter of 2020 was 1.9 points lower than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends and (ii) a modest net favorable impact from COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
The combined ratio of 103.8% in the first nine months of 2020 was 1.7 points higher than the combined ratio of 102.1% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 72.8% in the first nine months of 2020 was 1.5 points higher than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 71.3% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 31.0% for the first nine months of 2020 was 0.2 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 30.8% in the same period of 2019.
Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 5.8 points and 3.7 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 1.9 points and 2.3 points of the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the first nine months of 2020 was level with the 2019 ratio on the same basis. COVID-19 and related economic conditions had a modest net unfavorable impact.
Written Premiums
Business Insurance’s gross and net written premiums by market were as follows:
Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Select Accounts | $ | 661 | $ | 698 | $ | 2,218 | $ | 2,270 | ||||||||||||||||||
Middle Market | 2,258 | 2,271 | 6,934 | 6,946 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National Accounts | 335 | 377 | 1,162 | 1,211 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National Property and Other | 745 | 675 | 1,940 | 1,811 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 3,999 | 4,021 | 12,254 | 12,238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 231 | 250 | 897 | 956 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Business Insurance | $ | 4,230 | $ | 4,271 | $ | 13,151 | $ | 13,194 |
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Net Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Select Accounts | $ | 658 | $ | 695 | $ | 2,191 | $ | 2,236 | ||||||||||||||||||
Middle Market | 2,131 | 2,150 | 6,499 | 6,569 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National Accounts | 239 | 273 | 755 | 800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National Property and Other | 602 | 553 | 1,615 | 1,528 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 3,630 | 3,671 | 11,060 | 11,133 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 203 | 218 | 740 | 793 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Business Insurance | $ | 3,833 | $ | 3,889 | $ | 11,800 | $ | 11,926 |
Gross written premiums in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 1% from the same period of 2019. Gross written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were comparable with the same period of 2019. Net written premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 both decreased by 1% from the same periods of 2019. Gross and net written premiums in both periods of 2020 were negatively impacted by a modest reduction in exposures and a decrease in new business volume, both impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Select Accounts. Net written premiums of $658 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 5% from the same period of 2019. Net written premiums of $2.19 billion in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 2% from the same period of 2019. Retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 remained positive but were lower than in the same periods of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 decreased from the same periods of 2019.
Middle Market. Net written premiums of $2.13 billion in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 1% from the same period of 2019. Net written premiums of $6.50 billion in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 1% from the same period of 2019. Retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 remained positive and were higher than in the same periods of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 decreased from the same periods of 2019.
National Accounts. Net written premiums of $239 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 12% from the same period of 2019. Net written premiums of $755 million in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 6% from the same period of 2019. Net written premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 included a benefit related to a transaction to close out prior year liabilities with a former customer. Retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter of 2020 were negative, compared with positive in the same period of 2019. Renewal premium changes in the first nine months of 2020 were positive and higher than in the same period of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter of 2020 increased over the same period of 2019. New business premiums in the first nine months of 2020 decreased from the same period of 2019.
National Property and Other. Net written premiums of $602 million in the third quarter of 2020 increased by 9% over the same period of 2019. Net written premiums of $1.62 billion in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 6% over the same period of 2019. Retention rates declined in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 remained positive and were higher than in the same periods of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 decreased slightly from the same periods of 2019.
International. Net written premiums of $203 million in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 7% from the same period of 2019. Net written premiums of $740 million in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 7% from the same period of 2019. The declines in both periods of 2020 were primarily driven by decreases in the Company's operations in Canada and at Lloyd's.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Bond & Specialty Insurance
Results of Bond & Specialty Insurance were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earned premiums | $ | 723 | $ | 653 | $ | 2,083 | $ | 1,891 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 58 | 59 | 155 | 173 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 7 | 7 | 17 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 788 | 719 | 2,255 | 2,083 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total claims and expenses | 649 | 550 | 1,879 | 1,521 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment income before income taxes | 139 | 169 | 376 | 562 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 24 | 30 | 67 | 111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment income | $ | 115 | $ | 139 | $ | 309 | $ | 451 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio | 54.0 | % | 45.7 | % | 53.6 | % | 42.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting expense ratio | 35.3 | 37.6 | 36.1 | 37.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Combined ratio | 89.3 | % | 83.3 | % | 89.7 | % | 79.8 | % |
Overview
Segment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $115 million, $24 million or 17% lower than segment income of $139 million in the same period of 2019. The decrease in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impact of lower underlying underwriting margins. There was no net prior year reserve development in the the third quarter of 2020. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2019 was $3 million. Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 were $2 million and $1 million, respectively. The lower underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of higher loss estimates for management liability coverages, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, partially offset by higher business volumes. Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the decrease in segment income before income taxes.
Segment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $309 million, $142 million or 31% lower than segment income of $451 million in the same period of 2019. The decrease in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) lower underlying underwriting margins and (ii) net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 compared to net favorable prior year reserve development in the same period of 2019. Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 was $33 million, as compared to net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2019 of $45 million. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $10 million and $4 million, respectively. The lower underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of higher loss estimates for management liability coverages, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, partially offset by higher business volumes. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the decrease in segment income before income taxes.
Revenues
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the third quarter of 2020 were $723 million, $70 million or 11% higher than in the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were $2.08 billion, $192 million or 10% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 primarily reflected the increase in net written premiums over the preceding twelve months. Earned premiums in both periods of 2020 were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Net Investment Income
Net investment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $58 million, $1 million or 2% lower than in the same period of 2019. Net investment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $155 million, $18 million or 10% lower than in the same period of 2019. Included in Bond & Specialty Insurance are certain legal entities whose invested assets and related net investment income are reported exclusively in this segment and not allocated among all business segments. Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of “Consolidated Results of Operations” herein for a discussion of the changes in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared with the same periods of 2019. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.
Claims and Expenses
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $392 million, $89 million or 29% higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher loss estimates for management liability coverages, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and (ii) higher business volumes.
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $1.12 billion, $315 million or 39% higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) net unfavorable prior year reserve development compared to net favorable prior year reserve development in the same period of 2019, (ii) higher loss estimates for management liability coverages, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and (iii) higher business volumes.
Factors contributing to net prior year reserve development during the third quarter of 2019 and first nine months of 2020 and 2019 are discussed in more detail in note 7 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2020 was $133 million, $10 million or 8% higher than in the same period of 2019. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first nine months of 2020 was $385 million, $32 million or 9% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 were generally consistent with the increases in earned premiums.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $124 million, level with the same period of 2019. General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $372 million, $11 million or 3% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increase in the first nine months of 2020 primarily reflected the impact of higher business volumes, partially offset by lower travel-related expenses attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was $24 million, $6 million or 20% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the $30 million decrease in segment income before income taxes. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was $67 million, $44 million or 40% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the $186 million decrease in segment income before income taxes.
Combined Ratio
The combined ratio of 89.3% in the third quarter of 2020 was 6.0 points higher than the combined ratio of 83.3% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 54.0% in the third quarter of 2020 was 8.3 points higher than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 45.7% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 35.3% in the third quarter of 2020 was 2.3 points lower than the underwriting expense ratio of 37.6% in the same period of 2019.
There was no prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2020. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter of 2019 provided 0.5 points of benefit to the combined ratio. Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 0.3 points and 0.2 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the third quarter of 2020 was 5.4 points higher than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impact of higher loss estimates for management liability coverages, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
The combined ratio of 89.7% in the first nine months of 2020 was 9.9 points higher than the combined ratio of 79.8% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 53.6% in the first nine months of 2020 was 11.4 points higher than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 42.2% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 36.1% in the first nine months of 2020 was 1.5 points lower than the underwriting expense ratio of 37.6% in the same period of 2019.
Net unfavorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 accounted for 1.5 points of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2019 provided 2.3 points of benefit to the combined ratio. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 0.5 points and 0.2 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the first nine months of 2020 was 5.8 points higher than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impact of higher loss estimates for management liability coverages, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Written Premiums
The Bond & Specialty Insurance segment’s gross and net written premiums were as follows:
Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Management Liability | $ | 503 | $ | 455 | $ | 1,407 | $ | 1,276 | ||||||||||||||||||
Surety | 219 | 242 | 697 | 715 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 722 | 697 | 2,104 | 1,991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 81 | 73 | 219 | 188 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bond & Specialty Insurance | $ | 803 | $ | 770 | $ | 2,323 | $ | 2,179 |
Net Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Management Liability | $ | 467 | $ | 424 | $ | 1,306 | $ | 1,194 | ||||||||||||||||||
Surety | 208 | 232 | 643 | 660 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 675 | 656 | 1,949 | 1,854 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 79 | 72 | 202 | 171 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Bond & Specialty Insurance | $ | 754 | $ | 728 | $ | 2,151 | $ | 2,025 |
Gross and net written premiums in the third quarter of 2020 both increased by 4% over the same period of 2019. Gross and net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 7% and 6%, respectively, over the same period of 2019. Gross and net written premiums in both periods of 2020 were negatively impacted by lower surety volumes, primarily due to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Domestic. Net written premiums of $675 million in the third quarter of 2020 increased by 3% over the same period of 2019. Net written premiums of $1.95 billion in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 5% over the same period of 2019. Excluding the surety line of business, for which the following are not relevant measures, retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 remained positive and were higher than in the same periods of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 decreased from the same periods of 2019.
International. Net written premiums of $79 million and $202 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, increased by 10% and 18%, respectively, over the same periods of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 were primarily driven by increases in the United Kingdom.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Personal Insurance
Results of Personal Insurance were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earned premiums | $ | 2,816 | $ | 2,644 | $ | 8,041 | $ | 7,724 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 115 | 106 | 264 | 314 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fee income | 6 | 7 | 18 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other revenues | 21 | 22 | 53 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 2,958 | 2,779 | 8,376 | 8,120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total claims and expenses | 2,459 | 2,620 | 7,448 | 7,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment income before income taxes | 499 | 159 | 928 | 608 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 107 | 28 | 190 | 111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment income | $ | 392 | $ | 131 | $ | 738 | $ | 497 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio | 60.0 | % | 71.8 | % | 64.5 | % | 69.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting expense ratio | 26.4 | 26.2 | 27.2 | 26.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Combined ratio | 86.4 | % | 98.0 | % | 91.7 | % | 96.2 | % |
Overview
Segment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $392 million, $261 million or 199% higher than segment income of $131 million in the same period of 2019. The increase in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher net favorable prior year reserve development and (ii) higher underlying underwriting margins, partially offset by (iii) higher catastrophe losses (including recoveries under the Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty). Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 was $362 million and $19 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 were $298 million and $124 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions and higher business volumes, partially offset by higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the homeowners and other product line. Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in segment income before income taxes.
Segment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $738 million, $241 million or 48% higher than segment income of $497 million in the same period of 2019. The increase in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher underlying underwriting margins and (ii) higher net favorable prior year reserve development, partially offset by (iii) higher catastrophe losses (including recoveries under the Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty) and (iv) lower net investment income. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $419 million and $101 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $905 million and $375 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions (net of premium refunds provided to personal automobile customers primarily in the second quarter of 2020), lower non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the homeowners and other product line and higher business volumes. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in segment income before income taxes.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Revenues
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the third quarter of 2020 were $2.82 billion, $172 million or 7% higher than in the same period of 2019. Earned premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were $8.04 billion, $317 million or 4% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 primarily reflected the increase in net written premiums over the preceding twelve months. Net written premiums and earned premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were reduced by premium refunds provided primarily in the second quarter of 2020 to personal automobile customers in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income in the third quarter of 2020 was $115 million, $9 million or 8% higher than in the same period of 2019. Net investment income in the first nine months of 2020 was $264 million, $50 million or 16% lower than in the same period of 2019. Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the changes in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared with the same periods of 2019. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.
Other Revenues
Other revenues in the third quarters and first nine months of 2020 and 2019 primarily consisted of installment premium charges. Installment premium charges in both periods of 2020 were lower than in the same periods of 2019, primarily attributable to the impact of billing relief actions offered to customers as a result of COVID-19.
Claims and Expenses
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $1.69 billion, $209 million or 11% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher net favorable prior year reserve development and (ii) lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions, partially offset by (iii) higher catastrophe losses, (iv) loss cost trends, (v) higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the homeowners and other product line and (vi) higher business volumes. Catastrophe losses and non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the third quarter of 2020 were reduced by recoveries under the Company's Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty.
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $5.19 billion, $207 million or 4% lower than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher net favorable prior year reserve development, (ii) lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions and (iii) lower non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the homeowners and other product line, partially offset by (iv) higher catastrophe losses, (v) loss cost trends and (vi) higher business volumes. Catastrophe losses and non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first nine months of 2020 were reduced by recoveries under the Company's Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty.
Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 primarily resulted from subrogation recoveries related to wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018. Factors contributing to net favorable prior year reserve development during the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 and 2019 are discussed in more detail in note 7 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2020 was $441 million, $29 million or 7% higher than in the same period of 2019. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first nine months of 2020 was $1.28 billion, $82 million or 7% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 were generally consistent with the increases in earned premiums before the impact of premium refunds referred to above.
53
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2020 were $328 million, $19 million or 6% higher than in the same period of 2019. General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of 2020 were $981 million, $61 million or 7% higher than in the same period of 2019. The increases in both periods of 2020 included higher contingent commissions and an increased allowance for expected credit losses on premiums receivable, in each case due to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions. The increases in both periods of 2020 also reflected the impact of higher business volumes.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2020 was $107 million, $79 million or 282% higher than in same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of the $340 million increase in segment income before income taxes. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2020 was $190 million, $79 million or 71% higher than in the same period of 2019, primarily reflecting the $320 million increase in segment income before income taxes.
Combined Ratio
The combined ratio of 86.4% in the third quarter of 2020 was 11.6 points lower than the combined ratio of 98.0% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 60.0% in the third quarter of 2020 was 11.8 points lower than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 71.8% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 26.4% for the third quarter of 2020 was 0.2 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 26.2% in the same period of 2019.
Catastrophe losses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 10.5 points and 4.7 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 provided 12.8 points and 0.7 points, respectively, of benefit to the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the third quarter of 2020 was 5.3 points lower than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impacts of lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions, partially offset by higher non-catastrophe weather-related losses, including losses from wildfires, in the homeowners and other product line.
The combined ratio of 91.7% in the first nine months of 2020 was 4.5 points lower than the combined ratio of 96.2% in the same period of 2019. The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 64.5% in the first nine months of 2020 was 5.3 points lower than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 69.8% in the same period of 2019. The underwriting expense ratio of 27.2% in the first nine months of 2020 was 0.8 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 26.4% in the same period of 2019.
Catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 accounted for 11.3 points and 4.9 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 provided 5.2 points and 1.3 points of benefit, respectively, to the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the first nine months of 2020 was 7.0 points lower than the 2019 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impacts of lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions (net of premium refunds provided to personal automobile customers primarily in the second quarter of 2020) and lower non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the homeowners and other product line.
54
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Written Premiums
Personal Insurance’s gross and net written premiums were as follows:
Gross Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agency: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automobile | $ | 1,407 | $ | 1,352 | $ | 3,824 | $ | 3,896 | ||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners and Other | 1,495 | 1,316 | 4,013 | 3,538 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Agency | 2,902 | 2,668 | 7,837 | 7,434 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct-to-Consumer | 125 | 115 | 330 | 316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 3,027 | 2,783 | 8,167 | 7,750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 183 | 198 | 505 | 562 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Personal Insurance | $ | 3,210 | $ | 2,981 | $ | 8,672 | $ | 8,312 |
Net Written Premiums | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Agency: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automobile | $ | 1,402 | $ | 1,347 | $ | 3,803 | $ | 3,871 | ||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners and Other | 1,482 | 1,300 | 3,891 | 3,395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Agency | 2,884 | 2,647 | 7,694 | 7,266 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Direct-to-Consumer | 124 | 115 | 326 | 313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Domestic | 3,008 | 2,762 | 8,020 | 7,579 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International | 176 | 190 | 492 | 546 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Personal Insurance | $ | 3,184 | $ | 2,952 | $ | 8,512 | $ | 8,125 |
Domestic Agency Written Premiums
Personal Insurance’s domestic Agency business comprises business written through agents, brokers and other intermediaries.
Domestic Agency gross and net written premiums in the third quarter of 2020 both increased by 9% over the same period of 2019. Domestic Agency gross and net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 5% and 6%, respectively, over the same period of 2019. Gross and net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were negatively impacted by premium refunds provided primarily in the second quarter of 2020 to personal automobile customers in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Domestic Agency Automobile net written premiums of $1.40 billion in the third quarter of 2020 increased by 4% over the same period of 2019. Domestic Agency Automobile net written premiums of $3.80 billion in the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 2% from the same period of 2019. Net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were impacted by premium refunds provided in the second quarter of 2020 to personal automobile customers in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 remained positive but were lower than in the same periods of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased over the same periods of 2019.
Domestic Agency Homeowners and Other net written premiums of $1.48 billion and $3.89 billion in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, increased by 14% and 15%, respectively, over the same periods of 2019. Retention rates remained strong in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020. Renewal premium changes in the third quarter and first nine
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
months of 2020 remained positive and were higher than in the same periods of 2019. New business premiums in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased over the same periods of 2019.
For its Domestic Agency business, Personal Insurance had approximately 8.0 million and 7.5 million active policies at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Direct-to-Consumer and International Written Premiums
Direct-to-Consumer net written premiums of $124 million and $326 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased by 8% and 4%, respectively, over the same periods of 2019. Net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were impacted by premium refunds provided in the second quarter of 2020 to personal automobile customers in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
International net written premiums of $176 million and $492 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, decreased by 7% and 10%, respectively, from the same periods of 2019, primarily driven by declines in the automobile product line. Net written premiums in the first nine months of 2020 were impacted by premium refunds provided to personal automobile customers in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
For its direct-to-consumer and international business, Personal Insurance had approximately 844,000 and 889,000 active policies at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Interest Expense and Other
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) | $ | (74) | $ | (71) | $ | (219) | $ | (222) |
The Income (loss) for Interest Expense and Other in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 was $(74) million and $(71) million, respectively. Pre-tax interest expense in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 was $87 million and $84 million, respectively. After-tax interest expense in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 was $69 million and $66 million, respectively. The Income (loss) for Interest Expense and Other in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $(219) million and $(222) million, respectively. Pre-tax interest expense in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $256 million and $261 million, respectively. After-tax interest expense in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $202 million and $206 million, respectively.
ASBESTOS CLAIMS AND LITIGATION
The Company believes that the property and casualty insurance industry has suffered from court decisions and other trends that have expanded insurance coverage for asbestos claims far beyond the original intent of insurers and policyholders. The Company has received and continues to receive a significant number of asbestos claims. Factors underlying these claim filings include continued intensive advertising by lawyers seeking asbestos claimants and the focus by plaintiffs on defendants who were not traditionally primary targets of asbestos litigation. The focus on these defendants is primarily the result of the number of traditional asbestos defendants who have sought bankruptcy protection in previous years. The bankruptcy of many traditional defendants has also caused increased settlement demands against those policyholders who are not in bankruptcy but remain in the tort system. Currently, in many jurisdictions, those who allege very serious injury and who can present credible medical evidence of their injuries are receiving priority trial settings in the courts, while those who have not shown any credible disease manifestation are having their hearing dates delayed or placed on an inactive docket. Prioritizing claims involving credible evidence of injuries, along with the focus on defendants who were not traditionally primary targets of asbestos litigation, contributes to the claims and claim adjustment expense payment patterns experienced by the Company. The Company’s asbestos-related claims and claim adjustment expense experience also has been impacted by the unavailability of other insurance sources potentially available to policyholders, whether through exhaustion of policy limits or through the insolvency of other participating insurers.
The Company continues to be involved in disputes, including litigation, with a number of policyholders, some of whom are in bankruptcy, over coverage for asbestos-related claims. Many coverage disputes with policyholders are only resolved through settlement agreements. Because many policyholders make exaggerated demands, it is difficult to predict the outcome of settlement negotiations. Settlements involving bankrupt policyholders may include extensive releases which are favorable to the Company, but which could result in settlements for larger amounts than originally anticipated. Although the Company has seen
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a reduction in the overall risk associated with these disputes, it remains difficult to predict the ultimate cost of these claims. As in the past, the Company will continue to pursue settlement opportunities.
In addition to claims against policyholders, proceedings have been launched directly against insurers, including the Company, by individuals challenging insurers’ conduct with respect to the handling of past asbestos claims and by individuals seeking damages arising from alleged asbestos-related bodily injuries. It is possible that other direct actions against insurers, including the Company, could be filed in the future. It is difficult to predict the outcome of these proceedings, including whether the plaintiffs would be able to sustain these actions against insurers based on novel legal theories of liability. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to any such claims and has received favorable rulings in certain jurisdictions.
Because each policyholder presents different liability and coverage issues, the Company generally reviews the exposure presented by each policyholder at least annually. Among the factors the Company may consider in the course of this review are: available insurance coverage, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; limits and deductibles; an analysis of the policyholder’s potential liability; the jurisdictions involved; past and anticipated future claim activity and loss development on pending claims; past settlement values of similar claims; allocated claim adjustment expense; the potential role of other insurance; the role, if any, of non-asbestos claims or potential non-asbestos claims in any resolution process; and applicable coverage defenses or determinations, if any, including the determination as to whether or not an asbestos claim is a products/completed operation claim subject to an aggregate limit and the available coverage, if any, for that claim.
In the third quarter of 2020, the Company completed its annual in-depth asbestos claim review, including a review of active policyholders and litigation cases for potential product and "non-product" liability, and noted the continuation of the following trends:
•a high level of litigation activity in certain jurisdictions involving individuals alleging serious asbestos-related illness, primarily involving mesothelioma claims;
•while overall payment patterns have been generally stable, there has been an increase in severity for certain policyholders due to the high level of litigation activity; and
•a moderate level of asbestos-related bankruptcy activity.
In the home office and field office category, which accounts for the vast majority of policyholders with active asbestos-related claims, the number of policyholders with open asbestos claims declined slightly while gross asbestos-related payments increased slightly when compared to 2019. Payments on behalf of policyholders in this category continue to be influenced by a high level of litigation activity in a limited number of jurisdictions where individuals alleging serious asbestos-related injury, primarily mesothelioma, continue to target defendants who were not traditionally primary targets of asbestos litigation.
The Company’s quarterly asbestos reserve reviews include an analysis of exposure and claim payment patterns by policyholder category, as well as recent settlements, policyholder bankruptcies, judicial rulings and legislative actions. The Company also analyzes developing payment patterns among policyholders in the home office and field office category and the assumed reinsurance and other category as well as projected reinsurance billings and recoveries. In addition, the Company reviews its historical gross and net loss and expense paid experience, year-by-year, to assess any emerging trends, fluctuations, or characteristics suggested by the aggregate paid activity. Conventional actuarial methods are not utilized to establish asbestos reserves, and the Company’s evaluations have not resulted in a reliable method to determine a meaningful average asbestos defense or indemnity payment.
The completion of these reviews and analyses in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019 resulted in $295 million and $220 million increases, respectively, in the Company's net asbestos reserves. In both 2020 and 2019, the reserve increases were driven by increases in the Company's estimate of projected settlement and defense costs related to a broad number of policyholders in the home office and field office category. The increase in the estimate of projected settlement and defense costs primarily resulted from payment trends that continue to be higher than previously anticipated due to the continued high level of mesothelioma claim filings and the impact of the current litigation environment surrounding those claims discussed above. Over the past decade, the property and casualty insurance industry, including the Company, has experienced net unfavorable prior year reserve development with regard to asbestos reserves, but the Company believes that over that period there has been a reduction in the volatility associated with the Company’s overall asbestos exposure as the overall asbestos environment has evolved from one dominated by exposure to significant litigation risks, particularly coverage disputes relating to policyholders in bankruptcy who were asserting that their claims were not subject to the aggregate limits contained in their policies, to an environment primarily driven by a frequency of litigation related to individuals with mesothelioma. The Company’s overall view of the
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current underlying asbestos environment is essentially unchanged from recent periods, and there remains a high degree of uncertainty with respect to future exposure to asbestos claims.
Net asbestos paid loss and loss expenses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $167 million and $150 million, respectively. Net asbestos reserves were $1.41 billion and $1.35 billion at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.
The following table displays activity for asbestos losses and loss expenses and reserves:
(at and for the nine months ended September 30, in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
Beginning reserves: | ||||||||||||||
Gross | $ | 1,601 | $ | 1,608 | ||||||||||
Ceded | (322) | (327) | ||||||||||||
Net | 1,279 | 1,281 | ||||||||||||
Incurred losses and loss expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Gross | 362 | 268 | ||||||||||||
Ceded | (67) | (48) | ||||||||||||
Net | 295 | 220 | ||||||||||||
Paid loss and loss expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Gross | 190 | 191 | ||||||||||||
Ceded | (23) | (41) | ||||||||||||
Net | 167 | 150 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange and other: | ||||||||||||||
Gross | (1) | — | ||||||||||||
Ceded | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Net | — | — | ||||||||||||
Ending reserves: | ||||||||||||||
Gross | 1,772 | 1,685 | ||||||||||||
Ceded | (365) | (334) | ||||||||||||
Net | $ | 1,407 | $ | 1,351 |
_________________________________________________________
See “—Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND LITIGATION
The Company has received and continues to receive claims from policyholders who allege that they are liable for injury or damage arising out of their alleged disposition of toxic substances, frequently under policies issued prior to the mid-1980s. These claims are mainly brought pursuant to various state or federal statutes that require a liable party to undertake or pay for environmental remediation. Liability under these statutes may be joint and several with other responsible parties. The Company has also been, and continues to be, involved in litigation involving insurance coverage issues pertaining to environmental claims. The Company believes that some court decisions pertaining to environmental claims have interpreted the insurance coverage to be broader than the original intent of the insurers and policyholders.
In establishing environmental reserves, the Company evaluates the exposure presented by each policyholder and the anticipated cost of resolution, if any. In the course of this analysis, the Company generally considers the probable liability, available coverage and relevant judicial interpretations. In addition, the Company considers the many variables presented, such as: the nature of the alleged activities of the policyholder at each site; the number of sites; the total number of potentially responsible parties at each site; the nature of the alleged environmental harm and the corresponding remedy at each site; the nature of government enforcement activities at each site; the ownership and general use of each site; the overall nature of the insurance relationship between the Company and the policyholder, including the role of any umbrella or excess insurance the Company has issued to the policyholder; the involvement of other insurers; the potential for other available coverage, including the
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number of years of coverage; the role, if any, of non-environmental claims or potential non-environmental claims in any resolution process; and the applicable law in each jurisdiction. Conventional actuarial methods are not used to estimate these reserves.
Over the past several years, the Company has experienced generally favorable trends in the number of new policyholders tendering environmental claims for the first time and in the number of pending declaratory judgment actions relating to environmental matters. These policyholders continue to present smaller exposures, are involved in fewer hazardous waste sites and are lower tier defendants than policyholders presenting such claims in the past. Further, in many instances, clean-up costs have been reduced because regulatory agencies are willing to accept risk-based site analyses and more efficient clean-up technologies. However, the degree to which those favorable trends have continued has been less than anticipated. In addition, reserve development on existing environmental claims as well as the costs associated with coverage litigation on environmental matters have been greater than anticipated, driven by claims and legal developments in a limited number of jurisdictions. The Company increased its environmental reserves by $4 million and $38 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively, and $8 million and $68 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively. Net environmental paid loss and loss expenses in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $45 million and $57 million, respectively. Net environmental reserves were $314 million and $345 million at September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING ADEQUACY OF ASBESTOS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVES
As a result of the processes and procedures discussed above, management believes that the reserves carried for asbestos and environmental claims are appropriately established based upon known facts, current law and management’s judgment. However, the uncertainties surrounding the final resolution of these claims continue, and it is difficult to determine the ultimate exposure for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation. As a result, these reserves are subject to revision as new information becomes available and as claims develop. Changes in the legal, regulatory and legislative environment may impact the resolution of asbestos and environmental claims and result in adverse loss reserve development. The emergence of a greater number of asbestos or environmental claims beyond that which is anticipated may result in adverse loss reserve development. Changes in applicable legislation and future court and regulatory decisions and interpretations, including the outcome of legal challenges to legislative and/or judicial reforms establishing medical criteria for the pursuit of asbestos claims could affect the settlement of asbestos and environmental claims. It is also difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of complex coverage disputes until settlement negotiations near completion and significant legal questions are resolved or, failing settlement, until the dispute is adjudicated. This is particularly the case with policyholders in bankruptcy where negotiations often involve a large number of claimants and other parties and require court approval to be effective. As part of its continuing analysis of asbestos and environmental reserves, the Company continues to study the implications of these and other developments.
Because of the uncertainties set forth above, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the Company’s current insurance reserves. In addition, the Company’s estimate of claims and claim adjustment expenses may change. These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, cannot now be reasonably estimated and could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s operating results in future periods.
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
The Company’s invested assets at September 30, 2020 were $83.56 billion, of which 94% was invested in fixed maturity and short-term investments, 1% in equity securities, 1% in real estate investments and 4% in other investments. Because the primary purpose of the investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, the Company employs a thoughtful investment philosophy that focuses on appropriate risk-adjusted returns. A significant majority of funds available for investment are deployed in a widely diversified portfolio of high quality, liquid, taxable U.S. government, tax-exempt U.S. municipal and taxable corporate and U.S. agency mortgage-backed bonds.
The carrying value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at September 30, 2020 was $72.57 billion. The Company closely monitors the duration of its fixed maturity investments, and investment purchases and sales are executed with the objective of having adequate funds available to satisfy the Company’s insurance and debt obligations. The weighted average credit quality of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio, both including and excluding U.S. Treasury securities, was “Aa2” at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Below investment grade securities represented 2.0% and 2.1% of the total fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The weighted average effective duration of fixed maturities and short-term securities was 3.8 (4.1 excluding short-term securities) at September 30, 2020 and 4.0 (4.3 excluding short-term securities) at December 31, 2019.
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Obligations of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions
The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 included $34.84 billion and $29.92 billion, respectively, of securities which are obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions (collectively referred to as the municipal bond portfolio). The municipal bond portfolio is diversified across the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and includes general obligation and revenue bonds issued by states, cities, counties, school districts and similar issuers. Included in the municipal bond portfolio at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $2.62 billion and $2.06 billion, respectively, of pre-refunded bonds, which are bonds for which states or municipalities have established irrevocable trusts, almost exclusively comprised of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities. These trusts were created to fund the payment of principal and interest due under the bonds. The irrevocable trusts are verified as to their sufficiency by an independent verification agent of the underwriter, issuer or trustee. All of the Company’s holdings of securities issued by Puerto Rico and related entities have either been pre-refunded and therefore are defeased by U.S. Treasury securities or have FHA guarantees subject to federal appropriation.
The Company bases its investment decision on the underlying credit characteristics of the municipal security. The weighted average credit rating of the municipal bond portfolio was "Aaa/Aa1" at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through Securities
The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 included $2.73 billion and $3.28 billion, respectively, of residential mortgage-backed securities, which include pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), all of which are subject to prepayment risk (either shortening or lengthening of duration). While prepayment risk for securities and its effect on income cannot be fully controlled, particularly when interest rates move dramatically, the Company’s investment strategy generally favors securities that reduce this risk within expected interest rate ranges. Included in the totals at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were $1.38 billion and $1.52 billion, respectively, of GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC (excluding FHA project loans) and Canadian government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed pass-through securities classified as available for sale. Also included in those totals were residential CMOs classified as available for sale with a fair value of $1.35 billion and $1.76 billion at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Approximately 60% and 54% of the Company’s CMO holdings at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, were guaranteed by or fully collateralized by securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. The weighted average credit rating of the $536 million and $816 million of non-guaranteed CMO holdings at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was "Aaa/Aa1." The weighted average credit rating of all of the above securities was "Aaa/Aa1" at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. For further discussion regarding the Company’s investments in residential CMOs, see “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Investment Portfolio” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Equity Securities, Real Estate and Short-Term Investments
See note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report for further information about these invested asset classes.
Other Investments
The Company also invests in private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships, and joint ventures. Also included in other investments are non-public common and preferred equities and derivatives. These asset classes have historically provided a higher return than fixed maturities but are subject to more volatility. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the carrying value of the Company’s other investments was $3.29 billion and $3.42 billion, respectively.
Investments in private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and typically report their financial statement information to the Company one month to three months following the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, the impact of any volatility in global financial markets, including the impact of COVID-19 during 2020, on net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis. Additionally, net realized capital gains (losses) for the first nine months of 2020 included $40 million of pre-tax realized losses related to the other-than-temporary impairment of the carrying value of an equity method investment included in other investments in the second quarter of 2020.
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CATASTROPHE REINSURANCE COVERAGE
The Company's normal renewals and changes to its catastrophe reinsurance coverage occur in January and July each year. The changes effective in January are discussed in the "Catastrophe Reinsurance" section of "Part I—Item 1—Business" in the Company's 2019 Annual Report, and changes effective in July are discussed in the "Catastrophe Reinsurance Coverage" section of "Part I—Item 2—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.
The Company is party to an Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Reinsurance Treaty, which covers the accumulation of certain property losses arising from one or multiple occurrences for the period January 1, 2020 through and including December 31, 2020. The treaty provides for up to $280 million part of $500 million of coverage, subject to a $1.55 billion retention (i.e., for every dollar of loss between $1.55 billion and $2.05 billion, this treaty provides for 56 cents of coverage), of aggregate qualifying losses. Qualifying losses are subject to a $5 million franchise deductible per occurrence, so that qualifying catastrophic events at or greater than $5 million count toward the aggregate retention from dollar one. Coverage for, and contributions to the $1.55 billion retention from, hurricanes and/or tropical storms and earthquakes are limited to $250 million per event. The treaty covers property perils for PCS events in North America and all waters contiguous thereto. The treaty excludes most losses arising from cyber and terrorism, including nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological. In the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized the full benefit of $280 million provided by this treaty and, accordingly, the Company accelerated the recognition of the remaining unearned ceded earned premium related to this treaty.
The Company regularly reviews its catastrophe reinsurance coverage and may adjust such coverage in the future.
REINSURANCE RECOVERABLES
For a description of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables, refer to “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Reinsurance Recoverables” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables:
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Gross reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses | $ | 3,727 | $ | 3,476 | ||||||||||
Gross structured settlements | 2,912 | 2,965 | ||||||||||||
Mandatory pools and associations | 1,818 | 1,886 | ||||||||||||
Gross reinsurance recoverables | 8,457 | 8,327 | ||||||||||||
Allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance | (140) | (92) | ||||||||||||
Net reinsurance recoverables | $ | 8,317 | $ | 8,235 | ||||||||||
Net reinsurance recoverables at September 30, 2020 increased by $82 million from December 31, 2019, primarily reflecting the impacts of catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020 and the asbestos reserve increase in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by cash collections in the first nine months of 2020 and the $53 million increase in the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance from the cumulative effect of adoption of updated accounting guidance for credit losses at January 1, 2020.
OUTLOOK
The following discussion provides outlook information for certain key drivers of the Company’s results of operations and capital position.
The impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on the Company's financial results, which began to affect the Company late in the first quarter of 2020, continue to be highly uncertain and outside the Company’s control. The scope, duration and magnitude of the direct and indirect effects of COVID-19 continue to evolve in ways that are difficult or impossible to anticipate. As a result, its impact on the Company’s results in the first nine months of 2020 is not indicative of its impact on the Company’s results for the remainder of 2020. For additional information on the risks posed by COVID-19, see “The impact of COVID-19 and related risks could materially affect our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity” included in “Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Premiums. The Company’s earned premiums are a function of net written premium volume. Net written premiums comprise both renewal business and new business and are recognized as earned premium over the term of the underlying policies. When business renews, the amount of net written premiums associated with that business may increase or decrease (renewal premium change) as a result of increases or decreases in rate and/or insured exposures, which the Company considers as a measure of units of exposure (such as the number and value of vehicles or properties insured). Net written premiums from both renewal and new business, and therefore earned premiums, are impacted by competitive market conditions as well as general economic conditions, which, particularly in the case of Business Insurance, affect audit premium adjustments, policy endorsements and mid-term cancellations. Net written premiums may also be impacted by the structure of reinsurance programs and related costs, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
As a result of COVID-19, economic conditions in the United States and other countries around the world have deteriorated significantly. The decreased levels of economic activity, together with the related premium refund programs, have negatively impacted premium volumes. The Company expects this impact will persist for the remainder of 2020 and beyond, but the degree of the impact will depend on the extent and duration of the challenging economic circumstances and could be material. As a result of the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s earned premiums, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience in the near term, an adverse impact on the underwriting expense ratio.
The Company’s retention levels (the amount of expiring premium that renews, before the impact of renewal premium changes) have remained strong by historical standards in recent periods; however, retention levels, particularly in the near term, may be impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions. For example, retention may improve due to lower levels of business being marketed as a result of operational disruptions impacting businesses. On the other hand, business failures or customers choosing not to renew coverages due to financial distress would result in lapses of policies and lower levels of retention. In addition, as risk profiles of insureds change, the Company may determine to non-renew certain policies.
Property and casualty insurance market conditions are expected to remain competitive during the remainder of 2020 for new business. In each of the Company’s business segments, new business generally has less of an impact on underwriting profitability than renewal business, given the volume of new business relative to renewal business. However, in periods of meaningful increases in new business, despite its positive impact on underwriting gains over time, the impact of higher new business levels may negatively impact the combined ratio for a period of time. In periods of meaningful decreases in new business, despite its negative impact on underwriting gains over time, the impact of lower new business levels may positively impact the combined ratio for a period of time.
Underwriting Gain/Loss. The Company’s underwriting gain/loss can be significantly impacted by catastrophe losses and net favorable or unfavorable prior year reserve development, as well as underlying underwriting margins. Underlying underwriting margins can be impacted by a number of factors, including variability in non-catastrophe weather, large loss and other loss activity, including losses attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions; changes in current period loss estimates resulting from prior period loss development; changes in loss trend; changes in business mix; changes in reinsurance coverages and/or costs; premium adjustments; and variability in expenses and assessments.
Catastrophe losses and non-catastrophe weather-related losses are inherently unpredictable from period to period. The Company’s results of operations could be adversely impacted if significant catastrophe and non-catastrophe weather-related losses were to occur.
On average for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2019, the Company experienced approximately 40% of its annual catastrophe losses during the second quarter, primarily arising out of severe wind and hail storms, including tornadoes. Hurricanes, wildfires and winter storms tend to happen at other times of the year and can also have a material impact on the Company's results of operations. Catastrophe losses incurred in a particular quarter in any given year may differ materially from historical experience. In addition, most of the Company's reinsurance programs renew on January 1 or July 1 of each year, and, therefore, any changes to the cost or coverage terms of such programs will be effective after such dates.
Over much of the past decade, the Company’s results have included significant amounts of net favorable prior year reserve development driven by better than expected loss experience. However, given the inherent uncertainty in estimating claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, loss experience could develop such that the Company recognizes in future periods higher or lower levels of favorable prior year reserve development, no favorable prior year reserve development or, as was the case in 2019, unfavorable prior year reserve development. In addition, the ongoing review of prior year claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, or other changes in current period circumstances, may result in the Company revising current year loss estimates upward or downward in future periods of the current year.
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It is possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by federal, state and/or local governments and the Federal Reserve in response to COVID-19 could lead to higher or lower inflation than the Company had anticipated, which could in turn lead to an increase or decrease in the Company’s loss costs and the need to strengthen or reduce claims and claim adjustment expense reserves. These impacts of inflation on loss costs and claims and claim adjustment expense reserves could be more pronounced for those lines of business that require a relatively longer period of time to finalize and settle claims for a given accident year and, accordingly, are relatively more inflation sensitive. For a further discussion, see “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors—If actual claims exceed our claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, or if changes in the estimated level of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves are necessary, including as a result of, among other things, changes in the legal/tort, regulatory and economic environments in which the Company operates, our financial results could be materially and adversely affected” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Economic conditions and therefore the Company’s results of operations may be impacted by a variety of other factors as well, many of which could continue to be exacerbated by COVID-19, such as a recession, financial market turmoil, supply chain disruptions, extraordinary monetary and fiscal policy measures, fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in tariffs or other international trade regulations, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, the political and regulatory environment, changes to the U.S. Federal budget and further potential changes in tax laws or health care legislation in the United States.
Investment Portfolio. The Company expects to continue to focus its investment strategy on maintaining a high-quality investment portfolio and a relatively short average effective duration. The weighted average effective duration of fixed maturities and short-term securities was 3.8 (4.1 excluding short-term securities) at September 30, 2020. From time to time, the Company enters into short positions in U.S. Treasury futures contracts to manage the duration of its fixed maturity portfolio. At September 30, 2020, the Company had no open U.S. Treasury futures contracts. The Company continually evaluates its investment alternatives and mix. Currently, the majority of the Company’s investments are comprised of a widely diversified portfolio of high-quality, liquid, taxable U.S. government, tax-exempt U.S. municipal and taxable corporate and U.S. agency mortgage-backed bonds.
The Company also invests much smaller amounts in equity securities, real estate, and private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships, and joint ventures. These investment classes have the potential for higher returns but also the potential for higher degrees of risk, including less stable rates of return and less liquidity.
Net investment income is a material contributor to the Company’s results of operations. Based on the impact of expected lower reinvestment yields on fixed income investments, partially offset by our current expectations for slightly higher levels of fixed income investments, the Company expects that after-tax net investment income from that portfolio will be approximately $35 million to $40 million lower in the fourth quarter of 2020 as compared to the corresponding quarter of 2019, and the Company also expects that after-tax net investment income from that portfolio will be approximately $420 million to $430 million for each quarter of 2021. This expectation could be impacted by further disruptions in global financial markets associated with the continuing impact of COVID-19. Included in other investments are private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and typically report their financial statement information to the Company one month to three months following the end of the reporting period. Accordingly, the impact of any volatility in global financial markets, including the impact of COVID-19 during 2020, on net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis. Further changes in global financial markets could impact the Company’s net investment income in future periods from its non-fixed income investment portfolio, positively or negatively.
The Company had net pre-tax realized investment losses of $48 million ($37 million after-tax) in the first nine months of 2020, driven by $40 million of pre-tax realized losses related to the other-than-temporary impairment of the carrying value of an equity method investment included in other investments in the second quarter of 2020, as well as the impact of changes in fair value on the Company's equity investments, attributable to the disruption in global financial markets related to COVID-19. Further changes in global financial markets due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 could result in net realized investment gains or losses in the Company’s investment portfolio.
The Company had a net pre-tax unrealized investment gain of $4.84 billion ($3.81 billion after-tax) in its fixed maturity investment portfolio at September 30, 2020. While the Company does not attempt to predict future interest rate movements, a rising interest rate environment would reduce the market value of fixed maturity investments and, therefore, reduce shareholders’ equity, and a declining interest rate environment would have the opposite effects. Additionally, further disruptions in global financial markets associated with the continuing impact of COVID-19 could also impact the market value of the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company's investment portfolio has benefited from certain tax exemptions
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
(primarily those related to interest from municipal bonds) and certain other tax laws, including, but not limited to, those governing dividends-received deductions and tax credits (such as foreign tax credits). Changes in these laws could adversely impact the value of the Company's investment portfolio. See "Changes in U.S. tax laws or in the tax laws of other jurisdictions in which we operate could adversely impact us" included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
For further discussion of the Company’s investment portfolio, see “Investment Portfolio.” For a discussion of the risks to the Company’s business during or following a financial market disruption and risks to the Company’s investment portfolio, see the risk factors entitled “During or following a period of financial market disruption or an economic downturn, our business could be materially and adversely affected” and “Our investment portfolio is subject to credit and interest rate risk, and may suffer reduced or low returns or material realized or unrealized losses” included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report. For a discussion of the risks to the Company’s investments from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, see the risk factor entitled “We are also subject to a number of additional risks associated with our business outside the United States” included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report and see “Part II—Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk-Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Capital Position. The Company believes it has a strong capital position and, as part of its ongoing efforts to create shareholder value, expects to continue to return capital not needed to support its business operations to its shareholders, subject to the considerations described below, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions. The Company expects that, generally over time, the combination of dividends to common shareholders and common share repurchases will likely not exceed net income. The Company also expects that to the extent that it continues to grow premium volumes, the level of capital to support the Company's financial strength ratings will also increase, and accordingly, the amount of capital returned to shareholders relative to earnings would be somewhat less than it otherwise would have been absent the growth in premium volumes. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of additional factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, share price, catastrophe losses, maintaining capital levels commensurate with the Company’s desired ratings from independent rating agencies, changes in levels of written premiums, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings), market conditions and other factors. Given the continuing impact of the economic and other uncertainties associated with COVID-19 on the foregoing factors, the Company may continue to reduce or eliminate its share repurchase activity at least in the near term. For information regarding the Company’s common share repurchases in 2020, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Many of the statements in this “Outlook” section and in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” are forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them. See “—Forward Looking Statements.” For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position, see “Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Part I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" herein and “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report, in each case as updated by the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's liquidity and capital resources were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions during the first nine months of 2020. For further discussion regarding the potential future impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on the Company's liquidity and capital resources, see "Outlook" and "Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors."
Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the cash requirements of its business operations and to satisfy general corporate purposes when needed.
Operating Company Liquidity. The liquidity requirements of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are met primarily by funds generated from premiums, fees, income received on investments and investment maturities. The Company believes that cash flows from operating activities are sufficient to meet the future liquidity requirements of its insurance subsidiaries. Additionally, investment maturities provide a significant level of available liquidity without requiring the sale of investment securities. For further discussion of operating company liquidity, see “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Holding Company Liquidity. TRV’s liquidity requirements primarily include shareholder dividends, debt servicing, common share repurchases and, from time to time, contributions to its qualified domestic pension plan. At September 30, 2020, TRV held total cash and short-term invested assets in the United States aggregating $2.28 billion and having a weighted average maturity of 53 days. TRV has established a holding company liquidity target equal to its estimated annual pre-tax interest expense and common shareholder dividends (currently approximately $1.20 billion). TRV’s holding company liquidity of $2.28 billion at September 30, 2020 exceeded this target, and it is the opinion of the Company’s management that these assets are sufficient to meet TRV’s current liquidity requirements. Net proceeds of approximately $490 million from the Company's issuance of senior debt in April 2020 that are intended to fund the payment of $500 million of senior debt maturing in November 2020 are included in the Company's holding company liquidity at September 30, 2020.
TRV is not dependent on dividends or other forms of repatriation from its foreign operations to support its liquidity needs. The undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign operations are intended to be permanently reinvested in those operations, and such earnings were not material to the Company’s financial position or liquidity at September 30, 2020.
TRV has a shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that expires on June 10, 2022 which permits it to issue securities from time to time. TRV also has a $1.0 billion line of credit facility with a syndicate of financial institutions that expires on June 4, 2023. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $100 million of commercial paper outstanding. TRV is not reliant on its commercial paper program to meet its operating cash flow needs. After the maturity of the $500 million of senior debt in November 2020 described above, the Company has no further senior debt or junior subordinated debt maturing until April 2026, at which time $200 million of senior debt will mature.
The Company utilized uncollateralized letters of credit issued by major banks with an aggregate limit of approximately $315 million to provide a portion of the capital needed to support its obligations at Lloyd’s at September 30, 2020. If uncollateralized letters of credit are not available at a reasonable price or at all in the future, the Company can collateralize these letters of credit or may have to seek alternative means of supporting its obligations at Lloyd’s, which could include utilizing holding company funds on hand.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $4.62 billion and $3.79 billion, respectively. The increase in cash flows in the first nine months of 2020 primarily reflected the impacts of lower levels of payments for claims and claim adjustment expenses, partially offset by lower levels of cash received for premiums. The lower levels of payments for claims and claim adjustment expenses included the impacts of (i) COVID-19 and related economic conditions, such as lower loss payments in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven and reduced claim settlement activity largely due to the disruptions in the judicial system, and (ii) $366 million of subrogation recoveries from PG&E related to the 2017 and 2018 California wildfires received in the third quarter of 2020, partially offset by (iii) payments related to higher catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020. The lower levels of cash received for premiums included the impact of premium refunds primarily provided in the second quarter of 2020 to personal automobile customers in response to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
Investing Activities
Net cash used by investing activities in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $3.98 billion and $2.05 billion, respectively. The Company’s consolidated total investments at September 30, 2020 increased by $5.68 billion, or 7% over year-end 2019, primarily reflecting the impact of (i) an increase in net unrealized gains on investments at September 30, 2020 as compared with December 31, 2019, primarily due to the impact of lower interest rates during the first nine months of 2020, as well as (ii) net cash flows provided by operating activities, partially offset by (iii) net cash used in financing activities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was $552 million and $1.61 billion, respectively. The total in 2020 reflected dividends paid to shareholders and common share repurchases, partially offset by the net proceeds from the issuance of debt and employee stock option exercises. The total in 2019 reflected common share repurchases, the payment of debt and dividends paid to shareholders, partially offset by the net proceeds from the issuance of debt and employee stock option exercises. Common share repurchases in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 were $471 million and $1.17 billion, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the Company did not repurchase any shares under its share repurchase authorization.
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
Dividends. Dividends paid to shareholders were $643 million and $633 million in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. Dividends will be paid by the Company only if declared by its Board of Directors out of funds legally available, subject to any other restrictions that may be applicable to the Company. On October 20, 2020, the Company announced that it declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.85 per share, payable December 31, 2020 to shareholders of record on December 10, 2020.
Share Repurchases. The Company’s Board of Directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise. The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date. The most recent authorization was approved by the Board of Directors in April 2017 and added $5.0 billion of repurchase capacity to the $709 million capacity remaining at that date. The Company expects that, generally over time, the combination of dividends to common shareholders and common share repurchases will likely not exceed net income. The Company also expects that to the extent that it continues to grow premium volumes, the level of capital to support the Company's financial strength ratings will also increase, and accordingly, the amount of capital returned to shareholders relative to earnings would be somewhat less than it otherwise would have been absent the growth in premium volumes. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, share price, catastrophe losses, maintaining capital levels commensurate with the Company’s desired ratings from independent rating agencies, changes in levels of written premiums, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings), market conditions and other factors. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company did not repurchase any common shares under its share repurchase authorization. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 3.5 million shares under its share repurchase authorization, for a total cost of $425 million, all of which were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The average cost per share repurchased was $123.09. Given the continuing impact of the economic and other uncertainties associated with COVID-19 on the foregoing factors, the Company may continue to reduce or eliminate its share repurchase activity at least in the near term. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $1.36 billion of capacity remaining under the share repurchase authorization.
The Company sponsors a qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (the Qualified Plan), which covers substantially all U.S. domestic employees and provides benefits primarily under a cash balance formula. The recent disruption in global financial markets associated with COVID-19 unfavorably impacted the projected funded status of the Qualified Plan at December 31, 2020, primarily due to the impact of a lower benefit obligation discount rate. The Company currently does not have a minimum funding requirement for the Qualified Plan for 2020 and at this time does not anticipate making a voluntary contribution to the Qualified Plan during 2020.
Capital Structure. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s capital structure at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Debt: | ||||||||||||||
Short-term | $ | 600 | $ | 600 | ||||||||||
Long-term | 6,504 | 6,004 | ||||||||||||
Net unamortized fair value adjustments and debt issuance costs | (54) | (46) | ||||||||||||
Total debt | 7,050 | 6,558 | ||||||||||||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||||||||
Common stock and retained earnings, less treasury stock | 25,711 | 25,303 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,138 | 640 | ||||||||||||
Total shareholders’ equity | 27,849 | 25,943 | ||||||||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 34,899 | $ | 32,501 |
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
On April 27, 2020, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.55% senior notes that will mature on April 27, 2050. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to repay the $500 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's 3.90% senior notes that will mature on November 1, 2020. See note 9 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the terms of the senior notes.
The following table provides a reconciliation of total capitalization presented in the foregoing table to total capitalization excluding net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity.
(dollars in millions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||
Total capitalization | $ | 34,899 | $ | 32,501 | ||||||||||
Less: net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity | 3,812 | 2,246 | ||||||||||||
Total capitalization excluding net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity | $ | 31,087 | $ | 30,255 | ||||||||||
Debt-to-total capital ratio | 20.2 | % | 20.2 | % | ||||||||||
Debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity | 22.7 | % | 21.7 | % |
The debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders’ equity, is calculated by dividing (a) debt by (b) total capitalization excluding net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders’ equity. Net unrealized gains and losses on investments can be significantly impacted by both interest rate movements and other economic factors. Accordingly, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the debt-to-total capital ratio calculated on this basis provides another useful metric for investors to understand the Company’s financial leverage position. The Company’s ratio of debt-to-total capital excluding after-tax net unrealized investment gains included in shareholders’ equity of 22.7% at September 30, 2020 was within the Company’s target range of 15% to 25%.
RATINGS
Ratings are an important factor in assessing the Company’s competitive position in the insurance industry. The Company receives ratings from the following major rating agencies: A.M. Best Company (A.M. Best), Fitch Ratings (Fitch), Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s Corp. (S&P). There have been no rating agency actions taken with respect to the Company since July 23, 2020, the date on which the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was filed with the SEC. For additional discussion of ratings, see “Part I—Item 1—Business—Ratings” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
For a description of the Company’s critical accounting estimates, refer to “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report. The Company considers its most significant accounting estimates to be those applied to claims and claim adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance recoverables, investment valuation and impairments, and goodwill and other intangible assets impairments. Except as shown in the table below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2019.
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
The table below displays the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line. Because the establishment of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates, currently established claims and claim adjustment expense reserves may change. The Company reflects adjustments to the reserves in the results of operations in the period the estimates are changed. These changes in estimates could result in income statement charges that could be material to the Company’s operating results in future periods. In particular, a portion of the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves (totaling $2.12 billion at September 30, 2020) are for asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation. Asbestos and environmental reserves are included in the General liability, Commercial multi-peril and International and other lines in the summary table below. While the ongoing review of asbestos and environmental claims and associated liabilities considers the inconsistencies of court decisions as to coverage, plaintiffs’ expanded theories of liability and the risks inherent in complex litigation and other uncertainties, in the opinion of the Company’s management, it is possible that the outcome of the continued uncertainties regarding these claims could result in liability in future periods that differs from current reserves by an amount that could be material to the Company’s future
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued
operating results. Asbestos and environmental reserves are discussed separately; see “Asbestos Claims and Litigation”, “Environmental Claims and Litigation” and “Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves” in this report.
Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line were as follows:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | Case | IBNR | Total | Case | IBNR | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General liability | $ | 5,146 | $ | 8,131 | $ | 13,277 | $ | 4,898 | $ | 7,451 | $ | 12,349 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial property | 1,046 | 399 | 1,445 | 1,035 | 312 | 1,347 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial multi-peril | 2,317 | 2,379 | 4,696 | 2,148 | 2,065 | 4,213 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial automobile | 2,542 | 2,164 | 4,706 | 2,533 | 1,872 | 4,405 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Workers’ compensation | 10,190 | 9,550 | 19,740 | 10,233 | 9,279 | 19,512 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fidelity and surety | 192 | 338 | 530 | 261 | 259 | 520 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal automobile | 1,900 | 1,500 | 3,400 | 2,019 | 1,509 | 3,528 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Homeowners and personal other | 845 | 1,387 | 2,232 | 838 | 871 | 1,709 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International and other | 2,431 | 1,949 | 4,380 | 2,620 | 1,633 | 4,253 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Property-casualty | 26,609 | 27,797 | 54,406 | 26,585 | 25,251 | 51,836 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accident and health | 12 | — | 12 | 13 | — | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves | $ | 26,621 | $ | 27,797 | $ | 54,418 | $ | 26,598 | $ | 25,251 | $ | 51,849 |
The $2.57 billion increase in gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves since December 31, 2019 primarily reflected the impacts of (i) catastrophe losses in the first nine months of 2020, (ii) loss cost trends for the current accident year and (iii) reduced claim settlement activity largely due to the disruptions in the judicial system related to COVID-19.
FUTURE APPLICATION OF ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See note 1 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report and in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains, and management may make, certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “views,” “estimates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements include, among other things, the Company’s statements about:
•the Company’s outlook and its future results of operations and financial condition (including, among other things, anticipated premium volume, premium rates, renewal premium changes, underwriting margins and underlying underwriting margins, net and core income, investment income and performance, loss costs, return on equity, core return on equity and expected current returns, and combined ratios and underlying combined ratios);
•the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, including the potential impact on the Company's investments;
•the impact of legislative or regulatory actions or court decisions taken in response to COVID-19;
•share repurchase plans;
•future pension plan contributions;
•the sufficiency of the Company’s asbestos and other reserves;
•the impact of emerging claims issues as well as other insurance and non-insurance litigation;
•the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage;
•catastrophe losses;
•the impact of investment (including changes in interest rates), economic (including inflation, changes in tax law, changes in commodity prices and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates) and underwriting market conditions;
•strategic and operational initiatives to improve profitability and competitiveness;
•the Company's competitive advantages;
•new product offerings;
•the impact of new or potential regulations imposed or to be imposed by the United States or other nations, including tariffs or other barriers to international trade; and
•the impact of developments in the tort environment, such as increased attorney involvement in insurance claims and legislation allowing victims of sexual abuse to file or proceed with claims that otherwise would have been time-barred.
The Company cautions investors that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.
Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the following:
•high levels of catastrophe losses, including as a result of factors such as increased concentrations of insured exposures in catastrophe-prone areas, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, its financial position and/or liquidity, and could adversely impact the Company’s ratings, the Company’s ability to raise capital and the availability and cost of reinsurance;
•if actual claims exceed the Company’s claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, or if changes in the estimated level of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves are necessary, including as a result of, among other things, changes in the legal/tort, regulatory and economic environments in which the Company operates or the impacts of COVID-19, the Company’s financial results could be materially and adversely affected;
•the impact of COVID-19 and related risks, including on the Company's distribution or other key partners, could materially affect the Company's results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity;
•during or following a period of financial market disruption or an economic downturn, such as the current environment, the Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected;
•the Company’s investment portfolio is subject to credit and interest rate risk, and may suffer reduced or low returns or material realized or unrealized losses, particularly in the current environment;
•the intense competition that the Company faces, and the impact of innovation, technological change and changing customer preferences on the insurance industry and the markets in which it operates, could harm its ability to maintain or increase its business volumes and its profitability;
•the Company’s business could be harmed because of its potential exposure to asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation;
•disruptions to the Company’s relationships with its independent agents and brokers or the Company’s inability to manage effectively a changing distribution landscape could adversely affect the Company;
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, Continued
•the Company is exposed to, and may face adverse developments involving, mass tort claims such as those relating to exposure to potentially harmful products or substances;
•the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on the Company’s business are uncertain, and court decisions or legislative or regulatory changes that take place after the Company issues its policies, including those taken in response to COVID-19 (such as effectively expanding workers' compensation coverage by instituting presumptions of compensability of claims for certain types of workers or requiring insurers to cover business interruption claims irrespective of terms, exclusions or other conditions included in the policies that would otherwise preclude coverage), can result in an unexpected increase in the number of claims and have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations;
•the Company may not be able to collect all amounts due to it from reinsurers, reinsurance coverage may not be available to the Company in the future at commercially reasonable rates or at all and the Company is exposed to credit risk related to its structured settlements;
•the Company is exposed to credit risk in certain of its insurance operations and with respect to certain guarantee or indemnification arrangements that it has with third parties, which risk is heightened in the current environment;
•within the United States, the Company’s businesses are heavily regulated by the states in which it conducts business, including licensing, market conduct and financial supervision, and changes in regulation or regulatory actions (including those taken in response to COVID-19) may reduce the Company’s profitability and limit its growth;
•a downgrade in the Company’s claims-paying and financial strength ratings could adversely impact the Company’s business volumes, adversely impact the Company’s ability to access the capital markets and increase the Company’s borrowing costs;
•the inability of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company’s holding company in sufficient amounts would harm the Company’s ability to meet its obligations, pay future shareholder dividends and/or make future share repurchases;
•the Company’s efforts to develop new products, expand in targeted markets or improve business processes and workflows may not be successful and may create enhanced risks;
•the Company may be adversely affected if its pricing and capital models provide materially different indications than actual results;
•the Company’s business success and profitability depend, in part, on effective information technology systems and on continuing to develop and implement improvements in technology, particularly as its business processes become more digital;
•if the Company experiences difficulties with technology, data and network security (including as a result of cyber attacks), outsourcing relationships or cloud-based technology, the Company’s ability to conduct its business could be negatively impacted. This risk is heightened in the current environment where a majority of the Company's employees have shifted to a work from home arrangement;
•the Company is also subject to a number of additional risks associated with its business outside the United States, such as foreign currency exchange fluctuations (including with respect to the valuation of the Company's foreign investments and interests in joint ventures) and restrictive regulations as well as the risks and uncertainties associated with the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union;
•regulatory changes outside of the United States, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the European Union, could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and limit its growth;
•loss of or significant restrictions on the use of particular types of underwriting criteria, such as credit scoring, or other data or methodologies, in the pricing and underwriting of the Company’s products could reduce the Company’s future profitability;
•acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses may result in operating difficulties and other unintended consequences;
•the Company could be adversely affected if its controls designed to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards are not effective;
•the Company’s businesses may be adversely affected if it is unable to hire and retain qualified employees;
•intellectual property is important to the Company’s business, and the Company may be unable to protect and enforce its own intellectual property or the Company may be subject to claims for infringing the intellectual property of others;
•changes in federal regulation could impose significant burdens on the Company, and otherwise adversely impact the Company’s results;
•changes in U.S. tax laws or in the tax laws of other jurisdictions where the Company operates could adversely impact the Company; and
•the Company’s share repurchase plans depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, share price, catastrophe losses, maintaining capital levels commensurate with the Company’s desired ratings from independent rating agencies, changes in levels of written premiums, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, Continued
investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings), market conditions and other factors, including the ongoing level of uncertainty related to COVID-19.
The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the captions “Part II—Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Part I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" herein and “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report, in each case as updated by the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA DISCLOSURE
The Company may use its website and/or social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter, as distribution channels of material company information. Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Company’s website at http://investor.travelers.com, its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/travelers and its Twitter account (@Travelers) at https://twitter.com/Travelers. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Notifications” section under the "For Investors" heading at http://investor.travelers.com.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
For the Company’s disclosures about market risk, please see “Part II—Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report filed with the SEC. There have been no material changes to the Company’s disclosures about market risk in Part II—Item 7A of the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2020, the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level.
In addition, there was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
The Company regularly seeks to identify, develop and implement improvements to its technology systems and business processes, some of which may affect its internal control over financial reporting. These changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, updating existing systems or platforms, automating manual processes or utilizing technology developed by third parties. These systems changes are often phased in over multiple periods in order to limit the implementation risk in any one period, and as each change is implemented the Company monitors its effectiveness as part of its internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information required with respect to this item can be found under “Contingencies” in note 15 of notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in this quarterly report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
For a discussion of the Company’s potential risks or uncertainties, please see “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” and “Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report, and "Part I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein, in each case as updated by the Company's periodic filings with the SEC. Other than as described below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I—Item 1A of the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
The impact of COVID-19 and related risks could materially affect our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity.
Beginning in March 2020, the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus COVID-19 began to impact the global economy and our results of operations. For a discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business to date, please see “Part I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Impact of COVID-19 and Related Economic Conditions.” Because of the size and breadth of this pandemic, all of the direct and indirect consequences of COVID-19 are not yet known and are likely to continue to emerge for some time. Risks presented by the ongoing effects of COVID-19 include the following:
•Revenues. We expect that the impact of COVID-19 on general economic activity will continue to negatively impact our premium volumes. We expect this impact will further persist for the remainder of 2020 and beyond, but the degree of the impact will depend on the extent and duration of the economic contraction. As a result of the impact of the pandemic on the Company’s earned premiums, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience in the near term, an adverse impact on the underwriting expense ratio.
•Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur in future periods, higher claim and claim adjustment expenses in certain lines of business as a result of COVID-19 due to increases in frequency and/or severity of claims. For example, we are experiencing elevated frequency and severity in our workers’ compensation lines related to compensable claims by workers who demonstrate that the injury or illness arose both out of and in the course of their employment, including, as discussed below, as a result of legislative or regulatory action to effectively expand workers’ compensation coverage by creating presumptions of compensability for certain types of workers. In addition, concerns about seeking medical care could complicate, delay and/or extend treatment. We may also experience elevated frequency and severity in our liability coverages as a result of plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking to generate COVID-19-related claim activity against or on behalf of our insureds. Frequency and severity could also increase with respect to our auto and property coverages due to, among other things, disruptions in supply chains and changes in business practices and individual behaviors resulting from the stay-at-home and social distancing measures. For example, we may experience increased exposure in industries with delivery services; elevated fire, water and crime claims at unoccupied/closed businesses; delayed reporting and settlement of claims due to limited access to business locations; arson; collisions at faster speeds; increased first party medical losses in certain jurisdictions; and reduced repair shop and/or parts availability, among other things. We have experienced some elevated frequency, and there is the potential for additional elevated frequency, in certain product lines, such as directors’ and officers’ liability insurance claims related to alleged mismanagement or other failures as well as increased securities class actions, and employment practices liability insurance claims related to furloughs and lay-offs of employees. In our commercial surety lines, there is the potential for elevated frequency and severity due to an increase in the number of bankruptcies, especially in distressed industries such as transportation and energy. In construction surety, there is the potential for elevated losses if contractors experience shutdowns, which could negatively impact their cash flows, or experience disruptions in their supply chains, unavailability of labor or increased costs for materials, each of which drives up their costs. In addition, the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on our various product lines could be different. The potential also exists for elevated frequency and severity related to business interruption coverages as result of litigation or, as discussed below under "Adverse Legislative and Regulatory Action," in the event of legislative action to retroactively mandate coverage irrespective of terms, exclusions or other conditions included in the policies that would otherwise preclude coverage.
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS, Continued
In addition, the anticipated and unknown risks related to COVID-19 cause additional uncertainty in the process of estimating claims and claim adjustment expense reserves. For example, the behavior of claimants and policyholders may change in unexpected ways (for example, we may experience an increase in the number of fraudulent claims), the disruption to the court system may impact the timing and amounts of claims settlements and the actions taken by governmental bodies, both legislative and regulatory, in reaction to COVID-19 and their related impacts are hard to predict. As a result, our estimated level of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves may change. We are also subject to credit risk in our insurance operations which may be exacerbated in times of economic distress. For a further discussion, see “Part I—Item IA—Risk Factors—We are exposed to credit risk in certain of our insurance operations and with respect to certain guarantee or indemnification arrangements that we have with third parties” and “If actual claims exceed our claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, or if changes in the estimated level of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves are necessary, including as a result of, among other things, changes in the legal/tort, regulatory and economic environments in which the Company operates, our financial results could be materially and adversely affected” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
•General and Administrative Expenses. We have incurred, and may continue to incur, general and administrative expenses due to increased estimated credit losses on premiums receivable and increased estimated credit losses related to contractholder receivables for amounts due on loss sensitive business.
•Investments. The disruption in the financial markets related to COVID-19 has contributed to net realized investment losses, primarily due to the impact of changes in fair value on our equity investments and, to a lesser extent, impairments in our fixed-income investment portfolio. Our corporate fixed income portfolio may be adversely impacted by ratings downgrades, increased bankruptcies and credit spread widening in distressed industries, such as energy, gaming, lodging and leisure, autos, airlines and retail. In addition, in recent years, many state and local governments have been operating under deficits or projected deficits. These deficits in many cases have been, and likely will continue to be, exacerbated by the costs of responding to COVID-19 and reduced tax revenues due to adverse economic conditions. The severity and duration of these deficits could have an adverse impact on the collectibility and valuation of our municipal bond portfolio. Our investment portfolio also includes residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and wholly-owned real estate, all of which could be adversely impacted by declines in real estate valuations and/or financial market disruption, including a heightened collection risk on the underlying mortgages and on rent receivables. Further disruptions in global financial markets due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 could result in additional net realized investment losses, including potential impairments in our fixed income portfolio. In addition, declines in fixed income yields would result in decreases in net investment income from future investment activity, including re-investments. Further disruptions in global financial markets could also adversely impact our net investment income in future periods from our non-fixed income investment portfolio, including the private equity, hedge fund and real estate partnerships in which we are invested and could also result in net realized investment losses resulting from potential impairments in that portfolio. For further discussion of the risks related to our investment portfolio see “Our investment portfolio is subject to credit and interest rate risk, and may suffer reduced or low returns or material realized or unrealized losses” included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
•Inflation. It is possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by the federal government and the Federal Reserve in response to COVID-19 could lead to higher inflation than we had anticipated, which could in turn lead to an increase in our loss costs and the need to strengthen claims and claim adjustment expense reserves. These impacts of inflation on loss costs and claims and claim adjustment expense reserves could be more pronounced for those lines of business that require a relatively longer period of time to finalize and settle claims for a given accident year and, accordingly, are relatively more inflation sensitive. For a further discussion, see “Part I—Item IA—Risk Factors—If actual claims exceed our claims and claim adjustment expense reserves, or if changes in the estimated level of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves are necessary, including as a result of, among other things, changes in the legal/tort, regulatory and economic environments in which the Company operates, our financial results could be materially and adversely affected” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report. Inflation could also adversely impact our general and administrative expenses. Changes in interest rates caused by inflation affect the carrying value of our fixed maturity investments and returns on our fixed maturity and short-term investments. An increase in interest rates reduces the market value of existing fixed maturity investments, thereby negatively impacting our book value.
•Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes. As a result of our business outside of the United States, primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom (including Lloyd’s), the Republic of Ireland and in Brazil through a joint venture, our shareholders' equity is also subject to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In the first nine months
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS, Continued
of 2020, our shareholders’ equity was adversely impacted as result of an increase in unrealized losses on foreign currency exchange translation attributable to COVID-19 and the associated strengthening of the U.S. dollar in comparison to other currencies. Further strengthening of the U.S. dollar could result in a further reduction of shareholders’ equity.
•Adverse Legislative and/or Regulatory Action. Federal, state and/or local government actions to address and contain the impact of COVID-19 have adversely affected us and may adversely affect us in the future. For example, we are subject to legislative and/or regulatory action that seeks to retroactively mandate coverage for losses which our insurance policies were not designed or priced to cover. Currently, in some states there is proposed legislation to require insurers to cover business interruption claims irrespective of terms, exclusions or other conditions included in the policies that would otherwise preclude coverage. In addition, a number of states have instituted, and other states are considering instituting, changes designed to effectively expand workers' compensation coverage by creating presumptions of compensability of claims for certain types of workers. Regulatory restrictions or requirements have impacted or may impact pricing, risk selection and our rights and obligations with respect to our policies and insureds, including our ability to cancel and non-renew policies and to collect premiums. Several state regulators have issued orders, and may issue additional orders, requiring insurers to issue premium refunds, and regulators in other states could take similar actions. Many insurers, including us, have also voluntarily provided, and may further provide, premium refunds to their customers. It is also possible that changes in economic conditions and steps taken by federal, state and local governments in response to COVID-19 could require an increase in taxes at the federal, state and local levels, which would adversely impact our results of operations.
•Operational Disruptions and Heightened Cybersecurity Risks. Our operations could be disrupted if key members of our senior management or a significant percentage of our workforce or the workforce of our agents, brokers, suppliers or outsourcing providers are unable to continue to work because of illness, government directives or otherwise. In addition, the interruption of our or their system capabilities could result in a deterioration of our ability to write and process new and renewal business, provide customer service, pay claims in a timely manner or perform other necessary business functions. Having shifted to remote working arrangements, we also face a heightened risk of cybersecurity attacks or data security incidents and are more dependent on internet and telecommunications access and capabilities. For a further discussion, see “Part I—Item IA—Risk Factors—If we experience difficulties with technology, data and network security (including as a result of cyber attacks), outsourcing relationships or cloud-based technology, our ability to conduct our business could be negatively impacted” in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report.
As a result of the above risks, COVID-19 could materially and adversely impact our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity. For a further discussion of risks that can impact us as a result of an economic downturn, see "During or following a period of financial market disruption or an economic downturn, our business could be materially and adversely affected" included in "Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors" in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report and “Part I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Outlook” herein.
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Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases by the Company of its common stock during the periods indicated.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period Beginning | Period Ending | Total number of shares purchased | Average price paid per share | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July 1, 2020 | July 31, 2020 | 413 | $ | 115.78 | — | $ | 1,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
August 1, 2020 | August 31, 2020 | 733 | $ | 116.28 | — | $ | 1,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 1, 2020 | September 30, 2020 | 222 | $ | 115.40 | — | $ | 1,361 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 1,368 | $ | 115.99 | — | $ | 1,361 |
The Company’s Board of Directors has approved common share repurchase authorizations under which repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in private transactions or otherwise. The authorizations do not have a stated expiration date. The most recent authorization was approved by the Board of Directors in April 2017 and added $5.0 billion of repurchase capacity to the $709 million capacity remaining at that date. The timing and actual number of shares to be repurchased in the future will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s financial position, earnings, share price, catastrophe losses, maintaining capital levels commensurate with the Company’s desired ratings from independent rating agencies, funding of the Company’s qualified pension plan, capital requirements of the Company’s operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, other investment opportunities (including mergers and acquisitions and related financings), market conditions and other factors. Given the continuing impact of the economic and other uncertainties associated with COVID-19 on the foregoing factors, the Company may continue to reduce or eliminate its share repurchase activity at least in the near term.
The Company did not acquire any common shares under the share repurchase authorization during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The Company acquired 1,368 shares for a total cost of approximately $159,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2020 that were not part of the publicly announced share repurchase authorization. These shares consisted of shares retained to cover payroll withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock unit awards and performance share awards, and shares used by employees to cover the price of certain stock options that were exercised.
For additional information regarding the Company’s share repurchases, see “Part I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Executive Ownership and Sales. All of the Company’s executive officers are subject to the Company’s executive stock ownership policy. For a summary of this policy as currently in effect, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Additional Compensation Information—Stock Ownership Guidelines, Anti-Hedging and Pledging Policies, and Other Trading Restrictions” in the Company’s proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 3, 2020 (Proxy Statement). From time to time, some of the Company’s executives may determine that it is advisable to diversify their investments for personal financial planning reasons, or may seek liquidity for other reasons, and may, in compliance with the stock ownership policy, sell shares of common stock of the Company on the open market, in private transactions or to the Company. To effect such sales, from time to time, some of the Company’s executives may enter into trading plans designed to comply with the Company’s Securities Trading Policy and the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The trading plans will not reduce any of the executives’ ownership of the Company’s shares below the applicable executive stock ownership guidelines. The Company does not undertake any obligation to report Rule 10b5-1 plans that may be adopted by any employee or director of the Company in the future, or to report any modifications or termination of any publicly announced plan. As of the date of this report, none of the Company's "named executive officers" (i.e. an executive officer included in the compensation disclosures in the Company's most recent Proxy Statement) has entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan that remains in effect.
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Item 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibit | |||||||
3.1 | ||||||||
3.2 | ||||||||
31.1† | ||||||||
31.2† | ||||||||
32.1† | ||||||||
32.2† | ||||||||
101.1† | The following information from The Travelers Companies, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; (ii) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; (iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; (v) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019; (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements; and (vii) the cover page. | |||||||
104.1 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (Embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101.1). |
_________________________________________________________
† Filed herewith.
The total amount of securities authorized pursuant to any instrument defining rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Therefore, the Company is not filing any instruments evidencing long-term debt. However, the Company will furnish copies of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Copies of any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished to security holders who make written request therefor to The Travelers Companies, Inc., 385 Washington Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure except for the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for other than that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by the Company in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and do not apply in any other context or at any time other than the date they were made.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, The Travelers Companies, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. | ||||||||
(Registrant) | ||||||||
Date: October 20, 2020 | By | /S/ CHRISTINE K. KALLA | ||||||
Christine K. Kalla Executive Vice President and General Counsel (Authorized Signatory) | ||||||||
Date: October 20, 2020 | By | /S/ DOUGLAS K. RUSSELL | ||||||
Douglas K. Russell Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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