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TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (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 March 31, 2021
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 filerýAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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 April 15, 2021 was 251,465,267.




The Travelers Companies, Inc.
 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
 
For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2021
_________________________________________________________
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  Page
  
   
Item 1. 
   
 
Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited) — Three Months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
   
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) — Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
   
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet — March 31, 2021 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2020
   
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) — Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
   
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) — Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
   
 
   
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
March 31,
20212020
Revenues
Premiums$7,386 $7,229 
Net investment income701 611 
Fee income101 108 
Net realized investment gains (losses)44 (98)
Other revenues81 58 
Total revenues8,313 7,908 
Claims and expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses4,970 4,789 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,207 1,178 
General and administrative expenses1,163 1,137 
Interest expense82 84 
Total claims and expenses7,422 7,188 
Income before income taxes891 720 
Income tax expense158 120 
Net income$733 $600 
Net income per share
Basic$2.89 $2.34 
Diluted$2.87 $2.33 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic252.1 254.4 
Diluted254.1 255.9 
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.85 $0.82 

 









The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)
(in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Net income$733 $600 
Other comprehensive loss
Changes in net unrealized gains on investment securities:
Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income(1,596)(575)
Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income (6)
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations25 23 
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation26 (268)
Other comprehensive loss before income taxes(1,545)(826)
Income tax benefit(334)(137)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes(1,211)(689)
Comprehensive loss$(478)$(89)
 


































The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in millions)
 
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(Unaudited)
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost $70,286 and $68,830; allowance for expected credit losses of $2 and $2)
$73,861 $74,003 
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $387 and $387)
477 453 
Real estate investments1,018 1,026 
Short-term securities4,987 5,511 
Other investments3,544 3,430 
Total investments83,887 84,423 
Cash663 721 
Investment income accrued569 603 
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for expected credit
    losses of $110 and $105)
8,167 7,829 
Reinsurance recoverables (net of allowance for estimated uncollectible
  reinsurance of $142 and $146)
8,345 8,350 
Ceded unearned premiums1,165 772 
Deferred acquisition costs2,411 2,358 
Contractholder receivables (net of allowance for expected credit
   losses of $19 and $19)
4,271 4,242 
Goodwill4,017 3,976 
Other intangible assets318 317 
Other assets3,219 3,173 
Total assets$117,032 $116,764 
Liabilities  
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves$55,340 $54,521 
Unearned premium reserves15,742 15,222 
Contractholder payables4,290 4,261 
Payables for reinsurance premiums702 356 
Deferred taxes293 558 
Debt6,550 6,550 
Other liabilities5,846 6,095 
Total liabilities88,763 87,563 
Shareholders’ equity  
Common stock (1,750.0 shares authorized; 251.5 and 252.4 shares issued and outstanding)
23,905 23,743 
Retained earnings39,285 38,771 
Accumulated other comprehensive income1,291 2,502 
Treasury stock, at cost (530.0 and 527.3 shares)
(36,212)(35,815)
Total shareholders’ equity28,269 29,201 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$117,032 $116,764 





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
March 31,
20212020
Common stock  
Balance, beginning of period$23,743 $23,469 
Employee share-based compensation108 27 
Compensation amortization under share-based plans and other changes
54 46 
Balance, end of period23,905 23,542 
Retained earnings  
Balance, beginning of period38,771 36,977 
Cumulative effect of adoption of updated accounting guidance for credit losses at January 1, 2020
 (43)
Net income733 600 
Dividends(216)(210)
Other(3)
Balance, end of period39,285 37,325 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
  
Balance, beginning of period2,502 640 
Other comprehensive loss(1,211)(689)
Balance, end of period1,291 (49)
Treasury stock, at cost  
Balance, beginning of period(35,815)(35,143)
Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization(356)(425)
Net shares acquired related to employee share-based compensation plans
(41)(46)
Balance, end of period(36,212)(35,614)
Total shareholders’ equity$28,269 $25,204 
Common shares outstanding  
Balance, beginning of period252.4 255.5 
Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization(2.4)(3.5)
Net shares issued under employee share-based compensation plans
1.5 0.8 
Balance, end of period251.5 252.8 
 











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)
Three Months Ended March 31,
20212020
Cash flows from operating activities  
Net income$733 $600 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Net realized investment (gains) losses(44)98 
Depreciation and amortization235 203 
Deferred federal income tax expense56 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,207 1,178 
Equity in income from other investments(200)(67)
Premiums receivable(333)(326)
Reinsurance recoverables12 (15)
Deferred acquisition costs(1,258)(1,215)
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves777 388 
Unearned premium reserves509 414 
Other(504)(636)
Net cash provided by operating activities1,190 628 
Cash flows from investing activities  
Proceeds from maturities of fixed maturities2,064 1,461 
Proceeds from sales of investments:  
Fixed maturities1,238 388 
Equity securities25 33 
Other investments79 64 
Purchases of investments:  
Fixed maturities(4,754)(2,630)
Equity securities(19)(35)
Real estate investments(5)(16)
Other investments(97)(103)
Net sales of short-term securities524 906 
Securities transactions in course of settlement269 85 
Acquisition, net of cash acquired(38)— 
Other(60)(69)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(774)84 
Cash flows from financing activities  
Treasury stock acquired — share repurchase authorization(356)(425)
Treasury stock acquired — net employee share-based compensation(41)(46)
Dividends paid to shareholders(214)(210)
Issuance of common stock — employee share options134 31 
Net cash used in financing activities(477)(650)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash3 (12)
Net increase (decrease) in cash(58)50 
Cash at beginning of year721 494 
Cash at end of period$663 $544 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information  
Income taxes paid$58 $15 
Interest paid$59 $60 




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, 2020 (the Company’s 2020 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.

 Adoption of Accounting Standards

Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated guidance for the accounting for income taxes. The updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The Company adopted the updated guidance for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

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 2020 Annual Report.


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 2020 Annual Report.
8

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2.    SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued
The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s revenues, income and total assets by reportable business segments:
(For the three months ended March 31, in millions) Business
Insurance
Bond & Specialty
Insurance
Personal
Insurance
Total
Reportable
Segments
2021    
Premiums$3,799 $743 $2,844 $7,386 
Net investment income523 59 119 701 
Fee income95  6 101 
Other revenues53 5 23 81 
Total segment revenues (1)
$4,470 $807 $2,992 $8,269 
Segment income (1)
$317 $137 $314 $768 
2020    
Premiums$3,864 $667 $2,698 $7,229 
Net investment income453 55 103 611 
Fee income102 — 108 
Other revenues31 22 58 
Total segment revenues (1)
$4,450 $727 $2,829 $8,006 
Segment income (1)
$289 $122 $336 $747 
_________________________________________________________
(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."



9

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2.    SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued
Business Segment Reconciliations
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Revenue reconciliation  
Earned premiums  
Business Insurance:  
Domestic:  
Workers’ compensation$811 $899 
Commercial automobile695 684 
Commercial property531 508 
General liability607 601 
Commercial multi-peril870 886 
Other14 12 
Total Domestic3,528 3,590 
International271 274 
Total Business Insurance3,799 3,864 
Bond & Specialty Insurance:  
Domestic:  
Fidelity and surety266 257 
General liability331 287 
Other56 58 
Total Domestic653 602 
International90 65 
Total Bond & Specialty Insurance743 667 
Personal Insurance:  
Domestic:  
Automobile1,370 1,351 
Homeowners and Other1,308 1,176 
Total Domestic2,678 2,527 
International166 171 
Total Personal Insurance2,844 2,698 
Total earned premiums7,386 7,229 
Net investment income701 611 
Fee income101 108 
Other revenues81 58 
Total segment revenues8,269 8,006 
Other revenues — 
Net realized investment gains (losses)44 (98)
Total revenues$8,313 $7,908 
Income reconciliation, net of tax  
Total segment income$768 $747 
Interest Expense and Other (1)
(69)(71)
Core income699 676 
Net realized investment gains (losses)34 (76)
Net income$733 $600 
_________________________________________________________
(1) The primary component of Interest Expense and Other was after-tax interest expense of $65 million and $66 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
10

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
2.    SEGMENT INFORMATION, Continued
(in millions)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Asset reconciliation  
Business Insurance$88,657 $88,422 
Bond & Specialty Insurance9,488 9,420 
Personal Insurance18,279 18,328 
Total assets by reportable segment116,424 116,170 
Other assets (1)
608 594 
Total consolidated assets$117,032 $116,764 
 _________________________________________________________
(1)The primary components of other assets at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 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 CostAllowance for Expected Credit LossesGross UnrealizedFair Value
(at March 31, 2021, in millions)GainsLosses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities
$2,530 $ $32 $18 $2,544 
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:
Local general obligation17,719  1,079 84 18,714 
Revenue11,748  699 44 12,403 
State general obligation1,337  81 4 1,414 
Pre-refunded3,365  204  3,569 
Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
34,169  2,063 132 36,100 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments962  18 4 976 
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities
1,939  107 1 2,045 
All other corporate bonds30,663 2 1,651 141 32,171 
Redeemable preferred stock23  2  25 
Total$70,286 $2 $3,873 $296 $73,861 


11

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
3.    INVESTMENTS, Continued
 Amortized CostAllowance for Expected Credit LossesGross UnrealizedFair Value
(at December 31, 2020, in millions)GainsLosses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities
$2,111 $— $38 $— $2,149 
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions:
 
Local general obligation17,289 — 1,370 18,657 
Revenue11,806 — 909 — 12,715 
State general obligation1,343 — 101 — 1,444 
Pre-refunded3,325 — 219 — 3,544 
Total obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
33,763 — 2,599 36,360 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments1,028 — 26 — 1,054 
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities
2,222 — 139 — 2,361 
All other corporate bonds29,683 2,382 32,054 
Redeemable preferred stock23 — — 25 
Total$68,830 $$5,186 $11 $74,003 
 
Pre-refunded bonds of $3.57 billion and $3.54 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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 $1.24 billion and $388 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Gross gains of $15 million and gross losses of $1 million were realized on those sales during each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
 
Equity Securities
 
The cost and fair value of investments in equity securities were as follows:
  Fair
(at March 31, 2021, in millions)CostGross GainsGross LossesValue
Public common stock$352 $87 $7 $432 
Non-redeemable preferred stock35 10  45 
Total$387 $97 $7 $477 
 
  Fair
(at December 31, 2020, in millions)CostGross GainsGross LossesValue
Public common stock$352 $70 $12 $410 
Non-redeemable preferred stock35 — 43 
Total$387 $78 $12 $453 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $23 million and $(79) million of net gains (losses) on equity securities still held as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net realized losses on equity securities still held for the first quarter of 2020 were driven by the impact of changes in fair value attributable to the disruption in global financial markets associated with the global pandemic beginning in March 2020.

12

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 fixed maturities classified as available for sale in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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 2020 Annual Report.  The Company also relies upon estimates of several factors in its review and evaluation of individual investments, using the process described in note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report to determine whether a credit loss impairment exists.
 Less than 12 months12 months or longerTotal
(at March 31, 2021, 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
$854 $18 $ $ $854 $18 
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
4,654 132   4,654 132 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments
158 4   158 4 
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities
50 1 1  51 1 
All other corporate bonds3,494 137 125 4 3,619 141 
Total $9,210 $292 $126 $4 $9,336 $296 
 
 Less than 12 months12 months or longerTotal
(at December 31, 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
$92 $— $—  $— $92 $— 
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
245 —  — 245 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments
— —  — — 
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities
20 —  — 21 — 
All other corporate bonds681 97  778 
Total $1,045 $$98  $$1,143 $11 
 
At March 31, 2021, 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.
 
13

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 March 31, 2021, in millions)Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through SecuritiesAll Other Corporate BondsTotal
Balance, December 31, 2020$ $2 $2 
Additions for expected credit losses on securities where no credit losses were previously recognized
   
Additions (reductions) for expected credit losses on securities where credit losses were previously recognized
   
Reductions due to sales/defaults of credit-impaired securities
   
Reductions for impairments of securities which the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell (1)
   
Balance, March 31, 2021$ $2 $2 

(1)Credit impairment charges recognized in net realized investment gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 included no credit losses on fixed maturity securities which the Company had the intent to sell.

Fixed Maturities
(for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, in millions)Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through SecuritiesAll Other Corporate BondsTotal
Balance, January 1, 2020$— $— $— 
Additions for expected credit losses on securities where no credit losses were previously recognized
— 10 10 
Additions (reductions) for expected credit losses on securities where credit losses were previously recognized
— (6)(6)
 Reductions due to sales/defaults of credit-impaired securities— (2)(2)
Reductions for impairments of securities which the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell (1)
— — — 
Balance, December 31, 2020$— $$

(1)Credit impairment charges recognized in net realized investment gains for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 included $13 million of credit losses on fixed maturity securities which the Company had the intent 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 $0 million and $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Credit losses related to the fixed maturity portfolio for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 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. 
14

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, 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
 
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 estimates the fair value of these bonds using either another internal pricing matrix, a present value income approach, or a broker quote (collectively, the other methodologies). The other methodologies include some unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation.  Due to the limited amount of observable market information available in the estimation of fair value, the Company includes the fair value estimates for bonds that are valued using the other methodologies 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 2020 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 option at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $5 million, which was determined using an internal model and is based on 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 option 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.   
15

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
4.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued
(at March 31, 2021, in millions)TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Invested assets:    
Fixed maturities    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities
$2,544 $2,544 $ $ 
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
36,100  36,089 11 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments976  976  
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities
2,045  2,045  
All other corporate bonds32,171 4 32,009 158 
Redeemable preferred stock25 3 22  
Total fixed maturities73,861 2,551 71,141 169 
Equity securities    
Public common stock432 432   
Non-redeemable preferred stock45 38 7  
Total equity securities477 470 7  
Other investments52 17  35 
Total$74,390 $3,038 $71,148 $204 
Other liabilities$5 $ $ $5 
 
(at December 31, 2020, in millions)TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Invested assets:    
Fixed maturities    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government and government agencies and authorities
$2,149 $2,149 $— $— 
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions
36,360 — 36,349 11 
Debt securities issued by foreign governments1,054 — 1,054 — 
Mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and pass-through securities
2,361 — 2,361 — 
All other corporate bonds32,054 — 31,899 155 
Redeemable preferred stock25 22 — 
Total fixed maturities74,003 2,152 71,685 166 
Equity securities    
Public common stock410 410 — — 
Non-redeemable preferred stock43 18 25 — 
Total equity securities453 428 25 — 
Other investments52 17 — 35 
Total$74,508 $2,597 $71,710 $201 
Other liabilities$$— $— $
 
There was no significant activity in Level 3 of the hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or the year ended December 31, 2020.
 
16

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
4.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, Continued
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 March 31, 2021, in millions)Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Financial assets     
Short-term securities$4,987 $4,987 $630 $4,306 $51 
Financial liabilities     
Debt$6,450 $7,994 $ $7,994 $ 
Commercial paper$100 $100 $ $100 $ 
 
(at December 31, 2020, in millions)Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Financial assets     
Short-term securities$5,511 $5,511 $630 $4,829 $52 
Financial liabilities     
Debt$6,450 $8,976 $— $8,976 $— 
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 three months ended March 31, 2021 or the year ended December 31, 2020.

5.    ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES

Premiums Receivable

The following table presents the balances of premiums receivable, net of the allowance for expected credit losses, at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and the changes in the allowance for expected credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

At and For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021At and For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
(in millions)Premiums Receivable, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit LossesAllowance for Expected Credit LossesPremiums Receivable, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit LossesAllowance for Expected Credit Losses
 
Balance, beginning of period$7,829 $105 $7,909 $49 
Current period change for expected credit losses16 103 
Write-offs of uncollectible premiums receivable11 47 
Balance, end of period$8,167 $110 $7,829 $105 

Reinsurance Recoverables

The following table presents the balances of reinsurance recoverables, net of the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance, at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and the changes in the allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

17

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
5.    ALLOWANCE FOR EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES, Continued
At and For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021At and For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
(in millions)Reinsurance Recoverables, Net of Allowance for Estimated Uncollectible ReinsuranceAllowance for Estimated Uncollectible ReinsuranceReinsurance Recoverables, Net of Allowance for Estimated Uncollectible ReinsuranceAllowance for Estimated Uncollectible Reinsurance
 
Balance, beginning of period$8,350 $146 $8,235 $92 
Cumulative effect of adoption of updated accounting guidance for credit losses at January 1, 2020
 53 
Current period change for estimated uncollectible reinsurance(4)
Write-offs of uncollectible reinsurance recoverables — 
Balance, end of period$8,345 $142 $8,350 $146 

Of the total reinsurance recoverables at March 31, 2021, after deducting mandatory pools and associations and before allowances for estimated uncollectible reinsurance, $5.83 billion, or 87%, 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, 94% were rated A- or better. The remaining 13% 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 6% related to balances of 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.

Contractholder Receivables

The following table presents the balances of contractholder receivables, net of the allowance for expected credit losses, at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and the changes in the allowance for expected credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
At and For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021At and For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
(in millions)Contractholder Receivables, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit LossesAllowance for Expected Credit LossesContractholder Receivables, Net of Allowance for Expected Credit LossesAllowance for Expected Credit Losses
 
Balance, beginning of period$4,242 $19 $4,599 $20 
Current period change for expected credit losses 
Write-offs of uncollectible contractholder receivables 
Balance, end of period$4,271 $19 $4,242 $19 

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.
18

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

6.    GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Continued
(in millions)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Business Insurance$2,618 $2,613 
Bond & Specialty Insurance550 550 
Personal Insurance (1)
823 787 
Other26 26 
Total$4,017 $3,976 
 _________________________________________________________

(1) Goodwill at March 31, 2021 included approximately $33 million associated with a business acquired in the first quarter of 2021, which is deductible for tax purposes.

Other Intangible Assets
 
The following tables present a summary of the Company’s other intangible assets by major asset class.
(at March 31, 2021, in millions)Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Subject to amortization
Customer-related$105 $34 $71 
Contract-based (1)
205 185 20 
Total subject to amortization310 219 91 
Not subject to amortization227  227 
Total$537 $219 $318 
 
(at December 31, 2020, in millions)Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Subject to amortization
Customer-related$101 $31 $70 
Contract-based (1)
205 184 21 
Total subject to amortization306 215 91 
Not subject to amortization226 — 226 
Total$532 $215 $317 
 _________________________________________________________
(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 March 31, 2021 and 2020.  Amortization expense for all intangible assets subject to amortization is estimated to be $11 million for the remainder of 2021, $14 million in 2022, $13 million in 2023, $13 million in 2024 and $12 million in 2025. Amortization expense for intangible assets arising from insurance contracts acquired in a business combination is estimated to be $3 million for the remainder of 2021, $3 million in 2022, $3 million in 2023, $2 million in 2024 and $2 million in 2025.

19

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

7.    INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVES

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves were as follows:
(in millions)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Property-casualty$55,330 $54,510 
Accident and health10 11 
Total$55,340 $54,521 
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of beginning and ending property casualty reserve balances for claims and claim adjustment expenses:
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at beginning of year$54,510 $51,836 
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses8,153 8,035 
Cumulative effect of adoption of updated accounting guidance for credit losses at January 1, 2020
 53 
Net reserves at beginning of year46,357 43,854 
Estimated claims and claim adjustment expenses for claims arising in the current year5,242 4,763 
Estimated decrease in claims and claim adjustment expenses for
 claims arising in prior years
(294)(3)
Total increases4,948 4,760 
Claims and claim adjustment expense payments for claims arising in:  
Current year1,059 947 
Prior years3,012 3,439 
Total payments4,071 4,386 
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss28 (210)
Net reserves at end of period47,262 44,018 
Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses8,068 7,926 
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at end of period$55,330 $51,944 
 
Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at March 31, 2021 increased by $820 million from December 31, 2020, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) catastrophe losses in the first three months of 2021, (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 March 31, 2021 decreased by $85 million from December 31, 2020, primarily reflecting the impacts of cash collections in the first three months of 2021, partially offset by catastrophe losses in the same period.

Prior Year Reserve Development
 
The following disclosures regarding reserve development are on a “net of reinsurance” basis.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, estimated claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred included $294 million and $3 million, respectively, of net favorable development for claims arising in prior years, including $317 million and $27 million, respectively, of net favorable prior year reserve development, and $12 million of accretion of discount in each period that impacted the Company's results of operations.
 
20

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
7.    INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVES, Continued
Business Insurance. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 totaled $134 million, primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in domestic operations in the workers' compensation product line for multiple accident years, partially offset by an increase to environmental reserves. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 included a subrogation benefit of $10 million from Southern California Edison Company related to the 2018 Woolsey wildfire in California. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2020 totaled $5 million, primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in domestic operations in the workers' compensation and commercial property product lines for multiple accident years, largely offset by higher than expected loss experience in the commercial automobile product line for recent accident years.

Bond & Specialty Insurance.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 totaled $15 million, primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in the domestic surety product line for multiple accident years, partially offset by higher than expected loss experience in the domestic general liability product line for management liability coverages for multiple accident years. There was no net prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2020.

Personal Insurance.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 totaled $168 million, primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in domestic operations in both the homeowners and other and automobile product lines for recent accident years. Included in net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 was a subrogation benefit of $62 million from Southern California Edison Company related to the 2018 Woolsey wildfire in California. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2020 totaled $22 million, primarily driven by better than expected loss experience in domestic operations in both the homeowners and other and automobile product lines for multiple accident years.

8.    OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The following table presents the changes in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for the three months ended March 31, 2021.
 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, 2020$3,892 $182 $(832)$(740)$2,502 
Other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) before reclassifications, net of tax
(1,246)  26 (1,220)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax
(11) 20  9 
Net OCI, current period(1,257) 20 26 (1,211)
Balance, March 31, 2021$2,635 $182 $(812)$(714)$1,291 
 
21

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 loss and the related income tax expense (benefit).
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Changes in net unrealized gains on investment securities:
  
Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income
$(1,596)$(575)
Income tax benefit(339)(118)
Net of taxes(1,257)(457)
Having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income
 (6)
Income tax benefit (2)
Net of taxes (4)
Net changes in benefit plan assets and obligations25 23 
Income tax expense5 
Net of taxes20 18 
Net changes in unrealized foreign currency translation26 (268)
Income tax benefit (22)
Net of taxes26 (246)
Total other comprehensive loss(1,545)(826)
Total income tax benefit(334)(137)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of taxes$(1,211)$(689)
 
22

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
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Reclassification adjustments related to unrealized gains on investment securities:
Having no credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income (1)
$(14)$
Income tax expense (2)
(3)— 
Net of taxes(11)
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)
10 
General and administrative expenses (3)
15 12 
Total25 21 
Income tax benefit (2)
5 
Net of taxes20 17 
Reclassification adjustment related to foreign currency translation (1)
 — 
Income tax benefit (2)
 — 
Net of taxes — 
Total reclassifications11 23 
Total income tax benefit2 
Total reclassifications, net of taxes$9 $19 
 _________________________________________________________
(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.     COMMON SHARE REPURCHASES
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 2.4 million common shares under its share repurchase authorization for total cost of $356 million. The average cost per share repurchased was $147.87.  In addition, the Company acquired 0.3 million shares for a total cost of approximately $41 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 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. On April 20, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5.0 billion of repurchase capacity to the $805 million of capacity remaining at March 31, 2021.

23

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued

10.     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
March 31,
(in millions, except per share amounts)20212020
Basic and Diluted
Net income, as reported$733 $600 
Participating share-based awards — allocated income(5)(5)
Net income available to common shareholders — basic and diluted
$728 $595 
Common Shares
Basic
Weighted average shares outstanding252.1 254.4 
Diluted
Weighted average shares outstanding252.1 254.4 
Weighted average effects of dilutive securities — stock options and performance shares
2.0 1.5 
Total254.1 255.9 
Net Income per Common Share
Basic$2.89 $2.34 
Diluted$2.87 $2.33 

11.      SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

The following information relates to fully vested stock option awards at March 31, 2021:
 
                                           Stock OptionsNumberWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Life
Remaining
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
($ in millions)
Vested at end of period (1)
8,045,981 $122.61 6.5 years$224 
Exercisable at end of period4,930,089 $116.37 5.0 years$168 
_________________________________________________________
(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 $53 million and $46 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The related tax benefits recognized in earnings were $9 million and $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested share-based incentive compensation awards at March 31, 2021 was $240 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

12.    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 March 31, 2021 and 2020.
24

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
12.                PENSION PLANS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND SAVINGS PLANS, Continued
 Pension PlansPostretirement Benefit Plans
(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)2021202020212020
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Benefit):    
Service cost$35 $33 $ $— 
Non-service cost (benefit):    
Interest cost on benefit obligation$21 $29 $1 $
Expected return on plan assets(69)(69) — 
Amortization of unrecognized:
Prior service benefit — (1)(2)
Net actuarial (gain) loss 27 23 (1)— 
Total non-service cost (benefit)(21)(17)(1)(1)
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)$14 $16 $(1)$(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 March 31, 2021 and 2020.
 
 Pension PlansPostretirement Benefit Plans
(for the three months ended March 31, in millions)2021202020212020
Service Cost:    
Claims and claim adjustment expenses$14 $14 $ $— 
General and administrative expenses21 19  — 
Total service cost35 33  — 
Non-Service Cost (Benefit):    
Claims and claim adjustment expenses(9)(7) — 
General and administrative expenses(12)(10)(1)(1)
Total non-service cost (benefit)(21)(17)(1)(1)
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)$14 $16 $(1)$(1)

13.    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:
25

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
13.                LEASES, Continued
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Lease cost
Operating leases$23 $24 
Short-term leases (1)
 — 
Lease expense23 24 
Less: sublease income (2)
 — 
Net lease cost$23 $24 
Other information on operating leases
Cash payments to settle a lease liability reported in cash flows
$26 $27 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities$12 $14 
Weighted average discount rate2.46 %2.97 %
Weighted average remaining lease term4.9 years5.0 years
_________________________________________________________

(1) Leases with a term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the consolidated 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.


14.    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.
26

THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
14.    CONTINGENCIES, COMMITMENTS AND GUARANTEES, Continued

Other Commitments and Guarantees
 
Commitments
 
Investment Commitments — The Company has unfunded commitments to private equity limited partnerships, real estate partnerships and others.  These commitments totaled $1.66 billion and $1.76 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
 
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 March 31, 2021.
 
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 March 31, 2021, all of which is indemnified by a third party.  For more information regarding Company guarantees, see note 17 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report.

27


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
 
2021 First Quarter Consolidated Results of Operations
 
Net income of $733 million, or $2.89 per share basic and $2.87 per share diluted
Net earned premiums of $7.39 billion
Catastrophe losses of $835 million ($659 million after-tax)
Net favorable prior year reserve development of $317 million ($249 million after-tax)
Combined ratio of 96.6%
Net investment income of $701 million ($590 million after-tax)
Net realized investment gains of $44 million ($34 million after-tax)
Operating cash flows of $1.19 billion
 
2021 First Quarter Consolidated Financial Condition
 
Total investments of $83.89 billion; fixed maturities and short-term securities comprised 94% of total investments
Total assets of $117.03 billion
Total debt of $6.55 billion, resulting in a debt-to-total capital ratio of 18.8% (20.5% excluding net unrealized investment gains, net of tax)
Total capital returned to shareholders of $613 million, comprising $397 million of share repurchases and $216 million of dividends
Share repurchase authorization increased by $5.0 billion on April 20, 2021
Shareholders’ equity of $28.27 billion
Net unrealized investment gains of $3.58 billion ($2.82 billion after-tax)
Book value per common share of $112.42
Holding company liquidity of $1.76 billion

 
28


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW
 
Consolidated Results of Operations
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions, except ratio and per share amounts)20212020
Revenues  
Premiums$7,386 $7,229 
Net investment income701 611 
Fee income101 108 
Net realized investment gains (losses)44 (98)
Other revenues81 58 
Total revenues8,313 7,908 
Claims and expenses  
Claims and claim adjustment expenses4,970 4,789 
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs1,207 1,178 
General and administrative expenses1,163 1,137 
Interest expense82 84 
Total claims and expenses7,422 7,188 
Income before income taxes891 720 
Income tax expense158 120 
Net income$733 $600 
Net income per share  
Basic$2.89 $2.34 
Diluted$2.87 $2.33 
Combined ratio  
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio66.7 %65.5 %
Underwriting expense ratio29.9 30.0 
Combined ratio96.6 %95.5 %
 
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 $2.87 in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 23% over diluted net income per share of $2.33 in the same period of 2020.  Net income of $733 million in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 22% over net income of $600 million in the same period of 2020.  The slightly 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) higher net favorable prior year reserve development, (ii) net realized investment gains compared to net realized investment losses in the same period of 2020, (iii) higher underwriting margins excluding catastrophe losses and prior year reserve development ("underlying underwriting margins") and (iv) higher net investment income, partially offset by (v) higher catastrophe losses. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $317 million and $27 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 were $835 million and $333 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins in the first quarter of 2021 were driven by Business Insurance and Bond & Specialty Insurance, partially offset by Personal Insurance. Underlying underwriting margins in the first quarter of 2021 reflected a net favorable impact from COVID-19 and related economic conditions, compared with net charges associated with COVID-19 and related economic conditions in the same period of 2020. Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in income before income taxes.
29


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued


For discussion regarding the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2020, see “Part II—Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report. For further discussion regarding the potential future impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on the Company, see “Outlook” herein and “The impact of COVID-19 and related risks could materially affect our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity” included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company's 2020 Annual Report.

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 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 ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, 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 first quarter of 2021 were $7.39 billion, $157 million or 2% higher than in the same period of 2020.  In Business Insurance, earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 2% from the same period of 2020. Earned premiums in Business Insurance in the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by lower net written premiums in the preceding twelve months due to a modest reduction in exposures and a decrease in new business volume, in each case driven by COVID-19 and related economic conditions. In Bond & Specialty Insurance, earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 11% over the same period of 2020. In Personal Insurance, earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 5% over the same period of 2020. Earned premiums in Bond & Specialty Insurance and Personal Insurance in the first quarters of both 2021 and 2020 were not materially impacted by 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
March 31,
(dollars in millions)20212020
Average investments (1)
$81,209 $76,191 
Pre-tax net investment income701 611 
After-tax net investment income590 519 
Average pre-tax yield (2)
3.5 %3.2 %
Average after-tax yield (2)
2.9 %2.7 %
_________________________________________________________ 
(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 first quarter of 2021 was $701 million, $90 million or 15% higher than in the same period of 2020. Net investment income from fixed maturity investments in the first quarter of 2021 was $491 million, $20 million lower than in the same period of 2020, primarily resulting 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 first quarter of 2021 was $3 million, $19 million lower than in the same period of 2020, primarily resulting from lower short-term interest rates. Net investment income generated by the Company's remaining investment portfolios in the first quarter of 2021 was $218 million, $130 million higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting higher returns from private equity partnerships. 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, net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis.

30


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Fee Income
Fee income in the first quarter of 2021 was $101 million, $7 million lower than in the same period of 2020. 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
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Credit impairment gains (losses)$ $(16)
Net realized investment gains (losses) on equity securities still held
23 (79)
Other net realized investment gains (losses), including from sales21 (3)
Total$44 $(98)

Net realized investment gains on equity securities still held of $23 million in the first quarter of 2021 were driven by the impact of changes in fair value attributable to favorable equity markets. Net realized losses on equity securities still held for the first quarter of 2020 were driven by the impact of changes in fair value attributable to the disruption in global financial markets associated with the global pandemic beginning in March 2020 related to the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

Other Revenues
Other revenues in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 included revenues from Simply Business and installment premium charges.
 
Claims and Expenses

Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $4.97 billion, $181 million or 4% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting (i) higher catastrophe losses, (ii) loss cost trends, (iii) higher losses in the homeowners and other product line in Personal Insurance, primarily attributable to a comparison to a low level of non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first quarter of 2020, and (iv) higher business volumes, partially offset by (v) higher net favorable prior year reserve development, (vi) lower losses in the automobile product line in Personal Insurance due to a decrease in miles driven primarily attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions and (vii) a net charge associated with COVID-19 and related economic conditions in Business Insurance in the first quarter of 2020. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2021 primarily resulted from winter storms and wind storms in several regions of the United States. Catastrophe losses in the first quarter of 2020 primarily resulted from tornado activity in Tennessee and other wind storms and winter storms in several regions of the United States. The impacts of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on claims and claim adjustment expenses are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

Factors contributing to net favorable prior year reserve development during the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 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 ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount of net unfavorable (favorable) prior year reserve development recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 for significant catastrophes that occurred in 2020 and 2019, and the estimate of ultimate losses for those catastrophes at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. 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 2021 ranged from $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 2020 Annual Report.
31


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

 Losses Incurred/Unfavorable (Favorable)
Prior Year Reserve Development
  
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 Estimated Ultimate Losses
(in millions, pre-tax and net of reinsurance) (1)
20212020March 31,
2021
December 31, 2020
2019
PCS Serial Number:
33 — Severe wind storms
(1)5257 258
61 — Severe wind storms and tornadoes
(8)— 109 117
2020
PCS Serial Number:
16 — Tennessee tornado activity
(1)182150 151
19 — Severe storms
(5)n/a129 134
20 — Severe storms
(5)n/a160 165
33 — Civil unrest
— n/a100 100
44 — Tropical Storm Isaias
(1)n/a139 140
46 — Midwest derecho(5)n/a207 212
68 — California wildfire - Glass fire(7)n/a138 145
2021
PCS Serial Number:
15 — Winter storms 223 n/a223 n/a
17 — Winter storms480 n/a480 n/a
_________________________________________________________

(1) Amounts are reported pre-tax and net of recoveries under all applicable reinsurance treaties, except for the Company's 2020 and 2019 Underlying Property Aggregate Catastrophe Excess-of-Loss Treaties, the terms of which are described in "Part I—Item 1—Business" in the Company's 2020 Annual Report. Those treaties covered 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, and the period January 1, 2019 through and including December 31, 2019, respectively. As a result, the benefits from those treaties are 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.

n/a: not applicable.

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first quarter of 2021 was $1.21 billion, $29 million or 2% higher than in the same period of 2020, generally consistent with the increase in earned premiums. 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 first quarter of 2021 were $1.16 billion, $26 million or 2% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of costs associated with higher business volumes, partially offset by lower net expenses related to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. General and administrative expenses are discussed in more detail in the segment discussions that follow.

Interest Expense
Interest expense in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $82 million and $84 million, respectively.
 
32


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was $158 million, $38 million or 32% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the $171 million increase in income before income taxes in the first quarter of 2021.
 
The Company’s effective tax rate was 18% and 17% in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The effective tax rates in both periods were lower than the statutory rate of 21%, 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 96.6% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.1 points higher than the combined ratio of 95.5% in the same period of 2020.  The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 66.7% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.2 points higher than in the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 65.5% in the same period of 2020.  The underwriting expense ratio of 29.9% for the first quarter of 2021 was 0.1 points lower than the underwriting expense ratio of 30.0% in the same period of 2020. 

Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 accounted for 11.3 points and 4.6 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 provided 4.2 points and 0.4 points, respectively, of benefit to the combined ratio. The combined ratio excluding prior year reserve development and catastrophe losses (“underlying combined ratio”) in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.8 points lower than the 2020 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 primarily attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions, (ii) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends in Business Insurance and Bond & Specialty Insurance and (iii) a net charge associated with COVID-19 and related economic conditions in Business Insurance in the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by (iv) higher losses in the homeowners and other product line in Personal Insurance, primarily attributable to a comparison to a low level of non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first quarter of 2020.

The combined ratio continues to be impacted by 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
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Business Insurance$4,776 $4,794 
Bond & Specialty Insurance834 750 
Personal Insurance2,797 2,608 
Total$8,407 $8,152 
 
 Net Written Premiums
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Business Insurance$4,125 $4,190 
Bond & Specialty Insurance723 663 
Personal Insurance2,657 2,493 
Total$7,505 $7,346 
 
Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 3% and 2%, respectively, over the same period of 2020. In Business Insurance, gross written premiums were comparable with the same period of 2020, and net written premiums decreased by 2% from the same period of 2020. Gross and net written premiums in Business Insurance in the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by lower exposures in the workers' compensation product line due to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on payrolls. Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 in Bond & Specialty Insurance increased by 11% and 9%, respectively, over the same period of 2020. Gross and net written premiums in Bond &
33


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Specialty Insurance in the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by lower surety volumes, primarily due to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Gross and net written premiums in Personal Insurance in the first quarter of 2021 both increased by 7% over the same period of 2020, primarily driven by increases in the homeowners and other product line. Gross and net written premiums in Personal Insurance in the first quarter of 2021 were not materially impacted by 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.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT
 
Business Insurance

Results of Business Insurance were as follows:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollars in millions)20212020
Revenues  
Earned premiums$3,799 $3,864 
Net investment income523 453 
Fee income95 102 
Other revenues53 31 
Total revenues4,470 4,450 
Total claims and expenses4,098 4,112 
Segment income before income taxes372 338 
Income tax expense55 49 
Segment income$317 $289 
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio72.2 %70.9 %
Underwriting expense ratio31.3 31.3 
Combined ratio103.5 %102.2 %

Overview
Segment income in the first quarter of 2021 was $317 million, $28 million or 10% higher than segment income of $289 million in the same period of 2020. The increase in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher underlying underwriting margins, (ii) higher net favorable prior year reserve development and (iii) higher net investment income, partially offset by (iv) higher catastrophe losses. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $134 million and $5 million, respectively. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 were $506 million and $195 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of (i) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends in the first quarter of 2021 and (ii) a net charge associated with COVID-19 and related economic conditions in the first quarter of 2020. Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in segment income before income taxes.

Revenues
 
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 of $3.80 billion decreased by 2% from the same period of 2020. Earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 were impacted by a decrease in net written premiums in the preceding twelve months due to a modest reduction in exposures and a decrease in new business volume, both impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Earned premiums in the first quarter of 2020 were negatively impacted by a reduction in the Company's estimate of ultimate audit premiums receivable, including the effect of COVID-19 and related economic conditions.

34


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Net Investment Income
Net investment income in the first quarter of 2021 was $523 million, $70 million or 15% higher than in the same period of 2020.  Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the increase in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period of 2020. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 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 policy issuance and claims management services to workers' compensation residual market pools.  Fee income in the first quarter of 2021 was $95 million, $7 million or 7% lower than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting lower claim volume under administration associated with its service businesses.
 
Other Revenues
Other revenues in the first quarter of 2021 were $53 million, $22 million or 71% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting growth in revenues from Simply Business. Other revenues also included installment premium charges and other policyholder service charges. 
 
Claims and Expenses
 
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $2.79 billion, comparable with the same period of 2020, as the impacts of (i) reduced exposures, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, and (ii) higher net favorable prior year reserve development were largely offset by (iii) higher catastrophe losses and (iv) loss cost trends. Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2020 were unfavorably impacted by modestly higher loss estimates in certain product lines associated with COVID-19 and related economic conditions.

Factors contributing to net favorable prior year reserve development during the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 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 first quarter of 2021 was $627 million, $9 million or 1% lower than in the same period of 2020, generally consistent with the decrease in earned premiums. 
 
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $683 million, comparable with the same period of 2020. General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2021 included the benefit of lower travel-related expenses related to COVID-19 and related economic conditions. General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2020 included an increase in the allowance for expected credit losses on premiums receivable attributable to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
 
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was $55 million, $6 million or 12% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the $34 million increase in income before income taxes.

Combined Ratio
 
The combined ratio of 103.5% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.3 points higher than the combined ratio of 102.2% in the same period of 2020.  The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 72.2% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.3 points higher than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 70.9% in the same period of 2020. The underwriting expense ratio of 31.3% for the first quarter of 2021 was level with the underwriting expense ratio in the same period of 2020. 

Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 accounted for 13.3 points and 5.0 points, respectively, of the combined ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 provided 3.5 points and 0.1 points of benefit, respectively, to the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the first quarter of 2021 was 3.6 points lower than the 2020 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends in the
35


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

first quarter of 2021 and (ii) a net charge associated with COVID-19 and related economic conditions in the first quarter of 2020.

Written Premiums
Business Insurance’s gross and net written premiums by market were as follows:
 Gross Written Premiums
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Domestic:  
Select Accounts$751 $821 
Middle Market2,565 2,569 
National Accounts497 508 
National Property and Other600 556 
Total Domestic4,413 4,454 
International363 340 
Total Business Insurance$4,776 $4,794 
 
 Net Written Premiums
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Domestic:  
Select Accounts$729 $799 
Middle Market2,384 2,408 
National Accounts290 301 
National Property and Other445 428 
Total Domestic3,848 3,936 
International277 254 
Total Business Insurance$4,125 $4,190 
 
Gross written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 were comparable with the same period of 2020. Net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 2% from the same period of 2020. Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by lower net written premiums in the workers' compensation product line due to the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on payrolls.

Select Accounts.  Net written premiums of $729 million in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 9% from the same period of 2020. Retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021 but declined from the same period of 2020.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2021 remained positive and were higher than in the same period of 2020.  New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 decreased from the same period of 2020.
 
Middle Market.  Net written premiums of $2.38 billion in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 1% from the same period of 2020. Retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2021 remained positive and were higher than in the same period of 2020.  New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 decreased from the same period of 2020.
 
National Accounts.  Net written premiums of $290 million in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 4% from the same period of 2020.  Retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.  Renewal premium changes were flat in the first quarter of 2021 and lower than in the same period of 2020. New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased over the same period of 2020.

National Property and Other.  Net written premiums of $445 million in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 4% over the same period of 2020.  Retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of
36


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

2021 remained positive and were slightly higher than in the same period of 2020. New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 decreased from the same period of 2020.
 
International.  Net written premiums of $277 million in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 9% over the same period of 2020, primarily driven by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the Company's operations at Lloyd's. 

Bond & Specialty Insurance
 
Results of Bond & Specialty Insurance were as follows:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollars in millions)20212020
Revenues  
Earned premiums$743 $667 
Net investment income59 55 
Other revenues5 
Total revenues807 727 
Total claims and expenses638 576 
Segment income before income taxes169 151 
Income tax expense32 29 
Segment income$137 $122 
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio49.9 %48.8 %
Underwriting expense ratio35.3 37.1 
Combined ratio85.2 %85.9 %
 
Overview
Segment income in the first quarter of 2021 was $137 million, $15 million or 12% higher than segment income of $122 million in the same period of 2020. The increase in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher underlying underwriting margins and (ii) net favorable prior year reserve development, compared with no net prior year reserve development in the same period of 2020, partially offset by (iii) higher catastrophe losses. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 was $15 million. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 were $24 million and $1 million, respectively. The higher underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of (i) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends and (ii) higher business volumes, partially offset by (iii) other loss activity, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions. Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the increase in segment income before income taxes.

Revenues
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 were $743 million, $76 million or 11% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the increase in net written premiums over the preceding twelve months. Earned premiums in the first quarters of both 2021 and 2020 were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions.

Net Investment Income
Net investment income in the first quarter of 2021 was $59 million, $4 million or 7% higher than in the same period of 2020. 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 increase in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period of 2020. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.
 
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Claims and Expenses
 
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $374 million, $47 million or 14% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher business volumes, (ii) higher catastrophe losses, (iii) other loss activity, including the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions, partially offset by (iv) net favorable prior year reserve development, compared with no net prior year reserve development in the same period of 2020.

Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs in the first quarter of 2021 was $134 million, $10 million or 8% higher than in the same period of 2020.  The increase was generally consistent with the increase in earned premiums.

General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $130 million, $5 million or 4% higher than in the same period of 2020. The increase primarily reflected the impacts of higher business volumes, partially offset by lower travel-related expenses related to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
 
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was $32 million, $3 million or 10% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the $18 million increase in segment income before income taxes.

Combined Ratio
 
The combined ratio of 85.2% in the first quarter of 2021 was 0.7 points lower than the combined ratio of 85.9% in the same period of 2020.  The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 49.9% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.1 points higher than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 48.8% in the same period of 2020. The underwriting expense ratio of 35.3% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.8 points lower than the underwriting expense ratio of 37.1% in the same period of 2020.
 
Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 accounted for 3.1 points and 0.2 points, respectively, of the combined ratio.  Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2021 provided 2.1 points of benefit to the combined ratio. There was no prior year reserve development in the first quarter of 2020. The underlying combined ratio in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.5 points lower than the 2020 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) earned pricing that exceeded loss cost trends and (ii) a lower expense ratio resulting primarily from higher premium volumes, partially offset by (iii) other loss activity, 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
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Domestic:  
Management Liability$502 $438 
Surety235 250 
Total Domestic737 688 
International97 62 
Total Bond & Specialty Insurance$834 $750 

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

 Net Written Premiums
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Domestic:  
Management Liability$444 $401 
Surety200 215 
Total Domestic644 616 
International79 47 
Total Bond & Specialty Insurance$723 $663 
 
Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 11% and 9%, respectively, over the same period of 2020. Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by lower surety volumes, primarily due to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.
 
Domestic.  Net written premiums of $644 million in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 5% over the same period of 2020.   Excluding the surety line of business, for which the following are not relevant measures, retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2021 remained positive and were higher than in the same period of 2020. New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 decreased from the same period of 2020.
 
International.  Net written premiums of $79 million in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 68% over the same period of 2020, primarily driven by increases in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Personal Insurance
 
Results of Personal Insurance were as follows:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollars in millions)20212020
Revenues  
Earned premiums$2,844 $2,698 
Net investment income119 103 
Fee income6 
Other revenues23 22 
Total revenues2,992 2,829 
Total claims and expenses2,598 2,409 
Segment income before income taxes394 420 
Income tax expense80 84 
Segment income$314 $336 
Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio63.6 %61.9 %
Underwriting expense ratio26.7 26.3 
Combined ratio90.3 %88.2 %
 
39


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Overview
Segment income in the first quarter of 2021 was $314 million, $22 million or 7% lower than segment income of $336 million in the same period of 2020. The decrease in segment income before income taxes primarily reflected the pre-tax impacts of (i) higher catastrophe losses and (ii) lower underlying underwriting margins, partially offset by (iii) higher net favorable prior year reserve development and (iv) higher net investment income. Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 were $305 million and $137 million, respectively. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $168 million and $22 million, respectively. The lower underlying underwriting margins primarily reflected the impacts of (i) higher losses in the homeowners and other product line, primarily attributable to a comparison to a low level of non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by (ii) lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven primarily attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions and (iii) higher business volumes. Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was lower than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the decrease in segment income before income taxes.

Revenues
 
Earned Premiums
Earned premiums in the first quarter of 2021 were $2.84 billion, $146 million or 5% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the increase in net written premiums over the preceding twelve months. Earned premiums in the first quarters of both 2021 and 2020 were not materially impacted by COVID-19 and related economic conditions.

Net Investment Income
Net investment income in the first quarter of 2021 was $119 million, $16 million or 16% higher than in the same period of 2020. Refer to the “Net Investment Income” section of the “Consolidated Results of Operations” discussion herein for a description of the factors contributing to the increase in the Company’s consolidated net investment income in the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period of 2020. In addition, refer to note 2 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s net investment income allocation methodology.
 
Other Revenues
Other revenues in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 primarily consisted of installment premium charges.
 
Claims and Expenses
 
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses
Claims and claim adjustment expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $1.81 billion, $137 million or 8% higher than in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher catastrophe losses, (ii) loss cost trends, (iii) higher losses in the homeowners and other product line, primarily attributable to a comparison to a low level of non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first quarter of 2020, and (iv) higher business volumes, partially offset by (v) higher net favorable prior year reserve development and (vi) lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven primarily attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.

Factors contributing to net favorable prior year reserve development during the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 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 first quarter of 2021 was $446 million, $28 million or 7% higher than in the same period of 2020. The increase in 2021 was generally consistent with the increase in earned premiums.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2021 were $344 million, $24 million or 8% higher than in the same period of 2020. The increase in 2021 primarily reflected the impacts of higher business volumes and normal variability in expenses.

Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense in the first quarter of 2021 was $80 million, $4 million or 5% lower than in same period of 2020, primarily reflecting the impact of the $26 million decrease in segment income before income taxes.

40


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Combined Ratio
 
The combined ratio of 90.3% in the first quarter of 2021 was 2.1 points higher than the combined ratio of 88.2% in the same period of 2020.  The loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 63.6% in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.7 points higher than the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio of 61.9% in the same period of 2020.  The underwriting expense ratio of 26.7% for the first quarter of 2021 was 0.4 points higher than the underwriting expense ratio of 26.3% in the same period of 2020.
 
Catastrophe losses in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 accounted for 10.8 points and 5.0 points, respectively, of the combined ratio. Net favorable prior year reserve development in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 provided 5.9 points and 0.8 points, respectively, of benefit to the combined ratio. The underlying combined ratio in the first quarter of 2021 was 1.4 points higher than the 2020 ratio on the same basis, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) higher losses in the homeowners and other product line, primarily attributable to a comparison to a low level of non-catastrophe weather-related losses in the first quarter of 2020, partially offset by (ii) lower losses in the automobile product line due to a decrease in miles driven primarily attributable to COVID-19 and related economic conditions.

Written Premiums
Personal Insurance’s gross and net written premiums were as follows:

 Gross Written Premiums
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Domestic:  
Automobile$1,387 $1,346 
Homeowners and Other1,268 1,116 
Total Domestic2,655 2,462 
International142 146 
Total Personal Insurance$2,797 $2,608 
 
 Net Written Premiums
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Domestic:  
Automobile$1,375 $1,333 
Homeowners and Other1,144 1,017 
Total Domestic2,519 2,350 
International138 143 
Total Personal Insurance$2,657 $2,493 
 
Gross and net written premiums in the first quarter of 2021 both increased by 7% over the same period of 2020.

Domestic
Automobile net written premiums of $1.38 billion in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 3% over the same period of 2020. Retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2021 were not significant and were lower than in the same period of 2020.  New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased over the same period of 2020.

Homeowners and Other net written premiums of $1.14 billion in the first quarter of 2021 increased by 12% over the same period of 2020.  Retention rates remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.  Renewal premium changes in the first quarter of 2021 remained positive and were slightly higher than in the same period of 2020.  New business premiums in the first quarter of 2021 increased over the same period of 2020.
41


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

 
For its Domestic business, Personal Insurance had approximately 8.5 million and 8.0 million active policies at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

International
International net written premiums of $138 million in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 3% from the same period of 2020, due to lower net written premiums in the automobile product line.

For its International business, Personal Insurance had approximately 490,000 and 518,000 active policies at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Interest Expense and Other
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Income (loss)$(69)$(71)
 
The Income (loss) for Interest Expense and Other in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $(69) million and $(71) million, respectively.  Pre-tax interest expense in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $82 million and $84 million, respectively. After-tax interest expense in the first quarters of 2021 and 2020 was $65 million and $66 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, such as manufacturers of talcum powder, 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 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 with open claims 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
42


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

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.
 
The Company’s quarterly asbestos reserve reviews include an analysis of exposure and claim payment patterns by policyholder, as well as recent settlements, policyholder bankruptcies, judicial rulings and legislative actions.  The Company also analyzes developing payment patterns among policyholders and the assumed reinsurance component of reserves, 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. 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 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 three months of 2021 and 2020 were $49 million and $63 million, respectively. Net asbestos reserves were $1.29 billion and $1.21 billion at March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively.
 
The following table displays activity for asbestos losses and loss expenses and reserves:
(at and for the three months ended March 31, in millions)20212020
Beginning reserves:  
Gross$1,668 $1,601 
Ceded(330)(322)
Net1,338 1,279 
Incurred losses and loss expenses:  
Gross — 
Ceded — 
Net — 
Paid loss and loss expenses:  
Gross52 69 
Ceded(3)(6)
Net49 63 
Foreign exchange and other:  
Gross (2)
Ceded — 
Net (2)
Ending reserves:  
Gross1,616 1,530 
Ceded(327)(316)
Net$1,289 $1,214 
_________________________________________________________
See “—Uncertainty Regarding Adequacy of Asbestos and Environmental Reserves.”
43


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued


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 the alleged storage, emissions or disposal 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. For example, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) enables private parties as well as federal and state governments to take action with respect to releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances. This federal statute permits the recovery of response costs from some liable parties and may require liable parties to undertake their own remedial action. 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 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 $33 million and $17 million in the first three months of 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net environmental paid loss and loss expenses in the first three months of 2021 and 2020 were $23 million and $14 million, respectively. Net environmental reserves were $316 million and $323 million at March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, 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. The continuing uncertainties include, without limitation:

the risks and lack of predictability inherent in complex litigation;
a further increase in the cost to resolve, and/or the number of, asbestos and environmental claims beyond that which is anticipated;
the emergence of a greater number of asbestos claims than anticipated as a result of extended life expectancies resulting from medical advances and lifestyle improvements;
the role of any umbrella or excess policies we have issued;
the resolution or adjudication of disputes concerning coverage for asbestos and environmental claims in a manner inconsistent with our previous assessment of these disputes;
the number and outcome of direct actions against us;
44


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

future developments pertaining to our ability to recover reinsurance for asbestos and environmental claims;
any impact on asbestos defendants we insure due to the bankruptcy of other asbestos defendants;
the unavailability of other insurance sources potentially available to policyholders, whether through exhaustion of policy limits or through the insolvency of other participating insurers; and
uncertainties arising from the insolvency or bankruptcy of policyholders.

Changes in the legal, regulatory and legislative environment may impact the future 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 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 March 31, 2021 were $83.89 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 and taxable U.S. municipal and taxable corporate and U.S. agency mortgage-backed bonds.
 
The carrying value of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at March 31, 2021 was $73.86 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.  Below investment grade securities represented 1.8% of the total fixed maturity investment portfolio at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The weighted average effective duration of fixed maturities and short-term securities was 4.1 (4.3 excluding short-term securities) at March 31, 2021 and 3.8 (4.0 excluding short-term securities) at December 31, 2020.

 Obligations of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions
 
The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 included $36.10 billion and $36.36 billion, respectively, of securities that 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $3.57 billion and $3.54 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
 
45


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Mortgage-Backed Securities, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Pass-Through Securities
 
The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 included $2.05 billion and $2.36 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 March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $1.12 billion and $1.24 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 $927 million and $1.12 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Approximately 69% and 65% of the Company’s CMO holdings at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were guaranteed by or fully collateralized by securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC.  The weighted average credit rating of the $284 million and $396 million of non-guaranteed CMO holdings at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was "Aa1." The weighted average credit rating of all of the above securities was "Aaa/Aa1" at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.  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 2020 Annual Report.
 
Equity Securities, Real Estate and Short-Term Investments
 
See note 1 of notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2020 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 investments in fixed maturities but are subject to more volatility.  At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the Company’s other investments was $3.54 billion and $3.43 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, net investment income from these other investments is generally reflected in the Company's financial statements on a quarter lag basis.

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 2020 Annual Report.
 
The following table summarizes the composition of the Company’s reinsurance recoverables:
(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Gross reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses$3,750 $3,731 
Gross structured settlements2,920 2,964 
Mandatory pools and associations 1,817 1,801 
Gross reinsurance recoverables8,487 8,496 
Allowance for estimated uncollectible reinsurance(142)(146)
Net reinsurance recoverables$8,345 $8,350 

Net reinsurance recoverables at March 31, 2021 decreased by $5 million from December 31, 2020.

46


THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

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 are difficult or impossible to anticipate. As a result, it is not possible to predict its impact on the Company's results for the remainder of 2021. 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 I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company's 2020 Annual Report.

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 deteriorated significantly in 2020. The decreased levels of economic activity, together with the related premium refund programs, negatively impacted premium volumes in 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. This impact may persist for the remainder of 2021, and the degree of the impact will depend on the extent and duration of the challenging economic circumstances and could be material.

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 2021 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 variability in 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, including as a result of COVID-19 and related economic conditions; 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, 2020, the Company experienced approximately 44% 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
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

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.

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 or other circumstances could lead to higher or lower inflation than the Company 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 2020 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 affected by COVID-19, such as the reopening of the economy, 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 4.1 (4.3 excluding short-term securities) at March 31, 2021.  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 March 31, 2021, 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 and taxable 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; 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.

Approximately 31% of the fixed maturity portfolio is expected to mature over the three-year period ended December 31, 2023 (including the early redemption of bonds, assuming interest rates (including credit spreads) do not rise significantly by applicable call dates). As a result, the overall yield on and composition of its portfolio could be meaningfully impacted by the types of investments available for reinvestment with the proceeds of maturing bonds.

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 $420 million to $430 million for each remaining 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, net investment income or loss 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.
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued


The Company had net pre-tax realized investment gains of $44 million in the first quarter of 2021. 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 $3.58 billion ($2.82 billion after-tax) in its fixed maturity investment portfolio at March 31, 2021.  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 (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 "Our businesses are heavily regulated by the states and countries in which we conduct business, including licensing, market conduct and financial supervision, and changes in regulation, including higher tax rates, may reduce our profitability and limit our growth" included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2020 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 2020 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 subject to additional risks associated with our business outside the United States” included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report and see “Part II—Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk-Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk” in the Company’s 2020 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. For information regarding the Company’s common share repurchases in 2021, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

As a result of the Company’s 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, the Company’s capital is also subject to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Strengthening of the U.S. dollar in comparison to other currencies could result in a reduction in shareholders’ equity, while a weakening of the U.S. dollar in comparison to other currencies could result in an increase in shareholders' equity. For additional discussion of the Company’s foreign exchange market risk exposure, see “Part II—Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in the Company’s 2020 Annual Report.

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 I—Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

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 2020 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 three months of 2021. 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” herein and “The impact of COVID-19 and related risks could materially affect our results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity” included in “Part I—Item 1A—Risk Factors” in the Company's 2020 Annual Report.
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 Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the Company’s 2020 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 March 31, 2021, TRV held total cash and short-term invested assets in the United States aggregating $1.76 billion and having a weighted average maturity of 51 days.  TRV has established a holding company liquidity target equal to its estimated annual pre-tax interest expense and common shareholder dividends (currently approximately $1.21 billion).  TRV’s holding company liquidity of $1.76 billion at March 31, 2021 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.

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 March 31, 2021.

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 March 31, 2021, 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. The Company has no senior notes or junior subordinated debentures maturing until April 2026, at which time $200 million of senior notes will mature.
 
The Company utilized uncollateralized letters of credit issued by major banks with an aggregate limit of approximately $249 million to provide a portion of the capital needed to support its obligations at Lloyd’s at March 31, 2021. 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 three months of 2021 and 2020 was $1.19 billion and $628 million, respectively. The increase in cash flows in the first three months of 2021 primarily reflected the impacts of higher levels of cash received for premiums and lower levels of payments for claims and claim adjustment expenses. 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, partially offset by (ii) payments related to higher catastrophe losses in the first three months of 2021.

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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in the first three months of 2021 was $774 million compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $84 million in the same period of 2020.  The Company’s consolidated total investments at March 31, 2021 decreased by $536 million, or 1% from year-end 2020, primarily reflecting the impacts of (i) a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments at March 31, 2021 as compared with December 31, 2020, due to the impact of higher interest rates during the first three months of 2021, and (ii) net cash used in financing activities, partially offset by (iii) net cash flows provided by operating activities.

Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2021 and 2020 was $477 million and $650 million, respectively.  The totals in both 2021 and 2020 reflected common share repurchases and dividends paid to shareholders, partially offset by the net proceeds from employee stock option exercises. Common share repurchases in the first three months of 2021 and 2020 were $397 million and $471 million, respectively. 
 
Dividends.  Dividends paid to shareholders were $214 million and $210 million in the first three months of 2021 and 2020, 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 April 20, 2021, the Company announced that it would increase its regular quarterly dividend from $0.85 per share to $0.88 per share, a 4% increase. The increased dividend is payable June 30, 2021 to shareholders of record on June 10, 2021.
 
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 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 March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 2.4 million common shares under its share repurchase authorization for a total cost of $356 million. The average cost per share repurchased was $147.87.  On April 20, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5.0 billion of repurchase capacity to the $805 million of capacity remaining at March 31, 2021.

Capital Structure.  The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s capital structure at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
(in millions)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Debt:  
Short-term$100 $100 
Long-term6,504 6,504 
Net unamortized fair value adjustments and debt issuance costs(54)(54)
Total debt6,550 6,550 
Shareholders’ equity:  
Common stock and retained earnings, less treasury stock26,978 26,699 
Accumulated other comprehensive income1,291 2,502 
Total shareholders’ equity28,269 29,201 
Total capitalization$34,819 $35,751 
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

 
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)March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Total capitalization$34,819 $35,751 
Less: net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity
2,817 4,074 
Total capitalization excluding net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity
$32,002 $31,677 
Debt-to-total capital ratio18.8 %18.3 %
Debt-to-total capital ratio excluding net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, included in shareholders' equity
20.5 %20.7 %

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 20.5% at March 31, 2021 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 February 11, 2021, the date on which the Company's 2020 Annual Report was filed with the SEC. For additional discussion of ratings, see “Part I—Item 1—Business—Ratings” in the Company’s 2020 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 2020 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, and impairments of investments, goodwill and other intangible assets. Except as shown in the table below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2020.
 
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expense Reserves
The table below displays the Company’s gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line.  Because establishment of claims and claim adjustment expense reserves is an inherently uncertain process involving estimates and the application of judgment, 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 $1.97 billion at March 31, 2021) 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 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.
 
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, Continued

Gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves by product line were as follows:
 March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)CaseIBNRTotalCaseIBNRTotal
General liability$5,168 $8,313 $13,481 $5,267 $8,098 $13,365 
Commercial property1,044 589 1,633 1,006 366 1,372 
Commercial multi-peril2,434 2,465 4,899 2,354 2,311 4,665 
Commercial automobile2,550 2,297 4,847 2,551 2,231 4,782 
Workers’ compensation10,213 9,567 19,780 10,271 9,514 19,785 
Fidelity and surety205 359 564 215 317 532 
Personal automobile1,892 1,492 3,384 1,901 1,514 3,415 
Personal homeowners and other943 1,220 2,163 901 1,168 2,069 
International and other2,544 2,035 4,579 2,565 1,960 4,525 
Property-casualty26,993 28,337 55,330 27,031 27,479 54,510 
Accident and health10  10 11 — 11 
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves
$27,003 $28,337 $55,340 $27,042 $27,479 $54,521 
 
The $819 million increase in gross claims and claim adjustment expense reserves since December 31, 2020 primarily reflected the impacts of (i) catastrophe losses in the first three months of 2021, (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 2020 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 or otherwise;
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:
 
Insurance-Related Risks

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, the Company’s financial results could be materially and adversely affected;
the Company’s business could be harmed because of its potential exposure to asbestos and environmental claims and related litigation;
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; and
the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on the Company’s business are uncertain, and court decisions or legislative changes that take place after the Company issues its policies can result in an unexpected increase in the number of claims and have a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations.

Financial, Economic and Credit Risks

during or following a period of financial market disruption or an economic downturn, the Company’s business could be materially and adversely affected;
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, Continued
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;
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;
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; and
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.

Business and Operational Risks

the impact of COVID-19 and related risks could materially affect the Company's results of operations, financial position and/or liquidity, including with respect to revenues, claims and claim adjustment expenses, general and administrative expenses, investments, inflation, adverse legislative and/or regulatory action, operational disruptions and heightened cyber security risks and foreign currency exchange rate changes;
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;
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;
the Company’s efforts to develop new products, expand in targeted markets, improve business processes and workflows or make acquisitions 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 is subject to additional risks associated with its business outside the United States; and
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.

Technology and Intellectual Property Risks

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; and
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.

Regulatory and Compliance Risks

the Company's businesses are heavily regulated by the states and countries in which it conducts business, including licensing, market conduct and financial supervision, and changes in regulation, including higher tax rates, may reduce the Company's profitability and limit its growth; and
the Company could be adversely affected if its controls designed to ensure compliance with guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards are not effective.

In addition, 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 investment
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, Continued
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 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 2020 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 “Investor Toolkit” section 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 2020 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 2020 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 March 31, 2021.  Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2021, 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 March 31, 2021 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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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.         LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The information required with respect to this item can be found under “Contingencies” in note 14 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 2020 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. There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Part I—Item 1A of the Company’s 2020 Annual Report.

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 BeginningPeriod EndingTotal 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)
January 1, 2021January 31, 2021367,541 $141.63 367,511 $1,109 
February 1, 2021February 28, 20211,487,803 $145.68 1,205,761 $933 
March 1, 2021March 31, 2021833,574 $154.00 832,835 $805 
Total 2,688,918 $147.71 2,406,107 $805 
Additional authorization on April 20, 2021$5,000 
 
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 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. On April 20, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization that added an additional $5.0 billion of repurchase capacity to the $805 million of capacity remaining at March 31, 2021.
 
The Company acquired 282,811 shares for a total cost of $41 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 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
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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION, Continued

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 2, 2021. 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.

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 March 31, 2021 formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; (ii) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; (iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; (v) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements; and (vii) the cover page.
104.1Cover 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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THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


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: April 20, 2021By/S/   CHRISTINE K. KALLA
  Christine K. Kalla
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
(Authorized Signatory)
   
Date: April 20, 2021By/S/    DOUGLAS K. RUSSELL
  
Douglas K. Russell
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

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