UNITED FIRE GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

(State of Incorporation)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________

FORM 10-Q

_______________________

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

Commission File Number 001-34257

_____________________________

UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

____________________________

118 Second Avenue, S.E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (319) 399-5700

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 R NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES R NO o

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



Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer R	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

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

As of October 31, 2014, 25,047,085 shares of common stock were outstanding.

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United Fire Group, Inc.

Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

September 30, 2014



	Page
Forward-Looking Information	1

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013	3

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	4

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014	5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	6

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	7

Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	31

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	32

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	48

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	48

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	49

Item 1A. Risk Factors	49

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	49

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	49

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	49

Item 5. Other Information	49

Item 6. Exhibits	50

Signatures	51

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This report may contain forward-looking statements about our operations, anticipated performance and other similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), for forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expected and/or projected. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about United Fire Group, Inc. ("United Fire", the "Registrant", the "Company", "we", "us", or "our"), the industry in which we operate, and beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expect(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "believe(s)," "continue(s)," "seek(s)," "estimate(s)," "goal(s)," "target(s)," "forecast(s)," "project(s)," "predict(s)," "should," "could," "may," "will continue," "might," "hope," "can" and other words and terms of similar meaning or expression in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance or financial condition, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. See Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of this report for more information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual financial condition and results of the Company include but are not limited to the following:


•	The frequency and severity of claims, including those related to catastrophe losses and the impact those claims have on our loss reserve adequacy;


•	The adequacy of our reserves for property and casualty insurance losses and loss settlement expenses and our life insurance reserve for future policy benefits;


•	Geographic concentration risk in both property and casualty insurance and life insurance segments;


•	The potential disruption of our operations due to unauthorized data access, cyber-attacks or cyber-terrorism and other security breaches;


•	Occurrence of catastrophic events, occurrence of significant severe weather conditions, climate change, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics;


•	Developments in the domestic and global financial markets and other-than-temporary impairment losses that could affect our investment portfolio;


•	Our ability to effectively underwrite and adequately price insured risks;


•	The calculation and recovery of deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC");


•	The valuation of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations;


•	Our relationship with our agencies and agents;


•	Our relationship with and financial strength of our reinsurers;


•	Our exposure to international catastrophes through our assumed reinsurance program;


•	Lowering of one or more of the financial strength ratings of our operating subsidiaries or our issuer credit ratings and the adverse impact such action may have on our premium writings, policy retention, profitability and liquidity;


•	Changes in general economic conditions, interest rates, industry trends, increase in competition and significant industry developments;


•	Competitive, legal, regulatory or tax changes that affect the distribution cost or demand for our products;


•	Litigation or regulatory actions that could require us to pay significant damages, fines or penalties or change the way we do business;


•	Governmental actions, policies and regulations, including, but not limited to, domestic health care reform, financial services regulatory reform, corporate governance, new laws or regulations or court decisions interpreting existing laws and regulations or policy provisions; and


•	NASDAQ policies or regulations relating to corporate governance and the cost to comply.

These are representative of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report or as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and

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Exchange Commission ("SEC"), we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

United Fire Group, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $421 in 2014 and $669 in 2013)	$	413	$	656
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,764,358 in 2014 and $2,733,557 in 2013)	2,826,643		2,751,256
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $14,856 in 2014 and $8,049 in 2013)	17,441		9,940
Equity securities
Available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $71,685 in 2014 and $70,957 in 2013)	233,968		229,368
Trading securities, at fair value (cost $2,803 in 2014 and $2,367 in 2013)	3,252		2,487
Mortgage loans	4,257		4,423
Policy loans	6,046		6,261
Other long-term investments	46,428		44,946
Short-term investments	500		800
	3,138,948		3,050,137
Cash and cash equivalents	71,932		92,193
Accrued investment income	27,525		27,923
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $773 in 2014 and $896 in 2013)	258,580		218,635
Deferred policy acquisition costs	146,547		150,092
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $40,286 in 2014 and $36,972 in 2013)	48,040		47,218
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	84,067		87,451
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,712		3,160
Income taxes receivable	4,959		1,786
Goodwill and intangible assets	26,470		27,047
Other assets	14,548		15,030
TOTAL ASSETS	$	3,825,328	$	3,720,672
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
Property and casualty insurance	$	1,004,593	$	960,651
Life insurance	1,459,748		1,472,132
Unearned premiums	390,438		340,464
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	131,220		142,677
Deferred income taxes	30,895		21,915
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$	3,016,894	$	2,937,839
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,056,402 and 25,360,893 shares issued and outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively	$	25	$	25
Additional paid-in capital	203,458		211,574
Retained earnings	493,753		484,084
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	111,198		87,150
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	808,434	$	782,833
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	3,825,328	$	3,720,672

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$	212,021		$	194,219		$	607,189		$	557,403
Investment income, net of investment expenses	22,837			27,278			77,202			82,761
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—			(139		)	—			(139		)
Net realized investment gains (includes reclassifications for net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities of $985 and $4,073 in 2014; and $617 and $6,270 in 2013; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss))	894			1,329			5,796			7,389
Total net realized investment gains	894			1,190			5,796			7,250
Other income	113			337			1,255			634
Total revenues	$	235,865		$	223,024		$	691,442		$	648,048
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	$	154,346		$	131,168		$	422,299		$	349,073
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	10,552			8,415			26,450			26,520
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	44,644			38,767			124,374			113,556
Other underwriting expenses (includes reclassifications for employee benefit costs of $768 and $2,304 in 2014; and $1,915 and $4,400 in 2013; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss))	21,665			21,654			68,869			67,310
Interest on policyholders’ accounts	7,503			8,625			23,342			27,026
Total benefits, losses and expenses	$	238,710		$	208,629		$	665,334		$	583,485
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(2,845	)	$	14,395		$	26,108		$	64,563
Federal income tax expense (benefit) (includes reclassifications of ($76) and ($619) in 2014; and $455 and ($654) in 2013; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss))	(3,170		)	2,670			1,767			14,949
Net income	$	325		$	11,725		$	24,341		$	49,614
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	$	(12,410	)	$	(282	)	$	38,767		$	(37,576	)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	—			—			—			—
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments	$	(12,410	)	$	(282	)	$	38,767		$	(37,576	)
Income tax effect	4,344			107			(13,569		)	13,152
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments	$	(8,066	)	$	(175	)	$	25,198		$	(24,424	)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in income	$	(985	)	$	(617	)	$	(4,073	)	$	(6,270	)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	768			1,915			2,304			4,400
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax	$	(217	)	$	1,298		$	(1,769	)	$	(1,870	)
Income tax effect	76			(455		)	$	619		$	654
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax	$	(141	)	$	843		$	(1,150	)	$	(1,216	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(7,882	)	$	12,393		$	48,389		$	23,974

Weighted average common shares outstanding	25,188,381			25,359,196			25,295,842			25,301,432
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.01		$	0.46		$	0.96		$	1.96
Diluted earnings per common share	0.01			0.45			0.95			1.94

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)



(In Thousands, Except Share Data)	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Common stock
Balance, beginning of year	$	25
Shares repurchased (401,519 shares)	—
Shares issued for stock-based awards (85,350 shares)	—
Balance, end of period	$	25

Additional paid-in capital
Balance, beginning of year	$	211,574
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants	1,351
Shares repurchased	(11,249		)
Shares issued for stock-based awards	1,782
Balance, end of period	$	203,458

Retained earnings
Balance, beginning of year	$	484,084
Net income	24,341
Dividends on common stock ($0.58 per share)	(14,672		)
Balance, end of period	$	493,753

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Balance, beginning of year	$	87,150
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation⁽¹⁾	22,551
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans⁽²⁾	1,497
Balance, end of period	$	111,198

Summary of changes
Balance, beginning of year	$	782,833
Net income	24,341
All other changes in stockholders’ equity accounts	1,260
Balance, end of period	$	808,434


(1)	The change in net unrealized appreciation is net of reclassification adjustments and income taxes.


(2)	The change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans is net of reclassification adjustments and income taxes.

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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United Fire Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2014			2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$	24,341		$	49,614
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Net accretion of bond premium	10,985			11,715
Depreciation and amortization	5,449			4,120
Stock-based compensation expense	1,445			1,436
Net realized investment gains	(5,796		)	(7,250		)
Net cash flows from trading investments	(6,933		)	3,836
Deferred income tax benefit	(2,639		)	(4,352		)
Changes in:
Accrued investment income	398			1,311
Premiums receivable	(39,945		)	(45,458		)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(10,219		)	(4,640		)
Reinsurance receivables	3,384			13,578
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(552		)	(475		)
Income taxes receivable	(3,173		)	13,612
Other assets	482			134
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	70,994			28,404
Unearned premiums	49,974			42,486
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(9,153		)	9,027
Deferred income taxes	(1,330		)	4,743
Other, net	(368		)	(3,814		)
Total adjustments	$	63,003		$	68,413
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	87,344		$	118,027
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	$	3,091		$	23,007
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	243			557
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	390,967			370,531
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	2,370			2,569
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(432,112		)	(468,934		)
Purchase of short-term and other investments	(2,803		)	(3,475		)
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	(5,692		)	(4,589		)
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(43,936	)	$	(80,334	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Policyholders’ account balances
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts	$	131,134		$	97,893
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts	(170,570		)	(146,001		)
Payment of cash dividends	(14,672		)	(12,910		)
Repurchase of common stock	(11,249		)	(99		)
Issuance of common stock	1,782			3,075
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	(94		)	(426		)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(63,669	)	$	(58,468	)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	(20,261	)	$	(20,775	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	92,193			107,466
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$	71,932		$	86,691

The Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

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UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

NOTE 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

United Fire Group, Inc. ("United Fire", the "Registrant", the "Company", "we", "us", or "our") and its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates are engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance and life insurance and selling annuities through a network of independent agencies. We report our operations in two business segments: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. Our insurance company subsidiaries are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 43 states and the District of Columbia, and as a life insurer in 37 states.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC. Certain financial information that is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including certain financial statement footnote disclosures, are not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting and have been condensed or omitted.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The financial statement categories that are most dependent on management estimates and assumptions include: investments; deferred policy acquisition costs; reinsurance receivables and recoverables (for net realizable value); future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses; and pension and postretirement benefit obligations.

In the preparation of the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, we have evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Management of United Fire believes the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results reported for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The review report of Ernst & Young LLP as of September 30, 2014 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 accompanies the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 "Financial Statements."

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we made payments for income taxes totaling $9,619 and $10,117, respectively. We received tax refunds of $615 and $8,744, respectively, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

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For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we made no interest payments (excluding interest credited to policyholders’ accounts).

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")

Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred. The following table is a summary of the components of DAC, including the related amortization recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014.




	Property & Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
Recorded asset at beginning of period	$	67,663		$	82,429		$	150,092
Underwriting costs deferred	129,266			5,327			134,593
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(119,280		)	(5,094		)	(124,374		)
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	$	77,649		$	82,662		$	160,311
Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	—			(13,764		)	(13,764		)
Recorded asset at end of period	$	77,649		$	68,898		$	146,547

Property and casualty insurance policy acquisition costs deferred are amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The method followed in computing DAC limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This takes into account the premium to be earned, losses and loss settlement expenses expected to be incurred and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned.

For traditional life insurance policies, DAC is amortized to income over the premium-paying period in proportion to the ratio of the expected annual premium revenue to the expected total premium revenue. Expected premium revenue and gross profits are based on the same mortality and withdrawal assumptions used in determining future policy benefits. These assumptions are not revised after policy issuance unless the recorded DAC asset is deemed to be unrecoverable from future expected profits.

For non-traditional life insurance policies, DAC is amortized over the anticipated terms in proportion to the ratio of the expected annual gross profits to the total expected gross profits. Changes in the amount or timing of expected gross profits result in adjustments to the cumulative amortization of these costs. The effect on amortization of DAC for revisions to estimated gross profits is reported in earnings in the period the estimated gross profits are revised.

The effect on DAC that results from the assumed realization of unrealized gains (losses) on investments allocated to non-traditional life insurance business is recognized with an offset, or "shadow" DAC, to net unrealized investment appreciation as of the balance sheet date. The "shadow" DAC adjustment decreased the DAC asset by $10,357 at September 30, 2014 and increased the DAC asset by $3,407 at December 31, 2013.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established based on differences between the financial statement bases of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those same assets and liabilities, using the currently enacted statutory tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the year-to-year change in the net deferred tax asset or liability, except for certain changes in deferred tax amounts that affect stockholders' equity and do not impact federal income tax expense.

We reported a federal income tax expense of $1,767 and $14,949 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our effective tax rate is different than the federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.

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We did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013. In addition, we have not accrued for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We also file income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to federal or state income tax examination for years before 2009. The Internal Revenue Service is conducting a routine examination of our income tax return for the 2011 tax year.

Subsequent Events

In the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, the Company has evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in the Company's financial statements. In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries finalized new mortality tables and a new mortality improvement scale that could potentially impact our contributions and our benefit obligation to our defined benefit Pension Plan. The Company will consider using the new mortality tables in our 2014 year-end assumptions and is evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adopted Accounting Standards in 2014

Unrecognized tax benefit

In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The new guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company currently does not have any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2014. The adoption of the new guidance had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards

Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the disclosure of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, disclose the fact and what the entity's plans are to alleviate that doubt. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016. Management does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Troubled Debt Restructuring

In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the accounting for creditors who are holding receivables with troubled debt restructuring, specifically related to the classification of certain government guaranteed mortgage loans that are in foreclosure. The objective of this update is to provide greater consistency and transparency by addressing the classification of certain foreclosed mortgage loans guaranteed through government programs. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2015. Management does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

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Share Based Payments

In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for share based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the service period, be treated as a performance condition. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments can be applied prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued comprehensive new guidance on revenue recognition which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The new guidance requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Insurance contracts are not within the scope of this new guidance.

Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. The new guidance raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2015. Management does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS

Fair Value of Investments

A reconciliation of the amortized cost (cost for equity securities) to fair value of investments in held-to-maturity and available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, is as follows:

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September 30, 2014
Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Appreciation		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	55	$	1	$	—	$	56
Corporate bonds - financial services	200		—		—		200
Mortgage-backed securities	158		7		—		165
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	413	$	8	$	—	$	421
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	$	31,168	$	198	$	129	$	31,237
U.S. government agency	380,763		2,872		6,247		377,388
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	727,929		32,731		1,302		759,358
Foreign bonds	139,849		5,709		—		145,558
Public utilities	212,716		6,623		295		219,044
Corporate bonds
Energy	135,428		4,360		314		139,474
Industrials	203,976		6,460		1,222		209,214
Consumer goods and services	157,073		4,293		395		160,971
Health care	78,257		3,270		281		81,246
Technology, media and telecommunications	131,910		3,562		1,063		134,409
Financial services	218,530		8,515		224		226,821
Mortgage-backed securities	18,343		493		120		18,716
Collateralized mortgage obligations	325,551		3,150		8,630		320,071
Asset-backed securities	2,865		271		—		3,136
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,764,358	$	82,507	$	20,222	$	2,826,643
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	7,231	$	10,393	$	10	$	17,614
Energy	5,094		9,990		—		15,084
Industrials	13,284		31,614		55		44,843
Consumer goods and services	10,287		11,982		4		22,265
Health care	7,920		19,254		—		27,174
Technology, media and telecommunications	6,207		7,925		51		14,081
Financial services	16,678		71,272		55		87,895
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984		34		6		5,012
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	71,685	$	162,464	$	181	$	233,968
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,836,043	$	244,971	$	20,403	$	3,060,611

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December 31, 2013
Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Appreciation		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	250	$	4	$	—	$	254
Corporate bonds - financial services	200		—		—		200
Mortgage-backed securities	206		9		—		215
Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	656	$	13	$	—	$	669
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	$	33,612	$	423	$	140	$	33,895
U.S. government agency	287,988		258		18,663		269,583
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	690,461		34,151		10,705		713,907
Foreign bonds	167,390		5,863		397		172,856
Public utilities	213,479		6,873		1,776		218,576
Corporate bonds
Energy	157,620		4,398		1,008		161,010
Industrials	234,221		5,626		2,819		237,028
Consumer goods and services	165,565		3,770		1,421		167,914
Health care	91,008		3,138		1,200		92,946
Technology, media and telecommunications	121,746		2,541		3,321		120,966
Financial services	234,739		7,735		723		241,751
Mortgage-backed securities	22,034		323		291		22,066
Collateralized mortgage obligations	309,975		1,707		16,919		294,763
Asset-backed securities	3,719		276		—		3,995
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,733,557	$	77,082	$	59,383	$	2,751,256
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	7,231	$	9,068	$	27	$	16,272
Energy	5,094		9,269		—		14,363
Industrials	13,308		32,823		32		46,099
Consumer goods and services	10,363		10,895		—		21,258
Health care	7,920		17,078		—		24,998
Technology, media and telecommunications	6,204		7,183		83		13,304
Financial services	15,853		72,537		128		88,262
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984		5		177		4,812
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	70,957	$	158,858	$	447	$	229,368
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,804,514	$	235,940	$	59,830	$	2,980,624

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Maturities

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.



	Held-To-Maturity				Available-For-Sale				Trading
September 30, 2014	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	55	$	56	$	252,688	$	256,818	$	2,173	$	2,428
Due after one year through five years	200		200		853,979		896,360		6,107		7,107
Due after five years through 10 years	—		—		798,893		818,023		1,903		2,199
Due after 10 years	—		—		512,039		513,519		4,673		5,707
Asset-backed securities	—		—		2,865		3,136		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	158		165		18,343		18,716		—		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	—		—		325,551		320,071		—		—
	$	413	$	421	$	2,764,358	$	2,826,643	$	14,856	$	17,441

Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

Net realized gains on disposition of investments are computed using the specific identification method and are included in the computation of net income. A summary of the components of net realized investment gains is as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed maturities:
Available-for-sale	$	984		$	765		$	2,336		$	2,670
Trading securities
Change in fair value	(253		)	360			695			790
Sales	181			310			701			608
Equity securities:
Available-for-sale	—			(9		)	1,736			3,739
Trading securities
Change in fair value	(17		)	(97		)	329			(116		)
Sales	(1		)	—			(1		)	38
Other long-term investments	—			—			—			(340		)
Other-than-temporary-impairment charges - fixed maturities	—			(139		)	—			(139		)
Total net realized investment gains	$	894		$	1,190		$	5,796		$	7,250

The proceeds and gross realized gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014			2013
Proceeds from sales	$	3,081	$	17,036	$	3,091		$	23,007
Gross realized gains	900		213		900			451
Gross realized losses	—		—		(56		)	—

There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

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Our investment portfolio includes trading securities with embedded derivatives. These securities are primarily convertible securities which are recorded at fair value. Income or loss, including the change in the fair value of these trading securities, is recognized currently in earnings as a component of net realized investment gains. Our portfolio of trading securities had a fair value of $20,693 and $12,427 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Funding Commitment

Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through December 31, 2023 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnership. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $12,610 at September 30, 2014.

Unrealized Appreciation

A summary of the changes in net unrealized investment appreciation during the reporting period is as follows:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$	44,586		$	(105,296	)
Available-for-sale equity securities	3,872			27,352
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(13,764		)	34,098
Income tax effect	(12,143		)	15,346
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$	22,551		$	(28,500	)

We continually monitor the difference between our cost basis and the estimated fair value of our investments. Our accounting policy for impairment recognition requires other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charges to be recorded when we determine that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the fixed maturity security or that the anticipated recovery in fair value of the equity security will not occur in a reasonable amount of time. Impairment charges on investments are recorded based on the fair value of the investments at the measurement date. Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; our intention to hold the investment; and the likelihood that we will be required to sell the investment.

The tables on the following pages summarize our fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The securities are presented by the length of time they have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. It is possible that we could recognize OTTI charges in future periods on securities held at September 30, 2014, if future events or information cause us to determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary.

We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers of our fixed maturity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss, and unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at September 30, 2014. For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, we recognized a $139 credit loss OTTI in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. We believe the unrealized depreciation in value of other securities in our fixed maturity portfolio is primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates and not the credit quality of the issuer. We have no intent to sell and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities until the fair value recovers to at least equal to our cost basis or the securities mature.

We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers of our equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss, and unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at September 30, 2014. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at September 30, 2014 was $52. We have no intention to sell any of these securities prior to a recovery in value, but

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will continue to monitor the fair value reported for these securities as part of our overall process to evaluate investments for OTTI recognition.




September 30, 2014	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
Type of Investment	Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	9	$	9,269	$	52	6	$	6,086	$	77	$	15,355	$	129
U.S. government agency	34	89,312		532		44	126,509		5,715		215,821		6,247
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	20	21,590		107		71	60,745		1,195		82,335		1,302
Public utilities	14	25,296		159		5	5,261		136		30,557		295
Corporate bonds
Energy	5	10,680		32		3	7,170		282		17,850		314
Industrials	5	10,977		69		4	13,347		1,153		24,324		1,222
Consumer goods and services	4	12,349		200		8	15,447		195		27,796		395
Health care	3	7,489		85		3	7,110		196		14,599		281
Technology, media and telecommunications	6	17,577		174		5	18,942		889		36,519		1,063
Financial services	8	15,185		79		2	6,047		145		21,232		224
Mortgage-backed securities	5	217		15		5	5,496		105		5,713		120
Collateralized mortgage obligations	24	47,272		521		64	136,875		8,109		184,147		8,630
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	137	$	267,213	$	2,025	220	$	409,035	$	18,197	$	676,248	$	20,222
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	3	$	298	$	10	—	$	—	$	—	$	298	$	10
Industrials	1	49		3		2	61		52		110		55
Consumer goods and services	1	14		4		—	—		—		14		4
Technology, media and telecommunications	—	—		—		5	211		51		211		51
Financial services	1	223		55		—	—		—		223		55
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	—	—		—		1	701		6		701		6
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	6	$	584	$	72	8	$	973	$	109	$	1,557	$	181
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	143	$	267,797	$	2,097	228	$	410,008	$	18,306	$	677,805	$	20,403

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December 31, 2013	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
Type of Investment	Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Number of Issues	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	10	$	9,196	$	140	—	$	—	$	—	$	9,196	$	140
U.S. government agency	101	256,203		18,019		2	4,356		644		260,559		18,663
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	136	97,950		7,423		29	29,670		3,282		127,620		10,705
Foreign bonds	10	20,832		397		—	—		—		20,832		397
Public utilities	31	61,582		1,776		—	—		—		61,582		1,776
Corporate bonds
Energy	9	23,735		1,008		—	—		—		23,735		1,008
Industrials	34	77,788		2,819		—	—		—		77,788		2,819
Consumer goods and services	31	58,833		1,276		6	3,218		145		62,051		1,421
Health care	10	25,888		942		2	4,427		258		30,315		1,200
Technology, media and telecommunications	18	58,105		2,147		2	7,468		1,174		65,573		3,321
Financial services	7	15,191		720		1	1,525		3		16,716		723
Mortgage-backed securities	16	4,476		177		6	3,113		114		7,589		291
Collateralized mortgage obligations	111	208,855		11,062		23	55,184		5,857		264,039		16,919
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	524	$	918,634	$	47,906	71	$	108,961	$	11,477	$	1,027,595	$	59,383
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	—	$	—	$	—	3	$	281	$	27	$	281	$	27
Industrials	1	1		1		2	81		31		82		32
Technology, media and telecommunications	—	—		—		6	206		83		206		83
Financial services	—	—		—		4	215		128		215		128
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	3	3,493		116		2	1,170		61		4,663		177
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	4	$	3,494	$	117	17	$	1,953	$	330	$	5,447	$	447
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	528	$	922,128	$	48,023	88	$	110,914	$	11,807	$	1,033,042	$	59,830

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NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments based on relevant market information or by discounting estimated future cash flows at estimated current market discount rates appropriate to the specific asset or liability.

When possible, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of fixed maturities, equity securities, trading securities and short-term investments. When quoted market prices do not exist, we base estimates of fair value on market information obtained from independent pricing services and brokers or on valuation techniques that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument. Our valuation techniques are discussed in more detail later in this section.

The fair value of our mortgage loans is determined by modeling performed by us based on the stated principal and coupon payments provided for in the loan agreements. These cash flows are then discounted using an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate to determine the security's fair value, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement.

The fair value of our policy loans is equivalent to carrying value, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value and are classified as Level 2. We do not make policy loans for amounts in excess of the cash surrender value of the related policy. In all instances, the policy loans are fully collateralized by the related liability for future policy benefits for traditional insurance policies or by the policyholders' account balance for non-traditional policies.

Our other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. The fair value of the partnerships is obtained from the fund managers, which is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held in the partnerships. In management's opinion, these values represent a reasonable estimate of fair value. We have not adjusted the net asset value provided by the fund managers.

For cash and cash equivalents and accrued investment income, carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

Policy reserves are developed and recorded for deferred annuities, which is an interest-sensitive product, and income annuities. The fair value of the reserve liability for these annuity products is based upon an estimate of the discounted pretax cash flows that are forecast for the underlying business, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement. We base the discount rate on the current U.S. Treasury spot yield curve, which is then risk-adjusted for nonperformance risk and, for interest-sensitive business, market risk factors. The risk-adjusted discount rate is developed using interest rates that are available in the market and representative of the risks applicable to the underlying business.

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A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is as follows:



	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
Assets
Investments
Fixed maturities:
Held-to-maturity securities	$	421	$	413	$	669	$	656
Available-for-sale securities	2,826,643		2,826,643		2,751,256		2,751,256
Trading securities	17,441		17,441		9,940		9,940
Equity securities:
Available-for-sale securities	233,968		233,968		229,368		229,368
Trading securities	3,252		3,252		2,487		2,487
Mortgage loans	4,577		4,257		4,724		4,423
Policy loans	6,046		6,046		6,261		6,261
Other long-term investments	46,428		46,428		44,946		44,946
Short-term investments	500		500		800		800
Cash and cash equivalents	71,932		71,932		92,193		92,193
Corporate-owned life insurance	734		734		—		—
Liabilities
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations) ⁽¹⁾	$	925,478	$	887,634	$	941,636	$	925,832
Annuity (benefit payments)	149,980		98,492		140,276		94,805

(1) Annuity accumulations represent deferred annuity contracts that are currently earning interest.

Current accounting guidance on fair value measurements includes the application of a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Our financial instruments that are recorded at fair value are categorized into a three-level hierarchy, which is based upon the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (i.e., Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the financial instrument.

Financial instruments recorded at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy as follows:


•	Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments that we have the ability to access.


•	Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar financial instruments, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, in markets that are not active or on inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the full term of the financial instrument.


•	Level 3: Valuations are based on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.

Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period.

To determine the fair value of the majority of our investments, we utilize prices obtained from independent, nationally recognized pricing services. We obtain one price for each security. When the pricing services cannot provide a determination of fair value for a specific security, we obtain non-binding price quotes from broker-dealers

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with whom we have had several years experience and who have demonstrated knowledge of the subject security. We request and utilize one broker quote per security.

We validate the prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers prior to their use for reporting purposes by evaluating their reasonableness on a monthly basis. Our validation process includes a review for unusual fluctuations. In our opinion, the pricing obtained at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was reasonable.

In order to determine the proper classification in the fair value hierarchy for each security where the price is obtained from an independent pricing service, we obtain and evaluate the vendors' pricing procedures and inputs used to price the security, which include unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities, such as a New York Stock Exchange closing price, and quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active. For fixed maturity securities, an evaluation of interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risks and default rates may also be performed. We have determined that these processes and inputs result in fair values and classifications consistent with the applicable accounting guidance on fair value measurements.

We review our fair value hierarchy categorizations on a quarterly basis at which time the classification of certain financial instruments may change if the input observations have changed.

The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

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September 30, 2014			Fair Value Measurements
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	$	31,237	$	—	$	31,237	$	—
U.S. government agency	377,388		—		377,388		—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	759,358		—		758,748		610
Foreign bonds	145,558		—		145,558		—
Public utilities	219,044		—		219,044		—
Corporate bonds
Energy	139,474		—		139,474		—
Industrials	209,214		—		209,214		—
Consumer goods and services	160,971		—		159,620		1,351
Health care	81,246		—		81,246		—
Technology, media and telecommunications	134,409		—		134,409		—
Financial services	226,821		—		215,671		11,150
Mortgage-backed securities	18,716		—		18,716		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	320,071		—		320,071		—
Asset-backed securities	3,136		—		1,421		1,715
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,826,643	$	—	$	2,811,817	$	14,826
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	17,614	$	17,614	$	—	$	—
Energy	15,084		15,084		—		—
Industrials	44,843		44,834		9		—
Consumer goods and services	22,265		22,265		—		—
Health care	27,174		27,174		—		—
Technology, media and telecommunications	14,081		14,081		—		—
Financial services	87,895		83,951		72		3,872
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	5,012		553		4,459		—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	233,968	$	225,556	$	4,540	$	3,872
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	3,060,611	$	225,556	$	2,816,357	$	18,698
TRADING
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
Corporate bonds
Industrials	$	3,293	$	—	$	3,293	$	—
Consumer goods and services	943		—		943		—
Health care	2,622		—		2,622		—

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Technology, media and telecommunications	2,217		—		2,217		—
Financial services	3,836		—		3,836		—
Redeemable preferred stocks	4,530		4,530		—		—
Equity securities:
Energy	614		614		—		—
Consumer goods and services	27		27		—		—
Health care	342		342		—		—
Technology, media and telecommunications	405		405		—		—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,864		1,864		—		—
Total Trading Securities	$	20,693	$	7,782	$	12,911	$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	500	$	500	$	—	$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	21,122	$	21,122	$	—	$	—
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	$	734	$	—	$	734	$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,103,660	$	254,960	$	2,830,002	$	18,698

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December 31, 2013			Fair Value Measurements
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	$	33,895	$	—	$	33,895	$	—
U.S. government agency	269,583		—		269,583		—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	713,907		—		713,209		698
Foreign bonds	172,856		—		172,856		—
Public utilities	218,576		—		218,576		—
Corporate bonds
Energy	161,010		—		161,010		—
Industrials	237,028		—		237,028		—
Consumer goods and services	167,914		—		166,460		1,454
Health care	92,946		—		92,946		—
Technology, media and telecommunications	120,966		—		120,966		—
Financial services	241,751		—		229,725		12,026
Mortgage-backed securities	22,066		—		22,066		—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	294,763		—		294,763		—
Asset-backed securities	3,995		—		1,966		2,029
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,751,256	$	—	$	2,735,049	$	16,207
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	16,272	$	16,272	$	—	$	—
Energy	14,363		14,363		—		—
Industrials	46,099		46,083		16		—
Consumer goods and services	21,258		21,258		—		—
Health care	24,998		24,998		—		—
Technology, media and telecommunications	13,304		13,304		—		—
Financial services	88,262		84,419		62		3,781
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,812		1,714		3,098		—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	229,368	$	222,411	$	3,176	$	3,781
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,980,624	$	222,411	$	2,738,225	$	19,988
TRADING
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
Foreign bonds	$	1,253	$	—	$	1,253	$	—
Corporate bonds
Industrials	1,122		—		1,122		—
Consumer goods and services	106		—		106		—
Health care	1,154		—		1,154		—
Technology, media and telecommunications	2,054		—		2,054		—

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Financial services	1,866		—		1,866		—
Redeemable preferred stocks	2,385		2,385		—		—
Equity securities:
Energy	563		563		—		—
Consumer goods and services	39		39		—		—
Health care	332		332		—		—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,553		1,553		—		—
Total Trading Securities	$	12,427	$	4,872	$	7,555	$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	800	$	800	$	—	$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	37,811	$	37,811	$	—	$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,031,662	$	265,894	$	2,745,780	$	19,988

The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 1 is based on quoted market prices that are readily and regularly available.

The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 2 is determined by management after reviewing market prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the reporting date. Our independent pricing services and brokers obtain prices from reputable pricing vendors in the marketplace. They continually monitor and review the external pricing sources, while actively participating to resolve any pricing issues that may arise.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the change in our available-for-sale securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2 is the result of investment purchases that were made using funds held in our money market accounts, disposals and the change in unrealized gains on both fixed maturities and equity securities. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, there were no securities transferred between Level 1 and Level 2. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, there was one nonredeemable preferred stock security with a fair value of $1,228 transfered between Level 1 and Level 2 because the security was delisted and is no longer actively traded on a major exchange.

Securities categorized as Level 3 include holdings in certain private placement fixed maturity and equity securities for which an active market does not currently exist.

The fair value of our Level 3 private placement securities is determined by management relying on pricing received from our independent pricing services and brokers consistent with the process to estimate fair value for Level 2 securities. If pricing cannot be obtained from these sources, which occurs on a limited basis, management will perform a discounted cash flow analysis, using an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate, on the underlying security to estimate fair value.

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The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014:



	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities		Total
Balance at June 30, 2014	$	610	$	12,927		$	1,842		$	3,872	$	19,251
Realized gains ⁽¹⁾	—		11			—			—		11
Unrealized losses⁽¹⁾	—		(55		)	(8		)	—		(63		)
Purchases	—		4			—			—		4
Disposals	—		(386		)	(119		)	—		(505		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	610	$	12,501		$	1,715		$	3,872	$	18,698

(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014:



	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities			Total
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	698		$	13,480		$	2,029		$	3,781		$	19,988
Realized gains (losses) ⁽¹⁾	—			11			—			(56		)	(45		)
Unrealized gains (losses) ⁽¹⁾	(18		)	(107		)	31			48			(46		)
Purchases	—			4			—			144			148
Disposals	(70		)	(887		)	(345		)	(45		)	(1,347		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	610		$	12,501		$	1,715		$	3,872		$	18,698

(1) Realized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

The fixed maturities reported as disposals relate to the receipt of principal on calls or sinking fund bonds, in accordance with the indentures.

Corporate-Owned Life Insurance

The Company formed a rabbi trust in 2014 to fund obligations under the United Fire & Casualty Company Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and United Fire Group Supplemental Executive Retirement and Deferral Plan (collectively the "Executive Retirement Plans"). Within the rabbi trust, corporate-owned life insurance ("COLI") policies are utilized as an investment vehicle and source of funding for the Company's Executive Retirement Plans. As of September 30, 2014, the cash surrender value of the COLI policies was $734, which is equal to the fair value measured using Level 2 inputs, based on the underlying assets of the COLI policies, and is included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The COLI policies invest in mutual funds, which are priced daily by independent sources.

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NOTE 4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The components of the net periodic benefit cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:



	Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
Three Months Ended September 30,	2014			2013			2014		2013
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	1,303		$	1,575		$	924	$	1,401
Interest cost	1,468			1,295			586		472
Expected return on plan assets	(1,739		)	(1,443		)	—		—
Amortization of net loss	544			1,530			224		385
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,576		$	2,957		$	1,734	$	2,258



	Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2014			2013			2014		2013

Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	3,909		$	4,725		$	2,772	$	2,906
Interest cost	4,404			3,883			1,758		1,319
Expected return on plan assets	(5,217		)	(4,329		)	—		—
Amortization of net loss	1,632			3,741			672		659
Net periodic benefit cost	$	4,728		$	8,020		$	5,202	$	4,884

Employer Contributions

We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 that we expected to contribute $6,260 to the pension plan in 2014. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, we contributed $7,416 to the pension plan, or an increase of $1,156 from our original expected contributions. The increase was recommended by our external actuaries in order to reduce future pension related expenses and to maximize tax benefits associated with contributions to pension plans.

NOTE 5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Non-qualified Employee Stock Award Plan

The United Fire Group, Inc. Stock Plan (the "Stock Plan") authorized the issuance of restricted and unrestricted stock or stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options for up to 1,900,000 shares of United Fire common stock to our employees. In May 2014, the Registrant's shareholders approved an additional 1,500,000 shares of United Fire common stock issuable at any time and from time to time pursuant to the Stock Plan, as amended. At September 30, 2014, there are 1,560,201 authorized shares remaining available for future issuance. The Stock Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines those employees who will receive awards, when awards will be granted, and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the Stock Plan. Pursuant to the Stock Plan, the Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, grant awards to our employees who are in positions of substantial responsibility with United Fire.

Options granted pursuant to the Stock Plan are granted to buy shares of United Fire's common stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant. Unless the Board of Directors authorizes accelerated vesting, all outstanding option awards vest and are exercisable in installments of 20.0 percent of the number of shares covered by the option award each year from the grant date. To the extent not exercised, vested option awards accumulate and are exercisable by the awardee, in whole or in part, in any subsequent year included in the option period, but not later

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than 10 years from the grant date. Restricted and unrestricted stock awards granted pursuant to the Stock Plan are granted at the market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock or stock unit awards fully vest after five years from the date of issuance, unless accelerated upon the approval of the Board of Directors, at which time United Fire common stock will be issued to the awardee.

The activity in the Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:



Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		From Inception to September 30, 2014
Beginning balance	353,649		1,900,000
Additional shares authorized	1,500,000		1,500,000
Number of awards granted	(313,948	)	(1,996,444	)
Number of awards forfeited or expired	20,500		156,645
Ending balance	1,560,201		1,560,201
Number of option awards exercised	62,531		444,299
Number of unrestricted stock awards granted	660		5,215
Number of restricted stock awards vested	—		18,576

Non-qualified Non-employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan

The United Fire & Casualty Company 2005 Non-Qualified Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "Director Plan") authorizes the issuance of restricted stock awards and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of United Fire’s common stock to non-employee directors. At September 30, 2014, we had 87,194 authorized shares available for future issuance under the Director Plan.

The Board of Directors has the authority to determine which non-employee directors receive awards, when options and restricted stock shall be granted, the option price, the option expiration date, the date of grant, the vesting schedule of options or whether the options shall be immediately vested, the terms and conditions of options and restricted stock (other than those terms and conditions set forth in the plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement (subject to limits set forth in the plan). The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the Director Plan.

The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table:



Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014		From Inception to September 30, 2014
Beginning balance	103,912		300,000
Number of awards granted	(16,718	)	(218,809	)
Number of awards forfeited or expired	—		6,003
Ending balance	87,194		87,194
Number of option awards exercised	1,519		4,675
Number of restricted stock awards vested	5,040		11,442

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $500 and $618, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,445 and $1,436, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the stock options.

As of September 30, 2014, we had $5,871 in stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations. We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2014 and subsequent years according to the following table, except with respect to awards that are accelerated by the Board of

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Directors, in which case we will recognize any remaining compensation expense in the period in which the awards are accelerated.



2014	$	500
2015	1,864
2016	1,439
2017	1,200
2018	778
2019	90
Total	$	5,871

NOTE 6. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have two reportable business segments in our operations: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. The property and casualty insurance segment has seven domestic locations from which it conducts its business. The life insurance segment operates from our home office. Because all of our insurance is sold domestically, we have no revenues from foreign operations.

We evaluate the two segments on the basis of both statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by our states of domicile and GAAP. We analyze results based on profitability (i.e., loss ratios), expenses, and return on equity. The basis we use to determine and analyze segments and to measure segment profit or loss have not changed from that reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

We have reconciled the amounts in the following table for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, adjusting for intersegment eliminations.



	Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net premiums earned	$	195,195		$	16,958		$	212,153
Investment income, net of investment expenses	8,191			14,647			22,838
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(22		)	916			894
Other income (loss)	(102		)	215			113
Total reportable segment	$	203,262		$	32,736		$	235,998
Intersegment eliminations	(1		)	(132		)	(133		)
Total revenues	$	203,261		$	32,604		$	235,865
Net income (loss)	$	(1,880	)	$	2,205		$	325
Assets	$	2,094,173		$	1,731,155		$	3,825,328
Invested assets	$	1,515,753		$	1,623,195		$	3,138,948

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Net premiums earned	$	178,553		$	15,789		$	194,342
Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,679			15,587			27,266
Net realized investment gains	816			374			1,190
Other income	145			192			337
Total reportable segment	$	191,193		$	31,942		$	223,135
Intersegment eliminations	12			(123		)	(111		)
Total revenues	$	191,205		$	31,819		$	223,024
Net income	$	10,282		$	1,443		$	11,725
Assets	$	1,977,120		$	1,746,577		$	3,723,697
Invested assets	$	1,401,982		$	1,635,695		$	3,037,677

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We have reconciled the amounts in the following table for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, adjusting for intersegment eliminations.



	Property and Casualty Insurance		Life Insurance			Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net premiums earned	$	562,521	$	45,065		$	607,586
Investment income, net of investment expenses	31,135		46,011			77,146
Net realized investment gains	3,682		2,114			5,796
Other income	693		562			1,255
Total reportable segment	$	598,031	$	93,752		$	691,783
Intersegment eliminations	56		(397		)	(341		)
Total revenues	$	598,087	$	93,355		$	691,442
Net income	$	19,471	$	4,870		$	24,341
Assets	$	2,094,173	$	1,731,155		$	3,825,328
Invested assets	$	1,515,753	$	1,623,195		$	3,138,948

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Net premiums earned	$	511,781	$	45,991		$	557,772
Investment income, net of investment expenses	34,379		48,297			82,676
Net realized investment gains	5,405		1,845			7,250
Other income	229		405			634
Total reportable segment	$	551,794	$	96,538		$	648,332
Intersegment eliminations	85		(369		)	(284		)
Total revenues	$	551,879	$	96,169		$	648,048
Net income	$	44,207	$	5,407		$	49,614
Assets	$	1,977,120	$	1,746,577		$	3,723,697
Invested assets	$	1,401,982	$	1,635,695		$	3,037,677

NOTE 7. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The dilutive shares we consider in our diluted earnings per share calculation relate to our outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards.

We determine the dilutive effect of our outstanding stock options using the "treasury stock" method. Under this method, we assume the exercise of all of the outstanding stock options whose exercise price is less than the weighted-average market value of our common stock during the reporting period. This method also assumes that the proceeds from the hypothetical stock option exercises are used to repurchase shares of our common stock at the weighted-average market value of the stock during the reporting period. The net of the assumed stock options exercised and assumed common shares repurchased represents the number of dilutive common shares, which we add to the denominator of the earnings per share calculation.

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The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2014				2013
	Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
Net income	$	325	$	325	$	11,725	$	11,725
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,188,381		25,188,381		25,359,196		25,359,196
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		114,313		—		59,849
Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		101,655		—		152,576
Weighted-average common shares	25,188,381		25,404,349		25,359,196		25,571,621
Earnings per common share	$	0.01	$	0.01	$	0.46	$	0.45
Awards excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation⁽¹⁾	—		868,020		—		646,226


(1)	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2014				2013
	Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
Net income	$	24,341	$	24,341	$	49,614	$	49,614
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,295,842		25,295,842		25,301,432		25,301,432
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		114,313		—		59,849
Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		126,414		—		152,930
Weighted-average common shares	25,295,842		25,536,569		25,301,432		25,514,211
Earnings per common share	$	0.96	$	0.95	$	1.96	$	1.94
Awards excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation⁽¹⁾	—		889,080		—		661,826


(1)	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

NOTE 8. CREDIT FACILITY

In December 2011, United Fire entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders. KeyBank National Association is the administrative agent, lead arranger, sole book runner, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, and Bankers Trust Company is the syndication agent. The four-year credit agreement provides for a $100,000 unsecured revolving credit facility that includes a $20,000 letter of credit subfacility and a swingline subfacility of up to $5,000.

During the term of this credit agreement, we have the right to increase the total credit facility from $100,000 up to $125,000 if no event of default has occurred and is continuing and certain other conditions are satisfied. The credit facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions and liquidity purposes. Any principal outstanding under the credit facility is due in full at maturity, on December 22, 2015. The interest rate is based on our monthly choice of either a base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus, in each

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case, a calculated margin amount. A commitment fee on each lender's unused commitment under the credit facility is also payable quarterly.

The credit agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events of default, including certain covenants that limit or restrict our ability to engage in certain activities. Subject to certain exceptions, these activities include restricting our ability to sell or transfer assets or enter into a merger or consolidate with another company, grant certain types of security interests, incur certain types of liens, impose restrictions on subsidiary dividends, enter into leaseback transactions, or incur certain indebtedness. The credit agreement contains certain financial covenants including covenants that require us to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, a debt to capitalization ratio and minimum shareholders' equity.

There was no outstanding balance on the credit facility at September 30, 2014 and 2013. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we did not incur any interest expense related to this credit facility. We were in compliance with all covenants for the credit agreement at September 30, 2014.

NOTE 9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014:



				Liability for
	Net unrealized			underfunded
	appreciation			employee
	on investments			benefit costs			Total
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	147,858		$	(28,453	)	$	119,405
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(8,066		)	—			(8,066		)
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(640		)	499			(141		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	139,152		$	(27,954	)	$	111,198

The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014:



				Liability for
	Net unrealized			underfunded
	appreciation			employee
	on investments			benefit costs			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	116,601		$	(29,451	)	$	87,150
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	25,198			—			25,198
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,647		)	1,497			(1,150		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	139,152		$	(27,954	)	$	111,198

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Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

United Fire Group, Inc.

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of United Fire Group, Inc. (the "Company") as of September 30, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated statement of stockholders' equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of United Fire Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein) and we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements in our report dated March 5, 2014. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of United Fire Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.



	/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
	Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa

November 4, 2014

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 1 "Financial Statements."

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are representative of significant judgments and uncertainties and that potentially may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We base our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition on the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with GAAP. As we prepare these Consolidated Financial Statements, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are more fully described in our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no changes in our critical accounting policies from December 31, 2013.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is to provide an understanding of our results of operations and consolidated financial position. Our Management's Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes, including those in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. When we provide information on a statutory basis, we label it as such, otherwise, all other data is presented in accordance with GAAP.

OUR BUSINESS

Founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. ("United Fire", the "Registrant", the "Company", "we", "us", or "our") and its consolidated insurance subsidiaries provide insurance protection for individuals and businesses through several regional offices. Our property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries are licensed in 43 states plus the District of Columbia and are represented by approximately 1,200 independent agencies. Our life insurance subsidiary is licensed in 37 states and is represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies.

Segments

We operate two business segments, each with a wide range of products:


•	property and casualty insurance, which includes commercial lines insurance, personal lines insurance, surety bonds and assumed reinsurance; and


•	life insurance, which includes deferred and immediate annuities, universal life products and traditional life (primarily single premium whole life) insurance products.

We manage these business segments separately, as they generally do not share the same customer base, and each has different products, pricing, and expense structures.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, property and casualty insurance business accounted for approximately 93.0 percent of our net premiums earned, of which 90.9 percent was generated from commercial

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lines. Life insurance business accounted for approximately 7.0 percent of our net premiums earned, of which 63.2 percent was generated from traditional life insurance products.

Pooling Arrangement

All of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries, with the exception of Texas General Indemnity Company, are members of an intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. Pooling arrangements permit the participating companies to rely on the capacity of the entire pool's capital and surplus, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with each participant’s own surplus level.

Geographic Concentration

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, approximately 48.9 percent of our property and casualty premiums were written in Texas, Iowa, California, New Jersey, and Missouri; approximately 68.1 percent of our life insurance premiums were written in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

Segment Revenue and Expense

We evaluate segment profit or loss based upon operating and investment results. Segment profit or loss described in the following sections of this Management's Discussion and Analysis is reported on a pre-tax basis. Additional segment information is presented in Part I, Item 1, Note 6 "Segment Information" to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our primary sources of revenue are premiums and investment income. Major categories of expenses include losses and loss settlement expenses, future policy benefits, underwriting and other operating expenses and interest on policyholders' accounts.

Profit Factors

Our profitability is influenced by many factors, including price, competition, economic conditions, investment returns, interest rates, catastrophic events and other natural disasters, man-made disasters, state regulations, court decisions, and changes in the law. To manage these risks and uncertainties, we seek to achieve consistent profitability through strong agency relationships, exceptional customer service, fair and prompt claims handling, disciplined underwriting, superior loss control services, prudent management of our investments, appropriate matching of assets and liabilities, effective use of ceded reinsurance and effective and efficient use of technology.

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS



	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2014			2013			%		2014		2013			%
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$	212,021		$	194,219		9.2	%	$	607,189	$	557,403		8.9	%
Investment income, net of investment expenses	22,837			27,278			(16.3	)	77,202		82,761			(6.7	)
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—			(139		)	(100.0	)	—		(139		)	(100.0	)
All other net realized gains	894			1,329			(32.7	)	5,796		7,389			(21.6	)
Net realized investment gains	894			1,190			(24.9	)	5,796		7,250			(20.1	)
Other income	113			337			(66.5	)	1,255		634			97.9
Total revenues	$	235,865		$	223,024		5.8	%	$	691,442	$	648,048		6.7	%

Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	$	154,346		$	131,168		17.7	%	$	422,299	$	349,073		21.0	%
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	10,552			8,415			25.4		26,450		26,520			(0.3	)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	44,644			38,767			15.2		124,374		113,556			9.5
Other underwriting expenses	21,665			21,654			0.1		68,869		67,310			2.3
Interest on policyholders' accounts	7,503			8,625			(13.0	)	23,342		27,026			(13.6	)
Total benefits, losses and expenses	$	238,710		$	208,629		14.4	%	$	665,334	$	583,485		14.0	%

Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(2,845	)	$	14,395		(119.8	)%	$	26,108	$	64,563		(59.6	)%
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	(3,170		)	2,670			(218.7	)	1,767		14,949			(88.2	)%
Net income	$	325		$	11,725		(97.2	)%	$	24,341	$	49,614		(50.9	)%

The following is a summary of our financial performance for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014:

Consolidated Results of Operations

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, net income was $0.3 million compared to $11.7 million for the same period of 2013, driven primarily by an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses, and a decrease in investment income, which both were partially offset by growth in property and casualty premium revenue.

Consolidated net premiums earned increased to $212.0 million compared to $194.2 million for the same period of 2013. This increase represents organic growth and is the result of a combination of rate increases across most commercial and personal lines and, to a lessor extent, new business writings.

Losses and loss settlement expenses increased by $23.2 million during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in catastrophe loss experience from carryover losses associated with late second quarter convective storms in regions of the U.S. where we conduct much of our business, an increase in frequency and severity in fire-related losses in our commercial

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property line of business and a decrease in favorable reserve development. Pre-tax catastrophe losses totaled $23.3 million compared to $8.5 million in the same period of 2013.

Investment income decreased by $4.4 million during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. The decrease is primarily due to changes in value of our investments in limited liability partnerships and secondarily to the decline of reinvestment interest rates from the continued low interest rate environment. We hold certain investments in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting, with changes in the value of these investments recorded in investment income. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, the change in value of investments in limited liability partnerships resulted in a decrease of $2.6 million to investment income as compared to an increase to investment income of $1.0 million in the same period of 2013.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, net income was $24.3 million compared to $49.6 million for the same period of 2013, driven primarily by an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses and a decrease in investment income, which were both partially offset by growth in property and casualty premium revenue. Consolidated net premiums earned increased to $607.2 million compared to $557.4 million for the same period of 2013. This increase represents organic growth and is the result of a combination of rate increases across most commercial and personal lines and, to a lessor extent, new business writings.

Losses and loss settlement expenses increased by $73.2 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in catastrophe loss experience from storms in the first half of 2014 in regions of the U.S. where we conduct much of our business, an increase in frequency and severity in fire-related losses in our commercial property line of business, an increase in our annual aggregate reinsurance deductible, and a decrease in favorable reserve development. Pre-tax catastrophe losses totaled $47.2 million compared to $27.2 million in the same period of 2013.

Investment income decreased by $5.6 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013. The decrease is primarily due to changes in value of our investments in limited liability partnerships and secondarily to the decline of reinvestment interest rates from the continued low interest rate environment. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the change in value of investments in limited liability partnerships resulted in a increase of $0.4 million to investment income as compared to an increase to investment income of $3.5 million in the same period of 2013.

Consolidated Financial Condition

At September 30, 2014, the book value per share of our common stock was $32.26. We repurchased 401,519 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $11.2 million and an average share price of $28.02 in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. Under our share repurchase program, which is scheduled to expire on August 31, 2016, we are authorized to repurchase an additional 1,668,598 shares of our common stock.

Net unrealized investment gains totaled $139.2 million as of September 30, 2014, an increase of $22.6 million, net of tax, or 19.3 percent, since December 31, 2013. The increase in net unrealized investment gains resulted from an increase in the fair value of the fixed maturity investment portfolio as a result of interest rate declines at September 30, 2014 and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the fair value of our equity investment portfolio due to overall equity market improvement.

Our stockholders' equity increased to $808.4 million at September 30, 2014, from $782.8 million at December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to net income of $24.3 million and an increase in net unrealized investment gains of $22.6 million, net of tax, partially offset by shareholder dividends of $14.7 million and share repurchases of $11.2 million.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment Results



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands Except Ratios)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Net premiums written	$	190,551		$	178,313		$	611,941		$	553,795
Net premiums earned	$	195,195		$	178,553		$	562,521		$	511,781
Losses and loss settlement expenses	(148,815		)	(124,643		)	(402,964		)	(332,264		)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(42,902		)	(37,243		)	(119,280		)	(108,591		)
Other underwriting expenses	(17,843		)	(17,219		)	(57,207		)	(54,854		)
Underwriting gain (loss)	$	(14,365	)	$	(552	)	$	(16,930	)	$	16,072

Investment income, net of investment expenses	8,190			11,691			31,191			34,464
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	—			(139		)	—			(139		)
All other net realized gains (losses)	(22		)	955			3,682			5,544
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(22		)	816			3,682			5,405
Other income (loss)	(102		)	145			693			229
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(6,299	)	$	12,100		$	18,636		$	56,170

GAAP Ratios:
Net loss ratio (without catastrophes)	64.4		%	65.1		%	63.2		%	59.6		%
Catastrophes - effect on net loss ratio	11.9			4.7			8.4			5.3
Net loss ratio ⁽¹⁾	76.3		%	69.8		%	71.6		%	64.9		%
Expense ratio ⁽²⁾	31.1			30.5			31.4			31.9
Combined ratio ⁽³⁾	107.4		%	100.3		%	103.0		%	96.8		%

(1) The GAAP net loss ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of losses and loss settlement expenses by net premiums earned. We use the net loss ratio as a measure of the overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business we write and to assess the adequacy of our pricing. Our net loss ratio is meaningful in evaluating our financial results as reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) The GAAP expense ratio is calculated by dividing nondeferred underwriting expenses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs by net premiums earned. The expense ratio measures a company's operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance business.

(3) The GAAP combined ratio is a commonly used financial measure of property and casualty underwriting performance. A combined ratio below 100.0 percent generally indicates a profitable book of business. The combined ratio is the sum of the GAAP net loss ratio and the GAAP underwriting expense ratio.

For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, our property and casualty segment reported a loss before taxes of $6.3 million and income of $18.6 million, respectively, or a decrease of $18.4 million and $37.5 million, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The decrease in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 is primarily due to an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses partially offset by an increase in net premiums earned.

Net premiums earned increased 9.3 percent to $195.2 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $178.6 million in the same period of 2013. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, net premiums earned also increased 9.9 percent to $562.5 million as compared to $511.8 million in the same period of 2013. This increase represents organic growth and is the result of a combination of rate increases across most commercial and personal lines and, to a lessor extent, new business writings.

Investment income decreased 29.9 percent to $8.2 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $11.7 million in the same period of 2013. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014,

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investment income decreased 9.5 percent to $31.2 million as compared to $34.5 million in the same period of 2013. The decrease is primarily due to changes in value of our investments in limited liability partnerships and secondarily to the decline of reinvestment interest rates from the continued low interest rate environment. In the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the change in value of investments in limited liability partnerships resulted in a decrease of $2.6 million and an increase $0.4 million, respectively, to investment income as compared to increases of $1.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, to investment income in the same periods of 2013.

The GAAP combined ratio increased 7.1 percentage points to 107.4 percent for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to 100.3 percent for the same period of 2013. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the GAAP combined ratio was 103.0 percent, compared to 96.8 percent for the same period of 2013. The increase in the GAAP combined ratio in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same periods of 2013, is primarily attributable to an increase in catastrophe loss experience from storms in the first of half of 2014 in regions of the U.S. where we conduct much of our business, an increase in frequency and severity in fire-related losses in our commercial property line of business, an increase in our annual aggregate reinsurance deductible and a decrease in favorable reserve development.

The net loss ratio, a component of the combined ratio, increased by 6.5 percentage points to 76.3 percentage points in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the same period of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to storms in regions of the U.S. where we conduct much of our business, an increase in frequency and severity in fire-related losses in our commercial property line of business and a decrease in favorable reserve development.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the net loss ratio increased by 6.7 percentage points to 71.6 percentage points as compared to the same period of 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in catastrophe loss experience from storms in the first of half of 2014 in regions of the U.S. where we conduct much of our business, an increase in frequency and severity in fire-related losses in our commercial property line of business, an increase in our annual aggregate reinsurance deductible and a decrease in favorable reserve development. Pre-tax catastrophe losses totaled $23.3 million and $47.2 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to $8.5 million and $27.2 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2013.

The expense ratio, a component of the combined ratio, of 31.1 percentage points for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 increased by 0.6 percentage points as compared with the same period of 2013. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, the expense ratio of 31.4 percentage points improved by 0.5 percentage point as compared with the same period of 2013. In 2014, the expense ratio will be impacted by an increase in premium taxes and assessments due to premium growth in specific lines of business and a deterioration in the profitability of certain lines of business caused by an increase in claims severity that limits the amount of underwriting expenses eligible for deferral. Our expectation is a gradual return to a more favorable expense ratio consistent with our history as we continue to reap the benefit of economies of scale and the ultimate completion of the Mercer Insurance Group integration.

For a detailed discussion of our consolidated investment results, refer to the "Investment Portfolio" section of this item.

Reserve Development

For many liability claims, significant periods of time, ranging up to several years and for certain construction defect claims more than a decade, may elapse between the occurrence of the loss, the reporting of the loss to us and the settlement or other disposition of the claim. As a result, loss experience in the more recent accident years for the long-tail liability coverages has limited statistical credibility in our reserving process because a relatively small proportion of losses in these accident years are reported claims and an even smaller proportion are paid losses. In addition, long-tail liability claims are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretations and the legal environment. Consequently, the estimation of loss reserves for long-tail coverages is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability. Reserves for these long-tail coverages represent a significant portion of our overall carried reserves.

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When establishing reserves and monitoring reserve adequacy, we analyze historical data and consider the potential impact of various loss development factors and trends including historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, results of our medical bill review process and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. All of these factors influence our estimates of required reserves and for long-tail lines these factors can change over the course of the settlement of the claim. However there is no precise method for evaluating the specific dollar impact of any individual factor on the development of reserves.

Our reserving philosophy is to reserve claims to their ultimate expected loss amount as soon as practicable after information about a claim becomes available. Historically, this approach has tended to produce, on average, some level of favorable development over the course of settlement.

2014 Development

The property and casualty insurance segment experienced $6.8 million and $32.5 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The significant drivers of the favorable reserve development in 2014 were our long-tail liability lines, including workers' compensation and automobile (both liability and physical damage), which have contributed $9.0 million and $38.0 million, respectively, of the three- and nine-month reserve development totals. Commercial auto liability, with $7.1 million of favorable year-to-date reserve development, continues to benefit from loss control and re-underwriting initiatives over the past two years. Development from the property lines provided a partial offset to the favorable development noted above.

2013 Development

The property and casualty insurance segment experienced $8.6 million and $49.0 million of favorable development in our net reserves for prior accident years for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The favorable development in 2013 was primarily related to our long-tail lines of commercial business including other liability, workers' compensation and auto liability. The favorable development is generally caused by changes in loss development patterns due to many factors discussed previously. Specifically, we observed a continuation of a trend, started in 2011, reducing the overall number of reported new construction defect claims and lower than expected emergence on known claims. In addition, in 2009 management began an initiative to control legal defense costs. As these costs are a significant component of the carried reserves for the other liability line, management believes this initiative is also contributing to the favorable development trends.

Development amounts can vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year depending on a number of factors, including the number of claims settled and the settlement terms. During the third quarter, the decrease in favorable reserve development is attributable to the timing of paid claims; however, year-to-date the decline in favorable reserve development also reflects adverse development of large claims from prior accident years, primarily relevant to large losses from prior years that further developed in 2014. At September 30, 2014, our total reserves remained relatively flat compared to December 31, 2013 and within our actuarial estimates.

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The following tables display our net premiums earned, net losses and loss settlement expenses and net loss ratio by line of business:




Three Months Ended September 30,	2014							2013
			Net Losses							Net Losses
			and Loss							and Loss
	Net		Settlement			Net		Net		Settlement			Net
(In Thousands)	Premiums		Expenses			Loss		Premiums		Expenses			Loss
Unaudited	Earned		Incurred			Ratio		Earned		Incurred			Ratio
Commercial lines
Other liability	$	58,807	$	32,842		55.8	%	$	52,251	$	28,406		54.4	%
Fire and allied lines	46,448		49,120			105.8		41,717		27,260			65.3
Automobile	42,181		36,938			87.6		37,646		36,140			96.0
Workers' compensation	22,955		12,239			53.3		21,519		20,524			95.4
Fidelity and surety	5,095		150			2.9		4,877		(163		)	(3.3	)
Miscellaneous	692		(28		)	(4.0	)	628		(104		)	(16.6	)
Total commercial lines	$	176,178	$	131,261		74.5	%	$	158,638	$	112,063		70.6	%

Personal lines
Fire and allied lines	$	11,151	$	12,163		109.1	%	$	10,786	$	8,307		77.0	%
Automobile	5,877		5,622			95.7		5,624		3,615			64.3
Miscellaneous	251		1,622			NM		240		1,068			NM
Total personal lines	$	17,279	$	19,407		112.3	%	$	16,650	$	12,990		78.0	%
Reinsurance assumed	$	1,738	$	(1,853	)	(106.6	)%	$	3,265	$	(410	)	(12.6	)%
Total	$	195,195	$	148,815		76.3	%	$	178,553	$	124,643		69.8	%

NM=Not meaningful




Nine Months Ended September 30,	2014							2013
			Net Losses							Net Losses
			and Loss							and Loss
	Net		Settlement			Net		Net		Settlement			Net
(In Thousands)	Premiums		Expenses			Loss		Premiums		Expenses			Loss
Unaudited	Earned		Incurred			Ratio		Earned		Incurred			Ratio
Commercial lines
Other liability	$	167,851	$	87,704		52.3	%	$	146,755	$	77,721		53.0	%
Fire and allied lines	133,802		126,618			94.6		122,107		71,954			58.9
Automobile	121,022		88,539			73.2		108,629		91,090			83.9
Workers' compensation	64,981		46,577			71.7		60,786		51,364			84.5
Fidelity and surety	13,654		1,145			8.4		13,684		(843		)	(6.2	)
Miscellaneous	2,039		(18		)	(0.9	)	1,190		555			46.6
Total commercial lines	$	503,349	$	350,565		69.6	%	$	453,151	$	291,841		64.4	%

Personal lines
Fire and allied lines	$	33,253	$	32,548		97.9	%	$	31,911	$	25,273		79.2	%
Automobile	17,349		16,588			95.6		16,485		11,177			67.8
Miscellaneous	742		1,710			NM		528		1,969			NM
Total personal lines	$	51,344	$	50,846		99.0	%	$	48,924	$	38,419		78.5	%
Reinsurance assumed	$	7,828	$	1,553		19.8	%	$	9,706	$	2,004		20.6	%
Total	$	562,521	$	402,964		71.6	%	$	511,781	$	332,264		64.9	%

NM=Not meaningful

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•

Commercial fire and allied lines - The net loss ratio deteriorated 40.5 percentage points and 35.7 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The change is primarily attributable to losses from an increase in the frequency of claims associated with the harsh winter weather experienced in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2014, an increase in catastrophes from convective storms experienced in regions of the U.S. in 2014 where we conduct much of our business and an increase in frequency and severity in commercial fire losses and an increase in our annual aggregate reinsurance deductible.


•	Commercial automobile - The net loss ratio improved 8.4 percentage points and 10.7 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The change was primarily due to favorable results from loss control and re-underwriting initiatives over the past two years that focused on under-performing accounts and agents.


•	Workers' compensation - The net loss ratio improved 42.1 percentage points and 12.8 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The change was due to the combined effects of lower claim frequency and favorable development from previously reported claims.


•	Personal fire and allied lines- The net loss ratio deteriorated 32.1 percentage points and 18.7 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The change was primarily due to an increase in catastrophe loss experience from convective storms in the U.S. in 2014.

•

Personal automobile - The net loss ratio deteriorated 31.4 percentage points and 27.8 percentage points in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2013. The change was primarily due to increased claim frequency and severity due to the harsh winter weather experienced in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2014 and due to an increase in catastrophe loss experience from convective storms in regions of the U.S. in 2014 where we conduct much of our business.

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Life Insurance Segment Results



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2014		2013		2014		2013
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$	16,826	$	15,666	$	44,668	$	45,622
Investment income, net of investment expenses	14,647		15,587		46,011		48,297
Net realized investment gains	916		374		2,114		1,845
Other income	215		192		562		405
Total revenues	$	32,604	$	31,819	$	93,355	$	96,169

Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	$	5,531	$	6,525	$	19,335	$	16,809
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	10,552		8,415		26,450		26,520
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	1,742		1,524		5,094		4,965
Other underwriting expenses	3,822		4,435		11,662		12,456
Interest on policyholders' accounts	7,503		8,625		23,342		27,026
Total benefits, losses and expenses	$	29,150	$	29,524	$	85,883	$	87,776

Income before income taxes	$	3,454	$	2,295	$	7,472	$	8,393

Income before income taxes increased $1.2 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods of 2013. The increase in net income is primarily due to a increase in net premiums earned from higher sales of single premium whole life policies, a decrease in interest on policyholders' accounts due to a decline in the amount of expense associated with the payment of interest to policyholders on annuity accounts, a decrease in losses and loss settlement expenses and a decrease in underwriting expenses, all partially offset by a decrease in investment income and an increase in the increase in liability for future benefits.

Income before income taxes decreased $0.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the same periods of 2013. The decrease in net income is primarily due to an decrease in net premiums earned from lower sales of single premium whole life policies, an increase in losses and loss settlement expenses from higher death benefits and a decrease in investment income, all partially offset by a decrease in underwriting expenses, a decrease in the increase in liability for future benefits, and a decrease in interest on policyholders' accounts due to a decline in the amount of expense associated with the payment of interest to policyholders on annuity accounts.

Net premiums earned increased 7.4 percent to $16.8 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $15.7 million in the same period of 2013. The increase in net premiums earned was primarily due to an increase in sales of single premium whole life policies. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, net premiums earned decreased 2.1 percent to $44.7 million, compared to $45.6 million in the same period of 2013. The decrease in net premiums earned was primarily due to a decrease in sales of single premium whole life policies. We continue to maintain price diligence on our single premium whole life product to achieve target rate spreads.

Net investment income decreased 6.0 percent to $14.6 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $15.6 million for the same period of 2013. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, investment income decreased 4.7 percent to $46.0 million compared to $48.3 million in the same period of 2013. The decrease is due to a continuation of the low interest rate environment and a lower asset base due to declining annuity deposits.

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Losses and loss settlement expenses decreased $1.0 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 and increased $2.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same periods of 2013 due to corresponding fluctuations in death benefits paid. Fluctuations in the timing of death benefits occur from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year.

The increase in the liability for future policy benefits increased in the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period of 2013, due to an increase in sales of life insurance products partially offset by net withdrawals of deferred annuities.

Deferred annuity deposits decreased 28.5 percent and increased 62.2 percent for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2013. Guaranteed interest rates of our products increased in the second half of 2013 and in the first three months of 2014, resulting in more favorable retention of maturing deferred annuity deposits as opposed to lapse of policies due to maturity, as well as increased deposits due to additional annuity sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. Since the beginning of the second quarter of 2014, guaranteed interest rates of our products have periodically declined, resulting in a decrease in deferred annuity deposits for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 as compared with the same period of 2013.

Net cash outflow related to our annuity business was $23.8 million and $50.6 million in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared to a net cash outflow of $17.1 million and $63.2 million in the same periods of 2013. We attribute this to the interest rate activity described above.

For a detailed discussion of our consolidated investment results, refer to the "Investment Portfolio" section of this item.

Investment Portfolio

Our invested assets totaled $3,138.9 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $3,050.1 million at December 31, 2013, an increase of $88.8 million. At September 30, 2014, fixed maturity securities and equity securities made up 90.6 percent and 7.6 percent of the value of our investment portfolio, respectively. Because the primary purpose of our investment portfolio is to fund future claims payments, we use a conservative investment philosophy, investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, intermediate-term taxable corporate bonds, taxable U.S. government bonds and tax-exempt U.S. municipal bonds. Our overall investment strategy is to keep our cash on hand low in the current interest rate environment. If additional cash is needed, we can borrow funds available under our revolving credit facility.

Composition

We develop our investment strategies based on a number of factors, including estimated duration of reserve liabilities, short- and long-term liquidity needs, projected tax status, general economic conditions, expected rates of inflation, regulatory requirements, interest rates and credit quality of assets. We administer our investment portfolio based on investment guidelines approved by management and the investment committee of our Board of Directors that comply with applicable statutory regulations.

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The composition of our investment portfolio at September 30, 2014 is presented at carrying value in the following table:



	Property & Casualty Insurance Segment				Life Insurance Segment				Total
			Percent				Percent				Percent
(In Thousands)			of Total				of Total				of Total
Fixed maturities ⁽¹⁾
Held-to-maturity	$	256	—	%	$	157	—	%	$	413	—	%
Available-for-sale	1,253,741		82.7		1,572,902		96.9		2,826,643		90.0
Trading securities	17,441		1.2		—		—		17,441		0.6
Equity securities
Available-for-sale	207,488		13.7		26,480		1.6		233,968		7.5
Trading securities	3,252		0.2		—		—		3,252		0.1
Mortgage loans	—		—		4,257		0.3		4,257		0.1
Policy loans	—		—		6,046		0.4		6,046		0.2
Other long-term investments	33,075		2.2		13,353		0.8		46,428		1.5
Short-term investments	500		—		—		—		500		—
Total	$	1,515,753	100.0	%	$	1,623,195	100.0	%	$	3,138,948	100.0	%

(1) Available-for-sale securities and trading fixed maturities are carried at fair value. Held-to-maturity fixed maturities are carried at amortized cost.

At September 30, 2014, we classified $2,826.6 million, or 99.4 percent, of our fixed maturities portfolio as available-for-sale, compared to $2,751.3 million, or 99.6 percent, at December 31, 2013. We classify our remaining fixed maturities as held-to-maturity or trading. We record held-to-maturity securities at amortized cost. We record available-for-sale securities at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. We record trading securities, primarily convertible redeemable preferred debt securities, at fair value, with any changes in fair value recognized in earnings.

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we did not have direct exposure to investments in subprime mortgages or other credit enhancement vehicles.

Credit Quality

The following table shows the composition of fixed maturity securities held in our available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and trading security portfolios, by credit rating at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Information contained in the table is generally based upon the issue credit ratings provided by Moody's, unless the rating is unavailable, in which case we obtain it from Standard & Poor's.



(In Thousands)	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
Rating	Carrying Value		% of Total		Carrying Value		% of Total
AAA	$	911,912	32.1	%	$	761,017	27.6	%
AA	614,666		21.6		537,527		19.5
A	593,067		20.8		564,396		20.4
Baa/BBB	663,518		23.3		830,735		30.1
Other/Not Rated	61,334		2.2		68,177		2.5
	$	2,844,497	100.0	%	$	2,761,852	100.0	%

Duration

Our investment portfolio is invested primarily in fixed maturity securities whose fair value is susceptible to market risk, specifically interest rate changes. Duration is a measurement used to quantify our inherent interest rate risk and analyze our ability to match our invested assets to our reserve liabilities. If our invested assets and reserve liabilities have similar durations, then any change in interest rates will have an equal effect on these accounts. The primary purpose for matching invested assets and reserve liabilities is liquidity. With appropriate matching, our investments

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will mature when cash is needed, preventing the need to liquidate other assets prematurely. Mismatches in the duration of assets and liabilities can cause significant fluctuations in our results of operations.

Group

The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014 is 4.7 years compared to 5.0 years at December 31, 2013.

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment

The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014 is 4.6 years compared to 4.9 years at December 31, 2013.

Life Insurance Segment

The weighted average effective duration of our portfolio of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014 is 4.8 years compared to 5.0 years at December 31, 2013.

Investment Results

We invest the premiums received from our policyholders and annuitants in order to generate investment income, which is an important component of our revenues and profitability. The amount of investment income that we are able to generate is affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Some of these factors are volatility in the financial markets, economic growth, inflation, interest rates, world political conditions, terrorist attacks or threats of terrorism, adverse events affecting other companies in our industry or the industries in which we invest and other unpredictable national or world events. Our net investment income decreased by 16.3 percent and 6.7 percent in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2013. The decrease is primarily due to changes in value of our investments in limited liability partnerships and secondarily to the decline of reinvestment interest rates from the continued low interest rate environment. We are maintaining our investment philosophy of purchasing fixed income investments rated investment grade or better.

Our net realized investment gains were $0.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, as compared with $1.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively, in the same periods of 2013.

We hold certain investments in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting, with changes in the value of these investments recorded in investment income. In the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the change in value of investments in limited liability partnerships resulted in a decrease of $2.6 million and an increase of $0.4 million, respectively, to investment income as compared to increases of $1.0 million and $3.5 million, respectively, to investment income in the same periods of 2013.

We regularly monitor the difference between our cost basis and the estimated fair value of our investments. Our accounting policy for impairment recognition requires other-than-temporary impairment charges to be recorded when we determine that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the fixed maturity security or that the anticipated recovery in fair value of the equity security will not occur in a reasonable amount of time. Impairment charges on investments are recorded based on the fair value of the investments at the measurement date. Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; our intention to hold the investment; and the likelihood that we will be required to sell the investment.

Changes in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities do not affect net income and earnings per share but do impact comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and book value per share. We believe that any unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2014 are temporary based upon our current analysis of the issuers of the securities that we hold and current market events. It is possible that we could recognize

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impairment charges in future periods on securities that we own at September 30, 2014 if future events and information cause us to determine that a decline in value is other-than-temporary. However, we endeavor to invest in high quality assets to provide protection from future credit quality issues and corresponding other-than-temporary impairment write-downs.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity measures our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short- and long-term cash obligations. Our cash inflows are primarily a result of the receipt of premiums, annuity deposits, reinsurance recoveries, sales or maturities of investments, and investment income. Cash provided from these sources is used to fund the payment of losses and loss settlement expenses, policyholder benefits under life insurance contracts, annuity withdrawals, the purchase of investments, operating expenses, dividends, pension plan contributions, and in recent years, common stock repurchases.

We monitor our capital adequacy to support our business on a regular basis. The future capital requirements of our business will depend on many factors, including our ability to write new business successfully and to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses. Our ability to underwrite is largely dependent upon the quality of our claims paying and financial strength ratings as evaluated by independent rating agencies. In particular, we require (1) sufficient capital to maintain our financial strength ratings, as issued by various rating agencies, at a level considered necessary by management to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to compete and (2) sufficient capital to enable our insurance company subsidiaries to meet the capital adequacy tests performed by regulatory agencies in the U.S.

Cash outflows may be variable because of the uncertainty regarding settlement dates for losses. In addition, the timing and amount of individual catastrophe losses are inherently unpredictable and could increase our liquidity requirements. The timing and amount of reinsurance recoveries may be affected by reinsurer solvency and reinsurance coverage disputes.

Historically, we have generated substantial cash inflows from operations. It is our policy to invest the cash generated from operations in securities with maturities that, in the aggregate, correlate to the anticipated timing of payments for losses and loss settlement expenses and future policyholder benefits of the underlying insurance policies, and annuity withdrawals. The majority of our assets are invested in available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.

The following table displays a summary of cash sources and uses in 2014 and 2013.



Cash Flow Summary	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2014			2013
Cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities	$	87,344		$	118,027
Investing activities	(43,936		)	(80,334		)
Financing activities	(63,669		)	(58,468		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	$	(20,261	)	$	(20,775	)

Operating Activities

Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $87.3 million and $118.0 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Operating cash flows in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 reflect a higher level of property and casualty loss payments. Our cash flows from operations were sufficient to meet our liquidity needs for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Investing Activities

Cash in excess of operating requirements is generally invested in fixed maturity securities and equity securities. Fixed maturities provide regular interest payments and allow us to match the duration of our liabilities. Equity securities provide dividend income, potential dividend income growth and potential appreciation. For further

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discussion of our investments, including our philosophy and our strategy for our portfolio, see the "Investment Portfolio" section of this item.

In addition to investment income, possible sales of investments and proceeds from calls or maturities of fixed maturity securities also can provide liquidity. During the next five years, $1.1 billion, or 37.1 percent, of our fixed maturity portfolio will mature.

We invest funds required for short-term cash needs primarily in money market accounts, which are classified as cash equivalents. At September 30, 2014, our cash and cash equivalents included $21.1 million related to these money market accounts, compared to $37.8 million at December 31, 2013.

Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $43.9 million and $80.3 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had cash inflows from scheduled and unscheduled investment maturities, redemptions, prepayments, and sales of investments of $396.7 million.

Our cash outflows for investment purchases were $434.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to $472.4 million for the same period of 2013. In 2014, we continued to purchase a higher level of fixed maturity securities, which are more profitable than other categories of investments when market interest rates are low.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities were $63.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to net cash flows used in financing activities of $58.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. The increase reflects a higher level of share repurchases in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period of 2013.

Credit Facilities

In December 2011, United Fire entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders, KeyBank National Association as administrative agent, lead arranger, sole book runner, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, and Bankers Trust Company as syndication agent.

On June 4, 2013, United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. and the syndicated lenders entered into an Assignment, Joinder, Assumption, and Release Agreement (the "Joinder Agreement") transferring the obligations under the credit agreement from United Fire & Casualty Company to United Fire Group, Inc. Effective with the execution of the Joinder Agreement, United Fire & Casualty Company was released from any further obligations under the credit agreement. As of September 30, 2014, there were no balances outstanding under this credit agreement. For further discussion of our credit agreement, refer to Part I, Item 1, Note 8 "Credit Facility" to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends

Dividends paid to shareholders totaled $14.7 million and $12.9 million in the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our practice has been to pay quarterly cash dividends, which we have paid every quarter since March 1968.

Payments of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds.

As a holding company with no independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations.

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For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis, not greater than earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at September 30, 2014, United Fire Group Inc.'s sole direct insurance company subsidiary, United Fire & Casualty Company, is able to make a maximum of $45.2 million in dividend payments without prior regulatory approval. These restrictions will not have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' equity increased 3.3 percent to $808.4 million at September 30, 2014, from $782.8 million at December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to net income of $24.3 million and an increase in net unrealized investment gains of $22.6 million, net of tax, during the first nine months of 2014, partially offset by shareholder dividends of $14.7 million and share repurchases of $11.2 million. At September 30, 2014, the book value per share of our common stock was $32.26 compared to $30.87 at December 31, 2013.

Funding Commitments

MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of GAAP. We also prepare financial statements for each of our insurance company subsidiaries based on statutory accounting principles and file them with insurance regulatory authorities in the states where they do business.

Management evaluates our operations by monitoring key measures of growth and profitability. We believe that disclosure of certain non-GAAP financial measures enhances investor understanding of our financial performance. The following section provides further explanation of the key measures management uses to evaluate our results.

Catastrophe losses is a commonly used non-GAAP financial measure that uses the designations of the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and are reported with loss and loss settlement expense amounts net of reinsurance recoverables, unless specified otherwise. According to the ISO, a catastrophe loss is defined as a single unpredictable incident or series of closely related incidents that result in $25.0 million or more in U.S. industry-wide direct insured losses to property and that affect a significant number of insureds and insurers ("ISO catastrophe"). In addition to ISO catastrophes, we also include as catastrophes those events ("non-ISO catastrophes"), which may include U.S. or international losses that we believe are, or will be, material to our operations, either in amount or in number of claims made. Management, at times, may determine for comparison purposes that it is more meaningful to exclude extraordinary catastrophe losses and resulting litigation. The frequency and severity of catastrophic losses we experience in any year affect our results of operations and financial position. In analyzing the underwriting performance of our property and casualty insurance segment, we evaluate performance both including and excluding catastrophe losses. Portions of our catastrophe losses may be recoverable under our catastrophe reinsurance agreements. We include a discussion of the impact of catastrophes because we believe it is meaningful for investors to understand the variability in our periodic earnings.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In Thousands)	2014		2013		2014		2013
ISO catastrophes	$	18,909	$	6,179	$	43,562	$	24,672
Non-ISO catastrophes ⁽¹⁾	4,373		2,275		3,598		2,514
Total catastrophes	$	23,282	$	8,454	$	47,160	$	27,186

(1) This number includes international assumed losses.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We have exposure to market risk arising from potential losses in our investment portfolio due to adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. However, we have the ability to hold fixed maturity investments to maturity. Our investment guidelines define the overall framework for managing our market and other investment risks including accountability and controls. In addition, each of our subsidiaries has specific investment policies that delineate the investment limits and strategies that are appropriate given each entity's liquidity, surplus, product, and regulatory requirements. We respond to market risk by managing the character of investment purchases.

It is our philosophy that we do not utilize financial hedges or derivative financial instruments to manage risks, nor do we enter into any swap, forward or option contracts, but attempt to mitigate our exposure through active portfolio management. In addition, we place the majority of our investments in high-quality, liquid securities and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. At September 30, 2014, we did not have direct exposure to investments in sub-prime mortgages or other credit-enhancement exposures.

While our primary market risk exposure is to changes in interest rates, we do have limited exposure to changes in equity prices and limited exposure to foreign currency exchange rates.

There have been no material changes in our market risk or market risk factors from what we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report, were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, no such change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We consider all of our litigation pending as of September 30, 2014 to be ordinary, routine, and incidental to our business.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 5, 2014, that could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from period to period. The risks described in the above mentioned report are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial could also have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Under our share repurchase program, first announced in August 2007, we may purchase United Fire common stock from time to time on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will be at our discretion and will depend upon a number of factors, including the share price, general economic and market conditions, and corporate and regulatory requirements.

In August 2014, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of common stock. This is in addition to the 868,601 shares of common stock remaining at June 30, 2014 under its previous authorization. Subsequently, the board of directors also extended the present authorization until August 2016. At September 30, 2014, after giving effect to share repurchases in the third quarter 2014, we are authorized to purchase 1,668,598 shares of common stock.

The following table provides information with respect to purchases of shares of common stock made by or on our behalf or by any "affiliated purchaser," as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014.



				Total Number of Shares	Maximum Number of
	Total			Purchased as a Part of	Shares that may yet be
	Number of	Average Price		Publicly Announced	Purchased Under the
Period	Shares Purchased	Paid per Share		Plans or Programs	Plans or Programs
7/1/2014 - 7/31/2014	49,900	$	28.50	49,900	818,701
8/1/2014 - 8/31/2014	100	28.46		100	1,818,601
9/1/2014 - 9/30/2014	150,003	28.38		150,003	1,668,598
Total	200,003	$	28.41	200,003

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



Exhibit number	Exhibit description	Filed herewith
11	Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings. All information required by Exhibit 11 is presented within Note 7 of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, in accordance with the FASB guidance on Earnings per Share.	X
31.1	Certification of Randy A. Ramlo pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	X
31.2	Certification of Dianne M. Lyons pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	X
32.1	Certification of Randy A. Ramlo pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	X
32.2	Certification of Dianne M. Lyons pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	X
101.1	The following financial information from United Fire Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 (unaudited) and December 31, 2013; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013; and (v) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as a block of text.	X

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



UNITED FIRE GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)

/s/ Randy A. Ramlo		/s/ Dianne M. Lyons
Randy A. Ramlo		Dianne M. Lyons
President, Chief Executive Officer,		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director and Principal Executive Officer		Principal Accounting Officer

November 4, 2014		November 4, 2014
(Date)		(Date)