UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-K

 

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

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

For the transition period from __________ to ___________

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008, and to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, are incorporated by reference under Part III.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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PART I

 

 

 

GENERAL

 

EMC Insurance Group Inc. is an insurance holding company that was incorporated in Iowa in 1974 by Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual) and became a public company in 1982 following the initial public offering of its common stock. EMC Insurance Group Inc. is 57 percent owned by Employers Mutual, a multiple-line property and casualty insurance company organized as an Iowa mutual insurance company in 1911 that is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. Employers Mutual and all of its subsidiaries (including the Company) and an affiliate are referred to as the “EMC Insurance Companies.”

 

The Company conducts operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance through its subsidiaries. The Company primarily focuses on the sale of commercial lines of property and casualty insurance to small and medium-sized businesses. These products are sold through independent insurance agents who are supported by a decentralized network of branch offices. Although the Company actively markets its insurance products in 41 states, the majority of its business is marketed and generated in the Midwest.

 

 

 

Illinois EMCASCO was formed in Illinois in 1976 (and was re-domesticated to Iowa in 2001), Dakota Fire was formed in North Dakota in 1957 and EMCASCO was formed in Iowa in 1958 for the purpose of writing property and casualty insurance. EMC Reinsurance Company was formed in 1981 to assume reinsurance business from Employers Mutual. The Company’s excess and surplus lines insurance agency, EMC Underwriters, LLC, was formed in Iowa in 1975 and was acquired by the Company in 1985. Effective December 31, 1998, the excess and surplus lines insurance agency was converted to a limited liability company and the ownership was contributed to EMCASCO.

 

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Farm and City Insurance Company, was purchased in 1984. Farm and City Insurance Company discontinued writing direct nonstandard risk automobile insurance business in 2004, but continued to participate in a reinsurance pooling agreement with Employers Mutual until it was merged into EMCASCO Insurance Company on December 31, 2007.

 

Property and casualty insurance is the most significant segment of the Company’s business, representing approximately 82 percent of consolidated premiums earned in 2007. The property and casualty insurance operations are integrated with the property and casualty insurance operations of Employers Mutual through participation in a reinsurance pooling agreement. Because the Company conducts its property and casualty insurance operations together with Employers Mutual through the pooling agreement, the Company shares the same business philosophy, management, employees and facilities as Employers Mutual and offers the same types of insurance products. For a discussion of the pooling agreement and its benefits, please see “Organizational Structure – Property and Casualty Insurance” below.

 

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Reinsurance operations are conducted through EMC Reinsurance Company, representing approximately 18 percent of consolidated premiums earned in 2007. The principal business activity of EMC Reinsurance Company is to assume the voluntary reinsurance business written directly by Employers Mutual with unaffiliated insurance companies (subject to certain limited exceptions).

 

The Company’s insurance agency, EMC Underwriters, LLC, specializes in marketing excess and surplus lines of insurance. The excess and surplus lines markets provide insurance coverage at negotiated rates for risks that are not acceptable to licensed insurance companies. EMC Underwriters accesses this market by working through independent agents and functions as managing underwriter for excess and surplus lines insurance for several of the pool participants. The Company derives income from this business based on the fees and commissions earned through placement of the business, as opposed to the underwriting of the risks associated with that business.

 

Organizational Structure

 

Property and Casualty Insurance

 

The three property and casualty insurance subsidiaries of the Company and two subsidiaries and an affiliate of Employers Mutual (Union Insurance Company of Providence, EMC Property & Casualty Company and Hamilton Mutual Insurance Company) are parties to reinsurance pooling agreements with Employers Mutual (collectively the “pooling agreement”). Under the terms of the pooling agreement, each company cedes to Employers Mutual all of its insurance business, with the exception of any voluntary reinsurance business assumed from nonaffiliated insurance companies, and assumes from Employers Mutual an amount equal to its participation in the pool. All premiums, losses, settlement expenses, and other underwriting and administrative expenses, excluding the voluntary reinsurance business assumed by Employers Mutual from nonaffiliated insurance companies, are prorated among the parties on the basis of participation in the pool. Employers Mutual negotiates reinsurance agreements that provide protection to the pool and each of its participants, including protection against losses arising from catastrophic events.

 

Operations of the pool give rise to inter-company balances with Employers Mutual, which are settled on a quarterly basis. The investment and income tax activities of the pool participants are not subject to the pooling agreement. The pooling agreement provides that Employers Mutual will make up any shortfall or difference resulting from an error in its systems and/or computation processes that would otherwise result in the required restatement of the pool participants’ financial statements.

 

The purpose of the pooling agreement is to spread the risk of an exposure insured by any of the pool participants among all of the companies. The particular benefits that the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries realize from participating in the pooling agreement include the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Effective January 1, 2005, the Company’s aggregate participation in the pooling agreement increased from 23.5 percent to 30.0 percent and Employers Mutual’s participation decreased from 65.5 percent to 59.0 percent. In connection with this change in pool participation, the Company’s liabilities increased $115,042,000, invested assets increased $107,801,000 and other assets increased $722,000. The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $6,519,000 for expenses that were incurred to generate the additional business assumed by the Company, but this expense was offset by an increase in deferred policy acquisition costs. The Company also received $275,000 in interest income from Employers Mutual as the actual cash transfer did not occur until February 15, 2005.

 

The amount of insurance a property and casualty insurance company writes under industry standards is commonly expressed as a multiple of its surplus calculated in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Generally, a ratio of 3 or less is considered satisfactory by state insurance departments. The ratios of the pool participants for the past three years are as follows:

 

 

(1) The ratios for these companies reflects the issuance of an aggregate $25,000,000 of surplus notes to Employers Mutual. Surplus notes are considered to be a component of surplus for statutory reporting purposes; however, under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, surplus notes are considered to be debt and are reported as a liability in the Company’s financial statements.

 

Reinsurance

 

The Company’s reinsurance subsidiary is a party to a quota share reinsurance retrocessional agreement with Employers Mutual (the “quota share agreement”). Under the terms of the quota share agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes a 100 percent quota share portion of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance business, exclusive of certain reinsurance contracts. This includes all premiums and related losses, settlement expenses, and other underwriting and administrative expenses of this business, subject to a maximum loss of $2,000,000 per event ($1,500,000 in 2005). The reinsurance subsidiary does not directly reinsure any of the insurance business written by Employers Mutual or the other pool participants; however, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes reinsurance business from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau (MRB) pool and this pool provides a small amount of reinsurance protection to the EMC Insurance Companies. As a result, the reinsurance subsidiary’s assumed exposures include a small portion of the EMC Insurance Companies’ direct business, after ceded reinsurance protections purchased by the MRB pool are applied. In addition, the reinsurance subsidiary does not reinsure any “involuntary” facility or pool business that Employers Mutual assumes pursuant to state law. Operations of the quota share agreement give rise to inter-company balances with Employers Mutual, which are settled on a quarterly basis. The investment and income tax activities of the reinsurance subsidiary are not subject to the quota share agreement.

 

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Effective January 1, 2006, the terms of the quota share agreement between Employers Mutual and the reinsurance subsidiary were revised. The majority of the changes were prompted by the significant amount of hurricane losses retained by Employers Mutual during the severe 2005 hurricane season; however, other changes were made to simplify and clarify the terms and conditions of the quota share agreement. The revised terms of the quota share agreement are as follows: (1) the reinsurance subsidiary’s retention, or cap, on losses assumed per event increased from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000; (2) the cost of the $2,000,000 cap on losses assumed per event is treated as a reduction to premiums written rather than commission expense; (3) the reinsurance subsidiary no longer directly pays for the outside reinsurance protection that Employers Mutual purchases to protect itself from catastrophic losses on the assumed reinsurance business it retains in excess of the cap, and instead pays a higher premium rate (previously accounted for as commission); and (4) the reinsurance subsidiary assumes all foreign currency exchange gains/losses associated with contracts incepting on January 1, 2006 and thereafter that are subject to the quota share agreement. For 2007 and 2006, the premium rate paid by the reinsurance subsidiary to Employers Mutual was 10.5 percent of premiums written. The corresponding rate for 2005 was approximately 8.5 percent (4.5 percent override commission rate plus approximately 4.0 percent for the cost of the outside reinsurance protection).

 

Under the terms of the quota share agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary receives reinstatement premium income that is collected by Employers Mutual from the ceding companies when reinsurance coverage is reinstated after a loss event; however, the cap on losses assumed per event contained in the quota share agreement is automatically reinstated without cost to the reinsurance subsidiary. This arrangement can produce unusual underwriting results for the reinsurance subsidiary when a large event occurs because the reinstatement premium income received by the reinsurance subsidiary may approximate, or exceed, the amount of losses retained.

 

Property and Casualty Insurance and Reinsurance

 

Employers Mutual provides various services to all of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Such services include data processing, claims, financial, actuarial, legal, auditing, marketing and underwriting. Employers Mutual allocates a portion of the cost of these services to its subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement based upon a number of criteria, including usage of the services and the number of transactions. The remaining costs are charged to the pooling agreement and each pool participant shares in the total cost in accordance with its pool participation percentage.

 

Investment expenses are based on actual expenses incurred by the Company plus an allocation of other investment expenses incurred by Employers Mutual, which is based on a weighted-average total of invested assets and number of investment transactions.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

 

For information concerning the Company’s revenues, operating income and identifiable assets attributable to each of its industry segments over the past three years, see note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

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NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Principal Products

 

Property and Casualty Insurance

 

The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the other parties to the pooling agreement underwrite both commercial and personal lines of property and casualty insurance. Those coverages consist of the following types of insurance:

 

Commercial Lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Lines

 

 

 

 

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The following table sets forth the aggregate direct premiums written of all parties to the pooling agreement for the three years ended December 31, 2007, by line of business.

 

 

Reinsurance

 

As previously noted, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes the voluntary reinsurance business written directly by Employers Mutual with unaffiliated insurance companies (subject to certain limited exceptions). Employers Mutual writes both pro rata and excess-of-loss reinsurance for unaffiliated insurance companies. Pro rata reinsurance is a form of reinsurance in which the reinsurer assumes a stated percentage of all premiums, losses and related expenses in a given class of business. In contrast, excess-of-loss reinsurance provides coverage for a portion of losses incurred by an insurer which exceed predetermined retention limits.

 

The following table sets forth the assumed premiums written of the reinsurance subsidiary for the three years ended December 31, 2007, by line of business. For 2007 and 2006, assumed premiums written reflect a reduction in Employers Mutual’s participation in the MRB pool. The board of directors of the MRB pool approved the admission of two new assuming companies to the pool effective January 1, 2006. This reduced Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool from a one-third share to an approximate one-fifth share (one company is only assuming property exposures). The assumed premium written amount for 2006 also includes a negative $3,440,000 portfolio adjustment which served as an offset to the decrease in unearned premiums recognized in connection with this change in participation.

 

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Marketing and Distribution

 

Property and Casualty Insurance

 

The pool participants market a wide variety of commercial and personal lines insurance products through 16 full service branch offices, which actively write business in 41 states. The pool participants’ products are marketed exclusively through a network of over 2,200 local independent agencies and agency groups contracted and serviced by the branch offices. The pool participants primarily focus on the sale of commercial lines of property and casualty insurance to small and medium-sized businesses, which are considered to be policyholders that pay less than $100,000 in annual premiums. The pool participants also seek to provide more than one policy to a given customer, because this “account selling” strategy diversifies risks and generally improves underwriting results.

 

The pool participants wrote approximately $1.2 billion in direct premiums in 2007, with 87 percent of this business coming from commercial lines products and 13 percent coming from personal lines products. Although a majority of the pool participants’ business is generated by sales in the Midwest, Employers Mutual’s branch offices are located across the country to take advantage of local market conditions and opportunities, as well as to spread risk geographically. Each branch office performs its own underwriting, claims, marketing and risk management functions according to policies and procedures established and monitored by the home office. This decentralized network of branch offices allows the pool participants to develop marketing strategies, products and pricing that target the needs of individual marketing territories and take advantage of different opportunities for profit in each market. This operating structure also enables the pool participants to develop close relationships with the agents and customers with whom they do business.

 

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       Although each branch office offers a slightly different combination of products, the branches generally target three customer segments:

 

 

 

 

The pool participants write a number of target market and safety dividend group programs throughout the country, and have developed a strong reputation for these programs within the marketplace. These programs provide enhanced insurance protection to businesses or institutions that have similar hazards and exposures and are willing to implement loss prevention programs. Underwriting results for these programs are based on the experience of the group, rather than the individual participants. These groups include public schools, small municipalities, petroleum marketers, contractors and mobile home parks. As an example, the pool participants write coverage for approximately 1,500 school districts throughout the Midwest. These programs have been successful because they offer risk management products and services that are targeted to the needs of the group members through a local independent agent.

 

The following table sets forth the geographic distribution of the aggregate direct premiums written of all parties to the pooling agreement for the three years ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

* Includes all other jurisdictions, none of which accounted for more than 3 percent.

 

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Reinsurance

 

The reinsurance subsidiary obtains 100 percent of its business from Employers Mutual through the quota share agreement. The reinsurance subsidiary relies on the financial strength of Employers Mutual to write the reinsurance business, as well as the competitive advantage that Employers Mutual has by virtue of being licensed in all 50 states. Reinsurance marketing is undertaken by Employers Mutual in its role as the direct writer of the reinsurance business; however, the reinsurance subsidiary is utilized in the marketing efforts to help differentiate the reinsurance business from the direct insurance business that is written by Employers Mutual and the other pool participants.

 

Employers Mutual’s reinsurance business is derived from two sources. Approximately 75 percent of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance premiums earned in 2007 were generated through the activities of its Home Office Reinsurance Assumed Department (also known as “HORAD”). The reinsurance business written by HORAD is brokered through independent intermediaries. As a result, the risks assumed by HORAD do not materially overlap with the risks assumed by MRB (discussed below). The risks which are assumed by Employers Mutual through HORAD are directly underwritten and priced by Employers Mutual. As such, Employers Mutual has discretion with respect to the type and size of risks which it assumes and services through these activities.

 

The remaining 25 percent of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance premiums earned in 2007 were generated through participation in the MRB pool, an unincorporated association through which Employers Mutual and other unaffiliated insurance companies participate in a voluntary reinsurance pool to meet the reinsurance needs of small and medium-sized, unaffiliated mutual insurance companies. Employers Mutual has participated in the MRB pool since 1957. Effective January 1, 2006, the board of directors of the MRB pool approved the admission of two new assuming companies to the pool. This reduced Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool from a one-third share to an approximate one-fifth share (one company only assumes property exposures). Both of the new assuming companies carry an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best Company and their addition enhanced the financial strength of the pool. MRB is controlled by a board of directors composed of the five members, including one representative designated by Employers Mutual. As a member of this organization, Employers Mutual assumes its proportionate share of the risks ceded to MRB by unaffiliated insurers. Since MRB is structured on a joint liability basis, Employers Mutual, and therefore the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, would be obligated with respect to the proportionate share of risks assumed by the other participants in the event they were unable to perform. MRB, which is operated by an independent management team, manages assumed risks through typical underwriting practices, including loss exposure controls provided through reinsurance coverage obtained for the benefit of MRB. The reinsurance risks for MRB arise primarily from the Northeast and Midwest markets. Underwriting of risks and pricing of coverage is performed by MRB management under general guidelines established by Employers Mutual and the other participating insurers. Apart from these procedures, Employers Mutual has only limited control over the risks assumed by, and the operating results of, MRB. Because of the joint liability structure, MRB participating companies must maintain a rating of “A-” (Excellent) or above from A.M. Best Company and meet certain other standards.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the MRB board of directors approved Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan to replace Auto-Owners Insurance Company as an assuming company in the MRB pool effective January 1, 2008. As a result, Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool will remain at approximately 20 percent in 2008.

 

Over the past several years Employers Mutual has emphasized writing excess-of-loss reinsurance business in its HORAD operation and has worked to increase its participation on existing contracts that had favorable terms. Employers Mutual strives to be flexible in the types of reinsurance products it offers, but generally limits its writings to direct reinsurance business, rather than providing retrocessional covers. In recent years there has been a trend in the reinsurance marketplace for “across the board” participation on excess-of-loss reinsurance contracts. As a result, reinsurance companies must be willing to participate on all layers offered under a specific contract in order to be considered a viable reinsurer.

 

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It is customary in the reinsurance business for the assuming company to compensate the ceding company for the acquisition expenses incurred in the generation of the business. Commissions paid by the reinsurance subsidiary to Employers Mutual for this purpose amounted to $17,386,000 in 2007. During 2007, Employers Mutual retained 10.5 percent of the gross assumed premiums written subject to cession to the reinsurance subsidiary as compensation for the $2.0 million cap on losses assumed per event, which amounted to $8,330,000. The reinsurance subsidiary also assumed all foreign currency exchange gain/loss associated with contracts incepting on January 1, 2006 and thereafter that were subject to the quota share agreement. The net foreign currency exchange loss assumed by the reinsurance subsidiary in 2007 was $512,000.

 

Competition

 

Property and Casualty Insurance

 

The property and casualty insurance business is very competitive. The pool participants compete in the United States insurance market with numerous insurers, many of which have greater financial resources. Competition in the types of insurance in which the pool participants are engaged is based on many factors, including the perceived overall financial strength of the insurer, premiums charged, contract terms and conditions, services offered, speed of claim payments, reputation and experience. Because the insurance products of the pool participants are marketed exclusively through independent agencies, they face competition to retain qualified agencies, as well as competition within the agencies. The pool participants also compete with direct writers, who utilize salaried employees and generally offer their products at a lower cost, exclusive agencies, who write insurance business for only one company, and to a lesser extent, internet-based enterprises. The pool participants utilize a profit-sharing plan as an incentive for the independent agencies to place high-quality insurance business with them.

 

Reinsurance

 

Employers Mutual, in writing reinsurance business through its HORAD operation, competes in the global reinsurance market with numerous reinsurance companies, many of which have substantially greater financial resources. Competition for reinsurance business is based on many factors, including financial strength, industry ratings, stability in products offered and licensing status. During the past several years, some ceding companies have tended to favor large, financially strong reinsurance companies who are able to provide “mega” line capacity for multiple lines of business. Employers Mutual faces the risk of ceding companies becoming less interested in diversity and spread of reinsurance risk in favor of having fewer, highly-capitalized reinsurance companies on their program.

 

While reinsurer competition for national and regional company business is growing, the Company believes that MRB has a competitive advantage in the smaller mutual company market that it serves. This segment of the market is not targeted by the London and Bermuda markets, which tend to deal with larger insurers at higher margins. MRB understands the needs of the smaller company market and operates at a very low expense ratio, enabling it to offer reinsurance coverage (on business that generally presents less risk) to an under-served market at lower margins.

 

A.M. Best Company Rating

 

Property and Casualty Insurance

 

A.M. Best Company (A.M. Best) rates insurance companies based on their relative financial strength and ability to meet their contractual obligations. The most recent A.M. Best Property Casualty Key Rating Guide gives the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries an “A-” (Excellent) financial strength rating in their capacity as participants in the pooling agreement. A.M. Best re-evaluates its ratings from time to time (normally on an annual basis) and there can be no assurance that the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the other pool participants will maintain their current rating in the future. Management believes that an A.M. Best rating of “A-” (Excellent) or better is important to the Company’s business since many insureds require that companies with which they insure be so rated. A.M. Best’s publications indicate that these ratings are assigned to companies that have achieved excellent overall performance and have a strong ability to meet their obligations over a long period of time. A.M. Best’s ratings are based upon factors of concern to policyholders and insurance agents, and are not directed toward the protection of investors.

 

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Reinsurance

 

The most recent A.M. Best Property Casualty Key Rating Guide gives the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary an “A-” (Excellent) financial strength rating. However, because all of the reinsurance business assumed by the reinsurance subsidiary is produced by Employers Mutual, the rating of the reinsurance subsidiary is not critical to the Company’s reinsurance operations. The rating of Employers Mutual is, however, critical to the Company’s reinsurance operations, as the unaffiliated insurance companies that cede business to Employers Mutual view the rating as an indication of Employers Mutual’s ability to meet its obligations to those insurance companies. Employers Mutual’s rating of “A-” (Excellent) has resulted in the loss of some reinsurance business because some insurance companies require a rating of “A” (Excellent) or higher. A downgrade of Employers Mutual’s rating would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, as a downgrade would negatively impact Employers Mutual’s ability to assume reinsurance business and, consequently, to cede that business to the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary.

 

Statutory Combined Trade Ratios

 

The following table sets forth the statutory combined trade ratios of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries and the property and casualty insurance industry averages for the five years ended December 31, 2007. The combined trade ratios below are the sum of the following: the loss ratio, calculated by dividing losses and settlement expenses incurred by net premiums earned, and the expense ratio, calculated by dividing underwriting expenses incurred by net premiums written and policyholder dividends by net premiums earned. Generally, if the combined trade ratio is below 100 percent, a company has an underwriting profit; if it is above 100 percent, a company has an underwriting loss.

 

 

(1)   The 2005 expense ratio and combined trade ratio for “property and casualty insurance” and “total insurance operations” are distorted by $29,631,000 of additional premiums written and $6,519,000 of commission expense that were recorded in connection with the change in the property and casualty insurance segment’s aggregate pool participation. Excluding these adjustments, the expense ratios would have been 34.4 percent and 32.9 percent, respectively, and the combined trade ratios would have been 96.5 percent and 95.3 percent, respectively.

 

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(2)    The 2007 and 2006 loss ratio, expense ratio, and combined trade ratio for “reinsurance” and “total insurance operations” reflect the revised terms of the quota share agreement. The previous terms of the quota share agreement provided for a 4.5 percent override commission expense payment to Employers Mutual as compensation for the cap on losses assumed per event. Effective January 1, 2006, the reinsurance subsidiary no longer pays this override commission, and instead pays a 10.5 percent premium charge. In addition, the 2006 expense ratio and combined trade ratio for “reinsurance” are distorted by $3,440,000 of negative premiums written and $1,343,000 of commission income that were recorded in connection with the change in Employers Mutual’s participation in the MRB pool. Excluding these adjustments, the expense ratio and combined trade ratio for “reinsurance” would have been 24.7 percent and 93.2 percent, respectively. These adjustments were not large enough to impact the expense ratio and the combined trade ratio for “total insurance operations.”

 

(3)   As reported by A.M. Best Company. The ratio for 2007 is an estimate; the actual combined trade ratio is not currently available.

 

Claims Management

 

The pool participants believe that effective claims management is critical to their success. To this end, the pool participants have adopted a customer-focused claims management process that is believed to be cost efficient, and able to deliver an appropriate level of claims service that produces superior claims results. The claims management process is focused on controlling claims from their inception, accelerating communication to insureds and claimants and compressing the cycle time of claims to control both loss costs and claims-handling costs. The pool participants believe their process provides quality service and results in the appropriate handling of claims, allowing them to cost-effectively pay valid claims and contest fraudulent claims.

 

The claims management operation includes adjusters, appraisers, special investigators, attorneys and claims administrative personnel. The pool participants conduct their claims management operations out of 16 branch offices and five service offices located throughout the United States. The home office claims group provides advice and counsel for branch claims staff in investigating, reserving and settling claims. The home office claims staff also evaluates branch claims operations and makes recommendations for improvements in performance. Additional home office services provided include: complex claim handling, physical damage and property review, medical case management, medical bill review, legal coverage analysis, litigation management and subrogation. The pool participants believe these home office services assist the branch claims personnel in producing greater efficiencies than can be achieved at the local level.

 

Each branch office is responsible for evaluating and settling claims within the authority provided by home office claims. Authority levels within the branch offices are granted based upon an adjuster’s experience and expertise. The branch office must request input from home office claims once a case exceeds its authority level. A claims committee exists within home office and is chaired by the Senior Vice President of Claims. This committee meets on a weekly basis to assist the branches in evaluating and settling claims beyond their authority level.

 

The pool participants will allow claims to go to litigation in matters such as value disputes and questionable liability, and will defend appropriate denials of coverage. The pool participants generally retain outside defense counsel to litigate such matters; however, internal claims professionals manage the litigation process, rather than ceding control to an attorney. The pool participants have implemented a litigation management system that allows the claims staff to evaluate the quality and cost effectiveness of outside legal services provided. Cases are constantly reviewed to adjust the litigation plan if necessary, and all cases going to trial are carefully reviewed to assess the value of trial or settlement.

 

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Loss and Settlement Expense Reserves

 

Liabilities for losses and settlement expenses are estimates at a given point in time of what an insurer expects to pay to claimants and the cost of settling claims, based on facts and circumstances then known. It can be expected that the insurer’s ultimate liability for losses and settlement expenses may either exceed or be less than such estimates. The Company’s estimates of the liabilities for losses and settlement expenses are based on estimates of future trends and claims severity, judicial theories of liability and other factors. However, during the loss adjustment period, which may cover many years in some cases, the Company may learn additional facts regarding individual claims, and consequently it often becomes necessary to refine and adjust its estimates of liability. The Company reflects any adjustments to its liabilities for losses and settlement expenses in its operating results in the period in which the changes in estimates are made.

 

The Company maintains reserves for losses and settlement expenses with respect to both reported and unreported claims. The amount of reserves for reported claims is primarily based upon a case-by-case evaluation of the specific type of claim, knowledge of the circumstances surrounding each claim and the policy provisions relating to the type of loss. Reserves on assumed reinsurance business are the amounts reported by the ceding companies.

 

The amount of reserves for unreported claims is determined on the basis of statistical information for each line of insurance with respect to the probable number and nature of claims arising from occurrences that have not yet been reported. Established reserves are closely monitored and are frequently recomputed using a variety of formulas and statistical techniques for analyzing actual claim costs, frequency data and other economic and social factors.

 

Settlement expense reserves are intended to cover the ultimate cost of investigating claims and defending lawsuits arising from claims. These reserves are established each year based on previous years’ experience to project the ultimate cost of settlement expenses. To the extent that adjustments are required to be made in the amount of loss reserves each year, settlement expense reserves are correspondingly revised, if necessary.

 

Employers Mutual’s actuaries conduct quarterly reviews of the direct loss and settlement expense reserves. In addition, they specifically analyze direct case loss reserves on a quarterly basis and direct incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) loss reserves on an annual basis. Based on the results of these regularly-scheduled evaluations, the actuaries make recommendations regarding adjustments to direct reserve levels, if deemed appropriate.

 

The Company does not discount reserves. Inflation is implicitly provided for in the reserving function through analysis of cost trends, reviews of historical reserving results and projections of future economic conditions. Large ($100,000 and over) incurred and reported gross reserves are reviewed regularly for adequacy. In addition, long-term and lifetime medical claims are periodically reviewed for cost trends and the applicable reserves are appropriately revised, if necessary.

 

Despite the inherent uncertainties of estimating loss and settlement expense reserves, the Company believes that its reserves are being calculated in accordance with sound actuarial practices and, based upon current information, that its reserves for losses and settlement expenses at December 31, 2007 are adequate.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the reinsurance subsidiary. Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Following is a detailed analysis of the reserve development the Company has experienced during the past three years.

 

Year ended December 31, 2007

 

Property and casualty insurance segment

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2007 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2006 and prior decreased $27,977,000 from the estimate at December 31, 2006. This decrease, a majority of which is attributable to favorable development on case loss reserves, represents approximately 6.8 percent of the December 31, 2006 gross carried reserves. No changes were made in the key actuarial assumptions utilized to estimate loss and settlement expense reserves during 2007.

 

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Reserves on previously reported claims developed favorably in 2007 by approximately $17,154,000. Favorable development on case and bulk loss reserves occurred in most major lines of business: other liability ($7,126,000), workers’ compensation ($6,005,000), commercial property ($3,083,000), auto physical damage ($1,327,000), bonds ($1,020,000), homeowners ($947,000) and personal auto liability ($764,000). For all lines combined, the latest three prior accident years were responsible for over 77 percent of the total favorable development, and the latest five prior accident years contributed over 99 percent. In aggregate, all of the favorable development on previously reported claims is attributable to claims that closed during 2007.

 

The emergence of IBNR claims was lower than the change in prior year IBNR loss reserves, resulting in approximately $11,750,000 of favorable development in 2007. This development arose from all major lines of business: other liability ($4,607,000), commercial property ($1,814,000), commercial auto liability ($1,599,000), homeowners ($1,214,000), auto physical damage ($1,060,000), workers’ compensation ($847,000), bonds ($490,000) and personal auto liability ($119,000). For all lines combined, the favorable development on prior year IBNR loss reserves is attributable to accident year 2006.

 

During 2007, underlying exposure increases resulted in premium increases in certain lines of business, most notably in the other liability and workers’ compensation lines. Since formula IBNR loss reserves are calculated through the application of IBNR factors to premiums earned, these exposure increases resulted in an increase of $2,226,000 in prior accident year IBNR loss reserves, which partially offset the favorable case and IBNR loss reserve development described above.

 

Total settlement expense reserves developed downward in 2007 by $6,760,000. Approximately 51 percent of the downward development is related to internal claims department, independent adjuster, and miscellaneous settlement expenses. Settlement expense payments in these categories during 2007 were lower than anticipated in the payment patterns used in the accident year allocation of settlement expense reserves at December 31, 2006. This downward development occurred primarily in the workers’ compensation, other liability and commercial auto liability lines of business.

 

The defense and cost containment portion of prior accident year settlement expense reserves developed downward in 2007 by $3,320,000. The favorable development resulted from expense payments in 2007 that were $5,763,000 lower than anticipated in the 2006 year-end reserve levels. The other liability line of business accounts for approximately three fourths of this downward development. Partially offsetting this favorable development, settlement expense reserves were strengthened $2,700,000, of which approximately $1,752,000 was allocated to prior accident years. This prior year strengthening occurred primarily in the other liability, commercial auto and workers’ compensation lines of business. This reserving action resulted from standard actuarial reserve reviews. In addition, $824,000 of settlement expense reserves were reallocated to defense and cost containment, of which $590,000 is allocated to prior accident years. Finally, settlement expense reserves for prior accident years increased approximately $244,000 due to the exposure increases mentioned above in the discussion of IBNR loss reserves.

 

Prior accident year reserves for non-voluntary assumed business developed adversely by $127,000, attributable primarily to auto assigned risk pools.

 

The above results reflect reserve development on a direct and assumed basis. During 2007, ceded losses for prior accident years decreased $5,587,000, which is largely attributable to a reduction in prior accident year losses ceded for the workers’ compensation, umbrella, bonds and commercial property lines of business. The impact of the decrease in reinsurance recoverables was to reduce the favorable development on the direct and assumed business described above.

 

Reinsurance segment

 

For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2007 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2006 and prior decreased $10,761,000 from the estimate at December 31, 2006. This represents 7.8 percent of the December 31, 2006 carried gross reserves and is attributable to the HORAD book of business for accident years 2004 - 2006. Much of this development can be attributed to reported losses for policy years 2004 - 2006 for property, casualty and multi-line classes that were below December 31, 2006 implicit projections.

 

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For the HORAD and MRB books of business combined, the favorable development can be attributed to the property pro rata and property excess lines of business.

 

No changes were made in the key actuarial assumptions utilized to estimate loss and settlement expense reserves during 2007.

 

Year ended December 31, 2006

 

Property and casualty insurance segment

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2006 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2005 and prior decreased $32,255,000 from the estimate at December 31, 2005. This decrease represents approximately 7.9 percent of the December 31, 2005 gross carried reserves and is attributed primarily to favorable development on case loss reserves of previously reported claims. No changes were made in the key actuarial assumptions utilized to estimate loss and settlement expense reserves during 2006.

 

Reserves on previously reported claims developed favorably in 2006 by approximately $28,187,000. Favorable case loss reserve development occurred in all major lines of business: workers’ compensation ($11,366,000), other liability ($8,503,000), commercial property ($2,369,000), personal auto liability ($1,436,000), homeowners ($1,412,000), auto physical damage ($1,304,000), bonds ($1,248,000) and commercial auto liability ($549,000). For all lines combined, the latest three prior accident years were responsible for over 80 percent of the total favorable development, and the latest five prior accident years contributed over 95 percent. In aggregate, all of the favorable development is attributable to claims that closed during 2006.

 

During 2006, direct IBNR loss reserves other than asbestos were strengthened $1,800,000, of which approximately $970,000 was allocated to prior accident years. This reserving action resulted from standard actuarial reserve reviews and reflects somewhat higher ratios of IBNR emergence to premiums earned for several lines of business. In addition, asbestos IBNR loss reserves were strengthened $170,000, reflecting the results of an outside consultant’s analysis of the Company’s asbestos liabilities.

 

The emergence of IBNR claims was lower than the change in prior year IBNR loss reserves, resulting in approximately $5,195,000 of favorable development in 2006. This favorable development arose from five lines of business: other liability ($2,755,000), commercial auto liability ($2,018,000), homeowners ($1,401,000), auto physical damage ($859,000) and commercial property ($102,000). Partially offsetting this favorable development was adverse development totaling ($1,940,000) on the remaining lines of business. For all lines combined, the favorable development of prior year IBNR loss reserves is attributable to accident year 2005.

 

During 2006, underlying exposure increases resulted in premium increases in certain lines of business, most notably in the other liability line. Since formula IBNR loss reserves are calculated through the application of IBNR factors to premiums earned, these exposure increases resulted in an increase of $1,554,000 in prior accident year IBNR loss reserves.

 

Total settlement expense reserves developed downward in 2006 by $3,915,000. Approximately 57 percent of the downward development is related to internal claims department, independent adjuster and miscellaneous settlement expenses. Settlement expense payments in these categories during 2006 were lower than anticipated in the payment patterns used in the accident year allocation of settlement expense reserves at December 31, 2005. This downward development occurred primarily in the workers’ compensation, other liability and commercial auto liability lines of business.

 

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The defense and cost containment portion of prior accident year settlement expense reserves developed downward in 2006 by $1,690,000. The favorable development resulted from expense payments in 2006 that were $3,681,000 lower than anticipated in the 2005 year-end reserve levels. The other liability line of business accounts for approximately 80 percent of this downward development. During 2006, the settlement expense formula case loss reserve for involuntary auto business was eliminated, resulting in $206,000 of additional downward development. Partially offsetting this favorable development was $511,000 of strengthening in asbestos settlement expense reserves, which resulted from an outside consultant’s analysis of the Company’s asbestos liabilities. Settlement expense reserves other than asbestos were strengthened $1,800,000, of which approximately $1,183,000 was allocated to prior accident years. About 80 percent of this prior accident year strengthening occurred in the other liability and workers’ compensation lines of business. This reserving action resulted from standard actuarial reserve reviews, which indicated generally higher ultimate expense to loss ratios in these lines of business. In addition, settlement expense reserves for prior accident years increased approximately $421,000 due to the exposure increases mentioned above in the discussion of IBNR loss reserves.

 

The above results reflect reserve development on a direct and assumed basis. During 2006, ceded losses for prior accident years decreased $2,378,000, which is attributable to a reduction in prior year losses ceded to workers’ compensation assigned risk pools. The impact of the decrease in reinsurance recoverables was to reduce the favorable development on the direct and assumed business described above.

 

Reinsurance segment

 

For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2006 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2005 and prior decreased $9,661,000 from the estimate at December 31, 2005. This represents 7.2 percent of the December 31, 2005 gross carried reserves and is attributable primarily to the HORAD book of business, which developed downward by $7,896,000. Approximately 95 percent of the HORAD favorable development arose from accident years 2004 and 2005. Much of this development can be attributed to reported policy year 2004 and 2005 losses for property, casualty, ocean marine and multi-line classes that were below December 31, 2005 implicit projections.

 

MRB reserves developed favorably by $1,765,000, which is less than 20 percent of the total favorable development in the reinsurance segment. This development is attributable to accident years 2004 and 2005, which experienced $2,037,000 of favorable development. During 2006, system changes were implemented to split reported settlement expense reserves from reported loss reserves. Simultaneously, the Company eliminated the formula case loss reserve for settlement expenses that had been carried in previous years. This action accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total MRB favorable development.

 

For the HORAD and MRB books of business combined, the property excess and casualty excess classes account for about 90 percent of the total favorable development.

 

No changes were made in the key actuarial assumptions utilized to estimate loss and settlement expense reserves during 2006.

 

Year ended December 31, 2005

 

Property and casualty insurance segment

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2005 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2004 and prior decreased $14,808,000 from the estimate at December 31, 2004. This decrease represents 4.8 percent of the December 31, 2004 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to downward development of individual case loss reserves of previously reported claims, downward development of settlement expense reserves and the elimination of a workers’ compensation bulk case loss reserve. No changes were made in the key actuarial assumptions utilized to estimate loss and settlement expense reserves during 2005.

 

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Reserves on previously reported claims developed downward in 2005 by approximately $6,539,000. Favorable case loss reserve development occurred in most lines of business as follows: other liability ($6,180,000), commercial property ($3,165,000), personal auto liability ($1,621,000), homeowners ($1,316,000), auto physical damage ($1,162,000) and bonds ($428,000). Partially offsetting these reductions was adverse development in two lines of business: workers’ compensation ($5,049,000) and commercial auto liability ($2,284,000). About one-fourth of the workers' compensation adverse development was from assigned risk claims, which are ceded 100 percent to an involuntary pool. For all lines combined, the latest three accident years were responsible for about 90 percent of the total favorable development.

 

During 2005, direct IBNR loss reserves, excluding asbestos and environmental-related exposures, were strengthened $6,403,000, of which approximately $3,510,000 was allocated to prior accident years. Over 85 percent of the prior year strengthening was in the other liability line of business. In addition, asbestos IBNR loss reserves were strengthened $600,000. Both of these reserving actions resulted from standard actuarial reviews.

 

The emergence of IBNR claims in excess of the change in prior year IBNR loss reserves resulted in approximately $1,318,000 of adverse development in 2005. This adverse development arose from two lines of business: personal auto ($2,435,000), with nearly all of the development attributable to a large Michigan no-fault claim, which is ceded 100 percent to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, and workers’ compensation ($2,336,000), about half of which is attributable to a re-allocation of IBNR loss reserves by accident year as a result of the 2005 actuarial analysis. IBNR loss reserves for the other liability line of business developed downward by $1,239,000 despite a $2,906,000 increase in prior accident year IBNR loss reserves that resulted from a re-allocation of IBNR loss reserves by accident year.

 

Settlement expense reserves developed downward in 2005 by $3,815,000. About 70 percent of this favorable development can be attributed to three lines of business: workers’ compensation ($1,571,000), other liability ($653,000) and commercial auto liability ($459,000). Approximately one-third of the total decline is due to a reduction in the reserve for internal settlement expenses, a decrease that was indicated by the standard methodology used to establish this reserve. The remainder can be attributed primarily to settlement expense payments during 2005 that were lower than those anticipated in the payment patterns used at December 31, 2004 to allocate settlement expense reserves by accident year. This decline more than offset an approximate $561,000 increase in prior year internal expenses for contingent salaries, bonuses and retirement plans.

 

There were relatively offsetting effects in the defense and cost containment portions of prior year settlement expense reserves. Settlement expense reserves were strengthened $600,000 for asbestos exposures and $900,000 for the other liability line of business, excluding asbestos, of which approximately $631,000 was allocated to prior accident years. These reserving actions resulted from standard actuarial reviews. Because the Company establishes settlement expense reserves as a percentage of loss reserves, IBNR strengthening associated with increases in premium rate levels produced a $470,000 increase in prior accident year settlement expense reserves. The takedown of a workers’ compensation bulk case loss reserve, the re-allocation of IBNR loss reserves by accident year, and a strengthening of IBNR loss reserves in the other liability line of business resulted in net adverse development of approximately $1,329,000 in prior accident year settlement expense reserves. This increase in the defense portion of the prior accident year settlement expense reserve was more than offset by a reduction in the legal and cost containment portion of the reserve that resulted from a reduction in prior accident year case and IBNR loss reserves. Overall, the defense and cost containment portion of the total prior accident year settlement expense reserve generated a modest $455,000 of favorable development.

 

During 2005, the involuntary workers’ compensation and auto assigned risk business experienced adverse development of $688,000. Losses and settlement expenses for these mandatory pools are booked as reported to the Company, with the exception of a current accident year IBNR loss reserve provision to cover a one-quarter reporting lag.

 

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At January 1, 2005, the Company carried a bulk case loss reserve in the amount of $7,950,000 in the workers’ compensation line of business. Due to indications of a potential shortage in IBNR loss reserves in the other liability line of business, one-half of this bulk case loss reserve was re-allocated to other liability IBNR loss reserves at March 31, 2005, with no effect on underwriting results. Actuarial reviews performed during the remainder of 2005 indicated that the estimated adequacy of individual workers’ compensation case loss reserves and total case loss reserves remained fairly constant with the levels perceived at December 31, 2004. As a result, a portion of the remaining bulk case loss reserve was re-allocated to various components of the loss and settlement expense reserve for the other liability line of business (IBNR, asbestos and settlement expense) at December 31, 2005 and the remainder was eliminated. These actions resulted in the recognition of $2,145,000 of favorable development on prior accident years’ reserves during the fourth quarter of 2005. For the twelve months of 2005, the elimination of workers’ compensation bulk case loss reserve resulted in $7,950,000 of favorable development in the workers’ compensation line of business.

 

The above results reflect reserve development on a direct and assumed basis. During 2005, ceded losses for prior accident years increased $2,853,000. This includes increases of $2,855,000 and $1,719,000 in the workers’ compensation and personal auto lines of business due to an increase in losses ceded to mandatory pools and a decline of $2,159,000 in the other liability line of business. The impact of the increase in reinsurance recoverables was to enhance the favorable development experienced on the direct and assumed business described above.

 

Reinsurance segment

 

For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2005 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2004 and prior decreased $600,000 from the estimate at December 31, 2004. This modest decrease represents less than 1 percent of the December 31, 2004 gross carried reserves and is attributable to the HORAD book of business, which developed downward by $2,291,000. Accident years 2002 and 2003 developed downward $3,766,000. Much of this favorable development can be attributed to reported policy year 2002 and 2003 losses for property, casualty, ocean marine, and multi-line classes that were below December 31, 2004 implicit projections. Accident year 2004 developed upward $2,057,000, while most accident years prior to 2002 developed modestly downward, offsetting about 30 percent of the accident year 2004 adverse development. The accident year 2004 development arose primarily from ocean marine and casualty excess classes.

 

MRB reserves developed adversely in 2005 by $1,691,000. Approximately 85 percent of this development arose from accident years 2001 – 2004. The classes showing the most significant adverse development were casualty excess and property excess. The management of MRB only reduced prior accident year casualty excess IBNR loss reserves by two-thirds of the prior accident year losses reported during the year, generating adverse development in that class of business. Most of the property excess development can be attributed to 2004 hurricane claims.

 

No changes were made in the key actuarial assumptions utilized to estimate loss and settlement expense reserves during 2005.

 

Calendar year development table

 

The following table shows the calendar year development of the loss and settlement expense reserves of the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the reinsurance subsidiary. Amounts presented are on a net basis with (i) a reconciliation of the net loss and settlement expense reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements and (ii) disclosure of the gross re-estimated loss and settlement expense reserves and the related re-estimated reinsurance receivables.

 

The table has been restated to reflect the addition of Farm and City Insurance Company to the pooling agreement effective January 1, 1998, and the increase in the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ aggregate participation in the pooling agreement to 30.0 percent effective January 1, 2005.

 

In evaluating the table, it should be noted that each cumulative redundancy (deficiency) amount includes the effects of all changes in reserves for prior periods. Conditions and trends that have affected development of the liability in the past, such as a time lag in the reporting of assumed reinsurance business, the high rate of inflation associated with medical services and supplies and the reform measures implemented by several states to control administrative costs for workers’ compensation insurance, may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to project future development of reserves based on this table.

 

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Asbestos and Environmental Claims

 

The Company has exposure to asbestos and environmental-related claims associated with the insurance business written by the parties to the pooling agreement and the reinsurance business assumed from Employers Mutual by the reinsurance subsidiary. With regard to the assumed reinsurance business, however, all asbestos and environmental exposures related to 1980 and prior accident years are retained by Employers Mutual.

 

Estimating loss and settlement expense reserves for asbestos and environmental claims is very difficult due to the many uncertainties surrounding these types of claims. These uncertainties exist because the assignment of responsibility varies widely by state and claims often emerge long after a policy has expired, which makes assignment of damages to the appropriate party and to the time period covered by a particular policy difficult. In establishing reserves for these types of claims, management monitors the relevant facts concerning each claim, the current status of the legal environment, social and political conditions, and the claim history and trends within the Company and the industry.

 

During 2006, the Company elected to strengthen direct asbestos IBNR loss and settlement expense reserves to the middle scenario of an independent actuarial review conducted during the year. As a result, asbestos IBNR loss and settlement expense reserves were increased by $170,000 and $511,000, respectively. During 2005, the Company elected to strengthen direct asbestos reserves in consideration of the implied three-year survival ratio (ratio of loss reserves to the three-year average of loss payments). As a result, asbestos IBNR loss and settlement expense reserves were each increased by $600,000.

 

The following table presents asbestos and environmental-related losses and settlement expenses incurred and reserves outstanding, net of reinsurance, for the Company:

 

 

 

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Based upon current facts, management believes the reserves established for asbestos and environmental-related claims at December 31, 2007 are adequate. Although future changes in the legal and political environment may result in adjustment to these reserves, management believes any adjustment will not have a material impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

 

Reinsurance Ceded

 

The following table presents amounts due to the Company from reinsurers for losses and settlement expenses and prepaid reinsurance premiums as of December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

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The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred for the three years ended December 31, 2007 is presented below.

 

 

For 2007 and 2006, premiums written and earned assumed from affiliates, and losses and settlement expenses incurred assumed from affiliates, reflect a reduction in Employers Mutual’s participation in the MRB pool. The board of directors of the MRB pool approved the admission of two new assuming companies to the pool effective January 1, 2006. This reduced Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool from a one-third share to an approximate one-fifth share (one company is only assuming property exposures). The premiums written assumed from affiliates and net premiums written amounts for 2006 also include a negative $3,440,000 portfolio adjustment which served as an offset to the decrease in unearned premiums recognized in connection with this change in pool participation.

 

The premiums written assumed from affiliates and net premiums written amounts for 2005 include a $29,631,000 portfolio adjustment which served as an offset to the increase in unearned premiums recognized in connection with the change in the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ aggregate pool participation (see discussion under “Organizational Structure – Property and Casualty Insurance”).

 

Property and Casualty Insurance

 

The pool participants cede insurance in the ordinary course of business for the primary purpose of limiting their maximum loss exposure. The pool participants also purchase catastrophe reinsurance to cover multiple losses arising from a single event.

 

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All major reinsurance treaties, with the exception of the pooling agreement and a boiler treaty, are on an “excess-of-loss” basis whereby the reinsurer agrees to reimburse the primary insurer for covered losses in excess of a predetermined amount, up to a stated limit. The boiler treaty provides for 100 percent reinsurance of the pool’s direct boiler coverage written. Facultative reinsurance from approved domestic markets, which provides reinsurance on an individual risk basis and requires specific agreement of the reinsurer as to the limits of coverage provided, is purchased when coverage by an insured is required in excess of treaty capacity or where a high-risk type policy could expose the treaty reinsurance programs.

 

Each type of reinsurance coverage is purchased in layers, and each layer may have a separate retention level. Retention levels are adjusted according to reinsurance market conditions and the surplus position of the EMC Insurance Companies. The pooling agreement aids efficient buying of reinsurance since it allows for higher retention levels and correspondingly decreased dependence on the reinsurance marketplace.

 

A summary of the reinsurance treaties benefiting the pool participants during 2007 is presented below. Retention amounts reflect the accumulated retentions and co-participation of all layers within a treaty.

 

 

Although reinsurance does not discharge the original insurer from its primary liability to its policyholders, it is the practice of insurers for accounting purposes to treat reinsured risks as risks of the reinsurer since the primary insurer would only re-assume liability in those situations where the reinsurer is unable to meet the obligations it assumes under the reinsurance agreements. The ability to collect reinsurance is subject to the solvency of the reinsurers.

 

The major reinsurers in the pool participants’ reinsurance programs during 2007 are presented below. The percentages represent the reinsurers’ share of the total reinsurance protection under all coverages. Each type of coverage is purchased in layers, and an individual reinsurer may participate in more than one type of coverage and at various layers within these coverages. All programs (except the boiler program) are handled by reinsurance intermediaries (brokers). The reinsurance of those programs is syndicated to approximately 51 domestic and foreign reinsurers.

 

In formulating reinsurance programs, Employers Mutual is selective in its choice of reinsurers. Employers Mutual selects reinsurers on the basis of financial stability and long-term relationships, as well as price of the coverage. Reinsurers are generally required to have an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) or higher and a minimum policyholders’ surplus of $250,000,000.

 

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       Premiums ceded under the pool participants’ reinsurance programs by all pool participants and by the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2007 are presented below. Each type of reinsurance coverage is purchased in layers, and an individual reinsurer may participate in more than one type of coverage and at various layers within the coverages. Since each layer of coverage is priced separately, with the lower layers being more expensive than the upper layers, a reinsurer’s overall participation in a reinsurance program does not necessarily correspond to the amount of premiums it receives.

 

 

The pool participants also cede reinsurance on both a voluntary and a mandatory basis to state and national organizations in connection with various workers’ compensation and assigned risk programs, and to private organizations established to handle large risks. Premiums ceded by all pool participants and by the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2007 are presented below.

 

 

 

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       The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (“TRIA”) provided a temporary Federal backstop on losses from certified terrorism events from foreign sources and was effective until December 31, 2005. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act of 2005 (“TRIA Extension Act”) extended TRIA, with modifications, for an additional two years through December 31, 2007. On December 26, 2007, the President signed into law the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 (“TRIA Reauthorization Act”), which expands coverage to include domestic terrorism and extends TRIA through December 31, 2014. TRIA coverage included most direct commercial lines of business, including coverage for losses from nuclear, biological and chemical exposures if coverage was afforded by an insurer. The TRIA Extension and Reauthorization Acts continued with these coverages, but with exclusions for commercial automobile insurance, burglary and theft insurance, surety insurance, professional liability insurance, and farm owners multiple peril insurance. Each insurer has a deductible amount, which is calculated as a percentage of the prior year’s direct commercial lines premiums earned for the applicable lines of business, and a 15 percent retention above the deductible (10 percent in 2006). The percentage used in the deductible calculation increased from 15 percent in 2005 to 17.5 percent in 2006 and 20 percent in 2007. Both TRIA and the TRIA Extension and Reauthorization Acts cap losses at $100 billion annually; no insurer that has met its deductible will be liable for payment of any portion above that amount. For the Company, the TRIA Reauthorization Act deductible will be approximately $42,000,000 in 2008. The January 1, 2008 renewal of the pool participants’ stand-alone reinsurance coverage for terrorism claims has limits corresponding to the TRIA Reauthorization Act deductible ($140,000,000 limit corresponding to the estimated TRIA Reauthorization Act deductible of $140,000,000). The contract terms provide for 45 percent coverage of $115,000,000 of terrorism losses in excess of $25,000,000. Coverage includes all commercial lines of business, losses from both certified and non-certified terrorist events, and nuclear, biological and chemical coverage.

 

Reinsurance

 

The reinsurance subsidiary does not purchase outside reinsurance protection due to the $2,000,000 cap ($1,500,000 in 2005) on losses assumed per event under the terms of the quota share agreement with Employers Mutual. The reinsurance subsidiary pays for this protection through a 10.5 percent reduction in premiums written, which amounted to $8,330,000 in 2007.

 

Investments

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company had total invested assets of $1.0 billion, which are summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

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       At December 31, 2007, the portfolio of long-term fixed maturity securities consisted of 0.6 percent U.S. Treasury, 54.3 percent government agency, 1.3 percent mortgage-backed, 30.3 percent municipal and 13.5 percent corporate securities. All non-investment grade fixed maturity securities held at December 31, 2007 (Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and US Freightways Corporation) were in an unrealized gain position. The Company does not purchase non-investment grade securities. Any non-investment grade securities held by the Company are the result of rating downgrades that occurred subsequent to their purchase. The Company attempts to mitigate interest rate risk by managing the duration of its fixed maturity portfolio. As of December 31, 2007, the effective duration of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio was 3.75 years, and the effective duration of its liabilities was 2.97 years.

 

The Company’s investment strategy is to conservatively manage its investment portfolio by investing in equity securities and readily marketable, investment-grade fixed maturity securities. The Company does not have exposure to foreign currency risk on its investments. The Company’s board of directors has established investment guidelines and periodically reviews the portfolio for compliance with those guidelines. The Company’s equity portfolio is diversified across a large range of industry sectors and is managed by Harris Bank, N.A. for a fee that is based on total assets under management. As of December 31, 2007, the equity portfolio was invested in the following industry sectors:

 

 

 

Employees

 

EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries have no employees. The Company’s business activities are conducted by the 2,169 employees of Employers Mutual. EMC Insurance Group Inc., EMC Reinsurance Company and EMC Underwriters, LLC are charged their proportionate share of salary and employee benefit costs based on time allocations. Costs not allocated to these companies, and other subsidiaries of Employers Mutual outside the pooling agreement, are charged to the pool participants. The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries share the costs charged to the pooling agreement in accordance with their pool participation percentages.

 

Regulation

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by their state of domicile, as well as those states in which they do business. The purpose of such regulation and supervision is primarily to provide safeguards for policyholders, rather than to protect the interests of stockholders. The insurance laws of the various states establish regulatory agencies with broad administrative powers, including the power to grant or revoke operating licenses and to regulate trade practices, investments, premium rates, deposits of securities, the form and content of financial statements and insurance policies, accounting practices and the maintenance of specified reserves and capital for the protection of policyholders.

 

Premium rate regulation varies greatly among jurisdictions and lines of insurance. In most states in which the Company’s subsidiaries and the other pool participants write insurance, premium rates for their lines of insurance are subject to either prior approval or limited review upon implementation. States require rates for property and casualty insurance that are adequate, not excessive, and not unfairly discriminatory.

 

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Like other insurance companies, the pool participants are required to participate in mandatory shared market mechanisms or state pooling arrangements as a condition for maintaining their insurance licenses to do business in various states. The purpose of these state-mandated arrangements is to provide insurance coverage to individuals who, because of poor driving records or other underwriting reasons, are unable to purchase such coverage voluntarily provided by private insurers. These risks can be assigned to all insurers licensed in the state and the maximum volume of such risks that any one insurance company may be assigned typically is proportional to that insurance company’s annual premium volume in that state. The underwriting results of this mandatory business traditionally have been unprofitable.

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to file detailed annual reports with the appropriate regulatory agency in each state where they do business based on applicable statutory regulations, which differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Their businesses and accounts are subject to examination by such agencies at any time. Since three of the Company’s four insurance subsidiaries and Employers Mutual are domiciled in Iowa, the State of Iowa exercises principal regulatory supervision, and Iowa law requires periodic examination. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to examination by state insurance departments on a periodic basis, as applicable law requires.

 

State laws governing insurance holding companies also impose standards on certain transactions with related companies, which include, among other requirements, that all transactions be fair and reasonable and that an insurer’s surplus as regards policyholders be reasonable and adequate in relation to its liabilities. Under Iowa law, dividends or distributions made by registered insurers are restricted in amount and may be subject to approval from the Iowa Commissioner of Insurance. “Extraordinary” dividends or distributions are subject to prior approval and are defined as dividends or distributions made within a 12 month period which exceed the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis. North Dakota imposes similar restriction on the payment of dividends and distributions. At December 31, 2007, $46,779,000 was available for distribution to the Company in 2008 without prior approval. See note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

Under state insurance guaranty fund laws, insurance companies doing business in a state can be assessed for certain obligations of insolvent insurance companies to such companies’ policyholders and claimants. Maximum assessments allowed in any one year generally vary between one percent and two percent of annual premiums written in that state, but it is possible that caps on such assessments could be raised if there are numerous or large insolvencies. In most states, guaranty fund assessments are recoverable either through future policy surcharges or offsets to state premium tax liabilities.

 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) utilizes a risk-based capital model to help state regulators assess the capital adequacy of insurance companies and identify insurers that are in, or are perceived as approaching, financial difficulty. This model establishes minimum capital needs based on the risks applicable to the operations of the individual insurer. The risk-based capital requirements for property and casualty insurance companies measure three major areas of risk: asset risk, credit risk and underwriting risk. Companies having less statutory surplus than required by the risk-based capital requirements are subject to varying degrees of regulatory scrutiny and intervention, depending on the severity of the inadequacy. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had total adjusted statutory capital of $344,260,000, which is well in excess of the minimum risk-based capital requirement of $55,526,000.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

The Company’s internet address is www.emcinsurance.com. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available through the Company’s website as soon as reasonably practicable after the filing or furnishing of such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

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Set forth below is a description of risk factors related to the Company’s business, provided to enable investors to assess, and be appropriately apprised of, certain risks and uncertainties the Company faces in conducting its business. An investor should carefully consider the risks described below and elsewhere in this Form 10-K which could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. The risks and uncertainties discussed below are also applicable to forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K and in other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

 

Risks Relating to the Company and Its Business

 

The Company’s operations are integrated with those of Employers Mutual, the parent corporation, and potential and actual conflicts exist between the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and the best interests of the policyholders of Employers Mutual.

 

Employers Mutual currently owns shares of the Company’s common stock entitling it to cast approximately 57 percent of the aggregate votes eligible to be cast by the Company’s stockholders at any meeting of stockholders. These holdings enable Employers Mutual to control the election of the Company’s board of directors. In addition, one of the seven members of the Company’s board of directors is also a member of the board of directors of Employers Mutual. This director has a fiduciary duty to both the Company’s stockholders and to the policyholders of Employers Mutual. The Company’s executive officers hold the same positions with both Employers Mutual and the Company, and therefore also have a fiduciary duty to both the stockholders of the Company and to the policyholders of Employers Mutual. Certain potential and actual conflicts of interest arise from the Company’s relationship with Employers Mutual and these competing fiduciary duties. Among these conflicts of interest are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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       As a consequence, the Company and Employers Mutual have each established an Inter-Company Committee, with the Company’s Inter-Company Committee consisting of three of the Company’s independent directors who are not directors of Employers Mutual and Employers Mutual’s Inter-Company Committee consisting of three directors of Employers Mutual who are not members of the Company’s board of directors. Any new material agreement or transaction between Employers Mutual and the Company, as well as any proposed material change to an existing material agreement between Employers Mutual and the Company, must receive the approval of both Inter-Company Committees. This approval is granted only if the members of the Company’s Inter-Company Committee unanimously conclude that the new agreement or transaction, or proposed material change to an existing agreement, is fair and reasonable to the Company and its stockholders and the members of Employers Mutual’s Inter-Company Committee unanimously conclude that the new agreement or transaction, or proposed change to an existing agreement, is fair and reasonable to Employers Mutual and its policyholders.

 

The Company relies on Employers Mutual to provide employees, facilities and information technology systems to conduct its operations.

 

The Company does not employ any staff to conduct its operations, nor does the Company own or, with one exception, lease any facilities or information technology systems necessary for its operations. As a result, the Company is totally dependent on Employers Mutual’s employees, facilities and information technology systems to conduct its business. There are no agreements in place that obligate Employers Mutual to provide the Company with access to its employees, facilities or information technology systems. In addition, the Company does not have any employment agreements with its executive officers, all of whom are employed by Employers Mutual. These arrangements make it unlikely that anyone could acquire control of the Company or replace its management unless Employers Mutual was in favor of such action. Any of these arrangements could diminish the value of the Company’s common stock.

 

The Company’s results of operations could suffer if the pool participants were to forecast future losses inaccurately, experience unusually severe or frequent losses or inadequately price their insurance products.

 

The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries participate in a pooling agreement under which they share the underwriting results of the property and casualty insurance business written by the pool participants (excluding certain assumed reinsurance business). Because of the pooled business the Company is allocated, the insurance operations of the Company’s pool participants are integrated with the insurance operations of the Employers Mutual pool participants, and the Company’s results of operations depend upon the forecasts, pricing and underwriting results of the Employers Mutual pool participants. Although the pool is intended to produce a more uniform and stable underwriting result from year to year for the participants than they would experience separately by spreading the risk of losses among the participants, if any of the pool participants experience unusually severe or frequent losses or do not adequately price their insurance products, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer.

 

One of the distinguishing features of the property and casualty insurance industry is that its products are priced before its costs are known, as premium rates are generally determined before losses are reported. Accordingly, the pool participants must establish premium rates from forecasts of the ultimate costs they expect to incur from risks underwritten during the policy period, and premiums may not be adequate to cover the ultimate losses incurred. Further, the pool participants must establish reserves for losses and settlement expenses based upon estimates involving actuarial and statistical projections of expected ultimate liability at a given time, and it is possible that the ultimate liability will exceed these estimates because of the future development of known losses, the existence of losses that have occurred but are currently unreported or larger than expected settlements on pending and unreported claims. Employers Mutual’s actuaries review the adequacy of the pool’s reserves for the various lines of business underwritten on a quarterly basis and these reviews have in the past, and may in the future, indicate that additional reserves are necessary to adequately cover anticipated losses and settlement expenses. The process of estimating reserves is inherently judgmental and can be influenced by factors that are subject to variation. If the premium rates or reserves established are not sufficient, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely impacted.

 

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The Company’s business may not continue to grow and may be adversely affected if it cannot retain existing, and attract new, independent agents or if insurance consumers increase their use of other insurance delivery systems.

 

The continued growth of the Company’s business will depend upon the pool participant’s ability to retain existing, and attract new, independent agents. The pool participant’s agency force is one of the most important components of their competitive position. To the extent that the pool participant’s existing agents cannot maintain current levels of production, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations will suffer. Moreover, if independent agencies find it easier to do business with the pool participant’s competitors, it could be difficult for them to retain its existing business or attract new business. While the pool participants believe they maintain good relationships with their independent agents, they cannot be certain that these independent agents will continue to sell their products to the consumers they represent. Some of the factors that could adversely affect the ability to retain existing, and attract new, independent agents include:

 

 

While the pool participants sell substantially all their insurance through its network of independent agents, many of their competitors sell insurance through a variety of other delivery methods, including captive agencies, the Internet and direct sales. To the extent that individuals represented by the pool participant’s independent agents change their delivery system preference, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

The failure of the pool participants to maintain their current financial strength rating could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business and competitive position.

 

The pool participants, including the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries, are currently rated “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, an industry-accepted source of property and casualty insurance company financial strength ratings. A.M. Best ratings are specifically designed to provide an independent opinion of an insurance company’s financial health and its ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. These ratings are directed toward the protection of policyholders, not investors. If the pool participants were to be downgraded by A.M. Best, it would adversely affect the Company’s competitive position and make it more difficult for it to market its products, and retain its existing agents and policyholders. Employers Mutual’s “A-” rating has resulted in a loss of some of its reinsurance business and any downgrade of its rating could make it ineligible to assume certain reinsurance business and, accordingly, result in a material reduction in the amount of reinsurance business assumed by the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary.

 

The insolvency of Employers Mutual or one of its subsidiaries or affiliate could result in additional liabilities for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries participating in the pooling agreement.

 

The pooling agreement requires each pool participant to assume its pro rata share (based on its participation interest in the pool) of the liabilities of any pool participant that becomes insolvent or is otherwise subject to liquidation or receivership proceedings, subject to compliance with all regulatory requirements applicable to such adjustment. Under this provision, the Company’s pool participants could become financially responsible for their pro rata share of the liabilities of one of the Employers Mutual pool participants in the event of an insolvency, or a liquidation or receivership proceeding involving such participant.

 

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The Company is dependent on dividends from its subsidiaries for the payment of its operating expenses and dividends to stockholders; however, its subsidiaries may be unable to pay dividends to the Company.

 

As a holding company, the Company relies primarily on dividends from its subsidiaries as a source of funds to meet its corporate obligations and pay dividends to its stockholders. Payment of dividends by the Company’s subsidiaries is subject to regulatory restrictions and depends on the surplus position of its subsidiaries. The maximum amount of dividends that the Company’s subsidiaries can pay it in 2008 without prior regulatory approval is approximately $46.8 million. In addition, state insurance regulators have broad discretion to limit the payment of dividends by the Company’s subsidiaries in the future. The ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends to it may be further constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the impact of dividends on surplus, competitive position and the amount of premiums that can be written.

 

The Company’s investment portfolio is subject to economic loss, principally from changes in the market value of financial instruments.

 

The Company had fixed maturity investments with a fair value of $844.9 million at December 31, 2007 that are subject to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company’s fixed maturity investment portfolio includes mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. As of December 31, 2007, mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities constituted approximately 1.3 percent of its fixed maturity securities. As with other fixed maturity investments, the fair value of these securities fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment. Changes in interest rates can expose the Company to prepayment risks on these investments. In periods of declining interest rates, mortgage prepayments generally increase and mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities are paid more quickly, requiring the Company to reinvest the proceeds at the then current market rates.

 

The Company’s equity portfolio of $139.4 million as of December 31, 2007 is subject to economic loss from a decline in market prices. The Company invests in publicly traded companies listed in the United States with large market capitalizations. An adverse development in the stock market, or one or more companies that the Company invests in, could adversely affect its capital position.

 

The success of any investment activity is affected by general economic conditions, which may adversely affect the markets for fixed maturity and equity securities. Unexpected volatility or illiquidity in the markets in which the Company holds securities, whether due to terrorist events or otherwise, could reduce its liquidity and stockholders’ equity. To mitigate these risks, the Company has access to a line of credit that Employers Mutual’s has available to provide additional liquidity, if needed.

 

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The pool participants currently conduct business in all 50 states, with a concentration of business in the Midwest. The occurrence of catastrophes, or other conditions affecting losses in this region, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

In 2007, approximately 67 percent of the pool participant’s direct premiums written were generated through ten Midwest branch offices, with approximately 14 percent of the direct premiums written generated in Iowa. While the pool participants actively manage their exposure to catastrophes through their underwriting process and the purchase of third-party reinsurance, a single catastrophic occurrence, destructive weather pattern, general economic trend, terrorist attack, regulatory development or any other condition affecting the states in which the pool participants conduct substantial business could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. Common catastrophic events include tornadoes, wind-and-hail storms, fires, explosions and severe winter storms. Moreover, the Company’s revenues and profitability are affected by the prevailing regulatory, economic, demographic, competitive and other conditions in these states. Changes in any of these conditions could make it more costly or more difficult for the pool participants to conduct their business. Adverse regulatory developments in these states could include reductions in the maximum rates permitted to be charged, restrictions on rate increases, or fundamental changes to the design or operation of the regulatory framework, and any of these could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The continuation of significant hurricane activity could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

During 2004 and 2005 there was a significant increase in both the frequency and severity of hurricane activity in the United States. As a result of this, the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary incurred substantial losses from hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, even with the benefit provided by the per event cap on losses assumed from Employers Mutual (nearly every one of the hurricanes was capped at $1,500,000). Because of this cap, Employers Mutual retained a majority of the incurred losses from these hurricanes, prompting it to increase the cap amount and the cost of this protection in 2006. Despite the pool participants not writing insurance business in coastal areas, they also incurred substantial hurricane losses in 2004 and 2005. As a result of this increase in hurricane frequency and severity, the pool participants reviewed their hurricane exposures and identified a concentration of such risks in Rhode Island. To address this concentration of risk, management started purchasing additional reinsurance protection in 2006 and has been working to reduce the amount of business written in this area. While the 2006 and 2007 hurricane seasons were mild, a continuation of the frequent and severe hurricane activity seen in 2004 and 2005 could lead to further changes in the reinsurance programs protecting the Company. These changes include increases in the amount of losses retained by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and assumed per event by the reinsurance subsidiary under the quota share agreement with Employers Mutual and/or the cost of the cap protection, as well as decreased availability, and increased pricing, of catastrophe reinsurance protection for the pool participants. Such increases in the cost of reinsurance protection could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Losses related to a terrorist attack could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Terrorist attacks could cause significant losses from insurance claims related to the property and casualty insurance operations of the pool participants and have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. In 2002, the United States Congress enacted the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (“TRIA”), which requires that some coverage for terrorism losses be offered by primary property and casualty insurers and provides federal assistance for recovery of claims through 2014 (after extension). While the pool participants are protected by this federally funded terrorism reinsurance with respect to claims under commercial insurance products, the pool participants are prohibited from adding terrorism exclusions to policies they write, and a substantial deductible must be met before TRIA provides coverage to the pool. In addition, TRIA does not cover the personal insurance products the pool participants offer and they could incur large unexpected losses from these policies in the event of a terrorist attack. The pool participants have purchased an underlying reinsurance contract to partially cover the TRIA deductible, but the Company can offer no assurances that the threats or actual occurrence of future terrorist-like events in the United States and abroad, or military actions by the United States, will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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The profitability of the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary is dependent upon the experience of Employers Mutual, and changes to this relationship may adversely affect the reinsurance subsidiary’s operations.

 

The Company’s reinsurance subsidiary has entered into a reinsurance agreement with Employers Mutual that generated approximately 18 percent of the Company’s premiums earned in 2007. Under this agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes the voluntary reinsurance business written directly by Employers Mutual (subject to certain limited exceptions). The reinsurance subsidiary relies exclusively on this agreement and on Employers Mutual for its business. If Employers Mutual terminates or otherwise seeks to modify this agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary may not be able to enter into a similar arrangement with another company and may be adversely affected.

 

Through this reinsurance agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes the voluntary reinsurance business written directly by Employers Mutual with unaffiliated insurance companies, and the reinsurance business assumed by Employers Mutual from the MRB pool, a voluntary pool of property and casualty insurers in which Employers Mutual participates. If Employers Mutual or the other participants of the MRB pool discontinue or reduce the assumption of property and casualty risks, the reinsurance subsidiary could be adversely affected. In connection with the risks assumed from the MRB pool, officers of the reinsurance subsidiary and Employers Mutual have reviewed the relevant underwriting policies and procedures, however, no officer of the reinsurance subsidiary directly reviews such risks assumed at the time of underwriting. If Employers Mutual or the MRB pool are unable to sell reinsurance at adequate premium rates, or were to have poor underwriting experience, the reinsurance subsidiary could be adversely affected.

 

The Company may not be successful in reducing its risks and increasing its underwriting capacity through reinsurance arrangements, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

In order to reduce underwriting risk and increase underwriting capacity, the pool participants transfer portions of the pool’s insurance risk to other insurers through reinsurance contracts. The availability, cost and structure of reinsurance protection is subject to changing market conditions that are outside of the pool participant’s control. In order for these contracts to qualify for reinsurance accounting and thereby provide the additional underwriting capacity that the pool participants desire, the reinsurer generally must assume significant risk and have a reasonable possibility of a significant loss.

 

Although the reinsurer is liable to the pool participants to the extent they transfer, or “cede,” risk to the reinsurer, the pool participants remain ultimately liable to the policyholders on all risks reinsured. As a result, ceded reinsurance arrangements do not limit the pool participant’s ultimate obligation to policyholders to pay claims. The pool participants are subject to the credit risks of its reinsurers. The pool participants are also subject to the risk that their reinsurers may dispute obligations to pay their claims. As a result, the pool participants may not recover on claims made against their reinsurers in a timely manner, if at all, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company’s business is highly cyclical and competitive, which may make it difficult for it to market its products effectively and profitably.

 

The property and casualty insurance industry is highly cyclical and competitive, and individual lines of business experience their own cycles within the overall insurance industry cycle. Premium rate levels are related to the availability of insurance coverage, which varies according to the level of surplus within the industry. Increases in industry surplus have generally been accompanied by increased price competition. If the pool participants find it necessary to reduce premiums or limit premium increases due to these competitive pressures on pricing, the Company may experience a reduction in its profit margins and revenues and, therefore, lower profitability.

 

The pool participants compete with insurers that sell insurance policies through independent agents and/or directly to their customers. These competitors are not only national companies, but also insurers and independent agents that operate in a specific region or single state in which they operate. Some of these competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources than the pool participants, and they may offer a broader range of products or offer competing products at lower prices. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by a loss of business to its competitors.

 

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New pricing, claims and coverage issues and class action litigation are continually emerging in the property and casualty insurance industry, and these new issues could adversely impact the Company’s revenues or its methods of doing business.

 

As property and casualty insurance industry practices and regulatory, judicial and consumer conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims, coverages and business practices may emerge. These issues can have an adverse effect on the Company’s business by changing the way the pool participants price their products, by extending coverage beyond their underwriting intent, or by increasing the size of claims. Recent examples include continued increases in loss severity (particularly in the workers’ compensation area), principally driven by larger court judgments and increasing medical costs, and claims based on the relationship between contingent compensation of insurance agents and the sale of suitable insurance products. The effects of these and other unforeseen emerging issues could negatively affect the Company’s results of operations or its methods of doing business.

 

 

The Company is subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision by the insurance departments in the states where its subsidiaries are domiciled and where its subsidiaries and the other pool participants sell insurance products, issue policies and handle claims. Certain regulatory restrictions and prior approval requirements may affect the pool participants’ ability to operate, compete, innovate or obtain necessary rate adjustments in a timely manner, and may also increase their costs and reduce profitability.

 

 

Required Licensing.    The pool participants operate under licenses issued by various state insurance departments. These licenses govern, among other things, the types of insurance coverages, agency and claims services, and products that the pool participants may offer consumers in the states in which they operate. The pool participants must apply for and obtain appropriate licenses before they can implement any plan to expand into a new state or offer a new line of insurance or other new products that require separate licensing. If a regulatory authority denies or delays granting a new license, the pool participants’ ability to enter new markets quickly or offer new products they believe will be profitable can be substantially impaired.

 

Regulation of Premium Rates and Approval of Policy Forms.    The insurance laws of most states in which the pool participants operate require insurance companies to file premium rate schedules and insurance policy forms for review and approval. State insurance departments have broad discretion in judging whether the pool participants’ rates are adequate, not excessive and not unfairly discriminatory. The speed at which the pool participants can change their rates in response to competition or increased costs depends, in part, on the method by which the applicable state’s rating laws are administered. Generally, state insurance departments have the authority to disapprove the pool participants’ requested rates. Thus, if the pool participants begin using new rates before they are approved, as permitted in some states, they may be required to issue premium refunds or credits to their policyholders if the new rates are ultimately deemed excessive or unfair and are disapproved by the applicable state department. In addition, in some states, there has been pressure in past years to reduce premium rates for automobile and other personal insurance, or to limit how often an insurer may request increases for such rates. In states where such pressure is applied, the pool participants’ ability to respond to market developments or increased costs can be adversely affected.

 

Restrictions on Cancellation, Non-Renewal or Withdrawal.    Many states have laws and regulations that limit an insurer’s ability to exit a market. Some states prohibit an insurer from withdrawing from one or more lines of business in the state, except pursuant to a plan approved by the state insurance department. A state insurance department may disapprove a plan that may lead, under its analyses, to market disruption. These laws and regulations could limit the pool participants’ ability to exit unprofitable markets or discontinue unprofitable products in the future.

 

Investment Restrictions.    The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of their investment portfolios and that limit the amount of investments in certain categories. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause nonconforming investments to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring statutory surplus and, in some instances, would require divestiture.

 

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The Company cannot provide any assurance that states will not make existing insurance laws and regulations more restrictive in the future or enact new restrictive laws. In addition, from time to time, the United States Congress and certain federal agencies investigate the current condition of the insurance industry to determine whether federal regulation is necessary. The Company is unable to predict whether, or to what extent, new laws and regulations that could affect its business will be adopted in the future, the timing of any such adoption and what effects, if any, they may have on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company relies on Employer Mutual’s information technology and telecommunication systems, and the failure of these systems could materially and adversely affect its business.

 

The Company’s business is highly dependent upon the successful and uninterrupted functioning of Employers Mutual’s information technology and telecommunications systems. The Company relies on these systems to process new and renewal business, provide customer service, process and pay claims and facilitate collections and cancellations. These systems also enable the performance of actuarial and other modeling functions necessary for underwriting and rate development. The failure of these systems could interrupt the Company’s operations or adversely impact its ability to evaluate and write new and renewal business, pay claims in a timely manner and provide customer service.

 

Although Employers Mutual maintains insurance on its real property and other physical assets, this insurance will not compensate the Company for losses that may occur due to disruptions in service as a result of a computer, data processing or telecommunication systems failure unrelated to covered property damage. Also, this insurance may not necessarily compensate the Company for all losses resulting from covered events.

 

Risks Relating to the Company’s Common Stock

 

Employers Mutual has the ability to determine the outcome of all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval. The price of the Company’s common stock may be adversely affected because of Employers Mutual’s ownership of its common stock.

 

The Company’s common stock has one vote per share and voting control of the Company is currently vested in Employers Mutual, which owns approximately 57 percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock. As a result of recent changes to A.M. Best’s rating methodology, Employers Mutual must retain a minimum 50.1 percent ownership of the Company’s outstanding common stock at all times in order for the pool participants to have their financial strength ratings determined on a “group” basis. Accordingly, Employers Mutual will retain the ability to control:

 

 

 

 

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The interests of Employers Mutual may conflict with the interests of the Company’s other stockholders and may have a negative effect on the price of its common stock.

 

Employers Mutual’s ownership of the Company’s common stock and provisions of certain state laws make it unlikely anyone could acquire control of the Company or replace or remove its management unless Employers Mutual were in favor of such action, which could diminish the value of the Company’s common stock.

 

Employers Mutual’s ownership of the Company’s common stock and the laws and regulations of Iowa and North Dakota could delay or prevent the removal of members of its board of directors and could make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving the Company more difficult to complete, even if such events were beneficial to the interest of its stockholders other than Employers Mutual. The insurance laws of the states in which the Company’ subsidiaries are domiciled prohibit any person from acquiring control of it, and thus indirect control of its subsidiaries, without the prior approval of each such state insurance department. Generally, these laws presume that control exists where any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds the power to vote or holds proxies representing 10 percent or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Even persons who do not acquire beneficial ownership of 10 percent or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock may be deemed to have acquired such control, if the relevant insurance department determines that such control exists in fact. Therefore, any person seeking to acquire a controlling interest in the Company would face regulatory obstacles, which could delay, deter or prevent an acquisition that stockholders might consider to be in their best interests. Moreover, the Iowa Business Corporation Act, which governs the Company’s corporate activities, contains certain provisions that prohibit certain business combination transactions under certain circumstances. These factors could discourage a third party from attempting to acquire control of the Company.

 

Although the Company has consistently paid cash dividends in the past, it may not be able to pay cash dividends in the future.

 

The Company has paid cash dividends to its stockholders on a consistent basis since 1982 following the initial public offering of its common stock. However, future cash dividends will depend upon various factors, including the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to make distributions to it, which ability may be restricted by financial or regulatory constraints. Also, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to pay dividends even if the necessary financial and regulatory conditions are met and if sufficient cash is available for distribution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company does not own any real property; however, one of the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries, Dakota Fire, leases from EMC National Life Company (an affiliate of Employers Mutual) approximately 18,000 square feet of office space in which the Bismarck, North Dakota branch office is located. The Company’s home office, which also serves as the home office of Employers Mutual, is located in three office buildings containing approximately 437,000 square feet of space in Des Moines, Iowa, all of which are owned by Employers Mutual. Employers Mutual also owns office buildings in which the Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Lansing branch offices operate. Employers Mutual leases approximately 230,000 square feet of office space in 17 other locations where other branch offices and service centers are located.

 

The Company’s subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement (EMC Reinsurance Company and EMC Underwriters, LLC), as well as subsidiaries of Employers Mutual that do not participate in the pooling agreement, are allocated rent expense based on the square footage occupied by the respective operations. The remaining rent expense is charged to the pool and is allocated among the pool participants based on their respective participation interests.

 

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The Company and Employers Mutual and its other subsidiaries are parties to numerous lawsuits arising in the normal course of the insurance business. The Company believes that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or its results of operations. The companies involved have established reserves that are believed adequate to cover any potential liabilities arising out of all such pending or threatened proceedings.

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select tier of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol EMCI.

 

The following table shows the high and low sales prices, as reported by NASDAQ, and the dividends paid for each quarter within the two most recent years.

 

 

 

 

There are certain regulatory restrictions relating to the payment of dividends by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries (see note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K). It is the present intention of the Company’s Board of Directors to declare quarterly cash dividends, but the amount and timing thereof, if any, is to be determined by the Board of Directors at its discretion.

 

A dividend reinvestment and common stock purchase plan provides stockholders with the option of receiving additional shares of common stock instead of cash dividends. Participants may also purchase additional shares of common stock without incurring broker commissions by making optional cash contributions to the plan and may sell shares of common stock through the plan (see note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K). Employers Mutual did not participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan during 2007, 2006 or 2005. More information about the plan can be obtained by calling Computershare Inc., the Company’s stock transfer agent and plan administrator.

 

 

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       The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s common stock to the NASDAQ Total Return Index for U.S. companies and a published Industry Index, which is the Hemscott Industry Group 432, over a five-year period beginning December 31, 2002 and ending December 31, 2007. Information on Hemscott can be found at hemscottdata.com. The total stockholder return assumes $100.00 invested at the beginning of the period in the Company’s common stock, the NASDAQ Market Index and the Industry Index. It also assumes reinvestment of all dividends for the period.

 

COMPARATIVE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

AMONG EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC., NASDAQ MARKET INDEX

AND INDUSTRY INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

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       The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers for the three months ended December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

 

The following table presents information regarding Employers Mutual’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2007:

 

 

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

The following discussion and analysis of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries’ financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this form 10-K.

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW

 

EMC Insurance Group Inc., a 57.0 percent owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. Property and casualty insurance is the most significant segment, representing 81.6 percent of consolidated premiums earned in 2007. For purposes of this discussion, the term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. Employers Mutual and all of its subsidiaries (including the Company) and an affiliate are referred to as the “EMC Insurance Companies.”

 

The Company’s three property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and two subsidiaries and an affiliate of Employers Mutual are parties to reinsurance pooling agreements with Employers Mutual (collectively the “pooling agreement”). Under the terms of the pooling agreement, each company cedes to Employers Mutual all of its insurance business, with the exception of any voluntary reinsurance business assumed from nonaffiliated insurance companies, and assumes from Employers Mutual an amount equal to its participation in the pool. All premiums, losses, settlement expenses, and other underwriting and administrative expenses, excluding the voluntary reinsurance business assumed by Employers Mutual from nonaffiliated insurance companies, are prorated among the parties on the basis of participation in the pool. Employers Mutual negotiates reinsurance agreements that provide protection to the pool and each of its participants, including protection against losses arising from catastrophic events.

 

Operations of the pool give rise to inter-company balances with Employers Mutual, which are settled on a quarterly basis. The investment and income tax activities of the pool participants are not subject to the pooling agreement. The pooling agreement provides that Employers Mutual will make up any shortfall or difference resulting from an error in its systems and/or computation processes that would otherwise result in the required restatement of the pool participants’ financial statements.

 

The purpose of the pooling agreement is to spread the risk of an exposure insured by any of the pool participants among all the companies. The pooling agreement produces a more uniform and stable underwriting result from year to year for all companies in the pool than might be experienced individually. In addition, each company benefits from the capacity of the entire pool, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with its own assets, and from the wide range of policy forms, lines of insurance written, rate filings and commission plans offered by each of the companies.

 

Effective January 1, 2005, the Company’s aggregate participation in the pooling agreement increased from 23.5 percent to 30.0 percent. In connection with this change in pool participation, the Company’s liabilities increased $115,042,000, invested assets increased $107,801,000 and other assets increased $722,000. The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $6,519,000 for expenses that were incurred to generate the additional business assumed by the Company, but this expense was offset by an increase in deferred policy acquisition costs. The Company also received $275,000 in interest income from Employers Mutual as the actual cash settlement did not occur until February 15, 2005.

 

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Farm and City Insurance Company, discontinued writing direct nonstandard risk automobile insurance business in 2004, but continued to participate in the pooling agreement. Effective December 31, 2007, Farm and City was merged into one of the Company’s other property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. This merger did not have any impact on the Company’s 30 percent aggregate participation in the pooling agreement.

 

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The Company’s reinsurance subsidiary is a party to a quota share reinsurance retrocessional agreement with Employers Mutual (the “quota share agreement”). Under the terms of the quota share agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes a 100 percent quota share portion of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance business, exclusive of certain reinsurance contracts. This includes all premiums and related losses, settlement expenses, and other underwriting and administrative expenses of this business, subject to a maximum loss of $2,000,000 per event ($1,500,000 in 2005). The reinsurance subsidiary does not directly reinsure any of the insurance business written by Employers Mutual or the other pool participants; however, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes reinsurance business from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau (MRB) pool and this pool provides a small amount of reinsurance protection to the EMC Insurance Companies. As a result, the reinsurance subsidiary’s assumed exposures include a small portion of the EMC Insurance Companies’ direct business, after ceded reinsurance protections purchased by the MRB pool are applied. In addition, the reinsurance subsidiary does not reinsure any “involuntary” facility or pool business that Employers Mutual assumes pursuant to state law. Operations of the quota share agreement give rise to inter-company balances with Employers Mutual, which are settled on a quarterly basis. The investment and income tax activities of the reinsurance subsidiary are not subject to the quota share agreement.

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the terms of the quota share agreement between Employers Mutual and the reinsurance subsidiary were revised. The majority of the changes were prompted by the significant amount of hurricane losses retained by Employers Mutual during the severe 2005 hurricane season; however, other changes were made to simplify and clarify the terms and conditions of the quota share agreement. The revised terms of the quota share agreement are as follows: (1) the reinsurance subsidiary’s retention, or cap, on losses assumed per event increased from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000; (2) the cost of the $2,000,000 cap on losses assumed per event is treated as a reduction to premiums written rather than commission expense; (3) the reinsurance subsidiary no longer directly pays for the outside reinsurance protection that Employers Mutual purchases to protect itself from catastrophic losses on the assumed reinsurance business it retains in excess of the cap, and instead pays a higher premium rate (previously accounted for as commission); and (4) the reinsurance subsidiary assumes all foreign currency exchange gains/losses associated with contracts incepting on January 1, 2006 and thereafter that are subject to the quota share agreement. For 2007 and 2006, the premium rate paid by the reinsurance subsidiary to Employers Mutual was 10.5 percent of premiums written. The corresponding rate for 2005 was approximately 8.5 percent (4.5 percent override commission rate plus approximately 4.0 percent for the cost of the outside reinsurance protection).

 

Under the terms of the quota share agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary receives reinstatement premium income that is collected by Employers Mutual from the ceding companies when reinsurance coverage is reinstated after a loss event; however, the cap on losses assumed per event contained in the quota share agreement is automatically reinstated without cost to the reinsurance subsidiary. This arrangement can produce unusual underwriting results for the reinsurance subsidiary when a large event occurs because the reinstatement premium income received by the reinsurance subsidiary may approximate, or exceed, the amount of losses retained.

 

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

 

An insurance company’s underwriting results reflect the profitability of its insurance operations, excluding investment income. Underwriting profit or loss is calculated by subtracting losses and expenses incurred from premiums earned.

 

Insurance companies collect cash in the form of insurance premiums and pay out cash in the form of loss and settlement expense payments. Additional cash outflows occur through the payment of acquisition and underwriting costs such as commissions, premium taxes, salaries and general overhead. During the loss settlement period, which varies by line of business and by the circumstances surrounding each claim and may cover several years, insurance companies invest the cash premiums; thereby earning interest and dividend income. This investment income supplements underwriting results and contributes to net earnings. Funds from called and matured fixed maturity securities are reinvested at current interest rates. The relatively low interest rate environment of the last several years has had a negative impact on the insurance industry’s investment income.

 

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Insurance pricing has historically been cyclical in nature. Periods of excess capital and increased competition encourage price reductions and liberal underwriting practices (referred to as a soft market) as insurance companies compete for market share, while attempting to cover the inevitable underwriting losses from these actions with investment income. A prolonged soft market generally leads to a reduction in the adequacy of capital in the insurance industry. To cure this condition, underwriting practices are tightened, premium pricing increases and competition subsides as companies strive to strengthen their balance sheets (referred to as a hard market). During 2005, the insurance industry entered into a soft market with premium rate reductions accelerating in most areas of the United States, with the notable exception of rate increases in the Gulf States and other hurricane exposed areas due to the severe 2005 hurricane season. The soft market continued during 2006 and 2007, and market conditions are expected to remain competitive during 2008 as insurance companies continue to compete for good business, which will likely result in additional premium rate reductions.

 

A substantial determinant of an insurance company’s underwriting results is its loss and settlement expense reserving practices. Insurance companies must estimate the amount of losses and settlement expenses that will ultimately be paid to settle claims that have occurred to date (loss and settlement expense reserves). This estimation process is inherently subjective with the possibility of widely varying results, particularly for certain highly volatile types of claims (asbestos, environmental and various casualty exposures, such as products liability, where the loss amount and the parties responsible are difficult to determine). During a soft market, inadequate premium rates put pressure on insurance companies to under-estimate their loss and settlement expense reserves in order to show a profit. Correspondingly, inadequate reserves play an integral part in bringing about a hard market, because increased profitability from higher premium rate levels can be used to strengthen an insurance company’s loss and settlement expense reserves.

 

The United States Congress is currently studying, or has placed on its agenda, several issues of critical importance to the Company and the insurance industry. These issues include Federal regulation in addition to, or in place of, current state regulation, tort and class-action lawsuit reform, and the federal government’s role in terrorism insurance. The United States Congress is also considering legislation (referred to as the Insurance Industry Competition Act) that would amend the McCarran-Ferguson Act and permit the Federal Trade Commission and United States Department of Justice to enforce Federal antitrust laws and regulations on the insurance industry. The Company is closely monitoring activities by the United States Congress on these issues through its membership in various organizations.

 

MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND PERSPECTIVES

 

During 2007, management continued to focus its efforts on two issues of critical importance to the Company: developing and implementing strategies to facilitate profitable growth in the increasingly competitive insurance marketplace, and establishing and maintaining adequate and consistent loss and settlement expense reserves. Management also reviewed its long-term strategies for Farm and City Insurance Company, which was a subsidiary in the property and casualty insurance segment that ceased writing direct nonstandard risk automobile insurance business in 2004, but continued to participate in the pooling agreement. As a result of this review, management determined that there were no identified uses for this company and therefore merged Farm and City into one of the Company’s other property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. In addition, management reviewed the statutory surplus position of each of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries and determined that the reinsurance subsidiary had sufficient surplus to allow the redemption of all $11,000,000 of surplus notes issued to Employers Mutual. Following is a detailed discussion of these issues.

 

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Developing and implementing strategies to facilitate profitable growth

 

Net premiums written for the EMC Insurance Companies’ pool were nearly unchanged during the past three years due to increased premium rate competition and higher reinsurance costs. The increase in premium rate competition is driven by the high capitalization levels and profitable underwriting results generated by the property and casualty insurance industry in recent years. With the exception of the workers’ compensation line of business, all lines of business experienced a decline in premium rates of varying magnitudes over the past three years. During this period policy retention remained at a high level, but policy count declined as a result of increased competition for good business and Company initiatives to exit unprofitable business. On an overall basis, premium rate levels declined approximately 4.9 percent in 2007 after falling approximately 3.7 percent in 2006; however, premium rates are still considered adequate on an all-lines basis. Given this pricing environment, management is targeting premium growth from new business writings that are carefully selected and adequately priced, and from continuing efforts to maintain, or improve, policy retention. Personal lines growth has been targeted toward selected territories where the best profit potential exists.

 

In response to this increasingly competitive environment, management has worked diligently over the past three years to formulate and implement strategies to generate profitable growth, and continues to closely monitor and adjust these strategies as necessary. The areas of focus have included establishing business plans to increase new business production with the Company’s independent insurance agents; improving the ease of conducting business through technological improvements; expanding on the pool participant’s three programs for writing homogenous risks: target markets, “EMC Choice” programs and safety dividend programs; implementing a more formalized process for commercial lines product development; and improving sales effectiveness skills through ongoing training.

 

During the past several years management has also developed and implemented several new sophisticated underwriting tools that have contributed to the Company’s improved underwriting results. Many of these underwriting tools, which are more commonly referred to as predictive modeling capabilities and monitoring tools, were not available during the last soft market and are expected to play a prominent role in the Company’s efforts to manage its operating results during the current soft market.

 

The predictive modeling tools include insurance scoring in the personal lines of business and Underwriting Analysis Tools (UAT) in the commercial lines of business. The UAT allows the pool participants to segment their book of business based on future profit potential using proprietary predictive models that enable underwriters to make better informed decisions regarding acceptability and appropriate pricing for each individual risk. This information is available in real time to underwriters as they consider a new risk, or renew an existing risk.

 

Management has sophisticated systems in place to monitor its underwriting and pricing practices for renewal business. These systems allow management to analyze data at multiple levels, track the level of utilization of the various tools and monitor how those tools affect underwriting and pricing decisions. The Company’s Rate Comparison System provides underwriters with real-time information about the “true” rate level change for each commercial renewal account by eliminating differences in exposures, coverage, deductibles and/or classifications.

 

These enhanced capabilities are designed to enable management to (1) track the quality of the pool participant’s book of business, (2) monitor changes in the quality of the pool participant’s book of business over time, (3) assure that pricing and underwriting decisions are consistent with profit objectives, and (4) develop action plans to address specific book quality and profitability concerns, and quantify the impact of executing those plans.

 

Management is currently exploring the potential benefits of certain data mining software tools. Management believes such software could provide easily accessible, highly insightful summary information that is quickly constructed from the vast amounts of data contained in Employers Mutual’s claims system. Such information offers the potential of alerting management of conditions that have affected the pool participant’s underwriting results. Once alerted, management could act quickly to adjust underwriting practices and/or pricing to address those conditions and thereby mitigate developing adverse trends.

 

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Finally, management continues to emphasize those strategies that have been successful. These strategies vary from branch to branch, but generally include defining what products have been well-received in individual marketplaces and concentrating marketing strategies accordingly. Management continues to enhance its efforts to write more homeowner and personal auto accounts in selected territories, more small and medium-sized business accounts, and fidelity and surety bonds. Signs of progress began to emerge during 2006 and continued into 2007 as new business production increased moderately in the targeted areas and lines of business.

 

Effective January 1, 2006, Employers Mutual’s participation in the MRB pool was reduced because of the addition of two new assuming companies to that pool. The increase in the number of assuming companies had a negative impact on the reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned in 2006 and 2007 as the pool business is divided between more participants; however, the addition of the new assuming companies has strengthened MRB’s surplus base and should favorably impact future marketing efforts. For 2007 and 2006, the reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned from the MRB pool totaled approximately $21 and $25 million, respectively, compared to approximately $40 million in 2005. In addition, effective January 1, 2006, Employers Mutual is no longer participating in a Lloyd’s of London marine syndicate account due to a restructuring of that program. The loss of this account reduced the reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned by approximately $2.5 million in 2006, and an additional $2.7 million in 2007. The addition of some new accounts during 2007 helped to partially offset the loss of this business; however, the MRB pool is not producing much new business at this time, and it is therefore unlikely that the reinsurance subsidiary’s premium volume will increase significantly in the near future.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the MRB board of directors approved Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan to replace Auto-Owners Insurance Company as an assuming company in the MRB pool effective January 1, 2008. As a result, Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool will remain at its current 20 percent in 2008.

 

Maintaining adequate and consistent loss and settlement expense reserves

 

The Company experienced an unusually large amount of favorable development on its prior years’ direct case loss reserves during 2007 and 2006. Over the past several years the Company has devoted a substantial amount of time and resources to improving the adequacy and consistency of its case loss reserves by implementing procedures and guidelines that assist claims personnel in establishing and maintaining proper reserve amounts. Because of these improvements in the claims handling process, favorable development on prior years’ case loss reserves was not unexpected in 2007 or 2006; however, the magnitude of the favorable development experienced during this time period was not anticipated. On a direct basis, approximately 50 percent of the favorable development came from case loss reserves and, in aggregate, all of this development is associated with the final settlement of closed claims. Approximately 30 percent of the favorable development came from incurred but not reported (IBNR) reserves, and was partially driven by a decline in IBNR emergence during this period. The remaining favorable development came from settlement expense reserves.

 

From management’s perspective, investors and potential investors should not place undo emphasis on the composition of the Company’s underwriting results (i.e. the breakdown between the amount of favorable development reported on prior years’ reserves versus the indicated current accident year results) because the Company’s reserving methodology does not lend itself to that type of analysis very well. Management believes that it is important for investors and potential investors to have an appropriate understanding of the Company’s reserving methodology so that they are able to properly interpret the Company’s results of operations and make informed investment decisions. Following is a brief discussion of the Company’s reserving methodology.

 

Management does not use accident year loss picks to establish the Company’s carried reserves. Case loss and IBNR reserves, as well as settlement expense reserves, are established independently of each other and added together to get the Company’s total loss and settlement expense reserve estimate.

 

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness of the Company’s reserving process, the methodology now includes bulk case loss reserves. These bulk reserves supplement the aggregate reserves of the individual claim files and are used to help maintain a consistent level of overall case loss reserve adequacy. Bulk case loss reserves (both positive and negative) are established when necessary to keep the estimated adequacy of the Company’s carried case loss reserves at a level consistent with management’s best estimate of the Company’s overall liability. For financial reporting purposes, bulk case loss reserves are included in case loss reserves.

 

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At December 31, 2007 and 2006, approximately 60 and 62 percent, respectively, of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves were represented by case loss reserves, which are the individual reserves established for each reported claim based on the specific facts associated with each claim, and bulk case loss reserves. Individual case loss reserves are based on the probable, or most likely, outcome for each claim, with probable outcome defined as what is most likely to be awarded if the case were to be decided by a civil court in the applicable venue or, in the case of a workers’ compensation case, by that state’s Worker’s Compensation Commission. Bulk case loss reserves are actuarially derived and are allocated to the various accident years on the basis of the underlying aggregate case loss reserves of the applicable lines of business.

 

The remaining portion (40 percent in 2007 and 38 percent in 2006) of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves were comprised of IBNR and settlement expense reserves, which are established through an actuarial process for each line of business. The IBNR and certain settlement expense reserves are allocated to the various accident years using historical claim emergence and settlement payment patterns; other settlement expense reserves are allocated to the various accident years on the basis of case loss reserves.

 

The current and more recent accident years have a larger proportion of case, IBNR and settlement expense reserves than earlier accident years. Since the Company’s reserve levels are established somewhat conservatively, the relatively high proportion of reserves in the more recent accident years generates relatively high loss and settlement expense ratios in the early stages of an accident year’s development; however, as those accident years mature, claims are gradually settled, the reserves for those years become smaller, and the loss and settlement expense ratios generally decline.

 

Without a proper understanding of the Company’s reserving methodology, the current and more recent accident year combined ratios can be misinterpreted. For example, the Company reported a combined ratio of 97.6 percent for 2007. If the large amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves during this period is added back to the losses and settlement expenses incurred for the year, it would appear that the 2007 accident year is generating a combined ratio of 107.4 percent. However, the Company’s current actuarial projections indicate that the 2007 accident year combined ratio will continue to decline as claims are settled and will ultimately reach approximately 100.8 percent.

 

It is management’s intention to continue to apply this reserving methodology on a consistent basis. With reasonably consistent levels of reserve adequacy, management expects earnings from downward development of prior accident year reserves to continue in future years. For that reason, management believes that less emphasis should be placed on the composition of the Company’s underwriting results between the current and prior accident years, and more emphasis should be placed on where the Company’s carried reserves fall within the range of actuarial indications.

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company’s loss and settlement expense reserves were in the upper quarter of the range of actuarial indications, which is similar to the analysis completed at December 31, 2006. Although the current actuarial analysis indicates that the Company’s loss and settlement expense reserves are at a high level of adequacy, management is not able to predict whether, or to what extent, the Company will continue to experience favorable development on its reserves.

 

Merger of Farm and City Insurance Company into EMCASCO Insurance Company

 

Farm and City Insurance Company was formed in Iowa in 1962 to write nonstandard risk automobile insurance and was purchased by the Company in 1984. Due to changes in the nonstandard risk automobile insurance marketplace, Farm and City stopped writing direct business and implemented non-renewal procedures on all existing business in 2004; however, Farm and City has continued to participate in the pooling agreement, receiving a 1.5 percent share of all pool business. During 2007, management completed a review of the long-term strategies for Farm and City and determined that there were no identified uses for the company. Accordingly, management merged Farm and City into one of the Company’s other property and casualty insurance subsidiaries (EMCASCO Insurance Company) effective December 31, 2007. This merger resulted in Farm and City’s 1.5 percent pool participation percentage being assumed by EMCASCO Insurance Company and increased EMCASCO Insurance Company’s pool participation percentage from 12 percent to 13.5 percent. This merger had no impact on the Company’s 30 percent aggregate pool participation and did not have any impact on the goodwill that is being carried on the Company’s financial statements stemming from the acquisition of Farm and City in 1984.

 

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Redemption of reinsurance subsidiary’s surplus notes

 

During 2007, management completed an evaluation of the statutory surplus position of each of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries. Based on this evaluation, management determined that the reinsurance subsidiary had an adequate amount of surplus to support its current and anticipated level of business, and therefore redeemed the $11 million of surplus notes issued to Employers Mutual during the fourth quarter. The $25 million of surplus notes issued by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and held by Employers Mutual were not redeemed; however, the Inter-Company Committees of the Company and Employers Mutual approved an increase in the interest rate on these notes from the current 3.09 percent to 3.60 percent effective February 1, 2008, subject to regulatory approval.

 

MEASUREMENT OF RESULTS

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (also known as “GAAP”). The Company also prepares financial statements for each of its insurance subsidiaries based on statutory accounting principles that are filed with insurance regulatory authorities in the states in which they do business. Statutory accounting principles are designed to address the concerns of state regulators and stress the measurement of the insurer’s ability to satisfy its obligations to its policyholders and creditors.

 

Management evaluates the Company’s operations by monitoring key measures of growth and profitability. Management measures the Company’s growth by examining direct premiums written and, perhaps more importantly, premiums written assumed from affiliates. Management generally measures the Company’s operating results by examining the Company’s net income, return on equity, and the loss and settlement expense, acquisition expense and combined ratios. The following provides further explanation of the key measures management uses to evaluate the Company’s results:

 

Direct Premiums Written. Direct premiums written is the sum of the total policy premiums, net of cancellations, associated with policies underwritten and issued by the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. These direct premiums written are transferred to Employers Mutual under the terms of the pooling agreement and are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as premiums written ceded to affiliates. See note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Premiums Written Assumed From Affiliates. Premiums written assumed from affiliates reflects the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ aggregate participation interest in the total direct premiums written by all the participants in the pooling arrangement, and the premiums written assumed by the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary from Employers Mutual under the quota share agreement. See note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Management uses premiums written assumed from affiliates and non-affiliates, which excludes the impact of written premiums ceded to reinsurers, as a measure of the underlying growth of the Company’s insurance business from period to period.

 

Net Premiums Written. Net premiums written is the sum of the premiums written assumed from affiliates plus premiums written assumed from non-affiliates less premiums written ceded to non-affiliates. Premiums written ceded to non-affiliates is the portion of the Company’s direct and assumed premiums written that is transferred to reinsurers in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance contracts and based upon the risks they accept. See note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Management uses net premiums written to measure the amount of business retained after cessions to reinsurers.

 

Loss and Settlement Expense Ratio. The loss and settlement expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of losses and settlement expenses to premiums earned and measures the underwriting profitability of a company’s insurance business. The loss and settlement expense ratio is generally measured on both a gross (direct and assumed) and net (gross less ceded) basis. Management uses the gross loss and settlement expense ratio as a measure of the Company’s overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business it writes and to assess the adequacy of the Company’s pricing. The net loss and settlement expense ratio is meaningful in evaluating the Company’s financial results, which are net of ceded reinsurance, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements. The loss and settlement expense ratios are generally calculated in the same way for GAAP and statutory accounting purposes.

 

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Acquisition Expense Ratio. The acquisition expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of net acquisition and other expenses to premiums earned and measures a company’s operational efficiency in producing, underwriting and administering its insurance business. For statutory accounting purposes, acquisition and other expenses of an insurance company exclude investment expenses. There is no such industry definition for determining an acquisition expense ratio for GAAP purposes. As a result, management applies the statutory definition to calculate the Company’s acquisition expense ratio on a GAAP basis. The net acquisition expense ratio is meaningful in evaluating the Company’s financial results, which are net of ceded reinsurance, as reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

 

GAAP Combined Ratio. The combined ratio (expressed as a percentage) is the sum of the loss and settlement expense ratio and the acquisition expense ratio and measures a company’s overall underwriting profit. If the combined ratio is at or above 100, an insurance company cannot be profitable without investment income (and may not be profitable if investment income is insufficient). Management uses the GAAP combined ratio in evaluating the Company’s overall underwriting profitability and as a measure for comparison of the Company’s profitability relative to the profitability of its competitors who prepare GAAP-basis financial statements.

 

Statutory Combined Ratio. The statutory combined ratio (expressed as a percentage) is calculated in the same manner as the GAAP combined ratio, but is based on results determined pursuant to statutory accounting rules and regulations. The statutory “trade combined ratio” differs from the statutory combined ratio in that the acquisition expense ratio is based on net premiums written rather than net premiums earned. Management uses the statutory trade combined ratio as a measure for comparison of the Company’s profitability relative to the profitability of its competitors, all of whom must file statutory-basis financial statements with insurance regulatory authorities.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The following accounting policies are considered by management to be critically important in the preparation and understanding of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures. The assumptions utilized in the application of these accounting policies are complex and require subjective judgment.

 

Loss and settlement expense reserves

 

Processes and assumptions for establishing loss and settlement expense reserves

 

Liabilities for losses are based upon case-basis estimates of reported losses supplemented with bulk case loss reserves, and estimates of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses. Case loss reserves are established independently of the IBNR loss reserves and the two amounts are added together to determine the total liability for losses. Under this methodology, adjustments to the individual case loss reserve estimates do not result in a corresponding adjustment in IBNR loss reserves. For direct insurance business, the Company’s IBNR loss reserves are estimates of liability for accidents that have occurred, but have not yet been reported to the Company. For assumed reinsurance business, IBNR loss reserves are also used to record anticipated increases in reserves for claims that have previously been reported. An estimate of the expected expenses to be incurred in the settlement of the claims provided for in the loss reserves is established as the liability for settlement expenses.

 

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment

 

The Company’s claims department establishes individual case loss reserves for direct business. Branch claims personnel establish case loss reserves for individual claims, with mandatory home office claims department review of reserves that exceed a specified threshold. The Company’s case loss reserve philosophy is exposure based and implicitly assumes a consistent inflationary and legal environment. When claims department personnel establish case loss reserves, they take into account various factors that influence the potential exposure.

 

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The Company has implemented specific line-of-business guidelines that are used to establish the individual case loss reserve estimates. These guidelines, which are used for both short-tail and long-tail claims, require the claims department personnel to reserve for the probable (most likely) exposure for each claim. Probable exposure is defined as what is likely to be awarded if the case were to be decided by a civil court in the applicable venue or, in the case of a workers’ compensation case, by that state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission. This evaluation process is repeated throughout the life of the claim at regular intervals, and as additional information becomes available. While performing these regular reviews, the branch claims personnel are able to make adjustments to the case loss reserves for location and time specific factors, such as legal venue, severity of claim, inflation, and changes in applicable laws.

 

To provide consistency in the reserving process, the Company utilizes established claims management processes and an automated claims system. Claims personnel conduct random case loss reserve reviews to verify the accuracy of the reserve estimates and adherence to the reserving guidelines. In addition, the Company has specific line-of-business management controls for case loss reserves. For example, all workers’ compensation claim files are reviewed by management when compensation benefits are going to be declined, and all back strain cases are required to be reviewed every two weeks for reserve adequacy.

 

The Company’s automated claims system utilizes an automatic diary process that helps ensure that case loss reserve estimates are reviewed on a regular basis. The claims system requires written documentation each time a case loss reserve is established or modified, and provides management with the information necessary to perform individual reserve reviews and monitor reserve development. In addition, the claims system produces monthly reports that allow management to analyze case loss reserve development in the aggregate, by branch, by line of business, or by claims adjuster.

 

The goal of the Company’s claims department is to establish and maintain loss reserves that are sufficient, but not excessive. Since specific guidelines are utilized for establishing case loss reserves, the Company does not incorporate a provision for uncertainty (either implicitly or explicitly) when setting individual case loss reserve estimates. The Company’s actuaries do, however, review the adequacy of the overall case loss reserves on a quarterly basis and, if deemed appropriate, make recommendations for adjustments. Such adjustments to the case loss reserves are accomplished through the implementation of bulk case loss reserves in the applicable line(s) of business, which supplement the individual case loss reserves. For financial reporting purposes, bulk case loss reserves are included in case loss reserves.

 

As of December 31, 2007, IBNR loss reserves accounted for $80,645,000, or 19.7 percent, of the property and casualty insurance segment’s total loss and settlement expense reserves, compared to $77,328,000, or 18.9 percent at December 31, 2006. IBNR loss reserves are, by nature, less precise than case loss reserves. A five percent change in IBNR loss reserves at December 31, 2007 would equate to $2,621,000, net of tax, which represents 6.2 percent of net income and 0.7 percent of stockholders’ equity.

 

The property and casualty insurance segment’s formula IBNR loss reserves are established for each line of business by applying factors to the latest twelve months premiums earned. These factors are developed using a methodology that utilizes historical ratios of (1) actual IBNR claims that have emerged after prior year-ends to (2) corresponding prior years’ premiums earned that have been adjusted to the current level of rate adequacy. In order to minimize the volatility that naturally exists in the early stages of IBNR claims emergence, IBNR claims are not utilized in this process until 18 months after the end of a respective calendar year. For example, during 2007 the actual IBNR claims reported in the 18 months following year-end 2005 were compared to the adjusted 2005 premiums earned. The 2005 ratios, together with the ratios for several prior years, were then used to develop the 2007 indicated ratios of emerged IBNR to premiums earned for each line of business. Included in the rate adequacy adjustment noted above is consideration of current frequency and severity trends compared to the trends underlying prior years’ calculations. The selected trends are based on an analysis of industry and Company loss data.

 

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The methodology used in estimating formula IBNR loss reserves assumes consistency in claims reporting patterns and immaterial changes in loss development patterns. Implicit in this assumption is that future IBNR claims emergence relative to IBNR claims that have emerged following prior year-ends will reflect the change in frequency and severity trends underlying the rate adequacy adjustments. If this projected relationship proves to be inaccurate, future IBNR claims may differ substantially from the estimated IBNR loss reserves. The following table displays the impact that a five percent variance in IBNR emergence from the projected level reflected in the December 31, 2007 IBNR factors would have on the Company’s results of operations. This variance in IBNR emergence could occur in one year or over multiple years, depending when the claims were reported. A variance in IBNR emergence would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. A variance of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the claims have not been paid. A five percent variance in IBNR emergence is considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

 

Ceded loss reserves are derived by applying the ceded contract terms to the direct loss reserves. For excess-of-loss contracts (excluding the catastrophe contract), this is accomplished by applying the ceded contract terms to the case loss reserves of the ceded claims. For the catastrophe excess-of-loss contract, ceded loss reserves are calculated by applying the contract terms to (1) the aggregate case loss reserves on claims stemming from catastrophes and (2) the estimate of IBNR loss reserves developed for each individual catastrophe. For quota share contracts, ceded loss reserves are calculated as the quota share percentage multiplied by both case and IBNR loss reserves on the direct business.

 

The methodology used for reserving settlement expenses is based on an analysis of historical ratios of paid expenses to paid losses. Assumptions underlying this methodology include stability in the mix of business, consistent claims processing procedures, immaterial impact of loss cost trends on development patterns, and a consistent philosophy regarding the defense of lawsuits. Based on this actuarial analysis, factors are derived for each line of business, which are applied to loss reserves to generate the settlement expense reserves. The following table displays the impact on the Company’s results of operations, for the latest ten accident years, of a one percent variance in the ratio of ultimate settlement expenses to ultimate losses due to departures from any of the above assumptions. This variance in the ultimate settlement expense ratio could occur in one year or over multiple years, depending on the loss and settlement expense payment patterns. A variance in the ultimate settlement expense ratio would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. A variance of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the expenses have not been paid. A one percent variance in the ratio of ultimate settlement expenses to ultimate losses is considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

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Following is a summary of the carried loss and settlement expense reserves for the property and casualty insurance segment at December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

 

 

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Internal actuarial evaluations of overall loss reserve levels are performed quarterly for all direct lines of business. There is a certain amount of random variation in loss development patterns, which results in some uncertainty regarding projected ultimate losses, particularly for longer-tail lines such as workers’ compensation, other liability and commercial auto liability. Therefore, the reasonability of the actuarial projections is regularly monitored through an examination of loss ratio and claims severity trends implied by these projections. Following is a discussion of the major assumptions underlying the quarterly internal actuarial loss reserve evaluations.

 

One assumption underlying aggregate reserve estimation methods is that the claims inflation trends implicitly built into the historical loss and settlement expense development patterns will continue into the future. To estimate the sensitivity of the estimated ultimate loss and settlement expense payments to an unexpected change in inflationary trends, the actuarial department derived expected payment patterns separately for each major line of business. These patterns were applied to the December 31, 2007 loss and settlement expense reserves to generate estimated annual incremental loss and settlement expense payments for each subsequent calendar year. Then, for the purpose of sensitivity testing, an explicit annual inflationary variance of one percent was added to the inflationary trend that is implicitly embedded in the estimated payment pattern, and revised incremental loss and settlement expense payments were calculated. This unexpected claims inflation trend could arise from a variety of sources including a change in economic inflation, social inflation and, especially for the workers’ compensation line of business, the introduction of new medical technologies and procedures, changes in the utilization of procedures and changes in life expectancy. The estimated cumulative impact that this unexpected one percent variance in the inflationary trend would have on the Company’s results of operations over the lifetime of the underlying claims is shown below. A variance in the inflationary trend would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. A variance of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the claims have not been paid. A one percent variance in the projected inflationary trend is considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

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A second assumption is that historical loss payment patterns have not changed. In other words, the percentage of ultimate losses that are not yet paid at any given stage of accident year development is consistent over time. The following table displays the impact on the Company’s results of operations, for the latest ten accident years, of a five percent variance in unpaid losses to date from the percentages anticipated in the paid loss projection factors. That is, future loss payments under this scenario would be expected to differ from the original actuarial loss reserve estimates by these amounts. This variance in future loss payments could occur in one year or over multiple years. A variance in future loss payments would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. A variance of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the claims have not been paid. A five percent variance in projected future loss payments is considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

 

 

 

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A third assumption is that individual case loss reserve adequacy is consistent over time. The following table displays the impact on the Company’s results of operations, for the latest ten accident years, of a five percent variance in individual case loss reserve adequacy from the level anticipated in the incurred loss projection factors. In other words, future loss payments under this scenario would be expected to vary from actuarial reserve estimates by these amounts. This variance in expected loss payments could occur in one year or over multiple years. A change in individual case loss reserve adequacy would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. A variance of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the claims have not been paid. A five percent variance in individual case loss reserve adequacy is considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

 

 

 

A fourth assumption is that IBNR emergence as a percentage of reported losses is historically consistent and will continue at the historical level. The following table displays the estimated impact on the Company’s results of operations, for the latest ten accident years, of a five percent variance in IBNR losses from the level anticipated in the loss projection factors. Under this scenario, future loss payments would be expected to vary from actuarial reserve estimates by these amounts. This variance in IBNR emergence could occur in one year or over multiple years. A variance in IBNR emergence would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. A variance of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the claims have not been paid. A five percent variance in IBNR emergence is considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the property and casualty insurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

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Beginning in 2004, an actuarial evaluation of case loss reserve adequacy is performed each quarter. Beginning in 2007, if that analysis indicates that the aggregate reserves of the individual claim files established by the claims department combined with the carried bulk case loss reserve (if any) are above or below management’s best estimate of the Company’s overall liability, an adjustment is made in the bulk case loss reserve to bring the total of the case and bulk loss reserves to management’s best estimate of the Company’s overall liability.

 

One of the variables impacting the estimation of IBNR loss reserves is the assumption that the vast majority of future construction defect losses will continue to occur in those states in which most construction defect claims have historically arisen. Since the vast majority of these losses have been confined to a relatively small number of states, which is consistent with industry experience, there is no provision in the IBNR loss reserve for a significant spread of construction defect claims to other states. It is also assumed that various underwriting initiatives implemented in recent years will gradually mitigate the amount of construction defect losses experienced. These initiatives include exclusionary endorsements, increased care regarding additional insured endorsements, a general reduction in the amount of contractor business written relative to the total commercial lines book of business, and underwriting restrictions on the writing of residential contractors. The estimation of the Company’s IBNR loss reserves also does not contemplate substantial losses from potential mass torts such as Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (a gasoline additive that reduces emissions, but causes pollution), tobacco, silicosis, cell phones and lead. Further, consistent with general industry practice, the IBNR loss reserve for all liability lines does not provide for any significant retroactive expansion of coverage through judicial interpretation. If these assumptions prove to be incorrect, ultimate paid amounts on emerged IBNR claims may differ substantially from the carried IBNR loss reserves.

 

As previously noted, the estimation of settlement expense reserves assumes a consistent claims department philosophy regarding the defense of lawsuits. If the pool participants should in the future take a more aggressive defense posture, defense costs would increase and it is likely that the Company’s carried settlement expense reserves would be deficient. However, such a change in philosophy could be expected to reduce losses, generating some offsetting redundancy in the loss reserves.

 

The property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have exposure to environmental and asbestos claims arising primarily from the other liability line of business. This exposure is closely monitored by management, and the IBNR loss reserves have been established to cover estimated ultimate losses. Currently, asbestos reserves are based on the results of an independent consultant’s ground-up study of the pool participants asbestos exposures that was completed in 2006. Environmental reserves are established in consideration of the implied three-year survival ratio (ratio of loss reserves to the three-year average of loss payments). Estimation of ultimate liabilities for these exposures is unusually difficult due to unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, the definition of an occurrence, the determination of ultimate damages and the allocation of such damages to financially responsible parties. Therefore, any estimation of these liabilities is subject to greater than normal variation and uncertainty, and ultimate payments for losses and settlement expenses for these exposures may differ significantly from the carried reserves.

 

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Reinsurance Segment

 

The reinsurance book of business is comprised of two major components. The first is the Home Office Reinsurance Assumed Department (“HORAD”), which is the reinsurance business that is underwritten by Employers Mutual. The second is the MRB pool, which is a voluntary reinsurance pool in which Employers Mutual participates with other unaffiliated insurers.

 

The primary actuarial methods used to project ultimate policy year losses on the assumed reinsurance business are paid development, incurred development and Bornhuetter-Ferguson, a recognized actuarial methodology. The assumptions underlying the various projection methods include stability in the mix of business, consistent claims processing procedures, immaterial impact of loss cost trends on development patterns, consistent case loss reserving practices and appropriate Bornhuetter-Ferguson expected loss ratio selections.

 

For the HORAD component, Employers Mutual records the case and IBNR loss reserves reported by the ceding companies. Since many ceding companies in the HORAD book of business do not report IBNR loss reserves, Employers Mutual establishes a bulk IBNR loss reserve, which is based on an actuarial reserve analysis, to cover the lag in reporting. For MRB, Employers Mutual records the case and IBNR loss reserves reported to it by the management of the pool, along with a relatively small IBNR loss reserve to cover a one month reporting lag. To verify the adequacy of the reported reserves, an actuarial evaluation of MRB’s reserves is performed at each year-end.

 

At December 31, 2007, the carried reserves for HORAD and MRB combined were in the upper quartile of the range of actuarial reserve indications. This selection reflects the fact that there are inherent uncertainties involved in establishing reserves for assumed reinsurance business. Such uncertainties include the fact that a reinsurance company generally has less knowledge than the ceding company about the underlying book of business and the ceding company’s reserving practices. Because of these uncertainties, there is a risk that the reinsurance segment’s reserves for losses and settlement expenses could prove to be inadequate, with a consequent adverse impact on the Company’s future earnings and stockholders’ equity.

 

At December 31, 2007, there was no backlog in the processing of assumed reinsurance information. Approximately $80,792,000, or 57 percent, of the reinsurance segment’s statutory carried reserves were reported by the ceding companies. Employers Mutual receives loss reserve and paid loss data from the ceding companies on individual excess-of-loss business. If a claim involves a single or small group of claimants, a summary of the loss and claim outlook is normally provided. Summarized data is provided for catastrophe claims and pro rata business, which is subject to closer review if inconsistencies are suspected.

 

Carried reserves established in addition to those reported by the ceding companies totaled approximately $60,006,000 on a statutory basis at December 31, 2007. Since many ceding companies in the HORAD book of business do not report IBNR loss reserves, Employers Mutual establishes a bulk IBNR loss reserve to cover the lag in reporting. For the few ceding companies that do report IBNR loss reserves, Employers Mutual carries them as reported. These reported IBNR loss reserves are subtracted from the total IBNR loss reserve calculated by Employers Mutual’s actuaries, with the difference carried as bulk IBNR loss reserves. Except for a small IBNR loss reserve established to cover a one-month lag in reporting, the MRB IBNR loss reserve is established by the management of MRB. Employers Mutual rarely records additional case loss reserves.

 

Assumed reinsurance losses tend to be reported later than direct losses. This lag is reflected in loss projection factors for assumed reinsurance that tend to be higher than for direct business. The result is that assumed reinsurance IBNR loss reserves as a percentage of total reserves tend to be higher than for direct loss reserves. IBNR loss reserves totaled $82,501,000 and $79,310,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and accounted for approximately 58 percent and 57 percent, respectively, of the reinsurance segment’s total loss and settlement expense reserves. IBNR loss reserves are, by nature, less precise than case loss reserves. A five percent change in IBNR loss reserves at December 31, 2007 would equate to $2,681,000 net of tax, which represents 6.3 percent of net income and 0.7 percent of stockholders’ equity.

 

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Following is a summary of the carried loss and settlement expense reserves for the reinsurance segment at December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

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Among the assumptions implicit in methodologies utilized to establish reserves for the reinsurance segment are stability in the mix of business, consistent claims processing procedures, immaterial impact of loss cost trends on development patterns, consistent case loss reserving practices and appropriate Bornhuetter-Ferguson expected loss ratio selections. The tables below display the impact on the Company’s results of operations from (1) a five percent variance in case loss reserve adequacy from the level anticipated in the incurred loss projection factors, (2) a one percent variance in the implicit annual claims inflation rate, (3) a five percent variance in IBNR losses as a percentage of reported incurred losses (due, for example, to changes in mix of business or claims processing procedures) and (4) a five percent variance in the expected loss ratios used with the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method. In other words, under each scenario, future loss and settlement expense payments would be expected to vary from actuarial reserve estimates by the amounts shown below. These variances in future loss and settlement expense payments could occur in one year or over multiple years. Variances in future loss and settlement payments would also affect the Company’s financial position in that the Company’s equity would be impacted by an amount equivalent to the change in net income. Variances of this type would typically be recognized in loss and settlement expense reserves and, accordingly, would not have a material effect on liquidity because the claims have not been paid. Such variances are considered reasonably likely based on the range of actuarial indications developed during the analysis of the reinsurance segment’s carried reserves.

 

 

 

To ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information received from the ceding companies, Employers Mutual’s actuarial department carefully reviews the latest five HORAD policy years on a quarterly basis, and all policy years on an annual basis. Any significant unexplained departures from historical reporting patterns are brought to the attention of the reinsurance department’s staff, who contacts the ceding company or broker for clarification.

 

Employers Mutual’s actuarial department annually reviews the MRB reserves for reasonableness. These analyses use a variety of actuarial techniques, which are applied at a line-of-business level. MRB staff supplies the reserve analysis data, which is verified for accuracy by Employers Mutual’s actuaries. This review process is replicated by certain other MRB member companies, using actuarial techniques they deem appropriate. Based on these reviews, Employers Mutual and the other MRB member companies have consistently found the MRB reserves to be appropriate.

 

For the HORAD book of business, paid and incurred loss development patterns for relatively short-tail lines of business (property and marine) are based on data reported by the ceding companies. Employers Mutual has determined that there is sufficient volume and stability in the reported losses to base projections of ultimate losses on these patterns. For longer tail lines of business (casualty), industry incurred development patterns are referenced due to the instability of development patterns based on reported historical losses.

 

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For long-tail lines of business, unreliable estimates of unreported losses can result from the application of loss projection factors to reported losses. To some extent, this is also true for short-tail lines of business in the early stages of a policy year’s development. Therefore, in addition to loss-based projections, Employers Mutual generates estimates of unreported losses based on premiums earned. The latter estimates are sometimes more stable and reliable than projections based on losses.

 

Disputes with ceding companies do not occur often. Employers Mutual performs claims audits and encourages prompt reporting of reinsurance claims. Employers Mutual also reviews claim reports for accuracy, completeness and adequate reserving. Most reinsurance contracts contain arbitration clauses to resolve disputes, but such disputes are generally resolved without arbitration due to the long-term and ongoing relationships that exist with those companies. There were no matters in dispute at December 31, 2007.

 

Toxic tort (primarily asbestos), environmental and other uncertain exposures (property and casualty insurance segment and reinsurance segment)

 

Toxic tort claims include those claims where the claimant seeks compensation for harm allegedly caused by exposure to a toxic substance or a substance that increases the risk of contracting a serious disease, such as cancer. Typically the injury is caused by latent effects of direct or indirect exposure to a substance or combination of substances through absorption, contact, ingestion, inhalation, implantation or injection. Examples of toxic tort claims include injuries arising out of exposure to asbestos, silica, mold, drugs, carbon monoxide, chemicals and lead.

 

Since 1989, the pool participants have included an asbestos exclusion in liability policies issued for most lines of business. The exclusion prohibits liability coverage for “bodily injury”, “personal injury” or “property damage” (including any associated clean-up obligations) arising out of the installation, existence, removal or disposal of asbestos or any substance containing asbestos fibers. Therefore, the pool participant’s current asbestos exposures are primarily limited to commercial policies issued prior to 1989. At present, the pool participants are defending approximately 600 asbestos bodily injury lawsuits, some of which involve multiple plaintiffs. Four former policyholders and one current policyholder dominate the pool participant’s asbestos claims. Most of the defenses are subject to express reservation of rights based upon the lack of an injury within the applicable policy periods, because many asbestos lawsuits do not specifically allege dates of asbestos exposure or dates of injury. The pool participant’s policyholders that have been named as defendants in these asbestos lawsuits are peripheral defendants who have had little or no exposure and are routinely dismissed from asbestos litigation with nominal or no payment (i.e., small contractors, insulators, electrical welding suppliers, furnace manufacturers, gasket and building supply companies).

 

During 2003, the pool participants were presented with several hundred plaintiff lawsuits filed against three former policyholders representing approximately 66,500 claimants related to exposure to asbestos or products containing asbestos. The vast majority of the 66,500 claims are the result of multi-plaintiff lawsuits. These claims are based upon nonspecific asbestos exposure and nonspecific injuries. As a result, management did not establish a significant amount of case loss reserves associated with these claims. During 2006 and 2007, several of the multi-plaintiff lawsuits (including the vast majority of those associated with one former policyholder) were dismissed. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 5,000 of the claims remain open. During 2006, the pool participants received notice that another former insured was a named defendant in approximately 33,000 claims nationwide. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 27,000 of these claims remain open.

 

To date, actual losses paid have been minimal due to the plaintiffs’ failure to identify an exposure to any asbestos-containing product associated with the pool participant’s policyholders. Defense costs, on the other hand, are more significant due to the large number of parties involved in the litigation and the length of time required to obtain a favorable judgment. Whenever possible, the pool participants have participated in cost sharing agreements with other insurance companies to reduce overall asbestos claim expenses.

 

While the projected expense of handling these lawsuits is higher than what the pool participants have averaged in the past, it is not proportional to the number of plaintiffs, and is mitigated to some extent through cost sharing agreements with other insurance companies. The Company believes its settlement expense reserve adequately provides for these projected expenses.

 

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The pool participants are defending approximately 66 claims as a result of lawsuits alleging “silica” exposure in Texas and Mississippi jurisdictions, some of which involve multiple plaintiffs. The plaintiffs allege employment exposure to “airborne respirable silica dust,” causing “serious and permanent lung injuries” (i.e., silicosis). Silicosis injuries are identified in the upper lobes of the lungs, while asbestos injuries are localized in the lower lobes.

 

The plaintiffs in the silicosis lawsuits are sandblasters, gravel and concrete workers, ceramic workers and road construction workers. All of these lawsuits are subject to express reservation of rights based upon the lack of an injury within the applicable policy periods because many silica lawsuits, like asbestos lawsuits, do not specifically allege dates of exposure or dates of injury. The pool participant’s policyholders (a refractory product manufacturer, small local concrete and gravel companies and a concrete cutting machine manufacturer) that have been named as defendants in these silica lawsuits have had little or no exposure and are routinely dismissed from silica litigation with nominal or no payment. While the expense of handling these lawsuits is high, it is not proportional to the number of plaintiffs, and is mitigated to some extent through cost sharing agreements with other insurance companies.

 

Since 2004, the pool participants have included a “pneumoconiosis dust” exclusion to their commercial lines liability policies in the majority of jurisdictions where such action was warranted. This exclusion precludes liability coverage due to “mixed dust” pneumoconiosis, pleural plaques, pleural effusion, mesothelioma, lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, tuberculosis or pleural thickening, or other pneumoconiosis-related ailments such as arthritis, cancer (other than lung), lupus, heart, kidney or gallbladder disease. “Mixed dust” includes dusts composed of asbestos, silica, fiberglass, coal, cement, or various other elements. It is anticipated that this mixed dust exclusion will further limit the pool participant’s exposure in silica claims, and may be broad enough to limit exposure in other dust claims.

 

The Company’s environmental claims are defined as 1) claims for bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, loss of use of property, diminution of property value, etc., allegedly due to contamination of air, and/or contamination of surface soil or surface water, and/or contamination of ground water, aquifers, wells, etc.; or 2) any/all claims for remediation or clean up of hazardous waste sites by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or similar state and local environmental or government agencies, usually presented in conjunction with Federal or local clean up statutes (i.e., CERCLA, RCRA, etc.).

 

Examples include, but are not limited to: chemical waste; hazardous waste treatment, storage and/or disposal facilities; industrial waste disposal facilities; landfills; superfund sites; toxic waste spills; and underground storage tanks. Widespread use of pollution exclusions since 1970 in virtually all lines of business, except personal lines, has resulted in limited exposure to environmental claims. Absolute pollution exclusions have been used since the 1980’s; however, the courts in the State of Indiana have ruled that the absolute pollution exclusion is ambiguous.

 

The Company’s exposure to environmental claims is comprised of losses with accident years preceding the 1980s, current losses involving petroleum haulers, lead contamination claims, and soil and groundwater contamination claims in the State of Indiana. The pre-1980’s exposures include municipality exposures for closed landfills, small commercial businesses involved with disposing waste at landfills, leaking underground storage tanks and contamination from dry cleaning operations. Claims from petroleum haulers are generally caused by overturned commercial vehicles and overfills at commercial and residential properties.

 

In 2004, the pool participants were presented with eight contamination claims filed against four of their petroleum marketers in Iowa and Indiana. Claims filed in Indiana were dismissed during 2007. These claims arose out of alleged contamination of municipal public water systems by the gasoline additive Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (“MTBE”). All MTBE lawsuits initiated in a number of states, including the states of Iowa and Indiana, were moved to their respective Federal courts and were then transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where they were consolidated. The pool participants are defending these claims under commercial auto policies which afford broadened pollution liability coverage for overfills. These claims are subject to express reservations of rights based upon the lack of property damage within the policy periods, because these lawsuits do not specifically allege dates of property damage or contamination, or any contamination that resulted from an overfill.

 

The Company’s exposure to asbestos and environmental claims through assumed reinsurance is very limited due to the fact that the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary entered into the reinsurance marketplace in the early 1980’s, after much attention had already been brought to these issues.

 

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At December 31, 2007, the Company carried asbestos and environmental reserves for direct insurance and assumed reinsurance business totaling $7,161,000, which represents 1.3 percent of total loss and settlement expense reserves. The asbestos and environmental reserves include $1,739,000 of case loss reserves, $4,031,000 of IBNR loss reserves and $1,391,000 of bulk settlement expense reserves. Ceded reinsurance on these reserves is negligible.

 

The Company’s non-asbestos direct product liability claims are considered to be highly uncertain exposures due to the many uncertainties inherent in determining the loss, and the significant periods of time that can elapse between the occurrence of the loss and the ultimate settlement of the claim. The majority of the pool participant’s product liability claims arise from small to medium-sized manufacturers, contractors, petroleum distributors, and mobile home and auto dealerships. No specific claim trends are evident from the pool participant’s manufacturer policies, as the claims activity on these policies is generally isolated and can be severe. Specific product liability coverage is provided to the pool participant’s mobile home and auto dealership policyholders, and the claims from these policies tend to be relatively small. Certain construction defect claims are also reported under product liability coverage. During 2007, 39 of these claims were reported to the pool participants.

 

The Company has exposure to construction defect claims arising from general liability policies issued by the pool participants to contractors. Most of the pool participant’s construction defect claims are concentrated in a limited number of states, and the pool participants have taken steps to mitigate this exposure. Construction defect is a highly uncertain exposure due to such issues as whether coverage exists, definition of an occurrence, determination of ultimate damages, and allocation of such damages to financially responsible parties. Newly reported construction defect claims numbered 345, 410, and 394 in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, and produced incurred losses and paid settlement expenses of approximately $2,755,000, $3,315,000, and $3,515,000 in each respective period. Incurred losses and paid settlement expenses on all construction defect claims totaled approximately $4,553,000 in 2007. At December 31, 2007, the Company carried case loss reserves of approximately $5,338,000 on 557 open construction defect claims.

 

The Company’s assumed casualty excess reinsurance business is also considered a highly uncertain exposure due to the significant periods of time that can elapse during the settlement of the underlying claims, and the fact that a reinsurance company generally has less knowledge than the ceding company about the underlying book of business and the ceding company’s reserving practices. Employers Mutual attempts to account for this uncertainty by establishing bulk IBNR loss reserves, using conservative assumed treaty limits and, to a much lesser extent, booking of individual treaty IBNR loss reserves (if reported by the ceding company) or establishing additional case loss reserves if the reported case loss reserves appear inadequate on an individual claim. While Employers Mutual is predominantly a property reinsurer, it does write casualty excess business oriented mainly towards shorter tail casualty lines of coverage. Employers Mutual avoids reinsuring large company working layer casualty risks, and does not write risks with heavy product liability exposures, risks with obvious latent injury manifestation, medical malpractice, and “for profit” Directors and Officers coverage. A small amount of casualty excess business on large companies is written, but generally on a “clash” basis only (layers above the limits written for any individual policyholder).

 

Following is a summary of loss and settlement expense reserves and payments associated with asbestos, environmental, products liability and casualty excess reinsurance exposures for 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

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¹ Products includes the portion of asbestos and environmental claims reported that are non-premises/operations claims.

² Casualty excess includes the asbestos and environmental claims reported above.

 

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       Following is a summary of the claim activity associated with asbestos, environmental and products liability exposures for 2007, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

 

Variability of loss and settlement expense reserves

 

The Company does not determine a range of estimates for all components of the loss and settlement expense reserve at the time those reserves are established. At each year-end, however, an actuarially determined range of estimates is developed for the major components of the loss and settlement expense reserve. All reserves are reviewed, except for the involuntary workers’ compensation pools, for which reliance is placed on a reserve opinion received from the National Council on Compensation Insurance certifying the reasonableness of those reserves. Shown below are the actuarially determined ranges of reserve estimates as of December 31, 2007 along with the statutory-basis carried reserves, which are displayed net of ceded reinsurance. The GAAP-basis loss and settlement expense reserves contained in the Company’s financial statements are reported gross of ceded reinsurance and contain a small number of adjustments from the statutory-basis amounts presented here. The last two columns display the estimated after-tax impact on earnings if the reserves were moved to the high end-point or low end-point of the ranges.

 

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, total carried reserves for direct business equal the individual case loss reserves established primarily by the claims adjusters in the sixteen branch offices, with assistance of the home office claims department, plus bulk case loss reserves, IBNR loss reserves and settlement expense reserves established by home office management. The precise location of total carried reserves within the actuarial range is unknown at the time reserves are established because the final actuarial evaluation of reserve adequacy is conducted after the establishment of the reserves.

 

As previously noted, assumed reinsurance business carries a high risk of volatility and uncertainty which, in management’s opinion, warrants a high degree of conservatism. Therefore, management’s objective is to carry reinsurance segment reserves in the upper quarter of the range of actuarial reserve estimates.

 

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Changes in loss and settlement expense reserve estimates of prior periods

 

Loss and settlement expense reserves are estimates at a given time of what an insurer expects to pay on incurred losses, based on facts and circumstances then known. During the loss settlement period, which may be many years, additional facts regarding individual claims become known, and accordingly, it often becomes necessary to refine and adjust the estimates of liability. Such changes in the reserves for losses and settlement expenses are reflected in operating results in the year such changes are recorded.

 

For a detailed discussion of the factors influencing the development of prior years’ reserves during the past three years, see the discussion entitled “Loss and Settlement Expense Reserves” under the “Narrative Description of Business” heading in the Business Section under Item I of this Form 10-K.

 

Investments

 

The Company uses independent pricing sources to obtain the estimated fair values of securities. The fair value is based o quoted market prices, where available. In cases where quoted market prices are not available for fixed maturity securities, fair value is based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security. Many fixed maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis, so available information such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, bids, offers, and matrix pricing are utilized in the valuation process. For each type of security, information is gathered from market sources that integrate relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news into the pricing process. In addition, models are utilized to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The Company owns one privately-placed equity security for which a quoted market price in not available. The fair value of this equity security is estimated by an independent service using factors such as recent financial information and a third party valuation. The fair values obtained from pricing sources are reviewed for reasonableness and any discrepancies are investigated for final valuation.

 

The Company regularly monitors its investments that have a carrying value greater than fair value for indications of “other-than-temporary” impairment. Several factors are used to determine whether the carrying value of an individual security has been “other-than-temporarily” impaired. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the security’s value and performance in the context of the overall markets, length of time and extent the security’s fair value has been below carrying value, key corporate events, collateralization of fixed maturity securities, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold securities in an unrealized loss position until recovery or maturity. When a security is deemed “other-than-temporarily” impaired, the carrying value is reduced to fair value and a realized loss is recognized and charged to income.

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs and related amortization

 

Acquisition costs consisting of commissions, premiums taxes and other underwriting expenses that vary with, and are directly related to, the production of business are deferred and amortized to expense as premium revenue is recognized. This adjustment is necessary because statutory accounting principles require that expenses incurred in the production of insurance business be expensed immediately, while premium revenue is recognized ratably over the terms of the underlying insurance policies.

 

Deferred policy acquisition costs and related amortization are calculated separately for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment. The method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to the estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and settlement expenses and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. Deferred policy acquisition costs were not subject to limitation at December 31, 2007, and management does not anticipate future limitations to be likely due to the current adequacy of premium rates in both the insurance and reinsurance marketplaces.

 

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Deferred income taxes

 

The realization of the deferred income tax asset is based upon projections indicating that a sufficient amount of future taxable income will be earned to utilize the tax deductions that will reverse in the future. These projections are based on the Company’s history of producing significant amounts of taxable income, the current premium rate environment for both the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment, and loss and expense control initiatives that have been implemented in recent years. In addition, management has formulated tax-planning strategies that could be implemented to generate taxable income if needed. Should the projected taxable income and tax planning strategies not provide sufficient taxable income to recover the deferred tax asset, a valuation allowance would be required.

 

Benefit Plans

 

Employers Mutual sponsors two pension plans, including a defined benefit retirement plan (pension) and a supplemental retirement plan, and two postretirement benefit plans that provide retiree healthcare and life insurance coverage. Although the Company has no employees of its own, it is responsible for its share of the expenses and related prepaid assets and liabilities of these plans, as determined under the terms of the pooling agreement and the cost allocation methodologies applicable to its subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement.

 

The net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, as well as the prepaid assets and liabilities of these plans, are determined by actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions regarding the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the rate of future compensation increases (pension plans only), and the health care cost trend rate (healthcare postretirement plan only). The assumptions used in the actuarial valuations are updated annually. Material changes in the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions or changes in other factors, such as the number of plan participants, the level of benefits provided, asset levels and applicable legislation or regulations.

 

The discount rate utilized in the valuations is based on an analysis of the total rate of return that could be generated by a hypothetical portfolio of high-quality bonds created to generate cash flows that match the plans’ expected benefit payments. No callable bonds are used in this analysis and the discount rate produced by this analysis is compared to interest rates of applicable published indices for reasonableness. The discount rates used in the pension benefit valuations at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were 6.00 percent, 5.75 percent and 5.75 percent, respectively. The discount rates used in the postretirement benefit valuations at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were 6.25 percent, 5.75 percent and 5.75 percent, respectively. A 0.25 percentage point decrease in the discount rates used in the 2007 valuations would increase the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs for 2008 by approximately $14,000. Conversely, a 0.25 percentage point increase in the 2007 discount rates would decrease the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs for 2008 by approximately $13,000.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is developed considering actual historical results, current and expected market conditions, the mix of plan assets and investment strategy. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets produced by this analysis and used in the pension valuations at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was 7.50 percent. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in the postretirement benefit valuations was 6.00 percent at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and 5.00 percent at December 31, 2005. The actual rate of return earned on plan assets during 2007 was approximately 14.1 percent for the pension plan and 8.5 percent for the postretirement benefit plans. The expected long-term rate of return assumption is subject to the general movement of the economy, but is generally less volatile than the discount rate assumption. A decrease in the expected long-term rate of return assumption increases future expenses, whereas an increase in the assumption reduces future expenses. A 0.25 percentage point change in the 2007 expected long-term rate of return assumption would change the Company’s net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs for 2008 by $167,000. For detailed information regarding the current allocation of assets within the pension and postretirement benefit plans, see note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

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The health care cost trend rate assumption represents the anticipated change in the cost of health care benefits due to factors outside of the plan. These factors include health care inflation, changes in health care utilization and delivery patterns, technological advances, and the status of the health of the plan participants. The health care cost trend rate assumption is based on published information and general economic conditions. The health care cost trend rate assumption for 2007 was 10 percent, and is assumed to decrease gradually to 5 percent in 2012 and remain at that level thereafter.

 

In accordance with GAAP, actuarial gains/losses contained in the valuations that result from (1) actual experience that differs from that assumed, or (2) a change in actuarial assumptions, is accumulated and, if in excess of a specified corridor, amortized to expense over future periods. As of December 31, 2007, both the supplemental retirement plan and the postretirement benefit plans had accumulated actuarial losses resulting from both experience and assumption changes, while the pension plan had an accumulated actuarial gain. However, only the accumulated actuarial loss of the supplemental retirement plan was in excess of the corridor and thus will be amortized to expense in 2008. The Company’s share of the accumulated actuarial losses associated with the supplemental retirement plan that will be amortized to expense during 2008 amounted to $59,000.

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans,” the funded status of defined benefit retirement or other postretirement plans is recognized as a net asset or liability on the balance sheet. Future changes in the funded status of the plans will be recognized through other comprehensive income. The requirement in SFAS No. 158 to measure plan assets and obligations as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year is effective in 2008.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

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Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to year ended December 31, 2006

 

Net income was $42,478,000 ($3.09 per share) in 2007, down 20.7 percent from the record net income of $53,547,000 ($3.91 per share) reported in 2006. This decrease is attributed to a large decline in underwriting profits in the property and casualty insurance segment, and is associated with an increase in both large losses and catastrophe and storm losses, a decrease in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves, and a moderate decline in premium rate levels. The reinsurance segment also experienced a decline in premium rate levels during 2007; however, the declines were smaller than those experienced in the direct insurance market. Consequently, underwriting results of the reinsurance segment remained strong during 2007. An increase in investment income was insufficient to offset the decline in underwriting income.

 

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Premium income

 

Premiums earned increased 0.4 percent to $393,059,000 in 2007 from $391,615,000 in 2006. This increase is attributed to the property and casualty insurance segment, as the reinsurance segment’s premium income declined for the year. Despite a continued decline in premium rate levels, the property and casualty insurance segment was able to achieve a small increase in top line growth by increasing new business premium and maintaining high retention levels. On an overall basis, rate competition increased moderately in the property and casualty insurance marketplace during 2007. Market conditions are expected to remain competitive in 2008, which will likely result in a further reduction in premium rate levels.

 

Premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment increased 0.8 percent to $320,836,000 in 2007 from $318,416,000 in 2006. Underlying this small increase in premium income is a continued decline in overall premium rate levels, which declined approximately 4.5 percent during 2007; however, this decline was more than offset by an increase in new business premium. Total policy count increased slightly during 2007, with the commercial lines of business, which generally carry a larger premium per policy, experiencing a greater increase than the personal lines. The increase in commercial lines policy count is attributed to recent initiatives targeted toward small businesses. Commercial lines new business premium was up 4.4 percent in 2007, while the retention rate increased slightly to 86.7 percent. In personal lines, management is continuing its efforts to increase premium production in geographic areas with profit potential and is focusing the efforts of the branch personnel in those territories. Personal lines new business premium was up 4.7 percent in 2007; however, this new business premium was not sufficient to offset the premium lost from declining rate levels and business not retained, resulting in a small decline in personal lines premium income. Retention rates increased slightly to 85.8 percent in personal property and 87.5 percent in personal auto.

 

Premiums earned for the reinsurance segment declined 1.3 percent to $72,223,000 in 2007 from $73,199,000 in 2006. A decline in MRB premiums (which is associated with an account that was not renewed) is primarily responsible for the decline in premium income during 2007. An increase in brokered reinsurance business partially offset the decline in MRB premiums. During both the January 2008 and July 2007 renewal periods, premium rates on reinsurance contract renewals decreased slightly, with a portion of the decline attributed to program restructurings with increased retentions. Due to the continued competitiveness of the market, rates are expected to continue declining in 2008. Employers Mutual’s strategy for growth in this competitive market is to pursue foreign property business, primarily in Europe and Japan.

 

Premiums written for the reinsurance segment increased $4,735,000, or 7.1 percent, in 2007; however, this increase reflects a negative $3,440,000 portfolio adjustment made in the first quarter of 2006 in connection with Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool. Excluding this adjustment, written premiums increased $1,295,000, or 1.9 percent, during 2007.

 

As previously reported, one of the members of the MRB pool ceased participating in the pool effective January 1, 2008. During the fourth quarter, the MRB board of directors approved Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan as a new pool member effective January 1, 2008. As a result, Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool will remain at approximately 20 percent in 2008.

 

Losses and settlement expenses

 

Losses and settlement expenses increased 8.5 percent to $247,839,000 in 2007 from $228,453,000 in 2006. The loss and settlement expense ratio increased to 63.1 percent in 2007 from 58.3 percent in 2006. Both of these increases are attributed to the property and casualty insurance segment, as the reinsurance segment reported improvement decline in its loss and settlement expense ratio in 2007.

 

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The loss and settlement expense ratio for the property and casualty insurance segment increased to 62.2 percent in 2007 from 56.0 percent in 2006. This increase is attributed to an increase in both large losses (greater than $250,000) and catastrophe and storm losses, a decrease in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves, and a moderate decline in premium rate levels. An increase in claim frequency was offset by a decline in average claim size, the latter based on the individual case loss reserves established by the branch offices. The increase in catastrophe and storm losses was largely driven by losses associated with the Greensburg, Kansas tornado, which totaled $6,256,000. The steady decline in premium rate levels over the past two years resulted in an approximate 2.7 percentage point increase in the loss and settlement expense ratio in 2007.

 

The loss and settlement expense ratio for the reinsurance segment decreased to 66.9 percent in 2007 from 68.5 percent in 2006. This decline is primarily attributed to a smaller increase in the bulk IBNR loss reserve for the HORAD book of business. Favorable reserve development experienced in both 2007 and 2006 is primarily from the HORAD book of business, with the 2007 development largely coming from the 2004-2006 accident years and the 2006 development primarily coming from the 2004 and 2005 accident years. Catastrophe losses for 2007 include $321,000 assumed from MRB for the Greensburg, Kansas tornado.

 

Acquisition and other expenses

 

Acquisition and other expenses increased 0.3 percent to $135,693,000 in 2007 from $135,248,000 in 2006; however, the acquisition expense ratio declined slightly to 34.5 percent in 2007 from 34.6 percent in 2006. A decline in the reinsurance segment’s acquisition expense ratio was mostly offset by an increase in the property and casualty insurance segment’s ratio.

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the acquisition expense ratio increased slightly to 37.1 percent in 2007 from 37.0 percent in 2006. This increase was driven primarily by the decline in premium rate levels, but also reflects an increase in commission and contingent commission expense, salary expense, and assessments from state guaranty associations. However, much of this increase was offset by declines in policyholder dividend expense, pension expense, and hurricane related assessments (Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association assessments for Hurricane Katrina in the second quarter of 2006). Hurricane related assessments are recoverable from reinsurers, with the reinsurance recoveries reflected as a reduction of losses (included in the loss and settlement expense ratio).

 

For the reinsurance segment, the acquisition expense ratio declined to 22.9 percent in 2007 from 24.0 percent in 2006, primarily due to lower contingent commission expenses. The reinsurance subsidiary recognized $1,343,000 of commission income in the first quarter of 2006 in connection with Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool. This commission income reimbursed the reinsurance subsidiary for expenses previously incurred to generate the reinsurance business that was transferred to the new assuming companies of the MRB pool on January 1, 2006. This commission income, however, was partially offset by $688,000 of deferred policy acquisition costs that were expensed in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of the reduction in pool participation.

 

Investment results

 

Net investment income increased 3.8 percent to $48,482,000 in 2007 from $46,692,000 in 2006, primarily due to an increase in average invested asset balances. Net realized investment gains totaled $3,724,000 in 2007 and $4,252,000 in 2006, with the majority of the gains occurring in the Company’s equity portfolio. The Company recognized “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses totaling $1,277,000 on 14 equity securities during 2007 compared to $750,000 of impairment losses recognized on 12 equity securities in 2006. These impairment losses were recognized because the Company’s outside equity manager indicated that it was likely that these securities, which were in an unrealized loss position, would be sold before they recovered to their cost basis. As a result, the intent to hold these securities to recovery did not exist. Of the 14 equity securities that were impaired, 11 were sold and one was partially sold as of December 31, 2007, producing gross realized gains of $150,000 and additional gross realized losses of $387,000.

 

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Other expense

 

The 17.8 percent increase in other expense is due to a $451,000 increase in foreign currency exchange losses recognized by the reinsurance subsidiary on its foreign contracts.

 

Income tax

 

Income tax expense decreased 27.9 percent to $16,441,000 in 2007 from $22,818,000 in 2006. The effective tax rates were 27.9 percent in 2007 and 29.9 percent in 2006. The decline in the effective tax rate in 2007 primarily reflects the large decline in pre-tax income earned relative to the amount of tax-exempt interest income earned.

 

Year ended December 31, 2006 compared to year ended December 31, 2005

 

The Company reported record net income of $53,547,000 ($3.91 per share) in 2006, an increase of 24.5 percent from the prior record of $43,009,000 ($3.16 per share) reported in 2005. This large increase was attributed to improved underwriting results and, to a lesser extent, an increase in investment income. In 2006, the Company reported an underwriting profit of $27,914,000, compared to $17,698,000 in 2005. This increase in underwriting profit was generated by a significant increase in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves, and a decline in catastrophe and storm losses from hurricane plagued 2005; however, current accident-year underwriting results deteriorated moderately in 2006 as a result of declining premium rates. On a segment basis, underwriting gain increased significantly in the property and casualty insurance segment, but declined in the reinsurance segment. The increase in investment income was primarily attributed to the fact that $107,801,000 in cash received from Employers Mutual in the first quarter of 2005 in connection with the change in pool participation was fully invested throughout 2006.

 

Premium income

 

Premiums earned decreased 5.8 percent to $391,615,000 in 2006 from $415,625,000 in 2005. This decrease was primarily attributed to the reinsurance segment and was associated with, most notably, Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool and the revised terms of the quota share agreement; however, the property and casualty insurance segment also experienced a slight decline in premiums earned. On an overall basis, premium rate competition increased moderately in the property and casualty insurance marketplace during 2006, resulting in an approximate 3.7 percent reduction in premium rate levels. For comparative purposes, premium rate levels declined approximate 0.9 percent in 2005.

 

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Premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment decreased 0.9 percent to $318,416,000 in 2006 from $321,165,000 in 2005. This decrease reflects (1) a moderate decline in implemented premium rates, (2) increased use of discretionary credits, (3) a reduction in policy count, (4) a decline in mandatory premiums assumed from the National Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Pool and (5) an increase in the cost of the Company’s outside reinsurance coverage (which in 2005 included $1,302,000 of additional premiums used to reinstate the pool’s catastrophe reinsurance protection after the occurrence of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita). Recent initiatives to develop new business began to produce results, as evidenced by a small increase in premiums earned during the fourth quarter of 2006 over both the third quarter of 2006 and the fourth quarter of 2005. Due to the timing of policy renewals and the earning of premiums ratably over the terms of the underlying policies, the full effect of the recent premium rate reductions was not reflected in premiums earned. Premium rates were still considered adequate in most lines of business and in most territories, but the impact of the recent premium rate reductions was expected to continue to increase. Management attempted to address the loss of policy count through various measures, including programs geared towards small businesses and enhanced automation to make it easier and more efficient for agents to do business with the Company. There were signs of progress toward this objective during 2006 as new-business policy count increased, retention rates remained high, and the rate of decline in total policy count slowed. During 2006, commercial lines new-business premium increased 20.2 percent and personal lines new-business premium increased 13.3 percent; however, it should be noted that commercial lines new-business premium was relatively low in 2005 and the large increase reported for 2006 was therefore somewhat misleading and should be considered in context. Overall policy retention was up slightly to 86.4 percent in commercial lines, 84.4 percent for personal property and 86.5 percent for personal auto. In light of current rate levels and the quality of the Company’s book of business, management was actively pursuing opportunities to write new business, but continued to stress profitable growth.

 

Premiums written for the property and casualty insurance segment decreased 8.7 percent to $319,984,000 in 2006 from $350,646,000 in 2005. This large decrease reflects a $29,631,000 portfolio adjustment that was recorded in the first quarter of 2005 in connection with the segment’s increased participation in the pooling agreement. Excluding this portfolio adjustment, premiums written declined 0.3 percent in 2006.

 

Premiums earned for the reinsurance segment decreased 22.5 percent to $73,199,000 in 2006 from $94,460,000 in 2005. This decrease was primarily attributed to a decline in MRB premiums and the revised terms of the quota share agreement; however, premium income was also negatively impacted by the loss of a Lloyd’s of London marine syndicate account and a decline in reinstatement premium income. The decline in MRB premiums was primarily due to the addition of two new assuming companies to the pool (an increase from three in 2005 to five in 2006), but also reflected a reduction in the amount of business produced by MRB. In total, MRB premiums earned declined by $15,567,000 in 2006. In conjunction with Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool, the reinsurance subsidiary recorded a negative $3,440,000 portfolio adjustment in its premiums written, which served as an offset to the decline in the unearned premium reserve. Including this adjustment, MRB premiums written declined by $19,052,000 in 2006. Also contributing to the decline in premiums earned was a $1,554,000 decrease in the estimate of earned but not reported (EBNR) premiums (primarily due to MRB), compared to an increase in this estimate of $165,000 during 2005. The reinsurance segment recognized approximately $1,588,000 of reinstatement premium income during 2006, compared to approximately $2,474,000 during 2005 ($1,500,000 of which was attributed to Hurricane Katrina). During the January 2007 renewal period, overall premium rate levels remained relatively flat. Premium rates on accounts with 2006 catastrophe losses increased slightly, as did coastal accounts without Hurricane Katrina losses; reflecting a “catch-up” adjustment to the rates implemented during the July 2006 renewal period (accounts renewing in July, particularly domestic accounts with substantial Hurricane Katrina losses, experienced greater pricing increases than those renewing in January 2006). Due to competitive market conditions, a few new accounts were added and a small number of existing accounts were lost during the January 2007 renewal period.

 

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In accordance with the revised terms of the quota share agreement, Employers Mutual retained 10.5 percent of the assumed premiums written subject to cession to the reinsurance subsidiary during 2006 as compensation for the $2,000,000 cap on losses assumed per event (reduction in premiums written and earned of $7,774,000). In addition, the reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned for 2006 reflected a reduction of $508,000 associated with the runoff of certain unearned premiums remaining from the 2005 quota share arrangement. Under that arrangement, the reinsurance subsidiary paid for the outside reinsurance protection that Employers Mutual carried to protect itself from catastrophic losses on the assumed reinsurance business it retained in excess of the $1,500,000 cap. This reinsurance protection expired on April 30, 2006. In total, the reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned declined by $8,283,000 in 2006 due to the revised terms of the quota share agreement. For comparative purposes, the reinsurance subsidiary’s cost for the $1,500,000 cap on losses assumed per event in 2005 totaled $7,862,000 (reduction in premiums earned of $3,696,000 plus override commission expense of $4,166,000). In total, the revised terms of the quota share agreement reduced the reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned by $4,587,000 and premiums written by $4,034,000 in 2006. As a percentage of gross premiums earned, the cost of the cap protection totaled 10.2 percent in 2006, compared to 8.0 percent in 2005.

 

Losses and settlement expenses

 

Losses and settlement expenses declined 11.4 percent to $228,453,000 in 2006 from $257,926,000 in 2005. This decline was attributed to a significant increase in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves and a large decrease in catastrophe and storm losses. The loss and settlement expense ratio declined to 58.3 percent in 2006 from 62.1 percent in 2005; however, the current accident-year loss and settlement expense ratio increased moderately in 2006 as a result of declining premium rates. The Company incurred $10,896,000 of catastrophe losses from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. The December 31, 2005 estimate of direct losses associated with these hurricanes increased only 5.7 percent during 2006, and the vast majority of the claims were adjusted and paid as of December 31, 2006.

 

The loss and settlement expense ratio for the property and casualty insurance segment declined to 56.0 percent in 2006 from 61.6 percent in 2005. This improvement was attributed to a significant increase in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves and a substantial decline in catastrophe and storm losses. The favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves during 2006 was primarily associated with the final settlement of closed claims in the other liability and workers’ compensation lines of business. The decline in catastrophe and storm losses was attributed to $6,396,000 of losses generated by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. Overall loss frequency continued to trend downward during 2006, but this benefit was largely offset by an increase in claim severity.

 

The loss and settlement expense ratio for the reinsurance segment increased to 68.5 percent in 2006 from 63.5 percent in 2005. The increase in the 2006 ratio was driven by the revised terms of the quota share agreement with Employers Mutual whereby the full cost of the $2,000,000 cap on losses assumed per event was recorded as a reduction to premiums; however, over half of the increase in the loss and settlement expense ratio was offset by a decline in the acquisition expense ratio due to the elimination of the override commission paid in 2005. Excluding the impact of the revised terms of the quota share agreement, the loss and settlement expense ratio would have declined slightly in 2006. Results for 2006 reflect a significant increase in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years’ reserves and a substantial decline in catastrophe and storm losses, which was attributed to $4,500,000 of losses recorded in 2005 from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. The favorable reserve development experienced in 2006 was primarily from the 2004 and 2005 accident years in the HORAD book of business.

 

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Acquisition and other expenses

 

Acquisition and other expenses declined 3.4 percent to $135,248,000 in 2006 from $140,001,000 in 2005. This decline was attributed to the reinsurance segment and was caused by Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool and the revised terms of the quota share agreement. The acquisition expense ratio increased to 34.6 percent in 2006 from 33.6 percent in 2005, primarily as a result of higher salary and benefit costs, consulting fees and dividends to policyholders, as well as the decline in premium income.

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the acquisition expense ratio increased to 37.0 percent in 2006 from 35.5 percent in 2005. This increase was attributed to an increase in policyholder dividends, salary and benefit costs and consulting expenses, as well as the decline in premium income. In addition, starting in 2006 the Company began recognizing all share-based payments to employees as expense based upon their fair values. This resulted in the Company recognizing $377,000 of expense through its property and casualty insurance segment. The property and casualty insurance subsidiaries incurred $6,519,000 of commission expense in the first quarter of 2005 in connection with the change in pool participation. This commission expense was used to reimburse Employers Mutual for expenses incurred to generate the additional insurance business that was transferred to the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries on January 1, 2005. However, because acquisition expenses, which include commissions, are deferred and amortized to expense as the related premiums are earned, all of the $6,519,000 of commission expense was capitalized as a deferred policy acquisition cost, and was amortized to expense as the unearned premiums became earned to properly match acquisition expenses and premium income.

 

For the reinsurance segment, the acquisition expense ratio declined to 24.0 percent in 2006 from 27.5 percent in 2005. This decline was attributed to Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool and the revised terms of the quota share agreement. Also contributing to the decline was a large decrease in commission expense associated with the cancellation of a Lloyd’s of London marine syndicate account.

 

The reinsurance subsidiary recognized $1,343,000 of commission income in the first quarter of 2006 in connection with Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool. This commission income reimbursed the reinsurance subsidiary for expenses previously incurred to generate the reinsurance business that was transferred to the new assuming companies of the MRB pool on January 1, 2006. This commission income, however, was partially offset by $688,000 of deferred policy acquisition costs that were expensed in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of the reduction in pool participation.

 

The revised terms of the quota share agreement contributed to the reduction in the reinsurance subsidiary’s acquisition expense ratio in 2006. The previous terms of the quota share agreement provided for a 4.5 percent override commission payment to Employers Mutual as compensation for the cap on losses assumed per event, which generated $4,166,000 of commission expense in 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, the reinsurance subsidiary no longer paid this override commission, and instead paid a 10.5 percent premium charge. Had the revised terms of the quota share agreement been in place in 2005, the acquisition expense ratio would have been approximately 2.7 percentage points lower after giving consideration to the changes in acquisition and other expenses, premiums earned, and the impact on the calculation of the deferred policy acquisition cost asset.

 

Investment results

 

Net investment income increased 14.7 percent to $46,692,000 in 2006 from $40,696,000 in 2005. This increase was primarily attributed to the fact that $107,801,000 in cash received from Employers Mutual in the first quarter of 2005 in connection with the change in pool participation was fully invested throughout 2006. In addition, the Company benefited from a slightly higher rate of return on its fixed maturity securities.

 

The Company reported a net realized investment gain of $4,252,000 in 2006, compared to $3,834,000 in 2005. The majority of the gains realized during 2006 occurred in the Company’s equity portfolio; however, those gains were partially offset by $750,000 of “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses recognized on twelve equity securities. These impairment losses were recognized because the Company’s outside equity manager indicated that those securities, which were in an unrealized loss position, would likely be sold before they recover to their cost basis. As a result, the intent to hold these securities to recovery did not exist. Of the twelve equity securities that were impaired, seven were sold and one was partially sold as of December 31, 2006. These sales generated $247,00 of gross realized gains and $30,000 of gross realized losses. No impairment losses were recognized in 2005.

 

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Income tax

 

Income tax expense increased 33.4 percent to $22,818,000 in 2006 from $17,101,000 in 2005. The effective tax rate for 2006 was 29.9 percent compared to 28.4 percent in 2005. The increase in the effective tax rate reflects the large increase in pre-tax income earned relative to the amount of tax-exempt interest income earned.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet cash obligations. The Company had positive cash flows from operations of $37,862,000 in 2007, $49,014,000 in 2006 and $178,424,000 in 2005. Included in cash flows from operations in 2005 is $107,801,000 received from Employers Mutual in connection with the change in pool participation. Excluding this amount, cash flows from operations for 2005 was $70,623,000. The Company typically generates substantial positive cash flows from operations because cash from premium payments is generally received in advance of cash payments made to settle claims. These positive cash flows provide the foundation of the Company’s asset/liability management program and are the primary drivers of the Company’s liquidity. When investing funds made available from operations, the Company invests in securities with maturities that approximate the anticipated payments of losses and settlement expenses of the underlying insurance policies. In addition, the Company maintains a portion of its investment portfolio in relatively short-term and highly liquid assets as a secondary source of liquidity should net cash flows from operating activities prove inadequate to fund current operating needs. As of December 31, 2007, the Company did not have any significant variations between the maturity dates of its investments and the expected payments of its loss and settlement expense reserves.

 

The Company is a holding company whose principal asset is its investment in its insurance subsidiaries. As a holding company, the Company is dependent upon cash dividends from its insurance company subsidiaries to meet all obligations, including cash dividends to stockholders. State insurance regulations restrict the maximum amount of dividends insurance companies can pay without prior regulatory approval. See note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding dividend restrictions. The maximum amount of dividends that the insurance company subsidiaries can pay to the Company in 2008 without prior regulatory approval is approximately $46,779,000. The Company received $4,750,000, $9,005,000 and $5,696,000 of dividends from its insurance company subsidiaries and paid cash dividends to its stockholders totaling $9,497,000, $8,916,000 and $8,302,000 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

The Company’s insurance company subsidiaries must have adequate liquidity to ensure that their cash obligations are met; however, because of their participation in the pooling agreement and the quota share agreement, they do not have the daily liquidity concerns normally associated with an insurance or reinsurance company. This is due to the fact that under the terms of the pooling and quota share agreements, Employers Mutual receives all premiums and pays all losses and expenses associated with the insurance business produced by the pool participants and the assumed reinsurance business ceded to the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, and then settles the inter-company balances generated by these transactions with the participating companies within 45 days after the end of each quarter.

 

At the insurance company subsidiary level, the primary sources of cash are premium income, investment income and maturing investments. The principal outflows of cash are payments of claims, commissions, premium taxes, operating expenses, income taxes, dividends, interest and principal payments on debt, and investment purchases. Cash outflows can be variable because of uncertainties regarding settlement dates for unpaid losses and because of the potential for large losses, either individually or in the aggregate. Accordingly, the insurance company subsidiaries maintain investment and reinsurance programs generally intended to provide adequate funds to pay claims without forced sales of investments. In addition, Employers Mutual has a line of credit available to provide additional liquidity if needed. The insurance company subsidiaries have access to this line of credit through Employers Mutual.

 

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The Company maintains a portion of its investment portfolio in relatively short-term and highly liquid investments to ensure the availability of funds to pay claims and expenses. At December 31, 2007, approximately 55 percent of the Company’s fixed maturity securities were in U.S. government or U.S. government-sponsored agency securities. A variety of maturities are maintained in the Company’s portfolio to assure adequate liquidity. The maturity structure of the fixed maturity securities is also established by the relative attractiveness of yields on short, intermediate and long-term securities. The Company does not invest in high-yield, non-investment grade debt securities. Any non-investment grade securities held by the Company are the result of rating downgrades that occurred subsequent to their purchase.

 

The Company considers itself to be a long-term investor and generally purchases fixed maturity securities with the intent to hold them to maturity. Despite this intent, the Company currently classifies purchases of fixed maturity securities as available-for-sale to provide flexibility in the management of its investment portfolio. The Company had net unrealized holding gains, net of deferred taxes, on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale totaling $12,298,000 and $6,319,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The fluctuation in the market value of these investments is primarily due to changes in the interest rate environment during this time period. Since the Company does not actively trade in the bond market, such fluctuations in the fair value of these investments are not expected to have a material impact on the operations of the Company, as forced liquidations of investments is not anticipated. The Company closely monitors the bond market and makes appropriate adjustments in its portfolio as conditions warrant.

 

The majority of the Company’s assets are invested in fixed maturity securities. These investments provide a substantial amount of investment income that supplements underwriting results and contributes to net earnings. As these investments mature, or are called, the proceeds are reinvested at current rates, which may be higher or lower than those now being earned; therefore, more or less investment income may be available to contribute to net earnings depending on the interest rate level.

 

The Company participates in a securities lending program administered by Mellon Bank, N.A. whereby certain fixed maturity securities from the investment portfolio are loaned to other institutions for short periods of time. The Company receives a fee for each security loaned out under this program and requires initial collateral, primarily cash, equal to 102 percent of the market value of the loaned securities. The cash collateral that secures the Company’s loaned securities is invested in a Delaware business trust that is managed by Mellon Bank. The earnings from this trust are used, in part, to pay the fee the Company receives for each security loaned under the program.

 

The Company held $102,000 and $552,000 in minority ownership interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company does not hold any other unregistered securities.

 

 

Employers Mutual contributed $3,500,000, $27,596,000 and $15,000,000 to its pension plan in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and plans to contribute approximately $4,400,000 to the pension plan in 2008. The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $1,069,000, $8,410,000 and $4,575,000 for its share of the pension contributions in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Employers Mutual contributed $3,800,000, $5,100,000 and $5,120,000 to its postretirement benefit plans in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and expects to contribute approximately $2,700,000 to the postretirement benefit plans in 2008. The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $1,083,000, $1,455,000 and $1,459,000 for its share of the postretirement benefit plan contributions in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2005, the Company received reimbursement from Employer Mutual for a net $722,000 of pension assets and $2,518,000 of postretirement benefit liabilities transferred to it in connection with the change in pool participation.

 

Capital Resources

 

Capital resources consist of stockholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations. For the Company’s insurance subsidiaries, capital resources are required to support premium writings. Regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and casualty insurer’s annual net premiums written to its statutory surplus should not exceed three to one. All of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries were well under this guideline at December 31, 2007.

 

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The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain a certain minimum level of surplus on a statutory basis, and are subject to regulations under which the payment of dividends from statutory surplus is restricted and may require prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are also subject to Risk Based Capital (RBC) requirements that may further impact their ability to pay dividends. RBC requirements attempt to measure minimum statutory capital needs based upon the risks in a company’s mix of products and investment portfolio. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had total adjusted statutory capital of $344,260,000, which was well in excess of the minimum RBC requirement of $55,526,000.

 

The Company had total cash and invested assets with a carrying value of $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The following table summarizes the Company’s cash and invested assets as of the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

 

The $11 million of surplus notes issued by the reinsurance subsidiary to Employers Mutual were redeemed in the fourth quarter of 2007, along with accrued interest. The $25 million of surplus notes issued by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries to Employers Mutual were not redeemed; however, the Inter-Company Committees of the Company and Employers Mutual approved an increase in the interest rate on those notes from the current 3.09 percent to 3.60 percent effective February 1, 2008, subject to regulatory approval. A review of the interest rate on the surplus notes will be conducted by the Inter-Company Committees every five years. Payment of interest and repayment of principal can only be made out of the applicable subsidiary’s statutory surplus and is subject to prior approval by the insurance commissioner of the respective state of domicile. The surplus notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all obligations or liabilities of the applicable insurance subsidiaries. The Company’s subsidiaries incurred interest expense of $1,111,000 in 2007 and $1,112,000 in 2006 and 2005 on these surplus notes. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries had received approval for the payment of interest accrued on the surplus notes during 2007.

 

On March 10, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15 million stock repurchase program. This program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date. The timing and terms of the purchases will be determined by management based on market conditions and will be conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Common stock purchased under this program will be retired by the Company.

 

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Employers Mutual receives all premiums and pays all losses and expenses associated with the assumed reinsurance business ceded to the reinsurance subsidiary and the insurance business produced by the pool participants, and then settles the inter-company balances generated by these transactions with the participating companies on a quarterly basis. When settling the inter-company balances, Employers Mutual provides the reinsurance subsidiary and the pool participants with full credit for the premiums written during the quarter and retains all receivable amounts. Any receivable amounts that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible are charged-off by Employers Mutual and the expense is charged to the reinsurance subsidiary or allocated to the pool members on the basis of pool participation. As a result, the Company has an off-balance sheet arrangement with an unconsolidated entity that results in a credit-risk exposure that is not reflected in the Company’s financial statements. Based on historical data, this credit-risk exposure is not considered to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

Investment Impairments and Considerations

 

The Company recorded $1,277,000 of “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses during 2007 on fourteen equity securities. Eleven of these securities were subsequently sold, and one was partially sold, generating gross realized gains of $150,000 and additional gross realized losses of $387,000 (before tax). These impairment losses were recognized because the Company’s outside equity manager indicated that they would likely sell these securities, which were in an unrealized loss position, before they recovered to their cost basis. As a result, the intent to hold these securities to recovery did not exist. The Company recorded $750,000 of “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses during 2006 on twelve equity securities.

 

The Company has no direct exposure to sub-prime residential lending, holding only $4,447,000 of residential mortgage-backed securities, all of which are seasoned Government National Mortgage Association thirty year fixed maturity securities. No residential collateralized debt obligations or collateralized mortgage obligations are held.

 

The Company does have indirect exposure to sub-prime residential lending markets as it has significant holdings of government agency securities, as well as fixed maturity and equity securities in both the banking and financial services sectors. While these holdings do not include companies engaged in originating residential lending as their primary business, they do include companies that may be indirectly engaged in this type of lending. However, none of these securities have been considered for “other-than-temporary” impairment at this time.

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company had unrealized losses on held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities as presented in the table below. The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security. None of these securities are considered to be in concentrations by either security type or industry. The Company uses several factors to determine whether the carrying value of an individual security has been “other-than-temporarily” impaired. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the security’s value and performance in the context of the overall markets, length of time and extent the security’s fair value has been below carrying value, key corporate events and collateralization of fixed maturity securities. Based on these factors, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities until recovery or maturity, it was determined that the carrying value of these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at December 31, 2007. Risks and uncertainties inherent in the methodology utilized in this evaluation process include interest rate risk, equity price risk, and the overall performance of the economy, all of which have the potential to adversely affect the value of the Company’s investments. Should a determination be made at some point in the future that these unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary”, the Company’s earnings would be reduced by approximately $2,080,000, net of tax; however, the Company’s financial position would not be affected due to the fact that unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities are reflected in the Company’s financial statements as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes.

 

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Following is a schedule of the length of time securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2007.

 

 

Following is a schedule of the maturity dates of the fixed maturity securities presented in the above table. Note that this schedule includes only fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, as the Company does not have any fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity with unrealized losses.

 

 

All non-investment grade fixed maturity securities held at December 31, 2007 (Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and US Freightways Corporation) were in an unrealized gain position. The Company does not purchase non-investment grade securities. Any non-investment grade securities held by the Company are the result of rating downgrades that occurred subsequent to their purchase.

 

Following is a schedule of gross realized losses recognized in 2007 from the sale of securities and from “other-than-temporary” investment impairments. The schedule is aged according to the length of time the underlying securities were in an unrealized loss position. This schedule does not include realized losses stemming from corporate actions such as calls, pay-downs, redemptions, etc. Fixed maturity securities were not included in the schedule since no realized losses were recognized on these investments stemming from disposals other than corporate actions. Fixed maturity securities are generally held until maturity.

 

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(1)  The “other-than-temporary” impairment losses reflects impairment losses on thirteen equity securities in the “three months or less” category, impairment losses on one equity security in the “over three months to six months” category, and impairment losses on one equity security in the “over six months to nine months” category.

 

LEASES, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

The following table reflects the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007. Included in the table are the estimated payments that the Company expects to make in the settlement of its loss reserves and with respect to its long-term debt. One of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries leases office facilities in Bismarck, North Dakota with lease terms expiring in 2014. Employers Mutual has entered into various leases for branch and service office facilities with lease terms expiring through 2021. All lease costs are included as expenses under the pooling agreement, after allocation of the portion of these expenses to the subsidiaries that do not participate in the pool. The table reflects the Company’s current 30.0 percent aggregate participation in the pooling agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

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The participants in the pooling agreement are subject to guaranty fund assessments by states in which they write business. Guaranty fund assessments are used by states to pay policyholder liabilities of insolvent insurers domiciled in those states. Many states allow these assessments to be recovered through premium tax offsets. Estimated guaranty fund assessments of $1,714,000 and $1,451,000 and related premium tax offsets of $1,057,000 and $929,000 have been accrued as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The guaranty fund assessments are expected to be paid over the next two years and the premium tax offsets are expected to be realized within ten years of the payments. The participants in the pooling agreement are also subject to second-injury fund assessments, which are designed to encourage employers to employ a worker with a pre-existing disability. Estimated second-injury fund assessments of $1,656,000 and $1,769,000 have been accrued as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The second-injury fund assessment accruals are based on projected loss payments. The periods over which the assessments will be paid is not known.

 

The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions. The Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of these annuities was $2,024,000 at December 31, 2007. The Company has a contingent liability of $2,024,000 should the issuers of the annuities fail to perform under the terms of the annuities. The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote. The Company’s share of the amount due from any one life insurance company does not equal or exceed one percent of its subsidiaries’ aggregate policyholders’ surplus.

 

MARKET RISK

 

The main objectives in managing the investment portfolios of the Company are to maximize after-tax investment return while minimizing credit risks, in order to provide maximum support for the underwriting operations. Investment strategies are developed based upon many factors including underwriting results, regulatory requirements, fluctuations in interest rates and consideration of other market risks. Investment decisions are centrally managed by investment professionals and are supervised by the investment committees of the respective boards of directors for each of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. The market risks of the financial instruments of the Company relate to the investment portfolio, which exposes the Company to interest rate and equity price risk and, to a lesser extent, credit quality and prepayment risk. Monitoring systems and analytical tools are in place to assess each of these elements of market risk.

 

Interest rate risk includes the price sensitivity of a fixed maturity security to changes in interest rates, and the affect on future earnings from short-term investments and maturing long-term investments given a change in interest rates. The following analysis illustrates the sensitivity of the Company’s financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices. A hypothetical one percent increase in interest rates as of December 31, 2007 would result in a corresponding pre-tax decrease in the fair value of the fixed maturity portfolio of approximately $41,880,000, or 4.7 percent. In addition, a hypothetical one percent decrease in interest rates at December 31, 2007 would result in a corresponding decrease in pre-tax income over the next twelve months of approximately $719,000, assuming the current maturity and prepayment patterns. The Company monitors interest rate risk through the analysis of interest rate simulations, and adjusts the average duration of its fixed maturity portfolio by investing in either longer or shorter term instruments given the results of interest rate simulations and judgments of cash flow needs. The effective duration of the Company’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2007 was 3.75 years.

 

The valuation of the Company’s marketable equity portfolio is subject to equity price risk. In general, equities have more year-to-year price variability than bonds. However, returns from equity securities have been consistently higher over longer time frames. The Company invests in a diversified portfolio of readily marketable equity securities. A hypothetical 10 percent decrease in the S&P 500 index as of December 31, 2007 would result in a corresponding pre-tax decrease in the fair value of the Company’s equity portfolio of approximately $9,256,000.

 

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The Company invests in high quality fixed maturity securities, thus minimizing credit quality risk. At December 31, 2007, the portfolio of long-term fixed maturity securities consisted of 0.6 percent U.S. Treasury, 54.3 percent government agency, 1.3 percent mortgage-backed, 30.3 percent municipal, and 13.5 percent corporate securities. At December 31, 2006, the portfolio of long-term fixed maturity securities consisted of 0.6 percent U.S. Treasury, 51.6 percent government agency, 0.6 percent mortgage-backed, 32.5 percent municipal, and 14.7 percent corporate securities.

 

Fixed maturity securities held by the Company generally have an investment quality rating of “A” or better by independent rating agencies. The following table shows the composition of the Company’s fixed maturity securities, by rating, as of December 31, 2007.

 

 

Ratings for preferred stocks and fixed maturity securities with initial maturities greater than one year are assigned by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (referred to generically as NRSROs, which includes such organizations as Moody’s Investor’s Services, Inc., Standard and Poor, etc.). NRSROs’ rating processes seek to evaluate the quality of a security by examining the factors that affect returns to investors. NRSROs’ ratings are based on quantitative and qualitative factors, as well as the economic, social and political environment in which the issuing entity exists. The quantitative factors include debt coverage, sales and income growth, cash flows and liquidity ratios. Qualitative factors include management quality, access to capital markets and the quality of earnings and balance sheet items. Ratings for securities with initial maturities less than one year are based on ratings of NRSROs, or the credit rating of the issuer’s parent company.

 

Prepayment risk refers to changes in prepayment patterns that can shorten or lengthen the expected timing of principal repayments and thus the average life and the effective yield of a security. Such risk exists primarily within the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities. Prepayment risk is monitored regularly through the analysis of interest rate simulations. At December 31, 2007, the effective duration of the mortgage-backed securities is 2.3 years with an average life of 2.9 years and a current yield of 6.9 percent. At December 31, 2006, the effective duration of the mortgage-backed securities was 1.9 years, with an average life of 2.5 years and a current yield of 7.6 percent.

 

IMPACT OF INFLATION

 

Inflation has a widespread effect on the Company’s results of operations, primarily through increased losses and settlement expenses. The Company considers inflation, including social inflation that reflects an increasingly litigious society and increasing jury awards, when setting loss and settlement expense reserve amounts. Premiums are also affected by inflation, although they are often restricted or delayed by competition and the regulatory rate-setting environment.

 

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NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” – an Amendment of FASB Statement Nos. 133 and 140. SFAS 155 simplifies the accounting for certain hybrid financial instruments by permitting fair value re-measurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, and eliminates a restriction on passive derivative instruments that a qualifying special-purpose entity may hold. The Company adopted SFAS 155 effective January 1, 2007. Adoption of this statement had no effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance for de-recognition of tax positions, financial statement classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. Adoption of FIN 48 had no effect on the operating results of the Company during 2007, as an assessment of the Company’s current tax positions indicated no uncertainties that would warrant different recognition and valuation from that applied in the Company’s tax returns.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of this statement is not expected to have any effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 permits reporting entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). The unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. As it relates to the Company’s financial reporting, the Company would be permitted to elect fair value recognition of fixed maturity and equity investments currently classified as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, and report the unrealized gains and losses from these investments in earnings going forward. Electing the fair value option for an existing held-to-maturity security will not call into question the intent of an entity to hold other fixed maturity securities to maturity in the future. The provisions of this statement are effective beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company has no current plan to elect the fair value option, therefore adoption of this statement is not expected to have any effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) “Business Combinations”. This statement replaces SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations,” however it retains the fundamental requirements of SFAS No. 141 in that the acquisition method of accounting (referred to as “purchase method” in SFAS 141) be used for all business combinations. SFAS 141 (revised) is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Adoption of this statement is not expected to have any effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51”. This statement amends Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No.51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Adoption of this statement is not expected to have any effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

 

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DEVELOPMENTS IN INSURANCE REGULATION

 

In 2006 the NAIC adopted its Annual Financial Model Regulation (previously referred to as the Model Audit Rule) that incorporates Sarbanes-Oxley type provisions. The requirements are effective beginning with the reporting period ending December 31, 2010, with the management report of internal control over financial reporting due to be filed 60 days after the entity files its 2010 audited statutory financial statements. The rules apply to insurers with direct written and assumed premiums of $500 million or more and require a management report containing a statement that to the best of management’s knowledge and belief, after diligent inquiry, its internal control over financial reporting is effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting principles. An insurer may choose to file instead its Section 404 report with an addendum statement by management that no material processes in the preparation of its audited statutory financial statements were excluded from its Section 404 report, or alternatively include a separate report for controls not covered by its Section 404 report. The incorporated Sarbanes-Oxley type provisions in the Annual Financial Model Regulation will have little consequence to either the Company or the EMC Insurance Companies, as the Company is already subject to the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking into account all information currently available to management. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as the result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management. If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following: catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions; the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves; state and federal legislation and regulations; changes in our industry, interest rates or the performance of financial markets and the general economy; rating agency actions and other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business, some of which are discussed under Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors”. Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project” or similar expressions. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

The information under the caption “Market Risk” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, which is included in Part II, Item 7 of this Form 10-K, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The management of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries is responsible for the preparation, integrity and objectivity of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as all other financial information in this report. The Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include amounts that are based on management’s estimates and judgments where necessary.

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, including safeguarding of assets and reliability of financial records. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting, designed by or under the supervision of management, includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. This control structure is further reinforced by a program of internal audits, including audits of the Company’s decentralized branch locations, which requires responsive management action.

 

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, adequate internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework,” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2007, the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of three outside directors who are independent of the Company’s management. The Audit Committee is responsible for the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. It meets periodically with management, the independent registered public accounting firm, and the internal auditors to ensure that they are carrying out their responsibilities. In addition to reviewing the Company’s financial reports, the Audit Committee is also responsible for performing an oversight role by reviewing and monitoring the financial, accounting and auditing procedures of the Company. The independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee, with or without the presence of management, to discuss the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting and any other matters which they believe should be brought to the attention of the Audit Committee.

 

The Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Management has made available to Ernst & Young LLP all of the Company’s financial records and related data, as well as the minutes of the stockholders’ and directors’ meetings. Furthermore, management believes that all representations made to Ernst & Young LLP during its audit were valid and appropriate. Their reports with respect to the fairness of presentation of the Company’s financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appear elsewhere in this annual report.

 

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

EMC Insurance Group Inc.

 

We have audited EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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

 

In our opinion, EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries and our report dated March 13, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Des Moines, Iowa

March 13, 2008

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

EMC Insurance Group Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, during 2007 the Company changed its method of accounting for income tax contingencies.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 13, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

94

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

95

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

All balances presented below, with the exception of investment income, realized investment gains and income tax expense (benefit), are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

96

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

97

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

98

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

99

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

100

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

EMC Insurance Group Inc., a 57 percent owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. Both commercial and personal lines of insurance are written, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts. Approximately 35 percent of the premiums written are in Iowa and contiguous states. The term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

The Company’s subsidiaries include EMCASCO Insurance Company, Illinois EMCASCO Insurance Company, Dakota Fire Insurance Company, EMC Reinsurance Company and EMC Underwriters, LLC. Effective December 31, 2007, Farm and City Insurance Company, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, was merged into EMCASCO Insurance Company.

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which differ in some respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory authorities. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

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 the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Property and Casualty Insurance and Reinsurance Operations

 

Property and casualty insurance premiums are recognized as revenue ratably over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premiums are calculated on the daily pro rata method. Both domestic and foreign assumed reinsurance premiums are recognized as revenues ratably over the terms of the contract period. Amounts paid as ceded reinsurance premiums are reported as prepaid reinsurance premiums and are amortized over the remaining contract period in proportion to the amount of reinsurance protection provided. Reinsurance reinstatement premiums are recognized in the same period as the loss event that gave rise to the reinstatement premiums.

 

Acquisition costs consisting of commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting expenses that vary with and are directly related to the production of business have been deferred and are being amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value, which gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses and settlement expenses and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned.

 

Certain commercial lines of business, primarily workers’ compensation, are eligible for policyholder dividends in accordance with provisions of the underlying insurance policies. Net premiums written subject to policyholder dividends represented approximately 60 percent of the Company’s total net premiums written in 2007. Policyholder dividends are accrued over the terms of the underlying policies.

 

Liabilities for losses are based upon case-basis estimates of reported losses supplemented with bulk case loss reserves, estimates of unreported losses based upon prior experience adjusted for current trends, and estimates of losses expected to be paid under assumed reinsurance contracts. Liabilities for settlement expenses are provided by estimating expenses expected to be incurred in settling the claims provided for in the loss reserves. Changes in estimates are reflected in current operating results (see note 4).

 

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Ceded reinsurance amounts with nonaffiliated reinsurers relating to reinsurance receivables for paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses and prepaid reinsurance premiums are reported on the balance sheet on a gross basis. Amounts ceded to Employers Mutual relating to the affiliated reinsurance pooling agreement (see note 2) have not been grossed up because the contracts provide that receivables and payables may be offset upon settlement.

 

Based on current information, the liabilities for losses and settlement expenses are considered to be adequate. Since the provisions are necessarily based on estimates, the ultimate liability may be more or less than such provisions.

 

Investments

 

Securities classified as held-to-maturity are purchased with the intent and ability to be held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. Unrealized holding gains and losses on securities held-to-maturity are not reflected in the financial statements. All other securities have been classified as securities available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported as accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, net of deferred income taxes. Other long-term investments represent minor ownership interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies and are carried at cost. Short-term investments represent money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper that are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

The Company uses independent pricing sources to obtain the estimated fair value of securities. The fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of investment. The fair values obtained from independent pricing sources are reviewed for reasonableness and any discrepancies are investigated for final valuation.

 

Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized over the life of the security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are included in net income. The cost of investments sold is determined on the specific identification method using the highest cost basis first. Included in investments at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are securities on deposit with various regulatory authorities as required by law amounting to $12,984,532 and $13,093,900, respectively.

 

The Company regularly monitors its investments that have a fair value that is less than the carrying value for indications of “other-than-temporary” impairment. Several factors are used to determine whether the carrying value of an individual security has been “other-than-temporarily” impaired. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the security’s value and performance in the context of the overall markets, length of time and extent the security’s fair value has been below carrying value, key corporate events, collateralization of fixed maturity securities, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold securities in an unrealized loss position until recovery or maturity. When a security is deemed “other-than-temporarily” impaired, the carrying value is reduced to fair value and a realized loss is recognized and charged to income.

 

The Company participates in a securities lending program whereby certain fixed maturity securities from the investment portfolio are loaned to other institutions for a short period of time. The Company requires initial collateral equal to 102 percent of the fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is invested by the lending agent, in accordance with the Company’s guidelines, and generates fee income for the Company that is recognized ratably over the time period the security is on loan. The securities on loan to others are segregated from the other invested assets on the Company’s balance sheet. In accordance with relevant accounting literature, the collateral held by the Company is accounted for as a secured borrowing and is recorded as an asset on the Company’s balance sheet, with a corresponding liability reflecting the Company’s obligation to return this collateral upon the return of the loaned securities.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. Consolidated income taxes/benefits are allocated among the entities based upon separate tax liabilities.

 

Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of those assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Income tax expense provisions increase or decrease in the same period in which a change in tax rates is enacted. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to their net realizable value if it is “more likely than not” that a tax benefit will not be realized.

 

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In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance for de-recognition of tax positions, financial statement classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. FIN 48 had no effect on the operating results of the Company during 2007, as an assessment of the Company’s current tax positions indicated no uncertainties that would warrant different recognition and valuation from that applied in the Company’s tax returns.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company has no stock-based compensation plans of its own; however, Employers Mutual has several stock plans that utilize the common stock of the Company. The Company receives the current fair value for all shares issued under these plans. Employers Mutual also has a stock appreciation rights (SAR) agreement in effect with an executive officer of the Company. The SAR is based upon the common stock of the Company, and because it will be settled in cash, it is considered to be a liability-classified award.

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123 (revised 2004) “Share-Based Payment,” using the modified prospective method, which requires compensation expense to be recorded for all options granted after the date of adoption as well as for existing options for which the requisite service has not been rendered as of the date of adoption. The compensation expense is based on the fair value of the stock option. The modified-prospective method does not require restatement of prior periods to reflect the impact of SFAS 123(R).

 

Prior to January 1, 2006, under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” the Company did not recognize any compensation expense from the operation of Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans since the exercise price of the options was equal to the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries reimburse Employers Mutual for their share of the statutory-basis compensation expense (equal to the excess of the fair value of the stock on the option exercise date over the option’s exercise price) associated with stock option exercises. The statutory-basis compensation expense that was paid by the Company’s subsidiaries to Employers Mutual ($245,441 in 2005) was reclassified as a dividend payment to Employers Mutual in these GAAP-basis financial statements.

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) to Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans:

 

 

 

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Employee Retirement Plans

 

Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” SFAS 158 requires recognition of the funded status of defined benefit retirement or other postretirement plans as a net asset or liability on the balance sheet, the recognition of future changes in the funded status through other comprehensive income, and enhanced disclosure. The initial recognition of the funded status was reflected as an adjustment to the ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2006. SFAS 158 did not change the method of calculating the net periodic cost that existed under previous guidance. The adoption of SFAS 158 resulted in a $3,828,651 decrease in the defined benefit retirement plan prepaid asset, a $2,903,488 increase in the employee retirement plans liability and a corresponding $4,375,891 decrease, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income. An additional requirement under SFAS 158 to measure assets and obligations as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year will become effective at December 31, 2008.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

Included in the underlying reinsurance business assumed by Employers Mutual are reinsurance transactions conducted with foreign cedants denominated in their local functional currencies. In accordance with the revised terms of the quota share agreement (see note 2), the reinsurance subsidiary assumes all foreign currency exchange gains/losses associated with contracts incepting on January 1, 2006 and thereafter that are subject to the quota share agreement. Previously, the foreign currency exchange gains/losses were retained by Employers Mutual. The balances resulting from these foreign reinsurance transactions are reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rates that existed on December 31, 2007 and 2006. The balances reported in the Company’s 2007 and 2006 consolidated statements of income that resulted from these foreign reinsurance transactions are reported in U.S. dollars measured at the foreign currency exchange rates that existed at the inception of each reinsurance contract. The foreign currency exchange rate gains/losses resulting from these re-measurements to U.S. dollars are reported as other income/expense in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Net Income Per Share - Basic and Diluted

 

The Company’s basic and diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. As previously noted, the Company receives the current fair value for all shares issued under Employers Mutual’s stock plans. As a result, the Company had no potential common shares outstanding during 2007, 2006 and 2005 that would have been dilutive to net income per share.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of acquired subsidiaries. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to annual impairment testing to determine if the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the estimated fair value of net assets. If the carrying amount of the subsidiary (including goodwill) exceeds the computed fair value, an impairment loss is recognized through earnings equal to the excess amount, but not greater than the balance of the goodwill. An annual impairment test is completed in the fourth quarter of each year and goodwill was not deemed to be impaired in 2007 or 2006.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” – an Amendment of FASB Statement Nos. 133 and 140. SFAS 155 simplifies the accounting for certain hybrid financial instruments by permitting fair value re-measurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, and eliminates a restriction on passive derivative instruments that a qualifying special-purpose entity may hold. The Company adopted SFAS 155 effective January 1, 2007. Adoption of this statement had no effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of this statement is not expected to have any impact on the

 

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operating results of the Company.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS 159 permits reporting entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (the “fair value option”). The unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be reported in earnings. As it relates to the Company’s financial reporting, the Company would be permitted to elect fair value recognition of fixed maturity and equity investments currently classified as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, and report the unrealized gains and losses from these investments in earnings going forward. Electing the fair value option for an existing held-to-maturity security will not call into question the intent of an entity to hold other fixed maturity securities to maturity in the future. The provisions of this statement are effective beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company has no current plan to elect the fair value option, therefore, adoption of this statement is not expected to have any impact on the operating results of the Company.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) “Business Combinations”. This statement replaces SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations,” however it retains the fundamental requirements of SFAS No. 141 in that the acquisition method of accounting (referred to as “purchase method” in SFAS 141) be used for all business combinations. SFAS 141 (revised) is to be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Adoption of this statement is not expected to have any effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51.” This statement amends Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The provisions of this statement are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Adoption of this statement is not expected to have any effect on the operating results of the Company.

 

 

Property and Casualty Insurance Subsidiaries

 

The Company’s three property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and two subsidiaries and an affiliate of Employers Mutual are parties to reinsurance pooling agreements with Employers Mutual (collectively the “pooling agreement”). Under the terms of the pooling agreement, each company cedes to Employers Mutual all of its insurance business, with the exception of any voluntary reinsurance business assumed from nonaffiliated insurance companies, and assumes from Employers Mutual an amount equal to its participation in the pool. All premiums, losses, settlement expenses, and other underwriting and administrative expenses, excluding the voluntary reinsurance business assumed by Employers Mutual from nonaffiliated insurance companies, are prorated among the parties on the basis of participation in the pool. Employers Mutual negotiates reinsurance agreements that provide protection to the pool and each of its participants, including protection against losses arising from catastrophic events. The aggregate participation of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries is 30 percent.

 

Operations of the pool give rise to inter-company balances with Employers Mutual, which are settled on a quarterly basis. The investment and income tax activities of the pool participants are not subject to the pooling agreement. The pooling agreement provides that Employers Mutual will make up any shortfall or difference resulting from an error in its systems and/or computational processes that would otherwise result in the required restatement of the pool participants’ financial statements.

 

The purpose of the pooling agreement is to spread the risk of an exposure insured by any of the pool participants among all the companies. The pooling agreement produces a more uniform and stable underwriting result from year to year for all companies in the pool than might be experienced individually. In addition, each company benefits from the capacity of the entire pool, rather than being limited to policy exposures of a size commensurate with its own assets, and from the wide range of policy forms, lines of insurance written, rate filings and commission plans offered by each of the companies.

 

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Effective January 1, 2005, the Company’s aggregate participation in the pooling agreement increased from 23.5 percent to 30.0 percent and Employers Mutual’s participation decreased from 65.5 percent to 59.0 percent. In connection with this change in pool participation, the Company’s liabilities increased $115,042,355, invested assets increased $107,801,259 and other assets increased $722,361. The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $6,518,735 for expenses that were incurred to generate the additional business assumed by the Company, but this expense was offset by an increase in deferred policy acquisition costs. The Company also received $274,963 in interest income from Employers Mutual as the actual cash transfer did not occur until February 15, 2005.

 

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Farm and City Insurance Company, discontinued writing direct nonstandard risk automobile insurance business in 2004, but continued to participate in the pooling agreement. Effective December 31, 2007, Farm and City was merged into one of the other property and casualty insurance segment’s subsidiaries, EMCASCO Insurance Company. This merger did not have any impact on the Company’s 30 percent aggregate participation in the pooling agreement.

 

Reinsurance Subsidiary

 

The Company’s reinsurance subsidiary assumes a 100 percent quota share portion of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance business, exclusive of certain reinsurance contracts. This includes all premiums and related losses and settlement expenses of this business, subject to a maximum loss of $2,000,000 per event ($1,500,000 in 2005). The reinsurance subsidiary does not directly reinsure any of the insurance business written by Employers Mutual or the other pool participants; however, the reinsurance subsidiary assumes reinsurance business from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau (MRB) pool and this pool provides a small amount of reinsurance protection to the EMC Insurance Companies. As a result, the reinsurance subsidiary’s assumed exposures include a small portion of the EMC Insurance Companies’ direct business, after ceded reinsurance protections purchased by the MRB pool are applied. In addition, the reinsurance subsidiary does not reinsure any “involuntary” facility or pool business that Employers Mutual assumes pursuant to state law. Operations of the quota share agreement give rise to inter-company balances with Employers Mutual, which are settled on a quarterly basis. The investment and income tax activities of the reinsurance subsidiary are not subject to the quota share agreement.

 

Premiums assumed by the reinsurance subsidiary from Employers Mutual amounted to $71,002,733, $66,268,178 and $92,588,093 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The large decline in 2006 is primarily attributed to Employers Mutual’s reduced participation in the MRB pool (see note 3). It is customary in the reinsurance business for the assuming company to compensate the ceding company for the acquisition expenses incurred in the generation of the business. Commissions paid by the reinsurance subsidiary to Employers Mutual amounted to $17,386,129, $15,650,305 and $21,508,620 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the terms of the quota share agreement between Employers Mutual and the reinsurance subsidiary were revised. The majority of the changes were prompted by the significant amount of hurricane losses retained by Employers Mutual during the severe 2005 hurricane season; however, other changes were made to simplify and clarify the terms and conditions of the quota share agreement. The revised terms of the quota share agreement are as follows: (1) the reinsurance subsidiary’s retention, or cap, on losses assumed per event increased from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000; (2) the cost of the $2,000,000 cap on losses assumed per event is treated as a reduction to premiums written rather than commission expense; (3) the reinsurance subsidiary no longer directly pays for the outside reinsurance protection that Employers Mutual purchases to protect itself from catastrophic losses on the assumed reinsurance business it retains in excess of the cap, and instead pays a higher premium rate (previously accounted for as commission); and (4) the reinsurance subsidiary assumes all foreign currency exchange gain/loss associated with contracts incepting on January 1, 2006 and thereafter that are subject to the quota share agreement. For 2007 and 2006, the premium rate paid by the reinsurance subsidiary to Employers Mutual was 10.50 percent of premiums written. The corresponding rate for 2005 was approximately 8.50 percent (4.50 percent override commission rate plus approximately 4.00 percent for the cost of the outside reinsurance protection). The net foreign currency exchange loss assumed by the reinsurance subsidiary in 2007 and 2006 was $512,281 and $61,055, respectively.

 

Under the terms of the quota share agreement, the reinsurance subsidiary receives reinstatement premium income that is collected by Employers Mutual from the ceding companies when reinsurance coverage is reinstated after a loss event; however, the cap on losses assumed per event contained in the quota share agreement is automatically reinstated without cost. This arrangement can produce unusual underwriting results for the reinsurance subsidiary when a large event occurs because the reinstatement premium income received by the reinsurance subsidiary may approximate, or exceed, the amount of losses retained.

 

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During 2007 and 2006, Employers Mutual retained 10.5 percent of the gross assumed premiums written subject to cession to the reinsurance subsidiary ($8,329,929 in 2007 and $7,774,480 in 2006) as compensation for the $2,000,000 cap on losses assumed per event. In 2005, the reinsurance subsidiary paid Employers Mutual override commissions of $4,166,464 for the $1,500,000 cap per event, and also paid for 100 percent of the outside reinsurance protection Employers Mutual purchased to protect itself from catastrophic losses on the assumed reinsurance business it retained in excess of the cap, excluding reinstatement premiums. This cost was recorded as a reduction to the premiums received by the reinsurance subsidiary and amounted to $3,695,833 in 2005. The reinsurance subsidiary’s premiums earned for 2006 reflect a reduction of $508,333 associated with the runoff of the unearned premium from the outside reinsurance protection purchased in 2005, which expired on April 30, 2006. Employers Mutual retained losses and settlement expenses under the quota share agreement totaling ($52,664) in 2007, $1,029,236 in 2006 and $28,682,084 in 2005.

 

Services Provided by Employers Mutual

 

Employers Mutual provides various services to all of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Such services include data processing, claims, financial, actuarial, legal, auditing, marketing and underwriting. Employers Mutual allocates a portion of the cost of these services to its subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement based upon a number of criteria, including usage of the services and the number of transactions. The remaining costs are charged to the pooling agreement and each pool participant shares in the total cost in accordance with its pool participation percentage. Costs allocated to the Company by Employers Mutual for services provided to the holding company and its subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement amounted to $2,314,211, $2,081,688 and $1,829,565 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Costs allocated to the Company through the operation of the pooling agreement amounted to $66,646,772, $68,369,409 and $61,486,820 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Investment expenses are based on actual expenses incurred by the Company plus an allocation of other investment expenses incurred by Employers Mutual, which is based on a weighted average of total invested assets and number of investment transactions. Investment expenses allocated to the Company by Employers Mutual amounted to $1,455,808, $1,310,193 and $1,011,370 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

 

The parties to the pooling agreement cede insurance business to other insurers in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting their maximum loss exposure through diversification of their risks. In its consolidated financial statements, the Company treats risks to the extent they are reinsured as though they were risks for which the Company is not liable. Insurance ceded by the pool participants does not relieve their primary liability as the originating insurers. Employers Mutual evaluates the financial condition of the reinsurers of the parties to the pooling agreement and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies.

 

As of December 31, 2007, reinsurance ceded to two nonaffiliated reinsurers aggregated $19,530,607, which represents a significant portion of the total prepaid reinsurance premiums and reinsurance receivables for losses and settlement expenses. These amounts reflect the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ aggregate pool participation percentage of amounts ceded by Employers Mutual to these organizations on a mandatory basis. Credit risk associated with these amounts is minimal, as all companies participating in these organizations are responsible for the liabilities of such organizations on a pro rata basis.

 

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The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three years ended December 31, 2007 is presented below.

 

 

 

For 2007 and 2006, premiums written and earned assumed from affiliates, and losses and settlement expenses incurred assumed from affiliates, reflect a reduction in Employers Mutual’s participation in the MRB pool. The board of directors of the MRB pool approved the admission of two new assuming companies to the pool effective January 1, 2006. This reduced Employers Mutual’s participation in the pool from a one-third share to an approximate one-fifth share (one company is only assuming property exposures). The premiums written assumed from affiliates and net premiums written amounts for 2006 also include a negative $3,440,024 portfolio adjustment which serves as an offset to the decrease in unearned premiums recognized in connection with this change in participation.

 

 

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The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the Company. Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Underwriting results of the Company are significantly influenced by the estimates of loss and settlement expense reserves. Changes in reserve estimates are reflected in operating results in the year such changes are recorded. Both the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance segments experienced favorable development on prior years’ reserves in all three years presented.

 

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2007 Development

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2007 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2006 and prior decreased $27,976,811 from the estimate at December 31, 2006. This decrease represents 6.8 percent of the December 31, 2006 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to the final settlement of closed claims.

 

For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2007 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2006 and prior decreased $10,761,217 from the estimate at December 31, 2006. This decrease represents 7.8 percent of the December 31, 2006 gross carried reserves and is largely attributed to the 2004, 2005 and 2006 accident years in the HORAD book of business.

 

2006 Development

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2006 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2005 and prior decreased $32,255,312 from the estimate at December 31, 2005. This decrease represents 7.9 percent of the December 31, 2005 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to the final settlement of closed claims.

 

For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2006 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2005 and prior decreased $9,660,943 from the estimate at December 31, 2005. This decrease represents 7.2 percent of the December 31, 2005 gross carried reserves and is largely attributed to the 2004 and 2005 accident years in the HORAD book of business.

 

2005 Development

 

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2005 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2004 and prior decreased $14,808,375 from the estimate at December 31, 2004. This decrease represents 4.8 percent of the December 31, 2004 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to downward development of individual case loss reserves and settlement expense reserves. In addition, during the fourth quarter the Company reallocated a portion of a bulk case loss reserve carried in the workers’ compensation line of business to various components of the loss and settlement expense reserve for the other liability line of business (IBNR, asbestos and settlement expense) and eliminated the remainder, resulting in $2,145,000 of favorable development.

 

For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2005 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2004 and prior decreased $599,528 from the estimate at December 31, 2004. This decrease represents 0.5 percent of the December 31, 2004 gross carried reserves and is attributed to the HORAD book of business.

 

 

The Company has exposure to asbestos and environmental related claims associated with the insurance business written by the parties to the pooling agreement and the reinsurance business assumed from Employers Mutual by the reinsurance subsidiary. These exposures are not considered to be significant. Asbestos and environmental losses paid by the Company have averaged only $424,258 per year over the past five years. Reserves for asbestos and environmental related claims for direct insurance and assumed reinsurance business totaled $7,433,535 and $7,288,116 ($7,400,162 and $7,288,116 net of reinsurance) at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

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At present, the Company is defending approximately 600 asbestos bodily injury lawsuits, some of which involve multiple plaintiffs. Four former policyholders and one current policyholder dominate the Company’s asbestos claims. Most of these defenses are subject to express reservation of rights based upon the lack of an injury within the Company’s policy periods, because many asbestos lawsuits do not specifically allege dates of asbestos exposure or dates of injury. During 2003, the Company was presented with several hundred lawsuits (primarily multi-plaintiff lawsuits) filed against three former policyholders representing approximately 66,500 claims related to exposure to asbestos or products containing asbestos. These claims are based upon nonspecific asbestos exposure and nonspecific injuries. As a result, management did not establish a significant amount of case loss reserves associated with these claims. During 2006 and 2007, several of the multi-plaintiff lawsuits (including the vast majority of those associated with one former policyholder) were dismissed. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 5,000 of the claims remained open. During 2006, the Company received notice that another former insured was a named defendant in approximately 33,000 claims nationwide. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 27,000 of these claims remained open. To date, actual losses paid have been minimal due to the plaintiffs’ failure to identify an exposure to any asbestos-containing product associated with the Company’s policyholders. Defense costs, on the other hand, are more significant due to the large number of parties involved in the litigation and the length of time required to obtain a favorable judgment. Whenever possible, the Company has participated in cost sharing agreements with other insurance companies to reduce overall asbestos claim expenses. The Company believes its settlement expense reserve adequately provides for these projected expenses.

 

Estimating loss and settlement expense reserves for asbestos and environmental claims is very difficult due to the many uncertainties surrounding these types of claims. These uncertainties exist because the assignment of responsibility varies widely by state and claims often emerge long after a policy has expired, which makes assignment of damages to the appropriate party and to the time period covered by a particular policy difficult. In establishing reserves for these types of claims, management monitors the relevant facts concerning each claim, the current status of the legal environment, social and political conditions, and claim history and trends within the Company and the industry.

 

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to file financial statements with state regulatory authorities. The accounting principles used to prepare these statutory financial statements follow prescribed or permitted accounting practices that differ from GAAP. Prescribed statutory accounting principles include state laws, regulations and general administrative rules issued by the state of domicile, as well as a variety of publications and manuals of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Permitted accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not prescribed, but allowed by the state of domicile. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries had no permitted accounting practices during 2007, 2006 and 2005.

 

Statutory surplus of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries was $344,259,890 and $310,279,721 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Statutory net income of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries was $47,304,097, $57,701,796 and $40,736,759 for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

The NAIC utilizes a risk-based capital model to help state regulators assess the capital adequacy of insurance companies and identify insurers that are in, or are perceived as approaching, financial difficulty. This model establishes minimum capital needs based on the risks applicable to the operations of the individual insurer. The risk-based capital requirements for property and casualty insurance companies measure three major areas of risk: asset risk, credit risk and underwriting risk. Companies having less statutory surplus than required by the risk-based capital requirements are subject to varying degrees of regulatory scrutiny and intervention, depending on the severity of the inadequacy. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had total adjusted statutory capital of $344,259,890, which is well in excess of the minimum risk-based capital requirement of $55,525,713.

 

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The amount of retained earnings of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries available for distribution as dividends are limited by law to a percentage of the statutory unassigned surplus of each of the subsidiaries as of the previous December 31, as determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by insurance regulatory authorities of the state of domicile of each subsidiary. Subject to this limitation, the maximum dividend that may be paid within a 12 month period without prior approval of the insurance regulatory authorities is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis, not greater than earned statutory surplus. At December 31, 2007, $46,778,786 was available for distribution to the Company in 2008 without prior approval.

 

 

The Company’s operations consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment. The property and casualty insurance segment writes both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts. The reinsurance segment provides reinsurance for other insurers and reinsurers. The segments are managed separately due to differences in the insurance products sold and the business environment in which they operate. The accounting policies of the segments are described in note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

 

 

 

 

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113

 

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The following table displays the net premiums earned of the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three years ended December 31, 2007, by line of insurance.

 

 

 

 

Investments of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws of the state of their incorporation. These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments that may be made by insurance companies. In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks and real estate mortgages. The Company believes that it is in compliance with these laws.

 

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities held-to-maturity and available-for-sale as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows.

 

 

 

 

115

 

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116

 

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       The following table sets forth the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, listed by length of time the securities have been in an unrealized loss position.

 

 

 

Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities totaled $134,254 at December 31, 2007. The unrealized losses on U.S. government-sponsored agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities were all primarily caused by an increase in interest rates. The unrealized losses on corporate securities at December 31, 2007 include $55,880 of unrealized losses on three financial services fixed maturity securities (Chase Manhattan Corporation, 1^st National Bank Charlotte, and Comerica Bank). None of these securities are considered non-investment grade by credit rating agencies. Because the Company has both the ability and intent to hold these fixed maturity securities until maturity, it was determined that the carrying value of these securities was not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at December 31, 2007.

 

The unrealized losses on common and preferred stocks at December 31, 2007 are not concentrated in a particular sector or an individual security. The Company believes the unrealized losses on common and preferred stocks are primarily due to general fluctuations in the equity markets and do not consider these securities to be “other-than-temporarily” impaired at December 31, 2007.

 

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2007, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

 

The mortgage-backed securities shown in the above tables include $4,429,128 of securities issued by government corporations and agencies. Investment yields may vary from those anticipated due to changes in the prepayment patterns of the underlying collateral.

 

 

 

(1)     Investment gains realized on fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity are the result of calls and prepayments.

 

The equity securities “other-than-temporary” impairments include the write-down of 14 equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 12 equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

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119

 

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Temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

 

Based upon anticipated future taxable income and consideration of all other available evidence, management believes that it is “more likely than not” that the Company’s net deferred income tax asset will be realized.

 

The actual income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 differed from the “expected” income tax expense for those years (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income before income tax expense) as follows:

 

 

 

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Comprehensive income tax expense included in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:

 

 

 

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance for de-recognition of tax positions, financial statement classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. Adoption of this interpretation had no effect on the operating results of the Company, as an assessment of the Company’s tax positions indicated no uncertainties that would warrant different recognition and valuation from that applied in the Company’s tax returns.

 

Management of the Company carefully reviewed all individually significant tax positions during 2007 and concluded that the recording of any obligation related to an uncertain tax position under FIN 48 was not warranted. During 2007, the Company recognized a $34,736 underpayment penalty relating to its December 31, 2006 U.S. federal tax return. The Company did not recognize any interest or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during 2007. It is the Company’s accounting policy to reflect income tax penalties as other expense, and interest as interest expense.

 

The Company files U.S. federal tax returns, along with various states income tax returns. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2004.

 

 

The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries issued surplus notes totaling $25,000,000 and the reinsurance subsidiary issued $11,000,000 of surplus notes to Employers Mutual. On December 31, 2007, the reinsurance subsidiary redeemed its $11,000,000 of surplus notes, along with accrued interest. The surplus notes carried an annual interest rate of 3.09 percent through 2007 and do not have a maturity date. The Inter-Company Committees of the Company and Employers Mutual approved an increase in the interest rate on the outstanding notes to 3.60 percent effective February 1, 2008, subject to regulatory approval. A review of the interest rate on the surplus notes will be conducted by the Inter-Company Committees every five years. Payment of interest and repayment of principal can only be made out of each subsidiary’s statutory surplus earnings and is subject to approval by the issuing company’s state of domicile. The surplus notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all obligations or liabilities of the subsidiaries. Interest expense on surplus notes amounted to $1,111,469 for 2007 and $1,112,400 for 2006 and 2005.

 

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Employers Mutual has various employee benefit plans, including a defined benefit retirement plan (pension) and a supplemental retirement plan. Employers Mutual also has two postretirement benefit plans that provide retiree healthcare and life insurance coverage. Although the Company has no employees of its own, it is responsible for its share of the expenses and related prepaid assets and liabilities of these plans under the terms of the pooling agreement and the cost allocation methodologies applicable to subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement (see note 2). Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated balance sheets reflect the Company’s share of the total plans’ prepaid assets and liabilities.

 

Employers Mutual’s pension plan covers substantially all of its employees. The plan is funded by employer contributions and provides benefits under two different formulas, depending on an employee’s age and date of service. Benefits generally vest after five years of service or the attainment of 55 years of age. It is Employers Mutual’s funding policy to make contributions that meet minimum regulatory requirements plus additional amounts as determined by management.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, benefits will vest after three years of service or the attainment of 55 years of age. This change in the vesting requirement, which is reflected as a plan amendment at December 31, 2007, increased the pension benefit obligation of the plan by $307,631 ($92,026 as the Company’s portion).

 

Employers Mutual’s supplemental retirement plan provides retirement benefits for a select group of management and highly-compensated employees. This plan enables select employees to receive retirement benefits without the limit on compensation imposed on qualified defined benefit pension plans by the Internal Revenue Service and to recognize elective deferrals of compensation under any non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The plan is unfunded and benefits generally vest after five years of service (three years beginning January 1, 2008).

 

Employers Mutual also offers postretirement benefit plans which provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Substantially all of its employees may become eligible for those benefits if they reach normal retirement age and have attained the required length of service while working for Employers Mutual. The health care postretirement plan requires contributions from participants and contains certain cost sharing provisions such as coinsurance and deductibles. The life insurance plan is noncontributory. The benefits provided under both plans are subject to change.

 

Employers Mutual maintains a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust which accumulates funds for the payment of postretirement health care and life insurance benefits. Contributions to the VEBA trust are used to fund the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, as well as pay current year benefits.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, Employers Mutual increased the minimum retirement age and length of service requirements to receive the full employer contribution amount in the postretirement health care benefit plan. This change did not affect current retirees. The Company also increased the level of coverage and service requirements for its postretirement life insurance benefit plan. These changes, which are reflected as plan amendments at December 31, 2007, decreased the postretirement benefits obligation by $23,656,946 ($6,487,939 as the Company’s portion).

 

The following table sets forth the funded status of Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, based upon a measurement date of November 1, 2007 and 2006, respectively:

 

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The accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plans amounted to $142,744,894 and $130,839,570 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

The following tables set forth the amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements as a result of the property and casualty subsidiaries’ aggregate 30 percent participation in the pooling agreement and amounts allocated to the reinsurance subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets under the caption “accumulated other comprehensive income”:

 

 

 

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During 2008, the Company will amortize $59,382 of the net actuarial loss and $137,391 of the prior service cost associated with the pension plans into net periodic benefit cost. In addition, the Company will amortize $619,217 of the prior service cost credit associated with the postretirement benefit plans into net periodic postretirement benefit cost in 2008, however, none of the net actuarial loss will be amortized into net periodic postretirement benefit cost during 2008 since the total is less than the minimum required for amortization.

 

 

 

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets of Employers Mutual’s Supplemental Retirement Plan as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

 

 

Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $1,514,136, $2,641,361 and $2,649,234 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Net periodic postretirement benefit cost allocated to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $2,267,348, $2,656,023 and $2,050,172, respectively.

 

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The expected long-term rates of return on plan assets were developed considering actual historical results, current and expected market conditions, plan asset mix and management’s investment strategy.

 

 

The assumed health care cost trend rate has a significant effect on the service and interest cost components of the net periodic benefit cost and the benefit obligation reported for the postretirement benefit plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

 

 

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The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid from the plans over the next ten years:

 

 

The weighted-average asset allocation of Employers Mutual’s defined benefit retirement plan as of the measurement dates of November 1, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

Employers Mutual has retained Principal Financial Advisors, Inc. to manage the asset allocation strategy for its defined benefit retirement plan (herein referred to as Fund Selection Service). The asset allocation strategy and process of the Fund Selection Service consists of a long-term, risk-controlled approach using diversified investment options with a minimal exposure to volatile investment options like derivatives. The long-term strategy of the Fund Selection Service is foremost preserving plan assets from downside market risk, while secondarily out-performing its peers over a full market cycle. The investment process of Fund Selection Service uses a diversified allocation of equity, debt and real estate exposures that are customized to each plan’s cash flow needs.

 

The Fund Selection Service reviews a plan’s assets and liabilities with an emphasis on forecasting a plan’s cash flow needs. This forecast calculates the allocation percentage of fixed income assets needed to cover the liabilities of each plan. The model is quantitatively based and evaluates the plan’s current assets plus five years of deposit projections and compares it to the current monthly benefit payments and the emerging benefit liabilities for the next ten years. The data for the deposits and emerging liabilities is provided from the plan’s actuarial valuation, while the current assets and monthly benefit payments data is provided from Principal Life Insurance Company’s retirement plan account system.

 

The weighted-average asset allocation of Employers Mutual’s VEBA trust that is used to fund the postretirement benefit plans as of the measurement dates of November 1, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

 

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Plan assets in Employers Mutual’s VEBA trust are primarily invested in universal life insurance policies issued by EMC National Life Company, an affiliate of Employers Mutual. The assets supporting these universal life insurance policies are invested in S&P 500 mutual funds and debt securities and have a guaranteed interest rate of 4.5 percent.

 

Employers Mutual plans to contribute approximately $4,400,000 to the pension plan and $2,700,000 to the VEBA trust in 2008.

 

The Company participates in several other retirement plans sponsored by Employers Mutual, including its 401(k) Plan and Board and Executive Non-Qualified Excess Plan. The Company’s share of expenses for these plans amounted to $2,015,481, $1,409,914 and $1,064,546 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

 

The Company has no stock-based compensation plans of its own; however, Employers Mutual has several stock plans which utilize the common stock of the Company. Employers Mutual can provide the common stock required under its plans by: 1) using shares of common stock that it currently owns; 2) purchasing common stock on the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value. Employers Mutual has historically purchased common stock from the Company for use in its incentive stock option plans and its non-employee director stock purchase plan. Employers Mutual generally purchases common stock on the open market to fulfill its obligations under its employee stock purchase plan.

 

Incentive Stock Option Plans

 

Employers Mutual maintains two separate incentive stock option plans for the benefit of officers and key employees of Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries. A total of 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 1993 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option Plan (1993 Plan) and a total of 1,500,000 shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2003 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option Plan (2003 Plan).

 

The 1993 Plan and the 2003 Plan provide for awards of incentive stock options and both plans have a ten-year time limit for granting options. Options can no longer be granted under the 1993 Plan and no additional options will be granted under the 2003 Plan as Employers Mutual recently implemented a new stock incentive plan. Options granted under the 1993 Plan and 2003 Plan have a vesting period of two, three, four or five years with options becoming exercisable in equal annual cumulative increments. Option prices cannot be less than the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant.

 

On June 1, 2007, the Company registered 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for use in the 2007 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Stock Incentive Plan (2007 Plan). The 2007 Plan provides for the awarding of performance shares, performance units, and other stock-based awards, in addition to qualified (incentive) and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The 2007 Plan provides for a ten-year time limit for granting awards. Officers, key employees and non-employee directors of Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as certain agents, may participate in the plan.

 

The Senior Executive Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the “Committee”) of Employers Mutual’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) grants the awards and is the administrator of the plans. The Company’s Compensation Committee must consider and approve all awards granted to the Company’s senior executive officers.

 

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method, which requires compensation expense to be recorded for all options granted after the date of adoption, as well as for existing options for which the requisite service has not been rendered as of the date of adoption. The modified-prospective method does not require restatement of prior periods to reflect the impact of SFAS 123(R). There was no initial change to net income or stockholders’ equity upon the adoption of SFAS 123(R). Under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), the Company recognized compensation expense of $200,941 (gross and net of tax) during 2007 related to stock options granted in 2007 and the vesting of options granted in 2002 through 2006, and $178,439 (gross and net of tax) during 2006 related to the stock options granted in 2006 and the vesting of options granted in 2001 through 2005.

 

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In accordance with IRS regulations, Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans include a restriction that the aggregate fair market value of common stock with respect to which stock options are exercisable for the first time by an option holder may not exceed $100,000 during any calendar year. This restriction, in effect, places a limitation on the number of stock options that can be granted to a participant during any given year. During 2006, Employers Mutual determined that there had been an oversight in the record-keeping for the incentive stock option plans which (1) resulted in the issuance of “invalid” stock options to three of the Company’s executive officers in prior years, and (2) precluded the issuance of 2006 stock option grants to these executive officers that had previously been authorized as part of their 2006 compensation arrangements. To rectify the “invalid” stock option issue, Employers Mutual entered into agreements with the three executive officers in 2006 whereby they surrendered a total of 15,647 “invalid” stock options that were still outstanding for a negotiated cash settlement. In addition, Employers Mutual purchased 10,553 shares of the Company’s common stock from one of the executive officers who had previously exercised the same number of “invalid” stock options and returned the common stock to the Company for cancellation. The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual for the original issuance price of the cancelled common stock. Additional arrangements were made to compensate the executive officers for the 2006 option grants they did not receive.

 

During 2007, 117,250 options were granted under the 2003 Plan to eligible participants at a price of $25.455 and 40,825 options were exercised under the plans at prices ranging from $9.25 to $24.60. A summary of the activity under Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans for 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:

 

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $3.78, $3.93 and $4.57, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

The expected term of the options granted in 2007 was estimated using historical data that was adjusted to remove the effect of option exercises prior to the normal vesting period due to the retirement of the option holder. The expected term of options granted to individuals who are, or will be, eligible to retire prior to the completion of the normal vesting period has been adjusted to reflect the potential accelerated vesting period. This produced a weighted-average expected term of 2.97 years.

 

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The expected volatility in the price of the underlying shares for the 2007 option grant was computed by using the historical average high and low monthly prices of the Company’s common stock for a period covering 6.25 years, which approximates the average term of the options and produced an expected volatility of 24.2 percent. The expected volatility of options granted to individuals who are, or will be, eligible to retire prior to the completion of the normal vesting period was computed by using the historical average high and low daily, weekly, or monthly prices for the period approximating the expected term of those options. This produced expected volatility ranging from 22.2 percent to 31.4 percent.

 

At December 31, 2007, the Company’s portion of the unrecognized compensation cost associated with option awards issued under Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans that are not currently vested was $365,578, with a 1.47 year weighted-average period over which the compensation expense is expected to be recognized. A summary of non-vested option activity under Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans for 2007, 2006 and 2005 is as follows:

 

 

The Company’s portion of the total intrinsic value of options exercised under Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans was $176,344, $663,524 and $245,441 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As stated earlier, under the terms of the pooling and quota share agreements these amounts were paid to Employers Mutual and the Company received the full fair value for all shares issued under these plans. The Company’s portion of the total fair value of options that vested in 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $200,941, $178,439 and $117,710, respectively. Additional information relating to options outstanding and options vested (exercisable) at December 31, 2007 is as follows:

 

 

Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plans do not generate tax deductions for the Company. Therefore, no cash flow effects have resulted from the application of the provisions of SFAS 123(R) on share-based payment arrangements. The income tax benefit that results from disqualifying dispositions is deemed immaterial.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

A total of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance under the Employers Mutual Casualty Company 1993 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Any eligible employee who is employed by Employers Mutual on the first day of the month immediately preceding any option period is eligible to participate in the plan. Participants pay 85 percent of the fair market value of the stock on the date of purchase. The plan is administered by the Board of Employers Mutual and the Board has the right to amend or terminate the plan at any time; however, no such amendment or termination shall adversely affect the rights and privileges of participants with unexercised options. Expenses allocated to the Company in connection with this plan totaled $22,643, $14,724 and $14,062 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

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       During 2007, a total of 19,286 options were exercised at prices of $19.88 and $21.28. Activity under the plan was as follows:

 

 

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan

 

A total of 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2003 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. All non-employee directors of Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries and affiliates who are not serving on the “Disinterested Director Committee” of the Board of Employers Mutual as of the beginning of an option period are eligible to participate in the plan. Each eligible director can purchase shares of common stock at 75 percent of the fair value of the stock on the option exercise date in an amount equal to a minimum of 25 percent to a maximum of 100 percent of their annual cash retainer. The plan will continue through the option period for options granted at the 2012 annual meetings. The plan is administered by the Disinterested Director Committee of the Board. The Board may amend or terminate the plan at any time; however, no such amendment or termination shall adversely affect the rights and privileges of participants with unexercised options. Expenses allocated to the Company in connection with these plans totaled $18,173, $9,495 and $12,893 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

During 2007, a total of 4,842 options were exercised at prices ranging from $17.99 to $20.91. Activity under the plan was as follows:

 

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

The Company maintains a dividend reinvestment and common stock purchase plan which provides stockholders with the option of reinvesting cash dividends in additional shares of the Company’s common stock. Participants may also purchase additional shares of common stock without incurring broker commissions by making optional cash contributions to the plan and may sell shares of common stock through the plan. Employers Mutual did not participate in this plan in 2007, 2006 or 2005. Activity under the plan was as follows:

 

 

 

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Stock Appreciation Right (SAR) agreement

 

On October 19, 2006, Employers Mutual entered into a stock appreciation rights (SAR) agreement with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (Mr. Murray). This SAR agreement is a substitute for a stock option grant Mr. Murray was initially authorized to receive as part of his 2006 compensation arrangement, but was not issued to him due to certain limitations contained in Employers Mutual’s incentive stock option plan. The grant-date fair value of this award was $546,300. Because the SAR agreement will be settled in cash, it is considered to be a liability-classified award under SFAS 123(R). As a result, the value of this agreement must be re-measured at fair value at each financial statement reporting date. The fair value of this agreement at December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $318,825 ($95,648 as the Company’s portion from the pool) and $662,850 ($198,855 as the Company’s portion from the pool), respectively. The full value of this agreement was expensed in 2006 because Mr. Murray is currently eligible for retirement and is entitled to keep the award at retirement. As a result, the award does not have any subsequent service requirements. Subsequent changes in the fair value of this agreement will be reflected as compensation expense until the agreement is ultimately settled in 2016. During 2007, the Company recognized negative compensation expense of $103,207 ($67,085 net of tax) related to this award.

 

Stock Purchase Plan

 

During the second quarter of 2005 Employers Mutual initiated a $15 million stock purchase program under which Employers Mutual will purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market. This purchase program does not have an expiration date. The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on market conditions and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. During 2007, Employers Mutual purchased 65,501 shares of the Company’s common stock under this program at an average cost of $24.02 per share. No purchases were made during 2006 and 497,348 shares of the Company’s common stock were purchased under this plan in 2005 at an average cost of $17.97 per share. As of December 31, 2007, $4,490,561 remained available under this plan for additional purchases.

 

Stock Repurchase Plan

 

On March 10, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15 million stock repurchase program. This program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date. The timing and terms of the purchases will be determined by management based on market conditions and will be conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Common stock purchased under this program will be retired by the Company.

 

 

The estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities, equity securities and short-term investments is based on quoted market prices, where available. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.

 

The fair value of the surplus notes is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rate for a similar liability.

 

Other long-term investments, consisting primarily of holdings in limited partnerships and limited liability companies, are valued by the various fund managers. In management’s opinion, these values reflect fair value at December 31, 2007and 2006.

 

Securities lending collateral is recorded as an asset on the Company’s balance sheet, with a corresponding liability reflecting the Company’s obligation to return this collateral. The securities lending collateral consisted of cash at December 31, 2007and 2006. These values reflect the fair value at December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

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         The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is summarized below.

 

 

 

 

One of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries leases office facilities in Bismarck, North Dakota with lease terms expiring in 2014. Employers Mutual has entered into various leases for branch and service office facilities with lease terms expiring through 2021. All lease costs are included as expenses under the pooling agreement, after allocation of the portion of these expenses to the subsidiaries that do not participate in the pooling agreement. The following table reflects the lease commitments of the Company as of December 31, 2007.

 

 

The participants in the pooling agreement are subject to guaranty fund assessments by states in which they write business. Guaranty fund assessments are used by states to pay policyholder liabilities of insolvent insurers domiciled in that state. Many states allow assessments to be recovered through premium tax offsets. Estimated guaranty fund assessments of $1,713,958 and $1,450,944 and related premium tax offsets of $1,057,280 and $928,623 have been accrued as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The guaranty fund assessments are expected to be paid over the next two years and the premium tax offsets are expected to be realized within ten years of the payments. The participants in the pooling agreement are also subject to second-injury fund assessments which are designed to encourage employers to employ a worker with a pre-existing disability. Estimated second-injury fund assessments of $1,655,722 and $1,768,799 have been accrued as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The second-injury fund assessment accruals are based on projected loss payments. The periods over which the assessments will be paid is not known.

 

132

 

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The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions. The Company’s share of loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of these annuities was $2,024,184 at December 31, 2007. The Company has a contingent liability of $2,024,184 should the issuers of these annuities fail to perform under the terms of the annuity. The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote. The Company’s share of the amount due from any one life insurance company does not equal or exceed one percent of its subsidiaries’ aggregate policyholders’ surplus.

 

The Company and Employers Mutual and its other subsidiaries are parties to numerous lawsuits arising in the normal course of the insurance business. The Company believes that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or its results of operations. The companies involved have established reserves which are believed adequate to cover any potential liabilities arising out of all such pending or threatened proceedings.

 

 

 

* Since the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the year, quarterly net income per share may not total to annual net income per share.

 

133

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON SCHEDULES

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

EMC Insurance Group Inc.:

 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, and have issued our report thereon dated March 13, 2008 (included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our audits also include the financial statement schedules listed in Item 15(a)2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.

 

In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, during 2007 the Company changed its method of accounting for income tax contingencies.

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

 

 

134

 

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule I – Summary of Investments-

Other than Investments in Related Parties

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

135

 

---

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

 

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

 

 

136

 

---

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, Continued

 

Condensed Statements of Income

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

137

 

---

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant, Continued

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

138

 

---

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule III – Supplementary Insurance Information

 

For Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

139

 

---

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule IV – Reinsurance

 

For Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

140

 

---

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule VI – Supplemental Information Concerning

Property-Casualty Insurance Operations

 

For Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

141

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely making known to them material information relating to the Company and the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act.

 

The report called for by Item 308(a) of Regulation S-K is included in “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,” under Part II, Item 8 of this report.

 

The attestation report called for by Item 308(b) of Regulation S-K is included in “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,” under Part II, Item 8 of this report.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

The information required by Item 10 regarding the Company’s executive officers is included in “Executive Officers of the Company” under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

 

The information required by Item 10 regarding the audit committee financial expert and the members of the Company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Information about the Board of Directors and its Committees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008.

 

The information required by Item 10 regarding the Company’s directors is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Security Ownership of Management and Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008.

 

The information required by Item 10 regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance Information” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008.

 

142

 

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       The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The code of ethics is posted on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s internet website found at www.emcinsurance.com. In the event that the Company makes any amendments to, or grants any waivers from, a provision of the ethics policy that requires disclosure under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the Company intends to disclose such amendments or waivers and the reasons therefore on its website.

 

 

 

See the information under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

See the information under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Security Ownership of Management and Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans appears in Item 5 of this report.

 

 

 

See the information under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Persons Transactions” and “Election of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

See the information under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees” in the Company’s Proxy Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 29, 2008, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

143

 

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PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144

 

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(b)        Exhibits

 

 

 

145

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

146

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 14, 2008.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 14, 2008.

 

 

* by power of attorney

 

147

 

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EMC Insurance Group Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

Index to Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

148