10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2007
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                                                              to                                                             
Commission File Number: 0-8641
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
New Jersey   22-2168890
     
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
40 Wantage Avenue    
Branchville, New Jersey   07890
     
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
(973) 948-3000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)
 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ      No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated file þ       Accelerated file o       Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o      No þ
As of March 31, 2007, there were 54,857,753 shares of common stock, par value $2.00, outstanding.
 
 

 


 

SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Table of Contents
             
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
   
 
       
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION        
   
 
       
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Item 6.       28  
 EX-11: STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS
 EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION

 


Table of Contents

                 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

(in thousands, except share amounts)
  Unaudited
March 31,
2007
    December 31,
2006
 
ASSETS
               
Investments:
               
Fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity - at amortized cost (fair value of: $9,871 - 2007; $10,073 - 2006)
  $ 9,653       9,822  
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale - at fair value (amortized cost of: $2,927,958 - 2007; $2,916,884 - 2006)
    2,949,798       2,937,100  
Equity securities, available-for-sale - at fair value (cost of: $168,993 - 2007; $157,864 - 2006)
    310,534       307,376  
Short-term investments - (at cost which approximates fair value)
    156,899       197,019  
Other investments
    165,131       144,785  
 
           
Total investments
    3,592,015       3,596,102  
Cash and cash equivalents
    3,877       6,443  
Interest and dividends due or accrued
    34,036       34,846  
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $3,930 - 2007; $3,229 - 2006
    495,615       458,452  
Other trade receivables, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of: $174 - 2007; $255 - 2006
    19,755       21,388  
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and loss expenses
    3,710       4,693  
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses
    200,450       199,738  
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (Note 5)
    70,592       69,935  
Current federal income tax
          468  
Deferred federal income tax
    20,798       15,445  
Property and equipment - at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of: $107,133- 2007; $103,660 - 2006
    57,663       59,004  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    226,759       218,103  
Goodwill
    33,637       33,637  
Other assets
    43,558       49,451  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 4,802,465       4,767,705  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Reserve for losses
  $ 2,013,230       1,959,485  
Reserve for loss expenses
    339,270       329,285  
Unearned premiums
    829,369       791,540  
Senior convertible notes
    57,413       57,413  
Notes payable
    304,431       304,424  
Current federal income tax
    12,738        
Commissions payable
    30,411       54,814  
Accrued salaries and benefits
    74,917       94,560  
Other liabilities
    101,822       98,957  
 
           
Total liabilities
    3,763,601       3,690,478  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock of $0 par value per share:
               
Authorized shares: 5,000,000; no shares issued or outstanding Common stock of $2 par value per share:
               
Authorized shares: 360,000,000
               
Issued: 92,275,103 - 2007; 91,562,266 - 2006
    184,550       183,124  
Additional paid-in capital
    164,541       153,246  
Retained earnings
    1,016,427       986,017  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    97,462       100,601  
Treasury stock - at cost (shares: 37,417,350 - 2007; 34,289,974 - 2006)
    (424,116 )     (345,761 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity (Note 9)
    1,038,864       1,077,227  
 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,802,465       4,767,705  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
  Quarters ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)   2007     2006  
Revenues:
               
Net premiums written
  $ 417,185       431,989  
Net increase in unearned premiums and prepaid reinsurance premiums
    (37,172 )     (61,832 )
 
           
Net premiums earned
    380,013       370,157  
Net investment income earned
    39,863       36,002  
Net realized gains
    11,243       7,367  
Diversified Insurance Services revenue
    29,178       27,278  
Other income
    1,812       1,862  
 
           
Total revenues
    462,109       442,666  
 
           
 
               
Expenses:
               
Losses incurred
    203,310       191,363  
Loss expenses incurred
    42,983       42,337  
Policy acquisition costs
    122,918       115,478  
Dividends to policyholders
    1,487       1,208  
Interest expense
    6,331       5,518  
Diversified Insurance Services expenses
    24,811       23,746  
Other expenses
    11,070       8,744  
 
           
Total expenses
    412,910       388,394  
 
           
 
               
Income before federal income tax
    49,199       54,272  
 
           
 
               
Federal income tax expense (benefit):
               
Current
    15,611       16,698  
Deferred
    (3,664 )     (2,404 )
 
           
Total federal income tax expense
    11,947       14,294  
 
           
 
               
Net income
    37,252       39,978  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic net income
  $ 0.68       0.75  
 
           
 
               
Diluted net income
  $ 0.62       0.64  
 
           
 
               
Dividends to stockholders
  $ 0.12       0.11  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  Quarters ended March 31,        
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2007             2006          
Common stock:
                               
Beginning of year
  $ 183,124               173,085          
Dividend reinvestment plan (shares: 18,764 – 2007; 15,964 – 2006)
    38               32          
Convertible debentures (shares: 107,344 – 2007; 2,824 – 2006)
    215               6          
Stock purchase and compensation plans (shares: 586,729 – 2007; 483,956 – 2006)
    1,173               967          
 
                           
End of period
    184,550               174,090          
 
                           
 
                               
Additional paid-in capital:
                               
Beginning of year
    153,246               71,638          
Dividend reinvestment plan
    422               408          
Convertible debentures
    171               4          
Stock purchase and compensation plans
    10,702               9,985          
 
                           
End of period
    164,541               82,035          
 
                           
 
                               
Retained earnings:
                               
Beginning of year
    986,017               847,687          
Net income
    37,252       37,252       39,978       39,978  
Cash dividends to stockholders ($0.12 per share – 2007; $0.11 per share – 2006)
    (6,842 )             (6,161 )        
 
                           
End of period
    1,016,427               881,504          
 
                           
 
                               
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
                               
Beginning of year
    100,601               118,121          
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
                               
Decrease in net unrealized gains on investment securities, net of deferred income tax effect of: $(1,740) – 2007; $(6,769) – 2006
    (3,232 )     (3,232 )     (12,571 )     (12,571 )
Increase in defined benefit pension plans, net of deferred income tax effect of $51 – 2007
    93       93              
 
                       
End of period
    97,462               105,550          
 
                           
Comprehensive income
            34,113               27,407  
 
                           
 
                               
Treasury stock:
                               
Beginning of year
    (345,761 )             (229,407 )        
Acquisition of treasury stock (shares: 3,127,376 – 2007; 2,064,856 – 2006)
    (78,355 )             (56,531 )        
 
                           
End of period
    (424,116 )             (285,938 )        
 
                           
Total stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,038,864               957,241          
 
                           
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. also has authorized, but not issued, 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without par value of which 300,000 shares have been designated Series A junior preferred stock without par value.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
  Quarters ended March 31,  
(in thousands)   2007     2006  
Operating Activities
               
Net income
  $ 37,252       39,978  
 
           
 
               
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    6,975       5,915  
Share-based compensation expense
    8,630       6,935  
Net realized gains
    (11,243 )     (7,367 )
Deferred tax
    (3,664 )     (2,404 )
 
               
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in reserves for losses and loss expenses, net of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses
    63,053       59,297  
Increase in unearned premiums, net of prepaid reinsurance and advance premiums
    38,107       61,864  
Increase in net federal income tax payable
    13,206       11,843  
Increase in premiums receivable
    (37,163 )     (11,907 )
Decrease in other trade receivables
    1,633       810  
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs
    (8,656 )     (15,721 )
Decrease in interest and dividends due or accrued
    822       617  
Decrease (increase) in reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and loss expenses
    983       (1,471 )
Decrease in accrued salaries and benefits
    (20,874 )     (16,120 )
Decrease in accrued insurance expenses
    (24,887 )     (53,902 )
Other-net
    11,030       1,297  
 
           
Net adjustments
    37,952       39,686  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    75,204       79,664  
 
           
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Purchase of fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
    (89,915 )     (167,352 )
Purchase of equity securities, available-for-sale
    (31,550 )     (17,277 )
Purchase of other investments
    (20,228 )     (15,091 )
Purchase of short-term investments
    (285,836 )     (571,473 )
Net proceeds from sale of subsidiary
          376  
Sale of fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
    8,351       96,880  
Sale of short-term investments
    325,948       573,336  
Redemption and maturities of fixed maturity securities, held-to-maturity
    172       765  
Redemption and maturities of fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale
    63,004       55,033  
Sale of equity securities, available-for-sale
    32,149       21,435  
Proceeds from other investments
    2,578       948  
Purchase of property and equipment
    (2,292 )     (3,865 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    2,381       (26,285 )
 
           
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Dividends to stockholders
    (6,262 )     (5,548 )
Acquisition of treasury stock
    (78,355 )     (56,531 )
Net proceeds from stock purchase and compensation plans
    1,980       3,382  
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
    2,486       2,920  
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (80,151 )     (55,777 )
 
           
Net decrease in short-term investments and cash
    (2,566 )     (2,398 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    6,443       2,983  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 3,877       585  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
               
Cash paid during the year for:
               
Interest
  $ 3,095       2,464  
Federal income tax
    400       1,935  
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activity:
               
Conversion of convertible debentures
    380       10  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. Organization
Selective Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, (collectively known as “Selective”) offers property and casualty insurance products and diversified insurance services and products. Selective Insurance Group, Inc. was incorporated in New Jersey in 1977 and its main offices are located in Branchville, New Jersey. Selective Insurance Group, Inc.’s Common Stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select MarketÒ under the symbol, “SIGI.”
Selective classifies its business into three operating segments:
    Insurance Operations, which sells property and casualty insurance products and services primarily in 20 states in the Eastern and Midwestern United States, and has at least one company licensed to do business in each of the 50 states;
 
    Investments; and
 
    Diversified Insurance Services, which provides human resource administration outsourcing products and services, and federal flood insurance administrative services.
NOTE 2. Basis of Presentation
These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements (“Financial Statements”) include the accounts of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared in conformity with (i) accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and (ii) the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. The preparation of Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported financial statement balances, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between Selective Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are eliminated in consolidation.
These Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are normal, recurring, and necessary for a fair presentation of Selective’s results of operations and financial condition. These Financial Statements cover the first quarters ended March 31, 2007 (“First Quarter 2007”) and March 31, 2006 (“First Quarter 2006”). These Financial Statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP and the SEC for audited financial statements. Results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Consequently, these Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in Selective’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (“2006 Annual Report”).
NOTE 3. Statement of Cash Flow
At December 31, 2006, Selective changed its definition of cash equivalents for presentation in the Statements of Cash Flow. Accordingly, the First Quarter 2006 Statement of Cash Flow has been restated to conform with this policy change. In addition, certain amounts in the Statement of Cash Flow for First Quarter 2006 have been reclassified to conform to reclassifications made to the balance sheet in the prior year. These reclassifications resulted in immaterial changes to individual line items in the operating activities and investing activities sections of the Statements of Cash Flow, but had no impact on total cash flows from operating activities or investing activities. Neither the policy change nor the reclassifications had any effect on Selective’s net income or stockholders’ equity. For additional information, refer to Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” Note 2 of Selective’s 2006 Annual Report.
NOTE 4. Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements
On January 1, 2007, Selective adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140 (“FAS 155”). Under the guidance contained in FAS 155, companies are required to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify whether such interests are freestanding derivatives or hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recommended a narrow scope exception for securitized interests if: (i) the securitized interest itself has no embedded derivative (including interest rate related derivatives) that would be required to be accounted for separately other than an embedded derivative that results solely from the embedded call options in the underlying financial assets; and (ii) the investor does not control the right to accelerate the settlement. The adoption of FAS 155 did not have a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of Selective during First Quarter 2007.

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On January 1, 2007, Selective adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 calls for a two-step process to evaluate tax positions based on the recognition, derecognition, and measurement of benefits related to income taxes. The process begins with an initial assessment of whether a tax position, based on its technical merits and applicability to the facts and circumstances, will “more-likely-than-not” be sustained upon examination, including related appeals or litigation. The “more-likely-than-not” threshold is defined as having greater than a 50% chance of being realized upon settlement. Tax positions that are “more-likely-than-not” sustainable are then measured to determine how much of the benefit should be recorded in the financial statements. This determination is made by considering the probabilities of the amounts that could be realized upon ultimate settlement. Each tax position is evaluated individually and must continue to meet the threshold in each subsequent reporting period or the benefit will be derecognized. A position that initially failed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold should be recognized in a subsequent period if: (i) a change in facts and circumstances results in the position’s ability to meet the threshold; (ii) the issue is settled with the taxing authority; or (iii) the statute of limitations expires. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Selective has analyzed its tax positions in all federal and state jurisdictions in which it is required to file income tax returns for all open tax years. The open tax years for the federal returns are 2003 though 2006. The Internal Revenue Service completed a limited scope examination of tax year 2003 and 2004 that resulted in a favorable adjustment. Selective did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007. Selective believes its tax positions will be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change to its financial position. As a result, there was no material change in Selective’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“FAS 159”), which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. FAS 159 requires companies to provide additional information that will help investors and other users of financial statements to more easily understand the effect of the company’s choice to use fair value on its earnings. FAS 159 also requires companies to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. We are currently evaluating the impact FAS 159 may have on our financial statements.
NOTE 5. Reinsurance
The following table summarizes the direct, assumed, and ceded reinsurance amounts by income statement caption. For more information concerning reinsurance, refer to Note 7, “Reinsurance” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Selective’s 2006 Annual Report.
                 
    Unaudited  
    Quarter ended March 31,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
Premiums written:
               
Direct
  $ 456,479       452,299  
Assumed
    4,484       5,489  
Ceded
    (43,778 )     (25,799 )
 
           
 
               
Net
  $ 417,185       431,989  
 
           
 
               
Premiums earned:
               
Direct
  $ 414,764       396,549  
Assumed
    8,370       9,718  
Ceded
    (43,121 )     (36,110 )
 
           
 
               
Net
  $ 380,013       370,157  
 
           
 
               
Losses and loss expenses incurred:
               
Direct
  $ 251,744       237,280  
Assumed
    6,671       7,500  
Ceded
    (12,122 )     (11,080 )
 
           
 
               
Net
  $ 246,293       233,700  
 
           

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The ceded premiums and losses related to Selective’s Flood operations are as follows:
                 
    Unaudited  
    Quarter ended March 31,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
Ceded premiums written
  $ (32,019 )     (25,279 )
Ceded premiums earned
    (30,881 )     (23,895 )
Ceded losses and loss expenses incurred
    (2,263 )     (5,374 )
NOTE 6. Segment Information
Selective has classified its operations into three segments, the disaggregated results of which are reported to and used by senior management to manage Selective’s operations:
    Insurance Operations, which are evaluated based on statutory underwriting results (net premiums earned, incurred losses and loss expenses, policyholders dividends, policy acquisition costs, and other underwriting expenses) and statutory combined ratios;
 
    Investments, which are evaluated based on net investment income and net realized gains and losses; and
 
    Diversified Insurance Services (federal flood insurance administrative services and human resource administration outsourcing), which, because they are not dependent on insurance underwriting cycles, are evaluated based on several measures including, but not limited to, results of operations in accordance with GAAP, with a focus on our return on revenue (net income divided by revenues).
The Insurance Operations and Diversified Insurance Services segments share a common marketing or distribution system and create new opportunities for independent insurance agents to bring value-added services and products to their customers. Selective’s commercial and personal lines property and casualty insurance products, flood insurance, and human resource administration outsourcing products are principally sold through independent insurance agents.
Selective Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries also provide services to each other in the normal course of business. These transactions totaled $4.4 million in First Quarter 2007 and $4.8 million in First Quarter 2006. These transactions were eliminated in all consolidated statements. In computing the results of each segment, Selective does not include interest expense, net general corporate expenses, or federal income taxes. Selective does not maintain separate investment portfolios for the segments and therefore, does not allocate assets to the segments.

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The following presents revenues from continuing operations (net investment income and net realized gains on investments in the case of the Investments segment) and pre-tax income from continuing operations for the individual segments:
                 
    Unaudited  
    Quarter ended  
Revenue by segment   March 31,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
Insurance Operations:
               
Net premiums earned:
               
Commercial automobile
  $ 78,789       80,511  
Workers compensation
    82,476       75,801  
General liability
    103,460       99,090  
Commercial property
    46,568       44,390  
Business owners’ policy
    12,841       11,791  
Bonds
    4,700       3,918  
Other
    177       180  
 
           
Total commercial lines
    329,011       315,681  
 
           
Personal automobile
    33,936       38,076  
Homeowners
    15,142       14,527  
Other
    1,924       1,873  
 
           
Total personal lines
    51,002       54,476  
 
           
Total net premiums earned
    380,013       370,157  
 
           
Miscellaneous income
    1,751       1,861  
 
           
Total insurance operations revenues
    381,764       372,018  
 
               
Investments:
               
Net investment income
    39,863       36,002  
Net realized gain on investments
    11,243       7,367  
 
           
Total investment revenues
    51,106       43,369  
 
               
Diversified Insurance Services:
               
Human resource administration outsourcing
    16,795       17,150  
Flood insurance
    10,410       8,921  
Other
    1,973       1,207  
 
           
Total diversified insurance services revenues
    29,178       27,278  
 
               
 
           
Total all segments
    462,048       442,665  
 
           
Other income
    61       1  
 
           
 
               
Total revenues
  $ 462,109       442,666  
 
           
                 
    Unaudited  
    Quarter ended  
Income (loss) before federal income tax   March 31,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006  
Insurance Operations:
               
Commercial lines underwriting
  $ 12,630       22,796  
Personal lines underwriting
    (2,913 )     (1,854 )
 
           
Underwriting income, before federal income tax
    9,717       20,942  
 
           
GAAP combined ratio
    97.4 %     94.3  
Statutory combined ratio
    95.6 %     93.0  
Investments:
               
Net investment income
    39,863       36,002  
Net realized gain on investments
    11,243       7,367  
 
           
Total investment income, before federal income tax
    51,106       43,369  
 
           
Diversified Insurance Services:
               
Income before federal income tax
    4,367       3,532  
 
           
Total all segments
    65,190       67,843  
 
           
Interest expense
    (6,331 )     (5,518 )
General corporate expenses
    (9,660 )     (8,053 )
 
           
Income before federal income tax
  $ 49,199       54,272  
 
           

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NOTE 7. Retirement Plans
The following tables show the costs of the Retirement Income Plan for Selective Insurance Company of America (“Retirement Income Plan”) and the retirement life insurance component (“Retirement Life Plan”) of the Welfare Benefits Plan for Employees of Selective Insurance Company of America. For more information concerning these plans, refer to Note 16, “Retirement Plans” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Selective’s 2006 Annual Report.
                                 
    Retirement Income Plan     Retirement Life Plan  
    Unaudited,     Unaudited,  
    Quarter ended March 31,     Quarter ended March 31,  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006     2007     2006  
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
                               
Service cost
  $ 1,788       1,760       81       92  
Interest cost
    2,184       2,016       125       103  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,710 )     (2,406 )            
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
    38       38       (8 )     (8 )
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
    114       415              
 
                       
Net periodic cost
  $ 1,414       1,823       198       187  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-Average Expense Assumptions
                               
For the years ended December 31:
                               
Discount rate
    5.90 %     5.50       5.90 %     5.50  
Expected return on plan assets
    8.00 %     8.00       %      
Rate of compensation increase
    4.00 %     4.00       4.00 %     4.00  
Note 8. Comprehensive Income
The components of comprehensive income, both gross and net of tax, for First Quarter 2007 and First Quarter 2006 are as follows:
                         
First Quarter 2007                  
(in thousands)   Gross     Tax     Net  
Net income
  $ 49,199       11,947       37,252  
 
                 
Components of other comprehensive income:
                       
Unrealized gains on securities:
                       
Unrealized holding gains during the period
    6,271       2,195       4,076  
Previous unrealized gains currently realized in net income
    (11,243 )     (3,935 )     (7,308 )
 
                 
Net unrealized gains
    (4,972 )     (1,740 )     (3,232 )
 
                 
Net prior service cost arising during period
    30       11       19  
Net loss arising during period
    114       40       74  
 
                 
Defined benefit pension plans, net
    144       51       93  
 
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 44,371       10,258       34,113  
 
                 
                         
First Quarter 2006                  
(in thousands)   Gross     Tax     Net  
Net income
  $ 54,272       14,294       39,978  
 
                 
Components of other comprehensive income:
                       
Unrealized holding gains during the period
    (11,973 )     (4,191 )     (7,782 )
Previous unrealized gains currently realized in net income
    (7,367 )     (2,578 )     (4,789 )
 
                 
Net unrealized losses
    (19,340 )     (6,769 )     (12,571 )
 
                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 34,932       7,525       27,407  
 
                 

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As of December 31, 2006, Selective adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (“FAS 158”). Selective recorded the impact of adopting this standard in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), a separate component of stockholders’ equity, resulting in a decrease in equity of $13.7 million, after tax. In addition, Selective included this decrease in AOCI as a component of comprehensive income, which is separately presented in the 2006 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity. Subsequent to the filing of our 2006 Annual Report, Selective identified that, although the impact of adopting FAS 158 was properly included as a decrease to AOCI, it should not have been recorded as a component of comprehensive income. The impact of appropriately excluding the FAS 158 adjustment increases comprehensive income from $146.1 million, as presented, to $159.8 million, as adjusted.
NOTE 9. Stockholders’ Equity
On January 30, 2007, the Board of Directors of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. declared a two-for-one stock split of Selective Insurance Group, Inc.’s common stock, par value $2.00 per share (“Common Stock”), in the form of a share dividend of one additional share of Common Stock for each outstanding share of Common Stock (the “Share Dividend”). The Share Dividend was paid on February 20, 2007 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 13, 2007. The effect of the Share Dividend has been recognized retroactively in all share and per share data, as well as the capital stock account balances, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, notes to consolidated financial statements and supplemental financial data.
On March 8, 2007, Selective Insurance Group, Inc. entered into a written trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Trading Plan”) with a broker to facilitate the purchase of its Common Stock. Rule 10b5-1 allows a company to purchase its shares at times when it ordinarily would not be in the market because of self-imposed trading blackout periods, such as the time preceding its quarterly earnings releases. During First Quarter 2007, Selective Insurance Group, Inc. repurchased approximately 3 million shares of its Common Stock at a total cost of $74.3 million under its authorized stock repurchase program. As of March 31, 2007, there were 2.3 million shares available under the existing share repurchase plan. On April 24, 2007, the Board of Directors extended the share repurchase plan through December 31, 2007.
NOTE 10. Commitments and Contingencies
Other investments, as shown on the consolidated balance sheet, were $165.1 million as of March 31, 2007, and $144.8 million as of December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006, Selective had additional other investment commitments of up to $110.5 million, of which $20.2 million were paid during First Quarter 2007. At March 31, 2007, Selective had contractual obligations that expire at various dates through 2022 to further invest up to $121.5 million in these other investments. There is no certainty that any such additional investment will be required.
NOTE 11. Litigation
In the ordinary course of conducting business, Selective Insurance Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal proceedings. Some of these lawsuits attempt to establish liability under insurance contracts issued by Selective’s insurance subsidiaries. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits seek money damages that, in some cases, are extra-contractual in nature or they seek to have the court direct the activities of Selective’s operations in certain ways. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable, Selective does not believe that the total amounts that it will ultimately have to pay, if any, in all of these lawsuits in the aggregate will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Selective and its management discuss and make statements regarding their intentions, beliefs, current expectations, and projections regarding Selective’s future operations and performance. Such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “will,” “should” and “intends” and their negatives. Selective and its management caution prospective investors that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Risks and uncertainties are inherent in Selective’s future performance. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Selective’s 2006 Annual Report. These risk factors may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment, and new risk factors emerge from time-to-time. We can neither predict such new risk factors nor can we assess the impact, if any, of such new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements in this report. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur. Selective and its management make forward-looking statements based on currently available information and assume no obligation to update these statements due to changes in underlying factors, new information, future developments, or otherwise.
Introduction
Selective Insurance Group, Inc., (“Selective,” “we,” or “our”) offers property and casualty insurance products and diversified insurance services through its various subsidiaries. Selective classifies its businesses into three operating segments: (i) Insurance Operations, (ii) Investments, and (iii) Diversified Insurance Services.
The purpose of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to provide an understanding of the consolidated results of operations and financial condition and known trends and uncertainties that may have a material impact in future periods. Consequently, investors should read the MD&A in conjunction with Selective’s consolidated financial statements in Selective’s 2006 Annual Report. For reading ease, we have written the MD&A in the first person plural.
In the MD&A, we will discuss and analyze the following:
    Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates;
 
    Highlights of First Quarter 2007 and First Quarter 2006 Results;
 
    Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment;
 
    Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources;
 
    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements;
 
    Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments;
 
    Ratings; and
 
    Federal Income Taxes.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include amounts based on informed estimates and judgments of management for those transactions that are not yet complete. Such estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Those estimates and judgments that were most critical to the preparation of the financial statements involved the following: (i) reserves for losses and loss expenses; (ii) deferred policy acquisition costs; (iii) pension and postretirement benefit plan actuarial assumptions; and (iv) other-than-temporary investment impairments. These estimates and judgments require the use of assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and, therefore, are subject to change as facts and circumstances develop. If different estimates and judgments had been applied, materially different amounts might have been reported in the financial statements. Our 2006 Annual Report, pages 33 through 40, provides a discussion of each of these critical accounting policies.

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Highlights of First Quarter 2007 and First Quarter 2006 Results
                         
    Unaudited        
    Quarter ended     Change  
    March 31,     % or  
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)   2007     2006     Points  
Total revenues
  $ 462,109       442,666       4 %
Net income
    37,252       39,978       (7 )
Diluted net income per share
    0.62       0.64       (3 )
Diluted weighted-average outstanding shares
    60,372       63,804       (5 )
GAAP combined ratio
    97.4 %     94.3       3.1 pts
Statutory combined ratio
    95.6       93.0       2.6  
Annualized return on average equity
    14.1       16.5       (2.4 )
  Revenues increased in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 primarily due to net premiums earned (“NPE”) growth of $9.9 million, or 3%, in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006. Increases in NPE are attributed to the following:
  o   Direct voluntary new business written, excluding flood, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 of $308.0 million as compared to $301.7 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006;
 
  o   Commercial Lines renewal price increases, including exposure, which averaged 2.2% for full year 2006 and 0.4% in First Quarter 2007.
The above items were partially offset by decreases in NPE on our New Jersey personal automobile book of business attributable to the loss of automobiles repriced at higher pricing levels through our MATRIX pricing system. Our New Jersey personal automobile book of business experienced a 13% reduction in the number of cars we insured during First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 and NPE for our New Jersey personal automobile business was down to $22.7 million for First Quarter 2007 as compared to $26.6 million for First Quarter 2006.
  Additional items contributing to the revenue increases in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 were the following:
  o   Net investment income earned increased $3.9 million or 11%. Increased net investment income is primarily attributable to the higher invested asset base and strong returns from our short-term investment portfolio. The increase in the invested asset base resulted from net investable cash flows of $326.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, which included net proceeds of $96.8 million from our $100.0 million junior subordinated notes offering in the third quarter of 2006. These increases were partially offset by treasury stock purchases of 4.1 million shares under our authorized program at a total cost of $110.1 million for the full year 2006 as well as an additional 3.0 million shares at a total cost of $74.3 million in First Quarter 2007.
 
  o   Net realized gains before tax, driven by the sale of certain equity positions, increased $3.9 million to $11.2 million.
 
  o   Diversified Insurance Services revenue, primarily the result of growth in our Flood operation, increased $1.9 million, or 7%, to $29.2 million.
  Net income decreased $2.7 million, or 7%, in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 reflecting: (i) increased loss and loss expenses of $12.6 million resulting from increased property claims, including catastrophe losses, of $15.5 million partially offset by favorable prior year development in our casualty lines of approximately $4 million; (ii) increased policy acquisition costs of $7.4 million driven by increased labor expenses; (iii) increased other expenses of $2.3 million attributable to long-term incentive share-based compensation; and (iv) increased interest expense of $0.8 million associated with our $100.0 million junior subordinated notes offering in the third quarter of 2006. These increased expenses were partially offset by a $19.4 million increase in revenue, as described above.

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Results of Operations and Related Information by Segment
Insurance Operations
Our Insurance Operations segment writes property and casualty insurance business through seven insurance subsidiaries (the “Insurance Subsidiaries”). Our Insurance Operations segment sells property and casualty insurance products and services primarily in 20 states in the Eastern and Midwestern United States through approximately 800 independent insurance agencies. Selective has at least one Insurance Subsidiary licensed to do business in each of the 50 states. Our Insurance Operations segment consists of two components: (i) commercial lines (“Commercial Lines”), which markets primarily to businesses, and represents approximately 87% of net premiums written (“NPW”), and (ii) personal lines (“Personal Lines”), which markets primarily to individuals and represents approximately 13% of NPW. The underwriting performance of these lines are generally measured by four different statutory ratios: (i) loss and loss expense ratio; (ii) underwriting expense ratio; (iii) dividend ratio; and (iv) combined ratio. For further details regarding these ratios see the discussion in the “Insurance Operations Results” section of Item 1. “Business” of Selective’s 2006 Annual Report.
Summary of Insurance Operations
                         
    Unaudited        
    Quarter ended     Change  
All Lines   March 31,     % or  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006     Points  
 
GAAP Insurance Operations Results:
                       
NPW
  $ 417,185       431,989       (3 )%
 
                   
NPE
    380,013       370,157       3  
Less:
                       
Losses and loss expenses incurred
    246,293       233,700       5  
Net underwriting expenses incurred
    122,516       114,307       7  
Dividends to policyholders
    1,487       1,208       23  
 
                   
Underwriting income
  $ 9,717       20,942       (54 )%
 
                   
GAAP Ratios:
                       
Loss and loss expense ratio
    64.8 %     63.1       1.7 pts
Underwriting expense ratio
    32.2 %     30.9       1.3  
Dividends to policyholders ratio
    0.4 %     0.3       0.1  
 
                   
Combined ratio
    97.4 %     94.3       3.1  
 
                   
Statutory Ratios: 1
                       
Loss and loss expense ratio
    64.5 %     63.0       1.5  
Underwriting expense ratio
    30.7 %     29.7       1.0  
Dividends to policyholders ratio
    0.4 %     0.3       0.1  
 
                   
Combined ratio
    95.6 %     93.0       2.6 pts
 
                   
 
1   The statutory ratios include the flood line of business, which is included in the Diversified Insurance Services Segment on a GAAP basis and therefore excluded from the GAAP ratios. The total Statutory Combined Ratio excluding flood is 96.1% for First Quarter 2007 compared to 93.5% for First Quarter 2006.
    NPW decreased 3% to $417.2 million in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 due to:
  o   The termination of the New Jersey Homeowners’ Quota Share Treaty in First Quarter 2006, which increased First Quarter 2006 net premiums written by $11.3 million;
 
  o   A decline in net premiums written for our New Jersey personal automobile business by $4.7 million to $20.5 million for First Quarter 2007 compared to $25.2 million for First Quarter 2006. This decrease was driven by a reduction in the number of New Jersey personal automobiles that we insure primarily as a result of repricing at higher levels through our MATRIX pricing system; and
 
  o   Increased competition in our large account business resulting in a decrease in NPW of 7% to $40 million.
This decrease was partially offset by the following:
  o   Commercial Lines renewal price increases, including exposure, that averaged 0.4% in First Quarter 2007 down from 3.4% in First Quarter 2006; and
 
  o   Direct voluntary new business written increases of 4% to $84.5 million.

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    The 1.7-point increase in the GAAP loss and loss expense ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 was primarily attributable to increased property losses of $15.5 million. This increase was predominantly driven by higher non-catastrophe weather related losses, and increased catastrophe losses of $1.6 million. These increased property losses were partially offset by improved profitability in our workers compensation line of business and net favorable prior year loss and loss expense development across several of our casualty lines of approximately $4 million in First Quarter 2007 compared to approximately $1 million in First Quarter 2006.
 
    The increase in the GAAP underwriting expense ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 was primarily attributable to an increase in underwriting expenses of $8.2 million, or 7%, coupled with a decrease in NPW of 3%. Increased labor expenses primarily drove the increase in expense dollars.
Insurance Operations Outlook
Historically, the results of the property and casualty insurance industry have experienced significant fluctuations due to high levels of competition, economic conditions, interest rates, loss cost trends, and other factors. We expect the industry will continue to see increased pricing pressure in the primary insurance market in 2007, which will exert pressure on the future profitability of Selective’s business. The average forecast, according to the “A.M. Best Review/Preview” dated April 23, 2007, calls for commercial lines net premiums written to be relatively flat for 2007. This represents a slowdown of 1.6% from 2006. The 2007 NPW forecast is ranked the second slowest rate of growth for property and casualty insurers since 1998. Loss trends, which are characterized by changes in frequency and severity, may also impact the future profitability of our business.
When renewal pure price increases are declining and loss costs trend higher, a market cycle shift occurs. General inflation and, notably, medical inflation, can drive loss costs up, leading to higher industry-wide statutory combined ratios. We believe that it is critical to have a clearly defined plan to improve risk selection and mitigate higher frequency and severity trends during market cycles. Some of the tools we use to lower frequency and severity are safety management, managed care, knowledge management, predictive modeling, and enhanced claims review.
Although it is uncertain at this time whether our initiatives will offset macro pricing and loss trends, we have outperformed the industry’s loss and loss adjustment expense ratio by 7.1 points, on average, over the past 10 years.
As competition continues to intensify, managing profitability and growth will be a major focus for us in 2007. Driving profitable organic growth has always been Selective’s strategy, and this will continue throughout 2007. Our growth drivers are:
    Expanding our appetite for existing products and creating new products to target opportunities identified through market planning;
 
    Expanding the pipeline for our One-and-Done® system to include other successful programs such as auto services, manufacturing, and golf courses;
 
    Continuing new producer and sales training programs for agents;
 
    Adding 100 new agents throughout our footprint during 2007 based on market planning analytics;
 
    Enhancing and expanding use of our superior technology, such as xSELerate®;
 
    Growing Personal Lines with the continued rollout of our MATRIX pricing model for auto; and
 
    State expansion into Massachusetts for Commercial Lines.
Other strategic initiatives we are implementing to increase the effectiveness of our field strategy and improve risk selection include:
    Knowledge Management. We are accumulating and organizing existing underwriting data to enhance underwriting and pricing decisions, and have begun to implement predictive modeling to further support the underwriting process.
 
    Workers Compensation. This strategy includes six key underwriting initiatives that focus on predictive modeling, premium leakage, premium audit procedures, and other operational improvements. In addition, multiple claims initiatives include medical bill review services, medical and pharmacy networks, case management, and first notice of loss services.

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Review of Underwriting Results by Line of Business
Commercial Lines Results
                         
    Unaudited        
    Quarter ended     Change  
Commercial Lines   March 31,     % or  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006     Points  
 
GAAP Insurance Operations Results:
                       
NPW
  $ 370,256       370,641       %
 
                   
NPE
    329,011       315,681       4  
Less:
                       
Losses and loss expenses incurred
    208,259       195,979       6  
Net underwriting expenses incurred
    106,635       95,698       11  
Dividends to policyholders
    1,487       1,208       23  
 
                   
Underwriting income
  $ 12,630       22,796       (45 )%
 
                   
GAAP Ratios:
                       
Loss and loss expense ratio
    63.3 %     62.1       1.2 Pts
Underwriting expense ratio
    32.4 %     30.3       2.1  
Dividends to policyholders ratio
    0.5 %     0.4       0.1  
 
                   
Combined ratio
    96.2 %     92.8       3.4  
 
                   
Statutory Ratios:
                       
Loss and loss expense ratio
    63.0 %     62.0       1.0  
Underwriting expense ratio
    30.6 %     29.5       1.1  
Dividends to policyholders ratio
    0.4 %     0.4        
 
                   
Combined ratio
    94.0 %     91.9       2.1 Pts
 
                   
    NPW remained flat in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006. Direct voluntary new business written increased $4.3 million to $76.0 million, but was offset by: (i) decreases in endorsement activity of $2.8 million resulting from a slowing economy; (ii) competitive pressure on our renewal book of business particularly on the high end of our middle market business and our large account business, which was reflected in our First Quarter 2007 renewal price increases, including exposure, of only 0.4% compared to 3.4% in the prior year; and (iii) lower retention of larger accounts due to increased market competition.
 
    NPE increased reflecting increases in NPW over the last 12 months.
 
    The 1.2 point increase in the GAAP loss and loss expense ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006, was primarily attributable to increased non-catastrophe weather-related property losses. In addition, catastrophe losses increased by $1.8 million, or 0.5 points, to $4.2 million in First Quarter 2007 compared to $2.4 million in First Quarter 2006. Increased property losses were partially offset by improved profitability in our workers compensation line of business, as well as net favorable prior year loss and loss expense development across several of our casualty lines of business of approximately $2 million, or 0.8 points, in First Quarter 2007. Prior year development in First Quarter 2006 was not significant.
 
    The increase in the GAAP underwriting expense ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 was attributable to an increase in underwriting expenses of $10.9 million, which were driven by increased labor expenses.

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The following is a discussion on our most significant commercial lines of business:
General Liability
                         
    Unaudited    
    Quarter ended   Change
    March 31,   % or
($ in thousands)   2007   2006   Points
 
Statutory NPW
  $ 118,691       117,675       1 %
Statutory NPE
    103,460       99,090       4  
Statutory combined ratio
    95.0 %     93.9       1.1 pts
% of total statutory commercial NPW
    32 %     32          
Total policy counts in this line of business increased 7% in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006; however, new business premiums in this line of business were relatively flat, reflecting the softening market. Further evidence of softening market conditions is illustrated in our renewal price increases, including exposure, which were only 0.1% in First Quarter 2007 compared to 2.7% in First Quarter 2006. Despite the difficult pricing environment, retention remained stable at 77% in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006.
In spite of continued adverse prior year loss development, this line of business is profitable due to our long-term improvement strategy, which focuses on: (i) contractor growth in business segments with lower completed operations exposures; and (ii) improving contractor/subcontractor-underwriting guidelines to minimize losses.
Workers Compensation
                         
    Unaudited    
    Quarter ended   Change
    March 31,   % or
($ in thousands)   2007   2006   Points
 
Statutory NPW
  $ 93,651       93,895       %
Statutory NPE
    82,489       75,816       9  
Statutory combined ratio
    98.2 %     110.3       (12.1 )pts
% of total statutory commercial NPW
    25 %     25          
Our multi-faceted workers compensation strategy, which incorporates our knowledge management and predictive modeling initiatives, has enabled us to retain and write more of the best accounts, which has led to First Quarter 2007 increases in total policy counts and direct new voluntary policy premiums of 5% and 19%, respectively, compared to First Quarter 2006. At the same time, these initiatives have allowed us to target price increases for our worst performing business, which contributed to the decrease in our retention in First Quarter 2007 to 79% from 82% in First Quarter 2006 and by improved profitability in our retained business.
The improvement in the statutory combined ratio of this line of 12.1 points in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 reflects not only the ongoing progress resulting from the execution of our multi-faceted workers compensation strategy, but also favorable prior year statutory development of approximately $2 million or 2.4 points in First Quarter 2007 compared to adverse development in First Quarter 2006 of approximately $3 million or 3.3 points.

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Commercial Automobile
                         
    Unaudited    
    Quarter ended   Change
    March 31,   % or
($ in thousands)   2007   2006   Points
 
Statutory NPW
  $ 87,747       92,044       (5 )%
Statutory NPE
    78,789       80,511       (2 )
Statutory combined ratio
    88.0 %     82.3       5.7 pts
% of total statutory commercial NPW
    24 %     25          
Continued strong performance in this line of business is the result of underwriting improvements over the last several years. We have implemented granular rate decreases on accounts to grow this profitable line of business. The total policy count on this line increased 6% in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006, driven by new policy count increases of 9% in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006. However, renewal prices, including exposure, decreased 2.1% in First Quarter 2007 as compared to being flat in First Quarter 2006, which has put pressure on the combined ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006. Additionally, this line of business continues to experience favorable prior year loss development, which was approximately $3 million in First Quarter 2007 compared to approximately $6 million in First Quarter 2006.
Commercial Property
                         
    Unaudited    
    Quarter ended   Change
    March 31,   % or
($ in thousands)   2007   2006   Points
 
Statutory NPW
  $ 51,067       49,218       4 %
Statutory NPE
    46,568       44,390       5  
Statutory combined ratio
    92.1 %     79.8       12.3 pts
% of total statutory commercial NPW
    14 %     13          
Net premiums written for this line of business increased in First Quarter 2007 compared to 2006 due to: (i) increases in direct new policy premium of 3% in First Quarter 2007 to $11.8 million; (ii) stable retention of approximately 80% over the past two years; and (iii) renewal price increases, including exposure, of 1.6% in First Quarter 2007 compared to 3.1% in First Quarter 2006.
The statutory combined ratio for commercial property increased in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006, primarily as a result of increased property losses of $6.8 million. The majority of the increase was the result of increased non-catastrophe weather related losses; however, $1.0 million of the increase did reflect increased catastrophe losses. Despite the increased losses this year, 2007 results continue to be strong as this line of business is benefiting from underwriting improvements over the past five years, including better insurance-to-value estimates across our book of business, a shift to risks of better construction quality and newer buildings, and an overall focus on low to medium hazard property exposures.

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Personal Lines Results
                         
    Unaudited        
    Quarter ended     Change  
Personal Lines   March 31,     % or  
($ in thousands)   2007     2006     Points  
 
GAAP Insurance Operations Results:
                       
NPW
  $ 46,929       61,348       (24 )%
 
                   
NPE
    51,002       54,476       (6 )
Less:
                       
Losses and loss expenses incurred
    38,034       37,721       1  
Net underwriting expenses incurred
    15,881       18,609       (15 )
 
                   
Underwriting income (loss)
  $ (2,913 )     (1,854 )     (57 )%
 
                   
GAAP Ratios:
                       
Loss and loss expense ratio
    74.6 %     69.2       5.4 pts
Underwriting expense ratio
    31.1 %     34.2       (3.1 )
 
                   
Combined ratio
    105.7 %     103.4       2.3  
 
                   
Statutory Ratios: 1
                       
Loss and loss expense ratio
    74.3 %     69.0       5.3  
Underwriting expense ratio
    31.7 %     30.8       0.9  
 
                   
Combined ratio
    106.0 %     99.8       6.2 pts
 
                   
 
1 The statutory ratios include the flood line of business, which is included in the Diversified Insurance Services segment on a GAAP basis and therefore excluded from the GAAP ratios. The total Personal Lines Statutory Combined Ratio excluding flood is 110.3% for First Quarter 2007 compared to 103.5% for First Quarter 2006.
    NPW decreased 24% to $46.9 million in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 due to:
  o   A one-time benefit in First Quarter 2006 due to the terminaton of the New Jersey Homeowners’ Quota Share Treaty, which increased NPW by $11.3 million; and
 
  o   A decline in net premiums written for our New Jersey personal automobile business by $4.7 million to $20.5 million for First Quarter 2007 compared to $25.2 million for First Quarter 2006. This decrease was driven by a reduction in the number of New Jersey personal automobiles that we insure, primarily as a result of repricing at higher pricing levels through our MATRIX pricing system.
      The New Jersey personal automobile market has been influenced by the recent introduction of new companies writing business in the state with rating plans that allowed them to price accounts competitively. Our new Personal Lines strategy allows us to better evaluate and price risks, which will help us to profitably compete for new business in an agent’s office; however, our new rating plan was not fully implemented until December 2006. We are in the process of moving our existing renewal inventory into our new pricing and tiering structure in New Jersey, causing a one-time dislocation in this book of business due to the non-renewal of certain repriced business at higher levels. Annual increases or decreases are capped at 20% by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, so it will take several quarters for improvements to materialize. We continue to focus on increasing new business production within and outside of New Jersey through this advanced pricing methodology. We expect to see positive results more quickly outside of New Jersey where the issues affecting the renewal inventory are less significant.
 
    The deterioration in the GAAP loss and loss expense ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 was primarily attributable to increased property losses of $3.1 million, or 6.0 points, which was partially offset by net favorable prior year loss and loss expense development across our Personal Lines of business of approximately $2 million, or 3.6 points, in First Quarter 2007 compared to minimal development in First Quarter 2006. The Homeowners line of business drove the increase with increased property losses of $2.3 million, or 4.5 points, which included a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.3 points, related to catastrophe losses.
 
    The improvement in the GAAP underwriting expense ratio in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 was primarily associated with the elimination of the New Jersey Homeowners’ Quota Share Treaty in the First Quarter 2006.

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Investments
Our investment portfolio consists primarily of fixed maturity investments (82%), but also contains equity securities, short-term investments, and other investments. Our investment philosophy includes certain return and risk objectives for our fixed maturity and equity portfolios. The primary return objective of our fixed maturity portfolio is to maximize after-tax investment yield and income while balancing certain risk objectives, with a secondary objective of meeting or exceeding a weighted-average benchmark of public fixed income indices. The return objective of the equity portfolio is to meet or exceed a weighted-average benchmark of public equity indices. The risk objective for our entire portfolio is to ensure that our investments are structured conservatively, focusing on: (i) asset diversification; (ii) investment quality; (iii) liquidity, particularly to meet the cash obligations of the Insurance Operations segment; (iv) consideration of taxes; and (v) preservation of capital.
                         
    Unaudited    
    Quarter ended   Change
    March 31,   % or
($ in thousands)   2007   2006   Points
 
Net investment income, before tax
  $ 39,863       36,002       11 %
Net investment income, after tax
    31,157       28,178       11  
Total invested assets
    3,592,015       3,286,177       9  
Effective tax rate
    21.8 %     21.7       0.1 pts
Annual after-tax yield on investment portfolio
    3.5       3.5       pts
Growth in net investment income, before tax, of $3.9 million for First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 was primarily attributable to the increase in our investment portfolio. The value of the investment portfolio reached $3.6 billion at March 31, 2007, an increase of 9% compared to $3.3 billion at March 31, 2006. The increase in invested assets was due to substantial cash flows from operations of $393.1 million in 2006. The junior subordinated notes offering in September 2006 also added approximately $96.8 million in assets in 2006. This increase in invested assets was primarily in fixed maturity securities, which in turn increased interest income by $3.1 million, and increased short-term investment income of $0.8 million due to higher short-term interest rates in the First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006. These increases were partially offset by an increase in investment expense of $0.5 million in the First Quarter 2007 compared to the First Quarter 2006.
We continue to maintain a conservative, diversified investment portfolio, with fixed maturity investments representing 82% of invested assets. Seventy-three percent (73%) of our fixed maturities portfolio is rated “AAA” while the portfolio has an average rating of “AA,” Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) second highest credit quality rating. High credit quality continues to be a cornerstone of our investment strategy, as evidenced by the fact that almost 100% of the fixed maturities are investment grade. Non-investment grade securities (below BBB-) represented less than 1%, or approximately $7 million, of our fixed maturity portfolio at March 31, 2007 and approximately $10 million at December 31, 2006. Our mortgage backed securities portfolio totaled $641.5 million at March 31, 2007, with an average credit rating of AAA. Selective has no sub-prime mortgage investments.

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The following table presents the Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) and S&P’s ratings of our fixed maturities portfolio:
                 
    Unaudited        
    March 31,     December 31,  
Rating   2007     2006  
 
Aaa/AAA
    73 %     73 %
Aa/AA
    17 %     17 %
A/A
    7 %     7 %
Baa/BBB
    3 %     3 %
Ba/BB or below
    <1 %     <1 %
 
           
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
           
Our fixed maturity investment strategy is to make security purchases that are attractively priced in relation to perceived credit risks. We manage the interest rate risk associated with holding fixed maturity investments by monitoring and maintaining the average duration of the portfolio with a view toward achieving an adequate after-tax return without subjecting the portfolio to an unreasonable level of interest rate risk. We invest our fixed maturities portfolio primarily in intermediate-term securities to limit overall interest rate risk of fixed maturity investments. Generally, the Insurance Subsidiaries have a duration mismatch between assets and liabilities. The duration of the fixed maturity portfolio, including short-term investments, is 3.9 years while the Insurance Subsidiaries’ liabilities have a duration of approximately 3 years. The current duration of our fixed maturities is within our historical range and is monitored and managed to maximize yield and limit interest rate risk. The duration mismatch is managed with a laddered maturity structure and an appropriate level of short-term investments that avoids liquidation of available-for-sale fixed maturities in the ordinary course of business. Liquidity is always a consideration when buying or selling securities, but because of the high quality and active market for the securities in our investment portfolio, the securities sold have not diminished the overall liquidity of our portfolio. Our liquidity requirements in the past have been met by operating cash flow from our Insurance Operations and Diversified Insurance Services segments and the issuance of debt and equity securities. We expect our liquidity requirements in the future to be met by these sources of funds or, if necessary, borrowings from our credit facilities. Managing investment risk by adhering to these strategies is intended to protect the interests of our stockholders and the policyholders of our Insurance Subsidiaries, while enhancing our financial strength and underwriting capacity.
Realized Gains and Losses
Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of the cost of specific investments sold or written-down, and are credited or charged to income. Our Investments segment included net realized gains before tax of $11.2 million in First Quarter 2007, compared to $7.4 million in First Quarter 2006. The increases in net realized gains were principally from the sale of several equity securities, which resulted in re-weighting various sector exposures in First Quarter 2007. During First Quarter 2007 and 2006, there were no impairment charges recorded. We maintain a high quality and liquid investment portfolio and the sale of the securities that resulted in realized gains did not change the overall liquidity of the investment portfolio. We generally sell securities to reduce our exposure to securities and sectors based upon economic evaluations or if the fundamentals for that security or sector have deteriorated and/or for tax planning purposes. We typically have a long investment time horizon and our turnover is low, which has resulted in many securities accumulating large unrealized gains. Every purchase or sale is made with the intent of improving future investment returns.

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The following table summarizes our net realized gains by investment type:
                 
    Unaudited     Unaudited  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
($ in thousands)   March 31, 2007     March 31, 2006  
 
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities
               
Gains
  $        
Losses
           
Available-for-sale fixed maturities
               
Gains
    216       516  
Losses
    (305 )     (1,757 )
Available-for-sale equity securities
               
Gains
    11,690       8,896  
Losses
    (358 )     (288 )
 
           
Total net realized gains
  $ 11,243       7,367  
 
           
We realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities during First Quarter 2007 and First Quarter 2006. The following tables present the period of time that securities sold at a loss were continuously in an unrealized loss position prior to sale:
                                 
    Unaudited     Unaudited  
    Quarter ended     Quarter ended  
    March 31, 2007     March 31, 2006  
Period of time in an   Fair             Fair        
unrealized loss position   Value on     Realized     Value on     Realized  
($ in millions)   Sale Date     Loss     Sale Date     Loss  
 
Fixed maturities:
                               
0 – 6 months
  $             34.8       0.4  
7 – 12 months
                15.3       0.4  
Greater than 12 months
                13.7       0.4  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
                63.8       1.2  
 
                       
Equity Securities:
                               
0 – 6 months
    1.2       0.2       2.6       0.2  
7 – 12 months
    0.3       0.2       0.9       0.1  
Greater than 12 months
                       
 
                       
Total equity securities
    1.5       0.4       3.5       0.3  
 
                       
Total
  $ 1.5       0.4       67.3       1.5  
 
                       
These securities were sold despite the fact that they were in a loss position. The decision to sell these securities was due to: (i) heightened credit risk during the period of the individual security sold; (ii) the decision to reduce our exposure to certain issuers, industries, or sectors in light of changing economic conditions; or (iii) tax purposes.

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Unrealized Losses
As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the following table summarizes the aggregate fair value and gross pre-tax unrealized loss recorded in our accumulated other comprehensive income, by asset class and by length of time, for all available-for-sale securities that have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
                                 
    Unaudited        
    March 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  
          Gross             Gross  
Period of time in an unrealized loss position   Fair     Unrealized     Fair     Unrealized  
($ in millions)   Value     Loss     Value     Loss  
 
Fixed maturities:
                               
0 – 6 months
  $ 410.1       1.8       376.6       1.7  
7 – 12 months
    40.4       0.4       107.6       0.7  
Greater than 12 months
    771.6       9.1       705.8       10.1  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
    1,222.1       11.3       1,190.0       12.5  
 
                       
Equities:
                               
0 – 6 months
    8.7       0.1       7.8       0.2  
7 – 12 months
                       
Greater than 12 months
    0.7       0.1       0.4       0.2  
 
                       
Total equity securities
    9.4       0.2       8.2       0.4  
 
                       
Other:
                               
0 – 6 months
                6.9       0.1  
7 – 12 months
                       
Greater than 12 months
                       
 
                       
Total other securities
                6.9       0.1  
 
                       
Total
  $ 1,231.5       11.5       1,205.1       13.0  
 
                       
Broad changes in the overall market or interest rate environment generally do not lead to impairment charges. We believe the fluctuations in the fair value of fixed maturities and the decrease in the associated gross unrealized loss since December 31, 2006 were primarily due to a decrease in short to intermediate term interest rates during First Quarter 2007. As of March 31, 2007, there were 359 securities in an unrealized loss position.
The following table presents information regarding our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2007 by contractual maturity:
                 
Contractual Maturities   Amortized     Fair  
($ in millions)   Cost     Value  
 
One year or less
  $ 163.7       163.0  
Due after one year through five years
    615.3       608.3  
Due after five years through ten years
    422.6       419.2  
Due after ten years through fifteen years
    26.9       26.6  
Due after fifteen years
    5.0       5.0  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,233.5       1,222.1  
 
           
Investments Outlook
Marketplace apprehension that persisted at the end of 2006 has continued into 2007. Concerns regarding inflation remain due to escalating raw material costs and rising energy prices, while housing indicators remain fragile. Economic data outside the United States has been holding up well, particularly in Europe and Japan. The slowing of the United States economy, coupled with concerns about inflation, kept the Federal Reserve Board from changing the 5.25% Federal funds rate during the quarter. Oil prices and political instability continue to weigh heavily in the potential for inflation to accelerate, increasing the possibility for stagflation — low or no economic growth combined with inflation.
The primary return objective of our fixed maturity portfolio is to maximize after-tax investment yield and income while balancing certain risk objectives, with a secondary objective of meeting or exceeding a weighted-average benchmark of public fixed income indices; a particular challenge when the yield curve remains very flat. Our strategy will entail maximizing yield by purchasing bonds along the yield curve while maintaining an approximate 4-year duration target. We will also be looking to further diversify among fixed income sectors and concentrate on sectors that represent attractive relative values.

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We continue to remain cautious about the equity markets in 2007 and have become more defensive in our core equity portfolio, increasing our exposure to consumer staples and maintaining our position in the healthcare sector. While we have substantially reduced our exposure to the energy and materials sector, we still view these investments favorably and believe the current supply/demand fundamentals should continue to support returns above the market average.
In our “Other investments” portfolio, we intend to continue to engage existing quality managers with well-defined strategies while we look to evaluate new investment ideas that fit into our existing portfolio. Our strategy is to find exceptional managers in alternative strategies that are relatively uncorrelated to the public equity and debt markets.
Diversified Insurance Services Segment
The Diversified Insurance Services operations consist of two core functions: human resource administration outsourcing (“HR Outsourcing”) and flood insurance. We believe these operations are within markets that continue to offer opportunity for growth. During First Quarter 2007, these operations provided a contribution of $0.05 per diluted share compared to $0.04 per diluted share in First Quarter 2006. Contributions from the Diversified Insurance Services segment, particularly the Flood business, continue to provide a level of mitigation to insurance pricing cycles and the adverse impact that catastrophe losses have on our Insurance Operations segment. We measure the performance of these operations based on several measures, including, but not limited to, results of operations in accordance with GAAP, with a focus on our return on revenue (net income divided by revenues). The results for this segment’s continuing operations are as follows:
                         
    Unaudited    
    Quarter ended   Change
    March 31,   % or
($ in thousands)   2007   2006   Points
 
HR Outsourcing
                       
Revenue
  $ 16,795       17,150       (2 )%
Pre-tax profit
    1,258       792       59  
Flood Insurance
                       
Revenue
    10,410       8,921       17  
Pre-tax profit
    2,002       2,220       (10 )
Other
                       
Revenue
    1,973       1,207       63  
Pre-tax profit
    1,107       520       113  
Total
                       
Revenue
    29,178       27,278       7  
Pre-tax profit
    4,367       3,532       24  
After-tax profit
    2,903       2,359       23  
After-tax return on revenue
    10.0 %     8.6       1.4 pts
HR Outsourcing
    HR Outsourcing revenue declined primarily as a result of pricing pressure on our workers compensation product, driven by statutory rate changes in the State of Florida.
 
    Profitability improvements in our HR Outsourcing business in First Quarter 2007 compared to First Quarter 2006 are mainly due to improved margins on State Unemployment Tax Act assessments, which reflect improved experience and pricing.
 
    As of March 31, 2007, our worksite lives were up 7% to 26,689 compared to 24,911 as of March 31, 2006. Since unveiling the Employer Protection Program (“EPP”) during the First Quarter 2006, the employee count within our sales pipeline has increased 56%. The EPP is designed to assist business owners in managing the risk of employee-related liabilities.
Flood Insurance
    Flood premium in force was $125.2 million on approximately 285,000 policies at March 31, 2007, compared to premium in force of $98.8 million on approximately 226,000 policies at March 31, 2006.
 
    Revenue increases were mainly attributable to the increase in flood premium in force as noted above. This growth was partially offset by a decrease in the fee paid to us by the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”) of 0.6 points to 30.2% from 30.8%, which was effective for the NFIP’s fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2006.
 
    Pre-tax profit on weather-related claim fee revenue in First Quarter 2007 decreased compared to First Quarter 2006, more than offsetting the revenue reflected in pre-tax profit increases.

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Diversified Insurance Services Outlook
Our HR Outsourcing products offer an additional revenue stream for our independent agents. New market entrants will continue to create increased competition for these products. We have repositioned the HR Outsourcing products as the EPP, which assists business owners in managing the risk of employer-related liabilities. Agent training regarding the EPP is ongoing, but based on initial positive feedback we expect to continue to recognize synergies created from this product throughout the remainder of 2007. However, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (“NCCI”) passed an overall workers compensation rate level decrease of 15.7% for voluntary industrial classes in the State of Florida. The new rates were effective on January 1, 2007 for new and renewal business. Future reductions in this rate could adversely affect our results of operations for our HR Outsourcing business, as workers compensation insurance is an important component of the EPP product.
Our ability to provide flood insurance is a significant component of our Diversified Insurance Services operations. In 2005, the destruction caused by the active hurricane season stressed the NFIP with excessive levels of flood losses. We continue to monitor developments with the NFIP regarding its ability to pay claims in the event of another large-scale disaster. Congress controls the federal agency’s funding authority, which topped out after Hurricane Katrina, and is again nearing maximum capacity. At this point, it is uncertain what impact, if any, this will have on our flood operations. As described above, the fee paid to us by the NFIP decreased 0.6 points to 30.2% of premiums written effective October 1, 2006. Future reductions in this rate could occur through legislative activity.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital resources and liquidity represent our overall financial strength and our ability to generate cash flows from business operations, borrow funds at competitive rates, and raise new capital to meet operating and growth needs.
Liquidity
Liquidity is a measure of our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet the short and long-term cash requirements of our business operations. Our cash and short-term investments position at March 31, 2007 was $160.8 million compared to $203.5 million at December 31, 2006, the decrease of which is driven by the repurchase of approximately 3 million shares of our Common Stock under our authorized share repurchase program at a cost of $74.3 million. Sources of cash consist of dividends from our subsidiaries, the issuance of debt and equity securities, as well as the sale of Common Stock under our employee and agent stock purchase plans. However, our ability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries is restricted. Dividends from our Insurance Subsidiaries to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. are subject to the approval and/or review of the insurance regulators in the respective domiciliary states of the Insurance Subsidiaries under insurance holding company acts, and are generally payable only from earned surplus as reported in the statutory annual statements of those subsidiaries as of the preceding December 31. Based on the 2006 unaudited statutory financial statements, the Insurance Subsidiaries are permitted to pay to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. ordinary dividends in the aggregate amount of approximately $141.9 million in 2007. For additional information regarding dividend restrictions, refer to Note 9, “Indebtedness” and Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of Selective’s 2006 Annual Report.
Our Insurance Subsidiaries generate cash flows primarily from insurance float, which is created by the investment income earned on collected premiums before losses are paid. The period of the float can extend over many years. To provide liquidity while maintaining consistent investment performance, we ladder our fixed maturity investments so that some issues are always approaching maturity and provide a source of predictable cash flow for claim payments in the ordinary course of business. The duration of the fixed maturity portfolio, including short-term investments, was 3.9 years as of March 31, 2007, while the liabilities of our Insurance Subsidiaries have a duration of approximately 3 years. In addition, the Insurance Subsidiaries purchase reinsurance coverage for protection against any significantly large claims or catastrophes that may occur during the year. Our consolidated investment portfolio was $3.6 billion as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
Selective has a syndicated line of credit agreement with Wachovia Bank, National Association as administrative agent. Under this agreement, Selective has access to a $50 million credit facility, which can be increased to $75 million with the consent of all lending parties. At March 31, 2007, no balances were outstanding under this credit facility.

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Selective HR Solutions (“SHRS”), our HR Outsourcing business, generates cash flows from their operations. Dividends from SHRS to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. are restricted by the operating needs of this entity as well as professional employer organization licensing requirements to maintain a current ratio of at least 1:1. The current ratio, which SHRS generally maintains just above 1:1, provides an indication of a company’s ability to meet its short-term obligations and is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. SHRS provided dividends to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. of $1.4 million in First Quarter 2007 and $0.9 million in First Quarter 2006.
Dividends on shares of our Common Stock are declared and paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors based on our operating results, financial condition, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other relevant factors. Our ability to declare dividends is restricted by covenants contained in the notes payable that we issued on May 4, 2000 (the “2000 Senior Notes”). All such covenants were met during First Quarter 2007 and First Quarter 2006. For further information regarding our notes payable, see Note 9, entitled, “Indebtedness,” included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of Selective’s 2006 Annual Report. At March 31, 2007, the amount available for dividends to holders of our Common Stock, in accordance with the restrictions of the 2000 Senior Notes, was $329.3 million. On January 30, 2007, our Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of our Common Stock, in the form of a share dividend of one additional share of Common Stock for each outstanding share of Common Stock (the “Share Dividend”). The Share Dividend was paid on February 20, 2007 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 13, 2007. The effect of the Share Dividend has been recognized retroactively in all share and per share data, as well as the capital stock account balances, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, notes to consolidated financial statements and supplemental financial data. Additionally, we increased our March 1, 2007 dividend by 9% to $0.12 per share, for stockholders of record as of February 13, 2007. Book value per share increased 1% to $18.94 as of March 31, 2007 from $18.81 as of December 31, 2006. Our ability to continue to pay dividends to our stockholders is also dependent in large part on the ability of our Insurance Subsidiaries and the subsidiaries in our Diversified Insurance Services segment to pay dividends to Selective Insurance Group, Inc. Restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries, particularly the Insurance Subsidiaries, to declare and pay dividends to Selective Insurance Group, Inc., could materially affect our ability to pay principal and interest on indebtedness and dividends on Common Stock.
We have historically met our liquidity requirements through dividends from our subsidiaries and by issuing debt and equity securities. We expect to meet our liquidity requirements by these sources in the future. The Insurance Subsidiaries have historically met their liquidity requirements from insurance premiums and investment income. These items have historically provided more than sufficient funds to pay losses, operating expenses, and dividends to Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
Capital Resources
Capital resources provide protection for policyholders, furnish the financial strength to support the business of underwriting insurance risks, and facilitate continued business growth. At March 31, 2007, we had stockholders’ equity of $1,038.9 million and total debt of $362.2 million. In addition, we have an irrevocable trust valued at $31.4 million to provide for the repayment of notes having maturities in 2007 and 2008.
As active capital managers, we continually monitor our cash requirements as well as the amount of capital resources that we maintain at the holding company and operating subsidiary levels. As part of our long-term capital strategy, we strive to maintain a 25% debt-to-capital ratio and a premiums to surplus ratio sufficient to maintain an “A+” (Superior) financial strength A.M. Best rating for our Insurance Subsidiaries. Based on our analysis and market conditions, we may take a variety of actions including, but not limited to, contributing capital to the subsidiaries in our Insurance Operations and Diversified Insurance Services segments, issuing additional debt and/or equity securities, repurchasing shares of our Common Stock, or increasing stockholders’ dividends. The following are a few examples of capital management actions we have taken during First Quarter 2007:
    On March 8, 2007, Selective Insurance Group, Inc. entered into a written trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Trading Plan”) with a broker to facilitate the purchase of its Common Stock. Rule 10b5-1 allows a company to purchase its shares at times when it ordinarily would not be in the market because of self-imposed trading blackout periods, such as the time preceding its quarterly earnings releases.
 
    In First Quarter 2007, we repurchased approximately 3.0 million shares of our Common Stock under our authorized share repurchase program at a cost of $74.3 million including shares repurchased under the Trading Plan. As of March 31, 2007, there were 2.3 million shares remaining under the current repurchase authorization, which was extended through December 31, 2007.

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Our cash requirements include principal and interest payments on senior convertible notes, various notes payable and convertible subordinated debentures, dividends to stockholders, payment of claims, and other operating expenses, income taxes, the purchase of investments, and other expenses. Our operating obligations and cash outflows include: claim settlements, agents’ commissions, labor costs, premium taxes, general and administrative expenses, investment purchases, and capital expenditures. For further details regarding our cash requirements, refer to the section below titled “Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments.”
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.
Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
Our future cash payments associated with loss and loss expense reserves, and contractual obligations pursuant to operating leases for office space and equipment, senior convertible notes, convertible subordinated debentures and notes payable have not materially changed since December 31, 2006. We expect to have the capacity to repay and/or refinance these obligations as they come due.
At March 31, 2007, we had additional limited partnership investment commitments within “Other investments” of up to $121.5 million; but there is no certainty that any such additional investment will be required. We have issued no material guarantees on behalf of others and have no trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts accounted for at fair value. We have no material transactions with related parties other than those disclosed in Note 19 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of Selective’s 2006 Annual Report.
Ratings
We are rated by major rating agencies, which provide opinions of our financial strength, operating performance, strategic position, and ability to meet policyholder obligations. We believe that our ability to write insurance business is most influenced by our rating from A.M. Best, which currently rates us “A+ (Superior),” their second highest of fifteen ratings, and has been our rating for 45 consecutive years. The financial strength reflected by our A.M. Best rating is a competitive advantage in the marketplace and influences where independent insurance agents place their business. A downgrade from A.M. Best, could: (i) affect our ability to write new business with customers and/or agents, some of whom are required (under various third party agreements) to maintain insurance with a carrier that maintains a specified A.M. Best minimum rating; (ii) be an event of default under our line of credit; or (iii) make it more expensive for us to access capital markets. On July 25, 2006, S&P’s Insurance Rating Services raised our financial strength rating to “A+” from “A”, citing our strong operating performance, strong operating company capitalization, and good financial flexibility. During the third quarter of 2006, Moody’s elevated their outlook regarding Selective to “positive.” The financial strength of our insurance business has been rated, “A2” by Moody’s since 2001 and “A+” by Fitch Ratings since 2004. Our Moody’s and S&P financial strength ratings affect our ability to access capital markets, and our interest rate under our line of credit varies based upon Selective Insurance Group Inc.’s debt ratings from Moody’s and S&P. There can be no assurance that our ratings will continue for any given period of time or that they will not be changed. It is possible that positive or negative ratings actions by one or more of the rating agencies may occur in the future. We review our financial debt agreements for any potential rating triggers that could dictate a material change in terms if our credit ratings were to change.

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Federal Income Taxes
Total federal income tax expense decreased $2.3 million for First Quarter 2007 to $11.9 million, compared to $14.3 million for First Quarter 2006. The decrease was attributable to decreased pre-tax income driven by our Insurance Operations segment. Our effective tax rate differs from the federal corporate rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-advantaged investment income. The effective tax rate for First Quarter 2007 was 24%, compared with 26% for First Quarter 2006.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in the information about market risk set forth in our 2006 Annual Report.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are: (i) effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting information on a timely basis that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act; and (ii) effective in ensuring that information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) occurred during First Quarter 2007 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table provides information regarding Selective’s purchases of its Common Stock in First Quarter 2007:
                                 
                    Total Number of     Maximum Number  
    Total Number of     Average     Shares Purchased     of Shares that May Yet  
    Shares     Price Paid     as Part of Publicly     Be Purchased Under the  
Period   Purchased1     per Share     Announced Program     Announced Program2  
 
January 1-31, 2007
    5,712       28.60             5,222,764  
February 1-28, 2007
    1,725,572       25.33       1,576,200       3,646,564  
March 1-31, 2007
    1,396,092       24.70       1,393,787       2,252,777  
 
                         
Total
    3,127,376       25.05       2,969,987          
 
                         
 
1   During First Quarter 2007, 155,205 shares were purchased from employees in connection with the vesting of restricted stock and 2,184 shares were purchased from stock option exercises. All of these repurchases were made in connection with satisfying tax withholding obligations with respect to those employees. These shares were not purchased as part of the publicly announced program. The shares were purchased at the current market prices of Selective’s Common Stock on the dates of the purchases.
 
2   On April 26, 2005, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 10.0 million shares, which was extended by the Board of Directors through December 31, 2007.

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ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Selective Insurance Group Inc.’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on April 24, 2007. Voting was conducted in person and by proxy as follows:
(a) Stockholders voted to elect the following three (3) Class I directors, each to serve until the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders or when a successor has been duly elected and qualified, as follows:
                 
    For   Withheld
     
W. Marston Becker
    46,977,335       1,967,503  
Gregory E. Murphy
    46,953,766       1,991,062  
William M. Rue
    46,044,200       2,900,638  
 
Continuing directors whose terms do not expire until the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders are: Paul D. Bauer, John C. Burville, Joan M. Lamm-Tennant, Ronald L. O’Kelley, and John F. Rockart. Continuing directors whose terms do not expire until the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders are A. David Brown, William M. Kearns, Jr., S. Griffin McClellan III, and J. Brian Thebault.
(b) Stockholders voted to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 as follows: 47,829,816 shares voted for this proposal; 225,287 shares voted against it, and 889,734 shares abstained.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits:
     
Exhibit No.    
* 11
  Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.
 
   
* 31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
 
   
* 31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).
 
   
* 32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
   
* 32.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*   Filed herewith

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
Registrant
     
By: /s/ Gregory E. Murphy
  May 2, 2007
 
Gregory E. Murphy
   
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
   
By: /s/ Dale A. Thatcher
  May 2, 2007
 
Dale A. Thatcher
   
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   

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