ex10-1.htm


    Exhibit
10.1

    


    Execution
Copy


    

      SUPPORT
AGREEMENT

       

      This
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
is made and entered into on the 30th day
of November, 2009 (the “Effective
Date”) by and between PMA Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation
with an address at 380 Sentry Parkway, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, 19422 (“Indemnitor”),
and PMA Capital Insurance Company, a Pennsylvania corporation with an address at
1735 Market Street, Suite 3000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19103 (“Indemnitee”).  Each
of Indemnitor and Indemnitee may be referred to herein as a “party” and
collectively as the “parties”.

       

      RECITALS

       

      WHEREAS, pursuant to a certain
Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 24, 2009 by
and between Indemnitor and Armour Reinsurance Group Limited, a Bermuda
corporation (“ARGL”),
Indemnitor has agreed, among other things, to sell to ARGL all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Indemnitee;

       

      WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a party
to certain reinsurance agreements (“Reinsurance
Agreements”);

       

      WHEREAS, certain of the
Reinsurance Agreements provide excess of loss reinsurance coverage with respect
to, among other things, certain workers’ compensation insurance policies (the
“WC
Policies”) (such Reinsurance Agreements, which exclude workers’
compensation losses arising from quota share or pro-rata reinsurance,
facultative reinsurance and finite reinsurance, solely as in effect on the
Effective Date and covering accident years 1985 through 2005, including, but not
limited to, the agreements set forth in Exhibit A, collectively, the “Specified
Reinsurance Agreements”);

       

      WHEREAS, Indemnitor has agreed
to provide the support set forth herein to Indemnitee for certain payments in
respect of Specified Losses (as hereinafter defined) to the extent, and only to
the extent, that Specified Losses exceed $33,270,794 in the aggregate but
subject to the Maximum Indemnification Amount (as hereinafter defined);
and

       

      NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing premises, the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto intending to be
bound hereby agree as follows:

       

      1. Limited
Indemnification.

       

      (a) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Indemnitor agrees to indemnify
Indemnitee for Specified Losses (as hereinafter defined) to the extent, and only
to the extent, that Specified Losses exceed $33,270,794 in the aggregate, but
such indemnification shall be limited to a maximum aggregate indemnification
obligation of Indemnitor equal to $34,300,000 (the “Maximum
Indemnification Amount”).

       

      (b) For the
purposes hereof, “Specified
Losses” shall mean (i) amounts that Indemnitee actually pays subsequent
to November 30, 2009 under the Specified Reinsurance Agreements in fulfillment
of Indemnitee’s excess of loss contractual obligations thereunder, with respect
to the WC Policies (which have been historically coded in the Indemnitee’s loss
system

       


      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      as set
forth in Exhibit B), less (ii) the net amounts received or otherwise recovered
by Indemnitee or Indemnitee’s Affiliates as a result of any subrogation, credits
under side agreements or any other matters related to any payment made by
Indemnitee pursuant to Section 1(b)(i) after deduction of Indemnitee’s costs and
expenses incurred in obtaining such amounts (collectively, the “Recoverables”).
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, “Recoverables” shall not
include amounts received or otherwise recovered under the Indemnitee’s outward
retrocessional contracts in effect on the date of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, “Specified
Losses” shall not include, and Indemnitor shall have no obligations with
respect to, (i) any amounts resulting, directly or indirectly or in whole or in
part from, Indemnitee’s or its Affiliates’ (A) bad faith, willful misconduct or
negligence occurring after the effective date of this Agreement, or (B) breach
of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (ii) any consequential, indirect,
special, exemplary or punitive damages, (iii) any workers’ compensation losses
arising from quota share, pro-rata, facultative, or finite reinsurance
agreements or (iv) any claims or losses arising from the 2001 World Trade Center
catastrophe (including any claims and losses falling within the catastrophe
number 48).

       

      (c) As a
condition precedent to Indemnitor’s obligations under this Agreement, Indemnitee
(and its Affiliates) must, when determined to be commercially reasonable, in
good faith and diligently exercise all subrogation rights and take any other
actions necessary or appropriate to obtain the Recoverables.

       

      (d) For the
avoidance of doubt, (i) “indemnify”, “indemnification” and Indemnitor’s
obligations under this Agreement shall mean and be limited to the payments by
Indemnitor to Indemnitee required by Section 1(a) hereof, and shall not include
any other obligations including, without limitation, any obligation to defend,
hold harmless or advance or pay costs or legal expenses to or on behalf of
Indemnitee, (ii) Indemnitee shall be solely responsible and liable for,
Specified Losses (A) up to $33,270,794, and (B) in excess of $67,570,794, (iii)
in no event shall Indemnitor be liable for any amounts in the aggregate in
excess of $34,300,000 arising out of or relating, directly or indirectly, to
this Agreement, and (iv) the parties acknowledge that there may be other
liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses under the Reinsurance
Agreements (other than Specified Losses with respect to the Specified
Reinsurance Agreements), and Indemnitee agrees that it shall be solely liable
and responsible for all of such amounts.  The indemnification
limitation set forth herein shall not apply to interest or collection costs due
under this Agreement or to actual damages suffered by Indemnitee as a result of
Indemnitor’s breach of Section 10 of this Agreement.

       

      (e)    The sole
purpose of this Agreement is to provide capital support to the
Indemnitee.  The parties agree that this Agreement is not intended to
be, and shall not be treated as a reinsurance agreement for any
purpose.  Specified Loss payments are not being reinsured under this
Agreement but are being used to identify the level of support that will be
provided to the Indemnitee.  The parties agree further that there are
no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.

      


      



      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      

      
 

      2. Indemnification
Procedure.

       

      (a) Indemnitee
shall promptly give Indemnitor written notice when Specified Losses reported to
Indemnitee, excluding IBNR, have exceeded $33,270,794.  Thereafter,
Indemnitee shall notify Indemnitor on a quarterly or, in its discretion, a more
frequent basis, of Specified Losses paid by Indemnitee in excess of $33,270,794
(“Notice of
Claim”).  The Notice of Claim shall include a certification by
an authorized officer of Indemnitee: (i) that Indemnitee has paid Specified
Losses in excess of $33,270,794, (ii) that Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification for Specified Losses under the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, (iii) setting forth the amount of Specified Losses for which
indemnification is sought under this Agreement and including, without
limitation, proof of payment by Indemnitee to the appropriate counterparties
under the Specified Reinsurance Agreements with respect to such Specified Losses
and a description in reasonable detail of such Specified Losses, and (iv) that
Indemnitee is in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement
including, without limitation, all obligations to seek
Recoverables.

       

      (b) Indemnitor
shall have ninety (90) days from the date on which it receives the Notice of
Claim (the “Dispute
Period”) to provide written notice to Indemnitee that it disputes the
Notice of Claim or any portion thereof (the “Dispute
Notice”).  Indemnitee shall permit Indemnitor (from time to
time upon notice to Indemnitee, and either directly or through its
representatives) to examine and audit Indemnitee’s books, records, documents and
information concerning all matters relating to a Notice of Claim.  In
addition, Indemnitee shall cooperate and assist Indemnitor in determining the
validity of any Notice of Claim including, without limitation, providing
Indemnitor and its representatives with access to pertinent
personnel.  Indemnitor shall remit payment of the Specified Losses
identified in the applicable Notice of Claim within thirty (30) days of the end
of the Dispute Period for all amounts that are not subject to a Dispute Notice
provided in good faith during the Dispute Period; provided, however, that in no
event shall Indemnitor be liable or responsible for any amounts in the aggregate
in excess of the Maximum Indemnification Amount.

       

      (c) If
Indemnitor provides Indemnitee with a Dispute Notice, the parties shall attempt
to resolve the matters relating to the Dispute Notice informally through one or
more meetings (in person or telephonically) of appropriate personnel of the
parties.  If the parties are unable to resolve such matters after
attempting such informal dispute resolution within sixty (60) days of the date
of the Dispute Notice, the parties may pursue their remedies at law (subject to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement).

       

      (d) Indemnitor
shall pay Indemnitee simple interest at the annual rate of six percent (6%) on
any amount that is not paid within the time required by this Agreement including
as a result of a Dispute Notice that was not provided in good
faith.  Interest shall accrue and be calculated from the date such
unpaid amount is payable by Indemnitor under this Agreement until the time it is
paid.  In addition, Indemnitor shall promptly reimburse Indemnitee for
its costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fee, incurred in
enforcing this Agreement.


      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      3. Right of
Offset.  Indemnitee acknowledges and agrees that, as of
the Effective Date, Indemnitee or its Affiliates (as hereinafter defined) owes,
and may in the future owe, certain amounts to Indemnitor or its Affiliates under
reinsurance agreements between Indemnitee and Pennsylvania Manufacturers’
Association Insurance Company, Manufacturers Alliance Insurance Company and
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Indemnity Company effective January 1, 1981 and
between Indemnitee and Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Insurance Company
effective January 1, 1984 (as amended or restated, the “PMA Reinsurance
Agreements”).  The parties acknowledge and agree that they
shall have the right to offset amounts owed under this Agreement and the PMA
Reinsurance Agreements; provided, that prior to attempting to effect any such
offset, the party effecting such offset shall provide prior written notice to
the applicable other party.  Any amounts so offset shall be deemed to
have been paid and satisfied to the extent of such offset
amounts.  For the purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliates”
means an entity that is, directly or indirectly (e.g., through one or more
intermediaries, agreements or otherwise), controlling, controlled by or under
common control with a party, where “control”
and “controlled”
shall mean (i) the right to vote, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
voting power or equity in such entity, or (ii) the direct or indirect right to
manage the business affairs of such entity.  Indemnitee shall not be
considered an Affiliate of Indemnitor for the purposes of this
Agreement.

       

      4. Commutations and Loss
Settlements; Right of Approval.

       

      (a) Indemnitee
shall allocate amounts paid under any commutation agreement (or an amendment to
a commutation agreement) or loss settlement relating to a Specified Reinsurance
Agreement in good faith, consistent with past practice and the terms of this
Agreement and in accordance with recorded liabilities as of the date of such
commutation.

       

      (b) Indemnitee
shall provide written notice to Indemnitor within thirty (30) days after
Indemnitee enters into any commutation agreement (or an amendment to a
commutation agreement) or loss settlement relating to a Specified Reinsurance
Agreement.  The notice shall (i) provide the amounts allocated to the
WC Policies and each other type of policy subject to the commutation agreement
(or amendment thereof) or loss settlement relating to the Specified Reinsurance
Agreement, and (ii) explain in reasonable detail the methodology used by
Indemnitee to determine such allocations.  Indemnitor shall have the
right to approve or disapprove the allocation of loss payments to the underlying
agreements or policies with respect to all commutation agreements (or amendments
to commutation agreements) and all loss settlements relating to the Specified
Reinsurance Agreements; provided, that Indemnitor shall not unreasonably
disapprove any such allocation. Any dispute regarding the allocation of payments
shall be resolved in accordance with Section 4(c) of this
Agreement.

       

      (c) Upon
request of Indemnitor, Indemnitee shall (i) submit all commutation agreements,
amendments and loss settlements to Indemnitor and (ii) cooperate and assist
Indemnitor in its review of such agreements, amendments and loss settlements,
including permitting Indemnitor to examine and audit Indemnitee’s books,
records, documents and information concerning all matters relating to the
agreement, amendment or loss settlement relating to a Specified Reinsurance
Agreement and providing Indemnitor and its representatives with access to
pertinent personnel.  If Indemnitor disapproves any allocation with
respect to a commutation agreement (or amendment thereof) or loss settlement
relating to a Specified

       


      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      Reinsurance
Agreement, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute informally through
one or more meetings (in person or telephonically) of appropriate personnel of
the parties.  If the parties are unable to resolve such matters after
attempting such informal dispute resolution within sixty (60) days of
Indemnitor’s notice to Indemnitee of such dispute, the parties agree to submit
documentation supporting the allocation to a mutually agreed-upon actuary (the
“Independent
Actuary”) to determine the appropriate allocation.  Either
party may seek specific performance or other injunctive relief to enforce this
term of the Agreement, including the selection of the Independent
Actuary.  Such allocation, as determined by the Independent Actuary,
shall be binding for the purposes of this Agreement.

       

      5. Conduct of Business;
Reporting.

       

      (a) Indemnitee
covenants that it will use its reasonable efforts to operate its business and
conduct its affairs with respect to the Specified Reinsurance Agreements in good
faith  and in a commercially reasonable manner and at all times in
compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, orders and
directives.

       

      (b) Indemnitee
shall furnish to Indemnitor on an annual basis, within ninety (90) days
following the end of each calendar year, a schedule (in reasonable detail)
setting forth for the calendar year most recently ended: (1) all payments made
by Indemnitee for any Specified Losses, (2) new claims reported to Indemnitee
relating to any WC Policies and (3) any changes in Indemnitee’s estimate of
anticipated losses related to the WC Policies.

      


      6. Exclusive
Agreement.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the
entire  agreement between the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersedes any prior  agreements, undertakings,
restrictions, warranties, representations, indemnification or support
obligations between the parties with respect to the
subject  matter  hereof.  In furtherance of the
foregoing, Indemnitee acknowledges that this Agreement shall be its sole and
exclusive remedy with respect to the subject matter hereof, and Indemnitee
hereby irrevocably waives any other rights or remedies it may have against
Indemnitor and/or Indemnitor’s Affiliates with respect to the subject matter
hereof under any charter, bylaws, Law, agreement or otherwise, whether or not
now in effect.

       

      7. Binding Agreement;
Assignment.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, this
Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and
their respective successors and assigns.  Neither party shall have the
right to assign this Agreement or any of its rights hereunder without the prior
written consent of the other party.  Any assignment without the other
party’s consent shall be void and of no force and effect.  Other than
the right of offset provided in Section 3, the parties agree and acknowledge
that there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement or the terms and
conditions hereof.

       

      8. Miscellaneous.  No
term or condition of this Agreement may be modified, amended, waived or
discharged unless such modification, amendment, waiver or discharge is agreed to
in writing signed by an authorized officer of each of Indemnitor and the
Indemnitee.  No waiver by any party at any time of any breach by any
other party of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this
Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be

       


      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      deemed a
waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same time or at
any prior or subsequent times. The validity, interpretation, construction, and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws
thereof.  The parties shall bring any action seeking resolution of
disputes or controversies arising under or in any way related to this Agreement
exclusively in the state and federal courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
and in any related appellate courts, and the parties consent to the exclusive
jurisdiction of and venue in such courts.  Each of the parties
irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of
any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement in such courts and
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim
in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in such court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  The recitals to this
Agreement are an integral part hereof and are incorporated herein by
reference.

       

      9. Waiver of Jury
Trial.  Each party hereby waives its respective right to a jury
trial of any permitted claim or cause of action arising out of this Agreement or
any dealings between the parties relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all encompassing of any
and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject
matter of this Agreement, including, without limitation, contract claims, tort
claims, and all other common law and statutory claims. This waiver is
irrevocable, meaning that it may not be modified either orally or in writing,
and this waiver shall apply to any subsequent amendments, supplements or other
modifications to this Agreement.

       

      10. Confidentiality.

       

      (a)   It is understood
and agreed that all documents, information and data relating to or in support of
any Specified Losses provided to Indemnitor by Indemnitee, whether directly or
through an authorized agent, and all information obtained through any audits
and/or any claims information between Indemnitee and Indemnitor, contain
confidential, proprietary information of Indemnitee.  Such information
and data, either written or oral, and documents are intended for the sole use of
the parties to this Agreement (or their auditors, rating agencies, governing
regulatory agencies, or legal counsel, as may be necessary) in analyzing and
handling claims under this Agreement.  Indemnitor hereby agrees not
to, directly or indirectly, use, disseminate, disclose, discuss or reveal any
information provided by Indemnitee, except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, and to maintain in  confidence all such
information.  Copying, duplicating, disclosing or using this
information for any purpose beyond these expressed purposes is expressly
forbidden without the prior consent of Indemnitee.  Nothing in this
Agreement is intended to prohibit disclosure of this agreement by parties in any
regulatory filing, including filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.

      


                  (b)   Indemnitor
agrees that should a third party demand pursuant to subpoena, summons, search
warrant, court or governmental order that Indemnitor disclose such information,
Indemnitor will notify Indemnitee immediately upon receipt of the demand and
prior to disclosure of the information unless prohibited from doing so by
applicable law.  Indemnitee shall have ten (10) days to respond to
such notice before Indemnitor may disclose any confidential information in
connection with such a demand without breaching the provisions
of


      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      this
Agreement.  If Indemnitee objects to the release of the information,
Indemnitor will cooperate with Indemnitee in its efforts to resist release of
the information, and Indemnitee will bear the cost of efforts to protect the
information.

      


                  (c)   The
parties shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the
disclosure and re-disclosure of non-public personally identifiable information
as may be in force at the time this Agreement is entered into or which may be
subsequently amended, promulgated or enacted.

      


                  (d)    Confidential
information shall not include any information that: (a) was previously known to
Indemnitor free of any confidentiality obligation; (b) is or becomes publicly
available by means other than unauthorized disclosure; (c) is developed by or on
behalf of Indemnitor independent of any confidential information furnished under
this Agreement; or (d) is received from a third party whose disclosure does not
violate any confidentiality obligation.


      


      11. Notices.  All
notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when personally
delivered, (b) one (1) day after sent by an internationally recognized overnight
delivery service for overnight delivery (as evidenced by a deposit receipt), or
(c) five (5) days after mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid through a national post office, at the address set forth above
with respect to the applicable party, or to such other address as either party
may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

       

      12. Counterparts.  This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including facsimile counterparts),
each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

       

      


       

      [Signature
Page Follows]

       


      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed and
delivered on the Effective Date.

       

      


      INDEMNITOR:

      


      PMA
CAPITAL CORPORATION

      


      


      


      By:_/s/ Stephen L.
Kibblehouse                                                      

            Name:
Stephen L. Kibblehouse

            Title:
Executive Vice President,

            General
Counsel & Secretary

      


      INDEMNITEE:

      


      PMA
CAPITAL INSURANCE COMPANY

      


      


      


      By:_/s/ Vito A.
Nigro                                                                

            Name:
Vito A. Nigro

            Title:    Vice
President & Treasurer

      


      


      


      


      


      



      
        
          
            [Signature
Page toWC Support  Agreement]

            
 

          

           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      EXHIBIT
A

      


      Specified Reinsurance
Agreements

      


      


      [to be
added]

      


      


      


       

      


      


      


      


      


      


      


      


      



      
        
           


        

        
           


          
            

          

        

        
           


        

      


      


      EXHIBIT
B

      


      Excess of Loss Claim Coding-
PMA Capital Insurance Company- Workers’ Compensation

      


      


      


      Excess
Workers’ Compensation claims are coded in Indemnitee’s claims systems as
follows:

      


       

      Business
Code = 12 (this field defines the business to be Excess of Loss), in combination
with

       

      Line of
Business Code = 16 (this field defines the business to be Workers’
compensation)

       

      These two
codes in combination comprise claims defined as Workers’ compensation excess of
loss.