The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for 2012, compared to 2011, and 2011, compared to 2010, respectively. The following also includes a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources at December 31, 2012. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this filing. This filing contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results described or implied by these forward-looking statements. See "Note on Forward-Looking Statements."
As quantified in the table above, since the inception of the Company in 1993, while we have experienced adverse development from time to time, on a cumulative basis we have experienced $922.8 million of net favorable development on the run-off of our gross reserves within our catastrophe unit. This represents 14.9% of our initial estimated gross claims and claim expenses for accident years 2011 and prior of $6.2 billion and is calculated based on our estimates of claims and claim expense reserves as of December 31, 2012, compared to our initial estimates of ultimate claims and claim expenses, as of the end of each accident year. As described above, given the complexity in reserving for claims and claims expenses associated with catastrophe losses for property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance contracts, we have experienced development, both favorable and unfavorable, in any given accident year. For example, our 2005 accident year developed favorably by $210.8 million, which is 14.3% better than our initial estimates of claims and claim expenses for the 2005 accident year as estimated as of December 31, 2005, while our 2004 accident year developed unfavorably by $53.5 million, or negative 7.0%. On a net basis our cumulative favorable or unfavorable development is generally reduced by offsetting changes in our reinsurance recoverables, as well as changes to loss related premiums such as reinstatement premiums, and redeemable noncontrolling interest for changes in claims and claim expenses that impact DaVinciRe, all of which generally move in the opposite direction to changes in our ultimate claims and claim expenses.
The utilization of the Bornhuetter-Ferguson actuarial method requires us to estimate an expected ultimate claims and claim expense ratio and select an expected loss reporting pattern. We select our estimates of the expected ultimate claims and claim expense ratios and expected loss reporting patterns by reviewing industry results for similar business and adjusting for the terms of the coverages we offer. The estimated expected claims and claim expense ratio may be modified to the extent that reported losses at a given point in time differ from what would be expected based on the selected loss reporting pattern. Our estimate of IBNR is the product of the premium we have earned, the initial expected ultimate claims and claim expense ratio and the percentage of estimated unreported losses. In addition, certain of our specialty reinsurance coverages may be impacted by natural and man-made catastrophes. We estimate claim reserves for these losses after the event giving rise to these losses occur, following a process that is similar to our catastrophe unit described above.
Within our Lloyd's segment, we write property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance contracts to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, a number of specialty reinsurance lines and insurance policies and quota share reinsurance that involves understanding the characteristics of the underlying insurance policy.
The table below quantifies the impact on our reserves for claims and claim expenses, net income and shareholders' equity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 of reasonably likely changes to the actuarial assumptions used to estimate our December 31, 2012 claims and claim expense reserves within our Other category. The table quantifies reasonably likely changes in our initial estimated ultimate claims and claim expense ratios and estimated loss reporting patterns. The changes to the initial estimated ultimate claims and claim expense ratios represent percentage increases or decreases to our current estimated ultimate claims and claim expense ratios. The change to the reporting patterns represent claims reporting that is both faster and slower than our current estimated reporting patterns. The impact on net income and shareholders' equity assumes no increase or decrease in reinsurance recoveries or loss related premium and is before tax.
Investments in which we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are classified as investments in other ventures, under equity method, and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, we record our proportionate share of income or loss from such investments in our results for the period. Any decline in the value of investments in other ventures, under equity method, including goodwill and other intangible assets arising upon acquisition of the investee, considered by management to be other-than-temporary, is impaired and is reflected in our consolidated statements of operations in the period in which it is determined. As of December 31, 2012, we had $87.7 million (2011 - $70.7 million) in investments in other ventures, under equity method on our consolidated balance sheets, including $10.8 million of goodwill and $19.6 million of other intangible assets (2011 - $9.0 million and $24.5 million).
Ceded premiums written increased by $14.8 million in 2012, compared to 2011. Excluding the impact of $1.0 million and $28.0 million of reinstatement premiums related to recoveries on certain large losses in 2012 and 2011, respectively, ceded premiums written increased by $41.8 million or 10.9%, primarily due to ceded premiums written of $48.5 million related to our managed joint ventures, Upsilon and Tim Re III.
Net investment income was $118.0 million in 2011, compared to $204.0 million in 2010. The $86.0 million decrease in net investment income was principally driven by a $36.9 million decrease in the returns from our hedge fund and private equity investments due to lower returns in 2011, a $30.8 million decrease in the returns on certain non-investment grade investments included in other investments, and an $18.3 million decrease in net investment income related to fixed maturity investments, which was driven by a widening in credit spreads during 2011, and included $26.7 million of losses on derivatives and futures used to hedge the interest rate exposure of credit sensitive fixed maturity investments. The hedge fund, private equity and other investment portfolios are accounted for at fair value with the change in fair value recorded in net investment income which included net unrealized gains of $12.7 million in 2011, compared to $57.5 million in 2010.
As discussed in the "Capital Resources" section below, Renaissance Reinsurance is obligated to make a mandatory capital contribution of up to $50.0 million in the event that a loss reduces Top Layer Re's capital below a specified level. Although not required to maintain Top Layer Re's minimum solvency margin as defined by the BMA, nor contractually obligated to, Renaissance Reinsurance contributed $38.5 million in additional paid-in capital to Top Layer Re during 2011, following the 2011 New Zealand and Tohoku earthquakes.
Historically, cash receipts from operations, consisting of premiums and investment income, generally have provided sufficient funds to pay losses as well as operating expenses of our subsidiaries and to fund dividends to RenaissanceRe. Cash receipts from operations are generally derived from the receipt of investment income on our investment portfolio as well as the net receipt of premiums less claims and claims expenses related to our underwriting activities. The Company's operating subsidiaries provide liquidity in that premiums are generally received months or even years before losses are paid under the policies related to such premiums. Premiums and acquisition expenses are settled based on terms of trade as stipulated by an underwriting contract, and generally are received within the first year of inception of a policy when the premium is written, but can be longer on certain reinsurance business assumed. Operating expenses are generally paid within a year of being incurred. Claims and claims expenses, may take a much longer time before they are reported and ultimately settled, requiring the establishment of reserves for claims and claim expenses. Therefore, the amount of claims paid in any one year is not necessarily related to the amount of net claims incurred, as reported in the consolidated statement of operations.
We are a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined by the rules promulgated under the Securities Act and we maintain a "shelf" Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Shelf Registration Statement") under the Securities Act and are eligible to file additional automatically effective Registration Statements of Form S-3 in the future for the potential offering and sale of an unlimited amount of debt and equity securities. The Shelf Registration Statement allows for various types of securities to be offered, including, but not limited to the following: common shares, preference shares and debt securities.
Cash flows used in financing activities. Our cash flows used in financing activities in 2012 were $538.6 million, and were principally the result of the settlement of $463.3 million of our common share repurchases, the payment of $53.4 million and $34.9 million in dividends to our common and preferred shareholders, respectively, and the redemption of $150.0 million of our Series D preference shares during the fourth quarter, partially offset by net inflows of $164.9 million related to additional third party equity capital raised during 2012 in our redeemable noncontrolling interest - DaVinciRe.
In 2012, our capital resources decreased by $92.0 million, principally due to the redemption of 6.0 million of our Series D Preferences Shares, or $150.0 million, as discussed below, $53.4 million of dividends on our common shares, $494.4 million of common share repurchases as discussed in more detail in "Part II, Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds", and partially offset by comprehensive income of $602.8 million.
Effective December 31, 2012, each of Renaissance Reinsurance and DaVinci was approved as an Accredited Reinsurer in the state of New York and established a multi-beneficiary reduced collateral reinsurance trust ("RCT") to collateralize its (re)insurance liabilities associated with U.S. domiciled cedants in certain states where Renaissance Reinsurance or DaVinci is approved as an Accredited Reinsurer, thereby providing for a reduction in collateral requirements to 20% of the net outstanding insurance liabilities. The RCTs are subject to the rules and regulations of the state of New York and the respective deed of trust, including but not limited to certain minimum capital funding requirements, investment guidelines, capital distribution restrictions and regulatory reporting requirements. Assets held under trust at December 31, 2012 with respect to the RCTs totaled $11.0 million and $11.0 million for Renaissance Reinsurance and DaVinci, respectively, compared to the minimum amount required under U.S. state regulations of $10.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.
On January 3, 2013, Fitch affirmed the IFS of Renaissance Reinsurance at "A+". The outlook is stable for this rating.