The insurance business is distinguished from most others in that the prices (premiums) charged for various insurance products are set without certainty of the ultimate benefit and claim costs that will emerge or be incurred, often many years after issuance and expiration of a policy. This basic fact casts Old Republic as a risk-taking enterprise managed for the long run. The business is therefore conducted with a primary focus on the achievement of favorable underwriting results over cycles, and on the maintenance of financial soundness in support of the insurance subsidiaries' long-term obligations to insurance beneficiaries. To achieve these objectives, adherence to insurance risk management principles is stressed, and asset diversification and quality are emphasized.
In addition to income arising from Old Republic's basic underwriting and related services functions, significant investment income is earned from invested funds generated by those functions and from shareholders' capital. Investment management aims for stability of income from interest and dividends, protection of capital, and assuring sufficient liquidity to meet insurance underwriting and other obligations as they become payable in the future. Securities trading and the realization of capital gains are not objectives. The investment philosophy is therefore best characterized as emphasizing value, credit quality, and relatively long-term holding periods. The Company's ability to hold both fixed maturity and equity securities for long periods of time is in turn enabled by the scheduling of maturities in contemplation of an appropriate matching of assets and liabilities, and by investments in large capitalization equity securities with necessary market liquidity.
The preceding table shows both operating and net income to highlight the effects of realized investment gain or loss recognition on period-to-period earnings comparisons. Management uses net operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure, to evaluate and better explain operating performance, believing that this measure enhances an understanding of Old Republic’s core business results. Operating income, however, does not replace net income determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of total profitability.
The timing of realized investment gain or loss recognition can be highly discretionary and arbitrary due to such factors as individual securities sales, recording of estimated losses from write-downs of impaired securities, tax-planning considerations, and changes in investment management judgments relative to the direction of securities markets or the future prospects of individual investees or industry sectors. Since 2013, asset management operations have in part
Net investment income gained from the combination of a higher invested asset base and the greater yields obtained from an increasingly greater commitment to high quality dividend-paying common stocks during the past two years. Conversely, 2013 net investment income reflected further deterioration. While cash flow from operations was positive and additive to the invested asset base, market yields on new securities investments were constrained throughout the year.
The decline in title insurance premiums and fees throughout 2014 was mainly caused by the significant drop in refinance transactions from higher levels reached in 2013. The impact of lower refinance activity was magnified by adverse weather conditions in the early part of 2014 which likely deterred consumer spending and purchases, and by a rise in mortgage interest rates beginning mid-year 2013. Growth in 2013 premiums and fees benefitted from market share gains, steadily improving housing sales and related financing transactions, and a relatively low mortgage interest rate environment.
CCI results deteriorated significantly in 2014 as ongoing claim litigation costs burdened this portion of the RFIG run-off business. These costs rose materially in 2014 as greater net reserve provisions were required to cover the final settlement of a litigated case and, for all periods, the ongoing claim litigation with a major lending institution.
Consolidated Results - The combination of all of the above factors and results is reflected in the following table.
Cash flow from consolidated operating activities resulted in a deficit of $181.2 for 2014 compared to positive cash flows of $686.7 and $532.0 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Excluding the negative cash flow produced by the RFIG run-off business during 2014 and 2013, the remainder of Old Republic's operations posted positive cash flows of $702.8 and $757.5 in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Old Republic's invested assets are managed in consideration of enterprise-wide risk management objectives. Most importantly, these are intended to assure solid funding of insurance subsidiaries' long-term obligations to policyholders and other beneficiaries, and the necessary long-term stability of their capital accounts. As a result, the investment portfolio contains no significant insurance risk-correlated asset exposures to real estate, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations ("CDO's"), derivatives, junk bonds, hybrid securities, or illiquid private equity investments. In a similar vein, the Company does not engage in hedging or securities lending transactions, nor does it invest in securities whose values are predicated on non-regulated financial instruments exhibiting amorphous or unfunded counter-party risk attributes.
For the three years ended December 31, 2014, pretax charges due to other-than-temporary impairments in the value of securities had an insignificant affect on pretax income or loss.
The Company uses the asset and liability method of calculating deferred income taxes. This method results in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, calculated at currently enacted tax rates that are applicable to the cumulative temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when management determines that it is more likely than not that some, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the net deferred tax asset (liability) was $37.0, $48.4, and $148.1, respectively. The Company recorded a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets of $(9.6) each corresponding year end. In valuing the deferred tax assets, Old Republic considered certain factors including primarily the scheduled reversals of certain deferred tax liabilities, the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods, estimates of future taxable income, and our ability to exercise prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. A change in any of these estimates could result in the need to record an additional valuation allowance through a charge to earnings. See Note 1(j) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Company's consolidated income tax balances.
The eligibility for deferral and the recoverability of DAC is based on the successful acquisition of new or renewal contracts and estimated profitability of the insurance contracts to which it relates. As of the three most recent year ends, consolidated DAC balances ranged between 1.0% and 1.4% and averaged 1.2% of consolidated assets. The annual change in DAC balances for the three-year period affected underwriting, acquisition and other expenses within a range of (1.6)% and 1.4%, and averaged (.4)% of such expenses. These percentages are inclusive of the 2012 prospective application of new GAAP authoritative guidance related to the deferral of costs resulting in pretax charges of $37.9.
For the most recent calendar year and third preceding year, prior accident years' consolidated claim costs developed unfavorably while the second preceding year developed favorably. This development had the consequent effect of (increasing) or reducing consolidated annual loss costs for the three most recent years within a range of (3.6)% and 11.9%, or by an average of approximately 2.5% per annum. As a percentage of each of these years' consolidated earned premiums and fees, the (unfavorable) favorable developments have ranged between (2.1)% and 6.1%, and have averaged 1.2%. The variances in prior years' positive or negative claim developments are further discussed within the Incurred Loss Experience section of this document.
Investments - During 2014 and 2013, the Company committed the majority of investable funds to short to intermediate-term fixed maturity securities and high yielding publicly traded large capitalization common shares. At both December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 99% of the Company's investments consisted of marketable securities. Old Republic continues to adhere to its long-term policy of investing primarily in investment grade, marketable securities. The portfolio contains no significant direct insurance risk-correlated asset exposures to real estate, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations ("CDO's"), derivatives, junk bonds, hybrid securities, or illiquid private equity investments. In a similar vein, the Company does not engage in hedging transactions or securities lending operations, nor does it invest in securities whose values are predicated on non-regulated financial instruments exhibiting amorphous or unfunded counter-party risk attributes. At December 31, 2014, the Company had no fixed maturity investments in default as to principal and/or interest.
Relatively high short-term maturity investment positions continued to be maintained as of year-end 2014. Such positions reflect a large variety of seasonal and intermediate-term factors including current operating needs, expected operating cash flows, quarter-end cash flow seasonality, debt maturities, and investment strategy considerations. Accordingly, the future level of short-term investments will vary and respond to the interplay of these factors and may, as a result, increase or decrease from current levels.
Possible future declines in fair values for Old Republic's bond and stock portfolios would negatively affect the common shareholders' equity account at any point in time, but would not necessarily result in the recognition of realized investment losses. The Company reviews the status and fair value changes of each of its investments on at least a quarterly basis during the year, and estimates of other-than-temporary impairments in the portfolio's value are evaluated and established at each quarterly balance sheet date. In reviewing investments for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company, in addition to a security's market price history, considers the totality of such factors as the issuer's operating results, financial condition and liquidity, its ability to access capital markets, credit rating trends, most current audit opinion, industry and securities markets conditions, and analyst expectations to reach its conclusions. Sudden fair value declines caused by such adverse developments as newly emerged or imminent bankruptcy filings, issuer default on significant obligations, or reports of financial accounting developments that bring into question the validity of previously reported earnings or financial condition, are recognized as realized losses as soon as credible publicly available information emerges to confirm such developments. Absent issuer-specific circumstances that would result in a contrary conclusion, any equity security with an unrealized investment loss amounting to a 20% or greater decline for a six month period is considered other-than-temporarily-impaired. In the event the Company's estimate of other-than-temporary impairments is insufficient at any point in time, future periods' net income (loss) would be affected adversely by the recognition of additional realized or impairment losses, but its financial condition would not necessarily be affected adversely inasmuch as such losses, or a portion of them, could have been recognized previously as unrealized losses in shareholders' equity.
Represents 1.4% of the cost of the total equity securities portfolio, while gross unrealized gains represent 17.9% of the portfolio.
At December 31, 2014 the number of issues in an unrealized loss position represent 18.8% as to fixed maturities, and 11.7% as to equity securities of the total number of such issues held by the Company.
The aging of issues with unrealized losses employs balance sheet date fair value comparisons with an issue's original cost. The percentage reduction from such cost reflects the decline as of a specific point in time (December 31, 2014 in the above table) and, accordingly, is not indicative of a security's value having been consistently below its cost at the percentages shown nor throughout the periods shown.
Other Assets - Among other major assets, substantially all of the Company's receivables are not past due. Reinsurance recoverable balances on paid or estimated unpaid losses are deemed recoverable from solvent reinsurers or have otherwise been reduced by allowances for estimated amounts unrecoverable. Deferred policy acquisition costs are estimated by taking into account the direct costs relating to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts and evaluating their recoverability on the basis of recent trends in claims costs. Aside from the adoption of new accounting guidance on deferred acquisition costs as discussed in Note 1(f) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company's deferred policy acquisition cost balances have not fluctuated substantially from period-to-period, and do not represent significant percentages of assets or shareholders' equity.
See Item 1 - Business for a discussion of regulatory matters affecting RMIC. Management believes these current events have precluded the aforementioned potential for an event of default from occurring in the foreseeable future.
Capitalization - Old Republic's total capitalization of $4,889.1 at December 31, 2014 consisted of debt of $965.0 and common shareholders' equity of $3,924.0. Changes in the common shareholders' equity account reflect primarily operating results for the period then ended and dividend payments.
Bulk pool risk in-force, which represented 25.2% of total bulk risk in-force at December 31, 2014, has been allocated pro-rata based on insurance in-force.
The Company's CCI earned premiums and related risk in force included in the table below have reflected a generally declining trend. The decline is largely due to a discontinuation of active sales efforts since 2008. The following table shows CCI net premiums earned during the indicated periods and the maximum calculated risk in force at the end of the respective periods. Net earned premiums include additional premium adjustments arising from the variable claim experience of individual policies subject to retrospective rating plans. Risk in force reflects estimates of the maximum risk exposures at the inception of individual policies adjusted for cumulative claim costs and the lower outstanding loan balances attributed to such policies through the end of the periods shown below.
The Company's investment policies are not designed to maximize or emphasize the realization of investment gains. Rather, these policies aim for a stable source of income from interest and dividends, protection of capital, and the providing of sufficient liquidity to meet insurance underwriting and other obligations as they become payable in the future. Dispositions of fixed maturity securities generally arise from scheduled maturities and early calls; in 2014, 2013, and 2012, 50.2%, 87.7% and 72.7%, respectively, of all such dispositions resulted from these occurrences. Dispositions of securities at a realized gain or loss reflect such factors as ongoing assessments of issuers' business prospects, rotation among industry sectors, changes in credit quality, and tax planning considerations. Additionally, the amount of net realized gains and losses registered in any one accounting period are affected by the aforementioned assessments of securities' values for other-than-temporary impairment. As a result of the interaction of all these factors and considerations, net realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly from period-to-period, and, in the Company's view, are not indicative of any particular trend or result in the basics of its insurance business.
The Company's reserve setting process reflects the nature of its insurance business and the decentralized basis upon which it is conducted. Old Republic's general insurance operations encompass a large variety of lines or classes of commercial insurance; it has negligible exposure to personal lines such as homeowners or private passenger automobile insurance that exhibit wide diversification of risks, significant frequency of claim occurrences, and high degrees of statistical credibility. Additionally, the Company's insurance subsidiaries do not provide significant amounts of insurance protection for premises; most of its property insurance exposures relate to cargo, incidental property, and insureds' inland marine assets. Consequently, the wide variety of policies issued and commercial insurance customers served require that loss reserves be analyzed and established in the context of the unique or different attributes of each block or class of business produced by the Company. For example, accident liability claims emanating from insured trucking companies or from general aviation customers become known relatively quickly, whereas claims of a general liability nature arising from the building activities of a construction company may emerge over extended periods of time. Similarly, claims filed pursuant to errors and omissions or directors and officers' liability coverages are usually not prone to immediate evaluation or quantification inasmuch as many such claims may be litigated over several years and their ultimate costs may be affected by the vagaries of judged or jury verdicts. Approximately 92% of the general insurance group's claim reserves stem from liability insurance coverages for commercial customers which typically require more extended periods of investigation and at times protracted litigation before they are finally settled. As a consequence of these and other factors, Old Republic does not utilize a single, overarching loss reserving approach.
The Company has the legal right to rescind mortgage insurance coverage unilaterally as expressly stated in its policy. Moreover, two federal courts that have recently considered that policy wording have each affirmed that right (See First Tennessee Bank N.A. v. Republic Mortg. Ins. Co., Case No. 2:10-cv-02513-JPM-cgc (W.D. Tenn., Feb. 25, 2011) and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. v. Republic Mortg. Ins. Co., Civil Action No. 10-06141 (SRC) (D. NJ, May 4, 2011), each decision citing supporting state law legal precedent). RMIC's mortgage insurance policy provides that the insured represents that all statements made and information provided to it in an application for coverage for a loan, without regard to who made the statements or provided the information, have been made and presented for and on behalf of the insured; and that such statements and information are neither false nor misleading in any material respect, nor omit any fact necessary to make such statements and information not false or misleading in any material respect. According to the policy, if any of those representations are materially false or misleading with respect to a loan, the Company has the right to cancel or rescind coverage for that loan retroactively to commencement of the coverage. Whenever the Company determines that an application contains a material misrepresentation, it either advises the insured in writing of its findings prior to rescinding coverage or exercises its unilateral right to rescind coverage for that loan, stating the reasons for that action in writing and returning the applicable premium. The rescission of coverage in instances of materially faulty representations or warranties provided in applications for insurance is a necessary and prevailing practice throughout the insurance industry. In the case of mortgage guaranty insurance, rescissions have occurred regularly over the years but have been generally immaterial. Since 2008, however, the Company has experienced a much greater incidence of rescissions due to increased levels of observed fraud and misrepresentations in insurance applications pertaining to business underwritten between 2004 and the first half of 2008. As a result, the Company has incorporated certain assumptions regarding the expected levels of coverage rescissions and claim denials in its reserving methodology since
The RFIG Run-off mortgage guaranty provision for insured events of the current year was reduced by estimated coverage rescissions and claim denials of $47.1, $80.5 and $111.7, respectively, for 2014, 2013 and 2012. The provision for insured events of prior years in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was reduced by estimated coverage rescissions and claims denials of $10.4, $71.9 and $12.2, respectively. Prior year development was also affected in varying degrees by differences between actual claim settlements relative to expected experience and by subsequent revisions of assumptions in regards to claim frequency, severity or levels of associated claim settlement costs which result from consideration of underlying trends and expectations.
The consolidated benefits and claim ratio reflects the changing effects of period-to-period contributions of each segment to consolidated results, and this ratio's variances within each segment. For the three most recent calendar years, the above table indicates that the one-year development of consolidated reserves at the beginning of each year produced unfavorable developments in 2014 and 2012, and a favorable development in 2013 which on average decreased the consolidated loss ratio by 1.2%.
The percentage of net claims, benefits and related settlement expenses measured against premiums earned by major types of general insurance coverage were as follows:
The overall general insurance 2014, 2013 and 2012 claim ratio remained at relatively high levels as workers' compensation and general liability loss costs continued to reflect greater-than-expected severity. Claims are a major cost factor and changes in them reflect continually evolving pricing and risk selection together with changes in loss severity and frequency.
During the three most recent calendar years, the general insurance group experienced unfavorable development of prior year loss reserves for 2014 and favorable developments for 2013 and 2012. During 2014, the General Insurance Group experienced unfavorable developments of previously established reserves for accidents or events which occurred in 2011 and prior years in particular. These adverse developments were concentrated in workers' compensation and general liability case reserves and resulted from settlements or reserve additions exceeding the previously established indemnity and/or allocated loss adjustment expense provisions. The favorable developments for 2013 and 2012 are primarily due to the commercial automobile, general aviation, and the E&O/D&O (financial indemnity) lines of business; these were partially offset by unfavorable development in workers' compensation and general liability coverages and by ongoing development of asbestos and environmental ("A&E") claim reserves.
2012 and prior years' reserve provisions were impacted by the levels of reported delinquencies emanating from the downturn in the national economy, widespread stress in housing and mortgage finance markets, and high unemployment. Trends in expected and actual claim frequency and severity have been affected to varying degrees by several factors including, but not limited to, significant declines in home prices which limit a troubled borrower's ability to sell the mortgaged property in an amount sufficient to satisfy the remaining debt obligation, more restrictive mortgage lending standards which limit a borrower's ability to refinance the loan, increases in housing supply relative to recent demand, historically high levels of coverage rescissions and claims denials as a result of material misrepresentation in key underwriting information or non-compliance with prescribed underwriting guidelines, and changes in claim settlement costs. The latter costs are influenced by the amount of unpaid principal outstanding on delinquent loans as well as the rising expenses of settling claims due to higher investigation costs, legal fees, and accumulated interest expenses.
The RFIG Run-off business 2014 loss costs were negatively impacted by the CCI claims settlement disclosed elsewhere in this report.
As determined by risk in force as of December 31, 2014, these 10 states represent approximately 50.7%, 58.4%, and 50.9%, of traditional primary, bulk, and total risk in force, respectively.
Title insurance loss reserve levels can be impacted adversely by such developments as reduced loan refinancing activity, the effect of which can be to lengthen the period during which title policies remain exposed to loss emergence. Such reserve levels can also be affected by reductions in either property values or the volume of transactions which, by
Loss reserve uncertainty is illustrated by the variability in loss reserve development presented in the schedule which appears under Item 1 of this Annual Report. That schedule shows the cumulative loss reserve development for each of the past ten years through December 31, 2014 for the Company's property and liability business which currently represents 79.0% of Old Republic's total loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, net of reinsurance credits. Through December 31, 2014, ending claim reserves for the past ten year-ends have developed favorably, as a percentage of the original estimates, within a range of (4.5)% unfavorable in 2013 to 14.6% favorable in 2005. For the aggregate of ten year-ends, the net development has averaged 4.0% favorable.
On a consolidated basis, which includes all coverages provided by the Company, the one year development on prior year loss reserves over the same ten year period has ranged from (9.1)% unfavorable in 2010 to 11.9% favorable in 2005 and averaged .5% favorable for the ten years. Although management does not have a practical business reason for making projections of likely outcomes of future loss developments, its analysis and evaluation of Old Republic's existing business mix, current aggregate loss reserve levels, and loss development patterns suggests a reasonable likelihood that 2014 year-end loss reserves could ultimately develop within a range of +/- 5%. The most significant factors impacting the potential reserve development for each of the Company's insurance segments is discussed above. While Old Republic has generally experienced favorable overall loss developments for the latest ten year period, the current analysis of loss development factors and economic conditions influencing the Company's insurance coverages point to a gradual downward trend in favorable development during the most recent three years with respect to general insurance. In management's opinion, the other segments' loss reserve development patterns (most notably those associated with mortgage insurance) show greater variability due to changes in economic conditions which cannot be reasonably anticipated. Consequently, management believes that using a 5% potential range of reserve development provides a reasonable benchmark for a sensitivity analysis of the Company's consolidated reserves as of December 31, 2014.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 75,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock authorized, of which no shares were outstanding. As of the same dates, there were 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized, of which 260,946,810 and 260,462,217 were issued as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 100,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value, authorized, of which no shares were issued.
The insurance laws of the respective states in which the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are incorporated prescribe minimum capital and surplus requirements for the lines of business they are licensed to write. For domestic property and casualty and life and accident insurance companies the National Association of Insurance Commissioners also prescribes risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements. The RBC is a measure of statutory capital in relationship to a formula-driven definition of risk relative to a company’s balance sheet and mix of business. The combined RBC ratio of our primary General insurance subsidiaries was 692% and 695% of the company action level RBC at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The minimum capital requirements for the Company’s Title Insurance subsidiaries are established by statute in the respective states of domicile. The minimum regulatory capital requirements are not significant in relationship to the recorded statutory capital of the Company’s Title and Life & Accident insurance subsidiaries. At December 31, 2014 and 2013 each of the Company’s General, Title, and Life and Accident insurance subsidiaries exceeded the minimum statutory capital and surplus requirements. Refer to Note 1(s) - Regulatory Matters for a discussion regarding the RFIG Run-off group.
(d) Investments - The Company may classify its invested assets in terms of those assets relative to which it either (1) has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, (2) has available for sale or (3) has the intention of trading. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, substantially all the Company's invested assets were classified as "available for sale."
Bonds and other investments with a statutory carrying value of $601.6 as of December 31, 2014 were on deposit with governmental authorities by the Company's insurance subsidiaries to comply with insurance laws.
Level 1 securities include U.S. and Canadian Treasury notes, publicly traded common stocks, the quoted net asset value ("NAV") mutual funds, and most short-term investments in highly liquid money market instruments. Level 2 securities generally include corporate bonds, municipal bonds, certain U.S. and Canadian government agency securities. Securities classified within Level 3 include non-publicly traded bonds, short-term investments, and equity securities. There were no significant changes in the fair value of assets measured with the use of significant unobservable inputs as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during 2014.
The Company's mortgage guaranty premiums principally stem from monthly installments paid on long-duration, guaranteed renewable insurance policies. Substantially all such premiums are written and earned in the month coverage is effective. With respect to relatively few annual or single premium policies, earned premiums are largely recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies. Recognition of normal or catastrophic claim costs, however, occurs only upon an instance of default, defined as the occurrence of two or more consecutively missed monthly payments. Accordingly, GAAP revenue recognition for insured loans is not appropriately matched to the risk exposure and the consequent recognition of both normal and most significantly, future catastrophic loss occurrences for which current reserve provisions are not permitted. As a result, mortgage guaranty GAAP earnings for any individual year or series of years may be materially adversely affected, particularly by cyclical catastrophic loss events such as the mortgage insurance industry experienced between 2007 and 2012. Reported GAAP earnings and financial condition form, in part, the basis for significant judgments and strategic evaluations made by management, analysts, investors, and other users of the financial statements issued by mortgage guaranty companies. The risk exists that such judgments and evaluations are at least partially based on GAAP financial information that does not match revenues and expenses and is therefore not reflective of the long-term normal and catastrophic risk exposures assumed by mortgage guaranty insurers at any point in time.
In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive revenue recognition standard which applies to all entities that have contracts with customers, except for those that fall within the scope of other standards, such as insurance contracts. The Company is currently evaluating the guidance, which is effective in the first quarter of 2017, to determine the potential impact, if any, of its adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
With respect to most coverages, deferred acquisition costs are amortized on the same basis as the related premiums are earned or, alternatively, over the periods during which premiums will be paid. To the extent that future revenues on existing policies are not adequate to cover related costs and expenses, deferred policy acquisition costs are charged to earnings.
(g) Unearned Premiums - Unearned premium reserves are generally calculated by application of pro-rata factors to premiums in force. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, unearned premiums consisted of the following:
Old Republic's reserve estimates also include provisions for indemnity and settlement costs for various asbestosis and environmental impairment ("A&E") claims that have been filed in the normal course of business against a number of its insurance subsidiaries. Many such claims relate to policies incepting prior to 1985, including many issued during a short period between 1981 and 1982 pursuant to an agency agreement canceled in 1982. Over the years, the Company's property and liability insurance subsidiaries have typically issued general liability insurance policies with face amounts ranging between $1.0 and $2.0 and rarely exceeding $10.0. Such policies have, in turn, been subject to reinsurance cessions which have typically reduced the subsidiaries' net retentions to $.5 or less as to each claim. Old Republic's exposure to A&E claims cannot, however, be calculated by conventional insurance reserving methods for a variety of reasons, including: a) the absence of statistically valid data inasmuch as such claims generally involve long reporting delays and very often uncertainty as to the number and identity of insureds against whom such claims have arisen or will arise; and b) the litigation history of such or similar claims for insurance industry members which has produced inconsistent court decisions with regard to such questions as when an alleged loss occurred, which policies provide coverage, how a loss is to be allocated among potentially responsible insureds and/or their insurance carriers, how policy coverage exclusions are to be interpreted, what types of environmental impairment or toxic tort claims are covered, when the insurer's duty to defend is triggered, how policy limits are to be calculated, and whether clean-up costs constitute property damage. Over time, the Executive Branch and/or the Congress of the United States have proposed or considered changes in the legislation and rules affecting the determination of liability for environmental and asbestosis claims. As of December 31, 2014, however, there is no solid evidence to suggest that possible future changes might mitigate or reduce some or all of these claim exposures. Because of the above issues and uncertainties, estimation of reserves for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses for A&E claims in particular is much more difficult or impossible to quantify with a high degree of precision. Accordingly, no representation can be made that the Company's reserves for such claims and related costs will not prove to be overstated or understated in the future. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Old Republic's aggregate indemnity and loss adjustment expense reserves specifically identified with A&E exposures amounted to $128.8 and $159.7 gross, respectively, and $106.2 and $121.3 net of reinsurance, respectively. Old Republic's average five year survival ratios stood at 4.5 years (gross) and 6.1 years (net of reinsurance) as of December 31, 2014 and 5.5 years (gross) and 7.8 years (net of reinsurance) as of December 31, 2013. The survival ratios are presented on a pro forma basis (unaudited) as if PMA had been consolidated with ORI for all periods. Fluctuations in this ratio between years can be caused by the inconsistent pay out patterns associated with these types of claims.
Title insurance and related escrow services loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are established as point estimates to cover the projected settlement costs of known as well as IBNR losses related to premium and escrow service revenues of each reporting period. Reserves for known claims are based on an assessment of the facts available to the Company during the settlement process. The point estimates covering all claim reserves inherently take into account IBNR claims based on past experience and evaluations of such variables as changing trends in the types of policies issued, changes in real estate markets and interest rate environments, and changing levels of loan refinancing, all of which can have a bearing on the emergence, number, and ultimate cost of claims.
Although the insured has no right under the policy to appeal a Company claim decision, the insured may, at any time, contest in writing the Company's findings or action with respect to a loan or a claim. In such cases, the Company considers any additional information supplied by the insured. This consideration may lead to further investigation, retraction or confirmation of the initial determination. If the Company concludes that it will reinstate coverage, it advises the insured in writing that it will do so immediately upon receipt of the premium previously returned. Reserves are not
The RFIG Run-off mortgage guaranty provision for insured events of the current year was reduced by estimated coverage rescissions and claims denials of $47.1, $80.5 and $111.7, respectively, for 2014, 2013 and 2012. The provision for insured events of prior years in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was reduced by estimated coverage rescissions and claims denials of $10.4, $71.9 and $12.2, respectively. Prior year development was also affected in varying degrees by differences between actual claim settlements relative to expected experience and by subsequent revisions of assumptions in regards to claim frequency, severity or levels of associated claim settlement costs which result from consideration of underlying trends and expectations.
rescissions and claims denials due to material misrepresentation in key underwriting information or non-compliance with prescribed underwriting guidelines, the extent of loan refinancing activity that can reduce the period of time over which a policy remains at risk, and lower than expected frequencies of claims incurred but not reported.
(j) Income Taxes - The Company and most of its subsidiaries file a consolidated tax return and provide for income taxes payable currently. Deferred income taxes included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements will not necessarily become payable or recoverable in the future. The Company uses the asset and liability method of calculating deferred income taxes. This method results in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, calculated at currently enacted tax rates that are applied to the cumulative temporary differences between financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities.
At December 31, 2014, the Company had available net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards of $115.0 which will expire in years 2020 through 2029, and a $9.6 alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credit carryforward which does not expire. The NOL carryforward is subject to the limitations set by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and is available to reduce future years' taxable income by a maximum of $9.8 each year until expiration.
Pursuant to special provisions of the Internal Revenue Code pertaining to mortgage guaranty insurers, a contingency reserve (established in accordance with insurance regulations designed to protect policyholders against extraordinary volumes of claims) is deductible from gross income. The deduction is allowed only to the extent that U.S. government non-interest bearing tax and loss bonds are purchased and held in an amount equal to the tax benefit attributable to such deduction. For Federal income tax purposes, amounts deducted from the contingency reserve are taken into gross statutory taxable income in the period in which they are released. Contingency reserves may be released when incurred losses exceed thresholds established under state law or regulation, upon special request and approval by state insurance regulators, or in any event, upon the expiration of ten years. For 2014 tax purposes, the Company recognized a contingency reserve deduction of $95.3. Consequently, $25.6 of U.S. Treasury Tax and Loss Bonds were acquired during 2014 and $7.7 will be acquired during the first quarter of 2015.
(k) Property and Equipment - Property and equipment is generally depreciated or amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets, (2 to 27 years), substantially by the straight-line method. Depreciation and amortization expenses related to property and equipment were $26.1, $23.8 and $23.9 in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred, and expenditures for major renewals and additions are capitalized.
(n) Employee Benefit Plans - Prior to December 31, 2012, the Company had four separate pension plans covering a portion of its work force. The four plans were the Old Republic International Salaried Employees Retirement Plan (the Old Republic Plan), the Bituminous Casualty Corporation Retirement Income Plan (the Bituminous Plan), the Old Republic National Title Group Pension Plan (the Title Plan), and the PMA Capital Corporation Pension Plan (the PMA Plan). Effective December 31, 2012, the Bituminous Plan and the Title Plan were merged into the Old Republic Plan. Effective December 31, 2013, The PMA Plan was merged into the Old Republic Plan.
The plans are defined benefit plans pursuant to which pension payments are based primarily on years of service and employee compensation near retirement. It is the Company's policy to fund the plans' costs as they accrue. The Old Republic Plan has been closed to new participants since December 31, 2004; the PMA Plan was frozen as of December 31, 2005. The benefit levels in the Old Republic Plan were similarly frozen as of December 31, 2013. As a result, the plans have since been and remain closed to new participants and eligible employees retain all of the vested rights as of the effective date of the freeze, while additional benefits no longer accrue. For 2013, the impact of the benefit curtailment resulted in increased operating expenses of $.6, a reduction of the pension obligation liability of $26.6, and a resulting increase to other comprehensive income of $17.7, net of tax.
(o) Escrow Funds - Segregated cash deposit accounts and the offsetting liabilities for escrow deposits in connection with Title Insurance Group real estate transactions in the same amounts ($1,426.5 and $1,043.9 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively) are not included as assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as the escrow funds are not available for regular operations.
A summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2014 follows:
As of December 31, 2014, there was $2.3 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3 years.
At December 31, 2014, the Company had restricted common stock issued to certain employees which are expected to vest over the next 3 years. During the vesting period, restricted shares are nontransferable and subject to forfeiture. Compensation expense for the restricted stock award is recognized over the vesting period of the award and was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Old Republic's 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes and 4.875% Senior Notes ("the Notes") contain provisions defining certain events of default, among them a court ordered proceeding due to the insolvency of a Significant Subsidiary. The Notes define Significant Subsidiary in accordance with the paragraph (w) of Rule 1-02 of the SEC's Regulation S-X. The Company's flagship mortgage guaranty insurance carrier, RMIC qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary for purposes of the Notes. If RMIC were to become statutorily impaired, its insolvency could trigger a receivership proceeding which, in turn could ultimately result in an event of default. If this were to occur, the outstanding principal of the Notes could become immediately due and payable. Management believes the Final Order by the North Carolina Department of Insurance to RMIC has precluded such an event of default from occurring in the foreseeable future. Moreover, RMIC was statutorily solvent at December 31, 2014 and is expected to be an increasingly less significant subsidiary with the payment of the DPO balances and as its run-off book extinguishes itself.
(b) Common Stock - At December 31, 2014, there were 500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized. At the same date, there were 100,000,000 shares of Class "B" common stock authorized, though none were issued or outstanding. Class "B" common shares have the same rights as common shares except for being entitled to 1/10th of a vote per share. During 2008, the Company issued 5,488,475 shares to the ESSOP for consideration of $50.0. The ESSOP's common stock purchases were financed by a $30.0 bank loan and by $20.0 of pre-fundings from ESSOP participating subsidiaries. Common stock held by the ESSOP is classified as a charge to the common shareholders' equity account until it is allocated to participating employees' accounts contemporaneously with the repayment of the ESSOP debt
incurred for its acquisition. Such unallocated shares are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share. Dividends on unallocated shares are used to pay debt service costs. Dividends on allocated shares are credited to participants' accounts.
Except as noted in the following paragraph, reinsurance protection on property and liability coverages generally limits the net loss on most individual claims to a maximum of: $5.2 for workers' compensation; $3.8 for commercial auto liability; $3.8 for general liability; $8.0 for executive protection (directors & officers and errors & omissions); $2.0 for aviation; and $4.3 for property coverages. Title insurance risk assumptions are generally limited to a maximum of $500.0 as to any one policy. The vast majority of title policies issued, however, carry exposures of less than $1.0. Roughly 9% of the mortgage guaranty traditional primary insurance in force is subject to lender sponsored captive reinsurance arrangements structured primarily on an excess of loss basis. All bulk and other insurance risk in force is retained. Exclusive of reinsurance, the average direct primary mortgage guaranty exposure is (in whole dollars) $39,140 per insured loan.
As a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America, the reinsurance industry eliminated coverage from substantially all contracts for claims arising from acts of terrorism. Primary insurers like the Company thus became fully exposed to such claims. Late in 2002, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (the "TRIA") was signed into law, immediately establishing a temporary federal reinsurance program administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. The program applied to insured commercial property and casualty losses resulting from an act of terrorism, as defined in the TRIA. Congress extended and modified the program in late 2005 through the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2005 (the "TRIREA"). TRIREA expired on December 31, 2007. Congress enacted a revised program in December 2007 through the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (the "TRIPRA") of 2007, a seven year extension that expired December 2014. In January 2015, Congress passed the TRIPRA of 2015 that extended TRIPRA through 2020.
The TRIA automatically voided all policy exclusions which were in effect for terrorism related losses and obligated insurers to offer terrorism coverage with most commercial property and casualty insurance lines. The TRIREA revised the definition of "property and casualty insurance" to exclude commercial automobile, burglary and theft, surety, professional liability and farm owners multi-peril insurance. TRIPRA did not make any further changes to the definition of property and casualty insurance, however, it did include domestic acts of terrorism within the scope of the program. Although insurers are permitted to charge an additional premium for terrorism coverage, insureds may reject the coverage. Under TRIPRA, the program's protection is not triggered for losses arising from an act of terrorism until the industry first suffers losses in excess of a prescribed aggregate deductible during any one year. The program deductible trigger is $100, $120, $140, $160, $180, and $200 for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. Once the program trigger is met, TRIPRA will be responsible for a fixed percentage of the Company's terrorism losses that exceed its deductible that ranges from 85% in 2015 and declines by one percentage point per year until it reaches 80% in 2020. The Company's deductible is 20% of direct earned premium on eligible property and casualty insurance coverages. The
The following information relates to reinsurance and related data for the General Insurance and RFIG Run-off Groups for the three years ended December 31, 2014. Reinsurance transactions of the Title Insurance Group and small life and accident insurance operation are not material.
(b) Leases - Some of the Company's subsidiaries maintain their offices in leased premises. Some of these leases provide for the payment of real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses. Rental expenses for operating leases amounted to $51.4, $49.7 and $52.6 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These expenses relate primarily to building leases of the Company. A number of the Company's subsidiaries also lease other equipment for use in their businesses. At December 31, 2014, aggregate minimum rental commitments (net of expected sub-lease receipts) under noncancellable operating leases are summarized as follows: 2015: $50.2; 2016: $43.4; 2017: $37.1; 2018: $29.8; 2019: $21.6; 2020 and after: $39.4.
A certified class action lawsuit is pending against the Company's principal title insurance subsidiary, Old Republic National Title Insurance Company ("ORNTIC"), in a federal district court in Pennsylvania (Markocki et al. v. ORNTIC, U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Pennsylvania, filed June 8, 2006). The plaintiffs allege that ORNTIC failed to give consumers reissue and/or refinance credits on the premiums charged for title insurance covering mortgage refinancing transactions, as required by filed rate schedules. The suit also alleges violations of the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ("RESPA"). ORNTIC is challenging the certification based on more recent case precedents.
On December 19, 2008, Old Republic Insurance Company and Republic Insured Credit Services, Inc., ("Old Republic") filed suit against Countrywide Bank FSB, Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. ("Countrywide") and Bank of New York Mellon, BNY Mellon Trust of Delaware ("BNYM") in the Circuit Court, Cook County, Illinois (Old Republic Insurance Company, et al. v. Countrywide Bank FSB, et al.) seeking rescission of various credit indemnity policies issued to insure home equity loans and home equity lines of credit which Countrywide had securitized or held for its own account, a declaratory judgment and money damages based upon systemic material misrepresentations and fraud by Countrywide as to the credit characteristics of the loans or by the borrowers in their loan applications. Countrywide filed a counterclaim alleging a breach of contract, bad faith and seeking a declaratory judgment challenging the factual and procedural bases that Old Republic had relied upon to deny or rescind coverage for individual defaulted loans under those policies, as well as unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. The Court ruled that Countrywide does not have standing to counterclaim with respect to the policies insuring the securitized loans because those policies were issued to BNYM. In response, Countrywide and BNYM jointly filed a motion asking the Court to allow an amended counterclaim in which BNYM would raise substantially similar allegations as those raised by Countrywide and make substantially similar requests but with respect to the policies issued to BNYM. The Court dismissed their motion, with leave to re-plead the counterclaim. BNYM's subsequent attempt to re-plead was granted by the Court.
On January 29, 2010, in response to RMIC's suit, Countrywide served RMIC with a demand for arbitration under the arbitration clauses of the same Policies. The demand raises largely the same issues as those raised in RMIC's suit against Countrywide, but from Countrywide's perspective, as well as Countrywide's and RMIC's compliance with the
terms, provisions and conditions of the Policies. The demand includes a prayer for punitive, compensatory and consequential damages. RMIC filed a motion to stay the arbitration, and Countrywide filed a motion to dismiss RMIC's lawsuit and to compel the arbitration. On July 26, 2010, the Court granted Countrywide's motion, ordering the matters be submitted to arbitration and dismissing the lawsuit. The arbitration is proceeding.
On May 16, 2013, Bank of America, N.A. ("B of A") filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association against both Republic Mortgage Insurance Company and Republic Mortgage Insurance Company of North Carolina (together, "RMIC") under the arbitration provisions of the RMIC Master Policy of mortgage guaranty insurance issued to B of A. The demand relates to RMIC's denials of certain claims and rescissions of coverage as to other claims. B of A alleges RMIC's actions were in breach of contract, in breach of RMIC's duty of good faith and fair dealing and in bad faith. The allegations are substantially similar to those raised by B of A's affiliates, Countrywide Financial Corporation and Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. in their arbitration demand against RMIC. B of A is a plaintiff in that proceeding as well, in its capacity as successor in interest to Countrywide Bank, N.A. B of A's demand requests a declaratory judgment with respect to the interpretation of certain policy provisions, B of A's compliance with certain terms and conditions of the policy, and the propriety of certain coverage positions and claims administration procedures of RMIC. The demand also seeks unspecified money damages, punitive, compensatory and consequential damages, interest, attorneys' fees and costs. The arbitration is proceeding.
On January 20, 2015, Intellectual Ventures II LLC filed two complaints in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas naming as defendants Great West Casualty Company and BITCO General Insurance Corporation and BITCO National Insurance Company. (Intellectual Ventures II LLC v. Great West Casualty Company) and (Intellectual Ventures II LLC v. BITCO General Insurance Corporation et al.) The plaintiff alleges a single patent infringement and seeks damages, costs, expenses, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest in addition to injunctive relief.
Under GAAP, an estimated loss is accrued only if the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company and its subsidiaries have defended and intend to continue defending vigorously against each of the aforementioned actions. The Company does not believe it probable that any of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, though there can be no assurance in those regards. The Company has made an estimate of its potential liability under certain of these lawsuits, the counterclaim, and the arbitration, all of which seek unquantified damages, attorneys' fees, and expenses. Because of the uncertainty of the ultimate outcomes of the aforementioned disputes, additional costs may arise in future periods beyond the Company's current reserves. It is also unclear what effect, if any, the run-off operations of RMIC and its limited capital will have in the actions against it.
Note 5 - Consolidated Quarterly Results - Unaudited - Old Republic's consolidated quarterly operating data for the two years ended December 31, 2014 is presented below. In management's opinion, however, quarterly operating data for insurance enterprises such as the Company is not indicative of results to be achieved in succeeding quarters or years. The long-term nature of the insurance business, seasonal and cyclical factors affecting premium production, the fortuitous nature and, at times, delayed emergence of claims, and changes in yields on invested assets are some of the factors necessitating a review of operating results, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for periods of several years to obtain a proper indicator of performance trends. The data below should be read in conjunction with the "Management Analysis of Financial Position and Results of Operations".
than 20% of the home's purchase price. The RFIG Run-off mortgage guaranty operations insures only first mortgage loans, primarily on residential properties having one-to-four family dwelling units. CCI policies provide limited indemnity coverage to lenders and other financial intermediaries. The coverage is for the risk of non-payment of loan balances by individual buyers and borrowers.
Income (loss) before taxes (credits) is reported net of interest charges on intercompany financing arrangements with Old Republic's holding company parent for the following segments: General - $32.0, $28.9 and $28.1 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively; Title - $7.9, $7.9 and $8.0 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Mutual's statutory capital included surplus notes due to Old Republic of $10.5 out of total statutory capital of $29.4 and $29.9, respectively. AB&M's accounts are not consolidated with Old Republic's since it is owned by its policyholders and, in any event, their inclusion would not have a significant effect on Old Republic's consolidated financial statements.