Everest Re’s corporate offices are located in approximately 230,500 square feet of leased office space in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. The Company’s other fourteen locations occupy a total of approximately 129,435 square feet, all of which are leased. Management believes that the above described office space is adequate for its current and anticipated needs.
Net Investment Income. Net investment income decreased by 2.2% to $306.1 million in 2012 compared with net investment income of $312.9 million in 2011. Net pre-tax investment income, as a percentage of average invested assets was 3.7% in 2012 compared to 3.9% in 2011. The decline in income and yield was primarily the result of lower reinvestment rates for the fixed income portfolio, partially offset by additional dividend income from equity investments.
Net investment income decreased 10.7% to $312.9 million in 2011 compared with net investment income of $350.3 million in 2010, primarily due to a $58.2 million decline in income from our fixed maturities, reflective of reducing our municipal bond exposures and declining reinvestment rates. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $19.5 million in income from equities due to our expanded public equity portfolio and emerging market debt mutual funds. Net pre-tax investment income, as a percentage of average invested assets, was 3.9% in 2011 compared to 4.4% in 2010. The variance in this yield was primarily the result of fluctuations in our limited partnership income.
Other Income (Expense). We recorded other income of $12.1 million, other expense of $11.7 million and other income of $12.1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The changes were primarily due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates for the corresponding periods and fluctuations in the amortization of deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance agreements with affiliates.
Incurred losses and LAE decreased by 33.4% to $1,249.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $1,877.6 million in 2011, representing 34.2 loss ratio points. Current year catastrophe losses were lower by $543.0 million, or 30.1 points, period over period. The $245.9 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2012 related to Superstorm Sandy ($203.4 million), U.S. storms ($30.0 million) and Hurricane Isaac ($12.6 million). The $788.9 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2011 related primarily to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($344.1 million), the 2011 New Zealand earthquake ($166.8 million), the Thailand floods ($131.2 million), U.S. storms ($40.3 million), the 2011 Australian floods ($37.1 million) and Hurricane Irene ($22.4 million) as well as $33.4 million of IBNR reserves for these 2011 catastrophe events collectively, which were not allocated to a specific event. During 2012, $27.4 million of the IBNR reserve was allocated to specific 2011 catastrophes, leaving $6.0 million of unallocated IBNR reserves at December 31, 2012. Current year attritional losses decreased $82.3 million, representing 4.0 loss ratio points, due to a shift in mix of business towards excess of loss business, which generally has lower attritional losses, and the impact of year over year cessions under our affiliated quota share agreements resulting from changes in ceding percentages.
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 27.1% to $1,877.6 million in 2011 compared to $1,477.5 million in 2010. Current year catastrophe losses increased $518.4 million (29.1 points), period over period, primarily due to 2011 losses discussed above. The $270.5 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2010 related primarily to the Chile earthquake ($196.9 million), the 2010 New Zealand earthquake ($36.4 million) and the 2010 Australia hailstorms and floods ($33.9 million). Partially offsetting the catastrophe increase was
the decrease in attritional losses of $131.2 million, primarily due to the non-recurrence of prior years’ development, the decrease in premiums earned and changes in the mix of business.
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees increased by 1.1% to $338.7 million in 2011 compared to $335.1 million in 2010. The variance was primarily the result of fluctuations in the mix of business and a change in the affiliated quota share agreement.
Other Underwriting Expenses. Other underwriting expenses were $170.6 million, $154.3 million and $139.8 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in other underwriting expense for 2012 compared to 2011 was mainly due to higher employee benefit plan expenses. The increase in other underwriting expenses for 2011 compared to 2010 was mainly due to expenses of Heartland, which was acquired in January, 2011.
Corporate Expenses. Corporate expenses, which are general operating expenses that are not allocated to segments, were $8.8 million, $6.1 million and $5.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These increases were also primarily due to higher employee benefit plan expenses.
Our net loss was $202.8 million in 2011 compared to a net income of $265.4 million in 2010. The variance was primarily driven by higher catastrophe losses in 2011.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2011, we realigned our reporting segments to reflect recent changes in the type and volume of business written. We previously reported the results of Marine & Aviation, Surety, A&H Reinsurance and A&H Primary operations as a separate segment-Specialty Underwriting. The A&H primary business, which is a relatively new line of business for us, has increased significantly, representing approximately 2% of premiums earned and is projected to continue to grow. The A&H primary business is better aligned with the Insurance reporting segment based on the similarities of this business with those businesses already reflected in the Insurance segment. The other operating units included in the Specialty Underwriting segment would have encompassed less than 8% of our premiums earned and their volume is projected to remain approximately 8%. As a result of the size of these remaining operating units and their similarity to the business reported within U.S. Reinsurance, they have been reclassified to the U.S. Reinsurance segment. There has been no change to the International reporting segment. We have restated all segment information for prior years to conform to the new reporting segment structure.
The U.S. Reinsurance operation writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including Marine, Aviation, Surety and A&H business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S. The International operation writes non-U.S. property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re’s branches in Canada, Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami and New Jersey. The Insurance operation writes property and casualty insurance, including medical stop loss insurance, directly and through general agents, brokers and surplus lines brokers within the U.S and Canada.
Premiums. Gross written premiums decreased by 2.7% to $1,310.7 million in 2012 from $1,346.8 million in 2011, primarily due to the non-renewal of a large Florida quota share reinsurance contract, partially offset by increased new business and higher premium rates on renewals, particularly for contracts with catastrophe exposed risks. Net written premiums decreased 4.2% to $659.7 million in 2012 compared to $688.5 million in 2011, which is in line with the decrease in gross written premiums. Premiums earned increased 3.5% to $722.4 million in 2012 compared to $697.7 million in 2011. The variance difference between premiums earned and net written premiums is primarily attributable to the non-renewal of the large Florida quota share reinsurance contract, which had a larger negative impact on gross and net written premiums, increases in new business, rate increases on renewals, particularly for catastrophe exposed contracts and changes in the mix of business.
Gross written premiums decreased by 3.5% to $1,346.8 million in 2011 from $1,395.4 million in 2010, primarily due to reduced reinsurance premiums for accident and health, crop and marine business, partially offset by a $24.4 million increase in reinstatement premiums due to higher catastrophe loss activity in the period. Net written premiums decreased 11.0% to $688.5 million in 2011 compared to $773.6 million in 2010, primarily due to the decrease in gross written premiums and a higher percentage of premium ceded under an affiliated quota share agreement. Premiums earned decreased 10.3% to $697.7 million in 2011 compared to $777.7 million in 2010, primarily due to the decline in net written premiums.
Incurred losses decreased 6.5% to $582.4 million in 2012 compared to $623.1 million in 2011, primarily due to a decrease in attritional losses of $86.4 million (14.1 points) partially offset by the $58.7 million (7.3 points) increase in current year catastrophe losses. The current year attritional losses decreased $49.9 million due primarily to a shift in business to excess of loss contracts which generally have lower attritional losses than pro rata contracts and prior years’ attritional losses decreased by $36.4 million due to less reserve development in 2012. The $235.3 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2012 related to Superstorm Sandy ($193.5 million), U.S. storm losses ($29.9 million) and Hurricane Isaac ($11.9 million). The $176.6 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2011 related primarily to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($48.3 million), the 2011 New Zealand earthquake ($42.4 million), U.S. storms ($39.6 million), Hurricane Irene ($18.4 million), the Thailand floods ($11.4 million) and the 2011 Australian floods ($3.9 million).
Incurred losses were $66.6 million (17.7 points) higher at $623.1 million in 2011 compared to $556.5 million in 2010, primarily as a result of the $159.1 million (23.0 points) increase in 2011 current year catastrophe losses discussed above. The $17.5 million of current year catastrophe losses for 2010 related primarily to the Chile earthquake ($9.0 million) and the 2010 New Zealand earthquake ($8.4 million). Partially offsetting this increase, the current year attritional losses decreased $70.0 million (3.2 points), primarily due to a shift in the mix of business, with a higher level of excess of loss business in the current year, which carries a lower attritional loss ratio, than pro rata business as well as the decline in earned premiums.
Gross written premiums increased by 3.0% to $1,242.6 million in 2011 compared to $1,207.0 million in 2010, primarily due to the effects of foreign exchange. Eliminating this effect, premiums were essentially flat. Growth from increased rate levels, particularly in regions recently affected by catastrophe losses was offset by the termination of business that did not meet our current pricing targets. Net written premiums decreased by 4.1% to $615.1 million in 2011 compared to $641.4 million in 2010, primarily due to the change in our affiliated quota share agreement. Premiums earned increased by 1.7% to $636.7 million in 2011 compared to $626.3 million in 2010. The change in premiums earned relative to net written premiums is the result of timing; premiums are earned ratably over the coverage period whereas written premiums are recorded at the initiation of the coverage period.
Incurred losses and LAE decreased 69.5% to $261.5 million in 2012 compared to $856.1 million in 2011, representing 88.8 loss ratio points. The decrease was principally due to a $604.5 million (94.9 points) decrease in current year catastrophes. The $6.0 million of 2012 current year catastrophes related primarily to Superstorm Sandy ($5.9 million). The $610.5 million of 2011 current year catastrophes related primarily to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami ($295.8 million), the 2011 New Zealand earthquake ($124.4 million), the Thailand floods ($119.8 million) and the 2011 Australian flood ($33.2 million). Attritional losses increased by $16.0 million (7.2 points) primarily due to less favorable reserve development in 2012 than in 2011.
Premiums. Gross written premiums increased by 8.3% to $1,049.2 million in 2012 compared to $969.1 million in 2011. This increase was primarily driven by crop and primary A&H medical stop loss business, partially offset by the termination and runoff of several large casualty programs. Net written premiums increased 6.8% to $481.2 million in 2012 compared to $450.4 million for 2011. The lower increase in net written premiums in comparison to gross written premiums is primarily attributable to a higher level of reinsurance employed for the crop business. Premiums earned increased 4.3% to $479.0 million in 2012 compared to $459.4 million in 2011. The change in premiums earned is relatively consistent with the increase in net written premiums.
Gross written premiums increased by 12.0% to $969.1 million in 2011 compared to $865.4 million in 2010. This was due to strategic portfolio changes with growth in short-tail business, primarily driven by the acquisition of Heartland, which provided $169.6 million of new crop insurance premium in 2011 and $54.0 million growth in A&H primary business, partially offset by the reduction of a large casualty program. Net written premiums increased 20.5% to $450.4 million in 2011 compared to $373.7 million for the same period in 2010 due to higher gross premiums and reduced levels of ceded reinsurance, primarily due to the reduction of the large casualty program. Premiums earned increased 12.1% to $459.4 million in 2011 compared to $409.8 million in 2010. The change in premiums earned is consistent with the change in net written premiums.
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 1.9% to $405.8 million in 2012 compared to $398.4 million in 2011. This was primarily due to an increase of $4.8 million in attritional losses resulting primarily from higher prior years’ losses in 2012 resulting from development on excess casualty and workers’ compensation reserves and a $2.8 million increase in current year catastrophe losses due primarily to Superstorm Sandy ($4.0 million).
Incurred losses and LAE increased by 10.9% to $398.4 million in 2011 compared to $359.0 million in 2010. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $42.5 million (0.6 points) in current year attritional losses primarily due to higher net premiums earned. The $24.7 million of prior years’ development was primarily attributable to excess casualty and California workers’ compensation reserves.
Commission and brokerage expenses increased 36.5% to $40.4 million in 2011 compared to $29.6 million in 2010. These increases were primarily the result of an increase in net premiums earned and changes in distribution, mix of business and ceded reinsurance. Segment other underwriting expenses in 2011 increased to $87.7 million from $69.7 million in 2010. These increases were primarily due to the expenses of the newly acquired Heartland.